# US 9,752,549 B2 · Apparatus for converting energy from fluid flow > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,752,549 B2 - Document ID: US9752549B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/409,210 - Filed: 2013-06-20 - Published: 2015-06-18 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-06-20 - Assignees: Verderg Ltd - Applicants: Verderg Ltd - Inventors: Peter Roberts - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9752549B2 ## CPC - F03B 3/04: with substantially axial flow throughout rotors, e.g. propeller turbines {(rotors per se F03B3/126)} - F01D 25/24: Casings (modified for heating or cooling F01D25/14); Casing parts, e.g. diaphragms, casing fastenings (casings for rotary machines or engines in general F16M {; special arrangements in stators dealing with breaking-off of part of rotor F01D21/045}) - F03B 13/08: Machine or engine aggregates in dams or the like; Conduits therefor {, e.g. diffusors (bulb groups F03B13/105)} - F03B 13/10: Submerged units incorporating electric generators or motors - F05B 2240/133: with a convergent-divergent guiding structure, e.g. a Venturi conduit - Y02E 10/20: Hydro energy - Y10T 29/49229: Prime mover or fluid pump making - F03B: MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS (positive-displacement engines for liquid F03C; machines for liquids and gases F01; positive-displacement machines for liquids F04, rotary fluid gearing of the hydrokinetic type F16H41/00) - F01D: NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES (machines or engines for liquids F03; non-positive displacement pumps F04D) - F05B: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract An apparatus for generating electricity from water flow comprises a convergent section, a diffuser section and tube for locating within a body of water. The convergent section is connected to a first end of a mixing chamber such that a venturi is defined between the end of the convergent section and the mixing chamber. The diffuser section is connected to a second end of the mixing chamber, the diffuser section configured such that in use the pressure at the exit of the diffuser section is greater than the pressure at the venturi. At least part of the tube is located in the convergent section, such that an annulus is defined between the tube and the convergent section, to form a first flow passage. The tube defines a second flow passage within the tube; and a turbine connectable to a generator is located within the tube. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for generating electricity from water flow comprising: a convergent section connected to a first end of a mixing chamber such that a venturi is defined between the end of the convergent section and the mixing chamber; a diffuser section connected to a second end of the mixing chamber, the diffuser configured such that in use the pressure at the exit of the diffuser is greater than the pressure at the venturi; at least part of a tube located in the convergent section, such that an annulus is defined between the tube and the convergent section, to form a first flow passage, and the tube defining a second flow passage within the tube; and a turbine connectable to a generator; wherein the turbine is located within the tube. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a screen located across the opening of the tube. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tube is moveable relative to the convergent section and the mixing chamber. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the downstream end of the tube is positioned upstream of the venturi, downstream of the venturi or substantially level with the venturi. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tube is connected to the inner surface of the convergent section by support arms. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tube is supported within a hub. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the hub comprises a movement mechanism to axially move the tube. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the hub and tube comprises a screw and thread mechanism to allow movement of the tube relative to the convergent section. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the upstream end of the tube is located within the convergent section. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the upstream end of the tube is located upstream from the entrance of the convergent section. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising an array of radial support blades within the tube. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the array of radial support blades are located downstream of the turbine and/or upstream of the turbine. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tube has a convergent region at its upstream end. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tube has a divergent region at its downstream end. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the tube has a substantially uniform diameter along its length. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the ratio of the cross sectional area of the entrance of the convergent section to the cross sectional area of the entrance of the mixing chamber is selected to optimize the secondary flow rate through the tube and the pressure difference between the upstream end and downstream end of the tube. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the ratio of the cross sectional area of the entrance of the mixing chamber and the cross sectional area of the tube is selected to optimize the secondary flow rate through the tube and the pressure difference between the upstream end and downstream end of the tube. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the ratio of the cross sectional area of the entrance of the convergent section to the cross sectional area of the exit of the diffuser section is selected to optimize the performance of the apparatus. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the ratio of the cross sectional area of the entrance of the convergent section to the cross sectional area of the exit of the diffuser section is approximately 1:1. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the turbine is connected to a generator by a drive shaft. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the exit of the diffuser section comprises a substantially rectangular, oval or circular cross section. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the entrance of the convergent section comprises a substantially rectangular, oval or circular cross section. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the diffuser section and the convergent section have a substantially circular cross section. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the mixing chamber has a substantially circular cross section. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the mixing chamber converges in the downstream direction. ### Claim 26 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the mixing chamber is diverged in the downstream direction. ### Claim 27 An apparatus for generating electricity from water flow comprising: a plurality of convergent sections, each convergent section connected to a first end of a mixing chamber such that a venturi is defined between the end of the convergent section and the mixing chamber; a plurality of diffuser sections each diffuser section connected to a second end of one of the mixing chambers, the diffuser configured such that in use the pressure at the exit of the diffuser is greater than the pressure at the venturi; a tube comprising a inlet tube, a manifold and a plurality of outlets tubes extending from the manifold, wherein at least part of one of the outlet tubes is located in one of the convergent sections, such that an annulus is defined between the outlet tube and the convergent section, to form a first flow passage, and the tube defining a second flow passage within the tube; and a turbine connectable to a generator; wherein the turbine is located within the tube. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The apparatus according to claim 27 further comprising a screen having apertures located across the opening of the inlet tube. ### Claim 29 (depends on 27) The apparatus according to claim 27 wherein the turbine is located in the inlet tube. ### Claim 30 (depends on 27) The apparatus according to claim 27 wherein the tube comprises a diffuser region located between the manifold and inlet tube. ### Claim 31 (depends on 27) The apparatus according to claim 27 wherein the cross sectional area of the manifold region of the tube is larger than the cross sectional region of the tube where the turbine is located. ### Claim 32 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1 attached to a dam to provide a flow passage through the dam. ### Claim 33 (depends on 1) A system for generating electricity from water flow comprising; a barrier for locating across a flowing body of water; and provided with at least one apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is positioned such that in use provides a flow path from the upstream side of the barrier to the downstream side of the barrier. ### Claim 34 (depends on 1, 33) A system according to claim 33 wherein the barrier comprises at least two apparatuses according to claim 1. ### Claim 35 (depends on 1) A method for providing a flow passage through a barrier across a body of water comprising: installing at least one apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in the barrier. ### Claim 36 (depends on 1, 33) A method of generating electricity from water flow comprises: installing a system as claimed in claim 33 or an apparatus as claimed claim 1 across a body of water to provide a reservoir of water, such that a head difference is created between the upstream and downstream sides of the barrier; and using the flow of water through the apparatus to rotate the turbine.