Modular hydroelectric power plant
OwnerRichard E. Diggsinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modular hydroelectric power plant which converts energy of water flowing in a stream into electric power. The plant comprises a plurality of modules which are removably mounted on piers embedded in a river or stream bed. Each module comprises a turbine over which water flows to rotate the turbine, and turbine rotation is converted into power by a generator attached thereto. The generator is removably mounted on the module. Insertion of the plant in a stream or river does not significantly disrupt flow therein, and locks are provided to assist vehicles in transversing the plant area of the river or stream.
Claims15
Apparatus for converting water movement in a stream into usable power comprising:
- a plurality of supporting members spaced apart transversely of the stream and being substantially flush with the stream bed and having supporting structure guide means;
- a plurality of separate, independent modules, each having a frame member located in the water and each having module guide means which are complementary to said supporting structure guide means for cooperation therewith to support said modules in said supporting structure in a manner such that said modules can be removed therefrom, said modules each being self-contained and separated from adjacent modules by said supporting members, each module further including an articulated turbine wheel rotatably attached to said frame member, a power generating means mounted on said frame member and connected to said turbine wheel for rotation therewith, and means mounted on said frame of each module for withdrawing power from said power generating means, said frame member of each module being removably mounted on said supporting structure to be beneath the surface of the water so that water flows over said frame member and cascades downwardly onto said turbine wheels to rotate same.
Apparatus for converting water movement in a stream into usable power comprising:
- a plurality of supporting members spaced apart transversely of the stream and being substantially flush with the stream bed and having supporting structure guide means;
- a plurality of separate, independent modules, each having a frame member located in the water and each having module guide means which are complementary to said supporting structure guide means for cooperation therewith to removably support said modules in said supporting structure in a manner such that said modules can be removed therefrom, said modules each being self-contained and separated from adjacent modules by said supporting member, each module further including an articulated turbine wheel rotatably attached to said frame member, each of said turbine wheels including a plurality of sections and partitions connecting adjacent sections together at the ends thereof, each section having a plurality of turbine blades with blades in one section being staggered with respect to blades in adjacent sections to be in spaced parallelism therewith for producing uniform rotation of said turbine wheel, a power generating means mounted on said frame member and connected to said turbine wheel for rotation therewith, and means mounted on said frame of each module for withdrawing power from said power generating means, said frame member of each module being mounted on said supporting structure to be beneath the surface of the water so that water flows over said frame member and cascades downwardly onto said turbine wheels to rotate same.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.