# US 2014/0197640 A1 · Hydroelectric power generating system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0197640 A1 - Document ID: US20140197640A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/156,408 - Filed: 2014-01-15 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-16 - Inventors: YASER K. BARAKAT - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140197640A1 ## CPC - F03B 13/08: Machine or engine aggregates in dams or the like; Conduits therefor {, e.g. diffusors (bulb groups F03B13/105)} - F03B 13/06: Stations or aggregates of water-storage type, {e.g. comprising a turbine and a pump}(turbines characterised by having means for functioning alternatively as pumps F03B3/10) - F05B 2250/231: cylindrical - Y02E 10/20: Hydro energy - Y02E 60/16: Mechanical energy storage, e.g. flywheels or pressurised fluids - F03B: MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS (positive-displacement engines for liquid F03C; machines for liquids and gases F01; positive-displacement machines for liquids F04, rotary fluid gearing of the hydrokinetic type F16H41/00) - F05B: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract The hydroelectric power generating system incorporates a man-made dam structure configured to completely enclose a body of water. The dam is preferably filled by pumping seawater into the reservoir defined by the encircling dam. A circumferential canal feeds water to one or more penstocks. Each penstock has one or more hydroelectric turbine generators installed therealong. The penstocks feed an enclosed circumferential channel about the base of the dam. The channel delivers water to a pump that pumps the water back into the bottom of the reservoir. While this system results in a net loss of energy, the system can make use of surplus power to drive the return pump during periods of low electrical demand in order to replenish the reservoir. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A hydroelectric power generating system, comprising: a dam having an upper portion, a base, and an interior; a reservoir enclosed laterally by the dam, the dam completely surrounding and defining the reservoir therein; at least one sluice gate disposed in the upper portion of the dam; a peripheral canal disposed about the upper portion of the dam, the reservoir selectively communicating with the canal through the at least one sluice gate; at least one penstock extending from the canal, the penstock being disposed within the interior of the dam; and a plurality of hydroelectric turbine generators disposed along the penstock. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The hydroelectric power generating system according to claim 1, wherein: said at least one sluice gate comprises a plurality of sluice gates disposed in the upper portion of the dam; and said at least one penstock comprises a plurality of penstocks extending from the canal. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The hydroelectric power generating system according to claim 1, further comprising: a collection channel disposed within the base of the dam, the collection channel communicating with the penstock; a return passage disposed in the base of the dam between the collection channel and the reservoir, the return passage defining a fluid conduit extending from the collection channel communicating to the reservoir; and a return pump disposed in the return passage. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The hydroelectric power generating system according to claim 1, further comprising a sea water delivery line communicating with the reservoir. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The hydroelectric power generating system according to claim 1, further comprising a power house disposed at the base of the dam. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The hydroelectric power generating system according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral canal is disposed externally about the upper portion of the dam. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The hydroelectric power generating system according to claim 1, wherein: the dam is substantially cylindrical; and the at least one penstock defines a helical arc. ### Claim 8 A hydroelectric power generating system, comprising: a dam having an upper portion, a base, and an interior; a reservoir enclosed laterally by the dam, the dam completely surrounding and defining the reservoir therein; a plurality of sluice gates disposed in the upper portion of the dam; a peripheral canal disposed about the upper portion of the dam, the reservoir selectively communicating with the canal through the sluice gates; a plurality of penstocks extending from the canal, the penstocks being disposed within the interior of the dam; and at least one hydroelectric turbine generator disposed in each of the penstocks. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The hydroelectric power generating system according to claim 8, wherein said at least one hydroelectric turbine generator comprises a plurality of hydroelectric turbine generators disposed in each of the penstocks. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The hydroelectric power generating system according to claim 8, further comprising: a collection channel disposed within the base of the dam, the collection channel communicating with the penstock; a return passage disposed in the base of the dam between the collection channel and the reservoir, the return passage defining a fluid conduit extending from the collection channel communicating to the reservoir; and a return pump disposed in the return passage. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The hydroelectric power generating system according to claim 8, further comprising a sea water delivery line communicating with the reservoir. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The hydroelectric power generating system according to claim 8, further comprising a power house disposed at the base of the dam. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The hydroelectric power generating system according to claim 8, wherein the peripheral canal is disposed externally about the upper portion of the dam. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The hydroelectric power generating system according to claim 8, wherein: the dam is substantially cylindrical; and each of the penstocks defines a helical arc. ### Claim 15 A hydroelectric power generating system, comprising: a dam having an upper portion, a base, and an interior; a reservoir enclosed laterally by the dam, the dam completely surrounding and defining the reservoir therein; at least one sluice gate disposed in the upper portion of the darn; a peripheral canal disposed about the upper portion of the dam, the reservoir selectively communicating with the canal through the at least one sluice gate; at least one penstock extending from the canal, the penstock being disposed within the interior of the dam; at least one hydroelectric turbine generator disposed in the at least one penstock; a collection channel disposed within the base of the dam, the collection channel communicating with the penstock; a return passage disposed in the base of the dam between the collection channel and the reservoir, the return passage defining a fluid conduit extending from the collection channel communicating to the reservoir; and a return pump disposed in the return passage. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The hydroelectric power generating system according to claim 15, wherein said at least one hydroelectric turbine generator comprises a plurality of hydroelectric turbine generators disposed in the at least one penstock. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The hydroelectric power generating system according to claim 15, wherein: said at least one sluice gate comprises a plurality of sluice gates disposed in the upper portion of the dam; and said at least one penstock comprises a plurality of penstocks extending from the canal. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The hydroelectric power generating system according to claim 15, further comprising a sea water delivery line communicating with the reservoir. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The hydroelectric power generating system according to claim 15, further comprising a power house disposed at the base of the dam. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The hydroelectric power generating system according to claim 15, wherein: the peripheral canal is disposed externally about the upper portion of the dam; the dam is substantially cylindrical; and the at least one penstock defines a helical arc.