| NORTHWEST PIPE COMPANY Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20120031518 | NOVEL DESIGNS AND ASSEMBLY METHODS FOR CONDUIT USED IN HARNESSING HYDROKINETIC ENERGY - A novel conduit design is disclosed. The conduit includes a cylindrical body having defined therein a first aperture and a second aperture, wherein the first aperture is designed to receive a shaft of a turbine and the second aperture is sufficiently large to facilitate ingress or egress of a probe through the second aperture, and wherein the second aperture is located a distance away from the first aperture such that when a turbine is disposed through the first aperture, an entry by a probe into the cylindrical body through the second aperture is not prevented by presence of the turbine. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20110204640 | IN-PIPE HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER SYSTEM AND TURBINE - A generally spherical turbine configured to rotate transversely within a cylindrical pipe under the power of fluid flowing either direction therethrough is operatively coupled with a rotating machine or generator to produce electricity. In one embodiment, the blades of the spherical turbine curve in an approximately 180 degree arc in a plane that is at an inclined angle relative to the rotational axis of a central shaft. In another embodiment, a deflector is provided upstream of the spherical turbine and within the cylindrical pipe to control flow through the spherical turbine by shielding a part thereof. The blades of the spherical turbine are airfoil in cross section to optimize hydrodynamic flow, to minimize cavitation, and to maximize conversion from axial to rotating energy. | 08-25-2011 |
