Power generation system

• US 20070145748A1
• Filed: 12/20/2006
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Pierz, Stephen
• Application Number:
  US11/642,208
• Publication Number:
  US 20070145748A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/43
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 13/25 specially adapted for offshore installation
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/008 the wind motor being combined with water energy converters, e.g. a water turbine
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/25 the apparatus being an electrical generator F03D9/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/28 the apparatus being a pump or a compressor
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2220/61 for hydrogen and/or oxygen production
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/95 offshore
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/72 Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/727 Offshore wind turbines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/16 Mechanical energy storage, e.g. flywheels or pressurised fluids
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/36 Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis

Abstract

A power generation system is provided. The power generation system has a wind turbine, an electrolysis unit, a tank, and a pump. The wind turbine has a base and is mounted to the floor of a body of water. The electrolysis unit is attached to the base and electrically powered by the wind turbine. The electrolysis unit also has a hydrogen gas outlet. The tank is coupled to the outlet, and the pump is coupled to the outlet and the tank.

Claims

1. A power generation system comprising:

a wind turbine having a base mounted to the floor of a body of water;

an electrolysis unit attached to the base and electrically powered by the wind turbine, the electrolysis unit having a hydrogen gas outlet;

a tank coupled to the outlet; and

a pump coupled to the outlet and the tank.

2. The power generation system of claim 1 further comprising:

a float mounted to the base at sea level;

a linkage couple to the float; and

a pump drive mechanism coupled to the linkage and driving the pump.

3. The power generation system of claim 1, wherein the pump has a float mounted to the base and a drive mechanism coupled to the float, the drive mechanism operative to drive the pump.

4. The power generation system of claim 3, wherein the pump is electrically powered by the wind turbine.

5. The power generation system of claim 1, further comprising a liquefier unit fluidically coupled with the pump and the tank.

6. A method of generating power, including the steps of:

providing a wind turbine having a base;

mounting the base to the floor of a body of water;

attaching an electrolysis unit to the base;

electrically powering the electrolysis unit with the wind turbine;

producing hydrogen gas from the electrolysis unit; and

pumping the hydrogen gas to a tank.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the steps of:

mounting a float to the base at sea level, wherein the float reciprocates up and down;

coupling a linkage to the float; and

driving the pump with the linkage.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of:

electrically powering the pump with the wind turbine.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of:

liquefying the hydrogen gas.

10. A system for generating power comprising:

a wind turbine having a base mounted to the floor of a body of water;

an electrolysis unit attached to the base and powered by the wind turbine, the electrolysis unit configured to produce hydrogen gas; and

means for pumping the hydrogen gas to a tank.