Buoyancy vehicle apparatus to create electrical power

A buoyancy vehicle apparatus includes a water or liquid source, such as a water tank, and a buoyant mass in communication with an electrical generator. The buoyant mass is lifted from a lower level to a higher level to store energy. The mass is stored at the predetermined height and released to travel downward when the electricity is needed. After the mass is released and pulled down by gravity, it will drive the generator to produce electricity. The system can store this energy with no loss in power over a long period of time.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The market for electricity is continually looking for ways to bring electrical supply and demand together to make their operations more efficient. For example, Utility companies try to maximize and align peak and off-peak supply and demand of energy with the production of energy from power plants. These discrepancies in supply and demand have led to the need for efficient energy storage systems that can level out the differences.

In addition, scientists continually attempt to produce renewable energy sources that are efficient, such as solar energy and wind energy. These sources can produce electricity at sporadically, but often lack the consistent output desired over a period of time. For example, solar energy devices can generate electricity during daylight hours when such light is available, but they have trouble meeting energy demand overnight or during periods when sunlight is not available to the solar cells. Moreover, wind energy produces power only if the wind is blowing, which can make it difficult to control when enough power will be provided to a grid. A reliable energy storage system is desired to stabilize these two renewable energy sources by leveling the energy required for the grid and moving excess energy to a storage facility.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The buoyancy vehicle apparatus and system for using is a way to store energy in bulk that can then be discharged at a later time. By using a water or liquid source, such as a water tank, and a buoyant mass, the system can lift heavy objects or masses from ground level to a height above the ground to store energy. The masses are stored at a height above the ground and released when the electricity is needed. As the masses are released and pulled down by gravity, they turn generators that produce electricity. The system can store this energy with no loss in power over a long period of time. The system itself is completely “green” because there are no harmful elements used only water and gravity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A buoyancy vehicle apparatus10that creates electrical power from the movement of the apparatus10through a fluid as the apparatus10cycles negative buoyancy to positive buoyancy is illustrated in the attached figures. In particular, a first embodiment is illustrated inFIG. 1. The apparatus10is positioned relative to a collection of the fluid, such as a water in a water tank11, as shown inFIG. 3. The apparatus10has an outer housing12that surrounds an interior, air-filled housing or ballast14. One or more generators16are positioned in the interior housing14, with each generator16connected to an driving or agitating mechanism, such as a propeller having blades or a turbine18, via a shaft or axle19. The design of each generator16is known to persons having ordinary skill in the art, and typically includes a simple device that includes an armature to move a magnet near a wire to create a steady flow of electrons. That is, the generator16converts mechanical energy into electricity to serve as a power source. The propellers or turbines18are attached to a ballast system14to rotate axles20connected to the generator16so that the generator16will in turn create the desired electrical current. An air hose22is further included with the apparatus10, with one end of the air hose22connected to the interior housing14and the opposite end connected to an air supply21, such as a conventional air compressor or a pump. Electrical wiring23may be coupled with the air hose22, with the electrical wiring23additionally connected to the generator16.

With the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, the apparatus10will go through a cycle in the tank11to generate the desired electricity, with the steps of the cycle shown inFIG. 3. In particular, the apparatus10will initially be positioned in the tank11at a level X2at the start of the cycle, which could further be above the water, and have negative buoyancy from mass in the ballast system14. That is, the apparatus10will have a predetermined weight, including the various components of the apparatus10(i.e., generator16, propellers18, etc.), and may additionally include one or more weights24positioned in the outer housing12, as well as water that enters the outer housing12of the apparatus10at a lower water port13, to create negative buoyancy for descent of the mass.

As the apparatus10travels downwardly in the tank11from the pull of gravity, it may be guided in the water tank11with the use of guide wires17that may be connected to the outside of the housing12(connected by arms to the housing12) or to the inside of the housing12(connected near the generator) attached to the ballast system14. Likewise, other guides could be implemented to direct the past of the apparatus10in the liquid, such as designing the apparatus10to be large enough in the tank11that the tank11keeps the apparatus on a track that cannot be deviated from, thus eliminating friction with the guide wire. When the mass of the apparatus10begins its descent in the water tank11, the blades of the propellers18connected to the apparatus10will begin to rotate from the force of the water on the blades of the apparatus10. The rotating propellers18are connected to one or more generators16that are mounted to the housing14, such that the rotation of the propellers18will generate the electrical current in the apparatus10to be conducted to the desired location via the electrical wiring23.

