Transverse hydroelectric generator
First Claim
1. An apparatus of power generation having an impeller which responds to a free flowing motive fluid flowing transverse to the rotor of said apparatus wherein:
- said impeller mechanically or electro-mechanically or electronically instantaneously adjusts its response to the varying kinetic energy contained in said motive fluid by means of converting said varying kinetic energy to electrical potential for feedback control of withstanding torque on said impeller to avert fatigue on said impeller,said feedback control scales said electrical potential to produce constant voltage for a constant load such as an electrolyzer or a charging battery while simultaneously limiting said withstanding torque to avert fatigue on said impeller over said varying kinetic energy levels of said motive fluid,said electrical potential is scaled within a DC generator by controlling the average field coil excitation current determined by voltage feedback from across the armature winding.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A power plant extracts energy from a free flowing motive fluid by means of a transverse mounted generator with its rotor extending downward into the flow. Runner blades with hinges attain the greatest surface area when the flow is tangent to and in the same direction as the rotor rotation. The hinges fold the runner blades to minimize the surface area proportional to drag when the blades oppose the flow. The generator with feedback control charges batteries, produces hydrogen fuel by electrolysis of water, or further couples to a DC motor coupled to an AC generator. Other features optionally perform such tasks as adaptively locating the generator in the maximum velocity flow, controlling and communicating the state of charge of the battery, or gauging and controlling the electrolysis process and communicating the fullness of the hydrogen gas output tanks.
49 Citations
17 Claims
-
1. An apparatus of power generation having an impeller which responds to a free flowing motive fluid flowing transverse to the rotor of said apparatus wherein:
-
said impeller mechanically or electro-mechanically or electronically instantaneously adjusts its response to the varying kinetic energy contained in said motive fluid by means of converting said varying kinetic energy to electrical potential for feedback control of withstanding torque on said impeller to avert fatigue on said impeller, said feedback control scales said electrical potential to produce constant voltage for a constant load such as an electrolyzer or a charging battery while simultaneously limiting said withstanding torque to avert fatigue on said impeller over said varying kinetic energy levels of said motive fluid, said electrical potential is scaled within a DC generator by controlling the average field coil excitation current determined by voltage feedback from across the armature winding. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
Specification