Abstract:
A system, method and computer program product for producing renewable electrical power energy which does not require the consumption of fossil-based, petroleum-based or other combustible fuels, nor release hazardous emissions or byproducts to the atmosphere or otherwise to the environment. The system utilizes closed-loop fluid recirculation and is not dependent upon an external unlimited sources of water flow and head as with dam-style hydro-electric power systems and is not dependant upon predefined favorable environmental and/or weather conditions to function. The system includes a DC magnetic system adapted to be coupled between an AC generator and a hydro-rotor/centrifugal pump system; a DC power source and charging system; a propulsion pump system; and a containment housing with a plurality of thrust producing vanes, fluid management infrastructure and reservoir. The hydro-rotor/centrifugal pump system utilizes thermal energy, kinetic energy, fluid dynamics, mass inertia and centrifugal forces to drive an AC electrical generator, and the DC magnetic system serves to both initiate the system and regulate the electrical output of the generator.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/205, 936 filed on Jan. 26, 2009. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to renewable or auxiliary electrical power devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method, system and computer program product for producing renewable electrical power with a closed-loop system device which does not require the combustion or consumption of fuels or other external power/fuel sources to function. The system utilizes a DC magnetic system to initiate and regulate the speed of a closed-loop hydro-rotor/centrifugal pump system and ultimately the electrical output of an AC generator. This is accomplished by monitoring the AC electrical power output and speeding up or slowing down the rotation of the hydro-rotor/centrifugal pump system. The speed of the rotation of the hydro-rotor/centrifugal pump system is controlled by varying the DC voltage and magnetic fields. The DC power depleted from the battery source is replaced through a conversion of a very small percentage of the AC electrical power output to DC. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Brief Description of the Related Art 
       [0003]    Over the years, systems have been developed to provide stand-by, auxiliary and remote location electrical power solutions such as gasoline or diesel generator sets, solar panels, wind turbines and fuel cells. Each of these systems has inherent limitations however. Gasoline and diesel generator sets require a constant supply of combustible fuel and by design produce emissions which are hazardous to the environment. Alternatives such as solar panels and wind turbines are by design dependent upon a minimum source of favorable environmental factors and conditions, namely sunlight ultraviolet rays and wind, in order to function, and conventional fuel cells release hydrogen into the atmosphere. 
         [0004]    Each of these systems also has unique, specific and unyielding dimensional space and installation footprint requirements which further serve as system limitations in practical applications. Further, the environmental impact of these various conventional systems goes far beyond the hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions of the generator sets. Each solar, wind turbine and fuel cell device and system has likewise come under the attack of environmentalists and other “not in my back yard” lobbyists. 
         [0005]    Traditional hydro-electric power generation systems harness the elevation head, the velocity head and the elastic potential energy of water to generate electric power. The prominent hydro-electric power plants are sited on great natural waterways. The building of dams and the elevating of the water surface in order to provide the stored volume and increase the elevation head of the waterway constitute the main features of our present day hydro-power systems. The single energy input is the natural gravitational force induced elevation head which is transformed either into velocity head to run an impulse turbine or into pressure head to run a reaction turbine. The single output is converted into electrical energy. This conventional hydro-power has no input in the form of electrical energy. Hydro-power is recognized as clean, relatively economical due to the use of water provided by Mother Nature through the water cycle, and free of fossil fuel detrimental environmental effects. 
         [0006]    However, hydro-electric power plants have their limitations and shortcomings. First, it is available only to geographic sites where there are big natural waterways. The distance between these sites and the cities demanding the power typically requires the use of long transmission lines with inherent losses. Second, the operation of the hydro-electric power plant is entirely dependent upon the seasonal precipitation; thus the annual outputs are only a fraction of the installed design capacities. Third, constructing dams by definition changes and affects the land use above and below the dam and can carry heavy social costs. Fourth, the construction time of a dam is extremely long. Fifth, the required site preparation, alteration and extensive civil works are quite expensive. Sixth, the maintenance includes upstream debris removal, sedimentation removal works and complicated and tedious turbine maintenance. Finally, there is always a threat of dam failure that could result in catastrophic consequences to lives and properties. 
         [0007]    Many systems have been designed with the intent to overcome the inherent limitations and drawbacks of conventional hydro-electric power plants. U.S. Pat. No. 6,420,794 issued to Cao disclosed a scheme of employing a delivering reservoir, a receiving reservoir and a back-up reservoir in which the water is circulated, and an elaborate valve system that maintains the level of water to drive hydro-turbines. U.S. Pat. No. 6,388,342 issued to Vetterick, Sr. et. al. advances a hydro-electric plant which includes an apparatus and method for converting renewable wave action energy to electrical energy that harnesses fluid wave power by employing a plurality of low-mass buoys floating on a fluid surface connected to low volume pumps. The pumps transfer fluid from a source to an elevated storage tank. The elevated tank serves as a reserve source of fluid that then flows by gravity to drive a hydro-electric generator thereby creating an electrical current. While this system harnesses renewable wave energy, it still does not address many of the inherent limitations of the traditional hydroelectric power plant. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,998 issued to Estigoy et. al., addresses some of the dependence on natural water precipitation limitations by providing a pump, secondarily driven by the generator driving turbine, which recycles the water discharged from the turbine back to the reservoir. There have been many derivatives of this scheme advanced by others as well. However, the law of conservation of energy teaches us that energy cannot be created nor destroyed; but can be transformed, transferred, accumulated, stored and either be harnessed for constructive use producing usable electrical energy or be converted into various dissipated forms. Thus, given it requires the same amount of energy to pump the fluid back up to the elevation that represents the starting quantum of potential kinetic energy, in addition to the energy losses in the turbine, generator and pump, it is suspect that additional energy can be transferred to electrical power by a hydro turbine which is simultaneously powering an electrical generator. Such a device was also claimed in PCT WO 2009/077662 A2 issued to Tiltay of France. 
