Patent Application
20160141911
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to power generators, and particularly to an offshore power generation system that utilizes the forces of renewable resources from the natural environment to produce power for ultimate use and distribution.
2. Description of the Related Art
Alternative or renewable energy is a worldwide concern in the current market mainly due to dwindling resources, lack of infrastructure for some locales, and/or lack of financial resources to build and support production and distribution. Power, such as electricity, and the usage thereof have been increasing annually, and the supplies of conventional resources, such as oil and coal, have been consumed at rates indicating an increased demand. Use of these conventional resources can also tend to impact the environment, such as from the wastes produced during power production. Nuclear power plants are another form of conventional energy production, However, production of nuclear power can also have similar environmental issues as in the energy production using oil and coal, such as the generation and need for proper disposal of potentially harmful wastes from the radioactive materials.
The above are some examples of the factors that can drive increased costs in energy production to both the producers and the consumers. Many alternative or renewable energy production systems have been developed to help in addressing current energy demand, as well as to also provide a potential replacement for or to reduce a need for the more conventional oil or coal-based power plants for energy generation. These alternative energy systems typically harness the energy from the natural environment, such as wind, solar, and water, and convert the natural energy to usable energy, e.g. electricity.
Most of these alternative energy production systems are typically a standalone or a singular type of power generation system. In other words, a typical alternative energy power plant is dedicated to utilizing one alternative or renewable energy resource. Some examples include solar power energy plants utilizing a plurality of solar panel arrays or mirrors, wind power energy plants utilizing a plurality of wind turbines, or hydroelectric power plants utilizing energy from water flow, such as from a dammed body of water, to power turbines.
While the above alternative energy production systems are effective in contributing at varying degrees to the production of energy, such as can be provided to the overall power grid, there does not appear to be an energy generation system that attempts to utilize a multitude of naturally available alternative energy sources, such as water, wind and sunlight, for power production. Thus, an offshore power generation system addressing the aforementioned problems is desired.
Embodiments of an offshore power generation system include a buoyant float for offshore operation. A solar subsystem and a wind subsystem are mounted to the top of the float to harness solar and wind energies and convert the same into useful power, e.g., electricity. A water turbine subsystem and a hydrofoil subsystem are mounted to the bottom of the float to harness tide-wave energies and convert the same into useful power. The generated power from the various subsystems feeds into a rechargeable battery for power collection and distribution.
These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
Unless otherwise indicated, similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.
The offshore power generation system, generally referred to by the reference number 10 in the drawings, facilitates power production or generation by utilizing various different energies and forces contained in the natural environment to thereby maximize the potential from natural renewable resources. Statistically, about 70% or more of the earth's surface is covered by water. Relatively large bodies of water, such as the seas, lakes, and rivers, are also exposed to the natural environment and subject to effects from the sun, winds, and underwater currents. These types of water bodies provide the natural environment for the offshore power generation system 10. As such, the offshore power generation system 10 includes a buoyant base or float 12, a solar subsystem 20 coupled to a top 12a of the buoyant float 12, a wind subsystem 30 coupled to the top 12a of the float 12, a water turbine subsystem 40 coupled to a bottom 12b of the float 12, and a hydrofoil subsystem 50 coupled to the bottom 12b of the float 12.
The float 12 provides a generally centralized platform for attaching or mounting all the subsystems 20, 30, 40 and 50 and collection of power generated by the subsystems. As best seen in
The float 12 can be provided as a substantially solid structure or a substantially hollow structure. The substantially solid-type structure can be suitable for most use scenarios where the floating stability of the offshore power generation system 10 is not a substantial concern. In the case of the substantially hollow structure, the float 12 can be selectively and partially filled with filler material, such as water, sand, and the like, to function as ballast as can enhance stability of the float 12. When so constructed, the float 12 will be partially submerged in the water, more so than without the added weight of the filler or ballast material, to enhance increasing the floating stability of the offshore power generation system 10 on the water. During use, the float 12 is typically substantially fixed at a predetermined or designated relative position on the body of water by an anchor 16 connected to a cable 15 extending from the float 12. The cable 15 can be constructed from chains, sturdy rope, or similar material, for example.
