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US 12,180,665 B2Granted
Modular precast pumped storage hydro system for power generation
AssigneeW.L. French Hydropower Holdings LLC
InventorWilliam L. French, Sr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Hydroelectric power generation systems and methods of using such systems are provided. A power generation system includes a reservoir that is at least partially defined by a plurality of precast segments. At least a subset of the precast segments are interconnected via complementary coupling elements. The reservoir is elevated with respect to a fluid supply. The system further includes a flow path providing fluid communication between the reservoir and the fluid supply, a power generation module configured to pump fluid from the fluid supply and into the reservoir via the flow path, and a power conversion module configured to convert kinetic energy of fluid released from the reservoir and travelling through the flow path into electric energy.
Claims36
A power generation system, comprising:
- an impoundment structure at least partially defined by a plurality of precast segments, the impoundment structure being configured to store a volume of fluid, at least a subset of the precast segments interconnected via complementary coupling elements, the impoundment structure elevated with respect to a fluid supply;
- a flow path providing fluid communication between the impoundment structure and the fluid supply;
- a power generation module configured to pump fluid from the fluid supply and to produce a flow of the pumped fluid into the impoundment structure via the flow path;
- at least one energy dissipation element disposed within the impoundment structure, the at least one energy dissipation element being configured to redirect the flow of the pumped fluid entering the impoundment structure;
- and
- a power conversion module configured to convert kinetic energy of fluid released from the impoundment structure and travelling through the flow path into electric energy,
- wherein the at least one energy dissipation element disposed within the impoundment structure is arranged in a shape that causes the flow of the pumped fluid redirected to be in a circulating direction within the impoundment structure.
4 more elements
A power generation system, comprising:
- an impoundment structure at least partially defined by a plurality of precast segments and at least partially defined by a base, the impoundment structure being configured to store a volume of fluid, at least a subset of the precast segments interconnected via complementary coupling elements, the impoundment structure elevated with respect to a fluid supply;
- a flow path providing fluid communication between the impoundment structure and the fluid supply;
- a power generation module configured to pump fluid from the fluid supply and to produce a flow of the pumped fluid into the impoundment structure via the flow path;
- at least one energy dissipation element disposed within the impoundment structure at a position laterally offset from a perimeter of the base, the at least one energy dissipation element being configured to redirect the flow of the pumped fluid entering the impoundment structure;
- and
- a power conversion module configured to convert kinetic energy of fluid released from the impoundment structure and travelling through the flow path into electric energy,
- wherein at least a subset of the energy dissipation elements comprises perforated structures.
4 more elements
A power generation system, comprising:
- an impoundment structure at least partially defined by a plurality of precast segments and at least partially defined by a base, the impoundment structure being configured to store a volume of fluid, at least a subset of the precast segments interconnected via complementary coupling elements, the impoundment structure elevated with respect to a fluid supply;
- a flow path providing fluid communication between the impoundment structure and the fluid supply;
- a power generation module configured to pump fluid from the fluid supply and to produce a flow of the pumped fluid into the impoundment structure via the flow path;
- at least one energy dissipation element disposed within the impoundment structure at a position laterally offset from a perimeter of the base, the at least one energy dissipation element being configured to redirect the flow of the pumped fluid entering the impoundment structure;
- and
- a power conversion module configured to convert kinetic energy of fluid released from the impoundment structure and travelling through the flow path into electric energy, wherein the flow path defines a port into the impoundment structure that, in combination with the flow path, directs the flow of the pumped fluid at least partially in a transverse direction to the base;
- and wherein the at least one energy dissipation element disposed within the impoundment structure is arranged to cause the flow of the pumped fluid to be redirected in a transverse direction within the impoundment structure different from the transverse direction in which the flow entered the impoundment structure,
- wherein the at least one energy dissipation element disposed within the impoundment structure is arranged in a shape that causes the flow of the pumped fluid redirected to be in a circulating direction within the impoundment structure.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.