         [0009]    The aim of the present invention is to overcome some of prior art shortcomings cited above. The present invention comprises unique features and equipment which is configured to takes advantage of three known laws of Mechanical Energy, Thermal Energy and Kinetic Energy, while also comprising the elements and knowledge of Inertia, Fluid Dynamics and Harmonic Frequencies. The present invention is novel in that it utilizes the mass of a rotating rotor to create a self-sustaining centrifugal pump to re-circulate the fluid and dynamically raise the operating head. Another novel and useful feature of the present invention is its inherent tolerance of external AC electrical system loads due to the spinning inertia mass of the rotor. Some of the conventional power sources such as generator sets are not inherently tolerant of external system loading. These power sources must employ significant voltage regulation circuitry and cost in an attempt to avoid unwanted over-cycling or “hunting” of the engine combustion system relative to the desired constant rotational input required by the AC Generator being driven. 
         [0010]    Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel method, system and computer program product for producing renewable electrical power energy in a more environmentally friendly manner as compared to many of the conventional methods and systems. It is another object of the present invention to provide such renewable electric power energy without dependence upon external unlimited sources of water flow and head as with dam-style hydro-electric power systems, and further, not being dependant upon predefined “favorable” environmental and/or weather conditions to function. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such renewable electric power energy without dependence upon a continual supply of a combustible fuel. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The objects of the present invention stated above and still other objects in the field of the invention are achieved according to the present invention by providing a novel system, method and computer program product for producing renewable electrical power energy. The system includes a DC magnetic system adapted to be coupled between an AC generator and a hydro-rotor/centrifugal pump system; a DC power source and charging system; a propulsion pump system; and a containment housing with a plurality of thrust producing vanes, fluid management infrastructure and reservoir. The hydro-rotor/centrifugal pump system utilizes thermal energy, kinetic energy, fluid dynamics and mass inertia to drive an AC generator. The DC magnetic system serves to both initiate the system and regulate the electrical output of the generator by controlling the rotational speed of the hydro-rotor/centrifugal pump system. 
         [0012]    A DC voltage regulator circuit monitors the generator AC electrical power output and correspondingly raises or lowers the DC voltage applied to the DC magnetics system thereby dynamically varying the magnetic field in order to speed up or slow down the rotation of the hydro-rotor/centrifugal pump system. The DC power depleted from the battery source to power the magnetic fields is replaced through a conversion of a very small percentage of the AC electrical power output back to DC. Thus, the DC power circuit and the recirculation of the system operating fluid represent closed-loop systems, thereby enabling a complete assembly of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, referred to herein as the Electronic Hydropod system, to be a self-sustainable renewable energy source. An alternative embodiment of the present invention utilizes an AC powered drive system in lieu of the DC magnetics system. 
