Patent ID: 8421254

Claim:
A hydroelectric generator system comprising a structure having a peripheral tubular reservoir having a number of sections all extending in a laterally extending plane, between and in internal fluid flow communication with corresponding ones of a plurality of posts extending across the plane and each having an upper end to receive a corresponding watermill unit and a lower end for anchoring the structure to the ground, the posts each having an opening below the plane; a stabilizer reservoir being laterally aligned with a center of gravity of the system and being positionable above the center of gravity of the system, the stabilizer reservoir having an aperture; connection tubes providing internal fluid flow communication between the stabilizer reservoir and corresponding ones of the posts; and a combined enclosed internal volume between the openings of the posts and the aperture of the stabilizer reservoir, including internal volumes of the stabilizer reservoir, the connecting tubes, the peripheral tubular reservoir, and the posts, the combined enclosed internal volume being large enough to contain a sufficient amount of air at operating pressures to impart buoyancy to the system; wherein air can be extracted from the combined internal volume via the stabilizer reservoir, thereby filling the combined internal volume with water and lowering the system, and blown into the combined internal volume via the stabilizer reservoir, thereby expulsing water through the openings of the posts and raising the system in the water.