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US 2024/0328106 A1Published application
Fish Passage System For Medium And High Head Dams
OwnerHenry K. Obermeyerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention is a fish passage system for use at dams. It may incorporate one or more reversible pump-turbines for controlling and generating power from downstream flow of water and fish and for pumping water and fish upstream. For low head embodiments the system may use water stored at above headwater elevation in lieu of a reversible pump turbine for moving fish and water from tailwater to headwater.
Claims36
1-5. (canceled)
An apparatus for transporting fish past a dam, from tailwater to headwater, comprising:
- an elevated source of water at greater-than-headwater pressure;
- drain piping configured to drain said elevated source of water;
- valve componentry configured to control release of said source of water through said drain piping;
- a tailwater fish trap;
- a lower portion of penstock below tailwater surface and to which said drain piping is connected;
- and
- an additional portion of said penstock that is between said lower portion of penstock and said headwater.
4 more elements
9-13. (canceled)
A method for transporting fish from tailwater to headwater, past a dam, comprising the steps of:
- at least partially filling an elevated source of water having a water surface that is above a headwater water surface;
- attracting fish to, and trapping fish in, a tailwater fish trap to generate trapped fish;
- draining said trapped fish from said tailwater fish trap;
- draining water from said elevated source of water to a penstock;
- and
- transporting said trapped fish through at least a portion of said penstock to said headwater.
3 more elements
44-45. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.