Patent ID: 7735318
Filing Date: 2010-06-15
Classification: F03B,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A variable volumetric body for use submerged in a second fluid comprising: a. a floatation device located at a proximal end of said variable volumetric body, said floatation device configured to create a desired floatation force; b. a weight device located at a distal end of said variable volumetric body, said weight device configured to create a desired weight force, said proximal and distal ends of said variable volumetric body being oriented on an axis; c. a diaphragm connected axially between said floatation device and said weight device, said diaphragm having an interior chamber capable of, in a first sense, moving axially to expand in size to draw in a first fluid having a first fluid density and a first fluid pressure, and in a second sense, moving axially to contract in size to expel out said first fluid; and d. a conduit having a first end in fluid communication with said diaphragm interior chamber and a second end in fluid communication with said first fluid to permit passage of said first fluid into or out of said diaphragm interior chamber; e. said body being capable of operating submerged within said second fluid, said second fluid having a second fluid density greater than said first fluid density and having a second fluid pressure greater than said first fluid pressure; f. said diaphragm being configured to operate under said second fluid pressure so that said diaphragm will not collapse in a direction perpendicular to said axis; g. said flotation device having a density less than said second fluid density; said weight device having a density greater than said second fluid density; said diaphragm, when receiving said first fluid has an overall density less than said second fluid; h. said variable volumetric body having an overall density less than that of said second fluid when said first fluid occupies said diaphragm interior chamber; i. said variable volumetric body having an overall density greater than or equal to that of said second fluid when said first fluid does not occupy said diaphragm interior chamber; j. said variable volumetric body having a first total body density when in said first sense, and a second overall body density, different from said first body density, when in said second sense; k. said floatation force being in a substantially upward direction when said variable volumetric body is submerged in said second fluid, said weight force being in a substantially downward direction when said variable volumetric body is submerged in said second fluid, said variable volumetric body proximal end aligned substantially vertically above said variable volumetric body distal end when submerged in said second fluid when said diaphragm is in said expanded first sense, said variable volumetric body proximal end aligned substantially vertically below said variable volumetric body distal end when submerged in said second fluid when said diaphragm is in said contracted second sense.