GB2596057A

GB2596057A - Water wheel

Info

Publication number: GB2596057A
Application number: GB2007921.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Morrow Kenneth
Original assignee: Power To Go Hydro Ltd
Current assignee: Power To Go Hydro Ltd
Priority date: 2020-05-27
Filing date: 2020-05-27
Publication date: 2021-12-22
Anticipated expiration: 2040-05-27
Also published as: GB202007921D0; GB2596057B

Abstract

An inflatable water wheel has a body 2 closed at its respective ends by end panels 3, 4. The body 2 and end panels 3, 4 are formed from a fluid-impermeable material and are sealingly connected at their respective edges to form a resiliently rigid cylindrical buoyant body when inflated. The water wheel comprises a plurality of water-engaging troughs 5 arranged circumferentially around, and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body. The troughs may be collapsible. The fluid impermeable material may be a plastic such as PVC or may comprise polyurethane coated fabric.

Description

WATER WHEEL

The present invention relates to a water wheel for generation of power by a moving body of water such as a river.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention there is provided an inflatable water wheel, the water wheel comprising a body closed at its respective ends by end panels, wherein the body and end panels are formed from a fluid-impermeable material, the body and end panels being sealingly connected at their respective edges to form an inflatable member adapted to form a resiliently rigid substantially cylindrical buoyant body when inflated, the water wheel further comprising a plurality water-engaging troughs arranged circumferentially around, and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body.

Optionally, the water-engaging troughs are collapsible.

Optionally, each water-engaging trough comprises a front portion and end portions, and is adapted to fold outwardly from the cylindrical body from a collapsed configuration to a deployed configuration on the downwardly rotating side of the water wheel in use.

Optionally, the body and/or end panels is/are formed from a plurality of sub panels.

Optionally, the body, end panels and troughs are formed from fluid-impermeable material.

Optionally, the fluid-impermeable material comprises a plastics material.

Optionally, the plastics material is flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC.

Optionally, the fluid-impermeable material is polyurethane coated fabric.

Optionally, sealing connection of the body with the end panels is by any one or more of gluing, bonding, stitching, heating, welding, ultrasonic welding.

Optionally, body and end panels are integrally formed, for example, but not limited to, by extrusion, co-moulding, rotational moulding, blow moulding.

Optionally, attachment of the troughs to the body is by any one or more of gluing, bonding, stitching, heating, welding, ultrasonic welding.

Conveniently, the inflatable water wheel further includes one or more valves for inflation and/or deflation.

Optionally, one or more troughs extend substantially across the width of the water wheel.

Optionally, there is provided a means to urge the front portion of a trough outwardly from the body.

Optionally, the means to urge the front portion of a trough outwardly from the body comprises a biasing means to tension the front portion.

Optionally, the means to tension the front portion is adapted to raise each side portion.

Optionally, the water wheel comprises a shaft extending from one end panel and configured for connection to a generator.

Optionally, the water wheel comprises a tethering means extending from one or both end panels and configured for connection to an anchor.

Optionally, the tethering means comprises any one or more of rope, chain, cord, strap, harness, the tethering means being attached to the water wheel via rotary coupling.

Optionally, a water wheel comprises a further tethering means adapted for tethering said water wheel to a further water wheel to form an elongate array.

Optionally, the further tethering means comprises ratchet straps that are tetherable between strap-receiving or ratchet engaging formations provided on one or both end panels of a water wheel.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a means for generating from a watercourse, the means comprising an inflatable water wheel in accordance with the first aspect of the invention and a generator.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method for generating power from a watercourse, the method comprising the steps of (i) deploying an a inflatable water wheel in accordance with the first aspect of the invention onto the water of said watercourse, (ii) rotatably tethering said inflatable water wheel to a ground-engaging anchor, and (iii) connecting a drive shaft of said inflatable water wheel to a generator.

The various aspects of the present invention can be practiced alone or in combination with one or more of the other aspects, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant arts. The various aspects of the invention can optionally be provided in combination with one or more of the optional features of the other aspects of the invention. Also, optional features described in relation to one aspect can typically be combined alone or together with other features in different aspects of the invention. Any subject matter described in this specification can be combined with any other subject matter in the specification to form a novel combination.

Various aspects of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the entire description thereof, including the figures, which illustrates a number of exemplary aspects and implementations. The invention is also capable of other and different examples and aspects, and its several details can be modified in various respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, each example herein should be understood to have broad application, and is meant to illustrate one possible way of carrying out the invention, without intending to suggest that the scope of this disclosure, including the claims, is limited to that example. Furthermore, the terminology and phraseology used herein is solely used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting in scope. In particular, unless otherwise stated, dimensions and numerical values included herein are presented as examples illustrating one possible aspect of the claimed subject matter, without limiting the disclosure to the particular dimensions or values recited. All numerical values in this disclosure are understood as being modified by "about". All singular forms of elements, or any other components described herein are understood to include plural forms thereof and vice versa.

Language such as "including", "comprising", "having", "containing", or "involving" and variations thereof, is intended to be broad and encompass the subject matter listed thereafter, equivalents, and additional subject matter not recited, and is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. Likewise, the term "comprising" is considered synonymous with the terms "including" or "containing" for applicable legal purposes. Thus, throughout the specification and claims unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations thereof such as "comprises" or "comprising" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like is included in the specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all of these matters formed part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention.

In this disclosure, whenever a composition, an element or a group of elements is preceded with the transitional phrase "comprising", it is understood that we also contemplate the same composition, element or group of elements with transitional phrases "consisting essentially of', "consisting", "selected from the group of consisting of", "including", or "is" preceding the recitation of the composition, element or group of elements and vice versa. In this disclosure, the words "typically" or "optionally" are to be understood as being intended to indicate optional or nonessential features of the invention which are present in certain examples but which can be omitted in others without departing from the scope of the invention.

References to directional and positional descriptions such as upper and lower and directions e.g. "up", "down", "vertical", "horizontal" etc. are to be interpreted by a skilled reader in the context of the examples described to refer to the orientation of features shown in the drawings, and are not to be interpreted as limiting the invention to the literal interpretation of the term, but instead should be as understood by the skilled addressee.

Brief description of the drawings

In the drawings:-Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary inflatable water wheel in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary inflatable water wheel in accordance with the invention; and Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of an array of exemplary inflatable water wheels in accordance with the invention shown spanning a watercourse.

Description

With reference to Figure 1, there is shown an exemplary inflatable water wheel 1, comprising a body 2 closed at its respective ends by end panels 3, 4.

Body 2 and end panels 3, 4 are formed from a flexible, fluid-impermeable material, the body 2 and end panels 3, 4 being sealingly joined at their respective edges to form an inflatable member adapted to form a resiliently rigid substantially cylindrical buoyant body when inflated.

Body 2 and end panels 3, 4 may be formed from any suitable fluid-impermeable material. In examples, body 2 and end panels 3, 4 are formed from plastics material, such as flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In examples, body 2 and end panels 3, 4 are formed from polyurethane coated fabric.

Sealing connection of body 2 with end panels 3, 4 may be via any suitable means, such as but not limited to, gluing, bonding, stitching, heating, welding, ultrasonic welding. Body 2 and end 3, 4 panels may be formed from a plurality of sub panels.

Alternatively, body 2 and end panels 3, 4 may be integrally formed, for example, but not limited to, extrusion, co-moulding, rotational moulding, blow moulding.

Inflatable water wheel 1 further includes one or more valves for inflation and/or deflation.

Water wheel 1 further comprises a plurality of collapsible water-engaging troughs 5 arranged circumferentially around, and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X-X of, the tubular body 2. Each trough comprises a front portion 51 and end portions 52, and is adapted to fold outwardly from the tubular body into a deployed configuration on the downwardly rotating side of the water wheel 1. Optionally, troughs 5 are formed from the same material as the body 2 and/or end panels 3, 4. Optionally, troughs 5 are attached to, or formed with, body 2 via any suitable means, such as but not limited to, gluing, bonding, stitching, heating, welding, ultrasonic welding In Figure 1, each trough 5 is shown extending substantially across the entire width of the water wheel, however as shown by way of example in Figure 2, a plurality of separate longitudinally aligned troughs 5a, 5b may be employed.

Deployment of a trough 5 from a collapsed configuration to a deployed configuration in readiness to engage with flowing water is primarily under the force of gravity. However, this may be augmented by an optional means to urge the front portion 51 outwardly from the tubular body, for example by a biasing means that tensions said front portion 51 via end portions 52. Such a means may comprise a suitable biasing means adapted to raise each side portion 52 in order to tension front panel 51.

It will be understood that while all the visible troughs 5 in Figures 1 and 2 are shown in a deployed state, the troughs on the upwardly rotating side will be in a collapsed configuration in the absence of any biasing means otherwise acting upon them.

With reference to Figures 2 and 3,an inflatable water wheel 1 in accordance with the invention is configured for location on a watercourse 20, the water wheel being rotatably connectable to a generator 6 on one bank of said watercourse, and an anchoring means 8 on the opposing bank of said watercourse. A shown in Figure 2, connection of the water wheel 1 to a generator 6 may be via a shaft 7 that extends from one end panel 4 of said water wheel to which it is affixed. From its opposite end 3, the water wheel is rotatably tethered to the anchoring means 8, which may comprise any suitable rigid structure, such as one or more posts or trees or rocks, by any suitable means 9, for example, one or more of, but not limited to, rope, chain, cord, strap, harness etc. or other such means via a suitable rotary coupling, for example a swivel or universal joint. With reference to Figure 3, in addition to a shaft 7, the shaft-engaging end portion of a water wheel may be rotatablly connected to an anchoring means as described above. Shaft 7 is preferably attached to the water wheel 1 and the generator 6 via suitable rotary coupling, for example, universal-type joints, fitted at each end of the shaft allow it to move through various angles and directions while maintaining free rotation.

With reference to Figure 3, a plurality of water wheels 1 maybe be connected in series to form an elongate array 10. Connection of mutually adjacent water wheels 1 can be via any suitable fastening means, for example by ratchet straps (not shown) that are tethered between suitable strap-receiving or ratchet engaging formations provided on the end panels 3, 4 of the water wheels.

When located on a watercourse 20 as described above, flowing water is caught in the deployed troughs 5, the force of which rotates said water wheel, which in turn drives shaft 7, the rotation of which is converted into electrical energy by generator 6.

Advantageously, an inflatable water wheel 1 in accordance with the present invention provides a simple, lightweight, portable, and easily deployable means of power generation at sites with limited infrastructure. As the water wheel can be tethered to the likes of tree trunks or rocks, the invention can make use of natural structures without the need for new infrastructure. Advantageously also, the buoyancy of the water wheel 1 enables use at low water depths as well as continuously varying water depths which makes it particularly suitable for use on shallow watercourses 20 and small streams. Furthermore, due to its buoyancy, the water wheel rides predominantly upon the water surface and thus has minimal impact on the flow of water, and causes minimal disturbance within the body of water.

Claims

Claims 1. An inflatable water wheel comprising a body closed at its respective ends by end panels, wherein said body and end panels are formed from a fluid-impermeable material and being sealingly connected at their respective edges to form an inflatable member adapted to form a resiliently rigid substantially cylindrical buoyant body when inflated, the water wheel further comprising a plurality water-engaging troughs arranged circumferentially around, and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body.
2. An inflatable water wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water-engaging troughs are collapsible.
3. An inflatable water wheel as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each water-engaging trough comprises a front portion and end portions, and is adapted to fold outwardly from the cylindrical body from a collapsed configuration to a deployed configuration on the downwardly rotating side of the water wheel in use.
4. An inflatable water wheel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body and/or end panels are formed from a plurality of sub panels.
5. An inflatable water wheel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body, end panels and the troughs are formed from fluid-impermeable material.
6. An inflatable water wheel as claimed in claim 5, wherein the fluid-impermeable material comprises a plastics material.
7. An inflatable water wheel as claimed in claim 6, wherein the plastics material is flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
8. An inflatable water wheel as claimed in claim 6, wherein the fluid-impermeable material is polyurethane coated fabric.
9. An inflatable water wheel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein sealing connection of the body with the end panels is by any one or more of gluing, bonding, stitching, heating, welding, ultrasonic welding.
10. An inflatable water wheel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the body and end panels are integrally formed.
11. An inflatable water wheel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein attachment of the troughs to the body is by any one or more of gluing, bonding, stitching, heating, welding, ultrasonic welding.
12. An inflatable water wheel as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising one or more valves for inflation and/or deflation.
13. An inflatable water wheel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one or more troughs extends substantially across the width of the water wheel.
14. An inflatable water wheel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the water wheel further comprises means to urge the front portion of a trough outwardly from the body.
15. An inflatable water wheel as claimed in claim 14, wherein the means to urge the front portion of a trough outwardly from the body comprises a biasing means to tension the front portion.
16. An inflatable water wheel as claimed in claim 15, wherein the biasing means to tension the front portion is adapted to raise each side portion.
17. An inflatable water wheel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the water wheel comprises a shaft extending from one end panel and configured for connection to a generator.
18. An inflatable water wheel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the water wheel comprises a tethering means extending from one or both end panels and configured for connection to a ground anchor.
19. An inflatable water wheel as claimed in any claim 18, wherein he tethering means comprises any one or more of rope, chain, cord, strap, harness, the tethering means being attached to the inflatable water wheel via rotary coupling.
20. An inflatable water wheel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the water wheel comprises a tethering means adapted for tethering said water wheel to an adjacent inflatable water wheel to form an elongate array.
21. An inflatable water wheel as claimed in any claim 20, wherein the tethering means comprises ratchet straps that are tetherable between strap-receiving or ratchet engaging formations provided on one or both end panels of said water wheel.
22. A means for generating power from a watercourse, the means comprising an inflatable water wheel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21, and a generator.
23. A method for generating power from a watercourse, the method comprising the steps of (i) deploying an a inflatable water wheel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21 onto the water of said watercourse, (ii) rotatably tethering said inflatable water wheel to a ground-engaging anchor, and (iii) connecting a drive shaft of said inflatable water wheel to a generator.