         [0013]    The Electronic Hydropod system is a compilation and integration of the three known laws of Mechanical Energy, Thermal Energy and Kinetic Energy, while also comprising the elements and knowledge of Inertia, Fluid Dynamics and Harmonic Frequencies. Also, as known, E=mC 2  (energy equals mass, times the speed of light, squared). In the present invention, tests of “m” (mass) were performed by using “weight” (W) as an appropriate substitute for mass. Since mass has weight here on earth, “m” can be represented as mass times weight (m×W). Then, E=mWC 2 . This principle is important in the understanding of the efficiencies of the closed-loop hydro-rotor/centrifugal pump system, referred to herein as the hydropod system. (Note, the Electronic Hydropod system includes the hydropod system coupled to a control mechanism for controlling the rotational speed of the hydropod system). One of the unique features and benefits of the present invention is based in the fluid capillary (or siphon) phenomenon caused by the spinning hydro-rotor centrifugal forces. This capillary action draws fluid up to feed a plurality of propelling jet-streams, in effect raising the head of the fluid system and thereby making the propulsion system extremely efficient and supplementing the self-sustaining nature of the system. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are illustrations of the major sub-sections/sub-systems of the Electronic Hydropod system according to the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  depicts the four major sub-systems and assemblies within the hydropod system 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of the various sub-components and sub-systems of the Electronic Hydropod system according to the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a closed-loop renewable energy device according to the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a conservation of energy and system logic block diagram of a renewable energy device according to the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a schematic illustration of a general purpose microprocessor-based or digital signal processor-based system which can be programmed according to the teachings of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0020]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and more particularly to  FIGS. 1-6  thereof, there are shown various embodiments of the present invention, as will now be described. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B  depict the major elements of the closed-loop renewable energy system. In  FIG. 1A , the Electronic Hydropod system  1  comprises: the Hydropod system  2 , the hydro-power section of the device; the DC magnetics drive system  3 ; an AC electrical generator  4 ; a DC battery or other DC power source  5 ; the DC magnetics system voltage regulator  6 ; the control interface system  7 ; and a DC charging system  8  to convert a small percentage of the AC electrical generator output to DC to recharge the DC battery  5  back to full capacity. Also depicted is an optional computer and/or remote controller system  60 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  depicts the four major subsystems and assemblies within the hydropod system  2 : a hydro-rotor/centrifugal pump assembly  9 , also referred to herein as the “hydro-rotor assembly”, comprising a “hydro-rotor”  10  with substantial mass and a plurality of high-pressure nozzles, and a propulsion system  11  comprising a screw pump system and integral lower rotor support shaft which provides fluid flow to a central cavity in the hydro-rotor  10  to feed the various nozzles; a containment housing comprising a lower section  12 , which serves as the reservoir for the fluid media and comprises a bearing support means to support the hydro-rotor assembly  9  and system of gussets which provide structural integrity as well as serves as fluid management diffusers to channel the fluid to the propulsion system  11 ; and an upper containment housing section  13 , which incorporates jet-stream deflector devices commonly referred to as vanes or blades and referred to herein as thrust vanes  14 , and support infrastructure, fluid management provisions, bearing support for the top of the hydro-rotor assembly  9  and a system of gussets which likewise provide structural integrity as well as serves as fluid management diffusers to channel the fluid back to the reservoir. 
         [0023]    The fundamental way of thinking about or understanding how the hydropod system works is to first consider the two complimentary principals of centrifugal force and mass in motion, or inertia. It is helpful to draw an analogy to other devices or systems employing the principal of centrifugal forces in hydraulic or fluid systems. Consider for example, the common clothes washing machine in the spin cycle. By spinning the washing machine basin at a high rate of speed, and by virtue of its inherent mass, the residual water is slung radially outward away from the center of rotation and wicked from the clothes. Correspondingly, when a toy top is spun very quickly about its main axis, its inherent mass or weight maintains the rotation of the top for an extended period of time. However, the laws of physics prevent the top from spinning into perpetuity. 
         [0024]    The friction placed upon its point from contact with the surface on which it rotates, and the friction about its entire outer profile caused by air drag, eventually absorb enough of the kinetic energy that was temporarily stored in the top and it topples. Similarly, point-of-contact friction and air friction forces are at play when a basketball is spun quickly and balanced on one&#39;s finger tip. While it requires a sudden and substantial rotational force to be applied to the basketball to establish its rotation, once achieved, it only requires periodic and comparatively low inputs of fanning “taps” applied to the side of the basketball to overcome these combined frictional losses and thereby sustain the rotation of the ball on the fingertip. The known principal of Conservation of Energy dictates that one only need replace the kinetic energy that was transferred into friction losses or other energy losses in order to sustain rotation. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  depicts the various sub-systems and sub-components within the present invention. When the system is initiated via manual, automatic or remote turn-on command, DC voltage is applied to the DC magnetics system  15  fixed DC magnets  16  creating a magnetic field causing the DC armature  17  to rotate about an axis central to the hydropod system  2 . The DC magnetics system  15  comprises a large diameter which optimizes the thrust and torque generating capability applied to a central shaft/drive mechanism (hydro-rotor “top shaft”)  18  affixed to the hydro-rotor  10  via a mechanical coupling  19 . The rotational torque of the DC magnetics system armature is transferred to the hydro-rotor assembly causing it to rotate about its axis and gradually increase to the prescribed AC electrical generator  4  speed, such as 1800 rpm. The hydro-rotor top shaft  18  is coupled to the AC electrical generator  4  drive shaft via a typical drive train style mechanical coupler  20  and thus the AC electrical generator  4  rotates at the same speed as the entire hydro-rotor/centrifugal pump assembly  9  (also referred to as “hydro-rotor assembly” herein). Once rotating at 1800 rpm, the hydro-rotor  10  and its considerable mass serves as a tremendous source of kinetic energy and the system need only replace the energy lost to friction and other anti-rotational forces. 
         [0026]    To counter these losses, sustain rotation of the hydro-rotor assembly  9  and ultimately drive the AC electrical generator  4 , and replace the system energy losses, the present invention employs four sub-systems: the propulsion system  11 , the hydro-rotor  10 , the DC magnetics system  15 , and various low friction bearing systems  21 ,  22  and  23 . There are numerous combinations, styles and quantities of possible bearing systems recognized as applicable to the present invention (e.g., static bushings, dynamic mechanical bearings, electronic or electrical bearings, etc.); thus, those depicted in  FIG. 3  are merely representative examples. The propulsion system  11  is responsible for furnishing the center cavity  24  of the hydro-rotor  10  with a constant source of fluid flow and pressure, and works in conjunction with the hydro-rotor&#39;s  10  plurality of high pressure nozzles  25  and corresponding container  13  stationary thrust vanes  14  to produce hydraulic thrust. 
