Self-powered miniature liquid treatment system with configurable hydropower generator

• US 20070120368A1
• Filed: 09/15/2006
• Published: 05/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC (Alticor Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC (Alticor Incorporated)
• Inventors: Houghton, Christopher, Leppien, Thomas, Baarman, David, McPhilliamy, Stephen, Lautzenheiser, Terry
• Granted Patent: US 7,663,257 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/43
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/001 Processes for the treatment of water whereby the filtration technique is of importance C02F1/44 takes precedence; construction of filters in general B01D24/00 - B01D41/00
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/008 Control or steering systems not provided for elsewhere in subclass C02F
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/283 using coal, charred products, or inorganic mixtures containing them
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/32 with ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/325 Irradiation devices or lamp constructions
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/009 Apparatus with independent power supply, e.g. solar cells, windpower, fuel cells for electrolysis apparatus C02F2201/46165
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/3222 Units using UV-light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/326 Lamp control systems
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/005 Processes using a programmable logic controller [PLC]
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/006 comprising a software program or a logic diagram
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2307/06 Mounted on or being part of a faucet, shower handle or showerhead
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 9/20 Portable or detachable small-scale multistage treatment devices, e.g. point of use or laboratory water purification systems
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/08 Jet regulators or jet guides, e.g. anti-splash devices
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 2201/40 Arrangement of water treatment devices in domestic plumbing installations
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 1/00 Engines of impulse type, i.e. turbines with jets of high-velocity liquid impinging on blades or like rotors, e.g. Pelton wheels; Parts or details peculiar thereto
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 13/00 Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus if the apparatus aspects are predominant, see the relevant subclasses for such apparatus, e.g. H02K7/18; Power stations or aggregates incorporating only machines or engines of positive-displacement type F03C; hydraulic engineering aspects E02B; combinations with wind energy converters F03D9/008
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2220/602 with energy recovery turbines
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/2411 Pelton type
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1823 structurally associated with turbines or similar engines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/212 Solar-powered wastewater sewage treatment, e.g. spray evaporation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/50 : Hydropower in dwellings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/20 : Hydro energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/30 : Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 : Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49009 : Dynamoelectric machine
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49229 : Prime mover or fluid pump making

Abstract

A liquid treatment system that may be self-powered includes a hydro-generator. A flow of liquid may be used to rotate the hydro-generator to generate electric power. The hydro-generator may include an outer housing and an inner housing. The inner housing may include a first hub removably engaged with a second hub. A plurality of paddles may be replaceably engaged between the first hub and the second hub. An electrical generator may be disposed in the inner housing. A flow of liquid may strike the paddles causing the inner housing to rotate. During rotation of the housing, the electrical generator may produce electrical power.

Claims

1-105. -105. (canceled)

106. A hydro-power generation system, comprising:

a housing;

a first hub forming a portion of the housing;

a second hub that is fixedly engageable with the first hub, the second hub also forming a portion of the housing; and

a plurality of paddles formed with a base configured to engage with both the first hub and the second hub when the first and second hubs are engaged, so that the paddles extend outwardly from the housing.

107. The hydro-power generation system of claim 106, further comprising an electrical generator disposed within the housing, wherein the housing is rotatable to induce the generation of electrical power by the electrical generator.

108. The hydro-generation system of claim 107, wherein the electrical generator includes a stator and a rotor, the rotor rotatable with the housing, and the stator disposed in the housing to be stationary adjacent the rotor.

109. The hydro-generation system of claim 106, further comprising a centering rod, wherein the first hub and the second hub each include a bushing opposite an open end, the bushing configured to receive and be rotatable around the centering rod, and the open end of the first hub engageable with the open end of the second hub.

110. The hydro-generation system of claim 106, wherein the first hub and the second hub each include a plurality of lugs, the lugs formed to contact each other and also to form slots that are configured to receive the paddles when the first hub is engaged with the second hub.

111. The hydro-generation system of claim 107, wherein at least one of the first hub or the second hub, or the combination thereof includes a plurality of keepers disposed on an inner surface, wherein the keepers are configured to be coupled with a magnet included in the electrical generator.

