Buoyant Hub Or Rim Patents (Class 416/86)
  • Patent number: 10851758
    Abstract: An energy system including a turbine wheel totally submerge including a rotary element and a wheel mounting enclosure. The wheel mounting enclosure including a cavity where a rotary element rest on said mounting enclosure exposing the upper end to the flowing body of fluid it is submerged. The wheel mounting enclosure comprising several configurations such as a tapered base for increasing the incident flow velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Inventor: Jose Ramon Santana
  • Patent number: 10690119
    Abstract: The generation of electricity is described, using an offshore wind turbine. A generating sub-assembly 101 is supported by support mechanism (103) upon a support structure 102. The generating sub-assembly has a wind-responsive turbine and an electrical generator. The support structure includes a buoyancy portion (106) for submersion in water and a mast portion (108) extending from said buoyancy portion to extend the generating sub-assembly above the waterline. The support structure is buoyant and is free to roll when floating in water and the support mechanism is hinged to allow the generating sub-assembly to maintain an operational angle during the rolling of the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Windbuoyy AG
    Inventor: Houman Taheri Amlashi
  • Patent number: 10035574
    Abstract: A watercraft propulsion system for moving a watercraft along a waterway having a bottom and a surface, wherein the watercraft presents a port side and a starboard side. The watercraft propulsion system comprises a boom assembly having a proximal end and a distal end, with the proximal end being rotatably coupled with the watercraft. The watercraft additionally comprises a wheel mounted to the distal end of the boom. The wheel includes at least one generally radially-extending blade assembly, with the blade assembly comprising a primary blade and a secondary blade. The secondary blade extends at an angle with respect to the primary blade so as to present a fluid channel between the primary blade and the secondary blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Liquid Waste Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Shawn Montgomery, Kurtis Michael Syverson, Brian John Lindahl, Todd Alan Zuberbier, Ryan Patrick Horton, Michael Todd Young
  • Patent number: 9908602
    Abstract: A water bike apparatus powered by at least human energy or a motor and comprising motion-inducing flotation elements with steering elements and with no stationary flotation elements necessary for flotation of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventor: Mounir Njah
  • Patent number: 9243605
    Abstract: A power generating and floating plant (100) over a natural river, a man-made canal or similar for the generation of electricity that comprises: a floating platform (102) of the Catamaran type with pontoons (112) that speed up the flow rate (300) entering into a turbine; a metal grill (113) between said pontoons (112) before the turbine; at least one turbine with a central shaft (103), wherein said turbine comprises a water wheel (101) with curved vanes (410) and at least two supporting disks (400), where said curved vanes (410) rest, and where said supporting disks (400) comprise a plurality of radial and concentric holes (402); and a low-engine speed, permanent magnet generator (105).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Asociacion de Canalistas Sociedad del Canal del Maipo
    Inventor: Fernando Figueroa Nuñez
  • Publication number: 20140219800
    Abstract: The present invention relates to various types of power generation apparatuses and ship propelling apparatuses including a buoyancy body as well as wing portions thereto, which include wing frames with a multistage, lattice web structure foldable and rollable wings which are connected to the wing frames, wherein the power generation apparatus includes a submersible buoyancy body which has one closed end and the other open end as well as a buoyancy space formed therein, a rotary body which is rotatably connected inside the submersible buoyancy body and has a first wing portion mounted on the other end thereof, and a power generation means which is disposed between the submersible buoyancy body and the rotary body to generate electricity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: Seong-Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 8794904
    Abstract: A water wheel impeller blade type electric power generating apparatus with which, on the forward motion side, the hydraulic pressure applied to the impeller blade is reduces, and the mud, sand, dirt, and the like will not be collected into the water wheel. The impeller blade is rotatably disposed on the rotor, and has a stopper part and a fluid receiving part extending from this stopper part and being longer than the stopper part, the fluid receiving part being provided with a length large enough that when the impeller blade is thrust down the fluid receiving part covers the stopper part of an adjacent impeller blade. To a top plate constituting a frame body of the apparatus, a fluid guide plate inclined inward being fixed for guiding the fluid to the impeller blades positioned under the rotating shaft of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Japan System Planning Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuyuki Kumano
  • Patent number: 8696301
    Abstract: Apparatus (10) for extracting energy from flowing water typically a tidal stream flow, the apparatus including a float assembly (41) having pair of spaced buoyant bodies (42) between which an elongated flow passage or tunnel (47) is located with an impeller assembly (61) in the flow passage (47) which can drive an electrical generator (76) on the float assembly (41). The bodies (42) include or define ballast tanks which can be filled or partially filled with water to submerge the flow passage or tunnel (47).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Neville Alan Smith
