Patent Abstract:
A buoyancy engine and compression device having a plurality of rotating flexible chains formed of individual segments, each having a plurality of compressible flotation members engaged thereon. The chains rotate around axises at upper and lower frames. The flotation members are alternately compressed and expanded during rotation around the upper and lower frames during passage through an angled pathway defined by paired planar members in an angled engagement which rotate in time with the chain and engaged flotation members. This alternating compression and expansion may also be utilized as an air compressor. Expanded flotation members circumventing the lower frame produce upward thrust as a function of their dimension and displacement of water. Mechanical energy from the system may be harnessed by conventional mechanical engagement of the rotating flexible chains or segments forming the upper and lower frames.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/765,162, filed on Feb. 6, 2006 which is incorporated herein by reference. The present invention is directed to a force transmitting apparatus providing an engine producing mechanical. The device as herein disclosed and described, relates to an apparatus employing the forces of buoyancy upthrust on a series of rotationally engaged floatation members to transmit a displacement force to a drive chain or chain engaging bellowed floatation members between two vertically displaced polygonal drive frames formed of individual linear segments. The resulting combined aggregate buoyancy upthrust from the engaged flotation members is utilized to impart rotational movement to mechanically engaged axles or belts. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Industrialized countries throughout the world in the 20 th  and 21 st  centuries have an increased requirement for energy proportional to their populations and production of products for national and international consumption. Conventionally, water power such as dams and fossil fuels such as oil and gas, have provided the world with their main source of energy for industry and for every more energy dependent populations. 
   With the increase in the world&#39;s population and the industrial output of new industrialized nations such as China, combined with ever decreasing natural energy resources, there is an increasing need to find alternate energy sources. It is preferable if such sources are non-polluting due to the theory of global warming from burning fossil fuels and the problems with pollution that oil cause in the world&#39;s environment. 
   As a result, greater emphasis is increasingly being placed on creating more efficient mechanical devices which either operate more efficiently, or which produce energy, in an attempt to conserve current resources. However, it is currently being recognized that many alternative energy sources exist such as wind power, which are being under utilized. Further, many potential non-polluting, renewable natural energy resources, such as gravity and solar energy, are currently under exploited. The apparatus herein described and disclosed, utilizes the natural power of buoyancy to provide an upthrust upon a series of the bellowed floatation members and a unique manner of circulating the floatation members in a flexible chain, to produce a driving force which may be mechanically capture to power mechanical devices to do work. 
   As is well known, a floating body or member, such as a sealed hollow container, if held below the surface of water, and then released, will rise vertically upwards toward the surface. It is also conventionally known that the water exerts an upward force on the floatation member according to the Archimedes principle. This principle provides that the magnitude of the upward force exerted onto the floatation members is equal to the weight of water which is displaced by the volume of the floatation members. Further, if the total volume of a floatation member displaces water weighing less than the member itself, that member will sink. 
   As such, there is an ongoing need for new energy sources which take advantage of naturally available sources. Such a device should therefore be provided that will harness the energy provided by the natural upward rise of floatation members and other components which displace sufficient water or fluid and allow for recompressing of such floatation members with minimal energy loss to thereby provide a net gain in upward force which may be harnessed. 
   With respect to the above description, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components or steps set forth in the following description or illustrations in the drawings. The various apparatus and methods of the invention are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways which will be obvious to those skilled in the art once they review this disclosure. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
   Therefore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing of other devices, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present buoyancy engine. It is important, therefore, that the objects and claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction and methodology insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
   Further objectives of this invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The device as herein described and disclosed, employs a unique indirect means to compress air or gas inside a hollow bellowed floatation member using indirect compression of the floatation members and gas sealed therein. While the specification herein refers to the hollow bellowed members as floatation members, this term is for convenience and alternate terms for the unique compressible members can also be employed. A segmented polygonal shape of upper and lower frames providing rotational engagement the chain-engaged floatation members and takes advantage of the principle that where forces which are equal and collinear, and are acting in opposite directions, they will not produce a resultant moment at any point in space. Consequently, the pre-pressurized hollow collapsible flotation members, rotationally engaged in a plurality of chained circular paths around both frames, are compressed starting at a widest point in their rotation around the segments of the upper frame section and decompressed beginning at the narrowest point of their rotation around the segments forming the lower frame section. The resulting rotationally engaged combination of compressed and enlarged floatation members, in a plurality of chained engagements to the frames, provide a net upward force to the flexible drive chains engaging each of the plurality of hollow compressible flotation members. 
   The above noted indirect compression is attained by the employment of circular members centrally engaged upon each linear segment or leg forming the top frame section. The individual segments forming both the upper and lower frames, are engaged to adjacent segments to form a polygonal frame with a generally circular shape. All of the segments forming each respective polygonal frame, rotate in tandem engaged to adjacent segments by means for flexible engagement such as a universal joint. The individual segments engaged to the circular members, the flexible drive chains engaged to the circular members, and dividing members engaged to the chains and sides of the floatation members, and other components engaged to the circular members or segments or chain, will all rotate at substantially the same speed. 
