Abstract:
A device for extracting energy from flowing fluid is provided. First and second buoyant lateral side members are provided. A fluid turbine is disposed between and below the lateral side members. At least one support extends from each side member to the turbine. At least one adjustable length support connects to the first and second side members, the at least one adjustable length support being adjustable between a minimum length and a maximum length. When a length of the adjustable length support adjusts toward the minimum length the first and second side members move closer together to thereby lower the turbine relative to the lateral side members. When the length of the at least one adjustable length support adjusts toward the maximum length the first and second side members move away from each other to thereby raise the turbine relative to the lateral side members.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The instant application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 62/333,983 filed May 10, 2016 entitled FLOATING ENERGY GENERATING PLATFORM WITH HORIZONTAL LIFT, the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The various embodiments described herein relate generally to water energy capture devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to water energy capture devices with adjustable depth. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The generation of electricity from water today predominantly uses impoundments, such as dams. 
         [0004]    To convert water currents into electricity without impoundments, in-stream energy conversion devices are placed in a flowing stream. According to the Electric Power Research Institute, such in-stream electricity generation without using impoundments remains a largely untapped potential. See, e.g., “North American Ocean Energy Status,” Electric Power Research Institute, March 2007. This report states that the world&#39;s first marine renewable energy system of significant size to be installed in a genuinely offshore location was the Marine Current Turbine (MCT) 300 kw experimental SeaFlow unit installed off the coast of Devon, UK in May 2003. The MCT SeaFlow unit used a rotating, axial-flow turbine using hydrodynamic, generally planar blades as working members. (The term “working member” here refers to a member having a surface that functions to react with a working fluid, such as water, such that movement of a working fluid causes movement of the working member.) The report discusses other in-stream projects that use axial-flow turbines with generally planar blades. The Verdant Power 5.5 axial flow turbines were installed in the East River of New York beginning in December 2006. The Canadian Race Rocks British Columbia Tidal Project delivered electricity for the first time in December 2006. 
         [0005]    U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/684,723, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, shows a floating water generation platform in which two buoyant side members support a submerged water turbine. The water turbine may be vertically raised and lowered along a shaft for maintenance and transportation. The overall depth of the platform remains fixed due to the length of the shaft, and the device needed to raise the turbine is complicated. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    It is on occasion desirable to change the depth of a hydro turbine. By way of non-limiting example, greater depth may be preferable for open water environments such as an ocean, while shallower depth maybe preferable for shallower environments such as rivers. Rivers themselves have different depths that may require a different depth of a turbine. Embodiments of the invention thus provide an adjustment methodology to the depth of the turbine so that it may be raised and lowered to function at different depths as called for by the operating environment. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    Various embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings, in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates a front perspective view of a platform according to an embodiment of the invention configured for a first operational depth. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of a platform according to an embodiment of the invention configured for a first operational depth. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates a rear perspective view of a platform according to an embodiment of the invention configured for a first operational depth. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  illustrates a front view of a platform according to an embodiment of the invention configured for a first operational depth. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  illustrates a front black box view of a platform according to an embodiment of the invention in a first operational depth. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  illustrates a partial cut away front black box view of a platform according to an embodiment of the invention in a first operational depth. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  illustrates a front black box view of a platform according to an embodiment of the invention in a second operational depth. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrates a perspective and front view of a platform according to an embodiment of the invention configured for a second operational depth. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  illustrates a front black box view of multiple platforms connected together according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  illustrates a front black box view of multiple platforms connected together according to another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  illustrates a front black box view of a platform according to another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  illustrates a front black box view of a platform according to another embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    In the following description, various embodiments will be illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings. References to various embodiments in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one. While specific implementations and other details are discussed, it is to be understood that this is done for illustrative purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations may be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0021]    Several definitions that apply throughout this disclosure will now be presented. The term “substantially” is defined to be essentially conforming to the particular dimension, shape, or other feature that the term modifies, such that the component need not be exact. For example, “substantially cylindrical” means that the object resembles a cylinder, but can have one or more deviations from a true cylinder. The term “comprising” when utilized, means “including, but not necessarily limited to”; it specifically indicates open-ended inclusion or membership in the so-described combination, group, series and the like. The term “a” means “one or more” unless the context clearly indicates a single element. 
         [0022]    As used herein, the term “front”, “rear”, “left,” “right,” “top” and “bottom” or other terms of direction, orientation, and/or relative position are used for explanation and convenience to refer to certain features of this disclosure. However, these terms are not absolute, and should not be construed as limiting this disclosure. 
         [0023]    Shapes as described herein are not considered absolute. As is known in the art, surfaces often have waves, protrusions, holes, recess, etc. to provide rigidity, strength and functionality. All recitations of shape herein are to be considered modified by “substantially” regardless of whether expressly stated in the disclosure or claims, and specifically accounts for variations in the art as noted above. 
