In-pipe hydroelectric generation system in building

By installing a micro hydroelectric generator in the water distribution system of large urban buildings and using water flow to drive the turbine to generate electricity, the problem of waste of energy by existing pressure reducing valves is solved, and the dual effects of water pressure reduction and energy conversion are achieved.

CN120225773APending Publication Date: 2025-06-27D·M·卡辛
View PDF 1 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
CN202380065108.6
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2022-09-09
Filing Date
2023-09-08
Publication Date
2025-06-27

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

In large urban buildings, existing pressure relief valves (PRVs) waste energy stored in water during the process of reducing water pressure and cannot effectively utilize this energy for power generation.

Method used

Install a micro hydroelectric generator in the water distribution system of a building, using the water flow to drive the turbine to generate electricity, thereby reducing water pressure and converting energy into electricity.

Benefits of technology

Through micro hydropower technology, it can effectively reduce water pressure, reduce energy waste, and convert the originally wasted energy into available electricity for use or for sale.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure CN120225773A_ABST
    Figure CN120225773A_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

Utilization of the hydroelectric power generation technology is provided in a water distribution system in a large-scale urban building where water pressure needs to be reduced. These micro hydroelectric generators reduce the water pressure used by the resident and convert energy into electricity for use or sale.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 941,723, filed on September 9, 2022, the content of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to harvesting electrical power using pre - existing micro - hydropower. Background Art

[0004] Hydroelectric generators obtain energy from water flow, and their size range can be from large (e.g., for use with dams) to medium (e.g., private farms) to micro (i.e., small - scale hydroelectric generators). Hydroelectric power generation refers to generating electricity using water energy. A hydroelectric generator or hydrator converts water flow into electricity and includes a water turbine or hydro - turbine coupled to a generator. U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009 / 0008943 to Kemper shows a residential hydroelectric generator. Kemper states attaching a hydrator to a water intake from a main water pipe to an individual residential water system.

[0005] Pressure - reducing valves (PRVs) have been used in urban building water distribution systems to reduce the pressure required to distribute water to a pressure that allows water to be safely used in one or more water - using appliances (e.g., faucets, water heaters, showers, toilets, dishwashers, etc.). These PRVs have even been installed in buildings that use the water - tower method of distributing water as the water travels from a water tower to the occupants. With the emergence of skyscrapers and urban buildings over ten stories, in most new buildings and construction projects, the use of PRVs has even replaced the use of water towers.

[0006] Figure 1(a) shows an example of such a water distribution system 5 in a five - story building. As shown, water enters the system 5 via a main water pipe or conduit 7 connected to a water supply main on the street and a building water pressure pump 9, typically located in the basement of the building. One or more primary building water pipes or conduits 11 extend upward from the pump 9 to the top floor of the building. One or more secondary water pipes or conduits 13 are respectively connected to the primary conduits 11. As shown, multiple secondary conduits 13 may be present at each floor of the building and connected to the primary conduit 11. As shown in Figure 1(b), each secondary conduit 13 may be connected to a different building unit (e.g., a room or an apartment), or more than one building unit. Alternatively, more than one secondary conduit 13 may be connected to a single building unit.

[0007] A PRV 15 is located at each secondary conduit 13. The PRV 15 has an input connected to the secondary conduit 13 and an outlet leading to one or more water - using appliances at the building unit.

[0008] Basically, in order for water to reach the occupants on all floors with sufficient pressure, when water enters the building, the water is pumped from pump 9 in the basement of the building to an extremely high pressure so that when the water reaches the units on the top floor, the water will have sufficient pressure to be used. However, if the same water is siphoned into any of the units below the top floor, the pressure will be too high and will subsequently damage faucets, showers, etc. Therefore, a PRV 15 is used for each floor or every few floors (depending on the occupancy and size of the building) to reduce the pressure to an available and safe level. These PRV 15s reduce the pressure of the water by converting the energy stored as pressure into heat 17 dissipated from the PRV 15. This essentially wastes the energy stored in the water in the form of pressure. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Provide the utilization of hydroelectric power generation technology in a water distribution system within a large urban building where water pressure needs to be reduced. These micro hydro generators reduce the water pressure used by the occupants and convert the energy into electricity for use or sale. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] The drawings are incorporated into and form a part of this specification. It should be understood that the drawings only show some examples of the present disclosure, and other examples not specifically shown in the drawings or combinations of various examples may still fall within the scope of the present disclosure. The examples will now be described in more detail by using the drawings, in which:

