Fluid-current Motors Patents (Class 290/54)
  • Patent number: 11945735
    Abstract: A solution for irradiating a flowing fluid through a channel with ultraviolet radiation is provided. Ultraviolet radiation sources can be located within the channel in order to direct ultraviolet radiation towards the flowing fluid and/or the interior of the channel. A valve can be located adjacent to the channel to control the flow rate of the fluid. A control system can control and adjust the ultraviolet radiation based on the flow rate of the fluid and a user input component can receive a user input for the control system to adjust the ultraviolet radiation. The ultraviolet radiation sources, the control system, the user input component, and any other components that require electricity can receive power from a rechargeable power supply. An electrical generator located within the channel can convert energy from the fluid flowing through the channel into electricity for charging the rechargeable power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Sensor Electronic Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Maxim S. Shatalov, Alexander Dobrinsky
  • Patent number: 11911558
    Abstract: A medical device includes a user interface component and an energy harvesting system coupled to the user interface component. The energy harvesting system energy includes a harvesting component, a power storage device connected to the energy harvesting component and an output is coupled to the user interface and operably connected to the power storage device. A method of using the medical device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: TRUDELL MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Neritan Alizoti, Sam Bender, Adam Meyer, Geoffrey Nielsen, Bart Nowak, Peter Scarrott
  • Patent number: 11855306
    Abstract: This invention uses the process of osmosis and diffusion of a liquid of low concentration into a liquid of high concentration. The device taps the energy created by a liquid of low concentration flowing into a liquid of high concentration. The inventor has created several embodiments that can be heat engines, heat pumps, energy storage devices, and batteries. The invention changes solar ponds and concentration cells into heat storage devices and rechargeable batteries. Osmosis at two semipervious membranes, one heated and one cooled, in a loop of tubing produces a heat engine. A heat pipe is changed into a heat engine by using different concentrations at each end. Two vessels, one containing a high concentration of a liquid and the other containing a low concentration of a liquid, can be configured with the used of electrodes, turbines, semipervious membranes into heat engines, heat pumps, energy storage devices, and batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Inventor: Jerry Semer
  • Patent number: 11806848
    Abstract: A pneumatically driven tool (e.g., an impact tool) includes a pneumatically driven motor; an electric generator generating electrical power from movement of the pneumatically driven motor, or an impact mechanism connected thereto; and an on-board light that is powered by the generated electrical power. The pneumatically driven motor is rotated by compressed air or gas and drives an impact mechanism with one or more hammers and an anvil. Impact of the hammer(s) with the anvil, in turn, move an output shaft of the pneumatically driven tool. The electric generator harnesses the rotational movement of the pneumatically driven motor and/or the impact mechanism to electrically power the on-board light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Industrial, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren A. Seith, Huajun Tao, Yunzhong Yu, Jinzhong Yang
  • Patent number: 11788503
    Abstract: An ocean wave and tidal current energy conversion system includes a first vessel and a second vessel, the first vessel being parallel and spaced apart from the second vessel. The first and second vessels include supports that receive cylinders that rotate from ocean waves and currents to create hydraulic oil pressure via hydraulic cylinders. The hydraulic oil in the energy conversion system is pumped into a pressure accumulator that removes hydraulic surges and operates an electric generator. The electric generator may power an electrolysis batch system for the production of hydrogen that fills each vessel with hydrogen gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Inventor: Ray Wadsworth
  • Patent number: 11725620
