WO2003083290A1

WO2003083290A1 - Hydraulic generator for moving fluids

Info

Publication number: WO2003083290A1
Application number: PCT/AU2003/000398
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Spurge
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-03-28
Filing date: 2003-03-28
Publication date: 2003-10-09
Anticipated expiration: 2004-09-28
Also published as: AUPS146302A0

Abstract

A hydraulic generator (10) for locating in a moving fluid (200) includes a rotatable means (20) and hydraulic transfer means (30) which are in connection with each other. The moving fluid (200) rotates the rotatable means (20) which activates the hydraulic transfer means (30) to pressurise and drive the hydraulic fluid. The rotatable means (20) can include a shaft with a plurality of blades (22). The hydraulic generator (10) can be mounted within a housing (12). The driven hydraulic fluid can be used to power machinery remote from the hydraulic generator (10). The moving fluid (200) is provided by a naturally occurring source such as air, water or steam.

Description

HYDRAULIC GENERATOR FOR MOVING FLUIDS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a hydraulic generator for converting energy from the movement of fluids. In particular, the hydraulic generator of the present invention is particularly suitable for use in ocean and river systems where currents flow, or where wind currents or geothermal currents prevail. In one or more embodiments, the hydraulic generator can transfer this energy into electrical energy. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to this particular application, however it should be appreciated however that the invention may have a broader context than this application, such as miniature versions which could be used in medical devices, using the energy from the flow of blood and other bodily fluids, and muscle contraction.

Background of the Invention

For many years, people have tried to harness the power generated by the forces of nature. Often these forces may be unpredictable such as earthquakes or eruptions, but in most cases, predictable sources of energy are available at various locations on the planet.

One example for capturing energy from nature is the use of hydroelectricity. This requires the location (or the creation of a circumstance) where water is dropped from a great height and channelled so that the energy of the water as it converts from potential to kinetic energy can be used. Often a turbine system is used whereby the falling water is able to turn the turbine and generate electricity.

However, this application is not suitable for the vast majority of the planet, as there are not a great deal of natural earth formations that permit this type of energy generation. Sometimes dams need to be created to create the potential height required which interferes with natural habitat and wild life. Also, these types of locations that are suitable for hydroelectric generation are often not close to population centres. Most population centres are close to coastal areas and/or the location of river systems. Both of these types of areas, have bodies of water and/or streams in which natural currents tend to flow.

Many attempts have and are being made to harness the inexhaustible energy from the sea, river and wind as it moves relentlessly about the planet. The inventions to-date have largely been unsuccessful because the designs to gather the energy have required extensive and expensive infrastructure. Those that have tried to generate electricity have resulted in relatively high unit costs for the electricity generated or the devices have been incapable of generating commercial quantities of electricity.

It would be desirable to provide an energy generation device which could harness the power of the currents in river and ocean systems and/or geothermal and/or air currents, without the drawbacks of the above systems.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect the present invention provides a hydraulic generator for locating in a moving fluid, including: a rotatable means; a hydraulic transfer means for driving a hydraulic fluid, said hydraulic transfer means being in connection with said rotatable means; wherein in use said moving fluid rotates said rotatable means which activates said hydraulic transfer means to drive said hydraulic fluid.

The moving fluid is provided by a naturally occurring source such as air, water or steam. The rotation of the rotatable means is generated by the movement of the naturally occurring moving fluid, instead of man-made means such as a diesel motor. The hydraulic fluid used by the hydraulic transfer means can be selected from a variety of fluids including oil, water, or other liquid mixtures. In at least one preferred embodiment, the rotatable means includes an elongate shaft for connection with the hydraulic transfer means. The shaft includes a connecting portion for connection with the hydraulic transfer means, and a blade mounting portion for mounting a plurality of blades, which are arranged to react with the moving fluid to rotate the rotatable means.

In at least one preferred embodiment, the shaft is aligned in the direction of the movement of said moving fluid. The plurality of blades are preferably orientated to extend substantially radially from the shaft, and each blade extends generally in the same plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the shaft. More preferably, a plurality of rows of said plurality of blades are provided, spaced axially along said shaft. In this preferred embodiment, the rotatable means has an appearance of a "turbine" arrangement.

In one preferred embodiment, when the hydraulic transfer means is aligned substantially co-axially with the rotatable means, the hydraulic generator further includes a support frame for providing support and alignment of the rotatable means relative to the hydraulic transfer means. The support frame includes a base in connection with the hydraulic transfer means, and arms extending from the base forming a collar in supporting engagement with the rotatable means. Preferably, the collar is positioned adjacent the blade mounting portion of the shaft.

