Description

THE TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to the field of electricity and more particularly to the field of devices for generating electricity and even more particularly to the field of generating electricity from the kinetic energy of a fluid. In particular, the present invention refers to a power generating mechanism for generating power from a fluid flow, an arrangement comprising such a power generating mechanism and a base, to which the power generating mechanism is mounted, as well as a method of power generating from a fluid flow by means of such a power generating mechanism. Within the context of the present invention, the term "power" means electric power and can be interchangeably used with the term "electric".

THE HISTORY OF THE INVENTION

The power generating mechanism disclosed in the present invention has not been disclosed in the prior art.

Mechanisms for converting kinetic or dynamic energy have been known for centuries. In recent years, numerous variations or new inventions have been used to convert kinetic or dynamic energy into electrical energy, with the aim, among other things, of protecting the environment. Wind turbines are commonly used, which are placed in clusters on the tops of mountains in order to exploit the air currents. Similarly, in rivers or lakes, dams are built to change the direction of water flow in order to produce hydroelectric power. However, each of these solutions has inherent problems that make them both technically complex and costly. Wind turbines, apart from the difficulty of installation, have disadvantages concerning the visual pollution of the environment, while their oversized blades are often made of non-recyclable materials, resulting in problems of material accumulation. On the other hand, dams have specific requirements for their installation, are very expensive installations and often require huge volumes of water to be efficient. Moreover, changing the flow of rivers or creating artificial lakes often has negative effects on the environment, since human intervention disturbs the environmental balance.

Also known from the prior art are applications such as WO2018/029387 which shows a system for capturing the energy of fluids using axial turbines with one free end, where the other end is connected to an electric generator. Similarly known is W02016/030910 which shows hydroturbines operating on the kinetic energy of water. The design of this turbine is such that its conical shape and blades form a screw shape and do not affect the flow of water during their rotation.

It is thus a main object of the present invention to advantageously address the aforementioned disadvantages and deficiencies of the prior art by proposing a mechanism for power production. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a power generating mechanism, the lower branch of which is the only active branch for generating the power.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a power generating mechanism that can be placed anywhere there is a flowing fluid, such as for example running water (rivers, sea streams, sewage system flow, industrial effluents), but even in air streams.

It is a further object of the invention to disclose a power generating mechanism that takes advantage of fluid flow without requiring the construction of dams and other technical structures to change the direction of fluid flow.

A further advantage of the invention is that the power generating mechanism has a large number of blades, with a large surface area, which results in the generation of a large amount of power.

Another advantageous feature of the invention is that the mechanism can be placed both in fluid streams with fixed and variable levels, ensuring the smooth operation of the mechanism in any condition. In the case where the fluid level is not constant or where the depth is great, the mechanism can preferably be placed on a floating platform, together with means for lifting it, both for maintenance reasons and to protect the mechanism from severe weather conditions.

An additional preferred feature of the present invention is that it can be mounted on a rotating base, which allows the mechanism to be operated by air currents.

Another preferred characteristic of the power generating mechanism is that it has blades with high rigidity and low weight, so that they are not bent by the fluid pressure and the distance between the articulated chains is kept constant.

The aforementioned main object is achieved by a power generating mechanism for generating power from a fluid flow comprising four rotating elements, two shafts, two transmission elements, a plurality of blades and an electric generator. Two of the rotating elements are arranged on one of the shafts and the other two rotating elements are arranged on the other shaft. Each of the transmission elements is arranged around one of the rotating elements arranged on the one shaft and one of the rotating elements arranged on the other shaft such that the rotating elements are rotatable together. The plurality of blades are connected to both transmission elements such that the blades are movable together with the transmission elements. The electric generator is operably connected to one of the shafts. The proposed power generating mechanism is technically simple, compact and cost-effective. Further, it does not require huge amounts of fluid to function, while it does not require changing the flow of rivers or creating artificial lakes. Within the context of the present invention, a transmission element can in particular be understood as a motion transmission element.

