EP2304226A1 - Water turbines with mixers and ejectors - Google Patents
Water turbines with mixers and ejectorsInfo
- Publication number
- EP2304226A1 EP2304226A1 EP09733347A EP09733347A EP2304226A1 EP 2304226 A1 EP2304226 A1 EP 2304226A1 EP 09733347 A EP09733347 A EP 09733347A EP 09733347 A EP09733347 A EP 09733347A EP 2304226 A1 EP2304226 A1 EP 2304226A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- shroud
- turbine
- ejector
- volume
- rotation
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
- F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
- F03B13/10—Submerged units incorporating electric generators or motors
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
- F03B17/00—Other machines or engines
- F03B17/06—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head"
- F03B17/061—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head" with rotation axis substantially in flow direction
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- F05B2240/00—Components
- F05B2240/10—Stators
- F05B2240/12—Fluid guiding means, e.g. vanes
- F05B2240/122—Vortex generators, turbulators, or the like, for mixing
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- F05B2240/00—Components
- F05B2240/10—Stators
- F05B2240/13—Stators to collect or cause flow towards or away from turbines
- F05B2240/133—Stators to collect or cause flow towards or away from turbines with a convergent-divergent guiding structure, e.g. a Venturi conduit
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- F05B2240/00—Components
- F05B2240/90—Mounting on supporting structures or systems
- F05B2240/97—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a submerged structure
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- F05B2250/00—Geometry
- F05B2250/10—Geometry two-dimensional
- F05B2250/18—Geometry two-dimensional patterned
- F05B2250/182—Geometry two-dimensional patterned crenellated, notched
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/20—Hydro energy
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/30—Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P70/00—Climate change mitigation technologies in the production process for final industrial or consumer products
- Y02P70/50—Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
Definitions
- the instant subject matter relates to axial flow turbine and ejector systems, such as for example, those used to extract energy when immersed in a flowing water stream, such as that of an ocean-current, tidal-current, river/stream current and other fluid currents.
- Axial flow water turbine systems that extract energy from flowing water are referred to herein as "current turbines.”
- Current turbines usually contain a propeller-like device or “rotor,” that is directed to receive a moving stream of water.
- a rotor can be either unshrouded or contained in a shroud.
- the rotor can be connected to either an electric generator or mechanical device through linkages such as gears, belts, chains or other means.
- Such turbines can be used for generating electricity and/or to drive rotating pumps or moving machine parts. They may also be used in large electricity generating "current turbine farms" (also termed “current turbine arrays”) containing multiple such turbines in a geometric pattern designed ATTORIVEY DOCKET NUMBER: 37410-502001WO
- a turbine system for extracting energy from water traveling relative to the turbine system in an incoming current flow direction has an inlet end adapted to be directed into the incoming current flow direction and an outlet end opposite the inlet end
- the water has a non-uniform flow velocity distribution across the inlet end of the turbine system
- the turbine system includes a rotor assembly, a turbine shroud having a turbine shroud inner volume within which at least a portion of the rotor assembly is disposed, and an ejector shroud having a ejector shroud inner volume within which at least a portion of the turbine shroud is disposed
- the rotor assembly is axially symmetric about an axis of rotation and has an upstream rotor face oriented toward the inlet end
- the turbine shroud includes a turbine shroud inlet disposed nearer the inlet end than the rotor face and a turbine shroud terminus disposed nearer the outlet end than the rotor assembly
- the turbine shroud terminus includes
- a turbine system in a second interrelated implementation, includes a rotor assembly that is axially symmetric about an axis of rotation and that has an upstream rotor face oriented toward the inlet end, a turbine shroud having a turbine shroud inner volume within which at least a portion of the rotor assembly is disposed, and an ejector shroud having a ejector shroud inner volume within which at least a portion of the turbine shroud is disposed.
- the turbine shroud includes a turbine shroud inlet disposed nearer the inlet end than the rotor face and a turbine shroud terminus disposed nearer the outlet end than the rotor assembly.
- the turbine shroud terminus includes a plurality of turbine shroud mixer elements that are asymmetric about a plane passing through the axis of rotation such that at least one of the turbine shroud mixer elements on a lower velocity side of the plane passing through the axis of rotation is larger than at least one of the turbine shroud mixer elements on a higher velocity side of the plane passing through the axis of rotation.