In at least another preferred embodiment, the shaft is aligned substantially perpendicular to the general direction of the movement of said moving fluid. In this preferred form, the blades extend lengthwise of the shaft, and are spaced about the axis of the shaft. Preferably, the blades are curved. In this preferred form, the rotatable means has the appearance of a "paddle". Preferably the blades have a large surface area, to obtain as much force from the movement of the moving fluid as possible. In this embodiment, the amount of rotational force is proportional to the surface area of the blades. Having a curved blade increases the total surface area in comparison to a flat blade. In at least one preferred embodiment, the rotatable means is mounted within a housing. In one preferred embodiment, the hydraulic transfer means and/or frame mount are also mounted within the fluid passageway in the housing. In one preferred form the housing is an open ended cylinder.

It is preferred that the housing include a fluid passageway extending from an inlet opening at a first end of the housing to an outlet opening at a second end of the housing, wherein the moving fluid passes through the fluid passageway from the inlet opening to the outlet opening.

It is preferred that the cross section of said fluid passageway at said inlet opening is larger than at said outlet opening. Preferably, the cross-section of the fluid passageway tapers along the length of the housing from the respective inlet and outlet openings to a reduced cross-section at a position between the respective inlet and outlet openings. More preferably, the rotatable means is mounted within said fluid passageway at the location of the reduced cross- section.

The housing of the ocean generator is preferably shaped so that any turbulence and/or energy losses caused by the movement of the first fluid relative to the housing are minimized - ie an aerodynamic/ hydrodynamic shape is preferred. Therefore, in at least one preferred embodiment, the housing is defined by a base hydrofoil and a top hydrofoil, and a sidewalls being provided to connect the top and bottom hydrofoils. Preferably, the fluid passageway is formed in the space between the respective hydrofoils and the sidewalls, where the rotatable means can be located. Preferably, the top hydrofoil is smaller than the base hydrofoil. This is especially suitable where the current flow of the first fluid is always in one direction. The neck is also aerodynamically designed, and can shield the connections of the rotatable means to the hydraulic transfer means.

When the shaft is aligned substantially perpendicular to the general direction of the movement of the moving fluid, it is preferred that the housing include at least one seat for locating the shaft in the fluid passageway of the housing, the connecting portion of the shaft being located by a said seat. Preferably, the seat includes bearings to facilitate the rotation of the shaft. Preferably each seat is located in a sidewalk

In one preferred embodiment, the hydraulic generator includes a fluid connection means for connecting the hydraulic fluid between the hydraulic transfer means to a remote location/storage/processing area. Preferably, the fluid connection means includes a tube or pipe.

In its preferred that the fluid connection means provides a first fluid flow path from the hydraulic transfer means to the remote location. It is also preferred that the fluid connection means provides a second fluid flow path from the remote location to the hydraulic transfer means. Additionally, the fluid connection means may include a fluid inlet to the hydraulic transfer means to draw in fluid from the moving fluid. The fluid inlet can provide for the situation where there may be some leakage along the fluid connection means, or alternatively in the situation where the hydraulic generator could be used for pumping out the moving fluid to a remote location.

The hydraulic transfer means is able to and drive and apply pressure to a hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic fluid may be stored or carried in a tube. Under Pascal's principle, the pressure of the driven hydraulic fluid is uniform throughout the tube. The tube may be extremely long, allowing the energy captured by the rotatable means to be transferred via the hydraulic fluid to a remote location.

In at least one preferred embodiment, the driven hydraulic fluid applies a hydraulic force to operate a machine at the remote location. Preferably, the hydraulic force rotates a machine shaft of the machine. Preferably, the machine is an electricity generator and/or a pump, and any other standing hydraulic application.

Thus, the hydraulic generator could be used in a variety of processing applications. In one application, the processing area is an electricity generator. The hydraulic fluid can apply a hydraulic force along the fluid connection means. This hydraulic force can be used to directly rotate a shaft of an electrical generator. In another alternate application, the processing area could be a water treatment facility, a saltwater to freshwater (desalinisation) treatment facility or a sewerage treatment facility, whereby the hydraulic generator could be used to replace existing pumps or to replace existing engines used to generate electricity or drive pumps.

Preferably the rotatable means drives the hydraulic transfer means via a connection means.

