AU2023223109B2

AU2023223109B2 - A conveyor turbine system

Info

Publication number: AU2023223109B2
Application number: AU2023223109A
Authority: AU
Inventors: David Lamprell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-02-25
Filing date: 2023-02-24
Publication date: 2023-11-09
Anticipated expiration: 2043-02-24
Also published as: WO2023159273A1; AU2023223109A1

Abstract

A conveyor turbine system has a plurality of buckets operably connected to a conveyor. The conveyor also has a centre drive cable connecting the buckets and looped around end pulleys. The conveyor also has a support framework comprising a pair of adjacent support rails engaging idler rollers of the buckets.

Description

A conveyor turbine system

Field of the Invention

[0001] This invention relates generally to a type of conveyor turbine system.

Summary of the Disclosure

[0002] There is provided herein a type of conveyor turbine system comprising a plurality of buckets operably connected to a conveyor.

[0003] The conveyor comprises a centre drive cable connecting the buckets. The centre drive cable is looped around end pulleys.

[0004] The conveyor further comprises a support framework comprising a pair of adjacent support rails engaging idler rollers of the buckets.

[0005] The system is designed to be semi-submerged in fluid flow (such as water) so that the buckets are conveyed along the conveyor along a drive stroke by the fluid flow and returned along a return stroke above the fluid to harness energy.

[0006] The present configuration is designed to isolate the drive cable from bucket support tension. Specifically, the adjacent support rails support the weight of the buckets, thereby isolating the drive cable from the bucket support tension.

[0007] In this way, the present system may run for extreme lengths (such as 300 m or more) without problems associated with cable tensioning.

[0008] Furthermore, the adjacent support rails allow for sideways curvature of the conveyor so that the buckets can follow fluid flow around riverbends, for example.

[0009] Furthermore, the present configuration minimises the number of moving parts of the system, especially the number of required drive cables and associated pulleys.

[0010] In embodiments, the adjacent support rails may have moving end sections moveably engaged by an arrangement which may be similar to a trombone slide telescopic assembly in an embodiment. Furthermore, these moving end sections may move synchronously with a respective moving end pulley on a moving frame movably coupled to a fixed frame of the support framework.

[0011] As such, the present system can dynamically adjust for drive cable tension in

accordance with this embodiment without affecting the support rigidity of the adjacent

support rails.

[0012] In embodiments, the buckets may comprise smaller stabilising rollers to trail

and lead the main side support rollers to stabilise the buckets along the adjacent

support rails.

[0013] In further embodiments, the buckets may comprise outer rollers which engage

further auxiliary outer support rails to prevent sagging of the buckets, especially on

the drive stroke.

[0014] However, according to an alternative embodiment to avoid installation of

further auxiliary outer support rails, an end section of the adjacent support rail may

comprise an offset rail portion interchange for the side rollers of the buckets whereby

the side rollers bear downwardly on an upper rail portion of the interchangeable on

the return stroke and also bear downwardly on a lower rail portion of the interchange

on the return stroke.

[0015] In embodiments, the buckets may be bifurcated into a pair of side

compartments, such as by a central dividing panel. Furthermore, connections

brackets may connect the drive cable at the central dividing panel. As such, the

buckets may be evenly laterally supported in fluid flow from both sides of the drive

cable in accordance with this embodiment without imparting torsional or other

unbalancing forces on the buckets or drive cable along the conveyor.

[0016] In embodiments, the buckets may comprise a flatpack collapsible assembly of

a quadrant of hingedly coupled panels which can collapse flat but which can be held

erect by the selective attachment of an edge of the central dividing panel against an

adjacent outer panel.

[0017] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present

invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of

example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0019] Figure 1 shows a conveyor turbine system in accordance with an embodiment;

[0020] Figure 2 shows a side view of the system;

[0021] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a bucket of the system in accordance

with an embodiment;

[0022] Figure 4 shows a plan view of an end of the system;

[0023] Figure 5 shows a side view of an end of the system;

[0024] Figure 6 shows a side view of length adjustable side rail engagement of the

system in accordance with an embodiment;

[0025] Figure 7 shows a side view of an end section interchange of the system in

accordance with an embodiment;

[0026] Figure 8 shows a front view of a connection bracket for engaging a bucket in

accordance with an embodiment;

[0027] Figure 9 shows a side view illustrating rotatable engagement of the connection

bracket of Figure 8 and a pulley of the system;

[0028] Figure 10 shows a side view illustrating engagement of the bucket and pulley

in accordance with an embodiment;

