GB2451632A

GB2451632A - Turbine mounted in water supply pipe

Info

Publication number: GB2451632A
Application number: GB0715251A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Vipond
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-08-03
Filing date: 2007-08-03
Publication date: 2009-02-11
Also published as: GB0715251D0

Abstract

A water turbine d is rotated by water from a water supply pipe a, the water then being used as normal within a building. The turbine d is connected to an electric generator h which produces an AC current. The AC current may be converted to DC by a rectifier j and stored in batteries k. An inverter m may be connected to the batteries k so as to convert the current back to AC to be used within the building. There may be provided a by-pass around the turbine d in the water supply pipe a which is controlled by valves b, c. The building may be a household, factory, hotel, hospital or other organisation where water is introduced via mains water piping to supply taps, washing machines, dishwashers, toilet facilities, showers etc. The invention is intended to provide a source of renewable energy for use in buildings.

Description

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a device which when connected to the internal mains water pipes supplying flesh water to a building will generate electricity towards the electrical power of that building.

Background to the invention

Mains water is piped to almost all occupied and some unoccupied buildings to supply water for drinking, washing, hygiene purposes etc. The water is supplied at considerable pressure but this powerfbl form of energy is only used to supply a form of drinking washing etc. and the potential secondary usefulness of the kinetic energy supplied via the water pressure is disregarded.

(Renewable energy is becoming a necessity of life in the 2 l centwy, not least because of the dangers of global warming and the efficient use of all energy supplies with as little waste of power as possible, including water, are now an essential part of life.) To overcome the wasteful use of this extra source of power this invention proposes the insertion of a unit which comprises a micro water driven electrical generator at or near the entry of the water supply piping to a building. This generator will supply rectified electrical DC current to a bank of batteries which in turn via an electrical inverter will supply additional AC current to the electrical supply of that building and in certain circumstances when there is a surplus of electricity in the building this surplus can be diverted back to the national electricity grid to augment then own supplies.

Thus when any use of the water supply is required, for example to flush a toilet, run a bath, to supply a shower or supply water to a washing machine, dishwasher, fill a kettle etc. the generator will charge up the batteries and hence the inverter will convert this DC electrical current to AC current and supplement clecLrical power to the building in question. It could also generate sufficient electricity to supply via the batteries and electrical inverter sufficient electrical power to maintain a fridge or freezer when normal electrical power is cut off for a short period, perhaps several days.

Summary of Invention

The device is constructed as follows;-the mains water inlet pipe is connected to the pelton ( or other design of multi fin wheel) waterwheel chamber. An outlet pipe is connected to the other side of the chamber. The outlet pipe allows the continuing flow of water to the rest of the buildings plumbing system. For servicing or repairfremoval of the apparatus from the buildings plumbing supply additional pipes will circumvent the apparatus and via valves close down the water supply to the apparatus while diverting the water supply directly back into the plumbing system.

Any use of water to activate a plumbed in apparatus within the building ( for example the operation of a shower or washing machine) will cause the flow of high pressure water through the waterwheel chamber. This will rotate the waterwheel at high speed. The waterwheel has a drive shaft connected either directly (or via gears or pully's) to an electrical generator. The generator supplies AC current to a rectifier which converts the AC current to DC current. The rectifier is in turn connected to a battery bank which is in turn connected to an electrical inverter. The inverter converts the battery electrical output to AC current. This current is connected either indirectly or directly to the main electrical supply of the building. This will supply additional electricity to the building and reduce the use of electricity from the electrical grid supplier. In addition where the electricity generated exceeds the buildings demand, the output from the generator can supply additional power back to the grid supplier. The electrical power generated and held via the batteries can also prove to be an emergency backup towards (for example) the electrical power supply of a fudge or freezer ( or some other household appliance) when mains electrical power to the home is disrupted for a short period of time.

Brief Description of the Drawing

Mains water is supplied via pipe a'. It is routed to the device via pipe f'. Valves b' and c' on both inlet and outlet pipes ( a, f and g) allow the device to be either connected or disconnected as necessary.

While connected the pressurised mains water enters the waterwheel chamber via P. The waterwheel ci' is forced into circular motion via this water and a either a direct connection or indirect connection via gears or pulleys drives the electrical AC generator h'.

The electricity generated is converted via a AC to DC rectifier j'. Th generator h' and the rectifier j' are joined by cable i'. DC electricity is sent to the battery bank k'. This current is then either stored in the batteries or sent via the cables I' to the electrical inverter m'.

The cables'n' are either connected to the mains electricity fuse assembly o' or via a direct connection to any apparatus requiring direct supply. i.e. a refrigerator.

Figure 1' shows a front view of the device connected to the mains water system and ancillary electrical apparatus.

Claims

A water powered micro electrical generator comprising a waterwheel chamber, powered by the force of water via normal inlet supply pipe and outlet pipe (connected to or located within a household, or business; hotel; hospital; manufacturing; or any other industrial premises of whatever description) supplied to those premises, this water supply being activated by the usage of drinking taps; showers; toilet systems, laundry washers, etc, and then connected to which is an electrical generator, this same producing AC electrical current.
2. A water powered micro electrical generator according to claim 1, which will also have electrical connections to a AC to DC rectifier.
3. A water powered micro electrical generator according to claims 1 and claim 2, which will have an electrical connections via an AC to DC rectifier to a bank of batteries, the same which will store electrical energy.
4. A water powered micro electrical generator according to the preceding claims which will have a bank of batteries connected to an electrical inverter.
5. A water powered micro electrical generator according to all the preceding claims, the electrical inverter which can be connected to a variety of apparatus i.e. mains electrical supply box, or directly to electrical apparatus such as (for example) a refridgerator, lighting systems etc, located in a household or business; hotel; hospital; manufacturing; or any other premises of whaterever description whether substantially fixed or of permanent construction or mobile,
6. A water powered micro electrical generator according to all of the preceding claims which when operational shall provide an alternative or additional source of renewable electricity to households; business; hotel; hospital; manufacturing or any other premises of whatever description whether substantially fixed or of permanent construction or mobile.