Abstract:
Presented is a physically and environmentally attractive fluid energy powered rotor driven power generation system that is attached to an anchored waterborne device such as a boat hull such that the power generation device is automatically directed so that its water inlet is facing oncoming water currents. In its optimum configuration, it achieves high efficiencies by redirecting incoming fluids forward to add positive rotational energy to a side of the rotor what would otherwise have an anti-rotational drag force component. The power generation system is, in its preferred arrangement, rotatable so that it may be removed from the water for cleaning or during transport of the waterborne device. A remotely controlled buoy system may be incorporated to raise or lower the anchoring line.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part to U.S. applications Ser. No. 11/435,599 filed May 17, 2006 and Ser. No. 11/443,978 filed May 30, 2006. 
     
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Means to extract energy from nature&#39;s wind and water currents have been many over the years as is evidenced from the prior art. Most successful units to current state-of-the-art technology, both small residential size and very large commercial units, are wind turbines with a horizontal axis and several airfoil shaped blades. There have also been successful vertical axis wind turbines that have the advantage of locating the turbine and gears on the ground with the rotor above. However the vertical axis units are generally less efficient due to their rotor blade configurations. The fluid energy is captured on the downwind rotational side or working side of the turbine blades in this most common approach. However, there is a force working against rotation that occurs when the blades rotate upwind during the other half of the rotor&#39;s rotation. The most efficient concepts use variations of airfoil shaped blades that rotate at speeds above oncoming wind velocities.  FIG. 1  of this application shows a generic version of a prior art vertical axis wind turbine rotor with three airfoil shaped blades. Note how the force of the oncoming fluid is working against rotation when the blades are going upwind. 
         [0003]    Examples of prior art vertical axis wind turbines with turbine blades similar in configuration to  FIG. 1  of this application include: Dereng, U.S. Pat. No. 4,264,279 and Kato, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,285,636. 
         [0004]    Applicant&#39;s instant invention addresses the shortcomings of both vertical and horizontal axis fluid turbines in a highly efficient yet low cost and low maintenance design. This is accomplished, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, by reversing direction of the passing fluid on what would normally be the upwind or up fluid rotational side of the rotor so that such reverse directed fluid acts to generate positive rotational forces. In summary, the instant invention offers a low cost fluid energy converting power generation device that is more efficient than prior art vertical axis wind or water turbines. It does this while offering most all of the advantages that a vertical axis rotor turbine generator has over state-of-the-art horizontal axis airfoil blade turbine generators. Further, it may be oriented at any angle to vertical including horizontal which is the preferred embodiment. 
         [0005]    One advantage of the prior art exposed rotor vertical axis turbines is that they are omni-directional as far as oncoming wind is concerned. While this has it advantages it also has shortcomings. The exposed rotors of the prior art vertical axis turbines are subject to damage from flying objects, are inherently weak from a structural standpoint, and are environmentally unfriendly to birds and other wildlife. Applicant&#39;s continuation-in-part applications address wind and/or water turbines that have vertical axes and, in most cases, must be rotated to face oncoming fluids, as do present day horizontal axis propeller blade type wind turbines, but has protection for its rotors, is structurally very sound, and is environmentally friendly to wildlife and neighbors. Its environmental friendliness can be further enhanced by addition of grilles over fluid inlet and discharges. 
         [0006]    The instant invention describes a water turbine that has blades more or less parallel and not perpendicular to the axis. It is preferably mounted proximal to and supported by a waterborne device such as a boat or barge. It is generally lowered to immerse the driven elements of the turbine into the passing water currents. This is particularly attractive when working in constant water current streams such as the Gulf Stream and tidal current streams such as seen in San Francisco Bay. A big disadvantage of prior art water turbines installed in such just noted areas is that they are subject to growth by all kinds of marine organisms. In the case of the instant invention it is possible to retract the driven turbine elements from the water for cleaning and maintenance. It is a further major advantage that, since the water turbine is mounted on a waterborne device, the instant invention&#39;s water inlet is automatically pointed upstream since the forward end of the supporting waterborne device is preferably anchored so that it is pointed upstream no matter the direction of the oncoming water current or stream. It is further important aspect of the instant invention that it is easy to start rotation and to run with very low speed incoming fluids. 
