Water current generator
US7199484B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 5, 2005 |
| Grant date | Apr 3, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 6, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The underwater electrical generator includes a stator core and counter-rotating turbine blades with permanent magnets in the hubs and windings in the core housing. When tethered by the nose of the housing, the water current rotates the turbine blades generating electrical current which is supplied for commercial use via the tether to a land-based utility. Ballast tanks are provided to maintain the generator at a predetermined depth. Small stator windings and permanent magnets are provided in the rotating hubs and core housing respectively to charge batteries in the hubs for altering the pitch of the blades such that the blades can be feathered for maintenance outages.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.