Hydro nrgy

Abstract

A submersible water turbine, wherein the flow through the turbine is supplied by multiple chamber assemblies 4 which empty and fill in sequence. Each chamber assembly has a static cylinder 20 and a moveable cylinder 30 which slides in the static cylinder. Water is admitted by valve 22 and released through flexible tube 32 by exit valve 34 . A conduit 18 purges the chambers through valve 28.

1 . A submersible water turbine with a water turbine inlet and a water turbine outlet, the outlet being connectable to multiple chamber assemblies which empty and fill in sequence so as to provide constant water flow through the turbine, wherein a static submersible support structure for multiple chamber assemblies has an assembly inlet and assembly outlet for each assembly and within the assembly a static cylinder disposed to receive turbine flow through the assembly inlet, an air conduit admitting air into the static cylinder, a moveable cylinder with an overlapping end and an exposed end arranged to slide in the static cylinder during emptying and filling, a flexible conduit connecting the exposed end to the assembly outlet, a valve in the assembly inlet, a valve in the assembly outlet, means to biass the moveable cylinder to slide in relation to the static cylinder and control means to operate the valves and air admission in a sequence which causes continuous flow of water through the assembly. 
     
     
         2 . A submersible water turbine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the support structure accommodates a cluster of chamber assemblies grouped around the turbine. 
     
     
         3 . A submersible water turbine as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the support structure is a caisson. 
     
     
         4 . A submersible water turbine as claimed in any one of  claims 1 - 3 , wherein the valves controlling water flow are gate valves which are opened and closed by reciprocating motion. 
     
     
         5 . A submersible water turbine as claimed in any one of  claims 1 - 4 , wherein the moveable cylinder is sealed to the static cylinder by a rolling diaphragm. 
     
     
         6 . A submersible water turbine as claimed in any one of  claims 1 - 5 , wherein liassing means act on the moveable cylinder to coaxially overlap the static cylinder and minimise the total volume. 
     
     
         7 . A submersible water turbine as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the biasing means is a ring extending from the moveable cylinder and one or more springs acting between the ring and the support structure. 
     
     
         8 . A submersible water turbine as claimed in any one of  claims 1 - 7 , wherein the joint capacity of the cylinders is 4-60001. 
     
     
         9 . A submersible water turbine as claimed in any one of  claims 1 - 8 , wherein the air conduit is connected to an air pump and an intensifier. 
     
     
         10 . A submersible water turbine as claimed in any one of  claims 7 - 9 , wherein the biasing means includes a plunger and the plunger motion drives an alternator. 
     
     
         11 . A submersible water turbine substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.