Offshore energy harvesting, storage, and power generation system
US8698338B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 3, 2011 |
| Grant date | Apr 15, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 20, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P80/10
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system for harvesting, storing, and generating energy, that includes floating structure supporting machinery to extract energy from wind, waves, surface generators, or currents. At least one energy storage and power generating unit is anchored to the seafloor and adapted to tether the floating structure to the unit. The unit includes an internal chamber into which water flows through a hydroelectric turbine to generate electrical energy. A pump is provided, powered by energy from the floating structure machinery, to evacuate water from the unit and a control system directs power from the machinery to pump water out of the unit during periods of excess energy extraction by the machinery and to allow water to flow into the chamber through the hydroelectric turbine to generate electrical energy during periods of lower energy extraction by the machinery. The same internal chamber design can be utilized to store hydrocarbons in the vicinity of undersea wellheads during “shut-in” procedures when the wellhead would otherwise be secured.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.