Patent ID: 8887497
Filing Date: 2014-11-18
Classification: F15B,Y02E

Abstract:
1. An apparatus, comprising: an outer tank having an open top, a tank wall, and a closed bottom; a first ringwall extending to a first height from the bottom, the first ringwall spaced apart from the tank wall such that a first annular space is defined by the first ringwall and the tank wall, and a second annular space is defined by the first ringwall; a second ringwall extending to a second height from the bottom, and disposed in the second annular space defined by the first ringwall, such that a third annular space is defined by the first ringwall and the second ringwall, and a cylindrical space defined by the second ringwall; a cylindrical air conduit extending to a third height through the bottom and into the cylindrical space; a pod disposed at least partially into the cylindrical space, the pod comprising a closed top, a wall, and a bottom defining a closed gas-filled chamber having a cylindrical recess receiving the air conduit therein, the wall extending past the bottom to define an open displacement chamber, the wall separated from the second ringwall by a first annular gap; and an inner riser at least partially disposed in the third annular space, the inner riser having a closed top having upper and lower surfaces, a wall, and an open bottom, the lower surface of the inner riser resting on the inner ringwall, the wall separated from the inner ringwall by a second annular gap, and separated from the outer ringwall by a third annular gap; an outer riser at least partially disposed in the first annular space and having a closed top, a wall, and an open bottom, the closed top resting on the outer ringwall and onto the inner riser, the wall separated from the outer ringwall by a fourth annular gap, and separated from the tank wall by a fifth annular gap, wherein the outer tank is at least partially filled with a liquid, and wherein the first annual gap, the third annual gap, and the fifth annual gap are substantially full of the liquid, and the displacement chamber, the second annual gap, and the fourth annual gap are substantially free of the liquid, such that the pod, inner riser, and outer riser are positively buoyant and capable of traveling upward relative to the outer tank.