Waterwheel-driven generating assembly

Prime-mover dynamo plants – Fluid-current motors

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C290S042000, C290S043000, C290S053000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06208037

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to waterwheel-driven generating assemblies. More particularly, the invention relates to waterwheel-driven generating assemblies adapted for application at locations without an existing dam. The invention further relates to a waterwheel-driven generating unit operating in an overshot or pitchback mode and including booster jets directing streams of high pressure water against the buckets of the wheel near their lowest point.
2. Description of the Prior Art
This invention pertains, in general, to waterwheels containing a speed-increaser gear unit and an electric generator internally contained within the waterwheel. One waterwheel-drive generating unit known to the public is disclosed in the inventors' own U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,175, entitled “Waterwheel-Driven Generating Unit”, to Mayo, Jr. et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.
At present and in the recent past, hydroelectric installations using low-head dam sites, such as those typically less than 15 feet when measured vertically from headwater to tailwater, have generally been unable to economically develop commercial power. The limited number of installations of this type which have been developed had either a subsidy, special power rates, very unusual site conditions, or proved to be economic failures. The hydraulic turbines currently being manufactured are usually custom-designed and are very expensive per unit of power output due to their complex designs which require such items as trash racks, flume or penstock, intake gate, speed-increaser and generator, powerhouse, tailrace and possibly other auxiliary equipment. Existing dams are typically most economical to develop but they also require either an opening through or around the dam or a syphon intake. Each of these items adds substantially to the cost.
As the inventors' own U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,175 shows, attempts have been made to overcome the limitations of the prior art as discussed above. However, no solution has been provided to address the use of waterwheel-driven generating assemblies at locations having no existing dam. The present invention provides a solution to the need for waterwheel-driven generating units at locations having no existing dam.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an electric power-generating assembly adapted for application at waterway locations without an existing dam. The assembly includes a sill wall constructed within the bed of the waterway and at least one waterwheel-driven generating unit supported directly downstream of the sill wall. The waterwheel generating unit includes a waterwheel, a chute and an electric generating unit. The electric generator unit is mounted axially within the waterwheel and includes a rotor disposed axially within a stator and drive means operably connecting the waterwheel to the rotor. In addition, the chute includes an upstream end pivotally secured to the sill wall and a downstream end supported on the waterwheel, wherein the downstream end of the chute clears the circular path defined by an outer edge of the waterwheel when the waterwheel is rotating.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an electric power generating assembly wherein the downstream end of the chute includes wheels which ride upon the waterwheel.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an electric power generating assembly wherein the waterwheel-driven generating unit includes a shroud secured adjacent a downstream side of the waterwheel.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an electric power generating assembly including means for selectively lifting the waterwheel-driven generating unit.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an electric power generating assembly wherein the means for selectively lifting includes a guide frame which selectively raises and lowers the waterwheel to control the volume of water entering the waterwheel.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an electric power generating assembly wherein the guide frame selectively lifts the waterwheels between a fully raised position where no water flows onto the waterwheel and a fully lowered position where the waterwheel is inoperative.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an electric power generating assembly wherein components of the electric generating unit are supported by a carriage sealed within the waterwheel, and the carriage may be withdrawn from the waterwheel.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an electric power generating assembly wherein the carriage is supported for movement on a runway rail mounted within the waterwheel.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an electric power generating assembly wherein the components include a speed increaser and a generator.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an electric power generating assembly wherein the waterwheel-driven generating unit includes a booster jet.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an electric power generating assembly wherein the waterwheel-driven generating unit operates in an overshot mode.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an electric power generating assembly wherein the waterwheel-driven generating unit operates in a pitchback mode.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a waterwheel-driven generating unit wherein the guide frame includes first and second columns coupled to opposite ends of the waterwheel.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a waterwheel-driven generating unit wherein the carriage is supported for movement on a runway rail mounted within the waterwheel such that the carriage moves through the watertight door onto an external runway.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a waterwheel-driven generating unit wherein the booster jet includes a spring loaded adjustment sleeve attached to a first end of the booster jet for maintaining the booster jet adjacent the water wheel.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which set forth certain embodiments of the invention.


REFERENCES:
patent: 833361 (1906-10-01), Wilmore
patent: 1061399 (1913-05-01), Osborne
patent: 1529824 (1925-03-01), Adelmann
patent: 2097286 (1937-10-01), McGee
patent: 4053787 (1977-10-01), Diggs
patent: 4137005 (1979-01-01), Comstock
patent: 4182123 (1980-01-01), Ueda
patent: 4224793 (1980-09-01), Gutsfeld
patent: 4296602 (1981-10-01), Hales et al.
patent: 4319142 (1982-03-01), Mayo, Jr.
patent: 4324984 (1982-04-01), Borgen
patent: 4411632 (1983-10-01), Wuenscher
patent: 4511808 (1985-04-01), Jost
patent: 4764313 (1988-08-01), Cameron et al.
patent: 4843249 (1989-06-01), Bussiere
patent: 5082423 (1992-01-01), Morgan
patent: 5430332 (1995-07-01), Dunn, Jr.
patent: 5440175 (1995-08-01), Mayo, Jr. et al.
patent: 2190144 (1987-11-01), None
patent: 62968 (1982-04-01), None

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