Hydro-electric generating system

[0001] None

[0002] Not Applicable

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] This invention relates generally to a hydro-electric generating system for a tall structure that in the preferred embodiment, generates electrical energy in two (2) ways, first, by utilizing a multi-megawatt turbine wherein the turbine is positioned at or near the top exterior of the building, thereby causing increased wind shear. Said turbine is movably positioned on a track system that transports the turbine into a position to best utilize wind currents and for easy access for maintenance, repair and/or replacement purposes. Second, by utilizing fluid power.

[0005] 2. Background Information.

[0006] Wind as a source of energy and fluid power is a concept that has been promoted for some time. Likewise, the United State Patent and Trademark Office has granted a number of patents on windmill and fluid power devices. Despite continued research and development, no wind turbine device has appropriately addressed some of the most important problems which have seemingly hindered this source of energy.

[0007] In the past, wind driven power generators of all sorts have attempted to harness the energy present in the wind. However, no prior art has effectively resolved the problem of inadequate power production due to low to moderate wind speeds; or, on the other hand, resolve the concerns related to common damage to the turbine caused by high speed wind. Further, wind turbines are commonly mounted at remote sites, to the top of a tall tower by means of an extremely large crane. This customary method of mounting the wind turbine on the upper end of the tower is quite expensive. Further, access to the upper end of the tower for turbine maintenance and repair is likewise expensive, difficult and dangerous to the installer. Thus, it is advantageous to be able to safely access the wind turbine, and to access the turbine without the use of the extremely large crane.

[0008] Other variables relating to the effectiveness of the wind turbine include not only wind velocity, but also changing weather patterns, seasonal variations, as well as the fact that wind rarely blows in the same direction for any substantial length of time. To be cost effective, the turbine must fully utilize the entire range of wind conditions.

[0009] The present invention utilizes techniques which were not previously considered. The present invention has achieved a more full utilization of a previously untapped precious natural resource, the wind. In addition, in the preferred embodiment, the present invention utilizes water power for power generation within the system.

[0010] This invention relates generally to a hydroelectric generating system for a structure that, in the preferred embodiment generates electrical energy in two (2) ways, first, by utilizing wind power with a multi-megawatt turbine, and second, by utilizing fluid power. Said system including a wind turbine positioned on the exterior of the structure, said turbine mechanically transported by a cart that is movably mounted to a track situated around the upper exterior and within the structure, said transport means positions the turbine around the upper exterior of the structure in order to effectively utilize wind turbulence, and further transports the turbine within the structure for easy access. In the preferred embodiment, said system further includes an upper level reservoir having a fluid such as water therein, a lower level reservoir having a fluid such as water therein, a first reversible pump, a second pump means, a first and second conduit between the upper level reservoir of fluid and the lower level reservoir of fluid, a valve attached to the first conduit to direct the fluid flow from the upper level reservoir to the lower level reservoir.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention, having the turbine situated on the upper exterior of a structure.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a view of the turbine and track of the system of FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention, having the turbine situated on the top of the structure.

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a hydroelectric generating system 200 made in accordance with the present invention. Such system 200 generates energy in two (2) ways, by utilizing wind power with a multi-megawatt turbine 7, and by utilizing fluid power.

[0015] The system 200 utilizes fluid power by including an upper level reservoir 1, and a lower level reservoir 4. The upper level reservoir 1 receives a fluid 2, such as water, from a fluid intake line 11 used to draw water from an outside water source (not shown), such as a body of water, or municipal utility, and further receives recycled fluid 2 through the system 200 as will be discussed. The lower reservoir 4 receives the fluid 2 from the upper reservoir 1 as the fluid 2 flows through the system 200. The fluid 2 is then returned to the upper reservoir 1 and again recycled through the system 200.

[0016] The upper reservoir 1 is in communication with the lower reservoir 4 by a first conduit 5 and a second conduit 9. The reservoirs 1, 4 communicate with one another by conduits 5, 9 for recycling the fluid 2 flowing through the system 200.

[0017] Disposed adjacent to the lower reservoir 4 is a reversible hydroelectric megawatt generator/pump 3 connected to the first conduit 5, and a second pump 8 connected to the second conduit 9. Also adjacent to the lower level reservoir 4 is a cap 14 to release fluid from the lower reservoir 4 in order to maintain the level of fluid 2 in the lower reservoir 4.

