Fluid energy apparatus and method

• US 8,072,089 B2
• Filed: 02/03/2009
• Issued: 12/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hydro Green Energy LLC
• Original Assignee: Hydro Green Energy LLC
• Inventors: Krouse, Wayne F., Becker, Frederick E., Oliphant, Kerry N., Provo, Andrew R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lam, Thanh
• Application Number:
  US12/364,945
• Publication Number:
  US 20090134623A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,036 Days
• Field of Search: 290 42- 43, 290 53- 54
• US Class Current: 290/54
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 13/08 Machine or engine aggregates in dams or the like; Conduits therefor , e.g. diffusors bulb groups F03B13/105
• 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: F03B 17/066 and a rotor of the endless-chain type
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2210/18 Air and water being simultaneously used as working fluid
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2220/61 for hydrogen and/or oxygen production
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/133 with a convergent-divergent guiding structure, e.g. a Venturi conduit
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/40 Use of a multiplicity of similar components
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/917 attached to cables
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/9176 Wing, kites or buoyant bodies with a turbine attached without flying pattern
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/93 on a structure floating on a liquid surface
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/97 on a submerged structure
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2260/02 Transport, e.g. specific adaptations or devices for conveyance transport of wind turbines or equipments therefore F03D13/40
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2260/406 through hydraulic systems
• 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 60/36 Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis

Abstract

A preferred embodiment includes a system for power generation through movement of fluid having a variety of configurations and implementations. One preferred embodiment includes a system for power generation through movement of fluid includes a power generating cell with a generally cylindrical housing a ring for rotating disposed in said housing, one or more impellers fixedly coupled to said ring, and a generator operably coupled to said ring for receiving energy from the one or more impellers in which fluid is disposed about one or more impellers for creating energy.

Claims

1. A system for power generation through movement of fluid comprising:

a power generating cell comprising;

a generally cylindrical housing;

a ring for rotating disposed in said housing;

one or more impellers fixedly coupled to said ring; and

a generator operably coupled to said ring for receiving energy from the one or more impellers;

wherein fluid is disposed about one or more impellers for creating energy.

2. The system for power generation through movement of fluid of claim 1, further comprising;

a chain member operably coupling the power generating cell to the generator for keeping the chain member and the power generating cell in constant communication.

3. The system for power generation through movement of fluid of claim 2, the generator further comprising a rotatably attached first sprocket member for engaging the chain member to transmit energy to the generator.

4. The system for power generation through movement of fluid of claim 1, further comprising a first sprocket member and a second sprocket member;

wherein the first sprocket member is operably coupled to the generator; and

wherein the second sprocket member is disposed between the power generating cell and the power generating cell such that the second sprocket member and the first sprocket member communicate energy between the power generating cell and the generator.

5. The system for power generation through movement of fluid of claim 4, further comprising a chain member coupled to the first sprocket member, the second sprocket member, and the power generating cell for transferring fluid energy between the generator and the power generating cell.

6. The system for power generation through movement of fluid of claim 5 further comprising a tensioner operably disposed between a first gearing mechanism and a second gearing mechanism drawing tension in the chain member.

7. The system for power generation through movement of fluid of claim 1, further comprising a cross brace disposed between the rounded outer wall for supporting the power generating cell in rotation.

8. The system for power generation through movement of fluid of claim 1, wherein the ring further comprises one or more grooves for coupling a chain member.

9. A system for power generation through movement of fluid comprising:

a power generating cell comprising;

a rounded outer wall;

a ring for rotating along the outer wall;

one or more impellers fixedly coupled to the ring; and

a generator for receiving energy from the one or more impellers having a first sprocket member in communication with the power generating cell via a second sprocket member;

wherein fluid is disposed about the power generating cell to cause the one or more impellers to rotate which is transmitted to the generator via the first sprocket member and the second sprocket member.

10. The system for power generation through movement of fluid of claim 9 further comprising a chain member coupled to the first sprocket member and the second sprocket member for transmitting energy between the power generating cell and the generator.

11. The system for power generation through movement of fluid of claim 10 wherein said sprockets have a gear ratio from 2:

1 to 60;

1.

12. The system for power generation through movement of fluid of claim 10 further comprising a tensioning member extending from the second sprocket member for maintaining tension in the chain member.

13. The system for power generation through movement of fluid of claim 9, wherein the one or more impellers are disposed about a longitudinal midpoint of the rounded outer wall.

14. The system for power generation through movement of fluid of claim 9, wherein the tensioning member counter rotates relative to the second sprocket member for keeping constant tension on the chain member.

15. The system for power generation through movement of fluid of claim 9, the power generating cell further comprising a set of cross braces extending about an end for stabilizing the power generating cell.

16. The system for power generation through movement of fluid of claim 15, the power generating cell further comprising a shaft member extending from the one or more impellers for stabilizing rotation relative to a longitudinal axis.

17. A system for power generation through movement of fluid comprising:

a power generating cell comprising;

a rounded outer wall;

a rotatable ring disposed about the outer wall and including grooves for receiving a chain member;

one or more impellers fixedly coupled to the ring; and

a generator for receiving energy from the one or more impellers having a first sprocket member in communication with the power generating cell via a second sprocket member; and

a member coupling the first sprocket member, the second sprocket member, and the grooves for transmitting energy between the generator and the power generating cell;

wherein fluid is disposed about one or more impellers for creating energy.

18. The system for power generation through movement of fluid of claim 17, wherein the first sprocket member is a first pulley member, the second sprocket member is a second pulley member, and the member is a belt.

19. The system for power generation through movement of claim 17, the power generating cell further comprising an inlet and an outlet duct.

20. The system for power generation through movement of fluid of claim 19, wherein the inlet and the outlet ducts are arranged in converging and diverging orientations.