Key information

Title
Positioning device and system for extracting energy from a waterflow
Application number
20240263
Case type
National
Status
10.11.2025 Patent meddelt (B1)
Filed
19.03.2024
Effective date
19.03.2024
Publicly available
22.09.2025
Next annual fee due
31.03.2027
Applicant
Flumill AS (NO)
Owner
Flumill AS (NO)
Inventor
Andreas Brobakken (NO)
Agent
ACAPO ONSAGERS AS (NO)
Granted
10.11.2025
Patent number
349233
Expiry date
19.03.2044

Abstract and drawing

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content.
The invention describes a positioning device for positioning a first central longitudinal axis (AE) of an elongated body (1) at a desired angle αopt relative to a water flow in a first direction (D1), wherein the elongated body (1) is connected at a proximal end at a pivot point (P) and is pivotable about the pivot point (P) in a plane parallel with the first direction (D1). The device comprise a foil shaped body (4) for mounting to the elongated body (1), wherein the foil shaped body has a second central longitudinal axis (AF), a concave side (8) and a convex side (9), wherein the concave side (8) and the convex side (9) curve from a first edge (6) to a second edge (7). The positioning device further comprises fastening means (13) for fastening the foil shaped body (4) to a distal end (5) of the elongated body (1) such that the second central longitudinal axis (AF) is substantially at a right angle to both the first central longitudinal axis (AE) of the elongated body (1) and the first direction (D1), wherein the concave side (8) is facing the elongated body (1).

Publications

B1
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Documents

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Date
 Date Doc. No. Process Case number In/Out Journal description To/from
 12.11.2025 10-01 Saksbehandling 20240263(349233) UT PT Registreringsbrev nasjonal patent (15) (PT20240263)
22.08.2025 09-01 Saksbehandling 20240263 UT PT Meddelelse om patent ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
 10.04.2025 08-02 Saksbehandling 20240263 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
 10.04.2025 08-01 Saksbehandling 20240263 INN PDF_675877316 ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
 14.01.2025 07-05 Saksbehandling 20240263 INN P29476NO00 Norske krav ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
 14.01.2025 07-04 Saksbehandling 20240263 INN P29476NO00 Anmodning om utsatt meddelelse ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
 14.01.2025 07-03 Saksbehandling 20240263 INN P29476NO00 Amended specification marked - 14.1.25 ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
 14.01.2025 07-02 Saksbehandling 20240263 INN P29476NO00 Amended specification clean 14.1.25 ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
 14.01.2025 07-01 Saksbehandling 20240263 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
 19.10.2024 06-02 Saksbehandling 20240263 UT PT report 03:53:46
19.10.2024 06-01 Saksbehandling 20240263 UT Realitet patent ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
 02.05.2024 05-01 Saksbehandling 20240263 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
 02.05.2024 04-03 Saksbehandling 20240263 INN P29476NO00 Declaration ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
 02.05.2024 04-02 Saksbehandling 20240263 INN GPOA NO Flumill AS ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
 02.05.2024 04-01 Saksbehandling 20240263 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
 20.03.2024 03-01 Saksbehandling 20240263 UT Formalia 1 ONSAGERS AS
 20.03.2024 02-01 Saksbehandling 20240263 UT Informasjon til oppfinner Karl Tore Pedersen
 19.03.2024 01-03 Saksbehandling 20240263 INN P29476NO00 text for filing ONSAGERS AS
 19.03.2024 01-02 Saksbehandling 20240263 INN P29476NO00 fig for filing ONSAGERS AS
 19.03.2024 01-01 Saksbehandling 20240263 INN Søknadsskjema Patent ONSAGERS AS

Description, claims and drawings

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content. Description
3492331Title: Positioning device and system for extracting energy from a waterflowField of invention5 The invention relates to exploitation of hydrodynamic forces, more precisely to use the force of moving water acting on a positioning device to position an elongated body, which the positioning device is attached to, in a desired position or angle. BackgroundRenewable energy extracted from the flow of water has been used by humans for 10 several hundreds of years. This application is directed towards extracting energy from tidal currents or water flowing in a river.The inventor has developed a helical screw that has shown increased efficiency relative to the throughflow area compared to other rotors. The helical screw is dependent on having a certain angle relative to the flow of water. If the helical 15 screw is designed as described in EP3120014 B1 the efficiency of the helical screw will increase due to the flow of water causing a rotational force in the same direction on both sides of an axis around which the helical screw is turning.The velocity of water flows both in rivers and tidal currents is higher closer to the surface. Therefore, it is an advantage to install the helical screw close to the surface.20 In particular this is an advantage when considering that the extractable energy is proportional to the third power of the water velocity.However, placing the helical screw in the region of the water mass that is close to the surface, may result in the operation of the helical screw being affected by waves and weather. For example, a working angle of the helical screw may be25 mechanically restricted compared to a floating vessel, but the floating vessel may be affected by wind and waves, and this may result in large loads on the helical screw and stability issues. It is desirable to avoid unnecessary large loads and instability while maintaining a good working angle for extracting energy from the water masses.30 It is an object of the invention to solve the problem of positioning the helical screw at an optimal angle relative to the water flow in all conditions.It is an object of the invention to achieve moment equilibrium around the pivoting axis P at the desired angle αopt using the hydrodynamic properties as well as buoyancy / weight, where the hydrodynamic properties is the major controlling 35 factor.It is an object of the invention to develop a positioning device without any moving parts, so called ‘passive dynamic control’, that will hold any elongated body, for instance the mentioned helical screw, at a desired angle relative to a water flow into which the elongated object is immersed. It is also an object of the invention to 3492332achieve the desired angle at a velocity range of the water flow that is as large as possible.Summary of the invention5 In an aspect of the invention there is provided a positioning device for positioning a first central longitudinal axis AE of an elongated body at a desired angle αopt relative to a water flow in a first direction D1. The elongated body is connected at a proximal end at a pivot point P and is pivotable about the pivot point P in a plane parallel with the first direction D1. The positioning device comprises a foil shaped 10 body and fastening means for fastening the foil shaped body to the elongated body.The foil shaped body is configured for mounting to the elongated body. The foil shaped body has a second central longitudinal axis AF, a concave side and a convex side, wherein the concave side and the convex side curve from a first edge to a second edge. The positioning device comprises fastening means configured for 15 fastening the foil shaped body to a distal end of the elongated body such that the second central longitudinal axis AF is substantially at a right angle to both the first central longitudinal axis AE of the elongated body 1 and the first direction D1 of the waterflow when the positioning device is in a working state. The concave side of the positioning device is facing the elongated body.20 The fastening means 13 may position the first and second central longitudinal axis, AE and AF for intersection with the first central longitudinal axis AE when the foil shaped body 4 is fastened to the elongated body 1.The foil shaped body may have a two-way configuration that may be symmetric around a plane including the second central longitudinal axis AF and a line25 perpendicular to the second central longitudinal axis AF, and the fastening means is configured to position a line L intersecting the first edge and the second edge perpendicularly to the first central longitudinal axis AE when the foil shaped body is fastened to the elongated body. The longest distance between L and the concave side is within the interval 0,2 and 0,5Cl, where Cl is the distance between the first 30 and second edge.The foil shaped body may have a one-way configuration, wherein the fastening means is configured to position the line L from the first edge to the second edge at