Integrated Hydroelectric Power-Generating System and Energy Storage Device

• US 20100181771A1
• Filed: 01/21/2010
• Published: 07/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: American Hydro Jet Corporation
• Original Assignee: American Hydro Jet Corporation
• Inventors: Roos, Paul W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,536,723 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/52
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 3/04 with substantially axial flow throughout rotors, e.g. propeller turbines rotors per se F03B3/126
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 3/18 Stator blades; Guide conduits or vanes, e.g. adjustable conduits in dams or the like F03B13/08; arrangement of valves F03B11/004
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1823 structurally associated with turbines or similar engines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/20 Hydro energy

Abstract

A hydroelectric power-generating apparatus comprising: (1) a fluid inlet, (2) a diffuser having (a) at least one vane supporting a diffuser hub and (b) a rotor rotatably supported by the diffuser hub and having (i) impeller blades, (ii) an impeller hub, and (iii) a shroud at the periphery of the rotor, the shroud including at least one magnet, and (3) a housing surrounding the shroud and having a rigidly-attached stator including laminations and at least one electrical coil, whereby a flow of fluid through the diffuser and rotor causes the rotation of the rotor and the at least one magnet induces an electric current in the at least one coil.

Claims

1. Hydroelectric power-generating apparatus comprising:

a fluid inlet;

a diffuser having (1) at least one vane supporting a diffuser hub and (2) a rotor rotatably supported by the diffuser hub and having;

(a) impeller blades;

(b) an impeller hub; and

(c) a shroud at the periphery of the rotor, the shroud including at least one magnet mounted thereto; and

a housing surrounding the shroud and having a rigidly-attached stator including laminations and at least one electrical coil,

whereby a flow of fluid through the diffuser and rotor causes the rotation of the rotor and the at least one magnet induces an electric current in the at least one coil.

2. The hydroelectric power-generating apparatus of claim 1 wherein the diffuser is removably attached to the housing.

3. The hydroelectric power-generating apparatus of claim 1 wherein the stator is encapsulated with composite material to prevent fluid contact with the laminations and the at least one coil.

4. The hydroelectric power-generating apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing has cooling grooves to cool the stator.

5. The hydroelectric power-generating apparatus of claim 1 wherein the stator is segmented.

6. The hydroelectric power-generating apparatus of claim 5 wherein the stator and the at least one coil are removable.

7. The hydroelectric power-generating apparatus of claim 5 wherein the stator segments are held in place by spacer segments removably fastened to the housing.

8. The hydroelectric power-generating apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one rotor magnet is held in place by a band around the shroud.

9. The hydroelectric power-generating apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rotor is segmented and each rotor segment has one or more impeller blades.

10. The hydroelectric power-generating apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one magnet is placed at the tip(s) of the one or more impeller blades.

11. The hydroelectric power-generating apparatus of claim 1 further including an electronic commutation controller configured to reduce or increase the generator output by increasing or reducing the torque load to control water flow through the generator.

12. The hydroelectric power-generating apparatus of claim 1 further including an electronic commutation controller connected to the at least one coil and configured to maintain a fixed AC output frequency by controlling the torque load on the stator.

13. The hydroelectric power-generating apparatus of claim 1 further including an electronic commutation controller connected to the at least one coil and configured to maximize the generator output as the fluid flow varies.

14. The hydroelectric power-generating apparatus of claim 1 further including an electronic commutation controller connected to the at least one coil and configured to switch from a power-generation mode to an electric motor mode, thereby changing the turbine into a pump.

15. The hydroelectric power-generating apparatus of claim 1 further including a penstock connected to the fluid inlet directing fluid from an upstream fluid level through the hydroelectric power-generating apparatus to a lower downstream fluid level.

16. The hydroelectric power-generating apparatus of claim 15 wherein the apparatus is placed below the lower downstream fluid level, and the function of the hydroelectric power-generating apparatus is reversed by applying an electric current to the at least one coil, thereby causing the apparatus to pump fluid up the penstock to the upstream fluid level, thereby storing power.

