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An improved system for converting kinetic energy contained in naturally occurring horizontal flows occurring in fluids accumulated above ground into useful mechanical energy is specified in which at least one circulating element guided in a closed cycle, arranged substantially horizontal above the g

An improved system for converting kinetic energy contained in naturally occurring horizontal flows occurring in fluids accumulated above ground into useful mechanical energy is specified in which at least one circulating element guided in a closed cycle, arranged substantially horizontal above the ground is provided, to which at least one buoyancy body having a crosssection of impact for the flow is attached by means of at least one guy rope or by means of a backstay chain, wherein in a section of the closed cycle, in which a propulsive power aligned in a direction of circulation acts on the buoyancy body via the flow impacting on the cross-section of impact, the distance between the circulating element and the buoyancy body is set greater than in a section of the closed cycle, in which via the flow impacting on the cross-section of impact no propulsive power aligned in the direction of circulation acts on the buoyancy body, further optimizing is carried out in that the buoyancy body is set during the cycle in its alignment to the flow such that with a flow acting transversely to the temporary direction of circulation of the circulating element it also experiences a force component acting in the direction of circulation and transfers to the circulating element via the at least one guy rope.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for converting kinetic energy contained in horizontal currents in naturally occurring horizontal flowing fluids accumulated above ground into useful mechanical energy, comprising: providing at least one circulating element, which circulating element is guided in a closed circulation cour

1. A method for converting kinetic energy contained in horizontal currents in naturally occurring horizontal flowing fluids accumulated above ground into useful mechanical energy, comprising: providing at least one circulating element, which circulating element is guided in a closed circulation course, and which circulating element and closed circulation course are arranged substantially horizontally above the ground, and to which circulating element at least one buoyant body having a cross section of impact is attached via at least one tether rope or tether chain; converting the kinetic energy of the horizontal current into mechanical energy via a circulation of the circulating element; adjusting the spacing between the circulating element and the buoyant body in a portion of the closed circulation course in which a propulsive force oriented in a direction of circulation acts on the buoyant body, such that the spacing between the circulating element and the buoyant body is greater than in a portion of the closed circulation course in which, via the current impacting on the cross section of impact, no propulsive force oriented in the direction of circulation acts on the buoyant body; and adjusting the buoyant body in its alignment with the current during the circulation such that, even with a current acting transversely to the instantaneous direction of circulation of the circulating element, it experiences a force component acting in the direction of circulation and transfers it to the circulating element via the at least one tether rope. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein further, for increasing the sector (W) of the circulation in which an energy conversion into mechanical energy can take place, the at least one buoyant body is moved to different vertical positions. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein for varying the spacing of the buoyant body from the circulating element, the tether rope or tether chain is adjusted. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the cross section of impact of the buoyant body is minimized in the portion of the closed circulation course in which no propulsive force oriented in the direction of circulation acts on the buoyant body via the current impacting on the cross section of impact. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein a plurality of buoyant bodies are used which are fixed in spaced-apart fashion on one common circulating element or on a plurality of circulating elements, movable in the closed circulation course , and which are adjustable individually with regard to the spacing from the circulating element and in their alignment with the current. 6. A system for converting kinetic energy contained in horizontal currents of naturally occurring horizontal flowing fluids accumulated above ground into useful mechanical energy, comprising: at least one circulating element guided in a closed circulation course, which circulating element and closed circulation course are arranged substantially horizontally above the ground, to which circulating element at least one buoyant body is fixed via at least one tether rope or tether chain; a device for adjusting the spacing between the buoyant body and the circulating element as a function of a location of the buoyant body relative to the current; and an adjusting device for adjusting the alignment of the buoyant body relative to the current, which system is capable of converting the kinetic energy of the horizontal current into mechanical energy via a circulation of the circulating element. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein for changing the spacing of the buoyant body from the circulating element, the tether ropes or tether chains are adjustable. 8. The system of claim 6 wherein the buoyant body has a variable cross section of impact. 9. The system of claim 6 wherein a plurality of buoyant bodies spaced apart from one another and fixed to one or more circulating elements are provided. 10. The method of claim 1 wherein for varying the spacing of the buoyant body from the circulating element, the tether rope or tether chain is adjusted. 11. The method of claim 2 wherein the cross section of impact of the buoyant body is minimized in the portion of the closed circulation course in which no propulsive force oriented in the direction of circulation acts on the buoyant body via the current impacting on the cross section of impact. 12. The method of claim 3 wherein the cross section of impact of the buoyant body is minimized in the portion of the closed circulation course in which no propulsive force oriented in the direction of circulation acts on the buoyant body via the current impacting on the cross section of impact. 13. The method of claim 10 wherein the cross section of impact of the buoyant body is minimized in the portion of the closed circulation course in which no propulsive force oriented in the direction of circulation acts on the buoyant body via the current impacting on the cross section of impact. 14. The method of claim 2 wherein a plurality of buoyant bodies are used which are fixed in spaced-apart fashion on one common circulating element or on a plurality of circulating elements movable in the closed circulation course , and which are adjustable individually with regard to the spacing from the circulating element and in their alignment with the current. 15. The method of claim 3 wherein a plurality of buoyant bodies are used which are fixed in spaced-apart fashion on one common circulating element or on a plurality of circulating elements movable in the closed circulation course , and which are adjustable individually with regard to the spacing from the circulating element and in their alignment with the current. 16. The method of claim 10 wherein a plurality of buoyant bodies are used which are fixed in spaced-apart fashion on one common circulating element or on a plurality of circulating elements movable in the closed circulation course , and which are adjustable individually with regard to the spacing from the circulating element and in their alignment with the current. 17. The method of claim 4 wherein a plurality of buoyant bodies are used which are fixed in spaced-apart fashion on one common circulating element or on a plurality of circulating elements movable in the closed circulation course , and which are adjustable individually with regard to the spacing from the circulating element and in their alignment with the current. 18. The method of claim 11 wherein a plurality of buoyant bodies are used which are fixed in spaced-apart fashion on one common circulating element or on a plurality of circulating elements movable in the closed circulation course , and which are adjustable individually with regard to the spacing from the circulating element and in their alignment with the current. 19. The method of claim 12 wherein a plurality of buoyant bodies are used which are fixed in spaced-apart fashion on one common circulating element or on a plurality of circulating elements movable in the closed circulation course , and which are adjustable individually with regard to the spacing from the circulating element and in their alignment with the current. 20. The method of claim 13 wherein a plurality of buoyant bodies are used which are fixed in spaced-apart fashion on one common circulating element or on a plurality of circulating elements movable in the closed circulation course , and which are adjustable individually with regard to the spacing from the circulating element and in their alignment with the current.