FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a system for generating electricity. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to portable systems for generating electricity. BACKGROUND

[0002] Electrical generators are generally expensive to obtain, maintain and operate. Generators typically are inefficient and consume large amounts of fossil fuels to create low levels of electricity. Often, they include a gasoline motor for powering the generator to produce electricity. The gasoline motor pollutes the environment. The motor is also often very noisy. The noise may force the generator to be positioned a long distance from where the electricity will be used. This distance adds to the inefficiency of operation of the generator. Therefore, a need exists for a portable electrical generator which is quiet and efficient, with minimal impact on the environment.

[0003] U.S. Patent Application No. 2007/0018461 to Hardy discloses a device for generating electricity that uses a liquid pump that pumps liquid through a tube to a nozzle. The nozzle directs a stream of fluid at a waterwheel that drives a shaft with a large diameter belt wheel. The large diameter belt wheel is coupled to a small diameter belt wheel by a belt and the small diameter belt wheel drives a generator. The generator produces electricity for external use and also to drive the liquid pump. The device disclosed by Hardy is inefficient in its generation of electricity through the use of a number of wheels and belts.

SUMMARY

[0004] According to a first aspect, an electrical generation system is provided that comprises a liquid pump coupled to a liquid source to provide a pressurized stream of liquid that impinges upon a first water turbine coupled to a first generator, at least one rectifier coupled to the first generator to provide a DC power output, a power inverter coupled to the DC power output of each of the at least one rectifier to provide an output power supply, and wherein the power inverter is coupled to the liquid pump to provide power after start-up of the system, and an initial power supply coupled to the liquid pump to provide initial power until the power inverter can sustain operation of the liquid pump. The system can also include a second water turbine coupled to a second generator, the pressurized stream of liquid impinges upon the second water turbine, and the second generator is coupled to the power inverter through a rectifier. The system can also include a capacitor coupled between the rectifier(s) and power inverter. The output power supply can be an alternating current having a standardized voltage and frequency. For example, the standardized voltage can be between 110 and 600 volts and the frequency can be between 50 Hertz and 60 Hertz.

[0005] The initial power supply of the electrical generation system can be coupled to a control unit that determines when to cut-off the initial power supply from powering any one of motor, liquid pump, or both motor and liquid pump. The control unit can include an on- delay timer that cuts off the initial power supply after a fixed period of time. The control unit can also include an automatic transfer switch that cuts off the initial power supply. The initial power supply can be a battery, such as a gel or lead-acid battery, and the system can also include a battery charger coupled to the power inverter to allow the battery to recharge the battery. The battery charger can also be integrated with the power inverter. The initial power supply can provide direct current power to any one of the motor and liquid pump. The power inverter can be a pure sine wave inverter or a modified sine wave inverter. The initial power supply can be coupled to the power inverter to provide alternating current power to any one of the motor and liquid pump. A modified sine wave inverter is preferred for embodiments using AC motors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] For a better understanding of the various embodiments described herein and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings which show at least one exemplary embodiment, and in which:

[0007] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electrical generation system;

[0008] FIG. 2. is a block diagram of an embodiment of the electrical generation system of FIG. 1 having direct current (DC) motors and liquid pumps;

[0009] FIG. 3. is a block diagram of an embodiment of the electrical generation system of FIG. 1 having alternating current (AC) motors and liquid pumps;

[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portable housing for containing an embodiment of the electrical generation system of FIG. 1 ; [0011] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the portable housing of FIG. 4 containing an embodiment of the electrical generation system of FIG. 1 ;

[0012] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of an electrical generation system;

[00 3] FIG. 7 is perspective view of a dual water turbine design;

[0014] FIG. 8 is a top view of a paddle of the pelton wheel turbine shown in FIG. 7;

[0015] FIG. 9 is a front view of the paddle of FIG. 8;

[0016] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of an electrical generation system;

[0017] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a portable housing containing the electrical generation system of FIG. 10; and

[0018] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the portable housing of FIG. 11.

DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

[0019] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the exemplary embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, this description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein in any way, but rather as merely describing the implementations of various embodiments.

[0020] The term "water turbine" is used throughout the specification to refer to a rotary mechanical device that extracts energy from a fluid flow and converts it into useful work. The fluid used can be water or any other liquid. The liquid used is typically water but any liquid can be used with the embodiments described herein. It is preferable to use a liquid having a low viscosity for pumping efficiency and a low volatility to limit evaporation. [0021] Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. Reference is first made to FIG. 1 which is a block diagram of an electrical generation system 100 that has an electric motor 110 that is driving a permanent magnet generator 120 and a liquid pump 130 that drives a second generator 160 through a water turbine 150. Permanent magnet generator 120 has high efficiency when operating at low revolutions per minute. Liquid pump 130 is coupled to a liquid source 140 to provide a pressurized stream of liquid that impinges upon water turbine 150 to drive second generator 160. Second generator 160 can also be a permanent magnet generator 160.

[0022] Permanent magnet generator 120 and second generator 160 produce an alternating current (AC) power output. This AC power output is typically in the form of low- voltage three phase power. Each of permanent magnet generator 120 and second generator 160 are coupled to a corresponding rectifier 170 to convert the AC power output from generators 120, 160 to a direct current (DC) power output. The DC power output of rectifiers 170 is coupled to a power inverter 180 that provides an output power supply 190, which is preferably a standardized mains general-purpose alternating current electric power supply, such as 120 V at a frequency of 60 Hz in North America or 230 V at a frequency of 50 Hz for other parts of the world. Output power supply 190 can have an output AC voltage anywhere between 110 and 600 volts. This allows electrical generation system 100 to power standard electrical appliances using common plugs. Output power supply 190 preferably includes one or more common sockets for accepting these common plugs, such as those plugs/sockets standardized by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association in North America.

[0023] Power inverter 180 is coupled to motor 110 and liquid pump 130 to provide power for continuous operation of the electrical generation system 100 after initial startup. Power produced by permanent magnet generator 120 and second generator 160 should be sufficient, after processing by rectifiers 170 and power inverter 180, to power motor 110 and liquid pump 130 as well as provide power to output power supply 190 to power electrical appliances.

[0024] Power inverter 80 is an electronic device that changes the direct current (DC) from rectifiers 170 to alternating current (AC). Preferably, power inverter 180 produces a multiple step sinusoidal AC waveform that produce less distortion, and is often referred to as a pure sine wave inverter. A pure sine wave inverter is more complex and has a higher cost but provides an output with much less distortion. A sine wave output is desirable because many electrical products are engineered to work best with a sine wave AC power source. In some embodiments, power inverter 180 can provide 5000 watts of continuous power and 9000 watts of peak power at 33 amps from a DC input voltage between 10.5 to 15 volts. Power inverter 180 can also be a modified sine wave inverter that approximates a pure sine waveform but are less expensive than pure sine wave inverters. Power inverter 180 should have a high efficiency.

[0025] Initial power supply 185 provides the initial power to motor 110 and/or liquid pump 130 to start the generation process. Electrical generation system 100 is started by powering either motor 110, liquid pump 130, or both motor 110 and liquid pump 130 to initiate power generation from corresponding permanent magnet generator 120 and/or second generator 160. After startup, power inverter 180 can provide sufficient power to motor 110 and liquid pump 130 to sustain operation of electrical generation system 100. Electrical generation system 100 can include an activation switch that couples initial power supply 185 to any of motor 110 and/or liquid pump 130 to start the generation process.

