Apparatus for generating electric energy

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for generating electrical energy. The present invention is suited to be substantially submerged into water and employ the buoyancy of buoyant objects in order to drive a cylindrical rotor which is connected to a generator configured to transform mechanical energy into electrical energy. The buoyant objects are directed along a closed path by multiple guides and watertight channels.

Description

[0001] APPARATUS FOR GENERATING ELECTRIC ENERGY

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to an apparatus for generating electrical energy that employs the buoyancy.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Green energy can be generated using various technologies, including solar panels. Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, but their operation depends on the sun, causing the energy yield to vary. This can lead to unpredictability and a disruptive effect on the power grid, especially on cloudy days or at night. Recycling solar panels will pose a significant challenge in the future.

[0006] Additionally, wind turbines can produce green energy by converting wind power into electricity. Like solar panels, this method depends on natural conditions; the energy yield fluctuates based on wind strength. This unpredictable nature can disrupt the power grid. Moreover, wind turbines can be perceived as visual nuisances, and there are sometimes concerns about noise pollution and impact on local wildlife. A further issue is that wind turbine blades cannot be recycled.

[0007] Hydropower plants, another method of generating green energy, use the power of flowing water to produce electricity. While this method can provide a stable energy source, the construction of dams and hydropower plants can cause significant ecological damage, such as disrupting local ecosystems and altering waterways. The construction of this infrastructure is costly and can bring risks, such as flooding and increased vulnerability to sabotage. Additionally, hydropower plants consume water. There must be a continuous supply of water to keep the hydropower plants running.

[0008] An alternative source of green energy is nuclear power, which can produce large amounts of electricity without greenhouse gas emissions during operation. However, the construction and decommissioning of nuclear power plants are very costly, and the safe management of radioactive waste remains a significant issue. No fully safe and sustainable solutions have yet been found for the long-term management of this waste.

[0009] The current invention aims to find a solution to at least one of these problems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention and embodiments thereof serve to provide a solution to one or more of above-mentioned disadvantages. To this end, the present invention relates to an apparatus according to claim 1 for generating electrical energy. The present invention is suited to be substantially submerged into water and employ the buoyancy of buoyant objects in order to drive a cylindrical rotor which is connected to a generator configured to transform mechanical energy into electrical energy. The buoyant objects are directed along a closed path by multiple guides and watertight channels.

[0011] Preferred embodiments of the apparatus are described in any of the claims 2 to 15.

[0012] DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0013] The following description of the figures of specific embodiments of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present teachings, their application or uses. Throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

[0014] FIG. 1 to 4 illustrate a front, rear, right side and left side view of an embodiment of the apparatus according to claim 1.

[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of an apparatus according to claim 1, whereby the trajectory of the buoyant objects is illustrated.

[0016] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The present invention concerns an apparatus for generating electrical energy according to claim 1.

[0018] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in disclosing the invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. By means of further guidance, term definitions are included to better appreciate the teaching of the present invention. As used herein, the following terms have the following meanings:

[0019] "A", "an", and "the" as used herein refers to both singular and plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. By way of example, "a compartment" refers to one or more than one compartment.

[0020] "Comprise", "comprising", and "comprises" and "comprised of" as used herein are synonymous with "include", "including", "includes" or "contain", "containing", "contains" and are inclusive or open-ended terms that specifies the presence of what follows e.g. component and do not exclude or preclude the presence of additional, non-recited components, features, element, members, steps, known in the art or disclosed therein.

[0021] Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order, unless specified. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

[0022] Whereas the terms "one or more" or "at least one", such as one or more or at least one member(s) of a group of members, is clear per se, by means of further exemplification, the term encompasses inter alia a reference to any one of said members, or to any two or more of said members, such as, e.g., any >3, >4, >5, >6 or >7 etc. of said members, and up to all said members.

[0023] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in disclosing the invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. By means of further guidance, definitions for the terms used in the description are included to better appreciate the teaching of the present invention. The terms or definitions used herein are provided solely to aid in the understanding of the invention.

[0024] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to a person skilled in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments. Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

[0025] The present invention concerns an apparatus for generating electrical energy according to claim 1.

