Patent Publication Number: US-7911073-B2

Title: System and method for a hydro-hydraulic gravitational generator

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The generation of electrical energy is an ever-increasing need in today&#39;s world. The best sources for the generation of electrical energy typically come from capturing and converting energy from naturally occurring resources, such as hydro and solar power. In specific, the flow of water past a turbine, such as in a hydro-electric dam can provide electrical power that is from a renewable source, leaves no carbon footprint, and is potentially limitless. 
     However, in many instances constructing additional dams to store the water necessary to power such hydroelectric generators is not practical due to the nature of the water source. By example, for many rivers, the grade of the available terrain may be too shallow for a dam of sufficient height to develop the required water flow for the efficient operation of a hydroelectric turbine. In other drawbacks, many communities that need electric power may be too far away from a suitable river. Further yet, the ecological impact or economic expense of constructing such a dam may be prohibitive. 
     Other technologies have been explored, such as capturing and converting energy from tidal flow and wave motion. However, these technologies are subject to tidal and wave conditions that may not be reliable. These technologies, while seemingly promising, have yet to develop reliable means of delivering meaningful electrical energy. 
     In exploring new sources for generating electrical energy, one may look to sources of naturally occurring energy phenomenon that remain constant and limitless. Two examples of constant and limitless energy are gravity due to the mass of the earth and deep water pressure due to the mass of the oceans. 
     What is needed is a system and method that consistently provides stable electrical energy in quantities suitable for addition to the electrical power grid by taking advantage of hydroelectric power generation technology. Furthermore, such a system and method should not rely on variable conditions (e.g., tides, river level, terrain, etc.) for efficient operation of a hydroelectric generator. Moreover, such a system and method should be as efficient as possible in converting energy from water flow into electricity. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Aspects and many attendant advantages of the subject matter disclosed herein will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a system for generating electrical energy using a hydro-hydraulic gravitational generator according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 2  shows a diagram of a hydro-hydraulic gravitational generator according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 3  shows a diagram of a method for generating electrical energy using the system of  FIG. 2  according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 4  shows a diagram of a hydro-hydraulic gravitational generator during an initialized state ready to begin a cycle for electrical power generation according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 5  shows a diagram of a hydro-hydraulic gravitational generator during a piston generation step of a method for generating electrical energy according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 6  shows a diagram of a hydro-hydraulic gravitational generator during an piston equilibrium step of a method for generating electrical energy according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 7  shows a diagram of a hydro-hydraulic gravitational generator during an piston compression step of a method for generating electrical energy according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 8  shows a diagram of a hydro-hydraulic gravitational generator during an collection housing equilibrium step of a method for generating electrical energy according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein; and 
         FIG. 9  shows a diagram of a hydro-hydraulic gravitational generator having multiple collection housings according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the subject matter disclosed herein. The general principles described herein may be applied to embodiments and applications other than those detailed above without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter disclosed herein. This disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed or suggested herein. 
       FIG. 1  shows a system for generating electrical energy using a hydro-hydraulic gravitational generator according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. In this system  100 , a hydro-hydraulic gravitational generator (HHG generator)  110  is positioned in deep water  120  to take advantage of constant forces of gravity and water pressure to generate electricity. Deep water  120 , such as near the floor of any ocean, large inland sea, deep lake, or man-made structure constantly exerts 62.42796 pounds of pressure per cubic foot. A column of water 1 square foot at a depth of 100 feet exerts a pressure at its base of 6,242 pounds of pressure (3 tons). The same column of water at 500 feet would exert nearly 16 tons of pressure at its base. As the cross sectional area expands from 1 foot to larger dimensions, the area of pressure exertion increases with the surface area of the column of water. 
     As will be detailed further below, an HHG generator  110  positioned in deep water  120  may be electrically coupled, via an underwater transmission line  131  to a typical electric utility distribution system  130  that is positioned on land near the location of the HHG generator  110 . Such a distribution system  130  is then coupled to a local electric grid (not shown). The system  100  is then operable to generate electricity on the electric grid. 
