Patent CA-2484293-A1 (CA)
Title: "a vertical turbine for generating electricity from "in" and "out" tides" "man o war" turbine"
Inventor: MATHIEU ALFRED L
IPC: F03B13/26
Filed: 2004-11-09
Abstract: The vertical turbine is designed to generate electricity from "in" and "out"  tides and is not a danger to sea life. The turbine structure is secured on to a horizontally placed foundation at the selected site on the marine floor. It is an open system, and offers little resistance to the onward force of the tide and also allows marine life to harmlessly escape from the rotor vanes or other stricture. The structure is painted a bright color such as yellow, to alert the marine life to slow down and proceed with caution.   The framework of the "Man O' War" Turbine consists of an upper platform comprising of two back-to-back tubular isosceles triangles and a lower platform comprising of identical back-to-back tubular isosceles triangles. In between the two platforms are two identical vertical turbines, each on their own axle, placed side-by-side such that the horizontal oar-like vanes on rotation integrate with each other at one half of their radius, more or less, and spaced vertically on interlocking segments such that the "oars" do not touch each other in the integration sector, and this principle is termed the "Siamese" turbines.   Each individual segment of the rotor on the turbine axle consists of receptacles for the shafts of 6 (six) oar-like vanes on the same plane centrally located and is termed a "stack". The interlocking segments are "stacked" successively on to the rotor axle of the two turbines until the desired dimensions height of the turbine is attained. The shafts of the oar-like vanes are then inserted in the receptacles and scoured. There is sufficient space between the oar-like vanes on each rotor so that they do not touch each other upon rotation. In order that the interlocking segments on each rotor are close fitting, a "dummy" segment is placed at the base of one axle and at the top of the other axle. Let us assume that the height of each segment is 80 cm and the width of the oar-like vanes is 20 cm, placed in the center leaving 30 cm on each side. The "dummy"  segment of 40 cm is placed at the bottom of the one turbine axle, and at the top of the other turbine shaft. These two "dummy" segments ensure a close fit of the segments on both turbine axles. While 6 (six) oar-like vanes are indicated on a rotor segment, the number and dimensions of the oar-like vanes can vary according to analytical specifications for a particular requirement.   Each turbine is independent. If one turbine is not rotating, the other turbine wall rotate and the oar-like vanes will not collide with those of the idle turbine.     The front half and the back half of the upper and lower platforms and of the turbines are congruent and thus symmetrical, and vice versa. The platforms are rigidly reinforced by a cross-sectional tubular framework. The structure is secured to the horizontal foundation by the lower platform which is fixed but is adjustable.   A vertical bisectional deflector is positioned at the outer center fore and aft of the structure and is in line with the intersection points of integration of the Siamese turbine sector so as to direct the water flow equally, more or less, to each outer side of the vertical turbine so that one turbine rotates clockwise, the other anti-clockwise, but they are in unison.   Since the direction of the flow of the "in" and "out" tides is predictable, more or less, and the structure is fixed, although it is adjustable, onto the foundation, the two turbines can be positioned perpendicularly, more or less, and on a semi-perpendicular basis, to either the "in" or "out" tides.   On the top platform, each turbine has its own water-tight generator that is linked directly to the upper part of the rotor. The generators are positioned so that they are streamlined to the flow of the tides.   The tubular framework permits the generator and rotor to be easily removed for repairs or maintenance. If an oar-like vane is faulty, it is easily removable and a new one installed without delay.   It is important for the turbine to have the state of the art equipment to monitored pertinent data.   In the event that the "Man O' War" turbine structure is sited in the center of the tidal flow where there is greater tempestuous tidal activity and consequently greater stress on the structure, an accessory of vertical buttresses being ties same height as the structure are placed directly fore and aft of the central bisectional deflectors and on each side of the structure (3 on each side for a total of 6) so as to buffer the tempest of the tide before it reaches the structure.