U.S. patent application number 12/248021 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-16 for hydroelectric system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Dragon Energy Pte. Ltd.. Invention is credited to Christopher George Edward Nightingale.
Application Number | 20090097961 12/248021 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39571106 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090097961 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nightingale; Christopher George
Edward |
April 16, 2009 |
Hydroelectric System
Abstract
A hydroelectric system converts kinetic energy from water
flowing off a roof of a building into electrical energy. The system
comprises a turbine having a rotor and a generator disposed in a
down pipe. The down pipe has an upper end that receives water
running off the roof via gutters. The down pipe comprises first and
second channels that extend from the upper end to respective
outlets. Each of the outlets direct water onto the rotor causing
rotation in the same direction. The channels are configured in a
manner so that water entering the down pipe initially flows through
the first channel and out from a first outlet. However in a heavy
downpour the first channel may overflow into the second channel to
subsequently flow out of a second outlet providing further drive to
the rotor. A regulating reservoir is provided at the upper end of
the down pipe to provide a controlled steady flow of water through
the first channel. The reservoir has an upright wall provided with
a lower outlet and an upper outlet. When water collects in the
reservoir at a level below the outlet it flows into the first
channel via the first outlet. If rain water volume within the
reservoir increases sufficiently water will eventually flow through
the second outlet into the first channel providing additional
pressure to drive the turbine. Should the water level in the
reservoir increase at a sufficiently greater rate than it flows out
from the outlets it may then overflow the wall to flow down the
second channel.
Inventors: |
Nightingale; Christopher George
Edward; (Singapore, SG) |
Correspondence
Address: |
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW GROUP LLP
12 SOUTH FIRST STREET, SUITE 1205
SAN JOSE
CA
95113
US
|
Assignee: |
Dragon Energy Pte. Ltd.
Singapore
SG
|
Family ID: |
39571106 |
Appl. No.: |
12/248021 |
Filed: |
October 8, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
415/24 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04D 2013/0486 20130101;
Y02E 10/30 20130101; E04D 2013/0806 20130101; Y02A 20/00 20180101;
F05B 2220/602 20130101; Y02E 10/20 20130101; E04D 2013/0873
20130101; Y02E 60/16 20130101; E04D 13/08 20130101; Y02B 10/50
20130101; E04D 13/0645 20130101; F03B 13/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
415/24 |
International
Class: |
E02B 9/00 20060101
E02B009/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 9, 2007 |
SG |
200716830-5 |
Claims
1. A hydroelectric system for converting kinetic energy from water
flowing off a roof of a building into electrical energy, the system
comprising: a turbine having a rotor; one or more down pipes each
having an upper end for receiving the water, each down pipe further
comprising at least two channels, each channel extending from the
upper end to a respective outlet, each outlet disposed to direct
water flowing there from on to the rotor to cause rotation of the
rotor in the same direction, the channels being configured in a
manner so that at least one channel can overflow into another
channel.
2. The hydroelectric system according to claim 1, wherein adjacent
channels are provided with corresponding upper edges of
progressively increasing height whereby water overflowing the upper
edge of one channel flows into an adjacent channel.
3. The hydroelectric system according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the
channels are provided with different hydraulic diameters.
4. The hydroelectric system according to claim 3, wherein the
hydraulic diameter of a first of the channels into which water
entering each down pipe initially flows is smaller than the
hydraulic diameter of other channels.
5. The hydroelectric system according to claims 1 or 2, further
comprising one or more gutters configured to receive water flowing
from the roof and directing the water into each down pipe; and one
or more roof channels, each roof channel disposed on the roof and
extending diagonally from an upper portion of the roof to the
gutter.
6. The hydroelectric system according to claims 1 or 2, further
comprising a water flow regulating reservoir for at least one of
the channels, the reservoir comprising an outlet in fluid
communication with that channel, the outlet formed at a location
below an upper edge of that channel and dimensioned to regulate
flow of water collected in another reservoir, down that
channel.
7. The hydroelectric system according to claim 6, wherein each
reservoir is formed between a first wall of its associated channel,
the first wall constituting the upper edge of that channel and a
second wall spaced from the first wall, the second wall having an
upper edge located below the upper edge of the first wall and
wherein the outlet is formed in the second wall below the upper
edge of the second wall.
