AU751761B2 - Habitat hydro scheme - Google Patents

Description

WO 01/55589 PCT/AU01/00088 HABITAT HYDRO SCHEME This Invention relates to the conversion of frequently wasted water from various sources into energy by means of a microturbine generating power through the use of a battery storage system.

Households, for example, do not usually use water again after it has been used for purposes such as bathing, washing, watering, flushing. Also advantage is not taken of all the water supplied through water mains, or water tanks with pressure pumps, because the pressure required to utilise water fittings in a household is not being used to the fullest extent possible.

Other systems using microturbines exist, however they all use fossil fuels to turn the generators or alternators thereby giving off toxic exhausts into the atmosphere As well, some use external water sources, but only once, thereby still wasting water that could be used to generate further power.

The Habitat Hydro Scheme uses a microturbine which is driven by water under pressure by way of a reservoir and pump to turn the generators or alternators; it therefore does not give off any toxic fumes. The Habitat Hydro Scheme then produces power through the generators or alternators to storage batteries. This enables the production of power on a continuing basis or when required. In the Habitat Hydro Scheme once the water is used it is then returned to the reservoir to be used time and time again, therefore no water is wasted.

The Invention is an individual unit of various sizes, depending on power demand, which is able to supply power, independently of other power supplies, anywhere in WO 01/55589 PCT/AU01/00088 2 the world to:- Households Caravans (fixed and portable) All buildings (habitable) Factories Marine vessels Subdivisions Building sites Automobiles Multi-storey buildings (single or multiple floors) Aircraft Space ships The major advantages of the Invention are that it can be used:- In all areas where power supply is non-existent As a back-up scheme where power supply is irregular or in short supply In emergency situations In crisis situations In remote areas and villages where there is access to some water (even salt water or dirty or polluted water).

There are no on-going costs as the water used in the current application of electricity is wasted. There is no further cost to water suppliers as the water is already paid for. Therefore no water is wasted, except for a very small percentage from evaporation.

The unit can be carried by two people, for example as a do-it-yourself kit, by the licensed plumber and electrician who would then install it.

As the unit is an automatic self-circulating one, there is a one-off cost to the user except for ordinary maintenance.

WO 01/55589 PCT/AU01/00088 3 In extremely cold areas (say 0 degrees Minus 30 degrees) batteries can be supplied so as not to freeze and short-out.

To assist with understanding the Invention the technical description of the Habitat Hydro Scheme follows. Reference will be made to the accompanying Drawing 1, Figure 1.

The microturbine/s 1 rotate the 3-step alternator/s up to 2000 in three hours in contrast to a commonly used alternator, which takes seven hours. The alternator/s then give off 13.8 volts to 14.4 volts. Providing that a 12 volt Alterator/s is used this recharges the battery or battery banks 3 at 12 volts. If a 24 volt Alternator/s 4 is used then this charges a 24 volt battery or bank of batteries.

The turbine speed is geared 5 to a ratio to suit the Alternator or Generator used.

A positive lead from the 3-step alternator runs to the positive post of the battery bank which can be either 12 volts or 24 volts. A negative lead runs to the negative post of the battery bank and/or to earth at a given point.

From the battery a positive lead and negative lead run to an inverter 6 changing the voltage from 12 or 24 volts to 240 volts 240 volt power is then ready for use.

If 3 Phase Power is required 240 volts will be supplied to a converter of suitable size to take 240 volts to 415 at the required quantity.

A secondary starting battery or batteries 7 is kept fully charged from the 3-step alternator/s, as a positive lead to these batteries is fitted with a single flow diode 8 WO 01/55589 PCT/AU01/00088 4 to prevent power from being drawn from these batteries.

Inverters that can be used to produce 240 volts should not be less than: 2000 watts 12 volt 2500 watts 24 volt 3000 watts 48 volt If needed, more than one Inverter can be used e.g. 2 Banks of batteries to accommodate 2 Inverters and so on.

