TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a modular electricity generation system. The present invention has particular, although not exclusive application to generating electricity using the power of moving water such as rivers, the sea, a broad water etc.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0003] There has been a drive away from traditional electricity generation such as coal fired power stations in recent times.

[0004] Green energy systems such as wind and solar are gaining popularity, although still have their drawbacks.

[0005] The applicant has perceived a need for an alternative electricity generation system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a modular electricity generation system including: a plurality of water turbine modules for generating electricity, the modules for serially arranging to form an expansive row or line across water.

[0007] Advantageously, the system harnesses the “blue energy” of moving water to generate electricity.

[0008] The water turbine modules may be arranged to form another row or line spaced apart from the row. Each row may extend up to about 10Ometres.

Advantageously, the turbine modules may be electrically connected in parallel so that a module may be removed whilst the other modules remain operable. The system may include one or more batteries for storing the generated electricity. Each water turbine module may include fastening means for interconnecting with like water turbine modules

[0009] Each water turbine module may include a turbine. The turbine may include a rotational vaned wheel with vanes. The turbine may include a housing for housing the wheel. The vanes may pass proximal the housing to impede water entering the housing. The turbine may include a floor beneath the wheel. Separation between the wheel and floor may be adjustable to adjust the speed of the wheel. The turbine may include a flywheel coupled to the wheel.

[00010] Each turbine module may include a funnel for funneling water, and increasing pressure of the water, into the turbine. The funnel may be adjustable to control the water flow. Each turbine module may include a widening exit for exiting water, and relieving pressure of the water, from the turbine. Each turbine module may be bi-directional. Each turbine module may be symmetric. Each turbine module may include a fish impeder to impede entering fish.

[00011] Each turbine module may include a mount for mounting to the water bed. The mount may be adjustable to adjust the turbine to a desired height for electricity generation. Each turbine module may be formed from recycled plastic parts.

[00012] Each water turbine module may further include a gearbox coupled to the turbine. Each water turbine module may further include an electricity generator coupled to the gearbox, or the water turbine module directly. Each water turbine module may further include an electric motor for driving the water turbine.

[00013] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water turbine module for a modular electricity generation system, the module including fastening means for fastening with like water turbine modules so that they are serially arranged to form an expansive row or line across water.

[00014] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water turbine module for a modular electricity generation system, the module including one or more turbines; and a funnel for funneling water to the turbines. [00015] Preferably, each turbine includes a rotational vaned wheel with vanes.

[00016] The funnel may be formed by a pair of separated hydrofoils. Each hydrofoil may taper away from its centre. Each hydrofoil may bear a turbine proximal its centre. The turbines may be inner turbines located proximal each other. Each hydrofoil may further bear one or more outer turbines. Each hydrofoil may be symmetrical. The turbines may be mirrored.

[00017] For each hydrofoil, the inner turbine may rotate in an opposite direction than the outer turbines. For each hydrofoil, the inner and outer turbines may be coupled together and rotationally synchronized by a line arrangement. The inner turbines may rotate in opposite directions.

[00018] The turbines may be partially housed within the hydrofoils. The module may further include guides extending transverse the hydrofoils and for guiding water into the hydrofoils. The module may include a housing to house the turbines.

[00019] Each vane may include a gap to permit water flow. The water turbine module may further include a gearbox and/or electricity generator located in a hydrofoil.

[00020] Each turbine may include an outer housing for complementarily housing the wheel, and an escape channel for water in the housing to escape.

[00021] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water turbine arrangement including: one or more turbines; and a hydrofoil or support bearing the turbines.

[00022] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for generating electricity, the method involving fastening like water turbine modules so that they are serially arranged to form an expansive row or line across water.

[00023] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00024] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[00025] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a modular electricity generation system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[00026] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a water turbine module of the system of Figure 1 ;

[00027] Figure 3a is a sectional view of the water turbine module of Figure 2;

[00028] Figure 3b is a sectional view of the water turbine module of Figure 2 with the floor removed;

[00029] Figure 4 shows an alternative housing for the water turbine module of Figure 3a;

[00030] Figure 5 is a schematic end view showing the turbine arrangement of a water turbine module in accordance with another embodiment;

[00031] Figure 6 is an end view of the water turbine module of Figure 5; and

[00032] Figure 7 is a front perspective view of the the water turbine module of Figure

5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[00033] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a modular electricity generation system 100 as shown in Figure 1 . The system 100 includes a plurality of water turbine modules 102 for generating electricity. The modules 102 are serially arranged in an expansive row 106a across a river 104 (i.e. moving water). Advantageously, the system 100 harnesses the “blue energy” of the moving water to generate electricity.

