VARIABLE CONTROL ROTOR HUB WITH SELF-CONTAINED ENERGY STORAGE RESERVOIR

Abstract

A variable control rotor hub is provided for harnessing kinetic energy of a water current flow. The hub comprises a hub body that is configured to rotate about a rotational axis, an energy storage reservoir entirely contained in the hub body, and a blade driver that is configured to effectuate rotor blade movement using energy received from the energy storage reservoir.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority and the benefit thereof from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/221,676, filed on Jun. 30, 2009, and entitled OCEAN CURRENT TURBINE AND HYDROKINETIC POWER GENERATION APPARATUSES AND RELATED METHODS, ALONG WITH MOORING & YAW ARRANGEMENTS, FURLING ROTOR DEPTH CONTROL, AND MOORING HARNESSES FOR USE THEREWITH, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. This application also claims priority and the benefit thereof from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/236,222, filed on Aug. 24, 2009, and entitled SELF-CONTAINED VARIABLE PITCH CONTROL ROTOR HUB; METHOD OF MAXIMIZING ENERGY OUTPUT AND CONTROLLING OPERATING DEPTH OF AN OCEAN CURRENT TURBINE; AND VARIABLE DEPTH HYDROPLANE SLED, the entirety of which is also hereby incorporated herein by reference. This application also claims priority and the benefit thereof from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/328,884, filed on Apr. 28, 2010, and entitled FLOODED ANCHORING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DEPLOYMENT, POSITIONING AND RECOVERY, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a method, a system and a device for generating power from the kinetic energy of a fluid current. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a variable control rotor hub with a self-contained energy storage.

2. Related Art

Kinetic energy of flowing ocean currents represents a significant source of clean renewable energy. The water in the world's oceans is constantly in motion, and in many locations there exist repeatable, consistent and rapidly moving ocean currents with speeds in excess of 1.0 meters-per-second (m/s). Such examples include the Gulf Stream, the Humboldt, the Kuroshio, the Agulhas and others. These currents have their origins in ocean thermal and salinity gradients, Coriolis forces, and other ocean thermal transport mechanisms.

These currents represent “rivers in the ocean” which lie predominantly in continental shelf areas with bottom depths in excess of 300 meters. Hydrokinetic devices configured to convert the kinetic energy of the moving water into useable electrical energy are required to operate in harsh marine environments and in some cases, significant water depths that may exert extreme pressures on the various mechanisms employed in this energy conversion process. In addition to these extreme environmental conditions, it is advantageous to control, modulate and maximize the conversion of the kinetic energy of the moving water into useable electrical energy for various operational requirements.

Equation 1 depicts the relationship between the power available (P) for extraction from a moving water current and various parameters including, fluid density (ρ), fluid velocity (V), capture area (A) and the coefficient of power (Cp).

P=½ρV3CpA  (1)

By inspecting equation 1, there appears to be several ways in which the power (P) may be controlled, modulated and/or maximized by exerting active control over one or more of the variables that constitute equation 1. Setting fluid density (ρ) aside, the capture area (A) and the coefficient of power (Cp), are parameters concerning the present disclosure.

The power coefficient has been shown to be a strong function of the blade pitch angle of a horizontal axis rotor. Changes to rotor blade pitch angle in a horizontal axis rotor may be accomplished by the use of a variable control rotor hub, by rotating one or more rotor blades about a span-wise axis thereby controlling, modulating and/or maximizing the power output level. The capture area, A, is the swept area of the rotor blades in the case of a horizontal axis rotor and the blade length may be alternately lengthened or shortened by various mechanisms to increase or decrease the rotor swept area, thereby controlling, modulating and/or maximizing the power output level.

Active control over the velocity, V, is the subject of another patent disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Dkt. No. 2056997-5007US), filed on the same date as the instant application, and entitled POWER CONTROL PROTOCOL FOR A HYDROKINETIC DEVICE INCLUDING AN ARRAY THEREOF, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

Systems have been developed for controlling rotor blade pitch angle, many of which use some form of energy to operate a blade pitch angle change mechanism. A widely employed method in use by, for example, propeller driven aircraft is the hydraulic method, wherein an available hydraulic system onboard the aircraft forces oil or another fluid through small passages or tubes from a fixed generator (engine) side through a main rotor shaft to a propeller hub seated piston type mechanism, which actuates a lever attached to each propeller blade to accomplish the necessary blade pitch angle changes. Other methods and systems for controlling rotor blade pitch angle include various electric systems, wherein electrical energy to effectuate the blade pitch angle change is provided from a generator-side electrical system and transferred through to a rotating hub-side by means of slip rings or brushes.

Mechanical systems for controlling blade pitch angle are also common, including a simple pushrod which is actuated from a generator-side that acts through a hollow main rotor shaft to pivot one or more rotor blade shank levers. Other mechanical systems may use, for example, a bearing ring to transfer motion from a device mounted on the generator-side to the rotating hub-side for blade pitch angle changing purposes.

Systems have also been developed for controlling rotor blade length, many of which use some form of energy to operate a blade lengthening or shortening mechanism. Devices which appear to provide for blade lengthening or shortening include U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,972,498 and 7,582,977.

