Abstract:
An apparatus comprising the use of at least two or more vertically disposed tubular structures with each tube filled with water, and having a nozzle-like conduit at one end. Inside each tube is a sealed cylinder or float for containing either gas or water. When gas is introduced into the float positioned at the bottom of the tube, the float begins to ascend inside the tube causing the water advancing ahead of the rising float to become increasingly more pressurized due to the buoyancy effect. Maximum or near maximum pressure levels are reached when the water advancing ahead of the rising float reaches the top of the tube and is forced through the narrow conduit and the interconnected flow line. At the top, the gas in the float is replaced with water compelling the float to sink to or near the bottom of the tube where the water is replaced with gas, and the process is repeated. The coordinated ascending and descending float in their respective tubes with one gas-filled float rising within its tube while simultaneously the other water-filled float sinks within another tube, or more typically a plurality of floats and tubes constructed and operating essentially in the same way, continuously repeat this process forcing a constant flow of highly pressurized water through the system eventually striking the turbine blades to rotate the generator shaft and produce the requisite hydroelectric power.

Description:
This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 12/924,975 filed Oct. 12, 2010, now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to an apparatus for producing hydroelectric power with the use of a hydroelectric turbine generator and more particularly to a new and improved apparatus that utilizes the physics of buoyancy and gravity to pressurize water to produce power. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of technology to move water to produce electric energy, such as falling water flowing through a dam used to turn a turbine propeller, which turns a shaft in a generator which, in turn, produces electric power, is well known in the prior art. Prior art systems in this area include, for example, the following: U.S. Pat. App. No. 2008/0265581A1 (Welch, et al., publication date Oct. 3, 2008), which teaches the use of a system of buoyancy pump devices driven by waves and currents to produce electricity. One embodiment converts wave motion into mechanical power, while another generates electricity from a turbine as a function of wave energy; U.S. Pat. App. No. 2006/0064975 A1 (Takeuchi, published Mar. 30, 2006), which teaches the introduction of continuous bubbled gas moving through a liquid to force a conveyor fitted with numerous bucket-like devices to rotate which in turn causes a power generating turbine to rotate; U.S. Pat. App. No. 2006/0267346A1 (Chen, published Nov. 3, 2006), which teaches the use of a water tower that accumulates water at the top through the application of buoyancy and the use of transmission rods to force the water up whereupon, guided by the principles of gravity, water cascades down a pipe to drive a turbine to produce the electric power; U.S. Pat. No. 6,769,253 B1 (Scharfenberg, issued Aug. 3, 2004), which teaches a turbine power plant using buoyant force in the form of air propelled against a series of vanes coupled to a shaft connected to a turbine; U.S. Pat. App. No. 2010/01720242 A1 (Irps, published Jul. 8, 2010), which teaches springs as an energy storage device connected to buoys driven up and down inside water-filled containers as a result of buoyance and gravitational forces exerted via a working stroke to produce mechanical energy to generate power; U.S. Pat. No. 4,720,976 (Kim, et al., issued Jan. 26, 1988), which teaches a method and apparatus for generating power comprising float members disposed inside respective cylinders and a series of lever arms pivotably disposed above the cylinders connected to the float members whereby water introduced and discharged into and from the cylinders causes the floats to rise and fall causing, in turn, the lever arms to pivot on their axes resulting in the conversion of rotational motion to rectilinear motion, or vice versa, to operate power generators or turbines; U.S. Pat. No. 4,718,232 (Willmouth, issued Jan. 12, 1998), which teaches an apparatus that drives an electrical power generator from a combination of buoyance and gravitational forces comprising a long chain having a series of attached float members extending around a sprocket with the float members immersed in liquid as they rise driven by the force of buoyance and passing through airspace as they fall pulled down by the force of gravity; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,281 (Kim, et al., issued Jun. 23, 1987), which teaches an apparatus for generating power comprising two cylinders and a float member within each cylinder and rotating lever arms attached to the float members at one end to a crank connected to a shaft at the other end whereby the introduction of fluid and air into the first cylinder and its float member, respectively, and simultaneously, the discharge of fluid and air from the second cylinder and its float member, respectively, cause the float members to rise and fall accordingly and, in turn, the lever arms to move up and down and the crank to rotate about the crank shaft. 