To facilitate collection of power, e.g., electricity, generated by the subsystems 20, 30, 40 and 50, the float 12 includes a power collector, such as in the form of a rechargeable battery 14, disposed inside a collector housing 13. Lines to supply generated power from each of the subsystems 20, 30, 40 and 50 (not shown) are in communication with the battery 14, such as through suitable converter/rectifier circuitry, as known in the art, thereby charging the same. The collector housing 13 is desirably removable or at least be provided with one or more accessible panels or doors to facilitate collection and/or replacement of the battery 14, as well as for maintenance of the battery 14 or of components of the offshore power generation system 10. In an embodiment, a plurality of offshore power generation systems 10 can be placed within a given area of the body of water, and the batteries 14 can be periodically collected and/or replaced so that the collected batteries 14 can be connected to the local power grid or be used individually, for example.
The float 12 also includes a central hub 17 with a post 18 extending upwardly therefrom. The post 18 serves as a mount post for at least one or more of the subsystems for operation above water, such as the solar subsystem 20 and the wind subsystem 30. As shown in
In an embodiment, it is desirable for one of the solar panel arrays 22 and 24, e.g., first solar panel array 22, be positioned at a first angle, such as horizontal or parallel or substantially horizontal or substantially parallel relative to the top 12a of the float 12 while the other solar panel array, e.g., second solar panel array 24, be positioned at a second angle with respect to the horizontal relative to the top 12a of the float 12, the second angle being different from the first angle. This arrangement of the first solar panel array 22 and the second solar panel array 24 can substantially maximize or enhance exposure of the solar cells 25 of the solar panel arrays 22 and 24 to the sun throughout the day.
For example, the angular disposition of the second solar panel array 24 can be arranged to face the sun during times of about from low horizon to about directly overhead while the horizontal disposition of the first solar panel array 22 faces the sun during the times of about midmorning to midafternoon so as to increase exposure of the solar cells 25 of the solar panel arrays 22 and 24 to the sun throughout the day. Thus, at least some parts of the first solar panel array 22 and the second solar panel array 24 will be exposed to the sun throughout at least a substantial portion of the day and can generate a certain amount of power thereby.
Referring to
The base housing 35 is desirably cylindrical in shape. However, the shape of the base housing 35 can be varied, such as can be of other suitable shapes or configurations, as can depend on the needs, requirements, and desires of the user. To further enhance maximizing surface area exposure for generation of solar power by the solar subsystem 20, the outer surface of the base housing 35 can be provided with one or more solar cells 25 as a part of the overall solar subsystem 20, for example.
The rotor assembly 36 includes a plurality of rotor blades 36a and a stabilizer assembly, such as a stabilizer rotor 37, disposed at a bottom end 36b of the rotor blades 36a. Each rotor blade 36a is desirably of a generally curvilinear triangle shape or configuration with opposite ends converging at the vertical axis or the axis of rotation of the rotor assembly 36, although other suitable shapes and configurations can be used, as can depend on the use or application, and should not be construed in a limiting sense. The shape of the rotor blades 36a combined forms an inverted, substantially conical shape or configuration where the bottom end 36b is an apex 36d of the generally conical shape and a top end 36c is a base 36e of the generally conical shape or configuration of the rotor blades 36a.
Each rotor blade 36a is desirably constructed as a relatively thin and flat strip of material formed into the generally curvilinear triangle shape or configuration as shown in
In an embodiment, the rotor assembly 36 typically does not include a central, vertical shaft that extends between the ends of the rotor blades 36a. Such a shaft can potentially increase drag on the wind passing through the rotor blades 36a and diminish the potential energy. However, the rotor assembly 36 can be provided with such a shaft to increase structural stability as required.
