Abstract:
A power generator has a large paddle wheel having a width dimensioned to fit within an aqueduct/canal/slow-moving waterway. The paddle wheel has a plurality of radially projecting paddles which rotate even is slow current flow. Floats allow the paddle wheel to float on the surface of the water. A flexible or jointed drive shaft mechanism allows rotation of the paddle wheel to be transmitted to an electricity generator in an installation on land even if the axis of the paddle wheel and the axis of the electricity generator are not the same. The linkage (the drive shaft mechanism) in particular allows the transmission of rotary mechanical power even if the water level in the aqueduct raises the paddle wheel axis higher or lower than the axis of the electrical generator.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The application claims the priority and benefit of copending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/997,454 filed Oct. 2, 2007 in the name of the same inventor, Frank Burcik and also entitled METHOD AND ELECTRICAL GENERATOR FOR AQUEDUCTS AND SLOW MOVING WATERWAYS, the entire disclosure of which in incorporated herein by this reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    This invention was not made under contract with an agency of the US Government, nor by any agency of the US Government. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Power generation is rapidly becoming a central issue in the US and worldwide as inexpensive sources of energy become scarcer and increasing concerns about global environmental impact further constrain choices. There are a fairly small number of energy generation technologies which can provide significant amounts of energy, especially electrical energy, and all have fundamental limitations. Solar energy for electrical generation requires sunlight, limiting generation to the daylight hours. Hydrocarbons for electricity generation suffer from price fluctuations and slowly dwindling availability, for example, as of July of 2008, crude oil costs $147 per barrel. Nuclear energy leads to waste disposal issues which are solvable but nuclear energy is so unpopular that it limits the acceptance of nuclear energy. Coal is fundamentally dirty to mine and burn: great numbers of coal miners suffer from “Black Lung” disease from being around coal dust. 
         [0004]    Hydroelectric power in particular is generally considered to be reaching some sort of saturation point as the remaining locations available for construction of traditional hydroelectric dams become steadily “taken”. As a result, alternative energy sources such as tidal energy, wave energy and the like are now being explored, however, hydroelectric power in landlocked areas still has large unused potential. 
         [0005]    The US has numerous aqueducts, canals and other slow moving waterways which are ordinarily deprecated as sources of hydroelectricity. In normal hydroelectric generations systems a high “head” (vertical drop) of water is desirable in order to generate pressure used to run enormous and expensive turbines, which in turn drive electrical generators. The slow rate of water motion of aqueducts and other slow water ways is regarded as a smaller disadvantage, but the tendency of aqueducts and the like follow contours of the ground in order to maintain a smooth gradient (typically one inch in about four feet) is a more important disadvantage: no “head” is developed. 
         [0006]    In general, development of a large “fall” or pressure drop is regarded as necessary in order to generate meaningful amounts of energy using turbines hooked to generators. Since aqueducts and canals are specifically laid out with smooth contours and low gradients, energy generation from aqueducts carrying residential or agricultural water is contrary to common sense. However, the present invention teaches that in fact very large amounts of energy are available even in slow moving waterways. 
         [0007]    The largest and most expensive single aqueduct system built in the US is the Central Arizona Project. The backbone of the aqueduct covers 336 miles (˜540 km.) from Lake Havasu to the Tucson area and delivers 1.5 million acre-feet of water in an average year. It is worth noting that the top of the canal dykes are 80 feet (˜26 m.) wide in most places, with a typical water depth of 16.5 feet (˜5.5 m.) However, at least one section some miles long is considerably wider. 
         [0008]    Numerous other US canals and aqueducts exist, for example, the California Aqueduct is 444 miles (˜700 km.) long, with a width at the widest section of 110 feet (˜35 m.) and a typical water depth of 9 m. 
         [0009]    One partial list of US irrigation aqueducts includes: All-American Canal, Coachella Canal, Colorado River Aqueduct, Contra Costa Canal, Hillsboro Canal, Inter-California Canal, Los Angeles Aqueduct, Miami Canal, St. Lucie Canal, Tamiami Canal, West Palm Beach Canal, El Paso Canal, Franklin Canal, American Canal, and Riverside Canal, however, many more irrigation canals exist, and a large number of transportation canals also exist as well. 
         [0010]    Globally, the number of irrigation aqueducts and canals increases dramatically. For example, the Indira Gandhi/Rajasthan Canal runs 400 miles and irrigates 1.5 million acres of farmland, while in Pakistan the Chashma-Jhelum link joins the Indus and Jhelum Rivers and discharges 615 cubic meters of water per second. It will be appreciated that aqueduct and canal construction has been going on for thousands of years and is amenable to low tech construction techniques. This making it a desirable economic activity world-wide, as it may be contemplated by governments having more labor than capital or technology. 
         [0011]    While some aqueducts are located far from residential or industrial areas, other aqueducts are located near cities, in fact, many aqueducts are even located in cities. 
         [0012]    It would be preferable to provide a method of generating electricity from the long runs (often hundreds of miles) of steadily flowing water present in aqueducts and canals worldwide. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     General Summary 
       [0013]    The present invention teaches a floating paddle wheel placed in the calm and steady flow of water in aqueducts and canals, as well as other slow moving waterways. 
         [0014]    The power generator has a large paddle wheel having a width dimensioned to fit within an aqueduct/canal/slow-moving waterway, and having a plurality of radially projecting paddles, typically 5 or 6 or more, which are free to rotate even is slow current flow. For example, in an aqueduct section 100 feet wide at the normal water level of the aqueduct, the paddle wheel may easily be 80 feet wide and may project several feet or meters into the water, thus providing an immense area against which slow moving water may push. 
         [0015]    Floats allow the paddle wheel to float on the surface of the water. The floats may be pontoon style floats, or may be integral to the paddle wheel (thus it may by itself be buoyant), or the paddle wheel may be mechanically supported. 
         [0016]    A flexible or jointed drive shaft mechanism allows rotation of the paddle wheel to be transmitted to an electricity generator in an installation on land even if the axis of the paddle wheel and the axis of the electricity generator are not the same. In particular, the flexible linkage (the drive shaft mechanism) allows the transmission of rotary mechanical power even if the water level in the aqueduct raises the paddle wheel axis higher or lower than the axis of the electrical generator: water levels in aqueducts and canals and slow moving waterways are typically adjusted from time to time based upon availability of water, wild-life concerns, sporting needs, demand and so on. 
       Summary in Reference to Claims 
       [0017]    It is therefore a first aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment of the present invention to provide an electrical power generator comprising:
       a section of aqueduct carrying slow moving agricultural or residential water, the section of aqueduct having a width and a depth and at least one bank;   a rotatable floating body having an axis and a length, the rotatable floating body disposed afloat on such slow moving agricultural or residential water and disposed at least partially within such aqueduct;   a plurality of paddles projecting from the rotatable floating body orthogonal to the axis and projecting into the slow moving agricultural or residential water, the paddles having a width measured orthogonal to the axis and a length measured parallel to the axis;   an electrical generator, the electrical generator having a generator shaft;   a power transmission train having a first end connected to the rotatable floating body whereby the power transmission train rotates about the axis of the rotatable floating body when the rotatable floating body rotates, the power transmission train having a second end connected to the generator shaft and operatively connected thereto whereby motion of the slow moving agricultural or residential water impels rotation of the paddles and thus the rotatable floating body, and further whereby rotation of the rotatable floating body impels rotation of the power transmission train thereby impelling rotation of the electrical generator shaft;   the body length and paddle length being less than such waterway width; and   the paddle width being less than such waterway depth.       
 
