Abstract:
A submersible turbine generator unit can be placed in rivers, streams, or anywhere water flows in order to generate electricity without the need for dams. It is designed to work with its own diversion equipment for controlling and directing a flow of water into the turbine blades. The unit can be raised and lowered in the flow to enhance efficiency, respond to changing flow conditions, and for inspection/servicing, etc. The positioning system can use a motorized worm gear and a rack to raise or lower the turbine generator combination. Once raised up, a hard connection point allows attachment of a lifting cable so the turbine/generator combination can be easily removed and replaced as needed. A submersible turbine generator utilizes uniquely shaped turbine blades that efficiently engage flowing water and spin the turbine shaft without presenting undue risk to aquatic life.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of hydropower; more specifically, to the field of hydropower turbines and generators; and more particularly still, to a submersible turbine generator. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Hydropower has been utilized for thousands of years. Early hydropower projects captured energy from the motion of falling or flowing water and used that energy to power mechanical devices such as flour mills, sawmills, etc. However, once electricity began to be transmitted as a public utility, mechanical hydropower was quickly supplanted by electrical hydropower. In typical installations, large damns are used to impound water which is then directed through turbines to spin generators and produce electricity on a large scale. However, damn-building can create a number of environmental issues. Additionally, some rivers are in locations where building a damn is not feasible. And of course large damns and electrical generation facilities require large capital outlays before any electricity can be generated and sold. 
     What is needed is an in-stream turbine generator that can generate electricity from flowing water without building a damn or otherwise adversely impacting the environment. An in-stream submersible turbine generator should be easily placed and removed and have a simple, built-in means for raising and lowering the equipment from the flow to perform maintenance, inspection, etc. Furthermore, the submersible turbine generator blades should be shaped so as to utilize the flow efficiently without presenting undue risk to aquatic life. 
     SUMMARY 
     A submersible turbine generator unit is designed to work with its own diversion equipment for controlling and directing a flow of water into the turbine blades. The unit can be raised and lowered in the flow to enhance efficiency, respond to changing flow conditions, and for inspection/servicing, etc. The positioning system can use a motorized worm gear and a rack to raise or lower the turbine generator combination. Once raised up, a hard connection point allows attachment of a lifting cable (like that on a crane, for example) so the entire turbine generator combination can be easily removed and replaced as needed. A submersible turbine generator utilizes uniquely shaped turbine blades that efficiently engage flowing water and spin the turbine shaft without presenting undue risk to aquatic life. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective front view of an exemplary embodiment of a submersible turbine generator; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective front view of an exemplary embodiment of a submersible turbine generator with some of the diversion and containment walls removed; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a front elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a submersible turbine generator with some of the diversion and containment walls removed; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a submersible turbine generator; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a bottom plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a submersible turbine generator; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a close-up perspective view of a submersible turbine generator highlighting the turbine, generator, and positioning system; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a close-up top plan view of a submersible turbine generator highlighting the turbine and positioning system; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a submersible turbine generator in a raised configuration with some of the diversion and containment walls removed; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a front elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a submersible turbine generator blade; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a submersible turbine generator blade; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a submersible turbine generator blade; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a rear elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a submersible turbine generator blade; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a right side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a submersible turbine generator blade; and 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a bottom perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a submersible turbine generator blade. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following discussion, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments may be practiced without such specific details. Furthermore, lists and/or examples are often provided and should be interpreted as exemplary only and in no way limiting embodiments to only those examples. Similarly, in this disclosure, language such as “could, should, may, might, must, have to, can, would, need to, is, is not”, etc. and all such similar language shall be considered interchangeable whenever possible such that the scope of the invention is not unduly limited. For example, a comment such as: “item X is used” can be interpreted to read “item X can be used”. 
