Submerged power generating apparatus
US7441988B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 26, 2004 |
| Grant date | Oct 28, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 26, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An undersea power generation apparatus (1) includes two turbines (3) mounted side by side at either side of a support strut of hydrofoil-shaped cross section, each turbine (3) having a set of turbine blades which counter rotate so as to cancel out the respective torque produced by each turbine. The apparatus (1) is pivotally interconnected at point (9) to a pair of mooring cables (7), which are releasably moored to the seabed (6). The turbines (3) are positively buoyant such that in zero current they point vertically upwards as denoted by (8). When the current flows in the direction shown by arrow A, the drag forces on turbines (3) and support strut cause the apparatus (1) to pivot about point (9) and pitch over into condition denoted by (10) and shown in broken lines.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.