         [0025]    It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment of the present invention to provide an electrical power generator wherein:
       the length of the paddles is approximately the width of the aqueduct.       
 
         [0027]    It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment of the present invention to provide an electrical power generator wherein:
       the power transmission train is flexible.       
 
         [0029]    It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment of the present invention to provide an electrical power generator wherein:
       the electrical generator is disposed upon the at least one bank of the aqueduct.       
 
         [0031]    It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment of the present invention to provide an electrical power generator further comprising:
       a non-rotatable floating body part.       
 
         [0033]    It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment of the present invention to provide an electrical power generator wherein:
       the electrical generator is disposed upon the non-rotatable floating body part.       
 
         [0035]    It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment of the present invention to provide an electrical power generator wherein the non-rotatable floating body part further comprises:
       at least one pontoon disposed at a first end of the rotatable floating body.       
 
         [0037]    It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment of the present invention to provide a method of generating electrical power, the method comprising:
       disposing upon a section of aqueduct carrying slow moving agricultural or residential water, the section of aqueduct having a width and a depth and at least one bank, at least one rotatable floating body having an axis and a length, the rotatable floating body disposed afloat on such slow moving agricultural or residential water and disposed at least partially within such aqueduct, the rotatable floating body having a plurality of paddles projecting from the rotatable floating body orthogonal to the axis and projecting into the slow moving agricultural or residential water, the paddles having a width measured orthogonal to the axis and a length measured parallel to the axis, the body length and paddle length being less than such waterway width, the paddle width being less than such waterway depth;   providing an electrical generator, the electrical generator having a generator shaft;   providing a power transmission train having a first end connected to the rotatable floating body whereby the power transmission train rotates about the axis of the rotatable floating body when the rotatable floating body rotates, the power transmission train having a second end connected to the generator shaft and operatively connected thereto whereby motion of the slow moving agricultural or residential water impels rotation of the paddles and thus the rotatable floating body, and further whereby rotation of the rotatable floating body impels rotation of the power transmission train thereby impelling rotation of the electrical generator shaft;   allowing the slow moving agricultural or residential water to rotate the rotatable floating body.       
 