In other words, the power generating mechanism generating powerfrom a fluid flow, in particular from the kinetic energy from a fluid, comprises a first rotating element, a second rotating element, a third rotating element, and a fourth rotating element, a first transmission element and a second transmission element, a plurality of blades, and an electrical generator. The first rotating element and the third rotating element are arranged on a first shaft, and the second rotating element and the fourth rotating element are arranged on a second shaft. The first transmission element is arranged around the first rotating element and the second rotating element such that the first rotating element and the second rotating element are rotatable together. The second transmission element is arranged around the third rotating element and the fourth rotating element such that the third rotating element and the fourth rotating element are rotatable together. The plurality of blades are connected to the first transmission element and the second transmission element such that the blades are movable together with the first transmission element and the second transmission element. The electric generator is operably connected to the second shaft.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the rotating elements (first to fourth rotating elements) are formed as toothed wheels, and the transmission elements (first and second transmission elements) are formed as articulated chains. The articulated chains are configured to mesh with the corresponding rotating elements. Within the context of the present invention, an articulated chain can also be characterized as a roller chain, while a toothed wheel can also be characterized as a sprocket.

Advantageously, the articulated chains are each made of plates connected to each other by pins. The pins are configured to engage with notches/grooves of the toothed wheels, wherein a notch is formed between two neighbouring teeth of a toothed wheel.

Preferably, the rotating elements (first to fourth rotating elements) are identical to each other. Preferably, a transmission, in particular a gearbox, is arranged between the electric generator and the shaft (second shaft) to which the electric generator is connected. Thus, the needed rotational speed for the electric generator can always be achieved. A transmission ratio of the transmission is preferably higher than 1.

Advantageously, the transmission elements each form a closed loop. Preferably, the plurality of blades are arranged perpendicularly to the transmission elements. This means in particular that a longitudinal axis of the blades is perpendicular to an inner side of the transmission elements. The blades advantageously extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the plurality of blades are arranged between the transmission elements.

The blades preferably have a curved shape in order to manipulate better the flow field and to increase the output of the electric generator. Through experimental measurements, in which different shapes of blades were tried, it has been found that the highest output of the electric generator has been produced when the bladed had a geometrical form of elliptic paraboloid. An elliptic paraboloid, which means that the surface of each blade is curved in three dimensions. In another embodiment of the present invention, they are shaped like a C-shaped kite.

The blades preferably have a bending stiffness depending on the material and the size of the blades such that the blades cannot be bent by a strong fluid flow and a distance between the transmission elements can remain constant along the whole length of the transmission elements.

Advantageously, the shafts (first shaft and second shaft) are parallel to each other.

A first group of blades of the plurality of blades is located above a level defined by the shafts (first shaft and second shaft) and a second group of blades of the plurality of blades is located below said level. The level can in particular be defined by the middle axes of the shafts. In other words, the first group of blades is preferably located above an imaginary line connecting the two shafts to each other, in particular their middle axes, and the second group of blades below said imaginary line. When the power generating mechanism is placed in a fluid flow, the first group of blades is an upper group of blades and the second group of blades a lower group of blades.

Preferably, a cover partly covers the rotating elements (first to fourth rotating elements), the transmission elements (first and second transmission elements) and the blades. Particularly, the cover can cover said components above the aforementioned level or imaginary line. Preferably, the cover completely covers the first group of blades.

Preferably, the blades are arranged at equal distances from each other in a circumferential direction of the transmission elements (first and second transmission elements).

Within the context of the present invention, the rotating elements (first to fourth rotating elements) and the transmission elements (first and second transmission elements) can be understood as a transmission device. A transmission ratio of the transmission device is preferably equal to 1.

The present invention further refers to an arrangement comprising a power generating mechanism of any of the preceding claims and at least one base, to which the power generating mechanism is mounted.

Preferably, the base is rotatable, in particular around an axis perpendicular to the aforementioned level defined by the shafts, and/or is height-adjustable. A rotatable base has the advantage that the power generating mechanism can be used in an air flow, while a height- adjustable base has the advantage that the power generating mechanism can in particular be adjusted to the depth of the water, when the power generating mechanism is placed in a water flow. It is understood that the arrangement may comprise a first base and a second base, wherein the power generating mechanism is directly connected to the first base and the first base connected to the second base. The first base can in this configuration be height-adjustable and the second base rotatable.