an angle β with the first central longitudinal axis AE which is within the interval [αopt, αopt + 20 degrees], and the longest distance between L and the concave side 35 may be within the interval 0,0 and 0,25Cl.An angle between the first central longitudinal axis AE and a tangent T of the concave side at the first edge facing the waterflow may be equal to the desired angle αopt /- 10 degrees, more preferable /- 5 degrees.The foil shaped body may comprising a side wall on each side of the foil shaped 40 body, where each side wall covers an area from the straight line L between the first edge and the second edge and extends towards a respective end of the foil shaped body. If the waterflow is coming from the first direction D1, the first edge is a 3492333leading edge and the second edge is a trailing edge. If the waterflow is coming from a direction D2 opposite to the first direction D1 the second edge will be the leading edge and the first edge will be the trailing edge.A cross section of the foil shaped body may be described by a portion of a first 5 circle with radius R1 representing the convex side and a portion of a second circle with radius R2 representing the concave side, where the circle with radius R1 represents a larger portion of a circle than the circle with radius R2, wherein the portions having chords of same length Cl. The two intersection points of the circles have a chord of length Cl drawn between them.10 The perpendicular distance between the surface of the concave side 8 at the second central longitudinal axis AF and a line between the first and second edge 6, 7, also called the leading and trailing edge, may be between 0*Cl and 0.5*Cl .A cross section of the foil shaped body may be described by a portion of a circle with radius R1 representing the convex side and a circle with radius R2 larger than 15 R1 representing the concave side, and both having chords of length Cl.The positioning device may comprise a first support foil mounted on the convex side at a distance from the first edge, wherein the first support foil has a concave side that has a constant distance from the convex side of the foil shaped body and a convex side described by a portion of a circle bigger than the concave side, wherein 20 both portions of circles are cut out by chords of same lengths less than Cl/2. The convex side may also be described by a portion of a circle bigger than the portion of a circle describing the concave side, wherein both portions of circles are cut out by chords of same lengths less than Cl/2, preferably equal to Cl/3.25 The positioning device may comprise a second support foil mounted on the convex side at a distance from the second edge wherein the second support foil has a concave side that has a constant distance from the convex side of the foil shaped body and a convex side described by a portion of a circle bigger than the concave side, wherein both portions of circles are cut out by chords of same lengths less than 30 Cl/2. The convex side may also be described by a portion of a circle bigger than the portion of a circle describing the concave side, wherein both portions of circles are cut out by chords of same lengths, wherein the mentioned lengths are less than Cl/2, for instance Cl/3.35 The thickness of the foil shaped body 4 may be 0,125 X Cl at the second central longitudinal centerline AF. A sector spanned by the concave side of the foil shaped body on each side of the longitudinal centerline may be substantially equal to the desired angle αopt.In a second aspect, there is provided a system for extracting energy from a water 40 flow. The system comprises the mentioned positioning device and the elongated body. The elongated body comprises one or more axles parallel with the central longitudinal axis AE and a helical screw mounted on each of the one or more axles 3492334for extracting energy from the waterflow. The positioning device is fastened to distal ends of the one or more axles while allowing the one or more axles to rotate around its rotational axis. The invention may be held in place by the one or more shafts or together with a separate holding structure. The system comprises a holding 5 structure to which proximal ends of the axles are coupled, and wherein the rotation of the helical screw is transferred to an energy converter.The energy converter of the system may comprise an electrical generator 12.The at least one helical screw may comprise a first helical screw and a second helical screw arranged to counterrotate.10 The holding structure may comprise a floating vessel rotatably connected to a single point mooring.The holding structure may comprise a concrete slab positioned on a subsea surface with fixtures for connecting to the elongated body.15 Short description of the drawingsTo facilitate the understanding of the invention, we have attached some figures where the same reference number refers to the same feature in the various figures. Fig. 1 shows a side view of helical screw with a positioning device hung from a 20 vessel.Fig. 2 shows a helical screw with a positioning device