CA2677006A1

CA2677006A1 - Hydraulic generator (liquid flow generator)

Info

Publication number: CA2677006A1
Application number: CA2677006A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Jean Pierre Hofman; Bruce I. Benn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-08-28
Filing date: 2009-08-28
Publication date: 2011-02-28
Also published as: WO2011022835A1

Abstract

It is an objective of the invention to provide a hydraulic generator which mitigates the problems with existing hydraulic rotating pumps and motors. The invention of the Liquid Flow Generator (hereinafter referred to as "Hydraulic Generator") is specially designed to combine both of the functions of a "hydraulic pump/motor" and a "hydraulic converter" to produce, from a rotating energy source collected as torque, a high volume, rotary liquid load and to transform it into kinetic energy as a liquid flow expelled into a pipe line. Such energy conversion is not necessarily related to electricity production or compression/pressure generation. For simplification, comparisons and references are based therefore throughout this document by considering the functions of the Hydraulic Generator to work like a volumetric transfer Pump. By reversing the functions and injecting a liquid flow into the device, this will work like a Motor/Turbine and produce, from the kinetic energy of a liquid flow, a rotating energy which renders a torque. The following descriptions and references are not detailing this function, but are apparent to anyone with skill in the art. Basically, the invention functions as a variable displacement device because:
.cndot. by combining several Hydraulic Generators on a common shaft, it may work as a variable displacement device.
.cndot. Also, the design enables shifting the axis of the rotor versus the axis of the stator, like in a conventional rotary sliding vane pump, varying the capacity displaced by the device.

Description

Hydraulic Generator (Liquid Flow Generator) [01] The present invention relates generally to hydraulic systems, and more specifically, to energy conversion systems. The invention of the Liquid Flow Generator (hereinafter referred to as "Hydraulic Generator") is specially designed to combine both of the functions of a "hydraulic pump/motor" and a "hydraulic converter" to produce, from a rotating energy source collected as torque, a high volume, rotary liquid load and to transform it into kinetic energy as a liquid flow expelled into a pipe line. Such energy conversion is not necessarily related to electricity production or compression/pressure generation.

Background of the Invention [02] The main area relates to Hydrodynamics and particularly to improving the generation of liquid flow, enabling indifferently high or low volumes and/or pressures and/or wide ranges of these from slow torques.

[03] However, because the hydraulic generator is designed specially to fit with other hydraulic systems based on the kinetic energy of liquid flows, hydraulic motors, turbines and pumps (more particularly rotary vane or gear pumps) the Hydraulic Generator also directly relates to these technologies.

[04] The most comparative devices which may be assimilated to the Hydraulic Generator and work in a similar way are the rotary sliding vane pump/motor (see Figure 3) or in a lesser way the gear pump (see Figure 4a) and lobe pump (see Figure 4b).

[05] By definition, "A rotary vane pump is a positive-displacement pump that consists of vanes mounted to a rotor that rotates inside of a cavity. In some cases these vanes can be variable length and/or tensioned to maintain contact with the walls as the pump rotates." It was invented by Charles C. Barnes of Sackville, New Brunswick who patented it on June 16, 1874.

[06] Common uses of vane and gear pumps include high pressure hydraulic pumps and automotive uses including supercharging, power steering and automatic transmission pumps. Pumps for mid-range pressures include applications such as carbonators for fountain soft drink dispensers and espresso coffee machines. They also are used often as vacuum pumps for providing braking assistance (through a braking booster) in diesel-engine vehicles, and in most light aircraft to drive gyroscopic flight instruments, the attitude indicator and heading indicator.

= Their advantages include: high flow capacities, low starting and running torque, vibration-free operation, low running noise and continuous flow.

= Their disadvantages comprise: need for stuffing boxes, complex housing and many parts, heat of the vanes, malfunction in the slide of the blades (e.g. not working well with low rotational speed), not suitable for high pressures, not suitable for high viscosity and not good with abrasives.

= Lobe and gear pumps are only positive displacement type. Rotary vane pumps can either be designed as positive or variable displacement devices.
However variable displacement vane pumps are generally limited in flow variances and less robust, obliging even more complex housing and parts.

