Hydropower conversion system
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsBarnaby Jude Watten, Angelo W. Palmisano
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hydropower conversion system is provided which uses a hydraulic gradient to accelerate water in a drive pipe. A valve is disposed in the drive pipe to interrupt the flow of water and thus create a temporary negative pressure within the drive pipe. A negative pressure relief device with a riser section is coupled to the drive pipe and is adapted to pull air but not water into the riser section when under negative pressure. A pneumatic device such as a power turbine is coupled to the negative pressure relief device.
Claims29
A hydropower conversion system using a hydraulic gradient to accelerate a flow of water, said system comprising:
- a drive pipe having an inlet and an outlet for communicating water flow;
- a valve downstream from said inlet for interrupting the water flow in said drive pipe to thereby create a temporary negative pressure downstream from said valve;
- a negative pressure relief device, having a riser section containing water coupled to said drive pipe downstream from said valve, for pulling gas but not water into said riser section when said negative pressure relief device is subjected to said negative pressure;
- and
- a pneumatic device coupled to said riser section and powered by the negative pressure.
A method for hydropower conversion using a hydraulic gradient, said method comprising the steps of:
- using a hydraulic gradient to accelerate a quantity of water into an inlet of a drive pipe;
- introducing water into a pressure relief device
- interrupting the flow of water in the drive pipe to create a temporary negative pressure in the drive pipe;
- pulling gas into the pressure relief device coupled to the drive pipe, without introducing water into said pressure relief device, using the negative pressure;
- and
- powering a pneumatic device coupled to the pressure relief device from the negative pressure.
A method for hydropower conversion using a hydraulic gradient, said method comprising the steps of:
- using a hydraulic gradient to accelerate a quantity of water into an inlet of a drive pipe;
- interrupting the flow of water in the drive pipe to create a temporary negative pressure in the drive pipe;
- using the negative pressure established in the drive pipe to move a piston positioned in a pressure relief cylinder;
- and
- powering a mechanical device coupled to the piston.
A hydropower conversion system using a hydraulic gradient to accelerate a flow of water, said system comprising:
- a drive pipe having an inlet and an outlet for communicating water flow;
- a valve downstream from said inlet for interrupting the water flow in said drive pipe to thereby create a temporary negative pressure downstream from said valve;
- a negative pressure relief device having a riser cylinder coupled to said drive pipe downstream from said valve, said riser cylinder having a piston and shaft reciprocally disposed therein;
- and
- a mechanical device coupled to said shaft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.