Patent classifications
F03B11/06
HYDROELECTRIC TURBINES, ANCHORING STRUCTURES, AND RELATED METHODS OF ASSEMBLY
A hydroelectric turbine system includes a bridge assembly including a central supporting ring having an axially elongated body and a tongue extending axially from the body. An axial length of the body is greater than a radial thickness of the body. The radial thickness of the body is greater than a radial thickness of the tongue. The system includes a stator having a radially inner circumferential surface and a radially outer circumferential surface. The inner circumferential surface is disposed on a radially outer surface of the tongue. The system includes a bearing mechanism extending axially along the outer circumferential surface of the stator. The mechanism includes one or more bearings. Each bearing includes a surface that extends parallel to the outer circumferential surface of the stator. The system includes a rotor supported radially outward of the stator and configured to rotate relative to the stator about an axis of rotation.
WAVE-POWER SYSTEM
A wave-power system configured to produce electric power is provided. The wave-power system may comprise a floating body structure, a set of blades attached to the floating body structure, a weight assembly, a bidirectional to unidirectional shaft assembly and/or a power unit. The weight assembly may comprise a plurality of weights which may rotate around a first axis of rotation as a result of floating movements of the floating body structure. Rotation of the plurality of weights may cause an input shaft of the bidirectional to unidirectional shaft assembly to rotate. An output shaft of the bidirectional to unidirectional shaft assembly may rotate in a first direction, regardless of a direction of rotation of the input shaft. Rotation of the output shaft causes the power unit to produce the electric power.
WAVE-POWER SYSTEM
A wave-power system configured to produce electric power is provided. The wave-power system may comprise a floating body structure, a set of blades attached to the floating body structure, a weight assembly, a bidirectional to unidirectional shaft assembly and/or a power unit. The weight assembly may comprise a plurality of weights which may rotate around a first axis of rotation as a result of floating movements of the floating body structure. Rotation of the plurality of weights may cause an input shaft of the bidirectional to unidirectional shaft assembly to rotate. An output shaft of the bidirectional to unidirectional shaft assembly may rotate in a first direction, regardless of a direction of rotation of the input shaft. Rotation of the output shaft causes the power unit to produce the electric power.
Hydroelectric turbines, anchoring structures, and related methods of assembly
A hydroelectric turbine may include a stator comprising a first plurality of electricity-generating elements and a rotor comprising a second plurality of electricity-generating elements. The rotor may be disposed radially outward of an outer circumferential surface of the stator and configured to rotate around the stator about an axis of rotation. The rotor may be a flexible belt structure. The turbine may further include at least one bearing mechanism configured to support the rotor relative to the stator during rotation of the rotor around the stator.
Hydroelectric turbines, anchoring structures, and related methods of assembly
A hydroelectric turbine may include a stator comprising a first plurality of electricity-generating elements and a rotor comprising a second plurality of electricity-generating elements. The rotor may be disposed radially outward of an outer circumferential surface of the stator and configured to rotate around the stator about an axis of rotation. The rotor may be a flexible belt structure. The turbine may further include at least one bearing mechanism configured to support the rotor relative to the stator during rotation of the rotor around the stator.
Tidal current energy generating device
A tidal current energy generating device includes an outer frame (1), at least one inner frame (2), at least two hydro turbines (3), at least one center shaft (4), at least one generator (5), and at least three bearings (6). The at least one inner frame (2) is separably disposed in the outer frame (1). At least two hydro turbines (3) are located below a water surface and are disposed in one inner frame (2). At least two hydro turbines (3) are disposed coaxially and are vertical-axis hydro turbines. At least one center shaft (4) is disposed through the at least two hydro turbines (3), the axis direction of the center shaft is perpendicular to the horizontal plane, and the center shaft (4) rotates along with the rotating of the hydro turbines (3). The at least one generator (5) is located above the water surface and connected with one end of the center shaft (4). The at least three bearings are sleeved on the center shaft (4) and are located on two sides of and between the two hydro turbines (3), respectively. The tidal current energy generating device can be modularly assembled and replaced above the water surface and can extend along the water depth direction, thereby improving the power generating efficiency.
Tidal current energy generating device
A tidal current energy generating device includes an outer frame (1), at least one inner frame (2), at least two hydro turbines (3), at least one center shaft (4), at least one generator (5), and at least three bearings (6). The at least one inner frame (2) is separably disposed in the outer frame (1). At least two hydro turbines (3) are located below a water surface and are disposed in one inner frame (2). At least two hydro turbines (3) are disposed coaxially and are vertical-axis hydro turbines. At least one center shaft (4) is disposed through the at least two hydro turbines (3), the axis direction of the center shaft is perpendicular to the horizontal plane, and the center shaft (4) rotates along with the rotating of the hydro turbines (3). The at least one generator (5) is located above the water surface and connected with one end of the center shaft (4). The at least three bearings are sleeved on the center shaft (4) and are located on two sides of and between the two hydro turbines (3), respectively. The tidal current energy generating device can be modularly assembled and replaced above the water surface and can extend along the water depth direction, thereby improving the power generating efficiency.
Method and apparatus for wave energy conversion
A wave energy conversion cylinder includes an outer cylinder and a center rod disposed along an axis of the outer cylinder. A plurality of electrically-conductive windings are disposed about an inner circumference of the outer cylinder. A magnet is slidably disposed on the center rod. A buoyancy cylinder is disposed outwardly of the outer cylinder. A first moveable ring weight may be slidably disposed along the axis of the center rod and a second moveable ring weight may be slidably disposed along the axis of the center rod. The first moveable ring weight and the second moveable ring weight facilitate control to tune a mass moment of inertia of the wave energy conversion cylinder.
Harvesting energy from water waves
The present application discloses an energy harvesting system for harvesting energy from water waves, such as ocean waves. The energy harvesting system comprises: a base rotational mechanism comprising a first shaft and a positive rotational direction about the axis of the first shaft; an electricity generator configured to generate electricity from the rotation of the first shaft in the positive rotational direction; and a plurality of rotation driving apparatuses. Each rotation driving apparatus comprises a freewheel mechanism whose axis of rotation is the same as the axis of the first shaft, a swing component which may make a two-way rotation of limited angular range, a floating component comprising a buoy which is connected to an of the swing component, and a spring or weight which directly or indirectly exerts a force on the swing component. The floating component of a rotation driving apparatus may be pushed up by a rising water wave, and at the same time, energy may be stored by the spring or the weight. When water level recedes, the spring or the weight may release its stored energy and may force a rotational part of the freewheel mechanism to rotate in the positive rotational direction.
Harvesting energy from water waves
The present application discloses an energy harvesting system for harvesting energy from water waves, such as ocean waves. The energy harvesting system comprises: a base rotational mechanism comprising a first shaft and a positive rotational direction about the axis of the first shaft; an electricity generator configured to generate electricity from the rotation of the first shaft in the positive rotational direction; and a plurality of rotation driving apparatuses. Each rotation driving apparatus comprises a freewheel mechanism whose axis of rotation is the same as the axis of the first shaft, a swing component which may make a two-way rotation of limited angular range, a floating component comprising a buoy which is connected to an of the swing component, and a spring or weight which directly or indirectly exerts a force on the swing component. The floating component of a rotation driving apparatus may be pushed up by a rising water wave, and at the same time, energy may be stored by the spring or the weight. When water level recedes, the spring or the weight may release its stored energy and may force a rotational part of the freewheel mechanism to rotate in the positive rotational direction.