Preferably, the rotatable means includes a connection means for connecting the connecting portion of the shaft of said rotatable means to a drive shaft extending from the hydraulic transfer means. This can transfer the rotation of the rotatable means into a rotational force on a hydraulic transfer means. Preferably, the connection means is a coupler. In one preferred form, the connecting means from the rotatable means to the hydraulic transfer means is via a belt/pulley arrangement. The belt/band can be seated on pulleys located on the connection portion of the shaft of the rotatable means and on the drive shaft of the hydraulic transfer means respectively. Preferably this belt/band is flexible. Alternatively, a gearbox (ie gear/cog arrangement) could provide the necessary transfer of forces. A gear/cog arrangement is preferred over the belt/band because the forces are directly transferred and losses are minimized. Preferably, a first gear is located on the connecting portion of the shaft of the rotatable means which engages a second gear on a shaft of the hydraulic transfer means.

The hydraulic generator of any of the preferred embodiments can be powered by any of the previously mentioned forces (such as falling water, ocean currents, river currents, wind, air, super heated steam or the blood stream, etc). In a general preferred embodiment, the rotational force from the rotatable means applies torque to a drive shaft of the hydraulic transfer means, which in turn transmits a hydraulic force via the hydraulic fluid (ie under Pascal's principle, the pressure of the hydraulic fluid is uniform throughout the tube) along a tube to a remote location. The hydraulic fluid can then transmit the hydraulic force as torque on a machine at the remote location, to drive desired equipment, such as an electric generator, water/oil pumps or other equipment.

Description of Drawings

These and other features of the invention will be evident from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a detailed view of the connection between the rotatable means and the hydraulic transfer means of the first preferred embodiment;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention installed on a river bed;

Figure 4 is a front elevation of a number of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention on a river bed in connection with an external machine;

Figure 5 is a side elevation of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a front view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is a perspective view of a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 shows a first preferred embodiment of the hydraulic generator

10. Hydraulic generator 10 has a housing 12 in the shape of tapered cylinder having a smaller diameter in the middle of housing 12 as opposed to either end of said housing 12. As housing 12 is an open cylinder, it has an inlet opening 14 and an outlet opening 16 defining a fluid passageway therebetween. When submerged in a moving first fluid 200, the first fluid 200 can pass through housing 12 via inlet opening 14 and out of outlet opening 16.

Mounted within housing 12 is a rotatable means 20 and a hydraulic transfer means 30. Rotatable means 20 includes a number of blades 22 spaced radially about shaft 24. Shaft 24 includes a connecting portion 26 and a blade mounting portion 28. The blades 22 are located on blade mounting portion 28, while connecting portion 26 provides for connection with the hydraulic transfer means 30 (as will be described further).

Hydraulic transfer means 30 is a hydraulic pump 30 which is capable of driving a hydraulic fluid 100. Hydraulic pump 30 has a drive shaft 32 - the rotation of drive shaft 32 causing hydraulic fluid 100 to be driven in and out of hydraulic pump 30. The hydraulic fluid 100 enters hydraulic pump 30 via the pump inlet 34 and exists hydraulic pump 30 via the pump outlet 36. Inlet hose 38 is connected to pump inlet 34 for delivering hydraulic fluid 100 to the hydraulic pump 30, and outlet hose 40 is connected to pump outlet 36 for carrying hydraulic fluid 100 away from the said hydraulic pump 30.

Figure 2 shows a detailed view of the connection detail between rotatable means 20 and hydraulic pump 30.

Hydraulic pump 30 is in connection with rotatable means 20 via a coupler 42 between connecting portion 26 of the rotatable means 20, and pump shaft 32 of the hydraulic pump 30. Coupling 42 is a open cylinder that is fixed to the respective shafts 26 and 32 so that rotation of shaft 26 will cause rotation of pump shaft 32. In order to facilitate the stability of the connection between hydraulic pump 30 and rotatable means 20, a frame mount 46 is provided which connects to hydraulic box 30 and around blade mounting portion 28. In this manner, frame mount 46, provides alignment stability for blade mounting portion 28 of shaft 24as it rotates, and also minimises the stress on respective connecting portion 26 and pump shaft 32 and coupler 42. Frame mount 46 includes a base 47 which is fastenable to hydraulic pump 30 and a series of extending arms 48 forming a circular collar 49 about blade mounting portion 28. In addition, a number of braces 50 may be provided to support hydraulic pump 30 and/or frame mount 46 relative to housing 12, so that the hydraulic pump 30 and the rotatable means 20 may be positioned correctly in the desired position within housing 12.