     This electrical power generating process described herein has a very low environmentally impact, is renewable, limitless, and economical. While other emerging energy technologies use natural resources, such as corn for ethanol or wind for windmills, the HHG generator system  100  is not dependant on weather conditions, tidal flow, time of day, or rainfall. Deep water environmental conditions are located in a constant environment and are independent of weather conditions, time of day or year. The generation of this electricity is described in more detail below with respect to  FIGS. 2-8 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a diagram of a hydro-hydraulic gravitational generator  110  according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. The HHG generator  110  includes a main housing  200  that has an internal piston  201 . The piston  201  is free to move up and down inside the main housing  200 . The piston weight and size may be determined by the size of the overall system and the depth to which it is placed. The piston may weigh less than the weight or force of the external water pressure (i.e., external water pressure may exert a force greater than that of gravity working on the piston). For example, if the external water pressure exerts a 6 ton pressure, then the internal piston  201  should weigh less than 6 tons so that the water pressure will be greater than the weight of the internal piston  201  and will move the internal piston  201  upward. The internal piston  201  should also, however, weigh more than the weight of the column of water in a water exit line  225 . As gravity acts on the internal piston  201  pulling it down, its gravitational force is greater than the water weight expelling it from the water exit line  225 . Without the weight of the internal piston  201 , the water in the main housing  200  would be at equilibrium and would not move. With the weight of the internal piston  201  applying a force on the water in the main housing  200 , gravity acting on the internal piston  201  pulls it down expelling the water from the main housing  200 .  FIG. 2  shows the piston  201  at a mid-level position in the main housing  200 . Water may be introduced into the main housing  200  through and intake line  220  and may exit the main housing through an exit line  225 . Water entering and exiting the main housing  200  will cause the piston  201  to rise up and lower down depending on the water level in the main housing  200  under the piston  200 . 
     As water enters and exits the main housing  200 , it passes though water turbines that generate electricity when water is passed through them. For example, when no water is inside the main housing  200 , a water intake valve  223  may be opened. The surrounding water, exerting a pressure of 5 tons psi, is then allowed to enter the main housing  200 . The surrounding water, at 5 tons psi is a greater force than the weight of the piston at 3 tons, so the water is forced into the main housing  200  through the intake line  220  and causes the piston  201  to rise (from water pressure force). The incoming water is passed through a first and second water turbine  221  and  222  suitable for generating electricity as it passes through the intake line  220 . Although only two turbines are shown here, it is well understood that any number of turbines may be present in the intake line  230 . 
     Similarly, if the main housing  200  is full of water and an exit line valve  230  is opened while the intake valve  223  is closed, water then flows out of the main housing  200  through the water exit line  225 , and into a water collection housing  202 . The water is forced out of the main housing  200  because of the gravitational force of the piston  201 . The water exit line  225  also typically includes first and second water turbines  231  and  232  for generating electricity as water is passed through. Additionally, a collection housing valve  233  allows or prevents the flow of water in and out of the collection housing  202 . 
     Additionally, the main housing  200  includes an atmospheric pressure line  240  with an atmospheric pressure line valve  241 . The atmospheric pressure line  240  may also include one or more air turbines  242  for generating electricity. The interaction and operation of these valves, turbines and housings is illustrated and discussed in more detail below with respect to  FIGS. 4-8 . 
     The HHG generator  110  may further include a vacuum draw housing  203  for assisting with filling and draining water from the collection housing  202  and assist with air pressure at the main housing  200 . The vacuum housing  203  is coupled to the main housing  200  via a vacuum draw control line  290  which includes a vacuum draw control line valve  291 . Further, the vacuum housing  203  is coupled to the collection housing  202  via a water siphon line  280  that includes a water siphon line valve  281 . Further yet, the vacuum draw housing  203  includes a vacuum atmospheric pressure line  250  with a vacuum atmospheric pressure line valve  251  as well as one or more water release lines  260  having respective water release valves. Again, the interaction and operation of these valves, lines and housings is illustrated and discussed in more detail below with respect to  FIGS. 4-8 . 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  provide an overview of a basic system  100  for generating electrical power using a HHG generator  110 . Those skilled in the art will understand that the actual specifications and dimensions of the various components described above may vary with respect to the size (volume of water flow and time desired for that water flow), shape (tall and narrow housings or short and wide housings), the water depth the HHG generator  110  is placed in relation to the weight of the piston  201 , (e.g., the water pressure in the HHG generator  110  needs to be greater than the weight of the piston  201 , therefore a lighter piston allows for a more shallow depth). 
       FIG. 3  shows a diagram of a method for generating electrical energy using the system of  FIG. 2  according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. The following discussion of  FIG. 3  is presented with respect to steps of such a method and any references numerals to specific devices and aspects of  FIG. 2  are not included in the discussion of  FIG. 3 . 
