Fluid pipe generator

• US 4,488,055 A
• Filed: 03/10/1982
• Issued: 12/11/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James Toyama
• Original Assignee: James Toyama
• Inventors: Toyama, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Grimley, A. T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Flower, Terry
• Application Number:
  US06/356,629
• Time in Patent Office: 1,007 Days
• Field of Search: 290/42, 290/43, 290/52, 290/53, 290/54, 415/55, 415/91, 415/116, 415/213 B, 415/219 C, 415/122 A, 415/87, 417/348, 417/349, 60/329, 60/330, 60/335, 60/398, 60/911, 416/185, 416/188, 416/187, 416/197 A, 416/197 B
• US Class Current: 290/53
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 13/08 Machine or engine aggregates in dams or the like; Conduits therefor , e.g. diffusors bulb groups F03B13/105
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2220/20 within closed fluid conduits, e.g. pipes
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2220/602 with energy recovery turbines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/50 Hydropower in dwellings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/20 Hydro energy

Abstract

A fluid motor consisting essentially of a housing mounted on a water pipe and containing a vaned disc which functions as a paddle wheel whereby fluid moving through the conduit engages the vanes driving the disc and an output shaft associated therewith which in turn is utilized to drive a generator and produce an electric current.

Claims

1. A fluid motor for use in conjunction with a liquid containing pipe comprising, in combination, a housing with a disc having vanes contained therein, said disc centrally mounted on a shaft supported in said housing in such a position so that said disc extends only partially into the pipe, said vanes on side faces of said disc to engage the liquid passing through the pipe whereby liquid motion through the pipe causes rotation of said disc and said shaft associated therewith, wherein said vane includes a leading edge proximate to but just below a peripheral rim portion of said disc, said leading edge tapering away from said peripheral rim in an arcuate fashion, to a side edge of said vane, wherein said side edge includes a substantially linear portion tapering and narrowing towards said shaft, terminating in an arcuate root portion at a base area of said vane, wherein said vane has a concave front face and a convex back face relative to the direction of liquid flow to enhance the fluid flow rate, and wherein said housing includes a pressurized upper area, sealing means interposed between the pipe and said housing, such that liquid flow migration within said housing is retarded.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said housing includes arcuate flanges for mounting said housing to the pipe.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said housing is further provided with caps containing bearings to rotatably mount said shaft.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein said disc is provided with radially disposed vanes on both sides thereof.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein said shaft extends from said housing and is provided with a protrusion to engage and drive a generator.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein said disc is provided with a centrally disposed collar and pins to mount said disc on said shaft.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein said housing includes first and second upwardly extending spaced parallel side walls emanating from said arcuate flanges, and a curved top wall connecting said side walls.

8. In a power generator, the combination comprising:

a conduit through which non-compressible fluid is adapted to pass under pressure,

a housing associated therewith in communication with an interior of said conduit having gaseous pressure of sufficient magnitude to prevent the migration of non-compressible fluid therewithin,

means extending from said housing into said conduit adapted to be driven by the non-compressible fluid as it passes thereby,

means for power extraction operatively coupled to said driven means whereby the motion of said non-compressible fluid drives said power generating means, wherein said driven means includes a disc supported on a shaft and rotatably coupled thereto so that rotation of said disc rotates said shaft, vanes on opposed sides of said disc having a leading edge proximate to but just below a peripheral rim portion of said disc, said leading edge tapering away from said peripheral rim in an arcuate fashion, side edges of said vanes tapering linearly towards said shaft and a terminal portion thereof defining a root area which tapers in an arcuate manner, said vanes having a concave front face and a convex back face for efficiency in extracting energy from the non-compressible fluid passing and impinging thereagainst.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein said housing includes an access port for admitting gaseous pressure therein, said housing adapted to be retrofitted on an existing conduit.

10. A fluid motor for use in conjunction with a liquid containing pipe comprising, in combination, a housing with a disc having vanes contained therein said disc centrally mounted on a shaft supported in said housing in such a position so that said disc extends only partially into the pipe, said vanes on side faces of said disc to engage the liquid passing through the pipe whereby liquid motion through the pipe causes rotation of said disc and said shaft associated therewith wherein said vane includes a leading edge proximate to but just below a peripheral rim portion of said disc, said leading edge tapering away from said peripheral rim in an arcuate fashion, to a side edge of said vane wherein said side edge includes a substantially linear portion tapering and narrowing towards said shaft, terminating in an arcuate root portion at a base of said vane wherein said vane has a concave front face and a convex back face relative to the direction of liquid flow to enhance the fluid flow rate wherein said housing includes a pressurized upper area, sealing means interposed between the pipe and said housing, such that liquid flow migration within said housing is retarded wherein said housing includes arcuate flanges for mounting said housing to the pipe.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein said housing is further provided with caps containing bearing to rotatably mount said shaft.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein said disc is provided with radially disposed vanes on both sides thereof.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein said shaft extends from said housing and is provided with a protrusion to engage and drive a generator.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein said disc is provided with a centrally disposed collar and pins to mount said disc on said shaft.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein said housing includes first and second upwardly extending spaced parallel side walls emanating from said arcuate flanges, and a curved top wall connecting said side walls.