Patent ID: 8646267
Filing Date: 2014-02-11
Classification: F03B,F05B,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method for utilizing buoyancy forces to generate power, the method comprising: mounting a rotary member for rotation about an axis of rotation while immersed in a liquid, the rotary member having a perimeter spaced from the axis of rotation; placing a plurality of collapsible gas bags spaced circumferentially from one-another along the perimeter of the rotary member; orienting the axis of rotation of the rotary member in a horizontal orientation such that rotation of the rotary member about the axis of rotation will move the gas bags between an uppermost elevation and a lowermost elevation; locating each gas bag relative to a counterpart gas bag such that upon a gas bag reaching an upper location adjacent the uppermost elevation, a corresponding counterpart gas bag is placed at a lower location adjacent the lowermost elevation; providing a plurality of gas passages, with each gas passage establishing communication between a gas bag and a corresponding counterpart gas bag; arranging the gas bags such that upon inflating a gas bag with gas into an expanded configuration, the corresponding counterpart gas bag is in a collapsed configuration, substantially devoid of gas; operating a valving system communicating with each gas passage to open communication between a gas bag placed at the upper location and the corresponding counterpart gas bag placed at the lower location, while closing communication between each gas bag and a corresponding gas bag not placed at respective upper and lower locations such that upon an expanded, inflated gas bag reaching the upper location, a corresponding counterpart gas bag, collapsed and deflated, is placed at the lower location; collapsing the gas bag placed at the upper location to express gas from within the gas bag placed at the upper location and pass the expressed gas through a corresponding gas passage into the corresponding counterpart gas bag placed at the lower location so as to deflate the gas bag placed at the upper location and inflate and expand the corresponding counterpart gas bag placed at the lower location, whereby buoyant forces raise the expanded, inflated counterpart gas bag from the lower location to the upper location, thereby rotating the rotary member and moving the collapsed, deflated gas bag from the upper location to the lower location; and coupling a power generator with the rotary member to generate power in response to rotation of the rotary member.