Pure sine wave Inverters will give a cleaner power supply (see below).

Power from Alternator

-Y

To Battery Bank Power from Battery Bank Inverter Z To Inverter Copper kod Inverter is earthed either to the framework of local power authorities or to a Copper Rod buried 2 3 ft into the ground.

In order to extend the life of the batteries, when 25% of the batteries have been discharged a solenoid switch 9 starts the Habitat Hydro system again by way of the water pump (bilge type) 10 until the batteries are recharged to 100% of capacity.

The size of the batteries to be used is governed by the amount of power storage that is demanded. For example, a three bedroom home with all modem WO 01/55589 PCT/AU01/00088 conveniences could be well suited by 400 AMP hours of batteries, while a larger home may well require 900 AMP hours of battery storage.

The Habitat Hydro Scheme can run 24 hours every day, unlike other methods such as solar, wind, tidal. The design of the Circular Storage Battery System (Drawing 3) reduces the space needed to accommodate the batteries therefore reducing the size of the Habitat Hydro Scheme.

All leads used within the battery system are uniform, of the shortest length possible and exactly the same length.

The gauge of the cable is also governed by the cable length in order to avoid a voltage drop.

A 240 volt power line protection unit is fitted together with a 12 volt negative ground or floating ground.

The Inverter/s are of the combination type with a built-in battery charger and with a removable remote control panel which would be on site in dwelling.

A standard electrical specification for the Earth lead is all that is required for a ground Earth wire.

The Design of the water supply to the Habitat Hydro Scheme is as follows:- Water is supplied to the system automatically by way of water mains or rainwater tanks, or even manually by buckets until all pipes 11 are filled and the reservoir tank 12 is filled to the required level, which is below the return pipe in the reservoir tank. The height of the water in the reservoir is 300mm to 400mm 13 'PCT/AU01/00088 Received 30 October 2001 depending upon the climate, so as to allow for the small percentage of evaporation caused by heat in a hot climate, and in the case of filling the reservoir ank manua l l y, to repla m the re sevoi t manually, to replace the amount of water drawn off for household use 14. All pipes containing water are insulated and the reservoir tank is covered with a removable insulated id 15 to minimise evaporation.

A ball (float) tap 16 maintains the water level in the reservoir tan automatically from water mains or rainwater tanks.

The power supply is switched on by a switch 17 close to the starting batteries, connecting power to the bilge pump/s in the reservoir tank. The water then begins circulating 18 through the jet chamber (Drawing B, IA) which contains baffles (Drawing I B, IB). These projections direct the water on to the jet/s turning the microturbine/s to generate the power to the batteries and returning the water 19 to the reservoir tank so that the pump/s can continue to circulate the same water through the system as many times that is required to charge the batteries fully When the batteries are discharged 25% a solenoid switch 20 switches on automatically and sets the pump working again to circulate the water to turn the microturbine/s and the whole process above is repeated until the batteries are again charged 100% If the Habitat Hydro system is switched off at any time, for example to make repairs, a solenoid switch in the water line supply 21 to the household in conjunction with the solenoid switch in the power supply allows the water to fill the reservoir tank so that the water can be used in the household. Alternatively a by-pass 22 in the water supply to the reservoir tank is installed to supply the household with water direct from the water mains or rainwater tanks if the Habitat Hydro Scheme is not being used for any reason.

AAkC\ L A

M

o AE~i.'.D dHAU Keceivea ju Ucituer z-uu 7 The Habitat Hydro system can be emptied by way of a gate valve 23 which is connected to a discharge pipe 24. Removable vented covers enclose the microturbine/s, alternator/s, generator/s and gears 26. The batteries, Invertor/s and all electrical Converters are covered in a similar manner The Habitat Hydro system is secured to a heavy duty reinforced (ribbed) plastic base 27 which is either a full base or in sections which are bolted or slotted together depending upon the size of the unit required.

