# US 9,518,557 B2 · Power generating hydroconveyor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,518,557 B2 - Document ID: US9518557B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/509,164 - Filed: 2014-10-08 - Published: 2015-01-22 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2012-05-22 - Assignees: Frank Patrick Cunnane - Applicants: Frank Patrick Cunnane - Inventors: Frank Patrick Cunnane - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9518557B2 ## CPC - F03B 17/064: {and a rotor of the endless-chain type} - F03B 13/00: Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus (if the apparatus aspects are predominant, see the relevant subclasses for such apparatus, e.g. H02K7/18); Power stations or aggregates (incorporating only machines or engines of positive-displacement type F03C; hydraulic engineering aspects E02B; {combinations with wind energy converters F03D9/008}) - F03B 13/10: Submerged units incorporating electric generators or motors - Y02E 10/20: Hydro energy - Y02E 10/30: Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient - F03B: MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS (positive-displacement engines for liquid F03C; machines for liquids and gases F01; positive-displacement machines for liquids F04, rotary fluid gearing of the hydrokinetic type F16H41/00) - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract Hydroconveyors are described which utilize magnetic levitation or magnetic suspension to support a collection of conveyor elements. The hydroconveyors are located above or partially within a flowstream such as a river. Additional versions of the hydroconveyors are described which include velocity increasing waterways located upstream of an end of the hydroconveyor. The various hydroconveyors can be used in conjunction with electrical generators to provide electrical power. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A hydroconveyor system adapted for placement above a river, the hydroconveyor system comprising: a longitudinal frame including a first distal end and a second distal end; a longitudinal track extending along at least a portion of the length of the frame between the first end and the second end of the frame, the track defining a continuous and closed loop; a plurality of conveyor elements movably disposed and retained in the track, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of conveyor elements include outwardly extending members for engaging the river; and a velocity increasing structure disposed upstream from the frame and proximate one of the frame ends, the structure including an entrance, an exit, and converging sidewalls extending between the entrance and the exit which result in a velocity increase of the river, wherein the converging sidewalls extend between sides of the river; wherein the hydroconveyor system includes a declining flowpath in the river having a grade within a range of from 0.001 to 10; wherein (i) the declining flowpath is upstream of the velocity increasing structure, and (ii) the velocity increasing structure is disposed between the declining flowpath and the plurality of conveyor elements, the longitudinal track, and the frame. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The hydroconveyor system of claim 1 further comprising: means for magnetically supporting the plurality of conveyor elements with regard to the track. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The hydroconveyor system of claim 1 wherein the outwardly extending members for engaging the river are in the form of rigid cup-shaped paddles. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The hydroconveyor system of claim 1 wherein the track extends between the first end and the second end of the frame. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The hydroconveyor system of claim 1 wherein the track includes a first track portion extending along a region of the frame and a second track portion also extending along the region of the frame and oriented parallel to the first track portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The hydroconveyor system of claim 1 further comprising: at least one rotatable member rotatably supported by the frame and in engagement with the plurality of conveyor elements such that as the conveyor elements move linearly along the track, the at least one rotatable member is rotated. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The hydroconveyor system of claim 6 further comprising: at least one electrical generator engaged with the at least one rotatable member such that upon rotation of the rotatable member, the electrical generator provides an output of electrical power. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The hydroconveyor system of claim 1 wherein the grade of the declining flowpath is within a range of from 0.01 to 1. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The hydroconveyor system of claim 1 wherein the grade of the declining flowpath is within a range of from 0.02 to 0.5. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The hydroconveyor system of claim 1 wherein the hydroconveyor system is disposed in a narrowed waterway of the river. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The hydroconveyor system of claim 10 further comprising: an ancillary waterway that bypasses the narrowed waterway. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The hydroconveyor system of claim 11 further comprising an upper lock and a lower lock.