Sewer line power generating system

• US 7,429,803 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2006
• Issued: 09/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rufus Davis
• Original Assignee: Rufus Davis
• Inventors: Davis, Rufus
• Primary Examiner(s): Schuberg; Darren
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cuevas; Pedro J
• Application Number:
  US11/461,733
• Publication Number:
  US 20070182159A1
• Time in Patent Office: 791 Days
• Field of Search: 290/43, 290 53- 54
• US Class Current: 290/54
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 11/004 Valve arrangements F03B3/10 takes precedence; adjustable wicket gates F03B3/183; valves in general F16K
• 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: F03B 13/06 Stations or aggregates of water-storage type, e.g. comprising a turbine and a pumpturbines characterised by having means for functioning alternatively as pumps F03B3/10
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 15/02 by varying liquid flow
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 17/06 using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type , "run-of-river", "ultra-low head" F03B13/264 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 17/063 the flow engaging parts having no movement relative to the rotor during its rotation
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/911 already existing for a prior purpose
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/20 Hydro energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/16 Mechanical energy storage, e.g. flywheels or pressurised fluids

Abstract

The sewer line power generating system is designed to be positioned within a manhole. The system generates electricity from water flowing through sewer lines. The system includes a hydro turbine that can be raised and lowered into water flowing through sewer lines. They system also includes a flow control plate that accelerates and directs the water for optimal power generation. The system further includes an actuator that raises and lowers the system in response to the water flow. The system further includes a pressure gauge to measure water pressure at the turbine and adjust the position of the turbine in response to the water pressure.

Claims

1. A sewer line hydro power generator system comprising,

a flow control plate shaped to be received in a sewer line, wherein said flow control plate includes a flow control channel;

an attachment hinge pivotally connected to said flow control plate, wherein said flow control plate pivots about said attachment hinge to control water velocity through the sewer line;

a hydro turbine connected to said flow control plate and positioned relative to the flow control channel; and

an alternator connected to said hydro turbine.

2. The sewer line hydro power generator system of claim 1 wherein the water force needed to pivot said control plate is constant.

3. The sewer line hydro power generator system of claim 1, further including a pivot spring attached to said attachment hinge and said flow control plate.

4. The sewer line hydro power generator system of claim 3, wherein said alternator is attached to said flow control plate.

5. The sewer line hydro power generator system of claim 4, wherein said hydro turbine includes turbine blades.

6. The sewer line hydro power generator system of claim 4, wherein said flow control plate has a width that is substantially equal to the diameter of a sewer pipe.

7. A sewer line hydro power generator system comprising,

a turbine shaft housing with an upper end and a lower end;

a hydro turbine connected to the lower end of said turbine shaft housing;

an alternator connected to the upper end of said turbine shaft housing;

a flow control plate with an up-steam side and a down-stream side, wherein said hydro turbine is positioned on the down-stream side of said flow control plate;

a pressure sensor mounted on said flow control plate; and

an actuator configured to raise and lower said hydro turbine in response to water force acting on said flow control plate.

8. The sewer line hydro power generator system of claim 7, wherein said hydro power generator comprises turbine blades sized to fit within the diameter of a sewer pipe.

9. The sewer line hydro power generator system of claim 8, wherein said turbine blades extend below said flow control plate.

10. The sewer line hydro power generator system of claim 8, wherein said flow control plate has a flow channel and said hydro turbine is positioned relative to the flow channel.

11. The sewer line hydro power generator system of claim 8, further comprising, an attachment hinge pivotally connected to said flow control plate.

12. The sewer line hydro power generator system of claim 11, wherein the clearance between said turbine blades and the sewer pipe is approximately ¼

inch.

13. The sewer line hydro power generator system of claim 12, wherein said turbine blades are shaped to match the curvature of the sewer pipe.

14. The sewer line hydro power generator system of claim 13, wherein said flow control plate is releaseably attached to said hydro power generator.

15. The sewer line hydro power generator system of claim 11, wherein said turbine shaft housing is sized such that at its maximum extension said turbine blades are not in the water during normal sewer flow rates.