| 摘要 |
Disclosed is a renewable energy extraction device and methods for producing renewable energy from flowing air or water. The renewable energy extraction device captures a relatively large amount of flowing water or atmospheric air and increases speed of the captured water or air by decreasing flow cross sectional area in the flow direction. An energy extraction component is used to extract energy of the high-speed water or air and convert it to rotational mechanical energy on a power shaft. A rotation direction control mechanism is used to make the power shaft always rotate in one direction, without coming to a stop, for ocean applications. The mechanical energy of the power shaft is transmitted to an electric generator, pump, compressor, or any other rotary equipment. After extraction of its energy, the captured air or water is released to its original source at a downstream location. |
| 主权项 |
1. A renewable energy extraction device for river application, comprising:
(a) an inlet compartment, with a relatively large opening and reducing cross sectional area in the flow direction, capable of capturing all or a portion of the river flow rate, and increasing speed of the captured water as it flows through the inlet compartment; (b) a high-speed flow compartment which receives high-speed flowing water from the inlet compartment; (c) an energy extraction component including a wheel rotor, wheel structure, and multiple paddles to extract energy from the high-speed water that flows through the high-speed flow compartment; (d) a power shaft which is engaged with the wheel rotor by keys, or other similar means, and receives the extracted energy in the form of rotational mechanical energy; (e) an exit compartment which receives water from the high-speed flow compartment and releases it to the original source of water downstream; (f) rolling-contact bearings, sleeve bearings, or a combination of both, that may be attached to the walls of the inlet, high-speed flow, or exit compartments, to support the rotating shafts; (g) flow restriction device(s), attached to any of the inlet, high-speed flow, or exit compartments to control flow of water through the compartments; (h) an electric generator, to receive the rotational mechanical energy of the power shaft and convert it to electrical power; (i) a brake system, for stopping the rotating shafts that are all connected to each other; (j) a transmission system, to adjust rotational speed of rotating shafts; (k) a flywheel, to store the rotational energy of the power shaft and minimize fluctuation in its rotational speed; (l) spacer shafts, to connect two adjacent shafts; (m) couplings, to connect two adjacent shafts; (n) means to control or prevent axial movements of rotating shafts; (o) screening devices, to be attached to the inlet and exit compartments to prevent debris or any other undesired particles and objects from passing through; (p) a lower structural platform to which all inlet, high-speed flow, and exit compartments are attached; (q) an upper structural platform, on which all equipment and instrumentation can be mounted and provides a working area for crew; and (r) a structure, connecting lower platform to the upper platform. |