  • Patent number: 8308422
    Abstract: In a hydroelectric turbine having a rotor disposed within a stator housing, the rotor having an annular outer rim received by a channel in the stator housing, the improvement comprising a buoyant rotor, the rotor preferably having buoyancy chambers disposed within the rotor. The buoyancy chambers may be disposed within the annular outer rim, the blades or an annular inner rim, or combinations thereof. Preferably, the buoyancy chambers are filled with a material having a specific gravity of one or less, and most preferably the filler material is a polymer foam that adds rigidity to the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: OpenHydro Group Limited
    Inventor: Herbert Williams
  • Patent number: 8197180
    Abstract: The specification and drawings describe machines and methods that transform the kinetic energy of moving bodies of fluid into useful work. Specifically, embodiments of the invention may be used to generate electricity. In preferred embodiments a buoyant or semi-buoyant propeller assembly interfaces with a flowing body of water to capture power for electricity generation or any other work project.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Inventor: Dickie L. Lamp
  • Publication number: 20120114486
    Abstract: An aggregate to store energy as kinetic energy, includes a float body and conversion element. The float body is at least partially placed in a liquid and arranged to rotate in direct contact with the liquid and the float body is used by the aggregate to store energy in form of movement together with the surrounding liquid. Energy is supplied or extracted from the float body and surrounding liquid via conversion element or via a part that absorbs energy of movements in a fluid. The aggregate could further include the conversion element or the part that absorbs energy of movements. The energy is supplied or extracted from the float body and the surrounding liquid or from a combination of these.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: EHRNBERG SOLUTIONS AB
    Inventor: Daniel Ehrnberg
  • Patent number: 8109711
    Abstract: A wind turbine energy conversion device that can take advantage of the higher speed and more persistent winds at higher altitudes is hereinafter disclosed. The wind turbine energy conversion device includes an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) connected to one end of a tether (which may include multiple shorter tethers), the other end being connected to a terrestrial anchorage point. The UAV flies at altitudes where wind speeds can reach 40 mph or higher. The UAV comprises a flying wing with one or more trailing wind power turbines and flies airborne maneuvers designed to increase relative wind speed up to about four times the true wind speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Blumer, John Thurston, Paul Wingett, Louie Timothy Gaines, Yogendra Yogi Sheoran
  • Patent number: 8102068
    Abstract: A buoyant hydro turbine(31) for capturing and utilizing energy in the currents of flowing water. A driven component(33) produces electricity or other energy is coupled to and supported by a buoyant rotor(64), increasing efficiency and eliminating the need for an independent supporting structure. Tethered in flowing water, the current(71) rotates the rotors(32) and transfers rotatable energy to the central driven component(33) where electricity or other mechanical work is produced. A number of embodiments are adapted for optimizing and maintaining positioning in a stream of moving water. Additional embodiments optimizing the efficiency and effectiveness of the turbine in capturing and utilizing the current's kinetic energy as well as hydrostatic pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Inventor: Brent Lee Gutekunst
  • Patent number: 8007236
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a supporting system for suspended wind turbines placed in mountainous areas and cliff seashores. The system includes: substantially vertical support the turbine is attached to and a turbine coupled using a mechanism allowing a full-circle rotation of the turbine around the support. A carrying cable stretched over the ground carries downward vertical loads applied to the system, and a number of guy ropes, placed angularly to each other, carry applied wind loads. In the second and the third versions of the invention it is disclosed modifications of the main structural system for supporting vertical-axis wind turbines and the turbines placed in cliff seashore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Inventors: Yury Sherman, Mark Yankelevich
  • Patent number: 7465147
    Abstract: Portable power generating devices are provided for converting potential energy from flowing water, water current, blowing air or air current to mechanical and/or electrical energy. The potential energy is converted to a rotational movement, and the rotational energy is communicated to power conversion units for conversion, wherein the rotational movement is converted to mechanical, electrical or some other useable or useful energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Natural Forces, LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Platt, Eric E. Platt
  • Patent number: 7199484
    Abstract: The underwater electrical generator includes a stator core and counter-rotating turbine blades with permanent magnets in the hubs and windings in the core housing. When tethered by the nose of the housing, the water current rotates the turbine blades generating electrical current which is supplied for commercial use via the tether to a land-based utility. Ballast tanks are provided to maintain the generator at a predetermined depth. Small stator windings and permanent magnets are provided in the rotating hubs and core housing respectively to charge batteries in the hubs for altering the pitch of the blades such that the blades can be feathered for maintenance outages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Gencor Industries Inc.
