Title: Miniature hydro-power generation system
Abstract: A miniature hydro-power generation system may produce electric power from a flow of liquid. The miniature hydro-power generation system may include a housing that includes a plurality of paddles positioned to extend outwardly from an outer surface of the housing. The system may also include a nozzle and a centering rod extending through the housing. The housing may rotate around the centering rod when a stream of liquid from the nozzle is directed at the paddles. A generator that includes a rotor and a stator may be positioned within a cavity of the housing. The rotor may be coupled with the housing and the stator may be coupled with the centering rod. The rotor may rotate around the stator at high RPM to generate electric power when the housing rotates. The electric power may supply a load and/or may be stored in an energy storage device.
Patent Number: 6,885,114 Issued on 04/26/2005 to Baarman, et al.
| Inventors:
|
Baarman; David W. (Fennville, MI);
Lautzenheiser; Terry L. (Nunica, MI)
|
| Assignee:
|
Access Business Group International, LLC (Ada, MI)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
683020 |
| Filed:
|
October 9, 2003 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
290/43; 290/54; 290/52; 239/380; 239/385; 239/256.11; 239/256.43 |
| Intern'l Class: |
F03B 013//10 |
| Field of Search: |
290/43,52,54
239/256.11,256.43,380-389
|
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| |
Primary Examiner: Ponomarenko; Nicholas
Assistant Examiner: Mohandesi; Iraj A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione
Parent Case Text
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of Provisional
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/417,337, filed on Oct. 9, 2002, which is herein
incorporated by reference. In addition, this application is a continuation-in-part
of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/680,345, filed on Oct. 5, 2000, now U.S.
Pat. No. 6,798,080, issued Sep. 28, 2004, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
patent application Ser. No. 60/157,760, filed on Oct. 5, 1999.
Claims
1. A hydro-power generation system, comprising:
a centering rod;
a bushing positioned to surround the centering rod;
a housing coupled with the bushing, wherein the housing and the bushing are rotatable
around the centering rod;
a plurality of paddles coupled with an outer surface of the housing, wherein
the paddles are generally concaved and longitudinally extend outward from the outer
surface of housing perpendicular to the centering rod; and
a permanent magnet generator enclosed within the housing, the permanent magnet
generator comprising a stator coupled with the centering rod and a rotor coupled
with an interior surface of the housing,
wherein the rotor and stator cooperatively operate to maintain the position of
the bushing surrounding the centering rod without substantial contact between the
bushing and the centering rod, wherein the bushings are disposed at opposed ends
of the housing and comprise an aperture to accommodate the centering rod and an
outer surface formed to fit within an aperture in the outer surface of the housing.
2. The hydro-power generation system of claim 1, wherein the rotor comprises
a permanent magnet that is configured to spin balance rotation of the housing.
3. The hydro-power generation system of claim 1, wherein the rotor comprises
a permanent magnet having a magnetic field configured to suspend the rotor in axial
alignment with the stator.
4. The hydro-power generation system of claim 1, further comprising an outer
housing surrounding the housing, wherein the centering rod extends through opposed
ends of the housing and is non-rotatably coupled with the outer housing.
5. The hydro-power generation system of claim 1, wherein the housing is generally
cylindrical with a diameter between about 40 millimeters and about 20 millimeters
and is configured to rotate above about 5000 revolutions-per-minute.
6. The hydro-power generation system of claim 1, wherein each of the bushings
comprise a sleeve having an aperture formed to accommodate the centering rod.
7. The hydro-power generation system of claim 1, further comprising an ultraviolet
light source coupled with the permanent magnet generator, wherein the stator comprises
a plurality of coils configured to be dynamically switchable between a parallel
configuration and a series configuration to provide a first voltage for initial
energization of the ultraviolet light source and a second voltage for continued
energization of the ultraviolet light source.
8. The hydro-power generation system of claim 7, wherein the ultraviolet light
source is one of a mercury lamp and a cold cathode lamp that is initially energized
and continued to be energized without a ballast.
