Cover apparatus for directing water flow around a waterwheel

A cover apparatus for directing water flow around a waterwheel, the cover apparatus comprising:

• a shield comprising a first side panel, a second side panel, and a perimeter panel, the perimeter panel being coupled to and extending between the first and second side panels, the shield defining a cavity surrounded by the first side panel, the second side panel, and the perimeter panel, the cavity having a size such that the shield is configured to receive the waterwheel into the cavity, the shield having a rim formed by a free edge of the first side panel, a free edge of the second side panel, and a pair of end edges of the perimeter panel, the rim defining an opening to the cavity, each of the first and second side panels having a hole extending therethrough, the holes of the first and second side panels having a size such that the holes are configured to rotatably mount the shield to a shaft, the perimeter panel having a front portion and a rear portion, the first and second side panels being planar and being oriented parallel to each other, the perimeter panel curving arcuately between the pair of end edges;
• and
• a plurality of fins coupled to and extending outwardly from the perimeter panel of the shield, the plurality of fins being distributed along the perimeter panel between the pair of end edges, the plurality of fins being positioned on the rear portion of the perimeter panel, each fin of the plurality of fins having a planar shape oriented perpendicularly to the first and second side panels, each fin of the plurality of fins being plastically bendable such that an angle between the fin and the perimeter panel is adjustable, each fin being orientable perpendicularly to the perimeter panel, each fin of the plurality of fins having a length taken between the perimeter panel and a distal edge of the fin with respect to the perimeter panel, the lengths of the plurality of fins being progressively larger from a frontmost fin of the plurality of fins to a rearmost fin of the plurality of fins;
• and
• wherein an entirety of the plurality of fins being positioned exclusively on the rear portion of the perimeter panel.

An electricity generation system comprising:

• a generator configured for generating electricity from kinetic energy of a rotor;
• a shaft coupled to the rotor;
• a waterwheel mounted on the shaft, the waterwheel having radially arranged paddles for rotating the waterwheel via a water current;
• a cover apparatus rotatably mounted on the shaft, the cover apparatus being positioned to partially cover the waterwheel, the cover apparatus comprising:
• a shield comprising a first side panel, a second side panel, and a perimeter panel, the perimeter panel being coupled to and extending between the first and second side panels, the shield defining a cavity surrounded by the first side panel, the second side panel, and the perimeter panel, the shield receiving the waterwheel into the cavity, the shield having a rim formed by a free edge of the first side panel, a free edge of the second side panel, and a pair of end edges of the perimeter panel, the rim defining an opening to the cavity, each of the first and second side panels having a hole extending therethrough for receiving the associated shaft, the perimeter panel having a front portion and a rear portion;
• and
• a plurality of fins coupled to and extending outwardly from the perimeter panel of the shield, the plurality of fins being distributed along the perimeter panel between the pair of end edges;
• a float tethered to the generator to suspend the generator in a body of water below a surface of the body of water;
• and
• wherein an entirety of the plurality of fins being positioned exclusively on the rear portion of the perimeter panel.