초록

A floating power generator having a water wheel and electrical generator. The floating power generator can comprise a variable speed drive.

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1. A floating power generator, comprising: a catamaran boat or vessel having a pair of hulls;a platform connecting the hulls together;a frame connected to the platform;a paddle wheel having an axle supported by the frame; andan electrical power generation system located onboard the boat or vessel fo

1. A floating power generator, comprising: a catamaran boat or vessel having a pair of hulls;a platform connecting the hulls together;a frame connected to the platform;a paddle wheel having an axle supported by the frame; andan electrical power generation system located onboard the boat or vessel for supplying electrical power external to the electrical power generation system, the power generation system comprising an electrical generator, an electrical variable speed drive configured to control the operation of the electrical power generator, and a computer controlling the electrical variable speed drive, the electrical generator operationally connected to the paddle wheel for generating electrical power, the electrical power system further comprising: a rotational speed sensor configured for detecting the rotational speed of the paddle wheel;a water flow speed sensor configured for detecting the water flow speed relative to the floating power generator; anda power meter for measuring electrical power output of the electrical power system,wherein the computer is configured to receive inputs from the rotational speed sensor, the water flow speed sensor, and the power meter, and generate an output signal controlling the electrical variable speed drive,wherein the electrical power output of the electrical power system is outputted through the power meter to supply electrical power externally relative to the electrical power generation system with the floating power generator acting as a power generating source,wherein the frame extends upwardly from the platform, the frame comprising outriggers located at an elevated location above the platform, andwherein the axle of the paddle wheel is supported by a pair of mounts supported by the outriggers and each located on either side of the paddle wheel. 2. A floating electrical power generator, comprising: a catamaran boat or vessel having a pair of hulls;a platform connecting the hulls together;a frame connected to the platform;a paddle wheel having an axle supported by the frame;a mechanical variable speed drive connected to the axle of the paddle wheel; anda electrical power generation system located onboard the boat or vessel for supplying electrical power to an external power demand, the electrical power generation system comprising an electrical generator, an electrical variable speed drive configured to control the voltage and current through the windings of the stator and rotor of the electrical generator, and a computer controlling the electrical speed drive, the electrical power system further comprising: a rotational speed sensor configured for detecting the rotational speed of the paddle wheel;a water flow speed sensor configured for detecting the water flow speed relative to the floating power generator;a power meter for measuring electrical power output of the electrical power system,wherein the computer is configured to receive inputs of the rotational speed sensor, water flow speed sensor, and power meter, and generate output signals for controlling each of the electrical variable speed drive and mechanical variable speed drive, andwherein the electrical power output of the electrical power generation system is outputted through the power meter to supply electrical power externally relative to the electrical power system with the floating power generator acting as a power generating source,wherein the frame extends upwardly from the platform, the frame comprising outriggers located at an elevated location above the platform, andwherein the axle of the paddle wheel is supported by a pair of mounts supported by the outriggers and each located on either side of the paddle wheel. 3. A floating power generation method, comprising: providing a floating boat or vessel having a paddle wheel within a water flow;driving the paddle wheel by the water flow;providing an electrical power generation system onboard the floating boat or vessel for supplying electrical power external to the electrical power generation system, the power generation system comprising an electrical generator, an electrical variable speed drive configured to control the voltage and current through the windings of the stator and rotor of the electrical generator, and a computer controlling the electrical variable speed drive;sensing one or more variable operating conditions of the floating boat or vessel and paddle wheel;operationally driving the electrical generator using the paddle wheel;internally within the electrical power generation system, electrically variably controlling the operation of the electrical generator by the electrical variable speed drive based upon the one or more operating conditions of the floating boat or vessel and paddle wheel; andexternally outputting electrical power from the electrical power generation system located onboard the floating boat or vessel,wherein a frame extends upwardly from a platform of the floating boat or vessel, the frame comprising outriggers located at an elevated location above the platform, andwherein an axle of the paddle wheel is supported by a pair of mounts supported by the outriggers and each located on either side of the paddle wheel. 4. The power generator according to claim 1, wherein the computer controls the variable speed drive and electrical generator in real time for maximizing the power output of the power generator. 5. The power generator according to claim 1 wherein the paddle wheel is directly connected to the electrical generator. 6. The power generator according to claim 5, wherein a paddle wheel shaft of the paddle wheel is directly coupled to an electrical generator shaft of the electrical generator. 7. The power generator according to claim 1, further comprising a mechanical variable speed drive connecting an axle of the paddle wheel with the electrical generator. 