Patent ID: 7456514
Filing Date: 2008-11-25
Classification: F03B,F05B,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A kinetic hydropower generation system comprising an open fluid flow canal through which gravity driven fluid flows, a fluid flow directing flume positioned within the open canal so that an entrance is fitted to the width of the open canal, the flume having a bottom and opposing sidewalls forming a fluid flow acceleration zone, a converging entrance and a diverging exit, the acceleration zone being located down stream from the converging entrance, and a power generation assembly positioned within said acceleration zone, the bottom of the flume being raised above the level of a bottom surface of the canal so that fluid flow through the converging entrance is formed into a dynamic hydraulic head upstream from the acceleration zone and causing a downstream flow depth in the acceleration zone to decrease as it flow across the acceleration zone due to velocity increases in the acceleration zone thereby creating super-critical velocities in the acceleration zone to operate the power generation assembly.