Pressure powered impeller system and related method of use

• US 8,946,921 B2
• Filed: 04/12/2011
• Issued: 02/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Plexaire, LLC
• Original Assignee: Plexaire, LLC
• Inventors: Kaiser, Stewart
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuevas, Pedro J
• Application Number:
  US13/085,227
• Publication Number:
  US 20120261921A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,393 Days
• Field of Search: 290/43, 290/54, 322/35
• US Class Current: 290/54
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1823 structurally associated with turbines or similar engines

Abstract

This invention is directed to a system that generates a sufficient level of electricity through access to a municipal water supply line to run a furnace during below freezing temperatures. The system includes an inlet that draws water from a water supply line. A first conduit, in communication with the inlet, transports the water into a DC generator that includes an impeller to generate electricity. Water is then routed through a second conduit which then returns the water to the water supply line through an outlet. A solenoid valve may be positioned between the inlet and first conduit which remains closed when the electric grid runs normally but will open during a power outage to supply water to the DC generator. A lithium battery stores power created by the DC generator, which may include a voltage regulator and inverter to convert to DC.

Claims

1. A system configured to determine if a power outage occurs and to generate electricity from a municipal water source to run a furnace, the system comprising:

an inlet configured to draw water from a water supply line;

a first conduit configured to transport water from the inlet into a generator, wherein the generator is capable of generating electricity;

a second conduit configured to transport water from the generator to an outlet, wherein the outlet is configured to return water to the water supply line; and

a battery configured to store electricity created by the generator for supplying electricity to a furnace; and

a solenoid valve positioned between the inlet and the first conduit, wherein the solenoid valve is configured to open in response to when the system determines that a power outage has occurred;

wherein the water supply line is configured to flow water therethrough from the inlet to the outlet when the solenoid valve is closed.

2. The system of claim 1,

wherein the solenoid valve remains closed when an electric grid is operating to supply power to the furnace thereby blocking flow of water into the generator.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the generator is operable with an impeller to generate electricity.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a voltage regulator configured to receive electricity from the generator and provide a uniform voltage; and

a rectifier configured to receive power from the voltage regulator and create a desired current prior to entry into the battery.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the battery is a rechargeable lithium ion battery.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a logic controller configured to determine when to draw electricity from the battery to power the furnace.

7. A method of supplying electricity to a furnace in the event of a power outage during below freezing temperatures through a system, the method comprising the steps of:

allowing water to flow normally through a water supply line during normal receipt of power from an electric grid;

determining whether a power outage has occurred;

opening a solenoid valve in response to when the power outage has occurred, wherein the solenoid valve is positioned between an inlet and a first conduit;

engaging water within a generator which is in communication with the first conduit to generate electricity;

directing water into a second conduit from the generator; and

returning water to the water supply line through an outlet in communication with the second conduit;

wherein the water supply line is configured to flow water therethrough from the inlet to the outlet when the valve is closed.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of:

regulating electricity with a voltage regulator to create a uniform voltage of power created by the generator;

transforming power created by the generator into usable AC or DC current; and

storing power in a battery for later use.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

retrieving electricity from the battery through a logic network when required by the furnace.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the generator is operable with an impeller to generate electricity.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the battery is a rechargeable lithium ion battery.

12. A system configured to determine if a power outage occurs, the system comprising:

an inlet which draws water from a water supply line;

a solenoid valve positioned proximate the inlet configured to open in response to when the system determines that a power outage has occurred;

a generator having an impeller which receives water from the inlet when the solenoid valve is open and generates electricity;

an outlet to return water used by the generator to the water supply line;

a battery which stores power created by the generator for later supply to a furnace;

wherein the water supply line is configured to flow water therethrough from the inlet to the outlet when the solenoid valve is closed.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

a voltage regulator which receives electricity from a DC generator and provides a uniform voltage; and

a rectifier which receives power from the voltage regulator and creates current prior to entry into the battery.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the battery is a rechargeable lithium ion battery.

15. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

a logic controller configured to determine when to draw electricity from the battery to power the furnace.