The present invention further refers to a method of power generating from a fluid flow by means of the previously described power generating mechanism. The method comprises the step of placing the power generating mechanism in the fluid flow such the fluid flow causes the blades to move for generating power. The movement of the blades causes in turn a movement of the transmission elements and thus a rotation of the rotating elements. The rotation of the two of the rotating elements that are arranged on the shaft operably connected to the electric generator (second rotating element and fourth rotating element arranged on the second shaft) causes the electric generator to rotate and thus generate power.

Preferably, the power generating mechanism is placed in a liquid flow such that only blades of the plurality blades located below a level defined by the shafts, in particular only the aforementioned second group of blades, are in contact with the liquid.

Preferably, the power generating mechanism can include a control means for controlling the electric generator, in particular remotely controlling it.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention will be made apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows an illustrative perspective view of a power generating mechanism, which exploits the kinetic energy of a fluid, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a perspective illustration of a power generating mechanism arrangement comprising the power generating mechanism of figure 1 and a base, on which the power generating mechanism is mounted and stabilized, according to the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 shows an illustrative perspective view of a modification of the power generating mechanism arrangement of figure 2 comprising a modification of the power generating mechanism of figure 1 and a rotating base. An upper branch of the power generating mechanism is covered for operational and protection purposes according to a modification of the embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 shows a blade in the form of elliptic paraboloid and its means of attachment to the articulated chain.

Figure 5 shows in detail the means of attaching a blade to the articulated chain.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Referring now to the accompanying figures, a power generating mechanism arrangement 1000 with a power generating mechanism 100 for generating power from a fluid flow according to an embodiment of the present invention and modifications thereof are described in detail.

As can be seen from Fig. 1, the power generating mechanism 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises two parallel shafts (first and second shafts 1, with two bushings 2 on each shaft 1. However, any other type of bearing can be used for supporting the shafts 1.

Two toothed wheels 3, or otherwise called sprockets, are fixed to each shaft 1, preferably by using a wedge 4, one at each end of the shaft 1. This means that there are four toothed wheels 3 in total in the power generating mechanism 100. Each toothed wheel 3 is identical to the others used, having the same pitch. Their rotation is simultaneous, so that there are no synchronisation issues. In other words, the toothed wheels 3 rotate together. The toothed wheels 3 correspond to rotating elements and can be also characterized as first, second, third and fourth rotating elements. An articulated chain 5, suitable for transmitting motion, encloses two of the toothed wheels 3 located along one of the shafts 1. In other words, there are provided two chains 5, each of which is arranged around one toothed wheel 3 arranged on one of the shafts 1 and one toothed wheel 3 arranged on the other shaft 1 forming thus closed loops. Each articulated chain 5 is formed of plates 6, which are connected together by pins 7 and form modular assemblies. The pins 7 engage the grooves 8 of the toothed wheels 3 when the toothed wheels 3 rotate. The chains 5 correspond to transmission elements first and second transmission elements of the power generating mechanism 100. A transmission ratio between the toothed wheels 2 is equal to 1.

A plurality of blades 9 is mounted perpendicularly to the two chains 5, connecting them together, and arranged between the chains 5. Thus, the blades 9 are movable together with the chains 5. In particular, the blades 9 are arranged at equal distances from each other in a circumferential direction of the chains 5.

Figure 4 presents a detailed view of a blade 9 of the present invention and its means 17 of attachment to the articulated chain 5. The blades 9 are preferably, curved in shape. In an embodiment of the present invention, they have the form of elliptic paraboloid, which means that they are curved in three dimensions. In particular, an elliptic paraboloid is a paraboloid that can be put into a position such that its sections parallel to one coordinate plane are ellipses, while its sections parallel to the other two coordinate planes are parabola.

In another embodiment of the present invention, they are shaped like a C-shaped kite. Advantageously, they are made of metal alloys, carbon fibres, polyesters or any suitable combination thereof, in order to obtain high rigidity and low weight. The blades 9 are so constructed such that they are rigid, i.e. do not bend, under the pressure of the fluid and the distance between the two chains 5 is maintained constant. The blades 9 may be supported on a metal frame in the event that their dimensions are such that further support other than the support provided by the chains 5 is required. It is understood that the length of the chains 5 and the number of blades 9 also determine the power generated bythe power generating mechanism 100. An increase in one or both characteristics contributes to an increase in the power generating capacity.

