WO2017163215A1

WO2017163215A1 - Hydroelectric plant

Info

Publication number: WO2017163215A1
Application number: PCT/IB2017/051708
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tonino TEODORI
Original assignee: Teodori Tonino
Priority date: 2016-03-24
Filing date: 2017-03-24
Publication date: 2017-09-28
Also published as: ITUA20161962A1

Abstract

Hydroelectric power plant, installed in a basin containing a fluid, comprising an electric power generation section configured to transform a rotary motion of at least one turbine driven by the fluid flow into electric energy. The fluid coming from the electric power generation section is then conveyed to a discharge section discharging the fluid into the same basin. The discharge section comprises a cylinder rotatable around a transverse axis, within which cylinder two pistons integrally coupled to each other are configured to slide, thanks to the hydrostatic force, which pistons create two respective varying volume chambers wherein is alternatively stored the fluid coming from the electric power generation section and from which the stored fluid is discharged into the basin; the sliding of the pistons within the cylinder achieve an unbalance of the same cylinder and the rotation of the latter around its own transverse axis, offering to the fluid coming from the electric power generation section a continuous discharge path towards the basin and, consequently, ensuring continuity of the fluid flow in the electric power generation section and of the electric power generation.

Description

HYDROELECTRIC PLANT

* * *

The present invention refers to a hydroelectric power plant, i.e. to a plant for the production of electric energy, that, exploiting the hydrostatic force (according to the Archimedes' principle) produced in any natural or artificial basin containing a fluid, allows to produce electric energy in an efficient, reliable, versatile, and inexpensive way with a low environmental impact.

Although the present invention is described by mainly making reference to a basin containing water, however it must be noted that the hydroelectric power plant according to the invention may be installed in a natural or artificial basin containing any fluid (e.g. industrial oil), and the size of the basin and hydroelectric power plant are not essential features for the invention (i.e. the hydroelectric power plant may have any size and/or may be installed in a basin having any size, provided that it is sufficient to house the hydroelectric power plant), still remaining within the scope of the present invention as defined by the attached claims.

It is known that all countries in the world have an increasing need for electric energy, and that in the last decades the demand for production of sustainable electric energy and with low environmental impact is increased.

In such context, some solutions have been recently proposed which employ at least partially submerged hydroelectric power plants, such as for instance the ones disclosed in documents WO 2012/021951 Al and US 2014/0191509 Al, which require the presence of submerged air chambers and/or submerged vacuum chambers.

However, such solutions of at least partially submerged hydroelectric power plants suffer from some drawbacks, due to their complexity and poor efficiency of energy production.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an at least partially submerged hydroelectric power plant allowing to produce electric energy in an efficient, reliable, versatile, and inexpensive way with a low environmental impact.

It is specific subject matter of the present invention a hydroelectric power plant configured to be installed in a basin containing a fluid, the hydroelectric power plant comprising an electric power generation unit configured to transform a rotary motion of at least one turbine into electric energy, wherein said at least one turbine is housed in a main chamber provided with an inlet duct, configured to convey fluid to said at least one turbine so as to make the latter rotate, and with a first and second outlet ducts, a first and second hollow rotation arms being rotatably coupled to the first and second outlet ducts, respectively, the hydroelectric power station further comprising a cylinder divided into a first and second portions separated from each other by a dividing baffle integrally internally coupled to the cylinder, the dividing baffle comprising a first and second mouths coaxial to each other, to which the first and second rotation arms are integrally coupled, respectively, wherein the dividing baffle is shaped so as to put the first rotation arm in communication exclusively with the first portion of the cylinder through the first mouth, and the second rotation arm in communication exclusively with the second portion of the cylinder through the second mouth, whereby the first and second rotation arms operate as rotation pivots of the cylinder around a transverse axis of the latter, wherein the first outlet duct, the first hollow rotation arm, the first mouth and the first portion of the cylinder are part of a first assembly of channels, and the second outlet duct, the second hollow rotation arm, the second mouth and the second portion of the cylinder are part of a second assembly of channels, the hydroelectric power plant still comprising on the first and second assemblies of channels, respectively, a first and second solenoid valves, which are configured to be opened alternatively to each other, and a first and second discharge valves, which are configured to be opened alternatively to each other and positioned downstream, respectively, of the first and second solenoid valves, the first and second solenoid valves being configured to put the main chamber in communication with, respectively, the first and second portions of the cylinder, the first and second discharge valves being configured to put the first and second portions of the cylinder, respectively, in communication with the basin, the hydroelectric power plant further comprising a first and second pistons spaced apart from each other through one or more spacer elements, wherein the first and second pistons and said one or more spacer elements are part of a movable structure, wherein the first and second pistons are configured to slide within the first and second portions of the cylinder, respectively, between a first position, at which the first piston is at a first maximum distance from the dividing baffle and the second piston is at a first minimum distance from the dividing baffle, and a second position, at which the first piston is at a second minimum distance from the dividing baffle and the second piston is at a second maximum distance from dividing baffle, wherein the cylinder is configured to assume:

- a first orientation, at which the first solenoid valve and the second discharge valve are opened, and the first and second pistons are configured to slide from the first position to the second position driven by a hydrostatic force acting on said movable structure of which the first and second pistons and said one or more spacer elements are part, and a second orientation, at which the second solenoid valve and the first discharge valve are opened, and the first and second pistons are configured to slide from the second position to the first position driven by a hydrostatic force acting on said movable structure of which the first and second pistons and said one or more spacer elements are part.

