Tidal power generator

• US 10,294,915 B2
• Filed: 06/16/2015
• Issued: 05/21/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jae-Wook Lee, Jai-Hyuk Lee
• Original Assignee: Jae-Wook Lee, Jai-Hyuk Lee
• Inventors: Lee, Jai-Hyuk, Lee, Jae-Wook
• Primary Examiner(s): Solis, Erick R
• Application Number:
  US15/547,507
• Publication Number:
  US 20180003148A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,435 Days
• Field of Search: 415 31
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2035/4466 for converting water energy into electric energy, e.g. from tidal flows, waves or currents
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 13/26 using tide energy
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 13/264 using the horizontal flow of water resulting from tide movement
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 15/02 by varying liquid flow
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 17/063 the flow engaging parts having no movement relative to the rotor during its rotation
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2210/404 bidirectional, i.e. in opposite, alternating directions
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2220/706 an electrical generator
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/13 to collect or cause flow towards or away from turbines
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/301 Cross-section characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/60 Shafts
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/20 Hydro energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/30 Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a tidal power generator may comprise: a plurality of channel levees which are arranged spaced apart from each other so as to form a channel having a constant width and which have a plurality of installation grooves, each being formed by recessing the surface facing the channel, wherein a tidal current can move forward/backward in the channel; a first water collection levee extending from the front end of the channel levees with reference to a movement direction of the tidal current and having a peak shape of which the width is gradually reduced towards the front side of the channel; a second water collection levee extending from the rear end of the channel levees with reference to the movement direction of the tidal current and having a peak shape of which the width is gradually reduced towards the rear side of the channel; and a waterwheel module which is inserted and installed in the installation groove and can generate power using movements of the tidal current.

Claims

1. A tidal power generation apparatus comprising:

a plurality of channel levees spaced apart from each other to form a channel having a constant width, allowing tidal current to move forward or backward of the channel, and each having a plurality of installation grooves formed in a recessed shape at a surface thereof facing the channel;

a first water collection levee extending from a front end of each channel levee based on a movement direction of the tidal current and having a tapered shape such that a width thereof gradually decreases towards the front of the channel;

a second water collection levee extending from a rear end of the channel levee based on a movement direction of the tidal current and having a tapered shape such that a width thereof gradually decreases towards the rear of the channel; and

waterwheel modules inserted into the installation grooves and capable of generating power using movement of the tidal current,

wherein the waterwheel module comprises;

a vertical waterwheel comprising a vertical waterwheel shaft vertically installed in the installation groove and vertical waterwheel blades connected to the vertical waterwheel shaft, radially arranged based on the vertical waterwheel shaft, and having a flat plate shape;

a main frame comprising a lower fixing support positioned at a lower portion of the vertical waterwheel shaft to support a lower end of the vertical waterwheel shaft, an upper plate cover positioned above the lower fixing support and supporting an upper end of the vertical waterwheel shaft, and a support frame positioned at one side of the vertical waterwheel shaft and connected to the lower fixing support and the upper plate cover;

vertical waterwheel upper and lower blade support plates coupled to the vertical waterwheel shaft and positioned at upper and lower portions, respectively, of the vertical waterwheel blades to respectively support upper and lower ends of the vertical waterwheel blades; and

a generator connected to the vertical waterwheel shaft and generating power using rotational force of the vertical waterwheel shaft.

2. The tidal power generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vertical waterwheel blades have one shape selected from an uneven cross-sectional shape, a wavy cross-sectional shape, and a toothed cross-sectional shape.