[0011] FIG. 1(a) and FIG. 1(b) are floor plans of a building with a conventional PRV water distribution system;

[0012] Figure 2 is a floor plan of a building with a hydroelectric power generation system according to an example of the present disclosure;

[0013] FIG. 3(a) is a block diagram of an exemplary hydroelectric power generation system according to an example of the present disclosure;

[0014] FIG. 3(b) is a cross-sectional view of the hydroelectric power generation system of FIG. 3(a); and

[0015] Figure 4 is a floor plan of another embodiment of a hydroelectric power generation system implemented in a building.

[0016] The drawings illustrate an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure. Other embodiments may have components of different scales. The same numbers used in the drawings may be used to refer to the same components. However, the reference numerals used to refer to components or steps in a given drawing have the same structure or function as the components or steps labeled with the same reference numerals in another drawing, unless otherwise specified. Detailed implementation manners

[0017] When describing the illustrative and non - limiting embodiments shown in the drawings, specific terms will be used for clarity. However, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so chosen, and it should be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to achieve a similar purpose. For illustrative purposes, several embodiments are described. It should be understood that the description and claims are not limited to the embodiments shown, and other embodiments not specifically shown in the drawings may also be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0018] Turning to the drawings, Figure 2 A hydro - power generation system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The system 100 is shown in a closed - loop water delivery system, here a building with five floors, but any suitable number of floors more or less than five can be provided. As shown, water enters the system 100 via a main water pipe or conduit 20 connected to the water main on the street and a building water pressure pump 26 typically located in the basement of the building. One or more primary building water pipes or conduits 24 extend upward from the pump 26 to the top floor of the building. One or more secondary water pipes or conduits 28 are respectively connected to the primary conduit 24. As shown, a plurality of secondary conduits 28 connected to the primary conduit 24 may be present at each floor of the building. Each secondary conduit 28 may be connected to a different building unit (e.g., a room or an apartment), or more than one building unit. Alternatively, more than one secondary conduit 28 may be connected to a single building unit.

[0019] The system 100 includes a plurality of generator devices 50 positioned around the building. The generator devices 50 can be considered micro - hydro generators. That is, in some embodiments, the generator devices 50 are attached after a water pump 26 within a residential or commercial water system that collects water from the main water pipe into a separate water system for a unit, rather than directly collecting from the main water pipe.

[0020] The generator device 50 is positioned at each secondary conduit 28. The generator device 50 has an input end connected to the secondary conduit 28 and an outlet leading to one or more water - using appliances at the building unit. Although one generator device 50 is shown for each secondary conduit 28, more than one generator device 50 may be connected to each secondary conduit 28.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), each generator device 50 includes a generator housing or body 30, an inlet port or inlet 31, an inlet water pipe 32, an outlet port or outlet 33, an outlet water pipe 34, an inlet water pressure sensor or measuring device 36, an outlet water pressure sensor or measuring device 38, a generator or turbine 60, electrical conductors 62, and a power generation sensor or measuring device 42. Although a water turbine (also known as a hydroelectric generator) is described as the turbine 60, it is clear that any suitable component or apparatus can be utilized to convert a liquid (or gas or solid) flow into electricity. In the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein, the generator device 50 is a micro generator that is suitable for use with the water pressures at the inlet and outlet of the housing.

[0022] The housing or body 30 has an inlet 31 (e.g., an inlet opening) at the inlet side of the housing 30 and an outlet 33 (e.g., an outlet opening) at the outlet side of the housing 30 that can be opposite the inlet side of the housing 30. The inlet water pipe 32 is connected at the inlet 31 and can be integral with the generator body 30. In some embodiments, the inlet 31 can be an opening, and the inlet pipe 32 can be a separate pipe that is connected to the generator body 30, for example, by an external male thread that engages an internal female thread inlet opening at the housing 30. In certain embodiments, the inlet pipe 32 is a pipe that extends outward from the housing 30. In other embodiments, the inlet 31 opening can be directly connected to a secondary building pipe 28, for example, the inlet 31 can be an internal female thread opening at the housing 30 that is threadedly connected to an external male thread secondary pipe 28.

