Patent ID: 8096763
Filing Date: 2012-01-17
Classification: F03D,F05B,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method for converting kinetic energy, contained in horizontal currents occurring in naturally present fluids floating above ground, into useful mechanical energy, in which at least one revolving element, guided in a closed cycle and disposed substantially horizontally above ground, is provided, on which, at at least two positions substantially diametrically opposite one another, adjustable-length tethering cables and/or tethering chains are secured with buoyant bodies disposed on their free ends, each of the bodies having an impact cross section for the current, wherein a) a tethering cable and/or a tethering chain, fixed to a portion of the revolving element that, viewed in a direction of revolution of the revolving element points in the direction of the horizontal current, is adjusted to have a greater length than a tethering cable and/or a tethering chain of that kind which is fixed to a portion of the revolving element that, viewed in the direction of revolution of the revolving element, points counter to the direction of the horizontal current, and wherein b) the lengths of the tethering cables, in the region of reversal points of the revolving element, in which regions, viewed in the direction of revolution of the revolving element, the course of the revolving element reverses relative to the horizontal current, are adapted such that they again meet the condition described in a).