     Exemplary embodiments are described below in the accompanying Figures. The following detailed description provides a comprehensive review of the drawing Figures in order to provide a thorough understanding of, and an enabling description for, these embodiments. One having ordinary skill in the art will understand that in some cases well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments. 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective front view of an exemplary embodiment of a submersible turbine generator unit  10 . The unit  10  can have a debris guard base  20  which forms a stable structure upon which the remainder of the unit rests. Also, the debris guard base  20  can provide a barrier between the spinning turbine blades and any debris below the unit  10  once it is in place in the water flow. The debris guard base  20  can have a plurality of stand off posts  21  which can engage a bottom surface, river bed, etc. and help keep the unit  10  from moving or sliding once in place. The stand off posts  21  can also be used to ensure that the unit  10  does not become mired or enmeshed on the bottom as water can continue to flow between the unit  10  and the bottom surface, if desired. 
     Rising up from the debris guard base  20  can be an up flow diversion wall  30 . By diverting the flow of water towards the turbine, the up flow diversion wall  30  can enhance the output of the unit  10 . In one embodiment, the up flow diversion wall  30  can be adjustable so that any diversion of the flow can be enhanced or diminished or otherwise controlled as desired. Extending from the up flow diversion wall  30  can be a first flow regulator wall  40  which allows fine control of the flow to the turbine. Extending down flow can be a down flow diversion wall  50  that, in some embodiments, can be placed and/or manipulated to enhance flow characteristics as desired. 
     Up flow from the turbine can be a turbine flow wall  60  rising up from the debris guard base  20 . The turbine flow wall  60  helps to ensure the flow is properly channeled to the turbine. Extending from the turbine flow wall  60  can be a second flow regulator wall  70  which allows fine control of the flow to the turbine. A second flow regulator wall  70  can also ensure that water is diverted away from the turbine repositioning system  200  and associated components. The structural wall  90  surrounds the turbine repositioning system  200 , protecting it and providing mounting locations to secure components thereof in place. The structural wall  90  can be a partial cylinder or tube (round, square, or other in cross section) and can attach to the debris guard base  20 . In a stream or river emplacement situation, the structural wall  90  can be positioned near the stream or river bank so that the turbine repositioning system  200  can be accessed more easily, when needed. 
     The turbine repositioning system  200  can be mechanically linked via a U support bar (see U support bar  240 ,  244  and  248  in  FIG. 2 ) to the generator and turbine. 
     In some embodiments, a turbine containment wall  80  can be utilized to separate the turbine and flow from the turbine repositioning system  200 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , one possible embodiment of a turbine containment wall  80  forms a cylindrical barrier between the flow and the system  200 . 
     In the embodiment in  FIG. 1 , a third flow regulator wall  100  is utilized. In other embodiments such a wall may be fixed in place, may not be present or may be otherwise configured. In yet other embodiments, a third flow regulator wall  100  can be adjustable. The third flow regulator wall  100  can be attached, or in proximity, to the turbine containment wall  80 , a structural wall  90 , and/or a down flow turbine wall  110 . In the embodiment in  FIG. 1 , a down flow turbine wall  110  can attach to either, both, or neither of a structural wall  90  and a third flow regulator wall  100 . The down flow turbine wall  110  can be fixed in one embodiment, in another, it can be repositionable as needed to help control the flow. 
     Extending from the top of the unit  10  in  FIG. 1  is a power transfer cable  120 . Such a cable draws power generated by the unit  10  and feeds it into a power network via a junction box  130 . The cable  120  can also receive power from a network and transfer to the unit  10 . In yet another embodiment, the cable  120  can transfer data to/from the unit  10  (such as load, capacity, production, condition, maintenance, efficiency, speed, flow measurements, etc.). 