Consequently, when the hydroelectric power plant is used for generating electric energy, the first and second pistons are configured to create two respective variable volume chambers in which the fluid coming from the main chamber is alternatively stored and from which the previously stored fluid is discharged into the basin, so that the cylinder is substantially unbalanced (at most it is in an unstable equilibrium configuration easily perturbable by minimal perturbations, such as for instance fluid currents) when it assumes the first orientation and the first and second pistons are in the second position or when it assumes the second orientation and the first and second pistons are in the first position.

According to another aspect of the invention, the main chamber may be further provided with an aeration duct configured to put the main chamber in communication with the outside of the basin above a surface of the fluid exposed to the outside.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the aeration duct may be optionally equipped with a float.

According to an additional aspect of the invention, the dividing baffle may be centrally disposed along a height of the cylinder.

According to another aspect of the invention, the first and second hollow rotation arms may be rotatably coupled to the first and second outlet ducts through respective sealed rotation joints.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the first and second solenoid valves may be positioned:

on the first and second outlet ducts, respectively, whereby the first and second discharge valves are positioned on the first and second outlet ducts, respectively, or on the first and second hollow rotation arms, respectively; or

on the first and second hollow rotation arms, whereby the first and second discharge valves are positioned on the first and second rotation hollow arms, respectively.

According to an additional aspect of the invention, the first and second discharge valves may be positioned on the first and second hollow rotation arms, respectively, and the first and second discharge valves may be each a mechanical valve provided with a falling piston, that is movable between a first position closing a hole of the respective rotation arm, and a second position opening the hole of the respective rotation arm, wherein the piston is movable between the first and the second position when subjected to a weight force.

According to another aspect of the invention, the first and second solenoid valves may be controlled by an electronic control unit on the basis of detections of an orientation assumed by the cylinder and/or detections of an orientation assumed by the first and/or second rotation arms with respect to the first and/or second outlet ducts and/or detections of a position assumed by the first and/or second pistons inside the cylinder.

According to a further aspect of the invention, said one or more spacer elements may comprise a plurality of connecting bars integrally coupled to a first and second plates integrally coupled to the first and second pistons, respectively, in correspondence of respective ends of the latter which are directed towards the outside of the cylinder.

According to an additional aspect of the invention, the connecting bars may be optionally symmetrically distributed about a longitudinal axis of the cylinder.

According to another aspect of the invention, the first and/or second plates may be provided with one or more propellers configured to at least partially control a rotation of the cylinder.

According to a further aspect of the invention, said one or more propellers may be optionally rotatable about an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cylinder.

According to an additional aspect of the invention, the hydroelectric power plant may further comprise a supporting frame through which the hydroelectric power plant is configured to be installed in the basin in such a way that the main chamber is positioned in the basin at a first depth from a surface of the fluid exposed to the outside and that the dividing baffle is positioned in the basin at a second depth, greater than the first depth, from the surface of the fluid exposed to the outside.

According to another aspect of the invention, the supporting frame may optionally comprise supporting bars provided with bushings within which the first and second rotation arms are configured to rotate.

The present invention exploits the hydrostatic thrust (or hydrostatic force or buoyancy force) according to the Archimedes' principle produced in any natural or artificial basin containing a fluid to cause a continuous flow of the same fluid towards at least one turbine that is rotated by the fluid thrust; since said at least one turbine is coupled to a corresponding alternator that transforms the rotary motion into electric energy, this allows the continuity of operation of the electric energy generation. By way of example, and not by way of limitation, the fluid may be fresh water or seawater.

In particular, the hydroelectric power plant according to the invention comprises a electric energy generation section configured to transform the rotary motion of (at least) one turbine pushed by the flow of the fluid into electric energy. The fluid (e.g. water) coming from the electric energy generation section is then conveyed in a discharge section that discharges the fluid into the same basin. The discharge section comprises a cylinder rotatable around a transverse axis, in which cylinder two pistons integrally coupled to each other are configured to slide, thanks to the hydrostatic force, creating two respective variable volume chambers in which the fluid coming from the electric energy generation section is alternatively stored and from which the stored fluid is discharged into the basin; the sliding of the pistons within the cylinder allows to unbalance the same cylinder and to rotate the latter around its own transverse axis, offering a continuous discharge path towards the basin to the fluid coming from the electric energy generation section and, consequently, ensuring the continuity of the flow of the fluid in the electric energy generation section and of the electric energy generation. Advantageously, the turbine is positioned in the basin at a first depth from the fluid surface exposed to the outside, and the discharge section is positioned in the basin at a second depth, higher than the first depth, from the fluid surface exposed to the outside.

The advantages obtained with the hydroelectric power plant according to the invention are numerous.

First of all, it allows to produce electric energy by exploiting a sustainable energy source, in the sense that it is not consumed during electric energy generation.