     The improved buoyancy power generating apparatus of the present invention comprises at least two vertically oriented tubes filled with liquid, preferably water, with one end of each tube having an inward tapered portion through which passes highly pressurized water. A float device, which has a diameter slightly less than the interior diameter of the tube and a conical-shaped bottom, is disposed inside each tube, with each float device capable of holding both gaseous and liquid material. Also included is the means for alternatively introducing and releasing gas and liquid to and from the float devices to cause one float to rise and fall within one tube, and a conical-shaped bottom, and simultaneously the other float to fall and rise within the other tube such that, when gas is introduced into one float, that float begins to rise within its tube, steadily increasing the water pressure ahead of it in the tube as the float ascends with the water reaching near or at its maximum pressure as it is forced through the tapered portion or nozzle formed at the top end of the tube. As the float filled with gas begins moving upwards within its tube, the float in a second tube, which begins its sequence at the top, is filled with liquid, typically water, causes it to sink to the bottom of the tube. The pressurized water moving through the nozzle and the line leading to the turbine eventually causes the turbine blades and, thus, the turbine to rotate. This, in turn, causes the generator shaft to rotate, which ultimately produces the electric power. 
     Nothing in the prior art, including the cited references above, includes an apparatus with the combination of structural elements and relationship of components, and the specific means and objectives as the improved apparatus of the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The apparatus of the present invention, which is based on the physics of buoyancy and gravity for generating hydroelectric power, comprises the use of at least two or more generally vertically disposed tubular structures, each tube filled with some type of liquid, preferably water, and having an inwardly tapered end forming a nozzle-like structure. Inside each tube is a cylinder or float member into which is introduced either a gas, such as air or helium, or a liquid, such as water. When gas is introduced into the float member as it sits on at or near the bottom of the tube, the float member begins to ascend inside the tube causing, in turn, the water inside the tubular member ahead of the rising float to become increasingly more pressurized due directly to the effect of the float&#39;s buoyancy. Maximum pressure is reached when the water advancing ahead of the rising float reaches the top of the tube and is forced through the narrow conduit of the nozzle. The gas in the float member is then replaced with liquid, usually water, causing the float member to sink to or near the bottom of the tube where the water is replaced with gas, and the process is repeated. The introduction and release of the water and gas in each float member within their respective tubes is achieved through the use of a series of computer-assisted power or manually operated conventional pumps and valves utilized specifically for this purpose. The alternating float members in their respective tubes with one gas-filled float rising while simultaneously the other water-filled float sinks, or more typically a plurality of floats and tubes constructed and operating this same way, continuously repeat this process forcing at a constant rate pressurized water against the turbine blades, which rotate the generator shaft to produce the requisite hydroelectric power. 
     Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus for the production of hydroelectric power. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus for the production of hydroelectric power utilizing the injection of controlled highly pressurized water into a turbine to power a generator. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus for the production of hydroelectric power utilizing the combined application of the principles of buoyancy and gravity. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus for the production of hydroelectric power that utilizes multiple water filled tubular structures with closed cylinders inside each tubular structure containing ether gas, which causes the cylinder to rise at an accelerated pace to the top of the tube forcing steadily increasing pressurized water ahead of it as it ascends, or water, to cause the cylinder to descend to the bottom of the tube. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus for the production of hydroelectric power utilizing the combined application of the principles of buoyancy and gravity, which is easy to install, operate and maintain 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus for the production of hydroelectric power utilizing the combined application of the principles of buoyancy and gravity, which is easy and cost effective to manufacture. 
     The features of this invention, which are believed to be novel and non-obvious, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may be best understood by reference to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a cross section elevational view of a single tube apparatus in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross section elevational view of a single tube apparatus in accordance with the present invention showing the float component ascending in the tube member. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of a single tube apparatus in accordance with the present invention shown along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a cross section elevational view of a single tube apparatus in accordance with the present invention showing the float component at the end of its ascent inside the tube member. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a section of a single tube apparatus in accordance with the present invention showing water being introduced into the float component and the concurrent displacement of gas therefrom. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a single tube apparatus in accordance with the present invention showing the water-filled float component in a descending mode. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the bottom section of a single tube apparatus in accordance with the present invention showing gas being introduced into the float component and the concurrent displacement of water therefrom. 
