Patent ID: 12233993

The linear position of the first fin assembly is offset to the second fin assembly, allowing one fin assembly to be acted upon by the water flowing therethrough while the second fin assembly is in a dwell position and with the plurality of fins in reversing fin angles.

FIG.6shows the underside of the floating power generator shown inFIGS.5, with two sets of fin assemblies, configured in opposing offset pivot positions, wherein the flow of water as directed from a first fin assembly will force movement from the second fin assembly from a dwell point to movement in the opposite direction of the second rudder assembly continuing rotational power to the generator.

FIG.7shows the floating power generation system shown in previous FIGS., now with a wind turbine configured on the top side of the floating power generator and with a solar power system; both configured to produce electrical power.

FIG.8shows a side view of the floating power generation system shown inFIG.7with side solar panels of the solar panel system pivoted for both improved sun exposure and power generation. The solar panels may also be moved or pivoted to direct airflow into the wind turbine for increased power generation from the wind turbine, such as at night when the solar panels are not generating power from the sun.

FIG.9shows a perspective view of a fin having a height from a bottom to a top and a length from a front end to a back end.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the figures. The figures represent an illustration of some of the embodiments of the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. Some of the figures may not show all of the features and components of the invention for ease of illustration, but it is to be understood that where possible, features and components from one figure may be included in the other figures. Further, the figures are not necessarily to scale, some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Also, use of “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components described herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the scope of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described herein and are illustrated in the accompanying figures. The embodiments described are only for purposes of illustrating the present invention and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention, and certain modifications, combinations, and improvements of the described embodiments, will occur to those skilled in the art and all such alternate embodiments, combinations, modifications, improvements are within the scope of the present invention.

Referring now toFIGS.1to6, an exemplary floating power generation system10has a floating power generator30configured on a floating platform31with a first fin assembly40having a plurality of first fins42that are coupled with a fin-yoke cable46that spins a first flywheel52of the first scotch yoke51, and the first generator shaft54to produce power. The first fin generator50has a yoke53that reciprocates back and forth to spin the first flywheel52by having a pin57extending from the flywheel into the first yoke slot55. The water flow direction16is shown as a bold arrow. The force of the water will cause the fins of the first and second fin assembly to pivot from a first pivot position to a second pivot position to move the respective fin-yoke cable46,66and in turn, move the respective yoke53,73and produce power. The orientation of the first fins, as they move from one pivot orientation to another may direct the water flow into the second fins and force them to pivot and move the second fin-yoke cable66. An actuator58, such as a motor, may be required to move the first fins from a first position to a second position, or to a neutral position, wherein the force of water flowing thereby will take over and force the first fins to the opposing pivot position. The actuator may be a motor and may be a separate motor from the generator that is coupled with the flywheel or yoke-cable or rails, or it may be a motor/generator coupled to one or both of the first and second flywheels that acts as a generator to produce electrical power but that also acts as a motor to keep the flywheel(s) spinning when required. The net output will be positive electrical power production when a small amount of power is used to initiate movement of the fins.

A first fin assembly40has a plurality of first fins42configured between a first rail43and second rail44. An actuating rail45is coupled with each of the plurality of fins and moves back and forth as the fins move. The first fin-yoke cable46is coupled with the actuating rail and extends to the first flywheel52a scotch-yoke51, having a first flywheel52with a first flywheel connector56, such as a pin57, that moves along the perimeter of the flywheel, and within the yoke slot55to spin the first flywheel52and the generator shaft54. The first flywheel51of the first scotch-yoke51is coupled with the first fin generator50to produce power. The flywheel is coupled with a generator and rotation of a component of the flywheel produces power by said generator.

A second fin assembly60has a plurality of second fins62configured between a first rail63and second rail64(shown inFIGS.5and6). An actuating rail65is coupled with the second fin-yoke cable66that extends to the second fin generator70, a second scotch-yoke81, having a second flywheel72with a second flywheel connector76that moves along the perimeter of the flywheel to spin the flywheel shaft74, a generator shaft. The flywheel is coupled with a generator and rotation of a component of the flywheel produces power by said generator.

As shown inFIG.1, the first fins42are aligned with the water flow direction16and are in a neutral position centrally located between a first pivot position, shown inFIG.2and an opposite second pivot position. As shown inFIG.2, the water flow is being directed along the fins along the first pivot angle under the floating platform and onto and through the second fins of the second fin assembly. As shown inFIG.3, the fins have moved back to a neutral position. The actuator58is coupled to a cable connector59, coupling the actuator, such as a motor to the flywheels, and the actuator may be used to initiate the moving the fins from the first pivot position to this neutral position and slightly past the neutral position toward the second pivot position at which point the flow of water will force the fins to the second pivot position. The actuating rail may move the fins in unison and may be coupled to an actuator58, such as an electric motor. The electric motor may receive power generated by the generator54and may be coupled to a battery28that is charged by the generator.