Figure 3 shows a hydraulic generator 10 of the first preferred embodiment installed on a sea floor/river bed X. Hydraulic generator 10 is positioned on a stand 60 having a base 62 and an upright 64. Base 62 can sit on the sea floor/river bed X or can be buried within sea floor/river bed X. Upright 64 extends from base 62 and at its free end is connected to housing 12. Support 60 can take various preferred forms, including multiple upright 64 and multiple bases 62 for each hydraulic generator 10. The actual configuration depends upon the size of the hydraulic generator 10, the speed of the moving fluid 200, and the quality of the sea floor/river bed X. In this exemplified arrangement, hydraulic generator 10 is surrounded by water W as the moving fluid 200 as shown in Figure 3. The current of the water flow is in a direction from left to right. In this manner, water W may flow into inlet 14 through housing 12 and out of outlet 16. In this manner, movement of water W through housing 12 will apply force onto blades 22, causing rotation of blade mounting portion 28 and thus connecting portion 26 of the rotatable means 20, the rotation being transferred via coupling 42 through the pump shaft 32 which then drives hydraulic pump 30. Hydraulic 30 pump is then able to drive fluid 100 into the hydraulic pump 30 via inlet tube 38 and out of hydraulic pump 30 via outlet tube 40. The speed of the current flow, the configuration of the blades 22 and the hydraulic pump 30, the diameter of the inlet/outlet tubes 38 and 40 and the properties of the hydraulic fluid 100, will all be variables in the hydraulic force F generated by hydraulic fluid 100. The usefulness of hydraulic force F is shown in the arrangement in Figure 4.

Figure 4 shows an arrangement of a number of hydraulic generators 10 connected by their own independent inlet and outlet tubes to an external machine M. External machine M could be a pump, an engine, or an electricity generator. The hydraulic force F generated by the movement of hydraulic fluid 100 can be applied to machine M - i.e. hydraulic force F could be used to drive a hydraulic motor which in turn could rotate a shaft S on a pump or electricity generator in order to operate those respective machines.

Figure 5 shows a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this preferred embodiment, there is a hydraulic generator 10' has a housing 12' having an inlet opening 14' and 10' outlet opening 16'. Housing 12' has an upper member 17' and lower member 18' connected by neck sidewalls 19'. Rotatable means 20' is positioned within the fluid passageway formed in the region between the sidewalls 19' between inlet opening 14' and outlet opening 16' and is mounted across sidewalls 19'. The shaft 24' may be seated on bearings 25' in sidewalls 19' to assist the rotation of the blades 22'. A plurality of blades 22' are positioned about a shaft 24' wherein the blades extend substantially across shaft 24', and are spaced radially about shaft 24'. Hydraulic pump 30' is positioned inside base member 18'. Hydraulic pump 30' has a pump inlet 34' connected to inlet tube 38' and a pump outlet 36' connected to outlet tube 40', wherein the respective tubes 38' and 40' carry a hydraulic fluid 100'. Hydraulic pump 30' also has a pump shaft 32'. As seen in Figure 5, shaft 24' of the rotatable means 20' is not in axial alignment with pump shaft 32' of the hydraulic box 30'. Accordingly, a separate connection means is required to connect the respective shafts. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, a belt and pulley arrangement is used to achieve this. A pulley 42' is positioned around shaft 24' substantially in a planar alignment with a second pulley 44' positioned about pump shaft 32. A belt 46' is positioned about respective pulleys 42' and 44' so as to transfer the rotation of pulley 42' onto pulley 44'. The movement of water current is able to apply a force on the blades 22' and effect the rotation R as disclosed in Figure 5 of the rotatable means 20' thus rotating pulley 42' and 44' and activating pump shaft 32' and hydraulic pump 30' to drive hydraulic fluid 100' and apply a hydraulic force F in the hydraulic fluid 100'.

The hydraulic generator 10' of this preferred embodiment, can be located in a first fluid 200 such as water and positioned relative to the sea floor/river bed X via a coupling cable 60' which may connect the sea floor/river bed X to a loop 13' formed on the housing 12'. Each blade 22' of rotatable means 20' makes an angle with respect to the direction of the current. Therefore the force applied relative to each blade 22' depends on the rotational position of the rotatable means. The current applies the greatest force to blades 22' of rotatable means 20' that are exposed at 90° to the current direction. As the blade is rotated the force applied to that individual blade is diminished, and the next blade along the rotatable means receives a larger force - hence the "paddle" continues to be propagated.

