WO2017081510A1 - Endless belt energy converter - Google Patents
Endless belt energy converter Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2017081510A1 WO2017081510A1 PCT/IB2015/058672 IB2015058672W WO2017081510A1 WO 2017081510 A1 WO2017081510 A1 WO 2017081510A1 IB 2015058672 W IB2015058672 W IB 2015058672W WO 2017081510 A1 WO2017081510 A1 WO 2017081510A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- drive gear
- blades
- conveyor drive
- water
- turbine
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Ceased
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
- F03B17/00—Other machines or engines
- F03B17/06—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head"
- F03B17/062—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head" with rotation axis substantially at right angle to flow direction
- F03B17/065—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head" with rotation axis substantially at right angle to flow direction the flow engaging parts having a cyclic movement relative to the rotor during its rotation
- F03B17/066—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head" with rotation axis substantially at right angle to flow direction the flow engaging parts having a cyclic movement relative to the rotor during its rotation and a rotor of the endless-chain type
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
- F03B17/00—Other machines or engines
- F03B17/06—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head"
- F03B17/062—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head" with rotation axis substantially at right angle to flow direction
- F03B17/065—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head" with rotation axis substantially at right angle to flow direction the flow engaging parts having a cyclic movement relative to the rotor during its rotation
- F03B17/067—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head" with rotation axis substantially at right angle to flow direction the flow engaging parts having a cyclic movement relative to the rotor during its rotation the cyclic relative movement being positively coupled to the movement of rotation
- F03B17/068—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head" with rotation axis substantially at right angle to flow direction the flow engaging parts having a cyclic movement relative to the rotor during its rotation the cyclic relative movement being positively coupled to the movement of rotation and a rotor of the endless-chain type
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/30—Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a turbine device for the conversion of the kinetic energy of a flowing fluid into mechanical or electrical energy for user consumption.
- the invention relates to a turbine device for recovering renewable energy from water currents in bodies of water such as rivers, canals, tidal lagoons and oceans.
- Patent literature describes a variety of turbine devices for the conversion of kinetic energy available in water currents. Utilizing this energy in a cost-effective way with little environmental impact have been the key challenges.
- the object of the present invention is to make use of the kinetic energy of water currents in a cost effective way while keeping the environmental impact to a minimum.
- the turbine device is an improvement on the prior art in the field of the invention.
- a key aspect of the invention is that it applies direct inflow linear action which allows the blades of the turbine device to remain in the vertical plane absorbing the full power of the water flow for the entire length of the device.
- Embodiments of the turbine device are dependent on factors such as the hydro morphological features of water bodies, the velocity of water flow and customer specification.
- the turbine device without limitation may be manufactured using material such as stainless steel, aluminium, canvas, rubber and composites of rubber and metal or any other suitable material.
- Embodiments of the turbine device may have, but not limited to, a floating and anchor mechanism that allow it to operate on the surface of the water body or a ballast and anchor mechanism that permits it to the sit on the bed of the body of water or controls that permit it to operate at predetermined depths.
- Embodiments of the turbine device have a plurality of hinged blades whose structure is semi-circular with sides closed at an angle.
- the key aspect of the blade design is that the blades are able to capture water flow at the start of the blades power cycle as blades come into the top vertical section of the turbine unit.
- the turbine device has a mechanism that allows for smaller turbines to be towed to different locations and for larger turbines to be repaired in situ via hydraulic or other suitable lifting mechanism or in the case of a unit in concrete foundation, float isolation may be achieved through control gates.
- the main components of the turbine device are a mainframe which may incorporate floatation or ballast tanks, multiple shafts, multiple sprockets of driver gears or drums, power stroke blade locking device and power output shafts.
- Figure 1 illustrates a cross section side view of a hydro kinetic turbine of the present invention
- Figure 2 illustrates an overhead view of figure 1
- Figure 3 illustrates a lower cross section front view of figure 1;
- Figure 4 illustrates a cross section side view of a variation of figure 1
- Figure 5 illustrates a cross section lower front view of a variation of figure 1
- Figure 6 illustrates a partial cross section of a variation of figure 1
- the present invention is but not limited to a submersible or floating linear motion hydro kinetic turbine for producing energy from natural or other flows and currents of liquid bodies.
- FIGS 1, 2 and 3 show a hydro kinetic turbine 10 supported on a water surface 30 by floatation and ballast tanks 36.
- the water surface 30 may be, but not limited to, a river, estuary or sea.
- Multiple bearings 34 incorporated in floatation and ballast tanks 36 support a plurality of lower shafts 18 upon which mount entry conveyor drive gear 24 and exit conveyor drive gear 26.