Moreover, the hydroelectric power plant according to the invention is ecological and has a very low environmental impact, also noting that, when it is installed in a natural basin, the landscape impact is neglectable.

Furthermore, the hydroelectric power plant according to the invention is capable to produce electric energy in an efficient, reliable, versatile (e.g., it may have large size or even small size), and inexpensive way.

The present invention will be now described, by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, according to its preferred embodiments, by particularly referring to the Figures of the annexed drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a longitudinal cross-section view of a first embodiment of the hydroelectric power plant according to the invention in three configurations in each of which the cylinder assumes the first orientation and the first and second pistons are respectively in the first position (Fig. la), in an intermediate position (Fig. lb), and in the second position (Fig. lc);

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a portion of the hydroelectric power plant of Figure 1 in the configuration of Figure lc (Fig. 2a) and in three further configurations in each of which the first and second pistons are in the second position and the cylinder assumes a first intermediate orientation (Fig. 2b), a second intermediate orientation (Fig. 2c), and the second orientation (Fig. 2d);

Figure 3 shows a cross-section view (Fig. 3a), a first perspective top view (Fig. 3b) and a second perspective bottom view (Fig. 3c) of the dividing baffle of the cylinder of the hydroelectric power plant of Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a longitudinal cross-section view (Fig. 4a) and a perspective view (Fig. 4b) in closed configuration, as well as a longitudinal cross-section view (Fig. 4c) and a perspective view (Fig. 4d) in open configuration, of one of the two mechanical valves of the hydroelectric power plant of Figure 1;

Figure 5 shows a portion of an assembly of channels of a second embodiment of the hydroelectric power plant according to the invention; and

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a portion of a third embodiment of the hydroelectric power plant according to the invention.

In the Figures identical reference numerals will be used for alike elements.

Making reference to Figure 1, a preferred embodiment of the hydroelectric power plant according to the invention that is installed in a basin containing water may be observed. The hydroelectric power plant comprises an electric power generation unit comprising a turbine 30, coupled to an alternator (not shown) transforming the rotary motion of the turbine into electric energy, that is housed within the upper part of a main chamber 3 that is in submerged position, optionally positioned slightly below the water surface 210 exposed to the outside. An inlet duct 1 is configured to convey the water on the blades of the turbine 30 so that the water flow makes the turbine rotate. Conventional components (possibly comprising a transformer) necessary to adapt and/or transmit and/or store the electric energy generated by the alternator are connected downstream of the latter. The main chamber 3 is kept at atmospheric pressure through an aeration duct 14, provided in the (upper) end part with a float thanks to which the aeration duct 14 is always free and in communication with the outside even in presence of possible swell, whereby the aeration duct 14 is configured to put the main chamber 3 in communication with the outside. The lower part of the main chamber 3 acts as tank collecting the water conveyed by the inlet duct 1; in particular, the capacity of the lower part of the main chamber 3 e proportionate to the volume of the water coming from the inlet duct 1 and turbine 30.

The lower part of the main chamber 3 is connected to two outlet ducts 2A and 2B, each one of which is configured to convey the water from the main chamber 3 to the inside of a respective, substantially cylindrical, portion 10A or 10B of a cylinder, indicated in Figure 2 with the reference numeral 100, through a respective rotation arm 16A or 16B. In particular, the two rotation arms 16A and 16B are rotatably coupled to the respective ducts 2A and 2B through corresponding sealed rotation joints 6A and 6B (e.g., provided with sealing gaskets); also, the two rotation arms 16A and 16B are hollow so as to put the respective ducts 2A and 2B in communication with the respective portions 10A and 10B of the cylinder 100.

The cylinder 100 is divided into the two substantially cylindrical portions 10A and 10B through a central dividing baffle 8 arranged in correspondence of the central circumference (i.e. at mid-height) of the cylinder 100 (and integrally coupled to the latter, so as to separate the two substantially cylindrical portions 10A and 10B from each other), whereby the two substantially cylindrical portions 10A and 10B have substantially the same weight, size and shape. With reference to Figure 3, the central dividing baffle 8 has two projecting elements 8A and 8B placed at the centre of the two (upper and lower) faces of the central dividing baffle 8, which prevent the piston being in the first position (as shown in Figure la) from getting in contact with the surface of the central dividing baffle 8 and which thus allow the water coming from the duct 2A to exert the hydrostatic force on the entire lower surface of the piston 11A (i.e. on the entire surface of the end of the piston 11A directed towards the central dividing baffle 8). By still making reference to Figure 3, the central dividing baffle 8 comprises two mouths 18A and 18B, respectively connected to the two rotation arms 16A and 16B, and it is shaped so as to put the arm 16A in communication exclusively with the substantially cylindrical portion 10A through the mouth 18A, and to put the other arm 16B in communication exclusively with the other substantially cylindrical portion 10B through the other mouth 18B. In particular, the two mouths 18A and 18B are coaxial to each other (i.e. they are arranged in correspondence of the opposed ends of a diameter of the cylinder 100), whereby also the two rotation arms 16A and 16B are coaxial to each other (and they are coupled to the cylinder 100 in correspondence of the opposed ends of a diameter of the latter). The central dividing baffle 8 of the preferred embodiment of the hydroelectric power plant has an octagonal shaped plan, but this is not an essential technical feature for the invention.