In situations where power only is required the reservoir tank and bilge pump are not needed therefore the Habitat Hydro system can still be used by placing it on a pontoon or raft on still or calm waters, such as a pond, lake, or dam. A suction pump fitted with a debris guard 28 can be placed over the side of the pontoon or raft into the water at a suitable depth which would then draw water and disperse it through the microturbine/s and then return it to the pond, lake or dam. The same method can be used where water is iced over, by drilling a hole through the ice and inserting a suction pump to a suitable depth, and also where water is salt or contaminated.

A.C. 29 and D.C. 30 Lightning Conductors are fitted to the Habitat Hydro Scheme.

A flow switch 31 is fitted in close proximity to the reservoir tank in order to switch off power to the system if water fails to flow through the pipes. Check valves 32 stop any back pressure to the system and to maintain water in the dwelling. An adjustable pressure valve 33 is in place to adjust water pressure to the residence.

The power box 34 is of a suitable size for all meters and gauges. There is sufficient space allowed for converters 35 to take 240 volts to 415 The \AMENDED

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Received .jU ctooer 2uu I 8 generators 36 are an alternative if required.

The usage of water in a domestic situation where water is supplied by mains or rainwater tanks can be maximised to its fullest extent by the introduction of Ball Type Microturbines which are placed in pipe stacks, waste pipes, downpipes or swimming pools which have reticulating filtration plants. See specifications for the Ball Type Microturbine (Drawing 4).

Wastage of water flowing from rivers, streams, creeks, and regularly flooded areas, or falling from waterfalls and fountains, or gushing from geysers and springs can be minimised by the introduction of Barrel Type Microturbines. See specifications for the Barrel Type Microturbine (Drawing 2).

The complete Habitat Hydro Scheme, in combination with the Ball Type Microturbine, the Barrel Type Microturbine and the Circular Battery Storage System (Drawing 3 and specifications) is an environment-friendly, non-polluting, water-conserving and cost-effective means of producing electric power to cities, towns and rural areas throughout the world.

The Habitat Hydro Scheme can be adapted, with only minor modifications, to provide electric power to almost any region and situation where human beings exist.

The Habitat Hydro Scheme can also be adapted to use air, employing a 12 volt fan and air ducts.

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Received 30 October 2001 9 HABITAT HYDRO SCHEME THE BARREL MICROTURBINE The aim of the Barrel Microturbine (Drawing 2) is to utilize water flowing from rivers, creeks regularly flooded areas, falling from waterfalls (manmade and natural), fountains, geysers, springs, etc. which would otherwise be wasted, to supply energy to generate electricity.

The technical description of the Barrel Microturbine follows. Reference will be made to the accompanying Drawing 2.

The Barrel Microturbine is a cylindrical barrel Figure 1. The Microturbine contains blades which are spaced parallel around the core of the barrel. Each blade is curved in a partial ellipse along the length of the barrel and is also curved around the cross-section. The blades catch water automatically propelling the Microturbine. The speed is determined by the volume.

In flowing, running, gushing, tidal water situations the Microturbine is mounted in a fixed situation Figure 2 3 on floats 4 and allowed to rise and fall 5 with the fluctuations in the stream, river, natural waterfall, creek, regular flooded area, spring, geyser 6. A debris net 11 is placed some distance upstream from the floating Microturbine and debris is discharged in the debris bay 12. Any number of Microturbines can be used in this manner.

The Microturbine can be used in square and rectangular downpipes on buildings.

Any appropriate method can be used to trap debris. It can also be used externally beneath the hulls of marine vessels.

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PC C/AUUl/UUU Received 30 August 2001 The Microturbine can be connected to an on-shore Habitat Hydro Scheme 9 by way of a flexible shaft 10 connected straight to the 3-step alternator or alternators (see Patent Application for Habitat Hydro-Scheme) eliminating the need for bilge pumps, reservoirs, circulating pipes, or another external water supply.