[0026] Initial power supply 85 can be coupled to electrical generation system 100 by a control unit 186. Control unit 186 can determine when initial power supply 185 is no longer required by either motor 110 or liquid pump 130 and cut off initial power supply 185 from powering either motor 110 or liquid pump 130. Control unit 186 can use an on-delay timer that cuts off initial power supply after a fixed period of time after starting electrical generation system 100. In some embodiments, control unit 186 can include an automatic transfer switch that cuts off initial power supply 185 after power inverter 180 is capable of providing sufficient output power to one or both of motor 100 and liquid pump 130 to sustain operation of electrical generation system 100.

[0027] Initial power supply 185 can be a battery, and more preferably, a rechargeable battery. In some embodiments, initial power supply 185 can be a lead-acid rechargeable batteries, such as a 12 volt gel cell valve-regulated lead-acid battery. Embodiments incorporating rechargeable batteries can further include a battery charger to recharge the batteries. The battery charger can be powered by an AC current provided by power inverter 180 or a DC current provided by rectifiers 170. In some embodiments the battery charger can be integrated with power inverter 180. Initial power supply 185 is preferably a battery to allow electrical generation system 100 to be portable.

[0028] Motor 110 and liquid pump 130 can either be powered by AC power or DC power. In a DC powered embodiment, initial power supply 185 can be a DC source, such as a battery, that directly powers motor 110 and/or liquid pump 130. For example, a 12 volt DC battery can be used with a 12 volt DC powered liquid pump and motor. The 12 volt battery can then be constantly recharging to maintain DC power to motor 110 and liquid pump 130 using a battery charger or a battery charger that is integrated with power inverter 180. An embodiment using DC powered motors and pumps will be described in greater detail with respect to FIG. 2.

[0029] In an AC powered embodiments, motor 110 and liquid pump 130 are powered from the AC output of power inverter 180. Initial power supply 185 can provide DC power to power inverter 180 that in turn provides AC power to start motor 1 0 and liquid pump 130. An embodiment using AC powered motors and pumps will be described in greater detail with respect to FIG. 3.

[0030] Some embodiments can use different power sources for motor 110 and liquid pump 130. For example, motor 110 can be a DC powered motor that is powered by a battery and liquid pump 130 can be powered by AC power from power inverter 180, or vice versa, with an AC powered motor and DC powered pump. Initial power supply 185 can be coupled to either the motor 110 or liquid pump 130, and not both, so that the device coupled to initial power supply 185 provides sufficient power to start the other device.

[0031] In other embodiments of electrical generation system 100, initial power supply 185 can be provided by mechanical, hydraulic or electrical power sources other than a battery. These alternative sources may be preferable in non-portable embodiments. Mechanical sources can act directly to drive permanent magnet generator 120 using some type of clutch mechanism when the initial power supply is no longer required. Hydraulic (or moving liquid) initial power sources can act directly on water turbine 150 and be diverted when no longer required to sustain operation of electrical generation system 100. [0032] All components of electrical generation system 100 can be placed within, or attached to, a portable housing, such as, for example, portable housing 400 illustrated in FIG. 4. Liquid source 140 can be a storage tank that is attached to portable housing 400. Portable housing 400 can further include a fan to create airflow within portable housing 400 to provide cooling air to the internal components.

[0033] Liquid pump 130, water turbine 150, and liquid source 140 are preferably in a sealed and closed system that reuses the same liquid from the storage tank. For example, water turbine 150 can be rotatably mounted within the storage tank above the level of the liquid, and liquid pump can pump water from the tank to a nozzle in the upper portion of the tank directed at water turbine 150. Preferably, the closed liquid system is designed to prevent loss of liquid (e.g. through evaporation) to reduce the operational and maintenance costs of electrical generation system 100. The liquid used is typically water but any liquid can be used. It is preferable to use a liquid having a low viscosity for efficiency of liquid pump 130 and a low volatility to limit evaporation.