The afore-noted systems share several disadvantages, the most significant of which is a requirement to transfer requisite energy for blade length or pitch angle change from a fixed generator-side to a rotating hub-side, thus making rotor hub operation significantly more complex and failure prone. Further, these systems are generally not designed to withstand high pressure depths or to withstand harsh marine environments.

An unfulfilled need exists for a variable control rotor hub that is configured to be operationally simple and self contained, and where the hub does not require energy for blade length or pitch angle changes to be supplied from the fixed generator side through complex and failure prone mechanisms. Additionally, there exists an unfulfilled need for a self-contained variable control rotor hub that can operate in harsh marine environments, including a fully flooded interior hub compartment that may routinely experience the extreme pressures associated with operation at great depths.

The present disclosure provides a method, a system and a hydrokinetic device that harnesses the kinetic energy of flowing water currents to provide clean, renewable energy, as well as a variable control rotor hub with a self-contained energy storage reservoir, a method for operating the variable control rotor hub and system comprising the variable control rotor hub.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A method, a system, and a hydrokinetic device are provided for harnessing the kinetic energy of flowing water currents to provide clean, renewable energy.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a variable control rotor hub is provided, which comprises: a hub body that is configured to rotate about a rotational axis; an energy storage reservoir entirely contained in the hub body; and a blade driver that is configured to effectuate rotor blade movement using energy received from the energy storage reservoir. The rotor blade movement may include rotor blade pitch angle changes or rotor blade length changes. The energy storage reservoir may be substantially continuously resupplied with energy from an internal energy supply source. The energy storage reservoir may be periodically resupplied with energy from an external energy supply source. The internal energy supply source may comprise a secondary power generator and an impeller. The energy storage reservoir may comprise at least one of: a battery; and a compressed gas storage. The communication signal may comprise an audible chirp command.

The hub may further comprise: an onboard hub controller that controls the flow of energy from the energy storage reservoir to the blade driver; a communicator that is configured to receive a communication signal from an external source; an external mechanical switch that initiates adjustment of rotor blade pitch angles to disengage an ambient current flow; or a torsion spring that returns a rotor blade to a fully feathered pitch angle position. The blade driver may comprise: a plurality of air chambers that are flooded with ambient to return a rotor blade to a fully feathered rotor blade pitch angle.

The hub may further comprise a rotor blade pitch angle rate of change limiter that limits the rate of rotation of a rotor blade; a replacement cartridge.

The hub may further comprise an other energy storage reservoir, wherein the other energy storage reservoir is located within a hollow area of a blade spare, and wherein said energy storage reservoir is located in a centerline of the hub body.

The hub may further comprise a rotary encoder located on or proximate to a rotor blade, wherein the rotary encoder is configured to sense and indicate a pitch angle of the rotor blade.

According to a further aspect of the disclosure, a hub is provided for harnessing kinetic energy from a water current and transferring the energy to an onboard power generator. The hub comprises: a hub body that is rotatable about a rotational axis; a plurality of rotor blades that are coupleable to the hub body, each of the plurality of rotor blades being configured to rotate about a respective blade axis that is substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis; an energy storage reservoir entirely containable within the hub body; and a blade driver that is configured to effectuate rotation of the plurality of rotor blades about said rotational axis and to effectuate substantially linear movement of each of said plurality of rotor blades along said respective blade axis. The blade driver may be configured to receive energy from the energy storage reservoir.

A hydrokinetic device may be provided for harnessing kinetic energy from a water current and transferring the energy to an onboard power generator. The hydrokinetic device includes a hub that comprises: a hub body that is rotatable about a rotational axis; a plurality of rotor blades that are coupleable to the hub body, each of the plurality of rotor blades being configured to rotate about a respective blade axis that is substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis; an energy storage reservoir entirely containable within the hub body; and a blade driver that is configured to effectuate rotation of the plurality of rotor blades about said rotational axis and to effectuate substantially linear movement of each of said plurality of rotor blades along said respective blade axis. The external source may comprise: an onboard main controller located on a generator side of the hydrokinetic device; an onboard main controller located in an other hydrokinetic device; or a communicator located on a vessel.

According to a still further aspect of the disclosure, a hub rotatable about a rotational axis is provided for harnessing kinetic energy from a water current and transferring the energy to an onboard power generator. The hub comprises: a plurality of rotor blades that are coupleable to a hub body, each of the plurality of rotor blades being configured to rotate about a respective blade axis that is substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis; an energy storage reservoir entirely containable within the hub body; and a blade driver that is configured to effectuate rotation of the plurality of rotor blades about said rotational axis and to effectuate substantially linear movement of each of said plurality of rotor blades along said respective blade axis.

Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the disclosure may be set forth or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description and drawings. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the disclosure, the following detailed description and drawings are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE EXHIBITS

The accompanying attachments, including drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the detailed description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. No attempt is made to show structural details of the disclosure in more detail than may be necessary for a fundamental understanding of the disclosure and the various ways in which it may be practiced. In the exhibits:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an example of a hydrokinetic device, according to principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 2A shows a rear view of the hydrokinetic device of FIG. 1 with each of a plurality of blades configured in a fully engaged operational pitch angle position;

FIG. 2B shows the rear view of the hydrokinetic device of FIG. 1 with each of the plurality of blades configured in the fully disengaged non-operational pitch angle position, with blade trailing edges pointing upstream;

FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of an example of a variable control rotor hub;

FIG. 4 shows an example of a process that may be carried out by a variable control rotor hub to change a pitch angle and/or blade length of each of a plurality of rotor blades, according to principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 shows a detailed view of another example of a variable control rotor hub, according to principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 6A shows an example of a dual rim spoke hub, according to principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 6B shows a detailed view of a blade driver in FIG. 6A in a non-operational fully feathered position, according to principles of the disclosure; and

FIG. 6C shows a detailed view of a blade driver in FIG. 6A in an operational position, according to principles of the disclosure; and

FIG. 7 shows an example of a rotor blade lengthening mechanism, according to principles of the disclosure.

The present disclosure is further described in the detailed description that follows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The embodiments of the disclosure and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments and examples that are described and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. It should be noted that the features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and features of one embodiment may be employed with other embodiments as the skilled artisan would recognize, even if not explicitly stated herein. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques may be omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments of the disclosure. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the disclosure may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, the examples and embodiments herein should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure, which is defined solely by the appended claims and applicable law. Moreover, it is noted that like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

A “computer”, as used in this disclosure, means any machine, device, circuit, component, or module, or any system of machines, devices, circuits, components, modules, or the like, which are capable of manipulating data according to one or more instructions, such as, for example, without limitation, a processor, a microprocessor, a central processing unit, a general purpose computer, a super computer, a personal computer, a laptop computer, a palmtop computer, a notebook computer, a desktop computer, a workstation computer, a server, or the like, or an array of processors, microprocessors, central processing units, general purpose computers, super computers, personal computers, laptop computers, palmtop computers, notebook computers, desktop computers, workstation computers, servers, or the like. Further, the computer may include an electronic device configured to communicate over a communication link. The electronic device may include, for example, but is not limited to, a mobile telephone, a personal data assistant (PDA), a mobile computer, a stationary computer, a smart phone, mobile station, user equipment, or the like.

A “network,” as used in this disclosure, means an arrangement of two or more communication links. A network may include, for example, the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a personal area network (PAN), a campus area network, a corporate area network, a global area network (GAN), a broadband area network (BAN), marine acoustic network (MANET), any combination of the foregoing, or the like. The network may be configured to communicate data via a wireless and/or a wired communication medium. The network may include any one or more of the following topologies, including, for example, a point-to-point topology, a bus topology, a linear bus topology, a distributed bus topology, a star topology, an extended star topology, a distributed star topology, a ring topology, a mesh topology, a tree topology, or the like.

A “communication link”, as used in this disclosure, means a wired, wireless and/or acoustic medium that conveys data or information between at least two points. The wired or wireless medium may include, for example, a metallic conductor link, a radio frequency (RF) communication link, an Infrared (IR) communication link, an optical communication link, or the like, without limitation. The RF communication link may include, for example, WiFi, WiMAX, IEEE 802.11, DECT, 0G, 1G, 2G, 3G or 4G cellular standards, Bluetooth, or the like.

The terms “including”, “comprising” and variations thereof, as used in this disclosure, mean “including, but not limited to”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used in this disclosure, means “one or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

Devices that are in communication with each other need not be in continuous communication with each other, unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices that are in communication with each other may communicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.

Although process steps, method steps, algorithms, or the like, may be described in a sequential order, such processes, methods and algorithms may be configured to work in alternate orders. In other words, any sequence or order of steps that may be described does not necessarily indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in that order. The steps of the processes, methods or algorithms described herein may be performed in any order practical. Further, some steps may be performed simultaneously.

When a single device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that more than one device or article may be used in place of a single device or article. Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that a single device or article may be used in place of the more than one device or article. The functionality or the features of a device may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devices which are not explicitly described as having such functionality or features.

A “computer-readable medium”, as used in this disclosure, means any medium that participates in providing data (for example, instructions) which may be read by a computer. Such a medium may take many forms, including non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media may include, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other persistent memory. Volatile media may include dynamic random access memory (DRAM). Transmission media may include coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise a system bus coupled to the processor. Transmission media may include or convey acoustic waves, light waves and electromagnetic emissions, such as those generated during radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) data communications. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any other medium from which a computer can read.

Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying sequences of instructions to a computer. For example, sequences of instruction (i) may be delivered from a RAM to a processor, (ii) may be carried over a wireless transmission medium, and/or (iii) may be formatted according to numerous formats, standards or protocols, including, for example, WiFi, WiMAX, IEEE 802.11, DECT, 0G, 1G, 2G, 3G or 4G cellular standards, Bluetooth, or the like.