[07] There is therefore a need for an improved Hydraulic Generator.
Summary of the Invention [08] A Generator is a machine that converts one form of energy into another.
More commonly, Generators are assimilated to electrical generators which produce electricity from another source of energy (e.g. thermal, hydraulic, steam, nuclear, charcoal or gas engines).

[09] A Hydraulic Converter (also called torque converter) is a type of fluid coupling (e.g. oil, water), which allows the downstream process to spin somewhat independently of the power source. It is used to transfer rotating power from a prime mover, such as the shaft of a prime mover, to a rotating driven load.

[10] The invention of the Liquid Flow Generator is designed specially to combine both of these functions to produce kinetic energy as a liquid flow, from a rotating energy source collected as torque (see Figure 1).

[11] In the Process of the Wind Hydro-Generator (hereinafter referred to as the "Process" and described in a separate patent application), the invention of the Hydraulic Generator enables producing, from the wind energy collected by a Wind Rotor as torque, a high volume, rotary liquid load and to transform it into kinetic energy as a variable liquid flow expelled into a pipe or transmission line (see Figure 2).

[12] The system being reversible explains why the name Hydraulic Generator better names the device. It may generate indifferently kinetic energy within a liquid flow when using a torque (whatever the prime mover system may be) as an energy source or convert the kinetic energy of a pressurized liquid flow into a torque for powering another system.

[13] The Hydraulic Generator may be combined with other hydraulic devices, like a Pressure Vessel, where the invention may work as a speed regulator, a brake or any other application where energy should be stored for future rendering of power to its working environment.

[14] According to the downstream application coupled to a Hydraulic Generator, the system can be designed specially for improving certain criteria or combined with different types of devices (e.g. water tanks and/or pressure vessels) for enhancing specifically a process, using hydraulics but not necessarily having a liquid flow source available on site.

Areas of application [15] Hydraulic Generators offer superb sanitary qualities, high efficiency, reliability, corrosion resistance and good clean-in-place and steam-in-place (CIP/SIP) characteristics.

[16] They are designed naturally to optimize large flow volumes conversely to rotary speed and their "clutch" function collaborates to reduce the possibility of cavitation.

[17] Therefore the areas of application may be more flexible than comparative industrial pumps in a number of areas including:
= Construction, = Automotive, = Regenerative Braking, = Leverage, = Mining, = Power generation, = Fertilizer, = Petrochemicals, = Pulp and paper, = Chemical, = Food, = Beverage, = Pharmaceutical, and = Biotechnology.

[18] Other systems, methods, features, advantages and corresponding applications of the invention will be, or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the following claims.

Embodiments of the Invention [19] A Hydraulic Generator does not necessarily create pressure but mainly displaces liquid, causing a flow. Adding resistance to the flow generates pressure and therefore it is only the pressure required by the downstream application which determines the working pressure that the Hydraulic Generator will generate and the criteria for its manufacture.