In suitable situations it is possible to combine all the Microturbines with the Habitat Hydro Scheme substantially reducing size, overall cost and wastage of water.

The Microturbines can be used in conjunction with the Circular Storage Battery System (see Drawing 3) in any combination.

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r, Received 18 October 2001 11 HABITAT HYDRO SCHEME THE CIRCULAR STORAGE BATTERY SYSTEM The Circular Storage Battery System comprises a plurality of wedge shape individual cells. It is specifically designed to save space in the Habitat Hydro Scheme (see Patent Application for Habitat Hydro Scheme). The wedge shape of the batteries enables them to be standardised and to be placed in a circular, semicircular, linear or column position and used in any of these combinations or stacked in tiers, depending on power requirements.

The technical description follows. Reference will be made to the accompanying Drawings 3, 3A and 3B.

Any type of battery made in the wedge shape Figure 1, of 1, 2, 6, 12 Volts or higher, can be assembled in the configuration as abovementioned to give as much voltage as might be required.

The height of each Battery 3 may vary, e.g. 100mm to give 100 Amp Hours storage capacity or 200mm to give 200 A.H. or 300mm to give 300 A.H.

Alternatively, two Batteries of 6 Volts each Figure 2, of semi-circular shape 4, of the same heights as above give the same A.H. storage.

The female connectors moulded into the battery can be of either left or right handed thread to accept the connecting male union which acts as a spacer to both Battery cells (Drawings 3, 3A/4, 56D) minimising the use of battery leads. An alternative type of terminal post (Drawing 3A,56C) is a screw type thimble with a AMENDED SHEET

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1 PCT/AU01/00088 Received 22 October 2001 12 union acting as a spacer and a press stud style negative connector.

Batteries may be produced as 2 Volt, 6 Volt and 12 Volt cases in the same shape and size as those mentioned above, and multiples of these can be joined together to give varying voltages, for example 12 Volt, 24 Volt, 48 Volt, 96 Volt, depending on power requirements. The batteries have an indicator to show the condition of each cell.

A screw type vented plug in the angled section of the top of each battery allows the checking of electrolyte levels and the topping up of fluid. This prevents the overfilling of fluid to the cell.

The acid strength of the Batteries can be adapted for all global climates.

Reinforced handle grips 12 are moulded into each battery case 13 for ease of lifting and carrying.

In the event of a cell failure only that cell needs to be replaced.

The Circular Storage Battery System can be used in each and every situation where batteries are required, for example in the Defence Forces, in crisis situations where emergency power is required, as back up and temporary power, in remote area power supply systems, in communications systems, in marine vessels, in large or small electric motor vehicles.

L (1/AUU1/UVVoo Received 30 August 2001 13 HABITAT HYDRO SCHEME THE BALL TYPE MICROTURBINE The aim of the Ball Type Microturbine (Drawing 4) is to enable water in a domestic situation to be used to its fullest capacity.

Currently water from sources such as water mains, water tanks with pressure pumps, plumbing fixtures and round downpipes from roofs in households is not used to its fullest extent, for example after showering water is discharged and is not usually used further. More importantly it is not used to supply energy.

The Ball Type Microturbine is used in conjunction with the Habitat Hydro Scheme (Drawing 1) in order to increase the storage power of the Circular Storage Battery System (Drawing 3) in the Habitat Hydro Scheme. Ball Type Microturbines can be installed in all plumbing fixtures such as waste pipes to bath, shower, basin, spa bath, sinks, troughs, washings machines, toilets In a number of areas Ball Type Microturbines can be installed in the downpipes of any roof area and also may be installed in swimming pools with reticulating filtering plants.

The technical description of the Ball Type Microturbine follows. Reference will be made to the accompanying Drawings 4 and 4A.

