Method of controlling operating depth of an electricity-generating device having a tethered water current-driven turbine
US6091161A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 12, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jul 18, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 12, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/30
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method is described of controlling a tethered, underwater, water current-driven turbine, power-generating device. A predetermined maximum depth and a predetermined minimum depth are set. In response to sensing depth of the device, an ascend protocol or a descend protocol are selectively invoked. These protocols maintain an operating depth of the device that is midway between the predetermined maximum depth and the predetermined minimum depth. The turbine includes variable-pitch rotor blades. A maximum allowable drag force load on the turbine rotors is selected. The pitch of the variable-pitch rotor blades on the turbine is adjusted such that the drag force loading of the device does not exceed a maximum design level.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.