Floating electricity production unit

Electricity is produced by harvesting energy from flowing water, which does not harm the environment and which does not consume natural resources. A paddle wheel is stationarily positioned to penetrate the surface of a body of water. A plurality of paddle wheels may be deployed on a single floating platform to optimize the transfer of the energy contained in the flow of water passing the floating platform. Each paddle wheel is geared to rapidly rotate a generator axle of an electricity generator of the type conventionally deployed for wind turbines on “wind farms”. Each paddle wheel powers a plurality of electricity generators. Structure is provided to compensate for variations in flow rates in the body of water to intensify a flow of the water and to vary a depth of penetration of the paddle wheel into the water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Generally, the invention relates to devices which may produce electricity from naturally occurring environmental conditions. More specifically, the invention relates to such devices which may produce electricity utilizing the energy available in flowing bodies of water, such as rivers.

2. Discussion of Background Information

Numerous methods exist to produce electricity. A common method in commercial use involves burning a combustible material, such as oil, natural gas or coal, to directly power a generator unit or to heat a fluid to produce steam to power a generator unit. This method has the deficiencies that it consumes exhaustible resources and produces environmentally harmful byproducts. Another common method in commercial use involves using a radioactive material maintained at a precise nuclear reaction state to produce heat to heat a fluid to produce steam to power a generator unit. This method has many deficiencies including high initial construction costs for such facilities, the potential and actual environmental damage associated with accidents at such facilities and the long term storage problems associated with the spent “fuel rods” from such facilities. Yet another common method in commercial use involves harnessing the energy produced during movement of water from a first, elevationally high, position and a second, elevationally low, position as occurs in certain flowing bodies of water. Such elevational changes may be naturally occurring, such as where waterfalls exist, or may be man-made, such as where dams are constructed. Typically water is diverted from the headwater to run through conduits under pressure from the water above to turn turbines prior to being discharged downstream. While this is an extremely efficient method of electricity production, various deficiencies exist. A finite quantity of water makes the elevational change at a given installation location and therefore limitations exist in the utilization of this energy. Additionally, the electricity production facility must be positioned in close proximity to the location where the elevational change occurs. When the elevational change is naturally occurring, installation must occur near the waterfalls. When the elevational change is man-made, installation must occur near the man-made dam. These locations may be far removed from consumption locations for the electricity produced. Still another method in limited commercial use involves “wind farms” where a plurality of windmills, each having a tower, a wind turnable blade and an electricity generator, are installed. Such wind farms have many desirable features but also have notable deficiencies. A major deficiency involves the lack of reliability in the velocity of wind. Another deficiency involves the space requirements for large-scale installations. Other electricity production methods are known or have been envisioned, such a solar, ocean wave, ocean tidal and utilization of internal heat from the earth. None of these methods have been widely accepted for commercial electricity production. A common deficiency with each of the above-mentioned commercial electricity production methods involves the requirement that the facility be installed in a fixed position. This eliminates convenient relocation of the production capability from one location to another location.

Various methods have been utilized or proposed to harness the energy in flowing water in rivers or streams for various useful purposes, including electricity production. Typically such methods have been insufficient to produce electricity in sufficient quantity to be practical.

Various deficiencies exist with each of the above-mentioned methods of producing electricity. As can be seen, various attempts have been devised to produce electricity in an efficient and economical manner. These attempts have been less efficient than desired. As such, it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need for a method of producing electricity which does not harm the environment nor consume natural resources. The present invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of electricity production, a method has been devised of producing electricity from energy intrinsically contained within a flowing body of water. An electricity production unit converts a portion of the energy from the flowing body of water into electricity. The electricity production unit has a paddle wheel, a mounting device, a transfer mechanism and an electricity generator. The paddle wheel is positionable partially into the flowing body of water. The paddle wheel has a plurality of paddles, opposing ends and a central axis about which the paddle wheel rotates. The paddles repetitively encounter the flowing body of water and move along with the flowing body of water while in contact with the flowing body of water. The mounting device provides for mounting the opposing ends of the paddle wheel for rotation of the paddle wheel about the central axis of the paddle wheel. The transfer mechanism provides for transferring the motion from the rotation of the paddle wheel to the electricity generator. The electricity generator converts the motion of the rotation of the paddle wheel transferred by the transfer mechanism into electricity.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, electricity is produced for use by mankind from the energy in flowing water existing in many rivers, canals, sluices and creeks.