Continuing to viewFIG. 3, as the apparatus10reaches the bottom of the tank11(at position X1), air is pumped into the ballast or interior housing14of the apparatus10through via the air hose22, which will change the buoyancy of the apparatus10to positive. It is to be noted that the air may be forced directly into the housing12, or the ballast14may include a flexible, air tight material (such as a rubber balloon or inner tube). Furthermore, this ballast14may be positioned within the housing12or attached outside of the housing12, as desired by the user. After air is forced into to the ballast or housing14, the buoyancy of the apparatus10will become positive, and the apparatus10will begin its ascent to the surface of the water in the tank11(position X2). The propellers18will once again be rotated to create an electrical current in the generators16, which is stored in the apparatus10as described above or sent to the surface through electrical wiring23.

The apparatus10additionally includes one or more air release valves26that are affixed to the uppermost surface of the outer housing12. As the apparatus10reaches the surface of the water in the tank11and the end of the first cycle, the air release valves26will be opened to release the air from the main tank interior housing14, which is replaced by water through port13and once again creates negative buoyancy in the apparatus10. In one embodiment, the air release valves26are ball vales that are opened manually to release air from the interior housing14. When the apparatus10reached the surface, the air release valves26would be opened manually and the air would be released, and the air release valves26would also be closed manually prior to the apparatus10starting its descent. In a variation to the air release valves26shown inFIG. 1, a valve26a, such as a ball valve, may be placed on the air line22between the air compressor21and the corresponding apparatus10to release air from the inner ballast14as desired. This would be the same for hydrogen and oxygen gas produced from electrolysis, but it would be released into a tank for later use.

The system may also have an upgrade so that the air release valve26is automatic, such that when the apparatus10reaches the upper surface at position X2, it will trip a trigger sensor that opens the air release valves26. When the apparatus10achieves a negative buoyancy, the trigger is tripped again and the air release valve26is shut. Consequently, the apparatus10will descend again in the tank11to start a new cycle of electrical current generation.

In general, there are two ways of using the electrical current. The first is electrical power generation. At the start of the cycle, the apparatus10is placed in the water tank11. Negative buoyancy starts the apparatus10descending in the tank11. As the apparatus10descends in the water tank11, the water will turn the propellers18on the side of the ballast system14, which rotates the armature of the generator16. The generator16then produces the electrical current, which is stored in the apparatus10or the electrical current will be conducted via the electrical wires23to the surface to a battery or straight to a power grid depending on the end use of the electricity generated. If the system is running DC generators, then the electricity generated would be for battery storage. If the system is running AC generators, then the electricity could be directed directly to the power grid for direct use (of course, ancillary equipment would be needed to perform this operation, such as amplifiers, wave controls, etc).

A second way of using the electrical current is electrolysis in the apparatus10, as illustrated in the embodiment shown inFIG. 2. That is, another means of using the apparatus10would be using the electrical current from the generator16for electrolysis to change the buoyancy of the apparatus10. With this process, as the apparatus10descends in the tank11and an electrical current is created from the propellers18turning the generators16, electrolysis occurs via an electrolyzer27, i.e., at a cathode28and anode30, of the generators16. Hydrogen gas will be collected in a hydrogen storage tank32and oxygen gas will be collected in a separate oxygen storage tank34. As the apparatus10continues its descent, water is converted from its liquid state to hydrogen and oxygen gas. This changes the buoyancy of the apparatus10and the negative buoyancy will become neutral and then positive (as more gas is produced and water is used). The apparatus10will then begin its ascent to the surface of water in the tank11. As the apparatus10ascends, the propellers18are once again rotating to create hydrogen and oxygen gas, which increase the buoyancy of the apparatus10. When the apparatus10reaches the surface of the water in the tank11, the gases will be released into surface tanks.

Put another way, this embodiment of the apparatus10will collect hydrogen and oxygen gas (stored in positive ballast tanks32,34) produced from electrolysis, using the electricity produced from the generator to breakdown the water in the housing14, which would change the density of water from a liquid to hydrogen and oxygen gas. This will give the apparatus10a positive buoyancy. This achieves hydrogen production that could be stored on the apparatus10and released at a later time (i.e., when the apparatus10rises to the upper surface at position X2). This provides a hydrogen economy that generates hydrogen on demand instead of having to store it. Two storage tanks32a,32bare positioned on the surface, the hydrogen ballast tank32would connect and release hydrogen gas into a hydrogen storage tank32a, and the oxygen ballast tank34would connect and release oxygen gas into the oxygen storage tank34a. This embodiment will change the buoyancy of the apparatus10back to negative, and the process is cycled indefinitely.