    Abstract: An underwater turbo-generator unit for producing electrical power has a pressure-resistant shell that defines a sealed internal chamber. At least one water inlet extends through the shell to effect fluid communication between the chamber and a body of water surrounding the shell. A turbine is supported within the chamber to turn on a spin axis in response to admission of a flow of water into the chamber via the or each water inlet. The shell is arranged to maintain a gas-filled space within the chamber, facilitating the use of a Pelton turbine that turns about a vertical spin axis. The or each water inlet communicates with at least one tubular penstock structure that can be supported by the unit outside the shell. The chamber communicates with, and drains water into, a fluid storage volume such as a pipeline positioned at a level beneath the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Subsea 7 Norway AS
    Inventors: Ernst Kristen Helgoy Kloster, Rasmus Asp Juhlin
  • Patent number: 11719216
    Abstract: A floating mooring system for a single CycWEC applies counter forces and torques to keep a generator suitably stationary for power generation without requiring fixed attachments to the ocean floor or requiring a large frame interconnecting multiple CycWECs. The mooring system uses floats or floatation structure with differential ballasting to counter operating torque and drag plates to counter reactive forces. The floatation structures may be used to float the CycWEC for transport to a deployment location, where changing the overall ballasting of the floatation structures submerges the CycWEC to a desired depth and differential ballasting in the floatation structures counts expected operating torques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Inventor: Stefan G. Siegel
  • Patent number: 11719468
    Abstract: In a method, an electrical grid is monitored. Based on monitoring the electrical grid, it is determined that one or more criteria are satisfied at a first time. In response to determining that the one or more criteria are satisfied at the first time, water is moved from an aquifer located at a first elevation to a reservoir located at a second elevation. The first elevation is lower than the second elevation. The water is moved from the reservoir through a heat exchanger, and heat is transferred using the water. Subsequent to moving the water through the heat exchanger, the water is moved into the aquifer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Inventor: William Riley
  • Patent number: 11680486
    Abstract: Turbomachinery comprising first and second sets of rotors configured to operate on a working fluid. The machinery further comprises first and second sets of electric machines coupled to the respective first and second rotors, and a coupling arrangement arranged to couple adjacent rotors of the first and second rotor sets to provide for fixed ratio, contra-rotation of the first and second rotor sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Chloe J. Palmer, Vladimir A. Shirokov
  • Patent number: 11608808
    Abstract: A sea wave power plant for generating electricity, and for supplying high pressure fluids to a water purification system. The power plant includes two compartments adjustable differential hydro cylinders that are assembled on floaters, an axial piston variable motor, a system for protecting the floaters in periods of storm in a way that the floater are positioned horizontally outside the water, and an automation sub-system. The wave power plant is combined of several modular units that each one of them serves as independent sea water power plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Inventors: Inna Braverman, David Leb
  • Patent number: 11585189
    Abstract: A system for and method of use with a downhole tool that includes a tubular with a fluid flow path therethrough for flowing a fluid and a housing coupleable to a downhole portion of the tubular. A fluid-driven motor assembly is included and has a drive shaft rotatable to output rotational drive forces. An electric generator is coupled to the drive shaft to convert the rotational drive forces into electrical power. There is also an electric motor electrically coupled to the electric generator to convert electrical output of the electric generator into a rotational drive force to control the downhole tool. A controller is electrically coupled to the electric motor and the electric generator to conduct electrical power output from the electric motor to the electric generator and dissipate excess energy produced by the electric motor to the fluid-driven motor assembly as hydraulic energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Satish Rajagopalan, Heiko Schmirgel, Richard Hay
  • Patent number: 11448181
    Abstract: (EN) This invention relates to method and apparatus for extracting energy from water waves to generate electric power. The wave energy converter uses sea wave oscillations, from a land-based position. It understood a land-based power take off apparatus (3) that is oscillated by waves conveyed to it by canal or tunnel. The canal has a funnel shaped intake (1) at the coastline, a wave control gate (9) positioned near the intake and a power take off apparatus (3) positioned inland across the canal with a float (8) that works pumping cylinders (7) that pump hydraulic fluid to turn an impulse turbine (5) coupled to an electricity generator to generate electricity. The canal depth is predetermined to float the float, of the power take off apparatus (3), at all tide levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Inventor: Misheck Harris Kumwenda