         [0027]    The DC magnetics system  15  has two principal purposes. First, it is responsible for initially powering the hydro-rotor  10  and propulsion system  11  up to design speed at which time the centrifugal forces of the hydro-rotor  10  produce multiple high pressure nozzle  25  jet-streams to create rotational thrust by pushing off of the stationary thrust vanes  14  and the mass of the hydro-rotor  10  creates extremely high inertia and corresponding stored kinetic energy. Second, once the design rotational speed is achieved, such as with an AC electrical generator  4  shaft design speed of 1800 rpm, a DC voltage regulator  6  reduces the voltage being applied to the DC magnetics system magnets  16  to reduce the power of the DC magnetic fields until either the hydro-rotor assembly  9  kinetic energy and inertia sustain the design speed on their own, or a low level of DC voltage is required to assist in maintaining the design speed. Thereafter, the DC voltage regulator  6  will monitor the output of the AC electrical generator  4  and apply only the DC voltage necessary to replace any hydro-rotor assembly  9  energy losses, i.e., the proportionate rotational “taps” in the spinning basketball analogy. 
         [0028]    The fourth system is dedicated to minimizing system energy losses, thus lowering the demand for DC voltage and magnetics assistance and raising the overall efficiency of the Electronic Hydropod system. As stated, while many combinations are possible,  FIG. 3  demonstrates one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It comprises a plurality of high quality precision roller bearings  23  and tapered roller bearings  21  and  22  to support the hydro-rotor/centrifugal pump assembly  9  and sustain efficient rotational center with minimal friction losses. The entire hydro-rotor assembly  9  is also precision-balanced during manufacture and assembly. In addition, at design speed, the hydro-rotor assembly  9  centrifugal pump function serves to shift the head of the dynamic fluid system from the lower reservoir  26  up to the spinning hydro-rotor  10  which serves to cause the spinning hydro-rotor  10  to approach weightlessness, thereby further reducing frictional losses in the bearings  21 ,  22  and  23 . 
         [0029]    While the hydro-rotor assembly  9  is rotating, the propulsion system  11  is constantly feeding pressurized fluid flow from the reservoir  26  to the hydro-rotor center cavity  24 . In the preferred embodiment, the propulsion system  11  employs an integrated multifunctional pumping system which simultaneously functions as the hydro-rotor  10  rotational bottom support shaft  27 . The propulsion system  11  comprises a screw pump  28  which is centrally and axially located inside of and fixed to an integrated screw pump outer cylinder  29  such as with bolt  39  and/or axial and radial pins. In the preferred embodiment, the screw pump outer cylinder  29  has four fluid flow passages  30  aligned with the working area between each of the four screw pump  28  impeller blades. Numerous configurations and quantums of screw pump  28  blades could be utilized. The screw pump outer cylinder  29  also comprises a concave scooping geometry  31  adjacent to each of the four fluid passages. These scoops  31  are so shaped and aligned so as to efficiently push fluid in the reservoir  26  up into the screw pump  28  where the fluid is then conveyed upward into the hydro-rotor  10  center cavity  24 . 
         [0030]    The hydro-rotor  10  in the preferred embodiment is comprised of either a single or a stacked plurality of individual hydro-rotor disks  32 . As each rotor disk  32  has fluid channels that connect the hydro-rotor center cavity  24  to the outer diameter nozzles  25 , these hydro-rotor disks  32  may be comprised of two opposing mirror image halves for ease of manufacture purposes and then bolted or otherwise affixed together to form the fluid channels. In the stacked hydro-rotor plurality shown in  FIG. 3 , the hydro-rotor center cavity  24  fluid channel inlets and corresponding nozzle  25  jet-stream outlets are staggered in relation to the vertical rotational axis. This arrangement minimizes the contact period between nozzle  25  jet-streams and the vanes  14  to maximize the thrust capability at all times while distributing the load concurrently to many vanes  14 . 
         [0031]    The fluid gathered and pressurized inside the hydro-rotor center cavity  24 , which is spinning at 1800 rpm, is pushed outward by centrifugal forces through the respective fluid channels. The performance and efficiency of the jet-streams produced can be improved by modifying the fluid channels to gradually decrease the channel diameters as the channel approaches the outside diameter of the hydro-rotor disks  32  thereby increasing the effective velocity of the jets-stream. Alternately, or in conjunction with varying the fluid channel effective diameter, specifically configured nozzles  25  can be installed at the fluid channel outside diameter outlets to increase the working velocity of the jet-streams. 