[0029] Figure 11 shows a front view of the arrangement of Figure 10

[0030] Figure 12 shows a further side view illustrating rotatable engagement of the

bucket and pulley;

[0031] Figure 13 shows a front view of a connection bracket of the arrangement of

Figure 12;

[0032] Figure 14 shows a further side view illustrating rotatable engagement of the

bucket and pulley in accordance with a further embodiment;

[0033] Figure 15 shows a front view of the arrangement of Figure 14;

[0034] Figure 16 shows a link section of a cable guide of the arrangement of Figure

15 in accordance with an embodiment;

[0035] Figure 17 shows a front view of a bucket having hourglass profiled rollers in

accordance with an embodiment;

[0036] Figure 18 shows an embodiment wherein the buckets are vertically orientated,

including for tidal flow application;

[0037] Figure 19 shows an embodiment wherein each bucket comprises a trailing flap

panel and Figure 19 shows the trailing flap panel in a closed position; and

[0038] Figure 20 shows the trailing flap panel in an open position.

Description of Embodiments

[0039] Figure 1 shows a conveyor turbine system 100 comprising a plurality of

buckets 101 operably connected to a conveyor 102. The conveyor 102 comprises a

centre drive cable 103 connecting the buckets 101 and looped around end pulleys

104. One or more of the end pulleys may turn a driveshaft 150.

[0040] The conveyor 102 further comprises a support framework comprising a pair of

adjacent support rails 106 engaging idler rollers 107 of the buckets 101. Whereas the

adjacent support rails 106 are straight along the length of the system 100 in the

illustrations, in embodiments, the adjacent support rails 106 may have sideways

curvature so as to follow riverbends and the like, for example.

[0041] As is shown in Figure 2, the system 100 may be semi-submerged in flowing

fluid 105 (such as water) so that the buckets 101 are guided by the conveyor 102

along a drive stroke 154 and returned along a return stroke 108.

[0042] The buckets 101 may be constructed from panels 109 and may be generally

rectangular as is shown. Each bucket 101 may define an open end 110 and a closed

end 111. The closed end 111 may be enclosed by a rear panel 109.

[0043] With reference to Figure 7, each adjacent support rail 106 may comprise a

midsection 112 and a moving end section 113A. The length of the rail 106 may adjust

whereby the moving end section 113A moves relative to the midsection 112.

[0044]The midsection 112 may comprise a pair of parallel rail portions 114. The

moving end section 113A may comprise a semicircular arc rail portion 115 of 180°.

[0045] In embodiments, the end pulleys 104 comprise a moving end pulley 104 at the

moving end section 113A of the adjacent support rail 106 whereby the moving end

pulley 104 moves synchronously with the moving end section 113A to tension the

drive cable 103.

[0046]The semicircular arc rail portion 115 may have a radius conforming with the

radius of the respective moving end pulley 104 so that the buckets 101 can closely follow the conveyor 102 both by the drive cable 103 and the adjacent support rails

106.

[0047] According to the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the pair of rail portions 114

may telescopically engage respective straight ends 116 extending from the

semicircular arc rail portion 115.

[0048] In embodiments, this telescopic arrangement goes from female-to-male along

the travel stroke of the buckets 101 so that the side rollers 107 always step down

telescopic edge junctures between the portions 114 and 116.

[0049] The moving end section 113A may be biased away from the midsection 112.

According to the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5, the moving end section 113A

may be tensioned with a turnbuckle 117. However, in alternative embodiments,

tension spring is may be employed. As is further shown in Figure 5, the support

framework may comprise a fixed frame 118 and a moving frame 119. The moving

frame 119 may movably engage the moving end section 113A and the respective

moving end pulley 104. As is shown in Figure 5, the moving frame 119 may slide

along a side rail or channel 120 of the fixed frame 118.

[0050] In embodiments, each rail 106 comprisesafixed end section 113 oppositethe

moving end section 113A.

[0051] According to the embodiment shown in Figure 7 and end section 113 of the rail

106 may comprise an offset rail portion interchange 121 for the idler rollers 107 of

the buckets 101. The interchange 121 may be substantially vertically aligned with an

axle 122 of an adjacent end pulley 104 so that the idler rollers 107 of the buckets 101

bear downwardly on an upper rail portion 123A of the interchange 121 on the return

stroke 108 and the idler rollers 107 also bear downwardly on a lower rail portion 123B

of the interchange 121 on the drive stroke 154. This arrangement negates the need

for a further auxiliary outer support rail as will be described in further detail below

with reference to Figure 5.