  • Patent number: 11441540
    Abstract: This invention relates to an ultimate renewable energy machine, all-depth offshore turbine system and hybrid VTOL jet engines, the turbine system is a volume-based power system (Kw/MA?3) instead of the current area-based power system (Kw/M?2) and has a top wind turbine subsystem, a middle wave turbine subsystem and a bottom tidal turbine subsystem with the efficiency beyond Betz limit 59%, the turbine system includes a disrupt turbo-technology with robust shaft-less twin rotors and breakthrough dual-power zone blades to harness ocean energy in a synergic manner or individually, this system has all-season safety features for bird, marine life, human, and itself, is modularized and scalable for low LCOE<$0.10 kWh and provides reliable powers for 24/7, it represents a new era of renewable energy revolution leaded by this quintessentially American technology, as the ultimate fossil energy alternative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Inventor: Jianchao Shu
  • Patent number: 11384736
    Abstract: A floating offshore wind turbine includes a rotor and a generator turned by the rotor. An elongated buoyant body supports a tower that supports the generator and rotor. The buoyant body or the tower may support aerodynamic features to counteract heeling forces or to steer the floating wind turbine as it swings on its anchor line. The floating offshore wind turbine may be configured to move the anchor line force vector to counteract heeling forces. A control system may control the aerodynamic features and the movement of the anchor line force vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventors: Frederick W. Piasecki, Dinesh Barwey, George Luis Firpi, David Joseph Stilwell
  • Patent number: 11378056
    Abstract: An energy generating system includes a dam in an estuary defining a water containment area. The dam includes a plurality of dam elements, each including a plurality of dam panels hingedly connected in series, which are urgeable from an inoperative folded state in a chamber to an operative state by a corresponding pair of main or secondary buoyancy tanks as the tide rises and falls. Each pair of main buoyancy tanks with the corresponding dam element defines a water race within which a water wheel is located. The water wheels are mounted on corresponding drive shafts which are connected in series and which are rotatably carried on support frameworks which are supported on the main buoyancy tanks. Electricity generators are supported on carrier frameworks which are supported on the secondary buoyancy tanks at respective ends of the dam, and are driven by the adjacent one of the drive shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Inventor: Patrick Joseph Prendergast
  • Patent number: 11346325
    Abstract: A wind turbine comprising a frame on a floating pontoon, wherein the frame is constructed as a lattice rig upright on the pontoon forming a plurality of rectangular or square openings in the rig for receiving respective interchangeable wind turbine generators with associated drive propellers driven by incoming wind, and each wind turbine generator being arranged to travel up the rear of the rig and through the openings towards the front of the rig. The wind power plant is characterized in that each turbine generator comprises one or more pairs of propeller blades forming a propeller set having a blade diameter defining the turbine rotational plane, each propeller set is arranged at a distance from the front side of the rig to be rotated by the incoming wind towards the rig. There is also described a method for mounting turbines with associated propeller sets and openings in the rig, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: WIND CATCHING SYSTEMS AS
    Inventor: Asbjørn Nes
  • Patent number: 11338049
    Abstract: The invention is a UV sterilizing box structure. A box body has a round chamber, an inlet, and an outlet. The round chamber is formed with an arc-shaped guiding channel. A UV light module is disposed on a side of the box body. An external fluid enters the round chamber via the inlet and spirally flows through an inside of the round chamber along the arc-shaped guiding channel so as to make the fluid in the box body generate a flow with a specific direction and stay for enough time to be sufficiently irradiated by UV rays. Thereby, a better effect of sterilization may be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: HERGY INTERNATIONAL CORP.