[0026] The apparatus described in claim 1 is positioned primarily underwater, with a preference for the loop of material to be entirely submerged while the second guide or channel remains above the waterline. The elongated watertight channel, and ideally at least part of the first guide or channel, will contain buoyant objects, preferably with a substantially spherical shape. Both the first guide or channel and the elongated watertight channel comprise air and will be substantially free of water. Because the elongated watertight channel is substantially vertically orientated, the weight of the buoyant objects will accumulate. The bottom end of the elongated watertight channel is connected to a first opening in the drum. When a receptacle recess alights with the first opening in the drum, the accumulated weight of the buoyant objects will exert a pressure on the bottom buoyant object, causing the bottom buoyant object to be pushed into the aligned receptacle recess. Because of the watertight connection between the bottom end of the elongated watertight channel and the first opening in the drum, no water will enter the drum via the first opening in the drum. The first cylindrical rotor is rotated in the direction of the second opening in the drum over the shortest possible path, causing said buoyant object to be transported from the first opening in the drum to the second opening in the drum via the top half of the drum. Because the outer radius of the first cylindrical rotor and the inner radius of the drum are substantially equal, the inner wall of the drum will retain said buoyant object in the receptacle recess as the first cylindrical rotor rotates. When the receptacle recess aligns with the second opening in the drum, which is submerged in water, said buoyant object will float upwards. During the rotation of the first cylindrical rotor, as said receptacle recess turns towards the second opening in the drum, another receptacle recess will align with the first opening in the drum, where it will receive another buoyant object, which in turn will be released again at the second opening in the drum as it floats upwards. The second guide or channel will guide the buoyant objects to the bottom area of the path traced by the catching means connected to the loop of material, where the catching means will catch the buoyant objects. Because said path is submerged in water, the caught buoyant objects will exert an upward force on the catching means. As the first cylindrical rotor rotates, more buoyant objects will be transported from the elongated watertight channel to a catching means, where the upward forces of all caught buoyant objects accumulate, causing the loop of material to rotate around the second and third axes. When the caught buoyant objects reach the top area of said path, they are pushed in a first guide or channel. As more caught buoyant objects reach the top area of the path, more buoyant objects are pushed into the second guide or channel, where they move towards the top end of the elongated watertight channel in succession. Meanwhile, buoyant objects leave via the bottom end of the elongated watertight channel one buoyant object at a time, as described above. As the loop of material rotates, the second and / or third axes rotates. A generator is connected to said rotating second or third axes and converts part of the mechanical energy into electrical energy, which then can then be stored and / or used.

[0027] In an embodiment the apparatus comprises multiple elongated watertight channels, multiple first guides or channels, wherein each of the first guides or channels is associated to a separate of the watertight channels, and multiple second guides or channels, wherein each of the second guides or channels is associated to a separate of the watertight channels. In an alternative embodiment the one elongated watertight channel comprises multiple channels, preferably orientated parallel to each other in the direction aligned with the axis of the drum. In a further embodiment the curved surface of the drum comprises multiple first openings spaced out at least in the direction aligned with the axis of the drum, whereby each elongated channel is connected to one first opening by means of a watertight seal. In an alternative further embodiment the drum comprises a single first opening, preferably elongated in the direction of the axis of the drum, and connected to said elongated watertight channel comprising multiple channels. In a further embodiment the curved surface of the drum comprises multiple second openings spaced out at least in the direction aligned with axis of the drum, whereby each first guide or channel associated with a second opening. In an alternative further embodiment the drum comprises a single second opening, preferably elongated in the direction of the axis of the drum, whereby multiple first guides or channels are associated with said single second opening. In a further embodiment each first guide or channel and each second guide or channel associates with a separate catching means, whereby the apparatus comprises multiple loops of materials orientated parallel to each other and each associating with a separate first guide or channel and a separate second guide or channel, or whereby the apparatus comprises a single loop of material comprising multiple sets of catching means sequentially connected to said single loop of material along its length, whereby the catching means in a set are orientated parallel with the axis of the drum and each associate with a separate first guide or channel and with a separate second guide or channel.

[0028] In an embodiment the loop of material is a chain, whereby the second and third axes comprise sprockets which associate with said chain.

[0029] In an embodiment the loop of material is a belt, whereby the second and third axes comprise teeth around a circumference which associate with said belt.

[0030] In an embodiment the curved surface of the first cylindrical rotor, or the inner surface of the drum, is provided with watertight seal, preventing water from entering the drum via the second opening in the drum. In an embodiment said watertight seal is, among others, a radial lip seal, a labyrinth seal or magnetic fluid seal.

