Hydro nrgy

Abstract

A submersible water turbine, wherein the flow through the turbine is supplied by multiple chamber assemblies 4 which empty and fill in sequence. Each chamber assembly has a static cylinder 20 and a moveable cylinder 30 which slides in the static cylinder. Water is admitted by valve 22 and released through flexible tube 32 by exit valve 34. A conduit 18 purges the chambers through valve 28.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention concerns submersible apparatus for driving a water turbine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides a submersible water turbine with a water turbine inlet and a water turbine outlet the outlet being connectable to multiple chamber assemblies which empty and fill in sequence so as to provide constant water flow through the turbine wherein each assembly comprises a static submersible support structure with an assembly inlet and an assembly outlet and within the assembly a static cylinder disposed to receive turbine flow through the inlet, an air conduit for admitting air into the static cylinder, a moveable cylinder having an overlapping end and an exposed end arranged to slide in the static cylinder during emptying and filling, a flexible conduit connecting the exposed end to the assembly outlet, a valve in the assembly inlet, a valve in the assembly outlet, means to biass the moveable cylinder to slide into the static cylinder and control means to operate the valves and air admission in a sequence which causes continuous flow of water through the assembly.

Preferably each of the support structures are grouped around a turbine support.

The support structure may be a vessel which is capable of excluding the water in which the vessel is in use immersed.

The valve may be a gate valve which is opened and closed by reciprocating motion. The assembly may comprise a moveable cylinder which is sealed to a static cylinder by a seal such as a rolling diaphragm.

The moveable cylinder may be biassed to slide on the static cylinder and minimise the total volume.

The means to biass the moveable cylinder may be a ring extending from the cylinder and one or more springs acting between the ring and the support structure to biass the moveable cylinder to coaxially overlap the static cylinder.

The capacity of the cylinders may be 4-5000 litres. The air conduit may be connected to an air pump and an intensifier. The biasing means may include a plunger and the plunger motion may drive an alternator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One embodiment is now described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

FIG. 1 is an arrangement diagram showing the relative positions of the turbine, turbine support and the chamber assemblies in side view.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic section of a chamber assembly in end view showing full and empty modes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH RESPECT TO THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings, the apparatus is submerged in a large body of water such as a lake or sound. The base 2 of the air-filled concrete caisson 4 is 25 m×4 m. The central part of the roof 6 in turn supports a turbine housing 8 and an associated generator 10. The turbine takes in propulsion water in the area above the apparatus through inlet 12. The spent water leaves turbine housing 8 through duct 12. This duct serves two rows of five chamber assemblies 14 arranged side by side, the purpose being to connect the chambers one after the other to the duct and produce a continuous stream of water fromousing to chamber. A common air duct has a branch 20 for each chamber assembly and extends to the water surface where is tied to a buoy (not shown) and connected to a compressed air pipeline (not shown).

The roof 2 supports the chamber assemblies of which one will be described. A static cylinder chamber 20 is closed at the top end and open at the bottom end. Chamber 20 is joined to the roof by seal 22. A gate valve 24 in a housing 26 on the roof admits water from the duct 12 into the static cylinder. Branch 18 also enters the cylinder and is controlled by air valve 28.

Moveable cylinder 30 is of somewhat greater volume and is free to slide in and out of the static cylinder as the latter fills and empties. The bottom of the moveable cylinder 30 ends short of the base 2 and the cylinder empties through flexible tube 32. Exit from tube 32 is controlled by valve 34 in the base. Cylinder 30 is surrounded by ring 36. Telescopic struts 38 extend between the ring and the base directly beneath. Helical springs in the struts biass the moveable cylinder to lie coaxially overlapped by the static cylinder leading to minimum volume of the two cylinders. One of the struts has a screw which turns the nut of an alternator. Exit passages 42 in the base return flow outside the caisson.

The gate valves require hydraulic operation. The hydraulic circuit (not shown) contains a pump and motor which receives current from a grid. The valves, sequence of operation is under micro processor control. Exit valve 34 and inlet valve 24 open together. Water is free to fill the cylinders completely. The helical springs push the ring upwards and the moveable cylinder 30 comes to rest inside the static cylinder 20. Exit valve 34 and air valve 28 both close together and air valve 28 opens. The moveable cylinder descends bending the flexible pipe 32 and compressing the springs. Water flows into the cylinder through inlet 24 which is replaced by water entering the turbine inlet. This force is stored and released at the next cylinder rise. All ten units work consecutively providing a steady flow through the turbine.

The illustrations, photographs and drawings, if any, form part of the disclosure of this specification as does the description, illustrations, photographs and drawings of any associated provisional or parent specification or of any priority document, if any, all of which are imported hereinto as part of the record hereof.

Finally it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements or parts without departing from the spirit and ambit of the invention.

Claims

1. A submersible water turbine with a water turbine inlet and a water turbine outlet, the outlet being connectable to multiple chamber assemblies which empty and fill in sequence so as to provide constant water flow through the turbine, wherein a static submersible support structure for multiple chamber assemblies has an assembly inlet and assembly outlet for each assembly and within the assembly a static cylinder disposed to receive turbine flow through the assembly inlet, an air conduit admitting air into the static cylinder, a moveable cylinder with an overlapping end and an exposed end arranged to slide in the static cylinder during emptying and filling, a flexible conduit connecting the exposed end to the assembly outlet, a valve in the assembly inlet, a valve in the assembly outlet, means to biass the moveable cylinder to slide in relation to the static cylinder and control means to operate the valves and air admission in a sequence which causes continuous flow of water through the assembly.

2. A submersible water turbine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support structure accommodates a cluster of chamber assemblies grouped around the turbine.

3. A submersible water turbine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the support structure is a caisson.

4. A submersible water turbine as claimed in any one of claims 1-3, wherein the valves controlling water flow are gate valves which are opened and closed by reciprocating motion.

5. A submersible water turbine as claimed in any one of claims 1-4, wherein the moveable cylinder is sealed to the static cylinder by a rolling diaphragm.

6. A submersible water turbine as claimed in any one of claims 1-5, wherein liassing means act on the moveable cylinder to coaxially overlap the static cylinder and minimise the total volume.

7. A submersible water turbine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the biasing means is a ring extending from the moveable cylinder and one or more springs acting between the ring and the support structure.

8. A submersible water turbine as claimed in any one of claims 1-7, wherein the joint capacity of the cylinders is 4-60001.

9. A submersible water turbine as claimed in any one of claims 1-8, wherein the air conduit is connected to an air pump and an intensifier.

10. A submersible water turbine as claimed in any one of claims 7-9, wherein the biasing means includes a plunger and the plunger motion drives an alternator.

11. A submersible water turbine substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.