Abstract:
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. Preferably, a plurality of paddle wheels are 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”. Preferably, 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.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   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. Description of the Prior Art 
   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 head water 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 
   In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of electricity production, your applicant has devised a method 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, mounting means, transfer means 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 means 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 means 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 means into electricity. 
   My invention resides not in any one of these features per se, but rather in the particular combinations of them, 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. 
   It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide for production of electricity for use by mankind from the energy in flowing water existing in many rivers, canals, sluices and creeks. 
   Other objects include: 
   a) to provide for an extremely economical method of producing electricity. 
   b) to provide for 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) to provide for a versatile electricity production platform which may easily and economically be transported from an existing electricity production location to another electricity production location. 
   d) to provide for 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) to provide for 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) to provide for 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) to provide for use of a plurality of paddle wheels each powering a plurality of electricity generators on a single platform. 
   h) to provide for rotational conversion means to provide for each rotation of a paddle wheel to produce a multiplicity of rotations of a generator axle of an electricity generator. 
   i) to provide for 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) To provide for use of existing surplus electricity generators currently used on “wind farms” to produce electricity using the energy available in flowing bodies of water. 
   k) To provide means which are physically separate and independent of the floating platform to enhance the flow or velocity of water engaging the paddle wheel. 
   These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated the preferred embodiments of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein; 
       FIG. 1  is a top plan view of an electricity production unit positioned within a flowing body of water. 
       FIG. 2  is an elevational side view of select components of the electricity production unit depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is an elevational side view of select components of the electricity production unit depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is an elevational side view of select components of the electricity production unit depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged elevational side view of a paddle. 
       FIG. 6  is a top plan view of a portion of the electricity production unit depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 7  is an elevational side view the portion of the electricity production unit depicted in  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 8  is an elevational side view of select components of the electricity production unit depicted in  FIG. 1  positioned in the flowing body of water including a bed of the body of water. 
   

   DESCRIPTION 
   Many different electricity production units having features of the present invention are possible. The following description describes the preferred embodiment of select features of those units and various combinations thereof. These features may be deployed in various combinations to arrive at various desirable working configurations of electricity production units. 
   Reference is hereafter made to the drawings where like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views. 
   An electricity production unit will have a paddle wheel, means to mount the paddle wheel, means 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 means 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. 
   Preferably, 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 there through. 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 there between. Means 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. 
   It is preferred to utilize the 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. 
   Transfer means will exist to 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 a preferred 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 a preferred embodiment 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 include 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 exist to 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’. Preferably, universal mounting means will be provided for placement of various existing production electricity generators relative to the paddle wheel. 
   In a preferred 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. 
   Means 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. 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, means may be provided to mechanically adjust a rate of diversion depending upon specific operating conditions. 
   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. 
   Means 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. Means may be deployed to measure the torque produced by the paddle wheel with associated means to adjust the torque to a desired measurement. 
   An electricity production unit  10 , depicted in various of the views, provides for a conversion of energy from a flowing body of water  12  into electricity. Electricity production unit  10  has a floating platform  14 , a plurality of paddle wheels  16 , mounting means in the form of axle blocks  18 , transfer means in the form of chain drive assemblies  20  and a plurality of electricity generators  22 . Floating platform  14  is secured at a desired location within flowing body of water  12  utilizing positioning means such as an anchor line  24  which is secured to bed  26  of flowing body of water  12 . 
   Each paddle wheel  16  is partially positionable into the flowing body of water. Each paddle wheel  16  has a plurality of paddles  28  which repetitively encounter flowing body of water  12  and move along with flowing body of water  12  while in contact with flowing body of water  12  to cause the respective paddle wheel  16  to rotate. Each paddle wheel  16  has opposing ends  30  and  32  which rotatably engage a respective axle block  18 . Each paddle wheel  16  has a central axis  34  about which the respective paddle wheel  16  rotates in response to encountering the energy in flowing body of water  12 . The following descriptions make specific reference to a leading end paddle wheel  35 , specifically see  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , and these references are applicable to any of the deployed paddle wheels  16 . 
   Chain drive assembly  20  provides for a mechanical coupling for transfer to a plurality of electricity generators  22  of the rotational power created by the turning of leading end paddle wheel  35 . Each chain drive assembly  20  may utilize any suitable components as conventionally known in the art. A first gear  36  is fixedly mounted relative to central axis  34  of leading end paddle wheel  35 . A second gear  38  is mounted to an intermediate idler assembly  40  and a first drive chain  42  rotates about first gear  36  and second gear  38  to transfer the rotational power from leading end paddle wheel  35  to an axle  44  of intermediate idler assembly  40 . Chain drive assembly  20  also provides for transfer of the rotation power transferred to second gear  38  through axle  44  to a third gear  46  attached to axle  44  of intermediate idler assembly  40 . A second drive chain  48  rotates about third gear  46 , a fourth gear  50  and an idler gear  52 . Idler gear  52  provide for a directional change in the path of second drive chain  48 . Each electricity generator  22  has a generator axle  54  having a generator gear  56  attached thereto. Generator gear  56  of the respective electricity generator  22  engages second drive chain  48  to transfer the rotational power to the respective electricity generator  22 . Each electricity generator  22  is capable of a conversion of the motion of the rotation of leading end paddle wheel  35  transferred by the transfer means into electricity. Leading end paddle wheel  35  transfers power to a plurality of electricity generators  22 . 