coupled to a subsea holding structure.Fig. 3 shows a helical screw with a positioning device hung from a floating holding structure.25 Fig. 4 shows a first foil shaped body configured to handle currents from two opposite directions.Fig. 5 shows a foil shaped body configured to handle currents from one direction. Fig. 6a and b show a wing shaped body configured to handle currents in one direction.30 Fig 7 shows a side view of a foil shaped body having support foils mounted on the convex side.Fig. 8 show two perspective views of an embodiment of a position device.Fig. 9 shows the positioning device of fig. 8 having side plates mounted.Fig. 10 shows top view of a positioning device.35 Fig. 11 show a sectional view of the positioning device of fig. 7 and 8 with exemplary measurements.Fig. 12 shows a top view of a system including a positioning device for extracting energy from a flow of water.40 Detailed description 3492335There is provided a positioning device 100 for positioning a first central longitudinal axis AE of an elongated body 1 at a desired angle αopt relative to a water flow in a first direction D1 as illustrated in fig. 1 and 2. The positioning device 100 is a fixed body with no moving parts made of materials able to remain 5 submerged in water for longer periods of time. The elongated body 1 is connected at a proximal end at a pivot point P shown in fig. 1, 2 and 3 and is pivotable about the pivot point P, preferable in a plane parallel with the first direction D1. However, examples of the positioning device with movements outside the mentioned plane are also conceivable. The flow in the first direction would typically be flows found in a 10 river or at a site exposed to tidal waterflows. In tidal regions the flow patterns can usually be ordered in two opposite directions, but substantial deviations can be found. On such sites positioning device with a more flexible directionality should be applied. The positioning of the elongated body 1 is a balancing act between the force of the flowing water acting on the elongated body, the forces from the15 positional device 100 directing the flowing water by means of its shape and the gravitation and buoyancy acting on the combined structure. The combined forces achieve a moment equilibrium around the pivoting axis P at the desired angle αopt using the hydrodynamic properties of the positioning device 100 as well as buoyancy / weight, where the hydrodynamic properties is the major controlling 20 factor. The size of the positioning device is driven by the same moment equilibrium.The positioning device 100 comprises a foil shaped body 4 for mounting to the elongated body 1. By foil shaped we mean a shape that is curved in the same direction on both sides as can be seen in fig 4, 5 and 6. The foil shaped body has a second central longitudinal axis AF as indicated in fig. 7 and 9. The foil shaped 25 body 4 has a concave side 8 and a convex side 9, wherein the concave side 8 and the convex side 9 curve from a first edge 6 to a second edge 7. A positioning device 100, as described herein, may be a positioning device that responds to a waterflow in one direction as seen in fig. 5 and a set of positioning device that responds to waterflows in two opposite directions as seen in fig. 4.30 The positioning device further comprises fastening means 13 for fastening the foil shaped body 4 to a distal end 5 of the elongated body 1 such that the second central longitudinal axis AF is substantially at a right angle to both the first central longitudinal axis AE of the elongated body 1 and the first direction D1 when the positioning device is mounted on the elongated body 1 in a working position. The 35 concave side 8 of the foil shaped body 4 is facing the elongated body 1.Figure 4 and 7 – 9 show two-way examples of the positioning device 100 that responds likewise to waterflows in two opposite directions. When the waterflow is coming from a first direction, the first edge 6 is a leading edge and the second edge 7 is a trailing edge if the water flow comes from a second opposite direction the 40 second edge 7 is the leading edge and the first edge is the trailing edge. The foil shaped body 4 is symmetric around a plane including the second central longitudinal axis AF and a line parallel with the central longitudinal axis AE when the foil shaped body is mounted. The fastening means 13 is configured for positioning the first central longitudinal axis AE of the elongated body and second 45 central longitudinal axis, AF of the positioning device 100 such that their axes 3492336intersects at a right angle when the foil shaped body is in a working position, as indicated in fig. 8. Preferably, the positioning device is also symmetric around a plane containing the two central longitudinal axes, AE and AF as best seen in fig.7. In other words, as shown in fig. 4, a line L intersecting the first edge 6 and the 5 second edge 7 is at a right angle with the first central longitudinal axis AE of the elongated body 1. If so, the positioning device will respond likewise to a waterflow in an opposite direction