35results about "Buoyancy control" patented technology

An energy storage system (1), which comprises a weight (2) hanging from a cable (3, 10) connected to a first rotation shaft (5) mechanically coupled to a second rotation shaft (6) of a motor-generator assembly (7) connected to the power grid. When there is a surplus of electrical energy in the grid, the motor-generator (7) consumes energy, operating as a motor to rotate the first shaft (5) in a winding direction of the cable (3, 10), whereas, when there is a shortage of electrical energy in the grid, the motor-generator (7) supplies energy, operating as a generator utilising the rotation of the first shaft (5) in an unwinding direction of the cable (3, 10) when the free fall of the weight (2) is allowed. When the weight (3) is displaced immersed in water, in addition a compressed-air system can be utilised to modify the buoyancy of the weight.

The present invention is a marine current turbine featuring a downstream rotor, a faired spar, a deckhouse at the waterline, and a ballasting and mooring arrangement to ensure the center of buoyancy is above the center of gravity to provide a stable platform and ample rotor torque reaction. The faired spar minimizes the wake deficit ingested by the rotor and reduces turbulence and drag on the turbine. The deckhouse provides buoyancy to react to gravitational forces and the downward tension component supplied by the mooring system during maximum platform and rotor drag conditions and reserve buoyancy if a portion of the platform becomes flooded. The mooring arrangement preferably forms a bridle to provide yaw stability.

An energy storage system (1), which comprises a weight (2) hanging from a cable (3, 10) connected to a first rotation shaft (5) mechanically coupled to a second rotation shaft (6) of a motor-generator assembly (7) connected to the power grid. When there is a surplus of electrical energy in the grid, the motor-generator (7) consumes energy, operating as a motor to rotate the first shaft (5) in a winding direction of the cable (3, 10), whereas, when there is a shortage of electrical energy in the grid, the motor-generator (7) supplies energy, operating as a generator utilising the rotation of the first shaft (5) in an unwinding direction of the cable (3, 10) when the free fall of the weight (2) is allowed. When the weight (3) is displaced immersed in water, in addition a compressed-air system can be utilised to modify the buoyancy of the weight.

The invention describes an energy storage system (1), which comprises a weight (2) hanging from a cable (3, 10) connected to a first rotation shaft (5) mechanically coupled to a second rotation shaft (6) of a motor-generator assembly (7) connected to the power grid. When there is a surplus of electrical energy in the grid, the motor-generator (7) consumes energy, operating as a motor to rotate the first shaft (5) in a winding direction of the cable (3, 10), whereas, when there is a shortage of electrical energy in the grid, the motor-generator (7) supplies energy, operating as a generator utilising the rotation of the first shaft (5) in an unwinding direction of the cable (3, 10) when the free fall of the weight (2) is allowed. When the weight (3) is displaced immersed in water, in addition a compressed-air system can be utilised to modify the buoyancy of the weight.

A buoy (10) comprising a central column (12), an outer frame (14) attached to the central column with buoyancy which may be provided by the outer frame and / or by attached buoyancy units (16). The central column is negatively buoyant and is normally open at one end to allow water to flow in, and create an oscillating water column caused by waves. This water column dampens the effect of wave or other forces on the buoy, thus providing a more stable foundation for a wind powered generator. A further generator may be provided to extract energy from the oscillating water column. The buoy is normally attached to an anchor by one or more tension leg tethers which maintains the buoyancy below the surface of the water which has also be found to increase stability. The anchor may be a modular gravity base anchor.

The present invention a buoyant actuator (11) for use in a system which converts wave motion to energy. The buoyant actuator (11) comprises a body (19) which presents an exterior surface. The body (19) provides at least one first tank (23) and at least one second tank (25), whereby an upper portion (21) of the body (19) is located above a fluid surface (12) of a fluid body (13) when the buoyant actuator is in a transportation position. When in the transportation position a volume of each of the at least one first tank (23) and the at least one second tank (25) above a waterline (112) of the buoyant actuator (11) is substantially empty.

