Henry Swales

Title: Innovations of Henry Swales in Marine Current Turbines

Introduction

Henry Swales is an accomplished inventor based in Santa Barbara, CA. He has made significant contributions to the field of marine energy through his innovative designs. With a total of 2 patents, Swales has focused on creating efficient and stable marine current turbine platforms.

Latest Patents

One of his latest patents is a marine current turbine platform featuring a downstream rotor and a faired spar. This invention includes a deckhouse at the waterline and a ballasting and mooring arrangement that ensures the center of buoyancy is above the center of gravity. This design provides a stable platform and ample rotor torque reaction. The faired spar minimizes the wake deficit ingested by the rotor, reducing turbulence and drag on the turbine. The deckhouse contributes buoyancy to counteract gravitational forces and provides reserve buoyancy if a portion of the platform becomes flooded. The mooring arrangement is designed to form a bridle, which enhances yaw stability.

Another notable patent involves a marine current turbine rotor that comprises a hub with fixed and pitchable blade sections. This configuration is designed to reduce bending moment loads on the pitch bearings, allowing the use of non-standard, low-cost structural materials for the hub, blades, and pitch shaft. The invention features a submersible pitch drive mechanism that rotates the pitch shaft, enabling the pitchable blade section to move to a specified pitch position. The hub cavity is designed to be 'wet,' eliminating the need for seals to prevent water intrusion, and utilizes water-lubricated pitch bearings.

Career Highlights

Henry Swales is currently associated with Aquantis, Inc., where he continues to develop innovative solutions in marine energy. His work has been instrumental in advancing the technology of marine current turbines, making them more efficient and cost-effective.

Collaborations

Swales has collaborated with notable individuals in the field, including Peter Stricker and James George Purnell Dehlsen. Their combined expertise has contributed to the success of various projects and innovations in marine energy.

Conclusion

Henry Swales is a pioneering inventor whose work in marine current turbines has the potential to revolutionize the industry. His innovative designs and patents reflect a commitment to advancing renewable energy technologies.