         [0032]    The unique and novel centrifugal slinging forces created by the spinning hydro-rotor  10 , while being fed a constant source of fluid by the propulsion system  11 , results in tremendous siphon pulling forces being applied back on the hydro-rotor center cavity  24  by each of the plurality of jet-streams. This is analogous to the conventional siphon application where atmospheric pressure applies a force on the surface of a reservoir and forces fluid through a hose which rises above the surface of the reservoir and is then provided with an outlet below the surface of the reservoir. Conventional wisdom tells us that the water will continue to flow. This principal, together with the tremendous inertial benefits of the rotating hydro-rotor  10  mass is what effectively raises the head within the system and allows the system to sustain its electrical generator  4  driving rotation with very little external application of energy by the DC magnetics drive system. 
         [0033]    The containment housing is constructed in modular sections for both ease of manufacture and to enhance structural integrity of the container during both operation and transport of the system. The lower container section  12 , which serves as the reservoir  26  for the fluid media, also comprises a bearing support means  33  to support the bearings  22  and  23  which support the hydro-rotor bottom shaft  27 , and a system of gussets  34  which provide structural integrity as well as serve as fluid management diffusers to direct and channel the fluid to the propulsion system. The lower container section  12  has an upper structural flange  35 , a structural base plate  36  and a cylindrical outer wall  37 . To improve the circulation of fluid through the bearings  22  and  23  which support the hydro-rotor bottom shaft  27 , fluid passages are present in the bearing support means  33  which allow fluid to flow from the outside diameter or the bearing support means  33  to its inside cavity where the bearings  22  and  23  are installed. To still further improve the efficiency, lubrication and cooling of the bearings  22  and  23 , an optional impeller  38  may be secured to the hydro-rotor bottom shaft  27  which creates a vacuum and corresponding suction to draw the fluid through the bearing support means  33  and then direct and convey the fluid up through the bearings  22  and  23 . To further ensure that the system loads are appropriately distributed to the bearings  22  and  23 , a spacer shim  40  may be customized to precision thickness. 
         [0034]    The hydropod  2  top containment housing section  13  has an upper structural plate  41  which also serves as a mounting flange for the DC magnetics containment section  49 , a structural bottom flange  42 , two intermediate vane support rings  43  and a cylindrical outer wall  44 . The intermediate vane support rings  43  position the thrust vanes  14  relative to the nozzle  25  jet-streams and transfer these thrust loads to the outer container wall  44 . The vanes  14  can be flat, convex or concave, however in the preferred embodiment, the thrust vanes  14  have the contact surface skewed to the angle of the jet-stream and include a convex angle. After the initial contact thrust period, the continuing rotation of the hydro-rotor causes the jet-streams to impact beyond the thrust vane  14  bend on the convex surface which serves to direct the fluid flow away from the particular thrust vane  14  as well as adjacent thrust vanes  14  so as to not interfere with the efficiency of the jet-stream thrust. The intermediate vane support rings  43  further include fluid management passages and provisions which enable the fluid after impact with the vanes  14  to be efficiently directed back to the reservoir  26  through the fluid management channel  45  between the vanes  14  and the outer wall  44 . 
         [0035]    In alternate embodiments, the thrust vanes  14  can be position at skewed angles rather than parallel to the axis of the hydro-rotor assembly  9  axis. In still further alternative embodiments, the thrust vane  14  position and orientation relative to the rotating hydro-rotor assembly nozzles  25  may be adjustable for optimum hydro performance. For instance, provisions can be included to remotely adjust the thrust vanes  14  position and orientation relative to the rotating hydro-rotor assembly  9  and nozzle  25  jet-stream vectors for optimum thrust generation and dynamic hydro performance at various hydro-rotor assembly  9  rotational speeds. Such remote thrust vane  14  position and orientation adjustment can be accomplished via a mechanical linkage system similar to any conventional pivoting louvered system, or may be accomplished via an electro-mechanical and/or servo-controlled system similar to a jet/turbine engine exhaust thrust vector control system, among others. 
         [0036]    Similar to the bottom containment housing section  12 , the top containment housing section  13  includes a bearing support means  46  for the hydro-rotor top shaft bearing  21 . To improve the circulation of fluid through the bearing  21  which supports the hydro-rotor top shaft  18 , fluid passages are present in the hydro-rotor top shaft  18  which allow fluid to flow from the pressurized hydro-rotor center cavity  24  to the top of the top shaft bearing  21 . To further ensure that the system loads are appropriately distributed to the top shaft bearings  21 , and to accommodate and adjust for manufacturing tolerance stack-ups, a spacer shim  47  may be customized to precision thickness and positioned adjacent to the top shaft bearing  21 . The top containment housing section  13  also includes a system of gussets  48  which likewise provide structural integrity as well as serve as fluid management diffusers to channel any fluid above the hydro-rotor  10  back to the reservoir  26  via the fluid management channel  45  between the thrust vanes  14  and the outer wall  44 . 
         [0037]    In order to prevent the operating fluid from escaping the hydropod  2  and contaminating the DC magnetics section  15 , the top plate  41  is fitted with a top shaft seal  50  at the interface to the rotating hydro-rotor top shaft  18 . The top plate  41  is also fitted with either a single or a plurality of breathers  51  which allow air into the hydropod  2  to facilitate unrestricted fluid flow and allow the fluid to efficiently return principally via gravity to the reservoir  26 . The breathers  51  include a screen mesh or other provisions to prevent the operating fluid from escaping from the hydropod container top housing  13  while allowing air in. 