    Inventors: Chun-Hung Lu, Chia-Te Lin, Chih-Hsin Chen
  • Patent number: 11313341
    Abstract: The portable river turbine system is a small-scale electricity generator whereby boaters, fishers, or other individual entities can use the current of a river or other body of water to power or charge small electronic devices such as phones, lights, or radios. The detachable propeller or wheel is attached at one end of the waterproof turbine housing. The turbine can be secured by the side bolting, by the vertical hook, or optionally by both. Said vertical hook has a telescopic expandable shaft, allowing for the shaft to be the optimal length to best submerge the turbine wheel or propeller and still attach to a boat, dock, or other surface above the water's level. Stationed on the top of the waterproof turbine housing are quick connections that can be used for wires and handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Inventor: Trevor Tillison
  • Patent number: 11300012
    Abstract: A power system is configured to generate mechanical energy from supercritical carbon dioxide in a closed loop. The power system includes a compressor that yields a high pressure supercritical carbon dioxide. A heat exchanger is operatively connected to the compressor and yields a high enthalpy supercritical carbon dioxide. A rotary engine is operatively connected to the heat exchanger and configured to convert thermal energy from the high enthalpy supercritical carbon dioxide into mechanical energy and an output supercritical carbon dioxide. A pressure differential orifice is operatively coupled to the rotary engine and to the heat exchanger and configured to decrease the temperature and the pressure of the output supercritical carbon dioxide resulting in a low pressure low temperature supercritical carbon dioxide. The low pressure low temperature supercritical carbon dioxide is heated in the heat exchanger and the renters the compressor completing the closed loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Inventor: Kenneth Colin Baker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11280211
    Abstract: A compressed gas energy harvesting system (CGEHS) for use in a gas delivery system is disclosed herein. The CGEHS comprises a gas control device connected to a compressed gas container and in fluid communication with a fluid within the compressed gas container. The gas control device comprising one or more electrical components. The CGEHS further includes a power storage device for providing power to the one or more electrical components and a potential energy converter coupled to the one or more electrical components, the potential energy converter for supplying power to at least one of the one or more electrical components and the power storage device by converting the potential energy retained by the compressed gas container into electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Western Enterprises/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Todd A. Veverka, Gregory Brewer Eytchison, Robert S. Kress, John Walter Merrill, Marius Milea
  • Patent number: 11255143
    Abstract: A downhole transducer assembly capable of being safely operated at a variety of pressures and depths may include a turbine rotatable by a fluid pressure differential rotationally fixed to a rotor in a generator. To reduce the rotational speed of the turbine and rotor, a pressure regulator may limit a fluid pressure differential by controlling the volumetric flow. In other embodiments, one or more nozzles may be configured to automatically regulate a nozzle diameter, and therefore the pressure drop across the nozzle. In other embodiments, a surge protector may be connected to the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Marshall, Edward George Parkin, David C. Hoyle, Scott Richard Woolston, Jim Shumway
  • Patent number: 11203105
    Abstract: A percussion tool, for performing a chiseling operation on a workpiece with a chisel, comprises a housing including a front side, and rear side, and opposite lateral sides extending between the front and rear sides, a first handle coupled to a first of the lateral sides of the housing, a second handle coupled to a second of the lateral sides of the housing, the first and second handles oriented coaxially along a handle axis, an electric motor positioned within the housing, a percussion mechanism driven by the motor and including a striker supported for reciprocation relative to the housing along a striker axis, and a light source that produces light to illuminate the workpiece. The chisel is configured to deliver repeated axial impacts to the workpiece in response to receiving repeated axial impacts from the striker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew D. Van Hoorn, Kevin R. Gee
  • Patent number: 11199174
    Abstract: A hydro-turbine apparatus (1) comprising a turbine (9), a water collection chamber (11), a water inlet, at least one water injector (10) directed towards the turbine so as to provide a driving force to the turbine, wherein the water inlet in communication with the at least one water injector, and the water collection chamber arranged to receive water which has been directed at the turbine, and the apparatus arranged for operative submersion in a body of water (WL).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Inventor: Luke Chamberlain