[0052] As is shown in Figure 7, each bucket 101 may comprise a single side roller at

each side of the bucket 101 and which is located substantially midway between a

leading edge 124 and the trailing edge 125 of the bucket 101.

[0053] However, according to the embodiment shown in Figure 7, each bucket 101

may comprise a pair of smaller stabiliser side rollers 126 arranged to lead and trail

the side roller 107 to thereby stabilise the buckets 101 along the adjacent support

rails 106.

[0054] As is further shown in Figure 5, each bucket 101 may further comprise an outer

roller 127 at each side of the bucket 101 and wherein the support frame comprises a

further pair of auxiliary support rails 128 which engage the outer rollers 127. As is

evident from Figure 5, especially on the drive stroke, the auxiliary support rails 128

prevents sagging of the buckets 101 and associated tension on the drive cable 103.

[0055] With reference to Figures 8 and 9, connections brackets 129 may connect the

drive cable 103 to the buckets 101. As is shown in Figure 8, the connection bracket

129 may comprise an inner piece 130 which connects to an outer piece 131. The

pieces 130 and 131 may define semicircular recesses therein to thereby define a

channel 132 therethrough when connected together which frictionally engages the

cable 103.

[0056]The inner piece 131 may further define a base plate 133 which laterally

supports an inner panel 109B of the bucket 101. The baseplate 133 may be affixed

to the panel 109B by screw fasteners 134.

[0057] Furthermore, the inner piece 131 may integrally form a central dividing panel

109A of the bucket 101.

[0058]The connection brackets 129 may rotatably engage at least one end pulley

104. By "rotatably engage", it is meant that the cable 103 cannot slide with respect to

the pulley 104.

[0059] As is shown in Figure 9, the end pulleys 104 may define recessed sectors 135

and wherein the connection brackets 129 key into the recessed sectors 135 to

rotatably engage the pulley 104.

[0060] Figures 10 and 11 show wherein the end pulleys 104 comprise a peripheral

cable guide channel 136. As the bracket 129 moves around pulley, the cable engaging

channel 132 thereof lifts the drive cable 103 from the peripheral cable guide channel

136.

[0061] Figures 12 and 13 show an alternative arrangement whereby the brackets 129

comprise side teeth 137 which engage side cogs 138 of the pulleys 104 to thereby

rotatably engage the pulley 104.

[0062] Figures 14 - 16 show an embodiment whereby the drive cable 103 comprises

link sections 139 separately connecting between connections brackets 129 of the

buckets 101. Figure 9 shows wherein each link section 139 comprises a cable portion

140 engaging a yoke 141 at each distal end thereof. Figure 15 shows wherein the

connection bracket 129 comprises a pinhole 142 which accepts a pin 143 through the

yoke 141 and through a corresponding aperture 144 of a plate 145 of the connection

bracket 129.

[0063] With reference to Figure 3, each bucket 101 may be bifurcated, such as by a

central dividing panel 109A, thereby defining a pair of side compartments 146.

[0064] With further reference to Figure 3, each bucket 101 may comprise a collapsible

assembly of a quadrant of panels 109. Specifically, the collapsible quadrant of panels

may comprise an outer panel 109C and inner panel 109B and side panels 109D

therebetween. These panels 109 may be hingedly coupled with hinges 147 at corners

thereof.

[0065] As is shown in Figure 3, the central dividing panel 109A may brace the panels

109 erect. Specifically, an outer edge of the central dividing panel 109A may

releasably affix to the outer panel 109C by a screw fastener 148 or the like. The

central dividing panel 109A is braced at an inner side thereof by the aforedescribed

baseplate 133 to hold the central dividing panel 109 perpendicular to the inner panel

109B. This stably held central dividing panel 109 can then fixedly engage the outer

panel 109C from a distal end thereof.

[0066] Figure 17 shows an embodiment wherein the rollers 107 comprise hourglass

profiled rolling pins 149 rotatably engaging the adjacent support rail 106.

[0067] The hourglass profile of the profiled rolling pins 149 centres the pins 149 on

the rails 106 thereby stabilising the buckets 101 across two axes with respect to a

travel stroke thereof.

[0068] The hourglass profiled rolling pins 149 may be used for supporting the buckets

101 in a vertical orientation (i.e., with the adjacent support rails 106 above and

beneath the bucket 101) is a substantially shown in Figure 18.

[0069] The vertical arrangement given in Figure 18 has applicability for bidirectional

tidal flow wherein a driveshaft 150 interfacing the end pulley 104 will rotate in the

same direction for both incoming and outgoing tides.

