A bi-level tank includes a transfer tank and a return tank containing a volume of water, including transfer and return components in the transfer and return tanks, respectively, and a transition component. A bellows couples an upper surface of a piston in the transfer tank to the return component that exerts pressure on the upper surface, while a lower surface of the piston is under pressure from a pressured fluid supplied by a source thereof, producing a pressure differential on the piston. Actuation of a force-applying mechanism on the piston sufficient to overcome the pressure differential displaces the piston for exchanging respective volumes of the return component and the fluid from the source. An extensible and retractable constant-volume boot holds the transition component around the bellows and has valves configured to open and close for equalizing pressure between the boot and the transfer tank.

A system that produces electricity offshore through a floating installation, including minimum of; one power production water turbine, one startup generator, a loop system, one air compressor, one high voltage subsea cable, and one control center; whereas the startup generator produces power for about 5-10 minutes before the loop system kicks in, an onshore control center makes it possible for the plant to be operated unmanned, where the surplus electricity generated through the water turbines are transported to the onshore electricity grid or another offshore structure, through a high voltage subsea cable.

An electric generating precipitation collection system comprising a collection tank, a plurality of pipes, a plurality of valves, a piston assembly, and an outlet. The system is configured to collect a liquid, direct the liquid through the pipes and valves to pressurize the liquid with the piston assembly, and eject the pressurized liquid at the outlet. The plurality of pipes and valves are arranged relative to the piston assembly so that a piston can pressurize the liquid in the pipe connected to the outlet. The system may further comprise a generator that converts the force of the pressurized liquid from the outlet into electricity. Further, a collection basin may be included in the system to collect liquid after passing through the generator.

A water pumping system used for lifting liquids in vertical or near vertical conduits or pipes to a higher elevation at a reduced energy cost. Also, the water pumping system can be used to circulate water between upper and lower elevations to generate hydropower energy at a lower energy cost. The water pumping system includes a water pump, air blowers, an air supply chamber, a lift conduit, a return conduit, a flotation device separation chamber, a plurality of floatation devices, one or more flotation device pushers, a dehydration unit, and two water storage tanks. The lift conduit and return conduit creating a continuous loop in which the flotation devices can circulate and act as a piston in the lifting conduit to elevate the water to higher elevations with reduced energy. The floatation devices include spacer rings and spacer rods. The floatation devices are inserted inside the lift conduit and the return conduit.

A water pumping system used for lifting liquids in vertical or near vertical conduits or pipes to a higher elevation at a reduced energy cost. Also, the water pumping system can be used to circulate water between upper and lower elevations to generate hydropower energy at a lower energy cost. The water pumping system includes a water pump, air blowers, an air supply chamber, a lift conduit, a return conduit, a flotation device separation chamber, a plurality of floatation devices, one or more flotation device pushers, a dehydration unit, and two water storage tanks. The lift conduit and return conduit creating a continuous loop in which the flotation devices can circulate and act as a piston in the lifting conduit to elevate the water to higher elevations with reduced energy. The floatation devices include spacer rings and spacer rods. The floatation devices are inserted inside the lift conduit and the return conduit.

A system for energy conversion includes a support structure which has a descent channel and an ascent channel connected at respective lower ends and a sealing device applied at the upper end of the descent channel. The system further includes at least one extensible element, switchable between a compressed configuration and a dilated configuration and sliding inside the support structure along a path extending from the descent channel to the ascent channel. The system further includes a plurality of locking means configured to individually and reversibly constrain respective portions of the extensible element to the support structure.

A bi-level tank includes a transfer tank and a return tank containing a volume of water, including transfer and return components in the transfer and return tanks, respectively, and a transition component. A bellows couples an upper surface of a piston in the transfer tank to the return component that exerts pressure on the upper surface, while a lower surface of the piston is under pressure from a pressured fluid supplied by a source thereof, producing a pressure differential on the piston. Actuation of a force-applying mechanism on the piston sufficient to overcome the pressure differential displaces the piston for exchanging respective volumes of the return component and the fluid from the source. An extensible and retractable constant-volume boot holds the transition component around the bellows and has valves configured to open and close for equalizing pressure between the boot and the transfer tank.

The method according to the invention relates to the storage of energy in the form of a compressed fluid which is pumped into a container (2) arranged below a water surface (4) to store the energy, wherein the fluid entering the container displaces an existing content, comprising water, from the container and into the surrounding water, and compressed fluid is removed from the container (2) to remove energy, wherein surrounding water flows back into the container according to the volume of the removed, compressed fluid, characterized in that the container (2) is provided with flexible walls at least in some parts and is arranged on a seabed (6) or lake bed (6) and there is covered by ballast (15) such that it is pressed against the substrate even when completely filled with compressed fluid.

The method according to the invention relates to the storage of energy in the form of a compressed fluid which is pumped into a container (2) arranged below a water surface (4) to store the energy, wherein the fluid entering the container displaces an existing content, comprising water, from the container and into the surrounding water, and compressed fluid is removed from the container (2) to remove energy, wherein surrounding water flows back into the container according to the volume of the removed, compressed fluid, characterized in that the container (2) is provided with flexible walls at least in some parts and is arranged on a seabed (6) or lake bed (6) and there is covered by ballast (15) such that it is pressed against the substrate even when completely filled with compressed fluid.

In accordance with the present invention an apparatus is provided to maintain separate upper and lower water levels in a bi-level tank. The purpose here is to maintain tank configurations for the water portion of an air/water pathway in the tank that will be followed by a buoyant power module during its electricity generating work cycle. During an operation, the module enters the tank and raises the lower water level. The apparatus is then expanded to displace a volume of water in the tank with a volume of air, which raises the upper water level. Subsequently, when the module leaves the tank, the upper water level is lowered. Further, the apparatus is collapsed to drop the lower water level back to its original level in the tank. Thus, the bi-level tank is reconfigured to receive another module, for another duty cycle.