     The submersible turbine generator unit  10  is designed to work with its own diversion equipment for controlling and directing a flow of water into the turbine blades. The unit can be raised and lowered in the flow via the turbine repositioning system  200  to enhance efficiency, respond to changing flow conditions, and for inspection/servicing, etc. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective front view of an exemplary embodiment of a submersible turbine generator  10  with some of the diversion and containment walls removed so that the turbine  210 , generator  230 , and other components are more easily viewed. The turbine  210  comprises a plurality of submersible turbine generator blades  205  (see  FIG. 9  turbine blade  205 ). The exact number of turbine blades  205  that comprise the plurality can vary from one to one hundred or more, depending on the needs of the particular unit  10 . The turbine  210  can be capped by a turbine plate  220  that contains and protects the plurality of turbine blades  205 . 
     Extending from the turbine  210  is the turbine axis  225  which connects the turbine  210  to the generator  230 . The turbine axis  225  transfers the motion of the turbine to the generator  230  where that motion is turned into power. The generator can be any appropriate type of generator, but should be sealed and waterproof as it may need to be deeply submerged in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the generator  230  is placed highly enough relative to the turbine that it does not need to submerged. 
     The generator can be attached to a suspension member  240 . The suspension member  240  positions the turbine  210  in the flow and connects the turbine to the turbine repositioning system  200 . The suspension member  240  attaches to a distal end of a cross bar  244  and a drop bar  248  attaches to a proximal end of the cross bar  244 . The drop bar  248  can be positioned so that the turbine repositioning system  200  can act upon it in order to raise, lower, and/or otherwise reposition the turbine  210 . The length of the cross bar influences how far from the turbine repositioning system  200  the suspension member  240  (and hence the turbine  210 ) can be placed from the turbine repositioning system  200 . Together, the combination of the drop bar  248 , cross bar  244 , and suspension member  240  comprise a U support bar that can suspend the turbine out over the turbine containment wall  80  and into the flow. 
     The turbine repositioning system  200  can interact with the drop bar  248  in various ways in order to reposition the turbine. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the embodiment utilizes a turbine repositioning system  200  comprising a motor  270  and a connection  260 . In one embodiment of the turbine repositioning system  200 , a motor  270  drives a connection  260  that engages the drop bar  248 . In this embodiment, since at least one of the motor and connection is attached directly or indirectly to the structural wall  90 , the turbine repositioning system  200  is attached to the structural wall  90  and can act upon the drop bar  248  to reposition the turbine  210 . In another embodiment, the turbine repositioning system  200  is fixed in relation to one of the debris guard base  20 , the turbine containment wall  80 , and the structural wall  90 . 
     In  FIG. 2 , a portion of the turbine containment wall  80  and the structural wall  90  have been removed in order to more clearly view the turbine  210  and repositioning system  200 . Both walls  80  and  90  have a cross-hatching cut-away portion to indicate a cross section has been taken. 
     Also highlighted in  FIG. 2  is a hard connection point  246 . The connection point  246  provides a location for attachment of a lifting cable (like that on a crane, for example) so the entire turbine generator combination can be easily removed and replaced as needed. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a front elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a submersible turbine generator  10  with some of the diversion and containment walls removed. In this embodiment, a vertical displacement linear bar rack  249  is affixed to the U support bar  240 ,  244  and  248  and engages the connection  260  which comprises a worm gear. As the motor  270  turns the connection&#39;s worm gear, the gear engages the rack  249  and forces the U support bar  240 ,  244 , and  248  up or down depending on which direction the worm gear turns. This up or down motion causes the turbine  210  to similarly move up or down. 
     A first T track  285  is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The first T track  285  works in combination with the first T travel bar  295  to guide the drop bar  248  in its up and down vertical travels. A similar pair of components can be added to the other side of the drop bar  248  (see second T track  280  and second T travel bar  290  in  FIG. 4 ) to further ensure the drop bar  248  travels securely in place. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a submersible turbine generator  10 . In this embodiment the dual T tracks  280  and  285  and dual T travel bars  290  and  295  are shown from above with the T travel bars fitting inside the T tracks and able to slide up and down within the T tracks. Although not shown, bearings, rollers, or other friction reduction devices can be employed. 