         [0042]    It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment of the present invention to provide a method of generating electrical power wherein:
       the length of the paddles is approximately the width of the aqueduct.       
 
         [0044]    It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment of the present invention to provide a method of generating electrical power wherein:
       the power transmission train is flexible.       
 
         [0046]    It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment of the present invention to provide a method of generating electrical power wherein:
       the electrical generator is disposed upon the at least one bank of the aqueduct.       
 
         [0048]    It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment of the present invention to provide a method of generating electrical power further comprising:
       a non-rotatable floating body part.       
 
         [0050]    It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment of the present invention to provide a method of generating electrical power wherein:
       the electrical generator is disposed upon the non-rotatable floating body part.       
 
         [0052]    It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment of the present invention to provide a method of generating electrical power wherein the non-rotatable floating body part further comprises:
       at least one pontoon disposed at a first end of the rotatable floating body.       
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0054]      FIG. 1  is an orthogonal partially transparent view of a paddle wheel of the first embodiment of the invention. 
           [0055]      FIG. 2  is a partially transparent side view of a float and wheel portion of the first embodiment of the invention in use in a waterway. 
           [0056]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional end view of the first embodiment of the invention in use in a waterway, showing power transmission and electricity generation structures. 
           [0057]      FIG. 4  is a planform top view of a section of aqueduct with multiple electrical energy generation devices of the invention shown in use. 
       
    
    
     INDEX TO REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0000]    
       