  • Patent number: 11125251
    Abstract: An exchanger includes a seal; a first channel with an inlet and an outlet; a second channel alongside the first channel and isolated from the first channel by the seal, the second channel including an inlet and an outlet; and a transfer turbine including a first portion with one or more blades located within the first channel, a second portion with one or more blades located within the second channel, and a shaft connecting the first portion and the second portion such that rotation of the first portion is synchronized with rotation of the second portion, the shaft extending through the seal. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: BREAKTHROUGH TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Kamal Jaffrey
  • Patent number: 11118560
    Abstract: An energy generating system for generating electrical energy from flow of a fluid includes an energy generating assembly having an outer shell defining an interior space and a center axis, a fixed generator coil stator extending in the interior space along the center axis, and a rotor encircling the stator and having magnets. The rotor is coupled to the outer shell, and the outer shell is configured to be rotated by the flow of the fluid such that the rotor rotates relative to the stator and thereby generates electrical energy. The system can include extending systems for positioning the assembly nearer or farther from shore in desired fluid flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Inventor: Gregory Francis Bird
  • Patent number: 11118556
    Abstract: An adapter element for a solenoid valve assembly in an irrigation system includes an integral water turbine generator including an impeller positioned in an outlet flow path of a solenoid assembly thereof such that the impeller rotates when water flows to generate electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Inventor: Carl L. C. Kah, III
  • Patent number: 11118557
    Abstract: A turbine has a rotatable outer casing with an inlet and an outlet therein. A casing rotation control causes the casing to rotate about a central point thereof such that the inlet consistently faces an incoming flow of ambient fluid. The casing has two spaced-apart portions in shapes of oppositely-disposed concave arcs (also referred to as “deflector plates” of a same circle. In some embodiments, each concave arc of the casing forms a unitary structure with a respective convex arc, the two spaced-apart convex arcs lying on either side of the outlet. In some embodiments, each concave arc is connected to a respective second concave arc at an endpoint thereof, the second concave arcs being rotatable about the point of connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Inventor: Ronald Pierantozzi
  • Patent number: 11035260
    Abstract: A method to generate electrical power and cold energy from any grade of thermal energy (e.g., ambient, solar, waste heat, geothermal, combustion products, nuclear, or any combination thereof) in a cryogenic, closed loop (e.g., regenerative) cycle is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Inventors: Aleksandr Kravets, Donald Nelson Grace
  • Patent number: 11028986
    Abstract: Disclosed is a self-power-generating water outflow device with a light. An LED light source and a driving circuit for driving the LED light source are disposed in a water outflow terminal, and a first positive electrode and a first negative electrode are electrically connected to the driving circuit. A connector is detachably connected to the water outflow terminal. The connector comprises a connection housing and a self-power-generating component. The self-power-generating component is disposed in the connection housing, and the connection housing comprises one or more second positive electrodes and one or more second negative electrodes electrically connected to the self-power-generating component. When the connector is connected to the water outflow terminal, the first positive electrode is in contact with the one or more second positive electrodes and the first negative electrode is in contact with the one or more second negative electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Xiamen Lota International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xuedong Wang, Zhiyong Li, Chuanbao Zhu
  • Patent number: 11028817
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating electricity from a bidirectional water flow, such as tidal flow, includes a base structure, a primary flow pipe defining a first flow passage through the base structure, and a secondary flow pipe defining a second flow passage through the base structure. The primary flow pipe includes a convergent section a mixing chamber, the convergent section connected to a first end of the mixing chamber to define a venturi therebetween, and a diffuser section connected to a second end of the mixing chamber. The apparatus further includes an opening in the secondary flow pipe to provide fluidic communication between the second flow passage and the mixing chamber, a turbine connectable to a generator and arranged to be rotated by water flow from the second flow passage, and a control mechanism for directing the water flow from the second flow passage through the opening into the mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: VERDERG RENEWABLE ENERGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Peter Roberts, Robert Kettle