Since the two rotation arms 16A and 16B are integrally coupled to the two mouths 18A and 18B of the central dividing baffle 8 (though such integral coupling may be also removable to allow maintenance operations) and they are also rotatably coupled to the two ducts 2A and 2B, the two rotation arms 16A and 16B operate as rotation pivots of the cylinder 100 around a transverse axis RR of the latter (transverse axis RR corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the two rotation arms 16A and 16B). In particular, the two rotation arms 16A and 16B rotate within bushings of supporting bars 9 anchoring (or being part of a supporting frame anchoring) the hydroelectric power plant to the bottom of the basin (e.g., the bottom of the sea or of a different natural or artificial basin). In general, the supporting bars 9 (or the supporting frame) allow to stably position the hydroelectric power plant so that the main chamber 3 (and the turbine 30 that is housed therein) is positioned in the basin at a first depth from the surface 210 of the water (or other fluid) exposed to the outside, and that the central dividing baffle 8 (and the cylinder 100) is positioned in the basin at a second depth, higher than the first depth, from the surface 210 of the water (or other fluid) exposed to the outside.

Two pistons 11A and 11B are configured to slide within the two substantially cylindrical portions 10A and 10B, respectively, of the cylinder 100; in particular, the two pistons 11A and 11B advantageously have substantially the same weight, size and shape. Each one of the two pistons 11A and 11B is provided with (at least) a respective sealing gasket 7, optionally positioned in correspondence of the end of the piston 11A or 11B directed towards the central dividing baffle 8. The end of each piston 11A or 11B directed towards the outside of the cylinder 100 is integrally coupled through bolts (or other fastening means) to a respective plate 12A or 12B, optionally of rectangular shape (even if the shape of the plates 12A and 12B is not an essential feature for the invention); the two plates 12A and 12B are integrally coupled to each other (though such integral coupling may be also removable to allow maintenance operations) through four connecting bars 13, advantageously symmetrically distributed around the longitudinal (i.e. vertical) axis of the cylinder 100; consequently, the four connecting bars 13 operate as spacers between the two pistons 11A and 11B (which are also integrally coupled to each other). In particular, the ends of each piston 11A and 11B directed towards the central dividing baffle 8 are configured to interact with the same central dividing baffle 8 in correspondence of the projecting elements 8A and 8B, respectively, which thus operate as stop elements limiting the insertion of the pistons 11A and 11B, respectively, into the cylinder 100; alternatively, or additionally, the insertion of the piston 11A or 11B into the cylinder 100 may be limited by the interaction of the respective plate 12A or 12B with the end of the cylinder 100 that thus operates as (further) stop element.

The hydroelectric power plant further comprises two solenoid valves 4A and 4B positioned on the two outlet ducts 2A and 2B, respectively, each configured to allow the water flow from the main chamber 3 to the respective substantially cylindrical portion 10A or 10B or not.

Moreover, two mechanical discharge valves 5A and 5B are positioned on the two rotation arms 16A and 16B, respectively, each configured to allow the water flow from the respective substantially cylindrical portion 10A or 10B towards the outside, i.e. into the water basin, or not. As shown in Figure 4, each one of the two mechanical discharge valves 5A and 5B is provided with a falling piston 17 that is movable between a first position closing a hole of the respective rotation arm 16A or 16B (as shown in Figures 1 and 4 for the mechanical discharge valve 5A), and a second position opening the hole of the respective rotation arm 16A or 16B (as shown in Figures 1 and 4 for the mechanical discharge valve 5B); in particular, the piston 17 moves between the first and second positions in function of the direction of the weight force to which it is subjected.

In order to better understand the operation of the hydroelectric power plant according to the invention, the operation modes of the preferred embodiment are illustrated in the following, similar modes being valid for other embodiments.

First of all, it must be observed that the invention exploits a first thermodynamic system, constituted by the electric power generation unit (comprising the turbine 30), and a second thermodynamic system, constituted by the cylinder 100 and the related movable structure, of which the pistons 11A and 11B and the four connecting bars 13 (and also the plates 12A and 12B) are part.

The two thermodynamic systems are permeable (i.e. they are open systems permitting exchange of energy and matter with the outside). The first thermodynamic system (the electric power generation unit) transforms, net of operating losses, a significant percentage of the kinetic energy of the overhanging water column into work, and then in electric energy.

The second thermodynamic system (cylinder 100 and related movable structure) is a submerged hydraulic pump, positioned at a higher depth than the electric power generation unit, that transforms (the potential energy of the movable structure causing) the hydrostatic force into mechanical work. This transformation permits to exchange matter (water or other fluid) from the second permeable thermodynamic system with both the outside (the basin) and the first permeable thermodynamic system (the electric power generation unit) from which it receives the discharge water of the turbine 30, thus satisfying the first law of thermodynamics.

