US 12,104,574 B2
Kinetic fluid energy conversion system
Steven J. Kanstoroom, Ashton, MD (US)
Assigned to SJK Energy Solutions, LLC, Ashton, MD (US)
Filed by SJK Energy Solutions, LLC, Ashton, MD (US)
Filed on Jul. 15, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/377,101.
Application 17/377,101 is a continuation of application No. 17/129,893, filed on Dec. 21, 2020, granted, now 11,085,417.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/953,122, filed on Dec. 23, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/951,801, filed on Dec. 20, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/950,784, filed on Dec. 19, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0090577 A1, Mar. 24, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F03D 7/02 (2006.01); F03B 3/14 (2006.01); F03D 7/06 (2006.01)
CPC F03D 7/0224 (2013.01) [F03B 3/145 (2013.01); F03D 7/06 (2013.01); F05B 2220/30 (2013.01); F05B 2220/32 (2013.01); F05B 2240/21 (2013.01)] 7 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
a hub carrier;
two or more counter-rotating hubs configured to be rotatable with respect to the hub carrier about a hub axis of rotation, wherein each hub is configured to rotate in an opposite direction than an axially-adjacent hub;
a perimeter plate fixed to the hub carrier disposed between opposed sides of each hub and the axially-adjacent hub;
thrust bearings disposed between the perimeter plate and the hub and between the perimeter plate and the axially-adjacent hub;
one or more articulating plates extending radially from each hub and rotatable therewith, wherein each articulating plate is configured to be articulable about a plate articulation axis;
an articulation control system associated with each hub and configured to independently control orientation of each articulating plate of the associated hub with respect to the associated plate articulation axis, wherein each articulating plate is operably coupled to the articulation control system so that the articulation control system changes the orientation of the articulating plate as the associated hub rotates about the hub axis of rotation, wherein each articulation control system comprises:
a rotatable track assembly having a continuous track about its perimeter, wherein the continuous track circumscribes the hub axis of rotation, wherein the rotatable track assembly is rotatably mounted to the hub carrier for rotation with respect to the hub carrier about the hub axis of rotation, and wherein each articulating plate is coupled to the continuous track to change the orientation of the articulating plate as the associated hub rotates about the hub axis of rotation; and
a track orientation control mechanism operatively coupled to the rotatable track assembly of each articulation control system and configured to effect powered rotation of each rotatable track assembly to alter the rotational position of the continuous track with respect to the hub carrier, wherein each track orientation control mechanism comprises:
a first gear associated with each rotatable track assembly and arranged coaxially with the hub;
a second gear associated with each rotatable track assembly and operatively engaged with the first gear of the associated rotatable track assembly; and
a track motor operatively coupled to each second gear;
a chase or bore that passes through at least a portion of the hub carrier; and
service lines passing through the chase or bore, wherein the service lines comprise at least one of electric and/or signal cables and fluid pressure lines, and wherein the service lines provide power and/or control to each track orientation control mechanism.