[0034] Water turbine 150 is preferably an impulse type water turbine, such as a Pelton wheel-type turbine, that converts the energy of the pumped liquid from liquid pump 30 into mechanical energy to drive second generator 160. Water turbine 150 starts moving when water pressure impinges on the blades (or buckets) that are mounted around the circumferential rim of a drive wheel. A jet of liquid fluid driven by liquid pump 130 impinges upon the impulse blades exerting torque on water turbine 150.

[0035] Reference is now made to FIG. 2 which illustrates an embodiment of electrical generation system 200 where motors 2 0, 212 are powered by DC power and liquid pump 230 is powered by AC power. Motors 210, 212 are 12 volt DC motors that are powered by batteries 285 to provide initial startup of electrical generation system 200 upon closing of switch 288. Motors 210, 212 are coupled to permanent magnet generators 220, 222, respectively. The rotor of motors 210, 212 can be connected directly to the rotors or corresponding permanent magnet generators 220, 222, or through a mechanical gearing arrangement. The three-phase AC power produced by generators 220, 222 is rectified to DC power by corresponding rectifiers 270 that is then converted back to AC power by power inverter 280. [0036] Output from power inverter 280 can provide a 110VAC output power. This output power can then also be used to power liquid pump 230. An on-delay timer 289 is used to delay providing power to liquid pump 230 until power inverter 280 can provide sufficient power output. Upon receiving power, liquid pump 230 then provides pressurized liquid streams that impinges on water turbines 250, 252 to drive the corresponding generators 260, 262. Water output from liquid pump 230 can be divided into two hoses to provide a high pressure stream to each water turbine 250, 252. Each generator 260, 262 can produce up to 2000 watts. The three-phase AC output power from generators 260, 262 is then rectified to DC power by corresponding rectifiers 270 that provide DC power to power inverter 280.

[0037] Electrical generation system 200 further includes an indicator 292, such as a lamp, for example, that indicates that the batteries 285 are in operation to initiate startup of the system. A fan 294 can be included to provide cooling to the components of electrical generation system 200, mainly generators, pumps and motors. Electrical generation system 200 can also include a counter, ammeter, and voltmeter to measure the output of power inverter 280 to ensure that electrical generation system 200 is operating within parameters.

[0038] Reference is next made to FIG. 3 which illustrates an embodiment of electrical generation system 300 where motors 310, 312 and liquid pump 330 are all powered by AC power provided by power inverter 380. Similar reference numerals to FIG. 2 are used for similar components. Initial power supply 385, which can be provided by a 12 volt battery, provides power to power inverter 380 which converts this to AC power to drive motors 310, 312. A modified sine wave inverter can be used to provide AC power to motor 310, 312 and/or liquid pump 330. Aftera period of time, motors 310, 312 can provide sufficient power to power inverter 380 to power liquid pump 330. On-delay timer 389 is used to couple the output to liquid pump 330 after a delay to allow power inverter 380 to generate sufficient power to power motors 310, 3 2 and liquid pump 230.

[0039] Example specifications will now be provided for components that can be used in electrical generation systems 200, 300 described with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3. These specifications are provided as examples only, and a skilled person may vary these specifications to obtain the desired results. [0040] Example specifications for motors 210, 212: 1/4 horsepower motors using a 12 volt DC input operating at 1800 RPM. AC motors have similar performance can be used for motors 310, 312.

[0041] Example specifications for permanent magnet generators 220, 222, 320, 322: Dual permanent magnet alternator design providing up to 2,800 watts output at 12 volts three- phase AC. Can be operated at an RPM between 133 to 960, or up to 1800 RPM.

[0042] Example specifications for rectifiers 270, 370: Three-phase rectifiers that produce a 12 volt DC output and output current between 10 to 300 amps. Input voltage can be between 100 to 1600 volts.

[0043] Example specifications for liquid pump 230, 330: 1 horsepower, two-speed pump operating on mains electricity (e.g. 120 volts AC at 60Hz).

[0044] Example specifications for generators 260, 262, 360, 362: Operating at RPM between 140 to 2800 and producing an output of 200 to 4,000 watts three phase AC (120 VAC to 240VAC).

[0045] Example specification for inverter 280, 380: Can be a pure sine wave inverter for DC motor embodiments or a modified sine wave inverter for AC motor embodiments. Can include an integrated battery charger for charging battery 285, 385 (35-70 amp). Capable of producing 5000 watts continuous and 9000 watts peak power at 33 amps. Receives a 10.5 to 15 volt DC input.

[0046] Example specifications for battery 285, 385: 12 volt gel cell valve-regulated lead-acid battery with 102 Ah capacity.

[0047] Reference is now made to FIG. 4 which illustrates a perspective view of a portable housing 400 that can contain the components of an embodiment of electrical generation system 100. Preferably, portable housing has wheels 402 and a handle 404 to allow portable housing 400 to be easily transported. Portable housing 400 can also include one or more intake vents 406. An internally mounted fan can be positioned near intake vents to draw outside air into portable housing 400. Portable housing 400 can also be configured as a trailer that can be towed by a vehicle, such as by including a tow hitch. [0048] Reference is now made to FIG. 5 which provides a top view of portable housing

400 illustrating an example layout of the internal components of electrical generation system 100. Motors 410, 412 can be mounted above and adjacent to permanent magnet generators 420, 422 and their rotors coupled via a belt. Rectifiers 470 can be mounted on the interior wall of portable housing 400. Batteries 485 are preferably mounted on the floor of portable housing 400 due to their weight. Liquid tank 440 can be mounted to the end of portable housing 400 and water turbine 450 can be rotatably mounted therein and coupled to generator 460 mounted within portable housing 400. Liquid pump 430 can be coupled to the liquid tank 440 via tubing to obtain liquid for directing towards water turbine 450.

[0049] An instrument panel 496 can be mounted in a cut-out portion 408 of side-wall of portable housing 400. Instrument panel 496 can provides lights, switches, and displays for operating the electrical generation system 100. Fan 494 can be mounted near intake vent 406.

[0050] Reference is next made to FIG. 6, shown is a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of an electrical generation system 600. Similar reference numerals to FIG. 1 are used for similar parts. Electrical generation system 600 includes a first water turbine 651 and second water turbine 652 that drive first generator 661 and second generator 662, respectively. Electrical generation system 600 illustrates an embodiment that does not include a motor or permanent magnet generator unlike those shown in the electrical generation systems of FIGS. 1-3.

[0051] Electrical generation system 600 includes a liquid pump 630 that is coupled to a liquid source 640 to provide a pressurized stream of liquid to each water turbine 651 , 652. The pressurized stream impinges upon the wheels of first and second water turbines 651 , 652 that drives their corresponding generator 661 , 662.

[0052] The use of two turbines and corresponding generators is provided for illustration purposes. Other configurations could use a single turbine/generator pair, or other multiples depending on the power of liquid pump 630 to provide sufficient stream pressure and the generation power required. Other embodiments can have more than one liquid pump 630 to provide the required water pressure according to the number of turbines and nozzles. [0053] First and second generators 661 , 662 produce an alternating current power output that is rectified by corresponding rectifiers 670 to convert the AC power output from generators 661 , 662 to a direct current power output. Rectifiers 670 are in turn coupled to a corresponding capacitor 695 (or multiple capacitors). Capacitor 695 serves to smooth (or limit transient effects of) the output from rectifiers 670 and provides energy storage to allow for continuous power delivery to power inverter 680. Power inverter 680 provides an output power supply 690, which is preferably a standardized mains general-purpose alternating current electric power supply, such as 120 volts at a frequency of 60 Hz in North America or 230 volts at a frequency of 50 Hz for other parts of the world. Output power supply 690 can have an output AC voltage anywhere between 110 and 600 volts depending on power inverter 680.

