# US 2014/0197641 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 2014/0197641 A1 - Document ID: US20140197641A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/182,237 - Filed: 2014-02-17 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-16 - Inventors: YASER K. BARAKAT - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140197641A1 ## CPC - F03B 13/00: Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus (if the apparatus aspects are predominant, see the relevant subclasses for such apparatus, e.g. H02K7/18); Power stations or aggregates (incorporating only machines or engines of positive-displacement type F03C; hydraulic engineering aspects E02B; {combinations with wind energy converters F03D9/008}) - 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) - 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) - 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. An auxiliary hydroelectric power generating system disposed within the dam utilizes the water exiting from the lower end of the penstocks for additional production of energy. 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, each at least one penstock having an outlet; a plurality of hydroelectric turbine generators disposed along the penstock; and an auxiliary power generating system disposed within the dam. ### 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; said at least one penstock comprises a plurality of penstocks extending from the canal; said plurality of penstocks are in communication with said auxiliary power generating system. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The hydroelectric power generating system according to claim 1, further comprising a sea water delivery line communicating with the reservoir. ### Claim 4 (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 5 (depends on 1) The hydroelectric power generating system according to claim 1, wherein: the dam is substantially cylindrical; and the at least one penstock is arranged in a step configuration and defines a generally helical arc. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The hydroelectric power generating system according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary power generating system comprises: a column extending from the bottom of said reservoir towards the top of said reservoir; at least one hydroelectric turbine generator placed within said column; at least one compressor unit in communication with said column; and at least one return passage in communication with a corresponding outlet of said at least one penstock and said column. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The hydroelectric power generating system according to claim 6, further comprising: an annular tunnel disposed within the base of the dam, the annular tunnel housing an internal collection channel communicating with the at least one penstock; a return passage disposed in the base of the dam between the collection channel and the auxiliary power generating system, the return passage defining a fluid conduit extending from the collection channel towards the column of the auxiliary power generating system; at least one return pump disposed in the return passage; and at least one another power electric generator disposed in the collection channel. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The hydroelectric power generating system according to claim 7, wherein the at least one another power electric generator comprises a low head turbine. ### Claim 9 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 externally 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, each of the penstocks having an outlet; at least one hydroelectric turbine generator disposed in each of the penstocks; and an auxiliary power generating system disposed within the dam. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The hydroelectric power generating system according to claim 9, wherein said at least one hydroelectric turbine generator comprises a plurality of hydroelectric turbine generators disposed in each of the penstocks. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The hydroelectric power generating system according to claim 9, further comprising a sea water delivery line communicating with the reservoir. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The hydroelectric power generating system according to claim 9, further comprising a power house disposed at the base of the dam. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The hydroelectric power generating system according to claim 9, wherein the auxiliary power generating system comprises: a column extending from the bottom of said reservoir towards the top of said reservoir; at least one hydroelectric turbine generator placed within said column; at least one compressor unit in communication with said column; and at least one return passage in communication with a corresponding outlet of said at least one penstock and said column. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The hydroelectric power generating system according to claim 13, further comprising: an annular tunnel disposed within the base of the dam, the annular tunnel housing an internal collection channel communicating with the at least one penstock; a return passage disposed in the base of the dam between the collection channel and the auxiliary power generating system, the return passage defining a fluid conduit extending from the collection channel towards the column of the auxiliary power generating system; at least one return pump disposed in the return passage; and at least one another power electric generator disposed in the collection channel. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The hydroelectric power generating system according to claim 9, wherein: the dam is substantially cylindrical; and each of the penstocks is arranged in a step configuration and defines a generally helical arc. ### Claim 16 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; 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; an auxiliary power generating system disposed within the dam. a return passage disposed in the base of the dam between the collection channel and the auxiliary power generating system, the return passage defining a fluid conduit extending from the collection channel communicating to the auxiliary power generating system; a turbine disposed in the collection channel; and a return pump disposed in the return passage; wherein the auxiliary power generating system includes a column extending from the bottom of said reservoir towards the top of said reservoir; a plurality of hydroelectric power generators placed within said column; and at least one compressor unit in communication with said column. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The hydroelectric power generating system according to claim 16, wherein: said at least one hydroelectric turbine generator comprises a plurality of hydroelectric turbine generators disposed in the at least one penstock and said the at least one penstock arranged in a step configuration and defines a generally helical arc. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The hydroelectric power generating system according to claim 16, 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 19 (depends on 16) The hydroelectric power generating system according to claim 16, further comprising: a sea water delivery line communicating with the reservoir; and a power house disposed at the base of the dam.