8. The hydroelectric system according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the
rotor comprises an Archimedes screw having an axis of rotation
parallel to a direction of flow of water from the channels.
9. A hydroelectric system for converting kinetic energy from water
flowing off a roof of a building into electrical energy, the system
comprising: a turbine having a rotor; one or more down pipes each
having an upper end for receiving the water, each down pipe further
comprising at least two channels, each channel extending from the
upper end to a respective outlet, each outlet disposed to direct
water flowing there from on to the rotor to cause rotation of the
rotor in the same direction, the channels being configured in a
manner so that at least one channel can overflow into another
channel; and one or more water storage tanks in fluid communication
with each down pipe for storing water that passes through each down
pipe.
10. The hydroelectric system according to claim 9, wherein the one
or more water storage tanks each comprise an overflow valve
configured to open and release excess water to drain from the
tank.
11. The hydroelectric system according to claim 9, wherein adjacent
channels are provided with corresponding upper edges of
progressively increasing height whereby water overflowing the upper
edge of one channel flows into an adjacent channel.
12. The hydroelectric system according to claims 9 or 11, wherein
the channels are provided with different hydraulic diameters.
13. The hydroelectric system according to claim 12, wherein the
hydraulic diameter of a first of the channels into which water
entering each down pipe initially flows is smaller than the
hydraulic diameter of other channels.
14. The hydroelectric system according to claims 9 or 11, further
comprising one or more gutters configured to receive water flowing
from the roof and directing the water into each down pipe; and one
or more roof channels, each roof channel disposed on the roof and
extending diagonally from an upper portion of the roof to the
gutter.
15. The hydroelectric system according to claims 9 or 11, further
comprising a water flow regulating reservoir for at least one of
the channels, the reservoir comprising an outlet in fluid
communication with that channel, the outlet formed at a location
below an upper edge of that channel and dimensioned to regulate
flow of water collected in another reservoir, down that
channel.
16. The hydroelectric system according to claim 15, wherein each
reservoir is formed between a first wall of its associated channel,
the first wall constituting the upper edge of that channel and a
second wall spaced from the first wall, the second wall having an
upper edge located below the upper edge of the first wall and
wherein the outlet is formed in the second wall below the upper
edge of the second wall.
17. The hydroelectric system according to claims 9 or 11, wherein
the rotor comprises an Archimedes screw having an axis of rotation
parallel to a direction of flow of water from the channels.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Singapore Patent
Application No. 200716830-5, filed on Oct. 9, 2007, the disclosure
of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a hydroelectric system for
converting kinetic energy from water flowing off a roof of a
building to electrical energy.
[0004] 2. Background
[0005] It has been previously proposed to incorporate a
hydroelectric system to generate electricity from rain runoff from
a roof. For example such a system is described in patent
application no. DE 29711026 which discloses a rainwater powered
electricity generation system having a storage tank that acts a
reservoir to store rain water from a roof. When the level within
the reservoir reaches a predetermined level, a valve automatically
opens allowing the water to drain through a down pipe to drive a
turbine which in turn drives a generator to produce
electricity.
[0006] It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is
referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission
that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge
in the art, in Australia or any other country.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] According to the present invention there is provided a
hydroelectric system for converting kinetic energy from water
flowing off a roof of a building into electrical energy, the system
comprising:
[0008] a turbine having a rotor;
[0009] at least one down pipe having an upper end for receiving the
water, the down pipe further comprising at least two channels, each
channel extending from the upper end to a respective outlet, each
outlet disposed to direct water flowing therefrom on to the rotor
to cause rotation of the rotor in the same direction, the channels
being configured in a manner so that at least one channel can
overflow into another channel.
[0010] Respective adjacent channels may be provided with
corresponding upper edges of progressively increasing height
whereby water overflowing the upper edge of one channel flows into
an adjacent channel.
[0011] At least two of the channels may be provided with different
hydraulic diameters. In one embodiment, the hydraulic diameter of a
first of the channels into which water entering the down pipe
initially flows is smaller than the hydraulic diameter of other
channels.
[0012] In one embodiment, the rotor comprises an Archimedes screw
having an axis of rotation parallel to a direction of flow of water
from the channels.
[0013] The hydroelectric system may further comprise one or more
gutters configured to receive water flowing from the roof and
directing the water into the or each down pipe; and one or more
roof channels, each roof channel disposed on the roof and extending
from diagonally from an upper portion of the roof to the
gutter.
