TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates, generally, to the field of hydroelectric power generation systems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a power generation system that is able to generate electric power efficiently from non-flowing water of a water reservoir.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0003] Increasing population and technical advancement leads to increase in demand of power supply. Due to limitation of non-renewable energy sources, such as fossil fuel, nuclear energy etc., and serious negative effects on environment over consumption of such energy resources, there have arisen demands for provision of alternative sources of energy based on renewable power source. At present time, there is increasing interest in renewable sources of energy such as solar energy, wind energy, hydropower/water power and the likes.

[0004] Hydropower has been known as an efficient and clean source of energy for generating electric power. Hydropower or water power is power derived from the energy of falling water or fast running water, which may be harnessed for useful purposes. Conventional hydro-electric power plants are located adjacent to dams or natural waterfalls. Generally, these plants are located in remote locations where natural runoff is available or where a dam can be efficiently constructed and maintained. Jet of water under high pressure is discharged through pipes for running turbine wheels by means of which generators are driven and thereby electric power is generated.

[0005] However, the construction cost of conventional hydro-power plant is very high. Besides, such known hydro-power plant /hydro-electric power generation system typically require flooding of large area of land in order to create a sufficiently large reservoir, which leads to the natural environment destruction as well as geological destruction.

[0006] There is, therefore a need in art to provide an efficient power generation system that over comes the above mentioned limitations associated with the conventional hydropower plant. Further, there exists a need for improvement in art to provide an efficient and cost effective hydroelectric system that is able to generate electric power efficiently from non-flowing water of a water reservoir.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A general object of the present disclosure is to provide a power generation system for generating electric power from non-flowing water of a water reservoir for continuous supply of electric power.

[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a power generation system which provides a continuous supply of clean and renewable energy using water of a water reservoir such as pond.

[0009] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a power generation system that has high power generation efficiency as well as high capacity.

[0010] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a simple and cost effective system which can be easily implemented for generating electric power using water of a water reservoir.

[0011] These and other objects of the present disclosure will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY

[0012] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to hydroelectric power generation systems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a power generation system that is able to generate electric power efficiently from non-flowing water of a water reservoir.

[0013] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a power generation system that includes a vertically aligned first housing partially submerged in a body of water can be selected from any or a combination of an ocean, river, lake, canal, pond etc. The first housing includes a hollow interior and one or more openings on a side wall to receive water in the hollow interior from the body of water. The power generation system can include a first storage tank submerged in the body of water, a penstock hydraulically coupled between the first housing and the first storage tank to carry water from the first housing to the first storage tank, and a turbine configured with the penstock between the penstock and the first storage tank. The turbine can be coupled to a generator that generates electric power when the turbine is rotated by the water flowing through the penstock to the first storage tank from the first housing. [0014] In an embodiment, the power generation system can includes a vertically aligned second housing partially submerged in the body of water, and hydraulically connected to the first storage tank, and an inlet valve configured with an inlet opening of the second housing for regulating an amount of water flowing from the first storage tank to the second housing, and a pair of containers including a first container movably configured in a hollow interior of the second housing and a second container movably configured outside of second housing. The first container and the second container can be connected through a first moving mechanism, such as rope and pulley mechanism, to move relative to each other such that movement of one of the first container and the second container in any of an upward direction or a downward direction enables movement of other of the first container and the second container in other of the upward direction or the downward direction. The first container can be adapted to receive the water flowing from the first storage tank to the second housing when the first container is moved towards a lower end of the second housing, and release the received water from the first container in the body of water through an outlet opening of the second housing when the first container is moved towards an upper end of the second housing. An outlet valve can be configured with the outlet opening of the second housing for regulating an amount of water flowing from the first container to the body of water.

[0015] In an embodiment, the first container can be provided with an opening and a valve configured with the opening to control flow of water from the first container. A weight of the second container is less than a weight of the first container when the both containers are empty.

[0016] In an embodiment, the power generation system can include a second storage tank configured at a height above the second container. The second storage tank can be configured to release water in the second container though a first aperture of the second storage tank. In an embodiment, a combined weight of the second container with the received water is more than a combined weight of the first container with the received water, thereby enabling movement of the first container in the upward direction when the second container is filled with water received from the second storage tank.

