RUN-OF-RIVER HYDROELECTRIC POWER GENERATION APPARATUS

• US 20100295313A1
• Filed: 03/05/2010
• Published: 11/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Smart Energy Inc., Thermaflow Energy Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Thermaflow Energy Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: CHEN, Shih-Hsiung
• Application Number:
  US12/718,426
• Publication Number:
  US 20100295313A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/54
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 17/061 with rotation axis substantially in flow direction
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/133 with a convergent-divergent guiding structure, e.g. a Venturi conduit
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2260/4021 through belt drives
• 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

Abstract

A hydroelectric power generation apparatus includes a buoy having a buoyancy for floating on a water surface, an electric generator including a rotating shaft installed at a top surface of the buoy, a hollow case tapered from both ends towards the center of the case, and a side of the case being coupled to the bottom of the buoy and a vane wheel installed at the bottom of the buoy and including a wheel shaft and a plurality of vanes installed in the case, and a transmission belt installed around both wheel shaft and rotating shaft for providing a transmission between the wheel shaft and the rotating shaft, such that when the water current flows through the vanes to drive the wheel shaft to rotate, the transmission of the transmission belt drives the rotating shaft of the electric generator to rotate, so as to generate electric energy.

Claims

1. A run-of-water hydroelectric power generation apparatus, applied to a river with a water current, and comprising:

a buoy, having a buoyancy, and floating on a water surface of the river;

an electric generator, including a rotating shaft, and installed at a top surface of the buoy;

a case, being a hollow case, with both ends tapered towards the center of the case to form an expanded opening shape, and a side of the case being coupled to a bottom surface of the buoy;

a vane wheel, installed in the case, and including a wheel shaft, and a plurality of vanes disposed on a side of the wheel shaft; and

a transmission belt, installed around the wheel shaft and the rotating shaft, for providing a transmission between the wheel shaft and the rotating shaft.

2. The run-of-water hydroelectric power generation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the buoy further includes a warning lamp installed at the top surface of the buoy and electrically coupled to the electric generator for alerting a breakdown of the electric generator.

3. The run-of-water hydroelectric power generation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the buoy further includes a rudder installed on a side of the buoy for balancing the buoy.

4. The run-of-water hydroelectric power generation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electric generator further includes an electric storage battery for storing an electric energy.

5. The run-of-water hydroelectric power generation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the case includes a board disposed on a side of the case for connecting the case to the bottom surface of the buoy.

6. The run-of-water hydroelectric power generation apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a fixed stand coupled to another side of the wheel shaft, and the fixed stand being also coupled to an internal wall of the case for fixing the wheel shaft.

7. The run-of-water hydroelectric power generation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmission belt is a belt.

8. The run-of-water hydroelectric power generation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmission belt is a chain.

9. The run-of-water hydroelectric power generation apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an anchor device installed at a bottom surface of the buoy for anchoring the bottom of the river.

10. The run-of-water hydroelectric power generation apparatus of claim 9, wherein the anchor device is installed to the case for anchoring the bottom of the river.

11. The run-of-water hydroelectric power generation apparatus of claim 9, wherein the case includes a hook ring for passing the anchor device.

12. The run-of-water hydroelectric power generation apparatus of claim 9, wherein the anchor device is a cable.

13. The run-of-water hydroelectric power generation apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a protective net installed at an end of the case where the water current is entered.