Bearing-less floating wind turbine
US7397144B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 18, 2006 |
| Grant date | Jul 8, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 20, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/74
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A floating wind turbine in which a floating barge having a doughnut shape with an open center rigidly supports a plurality of airfoils such that a wind produces a rotation of the blades and the barge. The airfoil and barge assembly is connected to a rigid shaft that extends into a generator housing that houses a generator. Anti-rotation fins extend from the generator housing and into the water to limit rotation of the generator housing as the blades and barge rotates in the wind. Rotation of the rigid shaft due to the wind also rotates the generator shaft to produce electricity. The floating turbine supports the blades for rotation without the need for bearings so the turbine can be extremely large. The blades are supported by the floating barge so the blades can also be extremely large. The barge is doughnut shaped to limit viscous forces due to rotation of the barge within the water. A second floating wind turbine rotates within the first floating turbine but in an opposite direction. A generator includes an armature secured to the first floating turbine and a filed secured to the second floating turbine such that the generator has an effective rotation equal to the relative rota…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.