Basic Embodiments 1) Frame & Processing Description for External Stator o A Hydraulic Generator's rotor functions like most rotary vane pumps whose hollow body (the stator) is a fixed cylinder mounted off-axis a rotating shaft (the rotor) inside the body. On the stator, the inlet and outlet pipes for the liquid are fixed on two opposed half sections of the cylinder.
o 3 or more curved blades are installed between the Rotor and the Stator, thereby separating the space into 3 or more chambers.
o Since the rotor is positioned off-axis the stator, its rotation causes the volume between the vanes to vary during each half turn, increasing first the volume of the chambers when sucking the water from the inlet pipe and reversely decreasing it on the opposite side while expelling the water into the outlet pipe. (see Figure 5a) o The fluid inlet port (i.e. the inflow pipe) is positioned on the cylindrical stator so that the volume behind the last to pass the point of shrinkage increases, allowing fluid to be sucked out of the inlet pipe and to expand into the vane.
o Reversely, the fluid outlet port (i.e. the outflow pipe) is positioned on the other side of the cylindrical stator so that when the vane is passing behind the opposite point of enlargement and while the blade starts to rotate and turns close to the rotor, it causes the fluid pushed by the next blade to be expelled out the outlet pipe.
o The Hydraulic Generator works like a "rotary sliding and swiveling vane pump".
o The curved blades are mounted on two axles or pivots, at each end.
The first axle inside the rotor's wall enables the blade to swivel during the motion of the rotor. The second axle is designed to slide alongside and against the stator, guided by a hollowed groove, channel, slot or guide. Both axles are placed so that the distance between the axle and the walls (the rotor and the stator) corresponds to the thickness of the blade which can end as tubes, on both sides, to minimize leakage. If need be, seals (e.g. in PTFE) may be adapted easily on the blades to enhance tightness.
o The radius of the blade's curvature preferably corresponds to the radius of the stator.
o The height of the pump, which equals the length of the stator cylinder, is determined by the capacity that is needed, which can be computed by subtracting the volume occupied by the rotor from the volume of the stator (i.e. corresponding to their radius differential). However, the Hydraulic Generator is designed specially for working with important flow volumes and low rotary speeds, enabling the system not to require any gearbox mechanism to raise the liquid flow volume that must be generated, although a gearbox may be used if desired.
o Also, the Hydraulic Generator is reversible directly and may function as well as a motor/turbine simply by injecting liquid through the outlet pipe which will cause the blades and the rotor to turn alongside the stator while expelling the liquid through the inlet pipe. If need be, a Hydraulic Generator may become a reciprocating engine which works alternately as pump and as motor.

o To avoid cavitation problems, the blades are designed to enable (on the rotor side) the use of a "Hydropneumatic Amortizer" which is made of a piston placed inside the cylindrical axle of the blade: the light variances of the flow volume in the chambers which are due to the difference of rotary motion of the blades at the shrinkage and enlargement points means that the chambers may use part of the incompressible water flow to exert a positive or negative pressure on the piston; the pneumatic part of the amortizer thereby absorbing this variance of pressure by compressing or decompressing the air it contains while water gets in/out. (see Figure 5c) 2) Frame & Processing Description for Internal Stator o Conversely to most rotary vane pumps whose hollow body (the stator) is a fixed cylinder mounted off-axis a rotating shaft (the rotor) inside the body, the Hydraulic Generator's rotor is a rotating hollowed cylinder, which turns off-axis around the central stator. The central stator being made of another cylinder working as the inlet/outlet pipe lines: in the stator, two opposed half sections of the cylinder form the inlet and outlet pipes for the liquid. (see Figures 5b) o 3 or more curved blades are installed between the Rotor and the Stator, thereby separating the space into 3 or more chambers.
o Since the rotor is positioned off-axis the stator, its rotation causes the volume between the vanes to vary during each half turn, increasing first the volume of the chambers and reversely decreasing it on the opposite side.
o The fluid inlet port (i.e. the inflow aperture) is positioned within the cylindrical stator so that the volume behind the last vane to pass the point of shrinkage increases, allowing fluid to be sucked out of the inlet pipe and to expand into the vane.

o Reversely, the fluid outlet port (i.e. the outflow aperture) is positioned on the other side within the cylindrical stator so that when the vane is passing behind the opposite point of enlargement and while the volume of the vane decreases, it allows the fluid to be expelled throughout the outlet pipe. (see Figure 6a) o The curved blades are mounted on two axles or pivots, at each end.
The first axle, placed against the rotor's wall, enables the blade to swivel during the motion of the rotor around the stator. The second axle is designed to slide alongside and against the stator, guided by a hollowed groove, channel, slot or guide. Both axles are placed so that the distance between the axle and the walls (the rotor and the stator) corresponds to the thickness of the blade which ends as tubes, on both sides, to minimize leakage.
o The radius of the blade's curvature preferably corresponds to the intermediary measure of the stator and rotor radius ([Stator radius +
Rotor Radius] / 2).
o The height of the pump (= the length of the rotor and stator cylinders) is determined by the capacity that is needed, which can be computed by subtracting the volume occupied by the stator from the volume of the rotor (i.e. corresponding to their radius differential). However, the Hydraulic Generator is designed specially for working with high flow and low rotary speed, enabling the system not to require any gearbox mechanism to raise the liquid flow volume that must be generated.
o Finally, the inflow line can be connected to the Stator's piping, indifferently on the same side of the Hydraulic Generator or on the opposite end, so that the generated liquid flow may cross the device or be reversed, parallel, to the same direction, according to the application's requirements.
o Also, the Hydraulic Generator is reversible directly and may function as well as a motor/turbine simply by injecting liquid through the outlet pipe which will oblige the blades and the rotor to turn around the stator while expelling the liquid through the inlet pipe. If need be, a Hydraulic Generator may become a reciprocating engine which works alternately as pump and as motor.

