Method and apparatus for harnessing hydro-kinetic energy
OwnerSaeHeum Songinventor
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Abstract
Apparatus and method is disclosed for generating usable power derived from oscillatory hydro-kinetic energy available in the movement of waves having a given height and being spaced apart by a predetermined distance at the surface of a body of water. Apparatus and method is disclosed for generating usable power derived from hydro-kinetic energy available in a body of water moving in at least one direction of movement, the at least one direction being substantially horizontal or substantially vertical. Apparatus and method is disclosed for generating usable power derived from hydro-gravitational forces available at a site having a source of water at a first elevation higher than a second elevation at a selected location where the usable power is to be derived.
Claims9
Apparatus for generating usable power derived from hydro-kinetic energy available in a body of water moving in at least one direction of movement, the apparatus comprising:
- a continuous, endless conveyor for being immersed in the body of water, the conveyor being movable through a looped path of travel along which a first leg of the conveyor is advanced in a direction of advancement while a second leg of the conveyor is returned in a return direction, with the first and second legs aligned substantially with the direction of movement of the body of water, and with the conveyor held substantially stationary relative to the moving body of water;
- and
- a plurality of vanes carried by the conveyor, the vanes being mounted on the conveyor for movement between a first orientation, wherein the vanes intercept the body of water for effecting advancement of the vanes with the movement of the body of water, and a second orientation, wherein the vanes permit relative movement between the body of water and the vanes;
- the first and second legs of the conveyor both being arranged for at least partial immersion in the moving body of water as the body of water moves along the at least one direction such that the vanes along one of the first and second legs of the conveyor will be moved by the moving body of water into one of the first and second orientations, while the vanes along the other of the first and second legs will be moved by the moving body of water into the other of the first and second orientations, thereby effecting advancement of the conveyor along the looped path of travel;
- and
- an energy conversion device coupled with the conveyor for actuation in response to advancement of the conveyor, to convert the advancement of the conveyor into usable power.
A method for generating usable power derived from hydro-kinetic energy available in a body of water moving in at least one direction of movement, the method comprising:
- immersing a continuous, endless conveyor in the body of water, the conveyor being movable through a looped path of travel along which a first leg of the conveyor is advanced in a direction of advancement while a second leg of the conveyor is returned in a return direction;
- aligning the first and second legs of the conveyor substantially with the direction of movement of the body of water;
- holding the conveyor substantially stationary relative to the moving body of water;
- and
- mounting a plurality of vanes on the conveyor for movement between a first orientation, wherein the vanes intercept the body of water for effecting advancement of the vanes with the movement of the body of water, and a second orientation, wherein the vanes permit relative movement between the body of water and the vanes;
- arranging the first and second legs of the conveyor for at least partial immersion in the moving body of water as the body of water moves along the at least one direction such that the vanes along one of the first and second legs of the conveyor are moved by the moving body of water into one of the first and second orientations, while the vanes along the other of the first and second legs are moved by the moving body of water into the other of the first and second orientations, thereby effecting advancement of the conveyor along the looped path of travel;
- and
- coupling an energy conversion device with the conveyor for actuation in response to advancement of the conveyor, to convert the advancement of the conveyor into usable power.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.