Thus, there are several designs of the apparatus10that could be used to produce electrical current. Looking toFIG. 1, a first embodiment of the apparatus10is illustrated with generators16mounted in an air filled chamber14. The outer housing12acts as a water chamber that surrounds the air filled chamber14to be used for buoyancy. The opening15on the bottom of the outer housing or water filled chamber12allows the water to be forced out as air is pumped into the interior housing14and water to rush into the outer housing12when air is released, which acts as the main mechanism for buoyancy of the apparatus10. The air hose22supplies the air for the interior chamber14. The propellers18are mounted external to the ballast system14, which would allow it to capture the flow of water creating an electrical current.

FIG. 2illustrates the first embodiment of the apparatus10with a hydrogen producing apparatus. The propellers18are positioned centrally with respect to the vertical axis of the apparatus10, and the ballast system14has been moved lateral to the outer housing12or water filled chamber. The generators16use the rotational force of the propellers18to create an electrical charge that uses the electrolyzer27to produce hydrogen and oxygen gas. The gas is stored in two separate tanks28,30as mentioned above.

Referring toFIG. 3, a stepwise demonstration of a single apparatus10in a complete cycle is illustrated. At step1, negative buoyancy at the beginning of the cycle causes the apparatus10to descend to the bottom of the tank11from the upper position X2. As the apparatus10descends in the water in the tank11, the propellers18rotate from the force of the passing water causing the generators16to create an electrical charge. At step2, once the apparatus10has reached the bottom of the tank11at position X1, air is pumped into the interior housing14, which forces water out of the bottom port13of the ballast tank14.

Control of the air into the housing14may be manual or automated. Using a manual set up, the user would monitor the status of the apparatus10, and when the apparatus10has reached the bottom of the tank11, the user would trigger operation of the air compressor21to fill the interior housing14with a gas such as air to increase the buoyancy of the apparatus10. In an automated embodiment illustrated in the block diagram ofFIG. 3d, an electrical or mechanical sensor29may be used to notify the user or a central controller31, such as a computer or microcontroller, connected to the air compressor21when the apparatus10has reached the lower most level X1of the tank11. In such an embodiment, the sensor29may be positioned at a predetermined position along the length of the tank11so that when the apparatus10reaches that position in the tank11, the apparatus10will trigger the sensor29and send a corresponding signal. Thus, when the sensor29is tripped, the controller31would activate the air compressor21to fill the ballast14with air. The trigger was activated just like the air release trigger at the top of the tank11, by the motion of the apparatus10against the trigger sensor. As the apparatus10gains positive buoyancy, it may trip another sensor (or the same sensor a second time), so that the controller31will shut off the air compressor21. When the ballast tank14is full of air, the apparatus10begins its ascent in the water in the tank11. During the ascent, the propellers18will once again rotate, thereby causing an electrical current to flow. Next, at step3, when the apparatus10reaches the surface of the water, the air in the ballast tank14is expelled, and the apparatus10descends in the tank11again to generate electrical current. The cycle may be repeated indefinitely.

Additional configurations of the apparatus10may be implemented as desired. Referring toFIGS. 4 and 5, a schematic is provided showing the use of the propellers18inside the apparatus10rather than externally. The use of interior propellers18could have the advantage of better water flow through the apparatus10. That is, the user is able to funnel the water to the propeller or turbines18, thus having a larger amount of water producing force against the propeller18. Also, this design has the advantage of funneling water, and thus increasing its velocity to the propeller18which would increase the force on the propeller18.

