GB2462895A

GB2462895A - Tandem water wheel generator

Info

Publication number: GB2462895A
Application number: GB0908429A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gordon Arthur Snape
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-08-29
Filing date: 2009-05-15
Publication date: 2010-03-03
Anticipated expiration: 2029-05-15
Also published as: GB0819134D0; GB2462895C; GB2462895B; GB0815792D0; GB0908429D0; GB2462895A9

Abstract

A hydro electric generator driven by a main non tidal river has six water wheels 1-6 in tandem mode borne on a floating pier 7,8 in a partially enclosed leat. The wheels can be connected in pairs by means of five belts 9 driven by flywheels 10 wherein wheels 1-3 are used as flow impellers and wheels 4-6 in power generation, with wheels having a relative velocity ratio. The generator may also comprise: an alternator; a gearbox; a magnetic clutch for start-up; a brake for maintenance; two sections 7,8 bolted together; hinged flow deflection walls, flotsam arrestor 14; and wheeled retention system (fig 8) surrounding tubular pylons embedded in the river in fore, mid and aft positions.

Description

The concept concerns a hydro electric generator wherein the device is borne on a floating pier in a partially enclosed leat primarily to eliminate reverse flow at the tailrace in a flood condition and water depletion at the generating wheels due to accelerated flow in a fully enclosed leat and where so in consequence dispense with the sluice gates normally used for regulating water supply.

The siting for the device could be near a non tidal river bank where the river is of some magnitude in span but possibly in mid stream where the river is of much lesser proportion.

The installation consists of six water wheels working in tandem which we will designate 1-6 in numeric order with wheels 1-3 utilised as flow impellors and wheels 4-6 used for power generation.

All wheels in the array are coupled in pairs by means of five flywheel driven belts wherein wheels 2, 3 and 4 have a velocity ratio advantage with wheels I and 2 operating in a tapered leat and wheels 3-6 in a parallel leat wheels I and 2 have I Sft diameter and wheels 3-6 20ft diameter.

To overcome inertia at start up wheel 3 incorporates a magnetic clutch which is activated electronically when wheels 4-6 have attained suitable revolution.

It is proposed herein that the river bed local to the installation could be dredged to a depth wherein the device can function in a low rainfall condition and the site cleared of silt build up by suction pumps.

It is further proposed that the buoyant section of the pier is water ballasted by pump means to ensure a level platform and wheel immersion depth of 2ft 6ins in static mode for all wheels in the array with 3ft 6ins immersion depth for the pier.

For convenience in handling it is suggested that the pier could consist of two sections and bolted together on site between wheels 3 and 4.

For reasons of water stimulation forward of wheel I are two submerged flow deflection walls pivotally attached to the pier in Situ with an angular tube fixed to the said walls at the forward end for flotsam arrest.

The pier is moored on site to three tubular pylons encased in concrete at the lower end and the said concrete embedded in the river floor at the fore mid and aft positions of the pier with restrainment by means of a wheeled assembly circumventing the said pylon and bolted to the pier at the opposite end when in situ.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings which:-Fig I Show an installation plan Fig 2 An elevation Fig 3 Water speeds, wheel rpm's and velocity ratios Fig 4 Pier impellor section in plan Fig 5 An elevation Fig 6 An end view Fig 7 A mooring pylon Fig 8 A retaining device Fig 9 Deflection walls with flotsam arrest tube Fig I 0 Pier generating section Fig I I An elevation Fig 12 An enlarged end view Fig I 3 Plan of gearbox and alternator Fig 14 Typical view on wheel 4 Fig IS An end view Fig 16 Wheel detail Fig 17 Scrap view of wheel brake Fig 18 Wheel 3 detail with magnetic clutch.

Fig I shows an embodiment of the installation in plan with water wheels 1-6 coupled in pairs by five belts 9 driven by fly wheels 10 with pier impellation section 7 connected to pier generating section 8 moored to pylon I I and secured by wheel assembly 12 with deflection walls (3 and flotsam arrest tube (4 pivotalty attached to the said pier by hinge bracket IS and with generator housing I 6.