- the turbine shroud inlet is adapted to direct a first volume of water moving in the incoming current flow direction to the rotor assembly such that the first volume causes the rotor assembly to spin and to extract energy from the first volume of water before the first volume of water at a lower energy is discharged from the turbine shroud via the turbine shroud terminus.
- the ejector shroud includes an ejector shroud inlet and an ejector shroud terminus extending in the current flow direction beyond the turbine shroud mixer elements.
- a method of extracting energy from water traveling relative to a turbine system in a current flow direction includes capturing a first volume of the water into a turbine shroud having a turbine shroud inner volume within which at least a portion of a rotor assembly is disposed, directing the first volume of water through the rotor assembly such that the rotor assembly extracts energy from the first ATTORNEY DOCKET NUMBER: 37410-502001WO
- the turbine shroud includes a turbine shroud inlet disposed nearer the inlet end than the rotor assembly and a turbine shroud terminus disposed nearer the outlet end than the rotor assembly.
- the turbine shroud terminus includes a plurality of turbine shroud mixer elements.
- the ejector shroud includes an ejector shroud inlet and an ejector shroud terminus. The ejector shroud terminus extends in the current flow direction beyond the turbine shroud mixer elements.
- the ejector shroud mixer elements and turbine shroud mixer elements can be specifically designed to form a mixer/ejector pump which increases the energy extraction potential of the system by both increasing the flowrate through the turbine rotor and by mixing the low energy turbine shroud exit flow with bypass flow that enters the ejector shroud inlet without passing through the turbine rotor.
- the ejector shroud inlet can be adapted to direct a second volume of water moving in the current flow direction into the ejector shroud inner volume
- the ejector shroud interior volume can include a plurality of ejector shroud mixer elements that cause the first volume of water to mix with the second volume of water before exiting through the ejector shroud terminus.
- the turbine shroud and the ejector shroud shapes can minimize a velocity gradient presented to the rotor face, maximize the first volume of water, and ATTORNEY DOCKET NUMBER: 37410-502001WO
- the velocity gradient is measured along the rotor face.
- a center body about which the rotor assembly rotates can be included.
- the turbine shroud can include a stator assembly that includes stator vanes arrayed axially about the center body.
- the stator vanes can be rotatable to adjust the first volume by increasing or decreasing the open flow area presented to the incoming current flow direction.
- the turbine shroud inlet can include one or more movable door elements that are operable to increase or reduce the first volume flowing through the rotor assembly.
- a deflector shaped to inertially separate suspended debris and/ or aquatic debris from the first volume prior to the first volume encountering the rotor face can be positioned ahead of the center body.
- the center body can include a downstream end projecting from the center body toward the turbine shroud terminus and into the ejector shroud.
- the center body can include a central hollow cavity adapted to allow suspended aquatic debris and/or aquatic life to pass through the center body toward the turbine shroud terminus without encountering the rotor blades.
- the central hollow cavity which can optionally include mixer elements at its trailing edge, can also pass high energy bypass flow to the ejector shroud to enhance mixing performance in the ejector shroud.
- the downstream end can include one or more center body mixer elements. Flow through the hollow center body with downstream mixer elements can enhance the performance of the mixer/ejector pump operation.
- the turbine shroud inlet can have a non-circular cross-section that has greater cross-sectional area on the lower velocity side of the plane passing through the axis of rotation than on the higher velocity side of the plane passing through the axis of rotation.
- the turbine shroud mixer elements can include one or more of mixer lobes and mixer ATTORNEYDOCKET NUMBER: 37410-502001WO
- the rotor assembly can include a rotor hub, an outer rotor ring, and a first plurality of radially oriented rotor blades disposed between the hub.
- the ejector shroud terminus region can include a second plurality of ejector shroud mixer elements that can include one or more of mixer lobes and mixer slots.
- the plurality of ejector shroud mixer elements can be asymmetrical about the plane passing through the axis of rotation.
- one or more of the ejector shroud mixer elements on the lower velocity side of the plane passing through the axis of rotation can be larger than one or more of the ejector shroud mixer elements on the higher velocity side of the plane passing through the axis of rotation.
- the plurality of turbine shroud mixer elements can be asymmetrical about the plane passing through the axis of rotation, one or more of the turbine shroud mixer elements on the lower velocity side of the plane passing through the axis of rotation being larger than one or more of the turbine shroud mixer elements on the higher velocity side of the plane passing through the axis of rotation.
- a second ejector shroud having a second ejector shroud inner volume within which at least a portion of the ejector shroud is disposed can be included.
