Patent ID: 9644600
Date: 2017-05-09
CPC Classifications: F03B

Claim:
1. A power generation apparatus for underwater power generation comprising: at least two balloons completely submerged under a water surface of a water body, wherein a first balloon is filled with a gas and a second balloon is initially empty; a plurality of flexible hoses connected to the at least two balloons, wherein a first flexible hose of the plurality of flexible hoses is connected to the first balloon in an airtight manner and a second flexible hose of the plurality of flexible hoses is connected to the second balloon in an airtight manner; a plurality of hose reels attached to supports that are fixed to a floor underwater, each hose reel winds one of the plurality of the flexible hoses; a plurality of pulleys hinged to a support that is fixed to the floor underwater; a cord that freely passes over the plurality of pulleys and connects to the first balloon and the second balloon; a pump connected to a first pipe and a second pipe, the first pipe connected to the first flexible hose through a first hose reel of the plurality of hose reels and the second pipe connected to the second flexible hose through a second hose reel of the plurality of hose reels each in an airtight manner; a first valve located in the first pipe, and a second valve located in the second pipe; at least two pressure sensors and at least two flow rate sensors, wherein a first pressure sensor and a first flow rate sensor are connected to the first pipe and a second pressure sensor and a second flow rate sensor are connected to the second pipe; a power controller that reads and stores data from the at least two pressure sensors and the at least two flow rate sensors, controls an opening of the first valve and the second valve, and a pumping direction of the pump based on data from the at least two pressure sensors and the at least two flow rate sensors; and a generator operated by the cord.