112. A hydro-power generation system, comprising:

an outer housing;

an inner housing confined within the outer housing, the inner housing comprising a first hub engageable with a second hub to form a cavity inside the first and second hubs, the inner housing also comprising a plurality of paddles configured to be held between the first and second hubs when the first and second hubs are engaged; and

a centering rod non-rotatably coupled with the outer housing and extending through the inner housing, the inner housing rotatable within the outer housing around the centering rod.

113. The hydro power generation system of claim 112, further comprising an electrical generator disposed within the inner housing, wherein the electrical generator comprises a stator coupled with the centering rod and a rotor coupled with an interior surface of the inner housing, wherein the rotor rotates in proximity to the stator as the inner housing rotates.

114. The hydro power generation system of claim 112, further comprising 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.

115. The hydro-power generation system of claim 112, wherein each of the first and second hubs comprises a plurality of lugs that are interlocked when the first and second hubs are engaged.

116. The hydro-power generation system of claim 112, wherein an interior surface of the outer housing comprises ducting configured to minimize liquid spray in the outer housing and to channel the liquid out of the outer housing to maintain the outer housing substantially empty of liquid.

117. The hydro-power generation system of claim 112, wherein the inner housing comprises a plurality of vents configured to allow liquid communication between the cavity and the outer housing, the vents configured to evacuate liquid from the cavity to maintain the cavity substantially empty of liquid when the inner housing is rotated.

118. The hydro-power generation system of claim 112, wherein each of the paddles are generally concaved and are positioned on an outer surface of the inner housing perpendicular to the centering rod and outwardly extended from the inner housing toward the outer housing.

119. The hydro-power generation system of claim 112, wherein the paddles are configured to contact one another to form an unbroken ring concentric with the inner housing.

120. The hydro-power generation system of claim 112, wherein the paddles each comprise a foot configured to be fixedly held by contact between the first hub and the second hub.

121. The hydro-power generation system of claim 112, wherein the paddles each comprise a foot having a first angled surface and a second angled surface, wherein the first angled surface and the second angled surface are configured to contact the first hub and the second hub, respectively.

122. The hydro-power generation system of claim 112, wherein each of the paddles comprise a face surface and a back surface, the face surface of each of the paddles contacting a back surface of another of the paddles to form an unbroken ring concentrically surrounding the inner housing.

123. The hydro-power generation system of claim 112, wherein the rotor comprises a keeper ring coupled with a magnet, a portion of the keeper ring and the magnet positioned in each of the first hub and the second hub.

124. A method of manufacturing a hydro-generation system, the method comprising:

providing a first hub and a second hub;

providing a plurality of paddles, each paddle including a base;

positioning the base of the paddles in a plurality of lugs disposed on at least one of the first hub or the second hub, or a combination thereof;

engaging the first hub and the second hub to form a housing; and

maintaining the base of paddles between the first hub and the second hub in a plurality of slots formed by the lugs so that the paddles extend away from the housing.

125. The method of claim 124, wherein engaging the first hub and the second hub comprises the further step of positioning an electrical generator to be disposed within the housing.

126. The method of claim 125, wherein the electrical generator includes a rotor and a stator, and wherein positioning an electrical generator to be disposed within the housing comprises the further steps of coupling the rotor to an inner surface of the housing and positioning the stator in the housing to be proximate the rotor.

127. The method of claim 124, wherein engaging the first hub and the second hub comprises the further step of positioning a centering rod to extend through the housing along a central axis of the housing.

128. The method of claim 124, wherein the housing is rotatable around a centering rod, and engaging the first hub and the second hub comprises extending the centering rod through a bushing included on each of the first hub and the second hub.

129. The method of claim 124, wherein providing a first hub and a second hub comprises forming a plurality of vents in at least one of the first hub or the second hub, or the combination thereof, wherein the vents are operable to provide at least one of liquid flow or gas flow, or the combination thereof, into and out of the housing.