High-rise building hydro-electric co-generation device and method

• US 7,944,072 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2008
• Issued: 05/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James Mckie
• Original Assignee: James Mckie
• Inventors: McKie, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Ponomarenko; Nicholas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mohandesi; Iraj A
• Application Number:
  US12/150,273
• Publication Number:
  US 20090267350A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,117 Days
• Field of Search: 290/54, 290/52, 290/43
• US Class Current: 290/52
• 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: F05B 2240/911 already existing for a prior purpose

Abstract

A method and a device are disclosed which are capable of collecting water at a high point of a high-rise building. The water can be stored until used. The water is allowed to run down by gravity past a hydroelectric generator to generate electricity for the occupants of the building, or for some other use. The water after use is discarded to the public drain.

Claims

1. A device for collecting water and producing electricity, comprising:

a. A plurality of vertical hollow columns, each open at the top end;

b. Each said column being comprised of several sections;

c. The bottom section of each said column being connected to a manifold;

d. A hydroelectric generator;

e. Said manifold so configured as to conduct water in the columns to said hydroelectric generator; and

,

f. An outlet pipe to conduct wastewater away from said columns.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of outlet control valves.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein each column is associated with a control valve.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the diameter of each column increases sectionally from the bottom section to the top section.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a water level measuring device.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising controlling means to control the outlet valves.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to be contained inside a multi-story commercial building.

8. A method to co-generate electricity, comprising the steps of:

a. Collecting water in the device of claim 1;

b. Channeling the collected water to a hydroelectric generator;

c. Operating said generator so as to generate electricity; and

,

d. Disposing of the waste water by sending it to the public drain system.