     The method starts at step  300  and then moves to an initialization phase at step  302 . The atmospheric pressure valve is opened at step  302  and this will allow air that is in the main housing above the piston to escape to the atmosphere as the piston rises. Next, at step  304 , the water intake valve is opened and this will allow water to enter into the main housing. As water begins to fill the main housing through the water intake line, electrical power is generated by the water passing through the water intake line and through any water turbines that are disposed within the water intake line at step  308 . Of course, as water begins to fill the main housing, the piston begins to rise as a result of the water pressure buildup below it and any air within the main housing is expelled out the atmosphere pressure line. 
     Electrical power generation continues until the piston reaches a high enough level to trigger a switch at step  310  which, in turn, causes the water intake valve to close at step  312 . Additionally, the atmospheric pressure valve is closed at step  314 . The main housing is then in a momentary state of equilibrium as the water pressure below the piston is substantially equivalent to the gravitational force pulling down the piston. At this point, if air pressure were to be introduced into the main housing, the gravitational force on the piston will overcome the water pressure force from below. 
     Thus, at step  316  a water exit valve opens and at step  318  a vacuum line valve opens. The opening of these valves provides a path for expelled water to flow from the main housing to the water collection housing through a water exit line and also provides a path for air to be drawn into the main housing as the piston begins to descend. As water expelled from the main housing passes through the water exit line, one or more water turbines may generate electrical power at step  320 . 
     The electrical power generation at step  320  continues until the piston is lowered to a trigger point at step  330 . Once the piston is lowered to the trigger point, the water exit valve is closed at step  332  as well as the vacuum line valve at step  334 . At this point, the main housing is back to a beginning state and the water collection housing now contains the expelled water from the main housing. At step  340 , the cycle may then continue and revert back to step  302  or may be ended at step  345 . These steps of such a method as well as additional aspects of the various methods discussed herein are better understood with reference to the specific diagrams in  FIGS. 4-8  as discussed below. 
       FIG. 4  shows a diagram of a hydro-hydraulic gravitational generator during an initialized state ready to begin a cycle for electrical power generation according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. In this state, the main housing  200  does not have any water inside and, because of this, the piston  201  is at its lowest position in the main housing  200 . Further, in the main housing  200  above the piston  201 , the air inside is exposed to normal surface atmospheric pressure via the atmospheric pressure line  240  as the atmospheric pressure line valve  241  is open. The atmospheric pressure line  240  is an air vent that extends all the way to the surface of the deep water so that a normal level of surface atmospheric pressure exists in the main housing  200  above the piston  201 . As the piston  201  rises, air inside the main housing  200  may be expelled out the atmospheric pressure line  240 . 
     In this beginning state, all other valves are closed including the water intake valve  223 . The cycle described above with respect to  FIG. 3  may begin when the water intake valve  223  is opened and deep water pressure is applied to the base of the piston  201  causing it to begin rising within the main housing  200 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a diagram of a hydro-hydraulic gravitational generator during a piston energy generation step of a method for generating electrical energy according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. With the water intake valve  223  open, deep water pressure exerts a force  500  on the base of the piston  201  and water begins to fill the main housing  200  below the piston  201 . As water rushes through the water intake line  220 , electrical power is generated through water turbines  221  and  222 . Furthermore, air is forced out through the atmospheric pressure line  240  that may be harnessed via one or more air turbines  242  for generating additional electrical power. 
     As the piston  201  reaches the top of the main housing  200 , the piston  201  triggers a switch  510  that causes the water intake valve  223  to close. This piston equilibrium state is shown in more detail with respect to  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a diagram of a hydro-hydraulic gravitational generator during a piston equilibrium step of a method for generating electrical energy according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. The main housing and its contents (i.e., the water below the piston  201 ) are at equilibrium. That is, the deep water pressure forcing the piston  201  up is equal to the sum of the weight of the piston  201  and a force exerted downward from the piston  201  contacting the top of the main housing  200 . The piston  201  is held in this position as the water intake valve  223  and the atmospheric pressure line valve  241  transition to a closed position. In this momentary equilibrium state, water neither enters nor leaves the main housing  200 . As the switch  501  is triggered to close the water intake valve  223  and the atmospheric pressure valve  241 , other valves are also triggered to transition to an open state. In particular, the water exit line valve  230  and the water collection housing intake valve  233  are opened to allow water stored in the main housing  200  to begin flowing to the water collection housing  202  through the water exit line  225 . As water rushes through the water exit line  225 , electrical power is again generated from water turbines  231  and  232 . Additionally, the vacuum draw line control valve  291  is also opened such that air may be drawn into the main housing above the piston  201 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a diagram of a hydro-hydraulic gravitational generator during a piston compression step of a method for generating electrical energy according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. With the configuration of open and closed valves as shown, a gravitational force on the 3-ton piston forces the water below out the main housing  200  though the water exit line  225  and into the water collection housing  202 . 