Other aspects of the invention include:

a) provision of an extremely economical method of producing electricity;

b) provision of a versatile electricity production platform which may be easily and economically transported from a manufacturing location, where the electricity production platform is fabricated, to an installation location, where electricity will be produced;

c) provision of a versatile electricity production platform which may easily and economically be transported from an existing electricity production location to another electricity production location;

d) provision of a versatile electricity production platform which may be quickly deployed to an electricity production location during times of natural disasters which interrupt conventional delivery of electricity at or near the electricity production location;

e) utilization of a renewable energy source, in the form of naturally flowing water, which is extremely consistent and reliable for the production of electricity;

f) provision of an electricity production unit which floats on the surface of a flowing body of water in an anchored manner while harvesting the energy from the flow of water passing the electricity production unit;

g) using a plurality of paddle wheels each powering a plurality of electricity generators on a single platform;

h) provision of a rotational conversion mechanism to provide for each rotation of a paddle wheel to produce a multiplicity of rotations of a generator axle of an electricity generator;

i) selectively varying a depth of penetration of the paddle wheel relative to the surface of the body of water to compensate for variations in a flow of the water encountering the paddle wheel;

j) using existing surplus electricity generators used on “wind farms” to produce electricity using the energy available in flowing bodies of water; and

k) an enhancing mechanism which is physically separate and independent of the floating platform to enhance the flow or velocity of water engaging the paddle wheel.

According to an aspect of the invention, a floating electricity production unit provides for a conversion of energy from a flowing body of water into electricity, the floating electricity production unit comprising: a) a floating platform positionable on the flowing body of water; b) a plurality of paddle wheels, each paddle wheel partially positionable into the flowing body of water, each paddle wheel having i) a central axis about which the respective paddle wheel rotates, opposing ends, a plurality of paddles, a mounting device to provide for a mounting of the opposing ends of the respective paddle wheel for rotation of the respective paddle wheel about the central axis of the respective paddle wheel; c) a transfer mechanism to provide for transferring motion from the rotation of the plurality of paddle wheels; d) an electricity generator capable of a conversion of the motion of the rotation of the plurality of paddle wheels into electricity; e) a water intensifier to intensify the flow of water comprising an inclined surface, physically separated and independent of the floating platform and positioned within the flowing body of water and upon the bed of the flowing body of water, the water intensifier being detached from, and having no physical connection to, the floating platform, whereby the water intensifier and the floating platform are separately locatable and separately installable.

According to other aspects of the invention, the floating electricity production unit may further comprise a plurality of electricity generators, each paddle wheel driving a plurality of the electricity generators. The floating electricity production unit may further comprise a rotational speed conversion mechanism and wherein the electricity generator may further comprise a generator axle and wherein the rotational speed conversion mechanism provides for a conversion of each rotation of a respective paddle wheel into a multiplicity of rotations of the generator axle of the electricity generator. The floating platform may have four sides, wherein one of the paddle wheels is positioned within the flowing body of water adjacent one of the sides of the floating platform.

According to another aspect of the invention, a floating electricity production unit provides for a conversion of energy from a flowing body of water into electricity, the floating electricity production unit comprising: a) a floating platform positionable on the flowing body of water; b) a plurality of paddle wheels, each paddle wheel partially positionable into the flowing body of water, each paddle wheel having: i) a central axis about which the respective paddle wheel rotates, ii) opposing ends, iii) a plurality of paddles, and iv) a mounting device for mounting the opposing ends of the respective paddle wheel for rotation of the respective paddle wheel about the central axis of the respective paddle wheel; c) a transfer mechanism for transferring motion from the rotation of the plurality of paddle wheels; d) an electricity generator capable of a conversion of the motion of the rotation of the plurality of paddle wheels into electricity; e) a water intensifier to intensify the flow of water comprising an inclined surface, physically separated and independent of the floating platform and positioned within the flowing body of water and upon the bank of the flowing body of water; f) the water intensifier being detached from, and having no physical connection to, the floating platform, whereby the water intensifier and the floating platform are separately locatable and separately installable.