Fig 2 shows a perspective elevation with water wheels I -6 with belt arrangements connecting all wheels in the array.

Fig 3 shows the relevant water wheel rpms with water speeds at specific points in the system and with velocity ratio increments at wheels 2-4.

Fig 4 shows the pier impellation section in plan with each buoyant section connected intercostally and ballast tanks 17 shown shaded with deflection walls at the forward end and with wheel axis I -3 denoted by their respective centrelines.

Fig S shows a relevant elevation.

Fig 6 shows the pier in section with ballast tanks and handrail 19.

Fig 7 shows a mooring pylon.

Fig 8 shows a wheel restraint assembly circumventing a pylon.

Fig 9 shows an end view of deflection walls and flotsam arrest tube.

Fig 10 shows the pier generating section in plan with wheels 3-6 axis denoted by centrelines and ballast tanks in diagonal shade with walkway I 8 and handrail and generator house.

Fig I I shows a perspective elevation.

Fig 12 shows an expanded end view. It should be noted here that each pier section has adequate buoyancy to sustain each sections gross weight with additional capacity for water trim ballast, the ballast tanks having means for drainage. A plimsol line indicating 2ft 6ins wheel immersion painted on the leat faces would be an aid in this direction.

Fig I 3 shows a typical plan arrangement of aithree stage gearbox 20 uprated to l40 rpm at the alternator 21.

Fig 14 shows a typical generating system at wheel 4 with an outline perspective of the generator house.

Fig I 5 shows a perspective end view arrangement of a gearbox and an alternator.

Fig I 6 shows constructional details at wheel I with plummer blocks 22 and wheel brake 23.

Fig 17 shows a typical wheel brake for wheels 1-3 operating in unison by solenoid control for reasons of maintenance.

Fig 18 shows typical construction details for a 20ft wheel with a suggestive arrangement of a magnetic clutch 24.

Power performance has been derived from the formula MxVIxW x V H.P.

32.2 550 wherein M mass flow Vt = water speed and V wheel tip speed where so 25 x 43 x 62.5 x 189 HP x.8 x.74 112 KW/sec.

32.2 550 at 80% mechanical efficiency and 336 KW in total.

Claims

CLAIMSI. A hydro electric generator wherein the device is borne on a floating pier on a non tidal river with six water wheels operating in tandem mode in a partially enclosed leat.
2. A hydro electric generator as claimed in claim I wherein the said wheels are coupled in pairs by five flywheel driven belts where so wheels 1-3 are utilised as flow impellors and wheels 4-6 used in power generation.
3. A hydro electric generator as claimed in claims I and 2 wherein wheel 3 incorporates a magnetic clutch for start up operation.
4. A hydro electric generator as claimed in claims I and 2 wherein wheels 2-4 have a velocity ratio advantage with wheels 4-6 revolving in unison.
5. A hydro electric generator as claimed in claim I wherein the said wheels 4-6 are connected to a gearbox and an alternator.
6. A hydro electric generator as' claimed in claim I wherein the said pier is comprised of two sections which are bolted together on site between wheels 3 and 4.
7. A hydro electric generator as claimed in claim I wherein for reasons of flow stimulation submerged deflection walls are hinged to the said pier at the forward end and the said walls fitted with an angular tube at the outer end for flotsam arrest.
8. A hydro electric generator as claimed in claim I wherein the device is constrained on site by means of a wheeled retention assembly attached to the said pier and circumventing a tubular pylon embedded in the river by concrete means in the fore, mid and aft positions of the pier.
9. A hydro electric generator as claimed in claim 2 wherein the pier sections inherit sufficient buoyancy to sustain the weight of all components with a reserve capacity for water trim ballast to ensure a level platform and a uniform immersion depth of 2ft 6ins for all wheels in the array and 3ft 6ins depth for the pier.
10. A hydro electric generator as claimed in all prior claims wherein the combined output of three alternators is calculated to be 336 KW/sec. at 80% mechanical efficiency.
I I. A hydro electric generator substantially as described herein with figures I -24 of the accompanying drawings.