US 12,316,198 B2
Systems and methods for producing clean energy
James Stuart Cumming, Laguna Beach, CA (US)
Filed by James Stuart Cumming, Laguna Beach, CA (US)
Filed on Aug. 26, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/815,663.
Application 18/815,663 is a continuation in part of application No. 18/654,996, filed on May 3, 2024, granted, now 12,209,566.
Application 18/654,996 is a continuation in part of application No. 18/544,103, filed on Dec. 18, 2023, abandoned.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/592,558, filed on Oct. 23, 2023.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/534,557, filed on Aug. 24, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2025/0070616 A1, Feb. 27, 2025
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. H02K 7/18 (2006.01); F03B 13/10 (2006.01); F03B 17/02 (2006.01); F03B 17/04 (2006.01); F03B 17/06 (2006.01)
CPC H02K 7/1823 (2013.01) [F03B 13/10 (2013.01); F03B 17/025 (2013.01); F03B 17/04 (2013.01); F03B 17/06 (2013.01); F05B 2220/706 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for generating electricity from a body of water, the system comprising:
an enclosure positioned in or under a first portion of the body of water and having a first upper aperture, a second upper aperture, and a closable lower outlet;
a pipe connecting the closable lower outlet of the enclosure to a second portion of the body of water downstream from the first portion of the body of water, the second portion having a surface elevation lower than an elevation of the closable lower outlet of the enclosure;
a buoyant container movable within the enclosure between an upper position and a lower position, the container having an upper end that is at least partially open and a lower end having a closable drain;
a set of upper supports coupled to the enclosure and configured to support the container in the upper position; and
a connection member coupled at one end to the container and configured to extend through the enclosure for operative connection to an electrical generator;
wherein, when the container is in the upper position within the enclosure and the enclosure is substantially empty of water, the drain of the container is closed and the first upper aperture of the enclosure allows water to flow from the body of water into the container;
wherein, when the container is at least partially filled with water in the upper position, the set of upper supports releases the container from the upper position so that the container may descend from the upper position to the lower position within the enclosure;
wherein, when the container is in the lower position within the enclosure, the drain of the container is opened to allow water to flow out of the container and through the lower outlet of the enclosure; and
wherein, after the container is at least partially emptied of water in the lower position, the second upper aperture of the enclosure allows water to flow from the body of water into the enclosure outside of the container, causing the container to ascend from the lower position to the upper position.