초록 ▼

A turbine unit (11) adapted to be placed in a flowing fluid. The turbine unit (11) comprises a first turbine set (13) and a second turbine set (15) mounted within a passage (21) of a housing (19). The first turbine blade set (13) and a second turbine blade set (15) are set in opposed relation such t

A turbine unit (11) adapted to be placed in a flowing fluid. The turbine unit (11) comprises a first turbine set (13) and a second turbine set (15) mounted within a passage (21) of a housing (19). The first turbine blade set (13) and a second turbine blade set (15) are set in opposed relation such that in operation a region between the two turbine blade sets (13, 15) has a lower pressure than the fluid pressure at an opening of the passage (21). The turbine unit (11) being used to generate power. The turbine units (FIGS. 8 to 11) can be abutted with each other such that they define a passage and each turbine unit comprises a driving turbine blade set before fluid passes to a pumping turbine blade set.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A turbine unit adapted to be placed in a flowing fluid, the turbine unit comprises a driving turbine blade set and a pumping turbine blade set mounted within a passage of a housing such that in use the driving turbine blade set is located upstream from the pumping turbine blade set, the driving t

1. A turbine unit adapted to be placed in a flowing fluid, the turbine unit comprises a driving turbine blade set and a pumping turbine blade set mounted within a passage of a housing such that in use the driving turbine blade set is located upstream from the pumping turbine blade set, the driving turbine blade set and pumping turbine blade set are confined to rotate in the same direction such that when the fluid flow rotates the driving turbine blade set, the pumping turbine blade set rotates simultaneously at the same rotational speed, the driving turbine blade set and the pumping turbine blade set are mounted in opposed relation whereby the pumping turbine blade set is in reverse relation to the driving turbine blade set such that in operation a region between the two turbine blade sets has a lower pressure than the fluid pressure at an opening of the passage. 2. The turbine unit according to claim 1 wherein the driving turbine blade set and pumping turbine blade set are in spaced apart relation. 3. The turbine unit according to claim 1 wherein each or both blade set(s) is connected to at least one generator such that movement of each blade set is transformed into power/energy. 4. The turbine unit according claim 3 wherein a gearbox connects the at least one generator to the turbine unit. 5. The turbine unit according to claim 4 wherein the gearbox is interconnected with one or both turbine blade sets. 6. The turbine unit according to claim 1 wherein the driving turbine blade set and pumping turbine blade set are coaxially mounted on a common shaft. 7. The turbine unit according to claim 6 wherein the shaft is connected to a generator such that movement of each blade set is transformed into power/energy 8. The turbine unit according to claim 7 wherein a gear box is connected to the shaft, which in turn is coupled to the generator such that movement of each turbine blade set is transformed by the generator into energy via the gear box. 9. The turbine unit according to claim 1 wherein the axis of rotation of the driving turbine blade set is offset to the axis of rotation of the pumping turbine blade set, whereby the driving turbine blade set and the pumping turbine blade set are interconnected via a gear system. 10. The turbine unit according to claim 1 wherein the passage comprises a chamber located between the driving turbine blade set and pumping turbine blade set. 11. The turbine unit according to claim 10 wherein the chamber extends outwardly from the driving turbine blade set before converging as it approaches the pumping turbine blade set. 12. The turbine unit according to claim 10 wherein the passage comprises a first portion located between a end of the passage and the driving turbine blade set, the first portion being configured to converge in a direction towards the chamber of the turbine unit. 13. The turbine unit according to claim 12 wherein the first portion is in the form of a first nozzle, wherein when the fluid flows such that the first nozzle acts as a diverging nozzle, the nozzle contributes to reducing the back pressure created by the fluid flow energy losses of the turbine blade set as the fluid moves away from the turbine blade set. 14. The turbine unit according to claims 12 wherein the first portion and the section of the chamber adjacent the first portion define a venturi. 15. The turbine unit according to claim 12 wherein the turbine unit comprises a first stator set for directing fluid, the first stator set is located between the first portion and driving turbine blade set, whereby the first stator set directs fluid onto the blades of the driving turbine blade set. 16. The turbine unit according to claim 10 wherein the passage comprises a second portion located between the pumping turbine blade set and a second end of the passage, the second portion being configured to converge in a direction towards the chamber of the turbine unit. 17. The turbine unit according to claim 16 wherein the second portion is in the form of a second nozzle wherein when the fluid flows such that the second nozzle acts as a diverging nozzle, the nozzle contributes to reducing the back pressure created by the fluid flow energy losses of the turbine blade set as the fluid moves away from the turbine blade set. 18. The turbine unit according to claims 16 wherein the second portion and the section of the chamber adjacent the second portion define a second venturi. 19. The turbine unit according to claim 16 wherein the turbine unit comprises a second stator set for directing fluid, the second stator set is located between the second portion and pumping turbine blade set, whereby the second stator set directs fluid on to the blades of the pumping turbine blade set when the flow is reversed. 