9. A hydro-power generation system, comprising:
an outer housing;
an inner housing positioned to be completely enclosed by the outer housing, the
inner housing comprising a plurality of paddles configured to longitudinally extend
outwardly from an outer surface of the inner housing toward the outer housing;
a centering rod fixedly coupled with the outer housing and extending through
the inner housing, the inner housing rotatable within the outer housing around
the centering rod;
an electrical generator disposed within the inner housing, wherein the electrical
generator comprises a rotor and a stator, the stator is coupled with the centering
rod and the rotor is coupled with an interior surface of the inner housing and
rotates around the stator as the inner housing rotates;
a nozzle penetrating the outer housing, wherein the nozzle is configured to direct
a stream of liquid at the paddles to induce rotation of the inner housing; and
an interior surface of the outer housing comprising ducting configured to minimize
liquid spray within the outer housing.
10. The hydro-power generation system of claim 9, wherein the ducting comprises
a plurality of fingers positioned in a swirl pattern that is formed to efficiently
collect liquid spray within the outer housing.
11. The hydro-power generation system of claim 10, wherein the fingers are each
formed as pyramid shaped members that extend outward from the interior surface
of the outer housing toward the inner housing.
12. The hydro-power generation system of claim 9, wherein the ducting comprises
a center channel, an outer channel, and a plurality of branch channels formed in
a swirl pattern in the interior surface, wherein the swirl pattern is formed based
on a pattern of liquid flung from the inner housing when the inner housing is rotated.
13. The hydro-power generation system of claim 9, wherein the ducting comprises
a plurality of channels and a plurality of fingers, the fingers positioned along
the channels to efficiently collect liquid spray and direct the liquid out of the
outer housing via the channels.
14. The hydro-power generation system of claim 9, wherein the rotation of the
inner housing may be monitored to provide flow based measurements of the stream
of liquid.
15. The hydro-power generation system of claim 9, wherein the nozzle is positioned
to penetrate the outer housing between the inner housing and an outlet included
in the outer housing and provide the stream of liquid with substantially the same
diameter as the diameter of an outlet of the nozzle.
16. The hydro-power generation system of claim 9, wherein the nozzle is configured
to be positioned to penetrate the outer housing to discharge a vertical stream
of liquid toward an outlet included in the outer housing.
17. The hydro-power generation system of claim 9, wherein the ducting is configured
to channel liquid out of the outer housing so that the nozzle and the inner housing
are not submerged in liquid discharged from the nozzle and remain in an airspace
within the outer housing.
18. The hydro-power generation system of claim 9, further comprising a an ultraviolet
light source electrically coupled with the electrical generator, wherein the stator
comprises a plurality of taps that are configured to be dynamically switchable
between a startup voltage to initially energize the ultraviolet light source and
a running state voltage to continue to energize the ultraviolet light source.
19. The hydro-power generation system of claim 18, wherein the ultraviolet light
source is initially energize and continues to be energized without a ballast.
20. The hydro-power generation system of claim 18, wherein the ultraviolet light
source is one of a mercury lamp and a cold cathode lamp.
21. The hydro-power generation system of claim 9, wherein the outer housing comprises
a drain section with an interior surface shaped to receive liquid at a flow trajectory
angle of about twenty degrees or less, wherein the liquid received by the drain
section has previously collided with the paddles.
22. A hydro-power generation system, comprising:
an inner housing comprising a plurality of paddles configured to longitudinally
extend outwardly from an outer surface of the inner housing;
a centering rod non-rotatably extending through the inner housing, the inner
housing rotatable around the centering rod;
an electrical generator disposed within the inner housing, wherein the electrical
generator comprises a rotor and a stator, the stator is coupled with the centering
rod and the rotor is coupled with an interior surface of the inner housing and
rotates around the stator as the inner housing rotates;
a nozzle configured to direct a stream of liquid at the paddles to induce rotation
of the inner housing; and
an outer housing non-rotatably coupled with the centering rod, wherein the outer
housing is formed with a cavity to surround the inner housing and comprises a drain
section configured to receive liquid after impact with the paddles, wherein the
drain section is shaped to receive the liquid at a determined flow trajectory angle
to minimize fluid impedance, wherein the flow trajectory angle is about twenty
degrees or less.