  • Patent number: 11022001
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to adjust hydrodynamic designs of a hydrokinetic turbine are disclosed herein. An example turbine to be placed in a body of water includes a generator having a frame, an inlet, a first set of vanes disposed in the inlet, a second set of vanes, and a shroud. The inlet, the first set of vanes, the second set of vanes, and the shroud are removably coupled to the frame. The first set of vanes in removably coupled to the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Bryan Sydnor
  • Patent number: 11015574
    Abstract: A method of controlling an airborne object (2), such as a kite or a glider, is disclosed. The airborne object (2) may be an airborne energy generating system. The airborne object (2) is coupled to a part of a wind turbine (1), such as a nacelle (4), a tower (3) or a foundation, via a cable (7). At least one parameter related to movements (8) of the tower (3) of the wind turbine (1) is measured, and a cable force (9) of the cable (7) acting on the wind turbine (1) is adjusted, based on the at least one measured parameter. Thereby the tower movements (8) can be counteracted and fatigue can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Thomas S. Bjertrup Nielsen, Torben Ladegaard Baun
  • Patent number: 10995732
    Abstract: A wind plant includes at least one wind collector assembly configured to collect a wind stream; at least one booster arm in fluid communication with the at least one wind collector assembly, the booster arm configured to receive the wind stream and to increase the flowrate of the wind stream; and at least one exit conduit, the at least one exit conduit in fluid communication with the booster arm and rotatable with respect to the booster arm. The at least one exit conduit is configured to rotate with respect to the at least one booster arm in response to a thrust force generated by the wind stream exiting the exit conduit. A method of capturing energy from wind is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Inventor: Mohammed Ibn khayat Zougari
  • Patent number: 10971986
    Abstract: A vibrational energy harvesting device is disclosed, which comprises first and second assemblies mounted on a base at a distance one from the other. The first assembly comprises vibrational means adapted to stretch under a straining force, whereby the device exhibits monostable quartic nonlinearity. The first and second assemblies comprise respective magnetised means in opposite polarity to one another, so that the second assembly exerts a repulsive magnetic force upon the vibrational means, whereby the device exhibits bistability. Both the monostable quartic and bistable nonlinearities can be independently controlled. A method of harvesting energy with the vibrational energy harvesting device is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK—NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, CORK
    Inventors: Saibal Roy, Pranay Podder, Dhiman Mallick, Andreas Amann
  • Patent number: 10961974
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for the extraction of energy from an underwaterflow stream in a body of water. The system comprises a support frame which comprises a plurality of receptacles for mounting functional modules on the support frame. The plurality of receptacles are arranged to form a horizontally-distributed two-dimensional array on the support frame. The plurality of vertical axis turbine units is configured to be interchangeably mounted in the receptacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: 1847 SUBSEA ENGINEERING LIMITED
    Inventor: Richard Knox
  • Patent number: 10954913
    Abstract: A breastshot waterwheel is configured to extract energy from an incoming water flow. The waterwheel is rotatable about an axis and comprises a plurality of paddles, each of the said paddles being in communication with the incoming water flow for a respective water receiving portion of a rotation cycle of the waterwheel about the axis. During the water receiving portion of the rotation cycle for a said paddle, the incoming water flow flows onto a water receiving surface of the paddle. The water receiving surface extends between first and second ends of the paddle. The first end is upstream of the second end and is configured such that, during at least a portion of said water receiving portion of the rotation cycle for said paddle, the incoming water flow flows in a substantially horizontal direction across said first end of the paddle onto an upstream portion of the water receiving surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Inventor: Penelope Jane Carruthers
  • Patent number: 10906781
    Abstract: A pneumatic vertical transportation device comprises an expandable cylinder, a carriage rack, an air piping controller, and an air exhauster. The expandable cylinder includes a bellow body, with one end hanging carriage rack and the other end connected with a fixing plate. The expandable cylinder is connected with the air piping controller. While the carriage rack is rising, the air exhauster draws air from the bellow body through the air piping controller to gradually decrease pressure inside. Once pressure difference exceeds weight of the carriage rack, the carriage rack begins to rise. Volume of the expandable cylinder is reduced such that the lower disc of the expandable cylinder approaches top, and the expandable cylinder is maintained at low pressure state. While the carriage rack is descending, air is fed into the expandable cylinder through the air piping controller to gradually expand the bellow body, letting the carriage rack descend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: National Taiwan Normal University
