Vessel arrangement

Abstract

A vessel ( 100 ) having a stabilization arrangement, the stabilization arrangement having a first tank ( 10 ) and a second tank ( 11 ), each of the first and second tanks ( 10, 11 ) configured to hold a water column, a channel ( 12, 22 ) connecting the first tank ( 10 ) to the second tank ( 11 ), and a turbine unit ( 13, 23, 33, 34 ) arranged in the channel ( 12, 22 ).

1 . A vessel having a stabilization arrangement, the stabilization arrangement having a first tank and a second tank, each of the first and second tanks configured to hold a water column, and a first channel connecting a lower part of the first tank to a lower part of the second tank,
 wherein the vessel comprises at least one of:   a first turbine unit arranged in an upper part of the first tank; and   a second turbine unit arranged in an upper part of the second tank,   and wherein the first and second turbine units each comprises a fluid turbine coupled to a generator.   
     
     
         2 . A vessel according to  claim 1 , further comprising a power distribution network, wherein at least one of the first and second turbine units is operatively coupled to the power distribution network such as to allow power generated by the turbine unit to be supplied to the power distribution network. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . A vessel according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second turbine units comprises a control unit configured for regulating a torque acting from the generator on the turbine. 
     
     
         5 . A vessel according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second turbine units comprises a guide vane arranged to guide a fluid towards the fluid turbine. 
     
     
         6 . A vessel according to  claim 1 , wherein the first tank and the second tank are spaced in a direction abeam the vessel. 
     
     
         7 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A vessel according to  claim 6 , wherein the fluid turbine is configured to have a fixed direction of rotation, independent of the direction of fluid flow through the turbine unit. 
     
     
         12 . A vessel according to  claim 1 , wherein the fluid turbine comprises variable pitch blades. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A vessel according to  claim 12 , wherein the first and second turbine units comprises a pitch controller and a sensor, the sensor arranged to provide a signal indicative of the fluid flow rate through the respective turbine unit and the pitch controller arranged to control the pitch of the blades in response to the signal. 
     
     
         15 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A vessel having a hull comprising at least one fluid channel, each channel having a first opening and a second opening to an outside of the hull, and each channel having a turbine unit disposed therein, the turbine unit comprises a fluid turbine coupled to a generator. 
     
     
         31 . A vessel according to  claim 30 , wherein the first opening is located below a waterline of the vessel. 
     
     
         32 . A vessel according to  claim 31 , wherein the second opening is located below the waterline. 
     
     
         33 . A vessel according to  claim 31 , wherein the second opening is located above the waterline. 
     
     
         34 . A vessel according to any of  claims 30 , wherein the at least one fluid channel is arranged in a front section of the hull. 
     
     
         35 . A vessel according to  claim 34 , wherein the at least one fluid channel comprises a first fluid channel and a second fluid channel, and the first fluid channel is arranged in the front section of the hull and the second fluid channel is arranged in the aft section of the hull. 
     
     
         36 . A vessel according to any of  claims 30 , wherein the first opening has an area which is larger than a cross-sectional area of the channel. 
     
     
         37 - 47 . (canceled) 
     
     
         48 . A vessel having a stabilization arrangement, the stabilization arrangement having a first tank and a second tank, each of the first and second tanks configured to hold a water column, and a first channel connecting a lower part of the first tank to a lower part of the second tank,
 wherein the vessel comprises:   a second channel arranged to connect an upper part of the first tank to an upper part of the second tank, and a turbine unit arranged in the second channel;   and wherein the turbine unit comprises a fluid turbine coupled to a generator.   
     
     
         49 . A vessel according to  claim 48 , further comprising a power distribution network, whereby the turbine unit is operatively coupled to the power distribution network such as to allow power generated by the turbine unit to be supplied to the power distribution network. 
     
     
         50 . A vessel according to  claim 48 , wherein the turbine unit comprises a control unit configured for regulating a torque acting from the generator on the turbine. 
     
     
         51 . A vessel according to  claim 48 , wherein the turbine unit comprises a guide vane arranged to guide a fluid towards the fluid turbine. 
     
     
         52 . A vessel according to  claim 48 , wherein the first tank and the second tank are spaced in a direction abeam the vessel.