Buoyant Hub Or Rim Patents (Class 416/86)
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Patent number: 10851758Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 14, 2017Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Inventor: Jose Ramon Santana
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Patent number: 10690119Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 23, 2014Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Windbuoyy AGInventor: Houman Taheri Amlashi
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Patent number: 10035574Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 21, 2016Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: Liquid Waste Technology, LLCInventors: Aaron Shawn Montgomery, Kurtis Michael Syverson, Brian John Lindahl, Todd Alan Zuberbier, Ryan Patrick Horton, Michael Todd Young
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Patent number: 9908602Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 29, 2016Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Inventor: Mounir Njah
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Patent number: 9243605Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 21, 2011Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: Asociacion de Canalistas Sociedad del Canal del MaipoInventor: Fernando Figueroa Nuñez
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Publication number: 20140219800Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2012Publication date: August 7, 2014Inventor: Seong-Woo Lee
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Patent number: 8794904Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 5, 2011Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Japan System Planning Co., Ltd.Inventor: Katsuyuki Kumano
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Patent number: 8696301Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 19, 2008Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Inventor: Neville Alan Smith
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Patent number: 8308422Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 13, 2007Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: OpenHydro Group LimitedInventor: Herbert Williams
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Patent number: 8197180Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 6, 2011Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Inventor: Dickie L. Lamp
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Publication number: 20120114486Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2010Publication date: May 10, 2012Applicant: EHRNBERG SOLUTIONS ABInventor: Daniel Ehrnberg
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Patent number: 8109711Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 7, 2009Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Eric Blumer, John Thurston, Paul Wingett, Louie Timothy Gaines, Yogendra Yogi Sheoran
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Patent number: 8102068Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 3, 2009Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Inventor: Brent Lee Gutekunst
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Patent number: 8007236Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 24, 2008Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Inventors: Yury Sherman, Mark Yankelevich
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Patent number: 7465147Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 13, 2005Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: Natural Forces, LLCInventors: Michael D. Platt, Eric E. Platt
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Patent number: 7199484Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 5, 2005Date of Patent: April 3, 2007Assignee: Gencor Industries Inc.Inventor: David F. Brashears
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Patent number: 7011501Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 17, 2002Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: Water Crossing, Inc.Inventor: Björn Lindberg
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Patent number: 6935832Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 21, 2003Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Natural Forces, LLCInventors: Michael D. Platt, Eric E. Platt
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Patent number: 6616403Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 8, 2002Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Inventors: Matt H. Smith, Spencer A. Smith
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Patent number: 6168373Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 7, 1999Date of Patent: January 2, 2001Inventor: Philippe Vauthier
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Patent number: 5471098Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 26, 1994Date of Patent: November 28, 1995Inventor: Bill Asay
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Patent number: 4897062Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 24, 1988Date of Patent: January 30, 1990Inventor: Benjamin H. Watson
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Patent number: 4872805Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 2, 1987Date of Patent: October 10, 1989Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kotaro Horiuchi, Masato Suzuki
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Patent number: 4820134Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 15, 1987Date of Patent: April 11, 1989Inventor: Per-Olof Karlsson
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Patent number: 4748338Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 6, 1987Date of Patent: May 31, 1988Inventor: Peter F. Boyce
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Patent number: 4737070Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 30, 1985Date of Patent: April 12, 1988Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kotaro Horiuchi, Masato Suzuki
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Patent number: 4636141Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 28, 1985Date of Patent: January 13, 1987Inventor: Raymond Sedlacek
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Patent number: 4547124Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 11, 1983Date of Patent: October 15, 1985Inventors: Vladimir Kliatzkin, Joseph Krimerman, Eliezer Mayraz
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Patent number: 4317047Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 31, 1979Date of Patent: February 23, 1982Inventor: Fernando F. de Almada
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Patent number: 4279603Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 19, 1979Date of Patent: July 21, 1981Assignee: Hoverlift Systems Ltd.Inventors: Colin H. Harcourt, D. Roy Barker
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Patent number: 4264276Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 16, 1979Date of Patent: April 28, 1981Inventor: Jerald L. Massey
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Patent number: 4207026Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 29, 1978Date of Patent: June 10, 1980Inventor: Oliver J. Kushto
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Patent number: 4205943Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 25, 1978Date of Patent: June 3, 1980Inventor: Philippe Vauthier
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Patent number: 4151424Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 18, 1977Date of Patent: April 24, 1979Inventor: David Z. Bailey