         [0024]      FIGS. 1 and 3  illustrates perspective forward and rearward views of an exemplary platform  100  for generating electricity from flowing fluid, such as water (water is referred to herein for simplicity of description, although the invention is not limited to any particular fluid flow). For purposes of description, the end of the platform  100  ending in nose  120  (best seen in  FIG. 1 ) may be referred to as the “forward” end, while the opposite side (best seen in  FIG. 3 ) may be referred to as the “aft” end. As viewed from the aft end looking forward ( FIG. 3 ), the left side of the platform  100  may be referred to as the “port” side, while the right side may be referred to as the “starboard” side. 
         [0025]    Platform  100  includes a frame having a starboard longitudinal side member  104  running forward and aft along the starboard side of platform  100  and a port longitudinal side member  106  running forward and aft along the port side of platform  100 . Between and below side members  104  and  106  is a hydro turbine  108 . Hydro turbine  108  may be any type of water energy extraction device, but is preferably an elongated structure that extends from the fore to aft of platform  100  in parallel with side members  104  and  106 . Side members  104  and  106  preferably provide a substantially amount of the buoyancy needed to keep the platform  100  afloat, although additional buoyancy may be provided by other sources, including turbine  108 . A walkway  150  may be supported at a variety of points on the platform  100  to support human occupants. 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , hydro turbine  108  preferably includes an internal shaft  116  (either part of the turbine and/or a mounting for the turbine  108 ) as shown in dotted lines, and a working member  110  coiling around a casing  112 . The casing  112  provides structural support and some floatation for turbine  108 , and the working member  110  engages the water flow to spin turbine  108 . The spin of turbine  108  rotates shaft  116 , which in turn drives electrical generating components (discussed in more detail below). However, the invention is not so limited, and turbine  108  may not provide any buoyancy. 
         [0027]    Turbine  108  preferably has some at least partial prolate characteristics in its structure, akin to the shape of an American football. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the casing is cylindrical and the outer periphery of the working member  110  generally follows a prolate shape from its nose  120  to an apex of the prolate, before taking on a more cylindrical rearward shape. However, other shapes could be used. For example, the entire outer periphery of working member  110  could be substantially prolate from nose to aft. In another alternative, the casing could itself be substantially prolate. Also, the invention is not limited to prolate shapes. 
         [0028]    Side members  104  and  106  preferably provide a substantially majority of the buoyance needed to keep the platform  100  afloat, although some buoyancy may be provided by other sources, including turbine  108  (e.g., to provide buoyancy to make it easier to move in water). The waterline is shown generally at  202 . 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 , several diagonal supports  114  connect the lateral side members  104  and  106  to turbine  108  to generally define a “V” shape in the front view (FIG.  4 ). Diagonal supports  114  may be uniform or made from connected components. The connections are preferably direct, but may be indirect through intervening structures. 
         [0030]    The bottom (base of the “V” shape) end of diagonal supports  114  connect to annular rings  118  rotatably mounted on shaft  116  or the turbine  108 . The upper (top of the “V” shape”) end of diagonal supports  114  preferably are integral and/or joined with lateral side members  104  and  106  such that the supports  114  rotate with any rotation of the side members  104  and  106 . However, this need not be the case, and flexible connections (e.g., a hinge) may be used. 
         [0031]    In the disclosed embodiment, two pairs of adjacent diagonal supports  114  are provided, with one pair at the front of platform  100  (best seen in  FIG. 1 ) and the other pair at the rear (best seen in  FIG. 3 ). Each diagonal support  114  within a pair is preferably adjacent such that their annular rings  118  are adjacent. However, the invention is not limited to this configuration. By way of non-limiting example, additional pairs could also be provided, such as an additional pair proximate to the center of platform. In another non-limiting example, adjacent pairs are not used, for example two diagonal supports  114  connected to the port lateral side member  106  and one central diagonal support  114  connected to the starboard lateral side member  104  (a total of 3 spaced apart supports). In theory, a minimum of two diagonal supports could also be used, although such a design may be less stable compared with the use of additional diagonal supports. 
         [0032]    A nose  120  at the forward end caps the forward most end of turbine  108 , and has a tapered conical shape to reduce drag and divert debris. A suitable cap or retainer (not shown) is provided at the rear of turbine  108 . 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a block diagram front view of the platform  100  is shown. Dimensions of the component are intentionally not to scale for purposes of illustration. In this embodiment, each lateral support  122  is a telescoping pole containing coaxial sections. Several lateral supports  122  bridge side members  104  and  106  via hinges  124 . Two supports are shown, although any number may be used. Cables  126  may connect the lateral supports  122  to provide stiffness. In  FIG. 5  the lateral support includes an inner pole  128  within a sleeve  130 . 
