Flow generator for use in connection with a utility conduit

• US 20090236852A1
• Filed: 03/21/2008
• Published: 09/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alfiero Balzano
• Original Assignee: Alfiero Balzano
• Inventors: Balzano, Alfiero
• Granted Patent: US 7,768,146 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/43
• 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 2220/60 making use of surplus or waste energy
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2220/604 for domestic central heating or production of electricity
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/50 Hydropower in dwellings

Abstract

There is provided a power generation and distribution system for use in combination with a utility conduit having fluid passing therethrough. The power generation and distribution system includes a rotation element disposable within the utility conduit. The rotation element rotates in response to fluid passing within the utility conduit. A power generator is in mechanical communication with the rotation element, and generates power in response to rotation of the rotation element. This system also includes a power distributor in electrical communication with the power generator and electrically connectable to a power outlet to distribute power thereto.

Claims

1. A power generation and distribution system for use in combination with a utility conduit having fluid passing therethrough, the power generation and distribution system comprising:

a rotation element disposable within the utility conduit, the rotation element being rotatable in response to fluid passing within the utility conduit;

a power generator in mechanical communication with the rotation element, the power generator generating power in response to rotation of the rotation element; and

a power distributor in electrical communication with the power generator and electrically connectable to a power outlet to distribute power thereto.

2. The power generation and distribution system of claim 1 further includes a power generation management circuit in electrical communication with the power generator, the power generation management circuit being operative to log the amount of power generated by the power generator.

3. The power generation and distribution system of claim 1 further includes a power distribution management circuit in electrical communication with the power distributor, the power distribution management circuit being operative to log the amount of power distributed by the power distributor.

4. The power generation and distribution system of claim 1 wherein the utility conduit defines a conduit longitudinal axis and a conduit opening having an opening cross sectional area orthogonal to the conduit longitudinal axis, the rotation element being disposable within the opening cross sectional area.

5. The power generation and distribution system of claim 1 wherein the rotation element includes a plurality of flutes.

6. The power generation and distribution system of claim 1 wherein the utility conduit defines a conduit longitudinal axis and the rotation element is rotatable about a rotation axis, the rotation element disposed within the utility conduit with the rotation axis being orthogonally relative to the conduit longitudinal axis.

7. The power generation and distribution system of claim 1 wherein the rotation element includes a rotation wheel and a rotation rod.

8. The power generation and distribution system of claim 7 wherein the rotation wheel is detachably connected to the rotation rod.

9. The power generation and distribution system of claim 1 further comprising a pressure control circuit being operative to regulate fluid pressure within the utility conduit.

10. The power generation and distribution system of claim 9 wherein the pressure control circuit is in operable communication with the rotation element, and the rotation element is detachably engaged to the power generator, the pressure control circuit being operative to regulate fluid pressure within the utility conduit by selectively detaching the rotation element from the power generator.

11. The power generation and distribution system of claim 10 further comprising a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the utility conduit to generate pressure data in response to the fluid pressure within the utility conduit.

12. The power generation and distribution system of claim 11 wherein the pressure sensor is downstream of the rotation element.

13. The power generation and distribution system of claim 11 wherein the pressure control circuit is in electrical communication with the pressure sensor, the pressure control circuit being operative to disengage the rotation element from the power generator in response to received pressure data from the pressure sensor.

14. The power generation and distribution system of claim 13 wherein the pressure control circuit is programmable to establish a minimum pressure at which the rotation element disengages from the power generator.

15. The power generation and distribution system of claim 9 wherein the pressure control circuit is in electrical communication with the power generator, rotational resistance within the power generator being created by magnetic reluctance associated with the power generator, the pressure control circuit being operative to regulate the reluctance within the power generator.

16. The power generation and distribution system of claim 15 further comprising a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the utility conduit to generate pressure data related to the fluid pressure within the utility conduit, the pressure control circuit being operative to regulate the magnetic reluctance within the power generator in response to received pressure data from the pressure sensor.

17. The power generation and distribution system of claim 1 further comprising a secondary flow path in fluid communication with the utility conduit, the secondary flow path having a flow input upstream of the rotation element and a flow output downstream of the rotation element.

18. The power generation and distribution system of claim 1 further comprising a pressure control valve in fluid communication with the utility conduit to control the flow of fluid between the utility conduit and the secondary flow path.

19. A power generation and distribution network for use in combination with a utility conduit having fluid passing therethrough, the power generation and distribution system comprising:

a plurality of power generator assemblies, each power generator assembly including;

a rotation element disposable within the utility conduit, the rotation element rotating in response to fluid passing within the utility conduit; and

a power generator in mechanical communication with the rotation element, the power generator generating power in response to rotation of the rotation element; and

a power distributor in electrical communication with the plurality of power generator assemblies and electrically connectable to a plurality of power outlets to distribute power thereto.

20. The power generation and distribution network as recited in claim 19 wherein the power distributor includes a power storage unit to store power received from the plurality of power generator assemblies.

21. The power generation and distribution network of claim 19 further comprising a power generation management circuit in electrical communication with the plurality of power generators assemblies, the power generation management circuit being operative to log the amount of power generated by the plurality of power generator assemblies.

22. The power generation and distribution network of claim 21 wherein the power generation management circuit is capable of logging the amount of power generated by each power generator assembly.

23. The power generation and distribution network of claim 19 further comprising a power distribution management circuit in electrical communication with the power distributor, the power distribution management circuit being operative to log the amount of power distributed by the power distributor.

24. The power generation and distribution network of claim 19 further comprising a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the utility conduit to generate pressure data related to the fluid pressure within the utility conduit.

25. The power generation and distribution network of claim 24 further comprising a pressure control circuit in electrical communication with the pressure sensor, the pressure control circuit being operative to regulate fluid pressure within the utility conduit in response to received pressure data.