According to other aspects of the invention, the floating electricity production unit may further comprise a plurality of electricity generators and wherein each paddle wheel drives a plurality of the electricity generators. The floating electricity production unit may further comprise a rotational speed conversion mechanism, and wherein the electricity generator further comprises a generator axle and wherein the rotational speed conversion mechanism provides for a conversion of each rotation of a respective paddle wheel into a multiplicity of rotations of the generator axle of the electricity generator. The floating platform may have four sides and wherein one of the paddle wheels is positioned within the flowing body of water adjacent one of the sides of the floating platform.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a floating electricity production unit provides for a conversion of energy from a flowing body of water into electricity, the floating electricity production unit comprising: a) a floating platform positionable on the flowing body of water; b) at least one paddle wheel mounted on the platform and partially positionable into the flowing body of water, said paddle wheel having a transfer mechanism to provide for transferring motion from the rotation of the paddle wheel; c) an electricity generator capable of a conversion of the motion of the rotation of the paddle wheel into electricity; d) a water intensifier to intensify the flow of water comprising an inclined surface, physically separated and independent of the floating platform and positioned within and upon one of the bed or bank of the flowing body of water; and e) a depth varying mechanism to selectively vary a depth of penetration of the paddle wheel into the flowing body of water.

According to other aspects of the invention, the depth varying mechanism may selectively vary the depth of penetration of the paddle wheel into the flowing body of water and comprises a fluid storage container positioned on the floating platform, wherein a transfer of fluid into the fluid storage container causes the floating platform to ride lower in the body of water, and wherein a transfer of fluid out of the fluid storage container causes the floating platform to ride higher in the body of water. The depth varying mechanism may selectively vary the depth of penetration of the paddle wheels into the flowing body of water and may comprise a height varying mechanism to vary an elevational height of the paddle wheels relative to the floating platform.

Other exemplary embodiments advantages of the present invention may be ascertained by reviewing the present disclosure and the accompanying drawings.

The invention resides not in any one of these features per se, but rather in the particular combinations, herein disclosed, and it is distinguished from the prior art in these particular combinations of these structures for the functions specified.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

An electricity production unit will have a paddle wheel, a device to mount the paddle wheel, a transfer mechanism to transfer motion of rotation of the paddle wheel and an electricity generator capable of conversion of the motion of rotation of the paddle wheel into electricity. The electricity production unit is capable of conversion of kinetic energy from a flowing body of water into electricity.

Various positioning devices may be utilized to position the electricity production unit relative to the body of water. The electricity production unit may be stationarily mounted relative to dry land or the bed of the flowing body of water. Such positioning will provide for the paddle wheel to be partially positioned into the flowing body of water. More preferably, the electricity production unit will be mounted on a floating platform which is stationarily anchored within the flowing body of water by any of the conventional methods known in the art to secure floating platforms in bodies of water.

In one preferred embodiment, the platform will have multiple paddle wheels mounted thereon. It is possible to mount a paddle wheel, or wheels, on a leading edge of the platform generally facing into the flow of water and mount a paddle wheel, or wheels, on each of the opposing side edges of the platform. Additionally, if the design of the platform does not interfere in a significant way with the flow of water beneath the platform, a paddle wheel, or wheels, may be mounted on a trailing edge of the platform opposing the leading edge. It is possible to provide for a passageway, or passageways, through the platform which has a free flow of water therethrough. Into this passageway a paddle wheel, or wheels, may be mounted to encounter the water flowing through the passageway. A simple method of providing this passageway involves providing opposing barges mounted together with the passageway therebetween. An enhancing mechanism may be provided in the configuration of the surfaces of the floating platform adjacent the passageway to enhance or accelerate the flow of water through the passageway.

In one preferred embodiment, it is possible to utilize a floating platform deployment option in order to provide various benefits. One advantage of the floating platform configuration involves centralized manufacture of units to occur at a location distinct from the intended installation locations. Once transported to the intended installation location, the floating platform is secured in place relative to the body of water and power transfer lines are attached to transfer the produced electricity. The floating platform may have various supporting equipment mounted thereon, such as measuring meter, transformers and rectifiers. Of course, any or all such supporting equipment may be positioned on other structures or on dry land.