D2 as to a waterflow in the first direction D1 as illustrated in fig. 2.Fig. 8 shows positioning device wherein the foil shaped body 4 comprises a side 10 wall 10a, 10b on each side covering an area from a straight line between the first edge 6 and the second edge 7 and towards respective end sides 11a, 11b of the foil shaped body 4 shown in fig. 7. The effect of the side walls 11a, 11b is that the water flowing past the positioning device do not flow over the side walls 10a and 10b, but is to a larger degree forced along the curvature of the foil shaped body 4 and thus 15 avoiding water particles to move from the pressure side to the suction side, increasing the directional forces and reducing drag caused by the positioning device 100 acting on the elongated body 1.In the positioning device shown in fig. 9 a cross section of the foil shaped body 4 is described by a portion of a circle with radius R1 representing the convex side 9 and 20 a portion of a circle with radius R2 smaller than R1 representing the concave side 8.Both portions of a circle are cut off by chords of length Cl, which will enable the two portions to form a sickle shape, also called a crescent shape. This relation between the convex and the concave side also implies that the concave side is made up of a smaller portion of a circle than the convex side.25 In fig. 7 - 9 the positioning device comprises a first support foil 14 mounted on the convex side at a distance from the first edge 6 having substantially the same distance between the convex side of the foil shaped body 4 and the concave side of the first support foil 14. In other words, the concave side of the support foil 14 is equidistant from the convex side 9 of the foil shaped body 4. The first support foil 30 14 has a cross section described by a concave side curved as a circle with radius R1 and a convex side curved as a circle with a bigger portion of a circle with radius smaller than R1. Both portions of a circle are cut off by chords of length smaller than Cl/2. A well-functioning length of the support foil 14 in the direction of the water current (D1) is Cl/3 as shown in fig. 11. Different lengths are possible, 35 varying between Cl/10 - Cl/2.As seen in fig. 7 – 9 the positioning device may further comprise a second support foil 15 mounted on the convex side at a distance from the second edge 7 and in parallel with the foil shaped body 4, wherein the second support foil 14 has a cross section described by a concave side curved as a circle with radius R1 and a convex 40 side curved as a circle with a bigger portion of a circle with radius smaller than R1.Both portions of a circle are cut off by chords of length smaller than Cl/2. A wellfunctioning length in the direction of the waterflow (D1) may be Cl/3 as shown in fig. 11 or a different length, varying between Cl/10 - Cl/2. 3492337Furthermore, with reference to fig. 11, the thickness of the foil shaped body 4 may be 0,125 X Cl at the second central longitudinal centerline AF. Furthermore, a sector spanned by the concave side of the foil shaped body on each side of the longitudinal centerline may be substantially equal to the desired angle αopt.5The invention also describes a system for converting energy from a waterflow using the positioning device 100 as described, in particular generating electricity by using a generator 12 is a natural choice of energy conversion. The system comprises the positioning device 100 and a first elongated body wherein the positioning device is 10 mounted on the elongated body 1. The elongated body comprises one or more axles 2 parallel with the central longitudinal axis AE of the elongated body, and the one or more axles each has a rotating helical screw 3 mounted thereon for extracting energy from the waterflow with the first central longitudinal axis AE at a desired angle αopt with the waterflow.15In fig. 1 and 12 two axles 2 and corresponding helical screws 3 is hung from a floating vessel 16 by means of a rotational coupling 17 at the pivot point P that enables the two axles 2 to pivot around the pivot axis AP in a vertical plane parallel with a longitudinal direction of the floating vessel 16 as illustrated in fig. 12 The 20 pivot axis AP and the first central longitudinal axis AE are preferably at a right angle to each other. The floating vessel is preferably moored on a single point mooring 18 in one end of the floating vessel and the two axles and corresponding screws at the other. This configuration will enable the helical screw 3 to be positioned and moveable in a plane parallel with the flow direction indicated with 25 an arrow in fig. 12 The advantage with this configuration is that free rotation around the single point mooring 18 and free rotation around the pivot axis AP causes no unnecessary loads on the system. The only force of any magnitude is a pull in the direction of the two axles acting at a right angle to the pivot axis AP on the rotational coupling 17. At the same time the correct angle is efficiently upheld 30 because the forces from the positioning device 100 is applied at the end of the helical screw.Although the drag caused by the positioning device 100 is substantial, this causes no negative effect on the efficiency of the helical screw 3 because the drag and 35 associated turbulence is taking place downstream of the helical screw 3.Furthermore, a positive effect of the drag is that it tends to stabilize the helical screw 3 against vibrations and oscillations. The downwards force at the stern of the floating vessel 16 originated at the positioning device 100 also increases directional stability of the floating vessel due to reduction of forward pitch in the floating 40 vessel 16. 