F05B2250/73

Wave Energy Converting Systems Using Internal Inertias and Optimized Floating Bodies Having a Water Head That Drives a Water Turbine at Stable Speed

Wave energy conversion systems (WECS) with internal power take-off mechanisms using internal inertias as well as WECS using a submerged water head for driving a turbine at a steady rate. The WECS involving internal inertias is effected through relative oscillation between masses inside the hull of watercraft excited by wave motion and whereby the masses' oscillations are captured by actuators (e.g., hydraulic) that pressurize a fluid or generate electricity. Different relative oscillation mechanisms are disclosed herein. The WECS involving a submerged water head involve the use of asymmetric floats, arranged in a circular orientation for omni-directional wave energy capturing, that drive respective pistons that pressurize the water head and drive the turbine. Alternatively, the use of articulating raft/barges or floats coupled via a lever arm can be used instead of the asymmetric floats for pressurizing the water head.

Hydroelectric/hydrokinetic turbine and methods for making and using same
11879424 · 2024-01-23 · ·

The application relates to unidirectional hydrokinetic turbines having an improved flow acceleration system that uses asymmetrical hydrofoil shapes on some or all of the key components of the turbine. These components that may be hydrofoil shaped include, e.g., the rotor blades (34), the center hub (36), the rotor blade shroud (38), the accelerator shroud (20), annular diffuser(s) (40), the wildlife and debris excluder (10, 18) and the tail rudder (60). The fabrication method designs various components to cooperate in optimizing the extraction of energy, while other components reduce or eliminate turbulence that could negatively affect other component(s).

NON-AXISYMMETRIC IMPELLER HUB FLOWPATH
20200056623 · 2020-02-20 · ·

A centrifugal impeller is disclosed having a non-axisymmetric flowpath surface. The centrifugal compressor may comprise a hub and a plurality of circumferentially spaced vanes. The hub has a flowpath surface and an axis of rotation. The plurality of circumferentially spaced vanes extend from the flowpath surface, with each of the vanes having a pressure-side fillet and a suction-side fillet extending from a leading edge to a trailing edge of the vane. The pressure-side fillet and suction-side fillet intersect the flowpath surface at a runout. The runout of the pressure-side fillet of a first vane is asymmetric to the runout of the suction-side fillet of the first vane.

Wave Energy Converting Systems Using Internal Inertias and Optimized Floating Bodies Having a Water Head That Drives a Water Turbine at Stable Speed

Wave energy conversion systems (WECS) with internal power take-off mechanisms using internal inertias as well as WECS using a submerged water head for driving a turbine at a steady rate. The WECS involving internal inertias is effected through relative oscillation between masses inside the hull of watercraft excited by wave motion and whereby the masses' oscillations are captured by actuators (e.g., hydraulic) that pressurize a fluid or generate electricity. Different relative oscillation mechanisms are disclosed herein. The WECS involving a submerged water head involve the use of asymmetric floats, arranged in a circular orientation for omni-directional wave energy capturing, that drive respective pistons that pressurize the water head and drive the turbine. Alternatively, the use of articulating raft/barges or floats coupled via a lever arm can be used instead of the asymmetric floats for pressurizing the water head.

PROTECTIVE COVER FOR PROTECTING A LEADING EDGE OF A WIND TURBINE BLADE
20190277247 · 2019-09-12 ·

A protective cover for a leading-edge of a wind turbine rotor blade is provided. The protective cover is pre-formed into a curved shape to accommodate at least a part of a leading-edge section including the leading-edge of the wind turbine rotor blade to be protected. The protective cover includes a pressure side section, a suction side section and a centerline in-between the pressure side section and the suction side section. The centerline runs in longitudinal direction of the protective cover. Thickness of the protective cover in a cross section of the protective cover in transverse direction has a thickness distribution corresponding to a standardized normal distribution.

HYDROELECTRIC/HYDROKINETIC TURBINE AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING SAME
20190264647 · 2019-08-29 · ·

The application relates to unidirectional hydrokinetic turbines having an improved flow acceleration system that uses asymmetrical hydrofoil shapes on some or all of the key components of the turbine. These components that may be hydrofoil shaped include, e.g., the rotor blades (34), the center hub (36), the rotor blade shroud (38), the accelerator shroud (20), annular diffuser(s) (40), the wildlife and debris excluder (10, 18) and the tail rudder (60). The fabrication method designs various components to cooperate in optimizing the extraction of energy, while other components reduce or eliminate turbulence that could negatively affect other component(s).

Wave energy converter

A wave energy converter includes a surface float including a non-axisymmetric profile, a reaction plate configured to be submerged below a water surface, and more than one flexible tether, each mechanically coupled to both the surface float and the reaction plate, the reaction plate having a moment of inertia in pitch and roll greater than a moment of inertia in pitch and roll of the surface float.

SERRATED FAN BLADE, AXIAL FAN, AND CENTRIFUGAL FAN

A trailing edge of a serrated fan blade includes a notch array including first, second, and third notches in a row. The first notch and the second notch define a first serration therebetween, and the second notch and the third notch define a second serration therebetween. The second notch has a largest or a smallest depth among depths of the first to third notches, and the first and second serrations each have an asymmetrical shape.

Articulating wave energy conversion system using a compound lever-arm barge

An articulating wave energy conversion system (AWECS) formed of a forward barge hingedly-coupled to a two-part aft barge configuration for reducing the attenuation of available wave energy along the length of the AWECS. The two-part aft barge includes a buoyant section that is either rigidly-connected, or unitized with, a lever-arm barge. The lever-arm barge includes a draft that is much smaller than the drafts of the forward barge and buoyant section. In addition, the lever-arm barge includes a large waterplane area that results in large hydrostatic forces as the waves pass. One or more intermediate barges may be hingedly-coupled between the forward barge and the aft barge. Pumps can be positioned across every hinge to convert the barge articulations into mechanical energy for driving the pumps based on wave motion for a variety of functions, such as water desalination, electrical energy generation, etc.

WIND TURBINE BLADE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A WIND TURBINE BLADE

A wind turbine blade and a method of manufacturing same are disclosed. The wind turbine blade comprises a profiled contour with leading and trailing edges and a chord extending there between, a blade shell with pressure and suction sides, a first main spar cap integrated in the pressure side, a second main spar cap integrated in the suction side, and one or more shear webs connected between the first main spar cap and the second main spar cap, wherein the blade shell comprises at least a first load carrying structure arranged at the leading edge or the trailing edge, wherein the first load carrying structure has a first extension including a first primary extension on a first side of the chord, wherein the first primary extension is at least 60% of the first extension.