Self-positioning robotic subsea power generation system
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
F03B-013/00
F03B-013/10
H02P-009/04
F03B-015/06
F03B-017/06
H02K-007/18
F01D-025/28
F03D-011/04
출원번호
US-0345264
(2016-11-07)
등록번호
US-9745951
(2017-08-29)
발명자
/ 주소
Doyle, Robert E.
출원인 / 주소
Doyle, Robert E.
대리인 / 주소
Law Offices of Mark L. Berrier
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
45
초록▼
A self-propelled, robotic power generating system remains submerged in deep water areas, tethered within steady-state, generally unidirectional sea currents in non-tidal areas for the continuous production of turbine-generated electricity that is transmittable by multipurpose undersea power cable to
A self-propelled, robotic power generating system remains submerged in deep water areas, tethered within steady-state, generally unidirectional sea currents in non-tidal areas for the continuous production of turbine-generated electricity that is transmittable by multipurpose undersea power cable to onshore electric grids. System aspects include a shore-to-system communication means to remotely manage all system functions; a sea current intake consisting of a cone-like, retractable current amplifier to significantly increase the energy density of the currents passing through the amplifier to the turbine; a self propulsion means to move the system to maintain a desirable location within a prescribed area that may be subject to meandering currents; a snorkel-like vertical air conduit for ballast control; a seawater pumping means for ballast control; a retractable marine wildlife protector to cover the sea current intake; and a remotely retractable anchor means to maintain the generating system in a target position for extended time periods.
대표청구항▼
1. A robotic subsea power generation system for positioning in ocean currents to generate power, comprising: a generating unit having a turbine mounted thereto and an electric generator coupled to said turbine for generating electric power;a current amplifier mounted to said generating unit to direc
1. A robotic subsea power generation system for positioning in ocean currents to generate power, comprising: a generating unit having a turbine mounted thereto and an electric generator coupled to said turbine for generating electric power;a current amplifier mounted to said generating unit to direct a portion of the ocean currents through said turbine, said current amplifier having a rigid framework with an outer cover formed of a flexible material; andwherein in a deployed position, said current amplifier has a conically-shaped structure which decreases in cross-sectional area from an entrance section to an exit section of said current amplifier;wherein said current amplifier is selectively retractable from said deployed position to a retracted position, wherein in said retracted position, said entrance section of said current amplifier is substantially closed, and wherein said current amplifier forms a streamlined body that reduces the drag of the generating unit in moving through water. 2. The subsea power generation system according to claim 1, further comprising a control system which includes one or more sensors and a monitoring system which are operable to track the ocean current, wherein said control system further includes a system controller which is operable in a first mode to automatically reposition the generating units for maximizing power output, and is operable in a second mode in which said subsea power generation system is manually and remotely operated by a person located ashore. 3. The subsea power generation system according to claim 2, wherein said control system includes one or more thrusters which position the generating units in an optimal location and controls one or more ballast tanks which position the generating units at an optimal depth within a selected one of the ocean currents. 4. The subsea power generation system according to claim 2, wherein in said second mode, said system controller receives commands from a person located onshore, wherein the system controller manually and remotely controls the movement of said generating unit to optimal depths and to optimal positions within a selected one of the ocean currents in response to said commands. 5. The subsea power generation system according to claim 1, wherein the subsea power generation system is self-propelled and further comprises a thruster mounted to said generating unit and providing motive force which moves said generating unit from a first location which is outside a selected one of the ocean currents to a second location which is within the selected one of the ocean currents. 6. The subsea power generation system according to claim 5, wherein said thruster comprises an electric motor connected to a shaft which connects to a drive propeller, wherein said electric motor turns said shaft to power said drive propeller to selectively move said generating unit from the first location to the second location. 7. The subsea power generation system according to claim 1, further comprising a marine life protector which extends proximate to said current amplifier, and has a mesh formed of a rigid metal gridwork which extends over an entrance of said current amplifier, wherein said metal gridwork is sized for passing seawater and the ocean currents and to not pass marine life exceeding sizes of apertures in said metal gridwork. 8. The subsea power generation system according to claim 7, wherein said marine life protector is collapsible into said current amplifier in an umbrella-like fashion, wherein when said current amplifier is in said retracted position, said metal gridwork is collapsed and housed within said streamlined body formed by said current amplifier. 9. The subsea power generation system according to claim 1, further comprising a snorkel, wherein the snorkel comprises a tubular snorkel line having an intake end with a float connected thereto and an outlet end connected to a ballast compressor, wherein the snorkel is alternately retracted and spooled onto a snorkel reel or deployed from the snorkel reel wherein the float lifts the intake end of the snorkel line to a sea surface, thereby enabling air from the surface of the ocean to be communicated to the ballast compressor. 10. The subsea power generation system according to claim 9, further comprising a reel motor coupled to the snorkel reel and configured to alternately retract or deploy the snorkel line from the snorkel reel, wherein said reel motor is an electric motor. 11. The subsea power generation system according to claim 1, further comprising one or more ballast tanks, wherein said control system control is operable to maintain said generating unit and current amplifier at depths beneath a sea surface which are sufficient to avoid the bottoms of the largest ocean vessels. 12. The subsea power generation system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of anchors and anchor cable reels mounted to said power generation units, with anchor cables spooled onto said anchor cable reels and said anchors secured to respective terminal ends of said anchor cables, and further including motors for powering said anchor cable reels to selectively tension and release respective ones of said anchor cables to position the depth and attitude of said turbines of said power generation units in selected locations within said ocean currents. 13. The subsea power generation system according to claim 12, wherein said motors for powering said anchor cable reels are electric motors. 14. The subsea power generation system according to claim 1, further comprising an emergency flotation system having an inflatable bladder and high pressure bottles containing a gas, wherein said control system is coupled to said inflatable bladder and are operable to selectively release said gas into said inflatable bladder, thereby adjusting the buoyancy of the subsea power generation system. 15. The subsea power generation system according to claim 14, wherein said emergency flotation system further comprises permanent floats which provide minimum buoyancy. 16. The subsea power generation system according to claim 15, wherein said emergency flotation system further comprises a cable reel for releasing a cable tethering said inflatable bladder and permanent floats to said power generation unit.
Thompson David F. (Box 183 Darby PA 19023) Mouton ; Jr. William J. (P.O. Box 10515 New Orleans LA 70181), Fluid current turbine with flexible collectors.
Dehlsen James G. P. ; Dehlsen James B. ; Deane Geoffrey F., Method of controlling operating depth of an electricity-generating device having a tethered water current-driven turbine.
Dehlsen, James G. P.; Brown, Matthew; Grieco, Christopher, Multi-point tethering and stability system and control method for underwater current turbine.
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