- the second ejector shroud can include a second ejector shroud inlet and a second ejector shroud terminus region.
- the second ejector shroud inlet can be asymmetrical about the plane passing through the axis of rotation such that it has greater cross-sectional area on a lower velocity side of the plane passing through the axis of rotation than on the higher velocity side of the plane passing through the axis of rotation, the second ejector shroud terminus extending in the current flow direction beyond the ejector shroud mixer elements.
- an ejector shroud can be provided that encompasses a turbine shroud housing the rotor assembly.
- a second water volume flowing into the ejector shroud bypasses the turbine shroud and therefore does not have energy extracted.
- This second water volume is actively mixed with a first water volume after the first volume has passed through the rotor assembly and had energy extracted. The mixing occurs within the ejector shroud and prior to discharge out the terminus of the ejector shroud.
- the instantly disclosed current turbines can increase the productivity of current and tidal farms by a factor of two or more.
- FIGS. IA, IB, and 1C are schematic diagrams illustrating examples of current turbine systems
- FIG. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D are schematic diagrams illustrating multiple views of an implementation of a current turbine system
- FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are schematic diagrams illustrating a front perspective view of a current turbine system having one six-bladed rotor
- FIG. 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams illustrating front perspective views of a current turbine system with a stator-rotor turbine and with portions broken away to show interior structure, such as a power takeoff in the form of a wheel-like structure attached to the outer rim of the rotor and power take-off to a ring generator at the rotor inner ring;
- FIG. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D are schematic diagrams illustrating optional installations of current turbine systems
- FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an alternate implementation of a current turbine system with a mixer/ejector pump having mixer lobes that vary in shape and size around the circumference on the terminus regions of the turbine shroud and ejector shroud
- FIG. 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D are schematic diagrams illustrating alternate implementation of a current turbine system with two optional pivoting rudders and wing for current flow alignment and movement, flow blockage/control doors and stators that can rotate into or out of a plane passing through the door or stator and the center body of the current turbine system
- FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an alternate implementation of a current turbine system with a mixer/ejector pump having mixer lobes that vary in shape and size around the circumference on the terminus regions of the turbine shroud and ejector shroud
- FIG. 8A, 8B, and 8C are schematic diagrams illustrating alternate implementations of a current turbine system with an open passageway center body having lobe mixers and ejectors with slot mixers;
- FIG. 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D are schematic diagrams illustrating alternate implementations of a current turbine system with an inlet debris blocker system;
- FIG. 1OA and 1OB are schematic diagrams illustrating an alternate implementations of a water turbine system of a current turbine system with a two stage mixer/ejector system; and
- FIG. 11 is a process flow chart illustrating a method according to an implementation of the instant subject matter.
- An aerodynamically or hydrodynamically tailored bulbous shape can be positioned in front of the inlet to first deflect the incoming water and any suspended debris contents outward.
- the water current stream has lower inertia than larger suspended debris and/or aquatic life and therefore can follow the contour of the bulbous shape to enter the turbine shroud or the ejector shroud.
- Higher inertia suspended objects, such as aquatic animals, debris, and the like deviate from the water stream lines and therefore fail to enter the turbine shroud or the ejector shroud..
- such asymmetric or ovalated aero/hydrodynamic contouring can reduce the impact of the flow exiting the system on the surrounding environment by reducing scouring and sediment stirring of the current basin and walls.
- Ejectors draw flow into a system and thereby increase the flow rate through that system.
- the rotor size required for a desired power output level can be reduced to as much as a half or less than that imposed on an unshrouded rotor.
- Shorter rotor blades are less costly and structurally more robust.
- the axial forces imposed on the rotor by the current can also be reduced by a half or more while the remaining loads are shifted to the non-rotating elements of the shrouded system. Load carrying by static, non-rotating parts are vastly simpler and economical to design, manufacture and maintain.
- Mixer/ejectors are short compact versions of ejector jet pumps that are relatively insensitive to incoming flow distortions and have been used extensively in high speed jet propulsion applications involving flow velocities near or above the speed of sound. See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 5,761,900 by one of the inventors, Dr. Walter M. Presz, Jr, which also uses a mixer downstream to increase thrust while reducing noise from the discharge.
- the multiple three dimensional surfaces that induce the flow mixing between two streams herein after termed the mixing elements, are all the same size and arrayed in a repeating pattern around the circumference of a shroud.