    Inventor: David F. Brashears
  • Patent number: 7011501
    Abstract: A system (1) designed to generate energy with the aid of, primarily, sea currents, comprising a rotation body (4) having a front inlet side (2) and a rear outlet side (3), and at least one transfer member (6) connected between the inlet side (2) and a generator (5). The rotation body has a conical and/or bulb shaped, tapering section (8, 9) extending from a substantially cylindrical waist section (7) in direction towards the inlet side, and a conical and/or concave or flat portion extending in the opposite direction from the outlet side, said waist section being along its circumference provided with close to each other mounted blades (10) for the purpose of maintaining a rotation of the rotation body, the free, front end of which is at the same time secured to the transfer member (6) in order to transfer a rotational movement to the generator (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Water Crossing, Inc.
    Inventor: Björn Lindberg
  • Patent number: 6935832
    Abstract: Portable power generating devices are provided for converting potential energy from flowing water, water current, blowing air or air current to mechanical and/or electrical energy. The potential energy is converted to a rotational movement, and the rotational energy is communicated to power conversion units for conversion, wherein the rotational movement is converted to mechanical, electrical or some other useable or useful energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Natural Forces, LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Platt, Eric E. Platt
  • Patent number: 6616403
    Abstract: A device for obtaining electric power from moving water, made up of a floating cylindrical body having a first end extending to a second end along a cylindrical surface having at least two blades. Each end of the floating cylindrical body is fixedly connected to a waterwheel sprocket, and rotatably connected to an arm pivotally connected to an anchor. The waterwheel sprockets are connected to a generator sprocket by a drive means. When the new device is placed and held in a body of moving water, the moving water impacts against the blades and causes the floating cylindrical body to rotate. The rotation of the floating cylindrical body causes the first and second waterwheel sprockets to rotate and move the drive means which are connected to a generator and in turn create electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventors: Matt H. Smith, Spencer A. Smith
  • Patent number: 6168373
    Abstract: An environmentally non-intrusive multiple turbine unit for adjustable deployment in water. The turbines are captured in a shroud having an integrally formed augmentor ring and ballasting member to improve efficiency. The multiple turbine arrangement effectively counteracts the rotational counter-torque of individual turbines, thereby enabling stable deployment of the unit without requiring rigid stabilizing structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Philippe Vauthier
  • Patent number: 5471098
    Abstract: A device is located in a body of flowing water and includes a bridge supporting an electrical generator and anchors for holding the bridge stationary with respect to water flowing past that bridge. The device includes a water wheel submerged in the water beneath the bridge and which includes a plurality of arms radiating outwardly from a central arm. A hydrowing is movably attached to each radial arm and includes two flow impact sections of different surface areas. The hydrowings move with respect to the radial arms to maintain a flow area facing upstream on one side of the central arm that is larger than the flow area facing upstream on the diametrically opposite side of the central arm. This unbalanced flow area creates a force on the central arm tending to rotate that central arm. The central arm is connected to a rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Inventor: Bill Asay
  • Patent number: 4897062
    Abstract: The subject pole is used to help propel a person on ski floats or water walkers. Each pole comprises a shaft with a hand grip at the top end and, in order from the bottom end: a small float, a propulsion apparatus and a larger float. The floats are bodies of revolution. The propulsion apparatus is a shell of revolution with a semi-elliptical shape and the long axis of the ellipse coincident with the longitudinal axis of the shaft and the open face of the shell facing the bottom end of the pole. The shell is slotted in four places to form four petals. The ends of the petals are interconnected by a garter spring. Also each petal is connected by two ties to a flange on the small float. In use the pole is moved fore and aft in alternate thrust and return strokes. It is at an angle to the water surface with the grip end higher and planes on the water surface in the return strokes and submerges to a depth limited by the buoyancy of the larger float on the thrust strokes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Inventor: Benjamin H. Watson
