Patent Application
20110283931
1. Field
The present invention relates generally to renewable, hydro-electric energy generation, and in particular to renewable hydro-electric energy generation for submarine ships.
2. Description of the Problem and Related Art
The power of moving water has long been harnessed and converted to other useful forms of energy, beginning with the water wheel. Water driven turbines have long been employed in dams to renewably generate electrical energy. Recently, sub-surface turbines have been developed to use ocean currents to generate electrical energy, for example, the “SeaGen” turbine, built by Marine Current Turbines, Ltd, of Bristol, United Kingdom. A further example, is that disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/998,593 by Kejha, which teaches an ocean current-powered, turbine anchored to the ocean floor. In these and other examples, it can be seen that efforts to convert ocean currents to energy have only been employed on stationary fixtures. The major advantage of using a fixed turbine is the relative force of the current against the turbine is greatest, causing the greatest amount of turbine rotation, generating greater energy.
In contrast, a major advantage of submarines in military operations is that they are difficult to detect. Their stealth depends on being able to operate as quietly as possible under the surface of the ocean. This is best done using electric motors. However, current battery technology is not efficient enough to allow the ship to run at long intervals underwater (days.) Some submarines use a diesel power plant for propulsion on the surface of the ocean. During this time on the surface, while running the diesel engines, electric batteries, used for propulsion and power under water may be charged. However, this method has several drawbacks. First, while the diesel-powered ship is on the surface, it is more vulnerable to detection as it can be seen and it is extremely noisy. Second, operational range of a diesel submarine is limited. The diesel submarines conduct naval operation close to shores because of refueling needs.
To overcome this limitation, nuclear submarines were developed that allowed long under surface periods so that detection is decreased, and long range which decreases logistic stress. However, a nuclear submarine costs much more than a diesel submarine or an electrically powered submarine. And, while the energy generated from a nuclear reactor is tremendous, it comes at an environmental cost in the disposal of the spent, radioactive nuclear fuel.
Accordingly, a submarine with an electric motor, able to transit long distances underwater without surfacing or returning to port to recharge or refuel would be advantageous.
For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.
The present disclosure is directed to a submarine with a generator adapted to convert energy from ocean currents into electric energy for powering the ship.
A submarine according that described hereinbelow includes an ocean current turbine mounted to exterior of the aft section of the sail of the submarine. The turbine is also preferably retractable.
The ship is also configured with extendable panels that serve to brake the forward motion of the ship when the turbine is deployed.
These and other embodiments of the present invention will also become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular embodiment(s) disclosed.
Embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. It is to be understood that the drawings are not to scale.
The various embodiments of the present invention and their advantages are best understood by referring to
This invention may be provided in other specific forms and embodiments without departing from the essential characteristics as described herein. The embodiments described above are to be considered in all aspects as illustrative only and not restrictive in any manner. The following claims rather than the foregoing description indicate the scope of the invention.
Panels 4 are dimensioned to be able to brake the ship's forward motion so that the velocity of the ocean current is greater than that of the submarine 1. In addition it should be understood that the submarine 1 may be equipped with more than one pair of braking panels 4, each of which may be selectively extendable or retractable.
Referring now to
It will also be appreciated that the invention may be achieved with placing the turbine 2 at differing locations on the ship. For example, in
As described above and shown in the associated drawings, the present invention comprises a system for generating energy for a submarine using ocean currents. While particular embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be understood, however, that the invention is not limited thereto, since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. It is, therefore, contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such modifications that incorporate those features or those improvements that embody the spirit and scope of the present invention.
