Patent · US Active

Method and apparatus for creating internal directional underwater falls and generating electrical energy therefrom

US8164209B2 · kind B2 · utility

8Cited by
5References
5Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 28, 2011
Grant dateApr 24, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 28, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E10/30
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Creation of internal underwater falls and generation of electrical energy therefrom includes providing a hollow tank having a substantially vertical axis; locating a rotatable turbine in an interior of said tank and orienting said rotatable turbine so that its axis of rotation is an axis selected from consisting of a vertical axis of rotation and a horizontal axis of rotation; providing a directional flow of water into said tank forming a directional underwater fall in said tank, and directing the underwater fall onto blades of the turbine to rotate the turbine; connecting an electrical generator with a shaft of the turbine so that the rotation of the shaft of the turbine is transmitted to the electrical generator which thereby generates electricity; and evacuating water from an interior of the tank after water passes through the turbine, so as to leave under the turbine a space sufficient for a continuous flow of water into said tank, formation of the underwater fall into said tank, and flow of water out of said tank.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.