US4078388A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transportable hydromotive assembly
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-07-08
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Granted: 1978-03-14
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Expires: 1996-07-08
Abstract
Abstract A submersible hydromotive assembly is provided for an energy storing dam and includes chambers defined in its structural body which can be filled with water to sink the assembly or with gas to float it. Additionally, the hydromotive assembly has a machine hall with auxiliary equipment required to start, maintain in running condition and stop a turbine-generation set. Also included is the method of submerging and positioning the submersible hydromotive assembly at the water passage flow path of a dam.
Inventors
- 👤 Francisco Jose Gutierrez Atencio
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:24
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03B; F03B13/00; F03B13/08; E; E02; E02B; E02B9/00; F03B13/10; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/20; Y02E10/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
219 words
A method of submerging and positioning a hydromotive assembly in a dam having means for directing water through it and supporting means extending upstream or downstream of said water directing means, the method comprising the steps of: a) Taking a hydromotive assembly comprising a water flow circulation path defined by a conduit having a lateral wall for directing water through an incorporated energy transformation unit for causing actuation thereof or receiving actuation thereto, and having a first open and a second open end for discharging water entering the first open end; at least one chamber defined in said lateral wall or ballast means incorporables to it; b) Floating the hydromotive assembly slighty upstream or downstream of said dam and oriented so that the longitudinal axis of said hydromotive assembly and which extends through said ends, is parallel to the axis of said dam water directing means and positioned substantially thereabove; c) Introducing fluid into said chamber to cause sinking of said hydromotive assembly or; alternatively, incorporating ballasts to it; d) Directing the sinking hydromotive assembly so that his base rests on said supporting means; e) Drawing the hydroelectric assembly along the supporting means to position his open end against the inlet or the outlet of said dam water directing means; f) Securing the transportable hydromotive assembly in such position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
219 words
A method of submerging and positioning a hydromotive assembly in a dam having means for directing water through it and supporting means extending upstream or downstream of said water directing means, the method comprising the steps of: a) Taking a hydromotive assembly comprising a water flow circulation path defined by a conduit having a lateral wall for directing water through an incorporated energy transformation unit for causing actuation thereof or receiving actuation thereto, and having a first open and a second open end for discharging water entering the first open end; at least one chamber defined in said lateral wall or ballast means incorporables to it; b) Floating the hydromotive assembly slighty upstream or downstream of said dam and oriented so that the longitudinal axis of said hydromotive assembly and which extends through said ends, is parallel to the axis of said dam water directing means and positioned substantially thereabove; c) Introducing fluid into said chamber to cause sinking of said hydromotive assembly or; alternatively, incorporating ballasts to it; d) Directing the sinking hydromotive assembly so that his base rests on said supporting means; e) Drawing the hydroelectric assembly along the supporting means to position his open end against the inlet or the outlet of said dam water directing means; f) Securing the transportable hydromotive assembly in such position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
150 words
A submersible hydromotive assembly for an energy storing dam having means for directing water through it; said hydromotive assembly comprising a water flow circulation path defined by a conduit having a peripheral wall for directing water therethrough; an energy transformation unit designed for causing an electrical input or output thereto to achieve a power balance; said conduit having a first open end and a second open end for discharging the water entering said first open end, at least one of said open ends adapted to be positioned against at least one end of said dam water directing means; means for controllably influencing said electric power balance output-input of said energy transformation unit and at least one chamber defined in said conduit peripheral wall and of a volume at least sufficient to cause sinking or flotation of said hydromotive assembly when said chamber is filled with liquid or with gas, respectively.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
150 words
A submersible hydromotive assembly for an energy storing dam having means for directing water through it; said hydromotive assembly comprising a water flow circulation path defined by a conduit having a peripheral wall for directing water therethrough; an energy transformation unit designed for causing an electrical input or output thereto to achieve a power balance; said conduit having a first open end and a second open end for discharging the water entering said first open end, at least one of said open ends adapted to be positioned against at least one end of said dam water directing means; means for controllably influencing said electric power balance output-input of said energy transformation unit and at least one chamber defined in said conduit peripheral wall and of a volume at least sufficient to cause sinking or flotation of said hydromotive assembly when said chamber is filled with liquid or with gas, respectively.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
Submersible hydromotive assembly as claimed in claim 2, in which said energy transformation unit is mainly designed to perform as an energy generation unit during actuation thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
Submersible hydromotive assembly as claimed in claim 2, further comprising means for filling said chamber with liquid for sinking purposes or with gas for floatation purposes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