[0018] Referring now to the function of the reversible generator/pump 3 shown in FIG. 1, said generator/pump 3 includes a wheel 33 and a generator (not shown) disposed therein. The fluid 2 flows from the upper level reservoir 1 to the lower level reservoir 4 down-through the conduit 5 wherein it enters the generator/pump 3. The fluid 2 passing through the generator/pump 3 causes the wheel 33 within the generator/pump 3 to rotate. The said generator within the generator/pump 3 converts the potential energy stored in the flowing fluid 2 into electrical energy which is applied to the system's 200 electrical means, generally referred to as numeral 12, which electrical means 12 is known in the art. As will be further discussed, the electrical means 12 supplies electrical power to the system 200, and supplies surplus electrical power not required by the system 200 to an electrical grid 10 outside the structure 100.

[0019] The fluid 2 then continues to pass through the generator/pump 3 and down-through the conduit 5 into the lower reservoir 4 within the system 200. The fluid 2 is then pumped through the second conduit 9 by the second pump 8 and returned to the upper reservoir 1. The fluid 2 is then recycled to flow back through the system 200 as described above.

[0020] The generator in the generator/pump 3 converts the potential energy stored in the flowing fluid 2 into electrical energy which is supplied to the system's 200 electrical means 12. The generator in the generator/pump 3 is connected to the system's 200 electrical means 12, and such electrical means 12 supplies a first power source for the said generator. In the event the system 200 generates electrical power not immediately used by the system 200, any such surplus electrical energy may be supplied to the electrical grid 10 outside the structure, using connector means known in the art.

[0021] It is understood by one skilled in the art that a variety of methods may be used to supply the electrical energy generated to the system's 200 electrical means 12, as well as providing any surplus energy generated by the system 200 to the electrical grid 10 outside the structure 100. Further, the electrical means 12 may be provided by an exterior source to the system 200, such as the electrical system of the structure 100, or may be directly contained within the system 200.

[0022] The reversible generator/pump 3 converts the potential energy stored in the flowing fluid 2 into electrical energy used by the system 200 and provided to the electrical grid 10 as discussed above. During times when there is little demand for such electrical energy, the generator/pump 3 serves as a pump to return fluid 2 from the lower level reservoir 4 to the upper level reservoir 1 for recycling purposes. Specifically, the fluid 2 is pumped up-through the first conduit 5 by the generator/pump 3 and returned to the upper reservoir 1.

[0023] Adjacent to the upper level reservoir 1 is a valve 6 mounted at the upper portion of the conduit 5. Said valve 6 controls the supply of fluid 2 from the upper level reservoir 1 down-through the conduit 5 into the generator/pump 3 and the lower reservoir 4. Fluid 2 enters the upper reservoir 1 from the fluid intake 11. The fluid intake line 11 is used to draw water from an outside water source (not shown), such as a body of water, or municipal utility. As such, in the event of fluid evaporation within the system 200, said fresh fluid 2 from an outside source enters the upper reservoir 1 from the fluid intake 11. Recycled fluid 2 is also received in the upper level reservoir 1 from the lower level reservoir 4 via the second conduit 9, as well as the first conduit 5 during periods of little demand for electrical energy. Such fluid 2 is directed by the valve 6 to the first conduit 5 and to the generator/pump 3 which turns the generator within the generator/pump 3 to produce electricity.

[0024] In the preferred embodiment, the above described system 200 is installed within the structure 100. In order to best utilize the speed of the wind, at least one (1) said multi-megawatt wind turbine 7 is strategically positioned on the exterior of the structure 100. As wind speed increases with height, the turbine 7 is positioned at or near the top of the structure 100. Said turbine 7 is positionably transported mechanically by a cart 30, said cart 30 having an upper portion 30A and a lower portion 30B, wherein said lower portion 30B is adapted to move along a track 20, which track 20 having at least one rail 21 positioned at or around the top exterior of the structure 100. Although said track 20 may operate with one rail 21, it is preferred that said track 20 be comprised of a pair of horizontally spaced apart rails 21. Said track 20 may be mounted around the upper exterior of the structure 100 as shown in FIG. 1, or may be mounted around the top exterior of the structure 100, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0025] The upper portion 30A of the cart 30 is releasably secured to the bottom portion 30B at joint 33. The various methods of releasably attaching upper portion 30A to lower portion 30B are known in the art. The upper portion 30A, when released from the lower portion 30B, is adapted to move along a second track 20A having at least one rail 21A, which second track 20A continues within the structure 100 through an access port 200, illustrated in FIG. 2. The upper portion 30A includes the turbine 7 and the turbine's 7 components as will be described. As a result, access to the turbine 7, such as for maintenance purposes, is accomplished from within the structure 100 by simply tracking the upper portion 30A of the cart 30 carrying the turbine 7 in and out of the structure 100 on the track 20A through the access port 200 of the structure 100. A user is not required to access the turbine 7, for example for maintenance purposes, from the exterior of the structure 100 which would be dangerous. The user has access to the turbine 7 from within the structure 100 or atop the structure 100, protected from the elements and the heights. In addition, the turbine 7 is movably positioned around the upper exterior of the structure 100 on the track 20 in order to utilize the varying direction of the wind. It is understood by one skilled in the art that a variety of methods may be used to mount the turbine 7 to the upper portion 30A of the cart 30, and to attach the tracks 20 and 20A to the structure 100 as described.