- the stators can be articulated to essentially shut the inlet opening, blocker doors, built into the inner surfaces of the shrouds, can be swung into the flow field thereby obstructing flow passage, and/or an inlet debris blockage bulb can be moved into the inlet to reduce the flow rate.
- Anchoring systems for shrouded current turbines are very different than the tall towers used for wind turbines and, as such, they must be integrally designed to avoid compromising the aero/hydrodynamic efficiency of the tightly coupled system.
- Systems on poles or on platforms such as shown in FIG 1 will encounter different levels and sources of aero/hydrodynamic interference that must be reduced to assure efficient delivery of energy.
- Multi-shrouded mixer/ejector current turbines provide the opportunities for unique integration of the rotor and generator systems. Because current turbines are not required to change direction or, for the tidal case only do so on a twice a day schedule, the generator can be more conveniently placed for efficiency and/or easier maintenance servicing. Employing rotor tip shrouds, as frequently employed in gas turbines, allows use of a rim gear/drive system and placement of the generator in or on the shroud. ATTORNEYDOCKET NUMBER: 37410-502001WO
- center body to be designed as an open conduit for aquatic to pass through.
- FIGS. 2-10 show a number of implementations that illustrate some of the features that are within the scope of the current subject matter.
- a water turbine system includes an aerodynamically or hydrodynamically contoured turbine shroud 102 is noncircular at some points along its axial extent.
- An aerodynamically or hydrodynamically contoured center body 103 is enclosed within and attached to the turbine shroud 102 that has a turbine shroud inlet 105 through which a first volume of water is drawn.
- the center body 103 is axially symmetric about a rotor axis of rotation.
- a turbine stage 104 surrounds the center body 103 and includes a stator ring 106 of stator vanes 108a and an impeller or rotor 110 having impeller or rotor blades 112a.
- the rotor 110 includes a rotor face formed by the leading edge of the rotor blades 112a.
- the rotor 110 is positioned downstream from the stator vanes 108a such that the rotor face is substantially aligned with trailing edges of the stator vanes 108a.
- the stator vanes 108a are mounted on the center body 103, and the rotor blades 112a are attached and held together by inner and outer rings or hoops or alternatively by a hub 112b and an outer ring 112c.
- a terminus region of mixer element that includes a terminus region or end portion of the turbine shroud 102 includes a ring of mixer lobes 120a that extend downstream beyond the rotor blades 112a and vary in shape or size as needed to fill the gap between the turbine shroud 102 and ejector shroud 128 and deliver ingested water to the vicinity of the center body 103.
- This is similar to the ejector lobes shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,761,900, wherein the mixer lobes 120a extend downstream and into an inlet 129 of the ejector shroud 128.
- the ejector 122 also includes a shroud 128 that can be noncircular for portions of its axial ATTORNEYDOCKET NUMBER: 37410-502001 WO
- the ejector shroud 128 can include mixer elements of varying si2es and shapes in its terminus region as shown in FIG. 6.
- the center body 103 can be connected to the turbine shroud 102 through the stator ring 106 (or other means) to eliminate the damaging, annoying and long distance propagating low-frequency pressure waves produced by traditional current and tidal turbines as the turbine's blade wakes strike the support tower.
- the aerodynamic profiles of the turbine shroud 102 and ejector shroud 128 preferably are aerodynamically cambered to increase flow through the turbine rotor in such a way as to reduce the vertical variation in the velocity at the rotor face induced by upstream distortions..
- the area ratio of the ejector pump 122 as defined by the cross sectional area of the ejector shroud terminus divided by the cross sectional area of the turbine shroud terminus will be between 1.5 and 4.0.
- the number of mixer lobes 120a would be between 6 and 14. Each lobe will have inner and outer trailing edge angles between 5 and 25 degrees.
- the primary lobe exit location will be at, or near, the entrance location or inlet 129 of the ejector shroud 128.
- the height-to-width ratio of the lobe channels will be between 0.5 and 4.5.
- the mixer penetration will be between 30% and 80%.
- the center body 103 plug trailing edge angles will be thirty degrees or less.
- the length to diameter (L/D) of the overall system 100 will be between 0.5 and 1.25.