         FIG. 8  is a plan view of an assembly of single tube apparatuses in accordance with the present invention interconnecting with a common turbine and power generator. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an assembly five (5) of single tube apparatuses in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention consists of an apparatus for the production of hydroelectric power comprised of two or more generally vertically disposed tubular members, such as tubular member  12  shown in  FIG. 1 , with each tubular member  12  being filled with any suitable liquid, such as, for example, fresh or salt water  11 . Tubular member  12  has a base  16  which forms an opening  18  to enable the unobstructed entry and discharge of water  11  into and out of tubular member  12 , respectively. The source of water  11  can be any suitable large body of water, such as, for example, an ocean, river or lake. Formed at the top  20  of tubular member  12  is a nozzle-like conduit section  22 . Tubular member  12  employs any conventional structural support, such as support members  24  and  25  adjacent opening  18 , to provide suitable support and stability to tubular member  12  in particular and to the overall apparatus generally. 
     Inside tubular member  12  is float member  26 , which contains a tank compartment  9  for holding gaseous material  13 , such as, for example, air or helium, and liquid material, such as, for example, water  15 . Mounted on the exterior wall  28  of tubular member  12  and projecting through the interior wall  95 , positioned near, but below, top  20 , and near, but just above, bottom  21 , are brake units  32  and  34 , and  36  and  38 , respectively. Brake units  32 ,  34 ,  36  and  38  are operated using any suitable mechanically or electrically operated power sources, computer-assisted or otherwise (not shown), are used to engage and secure float member  26 , when it reaches its predetermined positions at or near top  20  or bottom  21  of tubular member  12 . Electrical power sources include, without limitation, hydro, solar, wind turbine, nuclear and geothermal, which may be located off-site. Emergency on-site power sources may comprise diesel generators or an uninterruptible power source supplied, for example, by batteries. 
     Situated adjacent and partially integrated into exterior wall  28  of tubular member  12  is assembly  40  consisting of pressurized gas supply tank  42  for containing pressurized gas  13 , including, without limitation, helium or air, and flow lines  44  and  46 , respectively, for use in introducing gas  13  into tank  9  when float member  26  is positioned at bottom  21  of tubular member  12  and discharging gas  13  from tank  9 , when float member  26  is positioned at top  20  of tubular member  12 . Flow line  44  includes check valves  48  and  50  and regulating valve  52 . Flow line  46  includes check valve  54 , moisture separator  58  for purging moisture from gas  13  and compressor  60  to compress gas  13  before it reenters pressurized gas supply tank  42 . Flow line  62  is also provided to resupply pressurized gas supply tank  42  from any suitable outside source. Check valves  48 ,  50 , and  54  and regulating valves  52  are provided to control the flow of gas  13  to and from tank  9  of float member  26 . Also integrated into exterior wall  28  of tubular member  12  is flow line  64  for introducing fresh or salt water into tank  9  of float member  26  with the assistance of water pump  66 . Flow line  119  situated just below bottom  21  of tubular member  12  is used for carrying and discharging displaced water  15  from tank  9  into an ocean, lake, river, or any other suitable body of water. Valves  48 ,  50 ,  52  and  54 , moisture separator  58 , compressor  60  and water pump  66  can be mechanically or electrically operated using any suitable power source, computer-assisted or otherwise (not shown). Check valves  48 ,  50  and  54  may also be selfactuated. Electrical power sources include, without limitation, hydro, solar, wind turbine, nuclear and geothermal, which may be located off-site. Emergency on-site power sources may comprise diesel generators or an uninterruptible power source supplied, for example, by batteries. 
     At or near the tip of conduit  22  is a 3-way control valve  70  connected on either side to flow lines  72  and  74  which lead to and return from turbine  76 , respectively. Check valves  78  and  82 , which may be self-actuated, are incorporated into flow lines  72  and  74 , respectively, to control the flow of pressurized water  11  leading to and returning from turbine  76 . Conventional in design, turbine  76  includes any suitable shaft  77  and a series of connected conventional turbine blades  79 . Water  11  flowing through discharge line  72  against the turbine blades compels the shaft to rotate which, in turn, causes the generator  80 , also of conventional design, to turn and produce the desired amount of hydroelectric power. Control valve  70  and check valves  78  and  82  can be mechanically or electrically operated using any suitable power source, computer-assisted or otherwise (not shown). Electrical power sources include, without limitation, hydro, solar, wind turbine, nuclear and geothermal, which may be located off-site. Emergency on-site power sources may comprise diesel generators or an uninterruptible power source supplied, for example, by batteries. 
