Hydrokinetic Generator

Information

Patent Number: US 6,472, 768 B1

October 29, 2002

Patent Owner: Darwin A. Salls

The Hydrokinetic Generator was designed to house generators from 5 kW to 4.5 mW or, the largest in existence. The generator makes use of hydrodynamic principles in its design which will increase the efficiency of the generator from 3 to 15%. This generator can be used in rivers, streams and, ocean currents, or in conjunction with the offshore wind turbine for multiple renewable resources

Product Performance

Performance of the Hydrokinetic Generator is completely predictable since the resource has four times the energy density of a good wind site, (water has 835 times the density of air) so the water turbine can be less than half that of wind turbines for the same energy. This generator will be upwards of 65% efficient. The power that is able to be extracted is dependent on the velocity of the water flow and the area and efficiency of the water turbine, and can be calculated as follows: Power = ½ pAv3Cp; where p is the density of sea water (1025kg/m3); A is the area of the rotor blades (m/s); v is the marine current velocity (m/s); and Cp is the power coefficient, a measure of the efficiency of the turbine.

Therefore, for example: a 600 kW will generate approximately 3,369,600 kWh per year, with 15m turbines, a 2m/s( 4 knots) current, at 65% efficiency.

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