[00034] The water turbine modules 102 can be arranged to form another row 106b spaced apart from the row 106a. Each row may extend up to about 100 metres, and each module may be up to 10 metres long. Advantageously, the turbine modules 102 are electrically connected in parallel so that a faulty module 102 can be removed whilst the other modules 102 remain operable. The system 100 also includes one or more batteries 108 for storing the generated electricity. Each water turbine module 102 includes fastening means for releasably interconnecting with like water turbine modules 102.

[00035] Turning to Figure 2, each water turbine module 102 includes a central turbine 200. Each turbine module 102 includes an input funnel 202 for funneling water, and increasing pressure of the water, into the turbine 200. The angle of the funnel 202 is adjustable to control the water flow. Each turbine module 102 further includes a widening exit (or reverse funnel) 204 for exiting water, and relieving pressure of the water from the turbine 200. Each turbine module 102 is bi-directional and symmetric.

[00036] Each turbine module 102 includes a pole mount 206 for mounting to the river (or water) bed. The pole mount 206 is telescopic and adjustable to adjust the turbine 200 to a desired height for optimal electricity generation. Each turbine module 102 can include a mesh fish impeder, fitted to the input funnel 202 and/or widening exit 204, to impede fish entering the turbine 200.

[00037] Turning to Figure 3, the turbine 200 includes a rotational vaned wheel 300 with six equidistant water vanes 302. The turbine 200 also includes an outer housing 304 for complementarily housing the wheel 300. As can best be seen in Figure 3b, the vanes 302 pass in close proximity to the housing 304 to impede water entering the housing 304. The turbine 200 includes a floor 306 beneath the wheel 300. Separation between the wheel 300 and floor 306 is adjustable to adjust the speed of the wheel 300 and rate of electricity generation.

[00038] Each turbine module 102, as depicted in Figures 2 and 3a, is formed from recycled plastic parts. [00039] The turbine 200 also includes a flywheel (not shown) coupled to the vaned wheel 300.

[00040] Each water turbine module 102 optionally includes a gearbox (not shown) coupled to the turbine 200. Further, each water turbine module 102 further includes an electricity generator (e.g. alternator not shown) coupled to the gearbox, or the water turbine module 102 directly in the absence of a gearbox.

[00041] Figure 4 shows an alternative housing 304 for the water turbine module 102. The outer housing 304 complementarily houses the wheel 300 as before, and defines an escape channel 400 for dead water within the housing 304 to escape as the wheel 300 turns.

[00042] According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a water turbine module 500 for the modular electricity generation system 100. The module 500 includes six turbines 200. Each turbine 200 includes a rotational vaned wheel 300 with vanes. Each vane includes a gap 501 , proximal the central shaft, to permit water flow between the vanes which is useful in initially distributing water around the wheel 300 to facilitate starting rotation.

[00043] The turbine module 500 includes a pair of separated hydrofoils 502 bearing the turbines 200. The turbines 200 are partially housed within the hydrofoils 502. The six turbines 200 are mirrored, with a triplet of turbines 200 borne by each hydrofoil 502. The hydrofoils 502 form a funnel for funneling water to the inner turbines 200, located proximal each other and proximal the centre of the hydrofoils 502.

[00044] Each hydrofoil is symmetrical 502, and tapers away from its centre. Each hydrofoil 502 further bears a pair of outer turbines 200. For each hydrofoil 502, the inner turbine 200 rotates in an opposite direction than the outer turbines 200 (see arrows in Fig. 5). The inner turbines 200 borne by different hydrofoils 502 rotate in opposite directions, and the outer turbines 200 borne by different hydrofoils 502 rotate in opposite directions.

[00045] As can best be seen in Figure 6, for each hydrofoil 502, the three inner and outer turbines 200 are coupled together and rotationally synchronized by an endless toothed line 600 engaging with toothed wheels 602 on the turbine shaft. In turn, the lines 600 drive the alternator arrangement 604. In practice, the alternator arrangement 604, including a gearbox and alternator (electricity generator), is located in a hydrofoil 502.

[00046] Turning to Figure 7, the module 500 further includes vertical plate guides 700 extending transverse the horizontal hydrofoils 502. The guides 700 guide water, incident to the module 500 at an angle, into the hydrofoils 502.

[00047] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

[00048] For example, each water turbine module 102 can further include an electric motor powered by the battery 108 and for driving the water turbine 200, on occasion.

[00049] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

[00050] Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.