     Float member  26  includes rails  90  and  92  formed along and typically on opposite sides of exterior wall  94  of float member  26  ( FIG. 3 ). Notched into the interior side wall  95  of tubular member  12  are channels  98  and  100 , which mate with guide rails  90  and  92 , respectively, to ensure that, as float member  26  rises and falls within tubular member  12 , it remains stable and operates with a smooth and unrestrained motion. Float member  26  has top wall  110  and bottom wall  112 , which is preferably conical in shape to allow the discharge of water  15  to occur more easily at a faster rate. 
     Formed within top wall  110  are two conventional flow valves  114  and  116  which, when float member  26  is in its predetermined positioned at top  20  of tubular member  12  (see  FIG. 5 ), are mated with valves  123  and  125  formed at the ends of flow lines  46  and  64 , respectively. When joined, valves  116  and  123  are opened to allow tank  9  to depressurize and gas  13  to be discharged from tank  9  through flow line  46  into gas supply tank  42 . Valves  114  and  125 , after joining, are then opened to allow the introduction of fresh or salt water  15  into tank  9 . After tank  9  has been completely filled with water  11  and all remnants of gas  13  have been removed, valves  114  and  116 , and  123  and  125  are closed and sealed in coordination. Valves  114 ,  116 ,  123  and  125  can be mechanically or electrically operated using any suitable power source, computer-assisted or otherwise (not shown). Electrical power sources include, without limitation, hydro, solar, wind turbine, nuclear and geothermal, which may be located off-site. Emergency on-site power sources may comprise diesel generators or an uninterruptible power source supplied, for example, by batteries. 
     When float member  26  is positioned at bottom  21  of tubular member  12 , valve  118 , which is formed within bottom wall  112  of float member  26 , typically at or near the midpoint of bottom wall  112 , and which is also mated to valve  121 , is opened to allow liquid  15  inside tank  9  to flow (gravity assisted) downwards through flow line  119  and eventually out flow line  119  into the ocean, lake, etc. Concurrently, valve  115  formed within side wall  111  of float member  26  mates with valve  113  formed at one end of flow line  44 . When valves  113  and  115  are joined, they open concurrently to allow for the introduction of gas  13  into tank  9 . In the process, gas  13  entering tank  9  displaces liquid  15 , forcing water  15  down and through flow line  119 . Valves  113 ,  115 ,  118  and  121  can be mechanically or electrically operated using any suitable power source, computer-assisted or otherwise (not shown). Electrical power sources include, without limitation, hydro, solar, wind turbine, nuclear and geothermal, which may be located off-site. Emergency on-site power sources may comprise diesel generators or an uninterruptible power source supplied, for example, by batteries. 
     In a typical application of the apparatus of the present invention, float member  26  is positioned at bottom  21  of tubular member  12 . Tank  9  is filled with gas  13  introduced through flow line  44  from pressurized gas supply tank  42  until all water  15  inside tank  9  has been completely displaced and discharged from the system. Mechanically or electrically operated valves  113 ,  115 ,  118  and  121  are closed and sealed and mechanically or electrically operated control valve  70  is opened to allow water  11  to flow to the turbine  76 . Mechanically or electrically operated brakes  36  and  38  are then disengaged allowing float member  26  to begin to ascend steadily within tubular member  12  (see  FIG. 2 ). As float member  26  continues to rise within the water filled tubular member  12 , the portion of water  11  moving ahead of or immediately above float member  26  as it rises steadily builds in pressure (see  FIG. 2 ). The close distance between exterior wall  94  of float member  26  and interior sidewall  95  of tubular member  12  helps to seal these two adjacent areas, which aids in maintaining, if not increasing, the pressure build up of water  11  as it flows in advance of ascending float member  26 . To assist even more in this regard, an O-ring, gasket or some other similar device (not shown) may be utilized to improve the seal and enhance the increase in pressure and overall buoyancy effect. 