A point absorber wave energy converter is described. The converter uses a surface piercing float operably coupled to a water column tube extending downwardly from the surface piercing float, the tube being open at its bottom and being configured to accommodate a column of sea water therein. Air is trapped above that column within a plenum, the plenum being configured such that operably relative movement between the point absorber and the internal water column expands and compresses the trapped volume of air. That movement can be used to pump air through an open or a closed circuit power take off system. The open circuit power take-off system as described is suitable for other oscillating water column wave energy converters including both floating offshore and fixed shoreline installations.

The invention relates to a submersible power plant (1) comprising a major rotor (2) arranged on a buoyant body (3) relative which it can rotate. The major rotor (2) comprises at least two major rotor blades (4) and is rotatable around a major rotor axis (A_r) from a fluid flow acting on the major rotor blades (4). The major rotor (2) comprises a minor rotor arranged on each major rotor blade (4), each comprising a minor rotor blade (7) rotatable around a minor rotor axis substantially perpendicular to the major rotor axis (A_r) and to an extension of the major rotor blades (4) from the major rotor axis (A_r) to each major rotor blade end (4a). The buoyant body (3) of the submersible power plant (1) is arranged to be secured to a structure by means of a tether and is arranged to change the angle (α) of the major rotor axis (A_r) relative the direction of the fluid flow (F_d), controlling the rotational speed of the major rotor (2).

In a general aspect, a submersible barge includes a deck having a support surface and an additive manufacturing system. The submersible barge may be deployed on a body of water. The additive manufacturing system is configured to fabricate a cementitious body on the support surface by successively depositing layers of flowable cementitious material on top of each other. The submersible barge also includes a buoyancy system that is configured to lower the cementitious body into the body of water by altering a draft of the submersible barge between first and second drafts. When the submersible barge is at the first draft, the support surface resides above a surface of the body of water. When the submersible barge is at the second draft, the support surface resides below the surface of the body of water.

The present invention relates to a marine energy production and reversal system (10) comprising: - a storage tank (12) in which an internal volume (V2) of water can be stored, the inner enclosure (20) having a first section; - a circulation zone (14) comprising at least one energy-producing turbine (28); - at least one production float (34) comprising a third section; - an intercalated structure (15) comprising at least one production conduit (16) extending fluidly between the storage tank (12) and the circulation zone (14) and such as to separate them vertically from each other by a non-zero distance, the intercalated structure (15) comprising a second section, at least the sum of the second and third sections being equal to the first section with a tolerance of plus or minus 5%. Figure for the abstract: 1

An offshore farming system comprising an elongated vertical support column floating vertically in water with a larger extension below sea surface than above the sea surface, and a rigid cage structure enclosing the elongated vertical support column in circumferential direction and arranged movable in longitudinal direction of the elongated vertical support column.

A hydroelectric energy harvesting device (100) is described herein. The apparatus comprises: a support (102); a sliding frame (114) movably coupled to the support (102); the floater unit (104) floats on a water body (106), and the water body (106) has a movable water level; an energy generating mechanism (108); and a float rocker arm (110) coupled to the float unit (104) and the energy generating mechanism (108). The float rocker arm (110) pivots about a pivot point (112) on the slide frame (114). The float unit (104) moves with the water level of the body of water (106) to drive the float rocker arm (110) to provide power input to the energy generating mechanism (108). The sliding frame (114) is used to adjust the level of the pivot point (112), the float rocker arm (110), and the float unit (104).

The invention relates to the field of vertical axis wind driven generators, and discloses a folding type offshore vertical axis floating wind turbine brake device which comprises a platform, a controller and a wind turbine body, a supporting column is fixedly connected to the middle of the platform, and a shielding mechanism capable of being folded and unfolded is arranged at the top of the platform; a data monitoring mechanism is arranged at the top of the supporting column, a ballast water mechanism is arranged in the platform, and the shielding mechanism specifically comprises a protective shield mechanism fixedly connected to the top of the platform and a protective umbrella mechanism installed at the top of the wind turbine body. The protection shield mechanism and the protection umbrella mechanism are driven by the controller to be unfolded cooperatively, a closed space for blocking wind energy input is formed, overspeed rotation of the wind wheel at the ultrahigh wind speed is avoided, the situation that the blades and the supporting columns bear overlarge dynamic loads is avoided, and the structural survival capacity of the whole floating type wind turbine device under the extreme meteorological conditions such as typhoon is improved.