[0023] Thus, the inlet water pipe 32 is connected to a water source, here the building secondary water pipe 28 ( Figure 2 ); or the inlet water pipe 32 can be the secondary water pipe 28 that is directly connected to the inlet 31. The building secondary pipe 28 is (directly or indirectly) connected to the street main water pipe and receives incoming water from the water source. The incoming water from the secondary pipe 28 is at a high pressure, which is typically generated by a central pump 26 located in the basement of the building.

[0024] The outlet water pipe 34 is connected at the outlet 33 and can be integral with the generator body 30. In some embodiments, the outlet 33 can be an opening, and the outlet pipe 34 can be a separate pipe that is connected to the generator body 30, for example, by an external male thread that engages an internal female thread inlet opening at the housing 30. In certain embodiments, the outlet pipe 34 is a pipe that extends outward from the housing 30. In other embodiments, the outlet 33 opening can be directly connected to a building or appliance water pipe, for example, the outlet 33 can be an internal female thread opening at the housing 30 that is threadedly connected to an external male thread building or appliance pipe.

[0025] Therefore, the inlet 31 is in fluid communication with the inlet pipe 32 and the internal space of the housing 30. The outlet is in fluid communication with the inlet 31 and the internal space of the housing 30, and is in fluid communication with the outlet pipe 34. And the turbine 60 is in fluid communication with the inlet 31, the inlet pipe 32, the outlet 33 and the outlet pipe 34, and is positioned between the inlet 31 and the outlet 33.

[0026] The inlet pressure measuring device 36 is connected to the inlet water pipe 32 and provides real-time measurement of the water pressure inside the inlet water pipe 32. In other embodiments, the inlet pressure measuring device 36 may be connected to a secondary building pipe 28 attached to the inlet 31.

[0027] The outlet pressure measuring device 38 is connected to the outlet water pipe 34 and provides real-time measurement of the outlet water pressure inside the outlet water pipe 34. In other embodiments, the inlet pressure measuring device 36 may be connected to a building or appliance pipe attached to the outlet 33.

[0028] The main body 30 forms a complete fluid-tight enclosure having an internal space (when the inlet 31 and the outlet 33 are connected to the respective pipes), and the hydroelectric generator turbine 60 is completely enclosed within the internal space of the generator main body 30. When water flows from the inlet pipe 32 through the inlet 31, the main body 30 and through the turbine 60 to the outlet 33 and into the outlet pipe 34, the turbine 60 is driven to rotate by the water flow. The rotation of the turbine 60 generates electricity, which is transmitted out of the generator main body 30 via the electrical wire 62. The wire 62 transports the electricity from the hydroelectric generator turbine 60 to the electricity generation measuring device 42. The electricity generation measuring device 42 measures or senses in real time the amount of electricity generated by the turbine 60 and outputs an electricity generation measurement value. The electricity generated on the output wire 62 may also be connected to a central battery / electricity storage system of a building or floor, or directly to a battery from the wire 62, or connected to a battery via, for example, an electrical wire 44. The electricity generated may be stored in the electricity storage system for use by the building or floor.

[0029] The power generation measurement device 42 can be located at a processing device 40 (such as a computer) that employs fail-safe measures. The processing device 40 communicates with the inlet water pressure sensor 36, the outlet water pressure sensor 38, the turbine 60, and / or the power generation sensor 42, either wired or wirelessly. The processing device 40 receives the inlet water pressure measurement from the inlet sensor 36 and the outlet water pressure measurement from the outlet sensor 38. The processing device 40 also receives the power generation measurement from the power generation measurement sensor 42. The processing device 40 analyzes the inlet pressure measurement, the outlet pressure measurement, and / or the power generation measurement to determine whether the generator device 50 is operating correctly. The processing device 40 includes a fail-safe mechanism that allows water to flow only through the generator device 50 in the event that the processor 40 detects a fault. The processing device 40 can also generate an alarm or warning to indicate the fault.

[0030] The processing device 40 monitors the performance and warns the owner of the performance or fault, and operates fail-safe measures in the event of a fault to avoid any damage. Additionally, the processing device 40 generates a control signal that is sent to the turbine 60 to control the operation of the turbine 60. For example, the processing device 40 can maintain, increase, or decrease the resistance of the turbine 60, and stop or start the turbine 60.