   A plurality of the flotation members having collapsible sidewalls are engaged between each pair of rotating flexible chains thereby providing means for rotation, translation and a spaced relationship, in between and around the upper and lower frame members in a generally circular path. 
   The circular planar members are engaged at a central portion of the individual linear segments substantially normal to the axis of individual linear segments. The polygonal shape provided by the individual segments causes the opposing side portions of each pair of circular planar members outside the circumscribed area of the upper and lower frames to be spaced a larger distance from each other than the respective opposite side portions rotating inside the circumscribed area of the frame. Dividing endwall members and the flexible chains on which they are engaged follow alternating narrowing and widening pathways during their rotation around the upper and lower frames. The result is a plurality of narrowing distances between each pair of planar circular members as they rotate on the upper frame from outside the circumscribed area to inside the circumscribed area, and, a plurality of widening distances as they rotate from the inside of the circumscribed area of the lower frame, toward the outside of the circumscribed area. 
   During rotation of the flotation members in chained or other means for segmented flexible engagement adjacent to each pair of planar circular members engaged to segments forming the upper frame segment, each of the pre-pressurized flotation members is compressed to a collapsed position following the path formed by the endwall members following the narrowing gap between the circular members engaged to the linear segments of the upper frame. In the collapsed position, the floatation members may have a volume that will displace water weighing greater than, equal to, or less than the weight of the floatation member itself. 
   Each of the plurality of floatation members is engaged between adjacent flexible chains or other flexible segmented engagement to positions wherein all the flotation members are horizontally aligned with respective adjacent floatation members engaged to adjacent flexible chain pairs. On all such engagements of the floatation members to the flexible chain segments, each flotation member is substantially equidistant from the preceding and subsequent flotation member in like engagement. The result is a plurality of flotation members in engagement with chain segments located a fixed distance from other such engagements on the plurality of paired chains, rotating between the narrowing and widening paths formed by the rotating circular members. As noted, all of the linear segments forming the upper and lower frames, are engaged to adjacent segment members in the frame, using means for rotational flexible engagement of the distal ends of the segments to adjacent segment distal ends, such as a universal or rotating joint. Consequently all components rotate around the segments forming both frames at the rotation speed of the segments. 
   The pressurized flotation members descending, in a mechanically locked collapsed position, from inside the circumscribed area of the upper frame, to the inside of the circumscribed area of the lower frame, thereafter rotate around the lower frame section from inside its circumscribed area to the outside. The path follows the path formed by the circular planar members engaged to individual segments forming the lower frame from a narrowest point to a widest point and each floatation member is caused to inflate to its pre-determined expanded dimension by releasing a mechanical lock and allowing the force of the compressed gas inside the sealed flotation member to expand the collapsed sides. As noted, this enlarged dimension yields a volume that displaces water weighing more than the weight of the flotation member, thereby producing an upward thrust on the enlarged flotation members. This upward thrust is communicated by all of the plurality of inline enlarged flotation members to their respective engagements to the flexible drive chains. Mechanical means for engagement to capture the force of the resulting rotating segmented drive chains, and communicate it, will thereby provide force to do work. 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method to produce power from the buoyancy upward thrust on a system of submerged flotation members which may be harnessed. 
   It is a further object of this invention to use a unique configuration of polygonal frames and compression components rotating in a circular engagement, to minimize energy loss during compression of the flotation members. 
   An additional object of this invention is the provision of such a buoyancy engine which is easy to develop, construct, maintain and operate. 
   These together with other objects and advantages which become subsequently apparent reside in the details of the construction and operation of the invention as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification illustrate embodiments of the disclosed buoyancy engine and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a side cut away view showing one engagement of circular rotating floatation members endwalls to the chain. 
       FIG. 2  depicts a partial perspective view of the rotational motion of the chain engaged floatation members endwall in between and around the upper and lower polygonal frames following the narrowing and widening pathways defined by the circular planar members and rails. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a top view of the device showing the plurality of floatation members in respective spaced engagements on respective flexible chains all engaged at the widest point of the pairs of angled circular planar members. 
       FIG. 4  is an end view of the one of a polygonal frame, showing the individual rotationally engaged segments and floatation members within the angled pathways defined by the circular members. 
       FIG. 5  depicts a graphical representation of the angles and dimensions involved between adjacent circular members when operatively engaged at a central portion of the individual segments forming the upper or lower frames. 
       FIG. 6  shows a compression member endwall in operative engagement between the flexible chain drive and a flotation member adjacent to a rail in a parallel path. 
       FIG. 7  shows an end view of the mechanism employed to lock the restraining cables in either extended or retracted positions by the pin activated by traversing the eccentric rails. 
       FIG. 8  shows internal retractable cables which provide a means to restrain the floatation members in both a collapsed state and when they enlarge. 
       FIG. 9  shows a modified circular planar member in rotational engagement with vertical riser and support bearing. 
       FIG. 10  shows a modified edge of the floatation member endwall for engagement with a modified circular planar member. 
       FIG. 11  shows a support arrangement for a non-modified circular planar member. 
       FIG. 12  shows a modified chain pin, guide roller, and rail guide for use in conjunction with a modified circular planar member. 
