Patent ID: 8011182
Filing Date: 2011-09-06
Classification: F03B,F05B,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A vertical gravity/buoyancy power generating apparatus for converting the potential energy of gravity and buoyancy acting on an apparatus within a liquid medium into rotational mechanical energy comprising: a. the vertical gravity/buoyancy power generator apparatus is immersed wholly or partly in a liquid medium contained in at least one of a tank, a container, or a man made or natural body of water; b. a pair of rotatable shafts spaced vertically apart; c. fixed means for supporting the shafts in vertical alignment with each other, an upper shaft being relatively located above the other lower shaft; d. said shafts are fitted with one-way sprockets or pulleys which rotate said shafts and/or rotate on said shafts; said sprockets or pulleys are designed to engage the shaft in one rotational direction and free wheel in the other rotational direction; the sprockets or pulleys on the opposite shafts are one-way or completely free wheeling; e. one or more endless chains, belts or conveyances disposed on the sprockets or pulleys, and at any time a portion of said chain or belt moves vertically upwardly or ascending, and an opposite portion of the chain or belt moves primarily vertically downwardly, or descending; f. a plurality of containers which ascend and descend in a primarily vertical plane on a frame apparatus; g. said containers have the ability to attach to or engage the chains, belts or conveyances so that the movement of the containers has a motive effect on the chains or belts; h. said containers have both vertical ends open on their longitudinal axis so that liquid or gas can pass through the containers; i. one or both ends of each container is fitted with a closure means that is capable of an air tight seal when in the closed position so that the closure means closes the upper end of the vertically aligned container when the chains, belts or conveyances are in the ascending phase; said closure means moves freely so that it no longer seals the end of the container thus allowing liquid to pass freely through the container when the chains, belts or conveyances are in the descending phase, and j. a gas discharge means for discharging gas into the containers; whereby when gas is introduced into the containers sealed by the closure means before the ascent the containers have an overall lesser density than the liquid displaced and rise through the liquid medium due to buoyant force, and the gas is released at the top of the apparatus as the closure means swing open and the containers have an overall greater density than the liquid displaced and descend freely in the liquid medium due to gravity and thereby transmit vertical motive force to the chains, belts or conveyances that is transmitted to the rotating shaft of the apparatus which rotational power can be used for mechanical purposes.