Patent Publication Number: US-2022220930-A1

Title: Small hydropower generator of novel concept, using ferris wheel

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a hydropower generator of a new concept using the principle of Ferris wheel, which is more efficient than conventional waterwheels. 
     Background Art 
     Conventionally, hydroelectric power, tidal power, thermal power, nuclear power, wind power, solar power, etc. are widely known as a method of producing electricity. 
     Thereamong, thermal power generation a nuclear power generation have a great ability to produce electricity, however, these require huge energy consumption, high technology, manpower and advanced operational equipment, as well as high costs for installation and maintenance. In particular, since there is a dysfunction that generates pollutants harmful to the human body and environment, these facilities should be gradually suppressed or reduced henceforward. 
     On the other hand, wind, solar and/or hydropower generators are harmless to humans and the environment, which are green energy capable of producing a certain amount of power, thereby being encouraged as items for population by the government. 
     In particular, the hydroelectric generator is a facility to produce electricity through conversion of potential energy of water into kinetic energy, and is one of the facilities that are greatly helpful for the demand and supply of eco-friendly green energy by utilizing rivers, streams or dams distributed throughout the country. 
     Further, a rotary body (“rotor”) commonly used in a hydroelectric generator may include a torsion wing type rotor such as a fan blade or a propeller that directly faces water flow in a completely submerged state in water. However, in most cases, a watermill or waterwheel type rotor is used, which allows rotation while a part of the periphery continuously touches the water flow or a head of water. 
     Among such waterwheel type rotors known in the art, the invention of Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1460063 (power generation waterwheel) may be exemplified. 
     However, such a waterwheel type rotor is operated to rotate by intensively applying a flow rate or a head of water to the periphery or edges of wings disposed radially at a predetermined equiangular interval. Further, due to a construction in which a shape of the outer edge of the wing continuously undergoing the resistance of water is opened to the outside, only a small part of the flow rate of the flowing water or the head of water falling from the top to the bottom may be converted into energy efficiency, whereas the remaining part flows away. That is, the conventional rotor involves a very wasteful structure. 
     Specifically, in the case of a hydroelectric generator using the existing watermill or waterwheel type rotor, yielded energy efficiency is extremely low compared to an amount of water supplied to the flow rate or the head of water. Therefore, a dam to naturally flow a certain amount of water downward and/or rivers or streams, in which water naturally flows downward, are still used with ignoring the waste of water. 
     After all, a generator using such a conventional watermill or waterwheel is significantly lower in terms of energy efficiency compared to an amount of water to be introduced, and therefore, can be used only in a specific place and environment where water waste is not considered. 
     For this reason, a generator using a waterwheel type rotor is only employed intermittently in power generation projects that are performed on a large scale in specific places in which dams or rivers where only a little amount of energy may need to be taken with ignoring the waste of water are utilized. In fact, it is currently impossible to widely distribute the above generator to domestic general business operators or people, unlike solar power generation projects. 
     Further, the above generator is substantially not suitable for recent energy development policy with regard to small-scale hydroelectric power generation with a structure that can produce electricity with a small water stream (that is, a small scale hydropower plant which may be easily installed in a reservoir, a small river or stream, etc., and can also be easily installed without involving large-scale civil engineering work, thereby overcoming all environmental problems while attaining economical advantages, and being useful for widespread use). 
     On the other hand, Ferris wheel is a ride (or a play tool), which is equipped with several boarding spaces for people to ride around the periphery of a large circular rotating body, and rotates at a low speed so that the people can enjoy the surrounding scenery or the view from a high location while having a special leisure time. Therefore, this is limited in use since it does not have any special or productive role or function other than amusement purpose of the people riding as described above. 
     DISCLOSURE 
     Technical Problem 
     Accordingly, unlike the existing waterwheel type rotor that causes a huge waste of water, the present invention may expect higher energy and generation efficiency even with a small amount of water since the entire amount of introduced water acts as a resistance required for rotation according to the principle of the Ferris wheel. Therefore, the present invention is focused on providing a new concept hydropower generator using a Ferris wheel that can expect very effective and significant generation efficiency even in places where water supply is very limited or narrow places, thereby solving the above technical problems and completing the present invention. 