[0031] In an embodiment the second opening in the drum comprises a seal or shutter, which is configured to be closed when no receptacle recess is aligned with the second opening in the drum, and which is configured to be open when a receptacle recess that holds a buoyant object is aligned with the second opening in the drum. In a further embodiment said seal or shutter is a segment of the drum's surface that is connected to the drum via watertight bearings in a slidable manner, whereby the sliding configures said opening to an open or closed state, and whereby said sliding is powered by an electromotor. In a further embodiment said slidable segment of the drum comprises a magnetic lock which holds said segment in a closed and watertight state when no receptacle recess that holds a buoyant objects is aligned with the second opening in the drum. Said seal or shutter reduces the amount of water entering the drum via the second opening, preventing leakage into the elongated watertight channel.

[0032] In an embodiment the receptacle recesses are watertight compressible areas that, when compressed under a predetermined amount of pressure, form a notch configured to receive a buoyant object, and that, after releasing said buoyant object, returns to an unnotched configuration. In a further embodiment the watertight compressible area comprises a spring, radially orientated relative to the first cylindrical rotor, with one end connected to the axis of the first cylindrical rotor and with one end connected to the watertight compressible area. When a watertight compressible area aligns with a first opening in the drum, the weight of all the buoyant objects in the elongated watertight channel will exert a pressure on the watertight compressible area, compressing the spring, causing the bottom buoyant object to be enveloped by the resulting notch formed by the compressing of the spring. When the enveloped buoyant object is released again at the second opening of the drum, the spring will decompress, returning the watertight compressible area to an unnotched state. In an alternative embodiment the second the compressing and decompressing of the watertight compressible area is facilitated by a camshaft incorporated in the first cylindrical rotor, whereby the minimum radius of the camshaft spans over the shortest radial distance between the first and second opening in the drum, and the camshaft is functionally connected to the watertight compressible area. As the cylindrical rotor rotates and a watertight compressible area aligns with a first opening in the drum, the watertight compressible area will compress as a result of the decreasing radius of the camshaft, forming a notch into which the bottom buoyant object in the elongated watertight channel will be pressed. Once the watertight compressed compressible area reaches the second opening of the drum, an increasing camshaft radius will decompress the watertight compressible area. As the watertight compressible area returns to an unnotched state, most water that was present in the notch is pushed out.

[0033] In a further embodiment the watertight compressible areas comprise a watertight elastic membrane that spans the watertight compressible area and forms part of the watertight unnotched surface of the first cylindrical rotor when not compressed. As the watertight compressible area compresses the watertight elastic membrane will form the inner surface of the resulting notch and prevent water from leaking into the first cylindrical rotor. When the buoyant object is released again, the watertight elastic membrane will contract in accordance with the decompression of the watertight compressible area and form a smooth surface when the watertight compressible area is in an unnotched state.

[0034] In an alternative further embodiment the watertight compressible areas comprise a fabric that spans the watertight compressible area in tight folds and forms part of the watertight unnotched surface of the first cylindrical rotor when not compressed. Said fabric is possibly, among others, nylon, polyester or fiberglass with preferably a coating that will make the fabric watertight and durable, such as, among others, a neoprene, PVC or PTFE coating. As the watertight compressible area compresses the fabric will unfold, forming a watertight inner surface of a notch which prevents water from entering into the first cylindrical rotor. When the buoyant object is released again, the fabric will fold tightly, in accordance with the decompression of the watertight compressible area, returning the watertight compressible area to an unnotched state.

[0035] In an embodiment the second axis is a cylindrical rotor, and the first cylindrical rotor and the second axis are provided with rotational transmission means suitable for transferring the rotation of the second axis to the first cylindrical rotor in such a way that the first cylindrical rotor rotates toward the second opening of the drum, starting from the first opening of the drum and following the shortest path along the corresponding circumference. The rotation of the first cylindrical rotor is then powered by the upward force of the buoyant objects, making an additional motor for powering said rotation redundant.

[0036] In a further embodiment said rotational transmission means comprises two gears or sprockets, one connected to the axis of the first cylindrical rotor and one connected to the axis of the second cylindrical rotor, and a chain or belt, functionally connecting said gears or sprockets as to transfer the rotational motion of the second cylindrical rotor to the first cylindrical rotor.

[0037] In an alternative embodiment said rotational transmission means comprise multiple functionally connected gears, of which at least one is connected to the axis of the first cylindrical rotor, and one to the axis of the second cylindrical rotor.

