Tidal power installation, with two reservoirs or basins and a channel containing an energy extractor, used to convert tidal flows to a unidirectional flow

摘要

A tidal power installation has two reservoirs,70,80, eg in a natural bay 10; a channel 60 with entry 62 and exit 64 portions which are, possibly via sluice gates 22,24,32,34,42,44, connectable to the sea 50 and each reservoir; and turbines 90 between these portions. The installation provides a continuous unidirectional flow through the turbines 90. The turbines may form a barrier or dam and have a gate (91, figure 6), which may contain floatation means to track variations in sea level and may have supports (95, figure 6) and a telescopic guide (93', figure 12), and an impeller (102, figure 9) for driving a compressor or generator. The compressor may be effected by a double piston arrangement (200, figure 14) with an off-centre cam (215, figure 14) and compressed air may be stored in circular or hexagonal tubes (130, figure 13) made of plastic with carbon fibre support. The gate (91, figure 6) has an aperture (92, figure 6) and is typically made from steel coated with an antifouling layer, its supports (95, figure 6) may be tapered and the guide (93, figure 6) may have openings underwater. The reservoirs 70,80 may be separated by triangular or trapezoidal walls (30, figure 4) comprising layers of parallel tubular members (35, figure 4), possibly containing interlocking serrations or grooves (38, figure 5) on the outer surface, which may be held together by retention straps (36, figure 4) and may be clad with sheeting (39, figure 4). At least one of the tubes (35, figure 4) contains a filler material such as aggregate.