Generator for powering a reel from a fluid flow
First Claim
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1. A system for spooling and unspooling a flexible conduit configured to contain a flow of a pressurized fluid, comprising:
- a reel drum onto which the flexible conduit can be spooled;
a generator operatively connected to a flow path within the conduit, the generator configured to receive a pressurized fluid flow therethrough and convert kinetic energy of the pressurized fluid flow into electricity;
a battery operatively connected to the generator and configured to receive and store the electricity; and
a motor for selectively driving rotation of the reel drum, the motor being connected to the battery and configured to receive electrical power from the battery.
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Abstract
A generator is provided along a conduit that carries a man-made fluid flow. The generator generates electrical power that can be, e.g., used to charge a battery, rotate a reel, or to directly control a fluid flow control valve associated with the fluid flow. In the garden hose context, neither AC power nor frequent battery replacement is required because power from the generator can recharge the battery powering the valve and the reel.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A system for spooling and unspooling a flexible conduit configured to contain a flow of a pressurized fluid, comprising:
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a reel drum onto which the flexible conduit can be spooled; a generator operatively connected to a flow path within the conduit, the generator configured to receive a pressurized fluid flow therethrough and convert kinetic energy of the pressurized fluid flow into electricity; a battery operatively connected to the generator and configured to receive and store the electricity; and a motor for selectively driving rotation of the reel drum, the motor being connected to the battery and configured to receive electrical power from the battery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A conduit managing system comprising:
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an electrically powered hose reel; a fluid flow control device including a fluid flow path extending between an inlet and an outlet of the device, an electrically actuated valve disposed in-line with the flow path and configured to selectively open or close the flow path, and electronics configured to actuate the valve; a generator configured to convert kinetic energy of a pressurized fluid flowing through the flow path into electricity; and an electrical circuit for delivering the electricity from the generator to the fluid flow control device and the hose reel. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A hose control system comprising:
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a reel for spooling and unspooling a flexible fluid conduit; a motor connected to the reel to drive rotation of the reel; an electrically actuated flow control device, the flow control device configured to selectively allow a pressurized fluid flow therethrough; and a generator adapted to harness energy of the pressurized fluid flow to electrically charge a battery connected to both the flow control device and the motor, wherein the battery is configured to provide power to both the flow control device and the motor.
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16. A method of spooling a hose, comprising:
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providing a flow control device connected to the hose, the device comprising a flow path in communication with the hose and configured to receive a pressurized fluid flow therethrough, the device including an electrically actuated valve in communication with the flow path; providing a generator, at least a portion of which is disposed in the flow path, the generator configured to convert kinetic energy of the pressurized fluid flow into electrical energy; charging a battery connected to the generator with the electrical energy; and providing an electrical connection from the battery to a hose reel to electrically power rotation of the hose reel with the battery. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of reeling or unreeling a hose and regulating a pressurized fluid flow through the hose, the method comprising:
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providing a flow control device connected to the hose, the device having a flow path; harnessing energy of a pressurized fluid flow through the hose to generate electricity; charging a battery with the electricity; powering the reeling or unreeling of the hose with the electricity from the battery; and providing the electricity from the battery to the flow control device to selectively allow flow through the flow path.
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21. A method for electrically powering a reel from a pressurized fluid flow through a conduit, comprising:
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providing a conduit defining a flow path configured to receive the pressurized fluid flow therethrough from a mechanical source; harnessing energy of the pressurized fluid flow to generate electricity; and powering rotation of the reel using the generated electricity. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification