Patent ID: 7804182

Claim:
A system for generating hydroelectric power beneath the surface of a body of water at a predetermined depth comprising a reservoir mounted in the body of water beneath the surface of the body of water, said reservoir having an internal chamber being selectively filled with air, a water conduit extending generally upward from said reservoir to an upper portion and being in selective fluid communication with said chamber, a submerged water intake connected at a position on an upper portion of said conduit, said water intake being in selected fluid communication with said conduit, said water intake establishing a pressure differential between said intake position and said air filled chamber for creating a flow of water through said conduit into said chamber in a first cycle, an electric turbine generator being operatively connected to said conduit and arranged to generate electricity in response to the flow of water through said conduit, a controller operatively connected to said water intake and said reservoir, said controller establishing the flow of water between said water intake and said chamber to generate electricity during said first cycle, said controller capable of closing the flow of water through said conduit upon said chamber being generally filled with water to begin a second cycle of operation, and an air pump, connected to said reservoir to establish a flow of air into said chamber for forcing water from said generally filled chamber through an outlet into the body of water during said second cycle while said flow of water through said conduit is closed.