In this regard, as known and described, for instance, in the website of the Manchester University at the address

http://personalpages.manchester.ac.uk/staff/gregory.f.lane- serff/teaching/hydraulicsnotes0809rev.pdf,

if an object has a lower density than the water (or fluid) of the basin, the object is subjected to an upward force. Consequently, since in the hydroelectric power plant according to the invention the movable structure, of which the pistons 11A and 11B and the four connecting bars 13 (and also the plates 12A and 12B) are part, is configured to be pushed by a (upward) hydrostatic force making the pistons 11A and 11B slide upwards within the cylinder 100, such movable structure has a lower density than the water (or fluid) of the basin. By way of example, it is sufficient that the four connecting bars 13 are hollow and/or the pistons 11A and 11B are hollow and/or the material or materials of which at least some of the components of the movable structure are made have a lower density than the water (or fluid) of the basin.

In this way, the movable structure is subjected to a upward hydrostatic force larger than all the resistances which oppose the stroke of the pistons 11A and 11B within the cylinder 100 (Archimedes' principle), whereby the buoyancy force constrains the entire movable structure to make the stroke from bottom to top, creating inside the cylinder 100 a higher pressure than the external one thus being able to discharge the water (or other fluid) contained within the portion 10A or 10B (that is in a lower position) into the basin, in fact, when the mechanical discharge valve 5A or 5B of the related portion 10A or 10B to be emptied is closed, the pressure inside such portion 10A or 10B is higher than the one of the external basin, and it is equal to the buoyancy force received by the movable structure. Differently, when the mechanical discharge vaive 5A or 5B is opened, the pressure internal to the related portion 10A or 10B to be emptied equilibrates with the one of the external basin in relation to the diameter of the hole of the mechanical discharge valve 5A or 5B, that, being smaller than the diameter of the cylinder 100, slows down the stroke speed of the pistons 11A and 11B and keeps the internal pressure higher than the external one, allowing the piston 11A or 11B to discharge the water (or other fluid) into the basin.

Assuming that the hydroelectric power plant is initially in the first configuration shown in Figure la, wherein the plate 12A of the piston 11A is in contact with the respective end of the cylinder 100, the end of the piston 11A directed towards the central dividing baffle 8 is in contact with the projecting element 8A of the latter, whereby it occupies almost the whole volume of the substantially cylindrical portion 10A (that is substantially devoid of water), while the other piston 11B is at the maximum distance from the central dividing baffle 8, creating inside the substantially cylindrical portion 10B a chamber that is totally filled with water (previously discharged from the main chamber 3 through the outlet duct 2B). In this first configuration, the solenoid valve 4A is opened, while the solenoid valve 4B is closed, whereby the main chamber 3 is in communication exclusively with the substantially cylindrical portion 10A through the outlet duct 2A. Moreover, the falling piston mechanical valve 5A is closed, while the mechanical discharge valve 5B is opened, whereby the substantially cylindrical portion 10B is in communication with the basin through the rotation arm 16B.

Starting from this first configuration, the hydrostatic force raises the two pistons 11A and

11B upwards, making the water stored during the preceding cycle in the substantially cylindrical portion 10B exit through the rotation arm 16B and the falling piston mechanical valve 5B (that is opened) towards the basin (even because the water cannot go in the duct 2B since the solenoid valve 4B is closed). At the same time, the water coming from the main chamber 3, through the outlet duct 2A, the open solenoid valve 4A and the rotation arm 16A, fills the substantially cylindrical portion 10A (in this regard, the water is also drawn by a suction effect caused by the rise of the piston 11A); in particular, the water flow is allowed by the opening of the solenoid valve 4A and the closure of the falling piston mechanical valve 5A.

As stated, the upward movement of the two pistons 11A and 11B is caused by the hydrostatic force according to the Archimedes' principle acting on them. The simultaneous upward stroke of the two pistons 11A and 11B is made possible by the connection structure comprising the two plates 12A and 12B connected to each other by the connecting bars 13. The gradual rise of the two pistons 11A and 11B inside the respective substantially cylindrical portions 10A and 10B creates two respective variable volume chambers: a first chamber of increasing volume inside the substantially cylindrical portion 10A wherein the water coming from the main chamber 3 is stored, and a second chamber of decreasing volume inside the substantially cylindrical portion 10B from which water is discharged into the basin.

Figure lb shows the hydroelectric power plant in an intermediate configuration wherein the two chambers created by the pistons 11A and 11B inside the respective substantially cylindrical portions 10A and 10B have substantially equal volume. Figure lc shows the hydroelectric power plant in un second configuration, wherein the two pistons 11A and 11B reach the limit position wherein the plate 12B interacts with the respective end of the cylinder 100, as also shown in Figure 2A. In such second configuration, the end of the piston 11B directed towards the central dividing baffle 8 is in contact with the projecting element 8B of the latter, whereby it occupies almost the whole volume of the substantially cylindrical portion 10B (that is substantially devoid of water), while the other piston 11A is at the maximum distance from the central dividing baffle 8, creating inside the substantially cylindrical portion 10A a chamber that is totally filled with water.