[0070] Figures 19 and 20 show an embodiment wherein the bucket 101 comprises a

trailing flap panel 109E hingedly coupled by a hinge 152 between adjacent panels,

such as the outer panel 109C for the inner panel 109B, to selectively enclose the

bucket 101.

[0071] The trailing flap panel 109E may biased to the closed position shown in Figure

9.

[0072] When the open end 111 of the bucket faces fluid flow 153 on the drive stroke

154, the trailing flap panel 109E takes the closed position shown in Figure 9 to thereby

assist the bucket 101 capturing energy therefrom.

[0073] However, when the closed end 111 of the of the bucket 101 faces the fluid

flow, on the return stroke 154, the trailing flap panel 109E is pushed open by the

pressure thereof to allow the fluid to pass through the bucket 101 to reduce drag.

[0074]The trailing flap panel 109E may be used for applications wherein the entire

system 100 is submerged in fluid flow, such as the aforedescribed tidal flow wherein

the buckets 101 are orientated vertically.

[0075]The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific

nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will

be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to

practise the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of

the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not

intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed as

obviously many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above

teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the

principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A conveyor turbine system comprising:

a plurality of buckets operably connected to a conveyor, wherein the conveyor

comprises:

a centre drive cable connecting the buckets and looped around end pulleys;

a support framework comprising a pair of adjacent support rails engaging idler

rollers of the buckets, wherein each rail comprises a midsection and a moving end

section and wherein a length of the rail adjusts whereby the moving end section

moves relative to the midsection.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjacent support rails have

sideways curvature along a length of the conveyor.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the midsection comprises a pair of

parallel rail portions.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the end section comprises

semicircular arc rail portion of 180.
5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the end pulleys comprise a moving

end pulley at the moving end section and wherein the moving end pulley moves with

the moving end section to tension the drive cable.
6. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein a semicircular arc rail portion of the

moving end section has a radius conforming with a radius of the moving end pulley.
7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the midsection comprises a pair of

parallel rail portions in telescopic engagement with respective ends of the moving end

section.
8. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the telescopic engagement goes

from female-to-male along the travel stroke of the buckets so that the side rollers

thereof always step down telescopic edge junctures.
9. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the moving end section is biased

away from the midsection.
10. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each rail comprises a fixed end

section opposite the moving end section.
11. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the support framework comprises a

fixed frame and a moving end frame, the moving end frame engaging the moving end

pulley and the moving end section.
12. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each rail comprises a midsection

and an end section and wherein the end section has an offset rail portion interchange

for the idler rollers of the buckets.
13. The system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the interchange is substantially

vertically aligned with an axle of an adjacent end pulley so that the idler rollers bear

down on both upper and lower offset rail portions of the interchange.
14. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each bucket comprises outer rollers

at each side of the bucket and wherein the support framework comprises auxiliary

support rails which engage the outer rollers.
15. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each bucket comprises a side roller

at each side of the bucket and wherein the side rollers are located substantially

midway between leading and trailing edges of the bucket.
16. The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein each bucket comprises further

comprises a pair of smaller stabiliser side rollers at each side of the bucket and

arranged to lead and trail the side roller respectively.
17. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein connection brackets connect the

drive cable to the buckets and wherein the connection brackets rotatably engage at

least one end pulley.
18. The system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the end pulley comprises

recessed sectors and wherein the connection brackets key into the recessed sectors.
19. The system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the end pulleys comprise a

peripheral cable guide channel.
20. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each bucket is bifurcated into a pair

of side compartments.
21. The system as claimed in claim 20, wherein connection brackets connect the

drive cable to the buckets and wherein each connection bracket is connected to a

respective central dividing panel forming the side compartments.
22. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each bucket comprises a

collapsible assembly of a quadrant of hingedly coupled panels and wherein an end of

a central dividing panel selectively affixes to one of the panels to brace the bucket

erect.
23. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein rollers comprise hourglass profiled

rolling pins rotatably engaging the adjacent support rail.
24. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the buckets are supported with the

support rails above and beneath the buckets.
25. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each bucket comprises a trailing

flap panel hingedly coupled to selectively enclosed one end of the bucket.
26. The system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the trailing flap panel is biased to

a closed position.
27. The system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the buckets are submerged in fluid

flow on drive and return strokes and wherein, on the drive stroke, the trailing flap

panel takes the closed position, and, on the return stroke, the trailing flap panel is

pushed open.