Method for maintaining flotation using a helical turbine assembly

• US 6,253,700 B1
• Filed: 12/05/2000
• Issued: 07/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Northeastern University
• Original Assignee: Northeastern University
• Inventors: Gorlov, Alexander M.
• Primary Examiner(s): SWINEHART, EDWIN L
• Application Number:
  US09/731,390
• Publication Number:
  US 20010000197A1
• Time in Patent Office: 210 Days
• Field of Search: 114/253, 114/254, 114/274, 114/256, 114/330, 114/242, 114/244, 114/245, 114/26
• US Class Current: 114/274
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 17/061 with rotation axis substantially in flow direction
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 3/00 Machines or engines of reaction type; Parts or details peculiar thereto
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 13/20 Arrangements for mounting or supporting wind motors; Masts or towers for wind motors
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 3/02 having a plurality of rotors
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 3/061 characterised by their aerodynamic shape, e.g. aerofoil profiles
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 3/062 characterised by their construction elements
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/257 the wind motor being part of a wind farm
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/32 on moving objects, e.g. vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2210/16 Air or water being indistinctly used as working fluid, i.e. the machine can work equally with air or water without any modification
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/215 of the panemone or "vehicle ventilator" type
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/2212 perpendicular to wind direction
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/33 Shrouds which are part of or which are rotating with the rotor
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/40 Use of a multiplicity of similar components
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2250/25 helical
• 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: Y02E 10/728 Onshore wind turbines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/74 Wind turbines with rotation axis perpendicular to the wind direction
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 416/06 Supports for natural fluid current motors

Abstract

A helical turbine assembly capable of providing high speed unidirectional rotation under a multidirectional ultra low-head fluid flow is disclosed. The assembly comprises an array of helical turbine units or modules arranged, vertically or horizontally, to harness, for example, water or wind power. Each turbine unit or module comprises a plurality of helical blades having an airfoil profile. The modules for wind power may be mounted to rotatable shafts supported by lightweight structures anchored by guy wires to the ground. The helical turbine can also provide ship propulsion by utilizing the power of ocean waves. In a further embodiment, a cylindrical distributor is provided in the helical turbine to channel the fluid flow to the blades of the turbine, thereby increasing efficiency and power output. The helical turbine with distributor may be used to lift or lower a body either being submerged into a fast stream or dragged in the fluid. The turbine may also include two or more rings of helical blades to increase torque and power output.

Claims

1. A method for maintaining floatation of an object in a body of water, comprising:

providing a cylindrical helical turbine capable of unidirectional rotation under multidirectional fluid flow and mounted to a turbine support, said turbine comprising;

a rotatable shaft,

at least one turbine blade support member fixedly mounted to said rotatable shaft for rotation therewith in a plane perpendicular to said shaft,

a plurality of turbine blades having a fixed cylindrical helical configuration and mounted to said turbine blade support member for rotation about an axis of said rotatable shaft, each blade having an airfoil shape having a leading edge and a trailing edge and an airfoil profile lying in a plane parallel to a component of the fluid flow, each of said blades fixedly mounted to said blade support member to be radially spaced from said rotatable shaft for rotation in the plane perpendicular to said shaft in a direction of said leading edge and a distributor disposed between said turbine blades and said rotatable shaft to channel fluid to said turbine blades;

attaching said turbine to a submersible object; and

providing a flowing current of fluid about said turbine.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said providing step comprises disposing said turbine in a flowing current of water.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said providing step comprises towing said turbine through a body of water.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said submersible object is a submersible barge.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said submersible object comprises a submerged object.