As best seen in
While the solar subsystem 20 and the wind subsystem 30 employ the natural environment energies above the surface of the body of water to produce power, the offshore power generation system 10 includes at least two separate subsystems that exploit the environmental energies underwater, e.g., underwater current, velocity, and the motion thereof collectively construed as tide-wave energy. One of the underwater subsystems is the water turbine subsystem 40 shown in
The water turbine subsystem 40 is coupled to the bottom 12b of the float 12. The water turbine subsystem 40 includes one or more venturi pods 42 rotatably coupled to the bottom 12b of the float 12, such as by being mounted to a support shaft, beam, or bar 43 extending downwardly from the bottom 12b of the float 12. Each venturi pod 42 is desirably free to rotate about the support shaft 43 so as to facilitate self-adjustable repositioning of the venturi pod 42, such as in response to course changes in the underwater current. The mounting of the venturi pods 42 can also be fixed in conditions where the underwater current is suitably strong enough to orient the venturi pods 42 so that the water flows through the venturi pods 42.
Each venturi pod 42 is desirably generally ovoid in shape forming a generally hollow housing with an inlet 44a at one end and an outlet 44b at the opposite end, the inlet 44a desirably having a diameter or opening D1 larger than the diameter or opening D2 of the outlet 44b, the different opening dimensions can assist in compressing the water as the water travels from the inlet 44a to the outlet 44b to thereby increase the given velocity of the incoming water. The ovoid shape is desirable in that it is relatively more hydrodynamic and increases the work efficiency of the water passing through venturi pod 42. However, other shapes, such as cylindrical, oblong, and the like, can be employed depending on the needs and desires of the user, and the shape or configuration of the venturi pod 42 should not be construed in a limiting sense.
Also, each venturi pod 42 operates in a similar manner to wind turbines and employs water current and the velocity thereof to drive internal components for generating power. As best seen in
The compressor 45 serves as a passive structure that increases an incoming velocity v1 of the water current, as a given velocity, to a higher exit velocity v2 than the given velocity v1 for the water current to impart as much momentum to the vertical-axis water turbine 47 as possible. Similar to the shape of the venturi pod 42, the compressor 45 desirably includes one or more annular bushings, such as annular bushings 45a and 45b, of a generally ovoid shape so that an inlet opening 45c of the compressor 45 is of larger dimensions than the dimensions of an outlet opening 45d, although other suitable shapes can be used, as can depend on the use or application, and should not be construed in a limiting sense.
For example, the compressor 45 includes the inlet or inlet opening 45c having a given opening dimension D3 for an outer bushing 45a and a given opening dimension D5 for an inner bushing 45b. The compressor 45 includes the outlet or outlet opening 45d having a given opening dimension D4 for the outer bushing 45a and a given opening dimension D6 for the inner bushing 45b, the opening dimension D4 being smaller than the opening dimension D3 for the outer bushing 45a and the opening dimension D6 being smaller than the opening dimension D5 for the inner bushing 45b, for example.
The different opening dimensions D3, D4, D5, and D6 compress the water as the water travels from the inlet 45c to the outlet 45d to thereby increase the given velocity of the incoming water. As the water passes through the inlet of the compressor 45, the internal dimensions of the compressor 45 gradually decrease in much the same manner as a nozzle or a funnel so as to compress the mass of the water and forcibly eject the water through the outlet at a higher exit velocity v2 than the incoming velocity v1. The exit velocity v2 of the water drives the vertical-axis water turbine 47.
In an embodiment, the compressor 45 is desirably constructed from a fabric coated with microspheres containing PCM (paraffinic hydrocarbons), a surfactant, a dispersant, anti-foam and a thickener. The fabric construction facilitates a degree of self-adjustment to accommodate various water current conditions during use by deformation. The coating of the fabric also substantially reduces the tendency of the water to adhere to surfaces of the compressor 45 so as to minimize energy loss from the water being directed towards the vertical-axis turbine 47. Additionally, the coating assists in removing some heat from the water passing through the compressor 45 thereby reducing its temperature and increasing its velocity. The compressor 45 can also be constructed from more rigid materials with a similar coating mentioned above and the type and composition of materials forming the compressor 45 should not be construed in a limiting sense. Also, the compressor 45 can be an adjustable structure so as to adjust a by-pass ratio of the water that is by-passed through the inlet 45c of the compressor 45, as can depend on the type of flow for the water, for example. Such adjustment of the by-pass ratio of the water can be made by adjusting the position, size and/or number of by-pass structures, such as the annular bushings 45a and 45b, for example.
