The present invention relates to a device for generating green power via hydropower.

The current green energy generation can be divided into two categories, generation according to a chemical process or electrolysis, such as solar panels for example, and mechanical or physical transmission via mass, either water or air (gases) . With mechanical generation use is made of turbines, which due to the pressure of the mass used and combined with the speed of it makes a turbine turn to thus generate electricity. However, a disadvantage is that a large proportion of the available mass escapes through the space between the vanes such that a lot of available kinetic energy is lost.

A practical example of this can be found in sailing ships. A sailing ship with a sail area of 100m ² will set the ship in motion with the slightest air displacement. Should this same vessel be equipped with a wind turbine of 100m ² diameter it will barely be able to generate enough energy, even at high wind speeds, to make the vessel move. With water a comparable application is not yet known to date.

Disadvantages of wind turbines are as follows: no permanent supply of energy, many inconvenient factors such as pollution of the horizon, cast shadow and noise nuisance, harmful raw materials (plastic) in the production of the vanes, interference with radar systems, damage to fauna, in coastal zones very hazardous for busy sea routes, pollution of the horizon and take up a lot of space per Watt/hour supplied. Disadvantages of solar panels are: no permanent supply of energy, polluting production method and aesthetic pollution of roofs of homes. Disadvantages of offshore systems with wave power or high and low tide are: no permanent supply of energy, very complex constructions with limited efficiency, lots of damage due to acts of nature in stormy weather, monopolise coastal strips and interfere with shipping, fishing and water sport recreation. Belgium only has 65km of coastal strip, interrupted by three seaports. The disadvantages of dams are: limited locations, there are few places in the world for new dams, disturbs fauna and nature, takes up enormous areas and cannot meet the demand for electricity despite their enormous volume of water that is needed for this.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a solution to one or more of the aforementioned and/or other disadvantages . To this end the invention concerns a device for generating green power via hydropower, comprising a reservoir for the storage of water provided with a closable supply with a pool and outlet, whereby the reservoir comprises a chamber provided with a bowl movably arranged inside the chamber, with the bowl provided with a closable supply valve for the supply or removal of water, such that the empty bowl releases kinetic energy via an upward force when filling the chamber, and that, when a certain height of the bowl is reached in the chamber, the bowl filled with water releases kinetic energy under the force of gravity upon the downward movement of the discharge of the water from the chamber, whereby the released kinetic energy is mechanically collected and converted into electricity. The device is installed as a link between a higher located pool and a lower located zone for the removal of water. An important advantage is that, depending on the location and capacity, it can supply electricity 24/24 and can satisfy supply and demand. The operation is 100% environmentally friendly. While a turbine makes use of the speed and a fraction of the mass, the device according to the invention makes use of the mass and a fraction of the speed .

Other advantages of the device according to the invention, called a massbine, are: permanent energy release available and preplanned generation, 100% environmentally friendly without disturbing effects on the environment and fauna, limited space requirement, infinitely many location possibilities, environmentally-friendly raw materials for production of installation and equipment, simple maintenance, not subject to damage from forces of nature, by laying pipelines similar massbines can be installed, less load on the electricity grid.

Within the chamber an empty bowl is pushed upwards by filling the chamber with water located above. The force that is exerted, upon the immersion of the bowl, will emit energy through a turning motion via a mechanical coupling.

When the maximum height of the bowl is reached, it will be filled from underneath with the thrust water and acts as ballast. When discharging the thrust water the bowl will start a downward movement whereby the ballast will produce the same force when descending. The device according to the invention can be installed in the near vicinity of an extensive pool with a substantial height difference. The height of the chamber is proportional to the height difference of the pool. The cross-section of the chamber depends on the application, square, rectangular or circular.

In a preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention, the connection of the chamber to the pool can be done along the underside of the chamber for a water supply according to the principle of communicating vessels, or by siphoning along the top.

In a preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention, one or more vertical racks and pinions are provided on the inside of the chamber to guide the movable bowl .

In a preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention the pinion is mounted parallel to and outside the edge of the movable bowl.

In a preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention, the pinion is connected to the rack so that the bowl can transmit the upward and downward force produced to the gearbox.