[0026] The turbine 7 includes conventional components, including blades 7A, a rotating mount 7B, a gear box (not shown), and a base portion 75, illustrated in FIG. 2, which is secured to the upper portion 30A of the cart 30. The turbine 7 further includes a generator 77 within the gearbox, and is connected to the second pump 8 via conductor lines 13, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The generator 77 of the turbine 7 converts the potential energy caused by the rotation of the blades 7A of the turbine 7 into electrical energy which is applied to the system's 200 electrical means 12.

[0027] The upper portion 30A and the lower portion 30B of the cart 30 each include a frame 31 having at least one roller 32 to facilitate the movement of the cart 30. Mechanical means for moving the cart 30 along the tracks 20 and 20A is known in the art.

[0028] The generator/pump 3 and the pump 8 are first powered by the electrical means 12 within the system 200, but may receive a second power source external to the system 200 via the electrical grid 10 outside the structure 100.

[0029] The preferred embodiment of the described system 200 includes a self-contained power source generated by the potential energy stored in the flowing fluid 2, and the potential energy generated by the turbine 7. However, the system 200 may also receive electrical power from the electrical grid 10 outside the structure 100.

[0030] In operation, the upper level reservoir 1 of the system 200 is filled with a predetermined amount of fluid 2 necessary for the system 200 to operate. The upper level reservoir 1 receives the fluid 2 from either the fluid intake line 11 used to draw fresh fluid 2 from an outside source such as a body of water, or municipal utility; or, the upper level reservoir 1 receives the recycled fluid 2 from the lower level reservoir 4 as previously described.

[0031] The generator/pump 3 and pump 8 are turned on, and the valve 6 is opened thereby causing the generator/pump 3 to receive fluid 2 from the upper level reservoir 1 to the lower level reservoir 4. As the conduit 5 receives the fluid 2 from the upper level reservoir 1, and as the fluid 2 passes therethrough, the fluid 2 enters the generator/pump 3 causing it to engage and turn the wheel 33 within the generator/pump 3. The wheel 33 is connected to the generator within the generator/pump 3 which converts the energy of the flowing fluid 2 turning the wheel 33 into electrical energy. The generator within the generator/pump 3 then applies the said electrical energy to the system's 200 electrical means 12 which provides the electrical energy to operate the generator/pump 3. The fluid 2 passes down-through the conduit 5 and into the lower level reservoir 4. The fluid 2 in the lower level reservoir 4 is then pumped up-through the second conduit 9 by the pump means 8 and is returned to the upper level reservoir 1. The fluid 2 is then recycled through the system 200.

[0032] Once the fluid 2 reaches the upper level reservoir 1, the process is repeated as the fluid 2 is again downwardly directed through conduit 5 towards the lower level reservoir 4.

[0033] Further, wind shear on the exterior of the structure 100 will cause the blades 7A of the turbine 7 to turn. The generator 77 of the turbine 7 is electrically connected to the second pump 8 via the conductor lines 13. The generator 77 of the turbine 7 converts the potential energy caused by the rotation of the blades 7A of the turbine 7 into electrical energy which is applied to the system's 200 electrical means 12. The turbine 7 may be used in conjunction with the fluid flow process described herein to produce energy within the system 200, or may be used independent of the fluid flow process.

[0034] Excess power generated from the system 200 may be passed to the electrical grid 10 outside the structure 100. Likewise, the generator/pump 3 and the pump 8 of the system 200 may accept electrical energy from the utility network's electrical grid 10 outside the structure 100.

[0035] The structure 100 having a sufficient wall thickness and design to provide sufficient rigidity to provide structural support for the above-described components mounted to both the inside and outside of the structure 100.

[0036] Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims in the formal application and their legal equivalence, rather than by the examples given.