Patent Abstract:
A hydroelectric system for disposal in a continuous flowing water vein includes at least one generator and a housing configured to include a venturi flow restriction for accelerating flow to the generator.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a hydroelectric system and, more particularly, to a hydroelectric system which is operably disposed in a river which uses a turbine generator which receives water accelerated past a venturi flow restriction.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     Relatively small, non-navigable rivers flow through, or in close proximity to, each and every major U.S. city. A pressure force is exerted at each and every point along such a river. U.S. Geological Survey flow rate data suggest that U.S. rivers flow continuously. For example, the Mad, Stillwater and Great Miami Rivers which flow through Dayton, Ohio, United States of America were studied for design purposes and it was found that there has never been a time over the last eighty-eight years when an appreciable flow was not manifest. These observations imply that such rivers provide a readily-available energy source.  
         [0005]     This readily-available energy source has been overlooked because existing methods applied to low flow rates, low head, shallow channel depths and slow flow velocities do not generate substantial amounts of power, nor are they cost effective. Existing methods also posed regulatory concerns, primarily because of their potentially negative affect on fish and other marine life. An additional problem or concern with rivers is their inherent level changes due to rain and in turn flooding which introduces significant debris into the river and can pose potential damage to hydroelectric sources in their flow path.  
         [0006]     Thus, there remains a need in the art for hydroelectric system designed for use in relatively small, non-navigable rivers which addresses deficiencies inherent in the prior art.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     It is an object to improve hydroelectric systems.  
         [0008]     It is an object to provide a hydroelectric system which can be deployed in a continuously flowing water vein.  
         [0009]     It is another object to provide a hydroelectric system which is less prone to damage caused by debris during flooding conditions.  
         [0010]     It is another object to provide an environmentally friendly energy producing system.  
         [0011]     This need and others are addressed by means of novel hydroelectric system which is operably disposed in a continuously flowing water vein, such as a river, that is a significant departure from existing systems and methods and which has the potential to deliver massive amounts of pollution-free electricity to each and every utility service area. The system is applicable to any site or situation where there is a continuous flow, without significant negative environmental or ecological effects. For example, fish remain free to swim upstream and downstream unhindered. The novel hydroelectric system is designed to generate cost-effective power at substantially any point along a flowing river.  
         [0012]     Preferred hydroelectric system in accordance with the invention includes a turbine-generator which receives water accelerated past a venturi flow restriction as opposed to a dam. The entire assembly is capable of being water submersible and preferably partially submersed, and is simply placed within the flow. This modular generating unit can include a floatation device and is mounted on, and anchored by, a concrete slab preferably via a slide post(s) having a stop thereon to limit vertical travel of the unit, which is heavy enough to hold it securely in place regardless of flow rate. The slab is positioned on the bottom floor of the water vein to eliminate any questions as to aesthetics, with the unit at or below water level to achieve the objectives herein.  
         [0013]     Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of preferred hydroeletric system in accordance with the invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  includes top plan view of part of the hydroeletric system of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  includes an endview of part of the hydroeletric system;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  includes side view of the hydroeletric system of  FIG. 1  through line  44 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  depicts the hydroelectric system of  FIG. 1  deployed in a water current;  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  depicts an optimal operating height of the hydroelectric system during normal water level height; and  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  depicts a safe operating mode during a flooding condition. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0021]     With reference to  FIG. 1 , preferred hydroelectric system  10  in accordance with the invention comprises a filter frame  20 , a housing  22  and a concrete base  24 . The housing  22  is slidably connected a vertical post  23  which extends upward from the concrete base  24 . The vertical post  23  includes a stop portion  25  at an upper end which limited the upper vertical travel of the housing  22  with the lower vertical travel limited by the concrete base  24 . While the base  24  is made of concrete, it is conceived that other suitable water submergible material can be used with the base being of a sufficient weight and corrosion resistance to serve as a stable stationary footing for the system  10  when the base  24  is placed on a floor of a water vein.  
         [0022]     The preferred filter frame  20  mounts a conventional filter or screen (not shown) which filters water taken into the housing  22 . The preferred housing  22  defines an inlet section  30 , an intermediate section  32  and an outlet section  34 . Floats  27  are laterally disposed to the housing  22  and connect to the housing  22  via bars  29 , wherein a pair of the bars  29 , part of the housing  22  and float  27  form a retention area  31  about the bar  23 , the area  31  being small enough to maintain the housing  22  in a relatively horizontally located position while permitting vertical movement between the stop  25  and slab  24 .  