         Body  102   
         Paddle  104   
         Paddlewheel axis  106   
         Paddle support  108   
         Body  202   
         Paddle  204   
         Paddlewheel axle  206   
         End support  208   
         Bearing and support assembly  210   
         Pontoon/float  212   
         Water/waterway  214   
         Flow direction arrow  216   
         Rotation direction arrow  218   
         Body  302   
         Paddle  304   
         Paddlewheel axle  306   
         Pontoon/float  312   
         Water/waterway  314   
         Aqueduct liner  316   
         Rotary flexible power transmission  318   
         Generator drive shaft  320   
         Electricity generator  322   
         Embankment/bank  324   
         Electricity generation devices  450   
         Electrical transmission system  452   
         Waterway  454   
         Interruption of waterway  456   
         Electrical generator  458   
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0086]      FIG. 1  is an orthogonal partially transparent view of a paddle wheel of the first embodiment of the invention. A central body may in embodiments be reduced to a central axis of rotation, however, in the presently preferred embodiment and best mode now contemplated, a physical body  102  is generally cylindrical. Other shapes may be used, either regular or irregular. In embodiments, the body may be buoyant and pontoons and other external floats may be eliminated. 
         [0087]    The body may be made of a strong material, one which ages well during repeated cycles of exposure to air and water. Metal, suitable polymers, wood, composites and combinations thereof may be used. As noted, the body may have a central core (depicted as the entire body  102 ) which provides self flotation. Otherwise, reduced body mass allows less inertia, however, increased body mass may act as a flywheel and help to smooth out momentary irregularities in water flow. 
         [0088]    Body  102  may have a length suitable for use in a given aqueduct, river, canal or the like. In particular, the length of the paddlewheel may be based upon the width of the aqueduct at the normal waterline or at the bottom. 
         [0089]    Body  102  may have projecting therefrom a plurality of paddles such as paddle  104 , which may be generally planar bodies or may be designed for hydrodynamic efficiency. 
         [0090]    Paddlewheel axis  106  may be a physical axle as shown in other diagrams, or it may merely be an axis of rotation defined by the geometry and motion of the body  102  and paddles  104 . 
         [0091]    For clarity, paddle support  108  has been depicted to be transparent, however, it may not be. Paddle support  108  allows for greater strength of the paddles  104  with less overall mass, and is exemplary of various possible types of supports. For example, end support  108  may be replaced with a paddle support located at an intermediate position along the length of the paddlewheel. Various types of support structures may be used other than the circular ring shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0092]      FIG. 2  is a partially transparent side view of a float and wheel portion of the first embodiment of the invention in use in a waterway. 
         [0093]    Body  202  may be seen to be supported in a position with paddle  204  submerged wholly or partially, while other paddles are exposed to air. Paddlewheel axle  206  is seated in bearing and support assembly  210 , and it may be seen that in this usage, the axis of the paddlewheel is actually above the level of the water: in other embodiments, the axis/axle (if used) may be submerged or sit at the surface of the water in alternatives which are not presently favored. The core portion  202  of the body may be seen to be partially submerged, but as with the axis, the design may be varied: the body may be entirely above the water level or may be submerged, etc. 
         [0094]    Pontoon/float  212  may support the paddlewheel structure of the invention, in the best mode now contemplated, however, other embodiments may use floating paddle-wheel, or structures which hold the wheel in place in relation to the banks of the aqueduct/canal. Pontoon float  212  may advantageously be streamlined as shown. 
         [0095]    Water/waterway  214  is seen to be deeper than the width of the depth of the water: one innovation of the present innovation is that the paddlewheel of the invention, instead of being optimized, may be arranged in a size and shape adapted to an aqueduct. Paddle support  208  and water  214  have been depicted to be transparent, however this is for the sake of clarity, water  214  and support  208  need not be transparent. 
         [0096]    Flow direction arrow  216  shows the direction of flow of water in the waterway. The water flow pushes the submerged paddle  204 , causing direction of paddlewheel rotation shown by arrow  218 . 
         [0097]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional end view of the first embodiment of the invention in use in a waterway, showing power transmission and electricity generation structures. 
         [0098]    In the presently preferred embodiment and best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention, body  302  had paddle  304  submerged and being pushed by water flow, causing rotation of paddlewheel axle  306 . Pontoon/float  312  supports the entire paddlewheel assembly on the surface of the water of waterway  314 . 
         [0099]    Aqueduct wall  316  may be seen to be of a relatively uniform character. This uniformity is important to the invention. One reason for the lack of use of energy device designs was the failure to design around the use of an aqueduct or canal: typical rivers vary considerably from point to point in terms of width, depth, suitable embankments and so on. Use of a paddlewheel energy device on a river frankly could necessitate specific construction of a short section of canal, dramatically increasing the cost of the installation. By designing a paddlewheel to the size of the canal or aqueduct, the aqueduct itself becomes an installed base for the device: the device, functions as a low cost addition to the cost of the aqueduct. 
         [0100]    Rotary flexible power transmission  318  is important in allowing rotational mechanical energy transmission from the paddle wheel to the electrical generators on the bank. While flexible power transmission device  318  is shown attached to axle  306 , it need not be. The flexible shaft device may be driven rack and pinion style by small gear teeth on the periphery of the paddle wheel or by other means, and thus is not limited to connection to the axle  306  only. Axle  306  may even be omitted in other embodiments. 
         [0101]    The term flexible in this case refers not to a single flexible drive shaft which necessarily bends (though such devices may be used), but rather to the fact that the entire drive train allows for motion of the entire paddle wheel, for example, up and down as water levels change. Even if the individual components of the drive train are inflexible, the overall drive train may be flexible as defined herein if the overall drive train allows for power transmission despite differing water levels, or motion on the part of the paddle wheel, and so on. 
         [0102]    Generator drive shaft  320  (which may include a flywheel as pictured) is then turned by the flexible drive device  318 , causing electricity generator  322  to generate electricity. 
         [0103]    Embankment/bank  324  as noted is normally ancillary to the aqueduct in any case, so while this component is used for the electricity generator, it is a fixed cost previously paid by most aqueduct or canal authorities. 
         [0104]    If bank  324  does not support electrical generators, alternative embodiments of the device may be used which have the electrical generator placed on the paddlewheel structure itself. For example, the electrical generator  322  may be disposed on the pontoon  312  or even inside the core  302  of the paddlewheel body. 
         [0105]    In alternative embodiments, the shape of the paddle may be made complementary to the cross sectional shape of the canal, for example, in  FIG. 3 , the canal has a cross sectional shape similar to a truncated triangle or prism: the paddle can easily be manufactured in a similar shape so as to increase efficiency. 
         [0106]    Efficiency can be increased up to either practical limits or to the point that water flow is degraded by the paddles of the invention. 
         [0107]      FIG. 4  is a planform top view of a section of aqueduct with multiple electrical energy generation devices of the invention shown in use. 
         [0108]    Waterway  454  is shown from above, with a plurality of electricity generation devices  450  disposed afloat on the residential or agricultural water of the waterway. Electrical transmission system  452  is depicted as an above ground electrical wire but may be buried or may be any other type of electrical transmission system. 
         [0109]    Waterway  454  will generally have interruptions  456  such as steep terrain, roads, bridges and so on. However, since the invention is a series of separate modules which can be positioned in any convenient manner, it is trivial to avoid interruptions and obstacles by merely omitting one or more units of the series of paddlewheel devices. The devices may also be omitted along stretches of an aqueduct which would not be economically feasible for power generation, or which are too far from a defined power demand area such as a city or the like. Note that electricity generated may be transmitted at any of a wide variety of voltages, frequencies and the like. 
         [0110]    Electrical generator  458 , one for each unit, may be seen to be depicted upon the bank of the aqueduct, but in practice may also be disposed on the pontoons, within the floating rotatable body or elsewhere as necessary or desirable. 
         [0111]    Table One provides a single exemplary embodiment with dimensions of the device and the aqueduct for which it is designed. This particular design meets the size restrictions of the Central Arizona Project. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE ONE 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Waterway width: 
                 56 feet (12 inch thick 
               