23. The hydro-power generation system of claim 22, wherein the drain section
formed in the shape of a generally cone-shaped rocket nozzle.
24. The hydro-power generation system of claim 22, wherein the outer housing
comprises a nozzle section forming the top of the outer housing that is configured
to receive a vertically positioned nozzle and an inner housing section configured
to partially surround the inner housing to minimize fluid impedance.
25. The hydro-power generation system of claim 22, wherein the inner housing
rotates at above about 5000 revolutions-per-minute in the cavity and the drain
section is configured to evacuate liquid flowing at between about 0.44 liters/minute
and about 4.16 liters/minute to maintain the cavity substantially dry.
26. A hydro-power generation system comprising:
a plumbing fixture;
a housing rotatable disposed in the plumbing fixture, the housing comprising
a plurality of paddles that are generally concaved and positioned to extend outwardly
from an outer surface of the housing;
an electrical generator disposed within the housing, wherein the electrical generator
comprises a rotor coupled with an interior surface of the housing and a stator
fixedly positioned in the housing, wherein the rotor rotates around the stator
to produce electric power as the housing rotates;
a nozzle disposed in the plumbing fixture, the nozzle configured to direct a
stream of liquid at the paddles to induce rotation of the housing;
an electrically operated valve disposed in the plumbing fixture, wherein the
electrically operated valve is configured to supply a flow of liquid to the nozzle;
an energy storage device coupled with the electrical generator and the electrically
operated valve; and
a voltage controller coupled with the electrically operated valve and the energy
storage device, wherein the voltage controller is configured to direct the electrically
operated valve to open when the voltage in the energy storage device is below a
determined threshold level.
27. The hydro-power generation system of claim 26, wherein the housing rotates
at above about 5000 revolutions-per-minute in response to a flow of liquid striking
the paddles in a range between 0.44 liters per minute and 4.16 liters per minute.
28. The hydro-power generation system of claim 26, wherein the housing comprises
a first hub and a second hub configured to be coupled together to maintain the
paddles in position on the outer surface and concentrically surround the electrical generator.
29. The hydro-power generation system of claim 26, wherein liquid flowing through
the nozzle in a range of between about 0.44 liters per minute and about 4.16 liters
per minute results in production of electric power in a range of about 0.25 watts
to about 30 watts.
30. The hydro-power generation system of claim 26, wherein the housing comprises
a plurality of vents positioned concentrically around the outer surface to evacuate
liquid from the housing as the housing is rotated so that the electrical generator
operates substantially dry.
31. The hydro-power generation system of claim 26, wherein the plumbing fixture
is a lavatory fixture.
32. A method of generating power with a hydro-power generation system, the method comprising:
accelerating the velocity of a stream of liquid with only one nozzle;
discharging the stream of liquid out of the nozzle through an airspace to strike
a plurality of paddles, wherein the paddles are generally concaved and extend outward
perpendicular to an outer surface of a housing;
transferring kinetic energy in the stream of liquid to rotational energy of the
housing;
inducing rotation of the housing and a permanent magnet coupled with an interior
surface of the housing with the stream of liquid;
rotating the permanent magnet around a stator non-rotatably positioned in the
housing; and
generating electric power with the rotor and stator further comprising:
channeling liquid away from the housing to avoid submerging either of the housing
and the nozzle in liquid so that the housing and the nozzle are maintained substantially
dry.
33. The method of claim 32, further comprising rotating the housing at about
5000 revolutions-per-minute or above with kinetic energy provided by between about
0.44 liters/minute and 4.16 liters/minute of flowing liquid.
34. The method of claim 32, further comprising evacuating liquid from out of
the housing with a plurality of vents disposed in the surface of the housing so
that the rotor and stator are substantially dry.
35. The method of claim 32, further comprising maintaining the paddles in an
unbroken concentric ring on the outer surface of the housing with contiguously
positioned paddles and compression of the paddles between a first hub and a second
hub that form the housing.