In a preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention, the pinion is connected to a transmission system that can produce the necessary turning motion for driving a coupled generator. In a specific embodiment of a device according to the invention, a number of devices are installed in series. The water is entirely or partially supplied and/or removed between two devices installed in series.

The invention also concerns the use of a device for application in the vicinity of a mountain lake, lock complex, coastal region or estuary, industrial high-rise building, dam, building or extensive pool with a substantial height difference.

The device according to the invention can be used in the vicinity of the following locations for example: lake in the mountains, lock complex, coastal region or estuary, nearby industrial high-rise building, dam or other locations where a connection is possible to higher located pools .

In the presence of buildings with a large area and height, an above-ground collection reservoir for rainwater is provided with a content that is many times greater than the volume of the stuwbine. This collection reservoir can also be regarded as a collection basin in flood sensitive regions .

In coastal regions or estuaries that are subject to high or low tide, basins can be provided to collect high water at high tide. With the connection of a number of devices according to the invention, they can each be set in operation in turn to thus generate continuously. The thrust water carried away is collected in an empty receiving basin, which in turn can empty at low tide. The construction of one or more devices according to the invention in an existing dam can yield a high efficiency in view of the large heights that enable a long and faster cycle, which favours the efficiency of a generator. When discharging the thrust water, a conventional turbine can be provided as an extra. This method can substantially increase the total capacity of a dam.

The invention further concerns a method for generating green power via hydropower comprising the following steps: a) the chamber is empty and the empty bowl (with closed supply valve) is at the bottom of the chamber, b) the chamber is filled with thrust water such that the bowl is pushed upwards and floats, c) the pinion is brought into motion such that a generator is driven via a transmission system, d) at the maximum height the supply valve of the bowl is opened so that the bowl fills with ballast water after which the supply valve is closed, e) when discharging the thrust water from the chamber, the filled bowl descends due to the force of gravity such that a generator is driven via a transmission system, and f) ballast water is discharged from the bowl when it is at the bottom of the chamber . In a specific embodiment of a device according to the invention, the thrust water of a first device is entirely or partially discharged into a second device installed in series . With the intention of better showing the characteristics of the invention, a preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention for the <title> is described hereinafter by way of an example without any limiting nature, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: figures 1 to 3 show a preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention in different stages of operation; figures 4 to 13 show an embodiment of a device according to the invention in series, and this in different phases 1 to 10; figure 14 shows an embodiment of a device according to the invention along a mountain slope, figures 15 and 16 show an embodiment of a device according to the invention in the vicinity of rivers, figure 17 shows an embodiment of a device according to the invention at the side of a building, and figure 18 shows an embodiment of a device according to the invention in the vicinity of a dam.

The device as shown in figures 1 to 3 comprises a vertical chamber 4 with a closable supply 2 for thrust water and a closable outlet 10. Inside the chamber there is a movable bowl 3 that is provided with an inlet valve and outlet valve for ballast water. In the empty condition the bowl 3 exerts a force and in the filled condition moves downwards due to the force of gravity.

The connection of the chamber 4 to the pool can be done along the underside of the chamber for the water supply 2 according to the principle of communicating vessels, or via siphoning along the top.

An outlet valve 10 is provided at the bottom of the chamber 4 for removing the thrust water and ballast water. On the inside of the chamber 4, one or more vertical racks 5 and pinions 6 are provided to guide the movable bowl 3.

Inside the chamber 4 there is a movable bowl 3 with an assembly of a pinion 6 on top, installed parallel to the bowl and just outside the edge of the bowl. The pinion 6 is in turn connected to a gearbox or transmission system that can produce the necessary turning motion to drive a coupled generator. On top of the bowl 3 there is a gondola 7 that is provided with a gearbox and generator. A roll-up lead 8 ensures the electricity supply. A braking system is provided on the shaft between the pinion and the gearbox to keep the speed of rotation under control. The pinion 6 is connected to the rack 5 so that the bowl 3 can transmit the upward and downward force produced to the gearbox .

The movable bowl is provided with an inlet valve and outlet valve 9 that must enable the bowl 3 to be filled with thrust water 11 that will act as ballast water 12.