Looking now toFIG. 6, the embodiment is similar to the original design shown inFIG. 1, except the generators16are mounted lateral to the ballast tank14. The benefit to this design is that it is the easiest to build and also the cheapest. However, with respect to the other designs, it is the least efficient because the body and housing16afor the ballast14and generators16are big factors in resistance when it comes to water. Another embodiment is illustrated inFIG. 7, in which hydrodynamic turbines33are implemented to create the electrical current. The turbines33operate similarly to the propellers18, but more efficient. There are many different kinds of hydro turbines33known to a person having ordinary skill in the art that could be used with the present design. The turbine33uses a head of water (for a dam, it would be anywhere from 10m to 300 m) that is considered the main source of power. The flow through the turbine33determines how much power is produced; that is, the faster the flow the more power produced. Using a head33h(the funnel inFIG. 7) may be unnecessary for this embodiment because the head33hin reality is the amount (mass/weight) of water sitting above the turbine33and pushing down with gravity on that turbine33, which in the present embodiment does not matter because the turbine33is not moving the water. That is, a turbine33having a head33hand a body33bis connected to one or more generators16. In all other respects, the apparatus10is similar to the previous designs using propellers18.

Looking toFIG. 8, a lateral view of an electrical facility40using multiple apparatuses10for generating electricity is illustrated. In particular, this facility40includes six apparatuses10to generate electricity, although more or fewer apparatuses10may be incorporated as desired by the user. The apparatuses10are timed to be at different stages of their descent or ascent at any particular time so that an electrical current is continuously flowing to a central source. This is only to represent the use of multiple apparatuses10for electrical power; all other aspects of how the apparatuses10work may correspond to one of the embodiments described above.

A second embodiment of the facility40is illustrated inFIG. 9. In this embodiment, the facility40takes advantage of air and electrical wiring coming from the bottom of the tank11as opposed to the top of the tank11as shown inFIG. 7. Multiple apparatuses10are shown functioning as inFIG. 7, but when this embodiment, each apparatus10descends to the bottom of the tank11. Once at the bottom, the air is pumped into the interior housing14and then released at the top of the tank11as in previous examples. The electrical wire22could come out the bottom or top of the outer housing12, with the user testing the various embodiments to determine which is most efficient.

In operation, it is desired that the generator16and propeller18will move in the water at the rate of 2 meters/second to provide the desired electrical output. This rate is no problem for this design and is able to produce up to 35 kW per hour. It is estimated that a water tank11could be used (in-ground or above ground) that is roughly 20-30 m high and 8 m wide. The compressed air would be stored overnight (during off-peak electricity cost) and released during peak hours to cycle the system.

The design described herein is a way to use that compressed air much more efficiently because water has 800 times the density of air so it produces 800 times the force on the turbine than air does. To give an example, if you take a wind turbine that produces 3 MW of power, it will work with an optimum wind speed of 14 m/s and a propeller diameter of 50 m (roughly a football field and a half). If the same generator was used in the present system, water would need to flow at the rate of 2 m/s and a diameter of 20 m for the propellers. This allows large scale energy storage using compressed air.

Referring toFIGS. 10-26, another embodiment of the system implementing the apparatus10is illustrated. In this embodiment, the system designed to take advantage of the first embodiment and making it more efficient. In particular, this embodiment provides a system that uses gravity and buoyancy to lift a buoyant mass50from a first, low level X1(e.g., a ground level) to a higher level X2above the low level X1. The water tank11is designed to raise a positive buoyant mass50from the lower level X1to the higher level X2giving the mass50a potential energy. The mass50can then be stored on a platform61, and, when electricity is needed, the mass50is connected to a first end52aof a rope52connected to a pulley assembly54. The opposite end52bof the rope52is connected to a generator16, such that when the mass50is allowed to fall from the upper level X2to the ground level X1, it will spin the armature of the generator16to produce electricity. While there are multiple designs that can be used to satisfy the criteria of this system illustrated, the key of the system using gravity, buoyancy and a positive buoyant mass is the main idea of this embodiment. There are multiple other uses of the system including but not limited to, rising materials from a lower level X1to a higher level X2for removal or storing of the material.

Continuing to refer toFIGS. 10-26, the water tank11has a predetermined height Y from level X1to X2. The water tank can be of any height and raise the buoyant mass to give the buoyant mass potential energy. There are two positive buoyancy masses50in the pool of water in the tank11at ground level X1. The masses have a positive buoyancy; for example, if they weigh 10 kg, then they will have a volume of air inside that will allow them to be buoyant in water in the tank11. The masses50can vary in weight along with the volume of air needed to raise them in water.

The water tank11in this embodiment can be separated into a vertical tower56and a horizontal base58, with an the inlet portal60operatively positioned between the vertical tower56and the horizontal base58of the water tank11. This inlet portal60is closed by an inlet door59whenever the upper outlet portal62is open so that water is maintained within the water tank11. This inlet door59, as well as the other doors described herein, may be closed manually or via a motor connected to the door59as known in the art. The level of water in the pool is above the inlet portal60so no air can get in or water can get out when the inlet portal60is open.