According to principles of the disclosure, a variable control rotor 109 is provided that may be used, for example, in a hydrokinetic device 100, to harness the kinetic energy of a fluid current, such as, for example, an ocean current, a river current, a tidal current, or the like, and drive a power generator. Electrical energy generated by the power generator may be routed to, for example, neighboring hydrokinetic devices 100 or one or more stations (not shown) located in (or on) the water, or on (or in) land, to collect the electrical energy from the hydrokinetic device 100 prior to transmitting the electricity to, for example, a utility grid, which may be located on water or land. The one or more electric stations may include a computer (not shown) and a communicator (not shown). The communicator may include, for example, a transmitter, a receiver, or a transceiver (i.e., a transmitter and receiver). The electrical energy may be transmitted via electrical cables (not shown), which may be attached to, for example, the mooring cables 103 and routed to the neighboring devices 100, or to the one or more stations.

Furthermore, communication signals may be sent between the one or more stations (not shown) and the hydrokinetic device 100, as well as between hydrokinetic devices 100 that may be located in, for example, a patterned deployment array (not shown). The communication signals may be carried via communication links between a station and the hydrokinetic device 100 and/or communication links between the hydrokinetic devices 100 themselves. Each of the one or more stations and/or the hydrokinetic devices 100 may be coupled to a network.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a hydrokinetic device 100 with a variable control rotor hub 109 configured in accordance with the principles of the disclosure. The hydrokinetic device 100 includes a hull 101, the rotor 109, an aft mounted electrical generator (not shown), a keel 105, a keel cylinder 111, a harness 102, and a drag inducer 112. The hydrokinetic device 100 may include an onboard main controller, referred to as the THOR controller 126 and an onboard main communicator 127. The main communicator 127 may include, for example, a transmitter, a receiver, or a transceiver (i.e., a transmitter and receiver). The hydrokinetic device 100 may include one or more sensors (not shown) for detecting ambient conditions, such as, for example, water temperature, pressure, depth, proximity of objects (such as, for example, of other hydrokinetic devices, mammals, fish, vessels, and the like), speed and/or direction of water current flow, and the like. Further, the rotor 109 may include an onboard hub controller, referred to as the THOR hub controller 123 and a hub communicator 124. The hub communicator 124 may include, for example, a transmitter, a receiver, or a transceiver (i.e., a transmitter and receiver). The THOR controller 126 and THOR hub controller 123 may each include a computer (not shown). The hydrokinetic device 100 may be secured to a surface 110 (for example, a sea bed, a river bed, or the like) via one or more mooring cables 103 attached to respective one or more anchors 104, which may be located on, affixed to, or buried under the surface 110.

The hydrokinetic device 100 may include the hydrokinetic device disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Dkt. No. 2056997-5004US), filed on the same date as the instant application, and entitled PITCH, ROLL AND DRAG STABILIZATION OF A TETHERED HYDROKINETIC DEVICE, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

The hydrokinetic device 100 may be retained in the water by a mooring system, such as, for example, the mooring system described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Dkt. No. 2056997-5006US), filed on the same date as the instant application, and entitled MOORING SYSTEM FOR A TETHERED HYDROKINETIC DEVICE AND AN ARRAY THEREOF, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

The hull 101 may include a main pressure vessel, which may provide the main source of buoyancy for the hydrokinetic device 100. For example, the hull 101 may include one or more interior ballast tanks (not shown) that can be alternately flooded or purged with water to adjust the net weight, as well as the location of the center of gravity of the hydrokinetic device 100. The flooding/purging of the ballast tanks may be carried out by, for example, onboard pumps that are configured to operate under the control of the main controller (not shown).

The rotor 109 includes a downstream horizontal axis rotor having a plurality of rotor blades 107 connected to a variable control hub 108. The variable control hub 108 may be connected to the aft mounted electrical generator (not shown), which may be employed in the production of electricity (or electrical energy). As noted earlier, the hub 108 may include the THOR hub controller 123 and the hub communicator 124.

During operation and the production of electrical energy, the variable control rotor hub 108 may rotate about a main rotational axis 115 and the rotor blades 107 may rotate about their span-wise axis 212 (shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B), thereby changing the pitch angle of the rotor blades 107. The rotor blade 107 pitch angle changes provide a number of operational advantages for the hub 108 and such advantages are well known to those skilled in the art. The rotor blades 107 may be pitched to a fully engaged operational pitch angle condition, thereby engaging the water current flow and causing rotation of the rotor 108 and subsequent electrical energy production. The rotor blades 107 may be pitched to a disengaged fully feathered non-operational pitch angle condition, causing rotational stoppage of hub 108 and thereby ceasing electrical production. The rotor blades 107 may be pitched to an interim pitch angle condition, which may facilitate partial electrical energy production and/or power modulation.

The pitch angle position of each of the blades 107 may be controlled and adjusted by the THOR hub controller 123 and a blade driver 125. The THOR controller 126 and the THOR huh controller 123 may be powered by, for example, one or more onboard, rechargeable electrical energy storage unit (not shown), such as, for example, rechargeable Li-ion batteries, or the like, which may be located in the hull 101 and/or the hub 108. The blade driver 125 may be driven by energy sourced from, for example, an onboard energy storage reservoir 122, which may be contained entirely within the hub 108.

