Subsurface River Conduit for Hydro Power Without Dams

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydro-electric energy generation methods often require large dams that flood valuable land or hinder river navigation, making them unsuitable for many rivers and streams with suitable flow rates and elevation drops.

Innovation Solution

A conduit system positioned partially beneath the river surface, with an upstream inlet at a higher elevation than the downstream outlet, feeding water into a hydro-electric turbine, and optionally using a semi-circular coffer dam to increase head pressure, allowing for hydro-electric power generation without dams or locks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If large dams are built to generate hydro-electric energy, then energy generation capacity is improved, but land flooding and navigation disruption occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydro-electric energy generation capacityVSAvoidland flooding and navigation disruption

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the water flow path into segments by using a conduit system that captures only a portion of the river flow. The conduit is positioned to allow water to enter at the upstream end and exit at the downstream end, separating the energy generation function from the main river channel while maintaining river continuity for navigation and ecosystem purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The conduit acts as an intermediary structure that transfers water from the upstream river surface to the downstream turbine without requiring a large dam. The semi-circular coffer dam at the inlet serves as another intermediary to create a localized head pressure zone, enabling energy generation while preserving overall river flow and navigation capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Power

If conventional dams are constructed, then hydro-electric power is generated, but construction cost and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydro-electric power generationVSAvoidconstruction cost and time

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a semi-circular coffer dam made of rock riprap or concrete that is simpler and less expensive than conventional large dams. This structure is designed to be temporary or easily removable, serving only to create localized head pressure at the conduit inlet without requiring the massive permanent infrastructure of traditional dams.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts only the essential function of head pressure creation and water flow guidance from the conventional dam structure. By using a small semi-circular coffer dam and a positioned conduit instead of a large dam, the solution removes the expensive and time-consuming elements while retaining the core hydro-electric generation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If the conduit inlet elevation is fixed, then structure simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to varying river levels is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconduit structure simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to varying river levels

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention makes the conduit inlet elevation dynamic rather than fixed by using floatation mechanisms or mechanical adjustment systems. This allows the inlet to automatically rise and fall with varying river levels, maintaining optimal head pressure and water flow into the conduit regardless of seasonal or environmental changes in river discharge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables hydro-electric power generation without land flooding or navigation disruptions, adaptable to various river levels and flow rates, and compatible with different materials and conduit shapes.

Implementation Method 1

The conduit is positioned in the direction of river water flow with the inlet end of the conduit upstream and at a higher elevation than the downstream end of the conduit which feeds water into a hydro-electric turbine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

A semi-circular coffer dam can be used at the inlet end of the conduit to utilize river flow rate to increase river water surface elevation at the inlet end of the conduit and thereby increase the head pressure at the hydro-electric turbine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic head pressure: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS11018554B2Method of generating hydro electric energy in rivers and streams without dams and/or locks

Publication Date: 2021.05.25 VANNAN JR FREDERICK FORBES

AI summary

A method of generating hydro-electric energy utilizing a conduit located beneath the surface of a river or stream to feed water into a hydro-electric turbine, eliminating the need to build costly and time-consuming dams and locks.