[0038] In an embodiment the apparatus comprises an motor, preferably an electromotor, which powers the rotation of the first cylindrical rotor.

[0039] In an embodiment the catching means are configured to assume two positions, whereby one position optimize the ability of the catching means to receive and hold a upwardly moving buoyant object, and whereby one position minimizes the drag force the catching mean experiences as it moves through the water. In a further embodiment the catching means are configured to move between an orientation perpendicular relative to the loop of material, and an orientation parallel to the loop of material.

[0040] In an embodiment the apparatus comprises a watertight container with a top and a bottom, whereby the top comprises at least one opening that is connected to at least one drain opening in the drum by means of a watertight seal, whereby said at least one drain opening in the drum is located in the bottom half of the curved surface of the drum, and further comprises a pump with an input and output, whereby the input is in fluid connection with the container via the bottom and whereby the output is configured to discharge outside the watertight container. This allows any water that has entered the drum, via, for example, the receptacle recesses, to be drained via the third opening in the drum into the container, which initially comprises air. The watertight seal between the container and the drum will prevent any water from entering the container via this connection. When the container is full, the pump can pump the water out of the container. This ensures that no water will enter the elongated watertight channel via the drum.

[0041] In a further embodiment the output of the pump is connected to at least one inlet in the top of the drum, positioned between the first and the second opening. Said inlet aligns with a receptacle recess which comprises a buoyant object. The pump fills the remaining volume of the receptacle with water from the container. Said water will be discharged out of the receptacle recess together with the buoyant object via the second opening.

[0042] In an embodiment the apparatus comprises at least one third guide or channel around part of the path defined by the multiple catching means. This will prevent upwardly moving buoyant objects from escaping the catching means. Furthermore, this allows for more simplified catching means as it limits the spatial freedom of the buoyant objects.

[0043] In a further embodiment the third guide or channel comprises at least one strip of hard material that runs from the top of said path to the bottom of said path. In a further embodiment the third guide or channel comprises at least three strips of hard material which are parallel oriented relative to each other, and preferably substantially evenly spaced around the cross section of said path in such a way as to prevent any buoyant object from escaping said path.

[0044] In an embodiment the catching means comprise elongated strips of rigid material and / or comprise one or more rigid traces of filament. Strips or traces of filament made of rigid material can be used to form a great variety of shapes that are tailored to the shape of the buoyant objects, thereby improving their catching ability. The said tailoring further allows to improve the transfer between the first guide or channel to the catching means, and the transfer between the catching means and the second guide or channel, limiting the risk of buoyant objects escaping the catching means.

[0045] In an embodiment a first guide or channel comprises at least one strip of hard material , preferably metal, running from a second opening of the drum to the bottom area of said path, and preferably forming an arch with the concave side directed downwards in the direction of the bottom area. Preferably the guide or channel is orientated at a slight angle, with the high end at the bottom area of said path and the low end at the second opening of the drum. As the buoyant objects exit the second opening in the drum, they will move upwards. Due to the upward force of the buoyant objects and the incline of the guide or channel said guide or channel will retain the buoyant objects and guide them towards said path. In a further embodiment said arch is formed by a rectangular strip of hard material bent in an arch along its long axis. In an alternative further embodiment said arch is formed by at least three strips of hard material running parallel to each other.

[0046] In an embodiment the third guide or channel comprises at least one strip of hard material, which, at the bottom area of said path, forms a guide or channel that extends towards the second opening in the drum. This simplifies the design of the apparatus by reducing the number of components.

[0047] In an embodiment the third axis is a cylindrical rotor, whereby said generator is connected to the third axis. Preferably, when the apparatus is substantially submerged, the third axis is above the water level. Connecting the generator to the third axis will prevent it from being submerged in water. As a result, the need to make the generator watertight is eliminated, which reduces the complexity and cost of the design. Additionally, keeping the generator dry will significantly enhance its lifespan by protecting it from potential water damage and corrosion.