3) Thickness and shape of the blades o The thickness of the blades is determined by the characteristics of the material they are made of:
= Because the blades are submitted to the resistance of the water they have to displace, the force (Fl) exerted by the water against the curvature of the blades is transferred through the blades (F2) and means that the guiding axle against the Stator must be able to slip a little in arrear, enlarging the chamber volume (see Figure 6a), which means that the blades preferably should be somewhat flexible.
= This flexibility is also important because, at the shrinkable and enlargement points, there is a slight variation of the chamber's volume (due to the difference of rotary motion between the blades) which increases the pressure exerted by the water on the blades.
Therefore the blades should enable a limited torsion which is made possible by designing their thickness according to the characteristics of the material used.
= One should note that also, this flexibility factor is of great consequence for reducing cavitation factors.
o However the blades may be shaped simply as arc of cylinder, alternatively they may be specially designed not to be in contact with the tube or the other blades when the Rotor is settled closer to the Stator (i.e. using an elliptic spine - see Figure 6b).

4) Variable versus positive displacement o Basically the above described designs represent so-called "positive displacement" devices, which cause a fluid to move by trapping a fixed amount of it then forcing (displacing) that trapped volume into the discharge pipe. In this circumstance, the volume of water flow handled only relies on the rotary speed by multiplying the capacity volume by the RPM (revolution per minute).
o Certain applications may require the Hydraulic Generator to be able to transfer variable volumes (i.e. when the torque actuating the Rotor is sufficient to convert a large quantity of energy into a water flow but it is preferable not, or not possible, to increase the speed of the flow in the discharge pipe, or when several inlet pipes are randomly feeding a unique device).
o However it will be apparent to one with skill in the art to transform the design and to make it work as a variable displacement device, without departing from the scope of the invention, the following example is hereby incorporated by reference:
= Displacement of the axis of the rotor:
By having the housing of the rotor's shaft bearings mounted on a "rail" (alongside the virtual line joining the enlargement and shrinkable points) enables the axis to be displaced more or less far from the central axis of the stator, thereby making the ex-centered axle of the rotor more or less distant. As a result, because part of the flow is returned through the shrinkable point and may vary, the volume of the expelled flow may be regulated from about 0% (see Figure 6c) up to over 80% (see Figure 6d).
One should note that, because of the space between the Rotor and the Stator at the shrinkable point, when the resistance of the downstream device becomes too important, the water will only circulate inside the Hydraulic Generator. This is the factor which gives to the invention its function of "hydraulic converter" as mentioned in the summary and means that it gives to the device the benefit of excluding any risk of overcharge.
= By installing an automatic mechanism (i.e. hydraulic cylinder or telescopic cylinder - see Figure 6e) to change the position of the Rotor axis versus the Stator central axis, the Hydraulic Generator, when working as a pump, may transform the torque in a steady water flow (constant pressure and/or volume) whatever the power applied by the Rotor's shaft is, and reversely, when working as a motor, whatever the water flow may be, the Hydraulic Generator is able to transform steadily the power rendered to the Rotor's shaft and to make it turn at a constant and regulated rotary speed.
o Such possibility opens doors to many other industrial applications (e.g.
automotive devices) as the Hydraulic Generator may be considered not only as a pump or a motor but also as alternative to mechanical clutch. The variance of power transmission can be regulated according to many parameters including torque, force or speed, pressure, water flow volume, etc.
o Also this works in reverse motion: regulation of the outlet water flow when used as a pump or adjustment of the rotary speed of the shaft when used as motor/turbine. (two Hydraulic Generators may be coupled to enable clutch of two shafts rotating at different speeds) o Therefore Hydraulic Generators may be used throughout industry for a variety of purposes and explains why all citations herein are preferably incorporated by reference to the Process but are not exclusively limited to this.

