Turbine-integrated hydrofoil

Abstract

A turbine integrated within a hydrofoil extracts energy from a free-flowing motive fluid. In the preferred embodiment, the turbine is of the crossflow variety with runner blades coaxial to the width of the hydrofoil. The foremost edge of the hydrofoil comprises a slot covered by a continuously adjustable gate for controlling the overall drag imposed by the turbine. The hydrofoil mounts to a sailing vessel by means of a gimbal on a structure affixed to the hull, enabling the turbine to optimally respond to changes in direction of the free-flowing motive fluid and facilitating guidance and stability of the vessel.

1 . A sailing vessel including a generator which generates electricity in response to moving fluids, the sailing vessel comprising:
 a hull configured to provide flotation;   one or more sails configured to harness wind forces to move the hull in a desired direction;   a hydrofoil coupled to said hull, the hydrofoil configured to reduce drag on the hull, wherein the hydrofoil houses a turbine for extracting energy from moving fluids; and   a gated opening on said hydrofoil configured to adjustably control said moving fluids to thereby adjustably reduce drag on said hull.   
     
     
         2 . The sailing vessel of  claim 1  wherein said turbine is a cross-flow turbine. 
     
     
         3 . The sailing vessel of  claim 1  further comprising a battery configured to store electricity generated by said turbine. 
     
     
         4 . The sailing vessel of  claim 1  wherein said turbine comprises a DC generator. 
     
     
         5 . The sailing vessel of  claim 4  wherein an average field coil excitation current of said DC generator is controlled using switch mode current control. 
     
     
         6 . The sailing vessel of  claim 1  wherein said hydrofoil is coupled to said hull using a gimbal. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A drag reducing apparatus configured to reduce drag on a vessel and generate electricity, the drag reducing apparatus comprising:
 a gated hydrofoil configured to be coupled to a vessel, said gated hydrofoil housing a turbine operatively coupled to a generator, the generator configured to generate electricity in response to moving fluids flowing past said hydrofoil.   
     
     
         9 . The hydrofoil of  claim 8 , further comprising electrodes configured to generate gas through electrolysis of water. 
     
     
         10 . The hydrofoil of  claim 9 , wherein said gas is sequestered within a chamber of said hydrofoil to enhance buoyancy of said hydrofoil. 
     
     
         11 . The hydrofoil of  claim 8 , wherein the gas is hydrogen gas. 
     
     
         12 . The hydrofoil of  claim 8 ,  wherein said gate is configured to be adjusted incrementally between an open position and a closed position. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said gate is adjusted incrementally between the open position and the closed position to control drag. 
     
     
         14 . The hydrofoil of  claim 8 , further comprises exterior fins configured to respond to changes in the direction of the moving fluids. 
     
     
         15 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A hydrofoil configured to provide lift to a vessel, the hydrofoil comprising:
 a housing shaped to provided lift;   a turbine configured to store energy in response to moving fluids; and   an adjustable opening in said housing configured to allow fluids to enter the housing and contact the turbine so as to allow the turbine to produce energy in response to the moving fluid.   
     
     
         22 . The hydrofoil of  claim 21 , further comprising a gate for controlling the amount of fluids which enter the housing through said adjustable opening. 
     
     
         23 . The hydrofoil of  claim 22 , wherein said gate is configured to be adjusted incrementally between an open position and a closed position. 
     
     
         24 . The hydrofoil of  claim 23 , wherein the amount of drag on said vessel is adjusted by adjusting said gate incrementally between the open position and the closed position. 
     
     
         25 . The hydrofoil of  claim 24 , wherein said turbine is configured to generate electricity to store energy in response to moving fluids. 
     
     
         26 . A turbine configured on a vessel to store energy, said turbine further comprising:
 a gate configured to incrementally adjust between an open position and a closed position;   wherein said gate is configured to control the amount of moving fluids entering said turbine;   wherein a control system incrementally adjusts the drag of said vessel by said gate.   
     
     
         27 . The turbine of  claim 26  wherein said turbine is configured to generate electricity to store energy in response to moving fluids.