         [0038]    The DC magnetics drive system  15  is installed on top of and affixed to the hydropod  2  top containment housing section  13  and protected by the containment section  49 . Containment section  49  includes a bottom flange  52  for mounting to the hydropod  2  top containment housing section top plate  41 , a top mounting flange  53  for securing a removable electrical generator mounting plate  54 , and an outer wall  55 . To further support the weight of the electrical generator  4 , a gusset system  56  similar in geometry to the gussets utilized in the hydropod  2  is affixed between the outer wall  55  and a gusset support ring  57  which is centrally positioned about the common rotating axis of the hydro-rotor assembly  9  and electrical generator  4 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 3  also depicts a plurality of lifting brackets  58  which are positioned about the outside perimeter of the Electronic Hydropod container and affixed either at the structural flanges of the hydropod upper container top plate  41  and the DC system containment section lower flange  52 , or at the structural flanges of the hydropod upper container lower flange  42  and the bottom container top flange  35 , in order to be above the center of gravity of the system for safe lifting and transport. Also depicted is a scheme for optional lifting tie-bars  59  which can be utilized to transfer the system weight lifting load from the lifting brackets  58  down to the structural floor plate  36  rather than through the outer walls  37  and  44 . Other lifting and transport means such as forklift tine pockets could also be utilized. 
         [0040]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a closed-loop renewable energy device according to the present invention. The DC voltage regulator circuit constantly monitors the generator AC electrical power output and correspondingly raises or lowers the DC voltage applied to the DC magnetic system thereby dynamically varying the magnetic field in order to speed up or slow down the rotation of the hydro-rotor/centrifugal pump system. The DC power depleted from the battery source to power the magnetic fields is replaced through a conversion of a very small percentage of the AC electrical power output back to DC via a traditional transformer/rectifier battery charging system. Thus, the DC power circuit and the recirculation of the system operating fluid represent closed-loop systems. 
         [0041]    The output of the electrical generator is monitored by a voltage regulator circuit which then automatically applies the appropriate DC voltage to the DC magnetic system coils in order to maintain the hydro-rotor rotational speed within a specified generator operating speed such as but not limited to 1800 rpm. The DC magnetics system may comprises a plurality of poles with corresponding electrical coils, and fixed permanent or electronic magnets and corresponding coils, such that when a DC voltage is applied it produces a rotational force capable of developing sufficient torque to rotate the hydro-rotor assembly to the predetermined speed. The means for varying the DC voltage applied to the DC magnetics system manipulates the DC magnetic field so as to slow down or speed up as required the rotational speed of the hydro-rotor assembly. This means may also generate drag and reversing rotational torque sufficient to aid in bringing the hydro-rotor assembly to a halt. The DC power source may comprise any number of commercially available or specifically configured batteries designed for deep cycle operation, or a plurality of such batteries. 
         [0042]      FIG. 5  is a conservation of energy and system logic block diagram of a renewable energy device according to the present invention. When DC voltage is applied to the DC magnetics drive system, a rotational thrust is created and applied to commence rotation of the hydro-rotor assembly. The moment the hydro-rotor assembly begins to spin, the accumulation of useable system energy and hydronics (fluid hydraulics) begins to form. The unique and novel centrifugal slinging forces created by the spinning hydro-rotor, while being fed a constant source of fluid by the propulsion system, results in tremendous siphon pulling forces being applied back on the hydro-rotor center cavity by each of the plurality of jet-streams. This principal, together with the tremendous inertial benefits of the rotating hydro-rotor mass, is what effectively raises the head within the system. 
         [0043]    By virtue of the low friction systems employed, very little additional or “external” energy is needed for the system to continue spinning and allows the system to sustain its electrical generator driving rotation. The output of the generator is then monitored to detect a drop in AC voltage output and determine when to apply additional DC voltage and how much DC voltage needs to be applied to sustain the specified speed, such as 1800 rpm. The specialized containment of the system allows the system to virtually eliminate friction, drag and fluid conflagration. The mass, velocity and weight of the fluid accumulates on the outer portion of the rotor at the nozzles ready to transfer its energy into rotational thrust. The utility of these events—kinetic energy (energy due to mass and motion), potential energy (energy due to position and speed), and thermal energy (work and heat)—in combination with the centrifugal forces and fluid siphoning phenomenon, and the inherently low system drag or friction losses, allows the system to efficiently transform all of these energy sources in electrical power. 
         [0044]      FIG. 6 . illustrates a computer program product comprising computer system  60  (e.g. corresponding to the optional computer and/or remote controller  60  on  FIG. 1A .) upon which the present invention may be implemented. The computer system  60  maybe any one a personal computer, a work station computer system, a lap top computer system, an embedded controller system, a microprocessor-based system, a programmable logic controller (PLC), a digital signal processor-based system, a hand held device system, a personal digital assistant (PDA) system, a wireless system, a wireless networking system, etc. The computer system  60  includes a bus  61  or other communication mechanism for communicating information and a processor  62  couples with bus  61  for processing the information. 