Embodiment within a Wind Hydro-Generator [20] In the Process of a Wind Hydro-Generator, the Hydraulic Generator may be part of a Wind Rotor, which is acting as prime mover and converts the wind stream into a rotary motion as torque while the Hydraulic Generator transforms this collected wind energy into kinetic energy of a water flow.
(see Figure 7a) [21] The Hydraulic Generator is made of a set of blades, which can be housed inside the casing of the Wind Rotor and thereby working as a Generator model using external rotor, and designed like blades in a water turbine but acting reversely as a pump by drawing liquid from a liquid tank or reservoir into the rotary motion of the water turbine and expelling a high volume liquid flow into a pipe or transmission line (see Figure 7b). The Hydraulic Generator also may be fixed at the bottom of the Wind Rotor's shaft (in which case the model of Generator using an internal rotor would be chosen).

[22] Note: Because the Hydraulic Generator functions like a pump in the Process, it may be replaced by some existing model of pumps (see Figure 8a).
However, a number of these industrial hydraulic pumps will not fit because they are made for hydraulic fluid like oil, which could burn out if they were pumping water. Furthermore, there are very few pumps that can pump water at sufficiently high volume flows but with low pressure and very low rotational speed, although the question of the pump capacity may be solved by using a tooth element, gear or cog for multiplying the rotational speed rendered by the Wind Rotor's shaft. Hence the Hydraulic Generator could be replaced by a rotary vane pump in the Process, but this pump would have to be designed specially for enabling high flow and low pressure, using water instead of oil.

[23] By combining several generators (or pumps) on the Wind Rotor's shaft, it is possible to optimize the overall volume of water flow directed to the downstream application and enlarge the range of exploitable wind speed.
Hydraulic Generators / Pumps with different capacities are mounted either in "series" or in "parallel" and may be switched on/off automatically according to the rotary speed of the shaft (see Figure 8a - 8b). Example:
= 'Hydraulic generator 1' having a capacity of 45 L, would fit the energy transformed from Wind Rotor with wind speed from 2 m/s to 8 m/s = 'Hydraulic generator 2' would be automatically clutched on from wind speed of 8 m/s, transforming energy collected in a 150 L water flow, coming in addition to the 50 L delivered by HG1, = 'Hydraulic generator 3' would start with wind speeds from 12 m/s for delivering 450 L more of water flow up to wind speeds of about 20 m/s.
= Above 20 m/s, but also whenever need be, as seen above, it is possible to vary the displacement of the hydraulic generators by diminishing the distance of the rotor axis relatively to the stator axis.

[24] When positioned in "series" on the shaft of the wind rotor, the hydraulic generators slowly rotating at the same speed as the wind rotor, the capacity of the generators should correspond directly to the needs of the downstream application. When positioned in "parallel", the system would use a tooth element or gear mounted on the wind rotor shaft with smaller tooth elements or gears on the axle of the generators, which means that a multiplication ratio must be considered (i.e. in the diagram 8b = 15, accordingly with a capacity of 3L - 10L - 30 Q. In "parallel" Hydraulic Generators are mounted necessarily at the bottom of the wind rotor shaft.