17. The hydroelectric power-generating apparatus of claim 15 wherein the penstock is configured as a siphon reaching up to the upstream fluid level to siphon water into the penstock.

18. The hydroelectric power-generating apparatus of claim 17 wherein the apparatus is placed below the lower downstream fluid level, and the function of the hydroelectric power-generating apparatus is reversed by applying an electric current to the at least one coil, thereby causing the apparatus to pump fluid up the penstock and siphon to the upstream fluid level until the siphon is primed.

19. The hydroelectric power-generating apparatus of claim 17 further including a shut-off valve placed between the apparatus and the penstock, and a fluid supply valve placed in the siphon, such that when the shut-off valve is closed and fluid is supplied through the fluid supply valve, the penstock fills with fluid until the penstock overflows, thereby priming the siphon.

20. The hydroelectric power-generating apparatus of claim 18 further including a vacuum pump to prime the siphon by drawing a vacuum at the high point of the siphon.

21. The hydroelectric power-generating apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus is placed at the base of a weir.

22. The hydroelectric power-generating apparatus of claim 20 wherein the apparatus configured to be removably attached to the weir.

23. The hydroelectric power-generating apparatus of claim 1 further including a slide mechanism supporting the apparatus and allowing the apparatus to be moved from an operating position into a service position.

24. The hydroelectric power-generating apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus is submersed in the fluid flow and the flow drives the apparatus.

25. The hydroelectric power-generating apparatus of claim 24 wherein the apparatus is mounted on a skid.

26. The hydroelectric power-generating apparatus of claim 25 wherein the entire apparatus is configured to rotate in the waterway to align itself with the fluid flow to capture maximum flow.

27. The hydroelectric power-generating apparatus of claim 24 further including at least one float on which the apparatus is placed.

28. Hydroelectric power-generating apparatus including a turbine and generator wherein the apparatus is mounted on a skid for submersed operation on the bottom of a waterway.

29. The hydroelectric power-generating apparatus of claim 28 including a plurality of turbines rotatably connected to the generator substantially in-line thereto via one or more couplings and one or more drive shafts, thereby increasing the total power generated by the apparatus.

30. The hydroelectric power-generating apparatus of claim 28 further wherein the plurality turbines is connected to the generator via drive belts, thereby increasing the total power generated by the apparatus.

31. Hydroelectric power-generating apparatus including at least one submersible float, thereby enabling the apparatus to be submerged.

32. The hydroelectric power-generating apparatus of claim 31 including a plurality of turbines rotatably connected to the generator substantially in-line thereto via one or more couplings and one or more drive shafts, thereby increasing the total power generated by the apparatus.

33. The hydroelectric power-generating apparatus of claim 31 further wherein the plurality turbines is connected to the generator via drive belts, thereby increasing the total power generated by the apparatus.

34. The hydroelectric power-generating apparatus of claim 31 wherein a gas is used to control the submersion and floatation of the at least one float.

35. The hydroelectric power-generating apparatus of claim 31 further including a buoy connected to the at least one float to indicate the location of the apparatus while submerged.

36. The hydroelectric power-generating system of claim 35 wherein the buoy includes a gas connection to control the submersion and floatation of the at least one float.

37. The hydroelectric power-generating apparatus of claim 31 further including at least two floats, and the apparatus is further configured to revolve to place the apparatus in an above-water service position.

38. The hydroelectric power-generating apparatus of claim 31 wherein the apparatus is configured to be launched and retrieved from a trailer.

39. A hydroelectric power-generating system including a plurality of hydroelectric power-generating devices placed in series in a penstock which directs fluid from an upstream fluid level through the hydroelectric power-generating devices downstream, each device having:

a fluid inlet;

a diffuser having (1) at least one vane supporting a diffuser hub and (2) a rotor rotatably supported by the diffuser hub and having;

(a) impeller blades;

(b) an impeller hub; and

(c) a shroud at the periphery of the rotor, the shroud carrying at least one magnet; and

a housing surrounding the shroud and having a rigidly-attached stator including laminations and at least one electrical coil,

whereby a flow of fluid through the diffusers and rotors causes the rotation of the rotors and the magnets, thereby inducing an electric current in the coils.