         [0034]    The exposed end of pole  128  rotatably connects to port lateral side member  106  via its hinge  124 . A midsection (substantially near center but not necessarily on center, as discussed below) of sleeve  130  connects to starboard lateral side member  104  via its hinge  124 ; the remainder of sleeve  130  extends outward past starboard lateral side member  104  and ends in a portion of a hinge  134 . In another embodiment, this arrangement could be reversed with the end of pole  128  supported on starboard lateral member  104 . All lateral side members may be similarly oriented, although this need not be the case (some could extend port-to-starboard while others starboard-to-port). 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , the interior view of sleeve  130  shows the extension of pole  128  therein. An electromechanical driver  132 , such as a piston, may be provided to move pole  128  back and forth in sleeve  130 . Driver  132  is not limited to any particular type of movement device, and may be omitted entirely in favor of manual movement. 
         [0036]    Sleeve  130  and pole  128  may have multiple holes  136  that align at certain points to receive a locking pin  138  to fix sleeve  130  and pole  128  to prevent further telescopic movement. Other locking mechanisms (including locking movement of the driver  132 ) may be used to secure sleeve  110  relative to pole  128 . The invention is not limited to the manner of extension and/or locking. 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , when the sleeve  130  and pole  128  are locked together, a fixed orientation is established between the turbine  108  and lateral side members  104  and  106 . This fixed orientation establishes a vertical distance  140  between the turbine  108  and a lateral axis of the turbines. When deployed in water such that the side members  104  and  106  float, this sets a basis for the depth of the turbine  108  in the water, as may be further influenced by the specific buoyancy of the later side turbines and/or motion on the water. 
         [0038]    When pole  128  is fully retracted into sleeve  130  (subject to stops), this state preferably defines the lowest depth of turbine  108 . 
         [0039]    As noted above, different bodies of water, particularly rivers, have different depths that may not accommodate the full-deployed depth of turbine  108 . Referring now to  FIG. 7 , platform  100  can vertically raise turbine  108  by extending pole  128  outward from sleeve  130 , either manually or from driver  132 . The separation moves lateral side members  104  and  106  apart, and rotates them around their support hinges  124 . The separation and corresponding rotation of the lateral side members in turn lifts turbine  108  upward. The change in depth is seen by comparing  FIG. 5  relative to  FIG. 7 . Locking the sleeve  130  and pole  128  at the new position will fix the turbine at its new depth.  FIGS. 8A and 8B  shows a perspective view of the platform in this lifted state relative to water line  202 . Reversing the motion by retracting pole  128  into sleeve  130  bring side members  104  and  106  toward each other, thereby lowering turbine  108 . 
         [0040]    The above motion may be implemented on land before the platform is moved into the water. In the alternative, the platform may be adjusted while in the water. 
         [0041]    As discussed above, the far end of sleeve  130  has a partial hinge  134 . Referring now to  FIG. 10 , multiple platforms may be connected by linking partial hinge  134  of a first platform  100  to a hinge  124  of a second adjacent platform. This flexible connection will allow the platforms  100  to move up and down relative to each other as may be required to account for waves or water turbulence, but still maintains a minimum distance between adjacent platforms  100 . Any desired number of platforms  100  may be so connected with the confines of the dimensions of the body of water. 
         [0042]    In the above embodiments, sleeve  130  extends beyond lateral side member  104  to provide the option for connection. However, if no connection is desired, in an alternative embodiment the sleeve  130  can terminate at any desired distance relative to its hinge  124 . In yet another alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , the additional length of sleeve  130  is replaced with a removable support  160  that has a partial hinge on each end that attaches to hinges  124  of two platforms  100 . 
         [0043]      FIGS. 11 and 12  show an alternative embodiment to the use of a sleeve/pole engagement. In  FIG. 11 , lateral support  122  has multiple hinge points  165  through which the pin of hinge  124  can be inserted to lock the structure in place at the desired shape. In  FIG. 12 , the lateral support  122  has a groove  170  through which the pin of hinge  124  can slide, and the desired position of side member  104  relative to lateral support  122  is locked by a clamp  175 . 
         [0044]    Similarly, the end of pole  134  is coincided with its hinge  124 . However, the invention is not so limited, and the end of pole may continue past the hinge  124 . 
         [0045]    The components of platform are made from materials as are known to provide sufficient support for these types of components in this operating environment, e.g., marine grade aluminum, stainless steel, warm marine grade steel. The overall buoyancy of the platform  100  is preferably sufficient to keep the platform  100  at least partially above the water line when the turbine  108  is raised to its highest point. 
         [0046]    As noted above, electricity-generating components are driven by this rotation of turbine  108  to generate electricity. Those components may be located within or external to the turbine (such as drive by a gear, shaft and/or chain drive). The details of such electrical generating components are well known in the art of turbines and not discussed further herein. In one embodiment, the generating components may be within one or more of the rings  118 , with electrical pathways for the generated energy extending on or internally within diagonal supports  114 . 
         [0047]    The embodiments herein disclose a lateral support  122  made from a sleeve  130  and pole  128 . However, the invention is not so limited, and the lateral support  122  could be a solid component. Adjustment could be, e.g., through a plurality of through holes that can align with hinge  124 . Movement could be manual or by a driver  132  (e.g., a motor driving a rack and pinion gear, or a screw jack). 
         [0048]    The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.