The rope52is positioned to hook the mass50when it reaches the surface of the water, and acts as a conveyor system having a series of pulleys54, namely, a vertical conveyor, to lower the mass50. The rope52is also used to connect the mass50to the generator16when the mass50is allowed to fall from the upper level X2, discharging its stored energy. The generator16has an armature that is connected to one of the pulleys54of the conveyor system, with the pulley or conveyor wheel spinning as the mass50is lowered to the ground X1. The pulley is connected to the rope52, and the conveyor wheel and armature will spin as the mass50is allowed to fall from height X2to height X1to produce electricity in the generator16. There is a valve65traversing the door63at the top of the outlet portal62to release the pressure created when the inlet portal60is open. The valve65may be a ball valve, or similar valve, that is positioned at the top of the water tank11. The valve65moves with the lid63, and is set up to work as the air release valve from the compressed air system. It is to be noted that the outlet portal62is always closed when the inlet portal60is open. Finally, the platform61is positioned proximate the outlet portal62for storing the masses50and their corresponding energy.

Looking toFIG. 11, the inlet portal60is opened. The pressure from the outlet door63proximate outlet portal62being shut keeps the water from flowing out the inlet portal60. The pool of water is above the level of the inlet portal60which keeps air from being able to get into the tank11. When the inlet portal60is open as shown inFIG. 11, one of the positive buoyant masses50will be moved into the vertical tower56of the water tank11. In one embodiment, this will be performed manually. That is, the masses50would drop from a short height, giving it enough motion to dive under water and be pushed off a bar that moved it into the tank11. In another embodiment, the other design was to use a mechanism to push the apparatus10forward and at the same time would slide the apparatus10down under a bracket. In a further embodiment, the first mass/air tank50may be placed in a first position, and when the second mass50ais dropped, it would knock the first mass into the water tank11. However, it is foreseen that the masses and air tank unit50may be pushed at one time with a plunger system attached to a motor. More than one mass50can be placed in the vertical tower56of the water tank11at a time, but only one is shown inFIG. 12. When the positive buoyant mass50is placed in the vertical tower56, it will begin to rise as shown inFIG. 13. The inlet portal60is shut at this time, either manually by the user or with a small motor (not illustrated) that is activated after the air tank and mass50has been moved out of the portal. This also used a trigger system.) When the mass50reaches the upper level X2, the outlet portal62will be opened after the pressure valve is opened. The pressure valve released the pressure of the water created when the inlet portal60was opened. The positive buoyant mass50is now floating on top of the water in the vertical tower56of the water tank11(seeFIG. 14). Looking toFIG. 15, the hook and rope52are lowered and connected to the mass50. The mass50is moved out of the water and placed on the platform61for storage of its associated energy (FIG. 16).

Referring toFIG. 17, the outlet portal62is closed. The hook is disconnected from the mass50, and a second mass50awill now be transported to the platform61for storage. Looking toFIG. 18, the inlet portal60is opened and the mass50ais placed within the vertical tower56of the water tank11as was done for the first mass50. When the second mass50ais placed in the vertical tower56of the water tank11, it will begin to ascend from the first level X1to the second level X2. Once the second mass50ahas reached the top of the vertical tower56of the water tank11as shown inFIG. 19, the outlet portal62will be opened after the inlet portal60is closed. This step is the same as was done for the first mass50. The second mass50ais moved to the platform61by connecting the hook and rope, and the second mass50ais the then stored on the platform61as shown inFIG. 20. This process can be repeated as many times as necessary with any number of masses50to store the desired amount of energy on the platform61. The outlet portal62is closed and the energy stored (seeFIG. 21). The energy can be stored for an indefinite period of time without any loss of energy.

The next phase of the process of generating electricity will show discharge of the stored energy. If the system is being used to lift materials50, then the system would repeat the steps at the beginning at this point and continue to lift the materials50needed. To discharge the energy, a mass50is connected to the hook and maneuvered over the edge of the platform61and allowed to fall from the higher level X2to the lower level X1(seeFIG. 22). As the mass50free falls from the edge, it will concomitantly draw one end of the rope52. As the first end of the rope52is pulled in a first direction, the rope52will spin the generator16to produce electricity (seeFIG. 23). The first mass50will eventually land in the horizontal base pool58of the water tank11, at which time the hook and rope52are disconnected from the mass50(seeFIG. 24).