- a frame extends at an angle of 20 deg to 60 deg upwards and forwards from floatation and ballast tanks 36 to carry bearings 34 supporting shaft 18 which carries upper conveyor drive gear 22.
- a plurality of blades 12 with a convex shape facing away from the current 28 and sides enclosed at an angle are connected to conveyors 20 by means of a plurality of hinged device 14.
- a locking device 16 is attached to conveyors 20 and to the blades 12.
- the conveyor 20 runs on upper conveyor drive gear 22, entry conveyor drive gear 24 and exit conveyor drive gear 26.
- Materials used in the construction of the present invention shown in figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 may comprise, but not limited to: the floatation and ballast tank 36, shafts 18, upper conveyor drive gear 22, entry conveyor drive gear 24 and exit conveyor drive gear 26 and hinged device 14 may be constructed of stainless steel or composites and or other suitably rigid materials.
- the blades 12 may be stamped of aluminium or composites and or other suitably rigid materials.
- the conveyor 20 may be constructed of stainless steel roller chain, canvas, rubber or other suitably flexible, high tensile strength material.
- Bearings 34 may be roller or ball bearings, water lubricated wooden bearings or other suitable material.
- the embodiment may be tethered by single or multiple tethers attached at one end to the floatation and ballast tank 36 and the opposing end to anchors.
- Anchors may be positioned on the water bed or embankments as desirable and within the geographic scope.
- Surface units of the present invention are tethered in such a way to allow the unit to rise and fall with the water surface 30.
- Submerged units may be tethered permanently at a predetermined depth but may be allowed to pivot on an axis 48 as described more fully hereunder.
- the nose 38 of the floatation and ballast tank 36 may be angled to direct further current 28 into the blades 12.
- the blades 12 traverse a looped circuit which could be described as 3 stages of linear motion around 3 axes, the axes being the upper conveyor drive gear 22, entry conveyor drive gear 24 and exit conveyor drive gear 26.
- the circuit commences as the conveyor 20 moves over upper conveyor drive gear 22 blades 12 fold over the upper conveyor drive gear 22 coming to vertical or near vertical alignment maintained by the locking device 16 and commence the power stroke in an approach to the water surface 30 with the conveyor 20 inclined at an angle to the water surface 30 between the upper conveyor drive gear 22 and the entry conveyor drive gear 24 allowing efficient entry to the water surface 30 and continuing to be pushed along by the current 28 in a linear motion towards the entry conveyor drive gear 24.
- the blades 12 On reaching the point of the entry conveyor drive gear the blades 12 are maintained in vertical alignment by the locking device 16 and become completely submerged below the water surface 30 being pushed by the full force of the current 28. The forces applied by the current 28 to the blades 12 now drive the blades in a horizontal plane towards the exit conveyor drive gear 26. The blades 12 are kept vertical against the forces of the current 28 by the locking device 16. Upon reaching the exit conveyor drive gear 26 the locking device 16 fully releases or releases tension applied to the blades 12 thus allowing the blades 12 to exit the current 28 efficiently and completing the power stroke. The blades 12 continue in a looped circuit around the exit conveyor drive gear 26. The blades 12 on reaching the upper point of the exit conveyor drive gear 26 lay flat and in an idle state on the conveyor 20 above the water surface 30. The conveyor 20 travels in a direction opposite to the current 28 pulling the blades 12 in an idle state the upper conveyor drive gear 22. On reaching the upper point of the upper conveyor drive gear 22 the blades 12 are said to have completed a full cycle of the loop
- Power to rotate an electrical generator and or mechanical devices such as a water pump may be drawn from individual or a plurality of shafts 18 being driven rotationally by upper conveyor drive gear 22, entry conveyor drive gear 24 and exit conveyor drive gear 26.
- a counter weight may be incorporated into the upper end of the blades 12 situated centrally between the hinged device 14. The counter weight enables smoother travel of the blades 12 over the upper conveyor drive gear 22 and exit conveyor drive gear 26.
- a shock absorber may in addition be incorporated into the lower end of the blades 12 to counter the effect of the gravitational forces on the blades 12 when traversing the axis of the upper conveyor drive gear 22.
- the locking device 16 may alternatively, but not limited to, comprise a fixed locking rail 52 running from a point below the upper conveyor drive gear 22, inclined to follow the plane of the conveyor 20 to below the entry conveyor drive gear 24 where after the locking rail 52 extends in a horizontal plane terminating at a point below the exit conveyor drive gear 26.
- a roller or castor wheel 54 is attached to a lower section of the blades 12 where the roller or castor wheel 54 runs along the length of the fixed locking rail 52 maintaining the blades 12 in the required plane during the power stroke.
