GB2266346A

GB2266346A - Water driven power station.

Info

Publication number: GB2266346A
Application number: GB9208657A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Rolin Heal
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-04-22
Filing date: 1992-04-22
Publication date: 1993-10-27
Anticipated expiration: 2012-04-22
Also published as: GB2266346B; GB9208657D0

Abstract

A power generating station utilises water retention devices (Figure 1) comprising tubes 3 connected by webs 2. A large number of these devices are distributed on a slope so as to become charged with rain or river water. A heavy slow moving mass of the water-charged devices 5 (Fig. 2) gravitates down the slope and is blocked by a high torque wheel 4 which converts kinetic energy into high torque. Power generators and pumping stations are driven by the high torque wheel through shafts, stepup gears, clutches and, or, disconnects. Discharged water retention devices ("Aqua Atoms") are collected on a grid 7 and returned to hoppers 15 at the top of the slope by a suction device 8. Water is discharged from the "Aqua Atoms" into raceways, and pumped to water treatment stations. New "Aqua Atoms" can be loaded into the hopper from a loading station when required. <IMAGE>

Description

AQUA ATOM WATER RETENTION UNIT Short History.

The Aqua Atom was designed to create an artificial water plain below the soil, retaining rainfall long enough to stimulate plant growth.

STRUCTURE The structure of the Aqua Atom is in the form of a square tubed double cross with twelve webs interspacing the legs of the cross.

The unit will hold water in any position in which it lies, for land restoration the unit would be small, one inch in diameter, with break points on the webs ensuring Aqua Atoms will cling to each other under pressure.

The strata in 'which they lay would be several inches thick.

MATERIAL Construction material would be a suitable tough plastic, injection moulded and cheap to manufacture.

Waste plastics would be used in the manufacturing process the percentage dependant upon tests.

APPLICATION TO THE WATER SUPPLY INDUSTRY Each Aqua Atom charged with water has a great potential for generating power, used en masse only structural limitations confine the maximum potential.

The Aqua Atoms for this particular application have spherical outer edges with no break points.

PRINCIPLE This scheme relies on a slow moving mass of Aqua Atoms charged with water moving down a slope, which is unlike the conventional hydro electrical power stations where high kinetic energy drives turbines.

The Aqua Atoms have made this new approach possible and revolutionized water containment and electrical power generation.

CONSTRUCTION A large area of hillside is smoothed over, the base reinforced with concrete and plated with stainless steel sheeting.

Aqua Atoms are placed tentatively two feet thick over the whole area. This becomes the water catchment area, thy degree of slope would depend upon tests.

The water charged Aqua Atoms gravitate down the slope onto a high torque wheel. The size dependant upon requirements, and converts the kinetic mass into torque. This slow moving high torque wheel through step up gears, drives electrical generators and pumping stations. Electrical power generated operates the automatic and computerized control of the station.

Wheel rotation also discharges water from the Aqua Atoms down race ways.

HIGH TORQUE WHEEL POSITION The high torque wheel reacts against the mass at the lowest end of the slope, a gully is formed by the slope and a ramp, the gully being perforated allowing displaced water into the race ways.

Wheel torque efficiency is increased by the ramp which also displaces water and topples Aqua Atoms on to a grid.

WHEEL DESIGN The multi blades are designed to accept the total mass of Aqua Atom pressure from the time they are immersed.

They are variable so that at the time of penetration into the mass the blade is angled forty five degrees to the flow, changing quickly to right angles to the thrust.

Frontal surface of the blades is increased by being corrugated, stepped penetration of the mass is also achieved by this design.

WATER CATCHMENT CONTROL The area over the Aqua Atoms is shuttered in stages This controls the areas of Aqua Atoms to be charged by rainfall.

Opening and closing these can control the pressures on the high torque wheel.

Charging the Aqua Atoms would start at the lower level moving to the top. This ensures thrust is felt through to the wheel at all times.

MASS FLOW CONTAINMENT Containment is achieved by hinged weighted fingers resting on the top of the Aqua Atoms in line with the flow.

DISCHARGED AQUA ATOMS RETURN SYSTEM The return system is by suction, Aqua Atoms are sucked up from the grid by a sweeping arm and returned to the hopper. This is achieved by a holding tank, when filled to a required level suction is stopped, a trap opens and Aqua Atoms are discharged into the hopper.

A hopper levelling arm ensures correct distribution of Aqua Atoms back onto the slope.

LUBRICATION SYSTEM Spilled water lubricates the slope, in stages this is collected and fed into piping and sprayed on to the lower level Aqua Atoms ensuring maximum saturation.

Overspill is collected in the lower race ways.

RACEWAYS Race ways exit from the gully and grid. This water is pumped to treatment stations.

STATION CONTROL SYSTEM The station is controlled automatically by computer.

The required torque is selected at the high torque wheel.

Any movement from these sensing devices will signal the shutters to open or close, the lubrication system to open or close, or hopper charging to increase or decrease.

Torque selections would depend on requirements.

Electrical generators and pumping stations would have clutches or disconnects.

COLD CONDITIONS The slope is plumbed for heating from hot water.

1. Aqua Atom.

2. Twelve or twenty four webs.

3. Square Tube.

4. High Torque Wheel.

5. Aqua Atoms charged with water.

6. Ramp.

7. Grid 8. Suction return system.

9. Water to treatment stations.

10. Raceway.

11. Gully.

12. Reinforced concrete stainless steel plated.

13. Hinged containment fingers.

14. Staggered shutters.

15. Hopper.

16. Holding tank.

17. Slope.

18. Loading station.

19. Gears.

20 Step up gear box.

21. Clutch.

22. Gear Box.

23 Generators.

24 Drives 25 Pumping station 26 Angled gear box.

Claims

1. I claim a new approach to water conservation and power generation as defined in he specification, relying on heavy water charged water retention units moving en masse slowly down a slope onto a high torque wheel.

The high torque wheel converts the kinetic mass into high torque which drives generators and pumping stations through shafts, stepup gears, clutches and, or, disconnects.

2. I claim as claimed in Claim l.Large water catchment areas relying on water retention units retaining rainfall or river water on a slope for conversion to power and water conservation.

3. I claim as claimed in Claim 1 and 2 a water retention and electrical power generation system which relies on heavy water charged water retention units moving down a slope to be discharged by a high torque wheel, ramp and grid , to be returned to a hopper for repeat cycles.