     Technical Solution 
     In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a new concept small hydropower generator, including: both supports  10  which are built up to a predetermined height from the ground to provide a strong support base of a main rotational shaft  110 ; the main rotational shaft  110  installed on the strong support base at an upper end between the above both supports  10 ; a rotor  100  rotating at a predetermined rotating speed in a predetermined radial range with respect to the main rotational shaft  110 ; several water filling-then-emptying buckets (“water bucket”)  200  which are arranged around the periphery of the rotor  100  at constant equiangular intervals, wherein the bucket is always horizontally balanced during rotation, and wherein, when placed at the top center of the rotor  100  during rotation, the bucket is filled with a predetermined amount of water to imply the weight and, when placed at the bottom center of the rotor, the weight is removed by pouring out the water; a selective water supply device  300  that supplies water drawn from a relatively small scale river or stream to the water bucket  200  located in the center of the upper center of the rotor  100 , wherein, after completely filling one of the buckets  200  with water, the selective water supply device  300  stops water discharge temporarily until the next bucket  200  is positioned; and a generator  400  installed on one side of the main rotational shaft  110  disposed in the center of the rotor  100  to convert rotational kinetic energy output from the rotor  100  into electrical energy. 
     Advantageous Effects 
     As described above, the new concept hydropower generator using a Ferris wheel according to the present invention may minimize the waste of water while extremely maximizing output energy efficiency to thus make it meaningless LC) compare the present invention with the existing generators, since the introduced water entirely serves as the weight and rotation driving source required for rotation of the rotor. Therefore, the generator of the present invention may be easily installed and operated even in a place where an amount of flowing water is relatively low, which may have a greater expectation such as significant contribution nationwide distribution of small scale hydropower generators. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of the entire structure illustrating a referred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is side view of the entire structure illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an exemplary view of installation of a water filling-then-emptying bucket (“water bucket”) proposed by the present invention. 
         FIGS. 4 and 5  are each enlarged views illustrating a state in which water is introduced into and discharged out of the bucket proposed by the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is an exemplary view illustrating a mechanical automatic opening/closing means (“switch”) of a door opening/closing device indicated in the present invention as an example. 
         FIG. 7  is an exemplary view illustrating installation of a water flow stabilization net in the water bucket according to the present invention. 
         FIGS. 8 to 11  are exemplary views illustrating a configuration and operation relationship of the selective water supply device indicated in the present invention. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE 
     Hereinafter, the most preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. Specifically, the present invention may propose a new concept small hydropower generator using a Ferris wheel, including: both supports  10  built up to a constant height from the ground to provide a strong support base of a main rotational shaft  110 ; the main rotational shaft  110  installed under the strong support base at an upper end between the both supports  10 ; a rotor  100  rotating at a predetermined rotating speed in a predetermined radial range with respect to the main rotational shaft  110 ; several water filling-then-emptying buckets (“water bucket”)  200  which are arranged around the periphery of the rotor  100  at constant equiangular intervals, wherein the bucket is always horizontally balanced during rotation, and is filled with a predetermined amount of water to imply a weight when placed at the top center of rotor  100  during rotation while, when placed at the bottom center of the rotor, the weight is removed by pouring out the water; a selective water supply device  300  that supplies water drawn from a relatively small scale river or stream to the water bucket  200  located in the center of the upper center of the rotor  100 , wherein, after completely filling one of the buckets  200  with water, the selective water supply device  300  stops water discharge temporarily until the next bucket  200  is positioned; and a generator  400  installed on one side of the main rotational shaft  110  disposed in the center of the rotor  100  to convert rotational kinetic energy output from the rotor  100  into electrical energy. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF INVENTION 
     The new concept hydropower generator using a Ferris wheel of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     The present invention may include: both supports  100  built up to a constant height from the ground to provide a strong support base of a main rotational shaft  110 ; 
     the main rotational shaft  110  installed under the strong support base at an upper end between the both supports  10 ; 
     a rotor  100  rotating at a predetermined rotating speed in a predetermined radial range with respect to the main rotational shaft  110 ; 
     several water filling-then-emptying buckets (“water bucket”)  200  which are arranged around the periphery of the rotor  100  at constant equiangular intervals, wherein the bucket is always horizontally balanced during rotation, and is filled with a predetermined amount of water to imply weight when placed at the top center of the rotor  100  during rotation while, when placed at the bottom center of the rotor, the weight is removed by pouring out the water; 
     a selective water supply device  300  that supplies water drawn from a relatively small scale river or stream to the water bucket  200  located in the center of the upper center of the rotor  100 , wherein, after completely filling one of the buckets  200  with water, the selective water supply device  300  stops water discharge temporarily until the next bucket  200  is positioned; and 
     a generator  400  installed on one side of the main rotational shaft  110  disposed in the center of the rotor  100  to convert rotational kinetic energy output from the rotor  100  into electrical energy. 
