Patent · US Active

Underwater power plant with passive control

US8956114B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by

10References

8Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Voith Patent GmbH · DE

Inventors

Raphael Arlitt · Ulm, DE
Ralf Starzmann · Reichenbach, DE
Frank Biskup · Schwäbisch Gmünd, DE

Key dates

Filing date	Sep 28, 2009
Grant date	Feb 17, 2015
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Jun 19, 2031

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY02E10/72
WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

There is provided a free standing tidal power plant without a dam structure set to take up kinetic energy from a water flow. The tidal power plant includes a propeller-shaped water turbine in horizontal rotor configuration with rotor blades, the rotor blades having bidirectional profiles, wherein the rotor blades are fastened to a revolving unit, which defines a rotational plane, and an electric generator at least indirectly driven by the water turbine. Each rotor blade is associated with a first swivel axis and a second swivel axis, the first axis and the second swivel axis extending substantially along a longitudinal axes of a first coupling element and a second coupling element, respectively. The revolving unit includes a planar guide region having a sliding apparatus, a first guide groove and a second guide groove, the sliding apparatus connected to the rotor blade to transmit rotor blade forces.

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