20. The turbine unit according to claim 10 wherein the gearbox is positioned and the chamber is configured to enhance the venturi effect through the chamber. 21. The turbine unit according to claim 1 wherein the turbine unit comprises a third stator set for directing fluid, the third stator set is located between the driving turbine blade set and pumping turbine blade set, whereby the third stator set directs fluid on to the blades of the pumping turbine blade set as the flow passes from the driving turbine blade set. 22. The turbine unit according to claim 1 wherein the turbine unit comprises a fourth stator set for directing fluid, the fourth stator set is located between the driving turbine blade set and pumping turbine blade set, whereby the fourth stator set directs fluid on to the blades of the driving turbine blade set as the flow passes from the pumping turbine blade set, as would be the case when the flow is reversed. 23. The turbine unit according to claim 22 wherein the first stator set, second stator set, third stator set and/or fourth stator set are coaxially mounted on the shaft. 24. The turbine unit according to claim 1 wherein the blades of each turbine blade set are adjustable. 25. A plurality of turbine units according claim 1 wherein the units are arranged in an array on an ocean bed, riverbed or attached to a structure, such as an oil rig or the hull of a ship. 26. At least one turbine unit according to claim 1 placed in alignment with a hydro slot of a hydroelectric dam, in a pipeline, in a river weir walls, in tidal barrages, dams, water supply lines, or water treatment plants. 27. The turbine unit according to claim 1 wherein the turbine blades of one turbine blade set are a mirror image of the turbine blades of the other turbine blade set when considered from a point between the two turbine blade sets. 28. A turbine unit adapted to be placed in a flowing fluid, the turbine unit comprises a driving turbine blade set and a pumping turbine blade set mounted within a passage in a housing, such that in use the driving turbine blade set is located upstream from the pumping turbine blade set, the driving turbine blade set and pumping turbine blade set are co-axially mounted and are confined to rotate in the same direction such that when the fluid flow rotates the driving turbine blade set, the pumping turbine blade set rotates simultaneously at the same rotational speed, whereby the driving turbine blade set and pumping turbine blade set are spaced apart such that fluid moving in a first direction through the unit will rotate the driving turbine blade set, when fluid moves in a second direction the unit will rotate the pumping turbine blade set wherein the configuration of the turbine blade sets will result in the pumping turbine blade set to act as a driving turbine blade set and the previously driving turbine blade set to act as a pumping turbine blade set, whereby the turbine blade set which trails the other turbine blade set creates a region within the unit of lower pressure relative to a region in front of the turbine blade set upstream from the other turbine blade set. 29. The turbine unit according to claim 28 wherein the turbine blades of one turbine blade set are a mirror image of the turbine blades of the other turbine blade set when considered from a point between the two turbine blade sets. 30. The turbine unit according to claim 28 wherein the driving turbine blade set and pumping turbine blade set are mounted on a common shaft. 31. A turbine unit adapted to be placed in a flowing fluid, the turbine unit comprises a driving turbine blade set and a pumping turbine blade set mounted within a passage of a housing in a spaced apart relation such that in use the driving turbine blade set is upstream from the pumping turbine blade set, the passage comprising a chamber located between the driving turbine blade set and pumping turbine blade set, the driving turbine blade set and pumping turbine blade set are confined to rotate in the same direction such that when the fluid flow rotates the driving turbine blade set, the pumping turbine blade set rotates simultaneously at the same rotational speed, the driving turbine blade set and the pumping turbine blade set are mounted in opposed relation whereby the pumping turbine blade set is in reverse relation to the driving turbine blade set such that in operation a region in the chamber has a lower pressure than the fluid pressure at an opening of the passage. 32. A turbine unit adapted to be placed in a flowing fluid, the turbine unit comprises a driving turbine blade set and a pumping turbine blade set mounted within a passage of a housing such that in use the driving turbine blade set is located upstream from the pumping turbine blade set, the driving turbine blade set and pumping turbine blade set are mounted on a common shaft to be confined to rotate in the same direction such that when the fluid flow rotates the driving turbine blade set, the pumping turbine blade set rotates simultaneously at the same rotational speed, the driving turbine blade set and pumping turbine blade set are mounted in spaced apart relation whereby the pumping turbine blade set is in reverse relation to the driving turbine blade set such that in operation a region between the two turbine blade sets has a lower pressure than the fluid pressure at an opening of the passage. 33. A turbine unit adapted to be placed in a flowing fluid, the turbine unit comprises a driving turbine blade set and a pumping turbine blade set mounted within a passage of a housing in a spaced apart relation, such that in use the driving turbine blade set is located upstream from the pumping turbine blade set, the driving turbine blade set and pumping turbine blade set are confined to simultaneously rotate in the same direction at the same rotational speed, whereby in operation a region upstream from the pumping turbine blade set has a lower pressure than the pressure of the surrounding environment in which the turbine unit operates.