Fish passage apparatus with hydroelectric power generator and method

A power generator adapted to extract potential energy between upper and lower bodies of water, comprising,

• a connecting tube providing fluid communication between upper and lower water bodies,
• an upper valve in the connecting tube adapted to control flow of water to or from an upper water body, wherein the upper valve may be opened sufficiently quickly to result in a surge of water into the connecting and working tubes,
• a lower valve in the connecting tube adapted to control flow of water to or from a lower water body, wherein the lower valve may be opened sufficiently quickly to result in a surge of water out of the connecting and working tubes,
• a working tube opening into the connecting tube between the upper and lower valves a working portion of which extends functionally vertical to above a water level of the upper body of water and is vented at its top such that water can flow freely in and out of the working portion such that momentum in said surge of water results in a column of water in the working tube extending upward beyond a water level of the upper body of water when the lower and upper valves are closed and then the upper valve is opened, wherein the upper valve may be closed sufficiently quickly to maintain the column of water at a desired upper level,
• an electrical power generator operating in cooperation with the working tube and adapted to extract potential energy from the column of water in the working tube as the column of water moves when the upper and lower valves are suitably operated.

The method of generating electrical power from potential energy between upper and lower bodies of water, comprising the following steps:

• a. providing a connecting tube that provides fluid communication between upper and lower water bodies, an upper valve in the connecting tube adapted to control flow of water to or from an upper water body, a lower valve in the connecting tube adapted to control flow of water to or from a lower water body, a working tube opening into the connecting tube between the upper and lower valves a working portion of which extends functionally vertical to above a water level of the upper body of water and is vented at its top such that water can flow freely in and out of the working portion, and an electrical power generator operating in cooperation with the working tube and adapted to extract potential energy from water flowing out of the working tube;
• b. with the upper and lower valves closed, opening the upper valve sufficiently quickly to result in a surge of water into the connecting tube and into the working tube such that momentum in said surge of water results in a column of water in the working tube;
• c. closing the upper valve sufficiently quickly to maintain the column of water at a desired upper level in the working tube;
• d. with the upper valve closed, opening the lower valve to allow water to flow out of the working tube
• e. generating electrical power in cooperation with said electrical power generator as water moves in the working tube;
• f. closing the lower valve;
• g. repeating steps a through e.

The method of providing a fish passage between upper and lower bodies of water, comprising the following steps:

• a. providing a connecting tube that provides fluid communication between upper and lower water bodies, an upper valve in the connecting tube adapted to control flow of water to or from an upper water body, a lower valve in the connecting tube adapted to control flow of water to or from a lower water body, a working tube opening into the connecting tube between the upper and lower valves a working portion of which extends functionally vertical to above a water level of the upper body of water and is vented at its top such that water can flow freely in and out of the working portion;
• b. with the upper and lower valves closed, opening the upper valve sufficiently quickly to result in a surge of water into the connecting tube and into the working tube such that momentum in said surge of water results in an oscillating column of water in the working tube and therein establishing an upper fish migration condition during which condition fish may swim upward through the connecting tube and into the upper body of water and fish may swim from the upper body of water into the connecting tube;
• c. closing the upper valve to end the upper fish migration condition and maintain the column of water at a desired upper level in the working tube;
• d. with the upper valve closed, opening the lower valve to allow water to flow out of the working tube with the water level in the working tube stabilizing at the water level of the lower body of water therein establishing a lower fish migration condition;
• e. maintaining the lower fish migration condition a desired period of time to allow fish migrating downstream to exit the connection tube at its lower end or to allow fish migrating upstream to enter the connection tube at its lower end;
• f. closing the lower valve;
• g. repeating steps a through f.