Communication signals may be issued from, for example, the THOR controller 126, of another hydrokinetic device 100, a station, a vessel, or the like, and sent to the hub communicator 124 located in hub 108 via a communication link. The hub controller 123 may respond by operating the blade driver 125 (for example, opening (or closing) control valves 322, shown in FIG. 3), controlling electric drive units 422, shown in FIG. 5), or the like) and releasing a portion of the energy stored within the energy storage reservoir (such as, for example, an energy storage reservoir 505, shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C). The released energy may be harnessed and used by the blade driver 125 to effectuate rotor blade pitch angle changes to the rotor blades 107. The blade driver 125 may include, for example, one or more pneumatically driven actuators, one or more electrical actuators or servos, or any other mechanism that is capable of converting energy to mechanical movement. During operation of the hub 108, the energy required to effectuate rotor blade pitch angle changes of the rotor blades 107 may be sourced from only the energy storage reservoir 122, which is contained entirely within hub 108. According to principles of the instant disclosure, no energy is transferred between the fixed generator side 120 and the rotating hub side 121 to effectuate rotor blade pitch angle changes during operation of the rotor 108.

In the event of a communications failure between the onboard communicator 127 and the huh communicator 124, a deployable mechanical switch (not shown) located on the body side may be actuated by the THOR controller 126 to extend over the body/hub gap 120/121 thereby engaging a mechanical switch (not shown) located on the hub side. If the mechanical switch is triggered, the THOR hub controller 123 may cause the rotor blades 107 to change pitch angles to the fully feathered non-operational condition (and/or shorten to the maximum extent possible as described with reference to FIG. 7), thereby causing rotational stoppage of the rotor 109.

FIG. 2A shows a rear view of the hydrokinetic device 100 (referenced as 200) with each of the plurality of blades 107 (referenced as 207) configured in the fully engaged operational pitch angle position.

FIG. 2B shows the rear view of the hydrokinetic device 200 (or 100) with each of the plurality of blades 207 (or 107) configured in the fully disengaged non-operational pitch angle position, with blade trailing edges pointing upstream.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the rotor blades 207 are capable of setting at any pitch angle by rotation about the blade span-wise axis 212. As noted earlier, the rotation of the rotor blades 207 is sourced from one or more energy storage reservoirs that are self-contained within the hub 108 (referenced as 208) and effectuated by the blade driver (not shown), which converts the energy received from the energy storage reservoirs to mechanical movement to cause the rotor blades 207 to rotate and the rotor blade pitch angle to change. In this example, the fixed generator side of the hydrokinetic device 200 is denoted by an arrow 215 and the rotating hub side of the hydrokinetic device 200 is denoted by an arrow 216. According to principles of the instant disclosure, no energy is transferred between the fixed generator side 215 and rotating hub side 216 to effectuate rotor blade pitch angle changes during operation of the rotor 208.

FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of an example of a variable control rotor hub 308, which may be included in the rotor 109 of the hydrokinetic device 100, according to principles of the disclosure. Flub 308 includes an energy storage reservoir 320 and a blade driver that includes a plurality of actuators 321 and a regulator 322. The energy storage reservoir 320 may include, for example, a compressed gas reservoir, or the like. The actuators 321 may include, for example, rotary pneumatic cylinders, or the like. The regulator 322 may include, for example, a gas regulator valve, or the like. In the example shown in FIG. 3, which includes a compressed gas system 320, 321, 322, energy may be resupplied to the energy storage reservoir 320 on a periodic basis by a new detachably interchangeable cartridge (not shown), by a high pressure conduit from an external source during rotor stoppage events, or the like.

Additionally, the hub 308 may include a compressor (not shown) that is configured to recharge the energy storage reservoir 320 anytime that the hydrokinetic device 100 may have access to a gaseous environment, such as above the water surface. Alternately, an electrolysis device may be included in hub 308 to separate available water into hydrogen and oxygen which may be compressed and used to recharge the energy storage reservoir 320.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a process 450 that may be carried out by the hub 108 (or 208, or 308) to change a pitch angle and/or a blade length of each of the rotor blades 307, according to principles of the disclosure. Referring to FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 3 and 4 concurrently, the hub 308 rotates about a primary axis 325 with the rotor blades 307 pitched to an operational condition during operation of the hydrokinetic device 100. A communication signal, which may include, for example, an audible or a wireless command, may be issued by, for example, the THOR controller 126 located in the hydrokinetic device 100, a nearby surface vessel or other remote source and received by the hub communicator 124 and THOR hub controller 123 (Step 452). The communication may include, for example, an audible “chirp” command that is issued from a surface vessel.