[0031] The normal ranges of power generation and pressure levels vary depending on the device, specifically depending on the floor on which the device is installed. This calculation can be completed for each potential customer prior to installation and stored in the memory associated with the processing device 40. Potential faults include a decrease in turbine efficiency (based on inlet pressure and power generation) due to some mechanical maintenance requirements. When the sensors detect that the power generation or pressure rate is below a set custom range (set in the calculation completed prior to each user installation), the processing device 40 generates an alarm.

[0032] For example, the processing device 40 receives the amount of power generated by the turbine 60 from the power measurement device 40. The processing device also receives the inlet pressure from the inlet pressure sensor 36. Based on these two values, the processing device 40 can determine the efficiency of the turbine 60 to determine whether the turbine 60 is operating efficiently. If the turbine 60 is not efficient, the processing device can send an alarm or otherwise indicate that the turbine 60 needs maintenance.

[0033] Water-using appliances (e.g., faucets, dishwashers, toilets) can only withstand water pressures much lower than those at building pipes 24, 28. Therefore, the water pressure at inlet 31 and inlet pipe 32 (or building pipe 28) is much greater than the water pressure at outlet 33 and outlet pipe 32 (or the appliance or appliance pipe). Thus, the generator device 50 reduces the pressure from inlet 31 to outlet 33. More specifically, the turbine 60 reduces the pressure. As the water passing through the housing 30 rotates the turbine 60, the pressure is reduced from inlet 31 to outlet 33. The turbine 60 not only reduces the pressure but also generates energy simultaneously, and this energy is captured by the turbine 60 as electricity.

[0034] The turbine 60 can be set to reduce the water pressure to a desired water pressure (e.g., the pressure suitable for building water-using appliances). Thus, for example, a generator 50 located on a lower floor of a building may have a higher water pressure at inlet 31 and thus needs to reduce a greater pressure than a generator 50 located on a higher floor of the building, where the pressure at inlet 31 is lower than that at the inlet 31 on the lower floor. Therefore, the generator 50 located on the lower floor of the building generates more electricity than the generator 50 located on the higher floor of the building. The amount of pressure reduction can be controlled by the processing device 40. The processing device 40 receives water pressure values from the inlet water pressure detector 36 and / or the outlet water pressure detector 38 and accordingly dynamically adjusts the resistance of the turbine 60 in real time. Thus, the processing device 40 operates in real time to dynamically consider any pressure changes at inlet 31 and any lower pressure sensed at outlet 33, thereby avoiding low or high water pressure at outlet 33. The processing device 40 sends a control signal to the turbine 60 to control the operation of the turbine 60, e.g., to open, close the turbine, or maintain or adjust the resistance of the turbine 60.

[0035] For example, the outlet pressure sensor 38 can detect high or low pressure due to fluctuations in water usage at a building unit. The processor 40 detects high or low pressure readings from the outlet water pressure sensor 38 in real time and dynamically adjusts (maintains, raises, or lowers) the resistance of the turbine 60 to reduce or raise the pressure at outlet 33 respectively until a desired outlet pressure is obtained at the outlet sensor. In another example, the inlet pressure sensor 36 can detect high or low pressure due to fluctuations in the building pump 26 or fluctuations in water usage at other floors or units. The processor 40 detects high or low pressure readings from the inlet water pressure sensor 36 in real time and dynamically adjusts (maintains, raises, or lowers) the resistance of the turbine 60 to reduce or raise the pressure at outlet 33 respectively.

[0036] Although the inlet pressure sensor 36 and the outlet pressure sensor 38 are described, in some embodiments, the system 100 may use only a single sensor (either the inlet sensor 36 or the outlet sensor 38), and the processor 40 adjusts the turbine 60 based on the pressure readings of that single sensor. The higher the resistance of the turbine 60, the more electricity the generator device 50 generates. For example, if the electricity generation value read by the processor is below the range of electricity generation that the calculation indicates should be produced, the processor will activate an alarm to alert the maintenance team of the problem. The alarm can be transmitted to the maintenance team (e.g., to a processing device such as a smartphone), and / or the alarm can activate a local alarm that emits a sound.