- a current turbine energy conversion system includes an axial flow current turbine 100 that includes stator vanes 108a and impeller or rotor blades 112 and that is surrounded by an aerodynamically contoured turbine shroud 102 that incorporates mixing elements 120a in its terminus region or end portion and a separate ejector shroud ATTORNEY DOCKET NUMBER: 37410-502001WO
- the ejector shroud 128 can also incorporate advanced mixing elements, such as for example mixer lobes 119 or mixer slots, in its terminus region.
- a ring 118 of mixer features such as lobes or slots 119 located at the terminus 117 of the ejector shroud 128 can be thought of as a mixer/ ejector pump that provides the means for consistently exceeding the Betz limit for operational efficiency of the current and tidal turbine system 100.
- FIG. 2A shows a turbine stage 104 that includes a rotor assembly 110 that is rotatably mounted on a center body 103, surrounded by turbine shroud 102 with embedded mixer elements 120a having trailing edges inserted slightly in the entrance plane of ejector shroud 128.
- the turbine stage 104 and ejector shroud 128 are structurally connected to the turbine shroud 102, which itself is the principal load carrying member.
- the length of the turbine shroud 102 can in some implementations be equal to or less than the turbine shroud's 102 maximum outer diameter.
- the length of the ejector shroud 128 can in some implementations be equal to or less than the ejector shroud's maximum outer diameter.
- the exterior surface of the center body 103 can be aerodynamically or hydrodynamically contoured to minimize the effects of flow separation downstream of the current turbine system 100.
- the center body 103 can be longer or shorter than the turbine shroud 102 or the ejector shroud 128, or their combined lengths.
- the cross sectional area of the turbine shroud inlet 105 and the turbine shroud terminus 115 can be equal to or greater than that of the annulus occupied by the turbine stage 104, but need not be circular in shape so as to allow better control of the flow source and impact of its wake.
- the internal flow path cross-sectional area formed by the annulus between the center body 103 and the interior surface of the turbine shroud 102 is aerodynamically shaped to have a minimum area at the plane of the rotor assembly 110 ATTORNEY DOCKET NUMBER: 37410-502001WO
- the turbine shroud 102 and the ejector shroud 128 external surfaces are aerodynamically or hydrodynamically shaped to assist guiding the flow into the turbine shroud inlet 105, eliminating flow separation from their surfaces, and delivering smooth flow into the ejector shroud entrance 129.
- the ejector 128 entrance area which may be noncircular in shape , is larger than the cross sectional area of the turbine shroud terminus 115 including the mixer features 118 at the turbine shroud terminus.
- the cross-sectional area at the ejector shroud terminus 117 can also be noncircular in shape.
- An example of a power take-off 130 as shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B can take the form of a wheel-like structure mechanically linked at an outer or inner rim of the rotor assembly 110 to a power generator (not shown) below or above the rotor assembly 110.
- a vertical support shaft 132 with a rotatable coupling at 134 as shown in FIG 4A and FIG. 5A can rotatably support the current turbine system 100 and can be located forward of the center-of-pressure location experienced by the current turbine system 100 for self-aligning of the current turbine system when submerged in a flowing current.
- Self-moving vertical rudders 136 and generally horizontal wings 135 (see FIG. 7), affixed to upper and lower surfaces of the turbine and/or the ejector shrouds 102 and 128 respectively, to stabilize alignment directions with different current and tidal streams and provide steering during vertical movements.
- a current turbine system 100 can be structurally supported by other systems as shown for example in FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, FIG. 5C, and FIG. 5D, such as for example a pole 133, a fixed foundation 137, tethers 138, or a water borne craft 139 such as a barge or float.
- Variable mixer element geometries can be used and optimized to extract maximum energy from the bypass air flow as shown in FIG. 6.
- the mixer elements 140 can be asymmetric in relation to a plane passing through the rotor assembly 110 axis of rotation as FIG. 6 shows.
- FIGS. 7 show control rudders and wings 135 and 136, and optional flow blockage doors 140a, 140b. They can be rotated via linkage (not shown) into the flow stream to reduce or stop flow through the turbine 100 when damage, to the generator or other components, due to high flow velocity is possible.
- FIG. 7D presents another optional variation of a current turbine system 100.
- the stator vanes' exit-angle incidence can be mechanically varied 142, in situ, for example by pivoting the stator vanes to accommodate variations in the fluid stream velocity so as to assure minimum residual swirl in the flow exiting the rotor.
- Additional alternative variations can include an open passageway center body 144 as shown in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B that can include center body mixer elements 145; slot type mixers 146 as shown in FIG. 8C; a center body that includes a debris deflectors 147 as shown in FIG 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D; and multiple ejector shrouds 148 as shown in FIG. 1OA and FIG. 1OB.
