Patent ID: 11859716
Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, BALTIMORE
Field: Mechanical elements (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC F  Y | IPC F

Claim 10:
11. A tidal current energy converter (TCEC) comprising: (i) at least one infinitely variable transmission (IVT) comprising an IVT control system comprising a crank length controller, a forward speed controller, or both; and (ii) at least one vertical axis water turbine (VAWT), wherein the VAWT is a hybrid VAWT comprising:
(a) a first rotor system positioned in a central region and rotatable about a central axis, wherein the first rotor system comprises: a plurality of first blades, each having a concave shape that allows fluid to push on a concave side of each first blade; and a hydraulic brake system that is mounted upon a shaft with bearings; and
(b) a second rotor system positioned in an annular region surrounding the first rotor system in the central region, wherein the second rotor system comprises a plurality of second blades spaced about the central axis, wherein the cross-section of each second blade is a substantially symmetrical airfoil shape.