Power Generator

Abstract

An electrical power generator assembly ( 10 a ) for using kinetic energy from a flowing fluid ( 12 ) to generate electrical power. The electrical power generator ( 10 a ) includes a blade assembly ( 14 ) and at least one primary coil ( 52 ). The blade assembly ( 14 ) having a head end ( 16 ) for facing incoming flowing fluid ( 12 ), a tail end ( 18 ) spaced from the head end ( 16 ) for facing in the direction of the flowing fluid ( 12 ), and a rotational axis ( 20 ) extending between the head end ( 16 ) and the tail end ( 18 ). The blade assembly ( 14 ) includes a blade arrangement ( 44 ) which is arranged in generally helical fashion about the rotational axis ( 20 ), and at least one mounting formation ( 26, 36 ) connected to the blade arrangement ( 44 ). Each mounting formation ( 26, 36 ) is adapted to permit mounting of the blade assembly ( 14 ) for rotation about its rotational axis ( 20 ), so that in use fluid flowing past the electrical power generator assembly ( 10 a ) interacts with the blade arrangement ( 44 ) to rotate the blade assembly ( 14 ) about its rotational axis ( 20 ). The at least one primary coil ( 52 ) is connected to the blade arrangement ( 44 ) for rotation with the blade arrangement ( 44 ). The at least one primary coil ( 52 ) is energizable and being arranged in use to interact with at least one stationary secondary coil ( 54 b ) to generate electrical power in response to rotation of the blade assembly ( 14 ).

1 . An electrical power generator assembly for using kinetic energy from a flowing fluid to generate electrical power, the electrical power generator including:
 a blade assembly having a head end for facing incoming flowing fluid, a tail end spaced from the head end for facing in the direction of the flowing fluid, and a rotational axis extending between the head end and the tail end, the blade assembly including a blade arrangement which is arranged in generally helical fashion about the rotational axis, and at least one mounting formation connected to the blade arrangement, each mounting formation being adapted to permit mounting of the blade assembly for rotation about its rotational axis, so that in use fluid flowing past the electrical power generator assembly interacts with the blade arrangement to rotate the blade assembly about its rotational axis; and   at least one primary coil connected to the blade arrangement for rotation with the blade arrangement, said at least one primary coil being energizable and being arranged in use to interact with at least one stationary secondary coil to generate electrical power in response to rotation of the blade assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the electrical power generator includes a plurality of primary coils, each primary coil being connected to one of the blades at or adjacent the tip of the blade. 
     
     
         3 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the electrical power also includes a current supply electrically connected to each primary coil, for energizing each primary coil in order to induce a magnetic field around each primary coil. 
     
     
         4 . The power generator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the electrical power generator also includes a current supply electrically connected to each secondary coil, for energizing each secondary coil in order to induce a magnetic field which induces a current in each primary coil. 
     
     
         5 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the electrical power generator further includes at least one stationary secondary coil, for magnetically communicating with each primary coil when each primary coil is energized. 
     
     
         6 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the electrical power generator includes a plurality of said secondary coils. 
     
     
         7 . An electrical power generator assembly for using kinetic energy from a flowing fluid to generate electrical power, the electrical power generator including:
 a blade assembly having a head end for facing incoming flowing fluid, a tail end spaced from the head end for facing in the direction of the flowing fluid, and a rotational axis extending between the head end and the tail end, the blade assembly including a blade arrangement which is arranged in generally helical fashion about the rotational axis, and   at least one mounting formation connected to the blade arrangement, each mounting formation being adapted to permit mounting of the blade assembly for rotation about its rotational axis, so that in use fluid flowing past the electrical power generator assembly interacts with the blade arrangement to rotate the blade assembly about its rotational axis; and at least one permanent magnet connected to the blade arrangement for rotation with the blade arrangement, said at least one permanent magnet being arranged in use to interact with at least one stationary secondary, coil to generate electrical power in response to rotation of the blade assembly.   
     
     
         8 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the blade assembly includes an elongated shaft extending between the head end and the tail end of the blade assembly, the shaft having a longitudinal axis defining the rotational axis of the blade assembly, and the blade arrangement being mounted on and radiating from the shaft. 
     
     
         9 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the blade arrangement terminates shy of the ends of the shaft, with each mounting formation being provided by an end portion of the shaft, so that in use, the shaft, and accordingly the blade assembly, is rotatably mounted or supported. 
     
     
         10 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein each mounting formation includes a bearing element mounted on the shaft and adapted to be connected to a support structure, to permit rotation of the blade assembly relative to said support structure. 
     
     
         11 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the blade arrangement includes a plurality of beams which are longitudinally spaced in said generally helical fashion along the shaft. 
     
     
         12 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein each beam is mounted on the shaft such that it is adjustably rotatable around the rotational axis of the shaft, to permit adjustment of the pitch of the blade assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the blade arrangement, further includes a web or skin extending along the lengths of and connected to each pair of adjacent beams, such that the blade arrangement, irrespective of the pitch of each beam, is uninterrupted across its surface. 
     
     
         14 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the blade arrangement includes one or more continuous helical blades. 
     
     
         15 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the blade arrangement, when seen in side elevation, tapers from the head end thereof to its tail end. 
     
     
         16 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the power generator assembly also includes an elongated open-ended shroud extending between the head end and the tail end of the blade assembly, the shroud being connected to and surrounding the blade assembly, so that the shroud rotates with the blade assembly in use. 
     
     
         17 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the shroud has a head end and a tail end. 
     
