| 摘要 |
Apparatus (2) for generating electricity from an ocean current, which apparatus (2) comprises: (i) an array (4) of electrical generators (6), with each electrical generator (6) comprising a housing (8), a turbine (10) in the housing (8), and a conduit (12) which is in the housing (8) and which is for enabling ocean water to pass through the housing (8) and over the turbine (10) such as to cause the turbine (10) to rotate and generate electricity, the housing (8) having straight sides (14), and the housings (8) in the array (4) being connected together such that each housing (8) is in contact along at least two of its sides (14) with adjacent housings (8); (ii) at least one ballast compartment (16) inside each housing (8), the ballast compartment (16) being such that ocean water is admitted to cause the electrical generator (6) to sink in the ocean, and such that ocean water is expelled to cause the electrical generator (6) to rise in the ocean; (iii) control means (18) for controlling: (a) the admission of ocean water into the ballast compartment (16) in order to provide the electrical generator (6) with a negative buoyancy whereby the electrical generator (6) is able to sink to a required depth in the ocean; (b) the expulsion of ocean water from the ballast compartment (16) in order to provide the electrical generator (6) with a positive buoyancy whereby the electrical generator (6) is able to rise to a required depth in the ocean; and (c) the admission and expulsion of the ocean water in order to provide the electrical generator (6) with a neutral buoyancy whereby the electrical generator (6) is able to float at a required depth in the ocean; and (iv) at least three lengths (20) of a restrainer, with each length (20) of the restrainer being connectable at an upper portion (22) to the array (4) and at a lower portion (24) to the ocean floor (26) whereby the array (4) is able to be maintained in a desired horizontal angular position with respect to the ocean floor (26), and the apparatus (2) being such that the control means (18) and the lengths (20) of the restrainer enable the array (4) to be positioned in the ocean at a depth where the ocean current is strongest, and in a direction which is aligned with the ocean current for maximum flow of ocean water through the housings (8). |