Note the position of the yokes inFIGS.1to3and how the movement of the respective yokes causes the flywheels to rotate. Also note how the yoke position of the first fin generator50are opposite the yoke position of the second fin generator70inFIGS.1and3.

A shown inFIG.1, the floating platform31has a tapering body along both the first side37and second side38, wherein the body tapers down into the water along a wave angle36. This angled face of the floating platform will direct wave energy down under the floating platform. Also, a plurality of water baffles34,34′,34″ are configured to direct water flow into the first fins and or second fins, depending on the direction of water flow.

The fin assemblies may be pivoted up out of the water by the fin assembly support arms410,610, as indicated by the bold curved arrow. The fin assembly support arms may be coupled to an actuator412that pivots the entire fin assembly, including the first rail, second rail and actuating rail out of the water. Also, the water baffles may also be coupled to the fin assembly support arm and be moved out of the water during times of high water flow rates or turbulent water flow. A fin assembly support arm may be configured on opposing ends33,35of the floating platform31. Actuators412,412′ may be configured on each of the respective first end33and second end35of the floating platform31to pivot the first fin assembly40out of the water. An actuator may include a cable crank or a motor that moves the fin assembly support arms, such as by rotation of the motor shaft or hand crank about a pivot. As shown, the second fin assembly also has a fin assembly support arm610and actuators on opposing ends of the floating platform to pivot the second fin assembly60out of the water.

With reference toFIG.4, the first fins42move from a first pivot position, or angled position, to neutral, to a second pivot position, opposite the first pivot position. The short bold arrows indicate the direction of movement of the first fins42. As the first fins move, the first flywheel52spins due to the first flywheel connector. Also, the second flywheel72is coupled to the first flywheel52by a cable connector59, such that the rotation of the first flywheel spins the second flywheel. The flow of water through the first fins is indicated by the long bold arrows.

With reference toFIGS.5and6, the motion of the first fins42with respect to the second fins62is shown, wherein the short bold arrows show the direction of movement of the fins and the long bold arrows indicate the direction of water flow through the fins. The flow of water through the first fins will force the second fins to move into a pivot position that is opposite the first fins. Also, a plurality of water baffles34are configured to direct water flow into the first fins and or second fins, depending on the direction of water flow. As described herein, the floating power generator30may be positioned in tidal water ways and as the tide comes in, the water may flow a first direction, such as from the first fin to the second fins and then when the tide is going out the direction of flow may change, wherein the water flows first through the second fins and then into the first fins.

Also shown inFIGS.5and6are the rails that retain the plurality of first fins42of first fin assembly40and plurality of fins62of the second fin assembly60. As shown for the first fin assembly40, the plurality of fins42are retained between the first rail43configured along the top of the fins and the second rail44extending along the bottom of the fins42. The first rail and second rails may be coupled together to form a frame around the fins with a connector extending between the first rail and the second rail. An actuating rail45extends along and is coupled with the fins and moves relative to the first rail43and second rail44as the fins change fin angle. The actuator rail may be coupled with a motor or actuator to move the fins when required to initiate movement by the current from one side to the other. As shown for the second fin assembly60, the plurality of second fins62are retained between the first rail63configured along the top of the second fins and the second rail64extending along the bottom of the second fins62. An actuating rail65extends along and is coupled with the second fins and moves relative to the first rail63and second rail64as the second fins change fin angle. As shown, the first fin-yoke cable46is coupled with the actuating rail45and the second fin-yoke cable66is coupled with the second actuating rail65. Each of the first yoke-cable and the second yoke-cable extend from the respective fin generator and are coupled with the fins, such as being coupled with the actuating rail and extends around the floating platform31along the width axis18of the floating platform, orthogonal to the water flow direction16.

Referring now toFIGS.7and8, an exemplary floating power generation system10may have additional electrical generator system coupled with the platform, such as on the top 32 of the platform31. As shown, a wind turbine80is configured on the top side of the floating power generator and has turbine baffles84configured to direct airflow into the turbine blades82to produce electrical power from a wind turbine generator88. The wind turbine generator may be electrically and/or physically coupled with one or more of the fin generators. The turbine blades82spin about a turbine shaft86that extends along a vertical axis12. The top of the floating platform31may extend along a horizontal axis14.

Also, as shown inFIGS.7and8, may include a solar power system90having one or more solar panels for generating electrical power from photovoltaic cells, for example. The solar power system may have a central solar panel92configured on top of the wind turbine80and one or more side solar panels94that may be configured to tilt or pivot to produce better sun exposure to produce more electrical power.

As shown inFIG.9, a fin has a fin height48from a bottom to a top and a fin length49from a front end41to a back end47.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. Specific embodiments, features and elements described herein may be modified, and/or combined in any suitable manner. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications, combinations and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.