               
                   
                 embankments) 
               
               
                 Waterway min depth: 
                 16.5 feet 
               
               
                 Waterway max depth: 
                 19.5 feet 
               
               
                 Paddlewheel length: 
                 50 feet 
               
               
                 Paddles: 
                 6 
               
               
                 Paddle length: 
                 15 feet 
               
               
                 Paddle area: 
                 750 square feet per paddle 
               
               
                 Potential power generation per unit: 
                 1.5 MW/hour 
               
               
                 Separation distance between units: 
                 approx. 170 feet 
               
               
                 Units per mile: 
                 30 
               
               
                 Energy generation per mile: 
                 45 MW/hour 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       End Table One 
       [0112]    This unit may be seen to potentially produce 45 megawatts of electricity from water motion which is already occurring. If three hundred miles of the CAP are usable at the separation distance of roughly 170 feet between units (more accurately 30 units per mile), then a total energy output of 1350 megawatts is possible. For comparison, in 2004, wind energy in the USA had a capacity of about 6,700 megawatts. However, the wind energy is a national figure, while the figure for the present invention is from one single three hundred mile long stretch of a single aqueduct, and there are many thousands of miles of aqueducts in the USA which are suitable for use with the invention. 
         [0113]    A method embodiment of the invention is laid out in Table Two. The ordering of the steps of Table Two is merely exemplary, and can be varied. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE TWO 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 1. 
                 Disposing upon a section of aqueduct carrying slow moving agricultural or residential 
               
               
                   
                 water, the section of aqueduct having a width and a depth and at least one bank, at least 
               
               
                   
                 one rotatable floating body having an axis and a length, the rotatable floating body 
               
               
                   
                 disposed afloat on such slow moving agricultural or residential water and disposed at 
               
               
                   
                 least partially within such aqueduct, the rotatable floating body having a plurality of 
               
               
                   
                 paddles projecting from the rotatable floating body orthogonal to the axis and projecting 
               
               
                   
                 into the slow moving agricultural or residential water, the paddles having a width 
               
               
                   
                 measured orthogonal to the axis and a length measured parallel to the axis, the body 
               
               
                   
                 length and paddle length being less than such waterway width, the paddle width being 
               
               
                   
                 less than such waterway depth. 
               
               
                 2. 
                 Providing an electrical generator, the electrical generator having a generator shaft; 
               
               
                   
                 providing a power transmission train having a first end connected to the rotatable floating 
               
               
                   
                 body whereby the power transmission train rotates about the axis of the rotatable floating 
               
               
                   
                 body when the rotatable floating body rotates, the power transmission train having a 
               
               
                   
                 second end connected to the generator shaft and operatively connected thereto whereby 
               
               
                   
                 motion of the slow moving agricultural or residential water impels rotation of the paddles 
               
               
                   
                 and thus the rotatable floating body, and further whereby rotation of the rotatable floating 
               
               
                   
                 body impels rotation of the power transmission train thereby impelling rotation of the 
               
               
                   
                 electrical generator shaft. 
               
               
                 3. 
                 Allowing the slow moving agricultural or residential water to rotate the rotatable floating 
               
               
                   
                 body. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       End Table Two 
       [0114]    The disclosure is provided to allow practice of the invention by those skilled in the art without undue experimentation, including the best mode presently contemplated and the presently preferred embodiment. Nothing in this disclosure is to be taken to limit the scope of the invention, which is susceptible to numerous alterations, equivalents and substitutions without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is to be understood from the claims accompanying the corresponding utility application to be filed at a later date; the claims accompanying this application are not the broadest possible claim coverage.