[0037] Accordingly, in some embodiments, the generator device 50 manages the internal water pressure, thereby replacing a conventional pressure reducing valve (PRV), such that a PRV is not required in the system 50. The novel elements are the pressure measurement devices 36, 38 and the electricity generation measurement system 42 and the processor 40. However, the generator device 50 generates electricity instead of dissipating the extracted pressure as heat (as a PRV does). That is, the generator device 50 captures the energy that would otherwise be lost by a conventional PRV.

[0038] The system 100 is a closed water delivery system. That is, the system 100 is closed from the inlet 31 to the outlet 34, and is closed from the inlet pipe 32 to the outlet pipe 34, from the building pump 26 to the building appliances, and from the street main 20 through the building pressure pump 26, the building main 24, the secondary pipe 28, the generator device 60 to the building water appliances.

[0039] The system 100 generates clean energy in the core of the urban center, generating a large amount of clean energy, reducing the future transmission problems of renewable energy, and reducing power outages in low-income urban neighborhoods. The system achieves all of this while saving costs for building owners.

[0040] In some embodiments, a particularly beneficial scenario is using it in buildings above 10 stories, as the system provides sufficient potential energy to obtain significant returns, but the generator device 50 can be used in buildings of any size. The available energy to be captured by the turbine depends on the pressure level at which the water is pumped to the highest floor. This pressure is most prevalent in buildings above about 10 stories to generate a large amount of electricity; however, electricity can be generated for buildings with any number of floors (even a single floor).

[0041] System 100 utilizes a microhydropower generator 50 to be installed in place of a PRV to reduce the inlet water pressure of the unit; however, in some embodiments, the generator can be installed together with the PRV. Different from the PRV, the microhydropower generator 50 converts the energy stored as pressure in water into electricity for use or sale. Building owners can either use the electricity to save costs or sell the electricity to the power grid. This provides building owners with clean energy and alternative sources of income / cost savings. In addition, since urban areas are usually far from the power sources they consume, urban areas are usually most affected by forced power outages or blackouts. This solution will turn the core of urban areas into clean energy production centers. Although the energy generated may not fully compensate for the power loss caused by long-term power outages, it will play an important role in ensuring that emergency services and necessary institutions can maintain power supply.

[0042] Due to differences in building size, occupancy, local water pressure rate, and more variables depending on each customer, there is no single set of dimensions or microhydropower generator 50. In addition, the number of microhydropower generators installed in a building will vary and correspond to the number of PRVs installed in the building.

[0043] However, in some examples, the inlet connector 1 and the outlet connector 2 can have a circumference range from 3 inches to 12 inches, or a diameter of approximately 0.95 inches to 3.82 inches. Fasteners such as mounting screws will be placed along the connectors of the pipe. The fastening element is attached to the generator body 30, which houses the turbine 5 and the electrical connectors of the turbine. The entire generator device 50 can be less than approximately 8 cubic feet. The generator 50 may use a Kaplan turbine or a Francis turbine 5, depending on which turbine is most suitable for the specifications of each building.

[0044] The generator device 50 (including the body 30, the input end 31, the outlet 33, the input pipe 32, the outlet pipe 34, the sensors 36, 38, the wire 62, the processor 40, and the sensor 42) can be pre-assembled and then delivered to the site for installation, for example, by welding the inlet and outlet to the existing pipes of the building, or installing them using only crude screws or other connection methods (such as threaded engagement).

[0045] It should be noted that the computer 40, the power generation measurement device 42, and the pressure measurement devices 36, 38 are optional, and the generator device 50 does not need to include these components. That is to say, the generator device 50 may basically include a turbine 60 that reduces the pressure from the inlet 31 to the outlet 33. Additionally, the computer 40 does not need to perform fail-safe monitoring. Therefore, the generator device 50 can generate electricity and reduce the pressure from the inlet 31 to the outlet 33 without the sensors 36, 38, 42, and the computer 40 providing monitoring.

