ZA200101169B

ZA200101169B - Fluid reticulation power generation system.

Info

Publication number: ZA200101169B
Application number: ZA200101169A
Authority: ZA
Inventors: Marais Cornelius Stefanus
Original assignee: Marais Cornelius Stefanus
Priority date: 1998-08-12
Filing date: 2001-02-12
Publication date: 2001-12-10

Description

t WO 00/09974 PCT/ZA99/00067

FLUID RETICULATION POWER GENERATION SYSTEM

Field of the Invention 5s This invention relates to remote operation of an electrical device, typically a communication system. In particular, this invention relates to the generation of electrical power in a fluid reticulation system for operating an electrical device.

Background to the Invention

The inventor is aware of a problem with the operation of electrical devices in remote locations. One particular such device is a water meter, optionally having a communication system associated therewith. Such water meter is typically used for measuring water flow in a water reticulation system. However, the inventor believes that the same principle would be applicable in any fluid ; reticulation system, for example, a gas or oil reticulation system.

Presently such remotely located systems are operated by battery power, solar power, or a combination of both solar and battery power. Where available, mains electrical power could also be used, however, connection to an electrical mains at a remote location is costly and usually inefficient.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for monitoring and/or controlling fluid flow in a fluid reticulation system, the system including monitoring and/or control devices directly or indirectly powered by electrical energy generated by a fluid powered dynamo located in fluid flow communication with the fluid in the reticulation system.

By the terms directly and indirectly powered it is intended to convey the meaning lo that the invention is not limited to any particular form of electrical energy, as long as it originates from the flow of the reticulated fluid, and thus voltage stabilisers, batteries, and other electrical equipment is intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. Also, systems where the fluid powered dynamo electrical energy is used to supplement, or in conjunction with, other forms of electrical 1s energy supply, such as solar power, wind power, conventional batteries, and the like, are intended to fall within the scope of the invention. :

The fluid flow control system may include one or more electrically operated valves at least partially energisable by the dynamo generated electrical power.

The monitoring and/or control devices may be battery powered with the batteries being rechargeable by means of the fluid powered dynamo.

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The system may include a communication device for communication with a remote control centre, the communications device being at least partially powered by the fluid powered dynamo, or by batteries rechargeable by means of the fluid powered dynamo.

The invention extends to a reticulated fluid vending system, the device including: - a fluid metering element; - a fluid flow control valve in communication with the fluid metering element; - a credit control means for controlling the payment for fluid vended by the system; and - electrical energy provision means powered by fluid flowing through the reticulation system for providing power to at least one of the fluid metering element, the fluid flow control valve and the credit control means, or a : battery charger for charging batteries which power to at least one of the fluid metering element, the fluid flow control valve and the credit control ’ means.

The vending system may include a communication device for communication with a remote control centre, the communications device being at least partially powered by the energy provision means, or by batteries rechargeable by the energy provision means.

The energy provision means may be a fluid powered dynamo located in the fluid reticulation system.

Typically the vending device is used for vending water from a water mains by means of a prepaid system, such as that known in the art. it will however be clear to those skilled in the art that the vending device may be used for vending any fluid, such as gas or oil, by means of a prepaid vending system.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for generating electrical power for operating a communications device, the method including: - placing a fluid powered dynamo in a fluid reticulation system; and - electrically connecting the dynamo to the communications device. ’

Additionally, the dynamo may be connected to a flow control and/or measuring device located in the fluid reticulation system, for example, a telemetry system.

The communications device may be a radio transmitter, optionally including a receiver, a cellular telephone device, a satellite transmitter, optionally including a receiver, or the like.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a system for the monitoring of a variable at a remote location and transmitting the measured variable to a communications hub or central point at another location, the system including: - a variable monitoring device; and - a communications device; - at least one of the monitoring device and the communications device being powered by electrical energy at least partially generated by fluid flowing through a fluid reticulation system, or by one or more batteries rechargeable by the electrical energy generated by fluid flowing through a fluid reticulation system.

Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 shows, in schematic representation, a reticulated water monitoring system in accordance with the invention;

Figures 2 and 3 show, in pictorial cross-section, dynamos useabie with the reticulated water monitoring system of Figure 1. in the Figures, there is provided a reticulated water monitoring system 10 incorporating a water powered electricity generating dynamo 12 for powering the system, a water flow measuring device 14, and a communications device 16.