3492338Some oscillations originating from the helical screws are unavoidable. By mounting two counterrotating helical screws beside each other and connect them to a common positioning device 100 as seen in fig. 12 the oscillations are substantially reduced.5 Where the one or more helical screw is only tilted one way to obtain the desired angle such as can be seen in fig. 1 and 12it is conceivable with a non-symmetric positioning device as shown in fig. 5, 6a and 6b. In particular, a wing shaped body 19 shown in fig, 6a and 6b would function reasonably well. The wing shaped body 19 is fixedly mounted on the one or more axles 3 with a suction side, similar to the 10 convex side 8 of the foil shaped body, pointing downward. In other words, the wing shaped body 19 is mounted upside down as compared to the wings of an airplane. Preferably the central longitudinal axis AE of the helical screws are directed substantially through the balancing point of the combined force from the wing shape to avoid loads acting on connection means between the axle 3 and the wing shaped 15 body. Fig. 5 show the one-way configuration with an angle β between the line L from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the foil shaped body / wing shaped body and the first central longitudinal axis AE should be within an interval [αopt, αopt + 25 degrees]. In the two-way configuration the corresponding angle should be 90 degrees /- 10 degrees, more preferable /- 5 degrees.20Figure 2 shows the system comprising a fixed body 20 to which the axle 3 is mounted. This avoids to a large degree the problems of exposure to wind and waves and resulting unwanted movements but will receive less energy due to lower water velocities. Furthermore, there is a problem with access to generators which is 25 mounted below the surface. 3492339References1 Elongated body2 Axle3 Helical screw5 4 Foil shaped body5 Distal end of elongated body6 First edge of foil shaped body7 Second edge of foiled shaped body8 Concave side of foil shaped body10 9 Convex side of foil shaped body10a and 10b First and second side surface on each side of foil shaped body 11a and 11b First and second end of foil shaped body12 Generator / energy converter13 Fastening means / fastening flanges15 14 First support foil15 Second support foil16 Floating vessel17 Rotational coupling18 Single point mooring20 19 Wing shaped body20 Holding structure21 Concrete slab100 Positioning device25 34923310CLAIMS1. Positioning device for positioning a first central longitudinal axis (AE) of an elongated body (1) at a desired angle (αopt) relative to a water flow in a first 5 direction (D1), wherein the elongated body (1) is connected at a proximal end at a pivot point (P) and is pivotable about the pivot point (P) in a plane parallel with the first direction (D1), the device being characterized by comprising: a foil shaped body (4) for mounting to the elongated body (1), wherein the 10 foil shaped body has a second central longitudinal axis (AF, a concave side (8) and a convex side (9), wherein the concave side (8) and the convex side (9) curve from a first edge (6) to a second edge (7),fastening means (13) for fastening the foil shaped body (4) to a distal end (5) of the elongated body (1) with the concave side (8) facing the elongate body 15 (1) and with the second central longitudinal axis (AF) substantially at a right angle to both the first central longitudinal axis (AE) of the elongated body (1) and the first direction (D1).20 2. The positioning device according to claim 1, wherein the fastening means (13) position the first and second central longitudinal axis, (AE) and (AF) for intersection with the first central longitudinal axis (AE) when the foil shaped body (4) is fastened to the elongated body (1).25 3. The positioning device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the foil shaped body (4) has a two-way configuration symmetric around a plane including the second central longitudinal axis (AF), and the fastening means (13) is configured to position a line (L) intersecting the first edge (6) and the second edge (7) perpendicularly to the first central longitudinal axis AE when 30 the foil shaped body is fastened to the elongated body (1), and the longest distance between (L) and the concave side (8) is within the interval 0,2 and 0,5Cl, where (Cl) is the distance between the first and second edge (6, 7).4. Positioning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the foil shaped body