The Ball Type Microturbine is a radial flow spherical (Figure 1) or oval (Drawing 4A) ball comprising evenly spaced blades fixed around the microturbine. It differs from the Barrel Type Microturbine (Drawing 2) the blades having a two-way AMENDED SHEET

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*j /l/-UUlvvoo Received 30 August 2001 14 curvature 2 with spoon-shaped indentations 3 on each blade. These indentations form the water catchment area. Each blade catches amounts of water to rotate the Ball Type Microturbine.

The Ball Type Microturbine contains a built-in automatic bypass to clear blockages.

The Ball Type Microturbine is situated at the lowest point of a pipe stack, waste pipes or downpipes thereby producing the highest possible head of water to discharge on to the blades in order to give the maximum number of revolutions possible.

The shaft 4 from the turbine then turns a 3 stage Alternator or generator so as to produce storage power to the batteries similar to the system of the Habitat Hydro Scheme (Drawing 1) but with the absence of the reservoir tank and water reticulating pipes.

The absence of the reservoir tank and water reticulating pipes would mean that the Habitat Hydro Scheme is greatly reduced in size and therefore can be installed in any convenient location such as under the house or externally, or in the duct area of larger buildings. The unit can be installed in existing buildings without a great deal of inconvenience.

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Claims (43)

1. Habitat Hydro Scheme comprising a complete automa electric powergnerag storage, and water conservation system wherein it is a closed, portable, mobile apparatus housing a pump with a flow switch which drives water of any type through a Ball Type Microturbine/s or a Barrel Type Microturbine/s which rotate a various step alternator/s so that a Circular Storage Battery System comprising a plurality of wedge shape individual cells containing safety devices is recharged thereby returing the water to a micro reservoir needing only a micro head of water to drive the scheme producing D.C. electrical current to the Batteries which is converted to A.C. electrical power through an Inverter and received and passed on by an in-built switchboard.

2. The Scheme according to claim 1 wherein the micro electric power-generating, storage and water conservation is complete in itself and self-circulating insofar as after the initial supply of water to the micro reservoir the water does not need replenishing except to replace a small amount of water loss through possible evaporation.

3. The Scheme according to claim 2 wherein the complete micro electric power- generating, storage and water conservation system is a system to generate electric power.

4. The Scheme according to claim 3 wherein the complete micro electric power- generating system and water conservation system is also a power storage system. The Scheme according to claim 4 wherein the complete micro electric power- generating system and power storage system is also a water conservation system.

AMENDED SHEET IPEA/AU PC1 /AUUI/UUV6 Received 30 August 2001 16

6. The Scheme according to claim 1 to 5 wherein the complete micro electric power-generating system, power storage system and water conservation system is contained in a closed portable mobile unit with a heavy duty base.

7. The Scheme according to claim 1 to 6 wherein the complete micro electric power-generating, power storage and water conservation system contains a built- in micro pump.

8. The Scheme according to claim 7 wherein the micro pump is fitted with a flow switch, which drives water to the jet chamber.

9. The Scheme according to claim 8 wherein the jet chamber contains projections which force the water past baffles.

The Scheme according to claim 9 wherein the baffles direct the water on to the jets.

11. The Scheme according to claim 10 wherein the jets direct the water on to the microturbine/s.

12. The Scheme according to claim 11 wherein the microturbine/s is a Ball Type radial flow spherical or oval ball comprising evenly spaced blades fixed around the microturbine/s with a two-way curvature and spoon-shaped indentations on each blade.

13. The Scheme according to claim 12 wherein each blade catches amounts of water to rotate the Ball microturbine/s. AMENDED SHEET N' IPENAU Received 30 August 2001 17

14. The Scheme according to claim 13 wherein the Ball microturbine/s contain a built-in automatic bypass to clear blockages.

The Scheme according to claim 14 wherein the Barrel microturbine/s is a cylindrical barrel comprising blades which are spaced parallel around the core of the barrel and which are curved in a partial ellipse along the full length of the barrel and are also curved around the cross-section of the blades.

