Endless belt energy converter
OwnerJoseph Sieberinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a way to convert energy from a fluid flow, using a fluid-flow transducer, having a frame anchorable against the flow, an elongated conveyor supported by the frame, and a plurality of vanes distributed along the conveyor, adapted to engage the fluid flow and to drive the conveyor in response to urging of the fluid flow, in combination with a power take-off coupled to be driven by the conveyor and adapted to drive a load.
Claims19
An apparatus for converting energy from a fluid flow, comprising:
- a. a first fluid-flow transducer, having
- i. a frame anchorable against the flow,
- ii. an elongated conveyor supported by the frame, and
- iii. a plurality of vanes distributed along the conveyor to drive the conveyor in response to urging of the fluid flow,
- a) each of the plurality of vanes having a scoop with oppositely facing mouths adapted to engage the fluid flow, wherein at least one of the plurality of vanes has a scoop wherein the oppositely facing mouths are trimmable, further including at least one cable-operated hinge adapted to trim the oppositely facing mouths, and
- b. a power take-off coupled to be driven by the conveyor and adapted to drive a load.
An apparatus as claimed 1, wherein the at least one of the plurality of vanes has an extended position and a retracted position.
A method of converting energy from a fluid flow, comprising:
- a. distributing a plurality of vanes along an elongated conveyor, each of the plurality of vanes having a scoop with oppositely facing mouths adapted to engage the fluid flow, wherein at least one of the plurality of vanes has a scoop wherein the oppositely facing mouths are trimmable, further including at least one cable-operated hinge adapted to trim the oppositely facing mouths,
- b. anchoring the conveyor proximate the flow such that some of the plurality of vanes are urged upon by the flow and in response urge the conveyor into motion, and
- c. trimming the oppositely facing mouths of the at least one of the plurality of vanes using the at least one cable-operated hinge.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.