US 12,276,248 B2
River venturi power amplification, storage and regeneration system and method
Norman Ian Mathers, Brisbane (AU)
Assigned to Mathers Hydraulics Technologies Pty Ltd, Bridgeman Downs (AU)
Filed by Mathers Hydraulics Technologies Pty Ltd, Bridgeman Downs (AU)
Filed on Jul. 8, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/860,842.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/289,415, filed on Dec. 14, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/264,480, filed on Nov. 23, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/221,766, filed on Jul. 14, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0026500 A1, Jan. 26, 2023
Int. Cl. F03B 17/00 (2006.01); F03B 17/06 (2006.01); H02K 7/18 (2006.01)
CPC F03B 17/061 (2013.01) [F05B 2240/97 (2013.01); H02K 7/1823 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for use in power generation, the system comprising:
a hydrokinetic turbine comprising:
a water flow capturing apparatus having an outer nacelle, the outer nacelle having an inlet section and a second section with a reduced cross-sectional area relative to the inlet section;
an inner wall within the outer nacelle, the inner wall dividing a cavity through the outer nacelle into at least a first flow passage and a second flow passage;
a first plurality of blades and a first rotor positioned in the first flow passage; and
a second plurality of blades and a second rotor positioned in the second flow passage;
the hydrokinetic turbine being configured to be turned by a flow of water to generate a torque;
one or more shafts coupled to the hydrokinetic turbine;
one or more flywheels coupled to the one or more shafts;
a hydraulic fluid storage vessel configured to store a hydraulic fluid under pressure;
a hydraulic motor including a motor output configured to receive the hydraulic fluid stored under pressure and generate a torque on the motor output in response;
a generator operatively coupled to an output shaft coupled to the one or more flywheels and the motor output, wherein the generator produces electrical power in response to at least one of rotation of: the output shaft, the torque of the motor output, or both;
one or more power split transmission couplings configured to transmit the torque to the output shaft at an adjustable torque ratio and divert the hydraulic fluid in response to the output shaft exceeding a threshold power, wherein the one or more power split transmission couplings comprise:
a cam ring and a hub disposed between the one or more shafts and the output shaft, a hydraulic fluid disposed between the cam ring and the hub, wherein the hub includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots configured to house a plurality of vanes therein, the plurality of vanes configured to be movable between a retracted position, a fully extended position, or any partially extended position therebetween;
in the retracted position, the one or more shafts are independently rotatable with respect to the output shaft;
in the fully extended position and the any partially extended position therebetween, the plurality of vanes are configured to work the hydraulic fluid and transmit torque from the one or more shafts to the output shaft at an adjustable torque ratio;
an inlet port communicatively coupled to a hydraulic fluid source, the hydraulic fluid transportable from the hydraulic fluid source to the one or more power split transmission couplings; and
an outlet port having a closed configuration and an at least partially open configuration, the hydraulic fluid releasable from the one or more power split transmission couplings through the outlet port in response to a power applied to the output shaft exceeding a threshold power, wherein the released hydraulic fluid exits the one or more power split transmission couplings and is stored under pressure.