has a 35 one-way configuration, wherein the fastening means (13) is configured to position the line (L) intersecting the first edge and the second edge at an angle (β) with the first central longitudinal axis (AE) which is within the interval [αopt, αopt + 20 degrees], and the longest distance between (L) and the concave side (8) is within the interval 0,0 and 0,25Cl.40 349233115. The positioning device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a side wall (10a, 10b) on each side of the foil shaped body (4), where each side wall (10a, 10b) covers an area from the straight line (L) between the first edge (6) and the second edge (7) and extends towards a respective end (11a, 11b) of 5 the foil shaped body (4).6. The positioning device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a cross section of the foil shaped body (4) is described by a portion of a first circle with radius (R1) representing the convex side and a smaller portion of a second circle 10 with radius (R2) equal or larger than (R1) representing the concave side, and wherein the portions having chords of same length (Cl).7. The positioning device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a first support foil (14) mounted on the convex side at a distance from the first 15 edge (6), wherein the first support foil (14) has a concave side (8) that has a constant distance from the convex side (9) of the foil shaped body (4) and a convex side (9) described by a portion of a circle bigger than the concave side, wherein both portions of circles are cut out by chords of same lengths less than Cl/2.208. The positioning device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a second support foil (15) mounted on the convex side (9) at a distance from the second edge (7) wherein the second support foil (14) has a concave side (8) that has a constant distance from the convex side of the foil shaped body (4) and a 25 convex side (9) described by a portion of a circle bigger than the concave side, wherein both portions of circles are cut out by chords of same lengths less than Cl/2.9. The positioning device according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the thickness 30 of the foil shaped body (4) is 0,125 multiplied by the length Cl at the second central longitudinal centerline (AF).10. A system for extracting energy from a water flow comprising:the positioning device according to any of the preceding claims, 35 the elongated body (1) comprising:one or more axles (2) parallel with the central longitudinal axis (AE), a helical screw (3) rotationally mounted on each of the one or more axles (2) for extracting energy from the waterflow, wherein the positioning device is fastened to distal ends of the one or more 40 axles (2),a holding structure (20) to which proximal ends of the axles (2) are coupled, and 34923312wherein the rotation of the helical screw (3) is transferred to an energy converter.11. System according to claim 10, wherein the energy converter (12) comprises an 5 electrical generator (12).12. The system according to claim 10 or 11 wherein the at least one helical screw (3) comprises a first helical screw and a second helical screw arranged to counterrotate.1013. The system according to any of the preceding claims 10-12 wherein the holding structure (20) comprises a floating vessel (16) rotatably connected to a single point mooring (18).15 14. The system according to any of the preceding claims 10-12 wherein the holding structure (20) comprises a concrete slab (21) positioned on a subsea surface with fixtures for connecting to the elongated body (1).
Claims
34923313Patentkrav1. Posisjoneringsanordning for posisjonering av en første sentral langsgående akse (AE) til et langstrakt legeme (1) i en ønsket vinkel (αopt) i forhold til en vannstrøm i en første retning (D1), hvor det langstrakte legemet (1) er forbundet ved en proksimal ende ved et 5 dreiepunkt (P) og er dreibar om dreiepunktet (P) i et plan parallelt med den første retningen (D1), hvor anordningen er karakterisert ved å omfatte:et foilformet legeme (4) for montering til det langstrakte legemet (1), hvor det foilformede legeme har en andre sentral langsgående akse (AF, en konkav side (8) og en konveks side (9), hvor den konkave siden (8) og den konvekse siden (9) 10 krummer seg fra en første kant (6) til en andre kant (7),festemidler (13) for å feste det foilformede legemet (4) til en distal ende (5) av det langstrakte legemet (1) med den konkave siden (8) vendt mot det langstrakte legemet (1) og med den andre sentrale lengdeaksen (AF) er hovedsakelig i rett vinkel til både den første sentrale lengdeaksen (AE) til det langstrakte legemet (1) 15 og den første retningen (D1).2. Posisjoneringsanordningen ifølge krav 1, hvor festemidlene (13) posisjonerer den første og andre sentrale lengdeaksen (AE) og (AF) for å skjære med den første sentrale lengdeaksen (AE) når det foilformede legemet (10) 4) er festet til det langstrakte legemet 20 (1).3. Posisjoneringsanordningen ifølge hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene, hvor det foilformede legemet (4) har en toveis konfigurasjon symmetrisk rundt et plan som inkluderer den andre sentrale lengdeaksen (AF), og festemidlene (13) er konfigurert for å 25 plassere en linje (L) som skjærer den første kanten (6) og den andre kanten (7) vinkelrett på den første sentrale lengdeaksen AE når foilformet legeme festes til den langstrakte legemet (1), og den lengste avstanden mellom (L) og den konkave siden (8) er innenfor intervallet 0,2 og 0,5Cl, hvor (Cl) er avstanden mellom den første og andre kant (6, 7).30 4. Plasseringsanordning ifølge krav 1 eller 2, hvor det foilformede legemet har en enveiskonfigurasjon, hvor festeanordningen (13) er konfigurert til å plassere linjen (L) som skjærer den første kanten og den andre kanten i en vinkel (β) med den første sentrale lengdeaksen (AE) som er innenfor intervallet [αopt, αopt + 20 grader], og den lengste avstanden mellom (L) og den konkave siden (8) er innenfor intervallet 0,0 og 0,25Cl.355. Posisjoneringsanordningen ifølge et hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene, omfattende en sidevegg (10a, 10b) på hver side av det foilformede legemet (4), hvor hver sidevegg (10a, 10b) dekker et område fra den rette linjen (L) mellom den første kanten (6) og den andre kanten (7) og strekker seg mot sine respektive ender (11a, 11b) av det 40 foilformede legemet (4).349233146. Posisjoneringsanordningen ifølge et hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene, hvor et tverrsnitt av det foilformede legemet (4) er beskrevet som en del av en første sirkel med radius (R1) som representerer den konvekse siden og en mindre del av en andre sirkel med 5 radius (R2) lik eller større enn (R1) som representerer den konkave siden, og hvor delene har korder av samme lengde (Cl).7. Posisjoneringsanordningen ifølge et av de foregående kravene, omfattende en første støttefoil (14) montert på den konvekse siden i en avstand fra den første kanten (6), hvor 10 den første støttefoilen (14) har en konkav side (8) som har en konstant avstand fra den konvekse siden (9) av det foilformede legemet (4) og en konveks side (9) beskrevet av en del av en sirkel som er større enn den konkave side, hvor begge sirkledelene er kuttet ut med korder med samme lengde mindre enn Cl/2.15 8. Posisjoneringsanordningen ifølge et av de foregående kravene, omfattende en andre støttefoil (15) montert på den konvekse siden (9) i avstand fra den andre kanten (7), hvor den andre støttefoilen (14) har en konkav side (8) som har en konstant avstand fra den konvekse siden av det foilformede legemet (4) og en konveks side (9) beskrevet av en del av en sirkel som er større enn den konkave side, hvor begge sirklene er kuttet ut med 20 korder med samme lengde mindre enn Cl/2.9. Posisjoneringsanordningen ifølge et av kravene 6 til 8, hvor tykkelsen av det foilformede legemet (4) er 0,125 multiplisert med lengden Cl ved den andre sentrale langsgående senterlinjen (AF).2510. System for utvinning av energi fra en vannstrøm, omfattende:posisjoneringsanordningen ifølge hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene,det langstrakte legemet (1) omfatter:én eller flere aksler (2) parallelle med den sentrale lengdeaksen (AE),30 en heliksformet skrue (3) rotasjonsmontert på hver av de ene eller flere akslene (2) for å ekstrahere energi fra vannstrømmen,hvor posisjoneringsanordningen er festet til distale ender av de ene eller flere akslene (2),en holdestruktur (20) som proksimale ender av akslene (2) er koblet til, og35 hvor rotasjonen av den spiralformede skruen (3) overføres til en energiomformer.3492331511. System ifølge krav 10, hvor energiomformeren (12) omfatter en elektrisk generator (12).12. Systemet ifølge krav 10 eller 11, karakterisert ved at den minst ene heliksformede 5 skruen (3) omfatter en første heliksformet skrue og en andre heliksformet skrue arrangert for å rotere i motsatte retninger.13. Systemet ifølge hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene 10-12, hvor holdestrukturen (20) omfatter et flytende fartøy (16) roterbart forbundet med en10 enkeltpunktsfortøyning (18).14. Systemet ifølge hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene 10-12, hvor holdestrukturen (20) omfatter en betongplate (21) plassert på en undersjøisk overflate med fiksturer for tilkobling til det langstrakte legemet (1).
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IPC classesF03B 13/26F03B 17/06CPC classesF03B 13/264F03B 17/06

Citations

EP 3120014 B1 (B1)US 2014219776 A1 (A1)US 2013147199 A1 (A1)KR 102509797 B1 (B1)

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Owners
Flumill AS
Skytebanen 14 4841 ARENDAL NO (ARENDAL Municipality, Agder county)Org. number: 984417594Inventors
Andreas Brobakken
Bergstø 54 4790 LILLESAND NO (LILLESAND Municipality, Agder county)

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ACAPO ONSAGERS AS
ACAPO ONSAGERS AS

Org. number: 932214636

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Edvard Griegs vei 1 5059 BERGEN NO (BERGEN Municipality, Vestland county)
Org. number: 932214636
Reference: P29476NO00

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