In an alternate embodiment, instead of pulleys 42' and 44', a gear (not shown) can be provided which can co-operate with other gears (not shown) to transfer the rotational force of the shaft 24' to a hydraulic box 30'.

In Figure 7, we see a third embodiment of the hydraulic generator 10" similar to the first embodiment in Figures 1 to 4. This embodiment includes a housing 12" with a rotatable means 20" having a shaft 24" mounted therein. On shaft 24" are plurality of rows spaced axially along the length of shaft 24", each row having a plurality of blades 22" mounted on the blade mounting portion 28". The connection portion 26" includes a gear cog 42" which engages gear cog 44" on drive shaft 32" of the hydraulic pump 30". Any type of gearbox could be provided in this embodiment. Alternatively, the drive shaft 32" of hydraulic pump 30" could be directly coupled to shaft 24" as described in the first embodiment via a coupler.

In Figure 8, we see a fourth embodiment of the hydraulic generator 110.

This embodiment is suitable for use in wind farms, where fast moving air is transferred into electricity. The rotatable means 120 includes blades 122 are mounted on a shaft 124 that directly engages the hydraulic pump 130. The blades 122 and hydraulic pump 130are elevated off the ground by a tower structure 160. The tower structure 160 includes tubes 138, 140 for carrying a hydraulic fluid 100 to and from the hydraulic pump 130. The pump 130 drives the hydraulic fluid 100 to power a machine M at the base of the tower in a manner as described previously. Example One

Trial tests of the first preferred embodiment have yielded particularly favourable results as will be shown in reference to the following example.

A trial test in irrigation channel was performed using hydraulic generator 10 of the first preferred embodiment as shown in Figures 1 to 4. The hydraulic generator had the following configuration:

Size of turbine housing 50 centimetre diameter Number of blades 4 blades each, 200 x 300 millimetres Size of hydraulic pump 40 cc per revolution

The hydraulic pump was connected via respective inlet and outlet tubes to an alternator of an electricity generator. The water flow per minute through the hydraulic generator 10 was recorded as well as the flow velocity and the turbine revolutions per second. The corresponding energy generated by the electricity generator was also recorded. The trial yielded the following results:

Water flow per Flow velocity Turbine revs Energy minutes (revs per second) generated

140,000 litres 1 m/sec 34 6 kW/7.8 hp

35,000 litres 1 m/sec 120 15 kW/19.5 hp

The results of this trial show, that the hydraulic generator is able to transfer the flow of the water stream into a hydraulic force which is able to operate an electrical generator and generate electricity. In this example, a number of electricity generators could be used along a river either at a central point adjacent to a riverbank, or at various locations along the length of the river in order to generate electricity.

Further uses of the hydraulic force include to drive pumps in order to operate water pumping stations or de-salinisation plants, or alternatively to operate engines to drive machinery. Advantageously, the machine used does not need to be positioned either in the water stream, or directly adjacent the water stream, as via the inlet and outlet tubes, the machine can be positioned a great distance from the actual water source. Advantageously, this provides great flexibility in the type of machine that can be operated, as well as enhance flexibility of the machine's application.

Advantageously, the simple design of the various embodiments of this generator allows for the transfer of energy in a simple and cost-efficient manner.

Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the hydraulic generator previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A hydraulic generator for locating in a moving fluid, including: a rotatable means; a hydraulic transfer means for driving a hydraulic fluid, said hydraulic transfer means being in connection with said rotatable means; wherein in use said moving fluid rotates said rotatable means which activates said hydraulic transfer means to drive said hydraulic fluid.

2. A hydraulic generator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rotatable means includes an elongate shaft for connection with said hydraulic transfer means, said shaft including a connecting portion for connection with said hydraulic transfer means, and a blade mounting portion for mounting a plurality of blades, which are arranged to react with said moving fluid to rotate said rotatable means.

3. A hydraulic generator as claimed in claim 2 wherein said shaft is aligned in the direction of the movement of said moving fluid.

4. A hydraulic generator as claimed in claim 3 wherein said plurality of blades are orientated to extend substantially radially from said shaft, and each blade extending generally in the same plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of said shaft.

5. A hydraulic generator as claimed in claim 4 wherein a plurality of rows of said plurality of blades are provided, spaced axially along said shaft.

