F03B3/145

Fluidic rotor having orientable blades with improved blade control
11118565 · 2021-09-14 · ·

In a rotating machine having a fluidic rotor, the rotor comprises at least one blade mounted on an arm rotating about a rotor shaft forming a main axis of the rotor, the rotor being kept by a supporting structure in an orientation such that said axis is substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow of the fluid, the blade being mounted so as to pivot about an axis of rotation of the blade parallel to the main axis. The machine comprises means for generating a relative oscillation movement of the blade with respect to the arm at the axis of rotation of the blade, in order in this way to vary the inclination of the blade during the rotation of the rotor. Said means comprise, at the arm end, a mechanism comprising a first rotating element (A; B) known as the drive element and a second rotating element (B; A) known as the driven element, the elements being mounted on mutually parallel axes of rotation and separated by an inter-axis distance, the orientation of the drive element being controlled depending on the orientation of the rotor shaft while the orientation of the driven element determines the orientation of the blade, one of the rotating elements comprising a finger (D) spaced apart from its axis of rotation and the other rotating element comprising a groove (C) which receives the finger and in which the finger can slide. Application notably to wind turbines, to marine turbines and to nautical and aircraft propellers.

Method for orientating the blades of a turbine

This method is for orientating the blades (40) of a turbine (4) past a non-reachable range of positions (α1, α2) in a power plant (2), said blades (40) being rotatable around orientation axes (X40) distinct from a rotation axis (X) of the turbine (4), the turbine (4) comprising means (42, 44, 46) for orientating the blades (40), said means being adapted to exert an adjustable torque on the blades (40). The method comprises steps consisting in a) stopping the energy production of the turbine (4), b) setting a water flow which runs the turbine (4) to a value inferior to a normal energy production value, c) rotating the turbine (4) in a motor mode using energy from a grid, d) adjusting the torque delivered by the means for orientating the blades (40) to a reduced value while the turbine (4) is still rotating, so that the blades (40) are free to rotate around their orientation axes (X40), under action of a hydraulic torque exerted by the water, past the non-reachable range of positions, e) once the blades (40) have overcome the non-reachable range of positions, adjusting the torque delivered by the means for orientating the blades (40) to a normal value superior to the reduced value, so that the rotation of the blades (40) around their orientation axis (X40) is stopped in a determined position.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HYDRO-BASED ELECTRIC POWER GENERATION

A hydrodynamic power generation assembly and method of use therefor for generating electrical power from the combination of kinetic energy, hydrostatic energy, and turbulent energy of water. The power generation assembly comprises a water accelerator assembly comprising a support structure which is at least partially buoyant and a baffle panel member (or an array of baffle panel members) having an opening, inter-panel spacing, or flow passageway around the baffle panel(s). A hydropower converter is supported from, by, or on the support structure and is operatively coupled to a generator. The hydropower converter is positioned behind baffle assembly. Water flowing through or around the baffle assembly has an increased velocity relative the ambient current and therefore is capable of generating more power relative to the ambient water where power generation assembly is deployed. Particular types of hydropower converters suitable for use with the invention are turbines and water wheels.

Kinetic fluid energy conversion system
11085417 · 2021-08-10 · ·

A kinetic fluid energy to mechanical energy conversion includes rotatable hubs supporting one or more independently controlled articulating energy conversion plates (“ECP”) and systems and components for alternating the independent control of each ECP in response to operating conditions thereby comprising an energy conversion regulation method. Separator plates for controlling fluid flow with respect to each ECP may be employed above and below the hub and may also be directionally altered in response to operating conditions and included within the energy conversion method.

KINETIC FLUID ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEM
20210190037 · 2021-06-24 · ·

A kinetic fluid energy to mechanical energy conversion includes rotatable hubs supporting one or more independently controlled articulating energy conversion plates (“ECP”) and systems and components for alternating the independent control of each ECP in response to operating conditions thereby comprising an energy conversion regulation method. Separator plates for controlling fluid flow with respect to each ECP may be employed above and below the hub and may also be directionally altered in response to operating conditions and included within the energy conversion method.

Tidal current generating unit

A tidal current generating unit, including a turbine, a hub, a generator, a bearing set and a fixed flange. The turbine is connected to the rotor of the generator through the hub, and the rotor is rotatably mounted on the outer circumference of the stator of the generator via the bearing set, and the turbine drives the rotating component to rotate to generate electricity. A density of a blade is much smaller than a density of the seawater, such that the blade has a sufficient buoyancy that offsets the gravity of the rotating component in seawater, and the load of the bearing sets is reduced. The blade is a backswept blade and the hydrodynamic central axis of the blade is inclined from a flange central axis of the blade at a first angle, and the blade is able to automatically change the pitch without relying on an external force.

Movable-blade operation system for hydraulic machine

A movable-blade operation system for a hydraulic machine according to an embodiment includes an oil hydraulic cylinder installed within a rotational shaft, a bidirectional pump, a pump drive motor, a control unit, and an oil head installed in the hydraulic machine. The bidirectional pump selectively feeds pressurized hydraulic oil to one of a first cylinder chamber and a second cylinder chamber. The oil head couples the rotational shaft rotatably, and the hydraulic oil fed from the bidirectional pump to the first cylinder chamber and the second cylinder chamber flows through the oil head. The bidirectional pump, the pump drive motor, and the control unit are installed outside the hydraulic machine.

TIDAL CURRENT GENERATING UNIT

A tidal current generating unit, including a turbine, a hub, a generator, a bearing set and a fixed flange. The turbine is connected to the rotor of the generator through the hub, and the rotor is rotatably mounted on the outer circumference of the stator of the generator via the bearing set, and the turbine drives the rotating component to rotate to generate electricity. A density of a blade is much smaller than a density of the seawater, such that the blade has a sufficient buoyancy that offsets the gravity of the rotating component in seawater, and the load of the bearing sets is reduced. The blade is a backswept blade and the hydrodynamic central axis of the blade is inclined from a flange central axis of the blade at a first angle, and the blade is able to automatically change the pitch without relying on an external force.

Gravitational vortex variable water flow energy generating system including adjustable height turbine and diffuser assemblies
10941747 · 2021-03-09 · ·

A gravitational vortex variable flow energy system (GVvFES) is disclosed. An example embodiment includes: a turbine basin having an inlet portion and an outlet portion, the turbine basin having a hybrid conical shape; a generator installed adjacent to the turbine basin; a turbine blade hub having turbine blades attached thereto, the turbine blade hub being coupled to the generator with a turbine blade axle, the turbine blade hub being configured to achieve a variable and configurable height relative to a top of the turbine basin; and a diffuser installed beneath the outlet portion of the turbine basin, the diffuser being configured to achieve a variable and configurable height relative to a bottom of the turbine basin. An example embodiment also includes linkage to vary an angle or pitch of the turbine blades.

TURBOMACHINE MODULE FOR A VARIABLE PITCH BLADE PROPELLER AND TURBOMACHINE COMPRISING IT

A turbomachine module with a longitudinal axis, the module comprising: a rotary casing rotatable around the longitudinal axis and arranged to carry a propeller provided with a plurality of blades; a system for changing the pitch of the blades of the propeller comprising: a control, and a mechanism for varying the pitch of the blades of the propeller connecting these blades to the control, wherein the control comprises a rotary actuator comprising a control body and a reference body which is integral with the rotary casing, and wherein the mechanism for varying the pitch comprises a synchronization ring which is driven in rotation around the longitudinal axis by the control body and which is guided in rotation on the rotary casing, the synchronization ring being connected to the blades.