초록 ▼

A method of and apparatus for increasing the power output of an impeller which is mounted in a stream of free flowing fluid, such as water or air. A portion of the free flowing fluid is received by the impeller and some of the portion leaves the impeller and is caused re-enter the free stream at an

A method of and apparatus for increasing the power output of an impeller which is mounted in a stream of free flowing fluid, such as water or air. A portion of the free flowing fluid is received by the impeller and some of the portion leaves the impeller and is caused re-enter the free stream at an angle of intersection of not less than 35°but less than 75°. When designed for operation under water, buoyancy chambers are sized and positioned to negate gravitational stresses and distortions when submerged to thereby reduce cost and improve performance.

대표청구항 ▼

A submersible apparatus mounted in open flowing streams of water for use in converting the kinetic energy in flowing water into usable power comprising: an impeller member moved by the flowing current, said impeller member including a shaft and a plurality of blades mounted with said shaft for enabl

A submersible apparatus mounted in open flowing streams of water for use in converting the kinetic energy in flowing water into usable power comprising: an impeller member moved by the flowing current, said impeller member including a shaft and a plurality of blades mounted with said shaft for enabling the flowing current to strike the blades for rotation of said blades and shaft; means mounted with said impeller member for converting the movement of said impeller member into electrical or other desirable power; a housing mounted around and adjacent said impeller member, said housing having an inlet section and outlet section and a body section connecting said inlet and outlet sections and wherein said inlet section is positioned to receive into the impeller substantially all flowing current entering said housing such that the flowing current substantially enters the inlet section free of any restriction such that the current entering the inlet section and the unrestricted flowing current immediately adjacent the outside said inlet section are flowing substantially in a parallel direction and wherein the flowing current outside the inlet section and body section is substantially unrestricted such that the unrestricted flowing current outside said housing and adjacent said inlet and said body section is deflected by an inclined outwardly radially extending wall of said exit section, said wall being at an angle of not less than 35°nor more than 75°relative to the longitudinal axis of said body section such that the previously unobstructed free flowing stream is deflected outwardly away from said body section and said exit section and allowing only the current flowing into the impeller to rejoin the unrestricted flowing current outside said inlet section immediately downstream of said deflection.