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Micro-Hydro Power May 5, 2005

Generation for
Unattended Ground
Sensors
Joint Service Power Expo
Richard McCall

2904 44th Ave N.


St. Petersburg, Fl
33714
Unattended Ground Sensors for
Jungle and Coastal Environments

Narco-terrorists, gun smugglers, and other


insurgents use jungle, riverine and coastal
supply routes without much fear of interdiction
Unattended Ground Sensors (UGS) are being
developed for various missions, threats, terrain
Sensor systems for anti-terrorism and riverine
drug interdiction in jungle terrain pose unique
power challenges
Unattended Ground Sensors for
Jungle and Coastal Environments

Even the lowest power unattended sensors


don’t last more than 3 to 14 days
In riverine transit routes, it’s difficult to deploy
long lasting sensors, and a stealthy, quiet,
rechargeable capability is needed
Local submersible power generation capability
is needed to recharge batteries and extend
sensor lifetime
Why Micro-Hydro Power ?

Need a simple, concealable recharging power source


to achieve 30 to 180 days of unattended operation
Conventional gasoline generators are heavy, noisy
Solar power works in daytime only; is affected by
weather and seasons, shaded by rain forest; is
difficult to deploy
Fuel cells carry limited fuel, and additional fuel is
bulky and heavy; impractical or lack maturity for
jungle environment today
The Case for Micro-Hydro Power

Wind and other power alternatives are difficult to


conceal
Security Issue – submerged Micro-hydro power is
essentially invisible
Seawater is 832 times as dense as air, so 5 knot
current has as much kinetic energy as wind velocity
of 168 mph. So abundant energy is available
Problem Analysis

Assume power requirement: 12 VDC @ 1 to 2


amps 12 to 24 watts for charging batteries
Kinetic energy in a two-knot column of water
moving past a 12 inch propeller : ½ m V2 = 41
watts
Betz’ Law: The maximum energy that can be
extracted from this volume of water => 59 % or
24.5 watts
A commercial underwater generator with a 12
inch propeller measures 9.6 watts at 2 knots
Commercially Available Generators

Most available, small, waterproof generators are


designed for use on sailboats
No generators are available with impellers
designed for very slow flow rates
None produce significant power below 2 knots
Conclusion: Must increase river current to
2 knots without use of a dam or falling water
A “Zero Hydrostatic Head” system is required.
Try a venturi to increase flow rate
Equipment Fan Generator Concept
Venturi Transformer Analogy

High Voltage Low Voltage


Low Current High Current
I1

V2
I2
V1

RL

P = I1V1 P = I2V2
Bernoulli’s Equation
Venturi Generator Concept Diagram
CME’s Design for Man-portable
Micro-Hydro Generator
• Venturi of lightweight, flexible material that
automatically expands when de-packaged

• May be low-profile to produce power in shallow river


environments – inlet doesn’t have to be round

• Flaps staked to the bottom using lightweight


extendible poles, and weighted with river rocks

• Wire inlet guard to protect generator from debris


• Patented shape to improve impeller efficiency
Rectify Alternator Output to DC
Micro-Hydro Generator Prototype
Prototype Field Testing
Rainbow River
Prototype Field Testing
Ft. Desoto
Prototype Field Testing
Ft. Desoto
Prototype Field Testing
Ft. Desoto
Prototype Micro-Hydro Generator
Experimental Results

Continuous power was produced with a current


of only 1.4 knots. Generator without venturi stalls
below 1.6 knots. Venturi concept works.
Measured 6 VDC at 429 mA, into a 14  load, for a
total of 2.57 watts.
Prototype venturi dimensions are too small for
river currents less than one knot.
Venturi efficiency is considerably lower than
anticipated
Conclusions

Venturi generator concept is promising


Investigate ways to improve efficiency
Smoother surfaces and more streamlined
transition
Investigate effect of using an outlet bell
Add flotation to heavy end of venturi until
neutrally buoyant. Inlet must be normal to flow
CME is evaluating several custom generator
concept designs to better handle low current flow
rates
Contact Information

Richard E. McCall
Custom Manufacturing & Engineering, Inc.
2904 44th Avenue North
St. Petersburg, FL 33714
727-548-0522 x1899
RMcCall@Custom-Mfg-Eng.com
www.custom-mfg-eng.com/

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