  • Patent number: 4872805
    Abstract: A number of embodiments of water powered devices that are adapted to be positioned in a stream of moving water and which carry water wheels for driving a driven device. The driven device may comprise a generator and a number of embodiments are illustrated for holding the generator against rotation and for absorbing its torque loading. In addition, a device is provided for insuring buoyancy of the device so that the water wheels float with their axis above the level of water. In some embodiments, the buoyant device comprises a buoyant float that also provides a hydrodynamic lift and a hydrodynamic force for carrying the device to the center of the stream. In other embodiments, the device comprises a hydrodynamic device that provides both the lift and the transverse force. An arrangement is disclosed which permits stacking of the water wheels for ease of packing and additionally an arrangement is disclosed for permitting replacement of individual blades of the water wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kotaro Horiuchi, Masato Suzuki
  • Patent number: 4820134
    Abstract: A loop pump (1) for pumping liquid, i.e. a pump comprising a pipe (3) or the like embodied in a plurality of turns/loops. The pipe is rotated by a drive source to introduce alternately air and liquid into an inlet (4) and to pump the liquid to a drawing place by way of a conduit (6) or the like rotatably connected with the pipe. The drive source, which may be a propeller (8), absorbs the flow energy of the liquid. A floating body (10) gives the pump the desired floatability on the liquid and the pump includes an anchor (11) for anchoring it relative to the surroundings of the flowing liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Inventor: Per-Olof Karlsson
  • Patent number: 4748338
    Abstract: An ocean wave energy extracting beach sand erosion reversal and electric power generation system. Moored seaward of the breaker zone it serves the function of beach sand accretion by extracting energy from the waves prior to their breaking thereby lessening turbulence responsible for tossing sand into suspension to then be swept away by currents.Two pontoons support a series of pyramidal frameworks from which is suspended a strong, flexible, weighted pendulum which is the drive shaft of a large electric generator. The pendulum is caused to swing by the undulations of the ocean waves. The pendulum is caused to rotate as it swings by means of loops of cable and ratcheted pulleys thereby becomming a drive shaft to turn a large generator.By applying the force of the rotating pendulum to turn an electric generator, electricity is produced as a by-product of erosion reversal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Inventor: Peter F. Boyce
  • Patent number: 4737070
    Abstract: A number of embodiments of water powered devices that are adapted to be positioned in a stream of moving water and which carry water wheels for driving a driven device. The driven device may comprise a generator and a number of embodiments are illustrated for holding the generator against rotation and for absorbing its torque loading. In addition, a device is provided for insuring buoyancy of the device so that the water wheels float with their axis above the level of water. In some embodiments, the buoyant device comprises a buoyant float that also provides a hydrodynamic lift and a hydrodynamic force for carrying the device to the center of the stream. In other embodiments, the device comprises a hydrodynamic device that provides both the lift and the transverse force. An arrangement is disclosed which permits stacking of the water wheels for ease of packing and additionally an arrangement is disclosed for permitting replacement of individual blades of the water wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kotaro Horiuchi, Masato Suzuki
  • Patent number: 4636141
    Abstract: A hydroelectric device wherein a water wheel having radial paddle boards is partially submerged in a moving stream of water, and driven by the water current to operate an electric generator. The water wheel has end discs at its respective sides to block escape of water from between the paddle boards. The paddle boards are normally disposed at right angles to the current flow, but if the water current should flow faster at one side of the wheel than at the other, the ends of the boards at the slow-current side may be shifted forwardly, or the ends thereof at the fast-current side may be shifted rearwardly, having reference to the direction of current flow, in order that a portion of the water impinging against the fast-current ends of the boards will be deflected to the slow-current side. This adjustment may be made either by shifting the position of the wheel relative to the water bodily, or by shifting the paddle boards relative to the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Inventor: Raymond Sedlacek