The rope52is retracted, either manually or using a counter weight system. That is, counter weights may be affixed to the rope52that weigh less than the mass50. Thus, the counter weights will rise when the masses50are placed on the rope52and fall from level X2to X1, but the counter weights will fall (and thus recoil the rope52) when the mass was released. with the first end being connected via a hook or similar means to the second mass50athat remains on the platform61(seeFIGS. 25 and 26). The second mass50ais maneuvered over the edge of the platform61and allowed to free fall just as the first mass50did, thereby again generating electricity at the generator16using the force of the fall (seeFIG. 26). The second mass50awill then be at the ground level X1with the first mass50, the energy will have been dispensed. This process can be repeated until all the masses50have been lowered from the platform61to ground level X1. Energy can be stored again by allowing the masses50to rise in the vertical tower56of the water tank11.

An example of how efficient the present system is over other bulk energy storage systems is provided. If the present system were to lift 100 units of a metal (e.g., lead), with each unit being 1 cubic foot in volume to a height of 10 m (˜30 ft), then the energy stored would be 3.2 MW of potential energy to be released. The storage facility would be 30 ft tall with 100 square feet of space (approx a small parking garage) to store the masses. In order to store the same amount of energy using water it would require 12 times the area and a larger drop than 30 ft (usually 100 ft at a minimum). By lifting heavy objects to heights above the ground, the present apparatus10can store large quantities of energy for later consumption.

A further embodiment of the previous system is illustrated inFIGS. 27 through 35. In this embodiment, one or more air tanks70, such as a 5 kg mass, is held in a tank72filled with water or another liquid. The water tank72includes an exterior chamber74having a horizontal and pivotal exterior portal door76and an interior chamber78having a horizontal and interior portal door80. The exterior chamber74abuts the interior chamber78, with no wall separating the chambers74,78. Like the previous embodiments, a rope82is mounted proximate the water tank72, with one end connected to a generator84and the opposite end detachably connectable to the air tanks70.

In operation, the first air tank70floats to uppermost level X2and to the side of the water tank72to be connected to the rope82and ready for descent to lower level X1. This step consumes energy. The air tank70has to be lifted 1 ft (0.3 m) out of the water and moved horizontally to the edge of the water tank72. The air tank70is allowed to free fall. The mass of the air tank70spins the generator84, which thereby produces electricity. The next few steps consume electricity, for example, the opening and closing of the exterior portal door76and the air tank70dropping into the exterior portal74. Since the air tank70weighs 5 kg, it opens the exterior portal door76easily (seeFIGS. 29 and 30). After the exterior door76is opened, the air tank70is dropped into the exterior portal74. The air tank70is moved into the interior portal78and ready to rise in the water tank72when the interior portal door80is opened. The air tank70is moved 1 ft horizontally. The exterior and interior portals74,78are filled with water, such that the air tank70moves easily from the interior portal74into the water tank72. While the air tank70in the exterior portal74is moved into position in the interior portal78, the rope82and hook are detached from the first air tank70to be connected to the next air tank70a. Currently, the next air tank70ais connected to the hook manually, although it is foreseeable that an automated connection could be implemented.

The interior door80is opened to allow the air tank70to ascend to the top of the water tank72. As the second air tank70ais allowed to drop, the first air tank70is ascending from the bottom of the water tank72(seeFIGS. 34-35). Thus, the second air tank70adescends as the first air tank70ascends from the bottom of the water tank72. There is no energy produced or consumed for the first air tank70at this step. The cycle has completed with the second air tank70adescending and the closing of the interior portal door80.

A simple test of this embodiment was performed using a 6 ft water tank. This could have easily been doubled (e.g., using a 10 kg air tank70), producing twice as much electricity and consuming only a small increase in energy. Although this has been demonstrated on a small water tank72, there is no reason that the system can not be enlarged to 10 ft (3 m) or even 30 ft (10 m).

This embodiment could employ multiple portals to allow multiple generators74to be connected to air tanks70at the same time. In addition, larger masses70can be lifted as the diameter of the water tank72is extended, thereby creating proportionately greater amounts of electricity.

Having thus described exemplary embodiments of a BUOYANCY VEHICLE APPARATUS TO CREATE ELECTRICAL POWER, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments as illustrated herein, but is only limited by the following claims.