[0046] In the embodiments of FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the processing device 40 is located near or at the generator housing 30. Additionally, the inlet sensor 36 and the outlet sensor 38 are located near the inlet 31 and the outlet 33 of the generator housing 30 to obtain the most accurate pressure measurement values. In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the processing device 40 may communicate wired or wirelessly with a central processing device 70 ( Figure 2 ) located at a central location in the building and remote from the generator housing 30. Alternatively, a single central processing device 70 remote from the generator housing 30 may be provided at a central location in the building without any processing device 40 located at the generator device 50. The central processing device receives signals from multiple generators 50 and controls the operation of the turbines 60 at multiple generators 50 located throughout the building. Therefore, the central processing device can detect a pressure peak at the input detector 36 of the first generator located on a lower floor of the building and adjust the turbines 60 at these generators before the peak reaches multiple other generators located on a higher floor of the building. Alternatively, the central processing device can detect a lower pressure level at the input sensor 36 or the outlet sensor 38 of the generator located on a higher floor and adjust the turbine 60 located on a lower floor to help increase the pressure on the higher floor.

[0047] Figure 4 Another embodiment of the system is shown where a single microgenerator is provided for each floor and the water output can be supplied to one or more apartments or building units. This is different from Figure 2 , where Figure 2 a single microgenerator is provided for each apartment or building unit. Other configurations of the system may also be provided within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0048] The inlet pressure varies entirely based on the building size. However, in some embodiments, the inlet pressure can exceed 5.5 MPa (megapascals), and the outlet pressure typically fluctuates around 0.3 MPa.

[0049] The processing device 40 and the central processing device 70 can each be, for example, a computer, a personal computer (PC), a server, or a mainframe computer, or more generally, a computing device, a processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a controller. The processing device can be provided with one or more of various components or subsystems, which include, for example, wired or wireless communication links, input devices for user control or input (such as a touch screen, a keyboard, a mouse), a monitor for displaying information to the user, and / or storage devices, such as a memory, a RAM, a ROM, a DVD, a CD-ROM, an analog or digital memory, a flash drive, a database, a computer-readable medium, and / or a hard disk drive / disk. All or part of the systems, processes, and / or data used in the system of the present disclosure can be stored on or read from the storage device. The storage device can store machine-executable instructions for performing the processes of the present disclosure on it. The processing device can execute software that can be stored on the storage device. Unless otherwise specified, the process is preferably automatically implemented by the processor substantially in real time without delay.

[0050] It should also be noted that the system 100 is described as being for use with a water distribution system. However, the system can be used with any similar type of system and need not be a liquid distribution system, but can be a gas or solid distribution system, and need not be a water distribution system, for example, it can be an oil distribution system, a gas distribution system (such as natural gas or propane gas), or others. Additionally, although the generator device 50 is provided, it will be recognized that any generator can be provided to generate any form of electricity or energy.

[0051] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art who have benefited from the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the related drawings that modifications, combinations, sub-combinations, and variations can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Similarly, the various examples described can be used alone or in combination with other examples. Those skilled in the art will understand that various combinations of examples not specifically described or shown herein are still within the scope of the present disclosure. In this regard, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific examples set forth, and the examples of the present disclosure are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive.

Claims

1. A hydroelectric power generation system, comprising: A housing having an inlet in fluid communication with a fluid source, the inlet having an inlet fluid pressure, the housing further having an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet, the outlet having an outlet fluid pressure; And A generator positioned in the housing between the inlet and the outlet and in fluid communication with a fluid flow flowing from the inlet through the housing to the outlet, and converting the fluid flow into electrical power and reducing the inlet fluid pressure at the inlet to the outlet fluid pressure at the outlet.

2. The hydroelectric power generation system according to claim 1, wherein, The electrical power includes electrical energy.

3. The hydroelectric power generation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The fluid includes water.

4. The hydroelectric power generation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The inlet is in fluid communication with a high-pressure fluid pump.

5. The hydroelectric power generation system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The outlet is in fluid communication with a low-pressure water-using appliance operating at the second fluid pressure lower than the first fluid pressure.

6. The hydroelectric power generation system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the hydroelectric power generation system further comprising a plurality of housings and generators respectively located at different floors of a building.

7. The hydroelectric power generation system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the hydroelectric power generation system further comprising an outlet sensor coupled to the outlet and detecting the outlet fluid pressure.

8. The hydroelectric power generation system according to claim 7, the hydroelectric power generation system further comprising a processing device that receives the detected outlet fluid pressure from the outlet sensor and controls the operation of the generator based on the detected outlet fluid pressure.

9. The hydroelectric power generation system according to claim 8, wherein The processing device controls the operation of the generator to achieve a desired output pressure.