    Inventors: Jung-Hsuan Chen, Chin-Guo Kuo, Chao-Fu Shu
  • Patent number: 10830085
    Abstract: A jet engine assembly includes a jet engine having at least one spool and a generator. The generator comprising a rotor and a stator, with the rotor being operably coupled to the at least one spool, and an electronic commutator controlling the rotation of a magnetic field of the rotor such that the electric motor generates electricity. Also, a method of generating electricity from a generator having a stator and a rotor, the method comprising controlling a rotation of a magnetic field to generate electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems LLC
    Inventors: Rock O'Brien Blazer, Joshua Martin Rhynard
  • Patent number: 10833561
    Abstract: A versatile power plant system, which has a blower/fan system, a fan system, a generator/alternator device, a regulator, a DC/AC inverter generator, an AC/DC transformer rectifier unit, and an AC/DC rectifier diode, wherein electrical energy is generated. The generator alternator device has a drum and a main body having a generator shaft. The blower/fan system is connected to the fan system, and the fan system is connected to the generator/alternator device. The generator/alternator device is connected to the regulator and the regulator is connected to the DC/AC inverter generator. The DC/AC inverter generator is connected to the AC/DC transformer rectifier unit, and the AC/DC transformer rectifier unit is connected to the AC/DC rectifier diode. The AC/DC rectifier diode is connected to an electrical device or a rechargeable battery bank to deliver the electrical energy. The electrical energy may be generated from a primary source of energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Inventor: Robillard Decady
  • Patent number: 10821595
    Abstract: A power tool includes a housing, a power output element for outputting power, a motor for driving the power output element to output power, and a surface light source device for providing illumination. The surface light source device is mounted on the housing and the surface light source device includes a light exit surface allowing the surface light source device to emit light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Nanjing Chevron Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dongrong Qiu, Chongyang Tu, Dong Cao, Liang Chen
  • Patent number: 10799835
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, devices, and methods for reducing membrane fouling, scaling, and concentration polarization in order to reduce system energy consumption, reduce operational system maintenance and plant downtime, reduce environmental impact and waste, and/or increase membrane flux and/or recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Pure Blue Tech Inc.
    Inventors: David Paulson, Ryan Vogel, Adam Greenberg
  • Patent number: 10793236
    Abstract: The invention provides an object (10) that during use is at least partly submerged in water, the object (10) further comprising an anti-biofouling system (200) comprising an UV emitting element (210), wherein the UV emitting element (210) is configured to irradiate with UV radiation (221) during an irradiation stage one or more of (i) a part (111) of an external surface (11) of said object (10) and (ii) water adjacent to said part (111) of said external surface (11), wherein the light source (220) is at least controllable between a first UV radiation level and a second UV radiation level, wherein the first UV radiation level is larger than the second UV radiation level, wherein the object (10) is selected from the group consisting of a vessel (1) and an infrastructural object (15), wherein the object (10) further comprises a control system (300) configured to control said UV radiation (221) as function of input information comprising information of one or more of (i) a location of the object (10), (ii) moveme
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Bart Andre Salters, Roelant Boudewijn Hietbrink
  • Patent number: 10770952
    Abstract: A device for converting kinetic energy of a flowing medium to electrical energy includes a rotor for placing in the flowing medium and a generator connected to the rotor. The rotor includes a tube with one or more vanes mounted on the inner side of the tube and extending radially to the centre thereof, wherein the tube is mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis. A length of the tube in horizontal direction amounts here to at least 25% of a diameter of the tube in vertical direction. An outflow part diverging in the flow direction can connect to a rear edge of the tube as seen in flow direction of the medium. The tube can be bearing-mounted in a frame via a central shaft mounted on the inner ends of the vanes. The frame can on the other hand include an outer bearing, for instance a stator tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: VENTUS NAUTILUS HOLDING B.V.