- FIG. 11 is a process flow chart illustrating a method according to an implementation of the instant subject matter.
- a first volume of water is captured into a turbine shroud having a turbine shroud inner volume within which at least a portion of a rotor assembly is disposed.
- the turbine shroud includes a turbine shroud inlet disposed nearer the inlet end than the rotor assembly and a turbine shroud terminus disposed nearer the outlet end than the rotor assembly.
- the turbine shroud terminus includes a plurality of turbine shroud mixer elements.
- the first volume of water is ATTORNEYDOCKET NUMBER: 37410-502001 WO
- a second volume of the water is captured into an ejector shroud having a ejector shroud inner volume within which at least a portion of the turbine shroud is disposed.
- the ejector shroud includes an ejector shroud inlet and an ejector shroud terminus that extends in the current flow direction beyond the turbine shroud mixer elements.
- the first and the second volumes are combined or mixed into a mixed volume before discharge of the mixed volume from the ejector shroud terminus.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Hydraulic Turbines (AREA)
- Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)
- Jet Pumps And Other Pumps (AREA)
- Turbine Rotor Nozzle Sealing (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12439708P | 2008-04-16 | 2008-04-16 | |
PCT/US2009/040874 WO2009129420A1 (en) | 2008-04-16 | 2009-04-16 | Water turbines with mixers and ejectors |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP2304226A1 true EP2304226A1 (en) | 2011-04-06 |
EP2304226A4 EP2304226A4 (en) | 2012-06-27 |
Family
ID=41199477
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP09733347A Withdrawn EP2304226A4 (en) | 2008-04-16 | 2009-04-16 | Water turbines with mixers and ejectors |
Country Status (17)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2304226A4 (en) |
JP (1) | JP5454963B2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR101278340B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN102084123B (en) |
AU (1) | AU2009236140B2 (en) |
BR (1) | BRPI0911103A2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2725231C (en) |
CO (1) | CO6311029A2 (en) |
IL (1) | IL208778A (en) |
MA (1) | MA32311B1 (en) |
MX (1) | MX2010011410A (en) |
MY (1) | MY152312A (en) |
NZ (1) | NZ588517A (en) |
RU (1) | RU2459109C2 (en) |
UA (1) | UA99957C2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2009129420A1 (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA201007288B (en) |
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EP3778392A4 (en) * | 2018-04-23 | 2021-05-26 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Unmanned aerial vehicle comprising safety guard |
Families Citing this family (13)
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WO2016130984A2 (en) * | 2015-02-12 | 2016-08-18 | Hydrokinetic Energy Corp | Hydroelectric/hydrokinetic turbine and methods for making and using same |
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DK3473848T3 (en) | 2017-10-20 | 2022-12-12 | Flowgen Development & Man Ag | FLOW ENERGY PLANT, ESPECIALLY CAPE WIND TURBINE |
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- 2009-04-16 CA CA2725231A patent/CA2725231C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP2304226A4 (en) | 2012-06-27 |
WO2009129420A8 (en) | 2011-10-27 |
CN102084123B (en) | 2014-09-03 |
RU2010146502A (en) | 2012-05-27 |
JP2011518976A (en) | 2011-06-30 |
BRPI0911103A2 (en) | 2015-10-06 |
AU2009236140A1 (en) | 2009-10-22 |
IL208778A0 (en) | 2010-12-30 |
WO2009129420A1 (en) | 2009-10-22 |
UA99957C2 (en) | 2012-10-25 |
MY152312A (en) | 2014-09-15 |
CO6311029A2 (en) | 2011-08-22 |
KR101278340B1 (en) | 2013-06-25 |
RU2459109C2 (en) | 2012-08-20 |
NZ588517A (en) | 2013-05-31 |
CN102084123A (en) | 2011-06-01 |
ZA201007288B (en) | 2011-06-29 |
MA32311B1 (en) | 2011-05-02 |
IL208778A (en) | 2014-05-28 |
JP5454963B2 (en) | 2014-03-26 |
CA2725231C (en) | 2015-01-06 |
AU2009236140B2 (en) | 2013-03-21 |
MX2010011410A (en) | 2011-05-19 |
CA2725231A1 (en) | 2009-10-22 |
KR20110025897A (en) | 2011-03-14 |
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