GB484564A - Improvements in hydraulic power systems in which the motive force is derived from the natural fall of rivers - Google Patents

Abstract

484,564. Raising liquids by compressed air. EWART, J. W. Aug. 12, 1937, No. 22944/36. [Classes 8 (i) and 102 (ii)] An hydraulic power apparatus using energy obtained from the natural heads of rivers and the like comprises an open-bottomed chamber in which air is compressed by the rise of water artificially produced by a lock or dam, the air being used to force liquid, other than the river water, in a step-by-step manner from one to another of a series of connected superposed compartments, the liquid from the uppermost compartment driving an hydraulic engine at a lower level and then returning to the lowermost compartment, so that the same liquid is repeatedly circulated. Preferably, the suction produced in the air-chamber when the water is released from the dam is also utilized for raising the liquid from one compartment to another. In the apparatus shown, a conduit 1c delivers water from a river taken from a point higher up its course to a tank 1a containing an open-bottomed airchamber 1 connected by a pipe 4 to the upper ends of superposed tanks 5 .... 10. The air pressure produced by the rise of water in the chamber 1 is applied to the fluid in the alternate tanks 5, 7, 9 by opening the valves 5d, 7d, 9d, the fluid being thereby forced through the connecting pipes 5a, 7a, 9a, into the tanks 6, 8, 10, the air vents 6c ,8c, 10c of which are opened. When the tank 1a is full it is emptied through an opening 1b, the discharge from the conduit 1c being byepassed into the river, during which time the suction effect produced in the chamber 1 may be caused to raise liquid into certain alternate tanks which have been emptied by the previous air pressure, so that the system operates continuously. The liquid flows from the tank 10 through an hydraulic motor 12 to a reservoir 11 whence it is supplied to the lowermost tank 5 for re-circulation. The valves controlling the operation of the system are automatically operated. Part of the air compressed during the rise of water in the tank 1a may be used to drive machinery, the remainder being used to raise water.