- FIGS. 4 and 5 show an alternate version of the present invention where the hydro kinetic turbine of the present invention may be used for generation of power from tidal flows.
- the turbine 46 may be, but not limited to, submerged by means of ballast applied to the floatation and ballast tanks 36 to a predetermined level at which the floatation and ballast tank 36 may be attached via a plurality of arms 50 to a pivot 48 connected to a single axis 40 embedded in, but not limited to, the estuary, sea or ocean bed.
- the turbine 46 rotates through 180 degrees on the pivot 48 to allow the turbine 46 to maintain the correct position in the current of the tidal flow to produce power.
- the pivot 48 may be powered by, but not limited to, an electrical device actuated by electronic apparatus at the turn of the tide.
- the turbine 46 may be enclosed in an air tank 42 which excludes the blades 12 from being in the water current from the exit conveyor drive gear 26 to the upper conveyor drive gear 22 causing the blades 12 to encounter little resistance when not in the power stroke.
- the present invention may in addition be adapted to but not limited to produce energy from wave action, waste and irrigation pipes, canals and any other instances where there is movement of a liquid body.
- the advantages of the present invention include, but are not limited to, shallow water application and ability to produce significant power in shallow water by means of linear movement with the current. It has multiple applications being canals, waterfall, stream, river, estuary, tidal and wave. It may be adapted for installation into waste, irrigation and other pipes. It is environmentally friendly producing energy from natural flow without requirement for dams, weir, barrages or other diversions.
- the present invention may be manufactured of recycled and or other environmentally friendly material. It presents zero or limited hazard to aquatic life moving within its immediate proximity. The movement of the blades in a linear plane and speed approximately equal to the natural current result in near zero turbulence or eddy currents.
- the device can be built and installed into the water site in a relatively short space of time. Given the present invention's low capital cost per energy unit and without need for other infrastructure allows for a profitable alternative green energy solution.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Hydraulic Turbines (AREA)
- Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2015/058672 WO2017081510A1 (en) | 2015-11-10 | 2015-11-10 | Endless belt energy converter |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2015/058672 WO2017081510A1 (en) | 2015-11-10 | 2015-11-10 | Endless belt energy converter |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2017081510A1 true WO2017081510A1 (en) | 2017-05-18 |
Family
ID=55025282
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2015/058672 Ceased WO2017081510A1 (en) | 2015-11-10 | 2015-11-10 | Endless belt energy converter |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| WO (1) | WO2017081510A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2019103634A3 (en) * | 2017-11-25 | 2019-10-03 | Tesla Tomislav | Cascading hydroelectric power plant |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US880509A (en) * | 1905-10-12 | 1908-03-03 | Alfred H Davis | Current-motor. |
| DE409103C (en) * | 1921-06-10 | 1925-02-03 | Victor Homola Dipl Ing | Chain electric machine |
| US1751513A (en) * | 1929-01-31 | 1930-03-25 | Frank L Gaede | Water-power generator |
| DE10358240A1 (en) * | 2003-12-06 | 2005-06-30 | Meyer, Ullrich, Dr.-Ing. | Bucket belt, e.g. for extracting energy from moving water, has laminar elements joined by mutually parallel closed traction elements (belt, cord, chain) in freely oscillating manner with range of oscillations at least partly limited by stop |
| DE202013002045U1 (en) * | 2013-02-23 | 2013-07-01 | Kathrin-Dorothee Büchele | Bandwasserkraftwerk BWK-DB17213 |
-
2015
- 2015-11-10 WO PCT/IB2015/058672 patent/WO2017081510A1/en not_active Ceased
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US880509A (en) * | 1905-10-12 | 1908-03-03 | Alfred H Davis | Current-motor. |
| DE409103C (en) * | 1921-06-10 | 1925-02-03 | Victor Homola Dipl Ing | Chain electric machine |
| US1751513A (en) * | 1929-01-31 | 1930-03-25 | Frank L Gaede | Water-power generator |
| DE10358240A1 (en) * | 2003-12-06 | 2005-06-30 | Meyer, Ullrich, Dr.-Ing. | Bucket belt, e.g. for extracting energy from moving water, has laminar elements joined by mutually parallel closed traction elements (belt, cord, chain) in freely oscillating manner with range of oscillations at least partly limited by stop |
| DE202013002045U1 (en) * | 2013-02-23 | 2013-07-01 | Kathrin-Dorothee Büchele | Bandwasserkraftwerk BWK-DB17213 |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2019103634A3 (en) * | 2017-11-25 | 2019-10-03 | Tesla Tomislav | Cascading hydroelectric power plant |
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