         [0007]    A further feature of the instant invention is that it has been purposely conceived to be built in easily transportable pre-fabricated low cost modules. The pre-fabricated modules are very simple to assemble together as a complete wind or water current powered turbine generator. The advantages of the present invention will be understood upon review of the following sections. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    A primary object of the instant invention is to provide a fluid energy powered rotor driven power generation system with said fluid energy powered rotor having fluid energized rotor blades wherein said fluid energized rotor blades absorb energy from oncoming passing fluid currents with said energy transmitted to a power generator for conversion to useful power. 
         [0009]    A directly related object of the invention is that a waterborne supporting device support said fluid energy powered rotor driven power generation system wherein said waterborne device is attached to non-moving structure by means of connecting means such that said waterborne supporting device automatically orients the fluid energy powered rotor driven power generation system to be facing oncoming passing fluid currents. 
         [0010]    A further related object of the invention is that at least a majority of the fluid energized rotor blades may be raised above a surface of passing fluids currents. 
         [0011]    Another object of the invention is that the fluid energized rotor blades absorb energy from rearward flowing incoming fluid during a first portion of rotation of said fluid energy powered rotor and absorb energy from incoming fluid that has been at least partially redirected by fluid flow turning means to be forward flowing over a second portion of rotation of said fluid energy powered rotor thereby providing positive rotational energy over a majority of the rotation of the fluid energy powered rotor. 
         [0012]    Yet another object of the invention is that the fluid flow turning means may include fluid flow turning vanes. 
         [0013]    Still another object of the invention that improves its efficiency is that it may include flow separation means wherein said flow separation means separates incoming fluid flow to opposite sides of the fluid energy powered rotor. 
         [0014]    A related object of the invention is that at least portions of the flow separation means is attached to the waterborne supporting device thereby making said flow separation means fixed in relation to the waterborne supporting device. 
         [0015]    A another object of the invention that increases its efficiency is the optional use of frontal area increasing outward boundary means that increase the amount of incoming flow directed to the fluid energized rotor blades. 
         [0016]    A directly related object of the invention is that the frontal area increasing outward boundary means may include stationary curvilinear elements. 
         [0017]    A further object of the invention is that it be constructed from pre-fabricated modules. 
         [0018]    A directly related object of the invention is that such pre-fabricated modules include a base module and one or more rotor modules. 
         [0019]    Another object of the invention is that it may include one or more fluid flow grilles that prevent objects, including wildlife and debris, from entering the rotor(s). 
         [0020]    A further object of the invention is that the fluid energized rotor blades rotate around an axis that is more horizontal than vertical. 
         [0021]    Another object of the invention is that the fluid energized rotor blades rotate around an axis that is more vertical than horizontal. 
         [0022]    A further object of the invention is that the connecting means may include a buoy and wherein said buoy may be filled with gas thereby raising said buoy and attached connecting means to a water surface or filled with water thereby lowering said buoy and attached connecting means below the water surface. 