8. The power generator according to claim 1, wherein the electrical generator is a DC electrical generator. 9. The power generator according to claim 1, wherein the electrical generator is an AC electrical generator or alternator. 10. The power generator according to claim 1, wherein paddles of the water wheel have a variable configuration. 11. The power generator according to claim 10, wherein the paddles are configured to change pitch. 12. The power generator according to claim 1, wherein the paddle wheel comprises a hub. 13. The power generator according to claim 1, wherein the electrical generator is disposed within a hub of the paddle wheel. 14. The power generator according to claim 1, wherein the paddle wheel comprises a rotating hub portion and a fixed hub portion containing the electrical generator. 15. The power generator according to claim 1, further comprising a mechanical variable speed drive connecting the axle of the water wheel to the electrical generator. 16. A floating power generator, comprising: a catamaran boat or vessel having a pair of hulls;a platform connecting the hulls together;a frame connected to the platform and extending upwardly from the platform, the frame having outriggers located at an elevated location above the platform;a paddle wheel having an axle supported by a pair of mounts supported by the outriggers and located on either side of the paddle wheel;a self-contained electrical power system operationally connected to the paddle wheel for generating electrical power, the electrical power system comprising: an electrical generator connected to and driven by an axle of the paddle wheel, the axle of the paddle wheel and electrical generator being supported by the frame at the elevated location above the platform;an electrical variable speed drive directly connected to the electrical generator for controlling the operation of the electrical generator, the electrical variable speed drive located within and operating internally relative to the electrical power system;a rotational speed sensor configured for detecting the rotational speed of the paddle wheel;a water flow speed sensor configured for detecting the water flow speed relative to the floating power generator;a power meter for measuring electrical power output of the electrical power system; andcomputer for receiving inputs from the rotational speed sensor, the water flow speed sensor, and the power meter, and generating an output signal controlling the electrical variable speed drive,wherein the electrical power output of the electrical power system is outputted through the power meter to supply electrical power externally relative to the electrical power system with the floating power generator acting as a power generating source, andwherein the electrical power generating system is elevated above the platform of the boat or vessel by the frame. 17. The power generator according to claim 1, wherein an axle of the paddle wheel is supported by the frame at a location above the platform. 18. The power generator according to claim 17, wherein the electrical generator is supported by the frame at a location above the platform, and directly connected to the axle of the paddle wheel. 19. The power generator according to claim 18, wherein the frame comprises at least one post provided with one or more outriggers for supporting the axle of the paddle wheel and the generator above the platform. 20. The power generator according to claim 18, wherein the frame comprises a pair of posts connected together by one or more cross-beams. 21. The power generator according to claim 19, further comprising one or more equipment boxes containing electrical equipment to operate and control the floating power generator, the one or more equipment boxes being supported by the one or more outriggers above the platform. 22. A floating power generator, comprising: a catamaran boat or vessel having a pair of hulls;a platform connecting the hulls together;a frame connected to the platform;a paddle wheel having an axle supported by the frame;an electrical power system operationally connected to the paddle wheel for generating electrical power, the electrical power system comprising: an electrical generator connected to and driven by the paddle wheel;an electrical variable speed drive directly connected to the electrical generator for controlling the operation of the electrical generator, the electrical variable speed drive located within and operating internally relative to the electrical power system;a rotational speed sensor configured for detecting the rotational speed of the paddle wheel;a water flow speed sensor configured for detecting the water flow speed relative to the floating power generator;a power meter for measuring electrical power output of the electrical power system; anda computer for receiving inputs from the rotational speed sensor, the water flow speed sensor, and the power meter, and generating an output signal controlling the electrical variable speed drive,wherein the electrical power output of the electrical power system is outputted through the power meter to supply electrical power externally relative to the electrical power system with the floating power generator acting as a power generating source,wherein the frame comprises at least one post provided with one or more outriggers for supporting the axle of the paddle wheel and the generator above the platform. 23. The power generator according to claim 22, wherein the frame comprises a pair of posts connected together by one or more cross-beams. 24. The power generator according to claim 23, further comprising one or more equipment boxes containing electrical equipment to operate and control the floating power generator, the one or more equipment boxes being supported by the one or more outriggers above the platform. 25. The power generator according to claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a pair of posts and the outriggers being inwardly extending outriggers supporting each of the pair of mounts supporting the axle of the paddle wheel, and wherein upper portions of the pair of posts are connected together at a location above the paddle wheel.