       FIG. 4  also introduces two general area references. The first is the input port  22  of the unit. This is the portion of the unit in which a flow of water (or other material) is directed. The flow is then diverted and directed through the unit  10 , passing over/through the turbine  210  and causing it to spin. The spinning turbine drives the generator  230 , causing power to be produced. In the case of electrical power, it can be easily transmitted through the power transfer cable  120  and out to a network. The second area reference is the output port  24  of the unit. This is the portion of the unit out which the flow of water (or other material) is directed. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a bottom plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a submersible turbine generator. In this embodiment, the bottom surface of the debris guard base  20  is illustrated. A plurality of stand off posts  21  are shown, in other embodiments, the number of stand off posts  21  can be fewer or greater than that shown in  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a close-up perspective view of a submersible turbine generator  10  highlighting the turbine  210 , generator  230 , and positioning system  200 . In this view, the generator  230  is attached (either removably or fixedly) to a suspension member  240 . The distance between the generator  230  and the turbine  210  can be less than or greater than that shown in this Figure in other embodiments. 
     In this embodiment, both a first T track  285  and a second T track  280  are illustrated.  FIG. 6  illustrates them as being attached to the turbine containment wall  80  on either side of the drop bar  248  in order to help guide the drop bar and keep it in position horizontally as it is repositioned vertically by the turbine repositioning system  200 . In other embodiments, the T tracks  285  and  280  can be attached to the structural wall  90  and/or the debris guard base  20  in addition to or instead of attachment to the containment wall  80 . In yet another embodiment, the T tracks are not attached to any of the three, or are not used whatsoever and a different means of containing and guiding the drop bar  248  is used instead. For example, a single T track and T travel bar could be used on the side of the drop bar  248  opposite the vertical displacement linear bar rack  249 . 
       FIG. 6  shows the motor  270  being attached by the motor clamp  275  to the structural wall  90 . In other embodiments, the motor  270  could attach to the system in other ways. Similarly, the connection  260  is illustrated as attaching to the structural wall  90  via the connection clamp  265 ; but in other embodiments, other means could be used. 
     The motor  270  is illustrated in  FIG. 6  as having an input power source  272 . This could be powered by the generator itself when running. However, as the turbine repositioning system  200  often needs to operate when the unit is not running, external power should be made available to the motor from the power transfer cable  120 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a close-up top plan view of a submersible turbine generator  10  highlighting the turbine  210  and positioning system  200 . In this illustration, the incoming flow  28  is shown as is the outgoing flow  29 . As the flow impacts the turbine  210  blades, the turbine spins (in this case, counterclockwise), driving the generator and producing power. Note the close-up view of the T tracks  285  and  280  and the T travel bars  295  and  290  provided by  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a submersible turbine generator  10  in a raised configuration with some of the diversion and containment walls removed. Compare the location of the turbine  210  in  FIG. 8  with that of the turbine  210  in  FIG. 3 , relative to the debris guard base  20 . It should be readily apparent that  FIG. 8  illustrates a unit  10  wherein the turbine repositioning system  200  has been actuated to lift the turbine  210  out of the flow (or at least upwards from its position in  FIG. 3 ). The U support arm, generator, and turbine are ready to be lifted from the unit  10  for maintenance, replacement, etc. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a front elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a submersible turbine generator blade  205 . This is a single blade of the plurality of turbine blades that can comprise the turbine  210 . The submersible turbine generator blade  205  comprises a connection edge  211 , a leading bull-nose diversion  214 , a trailing scoop  215 , a terminating edge  212 , a wing edge  213  and a wing tip  219 . The connection edge  211  functions to attach the submersible turbine generator blade  205  to a turbine axis  225  and/or to other blades in the turbine. Extending from the connection edge  211  is a large cupped portion called the leading bull-nose diversion  214  that gradually extends forwards of the connection edge  211  before sweeping back away from the connection edge where it attaches to the trailing scoop  215 . The leading bull-nose diversion  214  functions to push forward into whatever material makes up the flow (often water) if any residual amount thereof is retained in the spaces between the plurality of turbine blades. The curved shape (see  FIG. 10  for a top view) of the diversion  214  functions to direct the flow material back along the blade  205  and ease the movement of the blade to increase the efficiency of the turbine. The trailing scoop  215  continues the gradual back-curving shape of the diversion  214 , eventually sweeping well back from the relative position of the connection edge  211  (again, see  FIG. 10  for more detail). The trailing scoop  215  has a rounded front face to continue to direct the flow material back along the blade. 