[0017] In an embodiment, the second container can provided with an opening and a valve configured with the opening to control flow of the received water from the second container to the body of water.

[0018] In an embodiment, the power generation system can include a water pipe comprising a first vertical pipe portion partially submerge in the water body such that an upper end portion of the first vertical pipe portion is projected above the second storage tank to supply water in the second storage tank, a horizontal pipe portion and a second vertical pipe portion partially submerge in the water body. The first vertical pipe portion, horizontal pipe portion, and the second vertical pipe portion are hydraulically connected with each other. The water pipe can be U-shaped pipe. The first vertical pipe portion can include an opening and a valve configured with the opening to regulate flow of water from the body of water into the first vertical pipe portion. The second vertical pipe portion can include an opening and a valve configured with the opening to regulate flow of water from the body of water into the second vertical portion.

[0019] In an embodiment, the power generation system can include a piston member movably configured in the second vertical pipe portion such that when of the piston member moves towards a lower end of the second vertical pipe portion pushes received water in the water pipe to enable supply of received water in the second storage tank. The piston member can include an opening and a valve configured with the opening of the piston member.

[0020] In an embodiment, the power generation system can include an another pair of containers comprising a third container movably configured in the second vertical pipe portion and a fourth container movably configured outside of second vertical pipe portion. The third container and the fourth container can be connected through second moving mechanism, such as a rope and pulley mechanism, to move relative to each other such that movement of one of the third container and the fourth container in any of an upward direction or a downward direction enables movement of other of the third container and the fourth container in other of the upward direction or the downward direction.

[0021] In an embodiment, the third container can be adapted to receive the water flowing from the body of water to the second vertical pipe portion when the third container is moved towards an upper end of the vertical pipe portion.

[0022] In an embodiment, the third container can be configured with the piston member such that movement of the third container in the upward direction or the downward direction enables movement of the piston member in the upward direction or the downward direction respectively.

[0023] In an embodiment, a weight of the fourth container can be less than a weight of the third container when the both containers are empty.

[0024] In an embodiment, the third container can include an opening overlapping with the opening of the piston member to release the received water from the third container to the water pipe when the valve of the piston member is opened. [0025] In an embodiment, the fourth container can be configured to receive water from the second storage tank though a second aperture of the second storage tank. In an embodiment, a combined weight of the fourth container with the received water is more than a combined weight of the third container with the received water, thereby enabling movement of the third container in the upward direction when the fourth container is filled with the water received from the second storage tank.

[0026] In an embodiment, the fourth container can be provided with an opening and a valve configured with the opening to control flow of received water from the fourth container to the body of water.

[0027] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] In the figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.

[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary schematic diagram of the proposed power generation system for generating electric power from non-flowing water of a water reservoir, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIGs. 2A and 2B illustrate an exemplary working of the proposed power generation system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. [0032] While embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the invention is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as described in the claim.

[0033] Embodiments explained herein relate to hydroelectric power generation systems. More particularly, the present disclosure pertains to a power generation system that is able to generate electric power efficiently from non-flowing water of a water reservoir.

[0034] Referring to FIGs. 1 to 2B, the proposed power generation system 100 includes a vertically aligned first housing 102 partially submerged in a body of water 104. The body of water 104 can be selected from any or a combination of an ocean, river, lake, canal, pond etc. The first housing 102 includes a hollow interior and one or more openings 106 on a side wall of the first housing 102 to receive water in the hollow interior from the body of water 104. The first housing 102 can be covered from top using a lid 108. The power generation system 100 can include a first storage tank 110 submerged in the body of water 104, and a penstock 112 hydraulically coupled between the first housing 102 and the first storage tank 110 to carry water from the first housing 102 to the first storage tank 110. As shown in FIG. 1, the first storage tank 110 is located at a height lower than the height of the first housing 102. A turbine 114 is configured between the penstock 112 and the first storage tank 110. The turbine 114 can be coupled to a generator (not shown) that generates electric power when the turbine 114 is rotated by the water flowing through the penstock 112 to the first storage tank 110 from the first housing 102. Thus, the power generation system 100 facilitates generation of electric power from non-flowing water of the body of water.

