Low flow power generation

Abstract

A mobile low-flow water power generation system comprising at least one inlet hose, at least one power generator with an impeller configured for a flow rate of water from the inlet hose designed to generate an electrically compatible output voltage to a load, and an exit hose connected to the generator configured to pass water from the inlet hose without any back pressure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mobile low-flow water power generation system comprising:
 a) at least one inlet hose;   b) at least one power generator connected to the inlet hose and configured to generate an electrically compatible output voltage to a load, where the generator has an impeller configured for a flow rate of water from the inlet hose; and   c) an exit hose connected to the generator configured to pass the flow rate of water from the inlet hose without any back pressure.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a venturi chamber configured to increase the speed of the water flowing over the impeller. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , where the venturi chamber is configured to restrict the water flow to the generator to prevent undesirable spikes in electrical output from the generator. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of inlet hoses of a first size connected by a manifold to at least one inlet hose of a larger, second size coupled to the generator. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , where the plurality of inlet hoses are connectable to a manifold. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , where the manifold comprises at least two quick connects for the plurality of inlet hoses and at least one quick connect for the larger, second size inlet hose. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , where a plurality of single inlet, single outlet low-flow water power generators are electrically connected to each other in series. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , where a plurality of single inlet, single outlet low-flow water power generators are electrically connected to each other in parallel. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , where the inlet hose has a length to supply a hydraulic head pressure sufficient to have a flow of water over the impeller of at least three feet/second. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , where the inlet hose, the venturi chamber, the impeller and the exit hose are configured to maximize electricity produced by the generator. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , where the generator is between two and one hundred pounds. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , where the inlet hose is connectable to the generator inlet by means of a quick connect coupling. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , where the outlet hose is connectable to the generator inlet by means of a quick connect coupling. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , where the inlet hose further comprises a protective front portion configured to prevent marine life and debris from entering the inlet hose. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , where the inlet hose further comprises a mounting device to keep the protective front portion of the inlet hose just below the surface of the center of a stream where the maximum water velocity is located. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , where the outlet hose comprises a mounting device to place the outlet hose in a stream so as to not significantly affect streamflow, stream banks or otherwise cause un-natural erosion of an area around where the generator has been placed.