Patent Application
20160348638
This invention is directed toward a power generator assembly and, more particularly, a hydro generator assembly having removable generator sets and an anchoring system.
Hydroelectric generating systems are well-known in the art for utilizing water energy to generate electricity. While useful for their purpose, current systems have difficulty pulling maximum energy from a wide level of water flow. In addition, as water pressure increases and/or debris becomes lodged underneath the generator assembly, difficulty in resisting anchor torque on the assembly in a cost effective manner exists. Therefore, there is a need in the art for an assembly that addresses these deficiencies.
As a result, an objective of the present invention is to provide a power generator assembly that can maximize energy pulled from a wide level of water flow.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a power generator assembly that more economically resists anchor torque.
These and other objectives will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art based upon the following written description, drawings and claims.
A power generator assembly has a housing with a side wall, end walls, and a hollow shell and a drive shaft that extends through central openings in the end walls. A canister, received within the shell, has a plurality of generator sets where the generators are mounted to the drive shaft.
The drive shaft is connected to and supported by an anchor stand. Preferably, the anchor stand has a support rod rotatably connected to and extending between support ends. Connected to and extending between the support rod and the drive shaft are a pair of pivot members. Also connected to the support rod at a first end is a lever having a counter weight at the opposite end.
Referring to the Figures, a power generator assembly 10 has a housing 12 with a sidewall 14 and a pair of end walls 16. The end walls 16 have central opening 18, through which a rotatable shaft 20 extends. Positioned around an outer surface 22 of the side wall 19 are a plurality of fins 24. The housing 12 has a hollow chamber 26 that forms a shell 26.
The shell 26 is formed to receive canisters 28 that receive a single generator or a plurality in a generator sets 30. The generator sets 30 preferably are of different sizes and are connected to a micro controller 32 so that maximum energy may be pulled from a wide level of water flow.
Each generator 34 in a generator set 30 includes a magnetic stator 36 attached to an interior wall 38 of the canister 28. A rotor 40 having field and primary windings 42 that are wrapped around laminates and an iron core 43 is attached to the rotatable shaft 20.
An anchor stand 44 is used to support the generator assembly 10 in a body of water 46. The anchor stand has a pair of end supports 48. Each end support 48 has a pair of support legs 50 that support a bracket bearing 51 at a first end 52. The support legs 50 angle outwardly from the first end 52 where they are attached to a base 54 at a second end 56.
The bracket bearings 51 have openings 58 that receive a rotatable support rod 60. Fixedly attached to the support rod 60 are pivot members 62. The pivot members 62 are attached to the rod 60 at a first end 64 and have an opening 66 at the opposite end 68 that receives the ends of the rotatable shaft 20.
A stop 70 is attached to the base 54 and extends upwardly. The stop 70 is positioned to engage at least one pivot member 62 to prevent rotation of the pivot member 62 in rearward direction.
Fixedly attached to the support rod 60, between end supports 48, is a lever 72. The lever extends outwardly from the generator assembly 10 toward a down-stream side. A weight 74 is removably attached to an outer end 76 of the lever 72.
In operation, a canister 28 having a desired generator set 30 is inserted into a shell 26 and the rotatable shaft 20, and then sealed. The generator assembly 10 is mounted to the anchor stand 44 by inserting the rotatable shaft 20 into the openings 66 at end 68 of the pivot member 62.
The anchor stand 44 and generator assembly 10 are then placed either partially or completely with a flowing body of water 46. The water 46, as it flows past the generator assembly 10, engages fins 24 causing the housing 12, shaft 20, and rotors 40 to rotate in relation to the pivot members 62. As the rotor windings 42 pass through the magnetic fields produced by north and south stator magnets 36, electricity such as DC voltage is produced. The produced voltage is transmitted through the shell 26 to an exterior environment that includes converters substations, batteries and other storage or transmission devices.
As water pressure increases and/or debris becomes lodged underneath the generator assembly, the additional pressure causes the pivot members 62 to pivot toward the downstream side. The pivoting movement of the pivot members 62 not only raises the generator assembly 10, but also rotates support rod 60. The rotation of the support rod 60 causes the lever 72 to rise in relation to the body of water 46. The weight 74 can be moved along the length of the lever 72 or more or less adjust the amount of resistance provided to the generator assembly.
The counter weight 74 provides a mechanical means to provide resistance to anchor torque and reduces costs when compared to electro-mechanical methods of monitoring. Further, by placing the lever 72 downstream of the generator assembly, less counter weight 74 is needed. Alternatively, counter weight is provided in a number of ways. As one example, weight 74 is added to pivot members 62 or high powered magnets 75 are used to hold pivot members 62 in a desired, predetermined position. Alternatively, weight 74 is added to the drum through thicker walls or weights placed inside the drum. Finally, resistance is provided by a flexible strap 76, such as, a bungee cord or the like, that extends around pivot member 62 and a stationary piece, such as, a support leg 50.
Canisters 28 having different generator sets 30 are quickly inserted into shells 26 and providing a direct drive configuration leads to higher efficiency. Also, matching the number of poles in the generators to the RPM of the generator assembly allows one generator set to fit a wide range of operating volumes and velocities.
This application claims priority to Provisional Application U.S. Ser. No. 62/168,943 filed on Jun. 1, 2015, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62168943 | Jun 2015 | US |
