Machine and system for power generation through movement of water

• US 20050248162A1
• Filed: 05/25/2005
• Published: 11/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hydro Green Energy LLC
• Original Assignee: Hydro Green Energy LLC
• Inventors: Krouse, Wayne F.
• Application Number:
  US11/137,002
• Publication Number:
  US 20050248162A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/54
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 13/10 Submerged units incorporating electric generators or motors
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 13/264 using the horizontal flow of water resulting from tide movement
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 17/061 with rotation axis substantially in flow direction
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/40 Use of a multiplicity of similar components
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/97 on a submerged structure
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 415/906 having specific features for water current
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 416/04 Fluid current motor and generator

Abstract

A machine and system for power generation through movement of water having an array of power generating cells electrically interconnected, where the array is configured in an interchangeable modular fashion and the cells are positioned to receive kinetic energy from the movement of water to generate electricity through the movement of an electrical turbine within each cell. The individual turbines and cells may generate relatively small amounts of electricity and use polymer magnetics in the impellers and windings in the turbine to withstand ocean environments and are stacked on electrically conductive trays for ease of installation and replacement.

Claims

1. A machine for power generation through movement of water comprising:

an array of power generating cells electrically interconnected;

said array composed of said cells in a interchangeable modular arrangement;

said cells are positioned to receive kinetic energy from the movement of water, wherein said cells convert said energy by the movement of an electrical turbine within each cell.

2. A machine for power generation through movement of water as claimed in claim 1 wherein said turbine has displaced in its impeller magnetic polymer.

3. A machine for power generation through movement of water as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cells are electrically interconnected to the electrical grid through a tray capable of holding a plurality of cells

4. A machine for power generation through movement of water as claimed in claim 3 further comprising cells deployed in opposite orientations to receive movement of water from two directions.

5. A machine for power generation as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cells produce less than 5000 watts individually.

6. A machine for power generation through movement of water comprising:

a housing having electrically conductive windings;

an impeller displaced within said housing having polymer magnetic elements that create induced electrical energy upon rotation of said impeller within said housing; and

blades on said impeller for receiving kinetic energy from water wherein said impeller is motivated by the movement of water across said blades.

7. A machine for power generation through movement of water as claimed in claim 6 wherein said windings comprise electrically conductive polymer embedded within said housing.

8. A system for power generation through movement of water comprising:

a plurality of turbines having magnetic polymer displaced in an impeller of a said turbines;

said impellers surrounded by electrically conductive windings displaced in a housing about said impellers;

said turbines arrayed in a modular arrangement and electrically interconnected;

wherein said impellers are motivated by the movement of water to generate electricity.

9. A system for power generation through movement of water as claimed in claim 8 wherein said magnetic polymer is a polymer.

10. A system for power generation through movement of water as claimed in claim 8 wherein said impeller has a plurality of rotating blades in at least one stage.

11. A system for power generation through movement of water as claimed in claim 8 further comprising a transfer plate upon which said cells are electrically interconnected and through which transfer electrical power.

12. A system for power generation through the movement of water comprising:

a plurality of energy cells individually producing less than 5000 Watts each;

a tray for holding said cells in electrical communication with one or more of said cells;

said cells arranged in vertically stacked arrays in the ocean and transverse to the ocean tidal movement;

wherein said arrays are electrically connected to the electrical grid.

13. A system for power generation through the movement of water as claimed in claim 12 wherein said arrays are moored to the ocean floor.

14. A system for power generation through the movement of water as claimed in claim 12 further comprising floats attached to said arrays to maintain a vertical alignment in the ocean.