An example system comprises an enclosure submerged in a body of water. The system also comprises an intake port disposed along a periphery of the enclosure to transport water into the enclosure. The system also includes a turbine generator disposed inside the enclosure and coupled to the intake port to receive the water entering the enclosure through the intake port. The system also comprises a water storage tank coupled to the turbine generator to receive the water flowing out of the turbine generator. The system also comprises a pump coupled to the water storage tank to pump the water out of the water storage tank. The system also comprises a controller to control flow of the water into the enclosure by operating the intake port and to control flow of the water out of the enclosure by operating the pump.

The present invention relates to a potential energy storage system (12), comprising: - a tank (18), with a density equal to or greater than the density of the surrounding water (E) in which it is intended to be immersed, comprising: -- a wall (20) delimiting an inner enclosure (I) in which an internal volume of water can be stored; -- a water inlet orifice (22) and a water outlet orifice (24) to allow water to pass into and out of the inner enclosure; -- means for controlling the elevation of the tank (18) in a vertical direction (AZ), comprising: -- a first set of floats (30) at the periphery of the tank (18) forming a flotation interface between this tank (18) and the surrounding body of water (E), and -- an actuator (34) for moving these floats closer together or further apart. Figure 5a

A system that comprises a hull assembly that includes a plurality of outer columns including a first outer column, a second outer column and a third outer column, the plurality of outer columns surrounding and spaced about a central axis Y.

Described herein is a hydroelectric power harvesting device (100) comprising a support (102), a slide frame (114) movably coupled to the support (102), a float unit (104) for floating in a body of water (106) having a varying water level, an energy generating mechanism (108), and a float rocker arm (110) coupled to the float unit (104) and the energy generating mechanism (108). The float rocker arm (110) pivots about a pivot point (112) on the slide frame (114). The float unit (104) moves with the water level of the body of water (106) to drive the float rocker arm (110) and provide work input to the energy generating mechanism (108). The slide frame (114) adjusts the level of the pivot point (112), the float rocker arm (110), and the float unit (104).

A system that comprises a hull assembly that includes a plurality of outer columns including a first outer column, a second outer column and a third outer column, the plurality of outer columns surrounding and spaced about a central axis Y.

A wave energy converter is provided which includes a central body including a nacelle, the nacelle housing at least one power take off. Hie wave energy converter also includes a first float and a first float arm coupled to the nacelle on a first side, and a second float and a second float arm coupled to the nacelle on a second side. The first float is rotatably coupled to the nacelle, the first float and the first float arm forming a first body configured to rotate, where the first body is operatively coupled to the at least one power take off such that relative motion between the first body and the central body generates energy in the at least one power take off. In one embodiment, the central body has a low reserve buoyancy, where the reserve buoyancy of the central body is lower than the reserve buoyancy of either of the first float and the second float, to minimize a heave response of the central body relative to the first float to increase output of the wave energy converter. In one embodiment, the central body includes a yoke extending downwardly from the nacelle, a plurality of lines attached to the base of the yoke, and a heave plate attached to the lower terminus of each of the plurality of lines.

An example system comprises an enclosure submerged in a body of water. The system also comprises an intake port disposed along a periphery of the enclosure to transport water into the enclosure. The system also includes a turbine generator disposed inside the enclosure and coupled to the intake port to receive the water entering the enclosure through the intake port. The system also comprises a water storage tank coupled to the turbine generator to receive the water flowing out of the turbine generator. The system also comprises a pump coupled to the water storage tank to pump the water out of the water storage tank. The system also comprises a controller to control flow of the water into the enclosure by operating the intake port and to control flow of the water out of the enclosure by operating the pump.

