An electricity generating device

Abstract

An electricity generating device comprises an outer pipe 3 and an elongated cylindrical inner volume (pipe) defining a fluid pathway. A turbine 63 is located within the fluid pathway and drives a generator 62 which may be located between the inner and outer pipes. The fluid pathway has a restricting means which may be an ‘iris’ type adjustable aperture 40, to restrict fluid flow through the pathway. The restricting means may not allow the fluid channel to full with water above the axle 61 of the turbine 63. An electrical connection means and a mechanical securement means 6 are provided at each end of the pipe 3. The device can generate electricity from water run-off from a water source or reservoir.

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electricity generating device, in particular a device for harvesting mechanical energy tarn a flow and converting it to electrical energy; more particularly but not exclusively water flow from a dam cr river or similar. Background In many societies across the world there is an increasing awareness of the costs of generating electricity and its importance. Many flows of water are not harvested for their mechanical farce, which in turn may be translated into electrical energy ami harvested or transferred elsewhere. Regulation of flow, mechanical and electrical energy can be problematic in obtaining a standardised and / or optimal harvesting condition. Prior Art CN 105 275 717 (WU) discloses a pipeline collecting ami generating system, includes rainwater pipeline and the power generation facility of vertical setting, and power generation facility includes that rotatable horizontal running through seis up the pivot in rainwater pipeline lower part, and the pivot is located the vertical fixed impeller that is provided with of one end in rainwater pipeline, and the pivot is located tire outer one end of rainwater pipeline and is connected with the power input end of generator, a serial communication port, it leans on the bottom plate to cut off to be formed with the water storage chamber that is used far retaining to lie in the impeller top in the rainwater pipeline, has a delivery port to blade setting on one side of the impeller on the bottom plate, is provided with float on the water storage chamber and constructs, and float on-off mechanism can control and open the delivery. KR101 624 083 (JEONG) discloses a main rotating fan placed in the center of a pipe with the fastest flow velocity; multiple sub rotating fans placed on the edge of a pipe with the slowest flow velocity; a power generating module converting rotation energy. delivered from a main rotor and multiple sub rotors, into electric energy and connecting the electric energy in parallel or series to output the energy, and an electrode connecting part connecting a negative terminal of the power generating module with a body. US 2010 0 308 591 (GODFREY) discloses an inline hydro electric generation system, comprising: a housing defining an internal open space and at least one opposed inlet ami outlet openings for receiving a flow of water therethrough; a rotatable impeller mounted in the open space in between the inlet and outlet openings and having a plurality of radially extending impeller blades about its periphery, each impeller blade positioned at angular intervals relative to a plane including the axis of the impeller; and an electric generator mounted on the housing and configured to be axially coupled to the impeller for generating energy upon the rotation of the impeller, wherein the housing is affixed to a water pipe so that water from the water pipe flows in through the inlet opening and out though the outlet opening and the impeller is axially rotated by the current of the water; and wherein the impeller blades are configured so that only one impeller blade is submerged under water during a rotation. Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided an electricity generating device, comprising an outer pipe defining an elongated cylindrical inner volume, one or more turbines and a generator, the turbine located internal to the outer pipe within the inner volume and within a fluidic pathway; wherein the fluidic pathway comprises a restricting means in relation to the inner volume, an electricity transferring means, each end of the pipe providing an electrical! connection means and a mechanical securement means, and wherein the restricting means is adapted to restrict the fluidic pathway from a first less restricted position to a second more restricted position. In this way the device may be arranged to restrict flow through the fluidic pathway so as to best utilise a fluid flow, and provide a regular and controllable harvest of mechanical energy so as to generate an optimum electrical energy output This may therefore allow installation after or in a water source such as a dam or in a river, such that fluid flows through the device and fluid may be restricted, thereby enabling optimum entry of fluid into the device and / or from the water source, and thereby regulating or limiting fluid passage through the device in line with preferred electricity generation conditions, for example fluid flow speeds. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises an inner pipeline providing the fluidic pathway, which may be substantialllly or wholly within the inner volume. Between the inner pipeline and the inner surface of the inner volume provided by the outer pipe, it may be envisaged that a void may provide space for the electrical connection, the generator and / or any mechanics or electronics required for the electricity transferring means. For example in some embodiments the turbine may be located on an axle supported on opposing sides of the inner pipeline, being orthogonal the inner pipeline. In some embodiments the turbine may comprise a turbine having blades that are adapted to harness fluid flow orthogonal the turbine axle. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a turbine having blades of a lesser width than the fluidic pathway. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a funnel leading to the fluidic pathway. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a flow control gate, which may be envisaged to provide the restricting means, or more particularly an adjustable restricting means. In some embodiments of the device the flow control gate comprises an iris mechanism flow control gate. In some embodiments of the device the flow control gate a sluice flow control gate. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a battery, which may be envisaged to be a rechargeable battery, which may be envisaged to alltow tor periodic discharging to an external collection means. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises an external electrical network connection means so as to export the electrical energy generated (firectly into an external grid and external energy storage means. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a flange plate as the mechanical connection means, which flange plate may be envisaged to be used with a plurality of fixings such as bolts. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a plurality of turbines, which may be envisaged to be connected in series for example, to extend along the fluidic pathway A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; And Figures 5 show views of the turbine aid generator from the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1. Detailed Description of Figures With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of an electricity generating device 99 generally comprising an outer pipe 3 defining an elongated cylindrical inner volume, one turbine 63 and a generator 62, the turbine located internal to the outer pipe within the inner volume and within a fluidic pathway 2, wherein the fluidic pathway comprises a restricting means 40 in relation to the inner volume, an electricity transferring means 11, each end of the pipe providing an electrical connection means 9 ami a mechanical securemerrt means, wherein the restricting means is adapted to restrict the fluidic pathway tan a first less restricted position to a second more restricted position. In particular reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises a single pipe 3 that is 3 metres tong, extending between two ends. The embodiment is arranged to be inserted into a section of a pipeline for example or a runoff from a water source or reservoir. The ends comprise a mechanical connection means provided by flanges 6 extending radially, having a plurality of perforations 7 for passage of fixing means such as bolts 8. The pipe comprises an inner pipeline 1 providing the fluidic pathway 2, defining a cylindrical fluidic pathway and annular tad 10 between the inner face of the pipe and the outer face of the pipeline. This annular void 10 provides space for receipt and passage of the electrical elements of the device, more particularly for placement of a motor 4 and a generator, and for wiring. In the pictured embodiment the turbine 63 is located within the fluidic pathway on a transverse axle 61, such that the axte extends through opposing walls of the pipeline 1 providing a location for the mechanical energy provided by rotation of the axle to be harvested as the blades are fumed by water passing along the fluidic pathway. The blades of the turbine are a diagonal form in sectional view, such that fluid is also enabled to pass around the turbine within the fluidic pathway, thereby allowing freer flowing in use. The pictured embodiment of the device comprises a flow control gate 40. Such flow control gate is arranged to restrict the flow of fluid through the fluidic pathway as required. The flow control gate 40 comprises an iris diaphragm mechanism or mechanical iris, so as to restrict the flow of fluid through a central hole in the gate. The diaphragm mechanism is electrically driven whereby a plurality of pins 42 dide in a plurality of dots 45 in a plate 44 so as to extend or retract a plurality of triangular baffles 41 around a central hole. The plate 44 is rotated by a motor 44 having a cog engaging with teeth around the outside of the plate. Movement of these pins is controlled by a sensor of fluid flow within the device, which may be envisaged to be located at or adjacent the gate. This mechanism may thereby be used to control the amount of fluid passing through to the turbine, and / or may provide a means of alteration of the fluid speed, using the Venturi effect. This in turn may provide a useful means of regulating optimum flow speed and volume in relation to gradients of the device, or of device parts within an apparatus comprising a plurality of the devices. Further embodiments may have a sluice gate, so as to limit the flow in relation to a defined perimetric area for example. The generator 62 may thereby be envisaged to be run at an optimum height of water within the fluidic pathway so as to turn the turbine at a preferred speed. The gate will not allow water to fill the fluidic channel above the axle of the turbine. The electrical connection comprises a junction box 11, and an electrical connector 9, held in a recess 15 in the void 1. The void is further provided with radially extending braces 5. The invention has been described by way of examples oniy ami it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. An electricity generating device, comprising an outer pipe defining an elongated cylindrical inner volume, one or more turbines and a generator, the turbine located internal to the outer pipe within the inner volume and within a fluidic pathway; wherein the fluidic pathway comprises a restricting means in relation to the inner volume, an electricity transferring means, each end of the pipe providing an electrical connection means and a mechanical securement means, and wherein the restricting means is adapted to restrict the fluidic pathway from a first less restricted position to a second more restricted position.

2. An electricity generating device according to claim 1 comprising a turbine within a housing.

3. An electricity generating device according to dam 2 wherein the fluidic pathway is provided with an inner pipeline.

4. An electricity generating device according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the turbine may be located on an axle supported on opposing sides of the inner pipeline, being orthogonal the inner pipeline.

5. An electricity generating device according to any of the preceding daims with a turbine having blades that are adapted to harness fluid flow orthogonal the turbine axle.

6. An electricity generating device according to any preceding claim comprising a turbine having blades of a lesser width than the fluidic pathway.

7. An electricity generating device according to any preceding claim comprising a funnel leading to the fluidic pathway.

8. An electricity generating device according to any preceding claim comprising a flow control gate.

9. An electricity generating device according to claim 7 comprising an iris mechanism flow control gate.

10. An electricity generating device according to claim 1 comprising a sluice flow control gate.

11. An electricity generating device according to any preceding claim comprising a battery.

12. An electricity generating device according to any preceding claim comprising an external electrical network connection means.

13. An electricity generating device according to any preceding claim comprising a flange plate as the mechanical connection means.

14. An electricity generating device according to any preceding claim comprising a plurality of terbines.

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