     &lt;Flywheel&gt; 
     Further, at the other side of the main rotational shaft  110  disposed in the center of the rotor  100 , a flywheel  500  may further be usefully provided to assist the rotor  100  to stably rotate at a predetermined speed during rotation. 
     &lt;Rotor&gt; 
     The rotor  100  may include: front and rear wheel-shaped outer frames (“outer frames”)  120  and  120 ′, which are arranged around a periphery in a predetermined radial range with respect to the main rotational shaft  110  while being maintained with a constant width interval (L) at the front and rear sides; a plurality of rods  121  and reinforcement frames  122  installed between the outer frames  120  and  120 ′ and the main rotational shaft  110 , so as to achieve a rotational structure with a strong framework and overall balance of strength and supporting force. 
     &lt;Water Filling-then-Emptying Bucket&gt; 
     The water bucket  200  may be installed between the front and rear wheel-shaped outer frames  120  and  120 ′, which have a strong framework formed as described above and maintain a constant width interval(L) between the front and rear sides. Further, although rotating around the periphery of the rotor  100 , a horizontal level is always maintained. Further, when positioned at the top center of the rotor  100  during rotation, the water bucket is filled with a predetermined amount of water to imply a considerably high weight and rotate downward by half a cycle along the circumstance. On the other hand, when reaching the bottom center, all the water contained in the bucket is poured out to completely eliminate the weight and thus rotate upward by the remaining half of the cycle along the circumference in an empty state. 
     The water bucket  200  may include: a water container  210  in which a water containing space (“water space”)  211  to contain a predetermined amount of water is allocated; and a rotation support  230  provided at an upper end of each of one side and the other side of the water container  210 , which is coupled by a rotational shaft  220  in order to always maintain a horizontal state since mutually free-rotation is possible between the rotational support  230  and the front and rear wheel-shaped outer frames  120  and  120 ′. In particular, a water input part  240  and a water output part  250 , respectively, may be disposed at top and bottom ends of the water container  210 , so as to fill the water container with water at the top center of the rotor  100  and discharge the water from the water container at the bottom center of the rotor. 
     At this time, the water input part  240  configured on the top side of the water container  210  may have a water inlet  212  perforated to communicated with the water space  211  inside the water container and, if necessary, the water inlet may further be provided with a water guide hopper  213 , which has an inlet greatly enlarged to enhance stability of water introduction. 
     For the water output part  250  configured on the bottom of the water container  210 , a water discharge door  251  may be installed to open the water container, rapidly discharge the water from the water container  210  at a time, and then close the same again after completing the discharge. 
     The water discharge door  251  may further be provided with a door opening/closing means (“door switch”)  252 , wherein the door switch can be any one selected from: a manual switch to be directly opened and closed by a user; a mechanical automatic switch enabling automatic opening/closing operation through a mechanical mechanism; and a full-automatic switch driven by electric and electronic signals to enable automatic opening/closing operation. 
     In this regard, the manual switch (not shown) may include a hinge configured at one side of the door  251 , as well as a handle and a hook means that can be hooked after closing the door mounted on the opposite side of the door. For the mechanical automatic switch (see  FIG. 6 ), it may be designed with a configuration in which a door for opening/closing the water filling-then-emptying bucket (“water bucket”)  200  may be firstly configured in the form of a sliding door, then, a locking lever may be provided on the bottom and a limit member may be provided at an alternative lower portion corresponding to the locking lever so that, when the water bucket  200  rotates, the above two elements contact to each other to automatically open the door, and a spring may be connected between the water bucket  200  and the door such that the sliding door can be automatically closed after discharging water. Alternatively, in the case of the full-automatic switch, it may be designed with a configuration in which an operating cylinder (air cylinder, hydraulic cylinder, etc.) may be provided to have a push motion according to a sensor signal and a program input to an electric and electronic control unit (since the manual switch, mechanical automatic switch and/or full-automatic switch is a means capable of opening and closing a door and, in addition to the above structure, others may be selected among a variety of door opening/closing devices, which are commonly used in daily life, therefore, a detailed description thereof will be omitted). 
     Further, as shown in  FIG. 7 , a water flow stabilization net  260  in a lattice shape cross-woven in horizontal and vertical directions may be provided in the water space  211  inside the water container  210 , whereby shaking or waving of the water introduced into the water space  211  possibly appearing during water introduction or rotation of the water bucket  200  could be suppressed as much as possible, and may be helpful for stabilization and maintaining uniformity. 
     &lt;Selective Water Supply Device&gt; 
     Further, the selective water supply device  300  is a device for filling water into the water space  211  of the water bucket  200  disposed in the top center of the rotor  100 . 