In any of the embodiments of the present invention the produced electricity may be consumed at the installation location or transferred to more distant locations, including being transferred into an existing power grid. Due to the relative stability in the flow within flowing bodies of water, and the capabilities to adjust characteristics associated with electricity output to compensate for variations in flow rates, electricity production units having features of the present invention are ideally suited to produce consistent, reliable and inexpensive electricity.

The paddle wheel will have a plurality of paddles positioned thereon in a generally radial arrangement. Each paddle will intermittently enter the flowing body of water and, biased by the energy present in the flow of water, will move along with the flow of water, as is well known in the art. The paddle wheel will continuously rotate about a central axis as a result of the intermittent penetration and movement with the flow of water by the totality of paddles. While the paddle wheel may have a generally cylindrical appearance, with generally straight periphery edges of the paddles, it is possible to have any desired configuration. One example of this involves a curvature along the periphery edges of the paddles. Another example of this involves an angular offset of the periphery edges of the paddles relative to the central axis of the paddle wheel.

Specifically deployed paddle wheels may have an extremely wide range of radial diameters and an extremely wide range of lateral lengths. Each paddle attached to the paddle wheel preferably will have a length generally equaling the lateral length of the overall paddle wheel upon which it is mounted but may be longer or shorter if desired. Each paddle will have a width, measured from an outer extent, periphery edge, generally toward the central axis of the paddle wheel, sufficient to provide an expansive contact surface for the water to act upon. While each paddle may be flat if desired, preferably there will exist a curvature at least in close proximity to the outer extent to enhance water trapping capabilities of the paddle. The paddles may be constructed of any suitable material having properties allowing durable repetitive pressure bearing contact with water.

A transfer mechanism will transfer the rotation of the paddle wheel from the paddle wheel to an electricity generator. Many methods are known in the art to transfer rotational movement from a first member to rotational movement of a second member and many of these methods may be utilized with the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention, a conversion will be provided for where the rotational speed of the paddle wheel is mechanically converted into a much higher rotational speed of an input member of the generator. Many methods are known in the art to provide this desired conversion and many of these methods may be used with the present invention.

The transfer of rotational power may take place from various positions about the paddle wheel including at an axle at least partially supporting the paddle wheel or from an extending member having a large diametric measurement and rotating with the central axis of the paddle wheel. This latter example provides for an initial conversion of rotational speed when coupled with a member having a much smaller diametric measurement. In one embodiment of the invention, at least two (2) such conversions occur to radially increase the revolutions per minute (RPM) rate of the input shaft of the generator compared to the RPM rate of the paddle wheel.

The transfer of rotational power may occur at any desired location relative to the paddle wheel. These locations are spaced from either end of the paddles of the paddle wheel or near the ends of the paddles of the paddle wheel. It is possible to provide for opposing sets of paddles on a paddle wheel with a transfer placement location there between. It is possible to have a single output point from a paddle wheel or provide for two (2) or more output points, such as from opposing ends of the paddle wheel. When multiple output points are positioned on a respective paddle wheel, the power transferred may be delivered to a single generator, or set of generators, or may be independently delivered to multiple generators, or sets of generators.

While more complicated transfer arrangements are envisioned, and may be utilized, it is possible to utilize a direct chain drive arrangement to transfer power from the paddle wheel to the generator. Such an arrangement has many advantages including those related to manufacture, maintenance and operation.

An electricity generator will provide for conversion of the energy contained in the rotation of the paddle wheel into electricity. Any of the numerous designs of generators may be used with the present invention with a particularly expedient choice being the class of generators currently being deployed on commercial and experimental ‘wind farms’ for use with windmills. Various manufacturers and models exist for such generators in use on ‘wind farms’. According to an aspect of the invention, a universal mounting device will be provided for placement of various existing production electricity generators relative to the paddle wheel.

In one embodiment of the present invention, multiple generators will be powered by a single paddle wheel. A particularly desirable feature of having multiple generators being driven by a single paddle wheel involves ease of maintenance. A mechanical arrangement may be provided where a select generator may be disengaged from the series and reengaged with the series without interfering with the continuous operation of the paddle wheel or the remaining generator, or generators. This arrangement affords continuous operation of the electricity production unit with minor variations in power output.

