Hydroelectric power plant and method of generating power

Abstract

A hydroelectric power plant includes a wedge having a fluid intake, and a fluid engine located in a fluid path between the fluid intake and a fluid exhaust. The wedge may include at least upper and lower surfaces, the upper and lower surfaces angled with respect to each other by at least approximately 15°, and the wedge may be shaped to receive a fluid flow in the fluid intake.

1 . A hydroelectric power plant, comprising: 
 a wedge comprising a fluid intake; and    a fluid engine located in a fluid path between the fluid intake and a fluid exhaust,    wherein the wedge comprises at least upper and lower surfaces, the upper and lower surfaces angled with respect to each other by at least approximately 15°, and    wherein the wedge is shaped to receive a fluid flow in the fluid intake.    
   
   
       2 . The hydroelectric power plant as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the fluid engine is located external to the wedge.  
   
   
       3 . The hydroelectric power plant as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a second wedge comprising a back connected to a corresponding back of said wedge, 
 wherein the second wedge comprises a second fluid intake,    wherein the second wedge comprises at least second upper and lower surfaces, the second upper and lower surfaces angled with respect to each other by at least approximately 15°.    
   
   
       4 . The hydroelectric power plant as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the wedge further comprises a flow constriction device configured to increase a velocity of the fluid flow.  
   
   
       5 . The hydroelectric power plant as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the flow constriction device comprises at least two sides connected to the upper surface and extending above the upper surface, wherein the at least two sides taper toward each other in a direction approaching the fluid intake.  
   
   
       6 . The hydroelectric power plant as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the at least two sides are configured to be raised and lowered.  
   
   
       7 . The hydroelectric power plant as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a fluid accelerating device located adjacent to the fluid exhaust and configured to accelerate fluid past the fluid exhaust.  
   
   
       8 . The hydroelectric power plant as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the fluid accelerating device is approximately shaped as a portion of a cone.  
   
   
       9 . The hydroelectric power plant as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a pump located in the fluid path and configured to increase a velocity of fluid traveling to the fluid engine.  
   
   
       10 . The hydroelectric power plant as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the fluid path inside the wedge is approximately vertical.  
   
   
       11 . The hydroelectric power plant as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the upper and lower surfaces are angled with respect to each other by approximately 30° to 60°.  
   
   
       12 . The hydroelectric power plant as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the plant comprises: 
 a plurality of wedges, each wedge comprising a fluid intake; and    a plurality of fluid engines, each fluid engine located in a fluid path between a fluid intake and a fluid exhaust.    
   
   
       13 . A hydroelectric power plant, comprising: 
 a wedge comprising a fluid intake; and    a fluid engine located external to the wedge and located in a fluid path between the fluid intake and a fluid exhaust,    wherein the wedge comprises at least upper and lower surfaces, the upper and lower surfaces angled with respect to each other by at least approximately 15°,    wherein the wedge is shaped to receive a fluid flow in the fluid intake,    wherein the wedge further comprises at least two sides connected to the upper surface and extending above the upper surface, and    wherein at least a portion of the fluid path inside the wedge is approximately vertical.    
   
   
       14 . A method of generating electricity, comprising: 
 providing a hydroelectric power plant, the plant comprising: 
 a wedge comprising a fluid intake; and  
 a fluid engine located external to the wedge and located in a fluid path between the fluid intake and a fluid exhaust,  
 wherein the wedge comprises at least upper and lower surfaces, the upper and lower surfaces angled with respect to each other by at least approximately 15°, and  
 wherein the wedge is shaped to receive a fluid flow in the fluid intake; and  
   inserting the wedge into a body of water.    
   
   
       15 . The method as claimed in  claim 14 , further comprising placing the lower surface of the wedge approximately flush to a bottom surface of the body of water.  
   
   
       16 . The method as claimed in  claim 14 , further comprising placing the fluid exhaust above a water level of the body of water.  
   
   
       17 . The method as claimed in  claim 14 , further comprising placing the fluid exhaust in a body of water remotely from the wedge.  
   
   
       18 . The method as claimed in  claim 14 , further comprising placing the fluid engine on land.  
   
   
       19 . The method as claimed in  claim 14 , further comprising providing a platform above the body of water and placing the fluid engine on the platform.  
   
   
       20 . The method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the wedge further comprises at least two sides connected to the upper surface and extending above the upper surface.  
   
   
       21 . The method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of the fluid path inside the wedge is approximately vertical.