         [0023]     With reference to  FIG. 2 , the preferred intermediate section  32  defines a first turbine  40 , a second turbine  42  and an intermediate flow path  44 . A first impeller  50  is housed in  30  the first turbine  40  and a second impeller  52  is housed in the second turbine  42 . The first and second impellers  50 ,  52  each communicate with the intermediate flow path  44 . The first turbine  50  is coupled to a first generator  60  and the second turbine is generators  60 ,  62  are shown, the number and design of the impellers and generators is not critical to the invention.) The preferred inlet section  30  and the preferred outlet section  34  each taper inwardly so as to form a venturi flow restriction at the intermediate flow path  44 .  
         [0024]     A venturi flow restriction in this case looks similar to a funnel, widely opening on the upstream side and progressively smaller on the downstream side. The venturi effect is an accentuated expression of a river&#39;s natural flow characteristics. The width of a river varies. Flow through broad areas is slow and may appear stationary, but as flow continues through narrow areas, the speed of flow drastically increases. The amount of speed increase is based on the difference in the size of the upstream and downstream flow areas. The greater the difference in their sizes, the greater the speed of their increase and the present system capitalizes on this. By employing the floats  27 , the housing  22  can be maintained partially submerged in the water during normal water levels. This can be seen in  FIG. 6 , wherein the inlet section  30  is partially submerged to permit water flow in therein and by so doing as the water speeds up due to the venture effect the water level can rise inside the housing  22  as it approaches the intermediate section  32 . The venturi flow restriction mimics a narrowing river. The objective is to accelerate flow to a speed where generators operate efficiently.  
         [0025]     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the hydroelectric system  10  preferably will be positioned at partially underwater in a river or stream and oriented so that the filter frame  20  and the inlet section  30  of the housing  22  face the river flow direction D. The hydroeletric system  10  will be generally held in vertical place by the bar  28  in the restricted area  31  and permitted limited vertical travel along the length of the bar  28 . Preferably, the first and second generators  60 ,  62  will be coupled by conventional means to structure for transmitting power from the first and second generators  60 ,  62  to a desired destination (not shown).  
         [0026]     The venturi&#39;s size is determined by factoring the natural speed of a river to desired power production. A slower-flowing river or stream will require a larger venturi than a faster-flowing river to produce the same amount of power. It is preferred that the design of the present be such that in no case will a venturi span a significant part of the river width, for example, more than one-quarter of a river&#39;s width and, as such, fish and other marine life will remain free to swim upstream and downstream unhindered. It is anticipated that that several generating units can be installed downstream, then another and another and so on providing for a very broad range in the amount of power that can be generated from a given river. For example, it is believed that the three navigable rivers flowing through Dayton, Ohio could support all of the utility service area&#39;s power requirements when this method is applied. Nationwide projections are large enough to displace coal and to serve as the base energy source to synthesize hydrogen as an alternative automotive fuel.  
         [0027]     System  10  can preferably include a diverting screen  70  which fixed to the slab  24  and extends upward therefrom a height approximate that of the height of bar  23  and a width at least that of the housing with accompanying floats  27 . The screen  70  would aid in preventing large debris from damaging the same, but permit small object, including fish to pass therethrough. It is also contemplated that the system  10  will incorporate diffusers and diverters (not shown) to eliminate exhaust turbulence. With reference to  FIG. 5 , flow enters the housing  22  at the natural speed of the river. The flow is accelerated in the inlet section  30 . The flow then is tapped by the first and second impellers  50 ,  52 . The flow then is deflected (that is, spread out) and diffused (that is, slowed down toward the natural speed of the river) by the outlet section  34 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 7  illustrates a safe operating mode during high water levels as when a flood occurs. The stop  25  thus prevents the housing  22  from raising into flood water levels and thus stays below potentially damaging debris such a log L.  
         [0029]     It is believed that the hydroelectric system of the invention provides a simple and intuitive means to generate massive quantities of pollution-free electricity and to effectively address regulatory concerns. By so providing the invention, a device is provided which uses the flow rate in the river which is faster at the surface than toward the bottom or below surface water of the river. Although this invention has been described in conjunction with certain specific forms and modifications thereof, it will be appreciated that a wide variety of other modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5