In such second configuration, the cylinder 100 is unbalanced (namely, it is in an unstable equilibrium configuration easily perturbable by minimal perturbations, such as for instance fluid currents) and, thus, it is in a condition of instability that leads it to rotate by 180° around the transverse axis RR (shown in Figure 1), coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the two rotation arms 16A and 16B, due to the hydrostatic force of the various components. In particular, the two pistons 11A and 11B, the plates 12A and 12B and the connecting bars 13, as well as the volume of water present only inside one of the two substantially cylindrical portions 10A and 10B, contribute to the unbalance of the cylinder 100. The rotation of the cylinder 100 is progressively shown in Figure 2a (wherein the cylinder 100 is not yet rotated with respect to the second configuration of Figure lc), in Figure 2b (wherein the cylinder 100 is rotated by 45° with respect to the second configuration of Figure lc), in Figure 2c (wherein the cylinder 100 is rotated by 135° with respect to the second configuration of Figure lc) and in Figure 2d (wherein the cylinder 100 is rotated by 180° with respect to the second configuration of Figure lc).

After the rotation is finished (i.e., once that the cylinder 100 assumes the configuration of Figure 2c), the solenoid valve 4A is closed, while the solenoid valve 4B is opened, whereby the main chamber 3 is in communication exclusively with the substantially cylindrical portion 10B (that is substantially devoid of water) through the outlet duct 2B; also, the mechanical discharge valve 5A opens, while the falling piston mechanical valve 5B closes, whereby the substantially cylindrical portion 10A is in communication with the basin through the rotation arm 16A.

Consequently, the cylinder 100 is in a configuration similar to that shown in Figure la (wherein the suffixes "A" and "B" of the various elements must be exchanged), and the cycle repeats.

In this regard, when the mechanical discharge valve 5A or 5B is in the second position of opening (as shown in Figures 1 and 4 for the mechanical discharge valve 5B), it allows the water to exit the respective substantially cylindrical portion 10A or 10B of the cylinder 100 towards the basin; differently, when the mechanical discharge valve 5A or 5B is in the first position of closure (as shown in Figures 1 and 4 for the mechanical discharge valve 5A), it maintains the sealing due to the pressure difference between a first water pressure inside the respective rotation arm 16A or 16B (that is the pressure at the first depth from the water surface 210) and a second water pressure outside the respective rotation arm 16A or 16B (at the second depth), where the second pressure is higher than the first pressure. Optionally, each one of the two solenoid valves 4A and 4B is positioned in proximity of the respective discharge mechanical valve 5A and 5B.

In other words, the two pistons 11A and 11B are configured to slide within the cylinder 100, thanks to the hydrostatic force, and to create two respective variable volume chambers wherein the water coming from the main chamber 3 is alternatively stored and from which the previously stored water is discharged into the basin. The mouths 18A and 18B of the central dividing baffle 8 allow the water to enter/exit the respective substantially cylindrical portions 10A and 10B. Sliding of the pistons 11A and 11B within the cylinder 100 allows the unbalance of the same cylinder and the rotation of the latter around its own transverse axis RR, a continuous discharge path towards the basin offering to the water coming from the main chamber 3 and, consequently, ensuring the continuity of the water flow in the main chamber 3 and on the turbine 30 and, consequently, ensuring the continuity of the electric energy generation.

The solenoid valves 4A and 4B are controlled by an electronic control unit on the basis of detections of the orientation assumed by the cylinder 100 and/or of the orientation assumed by the rotation arms 16A and 16B with respect to the outlet ducts 2A and 2B and/or of the position assumed by the pistons 11A and 11B inside the cylinder 100; the electronic control unit may be positioned, for instance, in correspondence of the main chamber 3 or the aeration duct 14 or the supporting bars 9. Moreover, the electronic control unit and the solenoid valves 4A and 4B may be advantageously supplied by the same electric energy generated by the hydroelectric power plant and/or by autonomous power supply sources (e.g. battery packs).

In other embodiments of the hydroelectric power plant according to the invention, the solenoid valves 4A and 4B may be positioned on the respective rotation arms 16A and 16B, instead of the outlet ducts 2A and 2B, as shown by way of example in Figure 5; in such case, the solenoid valves 4A and 4B may be supplied by the same electric energy generated by the hydroelectric power plant through specific rotating electrical contacts.

Moreover, further embodiments of the hydroelectric power plant according to the invention may have, instead of the two mechanical discharge valves 5A and 5B downstream of the solenoid valves 4A and 4B (along the direction of the flow coming from the main chamber 3), two discharge solenoid valves (still positioned downstream of the solenoid valves 4A and 4B - along the direction of the flow coming from the main chamber 3) still controlled by the electronic control unit controlling the solenoid valves 4A and 4B, which may be optionally positioned on the outlet ducts 2A and 2B, instead of the respective rotation arms 16A and 16B; also such two further solenoid valves may be advantageously supplied in the same way as the solenoid valves 4A and 4B. Also, further embodiments of the hydroelectric power plant according to the invention may have the discharge mechanical valves 5A and 5B (or solenoid valves) arranged in positions different from the outlet ducts 2A and 2B and the rotation arms 16A and 16B, provided that, when opened, they put the respective substantially cylindrical portions 10A and 10B of the cylinder 100 in communication with the outside, i.e. with the water basin; for instance, the discharge mechanical or solenoid valves may be arranged along corresponding channels running along the pistons 11A and 11B and/or on the side walls of the cylinder 100 in correspondence of the two portions 10A and 10B.