         [0045]    The computer system  60  also includes a main memory  63 , such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device (e.g. dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), flash RAM), coupled to bus  61  for storing information and instructions to be executed by processor  62 . In addition, main memory  63  may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions to be executed by processor  62 . Computer system  60  further includes a read only memory (ROM)  64  or other static storage device (e.g. programmable ROM (PROM), erasable ROM (EPROM), and electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM)) coupled to bus  61  for storing static information and instructions for processor  62 . A storage device  65 , such as a magnetic disk, optical disk or solid state disk (SSD), is provided and coupled to bus  61  for storing information and instructions. 
         [0046]    The computer system  60  also includes input/output ports  66  to couple the computer system  60  to the Electronic Hydropod system control interface  7  or otherwise to the electronic hydropod system  1  to effectuate automatic control thereof, as previously described with respect to  FIG. 1A . Such coupling may include direct electrical connections, wireless connections, networked connections, etc., for implementing automatic control functions, remote control functions, etc. 
         [0047]    Computer system  60  may also include special purpose logic devices (e.g., applications specific integrated circuits (ASICs)) or configurable logic devices (e.g. generic array of logic (GAL) or re-programmable field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)). Other removal media devices (e.g., a compact disk, a tape, and a removable magneto-optical media) or fixed, high density media drives, may be added to the computer system  60  using an appropriate device bus (e.g., a small computer system interface (SCSI) bus, an enhanced integrated device electronics (IDE) bus, or an ultra direct memory access (DMA) bus). The computer system  60  may additionally include a reader-writer flash memory unit, reader-writer digital video disk (DVD) unit, reader-writer Blu-ray disk (BD) unit, reader-writer compact disk (CD) unit, or a compact disc jukebox, each of which may be connected to the same device bus or another device bus. 
         [0048]    The computer system  60  may be coupled via bus  61  to display  71 , such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), plasma display, voice synthesis and/or software, etc., for displaying and/or providing information to a computer user. The display  71  may be controlled by a display or graphics card. The computer system includes input devices, such as a keyboard  72  and a cursor control  73  for communicating information and command selections to processor  62 . Such command selections can be implemented via voice recognition hardware and/or software functioning as the input devices  72 . The cursor control  73 , for example, is a mouse, a trackball, cursor direction keys, touch screen display, optical character recognition hardware and/or software, touchpad hardware and/or software etc., for communicating direction information and command selections to processor  62  and for controlling cursor movement on the display  71 . In addition, a printer may provide printed listings of the data structures, information, etc., or any other data stored and/or generated by the computer system  60 . 
         [0049]    The computer system  60  performs a portion or all of the processing steps of the invention in response to processor  62  executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in a memory, such as the main memory  63 . Such instructions may be read into the main memory  63  from another computer readable medium, such as storage device  65 . One or more processors in a multi-processing arrangement may also be employed to execute the sequences of instructions contained in main memory  63 . In alternative embodiments, hand-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions. Thus, embodiments are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software. 
         [0050]    As stated above, the computer system  60  includes at least one computer readable medium or memory programmed according to the teachings of the invention and for containing data structures, tables, records, or other data described herein. Examples of computer readable media are compact discs, hard disks, floppy disks, tape, magneto-optical disks, PROMs (EPROM, EEPROM, Flash EPROM), DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, Flash Memory, etc. Stored on any one or on a combination of computer readable media, the present invention includes software for controlling the computer system  60 , for driving a device or devices for implementing the invention, and for enabling the computer system  60  to interact with a human user. Such software may include, but is not limited to, device drivers, operating systems, development tools, and applications software. Such computer readable media further includes the computer program product of the present invention for performing all or a portion (if processing is distributed) of the processing performed in implementing the invention. 
         [0051]    The computer code devices of the present invention may be any interpreted or executable code mechanism, including but not limited to scripts, interpreters, dynamic link libraries, Java classes, and complete executable programs. Moreover, parts of the processing of the present invention may be distributed for better performance, reliability, and/or cost. 
         [0052]    The term “computer readable medium” as used herein refers to any medium that participates in providing instructions to processor  62  for execution. A computer readable medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical, magnetic disks, and magneto-optical disks, such as storage device  65 . Volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as main memory  63 . Transmission media includes coaxial cables, copper wire, Ethernet, wireless Ethernet and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise bus  61 . Transmission media also may also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio wave and infrared data communications. 
         [0053]    Common forms of computer readable media include, for example, hard disks, floppy disks, tape magneto-optical disks, PROMs (EPROM, EEPROM, Flash EPROM), DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, or any other magnetic medium, compact disks (e.g., CD-ROM), or any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, or other physical medium with patterns of holes, a carrier wave (described below), or any other medium from which a computer can read. 