The dynamo 12 is located on a water pipe 18 of the reticulation system such that the flow of water 17 through the pipe 18 drives the dynamo 12 to generate electricity. The water flow meter 14 is located on the water pipe 18 a short distance away from the dynamo 12 such that the turbulence caused by the one does not interfere with the operation of the other of the dynamo 12 and the meter 14. :

The system 10 will typically measure the minimum water flow rate in the water reticulation system, the maximum flow in the reticulation system, instantaneous flow at any point in time, the total flow past a point over a period of time, and peak average demand.

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The system 10 will typically periodically transmit the measured data to a central point or hub remote to the measuring site.

The system 10 is powered indirectly by the electrical energy generated by the water powered dynamo 12 charging a rechargeable battery 20 or a bank of capacitors (not shown), which battery 20 or capacitors in turn provide the electrical energy required to operate the system 10. This configuration is preferred to direct powering by the electrical energy generated by the dynamo 12 as dynamo generated electrical energy tends to be unstable and electrical spikes may occur which could damage electrical equipment.

Typically, the dynamo 12 operates as shown in Figures 2 and 3, by the water 17 flowing in direction 19 urging a rotor 22 to rotate in the direction of flow of the water 19. The rotor 22 has an axis 24 on which is provided a set of permanent oo magnets 26. A stator 28 having field coils 30 is provided such that when the rotor 22 is rotated the permanent magnets 26 are displaced relative to the stationary field coils 30 thereby generating an electrical current for powering a device (not shown).

The applicants believe that it is an advantage of the invention as illustrated that water vending in remote locations which requires electrical power is not dependant on limited life batteries or on ephemeral sources such as wind and/or 5s sunlight. The inventor believes that it is a further advantage of the invention as illustrated that the inherent energy of liquid flowing through a reticulation system is utilised to drive a dynamo to generate electricity for use in situ at the point of generation without the need for long wires from existing power sources.

The invention is not limited to the precise constructional details disclosed in the specification.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring and/or controlling fluid flow in a fluid reticulation system, the system including monitoring and/or control devices directly or indirectly powered by electrical energy generated by a fluid powered dynamo located in fluid flow communication with fluid in the reticulation system.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, which includes one or more electrically operated valves at least partially energisable by said electrical energy.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the monitoring and/or control devices are battery powered with the batteries being rechargeable by means of said electrical energy.

4. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which system ) includes a communication device for communication with a remote control centre, the communications device being at least partially powered by said electrical energy, or by batteries rechargeable by means of said electrical energy.

5. A reticulated fluid vending system, the system including: - a fluid metering element; - a fluid flow control vaive in communication with the fluid metering element: - a credit control means for controling the payment for fluid vended by the system; and - electrical energy provision means powered by fluid flowing through the reticulation system for providing power to at ieast one of the fiuid metering element, the fluid flow control valve and the credit control means, or a battery charger for charging batteries which power at least one of the fluid metering element, the fluid flow control valve and the credit control means.

6. A vending system as claimed in claim 5, which includes a communication device for communication with a remote control centre, the communications device being at least partially powered by the energy provision means, or by batteries rechargeable by the energy provision : means.

7. A vending system as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the energy provision means is a fiuid powered dynamo located in the fluid reticulation system.

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8. A vending system as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the vending system is used for vending water from a water mains by means of a prepaid system.

9. A vending system as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the vending system is used for vending gas, oil, diesel, petrol, and the like, from a reticulation mains by means of a prepaid system.

10. A method for generating electrical power for operating a communications device, the method including: - placing a fluid powered dynamo in a fiuid reticulation system; and - electrically connecting the dynamo to the communications device.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10, including the additional step of ) connecting the dynamo to a flow control and/or measuring device located in the fluid reticulation system.

12. A method as claimed in claim 4, claim 6, claim 10, or claim 11, wherein the communications device is a radio transmitter, optionally including a receiver, a cellular telephone device, a satellite transmitter, optionally including a receiver, or the like.

13. A system for the monitoring of a variable at a remote location and transmitting the measured variable to a communications hub or central point at another location, the system including: - a variable monitoring device; and - a communications device; - at least one of the monitoring device and the communications device being powered by electrical energy at least partially generated by fluid flowing through a fluid reticulation system, or by one or more batteries rechargeable by the electrical energy generated by fluid flowing through a fluid reticulation system.

14. A system as claimed in claim 13 which is configured to measure at least one of the minimum fluid flow rate in the fluid reticulation system, the maximum flow in the reticulation system, instantaneous flow at any point in time, the total flow past a point over a period of time, and peak average demand, at the remote location and transmit the measured variable to the g communications hub or central point at the other location.

15. A system as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the fluid reticulation system is a water reticulation system and the fluid includes water.

16. A system or a method, substantially as herein described and illustrated.

17. Anew system or a new method, substantially as herein described.