Hydroelectric turbines, anchoring structures, and related methods of assembly

Abstract

A hydroelectric turbine system includes a bridge assembly including a central supporting ring having an axially elongated body and a tongue extending axially from the body. An axial length of the body is greater than a radial thickness of the body. The radial thickness of the body is greater than a radial thickness of the tongue. The system includes a stator having a radially inner circumferential surface and a radially outer circumferential surface. The inner circumferential surface is disposed on a radially outer surface of the tongue. The system includes a bearing mechanism extending axially along the outer circumferential surface of the stator. The mechanism includes one or more bearings. Each bearing includes a surface that extends parallel to the outer circumferential surface of the stator. The system includes a rotor supported radially outward of the stator and configured to rotate relative to the stator about an axis of rotation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hydroelectric turbine system comprising:
 a bridge assembly comprising a central supporting ring having an axially elongated body, such that an axial length of the body is greater than a radial thickness of the body, and a tongue extending axially from the body, wherein the radial thickness of the body is greater than a radial thickness of the tongue;   a stator having a radially inner circumferential surface and a radially outer circumferential surface, the radially inner circumferential surface being disposed on a radially outer surface of the tongue;   a bearing mechanism extending axially along the radially outer circumferential surface of the stator, the bearing mechanism comprising one or more bearings, wherein each bearing includes a surface that extends parallel to the radially outer circumferential surface of the stator; and   a rotor supported radially outward of the stator and configured to rotate relative to the stator about an axis of rotation.   
     
     
         2 . The hydroelectric turbine system of  claim 1 , wherein the bridge assembly further comprises:
 a pair of attachment blocks; and   support arms extending from the attachment blocks to the central supporting ring, the central supporting ring being centered between the pair of attachment blocks.   
     
     
         3 . The hydroelectric turbine system of  claim 2 , wherein the rotor supports at least one radially inward extending blade portion and at least one radially outward extending blade portion,
 wherein the tongue extends axially from the central supporting ring in a direction toward the blade portions, and   wherein the support arms are arranged such that a length of the blade portions does not align with the support arms during rotation of the rotor as viewed in a direction along the axis of rotation.   
     
     
         4 . The hydroelectric turbine system of  claim 1 , further comprising an anchoring system configured to support the bridge assembly in a moving body of water, the anchoring system comprising a base configured to rest on a ground surface and at least one pillar extending from the base and configured to be coupled to the bridge assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The hydroelectric turbine system of  claim 4 , wherein the base comprises a tri-frame support, the tri-frame support comprising:
 a first foot centered with respect to the axis of rotation and spaced in a first direction relative to the central supporting ring;   second and third feet on opposite sides of the axis of rotation and spaced in a second direction relative to the central supporting ring; and   support members connecting each of the second and third feet to the first foot, each pillar extending vertically from one of the support members.   
     
     
         6 . The hydroelectric turbine system of  claim 1 , wherein the stator is embedded within a notch formed in the tongue. 
     
     
         7 . The hydroelectric turbine system of  claim 1 , wherein the stator has a radially extending flange disposed adjacent to an edge at an axial end of the rotor. 
     
     
         8 . The hydroelectric turbine system of  claim 1 , wherein the rotor is in tension and configured to flex as the rotor rotates about the stator. 
     
     
         9 . The hydroelectric turbine system of  claim 1 , wherein the rotor comprises multiple arcuate segments coupled together. 
     
     
         10 . The hydroelectric turbine system of  claim 9 , wherein an outer surface formed by the multiple arcuate segments of the rotor includes at least one layer of carbon-fiber material. 
     
     
         11 . The hydroelectric turbine system of  claim 1 , wherein the bearing mechanism extends along an entire length of the radially outer circumferential surface of the stator. 
     
     
         12 . The hydroelectric turbine system of  claim 1 , wherein the bearing mechanism comprises a single bearing. 
     
     
         13 . The hydroelectric turbine system of  claim 12 , wherein the bearing mechanism is a fluid-lubricated bearing material attached to the radially outer circumferential surface of the stator. 
     
     
         14 . A method of manufacturing a hydroelectric turbine system, the method comprising:
 placing a rotor in tension around a radially outer circumferential surface of a core structure, the rotor comprising a layered structure including a plurality of composite arc segments fastened together and a layer of carbon-fiber material disposed around an outer surface formed by the plurality of composite arc segments, the rotor being configured to flex as it rotates around the core structure; and   attaching a plurality of blades proximate a first axial end of the rotor, each of the plurality of blades comprising a first blade portion extending radially inward with respect to the rotor and a second blade portion extending radially outward with respect to the rotor.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising fabricating the core structure and the rotor, wherein the fabricating of the core structure and the rotor are performed at a location remote from an installation site of the turbine system. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein fabricating the rotor comprises:
 fastening the plurality of composite arc segments forming the rotor to a mandrel;   layering the carbon-fiber material around the outer surface formed by the plurality of composite arc segments as the mandrel is rotated; and   baking the composite arc segments layered with the carbon-fiber material and the mandrel.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising fabricating a bridge assembly, the bridge assembly including a central supporting ring with an axially extending tongue and a plurality of support arms connected to the central supporting ring at respective ends thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein fabricating the bridge assembly comprises casting the bridge assembly as a monolithic structure. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising, prior to placing the rotor in tension around the radially outer circumferential surface of the core structure, assembling the core structure on the tongue by placing the core structure around a circumference of the tongue. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising attaching the bridge assembly to an anchoring system.