| 摘要 |
1504104 Tidal current motors: endless chain type H PITZER 26 May 1976 21915/76 Heading F1T The invention relates to apparatus for generating electric power from marine or tidal currents comprising a frame, a set of blades carried by an endless conveyer, means for erecting the blades during blade travel in the direction of the current and for feathering the blades during blade travel in the opposite direction, the whole apparatus operating submerged. The apparatus comprises four tubular members 1, 2, 3, 4 which are interconnected by horizontal frame members 5a, 5b, 6 also by vertical members 40 to define a support structure - several units are in fact connected together. The structure is immersed in a current indicated by arrows S. Endless conveyers in the form of chains 7, 8 run over sprockets 10, 11 at the forward end and sprockets 12, 13 at the rearward end, the sprockets 10, 11 being mounted on a shaft 37 and sprockets 12, 13 on a shaft 14; a gear-wheel 15 is mounted on the shaft 14 and drives a pinion 16 by which the generator 17 is driven. A plurality of blades or vanes 9 is provided, each blade comprising a tubular frame 18 of rectangular form with a flexible "sail" 19 connected thereto, the sail filling out as it moves with the current. The blade is guided in guides 24 in the upper members 1, 2, the blade frame having rollers 27 at its upper edges, and in guides 25 in the lower members 3, 4, the blade frame having sliders 28 at its lower edges; the lower edges also carry tongues 39 which engage in the claims 7, 8 whereby the chain is driven as the blades are driven by the current. A guide wire 22 extends over pulleys 20, 21 carried by the blade frame 18, the wire being connected to a member 23 carried by the chains 7, 8. As the chains pass over the sprockets 11 at the forward end, "rake" devices 30, 31 carry the guides 28 to the upper channel 25 whereby the blade is erected for its driving stroke. As the chains pass over the sprockets 12, 13 at the rearward end the blade is moved to the feathered position for its return stroke. Fixed guides 32 are provided at the top of the structure to guide the water current on to the blades; adjustable guides 36 are provided at the bottom of the structure and also act to direct the water current on to the blades. The lower members 3, 4 are formed with compartments 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b which may be flooded so as to submerse the apparatus at any desired depth. The apparatus is located in the marine current by cables 34, 35 secured to a bollard; if the apparatus is operated by a tidal current it will move to face into the current as the tidal flow changes.
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