Patent · US Active

Floating tower frame for ocean current turbine system

US9334849B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by
7References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 17, 2014
Grant dateMay 10, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 17, 2034

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02P70/50
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The present invention provides a floating tower frame for an ocean current turbine system comprising multiple rotors, which is designed to generate electrical power or high pressure seawater for reverse osmosis or fresh water production from steady (gyre) or tidal currents. Turbines are mounted near the base of a plurality of floating towers held in parallel between a horizontal truss structure above water and a horizontal wing at the base of the towers, below the surface. The center of gravity of the system is located in the bottom one third of the towers below the water line, while the center of buoyancy is in the top third of the towers below the surface, and the entire structure floats vertically, with respect to the towers.

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