     The bottom edge of the diversion  214  and trailing scoop  215 , referred to as the wing edge  213 , flares upwards to the wing tip  219 . The wing edge  213  can be shaped so as to minimize turbulence as the flow spins the turbine and flow material in front of the blade rejoins material from behind the blade. Similarly, the wing tip  219 , at the terminus of the wing edge  213  can be shaped so as to minimize turbulence and increase the efficiency of the turbine. The terminating edge  212  sweeps down from the top of the connecting edge  211  to join the wing edge  213  and form the wing tip  219 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a submersible turbine generator blade  205 . The terminating edge  212  is visible in this illustration. Additionally, the general shape and curves of the components of the blade  205  are visible from this view. For example, the curved, somewhat cupped shape of the leading bull-nose diversion  214  that gradually extends forwards of the connection edge  211  before sweeping back away from the connection edge before attaching to the trailing scoop  215  can be seen in this view. Similarly, the trailing scoop  215  continues the gradual back-curving shape of the diversion  214 , eventually sweeping well back from the relative position of the connection edge  211 . It is also apparent that the back surface of the blade is somewhat cupped overall so that the flow can better catch the blade and cause it to spin the turbine. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a submersible turbine generator blade  205 . The leading bull-nose diversion  214  clearly extends forwards from the connection edge  211  before curving back beyond the connection edge and forming the back of the blade or trailing surface  217 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a rear elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a submersible turbine generator blade  205 . The diversion scoop  216  is visible here, it comprises the back surface of the leading bull-nose diversion  214 . Extending from the diversion scoop  16  is the trailing surface  217  which comprises the back surface of the trailing scoop  215 . The blade back surface comprises the diversion scoop  216  and the trailing surface  217 . The blade back surface is at least partially cupped so that a flow of material can engage the back surface and act upon it to cause the blade to turn and spin the turbine. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a right side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a submersible turbine generator blade  10 . Here the gradual back-curving shape of the distal portion of the diversion  214  can be clearly seen merging into the swept back curve of the trailing scoop  215 . 
       FIG. 14  illustrates a bottom perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a submersible turbine generator blade  205 . This view complements prior views in making the general shape and curves of the blade more apparent. 
     While particular embodiments have been described and disclosed in the present application, it is clear that any number of permutations, modifications, or embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of this disclosure. 
     Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the embodiments should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the claims encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the claimed subject matter. 
     The above detailed description of the embodiments is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise embodiment or form disclosed herein or to the particular fields of usage mentioned above. While specific embodiments and examples are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the disclosure, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Also, the teachings of the embodiments provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. 
     Any patents, applications and other references that may be listed in accompanying or subsequent filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of embodiments can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references to provide yet further embodiments. 
     In light of the above “Detailed Description,” the Inventor may make changes to the disclosure. While the detailed description outlines possible embodiments and discloses the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, embodiments may be practiced in a myriad of ways. Thus, implementation details may vary considerably while still being encompassed by the spirit of the embodiments as disclosed by the inventor. As discussed herein, specific terminology used when describing certain features or aspects should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the embodiments with which that terminology is associated. 
     While certain aspects are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventor contemplates the various aspects in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects. 
     The above specification, examples and data provide a description of the structure and use of exemplary implementations of the described systems, articles of manufacture and methods. It is important to note that many implementations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.