  • Patent number: 4547124
    Abstract: An impeller for a windmotor consists of a rigid hub attached to a rotatingly mounted shaft, an outer rim concentric with the hub and a number of radial vanes of a flexible material, such as fabric, stretched between the hub and the rim, whereby their angle of inclination decreases from their inner to their outer ends. The rim is likewise made of a flexible, non-permeable fabric or other material in the shape of a hollow torus, which is filled with a gas at a pressure sufficient to maintain the shape of the torus under the stresses of wind and other forces. The torus may be filled with hydrogen or helium, whereby the entire impeller becomes lighter than air, thus eliminating the weight factor with regard to impellers with very large diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1985
    Inventors: Vladimir Kliatzkin, Joseph Krimerman, Eliezer Mayraz
  • Patent number: 4317047
    Abstract: An apparatus for harnessing the energy derived from the undulatory motion of a body of water includes an assembly having a buoyancy sufficient for maintaining it afloat in the water, a first structure substantially following multidirectional undulatory motions of the water and a second structure mounted in the assembly for free movement in a plurality of planes with respect to the first structure. The second structure is displaceable by gravity and by forces derived from the motions of said first structure. There is further provided a device connected to the first and second structures for generating a pressure output in response to the force derived from the relative motions between the first and second structures. An arrangement is coupled to the pressure output of the device for utilizing, at least indirectly, the energy derived from the pressure output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1982
    Inventor: Fernando F. de Almada
  • Patent number: 4279603
    Abstract: A flexible paddle wheel structure comprises a pair of axially spaced wheels, having flexible rims, such as, for example, pneumatic tires, with pairs of radially spaced, transverse, flexible members extending between, and attached to, the rims. A flexible membrane extends between the transverse members in each pair to form a flexible paddle. The wheels can tilt relative to each other and the whole structure can be arranged to be lifted and lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1981
    Assignee: Hoverlift Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Colin H. Harcourt, D. Roy Barker
  • Patent number: 4264276
    Abstract: A water wheel for providing both flotation and propelling forces. The water wheel includes a disc made up of a pair of side walls spaced apart in their center area and joined at their peripheries to define a cavity. Paddle members are fixed to the outside of the disc, and have a curved working surface for acting against water as the wheel rotates. The leading edge of the paddle members cuts into the water without creating turbulence, and water flow over the rest of the paddle member is smooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1981
    Inventor: Jerald L. Massey
  • Patent number: 4207026
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a wind turbine comprising a lighter than air body affixed to a drive line. Vanes or fins are attached about the body and turn the body in response to air currents acting thereon. This turns the drive line to supply rotational energy to a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1980
    Inventor: Oliver J. Kushto
  • Patent number: 4205943
    Abstract: The efficiency of a hydro-electric generator is improved by providing open-ended hollow tubes having influx ends proximate the axis and efflux ends proximate the periphery of a fan-bladed turbine. The jets of water developed by rotation of the fan-bladed turbine are directed against turbine vanes at the periphery of the fan blades. The device is particularly suitable for mounting in a water current such as in an ocean current or river.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1980
    Inventor: Philippe Vauthier
  • Patent number: 4151424
    Abstract: Improved apparatus for withdrawing useful energy from a fluent medium, the apparatus comprising supports with tension members spanning the distance between them, foils distributed along the tension member spans, and circular members capable of rotating freely with the tension members, power being taken off the apparatus through fewer than all of the circular members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1979
    Inventor: David Z. Bailey