         [0054]    Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying out one or more sequences of one or more instructions to processor  62  for execution. For example, the instructions may initially be carried on a magnetic disk of a remote computer. The remote computer can load the instructions for implementing all or a portion of the present invention remotely into a dynamic memory and send the instructions over a telephone line through a modem, or Ethernet connection or wireless connection using a network interface card (NIC). Likewise, a modem or NIC local to computer system  60  may receive the data on the telephone line, Ethernet or wireless connection and use an infrared transmitter to convert the data to an infrared signal. An infrared detector couple to bus  61  can receive the data carried in the infrared signal and place the data on bus  61 . The bus  61  carries the data to main memory  63 , from which processor  62  receives and executes the instructions. The instructions received by main memory  63  may optionally be stored on storage device  65  either before or after execution by processor  62 . 
         [0055]    The computer system  60  also includes a communication interface  67  coupled to bus  61 . Communication interface  67  provides a two-way data communication coupling to a network link  74  that may be connected to, for example, a local network  75 . For example, communication interface  67  may be a network interface card to attach to any packet switched local area network (LAN). As another example, communication interface  67  may be an asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) card, an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card or a modem to provide a data communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line. Ethernet and wireless links may also be implemented via the communication interface  67 . In any such implementation, communication interface  67  sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic, RF or optical signals and carry digital data streams representing various types of information. 
         [0056]    Network link  74  typically provides data communication through one or more networks to other data devices. For example, network link  74  may provide a connection to a computer  76  through local network  75  (e.g., a LAN) or through equipment operated by a service provider, which provides communication services through a communications network  77 . Similarly, remote mobile communications  78  and interface is possible through equipment and systems operated by a service provider, such as a cellular network provider, which provides communication services through a communications network  79 . In preferred embodiments, local network  75  and communications network  74  preferably use electrical, electromagnetic, RF or optical signals that carry digital data streams. The signals through the various networks and the signals on network link  74  and through communication interface  67 , which carry the digital data to and from computer system  60 , are exemplary forms of carrier waves transporting the information. The computer system  60  can transmit notifications and receive data, including program code, through the network(s), network link  74  and communication interface  67 . 
         [0057]    The Electronic Hydropod can be configured in a broad number of configurations for varying power generation and space considerations such as, varying the configurations and combinations of the variable parameters of rotor diameter; quantum, configuration and orientation of nozzles; quantum, configuration and orientation of fluid flow channels; axial height or length of the hydro-rotor assembly cylinder whether integral or comprised of modular segments; distance between nozzles and vanes; quantum, configuration and orientation of nozzles jet-streams to vane surfaces; quantum, configuration and orientation of thrust vanes; fluid flow management schemes and systems; and the space between vanes and container. Still further, the Electronic Hydropod can be adapted to provide a source of renewable power in a broad array of useful applications requiring a self-sustainable, environmentally friendly and economical source of power that can be derived from the output shaft of the Electronic Hydropod. 
         [0058]    In such alternative applications, in lieu of monitoring the output of the electrical generator in a closed loop fashion to regulate the speed of the Electronic Hydropod, the speed of the Electronic Hydropod drive shaft can be monitored for instance by a tachometer. The tachometer is in turn coupled to and its output is interpreted by a control logic circuit of a voltage regulator system which then automatically applies the appropriate DC voltage to the DC magnetic system coils in order to maintain the hydro-rotor rotational speed within a specified application operating speed. In yet other applications, the system output of the alternative device being powered by the Electronic Hydropod drive shaft is monitored by an appropriate means for the specific application such as but not limited to, shaft speed, flow rate, pressure, etc., wherein such monitoring device output is in turn coupled to and interpreted by a control logic circuit of a voltage regulator system which then automatically applies the appropriate DC voltage to the DC magnetic system coils in order to maintain the hydro-rotor rotational speed within a specified application operating speed. 
         [0059]    In still further embodiments, the commercially available AC electrical generator (or custom manufactured generator) mounted external to the hydropod and driven by the output shaft of the hydropod is replaced with an internally integrated electrical generator which is driven by a common shaft on the rotating axis of the DC magnetics system and/or hydro-rotor assembly. Also, the hydropod can be driven by an AC drive system in lieu of the DC magnetics drive system. In this configuration, the AC drive system electrical windings initialize the rotation of the hydro-rotor and fluid propulsion system. The AC drive system can comprise a plurality of poles with corresponding electrical coils, such that when an AC voltage is applied it produces a rotational force capable of developing sufficient torque to rotate the hydro-rotor assembly to a predetermined speed (RPM). The AC drive system also serves to regulate the electrical output of the system driven electrical generator by controlling and regulating the rotational speed of the hydro-rotor assembly. 
         [0060]    As with the DC drive system alternate embodiment, the AC electrical generator can be driven by the hydro-rotor output shaft, or be internally integrated and driven by a common shaft on the rotating axis of the AC drive system and/or hydro-rotor assembly. Each the DC drive system configuration and the AC drive system configuration can also be used to power DC generators as well as a wide variety of other devices which can benefit from a source of renewable power in a broad array of useful applications requiring a self-sustainable, environmentally friendly and economical source of power that can be derived from the output shaft of the Electronic Hydropod. In still further embodiments, the hydropod and/or complete Electronic Hydropod can be adapted to operate with the rotational axis being positioned in any orientation including horizontal.