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US 8,044,530 B2Granted
Fluid-based electrical generator
AssigneeNone recorded
InventorChristopher H. Harris
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AssigneeNone recorded
InventorChristopher H. Harris
Estimating the term…
The fluid-based electrical generator utilizes driven flow of a fluid to power an electrical generator for driving an external electrical device. The generator includes a reservoir having at least one sidewall and a floor. A motor coupled to a rotating shaft is mounted external to the reservoir, and a propeller is secured to the rotating shaft. The propeller is driven by the motor and is positioned within the reservoir for generating fluid flow. A rotating support having at least one vane secured thereto is rotatably secured to the floor of the reservoir, and the rotating support is driven to rotate by the fluid flow. An axle is further provided, with a lower end thereof being secured to the rotating support. The electrical generator is coupled to an upper end of the axle, with rotation of the axle driving the electrical generator to produce electricity for the external device.
A fluid-based electrical generator, comprising:
A fluid-based electrical generator, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
Engines of impulse type, i.e. turbines with jets of high-velocity liquid impinging on blades or like rotors, e.g. Pelton wheels; Parts or…
Other machines or engines: installations wherein the liquid circulates in a closed loop ; Alleged perpetua mobilia of this or similar kind
Using hydrostatic thrust: alleged perpetua mobilia
Kinematic linkage, i.e. transmission of position: using flat or V-belts and pulleys
About 3 years 5 months of term left · ends 26 Mar 2030 (estimated)
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to power generation. Particularly, the present invention is directed towards a fluid-based electrical generator utilizing driven rotational flow of a fluid, such as water, to power a separate electrical generator for driving an external electrical device.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fluid-based electrical generator according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the fluid-based electrical generator according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a vane of the fluid-based electrical generator according to the present invention.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.
Now referring to FIG. 1, there is a shown a fluid-based electrical generator 10. As will be described in greater detail below, a fluid, such as water, for example, is received within a reservoir 12. A motor 14 propels the water to follow a substantially circular path within the reservoir 12, thus causing rotation of axle 34, which projects through cover 40 of reservoir 12, as shown. The internal drive system for generating fluid flow and causing rotation of axle 34 will be described in detail below, with particular regard to FIG. 2. Rotation of axle 34 causes wheel 42, mounted on an upper end thereof, to rotate which, in turn, causes wheel 46 to rotate, due to pulley belt 44, connecting the pair of wheels 42, 46. Rotation of wheel 46 causes shaft 48 to rotate, powering an electrical generator 50. Power generated by electrical generator 50 is drawn off via line 53 (which may be any conventional electrically conductive cable) for powering an external device. Further, a portion of the power generated by electrical generator 50 is fed to motor 14 via line 52, with motor 14 further being fed from an external power source via line 54. It should be understood that electrical generator 50 may be any suitable type of rotary-driven electrical generator, and motor 14 may be any suitable type of electrically powered motor. As shown in FIG. 1, electrical generator 50 is preferably positioned above the reservoir 12, mounted on a stand 49, positioned about the reservoir 12.
As best shown in FIG. 2, reservoir 12 includes at least one sidewall. In the preferred embodiment, reservoir 12 is formed from a floor 27, planar sidewalls 22, 24, an arcuate sidewall 26, and a substantially semi-circular sidewall 28. Sidewalls 22, 24, 26 and 28, along with a substantially semi-circular, interior wall 50, define the fluid flow path. Motor 14 is mounted on cover 40, above shaft 16 of propeller 18, and is partially powered by external electrical source V, as described above. Preferably, reservoir 12 has a lateral length (measured from wall 24 to wall 26) of approximately nine feet, and a longitudinal length (measured from wall 28 to wall 22) of approximately eight feet. Each wall has a height of approximately three feet, allowing for approximately 1,800 gallons of water to be received therein. Reservoir 12 may be formed from any suitable, water resistant, non-corrosive material, such as 16-gauge stainless steel, for example. Similarly, cover 40, which is positioned on the upper edge of reservoir 12 (as shown in FIG. 1) may be formed from any suitable, water resistant, non-corrosive material, such as Plexiglas®. It should be understood that reservoir 12 may have any desired contouring or dimensions, dependent upon the desired rotating inertial mass of fluid contained therein.