Hydro-mechanical electric power generator and method of generating electric power

An electric power generator comprising:

• (a) first and second chambers movable up and down inside two columns of water respectively in opposite directions, each chamber comprising a top wall having an air outlet covered by a pressure valve, and a bottom wall having a plurality of apertures serving as both water inlets and outlets;
• (b) an electric generator drivably connected to first and second chains from which the first and second chambers are hung respectively;
• (c) an upper electric holding device provided at top of each column of water for holding the chamber therein at the top where its pressure valve is opened, water is drawn into the chamber through the apertures and air is expelled out of the chamber through the air outlet, and for releasing the chamber thereby allowing it to drop by gravity to the bottom of the column of water and pull the chain to drive the electric generator;
• and
• (d) a lower electric holding device provided at the bottom of each column of water for holding the chamber therein at the bottom where its pressure valve is closed, air is pumped into the chamber and water is expelled out of the chamber through the apertures, and for releasing the chamber thereby allowing it to float by buoyancy to the top of the column of water;
• (e) whereby continuous up and down movement of the first and second chambers in opposite directions alternately and continuously drives the electric generator to generate electric power;
• wherein the generator further comprises:
• (f) a plurality of ear loops formed around the periphery of each chamber and a plurality of vertical guide posts formed inside each water tank, the vertical guide posts being inserted through corresponding ear loops for slidable engagement therewith.

A method of generating electric power comprising the steps of:

• (a1) providing a first chamber movable up and down inside a first water tank, the first chamber comprising a top wall having an air outlet covered by a first pressure valve, and a bottom wall having a plurality of apertures serving as both water inlets and outlets;
• (b1) providing an electric generator drivably connected to a first chain from which the first chamber is hung;
• (c1) providing upper and lower electric holding devices at top and bottom of the first water tank respectively for holding or releasing the first chamber;
• (d1) de-activating the upper electric holding device of the first water tank that is holding the first chamber at the top of the first water tank, thereby allowing the first chamber to drop by gravity to the bottom of the first water tank and pull the first chain to drive the electric generator and generate electric power;
• (e1) activating the lower electric holding device of the first water tank to hold the first chamber at the bottom of the first water tank, and pumping air into the first chamber thereby expelling water out of the first chamber through the apertures;
• (f1) de-activating the lower electric holding device of the first water tank thereby allowing the first chamber to float by buoyancy back to the top of the first water tank;
• (g1) activating the upper electric holding device of the first water tank to hold the first chamber at the top of the first water tank, and opening the first pressure valve thereby drawing water into the first chamber through the apertures and expelling air out of the first chamber through the air outlet;
• and
• (h1) repeating the steps (d1) to (g1);
• further comprising the steps of:
• (a2) providing a second chamber movable up and down inside a second water tank, the second chamber comprising a top wall having an air outlet covered by a pressure valve, and a bottom wall having a plurality of apertures serving as both water inlets and outlets;
• (b2) drivably connecting the electric generator to a second chain from which the second chamber is hung;
• (c2) providing upper and lower electric holding devices at top and bottom of the second water tank respectively for holding or releasing the second chamber;
• (d2) de-activating the upper electric holding device of the second water tank that is holding the second chamber at the top of the second water tank, thereby allowing the second chamber to drop by gravity to the bottom of the second water tank and pull the second chain to drive the electric generator and generate electric power;
• (e2) activating the lower electric holding device of the second water tank to hold the second chamber at the bottom of the second water tank, and pumping air into the second chamber through the air inlet provided at the bottom of the second water tank thereby expelling water out of the second chamber through the apertures;
• (f2) de-activating the lower electric holding device of the second water tank thereby allowing the second chamber to float by buoyancy back to the top of the second water tank;
• (g2) activating the upper electric holding device of the second water tank to hold the second chamber at the top of the second water tank, and opening the second pressure valve thereby drawing water into the second chamber through the apertures and expelling air out of the second chamber through the air outlet;
• (h2) repeating the steps (d2) to (g2) such that the continuous up and down movement of the first and second chambers in opposite directions alternately and continuously drive the electric generator to generate electric power;
• and
• (i) providing a plurality of ear loops formed around the periphery of each chamber and a plurality of vertical guide posts formed inside each water tank, the vertical guide posts being inserted through corresponding ear loops for slidable engagement therewith.