1) Liquid circulation: by adding a tank See Figure 9b [25] A tank supplies the liquid exploited by the application coupled to the Hydraulic Generator. Preferably closed tanks, at atmospheric pressure, should be used to enable (including but not limited to the following examples):
= the liquid in the loop to become de-oxygenated = to be treated with chemicals = to enable reverse osmosis and/or = to be added, with compounds for reducing the freezing point of the mixture below the lowest temperature that the system is likely to be exposed to (e.g. Ethylene or Propylene glycol) 2) Liquid transportation: liquid source and storage container are independent [26] A liquid source, such as from a container, lake or river, supplies the liquid exploited by the application related to the system allowing but not being limited to:
= the liquid in the loop to be pumped, = to be stored into a separately (possibly higher) located container for later use as energy storage facility, = to be directed through pipes to exploitation sites, = to enable draining or irrigation processes, sewage and refrigeration systems and the like (see Figure 9c) 3) Liquid Pressurization: by adding a Pressure Vessel [27] A hydraulic accumulator is an energy storage device.
o It is a pressure storage reservoir in which a non-compressible hydraulic liquid is held under pressure by an external source.
o That external source can be a spring, a raised weight, a compressed gas or similar mechanical system. Compressed gas Pressure Vessels are by far the most common type. These are also called hydro-pneumatic accumulators or Hydropneumatic Containers ('HC').
o A HC may be installed between the Hydraulic Generator and a downstream application's motor.
o The main reasons that an accumulator is used in a Hydro-Wind Generator are so that the Hydraulic Generator doesn't need to be so large to cope with extremes of demand, so that the supply circuit can respond more quickly to any temporary demand and to smooth pulsations of the downstream process.
o Also, as the outflow of energy from the Hydraulic Generator connected to a wind power source varies with the wind, a HC enables a motor coupled to the Hydraulic Generator to rotate at a constant speed without any need for gearboxes, brakes and other speed regulators.

o Hence it works like an accumulator for storing the kinetic energy of the flow produced by the Hydraulic Generator:
= The HC is filled with compressed air at the time of installation to raise its basic working pressure, while already containing about 1/5 of its liquid capacity.
= Water preferably should be used because oil when in contact with compressed air presents a serious hazard of explosion, due to the adiabatic compression of a gas pocket which may develop temperatures above the auto-ignition point of the oil.
= When oil is necessary, air must be replaced by an inert gas (e.g.
nitrogen). However, in this case, both fluids must be stored in two chambers separated by an elastic membrane (diaphragm), a totally enclosed bladder, or a floating piston.
= Water can be directly in contact with the compressed air. Hence, a direct exchange of heat takes place and reduces the thermodynamic concerns.
= As the HC is filled with water by the Generator, the water pressurizes the air inside even more, and the water is pressurized to the same level of pressure as the air.
= The water is expelled under pressure from the HC through a pipe to power a hydraulic motor, as long as the water pressure is above the working pressure of the motor.
= For small and medium installations, the HC and the water tank should be dimensioned to enable direct independency over the required period of time.
= A properly designed and maintained HC should operate trouble-free for years.
= A Hydraulic Motor is fixed on the HC in order to collect the pressurized liquid as a power source.
o Conventional motors may be considered as well as turbines.

o The downstream application should be balanced by the capacity volume and the working pressure of the HC.
o For example, to render a power of 100 kW, 250 Usec will be needed at 4 bars. Accordingly, the Hydraulic Motor has to produce a rotary motion in an average of 3,200 to 4,000 rpm with a motor capacity of about 5 L/rotation.
o Note: Coupling a Pressure Vessel to a Hydraulic Generator can be used in lots of other applications (e.g.: in the automotive industry for Regenerative Braking where Hydraulic Generators may easily be mounted directly on the wheels - see Figure 10) 4) Gas compression: by adding a Hydro-Air Compressor [28] With a Pressure Vessel, the medium for storing the energy is the compressed air (C.A.), because water is not compressible. Also, pressure vessels are strictly regulated and building large devices rapidly may become an obstacle, even when using in-ground water tanks.
o Possibly, with larger installations, because of technical problems for manufacturing these tanks on a large scale [i.e. over 50,000 liters capacity (12,000 gallons) while getting a maximum working pressure of 50-60 bars only (750psi)], it may be less expensive to include a Hydro Air Compressor ('HAC') between the Generator and the HC, so that the HC
may be of a smaller volume, or even simply replace the HC, and to store C.A. in a bank of industrial gas bottles.
o Note : Indifferently, a pneumatic or hydro-pneumatic motor could be powered by C.A. stored in bottles. Therefore it is only the downstream application which determines the way C.A. preferably would be used directly or in association with a hydraulic device. (see Figure 9d) o The present invention has been described with regard to one or more embodiments. However, it will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. All citations are hereby incorporated by reference.