The THOR hub controller 123 may determine whether the communication signal includes a command to adjust the pitch angle of the rotor blades 307 (Step 454) and/or a command to adjust the blade length of the rotor blades 307 (Step 453). If a determination is made to adjust the pitch angle of the rotor blades 307 (YES at Step 454), then the THOR hub controller 123 may control the regulator valve 322 to open and allow the flow of compressed gas from the energy storage reservoir 320 to the actuators 321, causing rotor blades 307 to pitch to a fully feathered or other blade pitch angle condition (Step 456), otherwise the THOR hub controller 123 continues to listen or detect for a communication signal (NO at Step 454). In this regard, the regulator valve 322 may be configured to meter the gas flow rate to control the rate of change of the blade pitch angle. The actuators 321 may include, for example, rotary encoders to measure the blade pitch angle at any moment and provide this information via communication signaling to the onboard main controller, other hydrokinetic devices 100, the station (not shown), and/or the like.

If a determination is made to adjust the blade length of the rotor blades 307 (YES at Step 453), then the THOR hub controller 123 may control the blade driver (such as, for example, discussed below with reference to FIG. 7) to adjust the length of the blades 307 to extend or retract (Step 455), otherwise the THOR huh controller 123 continues to listen or detect for a communication signal (NO at Step 453). In this regard, the blade driver may be configured to meter the blade extension (or retraction) rate to control the rate of change of the blade length. The blade driver may include, for example, a linear encoder to measure the blade length at any moment and provide this information via communication signaling to the onboard THOR controller 127, other hydrokinetic devices 100, the station (not shown), or the like.

Although the sub-processes of determining (Step 453) and adjusting (Step 455) blade length and determining (Step 454) and adjusting (Step 456) blade pitch angle are shown and discussed above as being carried out substantially simultaneously, the subprocesses may, instead, be carried out in series, as will appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a computer readable medium may be provided that includes a computer program with a plurality of code sections (or segments) tangibly embodied therein. The computer program may include a code section for each of the Steps 452 through 456 in the process 450. When executed on, for example, the onboard hub controller (not shown) in the hub 308, the computer program may cause the reception of a communication signal (Step 452), determination of whether to adjust a pitch angle of the rotor blades 307 (Step 454) and/or a blade length of the rotor blades 307 (Step 453), an adjustment of the pitch angle of each of the rotor blades 307 (Step 456) and/or an adjustment of the blade length of each of the rotor blades 307 (Step 455). It is noted that the determination process (Steps 453 or 454) may be omitted and the adjustment of the blade length (Step 455) and/or pitch angle (Step 456) be carried out for each of the rotor blades 307 based on the received communication signal.

In the example of the hub 108 shown in FIG. 3, the energy storage reservoir 320 is shown centered about the primary rotational axis 325 of the rotor hub 308. It is noted, however, that any other location that would not cause unbalancing of the hub 308 when rotating may be feasible, including three separate reservoirs (not shown), each located in a blade root area of the rotor blades 307. Further, the energy storage reservoir 320 may be detachably interchangeable and may be replaced by a fully charged reservoir container from time to time; or, the energy storage reservoir 320 may be filled with a high pressure gas from an external source such as, for example, may be available on a surface vessel during routine maintenance. It may also be possible to pitch the rotor blades 307 to a fully feathered condition (or fully disengaged non-operational position) and halt the rotation of the rotor 109, extend a high pressure gas conduit from a source located on the fixed generator side 215 and recharge the energy storage reservoir 320 in the hub 308 prior to continued operations of the hub 308. Periodically, the hub controller in hub 308 may send communication signals to the main controller, the station, the vessel, and/or the like, which includes informational updates, such as, for example, the amount of energy remaining within the energy storage reservoir 320, or the like.

The hub 308 may be flooded with water and exposed to large pressure depths, since the compressed gas system 320, 321, 322 components may be configured to reject the presence of water and pressure.

Further, the pitch angle of each of the rotor blades 307 may be controlled and positioned independently and at different pitch angles. A plurality of energy storage reservoirs 320 may be included in the hub 108, as well as, for example, a plurality of regulator valves 322. Additionally, a separate energy storage reservoir (not shown) which is distinct from the energy storage reservoir 320 may be contained within the interior of hub 308 and in the event of failure or loss in pressure of the energy storage reservoir 320, the separate energy storage reservoir (not shown) may provide energy to effectuate the mechanical movement and rotate the rotor blades 307 to, for example, a fully feathered non-operational condition.

FIG. 5 shows a detailed view of another example of a variable control rotor hub 408, which may be included in the rotor 109 of the hydrokinetic device 100 (or 200), according to principles of the disclosure. As seen, the hub 408 includes an energy storage reservoir 420, a plurality of electric servos 421, and an electrical drive unit 422. The energy storage reservoir 420 may include one or more batteries, which are encapsulated in a hermitically sealed pressure vessel 419. The THOR hub controller (not shown) and communicator (not shown) may be located in, for example, the electrical drive unit 422, which may further include one or more switches and/or relays. The THOR hub controller may be configured to control the flow of electrical energy from the energy storage reservoir 420 to the electric servos 421 to effectuate and control movement of the rotor blades 407. The electrical drive unit 422 may further include, for example, electromagnetic telemetry transducers, acoustic transducers, and/or mechanical switching transducers.