     Furthermore, air that is in the water collection housing  202  may be drawn into the vacuum housing  203  because of the vacuum created as the piston  201  is lowered. As the piston  201  initially rises, air is expelled from the space above the piston  201  in the main housing  200 . This air is expelled out the atmospheric pressure line  240  (with the atmospheric pressure line valve  241  open running air turbines (not shown in  FIG. 7  if desired). Air will not flow into the vacuum chamber  203  (as the vacuum housing valve  291  is closed). Once the piston  201  reaches its maximum height, the atmospheric pressure line valve  241  is closed. With both atmospheric pressure line valve  241  and vacuum chamber valve  291  closed, the piston  201  cannot move. When the vacuum chamber valve  291  opens, the piston  201  to be able to move downward under its own weight due to gravity. 
     As the piston  201  falls, the space above the piston  201  draws air from the vacuum chamber  203  to fill its increasing volume as the piston  201  drops. Air does not come from the atmospheric pressure line  240  as its valve  241  is closed. With the other valves (valves  251 ,  261 , et al.) of the vacuum chamber  203  closed, air is drawn from the water collection housing  202 , through the vacuum chamber  203  to the main housing  200 . 
     Those skilled in the art will understand that a complete removal of air or the creation of a true vacuum is not possible as this would stop the piston  201  from falling and thus cease operation of the system  110 . However, a negative air pressure may be created forming vacuum effects. Once this system  110  is closed, additional pumps  261 , with minimum energy input, can be used to pump out remaining air from any chamber in the system  110 . The additional pumps  261  help create a better vacuum in the main housing  200 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a diagram of a hydro-hydraulic gravitational generator during a collection housing equilibrium step of a method for generating electrical energy according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. As the piston  201  reaches the bottom of the main housing  200 , the piston  201  once again triggers a number of valves to transition open/closed states. In particular, the vacuum draw line valve  291 , the water exit line valve  230 , and the water collection housing intake valve  233  are transitioned to a closed state. Further, the water intake valve  223  and the atmospheric pressure line valve  241  are transitioned to an open state such that the power generation cycle may repeat. 
     The water that is now in the water collection housing  202  is then drawn up through the water siphon line  280 . This drawing of water from the water collection housing  202  to the vacuum housing  203  may be further aided by water pumps  800  and eventually out of the vacuum draw housing via water release lines  260  and associated water release valves  261 . 
       FIG. 9  shows a diagram of a hydro-hydraulic gravitational generator having multiple collection housings according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. In this embodiment, a single main housing  900  may be connected to a number of water collection housings  901   a - f . After enough water is expelled into a first water collection housing  901   a , a series of valves transition to direct expelled water into a second water collection housing  901   b  during a second cycle. As each water collection housings  901   a - f  is filled in succession, the next empty water collection housing is used for expelled water. While one of the water collection housings  901   a - f  is being used to collect expelled water, each of the others are pumped to remove collected water. As the cycle transitions back to the first water collection housing  901   a , it will be empty and ready to receive expelled water again. water 
     Another embodiment of the HHG generator  110  requires no piston at all and water pressure alone moves water from one chamber to the next. Water is flooded into the main housing  201  and then exits to successive water collection housing  202  chambers which have become voided by the pumping of the water out of each chamber. 
     Yet another embodiment of the HHG generator  110  may include a bellows type bag or encasement bag (not shown) that is disposed in the main housing  201  below the piston  200 . When water flows into the main housing  201  chamber, it may actually flow into a bag in the main housing below the piston  200 . As the bag or bellows is filled with water, the piston is raised in the same manner that is described above without the bag/bellows. Similarly, as the piston  200  falls, water is expelled from the bag/bellows out of the exit line. Thus, the bag/bellows assists with maintaining a discrete water chamber below the piston  200  separate and distinct from the air chamber above the piston  200 . 
     While the subject matter discussed herein is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and have been described above in detail. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that various aspects described in less than all of the embodiments may, nevertheless, be present in any embodiment. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the subject matter to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the subject matter.