10. The hydroelectric power generation system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the hydroelectric power generation system further comprising an input sensor coupled to the input end and detecting the input fluid pressure.

11. The hydroelectric power generation system according to claim 10, wherein, The processing device receives the detected input fluid pressure from the input sensor and controls the operation of the generator based on the detected input fluid pressure.

12. The hydroelectric power generation system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the hydroelectric power generation system further comprising a power generation measurement device connected to the generator to detect the amount of electrical power generated by the generator.

13. The hydroelectric power generation system according to claim 12, wherein, The processing device receives the detected power generation amount from the power generation measurement device and controls the operation of the generator based on the detected power generation amount.

14. The hydroelectric power generation system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the hydroelectric power generation system further comprising a processing device that controls the operation of the generator.

15. The hydroelectric power generation system according to any one of claims 8 to 14, the hydroelectric power generation system further comprising a central processor communicating with a plurality of the processing devices, the central processor controlling the operation of a plurality of generators based on information detected at any hydroelectric power generation system among the plurality of hydroelectric power generation systems.

16. A hydroelectric power generation system, comprising: A first hydroelectric power generation device, the first hydroelectric power generation device comprising: A first housing, the first housing having a first inlet in fluid communication with a fluid source, the first inlet having a first inlet fluid pressure, the first housing further having a first outlet in fluid communication with the first inlet, the first outlet having a first outlet fluid pressure; A first generator, the first generator positioned within the first housing between the first inlet and the first outlet and in fluid communication with a first fluid flow that flows from the first inlet through the first housing to the first outlet, and converting the first fluid flow into electrical energy and reducing the first inlet fluid pressure at the first inlet to the first outlet fluid pressure at the first outlet; and A first pressure sensor, the first pressure sensor positioned at the first outlet of the first housing and detecting a first detected outlet pressure at the first outlet; A second hydroelectric power generation device, the second hydroelectric power generation device comprising: A second housing, the second housing having a second inlet in fluid communication with the fluid source, the second inlet having a second inlet fluid pressure, the second housing further having a second outlet in fluid communication with the second inlet, the second outlet having a second outlet fluid pressure; A second generator, the second generator positioned within the second housing between the second inlet and the second outlet and in fluid communication with a second fluid flow that flows from the second inlet through the second housing to the second outlet, and converting the second fluid flow into electrical energy and reducing the second inlet fluid pressure at the second inlet to the second outlet fluid pressure at the second outlet; and A second pressure sensor, the second pressure sensor positioned at the second outlet of the second housing and detecting a second detected outlet pressure at the second outlet; and A central processing device, the central processing device receiving the first detected outlet pressure and controlling the operation of the first generator and / or the second generator based on the first detected outlet pressure.

17. The hydroelectric power generation system according to claim 16, the central processing device receiving the second detected outlet pressure and controlling the operation of the first generator and / or the second generator based on the first detected outlet pressure and the second detected outlet pressure.

18. The hydroelectric power generation system according to claim 16 or 17, wherein, The first power generation device is located on a first floor of a building, and the second power generation device is located on a second floor of the building different from the first floor.

19. A closed hydroelectric power generation system configured for use in a building, the system comprising a plurality of hydroelectric power generation devices, each hydroelectric power generation device of the plurality of hydroelectric power generation devices comprising: A housing, the housing having an interior of the housing; An inlet, the inlet in fluid communication with the housing and configured to be in fluid communication with a high-pressure building water pump, the inlet having an inlet water pressure; An outlet, the outlet in fluid communication with the housing and the inlet, the outlet having an outlet fluid pressure; A hydraulic generator, which is located inside the housing between the inlet and the outlet and is in fluid communication with a fluid flow that flows from the inlet through the housing to the outlet. The hydraulic generator converts the fluid flow into electrical energy and reduces the inlet fluid pressure at the inlet to the outlet fluid pressure at the outlet; An outlet sensor, which is coupled to the outlet and detects the outlet fluid pressure; And A processing device, which communicates with the outlet sensor and is configured to adjust the hydraulic generator based on the detected outlet fluid pressure.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein, The hydraulic power generation device replaces the pressure reducing valve, so that the system has no pressure reducing valve.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Residential hydroelectric generator

    US20090008943A1