[0048] In an alternative embodiment the generator is connected to the first cylindrical rotor or to the second axis, whereby the second axis is a cylindrical rotor. The first cylindrical rotor and the second axis are positioned closest to the ground when the apparatus is substantially submerged. This proximity to the ground simplifies the connection of the generator to existing powerlines, making the setup more efficient and reducing the complexity of the installation process. EXAMPLES AND / OR DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0049] The present invention will now be further exemplified with reference to the following examples. The present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described in the examples and / or shown in the figures. On the contrary, methods according to the present invention may be realized in many different ways without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0050] FIG. 1 to 4 illustrates a front view, rear view, right side view and left side view respectively of an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus comprises an elongated frame 1, substantially vertically orientated and able to stand upright due to a square base. A first cylindrical rotor 2 and a second cylindrical rotor 3 are mounted to the low end of the frame 1. A third cylindrical rotor 10 is mounted to the high end of the frame 1. The apparatus is submerged in water up to, and including, the third cylindrical rotor 10. The first cylindrical rotor 2 is enveloped in a drum 5 of substantially the same diameter, and comprises compressible areas around its circumference which are able to receive a buoyant object 19 when compressed, as illustrated in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5. These compressible areas comprise an elastic membrane spanning the compressible surface. The inner surface of the elastic membrane is connected to the axis of the first cylindrical rotor 2, preferably by means of a spring which is radially orientated relative to the first cylindrical rotor 2.

[0051] The front ends of the axes of the first cylindrical rotor 2 and the second cylindrical rotor 3 comprise a sprocket 4, whereby the sprocket 4 attached to the front end of the first cylindrical rotor 2 is outside the drum 5. A chain 7, associated with said sprockets 4, synchronizes the rotation of the first cylindrical rotor 2 and the second cylindrical rotor 3. The second cylindrical rotor 3 and the third cylindrical rotor 10 comprise teeth that associate with multiple chain loops 8, which synchronize the rotation of the second and third cylindrical rotor 3,10. A generator is connected to the third cylindrical rotor 10 and transforms part of the rotational energy of the third cylindrical rotor 10 into electrical energy. Each chain loop 8 comprises catching means 9, which are sequentially connected along the length of the chain loops 8, and perpendicularly orientated relative to said chain loops 8. Each catching means 9 preferably comprises a hairpin shaped metal wire or elongated strip of metal. Evenly spaced around the left side of the path traced by the catching means 9, strips of metal 18 run parallel to the chain loop 8 and form a guide for buoyant objects 19 caught by the catching means 9. Each chain loop 8 aligns with a first opening of a guide tube 11, whereby the guide tubes 11 are positioned higher than the third cylindrical rotor 10. The second opening of a guide tube 11 is connected to an elongated watertight tube 12, which is substantially vertically orientated. Buoyant objects 19 that have reached the top of the chain loop 8 will be pushed into the first opening of the corresponding guide tube 11. The multiple guide tubes 11 and the multiple elongated watertight tubes 12 are positioned parallel to each other along the direction aligned with the axes of the cylindrical rotors 2,3,10. Each chain loop 2, guide tube 11 and elongated watertight tube 12 forms a separate channel for buoyant objects 19. Because the first guide tubes 11 and the elongated watertight tubes 12 will be filled with buoyant objects 19, and all catching means on the left side of the chain loop 8 will comprise a buoyant object 19, every time a buoyant object 19 leaves an elongated watertight tube 12 at the bottom, another one enters via the first opening of the corresponding guide tube 11. This way the buoyant objects 19 travel trough the guide tubes 3 by being pushed by a trailing buoyant object 19. Because the guide tube 11 is positioned above the water, no water will enter into the guide tube 11 and the elongated watertight tube 12.

[0052] The buoyant objects 19 caught by the catching means 9 exert an upward force on the left side of the chain loop 8 and cause the second and third cylindrical rotor 3,10 to rotate. Due to the chain 7 this rotation is transferred to the first cylindrical rotor 2. As previously mentioned, the first cylindrical rotor 2 rotates inside the drum 5. The top half of the drum 5 comprises multiple first openings 13 and multiple second openings 14, which are aligned in the direction parallel to the axes of the first cylindrical rotor 2. Each first opening 13 is connected to the bottom end of an elongated watertight tube 12 by means of a watertight seal. As the first cylindrical rotor 2 is rotated due to the upward force exerted on the chain loop 2 by the buoyant objects 19, the compressible areas move from the first openings 13 to the second openings 14. When a compressible area aligns with a first opening 13, the weight of the buoyant objects 19 present in the corresponding elongated watertight tube 12 exerts a downward force onto the elastic membrane of the compressible area which causes the spring to compress. A notch is formed into which the bottom buoyant object in the elongated watertight tube 12 is pushed. As the cylindrical rotor 29 rotates, said bottom buoyant object is transported to a corresponding second opening 14. During said transportation, the inner surface of the drum 5 confines the buoyant object, securely holding it within the formed notch.

