Submerged Water Column Power Generation System
AssigneeStephen Eric Knotts
InventorStephen Eric Knotts
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Abstract
Disclosed is a submerged power generation system. The system may include a hollow fluid flow column, substantially parallel with the direction of gravitational acceleration, a fluid inlet, and a fluid power generator in the hollow fluid column. The system may further include fluid outlets and a pump system at the end of the fluid column opposite from the inlet. Further, an electrical distribution cable or power distribution system in communication with said fluid power generator may also be integrated into the system. Various other power storage, generation, and distribution systems may be integrated into the system to further enhance the efficiency and capabilities of the hydroelectric power generation system.
Claims20
A power generation system, comprising:
- a hollow fluid flow column, substantially parallel with the direction of gravitational acceleration,
- a fluid inlet at one end of said hollow fluid flow column,
- at least one fluid power generator located in said hollow fluid flow column at a distance from said fluid inlet,
- at least one pump located in fluid communication with said hollow fluid flow column at a distance further from said fluid inlet than said fluid power generator,
- fluid outlets located in said hollow fluid flow column, that allow said at least one pump to pump a fluid out of said hollow fluid flow column after it has flowed past said fluid power generator, and
- an electrical distribution cable in communication with said fluid power generator and said at least one pump.
A submerged power generation system, the system comprising:
- a fluid column,
- a fluid inlet at one end of said fluid column,
- a fluid outlet at the other end of said column,
- a pump system inside said column,
- a fluid electrical power generation system inside said column,
- a power distribution and storage system connected to said fluid electrical power generation system, and
- a controller operable to activate said fluid electrical power generation system, operable to activate said pump system, and operable to control said power distribution and storage system.
A method of power generation, the method comprising the steps of:
- positioning a hollow fluid flow column such that it is substantially parallel to the direction of gravity,
- permitting a volume of fluid to flow into the inlet of said hollow fluid flow column,
- flowing said volume of fluid past at least one fluid power generator in said hollow fluid flow column, and
- pumping said volume of fluid out of said hollow fluid flow column after it flows past said at least one fluid power generator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.