Figure 5 presents a detailed view of the means 16 of attachment of a blade 9 of the present invention to the articulated chain 5. Each means 17 of attachment comprises two rods leading to an attachment point for attaching the blade 9 to the chains 5.

Only the blades 9 which are occasionally located in a lower branch of the mechanism, i.e. from an imaginary line defined by the two parallel axes 1 and towards the ground, or below a level defined by the shafts 1, are active, when the power generating mechanism 100 is placed in the fluid flow. The blades 9 located in an upper branch of the power generating mechanism 100, i.e. from the imaginary line defined by the two parallel axes 1 and away from the ground, or above the level defined by the shafts 1, move in the opposite direction to the direction of movement of the fluid in question and thus do not contribute to the generation of energy. These blades 9 form a first group of blades 9, while the blades 9 located in the lower branch form a second group of blades 9. For this reason, and also for their protection, the branch above the imaginary line of the two parallel shafts 1 may be covered by a single cover 10, as shown in the modification of the power generating mechanism 100 of Fig. 3. Along with the blades 9, the toothed wheels 3 and the chains 5 are partly covered, leaving the lower branch of the power generating mechanism 100 exposed to the fluid.

On the front shaft 1 (according to the perspective used in the figures) and on one of its toothed wheels 3, there is arranged, as a continuation, a drive shaft 11, which transmits the motion to a gearbox 12. From there, through another shaft 13, in particular a high-speed shaft, the motion is transmitted to an electric generator 14. In other words, the front shaft 1, which corresponds to the second shaft of the power generating mechanism 100, is operably connected to the electric generator 14. The power generating mechanism 100 can be installed wherever there is a fluid flow, such as rivers, sea currents or even industrial wastewater. The direction of the fluid flow corresponds to the direction of the arrow in Fig. 1. When the fluid flow is constant and the depth is small, the installation of the power generating mechanism 100 can be made, as shown in Fig. 2, on a base 15, which is fixed and secured to the ground. However, in the case of unstable fluid flow or great depth, which may be combined with strong currents, the power generating mechanism 100 may be placed on a floating platform. In such a configuration, the existence of a lifting device is recommended to enable the mechanism to be protected in the event of severe weather conditions or when maintenance is required. Alternatively, as shown in the modification of the power generating mechanism arrangement 1000 according to Fig. 3, in case the power generating mechanism 100 is used to generate energy from air currents, it is preferable that the power generating mechanism 100 is mounted on a rotating base 16 in order to take advantage of the wind direction for maximising the generated power.

It should be noted at this point that the description of the invention has been made with reference to illustrative examples of application to which it is not limited. Accordingly, any change or modification in terms of shape, dimensions, morphology, materials used and components of construction and assembly, as long as they do not constitute a new inventive step and do not contribute to the technical development of what is already known, are considered to be within the aims and objectives of the present invention as summarised in the claims below.

An advantageous power generating mechanism according to the present invention can be described as follows: a. A power generating mechanism, mounted in a fluid, consisting of two parallel shafts 1 with two bushings 2 on each shaft 1, wherein at the two ends of each shaft 1 are fixed two identical toothed wheels 3 with grooves/notches 8, enclosed along each shaft 1 by an articulated chain 5 made of plates 6 connected together by pins 7, engaged in the grooves/notches 8 and by blades 9 arranged perpendicularly to the two articulated chains 5, the front shaft 1 having as its continuation a drive shaft 11, transmitting the motion to a gearbox 12 and from there through another, high-speed, shaft 13, to an electric generator 14, characterised in that only the blades 9 located below the imaginary line of the two parallel shafts 1 are in contact with the fluid. b. The power generating mechanism according to sentence a, characterized in that a cover 10 covers the portions of the toothed wheels 3, the articulated chain 5 and the blades 9 located above the imaginary line of the two parallel axes 1. c. The power generating mechanism according to sentence a, characterized in that it is mounted on a base 15. d. The power generating mechanism according to sentence a, characterised in that it is mounted on a rotatable base 16.