Power plants – Pressure fluid source and motor – Utilizing natural energy or having a geographic feature
Patent
1997-06-19
1998-06-16
Look, Edward K.
Power plants
Pressure fluid source and motor
Utilizing natural energy or having a geographic feature
60580, F16D 3102
Patent
active
057653755
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a waterpower machine. More particularly, the invention relates to a waterpower machine which, although not so limited, is particularly well suited for use in waterpower stations in which energy is extracted from water streams or other sources of water having a relatively small fall and, possibly, also a small rate of flow, such as hydroelectric power stations in which the extracted power is one or a few thousand kW or lower, down to a few hundred kW.
It has been difficult to achieve adequate profitability of waterpower stations having a power output of such a relatively low magnitude, because the cost of installation has been too high in relation to the commercial value of the produced power.
There are numerous watercourses which offer possibilities of extracting power in the above-mentioned range, especially power in the lower portion of that range. Accordingly, there is a need for waterpower machines which can be used for constructing cheap waterpower stations for that power range.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide a waterpower machine which thoroughly answers this need, that is, a waterpower machine which is simple and inexpensive and does not require extensive construction work for its installation.
The invention is concerned with a piston-type waterpower machine and, more specifically, a waterpower machine of the kind defined in the precharacterising part of the independent claim. A waterpower machine of this kind is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,325,667.
In accordance with the invention, the above-stated and other objects are achieved by constructing a waterpower machine of this kind as set forth in the characterising part of the independent claim. The dependent claims define preferred embodiments.
The waterpower machine according to the invention is useful not only as an energy-producing machine or hydraulic motor but also as an energy-consuming machine or pump. However, it will be described with particular reference to its use as a hydraulic motor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be described in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings which show embodiments by way of examples.
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view, partly in a vertical section, of two waterpower machines according to the invention positioned side by side and connected with a common power extraction device in a power supply system;
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of the waterpower machines shown in FIG. 1;
FIGS. 3 and 4 are views drawn to a larger scale and showing one of the waterpower machines of FIG. 1 in two different phases of an operating cycle;
FIGS. 5 and 6 are views corresponding to FIGS. 3 and 4 and showing a modified embodiment;
FIGS. 7 and 8 show another embodiment, namely a double-acting waterpower machine which, apart from being double-acting, is generally similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The waterpower station diagrammatically shown in FIGS. 1-4 comprises two identical hydrostatic waterpower machines 11A and 11B operating in push-pull fashion, and a common power extraction device 12 which is connected to the waterpower machines through hydrostatic transmissions comprising double-acting hydraulic cylinders and fluid transmission lines interconnecting the cylinders.
A base body 13 which is common to both machines 11A and 11B and preferably constructed mainly from concrete, defines for each machine a generally circular-cylindrical, upstanding water chamber 14 having a peripheral water inlet 15 and a likewise peripheral water outlet 16. The vertical central axis of the water chamber 14 is designated by L.
In the illustrated embodiment, the water inlet 15 is located at the upper portion of the water chamber 14, while the water outlet 16 is located at the lower portion. Both the water inlet 15 and the water outlet 16 are constructed such that they are open towards the periphery of the water chamber along a major portio
REFERENCES:
patent: 1029030 (1912-06-01), Sander
patent: 4226573 (1980-10-01), Reid
International Search Report.
Humanteknik AB
Karimi Bijan N.
Look Edward K.
LandOfFree
Waterpower machine does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Waterpower machine, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Waterpower machine will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1714374