Waterwheel-driven generating assembly
OwnerHoward A. Mayo, Jr., Kenneth R. Broomeinventors
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Abstract
An electric power-generating assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a sill wall constructed within the bed of the waterway and at least one waterwheel-driven generating unit supported directly downstream of the sill wall. The waterwheel generating unit includes a waterwheel, a chute and an electric generating unit. The electric generator unit is mounted axially within the waterwheel and includes a rotor disposed axially within a stator and drive means operably connecting the waterwheel to the rotor.
Claims19
An electric power-generating assembly at waterway locations without an existing dam, comprising:
- a sill wall constructed within the bed of the waterway;
- at least one waterwheel-driven generating unit supported directly downstream of the sill wall, the at least one waterwheel generating unit including a waterwheel, a chute and an electric generating unit;
- the electric generator unit mounted axially within the waterwheel, and including a rotor disposed axially within a stator and drive means operably connecting the waterwheel to the rotor;
- the chute includes an upstream end pivotally secured to the sill wall and a downstream end supported on the waterwheel, the downstream end of the chute clearing the circular path defined by an outer edge of the waterwheel when the waterwheel is rotating, the downstream end of the chute includes wheels which ride upon the waterwheel.
A waterwheel-driven generating unit used with an electric power-generating system assembly, comprising:
- a rotatable waterwheel supported by means for selectively vertically lifting the rotatable waterwheel,
- a chute including an upstream end pivotally secured to a support and a downstream end supported on, and in contact with, the waterwheel;
- and
- an electric generating unit mounted axially within the waterwheel, and including a rotor disposed axially within a stator and drive means operably connecting the waterwheel to said rotor.
A waterwheel-driven generating unit used with an electric power-generating system assembly, comprising:
- a rotatable waterwheel including a sealed internal space,
- a chute including an upstream end pivotally secured to a support and a downstream end supported on the waterwheel;
- and
- an electric generating unit mounted axially within the internal space of the waterwheel, and including a rotor disposed axially within a stator and drive means operably connecting the waterwheel to said rotor;
- and
- wherein the electric generating unit includes components, the components being supported by a wheeled carriage sealed within an internal frame of the waterwheel, and the internal frame includes rails upon which the wheeled carriage rides such that the carriage may be selectively withdrawn from the waterwheel by wheeling the carriage from within the internal frame.
A waterwheel-driven generating unit used with an electric power-generating assembly, comprising:
- a rotatable waterwheel;
- a chute including an upstream end pivotally secured to a support and a downstream end supported on the waterwheel;
- at least one booster jet, separate and distinct from the chute, the at least one booster jet including an inlet through which a flow of water enters the at least one booster jet and a downstream end from which the water exits the booster jet, the downstream end being located adjacent the waterwheel at a position apart from the downstream end of the chute for directing streams of high pressure water to the waterwheel thereby supplementing the flow created at the downstream end of the chute;
- and
- an electric generating unit mounted axially within the internal space of the waterwheel, and including a rotor disposed axially within a stator and drive means operably connecting the waterwheel to said rotor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.