A method of operating a downwind floating wind turbine comprising the downwind floating wind turbine floating in a body of water assuming mean heel angle within a range, the mean heel angle defined by a mean pitch angle of a central axis Y of a tower of the downwind floating wind turbine in a direction of wind; and the downwind floating wind turbine operating with a maximum rotor misalignment from a horizontal axis that is perpendicular to gravity while assuming the mean heel angle. The tower includes a turbine with a nacelle, hub and a plurality of blades extending from the hub, the plurality of blades configured to rotate about a rotor axis R, the rotor axis R having rotor tilt angle defined by an angle of rotor axis R relative to a perpendicular axis to the central axis Y.

This disclosure relates to hydrodynamic generators including their structural design, deployment methods, anchoring systems, drive systems, and control systems. The systems can be scaled from hand-carried to large stationary devices capable of generating up to 20 kW or more in a 3 knot current. In the stationary system, the device can be anchored to the water bed by an anchoring device supported by four adjustable legs. These legs can eliminate the need for large mooring lines and provide the device with a small footprint that is not dangerous to marine animals or plants. Individual components such as rotors, generators, and other mechanical components can be installed modularly for ease of removal and inspection without the need to interrupt the entire system.

Herein is disclosed a wave power system for extracting energy from water waves. The wave power system includes a basic structure, at least one effector movably engaged with the basic structure and adapted for being moved relative to the basic structure by water waves, and an energy harvesting arrangement arranged for harvesting energy from the relative movements between the energy collector and the basic structure The basic structure is a plurality of duct sections releasable connected to each other. Conveniently, the wave power system includes several effectors.

A wave power facility (100) comprising a support structure (101) installed on the seabed (103) and a top structure (107) supported by the support structure. A plurality of wave units (1) are arranged at the sea surface (105). The wave units (1) are supported by harvest lines (113) extending between the top structure (107) and the seabed. The respective wave units (1) comprise a buoyancy part (1a) which is interchangeable between a compressed state and an expanded state.

This disclosure is directed to hydrodynamic electric generators, including their structural design, methods of deployment, anchoring systems, drive systems and control systems. The system can be scaled from ones that can be hand carried to large, stationary devices that can generate up to and greater than 20 kw in a current of 3 knots. In a stationary system, the device can be anchored to an underwater floor by an anchoring device supported by four adjustable legs. These legs can eliminate the need for extensive mooring lines, providing the device with a small footprint that is non-hazardous to marine animals or vegetation. Individual components, such as rotors, generators and other mechanical components can be modularly installed for easy removal and servicing without having to disturb the entire system.

The present invention a buoyant actuator (11) for use in a system which converts wave motion to energy. The buoyant actuator (11) comprises a body (19) which presents an exterior surface. The body (19) provides at least one first tank (23) and at least one second tank (25), whereby an upper portion (21) of the body (19) is located above a fluid surface (12) of a fluid body (13) when the buoyant actuator is in a transportation position. When in the transportation position a volume of each of the at least one first tank (23) and the at least one second tank (25) above a waterline (112) of the buoyant actuator (11) is substantially empty.

A wave power facility (100) comprising a support structure (101) installed on the seabed (103) and a top structure (107) supported by the support structure A plurality of wave units (1) are arranged at the sea surface (105). The wave units (1) are supported by harvest lines (113) extending between the top structure (107) and the seabed. The respective wave units (1) comprise a respective buoyancy part (1a) which is interchangeable between a compressed state and an expanded state.

This disclosure is directed to hydrodynamic electric generators, including their structural design, methods of deployment, anchoring systems, drive systems and control systems. The system can be scaled from ones that can be hand carried to large, stationary devices that can generate up to and greater than 20 kw in a current of 3 knots. In a stationary system, the device can be anchored to an underwater floor by an anchoring device supported by four adjustable legs. These legs can eliminate the need for extensive mooring lines, providing the device with a small footprint that is non-hazardous to marine animals or vegetation. Individual components, such as rotors, generators and other mechanical components can be modularly installed for easy removal and servicing without having to disturb the entire system.

The present disclosure, in one aspect, provides a system and method for accessing these ports by connecting the wind turbine in a sideways position during transport. Once past the obstacle and in deeper water, the turbine can be erected into an upright configuration. The system comprises a hull assembly including a plurality of outer columns, including a first outer column, a second outer column, and a third outer column, the plurality of outer columns circumscribing a central axis Y and being equally spaced about the central column.