[0054] Initial power supply 685 provides the initial power to liquid pump 630 to start the electrical generation process. Electrical generation system 600 is initiated by control unit 686 coupling initial power supply 685 to liquid pump 630 to start the generation process. After startup, power inverter 680 can provide sufficient power to liquid pump 630 to sustain operation of electrical generation system 600. Control unit 686 can determine when initial power supply 685 is no longer required by liquid pump 630 and switchover the power to liquid pump 630 from initial power supply 685 to power inverter 680.

[0055] In some embodiments, a second power inverter may be required if liquid pump 630 requires an AC power supply. In this case, initial power supply 685 can include a second power inverter that convert the DC power of initial power supply 685 into the AC power required by liquid pump 630.

[0056] Reference is next made to FIG. 7, shown is a perspective view of a dual water turbine design showing first water turbine 651 coupled to first generator 661 and second water turbine 652 coupled to second generator 662. First and second turbines 651 , 652 are contained within a container 702 that has a drain section 704 for recycling liquid from container 702 back to liquid pump 130, 630. Container 702 can be located on the outside of the generator housing. In some embodiments, container 702 can server as the liquid source 140, and in other embodiments, container 702 can drain back to liquid source 140. Preferably, container 702 and/or liquid source 140 are in a closed system to prevent evaporation of the liquid.

[0057] Nozzles (not shown) would be positioned at the top of container and aimed towards the paddles of first and second water turbines 651 , 652 to act as in impulse type water turbine. Water turbines 651 , 652 extracts kinetic energy from the impulse of the moving liquid rather than just potential energy from the weight of the liquid. Paddles of water turbines 651 , 652 are designed with a geometry to extract the most kinetic energy from the pressurized liquid stream to provide a highly efficient turbine.

[0058] Water turbines 651 , 652 each have a corresponding drive wheel 711 , 712 that each have a corresponding central shaft 721 , 722 to couple to corresponding generators 661 , 662. There are seals that surround each shaft 721 , 722 to prevent any fluid leakage. There can also be a seal on inside and outside of the container 702. Using a direct-drive design where central shafts 721 , 722 directly couples water turbines 651 , 652 to their corresponding generators 661 , 662 provides improved efficiency over belt and pulley designs.

[0059] The paddles are mounted circumferentially around each drive wheel 711 , 712. A paddle 800 is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 to show a preferable paddle geometry. Paddle 800 has a shaft 802 that attaches to drive wheel 711 or 712 on one end and the opposing end is a concave bucket 810 that includes an ejection slot 812 for expelling the liquid imparted onto paddle 800. Ejection slot 812 is located on the opposite end of concave bucket 810 to where shaft 802 attaches to concave bucket 810. Some embodiments can also include a central fillet 814 that divides concave bucket 810 in two halves longitudinally with shaft 802.

[0060] Reference is next made to FIG. 10, shown is a block diagram of an electrical generation system 900 that provides a specific example of one of the alternate embodiments described by FIG. 6. Similar reference numerals to FIG. 1 and FIG. 6 are used for similar parts. Electrical generation system 900 includes a first water turbine 951 and second water turbine 952 that drive first generator 961 and second generator 962. Water turbines 951 , 952 can be contained in a separate container 902 from main housing 901.

[0061] Electrical generation system 900 includes a liquid pump 930 that is coupled to a liquid source (not shown) to provide a pressurized stream of liquid to each water turbine 951 , 952. Liquid pump 630 can be a 1.5 horsepower pump. The pressurized stream impinges upon the wheels of first and second water turbines 951 , 952 that drives their corresponding generator.

[0062] First and second generators 961 , 962 produce an alternating current power output. Each turbine can produce 5000 Watts in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9. Generators 961 , 962 are three-phase turbines as illustrated by the three output lines. The output of generators 961 , 962 is rectified by corresponding rectifiers 971 , 972 to convert the AC power output from generators 961 , 962 to a direct current power output. Rectifiers 971 , 972 can be a 150 Amp three-phase bridge rectifiers.

