Abstract A water current power generator system comprises one or more generator ships firmly anchored to the water bottom to generate power from sea currents or the tidal flow of rivers. The hull of a typical ship includes an inlet where the moving water enters and drives blades hinged to a toothed belt which moves about a pair of rollers. As the blades move about the forward roller, the hinged blades are driven outwardly to a right angle position to be driven by the water flow. The blades fold into a collapsed position as they pass over the rear roller and move in a direction opposite the water flow thereby minimizing resistance to the water flow. Generally, a pair of toothed belts are provided within each shaped inlet with a thrust member therebetween to direct the water towards the blades. The belts are mounted vertically within the hull to encounter as much of the water pressure as possible. The water then flows out the rear of the hull through a shaped outlet which is smaller than the inlet. In an alternate embodiment, vertical water wheels with collapsible blades are used instead of toothed belts. This variation would include at least one of such wheels positioned at the inlet and having hinged members serving as blades mounted on the wheels to catch the water flow thereby driving the wheel. The blade would then pivot to an open position minimizing resistance to the motion of the wheel as it moves around the axis of said wheel.
In a water current power generator system including power generating means, the combination comprising: a ship having an inlet and an outlet for the passage of water therethrough, a pair of water wheels mounted vertically within said inlet and in a juxtaposed position, each of said water wheels having a plurality of blades pivotally mounted and spaced about the periphery of said wheel, and a plurality of fixed radially extending members integrally formed about the axis of said water wheel wherein the blades pivot against said fixed radially extending members to form a rigid member as they encounter the water flow adjacent to the inlet and then pivot outwardly therefrom to minimize water resistance as the blades return to the inlet position, and, means coupling the water wheel to the power generator means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
In a water current power generator system including power generating means, the combination comprising: a ship having an inlet and an outlet for the passage of water therethrough, a pair of water wheels mounted vertically within said inlet and in a juxtaposed position, each of said water wheels having a plurality of blades pivotally mounted and spaced about the periphery of said wheel, and a plurality of fixed radially extending members integrally formed about the axis of said water wheel wherein the blades pivot against said fixed radially extending members to form a rigid member as they encounter the water flow adjacent to the inlet and then pivot outwardly therefrom to minimize water resistance as the blades return to the inlet position, and, means coupling the water wheel to the power generator means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A water current power generator system in accordance with claim 1 wherein: the interior wall of the ship comprises an inwardly curved portion adjacent to the inlet, an intermediate inwardly curved portion extending lengthwise along the axis of the ship and an outwardly flared portion at the outlet.