[0053] In an embodiment the said inner surface comprises a series of rollers which reduce the friction between the buoyant object and the inner surface, at least between the first and the second opening. In a further embodiment a belt loops around said rollers to provide a flat surface for the buoyant object to interact with and prevent motion due to the repeating round surface constituted by the rollers. Alternatively the rollers are elastically compressible as to conform to the shape of the buoyant objects. When the compressible area that forms a notch aligns with the corresponding second opening, which is submerged, buoyancy will cause the buoyant object to escape from said notch and move upward. As the buoyant object escapes from the notch, the spring will decompress and push up the elastic membrane until the compressible area forms an unnotched part of the curved surface of the first cylindrical rotor 2. As the first cylindrical rotor 2 rotates, buoyant objects 19 are continuously pushed into, and released from, compressible areas. A guide 6 captures the buoyant objects 19 which are released from the compressible area. Said guide 6 runs to the bottom area of the chain loop 2 at a slight incline, and guides said released buoyant objects 19 to the bottom area of the chain loop 2. At least two of the strips of metal 18 that form a guide around the path traced by the catching means 9 extend beyond the bottom area of the chain loop 2 and form a guide 6 by forming an arch. At the chain loop 2 end of the guide 6 the guided buoyant objects 19 are caught by the catching means 5.

[0054] The drum 5 comprises a third opening in the bottom half which is connected to a reservoir 15 by means of the watertight seal. The reservoir 15 is initially filled with air. As the first cylindrical rotor rotates from the second openings 14 to the first openings 13, water from the second openings 14 can be drawn into the drum 5. Said water will be drained via said third opening into the reservoir 15. The reservoir 15 comprises a see-trough area 16 in its side, allowing the water level inside to be clearly visible. The reservoir 15 comprises pump 17 suited for pumping the water out of the reservoir 15. When the reservoir reaches its capacity the pump 17 will empty the reservoir 15 again, preventing water from entering an elongated watertight tube 12 via a first opening 13.

[0055] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of an apparatus according to claim 1, where the circular trajectory of the buoyant objects 19 is illustrated. The apparatus is submerged, whereby the water level 21 reaches to just above the third cylindrical rotor 10. The elongated watertight tube 12 is free of water and comprises stacked buoyant objects 19. The drum 4 comprises compressible areas 20, which are compressed by the weight of said stacked buoyant objects 19. Consequently, a notch is formed which envelops the bottom buoyant object 19 of said stacked buoyant objects 19. As the first cylindrical rotor 2 rotates clockwise, said enveloped buoyant object 19 is transported from the first opening 13 to the second opening 14 in the drum 4. Because the second opening 14 is enveloped by water, said enveloped buoyant object 19 moves upwards and escapes the drum 4 via the second opening 14. Said escaped buoyant object 19 is guided to the catching means 9 by a guide 6. The upward force exerted onto the catching means 8 cause the chain loop 9 to rotate. Said chain loop 9 drives the rotation of the second and third cylindrical rotor 3,10, which in turn drives the rotation of the first cylindrical rotor 2 via chain 7, which connects the first and second cylindrical rotor 2,3. When the buoyant objects caught by catching means 9 reach the top of the chain loop 8, they are pushed into a guide 11. A generator is couples to the third cylindrical rotor 10 and transforms part of the mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An apparatus for generating energy, comprising: an elongated watertight channel with a bottom end and a top end, and substantially vertically orientated;- an elongated and substantially vertically orientated frame with a top end and a bottom end; a drum with a first and a second opening in the top half of its curved side, mounted to the bottom end of the frame, whereby the first opening is connected to the bottom end of the elongated watertight channel by means of a watertight seal; a first cylindrical rotor rotatably configured inside the drum, whereby the inner radius of the drum and the outer radius of the first cylindrical rotor are substantially equal, and whereby the outer curved surface of the first cylindrical rotor comprises receptacle recesses suitable for receiving buoyant objects within the envelope of the first cylindrical rotor; a second axis, mounted to the bottom end of the frame, and a third axis mounted to the top end of the frame, whereby one of the second and third axes is a cylindrical rotor and one of the second and third axes is a spindle, or whereby both the second and third axes are cylindrical rotors, and whereby said second and third axes hold taut, and are functionally connected by, at least one loop of material configured to rotate around the second and third axes, and whereby the at least one loop of material comprises multiple catching means suitable for catching and holding upwardly moving buoyant objects and sequentially connected to the at least one loop of material along the length thereof, whereby said multiple catching means trace a path with a bottom area and a top area;- a first guide or channel suited for guiding buoyant objects from the second opening of the drum to the bottom area of said path;- a second guide or channel suited for guiding buoyant objects from the top area of said path into the top end of the elongated watertight channel; a generator, functionally connected to a second or third cylindrical rotor, and configured for at least partially converting rotational energy of said functionally connected cylindrical rotor into electrical energy.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, whereby said apparatus comprises multiple elongated watertight channels or a single elongated watertight channel comprising multiple channels,multiple first guides or channels, wherein each of the first guides or channels is associated to a separate of the watertight channels, and multiple second guides or channels, wherein each of the second guides or channels is associated to a separate of the watertight channels; whereby the curved surface of the drum comprises multiple first openings spaced out at least in the direction aligned with axis of the drum, whereby each watertight channel is connected to one first opening by means of a watertight seal; or whereby the drum comprises one first opening, substantially elongated in the direction aligned with the axis of the drum and connected to a single elongated watertight channel comprising multiple channels by means of a watertight seal, and whereby the drum comprises multiple second openings or one elongated second opening, and whereby said receptacle recesses comprised in the curved surface of the first cylindrical rotor are positioned so that at least once every complete rotation, every receptacle recess aligns with at least one of the one or more first openings and with at least one of the one or more second openings.

3. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, whereby said receptacle recesses are watertight compressible areas that, when compressed under a predetermined amount of pressure, form a notch suited to receive a buoyant object, and that, after releasing said buoyant object, returns to an unnotched configuration.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, whereby preferably each watertight compressible area comprises a watertight elastic membrane that spans the watertight compressible area and forms part of the watertight unnotched surface of the first cylindrical rotor when not compressed, and whereby said watertight compressible area associates with a spring, radially orientated relative to the first cylindrical rotor, with one end connected to the axis of the first cylindrical rotor and with one end connected to the watertight compressible area.

5. An apparatus according to claim 3, whereby the watertight compressible areas preferably comprise a watertight elastic membrane that spans the watertight compressible area and forms part of a watertight unnotched surface when not compressed, and whereby the axis of the first cylindrical rotor comprises a camshaft that is functionally connected to the watertight17 compressible area and configured to facilitate a compressed and unnotched state of said watertight compressible areas.

6. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, whereby the second axis is a cylindrical rotor, and whereby the first cylindrical rotor and the second axis are provided with rotational transmission means suited for transferring the rotation of the second axis to the first cylindrical rotor in such a way that the first cylindrical rotor rotates toward the second opening of the drum, starting from the first opening of the drum and following the shortest path along the corresponding circumference.

7. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, whereby the second and third axes are positioned on substantially the same vertical line, and whereby the distance between the second and third axes is substantially equal to the length of the elongated watertight channel.

8. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a watertight container with a top and a bottom, whereby the top comprises at least one opening that is connected to at least one drain opening in the drum by means of a watertight seal, whereby said at least one drain opening in the drum is located in the bottom half of the curved surface of the drum, and further comprising a pump with an input and output, whereby the input is in fluid connection with the bottom of the container and whereby the output is configured to discharge outside the watertight container.

9. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one third guide or channel around part of the path defined by the multiple catching means.

10. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, where said multiple catching means comprise elongated strips of rigid material and / or comprise one or more rigid traces of filament.

11. An apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising multiple loops of material, whereby each first guide or channel aligns with a, preferably different, loop of material.1812. An apparatus according to claim 6, whereby the rotational transmission means comprises a first gear connected to the axis of the first cylindrical rotor, and a second gear connected to the second axis, whereby first gear and the second gear are functionally connected by means of a chain loop.

13. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, whereby a first guide or channel comprises at least one strip of hard material, preferably metal, running from a second opening of the drum to the bottom area of said path, and preferably forming an arch with the concave side directed downwards in the direction of the bottom area.

14. An apparatus according to claims 9 and 14, whereby said third guide or channel is formed by at least one strip of hard material, preferably metal, that runs from the bottom area of said path to the top area of said path, and whereby the at least one strip of hard material at the bottom area of said path, forms said first guide or channel.

15. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, whereby the third axis is a cylindrical rotor, and whereby said generator is functionally connected to the third axis.

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