Enhancing mechanisms may be provided to enhance the flow or velocity of the water engaging the paddle wheel. Many methods may be utilized to provide this feature. Physical elements, either permanently or temporarily, may be positioned to restrict and guide at least a portion of the water flow toward the paddle wheel. Furthermore, due to the lack of any physical connection between the guide elements and the platform, separate and less expensive installation is possible. Such an element may be positioned to extend up from the bed of the body of water or may be positioned to extend outward from either bank of the body of water or may be positioned at or near the surface of the body of water. If desired, a rate of diversion, depending upon specific operating conditions may be mechanically adjusted.

A series of paddle wheels may be aligned in a row, such as along either side of the platform or within the passageway. In these occasions it is possible to provide for the subsequent paddle wheels to have features, such as a deeper penetration of the body of water and/or a greater diameter and/or longer paddles, to compensate for a diminished velocity of the flow of water encountered by the trailing paddle wheels due to the prior encounter of the flow of water with the forward paddle wheel.

Power varying mechanisms may be provided to vary a quantity of power taken by the paddle wheel from the flow of water. Various methods are known in certain arts to provide such selective variation and many of these may be employed with the present invention. An example would involve selectively varying an angle of attack of the paddles, or a select portion of the individual paddles, or a select group of paddles, relative to the central axis of the paddle wheel. Another example would involve selectively varying a spacing distance of the paddles, or select paddles, relative to the central axis of the paddle wheel. Still another example involves selectively varying a depth of penetration of the paddle wheel relative to a surface of the body of water to place a greater or lesser surface area of the paddles into contact with the water. This varying of the depth of penetration may involve either elevationally displacing the paddle wheel relative to the mounting surface of the paddle wheel or elevationally displacing the entire platform housing the paddle wheel relative to the surface of the body of water. When a floating platform is employed to house the electricity production unit, a fluid storage tank, or tanks, may be positioned thereon with transfer of water there into or there out of to selectively vary a buoyancy of the floating platform. A torque measuring device may be deployed to measure the torque produced by the paddle wheel with associated mechanisms to adjust the torque to a desired measurement.

An electricity production unit10, depicted in various of the views, provides for a conversion of energy from a flowing body of water12into electricity. Electricity production unit10has a floating platform14, a plurality of paddle wheels16, a mounting device in the form of axle blocks18, a transfer mechanism in the form of chain drive assemblies20and a plurality of electricity generators22. Floating platform14is secured at a desired location within flowing body of water12utilizing positioning devices such as an anchor line24which is secured to bed26of flowing body of water12.

Each paddle wheel16is partially positionable into the flowing body of water. Each paddle wheel16has a plurality of paddles28which repetitively encounter flowing body of water12and move along with flowing body of water12while in contact with flowing body of water12to cause the respective paddle wheel16to rotate. Each paddle wheel16has opposing ends30and32which rotatably engage a respective axle block18. Each paddle wheel16has a central axis34about which the respective paddle wheel16rotates in response to encountering the energy in flowing body of water12. The following descriptions make specific reference to a leading end paddle wheel35, specifically seeFIG. 6andFIG. 7, and these references are applicable to any of the deployed paddle wheels16.

Chain drive assembly20provides for a mechanical coupling for transfer to a plurality of electricity generators22of the rotational power created by the turning of leading end paddle wheel35. Each chain drive assembly20may utilize any suitable components as conventionally known in the art. A first gear36is fixedly mounted relative to central axis34of leading end paddle wheel35. A second gear38is mounted to an intermediate idler assembly40and a first drive chain42rotates about first gear36and second gear38to transfer the rotational power from leading end paddle wheel35to an axle44of intermediate idler assembly40. Chain drive assembly20also provides for transfer of the rotation power transferred to second gear38through axle44to a third gear46attached to axle44of intermediate idler assembly40. A second drive chain48rotates about third gear46, a fourth gear50and an idler gear52. Idler gear52provides for a directional change in the path of second drive chain48. Each electricity generator22has a generator axle54having a generator gear56attached thereto. Generator gear56of the respective electricity generator22engages second drive chain48to transfer the rotational power to the respective electricity generator22. Each electricity generator22is capable of a conversion of the motion of the rotation of leading end paddle wheel35transferred by the transfer mechanism into electricity. Leading end paddle wheel35transfers power to a plurality of electricity generators22.

