Three-dimensional (3d) flow floating power generator

Abstract

A floating electrical power generator having a three-dimensional (3D) flow passageway configured for increasing the water flow on the paddle wheel to increase the power output.

1 . A floating power generator, comprising:
 a floating platform comprising a pair of spaced apart pontoons connected together by a bottom portion or wall, the floating platform configured to define a three-dimensional (3D) flow passageway having a closed bottom extending along a length of the floating platform;   a paddle wheel mounted on the floating platform so that paddles rotate downwardly into the flow passageway; and   an electrical generator driven by the paddle wheel to generate power, wherein the floating platform and paddle wheel are configured so that a cross-sectional flow area of the 3D flow passageway decreases exponentially along the 3D passageway to a location of the paddles of the paddle wheel operating in the 3D flow passageway to increase a speed of water flow operating on the paddles of the paddle wheel to increase power production.   
     
     
         2 . A floating power generator, comprising:
 a floating platform comprising a pair of spaced apart pontoons connected together by a bottom portion or wall defining a three-dimensional (3D) flow passageway extending along a length of the floating platform, the 3D flow passageway having a first flow passageway section tapering inwardly in a width dimension along a flow direction and having a fixed first depth, the first flow passageway transitioning into a second flow passageway having an increasing depth, the second flow passageway transitioning to a third flow passageway having a second depth greater than the first depth and a fixed width dimension in the flow direction;   a paddle wheel mounted on the floating platform so that paddles operate in a second portion of the second flow passageway and a first portion of the third flow passageway; and   an electrical generator configured to drive the paddle wheel.   
     
     
         3 . A floating power generator, comprising:
 a floating platform comprising a pair of spaced apart pontoons connected together by a bottom portion or plate together defining a three-dimensional (3D) flow passageway extending along a length of the floating platform, the 3D flow passageway having a first flow passageway section tapering inwardly in a width dimension and having a fixed first depth, the first flow passageway transitioning into a second flow passageway having a fixed width dimension and an increasing depth, the second flow passageway transitioning into a third flow passageway having a fixed width and a second depth greater than the first depth in the flow direction;   a paddle wheel mounted on the floating platform so that paddles operate within a second portion of the second flow passageway and a first portion of the third passageway; and   an electrical generator configured to drive the paddle wheel,   wherein the three-dimensional (3D) flow passageway is an open passageway upstream of the paddle wheel, a closed passageway at the paddle wheel, and an open passageway downstream of the paddle wheel.   
     
     
         4 . The generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the flow passageway is configured with a first flow passageway section having a first depth transitioning into a second flow passageway having an increasing depth, the second flow passageway transitioning into a third flow passageway having a second depth greater than said first depth. 
     
     
         5 . The generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the flow passageway is configured with a first flow passageway tapering inwardly in a width dimension. 
     
     
         6 . The generator according to  claim 4 , wherein the flow passageway is configured with a first flow passageway tapering inwardly in a width dimension. 
     
     
         7 . The generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the second flow passageway has a fixed width. 
     
     
         8 . The generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the third flow passageway has a fixed width. 
     
     
         9 . The generator according to  claim 6 , wherein the second flow passageway and third flow passageway have a fixed width. 
     
     
         10 . The generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the first flow passageway is configured with an open top, closed sides, a closed bottom flow passageway. 
     
     
         11 . The generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the 3D flow passageway is configured with closed top, closed sides, and closed bottom at the location of the paddle wheel. 
     
     
         12 . The generator according to  claim 1 , wherein inner sides of the pair of pontoons located along a first flow passageway section taper inwardly along the first flow passageway and the bottom portion is located at a fixed first depth defining the first flow passageway. 
     
     
         13 . The generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the paddle wheel comprises folding paddles. 
     
     
         14 . The generator according to  claim 13 , wherein each folding paddle comprises a hinge having a pin. 
     
     
         15 . The generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the inlet to the flow passageway is configured to have a variable configuration. 
     
     
         16 . The generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the bottom portion or wall at the inlet to the flow passageway is aligned with the water flow. 
     
     
         17 . The generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the bottom portion or wall at the inlet to the flow passageway angles upwardly to increase the cross-sectional flow area downstream of the inlet. 
     
     
         18 . The generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the floating platform and paddle wheel are configured so that outer ends of the paddles of the rotating paddle wheel are in close proximity to the bottom portion or wall of the floating platform. 
     
     
         19 . The generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the bottom portion or wall is a bottom plate structure defining a bottom of the flow passageway. 
     
     
         20 . The generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the paddle wheel comprises a continuous closed outer ring having folding paddles hinged thereon, the paddle wheel configured to prevent wall leaking around ends of the paddle wheel and into an interior of the paddle wheel. 
     
     
         21 . The generator according to  claim 20 , wherein an effective cross-section flow area is defined between an outer surface of the closed outer ring of the paddle wheel and bottom portion or wall of the flow passageway.