         [0023]    A directly related object of the invention is that venting and filling of the buoy may be accomplished by remote control means. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is a cross-section of a prior art fluid rotor that is being rotationally driven by oncoming fluids. This is the arrangement of some vertical axis wind turbines. Note that the driving fluid is pushing on the rotor blades on the downwind or working part of rotation and acting against rotation on the upwind part of rotation. These forces are there whether the oncoming fluid is air or water it is just that water is about 800 times denser than air and hence exerts a much larger force on the rotor blades. 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  presents a cross-section, as taken through plane  2 - 2  of  FIG. 6 , of a preferred embodiment fluid rotor and preferred embodiment related structure to the instant invention. Note that: 1) More incoming fluid is directed toward the rotor due to the enlarged capture area forward of the rotor and 2) Incoming fluid that would normally work against rotation on the upwind or upwater side of rotation has been redirected so that it adds positively to rotational force rather than creating a parasitic rotational drag force as is the case for the prior art rotor presented in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  presents a cross section of a mounting base assembly including a power generator and gearing. 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a cross section, as taken through plane  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 , that shows workings of gears that drive the power generator. Note that, while an electric generator is most common, any type of power generator including hydraulic or other may be used to absorb the rotational power from the turbine rotor(s). 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  shows a side view of a rotor assembly module to a preferred embodiment of the instant invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  gives an end view of the rotor assembly module of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  presents a side view of an assembled unit to the instant invention. In this instance there are two rotor modules. 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  presents an end view of a cover as seen in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  shows a top view of a waterborne object or device, in this case a pointy bow boat, with its deck covering removed that contains a Waterborne Power Generator. 
           [0033]      FIG. 10  gives a centerline view, as taken through plane  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 , that shows a Waterborne Power Generator in a vertically extended position so that it is absorbing power from passing water. 
           [0034]      FIG. 11  is a bow on view of the vessel of  FIG. 9  showing the Waterborne Power Generator in its downward extended position. 
           [0035]      FIG. 12  presents a partial cross-section, as taken through line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 9  but with the Waterborne Power Generator in its up or retracted position. Note that this position allows for easy cleaning and maintenance of the unit&#39;s components as well as for moving the waterborne device. 
           [0036]      FIG. 13  shows a proposed anchoring device for the cable(s) connected to the waterborne device. 
           [0037]      FIG. 14  shows a buoy or similar device that is, in this instance, is out of the way to passing vessels since it is filled with water and thereby sunk so that it is adjacent to the seafloor. 
           [0038]      FIG. 15  illustrates what happens when the buoy is filled with gas so that it floats. 
           [0039]      FIG. 16  shows means to fill and to vent the buoy. Gas from a compressed gas container expels the water thereby causing the buoy to float upward and raise the cable(s). 
           [0040]      FIG. 17  is a topside view, with deck covering removed, of a waterborne device that is supporting another variant of the instant invention. In this instance, the axis of rotation is horizontal. 
           [0041]      FIG. 18  gives a cross sectional view, as taken through line  18 - 18  of  FIG. 17 , that shows a plan view of the water turbine part of the instant invention. 
           [0042]      FIG. 19  is a bow on view of the waterborne device showing the turbine portion of the Waterborne Power Generation System that in this case is horizontally oriented. 
           [0043]      FIG. 20  shows a partial section, as taken through plane  20 - 20  of  FIG. 17 , but with the Waterborne Power Generator in its upper raised position. 
           [0044]      FIG. 21  is a cross section, as taken through plane  21 - 21  of  FIG. 18 , that shows the preferred arrangement of the power generator and of its driving gear arrangements wherein the generator itself is perpendicular to the axis of rotation. 
           [0045]      FIG. 22  present a profile view of the aft end of a waterborne device with a slightly different arrangement than given in  FIGS. 17-20 . 
           [0046]      FIG. 23  gives a bow on view of the waterborne device with the Waterborne Power Generator in its lowered powered generating position. 
           [0047]      FIG. 24  presents a cross sectional view, as taken through plane  24 - 24  of  FIG. 23 . 
           [0048]      FIG. 25  shows this variant of the Waterborne Power Generator in its raised position. 