Conclusions [29] The embodiments described herein provide various advantages over comparable devices, including but not limited to the following:
= Works as a pump or as a motor at a wide range of rotational speeds, from 1 rpm to over 120 rpm, with torque from a few N.m only up to hundreds of thousands N.m.
= Every torque may be sufficient, as long as it covers the resisting force and pressure met by the outlet flow, which may raise hundreds of liters per second, like in the Process = Can also be used as an alternative to a mechanical clutch, thereby automatically protecting the system from overcharges and overspeeds.
= Automatic regulation of the power/pressure/speed output is possible, as well when functioning as a pump than as a motor/turbine.
= Less mechanical loss, rendering over 97% of the incoming power = Suitable with a very wide range of liquids = With a basic capacity designed for water flow volumes up to hundreds of liters/second, the Hydraulic Generator is more particularly efficient with high flow volumes at slow rotary speed conversely to most of hydraulic pumps or motors as proposed by the industry, which require raising thousands of rpm for a similar result, therefore more sensitive to heat and lubrication factors.
= According to the manufacture and the materials used, it may work with pressure up to 1,000 psi = Easily adaptable to many downstream applications requiring a very strong pump, motor/turbine or clutch.

= Less expensive to build because: only few parts are needed, no particular sealing is required and the housing is developed easily (e.g. using material like 316L Stainless Steel).
= Therefore the overall weight is considerably lower compared to equivalent capacity and flow volumes handled by conventional pumps/motors.
= In the Process, no need for a gearbox for Hydraulic Generators mounted inside the Wind Rotor's cylinder; the rotary speed of the sails (or wheel or propeller) is transmitted directly to the blades through the rotor which is common to both parts.
= However, possible use of a tooth element or gear when Hydraulic Generator(s) is (are) fixed at the bottom of the Wind Rotor's shaft or in other types of application.

[30] All the above results in a less expensive, more robust but better performing device.

[31] The present invention has been described with regard to one or more embodiments. However, it will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. All citations are hereby incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. A hydraulic variable or positive displacement rotating machine which combines both of the functions of a Hydraulic Pump (or Motor) and a Hydraulic Converter to generate:

from a rotating energy source collected as torque, a high volume, rotary liquid load and to transform it into kinetic energy as a liquid flow expelled into a pipe line, or, from the kinetic energy of a liquid flow as power source, a rotating energy generated as torque applied to a shaft.

2. The Hydraulic Generator of claim 1 enabling automatic or voluntary regulation of the said variable water flow, by translating the rotor axis to or from the stator axis.

3. The Hydraulic Generator of either of claims 1 or 2, wherein said machine also functions as a clutch / converter.

4. The Hydraulic Generator of any one of claims 1 to 3 including:

an external Stator, the hollow body of the stator being a fixed cylinder mounted off-axis a rotating shaft (the rotor) inside the body, the stator having inlet and outlet pipes for the liquid, fixed on opposed sides of the said cylinder.

5. The Hydraulic Generator of any one of claims 1 to 3 including:
an internal Stator, the hollow body of the Rotor being a rotating cylinder, which turns off-axis around the central, fixed Stator;
the central Stator being made of another cylinder comprising apertures which function as the inlet/outlet to pipe lines; in the stator, two opposed half sections of the cylinder form the inlet and outlet pipes for the liquid.

6. The Hydraulic Generator of any one of claims 1 to 5 comprising three or more curved blades installed between the Rotor and the Stator, thereby separating the space into three or more chambers.

7. The Hydraulic Generator of claim 6 wherein said set of blades swivel/pivot around their fixation axis against said Rotor and slide alongside said Stator in a guide flanking said Stator;

since the Rotor is positioned off-axis the stator, its rotation causes the volume between the blades to vary while rotating, therefore increasing first during the first half rotation for sucking out the water from the inlet pipe and reversely decreasing for expelling the water into the outlet pipe during the second half rotation.

8. The Hydraulic Generator of any one of claims 1 to 7 being entirely reversible, allowing it to function as a pump or as a motor.

9. The Hydraulic Generator of any one of claims 1 to 7 being entirely reversible, rotating indifferently clockwise or contraclockwise.

10. The Hydraulic Generator of any one of claims 6 to 9 avoiding cavitation problems by using said blades (installed between the Rotor and the Stator) comprising a "Hydropneumatic Amortizer", made of a piston placed inside the cylindrical axle of said blades (on the rotor side).