Water-borne vessel

摘要

A hydrokinetic energy system suitable for a water-borne vessel comprises at least one water-driven turbine that is positioned below the water line, and with means to control the flow of water through the turbine as water moves from the bow to the stern of the vessel as it moves through the water. In the first embodiment at least one turbine 10 is positioned within a tubular member 7 within the hull of the vessel 1 that extends from the intake 8 at the bow to the outlet 9 at the stern, the water entering the tubular member is controlled by a hatch (18, fig 4) at the inlet that may have a mesh covering (19, fig 4). In the second embodiment the turbine (12, fig 5) is mounted within the open U shaped channel (23, fig 5) in the keel of the vessel, e.g. between the two hulls (21,22, fig 5) of a catamaran, the water entering the channel is controlled by a manoeuvrable deflector plate, that can be lowered to prevent water passing from the bow to the stern entering the turbine. The hydrokinetic energy system may be retro fitted or fitted during the manufacture of the vessel, in order to generate electricity and/or to decelerate the vessel.