WATER TURBINE WITH VARIABLE BUOYANCY

摘要

A floatable turbine (10) is described, which is movable on a substantially vertically oriented guide (20) so that the turbine (10) may move downwards along the guide (20) under gravitational force. The turbine equipment (10) is of negative buoyancy to facilitate it sinking, but is further provided with adjustable buoyancy means to allow the turbine arrangement to be imparted with a positive buoyancy when required. When imparted with a positive buoyancy the turbine equipment (10) floats back up the vertically oriented guide (20) under the buoyancy force. When moving down the guide (20) under gravity, and back up the guide (20) under buoyancy force an effective artificial current is generated by the movement through the turbine blades, turning the blades which in turn cause a generator to produce electricity, typically by suitable gearing.

主权项

1. A floatable turbine comprising:
a rotatable set of turbine blades operable to rotate about a common axis and communicatively coupled to an electrical generation system arranged to generate electricity as the turbine blades rotate; a buoyancy control system arranged to controllably impart positive buoyancy to the floatable turbine; and a guidance means for guiding the turbine along the common axis as it moves; wherein the floatable turbine is suitable for submersion in water, and the turbine blades being arranged to rotate as the turbine moves through the water.