     In the selective water supply device  300 , a waterway unit  310  to draw water from a river or stream distributed in the domestic surrounding area may be constructed, and a water down-drawing pipe  320  at one side of the waterway unit  310  to draw water downward from the waterway unit  310  may further be provided. 
     A water input pipe  330  may be firstly mounted on a lower portion maintained at a constant interval from the water down-drawing pipe  320 , then, a flexible element  340  such as a flexible hose or corrugated pipe may be connected between the water down-drawing pipe  320  and the water input pipe  330 . Further, the water input pipe  330  connected by the flexible element  340  and a support member  350  separately constructed on one side of the water input pipe  330  may be provided with a left and right horizontal transport means  360  capable of moving a position of the water input pipe  330  in a horizontal direction by a predetermined interval and then turning back to the original position. 
     The horizontal transport means  360  may include a horizontal transport rail  361  configured on the support member  350  which can be separately constructed. Further, the water input pipe  330  corresponding thereto may be provided with a guide block  362  that can move horizontally while being engaged with the horizontal transport rail. Further, a locking member  363  may protrude on the front or rear side of the water input pipe  330  that can have horizontal movement to the left and right by the above configuration. Further, a contact lever member  364  may be configured on the front and rear wheel-shaped outer frames  120  and  120 ′ corresponding to the locking member  363 , wherein contact is naturally released due to a change in height naturally appearing in a process of pushing the locking member  363  in a rotating direction when moving in an arc according to the rotation of the rotor  100  and then moving in an arc section. Further, a resilient return-spring  365  may be provided between the water input pipe  330  and the support member  350 , both of which are maintained at a constant interval, so as to return the water input pipe  330  its original position after movement thereof. 
     Further, a water input control switch  370  may be mounted on a lower portion of the water input pipe  330 , wherein this switch temporarily stops the introduction of water after introducing water into one of the water buckets  200  and then until water is introduced again into the next one. 
     The water input control switch  370  may also be designed to manually or automatically push a switch plate  371 , which in turn opens/closes the same, in the same structure and principles as the door switch  252  mounted on the water discharge door  251 . 
     When the selective water supply device  300  is configured as described above, water drawn from a river or stream through the waterway unit  310  may be supplied and filled into the water filling-then-emptying bucket  200  positioned in the top center of the rotor  100  without waste. Further, owing to the flexible element  340  and the left and right horizontal transport means  360  between the water down-drawing pipe  320  and the water input pipe  330 , when introducing water into the rotating water bucket  200 , the water input pipe  330  may introduce water into the water bucket while moving in a horizontal direction by a constant interval until the water bucket  200  is completely filled with water. Therefore, water can be introduced and the water bucket may be fully filled with the water even while rotating along with the rotor. 
     After one of the water buckets  200  is completely filled with water, the water bucket may be returned to its original position by the resilient return-spring  365  and then water filling of the next one may immediately begin again. 
     &lt;Generator&gt; 
     The generator  400  is a device for converting rotational kinetic energy output from the rotor  100  into electric energy, wherein one or several generators can be connected to one side of the rotational shaft  110  through a power transmission means (gear, chain, sprocket, etc.), and wherein the capacity and quantity of the generator may vary depending on the output force and, if possible, the capacity and quantity of the generator relative to the output are preferably set to an extent that allows low-speed rotation of the rotor  100 . 
     In other words, when a rotating speed of the rotor  100  is set to move at the lowest speed using a resistance of the generator  400 , water introduction and discharge may be more smoothly performed during rotation of the rotor  100 . 
     &lt;Description of Function&gt; 
     The new concept small hydropower generator using a Ferris wheel of the present invention may introduce water, which is drawn from a river or stream using a waterway unit  310 , into a water filling-then-emptying bucket  200  during 360 degree rotation of a rotor  100 , and discharge the water filled in the water bucket  200  to the outside when the water bucket rotates half a cycle (180 degrees) and is located at the lowest end of the bottom, whereby the waste of water is suppressed as much as possible, while greatly increasing energy efficiency to thus make it meaningless to compare the present invention with the existing generators. Therefore, the present invention is very useful. 
     In addition, the rotor  100  is preferably manufactured as a large circular body around a single main rotational shaft  100  as proposed above but, if necessary, the rotor may be formed with a configuration such that rotational shafts are provided in two sites, that is, on the top and bottom sides of the rotor while maintaining a constant interval, and in a way that the rotor rotates along a caterpillar track between the above two rotational shafts (not shown).