    Inventor: Popke Lammert Sjoerd Kiezebrink
  • Patent number: 10718598
    Abstract: A propulsion system for an unmanned underwater vehicle includes a turbine engine, a generator mechanically coupled to an output shaft of the turbine engine, an electrical motor mechanically decoupled from the turbine engine and electrically coupled to the generator via a power bus architecture, and a propulsor mechanically coupled to a rotational output of the electrical motor. The power bus architecture includes a pair of AC buses and a DC bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Himmelmann
  • Patent number: 10683841
    Abstract: Disclosed is a multiple blade wind turbine (MBWT). The MBWT includes: at least one rotor comprising two closed loop tracks positioned parallel or equidistant to one another and a plurality of airfoils interspaced within the tracks. The plurality of airfoils are connected at each end to one of said tracks and are fully rotatable with respect to said closed loop tracks. A transmission is connected to one of the tracks. The track drives the transmission and an electric generator is connected to said transmission for generating electricity. The rotors are oriented vertically or horizontally with respect to a vertical support structure that is used to support the rotors. The MBWT's design allows the electric generator(s) and transmission system to be housed relatively close to ground level. This configuration reduces the mass of the central support tower and reduces the construction and ongoing maintenance costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Inventor: Harvard M. Farrant
  • Patent number: 10677214
    Abstract: A hydroelectric power generation apparatus includes a braking force generation unit configured to apply a braking force to rotation of a hydraulic turbine, and a controller configured to control the braking force generation unit to repeat increasing and decreasing the braking force to vary a rotational speed of the hydraulic turbine. Varying the rotational speed of the hydraulic turbine helps to flow away debris and the like adhering to hydraulic turbine blades. Preferably, the braking force generation unit includes an electrical, mechanical or fluid type braking device configured to apply a braking force to a rotary shaft of the hydraulic turbine. Preferably, the braking force generation unit includes a power generator configured to generate power through rotation of the hydraulic turbine, and the controller increases/decreases the braking force by varying power extracted from the power generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Fujita, Tomoya Kawai
  • Patent number: 10641236
    Abstract: This invention relates to a submersible hydroelectric generator apparatus (1) and a method of evacuating water from such an apparatus. The method of evacuating water from a submersible hydroelectric generator apparatus (1) comprising the steps of pressurizing a fluid supply in the submersible hydroelectric generator apparatus using the water flowing into the apparatus and thereafter using the thus-pressurized fluid supply to evacuate the water from the apparatus. Additional pressurized fluid can be supplied to provide a pressurized fluid supply with sufficient pressure to expel the water from the apparatus. The apparatus (1) can be used in a grid connected electricity generating system or indeed in a smaller scale implementation such as in a single building or group of buildings to provide electricity to those buildings. The invention overcomes problems with prior art devices by evacuating water from the apparatus in an efficient manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Inventor: McElroy Owen
  • Patent number: 10576481
    Abstract: Disclosed is sprinkler system. The system comprises a gate valve. Further, a sprinkler frame is mounted on the gate valve. The sprinkler frame further consists of wires for connection. The system further comprises a generator. The generator is mechanically coupled with a rotor and a generator base. Further the system comprises of an electronic component. The system is housed in a sprinkler housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: JAIN IRRIGATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventors: Defrank Michael Patrick, Jain Ajit Bhavarlal
  • Patent number: 10570884
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for wind power generation. In one aspect, a wind power generator includes a support base; inductors positioned over the support base in a circular array; an annulus ring track fixed to the base support and providing a circular track around which the inductors are located; an annulus ring rotor placed on the annulus ring track and engaged to rollers in the circular track so that the annulus ring rotor can rotate relative to the an annulus ring track, in which the annulus ring rotor include separate magnets to move through the circular array of inductors to cause generation of electric currents; and a wind rotor assembly coupled to the annulus ring rotor and including wind-deflecting blades that rotate with the rotor and a hollow central interior for containing a wind vortex formed from deflecting wind by the blades to convert into the electric energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: EIP TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Steve Burkle
  • Patent number: 10562596
    Abstract: The invention relates to a floatingly mounted and/or mountable platform for the assembly of electrical and/or mechanical and/or pneumatic structural elements in an area of water. It comprises, on the one hand, at least one platform which has at least one floating body or which forms the floating body itself, the floating body being designed such that it always holds an assembly upper side of the platform above a water level in order to be able to mount the electrical and/or mechanical and/or pneumatic structural elements on a surface of the assembly upper side. On the other hand, the invention comprises at least one anchoring element which is mounted on a floor region of a body of water below and distanced from the platform, i.e. below the water level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Inventor: Claus Tennler