Submersible hydromotive assembly as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a plurality of said chambers arranged to cause sinking or floatation of said hydromotive assembly in any desired controlled position when the said chambers are filled with liquid or gas, respectively.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A submersible hydromotive assembly as claimed in claim 2 including, a capsule within said conduit, and said transformation unit comprising a motor/generator having a substantially horizontal axis mounted within said capsule and joined to a propeller-actuated turbine.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A submersible hydromotive assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein, said chamber is disposed between said conduit wall and said capsule.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
163 words
Submersible hydromotive assembly for an energy storing dam having means for directing water through it; the hydromotive assembly comprising a water flow circulation path defined by a conduit having a peripheral wall for directing water therethrough, an energy transformation unit designed for causing an electrical input or output thereto to achieve a power balance; said conduit having a first open end and a second open end for discharging the water entering said first open end, at least one of said open ends adapted to be positioned against at least one end of said dam water directing means; means for controllably influencing said electric power balance output-input of said energy transformation unit; at least one chamber defined by said peripheral wall and of a volume at least sufficient to cause sinking or flotation of said hydromotive assembly when said chamber is filled with fluid or with gas, respectively; and two removable closing covers fitted at flanges both positioned around said first and second ends.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
163 words
Submersible hydromotive assembly for an energy storing dam having means for directing water through it; the hydromotive assembly comprising a water flow circulation path defined by a conduit having a peripheral wall for directing water therethrough, an energy transformation unit designed for causing an electrical input or output thereto to achieve a power balance; said conduit having a first open end and a second open end for discharging the water entering said first open end, at least one of said open ends adapted to be positioned against at least one end of said dam water directing means; means for controllably influencing said electric power balance output-input of said energy transformation unit; at least one chamber defined by said peripheral wall and of a volume at least sufficient to cause sinking or flotation of said hydromotive assembly when said chamber is filled with fluid or with gas, respectively; and two removable closing covers fitted at flanges both positioned around said first and second ends.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
Submersible hydromotive assembly as claimed in claim 8, further comprising means for filling said chamber with liquid for sinking purposes or with gas for floatation purposes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
Submersible hydromotive assembly as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a plurality of said chambers arranged to cause sinking or floatation of said hydromotive assembly in any desired controlled position when the said chambers are filled with liquid or gas, respectively.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
Submersible hydromotive assembly as claimed in claim 8, in which said energy transformation unit is mainly designed to perform as an energy generation unit during actuation thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
148 words
A submersible hydromotive assembly for an energy storing dam having means for directing water through it; said hydromotive assembly comprising a water flow circulation path defined by a conduit having a peripheral wall for directing water therethrough; an energy transformation unit designed for causing an electrical input or output thereto to achieve a power balance; said conduit having a first open end and a second open end for discharging the water entering said first open end, at least one of said open ends adapted to be positioned against at least one end of said dam water directing means; means for controllably influencing said electric power balance output-input of said energy transformation unit and means defined in said peripheral wall adapted to receive solid ballast means of a weight at least sufficient to cause sinking or flotation of said hydromotive assembly when said ballast is fitted or removed, respectively.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
148 words
A submersible hydromotive assembly for an energy storing dam having means for directing water through it; said hydromotive assembly comprising a water flow circulation path defined by a conduit having a peripheral wall for directing water therethrough; an energy transformation unit designed for causing an electrical input or output thereto to achieve a power balance; said conduit having a first open end and a second open end for discharging the water entering said first open end, at least one of said open ends adapted to be positioned against at least one end of said dam water directing means; means for controllably influencing said electric power balance output-input of said energy transformation unit and means defined in said peripheral wall adapted to receive solid ballast means of a weight at least sufficient to cause sinking or flotation of said hydromotive assembly when said ballast is fitted or removed, respectively.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
Submersible hydromotive assembly as claimed in claim 12, further including a plurality of chambers arranged to cause sinking or floatation of said hydromotive assembly in any desired controlled position when the former are filled with fluid or gas, respectively.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
Submersible hydromotive assembly as claimed in claim 12, in which said energy transformation unit is mainly designed to perfome as an energy generation unit during actuation thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
A submersible hydromotive assembly as claimed in claim 12 including, a capsule within said conduit, and said transformation unit comprising a motor/generator having a substantially horizontal axis mounted within said capsule and joined to a propeller-actuated turbine.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
A submersible hydromotive assembly as claimed in claim 15 wherein, said ballast receiving means includes recesses in said peripheral wall.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-03-13 | 1981-09-12 | 1982-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-03-13 | 1985-09-12 | 1986-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-03-13 | 1989-09-12 | 1990-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |