WO2010012029A1

WO2010012029A1 - Power generator

Info

Publication number: WO2010012029A1
Application number: PCT/AU2009/000960
Authority: WO
Inventors: Igor Moisseeff
Original assignee: Igor Moisseeff
Priority date: 2008-07-28
Filing date: 2009-07-28
Publication date: 2010-02-04

Abstract

A water power generator to extract energy from flowing water, the generator including a series of paddles on arms extending from an axle inclined to the vertical, each arm having an outer portion hinged to hang downwardly when free of the water and to extend when in the water to turn the generator.

Description

POWER GENERATOR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the generation of electrical power, more particularly to the generation of electrical power by water power.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

The power of water has been used for centuries, particularly the power available in the flowing water. The water wheel on a horizontal axle having the lower arc of the wheel in a flowing stream was used for centuries to drive mills such as flour mills. Hydroelectric schemes requiring the constructions of dams to provide head for water flowing through turbines are well known. Tidal power is also a development. However these known systems require large and permanent installations.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

ft is an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least substantially ameliorate, the disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art. Thus it is an object of the invention to provide a water power generator which can be positioned in various desirable situations.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taking in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus there is provided according to the invention water power generator for operation in moving water such as a river or stream or tidal area, the generator being mounted on a fixture or a pontoon, the generator comprising a plurality of water engaging members mounted on extended arms rotatable about a shaft inclined to the vertical whereby the water engaging members dip into the water at the lower area of rotation and raised out of the water, the extended arms preferably being hinged along their length to extend when in the water and fold downwardly when out of the water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

By way of example, an employment of the invention is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying photographs which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown the generator 1 has a plurality of radial arms 2, in this embodiment 8 each having a water engaging member for example a paddle 3. The arms 2 are attached to a member 4 rotatable about a shaft 5 inclined at an angle to the vertical. The shaft 5 is attached by a pivot 6 to a vertical strut 7 whereby the angle of tilt of the shaft 5 can be varied.

In the example shown the stem is connected to a structure {not shown), forming a framework of a pontoon in this example having two cylindrical floats 8. Each of the arms 2 has an inward portion 9 attached to the rotatable member and an outer portion 10 pivoted by a hinge 1 1 to the outer end of the inward portion 9, the outer end of each outer portion 10 of the arm provided with a water engaging member, in this instance a form of paddle 3. Thus during rotation as the outer portion of the arm leaves the water, due to the inclination of the axle the outer portion of the arms will pivot downwardly. As the paddles engage the water, the water pressure will extend the lower portion of the arms to thus provide a iarge mechanical advantage of the force to rotate the rotatable member.

The rotatable member can be connected to drive an electrical generator in any convenient manner. In this embodiment there is provided a two stage step up drive to drive a generator 12 at a higher speed. The larger pulley 13 on the shaft 5 drives a smaller pulley 14 on a lay shaft driving a further pulley to drive the pulley on the generator. Thus the step up drive rotates the generator at high speed. Other methods of driving a generator or alternator can be made depending on the particular situation, for example a geared mechanical drive chain drive or a hydraulic drive.

It is envisaged the generator can be up to 32 metres in diameter and operating in a stream flowing at 1 metre per second to produce 56 MWH of electricity, the total area of the paddles being 9 sq/m. The water pressure on each of the paddles with the leverage of the paddles from the rotatable compensates for the slow rotational speed of the rotatable member. The system will provide a large torque at relatively low revolutions depending on the speed of the water flow.

The model shown is mounted on a pontoon but could be mounted bn a πverbank. The angle of tilt of the rotary member can be varied depending upon the water level of the river.

In alternate form the generator can be mounted on a pontoon in a tidal area with the generator adapted to generate electricity in both directions of rotation, it is afso feasible for the generator to be tilted in the opposite direction so that the generator is unidirectional.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures can be made within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details described herein but it is to be accorded the full scope of the appended claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A water power generator for operation in moving water such as a river or stream or tidal area, the generator being mounted on a fixture or an anchored pontoon, the generator comprising a plurality of water engaging members mounted on extended arms rotatable about a shaft inclined to the vertical whereby the water engaging members dip into the water at the lower area of rotation and raised out of the water, the extended arms hinged along their length to extend when in the water and fold downwardly when out of the water.

2. A water power generator as defined in claim 1 wherein said shaft is attached at an angle to the fixture including a vertical strut on the fixture or anchored pontoon.

3. A water power generator as defined in claim 2 wherein the shaft is hinged to the vertical strut to permit the angle of inclination to be varied depending on the water level.

4. A water power generator as defined in claim 1 wherein the arms at their inner ends are fixed to a member rotatable on the shaft, each arm having an inner arm portion and an outer arm portion hinged to the outer end of the inner arm portion to hang downwardly.

5. A water power generator as defined in claim 2 wherein the outer end of each outer arm portion is provided with a paddle whereby during rotation when the paddles rise out of the water the outer arm portion hangs downwardly and when the paddle engages the water the water pressure pivots the outer arm portion to extend generally from the inner arm portion.

6. A water power generator as defined in claim 1 wherein the rotatable member is connected by transmission means to an electrical generator or alternator.

7. A water power generator as defined in claim 6 wherein the transmission means can be mechanical or hydraulic.

8. A water power generator as defined in claim 1 wherein the flowing water can be a stream or river, or tidal flow with the generator on a pontoon anchored to rise and fall with the rise and fall of the water level.

9. A water power generator as defined in claim 1 wherein the generator is mounted on a fixed structure such as a riverbank, and means to adjust the inclination of the generator depending on the water level.