     When float member  26  reaches a predetermined position at top  20  of tubular member  12 , and immediately before mechanically or electrically operated valves  114  and  116  are opened and water  15  begins to flow into and gas  13  is displaced from tank  9 , water  11  flowing in advance of ascending float member  26  continues to flow with a steady build up of pressure. This pressurized water  11  continues to flow through the narrowed area  73  formed just below the section defined by control valve  70  into flow line  72  in the direction of turbine  76 , where eventually pressurized water  11  collides with the turbine blades  79 . 
     When float member  26  reaches the end of the sequence at or near top  20 , mechanically or electronically operated valves  123  and  125  of flow lines  46  and  64  are joined with mechanically or electrically operated valves  116  and  114 , respectively. Valves  123 ,  125 ,  116 , and  114 , in a coordinated manner, are then opened to enable water  15  to flow, with the assistance of mechanically or electrically operated pump  66 , into interior tank  9  and gas  13  to be displaced from inside tank  9  and then returned through flow line  46  to pressurized gas supply tank  42 . 
     Just prior to the coordinated opening of valves  114  and  116 , and  123  and  125 , control valve  70  remains open to enable the continuous flow of pressurized water  11  in the direction of turbine  76 . As valves  114 ,  116 ,  123  and  125  begin to open, control valve  70  is closed ( FIG. 5 ), cutting off the flow of water  11  in all directions. When water  15  has completely filled tank  9  displacing gas  13 , valves  114  and  116 , and valves  123  and  125  are closed and sealed. Mechanically or electrically operated brakes  32  and  34  then disengage and float member  26  begins to descend (see  FIG. 6 ). Concurrently, control valve  70  is opened at one end  71  to enable the return of water  11  through flow line  74 . The flow of water  11  from that direction also assists in compelling float member  26  towards its predetermined stopping point at bottom  21 . When float member  26  reaches its predetermined position at bottom  21 , brakes  36  and  38  are engaged to halt float member  26  from descending further. Valves  118  and  121  are joined, and then opened. Valves  113  and  115  are also joined, and then opened, whereupon gas  13  is introduced into tank  9 , displacing, with the assistance of gravity, water  15  from inside tank  9  into and through discharge flow line  119  out to the ocean, lake or some other suitable body of water, which is also the supply source of water  11  that enters tubular member  12  through opening  18 . 
     The overall objective of the apparatus of the present invention is to utilize a combination of individual units, by way of example only, five (5) or more (See  FIGS. 8 and 9 ), each consisting of a tubular member  12  and a float member  26 , along with the various other requisite components, as described, with the float members  26  rising and falling in their respective tubular members  12  in a coordinated sequence to maintain constant water pressure throughout the system forcing rotation of the turbine blades and the turbine shaft and, in turn, causing the generator to produce hydroelectric power. 
     The constant rise and fall of these floats in concert, as described here in detail, serves to maintain a continuous flow of highly pressurized water within the system to ensure the means to maintain a reliable power source. 
     Tank compartment  9  within float member  26  requires the capacity to accommodate a sufficient volume of gaseous material  13  to enable the displacement of water  11  advancing above it and float member  26  to rise at a constant rate accordingly. The relationship of gas volume to water weight necessary to enable these system components to operate effectively in accordance with the present invention determines their size and relative proportions. 
     The dimensions of each tubular member  12  will vary according to the electrical power requirements of the particular system employed. For example, with a tubular structure and a float inside comprising a single unit, to produce power for a single family residential structure might only require two or three such units along with the requisite turbine, generator and other components to complete the system. The dimensions of a tubular member for a system of this size might be in the range, for example, of three (3) to twelve (12) inches or possibly even several feet in diameter with the other components, including the return and discharge lines, the valves, the float members, and the turbine and the generator being sized commensurate with their respective functions and objectives. The greater the power required, for example, by communities within a city or a city itself, or even a larger geographical area, would demand system components on a much greater corresponding scale, perhaps even tubular members several feet in diameter, possibly as many as twelve feet or more, and height dimensions and the dimensions of all of the other components proportional to that, and the use of multiple units, likely a dozen or more, to ensure the system&#39;s full capability. 
     This invention has been described in its presently preferred embodiment, and it is clear that it is susceptible to numerous modifications, modes and embodiments within the ability of those skilled in the art and without the exercise of this inventive faculty.