Y02B10/50

Systems for collecting rainwater and recycling grey water
10132083 · 2018-11-20 ·

Systems for water collection and recycling are described herein. A downspout having a downspout groove is vertically disposed on an exterior wall. Electrical wiring that is operatively connected to at least one electrical power generator is disposed along the downspout groove. The downspout and electrical power generator are supported by downspout brackets. The downspout is fluidly connected to a gutter and an outdoor water storage tank for collecting rain water. A water pump moves grey water from a shower tub drainage pipeline to a water path switch valve. A control switch directs the water path switch valve to divert the grey water to a toilet storage tank, an outdoor water storage tank, or a washing machine water tank.

Method for electrical power generation utilizing a turbine secured to a subsea pipe, the turbine having turbine blades encircling an outer periphery of the subsea pipe
10125738 · 2018-11-13 · ·

A method and apparatus for generating electrical power are disclosed. The method includes the steps of turning turbine blades of at least one turbine provided at a region of a subsea pipe or umbilical via a respective motion of seawater through a swept area associated with the turbine blades and generating electrical power responsive to turning of the turbine blades.

EMBEDDED SPRINKLER ACTIVATED GENERATOR
20180320653 · 2018-11-08 ·

Disclosed is an embedded sprinkler system. The embedded sprinkler system comprises a stator, and a rotor, embedded in the embedded sprinkler system. The rotor may further be integrated with a sprinkler arm. Further the sprinkler arm may be connected to a nozzle allowing for a fluid to flow through. The sprinkler arm may inherently have an angle.

Turbine-type flow rate controlling device
10119415 · 2018-11-06 · ·

A power generating portion formed of a rotor and a stator is provided. The rotor is formed of a ring incorporating a permanent magnet and an impeller. The rotor is regarded as a turbine. An actual flow rate is estimated from a present angular velocity of the turbine and a present torque of the power generating portion, a torque of the power generating portion in which the estimated actual flow rate corresponds to a setting flow rate is calculated and the torque of the power generating portion is controlled based on the calculated torque and a magnetic pole position of the turbine. A measured value detected by a position sensor is used as the magnetic pole position of the turbine, however, when it is determined that reliability does not exist in the position sensor, an estimated value is used.

Turbine-type flow rate controlling device
10122241 · 2018-11-06 · ·

A power generating portion formed of a rotor and a stator is provided. The rotor is formed of a ring incorporating a permanent magnet and an impeller. The rotor is regarded as a turbine. An actual flow rate of fluid flowing in a flow path is estimated from a present angular velocity of the turbine and a present torque of the power generating portion, a torque of the power generating portion in which the estimated actual flow rate corresponds to a setting flow rate is calculated and the torque of the power generating portion is controlled based on the calculated torque and a magnetic pole position of the turbine. The magnetic pole position of the turbine is estimated based on a present phase voltage value and a present phase current value of the power generating portion and a present winding temperature of the power generating portion.

STEPWISE OPERATING PARALLEL TYPE SMALL HYDRO POWER GENERATION SYSTEM HAVING FIXED FLOW PATH
20180313324 · 2018-11-01 ·

A stepwise operating parallel-type hydro power generation system having a fixed flow path includes a parallel pipe, a first power generation facility, a second power facility generation facility, first and second flow regulators, and a controller. The parallel pipe includes an inlet pipe, an outlet pipe, and a first straight pipe and a second straight pipe. The first and second straight pipes connected between the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe. Each of the first and second power generation facilities includes a water turbine rotating with the water introduced thereinto and a power generator operating according to the rotation of the water turbine. The controller is configured to open and close either or both of the first and second flow rate regulators at the same time.

VEHICLE COMPRISING ENERGY HARVESTING SUSPENSION SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR CONVERTING MECHANICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
20180304713 · 2018-10-25 ·

A vehicle incorporates a gravity-assist energy harvesting suspension system including one or more gravitational positive displacement pumps. The positive displacement pump has a cylinder and a reciprocating piston inside the cylinder. The piston is adapted for movement along a compression stroke and an opposite extension stroke in response to a gravitational bounce of the vehicle when in motion. A turbine comprising a rotor shaft and attached blades is mounted relative to a distal end of a fluid outlet hose connected to the pump. Fluid discharged through the outlet hose acts on the blades, thereby moving and imparting rotational energy to the rotor shaft. A generator is operatively connected to the turbine, and is adapted for converting the rotational energy generated by the rotor shaft to electrical energy.

ENERGY GENERATING SYSTEM AND METHOD
20180291761 · 2018-10-11 ·

An energy generating system for transforming energy of fluid flow into electric energy, the system, at least in operation, comprising: a flow-changing member having a peripheral rim and mounted in a fluid path having a path surface, so as to be at least partially surrounded by said path surface, said flow-changing member being displaceable between a first position, in which at least a portion of the rim is spaced from a corresponding portion of the path surface to a first extent and a second position, in which said portion of the rim is spaced from said portion of the fluid path surface to a second extent greater than said first extent, so that increase of total volumetric flow rate of said fluid above a predetermined threshold to an increased volumetric flow rate is configured to induce displacement of said flow-changing member from said first position toward said second position, thereby causing the volumetric flow rate of said fluid at said spacing to be above said increased volumetric flow rate; and a turbine mounted in fluid communication with said fluid path at a location other than said spacing, whereby said displacement causes the volumetric flow rate of said fluid at said turbine to be below said increased volumetric flow rate.

Actuator exhaust fluid energy harvester
10075045 · 2018-09-11 · ·

A fluid energy harvester, including a housing having at least one port and an outlet, and the housing defining at least one fluid passageway therein. The fluid energy harvester also includes a converter disposed within the housing and configured to convert at least a portion of potential energy in an exhaust fluid, a generator operably coupled to the converter and configured to generate an electrical current from the converter, a charging controller electrically coupled to the generator, and a storage medium electrically coupled to the generator and configured to store the electrical current generated by the generator. The fluid energy harvester further includes a nozzle configured to control a flow of the exhaust fluid.

Water treatment system and method

A water treatment system comprising a housing adapted to receive a flow of water. An electrolytic treatment system disposed within the housing, for producing one or more product substances to treat the water. A hydro generation system disposed within the housing, for generating power from the flow of water. An electronic control system disposed within the housing, for receiving and managing the electrical power produced by the hydro generation system, and for controlling the transfer of electrical power to the electrolytic treatment system to control the production of the one or more product substances.