6. A hydraulic generator as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said hydraulic transfer means is aligned substantially co-axially with said rotatable means, further including a support frame for providing support and alignment of said rotatable means relative to said hydraulic transfer means, said support frame including a base in connection with said hydraulic transfer means, and arms extending from said base forming a collar in supporting engagement with said rotatable means.

7. A hydraulic generator as claimed in claim 6 wherein said collar is positioned adjacent said blade mounting portion.

8. A hydraulic generator as claimed in claim 2 wherein said shaft is aligned substantially perpendicular to the general direction of the movement of said moving fluid.

9. A hydraulic generator as claimed in claim 8 wherein said blades extend lengthwise of said shaft, and are spaced about the axis of said shaft.

10. A hydraulic generator as claimed in claim 9 wherein said blades are curved.

11. A hydraulic generator as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said rotatable means is mounted within a housing.

12. A hydraulic generator as claimed in claim 11 wherein said housing includes a fluid passageway extending from an inlet opening at a first end of said housing to an outlet opening at a second end of said housing, wherein said moving fluid passes through said fluid passageway from said inlet opening to said outlet opening.

13. A hydraulic generator as claimed in claim 12 wherein the cross section of said fluid passageway at said inlet opening is larger than at said outlet opening.

14. A hydraulic generator as claimed in claim 12 or 13 wherein the cross- section of said fluid passageway tapers along the length of said housing from the respective inlet and outlet openings to a reduced cross-section at a location between said respective inlet and outlet openings.

15. A hydraulic generator as claimed in claim 14 said rotatable means is mounted within said fluid passageway at said location of the reduced cross- section.

16. A hydraulic generator as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 15 wherein said hydraulic transfer means and/or frame mount is also mounted within said fluid passageway in said housing.

17. A hydraulic generator as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 16 wherein said housing is an open ended cylinder.

18. A hydraulic generator as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 16 when dependent upon any of one claims 8 to 10, wherein said housing includes at least one seat for locating said shaft in said fluid passageway of said housing, said connecting portion of said shaft being located by a said seat.

19. A hydraulic generator as claimed in claim 18 wherein said seat includes bearings to facilitate the rotation of said shaft.

20. A hydraulic generator as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further including fluid connection means for connecting said hydraulic fluid between said hydraulic transfer means and a remote location.

21. A hydraulic generator as claimed in claim 20 wherein said fluid connection means provides a first fluid flow path from said hydraulic transfer means to said remote location.

22. A hydraulic generator as claimed in claim 20 or 21 wherein said fluid connection means provides a second fluid flow path from said remote location to said hydraulic transfer means.

23. A hydraulic generator as claimed in claim 20, 21 or 22 wherein said fluid connection means includes a fluid inlet to said hydraulic transfer means to draw in fluid from said moving fluid.

24. A hydraulic generator as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 23 wherein said fluid connection means includes a tube or pipe.

25. A hydraulic generator as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said driven hydraulic fluid applies a hydraulic force to operate a machine at said remote location.

26. A hydraulic generator as claimed claim 25 wherein said hydraulic force rotates a machine shaft of said machine.

27. A hydraulic generator as claimed in claim 25 or 26 wherein said machine is an electricity generator and/or a pump or any other standing hydraulic application.

28. A hydraulic generator as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said hydraulic transfer means includes a hydraulic pump.

29. A hydraulic generator as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including a connection means for connecting said connecting portion of said shaft of said rotatable means to a drive shaft extending from said hydraulic transfer means.

30. A hydraulic generator as claimed in claim 32 wherein said connection means includes a gearbox.

31. A hydraulic generator as claimed in claim 32 wherein said connection means includes a belt/pulley arrangement having a first pulley associated with said connecting portion of said shaft, a second pulley associated with said hydraulic transfer means, and belt co-operable with said respective pulleys so as to transfer the rotation of said rotatable means to said hydraulic transfer means.

32. A hydraulic generator as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 31 wherein said hydraulic pump includes a hydraulic fluid inlet and a hydraulic fluid outlet, both in connection with said fluid connection means.

33. A hydraulic generator as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first fluid is water.

34. A hydraulic generator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 35 wherein the first fluid is steam.

35. A hydraulic generator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 35 wherein the first fluid is air.

36. A hydraulic generator substantially hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings and/or examples.

RFΠTIFIFΠ SHFFT tRiii F 9-n