Turbine System and Method

Abstract

Some embodiments of a turbine system described herein provide a turbine that rotates in response to off-axis fluid flow, such as water flowing in a generally horizontal direction that is generally perpendicular to a vertical axis of rotation. The rotation of the turbine can drive a generator to output electrical energy.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A turbine system for use in generating electricity in an underwater environment, comprising:
 a vertical-axis turbine configured to rotate about a vertical axis in response to water flowing toward the turbine in a flow direction that is generally perpendicular to the vertical axis;   the vertical-axis turbine comprising an upper surface and a plurality of upwardly protruding fins, each fin fixedly positioned relative to the upper surface along an entire length of the fin;   wherein the vertical-turbine has a maximum vertical height parallel to the vertical axis, the maximum vertical height being substantially smaller than a maximum diameter of the outer periphery of the vertical-axis turbine.   
     
     
         3 . The turbine system of  claim 2 , wherein each of the upwardly protruding fins are positioned inwardly from a circular outer periphery of the vertical-axis turbine and extend to a vertical height greater than the outer periphery. 
     
     
         4 . The turbine system of  claim 3 , wherein each fin includes opposite convex and concave surfaces, and both of the convex and concave surfaces are upwardly facing surfaces. 
     
     
         5 . The turbine system of  claim 3 , wherein the maximum vertical height is measured from a lower edge of the outer periphery to an upper ridge of an upwardly protruding fin. 
     
     
         6 . The turbine system of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of upwardly protruding fins are non-symmetric about the vertical axis. 
     
     
         7 . The turbine system of  claim 2 , wherein the upper surface comprises a central convex surface and a plurality of channel base surfaces between neighboring fins. 
     
     
         8 . The turbine system of  claim 7 , wherein the vertical-axis turbine comprises a continuously solid upward facing surface including the central convex surface, the upwardly extending fins, and the channel base surfaces, and the continuously solid upward facing surface is free of openings. 
     
     
         9 . The turbine system of  claim 8 , wherein the continuously solid upward facing surface is molded as a unitary structure. 
     
     
         10 . The turbine system of  claim 2 , further comprising a base structure positioned below the vertical-axis turbine, wherein the turbine is configured to rotate relative to the base structure about the vertical axis. 
     
     
         11 . The turbine system of  claim 10 , wherein the base structure is configured to remain stationary during rotation of the vertical-axis turbine. 
     
     
         12 . The turbine system of  claim 11 , further comprising one or more anchor legs extending below the base away from the vertical-axis turbine. 
     
     
         13 . The turbine system of  claim 2 , further comprising a drive shaft extending from the vertical-axis turbine to an electrical generator component. 
     
     
         14 . The turbine system of  claim 13 , further comprising an electrical generator positioned to generate power in response to rotation of the vertical-axis turbine. 
     
     
         15 . The turbine system of  claim 14 , wherein the electrical generator is electrically connected to an onshore electronics system configured to condition electrical power for output to an external power grid. 
     
     
         16 . A turbine system for use in generating electricity in an underwater environment, comprising:
 a vertical-axis turbine configured to rotate about a vertical axis in response to water flowing toward the turbine in a flow direction that is generally perpendicular to the vertical axis;   the vertical-axis turbine comprising an upper surface and a plurality of upwardly protruding fins, each fin fixedly positioned relative to the upper surface along an entire length of the fin, the vertical-turbine having a maximum vertical height parallel to the vertical axis, the maximum vertical height being substantially smaller than a maximum diameter of the outer periphery of the vertical-axis turbine;   a base structure positioned below the vertical-axis turbine, wherein the turbine is configured to rotate relative to the base structure about the vertical axis;   one or more anchor legs extending below the base away from the vertical-axis turbine;   an electrical generator mounted to the base positioned to generate power in response to rotation of the vertical-axis turbine; and   an onshore electronics system electrically connected to the electrical generator configured to condition electrical power for output.   
     
     
         17 . The turbine system of  claim 16 , wherein each of the upwardly protruding fins are positioned inwardly from a circular outer periphery of the vertical-axis turbine and extend to a maximum vertical height greater than the outer periphery, the maximum vertical height measured from a lower edge of the outer periphery to an upper ridge of an upwardly protruding fin. 
     
     
         18 . The turbine system of  claim 16 , wherein each fin includes opposite convex and concave surfaces, and both of the convex and concave surfaces are upwardly facing surfaces. 
     
     
         19 . The turbine system of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of upwardly protruding fins are non-symmetric about the vertical axis. 
     
     
         20 . The turbine system of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of upwardly protruding fins are symmetric about the vertical axis. 
     
     
         21 . The turbine system of  claim 16 , wherein the vertical-axis turbine comprises a continuously solid upward facing surface including the central convex surface, the upwardly extending fins, and channel base surfaces between neighboring fins, and the continuously solid upward facing surface is free of openings.