The operation is as follows. At the start the chamber 4 is empty and the empty bowl 3 is at the bottom of the chamber 4 with a closed supply valve 9. The empty bowl 3 is connected to a rack 5 that is fastened to the inside of the chamber 4 and to a pinion 6 that is fastened to the movable bowl 3. Due to the height difference of the water buffer zone 1, the chamber 4 will fill up with thrust water. This can be done along the underside of the chamber 4 via the system of communicating vessels, or along the top via siphoning. As a result, the empty movable bowl 3 (with closed valves 9) will move upwards by means of a force and will float. Once the floating power has been reached, the pressure on the pinion 6 will increase and finally set the pinion 6 into motion. The pinion 6 will in turn set a combination of gearwheels into motion that drive a generator for the generation of electricity.

As soon as the empty bowl 3 has reached the top of the column the supply valve 9 will be opened so that the bowl 3 fills with the necessary ballast water 12 and the valve 9 is then closed. The thrust water 11 is discharged such that the bowl 3 will descend. An upward force of water on an empty bowl 3 and a downward force of gravity on a filled bowl 3 will drive a transmission system, which in turn can drive a generator to generate power. The chamber 4 is provided with an outlet 10 at the lowest point. As soon as the bowl 3 rests on the bottom of the chamber 4, the ballast water 12 can be discharged and the cycle can recommence .

The connection of the chamber 4 to the pool can be done in two ways. If a connection along the underside is not possible, the thrust water 11 will be supplied by siphoning along the top. Preferably the device will be connected to the pool 1 along the underside, so that the chamber 4 can fill up according to the principle of communicating vessels . The driving force consists of thrust water 11 and ballast water 12. Thrust water 11 is the water that is supplied via the underside or by siphoning along the top and will thus exert a force on the vessel (float) that is equal to the weight of the displaced liquid according to Archimedes law. The ballast water 12 is a fraction of the thrust water that will be added to the floating vessel once it has reached the highest point, and that, after removing the thrust water, will implement a downward movement resulting in a drive due to the force of gravity.

If interruptions to the emission of the generated power occur (when siphoning the ballast water or at the start of the process) it is possible to have two or more devices according to the invention to operate in series so that a guaranteed continuous electricity supply will be possible.

The device as shown in figures 4 to 13 comprises three devices A, B, C according to the invention installed in series. Figures 4 to 13 respectively show phases 1 to 10. In phase 1 the chamber 4 of device A fills up and produces a force on the bowl 3. In phase 2 half of the water of device A is removed and supplied to the chamber 4 of device B. A force is thus produced on the bowl 3 of device B. In phase 3 the other half of the water of device A is supplied to device C and produces a force on the bowl 3 of device C.

In phase 4 device B is further filled with extra thrust water and produces a force on bowl 3 of device B. Device B overflows to device C in phase 5 until both are filled to the same level. The bowl 3 of device C produces a force. In phase 6 device C is filled with extra thrust water and generates a force on the bowl 3 of device C.

Device A releases the water in phase 7 and produces a force of gravity. In phase 8 device B siphons water to device A until they are both filled to the same level. A force is generated on the bowl 3 in device A. Device C siphons water to device A in phase 9 until both are at the same level. In phase 10 all water is discharged from the three devices and the bowls 3 of devices A, B and C are lowered.

Figure 14 shows a number of devices according to the invention that are installed in series along a mountain slope with a lake at the top of the slope.

Figures 15 and 16 show the use of a device according to the invention in the vicinity of rivers whereby the water level of the one river 13 is higher than that of the other river 14. A dike is provided between the two rivers with a road 15 thereon, and also a grassland 16 and a pool 17. Between the two water levels there is a device according to the invention .

Figure 17 shows the application of a few devices according to the invention on the side of a building whereby a buffer zone is provided on the roof for rainwater.

Figure 18 shows a device according to the invention in the vicinity of a dam whereby the water of the reservoir is used as thrust water.

The present invention is by no means limited to the embodiment described as an example and shown in the drawings, but a device according to the invention for generating green power can be realised in many forms and dimensions without departing from the scope of the invention .