[0014] The system may further comprise one or more water storage
tanks in fluid communication with the or each down pipe for storing
water that passes through the down pipe.
[0015] The down pipe may be further provided with a water flow
regulating reservoir for at least one of the channels, the
reservoir comprising an outlet in fluid communication with that
channel, the outlet formed at a location below the upper edge of
that channel and dimensioned to regulate flow of water collected in
a reservoir down that channel. Each reservoir may be formed between
a first wall of that channel, the first wall constituting the upper
edge of that channel and a second wall spaced from the first wall,
the second wall having an upper edge located below the upper edge
of the first wall and wherein the outlet is formed in the second
wall below the upper edge of the second wall.
[0016] These and other embodiments of the present invention are
further made apparent, in the remainder of the present document, to
those of ordinary skill in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described
by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings
in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the
hydroelectric system in accordance with the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a top elevation view of a down pipe incorporated
in the hydroelectric system; and,
[0020] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the hydroelectric
system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
[0021] The accompanying drawings illustrate an embodiment of a
hydroelectric system 10 in accordance with the present invention
for converting kinetic energy from water flowing off a roof 12 of a
building 14 into electrical energy. The system 10 comprises a
turbine 16 having a rotor 18 and a generator 19 which is driven by
the rotor 18, and at least one down pipe 20 having an upper end 22
for receiving the water run off from the roof 12. The down pipe 20
comprises channels 24a and 24b (hereinafter referred to in general
as "channels 24") that extend from the upper end 22 to respective
outlets 26a and 26b (hereinafter referred to in general as "outlets
26"). Each of the outlets 26 is disposed to direct water flowing
therefrom onto the rotor 18 to cause rotation of the rotor 18 in
the same direction. As explained in greater detail below, the
channels 24 are further configured in a manner so that the channel
24a overflows into the channel 24b.
[0022] Upper and lower fixing rings 21a and 21b hold the turbine 16
in place within the down pipe 22 as the rotor 18 rotates. One or
both of the rings may also be used to rotate cables 50 between the
generator 19 and an energy management system or storage device
(neither shown).
[0023] The system 10 further comprises a gutter 28 that receives
the water from the roof 12 and directs that water into the down
pipe 20. The channels 24a and 24b are configured in a manner so
that water entering the down pipe 20 initially flows through the
channel 24a and out from the outlet 26a onto the rotor 18 to drive
the generator 19. However in a heavy downpour the channel 24a may
overflow into the channel 24b. The overflow water then flows
through the channel 24b through the outlet 26b to turn the rotor 18
thereby providing further drive to the generator 19.
[0024] The overflow of water from channel 24a to 24b is facilitated
by forming the channels 24 with respective upper edges of
progressively increasing height whereby water overflowing the upper
edge of one channel, for example channel 24a, can subsequently flow
into the adjacent channel 24b. In this regard, it can be seen from
FIG. 1 that the channel 24a has an upper edge 30a while the channel
24b has an upper edge 30b which is higher than the upper edge 30a.
Thus, if the channel 24a fills with water and overflows, the
overflow flows over the upper edge 30a into the channel 24b. It
will be appreciated that if for example the down pipe 20 where
provided with a further third channel, water would flow into the
third channel after water has overflowed both the upper edge 30a of
the first channel 24a and the upper edge 30b of the second channel
24b.
[0025] In order to provide a controlled steady flow of water
through the channel 24a, the upper end 22 of the down pipe 20 is
provided with a water flow regulating reservoir 32. The reservoir
32 comprises an upright wall 36 that incorporates the upper edge
30a of the channel 24a, a base 37 that slopes downward, and a
second upright wall 38 spaced from the wall 36.
[0026] The reservoir 32 is provided with two outlets to the channel
24a. A first outlet 34 comprises a slot or series of holes formed
in the wall 38 near its junction with the base 37. The second
outlet, which is spaced above the first outlet, is simply a slot 40
formed near an upper end of the wall 38. The slot 40 in effect
constitutes a spill way to the channel 24a. Thus when water
collects in the reservoir at a level below the slot 40 it flows
into the channel 24a via the first outlet 34. The outlet 34 is
dimensioned to provided a steady continuous stream of water down
the channel 24a when a head of water is contained within the
reservoir 32. If rainwater volume increases sufficiently water will
initially flow through the slot 40 and flow into the channel 24a
providing additional pressure to drive the turbine 16. Should the
water level in the reservoir 32 increase at a sufficiently greater
rate than it flows out from the outlet 34 and through the slot 40
it may then overflow the edge 30a to flow down the second channel
24b.
