Hydro-powered fluid transfer device and method

The present application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/009,442, filed Jan. 18, 2008, which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/732,917, filed Apr. 6, 2007, which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/348,604, filed Feb. 7, 2006, each entitled, “Hydroelectric Power Plant and Method of Generating Power,” the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. The present application also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/126,042, filed May 1, 2008, entitled “Offshore waste water and sewage exhaust.”

Power is often extracted from moving water by either damming the water (i.e., effectively stopping the water) and taking advantage of a flow of water downward from the dam, or by using a turbine within a water flow.

One problem with the former solution is that power is most efficiently extracted from moving water by not having to stop and then re-accelerate the water. One problem with the latter solution is that harsh water environments (such as silt, mud, salt, etc.) often cause fouling and regular maintenance of the turbines. The present invention aims to solve at least one of these and other problems. Further, there is a need for fluid transfer devices, for purposes of irrigation and dispelling wastewater, that take advantage of the energy available in freely flowing water. The present invention aims to solve at least one of these and other problems.

In one embodiment, a method of transferring waste water comprises: providing a hydro-powered fluid transfer device, the device comprising: a fluid exhaust; a conduit connected to a wastewater treatment facility and configured to transfer fluid from the wastewater treatment facility to the exhaust; and a fluid accelerating device located adjacent to the fluid exhaust and configured to accelerate fluid past the fluid exhaust, wherein the fluid accelerating device is approximately shaped as a portion of a cone; and inserting the fluid exhaust and the fluid accelerating device at a location in a body of water having a current, whereby current flowing through the fluid accelerating device induces a suction that causes waste water to flow from the wastewater treatment facility to the fluid exhaust. In one aspect, the location is in an ocean or sea and is located at least approximately one mile from the wastewater treatment facility. In one aspect, the conduit comprises an inverted siphon.

In one aspect, the hydro-powered fluid transfer device further comprises a wedge located between the wastewater treatment facility and the fluid exhaust, the wedge comprising: a wedge fluid intake and a wedge fluid exhaust; and 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 divide a fluid flow into at least first and second flow portions and to receive at least a portion of the first flow portion in the wedge fluid intake, and wherein the wedge fluid exhaust is connected to the conduit so that the portion of the first fluid flow flows into the conduit.

In one aspect, the wedge further comprises a flow constriction device configured to increase a velocity of the fluid flow, 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. In one aspect, the hydro-powered fluid transfer device further comprises more than one of said wedge. In one aspect, the hydro-powered fluid transfer device comprises a plurality of fluid accelerating devices, each fluid accelerating device approximately shaped as a portion of a cone. In one aspect, the method further comprises rotating the fluid accelerating device to account for a flow direction in the body of water.

In one embodiment, a method of transferring irrigation water comprises: providing a hydro-powered fluid transfer device, the device comprising: a wedge comprising a fluid intake and at least upper and lower surfaces, the upper and lower surfaces angled with respect to each other by at least approximately 15°; and a conduit configured to transfer fluid from the fluid intake to a region of land for irrigation; wherein the wedge is shaped to divide a fluid flow into at least first and second flow portions and to receive at least a portion of the first flow portion in the fluid intake, and inserting the wedge at a location in a body of freshwater having a current, whereby current flowing into the fluid intake induces a flow of water from the body of freshwater to the region of land.

In one aspect, the wedge further comprises a flow constriction device configured to increase a velocity of the fluid flow, 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. In one aspect, the hydro-powered fluid transfer device further comprises more than one of said wedge. In one aspect, the method further comprises rotating the wedge to account for a flow direction in the body of freshwater.

In one embodiment, a wastewater treatment system comprises: a wastewater treatment facility; and a hydro-powered fluid transfer device, the device comprising: a fluid exhaust; a conduit connected to the wastewater treatment facility and configured to transfer fluid from the wastewater treatment facility to the exhaust; and a fluid accelerating device located adjacent to the fluid exhaust and configured to accelerate fluid past the fluid exhaust, wherein the fluid accelerating device is approximately shaped as a portion of a cone. In one aspect, the conduit comprises an inverted siphon.

In one aspect, the hydro-powered fluid transfer device further comprises a wedge located between the wastewater treatment facility and the fluid exhaust, the wedge comprising: a wedge fluid intake and a wedge fluid exhaust; and 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 divide a fluid flow into at least first and second flow portions and to receive at least a portion of the first flow portion in the wedge fluid intake, and wherein the wedge fluid exhaust is connected to the conduit so that the portion of the first fluid flow flows into the conduit.

In one aspect, the wedge further comprises a flow constriction device configured to increase a velocity of the fluid flow, 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. In one aspect, the hydro-powered fluid transfer device further comprises more than one of said wedge. In one aspect, the hydro-powered fluid transfer device comprises a plurality of fluid accelerating devices, each fluid accelerating device approximately shaped as a portion of a cone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1a shows a side view of a power plant according to an embodiment.

FIG. 1b shows a side view of a power plant according to another embodiment.

FIG. 1c shows a side view of a power plant according to another embodiment.

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