36. The method of claim 32, further comprising suspending the rotor in axial
alignment with the stator with a magnetic field produced by the permanent magnet.
37. The method of claim 32, further comprising maintaining both the housing and
an outer housing in which the housing is confined substantially dry as liquid is
sprayed by the nozzle.
38. The method of claim 32, further comprising shaping the interior surface of
a drain section included in the outer housing to intercept liquid that has collided
with the paddles, wherein the interior surface of the drain section is configured
to receive the liquid at a flow trajectory angle of about 20 degrees or less.
39. The method of claim 32, further comprising capturing liquid spray external
to the housing to minimize liquid impedance, wherein the liquid spray is captured
with a plurality of pyramid shaped members included on an interior surface of an
outer housing that surrounds the housing.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to electric power generation and, more
particularly, to hydroelectric power generation with a miniature hydro-power generation system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hydro-electric power generation in which kinetic energy is extracted
from flowing pressurized water and used to rotate a generator to produce electric
power is known. In addition, use of other pressurized fluids such as gas, steam,
etc, to rotate a generator is known. With large hydro-electric power generation
operated with a large-scale water source such as a river or dam, thousands of megawatts
of power may be generated using millions of gallons of flowing water. As such,
conversion of the kinetic energy in the flowing water to electric power may include
significant inefficiencies and yet still provide an economical and acceptable level
of performance.
As the size of the hydro-electric power generation equipment becomes smaller,
the magnitude of electric power produced also becomes smaller. In addition, the
amount of flowing water from which kinetic energy may be extracted becomes less.
Thus, efficiency of the conversion of the kinetic energy in the flow of water to
electric power becomes significant. When there are too many inefficiencies, only
small amounts of kinetic energy is extracted from the pressurized flowing water.
As a result, the amount of electric power produced diminishes as the size of the
hydro-electric power generation equipment becomes smaller.
There are many small scale systems that include flowing pressurized liquid
and require electric power to operate. Some examples include residential water
treatment systems, automatic plumbing fixtures, flow rate monitors, water testing
equipment, etc.
There are several different types of water treatment systems that include a
carbon-based filter unit and an ultraviolet (UV) light unit to filter and decontaminate
the water before being dispensed for consumption. The carbon-based filter unit
uses inert material to filter out particulate and organic contaminants. Ultraviolet
radiation that is emitted from the ultraviolet light unit is used to neutralize
harmful microorganisms present in the water.
In order to energize the ultraviolet light unit and any other electric power
consuming
systems that may be in the water treatment system, a power source is required.
Conventional water treatment systems use power from a standard electrical outlet
or a battery power source to provide the energy necessary to drive all of the components
in the water treatment system, including the ultraviolet light unit. In the case
of water treatment systems powered by electrical outlets, the system has limited
portability and ceases to operate when there is an interruption in the electrical
outlet power supply.
Water treatment systems operated from battery power sources contain only a
finite supply of energy that is depleted through operation or storage of the water
treatment system. In addition, replacement batteries must be readily available
to keep the water treatment system operable. If a longer-term battery power source
is desired, larger batteries are required that can add considerable weight and
size to the water treatment system.
Some existing water treatment systems are capable of using either the standard
electrical outlets or the battery power sources where the battery power source
can be replenished by the electrical outlet power source. Although these water
treatment systems do not require replacement batteries, the capacity and size of
the batteries dictate the length of operation of the water treatment system while
operating on the battery source. An electrical outlet source must also be utilized
on a regular basis to replenish the batteries. In addition, these water treatment
systems require additional electrical circuits and components to operate from the
two different power sources.
Automatic plumbing fixtures, such as toilet valves and sink faucets may
include an electrically operated valve and a sensor. The sensor may sense the presence
of a user of the automatic plumbing fixture and operate the electrically operated
valve to provide a flow of water in response. Both the electrically operated valve
and the sensor require electric power to operate. The power may be obtained by
installing an electric cable from a power distribution panel to the automatic plumbing
fixture. Where the automatic plumbing fixture is installed in an existing building,
installation of a power distribution panel and/or an electric cable can be costly,
time consuming and difficult.