The hub 408 may further include a secondary power generator 411 and impeller 412. The secondary power generator 411 may include, for example, a trickle charge generator, and the impeller 412 may include a water flow scavenging impeller. The secondary power generator 411 may be driven by the impeller 412. The secondary power generator 411 and impeller 412 may be completely housed within the variable control rotor hub. Given the much smaller diameter of the impeller 412 versus the diameter of the rotor blades 407, the impeller 412 will rotate at a much higher rates of rotation than the hub 408, while the impeller 412 and secondary power generator 411 themselves rotate with the hub 408. The impeller 412 may be provided with an annular inlet 414 which enables low energy boundary layer current flow to be captured, which would otherwise be considered an energy loss in the entire system, and kinetic energy recovered as electrical energy by the secondary power generator 411 and used as a power source to resupply energy to the energy storage reservoir 420.

The process 450 described above with references to FIGS. 3 and 4 is equally applicable to the hub 408, shown in FIG. 5.

Alternatively, the secondary power generator 411 and impeller 412 may be any other mechanism that is capable of generating energy to recharge the energy storage reservoir 320, including, for example, energy derived from salinity gradients or temperature gradients that may be prevalent given the frequent depth changes associated with the operation of the hydrokinetic device 100. Energy resupply to the energy storage reservoir 320 may also be accomplished by, for example, a photovoltaic mechanism or by replacing the depleted energy storage reservoir 320 with a recharged energy storage reservoir.

Further, the hub 408 (or 108, 208, 308, or 501) may include torsion springs that return the rotor blades 407 to a rotor blade pitch angle that corresponds to the fully feathered non-operational condition (or fully disengaged non-operational position) in the event of failure in the compressed gas system, or electrical system. Additionally, the hub 408 may include actuators, in addition to the torsion springs, that have air chambers that can be flooded with ambient water to return rotor blades 407 to rotor blade pitch angles in the fully feathered condition in the event of failure in the compressed gas system or electrical system. The torsion springs or air chambers may also be activated by the mechanical switch (not shown) located on the hub side 121 (shown in FIG. 1), which is configured to be triggered by the deployable mechanic switch (not shown) located on the body side 120 (shown in FIG. 1), described earlier.

Furthermore, the hub 408 (or 108, 208, 308, or 501) may rotor blade pitch angle rate of change limiters, including release valves on, for example, a two way pneumatic cylinder to control the rate of change of the blade pitch angle for each of the rotor blades 407.

The hub 408 (or 108, 208, 308, or 501) may include, for example, compressed gas reservoir pressure vessel replacement cartridges that may be used to recharge or replace the energy storage reservoirs.

According to principles of the disclosure, the energy storage reservoirs may be located in the hollow area of each blade spar in addition to a location on the hub centerline in the hub 408 (or 108, 208, 308, or 501).

The station and/or grid may each include a computer (not shown) that is communicatively coupled via one or more communicators, one or more communication links and, optionally, a network to a plurality of hydrokinetic devices 100. The computer may be configured to remotely monitor and control each of the hydrokinetic devices 100.

FIG. 6A shows an example of a dual rim spoke hub 501, according to principles of the disclosure. The hub 501 includes a variable control rotor hub with a plurality of energy storage reservoirs 505, a plurality of associated energy converters 503 that convert the energy received from each of the energy storage reservoirs 505 to energy used by the blade drivers 502 to effectuate rotor blade pitch angle changes of the rotor blades 507, and a plurality of associated energy flow controllers (not shown) that control the flow of energy from each of the plurality of energy storage reservoirs to the blade drivers.

FIGS. 6B and 6C show detailed views of the blade driver in FIG. 6A. In FIG. 6B, an example of the rotor blade shank area is shown with the rotor blades 507 configured in a fully feathered, non-operational condition (or a fully disengaged non-operational position). In FIG. 6C, an example of the rotor blade shank area is shown with the rotor blades 507 configured in the fully engaged operational position.

As seen in FIGS. 6B and 6C, each of the rotor blades 507 may be connected to the dual rim structure 501 and the blade driver 502, which may include, for example, a rotor blade shank lever. The blade driver 502 may be connected to the energy converter 503, which may include, for example, a linear pneumatic cylinder that derives the requisite energy required to rotate the rotor blades 507 to a determined pitch angle from the energy storage reservoir 505, which may include, for example, a storage gas cylinder.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a blade driver that may be included in the hub 108 to lengthen or shorten, for example, one or more telescoping rotor blades 435. Further to the disclosure provided above with reference to FIGS. 1-5, the blade driver may include, for example, a winch mechanism 430, a winch cable 431, and a winch pulley 432 that is attached to a telescoping rotor blade element 433 that may be extended or retracted as indicated by reference arrow 434 to vary the rotor blade length, thereby changing the rotor swept area, thus allowing control, modulation and/or maximization of the power output level. As with previous descriptions, the energy required to effectuate the mechanical movement of the rotor blade lengthening and shortening may be sourced entirely from the self contained energy storage reservoir 420 located in the variable control rotor hub 408.

Additionally (or alternatively), the blade driver may include pneumatic, hydraulic, gear-driven mechanisms, or the like, to extend or retract the telescoping rotor blade element 433, as understood by those having ordinary skill in the art.