[0063] Rectifiers 971 , 972 are in turn coupled to a corresponding capacitor 995 coupled to ground. Capacitor 995 serves to smooth (or limit transient effects of) the output from rectifiers 971 , 972 and can provide energy storage to allow for continuous power delivery to power inverter 980. Capacitor 995 can be a high capacity aluminum capacitor rated at 160 volts with a capacitance of 68 mF.

[0064] Power inverter 980 provides an output power supply to electrical outlets 990. Output of power inverter 980 is preferably a standardized mains general-purpose alternating current electric power supply, such as 120 volts at a frequency of 60 Hz in North America or 230 volts at a frequency of 50 Hz for other parts of the world. Outlets 990 are preferably ground fault circuit interrupter receptacles that provide protection from electric shock and electric shorts.

[0065] A 12-volt battery 985 provides the initial power to liquid pump 930 to start the electrical generation process. Electrical generation system 900 includes a switch 987 that is used to start the electrical generation system 900. Switch 987 couples 12-volt battery 985 to a smaller inverter 981 when closed. Smaller inverter 981 provides output power to liquid pump 930, and is smaller in the sense that it has reduced power output to supply liguid pump 930. Smaller inverter 981 is coupled to liquid pump 930 using a timer switch 986 that opens to decouple smaller inverter 981 from liquid pump 930 after a set period of time. Some embodiments can also include a step-up transformer if required to step-up the voltage from smaller inverter 981 to liquid pump 930. [0066] Inverter 980 is also coupled to a battery charger 982 that recharges 12-volt battery. Inverter 980 can also power fans 998 that can be used to cool electrical components (e.g. inverters and rectifiers) either directly, or by circulating cool air into and out of the housing. Circuit breakers 996 can be used to couple output receptacles 990, fans 998 and battery charger 982.

[0067] Reference is now made to FIG. 11 which illustrates a perspective view of a portable housing 1000. The embodiment illustrated contains the components of electrical generation system 900 of FIG. 9. Preferably, portable housing 1000 has wheels 1002 to allow housing to be easily transported. Portable housing 1000 can also include one or more intake or exhaust vents 1006. Fans 998 can be positioned near vents 1006 to facilitate cooling of components within portable housing 1000. Liquid tank 1008 can be mounted to portable housing 1000. Portable housing 1000 can also be configured as a trailer that can be towed by a vehicle, such as by including a tow hitch.

[0068] Reference is now made to FIG. 12 which provides a top plan view of portable housing 1000 illustrating an example layout of the internal components of electrical generation system 900. Rectifiers 1010 can be mounted on the interior wall of portable housing 000. Batteries 1015 are mounted on a tray 1110 which can be mounted to the floor of the portable housing 1000 due to the weight of the batteries. Liquid tank 1020 can be mounted to the end of portable housing 1000 and water turbines 1030 can be rotatably mounted therein and coupled to generators 1040 mounted within portable housing 1000. Liquid pump 1050 can be coupled to the liquid tank 1020 via tubing to obtain liquid for directing towards water turbines 1030. A liquid gauge 1130 can be mounted to the liquid tank 020 serving as an indicator of fill level of the tank's liquid content.

[0069] Rectifiers 1010 are coupled to a corresponding capacitor 1080 coupled to ground. Capacitor 1080 serves to smooth (or limit transient effects of) the output from rectifiers 1010 and can provide energy storage to allow for continuous power delivery to power inverters 1100 and 1090. A battery charger 1120 can be mounted within the portable housing 1000.

[0070] Fan 1060 can be mounted near intake vent 1070. An instrument panel 1140 can be mounted to the side-wall of portable housing 1000. Instrument panel 1000 can provides lights, switches, and displays for operating the electrical generation system 100 as well as the power output receptacles.

[0071] While the exemplary embodiments have been described herein, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, and scope of the claims is to be accorded an interpretation that encompasses all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.