Apparatus for generating energy from the rise and fall of tides

Claim 1

Apparatus for generating energy from the rise and fall of the tides comprising: a first reservoir, the first reservoir being subject to tidal flow; a second reservoir which is separated from the first reservoir and having a depth below the level of the lowest tide of the first reservoir and a height exceeding the highest tide of the first reservoir; a duct, airtight and chargeable with water, connecting the first reservoir with the second reservoir; tee-shaped channel elements at each end of the duct, with the vertical portion of the channel elements communicating with the duct and the two openings of the horizontal portion of the channel elements communicating with the first and second reservoirs; filter elements situated in the duct in the vicinity of the openings of each tee-shaped channel element; deflection screens surrounding the vicinity of the openings of each tee-shaped channel element; a drop filter situated along the duct; a charging and drain valve arranged in the duct; a shutoff valve arranged in the duct; and a turbine positioned within the duct and adapted to be operated by the flow of water passing between the first reservoir and second reservoir as tidal flow causes a change in the level of water in the first reservoir and the water in the second reservoir is urged to seek a level of equilibrium with the water in the first reservoir.