           [0049]      FIG. 26  presents and end view of one of the rotor assemblies. Note that this rotor is actually similar to that presented as the prior art in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0050]      FIG. 27  is a side or profile view of the rotor shown in  FIG. 26 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0051]      FIG. 1  is a cross-section of a prior art fluid rotor  30  that is being rotationally driven by oncoming fluids as shown by fluid flow arrows  36 . This is the arrangement of some vertical axis wind turbines. Note that the driving fluid is pushing on the rotor blades  32  on the downwind or working part of rotation and acting against rotation on the upwind part of rotation This is indicated by positive force arrows  35  and negative force arrow  67 . These forces are there whether the oncoming fluid is air or water, it is just that water is about 800 times denser than air and hence exerts a much larger force on the rotor blades  32 . Rotational direction is shown by rotation arrow  37  and incoming fluid is shown by incoming flow arrow  58 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 2  presents a cross-section, as taken through plane  2 - 2  of  FIG. 6 , of a preferred embodiment fluid rotor  49  and preferred embodiment related structure  82  to the instant invention. Note that: 1) More incoming fluid is directed toward the rotor  49  due to the enlarged capture area forward of the rotor  49  and 2) Incoming fluid that would normally work against rotation on the upwind or upwater side of rotation has been redirected so that it adds positively to rotational force rather than creating a parasitic rotational drag force as is the case for the prior art rotor presented in  FIG. 1 . A very important aspect of this figure is that there are turning vanes  53  that redirect oncoming fluids  36  so that they are adding to positive rotational force rather than subtracting from it as was the Prior Art case presented in  FIG. 1 . Shown are optional inlet nacelle  38 , flow control side members  55 , and grille(s)  33 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 3  presents a cross section of a mounting base assembly (A)  47  including a power generator  39  of a vertically oriented variant of the instant invention Waterborne Power Generator  64 . On top of that is an adapter assembly or module (B)  48  that normally includes gearing  42  that drives the generator gear  40 . The procedure for assembly at a site is to first position and set the mounting base assembly (A)  47 . Other items shown are shaft bearing  51 , seals  63 , rotational drive motor and gear  41 , and axis of rotation  84 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 4  is a cross section, as taken through plane  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 , that shows workings of gears  42  that drive the power generator gear  40 . Note that, while an electric generator is most common, any type of power generator  39  including hydraulic or other may be used to absorb the fluid power from the turbine rotor(s). Further, it may be desirable to incorporate a disconnect clutch, not shown, so that the power generator  39  may be disengaged for maintenance or during very high fluid velocity situations. 
         [0055]      FIG. 5  gives a side view of the rotor assembly module (C)  56 . Cutaway views show shaft support bearings  51 , female spline/bearing adapter  45 , and male spline adapter  44 . A further cutaway view shows portions of a rotor  31  including rotor end plates  49 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 6  shows an end view of a rotor assembly module (C)  56  of  FIG. 5  including a splined drive shaft  44  to a preferred embodiment of the instant invention. 
         [0057]      FIG. 7  presents a side view of a Waterborne Power Generator  64  in a vertical orientation. Note how modules (A), (B), and (C) work together as pre-fabricated pieces to complete this vertical Waterborne Power Generator  64 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 8  is an end view of a cover (D)  50  including a female bearing adapter  45  to a preferred embodiment of the instant invention. 
         [0059]      FIG. 9  shows a top view of a waterborne object or device  62 , in this case a pointy bow boat, with its deck covering removed that contains a vertically oriented Waterborne Power Generator  62  Other items shown here include connector  52 , anchor line cable  65 , and float  59 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 10  gives a centerline view, as taken through plane  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 , that shows the vertical Waterborne Power Generator  64  in its vertically extended position so that it is absorbing power from passing water indicated by main flow arrow  58 . A waterline  74  is also shown. 
         [0061]      FIG. 11  is a bow on view of the waterborne device  62  of  FIG. 9  showing the vertical Waterborne Power Generator  64  in its downward extended position where it absorbing full force from passing water currents. 
         [0062]      FIG. 12  presents a partial cross-section, as taken through line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 9  but with the Waterborne Power Generator  64  in its up or retracted position. Note that this position allows for easy cleaning and maintenance of the unit&#39;s components as well as for moving the waterborne device  62 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 13  shows a proposed anchoring device  61  for the cable(s)  65  connected to the waterborne device. Cables  65  both in their extended upward and down orientations are shown for illustration purposes. A typical shore cable  73  that may pass under the seabed  75  is also shown. 