First gear36has a larger diametric measurement then the diametric measurement of second gear38which provides for an increase in the revolutions per minute (RPM) rate of second gear38relative to first gear36. Second gear38and third gear46are each fixedly attached to axle44of intermediate idler assembly40and therefore have the same RPM rate. Third gear46has a larger diametric measurement than the diametric measurement of generator gears56which provides for an increase in the RPM rate of generator gears56relative to third gear46. Each chain drive assembly20provides for a first rotational conversion mechanism and a second rotational conversion mechanism to radically increase in the RPM rate of generator axle54of electricity generator22relative to the RPM rate of the paddle wheel. These conversions provide for each rotation of leading end paddle wheel35to produce a multiplicity of rotations of generator axle54of electricity generator22.

For various reasons it may be desirable to selectively increase or decrease a depth of penetration of leading end paddle wheel35relative to flowing body of water12.FIG. 7depicts a fluid storage container58and a pumping assembly60positioned on floating platform14. When it is desired to cause leading end paddle wheel35to move deeper into flowing body of water12, pumping assembly60causes water to be transferred from flowing body of water12into fluid storage container58, which changes a buoyancy of floating platform14thereby causing floating platform14to ride lower in flowing body of water12. When it is desired to cause leading end paddle wheel35to move out of flowing body of water12pumping assembly60causes water to be transferred from fluid storage container58to be discharged into flowing body of water12which changes the buoyancy of floating platform14thereby causing floating platform14to ride higher in flowing body of water12.FIG. 7also depicts a mechanical elevational height varying mechanism of leading end paddle wheel35. A hydraulic lift assembly62, having opposing cylinders64, seeFIG. 6, is mounted to displace axle blocks18relative to floating platform14thereby selectively raising or lowering leading end paddle wheel35relative to a deck66of floating platform14and therefore relative to a surface68of flowing body of water12.

FIG. 7depicts a controller for measuring a torque of rotation of leading end paddle wheel35in the form of a control assembly70. Control assembly70is capable of manipulating pumping assembly60and/or hydraulic lift assembly62to vary the depth of penetration of leading end paddle wheel35depending upon the measured torque of rotation of leading end paddle wheel35. Controlling measurements other than the measurement of torque of rotation may be utilized if desired.

FIG. 8shows a water intensifier to intensify a flow of water relative to leading end paddle wheel35in the form of an inclined surface72positioned beneath surface68on the bed of the flowing body of water12. Inclined surface72directs the flow of water to more aggressively engage paddle wheels16including leading end paddle wheel35. Also, inFIG. 8, an inclined surface73is shown schematically on the bank of a flowing body of water.

FIG. 1depicts floating platform14as formed by a first barge74and a second barge76with a passageway78there between. Coupling structures, in the form of walkways80and82, secure first barge74and second barge76together across passageway78. Floating platform14has four (4) sides generally defined by a leading end84, a first side86, a second side88and a trailing end90. Each deployed paddle wheel16will be positioned within flowing body of water12adjacent to one of the sides84,86,88or90or within passageway78. Leading end84faces generally into a direction of flow of flowing body of water12. Trailing end90is in spaced relationship to, and generally parallel to, leading end84of floating platform14. First side86extends rearwardly from leading end84. Second side88extends rearwardly from leading end84in spaced relationship to, and generally parallel to, first side86. Passageway78extends from leading end84between first side86and second side88to trailing end90. Leading end paddle wheel35is partially positionable into the flowing body of water at leading end84of floating platform14.

A first side paddle wheel92is partially positionable into flowing body of water12adjacent first side86of floating platform14. A second side paddle wheel94is partially positionable into flowing body of water12adjacent second side88of floating platform14. A suitable outer securing device, in the form of a mounting bracket96, provides for suitable mechanical integrity of first side paddle wheel92and second side paddle wheel94relative to floating platform14. A passageway paddle wheel98is partially positionable into flowing body of water12within passageway78of floating platform14. A trailing end paddle wheel100is partially positionable into flowing body of water12at trailing end90of floating platform14. As depicted inFIG. 1, preferably multiple paddle wheels16are positioned along each of the sides,84,86,88and90, of floating platform14and within passageway78.

FIG. 5depicts a side view of one of the paddles28. Paddle28has a periphery side104distal from central axis34, not shown in this view, of paddle wheel16. Periphery side104has a curvature106there along. Curvature106provides for a truer delivery of energy from flowing body of water12to cause efficient rotation of paddle wheel16.