The present disclosure provides a hydrokinetic device with a simplified power train that reduces complexity, and eliminates potential sources of failure which become ever more important in remote deep water harsh marine environments where access for maintenance may be complicated and problematic. For example, the hub 108 may be configured to operate and supply the energy required for rotor blade pitch angle changes and rotor blade length changes from an energy storage reservoir completely self contained within hub 108, thus eliminating the requirement to transfer energy from the fixed body to the rotating hub using complex failure prone mechanisms and further providing advantages, such as, for example, reliable operation, resistance to a “wet” hub operating environment where the presence of seawater within the hub 108 enclosure does not complicate or compromise operation, and accommodation of the extreme pressures associated with operating at great depths, since the self-contained energy storage reservoir and other components may be housed within a separate pressure vessel, such as, for example, a compressed gas cylinder or the like located entirely within hub 108. The wet hub allows for the elimination of failure prone seals that may be required if the interior space of the hub needed a dry operating environment.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the methods described herein are intended for operation as software programs running on a computer. Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to, application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement the methods described herein. Furthermore, alternative software implementations including, but not limited to, distributed processing or component/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also be constructed to implement the methods described herein.

Although the present specification describes components and functions implemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standards and protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards and protocols. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocols having the same functions are considered equivalent.

While the disclosure has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure can be practiced with modifications in the spirit and scope of the appended claims. These examples given above are merely illustrative and are not meant to be an exhaustive list of all possible designs, embodiments, applications or modifications of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A variable control rotor hub, comprising:

a hub body that is configured to rotate about a rotational axis;

an energy storage reservoir entirely contained in the hub body; and

a blade driver that is configured to effectuate rotor blade movement using energy received from the energy storage reservoir.

2. The hub according the claim 1, wherein said movement includes rotor blade pitch angle changes or rotor blade length changes.

3. The hub according to claim 1, further comprising:

an onboard huh controller that controls the flow of energy from the energy storage reservoir to the blade driver.

4. The hub according to claim 1, further comprising:

a communicator that is configured to receive a communication signal from an external source.

5. The hub according to claim 1, wherein the energy storage reservoir is substantially continuously resupplied with energy from an internal energy supply source.

6. The hub according to claim 5, wherein the internal energy supply source comprises a secondary power generator and an impeller.

7. The hub according to claim 1, wherein the energy storage reservoir is periodically resupplied with energy from an external energy supply source.

8. The hub according to claim 1, further comprising:

an external mechanical switch that initiates adjustment of rotor blade pitch angles to disengage an ambient current flow.

9. The hub according to claim 1, further comprising:

a torsion spring that returns a rotor blade to a fully feathered pitch angle position.

10. The hub according to claim 1, wherein the energy storage reservoir comprises at least one of a battery; and

a compressed gas storage.

11. The hub according to claim 9, wherein the blade driver comprises:

a plurality of air chambers that are flooded with ambient to return a rotor blade to a fully feathered rotor blade pitch angle.

12. The hub according to claim 1, further comprising:

a rotor blade pitch angle rate of change limiter that limits the rate of rotation of a rotor blade; or

a replacement cartridge.

13. The hub according to claim 1, further comprising:

an other energy storage reservoir,

wherein the other energy storage reservoir is located within a hollow area of a blade spare, and

wherein said energy storage reservoir is located in a centerline of the hub body.

14. The hub according to claim 4, wherein the communication signal comprises an audible chirp command.

15. The hub according to claim 1, further comprising:

a rotary encoder located on or proximate to a rotor blade, wherein the rotary encoder is configured to sense and indicate a pitch angle of the rotor blade.

16. A hub for harnessing kinetic energy from a water current and transferring the energy to an onboard power generator, comprising:

a hub body that is rotatable about a rotational axis;

a plurality of rotor blades that are coupleable to the hub body, each of the plurality of rotor blades being configured to rotate about a respective blade axis that is substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis;

an energy storage reservoir entirely containable within the hub body; and

a blade driver that is configured to effectuate rotation of the plurality of rotor blades about said rotational axis and to effectuate substantially linear movement of each of said plurality of rotor blades along said respective blade axis.

17. The hub according to claim 16, wherein the blade driver is configured to receive energy from the energy storage reservoir.

18. A hydrokinetic device comprising the hub according to claim 16, the hub further comprising:

a communicator that is configured to receive a communication signal from an external source.

19. The hub according to claim 18, wherein the external source comprises:

an onboard main controller located on a generator side of the hydrokinetic device;

an onboard main controller located in an other hydrokinetic device; or

a communicator located on a vessel.

20. A hub rotatable about a rotational axis for harnessing kinetic energy from a water current and transferring the energy to an onboard power generator, comprising:

a plurality of rotor blades that are coupleable to a hub body, each of the plurality of rotor blades being configured to rotate about a respective blade axis that is substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis;

an energy storage reservoir entirely containable within the hub body; and

a blade driver that is configured to effectuate rotation of the plurality of rotor blades about said rotational axis and to effectuate substantially linear movement of each of said plurality of rotor blades along said respective blade axis.