As shown in Figure 6, in other embodiments of the hydroelectric power plant according to the invention, the initial impulse to the rotation of the cylinder 100 when it is in an unbalanced configuration (i.e. in an unstable equilibrium configuration) may be provided by propellers 15A and 15B with which the plates 12A and 12B may be equipped; afterwards the rotation autonomously continues due to the hydrostatic force. Moreover, such propellers 15A and 15B, which are operated by a respective electric motor and controlled and activated by the electronic control unit, may allow to regulate the time necessary for a rotation of the cylinder 100 by 180°; the electric motors of the propellers 15A and 15B may be advantageously supplied by the same electric energy generated by the hydroelectric power plant (e.g. through wiring comprising specific rotating electrical contacts) and/or by autonomous power supply sources (e.g. battery packs). In particular, the hydroelectric power plant according to the invention may have the cylinder 100 that may have only one of the two plates 12A and 12B provided with a propeller, optionally arranged at the centre of the plate, more optionally rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the cylinder so as to be able to control the direction of rotation of the cylinder 100; generally, the hydroelectric power plant according to the invention may have the cylinder 100 that may have one or both of the two plates 12A and 12B provided with one or more respective propellers, optionally rotatable about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder.

Moreover, other embodiments of the hydroelectric power plant according to the invention may have the (possible movable) elements coupled to the supporting bars 9 (or in any case anchored to the basin bottom) which are external to the cylinder 100 and to the movable structure and which assist the cylinder 100 and the movable structure formed by the pistons 11A and 11B and the four connecting bars 13 (and also the plates 12A and 12B) helping and/or promoting to substantially constantly keeping the first orientation (shown in Fig. 1) or the second orientation (shown in Fig. 2d) during sliding of the pistons 11A and 11B within the cylinder 100; for instance, such external elements could be hinged bars which may assume a vertical orientation parallel to the supporting bars 9 to oppose the rotation of the cylinder 100, and a sloped orientation (with respect to the supporting bars 9) to allow the rotation of the cylinder 100 when it must pass from the first orientation (shown in Fig. 1) to the second orientation (shown in Fig. 2d) and vice versa.

Further embodiments of the hydroelectric power plant according to the invention may have the substantially cylindrical portions 10A and 10B and/or the pistons 11A and 11B not identical to each other, provided that the assemblies formed by amount of stored water, substantially cylindrical portion and piston are capable to unbalance the cylinder 100.

Other embodiments of the hydroelectric power plant according to the invention may be devoid of the aeration duct, whereby the main chamber 3, housing the turbine 30, is filled with water (or other fluid of the basin) and a fluid flow flows from the inlet duct 1 to the cylinder 100 passing through the turbine blades and putting the same turbine in rotation.

The hydroelectric power plant according to the invention may be installed in any natural or artificial basin containing any fluid so that the first depth from the fluid surface exposed to the outside at which the turbine is positioned is lower than the second depth at which the cylinder is positioned. The various components of the hydroelectric power plant may be manufactured in any material, advantageously in metallic material and/or in plastic material.

The preferred embodiments of this invention have been described and a number of variations have been suggested hereinbefore, but it should be understood that those skilled in the art can make other variations and changes without so departing from the scope of protection thereof, as defined by the attached claims.

Claims

1. Hydroelectric power plant configured to be installed in a basin containing a fluid, the hydroelectric power plant comprising an electric power generation unit configured to transform a rotary motion of at least one turbine (30) into electric energy, wherein said at least one turbine (30) is housed in a main chamber (3) provided with an inlet duct (1), configured to convey fluid to said at least one turbine (30) so as to make the latter rotate, and with a first and second outlet ducts (2A, 2B), a first and second hollow rotation arms (16A, 16B) being rotatably coupled to the first and second outlet ducts (2A, 2B), respectively, the hydroelectric power station further comprising a cylinder (100) divided into a first and second portions (10A, 10B) separated from each other by a dividing baffle (8) integrally internally coupled to the cylinder (100), the dividing baffle (8) comprising a first and second mouths (18A, 18B) coaxial to each other, to which the first and second rotation arms (16A, 16B) are integrally coupled, respectively, wherein the dividing baffle (8) is shaped so as to put the first rotation arm (16A) in communication exclusively with the first portion (10A) of the cylinder (100) through the first mouth (18A), and the second rotation arm (16B) in communication exclusively with the second portion (10A) of the cylinder (100) through the second mouth (18A), whereby the first and second rotation arms (16A, 16B) operate as rotation pivots of the cylinder (100) around a transverse axis (RR) of the latter, wherein the first outlet duct (2A), the first hollow rotation arm (16A), the first mouth (18A) and the first portion (10A) of the cylinder (100) are part of a first assembly of channels, and the second outlet duct (2B), the second hollow rotation arm (16B), the second mouth (18B) and the second portion (10B) of the cylinder (100) are part of a second assembly of channels, the hydroelectric power plant still comprising on the first and second assemblies of channels, respectively, a first and second solenoid valves (4A; 4B), which are configured to be opened alternatively to each other, and a first and second discharge valves (5A; 5B), which are configured to be opened alternatively to each other and positioned downstream, respectively, of the first and second solenoid valves (4A; 4B), the first and second solenoid valves (4A; 4B) being configured to put the main chamber (3) in communication with, respectively, the first and second portions (10A, 10B) of the cylinder (100), the first and second discharge valves (5A; 5B) being configured to put the first and second portions (10A, 10B) of the cylinder (100), respectively, in communication with the basin, the hydroelectric power plant further comprising a first and second pistons (11A, 11B) spaced apart from each other through one or more spacer elements (13), wherein the first and second pistons (11A, 11B) and said one or more spacer elements (13) are part of a movable structure, wherein the first and second pistons (11A, 11B) are configured to slide within the first and second portions (10A, 10B) of the cylinder (100), respectively, between a first position, at which the first piston (12A) is at a first maximum distance from the dividing baffle (8) and the second piston (12B) is at a first minimum distance from the dividing baffle (8), and a second position, at which the first piston (12A) is at a second minimum distance from the dividing baffle (8) and the second piston (12B) is at a second maximum distance from dividing baffle (8), wherein the cylinder (100) is configured to assume: a first orientation, at which the first solenoid valve (4A) and the second discharge valve (5B) are opened, and the first and second pistons (11A, 11B) are configured to slide from the first position to the second position driven by a hydrostatic force acting on said movable structure of which the first and second pistons (11A, 11B) and said one or more spacer elements (13) are part, and