16. The Scheme according to claim 15 wherein the Barrel microturbine is used in conjunction with the system.

17. The Scheme according to claims 1 to 16 wherein the micro reservoir needs only a micro head of water to drive the microturbine/s.

18. The Scheme according to claim 17 wherein the microturbines rotate the various step alternator/s to recharge the Circular Storage Battery System.

19. The Scheme according to claims 1 to 18 wherein the battery system is specifically designed to save space and to fit securely in the apparatus.

The Scheme according to Claim 19 wherein to save space and to fit securely in this or any other apparatus the batteries are designed in a uniform wedge shape which can vary in dimension and can be placed in a circular, semi-circular, linear or column position and used in any of these combinations and stacked in tiers as required.

21. The Scheme according to Claim 20 wherein the wedge-shaped batteries have built-in spacers that allow for expansion. AMENDED SHEE cl IPEA/AU Received 30 October 2001 18

22. The Scheme according to Claim 21 wherein the wedge-shaped batteries with built-in spacers are connected by positive and negative male and female connections minimising the use of battery leads.

23. The Scheme according to Claim 22 wherein the batteries have female connectors moulded into each battery case.

24. The Scheme according to Claim 23 wherein the female connectors moulded into the battery case connect the male unions.

The Scheme according to Claim 24 wherein the male union is a strengthening device which holds the batteries firmly together.

26. The Scheme according to Claims 19 to 25 wherein an alternative type of terminal post is a screw type thimble with a union acting as a spacer with a press stud style negative connector which suits smaller batteries.

27. The Scheme according to Claim 19 to 26 wherein the batteries have indicators to show the condition of each cell when stacked.

28. The Scheme according to Claim 19 to 27 wherein the batteries contain a screw type vented plug in the angled bottom of the top of each battery.

29. The Scheme according to Claim 19 to 28 wherein the placing of the plug in the angled bottom of the top of each battery allows the checking of electrolyte levels, the topping up of fluid and the prevention of over filling of fluid to the cell. The Scheme according to Claims 19 to 29 wherein the batteries are protected AMENDED SHEET IPEA/AU PC'I/AUO I/UUS Received

30 August 2001 19 by safety devices.

31. The Scheme according to Claim 30 wherein the safety devices are A.C. and D.C. Lightning Conductors.

32. The Scheme according to Claim 31 wherein the safety devices are insulated covers for the batteries.

33. The Scheme according to Claim 32 wherein the safety device is a P.V.C. base under the batteries.

34. The Scheme according to Claim 33 wherein the safety devices are non- conducting materials used for constructing the portable mobile unit.

The Scheme according to Claim 34 wherein the safety devices are insulated covers for the inverters and converters.

36. The Scheme according to Claims 35 wherein an inverter or converter converts the electric power produced by the batteries from D.C. to A.C.

37. The Scheme according to Claims 1 to 36 wherein an in-built switchboard receives and passes on the A.C. electrical current.

38. An assembly for generating and storing electricity, and conserving water comprising a plurality of apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 37 wherein the plurality ofmicroturbines are combined or are interchangeable in the scheme. AMENDED SHEET IPENAU Received 30 October 2001

39. A method for generating and storing electricity, and conserving water as hereinbefore described.

A method of combining according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 37 the plurality ofmicroturbines in the scheme with water mains, water tanks containing pressure pumps, plumbing fixtures, all downpipes, air conditioners, heating installations and swimming pools containing reticulation filtration plants and in stillwater, flowing, running, tidal or gushing water situations natural and man- made, and placed in fixed situations on floats on streams, creeks or rivers so as to rise and fall with fluctuations in the volume of water.

41. Apparatus for generating and storing electricity and conserving water as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.

42. A scheme for generating and storing electricity and conserving water the method as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.

43. A method for generating and storing electricity and conserving water the method as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings. AMENDED SHEET IPEA/AU