Torque neutralizing turbine mooring system

• US 8,466,574 B2
• Filed: 07/15/2009
• Issued: 06/18/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Clayton Bear, Craig Wessner, Vincent Joseph Ginter
• Original Assignee: Clayton Bear, Craig Wessner, Vincent Joseph Ginter
• Inventors: Bear, Clayton, Wessner, Craig, Ginter, Vincent Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuevas, Pedro J
• Application Number:
  US12/503,144
• Publication Number:
  US 20100176595A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,434 Days
• Field of Search: 290/53, 290/54
• US Class Current: 290/53
• 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 17/062 with rotation axis substantially at right angle to flow direction
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/93 on a structure floating on a liquid surface
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/932 which is a catamaran-like 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

Abstract

The present invention is a floating platform capable of supporting a turbine assembly. The platform and turbine assembly may be configured so as to resist drag. Drag may be absorbed by holding members attached to the present invention above and below the moment center. Furthermore a pivoting cable may be incorporated in the turbine assembly whereby the turbine assembly is moveable and thereby able to absorb drag that is exercised upon a non-moveable rigidly positioned turbine as excessive torque on the turbine rotors. The turbine assembly is further pivotable between vertical (working) and horizontal (transportable) positions.

Claims

1. A floatable turbine system, said floatable turbine system comprising:

(a) a floatable platform for supporting a submerged turbine for generating power-from water flow;

(b) a turbine mounting assembly for mounting the turbine to the floating platform, the turbine mounting assembly including a pivoting cradle that permits movement and pivoting of the turbine in the pivoting cradle in a direction of water flow;

(c) a plurality of holding members for attaching to opposite sides of the turbine mounting assembly above and below a moment center of the floatable turbine system when the turbine is submerged under water.

2. The floatable turbine system of claim 1, wherein at least two holding members attach to one side of the turbine mounting assembly above and below a moment center under the water and at least two holding member attach to another opposite side of the turbine mounting assembly above and below the moment center under the water.

3. The floatable turbine system of claim 1, wherein said floatable turbine system further comprises pivoting means for pivoting the turbine mounting assembly between a substantially horizontal position that facilitates transport of the floatable turbine system and a substantially vertical position that facilitates power generation from the water flow.

4. The floatable turbine system of claim 3, wherein said turbine mounting assembly further comprises an upper arm and two lower arms extending from opposite ends of the upper arm.

5. The floatable turbine system of claim 4, wherein in the substantially vertical position the lower arms extend to a point in the water below the moment centre.

6. The floatable turbine system of claim 4, wherein said turbine mounting assembly is capable of holding a vertical axis turbine comprising a generator attached to a drive train and a turbine rotor, wherein the generator and drive train are positioned on opposite sides of the pivoting cradle to the turbine rotor, such that in the substantially vertical position of the turbine mounting assembly, the turbine rotor is submerged under water.

7. The floatable turbine system of claim 4, wherein said turbine mounting assembly is capable of holding a turbine having a horizontal axis turbine rotor, and said pivoting cradle is included at the connection between the upper arm and at least one lower arm.

8. The floatable turbine system of claim 4, wherein each lower arm includes at least two attachment means for connection to the holding members, wherein in the substantially vertical position of the turbine mounting assembly one attachment mean is positioned above the moment center, and the other attachment means is positioned below the moment center.

9. The floatable turbine system of claim 8, wherein one end of each holding member attach to one of the attachment means and another end of each holding member attach to a mooring point to keep the floating platform from drifting.

10. The floatable turbine system of claim 4, characterized in that said mounting assembly further comprises a bottom bearing extending between the lower arms.

11. The floatable turbine system of claim 10, wherein said bottom bearing further includes attachment means whereby a mooring cable may be connected between the bottom bearing and a mooring point below the floating platform.

12. The floatable turbine system of claim 4, wherein the floatable platform comprises a support structure whereby the turbine mounting assembly is supported, and buoyancy means positioned below the support structure.

13. The floatable turbine system of claim 12, wherein said support structure includes attachment means for holding the upper arms of the turbine mounting assembly.

14. The floatable turbine system of claim 12, wherein in the substantially vertical position of the turbine mounting assembly the turbine rotor extends below the buoyancy means.

15. The floatable turbine system of claim 1, wherein said holding members are cables.

16. The floatable turbine system of claim 1, wherein the floating platform is capable of supporting the weight of the turbine assembly.

17. The floatable turbine system of claim 1, wherein said water flow includes waves, tidal flow and current flow.

18. The floatable turbine system of claim 3, wherein the pivoting means comprises a pivoting line having one end connected to the upper arm and another end connected to a position adjustor capable of increasing or decreasing a tension on the pivoting line.

19. The floatable turbine system of claim 18, wherein the pivoting line is connected to the upper arm by way of a flange extending at an angle from the upper arm.

20. A floatable turbine system, said floatable turbine system comprising:

(a) a turbine mounting assembly for holding a turbine for generating power from water flow, the turbine mounting assembly including a pivoting cradle that permits movement and pivoting of the turbine, and an upper arm and two lower arms extending from opposite ends of the upper arm;

(b) a floatable platform for supporting said turbine mounting assembly; and

(c) at least four holding members for attaching to opposite sides of the turbine mounting assembly, wherein at least two of the four holding members attach to one side of the turbine mounting assembly above and below a moment center under the water and at least two of the four holding member attach to another opposite side of the turbine mounting assembly above and below the moment center under the water in a manner that resists water drag on the floatable platform.