The invention indicates ways to assemble turbines, pipes, and check valves as a set or series of sets to produce electricity from rainwater off of high rises, buildings, parking garages, and other structures.

The invention indicates ways to assemble turbines, pipes, and check valves as a set or series of sets to produce electricity from rainwater off of high rises, buildings, parking garages, and other structures.

An example valve includes: a plurality of ports comprising: a first port, a second port, and a third port; a spool configured to block fluid flow from the first port to the third port while allowing fluid flow from the third port to the second port when the valve is in an unactuated state; a spring applying a biasing force on the spool in a proximal direction, wherein when the valve is actuated, the spool moves in a distal direction against the spring, thereby allowing fluid flow from the first port to the third port while blocking fluid flow from the third port to the second port; and a turbine configured to rotate as fluid flows from the first port to the third port when the valve is in an actuated state.

Disclosed techniques include working fluid exergy recovery using hybrid processing. A supply of working fluid at a first pressure and a first temperature is accessed. The working fluid is compressed. The compressing yields the working fluid at a second pressure. The second pressure is greater than the first pressure. The working fluid at the second pressure and a second temperature is warmed using a first heat exchanger. The second temperature is greater than the first temperature. The working fluid at the second temperature is in a gaseous state. The working fluid is expanded in a gaseous state to a third pressure. The expanding is accomplished using a first liquid piston expander. An engine is driven to recover work from the working fluid in a gaseous state. The engine is powered by liquid from the first liquid piston expander.

Disclosed techniques include working fluid exergy recovery using hybrid processing. A supply of working fluid at a first pressure and a first temperature is accessed. The working fluid is compressed. The compressing yields the working fluid at a second pressure. The second pressure is greater than the first pressure. The working fluid at the second pressure and a second temperature is warmed using a first heat exchanger. The second temperature is greater than the first temperature. The working fluid at the second temperature is in a gaseous state. The working fluid is expanded in a gaseous state to a third pressure. The expanding is accomplished using a first liquid piston expander. An engine is driven to recover work from the working fluid in a gaseous state. The engine is powered by liquid from the first liquid piston expander.

A system and method for decontaminating a fluid and recovered vapor, particularly processing and recycling water used in an oil zone steam process, utilizing a vaporizer-desalination unit to separate a contaminated water flow into a contaminated disposal flow and a clean water vapor flow. The contaminated water flow is recovered after separation from a combined oil and water flow from an oil well. The clean water vapor flow is preferably passed through a steam generator to produce the steam used in the oil zone steam process. The steam is injected into the oil zone of a designated well and then extracted as the combined oil and water flow. Once primed with sufficient external water, the system and method is designed to operate continuously with minimal replenishment because of the water/vapor/steam cycle.

A system and method for decontaminating a fluid and recovered vapor, particularly processing and recycling water used in an oil zone steam process, utilizing a vaporizer-desalination unit to separate a contaminated water flow into a contaminated disposal flow and a clean water vapor flow. The contaminated water flow is recovered after separation from a combined oil and water flow from an oil well. The clean water vapor flow is preferably passed through a steam generator to produce the steam used in the oil zone steam process. The steam is injected into the oil zone of a designated well and then extracted as the combined oil and water flow. Once primed with sufficient external water, the system and method is designed to operate continuously with minimal replenishment because of the water/vapor/steam cycle.

Some embodiments provide irrigation generator systems that include a main conduit comprising an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit; a flow control system positioned within the main conduit; a generator conduit comprising a generator inlet conduit and a generator outlet conduit, wherein the generator inlet conduit is fluidly coupled with the main conduit upstream of the flow control system, the generator outlet conduit is fluidly coupled with the main conduit downstream of the flow control system; and a generator comprising a rotor assembly cooperated with generator conduit to be physically activated by a flow of fluid through the generator conduit causing rotation of the rotor assembly and generates electrical power. The flow control system transitions between a closed state to the open state in response to a water pressure exceeding a pressure threshold.

The invention relates to a floatable hydroelectric generator (10) for harvesting electrical energy from the flow (R) of water in a river. The generator assembly (10) includes a floatable chassis (12) to which are connected two spaced-apart rotational axles (18). An electrical generator (not shown) is mounted on the floatable chassis (12) and coupled to the rotational axles (18). A chain (20) is connected to the rotational axles (18) via pulley wheels (16). A plurality of water receptacles (22) are fixed to the chain (20), and each being orientated, when submerged, to present their major openings towards an oncoming waterflow direction (R). A plurality of minor openings (24) is provided through a wall of each water receptacle (22). A valve member in the form of a flexible flap (26) is located within each water receptacle (22) for controlling passage of water through said minor openings (24). The flexible flap (26) is adapted to selectively permit flow of water through the minor openings (24) into each water receptacle (22); but substantially prevent flow of water through said minor openings (24) out of each water receptacle (22). The generator assembly (10) of the present invention may be deployed at a desired location within a river—optionally as part of a larger array of such assemblies—to generate electricity on a substantially continuous basis.

The invention relates to a floatable hydroelectric generator (10) for harvesting electrical energy from the flow (R) of water in a river. The generator assembly (10) includes a floatable chassis (12) to which are connected two spaced-apart rotational axles (18). An electrical generator (not shown) is mounted on the floatable chassis (12) and coupled to the rotational axles (18). A chain (20) is connected to the rotational axles (18) via pulley wheels (16). A plurality of water receptacles (22) are fixed to the chain (20), and each being orientated, when submerged, to present their major openings towards an oncoming waterflow direction (R). A plurality of minor openings (24) is provided through a wall of each water receptacle (22). A valve member in the form of a flexible flap (26) is located within each water receptacle (22) for controlling passage of water through said minor openings (24). The flexible flap (26) is adapted to selectively permit flow of water through the minor openings (24) into each water receptacle (22); but substantially prevent flow of water through said minor openings (24) out of each water receptacle (22). The generator assembly (10) of the present invention may be deployed at a desired location within a river—optionally as part of a larger array of such assemblies—to generate electricity on a substantially continuous basis.