IL284613A - Underwater power generation system - Google Patents

Description

UNDERWATER POWER GENERATION SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to renewable energy power generation and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to an underwater power generation system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Renewable energy is energy that is collected from renewable resources which are naturally replenished such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves, and geothermal heat. Throughout the world, the most popular resources are the sunlight and the wind.

Solar power is the conversion of energy from sunlight into electricity, either directly using photovoltaics (PV), indirectly using concentrated solar power, or a combination. Concentrated solar power systems use lenses or mirrors and solar tracking systems to focus a large area of sunlight into a small beam.

Wind power or wind energy is the use of wind to provide mechanical power through wind turbines to turn electric generators for electrical power. Wind farms consist of many individual wind turbines, which are connected to the electric power transmission network.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An aspect of the present invention relates to a power generation system submerged underwater in a body of water. The system includes a rotating mechanism and a plurality of floatation devices attached to the rotating mechanism, the flotation devices configured to be inflated and deflated. The system additionally includes a base anchored to the ground underwater to support the rotating mechanism, and an electric generator connected to the rotating mechanism. Optionally, the rotating mechanism is oriented perpendicular to the water surface.

In some embodiments, the rotating mechanism includes a plurality of floatation device support elements radially extending outwards from a central rotation unit. Optionally, the floatation device support elements include pipes with conduits. Optionally, the central rotation unit includes a rotating disc configured to rotate and to which the floatation support elements are attached.

In some embodiments, the system includes a means to inflate and deflate the plurality of floating devices. The means may include an air compressor or an air pump.

In some embodiments, the system includes a controller to control inflating and deflating the plurality of floatation devices according to a predetermined sequence.

In some embodiments, the system includes a drive shaft support structure attached to the rotating mechanism and configured to impart rotational motion to a drive shaft connected to the generator.

In some embodiments, the system includes a transfer mechanism to connect between air conduits leading to floating devices being inflated and floating devices being deflated. Optionally, the transfer mechanism includes valves controlling access to air flow conduits leading to each one of the plurality of floatation devices.

In some embodiments, the system includes a central air reservoir for storing air for inflating the plurality of floating devices according to a predetermined sequence. Optionally, the central air reservoir stores air from deflated floatation devices.

In some embodiments, the body of water is the sea. Alternatively, the body of water is a lake or a pond. Alternatively, the body of water is a pool.

In some embodiments, the rotating mechanism includes conduits leading to the plurality of floating devices and configured to allow air flow to the floating devices. Optionally, the conduits are further configured to allow air flow from the floating devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Details shown are for exemplary purposes and serve to provide a discussion of embodiments of the invention. The description and the drawings may be apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced.

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a front view of an exemplary underwater power generation system below the water surface, according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 schematically illustrates a side view of an exemplary underwater power generation system below the water surface, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 3 schematically illustrates an exemplary generator drive shaft support structure, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (20)

1. A power generation system submerged underwater in a body of water comprising: a rotating mechanism; a plurality of floatation devices attached to said rotating mechanism, said flotation devices configured to be inflated and deflated; a base anchored to the ground underwater to support said rotating mechanism; and an electric generator connected to said rotating mechanism.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said rotating mechanism comprises a plurality of floatation device support elements radially extending outwards from a central rotation unit.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said floatation device support elements comprise pipes with conduits.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein said central rotation unit comprises a rotating disc configured to rotate, and to which said floatation support elements are attached.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a means to inflate and deflate saidplurality of floating devices.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said means comprise an air compressor.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein said means comprise an air pump.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising a controller to control inflating anddeflating said plurality of floatation devices according to a predetermined sequence.

9. The system of claim 1 further comprising a drive shaft attached to said generator.

10. The system of claim 1 further comprising a drive shaft support structure attached to said rotating mechanism and configured to impart rotational motion to a drive shaft connected to said generator.

11. The system of claim 1 further comprising a transfer mechanism to connect between air conduits leading to floating devices being inflated and floating devices being deflated.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said transfer mechanism comprises valves controlling access to air flow conduits leading to each of said plurality of floatation devices.

13. The system of claim 1 further comprising a central air reservoir for storing air for inflating said plurality of floating devices according to a predetermined sequence.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein said central air reservoir stores air from deflated floatation devices.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein said rotating mechanism is oriented perpendicular to the water surface.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein the body of water comprises the sea.

17. The system of claim 1 wherein the body of water comprises a lake or a pond.

18. The system of claim 1 wherein the body of water comprises a pool.

19. The system of claim 1 wherein said rotating mechanism comprises conduitsleading said plurality of floating devices and configured to allow air flow to the floating devices.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein said conduits are further configured to allow air flow from the floating devices.