The vertical-axis water turbine 47 is rotatably mounted within the venturi pod 42 downstream of the compressor 45, the higher exit velocity v2 driving the vertical-axis water turbine 47. The vertical-axis water turbine 47 includes a vertically oriented shaft 48 coupled to the venturi pod 42, such as by being coupled to the support shaft 43. The vertically oriented shaft 48 is rotatable with respect to the venturi pod 42. A plurality of vertical impellers 49 are mounted to corresponding spokes 49a radiating from shaft 48. The higher exit velocity v2 of the water exiting from the compressor 45 acts on the vertical impellers 49 causing the same to rotate the shaft 48 about the vertical axis of the shaft 48.
The shaft 48 is operatively coupled to a generator or other suitable power conversion device (not shown), such suitable dynamos, generators or power conversion devices known to those in the art, which converts the rotation of the impellers 49 into power, such as electricity. The higher exit velocity v2 of the water from the compressor 45 acts on the vertical impellers 49 to rotate the vertically oriented shaft 48 and thereby generate power. The generator or other suitable power conversion device associated with the water turbine subsystem 40 can be positioned at a suitable location on the offshore power generation system 10. The generated power from the water turbine subsystem 40 feeds into the battery 14 to charge the same, as described.
Each impeller 49 of the water turbine subsystem 40 is desirably constructed from a relatively thin strip of material formed into a substantially curvilinear, wavy, or sinusoidal shape. The sinusoidal shape for the impeller 49 typically provides a greater surface area for the moving water to act on the impeller 49, such as compared to a generally straight impeller of the same height, and thereby can maximize a surface area for the water to act on the vertical impeller 49 for a given height of the vertical impeller 49. Additionally, at least the upper and lower ends of each impeller 49 can be tapered to reduce the relative mass and weight of the impeller 49. The reduced mass and weight desirably typically equates to less force required to move the respective impellers 49 as can thereby increase the efficiency of the vertical-axis water turbine 47.
It is noted that the outlet 44b of the venturi pod 42 should not be too small relative to the inlet 44a due to potential back pressure that can occur at the outlet 44b as a result of a much constricted outlet opening. Such a phenomenon can impede rotation of the impellers 49 and can thereby reduce power generation.
Another of the underwater subsystems is the hydrofoil subsystem 50 shown in
As the hydrofoils 51 ride the natural motion of the underwater current and/or waves and the undulations thereof, the movement of the underwater current and/or waves and the undulations thereof forces the hydrofoils 51 to move up and down and pivot about the pivot 51b following the natural undulations of the current. This reactionary movement of the hydrofoils 51 causes the first arm 52 to pivot about a first arm pivot 52a at the opposite end of the first arm 52, which is connected to the second arm 53.
The second arm 53 is slidably mounted to a hydrofoil support post 54 extending downwardly from the bottom 12b of the float 12. One end of the second arm 53 is pivotably mounted to the first arm 52 at the first arm pivot 52a while the opposite end of the second arm 53 is operatively coupled to a gear box 56 positioned in conjunction with the float 12, such as being positioned inside the float 12. The gear box 56 is operatively coupled to the opposite end of the second arm 53. The pivoting motion of the first arm 52 causes the second arm 53 to reciprocate within the hydrofoil support post 54 in response to up and down movements of one or more of the hydrofoils 51.
The gear box 56 includes a gear arrangement 57, schematically illustrated in
Referring to
Thus, it can be seen that the offshore power generation system 10 employs a plurality of energy collection subsystems, such as the subsystems 20, 30, 40 and 50 that utilize common renewable energy resources from the natural environment to produce power. This results in a relatively compact power plant with minimal negative impact to the environment. Additionally, the offshore power generation system 10 can operate throughout a substantial portion of the day with no significant downtime apart from maintenance requirements.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
