Patent ID: 7768145

Claim:
A power generator comprising at least one underwater turbine unit, the at least one underwater turbine unit providing: a housing having a liquid flow channel therethrough, at least one turbine means mounted in the flow channel for rotation in response to liquid flow through the flow channel, and a pump means mounted in the flow channel, the pump means being operatively coupled to the at least one turbine means, such that, in use, liquid flow through the flow channel causes rotation of the at least one turbine means, which drives the pump means which pumps a fluid, and wherein the fluid comprises the liquid, wherein the power generator further comprises a generator means driven by the turbine means and located separately from the at least one underwater turbine unit, and a fluid supply means coupling the pump means to the generator means for supplying fluid from the pump means to the generator assembly for generating power, wherein the fluid supply means comprises a conduit extending between the pump means and the generator means, and the fluid supply means is releasably coupled to at least one of the pump means and the turbine means to allow separation and removal of at least one of the pump means and the turbine means for recovery to a surface of a body of water.