Hydroelectric in-pipe generator

• US 20080290663A1
• Filed: 05/21/2008
• Published: 11/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mesa Associates, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Joseph Salvatore Shifrin
• Inventors: Shifrin, Joseph Salvatore
• Granted Patent: US 7,579,703 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/52
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 13/105 Bulb groups
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2220/20 within closed fluid conduits, e.g. pipes
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2220/7062 of the direct current (D.C.) type
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2260/4031 as in toothed gearing
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2260/74 by turning around an axis perpendicular the rotor centre line
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/20 Hydro energy

Abstract

The present device provides an in-pipe turbine generator having a conduit, a plurality of runner blades positioned within the conduit, and a pitch adjustment mechanism whereby the pitch of the runner blades may be varied. The pitch adjustment mechanism further includes pitch adjustment screws that are positioned on a tangential flat on the master pitch adjustment bevel gear. Rotation of the pitch adjustment screw rotates the master pitch adjustment bevel gear thereby rotating the blade hub gears and the runner blades. Runner blade torque and angular velocity is transferred to a DC power generator and may be converted to AC power.

Claims

1. An in-pipe turbine generator comprising:

a) a conduit;

b) a plurality of runner blades positioned within the conduit;

c) a pitch adjustment mechanism whereby the pitch of the runner blades may be varied;

d) a means for imparting kinetic energy to the runner blades creating torque and angular velocity; and

e) a means for transferring torque and angular velocity to a DC power generator.

2. The in-pipe turbine generator of claim 1 wherein the means for transferring torque and angular velocity to a DC power generator further comprises a generator coupling.

3. The in-pipe turbine generator of claim 2 wherein the means for transferring torque and angular velocity to a DC power generator further comprises a gearbox.

4. The in-pipe turbine generator of claim 1 wherein the means for imparting kinetic energy to the runner blades creating torque and angular velocity comprises the passage of a fluid through the conduit.

5. The in-pipe turbine generator of claim 1 wherein power produced by the DC generator is converted to AC power.

6. The in-pipe turbine generator of claim 1 wherein the pitch adjustment mechanism comprises at least one pitch adjustment screw.

7. The in-pipe turbine generator of claim 1 wherein the pitch adjustment mechanism further comprises:

(i) a master pitch adjustment bevel gear; and

(ii) runner blade hub gears wherein the hub gears are keyed to the runner blades.

8. The in-pipe turbine generator of claim 7 wherein the pitch adjustment mechanism further comprises at least one pitch adjustment screw positioned on a tangential flat on the master pitch adjustment bevel gear wherein rotation of the pitch adjustment screw rotates the master pitch adjustment bevel gear thereby rotating the blade hub gears and the runner blades.