| 摘要 |
A subsurface floating cluster of current energy converters is disclosed. A cluster consists of many nodes on a single mooring cable. Two converters, rotating in opposite direction, are connected as a pair. At least two pairs, four converters, are connected to each node. Each converter consists of a rotor with curved blades, a transmission, and an electrical generator. A computer on the mother ship, that tows the cluster, controls the rotating rate of every rotor in the cluster. Each node moves vertically or horizontally according to the rotation-rate-differential in each pair of rotors. Each node seeks and remains in peak velocity region, or at a predetermined water depth, to convert kinetic energy to electricity with an optimal efficiency. This invention has characteristics of simplicity in design, using artificial intelligence to achieve high efficiency in peak speed region of an ocean current, incremental capacity, and mobility. |
| 主权项 |
1. A system for generating electricity from the flow of seawater through two ocean current energy converters interconnected as a pair, two of said pairs defining a first node, each said converter comprising:
a rotor defined by blades extending from a rotatable shaft and a chamber that houses an electrical generator and transmission, said shaft connected to said electrical generator through said transmission; at least one pressure sensor and sensors for measuring said rotor's rotation rate, said sensors contained within said chamber; a flow meter for sensing the seawater flowrate, said flow meter attached to said node; a braking mechanism to add braking force to one said shaft responsive to said pressure sensor; said two converters being mated so that said rotors only rotate in opposite directions, wherein one said rotor rotates clockwise the other said rotor always rotates counter-clockwise; and wherein said node and each said converter are designed to be equal to average water density and therefore neutrally buoyant in water. |