     
         18 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the shroud is connected to the tip of each blade of the blade arrangement, the connection between the shroud and each blade being a substantially fluid impervious connection. 
     
     
         19 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the blade arrangement includes a plurality of beams and said webs or skins, a tip of each web or skin is also connected to the shroud. 
     
     
         20 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the connections between the webs or skins and the shroud are substantially fluid impervious connections. 
     
     
         21 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein in use, flowing fluid interacting with the blade arrangement to rotate the power generator assembly thus enters the shroud from its head end and exits the shroud via its tail end. 
     
     
         22 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the shroud is of thin wall construction, and converges along at least part of its length from its head end to its tail end, said convergence corresponding to the tapering of the blade assembly. 
     
     
         23 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the shroud is of multi-section or unitary moulded construction, having a head end section via which a flowing fluid enters the shroud, a tail end section via which flowing fluid exits the shroud, and an elongated intermediate section extending between the head end section and the tail end section, with the intermediate section converging from the head end section towards the tail end section. 
     
     
         24 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the head end section of the shroud converges towards the intermediate section, and the tail end section diverges away from the intermediate section, such that the shroud is generally in the form of a converging-diverging venturi having a converging elongated throat defined by the intermediate section. 
     
     
         25 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the shroud has a circular cross-sectional profile, so that the head end section and the tail end section of the shroud are flared in bell mouth fashion. 
     
     
         26 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each mounting formation includes a bearing element connected to an end section of the shaft, the bearing elements in use being mounted on an anchored support structure, such that the power generator assembly rotates relative to the support structure. 
     
     
         27 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the power generator assembly includes a stator in front of the shroud. 
     
     
         28 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the power generator assembly includes a slotted ejector arrangement behind the shroud. 
     
     
         29 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the slotted ejector arrangement is adjacent the shroud tail end section. 
     
     
         30 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the slotted ejector arrangement is connected to, and rotates with, the shroud. 
     
     
         31 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the slotted ejector arrangement is not connected to, and does not rotate with, the shroud. 
     
     
         32 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the slotted ejector arrangement includes a plurality of spaced apart tubular sections. 
     
     
         33 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the slotted ejector arrangement is of unitary construction, with a helical slot therein. 
     
     
         34 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein the slotted ejector arrangement diverges diametrically away from the shroud. 
     
     
         35 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein the assembly includes a drive means adapted to vary the axial length of the slotted ejector arrangement. 
     
     
         36 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein the assembly includes a drive means adapted to vary the axial length and radial width of the slotted ejector arrangement. 
     
     
         37 . An electrical power generator assembly for using kinetic energy from a flowing fluid to generate power, the electrical power generator including:
 a blade assembly having a head end for facing incoming flowing fluid, a tail end spaced from the head end for facing in the direction of the flowing fluid, and a rotational axis extending between the head end and the tail end, the blade assembly including a blade arrangement which includes a plurality of blades spaced along the length of the rotation axis, and at least one mounting formation connected to the blade arrangement, each mounting formation being adapted to permit mounting of the blade assembly for rotation about its rotational axis, so that in use fluid flowing past the electrical power generator assembly interacts with the blade arrangement to rotate the blade assembly about its rotational axis; and   at least one primary coil connected to the blade arrangement for rotation with the blade arrangement, the primary coil being arranged in use to interact with at least one stationary secondary coil to generate power in response to rotation of the blade assembly.   
     
     
         38 . An electrical power generator installation, the installation including:
 an electrical power generator as hereinbefore described including at least one secondary coil; and   a support structure, the electrical power generator being mounted, by means of each mounting formation of the blade arrangement, on the support structure for rotation of the blade arrangement about its rotational axis, and each secondary coil of the power generator being mounted on the mounting structure.   
     
     
         39 . The power generator installation as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein the power generator is submerged in the ocean. 
     
     
         40 . The power generator installation as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein the power generator is submerged in a river or flowing stream. 
     
     
         41 . The power generator installation as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein the power generator is located in an open area where it will be exposed to flow of air when the wind blows. 
     
     
         42 . The power generator installation as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein the support structure includes a network of flexible elements. 
     
     
         43 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 42 , wherein the network of flexible elements include (heavy) chains or cables. 
     
     
         44 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 42 , wherein the network of flexible elements are arranged such that the generator can be aligned such that the inlet end of the shroud opposes the direction of flow of the fluid. 
     
     
         45 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein the generator aligns itself in accordance with the direction of flow of a fluid. 
     
     
         46 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 42 , wherein the network of flexible elements are arranged such that the generator is mounted thereon in the general fashion of a windsock. 
     
     
         47 . The power generator assembly as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein the support structure is a rigid structure including a network of rigid elements. 
     
     
         48 . A propulsion or pump device adapted to eject a fluid, the propulsion or pump device including:
 a blade assembly having a head end for facing incoming flowing fluid, a tail end spaced from the head end for facing in the direction of the flowing fluid, and a rotational axis extending between the head end and the tail end, the blade assembly including a blade arrangement which is arranged in generally helical fashion about the rotational axis, and at least one mounting formation connected to the blade arrangement, each mounting formation being adapted to permit mounting of the blade assembly for rotation about its rotational axis, so that in use rotation of the blade assembly about its rotational axis interacts with fluid flowing through the electrical power generator assembly; and   at least one primary coil connected to the blade arrangement for rotation with the blade arrangement, said at least one primary coil being arranged in use to interact with at least one stationary secondary coil to generate rotation of the blade assembly in response to electrical power being applied to said at least one stationary secondary coil.