For the foregoing reasons, a need exists for miniature hydro-electric generation
equipment that is small enough to fit within a system such as a water treatment
system, an automatic plumbing fixture, etc. and is capable of operating with enough
efficiency to produce sufficient power to operate the system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention discloses a miniature hydro-power generation system that
overcomes problems associated with the prior art. The embodiments of the miniature
hydro-power generation system are capable of efficiently providing sufficient power
to operate electrical devices by rotating at high revolutions-per-minute (RPM),
such as above 5000 RPM. High RPM operation is possible due to minimization of losses
and maximizing translation of the kinetic energy in a flowing liquid to rotational
energy to produce electric power.
The hydro-power generation system may include a generally cylindrical housing
having a plurality of paddles positioned to extend outwardly from an outer surface
of the housing. The paddles may be generally concaved and extend perpendicular
from the outer surface of the housing. The hydro-power generation system may also
include a nozzle, a centering rod and an electrical generator. The nozzle may be
configured to direct a stream of high velocity liquid at the paddles to induce
rotation of the housing. The centering rod may extend through a cavity include
in the housing. The housing may rotate around the centering rod in response to
liquid striking the paddles.
The electrical generator may be a permanent magnet generator that is positioned
within the cavity of the housing. The electrical generator includes a rotor coupled
with the housing and a stator coupled with the centering rod. As the housing rotates,
the rotor may be positioned in the housing to rotate around the stator and generate
electric power. The rotor may produce a magnetic field that suspends the rotor
around the stator in axial alignment. The housing may include bushings that surround
the centering rod. Since the rotor is suspended around the stator, the housing
is suspended around the centering rod. The bushings therefore surround the centering
rod with little or no contact between the housing and the centering rod to reduce
rotational friction and further improve efficiency as the housing rotates.
The housing may be formed from a first hub coupled with a second hub to form
the cavity. The paddles may be held between the first and second hubs when the
first and second hubs are engaged. The paddles may form a ring of paddles that
concentrically surrounds the housing. The housing may also include a plurality
of vents that are configured to evacuate liquid from the cavity when the housing
rotates to reduce fluid impedance. The cavity therefore remains substantially dry
as the paddles are subject to a stream of liquid from the nozzle and the housing
rotates at high RPM.
The housing may be positioned completely within an outer housing. The outer housing
may include an interior surface and an outlet. The interior surface may include
ducting to reduce liquid spray and therefore reduce fluid impedance when the stream
of liquid is directed at the paddles. The ducting may include fingers and channels
to reduce the liquid spray and also channel liquid out of the outer housing. The
fingers and channels may be configured in a swirl pattern on the interior surface
based on the dispersion pattern of liquid being flung from the rotating housing.
Liquid may be continuously channeled out of the outer housing by the ducting so
that the outer housing remains substantially dry. The inner housing and the nozzle
may therefore operate without being submerged in the liquid to further reduce fluid
impedance and improve efficient energy transfer.
The hydro-power generation system may also include a plumbing fixture such as
an automatic toilet flush fixture. The plumbing fixture may include an electrically
operated valve, an energy storage device, a power controller, a sensor and a generator.
The generator may produce electric power from a flow of liquid as previously described.
The electric power may be stored in the energy storage device and used to energize
the power controller, the sensor and the electrically operated valve. When the
sensor senses use of the toilet, the electrically operated valve may be energized
to open and provide a flow of liquid. The flow of liquid may be used by the generator
to produce electric power to re-charge the energy storage device. The power controller
may monitor the level of stored power in the energy storage device. If the level
of stored power becomes low, the power controller may activate the electrically
operated valve to open, and the generator may re-charge the energy storage device.
These and other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent
upon consideration of the following detailed description of the presently preferred
embodiments, viewed in conjunction with the appended drawings. The foregoing discussion
has been provided only by way of introduction. Nothing in this section should be
taken as a limitation on the following claims, which define the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a water treatment system coupled to one embodiment of the
hydro-power generation system.
FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section of one embodiment of the nozzle illustrated
in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 illustrates the water treatment system and the hydro-power generation
system illustrated in FIG. 1 rotated 90 degrees with a portion of the hydro-power
generation system sectioned away.
FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-section of another embodiment of the hydro-power
generation system.
FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-section of the nozzle illustrated in FIG. 4 taken
along line 5—5.
FIG. 6 illustrates the hydro-power generation system illustrated in FIG. 4 rotated
90 degrees with a portion of the hydro-power generation system sectioned away.
FIG. 7 represents a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the hydro-power
generation system coupled to the water treatment system.
FIG. 8 represents a top view of the embodiment of the hydro-power generation
system illustrated in FIG. 7 with a portion of the stator housing sectioned away.
FIG. 9 represents a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the hydro-power
generation system.
FIG. 10 represents a cross-sectional view of a portion of the hydro-power generation
system of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 represents a side view of another embodiment of the hydro-power generation system.
FIG. 12 represents an end view of a nozzle illustrated in FIG. 11.
FIG. 13 represents a cross-sectional view of the nozzle illustrated in FIG.
12 taken along line 13—13.
FIG. 14 represents another cross-sectional view of the nozzle illustrated in
FIG. 12 taken along line 14—14.
FIG. 15 represents a cross-sectional view of a portion of an outer housing of
the hydro-power generation system illustrated in FIG. 11 taken along line 15—15.
FIG. 16 represents a side view of the hydro-power generation system illustrated
in FIG. 11 with an inner housing removed.
FIG. 17 represents a cross-sectional view of a bottom portion of the outer housing
of the hydro-power generation system illustrated in FIG. 11 taken along line 17—17.
FIG. 18 represents an exploded perspective view of an inner housing included
in the hydro-power generation system illustrated in FIG. 11.
FIG. 19 represents a perspective view of a paddle included in the hydro-power
generation system illustrated in FIG. 11.
FIG. 20 represents a cross-sectional view of the paddle illustrated in FIG.
19 taken along line 20—20.
FIG. 21 represents a perspective view of a hydro-power generation system that
includes a plumbing fixture.
FIG. 22 represents a cross-sectional side view of the plumbing fixture illustrated
in FIG. 21.
FIG. 23 represents a schematic diagram of an example of a power controller included
in the plumbing fixture of FIG. 22.
FIG. 24 represents a schematic diagram of another example of a power controller
included in the plumbing fixture of FIG. 22.
FIG. 25 is a process flow diagram illustrating operation of the hydro-power
generation system within the plumbing fixture of FIGS. 21-24.
FIG. 26 represents a partially cross-sectioned side view of another embodiment
of the hydro-power generation system.
FIG. 27 represents another cross-sectional side view of the hydro-power generation
system of FIG. 26.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
The exemplary embodiments of the invention are set forth below with reference
to specific configurations, and those skilled in the art would recognize various
changes and modifications could be made to the specific configurations while remaining
within the scope of the claims. The presently preferred embodiments may be used
with any system that requires a power supply and includes a water flow; however,
the embodiments are designed for systems such as a water treatment system for residential
or portable use, a plumbing fixtures, etc. Those skilled in the art would also
recognize that the embodiments could be used with liquids other than water and
use of the term "water" and "hydro" should not be construed as a limitation.
FIG. 1 is a side view of a water treatment system
10 connected with a
preferred hydro-power generation system
12. In this embodiment, the hydro-power
generation system
12 includes a nozzle
14, a housing
16, an
impeller
18 and a housing outlet
20. The nozzle
14 is coupled
with the water treatment system
10 by a conduit
22. The conduit
22
may be formed of PVC plastic or similar material and may be coupled to the nozzle
14 by threaded connection, friction fit or some other similar connection mechanism.
During operation, pressurized water flows from the water treatment system
10 into the hydro-power generation system
12 via the nozzle
14
as illustrated by arrow
24. The nozzle
14 is coupled with the housing
16 such that water flows through the nozzle
14 and is forced through
the housing
16 to the housing outlet
20. In alternative embodiments,
the hydro-power generation system
12 may be positioned within the water
treatment system
10 or positioned to receive a supply of pressurized water
before the water enters the water treatment system
10.
FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section of one embodiment of the nozzle
14.
The preferred nozzle
14 is a sonic nozzle that increases the velocity of
pressurized water flowing therethrough. In this embodiment, the nozzle
14
is capable of increasing the velocity of the water to sub-sonic speed. The nozzle
14 is formed of stainless steel or some other similar rigid material and
includes a nozzle inlet
26 and a nozzle outlet
28. The nozzle inlet
26 is coupled to the water treatment system
10 as previously discussed.
The nozzle outlet
28 is coupled to the housing
16 by friction fit,
snap-fit, threaded connection or some other similar coupling mechanism capable
of forming a watertight connection therebetween. The nozzle
14 may penetrate
the housing
16 in any location that provides proper alignment of the nozzle
14 with the impeller
18 as will be hereinafter discussed.
The nozzle
14 includes a passageway
30 that provides for the flow
of water therethrough. The passageway
30 is formed to be a first predetermined
diameter
32 at the nozzle inlet
26 and a second predetermined diameter
34 at the nozzle outlet
28. In this embodiment, the second predetermined
diameter
34 is about twenty-six percent of the first predetermined diameter
32. The passageway
30 remains the first predetermined diameter
32
for a predetermined length of the nozzle
14. The remaining portion of the
passageway
30 is conically shaped by uniformly tapering the passageway
30
to the second predetermined diameter
34. In this embodiment, the passageway
30 of the nozzle
14 tapers at an angle of approximately 18 degrees
between the first predetermined diameter
32 and the second predetermined
diameter
34.
The configuration of the passageway
30 determines the velocity of the
water exiting from the nozzle
14. In addition, the velocity of the water
at the nozzle outlet
28 is dependent on the pressure of the water source
and the back pressure downstream of the nozzle
14. A desirable predetermined
range of the velocity at the nozzle outlet
28 may be determined using an
expected range of pressure provided by the water treatment system
10 (illustrated
in FIG. 1) at the nozzle inlet
26. For example, in a household water system,
the pressure of the water supply is in a range of about twenty to sixty pounds-per-square-inch
(PSI). The passageway
30 also provides a continuous and uniform stream of
water at the nozzle outlet
28. During operation water flowing through the
nozzle
14 flows into the housing
16 within a predetermined range
of velocities and with a predetermined trajectory.
Referring back to FIG. 1, the housing
16 forms a conduit that may
be composed of plastic or some other similar waterproof material capable of forming
a rigid passageway for water. In this embodiment, the housing
16 includes
a translucent portion as illustrated in FIG. 1 to allow viewing of the interior
of the housing
16. The housing
16 is formed to encompass the impeller
18 that is in fluid communication with water as the water flows through
the housing
16 after exiting the nozzle outlet
28.
The impeller
18 includes a plurality of blades
42 that are rigidly
fastened to a hub
44. The blades
42 are positioned in the housing
16 such that water flowing from the nozzle
14 impinges upon the blades
42 of the impeller
18 at a predetermined angle. The predetermined
angle is determined based on the expected pressure of the water at the nozzle inlet
26, the back pressure at the nozzle outlet
28 and the desired revolutions-per-minute
(RPM) of the impeller
18. During operation, the flowing water acts on the
impeller
18 causing it to rotate in a single direction within the housing
16. As discussed in detail below, as the impeller
18 rotates, this
embodiment of the hydro-power generation system
12 converts the energy in
the flowing water to rotational energy, which is then converted to electricity.
In this embodiment, the impeller
18 is submerged in the water flowing through
the housing
16.
FIG. 3 illustrates the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 rotated 90 degrees with
a portion of the housing
16 sectioned away. As illustrated, the impeller
18 is coaxially fastened to a generator
46 by a longitudinal extending
shaft
48. The shaft
48 may be stainless steel or some other similar
rigid material that is fixedly coupled with the impeller
18. The hub
44
of the impeller
18 is coaxially coupled to one end of the shaft
48
and a generator shaft
50
