Systems and methods for hydroelectric systems

Abstract

Embodiments of a hydroelectric system for a low head dam can include a module including a protective housing, a turbine housing retained within the protective housing, the turbine housing including an upper inlet portion at a first end, a substantially tubular portion, and a lower outlet portion at a second end, the upper inlet portion being positioned above the lower outlet portion, a turbine retained at least partially within the turbine housing, the turbine including a plurality of blades coupled with a central shaft, and a fluid pump, the fluid pump being coupled with the central shaft, where the fluid pump is configured to pump a high pressure fluid, a fluid circuit, the fluid circuit including piping, where the high pressure fluid is retained within the piping, and a shoreline generator, the shoreline generator being coupled with the fluid circuit, where the offsite generator is driven by the high pressure fluid that is pumped by the fluid pump in response to the rotation of the turbine.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A hydroelectric system for a low head dam comprising:
 (a) a module including;
 (i) a protective housing, 
 (ii) a turbine housing retained within the protective housing, the turbine housing including an upper inlet portion at a first end, a substantially tubular portion, and a lower outlet portion at a second end, the upper inlet portion being positioned above the lower outlet portion; 
 (iii) a turbine retained at least partially within the turbine housing, the turbine including a plurality of blades coupled with a central shaft; and 
 (iv) a fluid pump, the fluid pump being coupled with the central shaft, wherein the fluid pump is configured to pump a high pressure fluid; 
   (b) a fluid circuit, the fluid circuit including piping, wherein the high pressure fluid is retained within the piping; and   (c) a shoreline generator, the shoreline generator being coupled with the fluid circuit, wherein the offsite generator is driven by the high pressure fluid that is pumped by the fluid pump in response to the rotation of the turbine.   
     
     
         2 . The hydroelectric system of  claim 1 , wherein the high pressure fluid is selected from the group consisting of biodegradable fluid, biologically inert fluid, and non-compressible fluid. 
     
     
         3 . The hydroelectric system of  claim 1 , wherein the module further includes a protective mesh. 
     
     
         4 . The hydroelectric system of  claim 1 , further comprising an upstream grate positioned over the upper inlet portion and a downstream grate positioned over the lower outlet portion. 
     
     
         5 . The hydroelectric system of  claim 1 , wherein the turbine housing is pivotable. 
     
     
         6 . The hydroelectric system of  claim 1 , wherein the turbine comprises from six to twelve blades. 
     
     
         7 . The hydroelectric system of  claim 1 , wherein the turbine is configured to rotate at less than fifty rotations per minute. 
     
     
         8 . The hydroelectric system of  claim 1 , further comprising a regulator that maintains the high pressure fluid at a constant flow and pressure such that the offsite generator is operated at a substantially constant rate. 
     
     
         9 . The hydroelectric system of  claim 1 , wherein the generator comprises an inverter. 
     
     
         10 . The hydroelectric system of  claim 1 , wherein the piping of the circuit includes at least a portion directed upstream of a low dam to disrupt calm water. 
     
     
         11 . The hydroelectric system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of modules associated with the fluid circuit. 
     
     
         12 . The hydroelectric system of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of modules are arranged in series. 
     
     
         13 . A method for operating a hydroelectric system comprising:
 providing a hydroelectric system including;
 (a) a module including;
 (i) a protective housing, 
 (ii) a turbine housing retained within the protective housing, the turbine housing including an upper inlet portion at a first end, a substantially tubular portion, and a lower outlet portion at a second end, the upper inlet portion being positioned above the lower outlet portion; 
 (iii) a turbine retained at least partially within the turbine housing, the turbine including a plurality of blades coupled with a central shaft; and 
 (iv) a fluid pump, the fluid pump being coupled with the central shaft, wherein the fluid pump is configured to pump a high pressure fluid; 
 
 (b) a fluid circuit, the fluid circuit including piping, wherein the high pressure fluid is retained within the piping; and 
 (c) a shoreline generator, the shoreline generator being coupled with the fluid circuit, wherein the shoreline generator is driven by the high pressure fluid that is pumped by the fluid pump in response to the rotation of the turbine; 
   positioning the module adjacent a low head dam, wherein a fluid is flowing over the low head dam;   rotating the turbine with the fluid flowing over the low dam;   pumping the high pressure fluid with the fluid pump in response to the rotation of the turbine; and   driving the shoreline generator with the high pressure fluid to produce electricity.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of pivoting the turbine housing such that flow of the fluid through the module is optimized. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , hydroelectric system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of modules associated with the fluid circuit. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of rotating the turbine comprises rotating the turbine at less than fifty revolutions per minute. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid circuit includes a regulator that maintains the high pressure fluid at a constant flow and pressure such that the offsite generator is operated at a substantially constant rate. 
     
     
         18 . A hydroelectric system for a low head dam comprising:
 (a) a module including;
 (i) a housing means retained within the protective means; 
 (ii) a turbine means retained at least partially within the housing means; and 
 (iii) a pump means operatively coupled with the turbine means, wherein the pump means is configured to pump a high pressure fluid; 
   (b) a fluid circuit associated with the pump means; and   (c) a generator means coupled with the fluid circuit.   
     
     
         19 . The hydroelectric system of  claim 18 , further comprising a regulator means. 
     
     
         20 . The hydroelectric system of  claim 18 , further comprising a plurality of modules.