Patent ID: 9097240
Filing Date: 2015-08-04
Classification: F03G,H02K

Abstract:
1. A power generation apparatus, comprising: a housing submerged in a surrounding body of water and having inner walls defining an interior space therein, said housing having one or more openings operative to allow water flow between a first chamber and the surrounding body of water; a piston slideably disposed within said housing and operative to divide said interior space into said first chamber and a second chamber, edges of said piston being sealed against said inner walls of said housing thereby preventing water flow between said first chamber and said second chamber, said piston having a first side in communication with said first chamber and a second side opposite thereto in communication with said second chamber; wherein due solely to positive changes in pressure of the surrounding body of water exerted on said first side of said piston, said piston slideably moves within said housing to compress said second chamber; a restoring force member coupled to said piston whereby due solely to negative changes in pressure of the surrounding body of water exerted on said first side of said piston, said restoring force member exerts a force on said piston whereby said piston slideably moves within said housing to expand said second chamber; wherein said piston compresses said second chamber when the force exerted by the positively changing pressure of the surrounding body of water exceeds that exerted by said restoring force member; wherein said piston expands said second chamber when the force exerted by the negatively changing pressure of the surrounding body of water is less than that exerted by said restoring force member; and wherein said one or more openings are channeled to a mechanical load for transferring the energy generated by said piston to perform useful work.