[0027] The channels 24 may be provided with either the same or
different hydraulic diameter. However, in a preferred embodiment
the channel 24a may have a smaller hydraulic diameter than the
channel 24b. The selection of the hydraulic diameter for the
channel 24a, the size of the opening 34, and the volume of the
reservoir 32 may be selected to provide a constant flow of water
through the channel 24a.
[0028] Water flowing through the down pipe 20 and through the rotor
18 can flow via a tail portion 42 of the down pipe 20 into a water
tank 44. The water tank 44 may be disposed either on the ground or
underground. The tank 44 stores rainwater which can be used for
various purposes including non potable uses such as watering of a
garden, cleaning outdoor areas, washing machines and dishwashers,
or alternately with the provision of appropriate filters, used for
drinking water. Additionally, the water in the tanks 44 may be
pumped through a solar heating system to provide either heated
water for use within the building 14 such as for showers and
washing machines, or alternately pumped through radiators for
heating purposes. In such embodiments, pumping of the water from
the tank 44 may ideally be powered by electricity generated by
solar cells on the roof 12. The tank 44 may also be provided with
an overflow valve 46 that is configured to open to allow excess
water to drain from the tank 44 if the water pressure on the tank
44 is above a predetermined level that would be exceeded prior to
the entirety of the down pipe 20 being filled with water.
[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates a particular configuration of a down pipe
20 where the channel 24a comprises in effect a pipe within the down
pipe. The gutter 28 feeds water directly to the mouth or opening of
the channel 24a which, when completely filled with water, can
overflow into the channel 24b which constitutes the region of the
down pipe 20 between the outside of the channel 24a and the inside
of an outer pipe 46 defining the down pipe 20.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 3, it can further be seen that the
hydroelectric system 10 may also include one or more roof channels
48 that extend diagonally from an upper portion of the roof 12 to
the gutter 28. The roof channels 48 act to direct rain running of
the roof 12 to flow in a direction at an acute angle to the
direction of flow of water in the gutter 28. This provides added
momentum or velocity to the water in the gutter 28 to thereby
increase its kinetic energy. Depending on the state of the
reservoir 32 and the size of the opening 34, the increase in
kinetic energy provided to the water may provide greater electrical
energy output from the turbine.
[0031] Electricity generated by the turbine 16 can be fed via the
cable 50 to a power management system that may include a storage
battery for storing the electricity. The management system may then
manage the power generated by the turbine 16 to supply the power to
appliances within the building 14 or even to deliver the power to a
mains grid.
[0032] Now that an embodiment of the invention has been described
in detail it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts
that numerous modifications and variations may be made without
departing from the basic inventive concepts. For example, system 10
depicts a down pipe being divided into two channels 24a and 24b.
However as previously mentioned, the down pipe 20 can be divided
into more than two channels. Further, while it is believed that a
rotor 18 in the form of an Archimedes screws may constitute a most
efficient form of rotor, however the wheels or propellers may be
used. Also the second outlet of the reservoir 32 which is described
above, and shown, as a slot 40 can take alternate forms. For
example the wall 38 can be simply made of a height equal to the
bottom of the slot 40, so that the upper most edge of the wall 38
acts as a dam wall over which water flows. In a further variation
the slot 40 can be replaced with a plurality of holes at the same
height in the wall 38. All such modifications and variations are
deemed to be within the scope of the present invention the nature
of which is to be determined from the above description.
[0033] In the claims of this application and in the description of
the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to
express language or necessary implication, the words "comprise" or
variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an
inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated
features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further
features in various embodiments of the invention.
[0034] Throughout the description and drawings, example embodiments
are given with reference to specific configurations. It will be
appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the present
invention can be embodied in other specific forms. Those of
ordinary skill in the art would be able to practice such other
embodiments without undue experimentation. The scope of the present
invention, for the purpose of the present patent document, is not
limited merely to the specific example embodiments or alternatives
of the foregoing description.
* * * * *