[0035] In an embodiment, the power generation system 100 can includes a vertically aligned second housing 116 partially submerged in the body of water 104. The second housing 116 can be hydraulically connected to the first storage tank 110 through an inlet opening of the second housing 116. An inlet valve 118 can be configured with the inlet opening of the second housing 116 for regulating an amount of water flowing from the first storage tank 110 to the second housing 116. When the inlet valve 118 is opened, water can flow from the first storage tank 110 to the second housing 116 through the inlet opening of the second housing 116.

[0036] In an embodiment, the power generation system 100 can include a pair of containers including a first container 120 movably configured in a hollow interior of the second housing 116 and a second container 122 movably configured outside of second housing 116. The first container 120 and the second container 122 can be connected through a first moving mechanism, such as rope and pulley mechanism, 128 to move relative to each other such that movement of one of the first container 120 and the second container 122 in any of an upward direction or a downward direction enables movement of other of the first container 120 and the second container 122 in other of the upward direction or the downward direction. For example, when the second container 122 moves in the downward direction, the first container 120 moves in the upward direction, and vice versa.

[0037] In an embodiment, a weight of the second container 122 can be less than a weight of the first container 120 when the both containers are empty, this enables downward movement of the first container 120 when the both containers are empty.

[0038] The first container 120 can be adapted to receive the water flowing from the first storage tank 110 to the second housing 116 when the first container 120 is moved towards a lower end of the second housing 116 as shown in FIG. 1. The first container 120 can release the received water from the first container 120 in the body of water 104 through an outlet opening of the second housing 116 when the first container is moved towards an upper end of the second housing 116 as shown in FIG. 2A. An outlet valve 124 can be configured with the outlet opening of the second housing 116 for regulating an amount of water flowing through the outlet opening of the second housing 116 from the first container 120 to the body of water 104. For example, when the outlet valve 124 is opened, it allows flow of the water through the outlet opening of the second housing 116.

[0039] In an embodiment, the first container 120 can be provided with an opening and a valve 126 configured with the opening of the first container 120 to control flow of water from the first container 122.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 2A, a conduit 202 can be configured with the outlet opening of the second housing 116 to allow outflow of water from the first container 120 to the body of water 104.

[0041] In an embodiment, the power generation system 100 can include a second storage tank 130 configured at a height above the second container 122. The second storage tank 130can be configured to release water in the second container 122 though a first aperture of the second storage tank 130. A valve 132 can be configured with the first aperture of the second storage tank 130 to regulate flow of water through the first aperture of the second storage tank 130. [0042] In an embodiment, the second container 122 can include an opening and a valve 134 configured with the opening of the second container 122 to control flow of the received water from the second container 122 to the body of water 104.

[0043] In an embodiment, a combined weight of the second container 122 with the received water can be more than a combined weight of the first container 120 with the received water, thereby enabling movement of the first container in the upward direction when the second container is filled with water received from the second storage tank. A volume of the second container 122 can be more than a volume of the first container 120. The received water from the second container 122 can be released to the body of water 104 by opening the valve 134 to enable downward movement of the first container 120.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 1, in an embodiment, the power generation system 100 can include an air pipe 138 that can be couple to the first storage tank 110 at a lower end of the air pipe 138. An upper end of the air pipe 138 can be extended above the body of water 104 for releasing air present inside the first storage tank 110 into the atmosphere.

[0045] In an embodiment, the power generation system 100 can include a water pipe 140 that can include a first vertical pipe portion 142 partially submerge in the water body 104 such that an upper end portion of the first vertical pipe portionl42 is projected above the second storage tank 130 to supply water in the second storage tank 130, a horizontal pipe portion 144 and a second vertical pipe portion 146 partially submerge in the water body 104. The first vertical pipe portion 142, horizontal pipe portion 144, and the second vertical pipe portion 146 can be hydraulically connected with each other. The water pipe 140 can be Ilshaped pipe. The first vertical pipe portion 142 can include an opening and a valve 148 configured with the opening of the first vertical pipe portion 142 to regulate flow of water from the body of water 104 into the first vertical pipe portion 142. A valve 150 can be provided with an upper end opening of the first vertical pipe portion 142 to regulate flow of air and/or water through the upper end opening of the first vertical pipe portion 142.