         [0064]      FIG. 14  shows a device such as a buoy  59  that is, in this instance, is out of the way to passing vessels since it is filled with water  70  and thereby sunk so that it is adjacent to the seabed  75 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 15  illustrates what happens when the buoy  59  is filled with gas  71  so that it floats and raises the cable  65 . 
         [0066]      FIG. 16  shows means to fill and to vent the buoy  59 . Gas from a compressed gas container  66  expels the water thereby causing the buoy  59  to float upward and raise the cable(s). Valves for filling and venting  68 ,  69  are also shown. Note that filling and venting of the buoy  59  is preferably controlled remotely. 
         [0067]      FIG. 17  is a topside view, with deck covering removed, of another waterborne device  76  that is supporting another variant of the instant invention. In this instance, the axis of rotation is horizontal. 
         [0068]      FIG. 18  gives a cross sectional view, as taken through line  18 - 18  of  FIG. 17 , that shows a plan view of the this horizontal axis variant of the instant invention. A hinge  78  is preferably used when tilting this vertical oriented variant of the instant invention Waterborne Power Generator  64 . 
         [0069]      FIG. 19  is a bow on view of the waterborne device  76  showing the turbine portion of the Waterborne Power Generator  64  that in this case has rotors that rotate around a horizontal axis. 
         [0070]      FIG. 20  shows a partial section, as taken through plane  20 - 20  of  FIG. 17 , but with the Waterborne Power Generator  64  in its upper raised position. 
         [0071]      FIG. 21  is a cross section, as taken through plane  21 - 21  of  FIG. 18 , that shows the preferred arrangement of the power generator and of its driving gear arrangements  83  wherein the generator  39  itself is perpendicular to the axis of rotation. 
         [0072]      FIG. 22  presents a partial profile view of the aft end of a waterborne device  76  with a slightly different arrangement than given in  FIGS. 17-20 . 
         [0073]      FIG. 23  gives a bow on view of the waterborne device  76  with the horizontal axis Waterborne Power Generator  64  in its lowered powering generating position. It to be noted that other types of rotors and power generator designs can be utilized with the inventive concepts of using a waterborne device and means to raise and lower them from the water as shown herein considered within the spirit and scope of the instant invention. 
         [0074]      FIG. 24  presents a cross sectional view, as taken through plane  24 - 24  of  FIG. 23 . Note that this situation differs from that presented in  FIGS. 17-20  in that a portion of the incoming flow is directed by structure fixed to the waterborne device  76 . These include nose nacelle  38  and turning vanes  53 . While the flow deflector  55  rotates here with the rotor  81  by means of hinge connector  78 , it is of course possible to have the flow deflector  55  fixed to the waterborne device  55  if desired. The rotor  81  is similar in arrangement to the prior art rotor presented in  FIG. 2  in the preferred embodiment of the instant invention. It is also quite feasible and considered a part of the invention that the rotor  81  may be independent of any water directing structure wherein it would operate as does the Prior Art rotor shown in  FIG. 1 . While not as efficient as the preferred embodiments of the instant invention Waterborne Power Generator  64  that have flow directing structure it is workable and considered within the spirit and scope of the instant invention. 
         [0075]      FIG. 25  shows this variant of the Waterborne Power Generator  64  in its raised position 
         [0076]      FIG. 26  presents and end view of one of the rotor assemblies  81 . Note that this rotor  81  is actually similar to that presented as the prior art in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0077]      FIG. 27  is a side or profile view of the rotor  81  shown in  FIG. 26 . 
         [0078]    While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred and several alternative embodiments, it will be understood that there is no intention to thereby limit the invention. On the contrary, there is intended to be covered all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims, which are the sole definition of the invention.