Patent classifications
F05B2220/32
Pumping water at a flow rate equal to a flow rate of a compressed air flowing into a reservoir having a stopper
An apparatus may include a reservoir; a stopper dividing the reservoir; a water fill pipe configured to provide the water to a lower portion of the reservoir; and an outlet pipe connected to the lower portion of the reservoir. The apparatus may further include a compressed air feed pipe which may provide compressed air to an upper portion of the reservoir to press on the stopper so that the water is forced by the stopper to escape from the lower portion of the reservoir through the outlet pipe. A processor included in the apparatus may be configured to determine a water pumping rate of the water while the water escapes through the outlet pipe, and to control the compressed air feed pipe to provide the compressed air at an air pumping rate equal to the water pumping rate.
Hydroelectric power generation system
A hydroelectric power generation system includes: a generator driven by the hydraulic turbine; a head adjuster adjusting an effective head of the hydraulic turbine; and a controller cooperatively executing: flow rate control for controlling the generator such that a flow rate in the hydraulic turbine is brought close to a target flow rate; and head adjusting control for adjusting the effective head of the hydraulic turbine using the head adjuster such that the effective head of the hydraulic turbine falls within a first range.
Cycloidal wave energy converter using fixed differential buoyancy to control operating torques
A floating mooring system for a single CycWEC applies counter forces and torques to keep a generator suitably stationary for power generation without requiring fixed attachments to the ocean floor or requiring a large frame interconnecting multiple CycWECs. The mooring system uses floats or floatation structure with differential ballasting to counter operating torque and drag plates to counter reactive forces. The floatation structures may be used to float the CycWEC for transport to a deployment location, where changing the overall ballasting of the floatation structures submerges the CycWEC to a desired depth and differential ballasting in the floatation structures counts expected operating torques.
Rotor for an electricity generator
A rotor (10) for a hydro-powered electricity generator. The rotor (10) includes a hub (12) and a plurality of blades (16). The hub (12) has a circular cross sectional shape and a longitudinal rotational axis (14). The plurality of blades (16) each have proximal root (16a) and a distal tip (16b). Each of the blade roots (16a) are mounted to the hub (12) at the widest part thereof (D1). The ratio between the diameter of the tips (16b) of the blades to the diameter of the widest part (D1) of the hub (12) is less than about 2:1.
Long-Distance Transmission of Power Underwater
A subsea long-distance power-transmission system comprises an electrically driven pumping station for producing a flow of pressurised working fluid and an electricity generating station having an electrical generator coupled to a fluid-powered machine. A supply duct extends across the seabed between the pumping station and the generating station, that duct being arranged to convey the flow of working fluid from the pumping station to power the machine. Electric power is supplied to the pumping station from an electric power source, such as a national power grid, and is supplied from the generator to an electric power consumer far distant from the power source, such as a subsea oil and gas installation.
Method for stabilizing the rotation speed of a hydraulic machine with S-characteristics and installation for converting hydraulic energy into electrical energy
A method for stabilizing the rotation speed of a machine with S-characteristics is provided. The method includes calculating a target net head and a target opening to affect guide vanes of the machine, the target net head and the target opening being calculated so that the torque exerted by water flow on the turbine is null and that the machine rotates at a target rotation speed; determining a real net head to which the machine is subjected; comparing the target net head with the real net head; and adjusting the opening of the guide vanes so as to converge towards the target opening and reduce a height difference between the target net head and the real net head.
ENERGY COLLECTING SYSTEMS OF THE MARINE, RIVER AND WIND CURRENTS
The improvements in the energy capture systems of sea, river and wind currents, characterized in that the turbines are helical in shape and the turns or threads have an inclination close to 45°, of a quarter-round or quarter-circle section and are placed together with the shafts of the generators that are covered by a casing. or aerodynamic nacelle in front of or on the other side of the support mast. The upper area of the mast can rotate with the generator and have an aerodynamic profile. They can be installed attached to one end by means of a cable between the two banks of a river, or in a narrowing of the same, or they can be subject to elements or means of fastening consisting of a mast, tree, or with a chain, fixed to the ground. at the bottom of the sea or river. The turbines drive a generator and electrical conduction cables and a security and warning facility are added. The generator is placed between the shaft or end of the turbine and the fastening element or means, or behind the mast, on the opposite side of the turbine. In this case, it carries a ball joint at the upper end of the mast. The mast carries deflector plates that are oriented and direct and increase the flow of water or air towards the turbine.
Pipe-flow driven electric power generator device
An electrical energy generating device (1) to transform kinetic energy of fluid passing through a pipe into electrical energy, the device may include a flow management unit (2) having a first housing (20) enclosing a plurality of tubes and a first gasket (27); a generating unit (3) having a second housing (30) with a plurality of coils (37) embedded within the second housing (30), a rotor rotatable within the second housing (30); and a connector (4) connecting the flow management unit (2) to the generating unit (3).
Turbine with smart pitch system and blade pitch lock assembly
A system comprising a blade pitch system having a set of locking holes. A pitch drive assembly is coupled to the blade pitch system and configured to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise within a range of angular degrees to adjust a blade pitch angle. The system includes a pitch lock pin-and-hole system including an interface plate and at least one blade pitch lock assembly coupled to the interface plate. Each lock assembly includes a locking pin having a pin center axis parallel with a center axis of a locking hole to engage a respective one locking hole of the set to lock the blade pitch angle.
POWERED AUGMENTED FLUID TURBINES
A powered augmented fluid turbine for generating electricity from a fluid in motion comprising: a central annular ducted channel extending between an inlet distribution header and an outlet distribution header, the channel comprising a converging section configured to accelerate the fluid received at the inlet distribution header, a turbine assembly for generating electricity, and a diffuser section configured to decelerate the fluid before it exits at the outlet distribution header; a recycle line for transporting the exiting fluid to the inlet distribution header in a closed-loop configuration, the recycle line comprising a recycle line propulsor controllable by a recycle line controller and a recycle line heat exchanger; and a compressed fluid distribution line configured to pressurize the fluid in motion by transporting a compressed fluid from a compressed fluid source to the inlet and outlet distribution headers, the compressed fluid distribution line controllable by at least one pressure controller.