[0046] The second vertical pipe portion 146 can include an opening and a valve 152 configured with the opening of the second vertical pipe portion 146 to regulate flow of water from the body of water 104 into the second vertical portion 146.

[0047] In an embodiment, the power generation system 100 can include a piston member 154 movably configured in the second vertical pipe portion 146 such that when of the piston member 154 moves towards a lower end of the second vertical pipe portion 146 pushes received water in the water pipe 140 to enable supply of received water in the second storage tank 130 though the upper end opening of the first vertical pipe portion 142. The piston member 154 can include an opening and a valve 156 configured with the opening of the piston member 154.

[0048] In an embodiment, the power generation system can include an another pair of containers comprising a third container 158 movably configured in the second vertical pipe portion 146 and a fourth container 160 movably configured outside of second vertical pipe portion 146. The third container 158 and the fourth container 160 can be connected through second moving mechanism, such as a rope and pulley mechanism, 162 to move relative to each other such that movement of one of the third container 158 and the fourth container 160 in any of an upward direction or a downward direction enables movement of other of the third container 158 and the fourth container 160 in other of the upward direction or the downward direction. For example, when the third container 158 moves in the downward direction, the fourth container 160 moves in the upward direction, and vice versa.

[0049] In an embodiment, the third container 158 can be adapted to receive the water flowing from the body of water 104 to the second vertical pipe portion 146 when the third container is moved towards an upper end of the vertical pipe portion 146.

[0050] In an embodiment, the third container 158 can be configured with the piston member 154 such that movement of the third container 158 in the upward direction or the downward direction enables movement of the piston member 154 in the upward direction or the downward direction respectively.

[0051] In an embodiment, a weight of the fourth container 160 can be less than a weight of the third container 158 when the both containers are empty.

[0052] In an embodiment, the third container 158 can include an opening (not shown) overlapping with the opening of the piston member 154 to release the received water from the third container 158 to the water pipe 140 when the valve 156 of the piston member 154 is opened.

[0053] In an embodiment, the fourth container 160 can be configured to receive water from the second storage tank 130 though a second aperture of the second storage tank 130. A valve 164 can be provided with the second aperture of the second storage tank 130 to regulate flow of the water through the second aperture of the second storage tank 130.

[0054] In an embodiment, a combined weight of the fourth container 160 with the received water can be more than a combined weight of the third container 158 with the received water, thereby enabling movement of the third container 158 in the upward direction when the fourth container 160 is filled with the water received from the second storage tank 130. A volume of the fourth container 160 can be more than a volume of the third container

158.

[0055] In an embodiment, the fourth container 160 can be provided with an opening and a valve 166 configured with the opening of the fourth container 160 to control flow of received water from the fourth container 160 to the body of water 104. Water from the fourth container 160 can be released by opening the valve 166, thereby enabling downward movement of the third container 158.

[0056] Thus, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the like represent conceptual views or processes illustrating systems and methods embodying this invention. The functions of the various elements shown in the figures may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing associated software. Similarly, any switches shown in the figures are conceptual only. Their function may be carried out through the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and dedicated logic, or even manually, the particular technique being selectable by the entity implementing this invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art further understand that the exemplary hardware, software, processes, methods, and/or operating systems described herein are for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limited to any particular named.

[0057] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0058] The present disclosure provides a power generation system for generating electric power from non-flowing water of a water reservoir for continuous supply of electric power.

[0059] The present disclosure provides a power generation system which provides a continuous supply of clean and renewable energy using water of a water reservoir, such as pond and the like.

[0060] The present disclosure provides a power generation system that has high power generation efficiency as well as high capacity. [0061] The present disclosure provides a simple and cost effective system which can be easily implemented for generating electric power using water of a water reservoir.