   First gear  36  has a larger diametric measurement then the diametric measurement of second gear  38  which provides for an increase in the revolutions per minute (RPM) rate of second gear  38  relative to first gear  36 . Second gear  38  and third gear  46  are each fixedly attached to axle  44  of intermediate idler assembly  40  and therefore have the same RPM rate. Third gear  46  has a larger diametric measurement then the diametric measurement of generator gears  56  which provides for an increase in the RPM rate of generator gears  56  relative to third gear  46 . Each chain drive assembly  20  provides for a first rotational conversion means and a second rotational conversion means to radically increase in the RPM rate of generator axle  54  of electricity generator  22  relative to the RPM rate of the paddle wheel. These conversions provide for each rotation of leading end paddle wheel  35  to produce a multiplicity of rotations of generator axle  54  of electricity generator  22 . 
   For various reasons it may be desirable to selectively increase or decrease a depth of penetration of leading end paddle wheel  35  relative to flowing body of water  12 .  FIG. 7  depicts a fluid storage container  58  and a pumping assembly  60  positioned on floating platform  14 . When it is desired to cause leading end paddle wheel  35  to move deeper into flowing body of water  12  pumping assembly  60  causes water to be transferred from flowing body of water  12  into fluid storage container  58  which changes a buoyancy of floating platform  14  thereby causing floating platform  14  to ride lower in flowing body of water  12 . When it is desired to cause leading end paddle wheel  35  to move out of flowing body of water  12  pumping assembly  60  causes water to be transferred from fluid storage container  58  to be discharged into flowing body of water  12  which changes the buoyancy of floating platform  14  thereby causing floating platform  14  to ride higher in flowing body of water  12 .  FIG. 7  also depicts mechanical means to vary an elevational height of leading end paddle wheel  35 . A hydraulic lift assembly  62 , having opposing cylinders  64 , see  FIG. 6 , is mounted to displace axle blocks  18  relative to floating platform  14  thereby selectively raising or lowering leading end paddle wheel  35  relative to a deck  66  of floating platform  14  and therefore relative to a surface  68  of flowing body of water  12 . 
     FIG. 7  depicts control means to measure a torque of rotation of leading end paddle wheel  35  in the form of a control assembly  70 . Control assembly  70  is capable of manipulating pumping assembly  60  and/or hydraulic lift assembly  62  to vary the depth of penetration of leading end paddle wheel  35  depending upon the measured torque of rotation of leading end paddle wheel  35 . Controlling measurements other than the measurement of torque of rotation may be utilized if desired. 
     FIG. 8  depicts means to intensify a flow of water relative to leading end paddle wheel  35  in the form of an inclined surface  72  positioned beneath surface  68  of flowing body of water  12 . Inclined surface  72  directs the flow of water to more aggressively engage paddle wheels  16  including leading end paddle wheel  35 . 
     FIG. 1  depicts floating platform  14  as formed by a first barge  74  and a second barge  76  with a passageway  78  therebetween. Coupling means, in the form of walkways  80  and  82 , secure first barge  74  and second barge  76  together across passageway  78 . Floating platform  14  has four (4) sides generally defined by a leading end  84 , a first side  86 , a second side  88  and a trailing end  90 . Each deployed paddle wheel  16  will be positioned within flowing body of water  12  adjacent to one of the sides  84 ,  86 ,  88  or  90  or within passageway  78 . Leading end  84  faces generally into a direction of flow of flowing body of water  12 . Trailing end  90  is in spaced relationship to, and generally parallel to, leading end  84  of floating platform  14 . First side  86  extends rearward from leading end  84 . Second side  88  extends rearward from leading end  84  in spaced relationship to, and generally parallel to, first side  86 . Passageway  78  extends from leading end  84  between first side  86  and second side  88  to trailing end  90 . Leading end paddle wheel  35  is partially positionable into the flowing body of water at leading end  84  of floating platform  14 . 
   A first side paddle wheel  92  is partially positionable into flowing body of water  12  adjacent first side  86  of floating platform  14 . A second side paddle wheel  94  is partially positionable into flowing body of water  12  adjacent second side  88  of floating platform  14 . Suitable outer securing means, in the form of a mounting bracket  96 , provides for suitable mechanical integrity of first side paddle wheel  92  and second side paddle wheel  94  relative to floating platform  14 . A passageway paddle wheel  98  is partially positionable into flowing body of water  12  within passageway  78  of floating platform  14 . A trailing end paddle wheel  100  is partially positionable into flowing body of water  12  at trailing end  90  of floating platform  14 . As depicted in  FIG. 1 , preferably multiple paddle wheels  16  are positioned along each of the sides,  84 ,  86 ,  88  and  90 , of floating platform  14  and within passageway  78 . 
     FIG. 5  depicts a side view of one of the paddles  28 . Paddle  28  has a periphery side  104  distal from central axis  34 , not shown in this view, of paddle wheel  16 . Periphery side  104  has a curvature  106  therealong. Curvature  106  provides for a truer delivery of energy from flowing body of water  12  to cause efficient rotation of paddle wheel  16 . 
   With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, material, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
   Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.