초록 ▼

A subsurface power generating system in one embodiment includes a frame, an electric generator supported by the frame and operably connected to a first vertical rotor, another electric generator supported by the frame and operably connected to a second vertical rotor, a first louver operably connect

A subsurface power generating system in one embodiment includes a frame, an electric generator supported by the frame and operably connected to a first vertical rotor, another electric generator supported by the frame and operably connected to a second vertical rotor, a first louver operably connected to the first vertical rotor and including a front side, and a back side, and pivotable between a first position whereat the backside is in contact with a first pivot limiting structure, and a second position whereat the backside is not in contact with the first pivot limiting structure, and a second louver operably connected to the second vertical rotor and including a front side, and a back side, and pivotable between a third position whereat the backside is in contact with a second pivot limiting structure, and a fourth position whereat the backside is not in contact with the second pivot limiting structure.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A subsurface power generating system comprising: a frame; a first electric generator supported by the frame, the first electric generator operably connected to a first vertical rotor; a second electric generator supported by the frame, the second electric generator operably connected t

We claim: 1. A subsurface power generating system comprising: a frame; a first electric generator supported by the frame, the first electric generator operably connected to a first vertical rotor; a second electric generator supported by the frame, the second electric generator operably connected to a second vertical rotor; a first louver operably connected to the first vertical rotor and including a front side, and a back side, and pivotable between a first position whereat the backside is in contact with a first pivot limiting structure, and a second position whereat the backside is not in contact with the first pivot limiting structure; and a second louver operably connected to the second vertical rotor and including a front side, and a back side, and pivotable between a third position whereat the backside is in contact with a second pivot limiting structure, and a fourth position whereat the backside is not in contact with the second pivot limiting structure, wherein the first louver pivots about a first pivot axis that intersects the first vertical rotor. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein: the first pivot axis extends through the first louver at a location closer to a leading edge of the first louver than to a trailing edge of the first louver, such that water impinging on the front side of the first louver generates a force biasing the first louver toward the first position; the second louver pivots about a second pivot axis; and the second pivot axis extends through the second louver at a location closer to a leading edge of the second louver than to a trailing edge of the second louver, such that water impinging on the front side of the second louver generates a force biasing the second louver toward the third position. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein: the second pivot axis intersects the second vertical rotor. 4. The system of claim 2, wherein: the first pivot limiting structure is a leading edge portion of a third louver; and the second pivot limiting structure is a leading edge portion of a fourth louver. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein: the first louver and the third louver are mounted on a first louver panel; the second louver and the fourth louver are mounted on a second louver panel; a third louver panel and a fourth louver panel are operably connected to the first vertical rotor and are spaced equidistantly apart from the first louver panel; and a fifth louver panel and a sixth louver panel are operably connected to the second vertical rotor and are spaced equidistantly apart from the second louver panel. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the first louver, the second louver, the third louver, and the fourth louver are neutrally buoyant at an operating depth. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame defines a first channel, and a second channel, the system further comprising: a first guide wire extending through the first channel; and a second guide wire extending through the second channel. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the frame is positively buoyant. 9. The system of claim 7, wherein the frame is controllably buoyant between a positively buoyant state, a neutrally buoyant state and a negatively buoyant state. 10. The station of claim 9, further comprising an anchor operatively coupled to the first guide wire, and the second guide wire. 11. The station of claim 7, further comprising: a first subsurface buoy operatively coupled to the first guide wire; and a second subsurface buoy operatively coupled to the second guide wire. 12. The station of claim 11, further comprising: a first traction device operatively coupled to the first guide wire and the frame for controlling relative movement between the first guide wire and the frame; and a second traction device operatively coupled to the second guide wire and the frame for controlling relative movement between the second guide wire and the frame.