a second orientation, at which the second solenoid valve (4B) and the first discharge valve (5A) are opened, and the first and second pistons (11A, 11B) are configured to slide from the second position to the first position driven by a hydrostatic force acting on said movable structure of which the first and second pistons (11A, 11B) and said one or more spacer elements (13) are part.

2. Hydroelectric power plant according to claim 1, wherein the main chamber (3) is further provided with an aeration duct (14) configured to put the main chamber (3) in communication with the outside of the basin above a surface (210) of the fluid exposed to the outside.

3. Hydroelectric power plant according to claim 2, wherein the aeration duct (14) is equipped with a float.

4. Hydroelectric power plant according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dividing baffle (8) is centrally disposed along a height of the cylinder (100).

5. Hydroelectric power plant according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second hollow rotation arms (16A, 16B) are rotatably coupled to the first and second outlet ducts (2A, 2B) through respective sealed rotation joints (6A, 6B).

6. Hydroelectric power plant according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second solenoid valves (4A; 4B) are positioned:

on the first and second outlet ducts (2A, 2B), respectively, whereby the first and second discharge valves (5A; 5B) are positioned on the first and second outlet ducts (2A, 2B), - Ir respectively, or on the first and second hollow rotation arms (16A, 16B), respectively; or on the first and second hollow rotation arms (16A, 16B), whereby the first and second discharge valves (5A; 5B) are positioned on the first and second rotation hollow arms (16A, 16B), respectively.

7. Hydroelectric power plant according to claim 6, wherein the first and second discharge valves (5A; 5B) are positioned on the first and second hollow rotation arms (16A, 16B), respectively, and the first and second discharge valves (5A; 5B) are each a mechanical valve provided with a falling piston (17), that is movable between a first position closing a hole of the respective rotation arm (16A, 16B), and a second position opening the hole of the respective rotation arm (16A, 16B), wherein the piston (17) is movable between the first and the second position when subjected to a weight force.

8. Hydroelectric power plant according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second solenoid valves (4A; 4B) are controlled by an electronic control unit on the basis of detections of an orientation assumed by the cylinder (100) and/or detections of an orientation assumed by the first and/or second rotation arms (16A, 16B) with respect to the first and/or second outlet ducts (2A, 2B) and/or detections of a position assumed by the first and/or second pistons (11A, 11B) inside the cylinder (100).

9. Hydroelectric power plant according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said one or more spacer elements (13) comprise a plurality of connecting bars (13) integrally coupled to a first and second plates (12A, 12B) integrally coupled to the first and second pistons (11A, 11B), respectively, in correspondence of respective ends of the latter which are directed towards the outside of the cylinder (100).

10. Hydroelectric power plant according to claim 9, wherein the connecting bars (13) are symmetrically distributed about a longitudinal axis of the cylinder (100).

11. Hydroelectric power plant according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the first and/or second plates (12A, 12B) are provided with one or more propellers (15A, 15B) configured to at least partially control a rotation of the cylinder (100).

12. Hydroelectric power plant according to claim 11, wherein said one or more propellers (15A, 15B) are rotatable about an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cylinder.

13. Hydroelectric power plant according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a supporting frame (9) through which the hydroelectric power plant is configured to be installed in the basin in such a way that the main chamber (3) is positioned in the basin at a first depth from a surface (210) of the fluid exposed to the outside and that the dividing baffle (8) is positioned in the basin at a second depth, greater than the first depth, from the surface (210) of the fluid exposed to the outside.

14. Hydroelectric power plant according to claim 13, wherein the supporting frame comprises supporting bars (9) provided with bushings within which the first and second rotation arms (16A, 16B) are configured to rotate.