       FIG. 13  show a power take-off arrangement. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring now to the drawings  FIG. 1-13 , wherein similar parts are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2  side and side perspective views of a single segmented chain assembly  12  which when engaged in a plurality for rotation around an upper frame  14  and lower frame  16  provide a means for compression and expansion of a plurality of floatation members  17  engaged in a spaced positioning between a flexible chain  18  and side rails  20  or upper and lower eccentric rails  30 . The chain is formed of individual segments of substantially equal length. The upper frame  14  and lower frame  16  are in a fixed spaced relationship using vertical risers  31  therebetween, or other structural means to maintain a fixed spacing. 
   The upper frame  14  and lower frame  16  are polygonal having a generally circular appearance and are formed of individual linear segments  22 . The individual segments  22  which form the upper and lower frames, are engaged to adjacent segments  22  to form the polygonal frames using means for rotational engagement such as a universal joint  24 . The segment  22  so engaged is adapted for rotational engagement with vertical support  48 . The modified circular planar member  26 , in fixed engagement with linear segment  22 , is adapted for rotational engagement with vertical riser  31  which holds the upper and lower frames parallel to each other and at a fixed distance therefrom. The vertical risers are also adapted to be used as a main support structure wherein the other support member will be engaged. 
   The total number of segments  22  forming the upper and lower frame are equal such that both frames are the same size and when in a fixed engagement to the vertical risers  31  and vertical support  48 , all the segments  22  of the upper frame  14  will be parallel and aligned with all of the respective segments  22  forming the lower frame. Some, or all of the segments  22  forming each respective polygonal frame, are adapted to rotate with vertical risers  31 . The remaining linear segment  22  not in engagement with vertical riser  31  and modified circular planar member  26 , will be supported by vertical support  48 . Design considerations will determine if vertical risers  31  are positioned upon each segment  22  and its paired segment  22  on the opposite frame, or just some of them. The vertical risers  31  will also be employed to operatively maintain the device to the ground or mounting surface upon which it rests during operation. 
   At a center section of each segment  22  is engaged one of a plurality of planar circular members  26  each being at an angle substantially normal to the axis of its respective engaged segment  22 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4  the polygonal shape provided by the individual segments  22  forms an angled passage  28  between each pair of circular members  26 . This angled passage  28  is wider outside the circumscribed area of the upper and lower frames and narrower inside the circumscribed area of the two respective frames. 
   Each of the circular members  26  being engaged to a central portion of each segment  22  rotate at the same speed as the segment  22  to which it is engaged. As noted the segments  22  forming the polygonal frames are linked at their distal ends to adjacent segments  22  and all rotate at substantially the same speed in unison. This imparts a like rotation at an equal speed to all of the engaged circular members  26 . 
   The flexible chain  18  is operatively engaged to each circular member  26  and properly tensioned in a circular rotation around both the top frame  14  and lower frame  16  rotating at the same speed as the engaged segments  22  and circular members  26 . Spaced from the perimeter of each circular member  26  on the upper and lower frame, and from the flexible chain  18  extending between inline circular members  26  on the top and bottom frames, are guide rails  20  that are each engaged a fixed position by operative mounting to the vertical risers  31  or other means for holding the rails  20  in a fixed engagement substantially parallel to each other. Eccentric rails  30  are in an eccentric spacing to both the upper and lower frames in relation to respective adjacent circular planar members  26 . A bearing  34  or similar means for supported rotational engagement, provides means for engagement of the modified planar circular member  26  to the vertical risers  31  supporting the upper and lower frames. A bearing  46  or similar means for supported rotational engagement of the circular planar member  26  to the vertical support  48  supporting the linear segment  22 . 
   A plurality of the floatation members  17  are engaged to the flexible chain  18  in a fixed spacing from other floatation members  17  in the plurality engaged to the chain  18 . As such, as the chain  18  rotates in its engagement with the circular members  26 , the floatation members  17  will rotate at the same speed, in their spaced relationship. The guide rails  20  are in operative slidable engagement with the floatation members  17  by means of rollers  40  operatively positioned on endwalls  33 . The eccentric rails  30  are in operative slidable communication with the flotation members  17  using roller  40  positioned at the distal end of pin  42 . The other guide rail  20  is in operative slidable engagement with the connecting pins  41  by means of roller  40  being operatively positioned at the ends of the connecting pins  41 . Positioned along the chain  18  in the space between the inline circular planar members  26  of the upper and lower frames are rails  20  substantially parallel to the outer positioned rails  20  that are fixed in position by operative engagement to the vertical risers  31  or other means for holding the rails  20  in a fixed engagement substantially parallel to each other. The path defined by the planar member  26 , the chain  18 , and the rails  20  is the path that endwall  33  of the floatation members  17  will follow as the members  17  ascend and descend between the upper and lower frames and around the segments  22  of the upper and lower frames. 
   In this engagement with the chain  18  the floatation members  17  follow the path of the individual segments of the chain  18  in their rotation over the top of the upper frame  14  from outside its circumscribed area to inside its circumscribed area and thereafter toward the lower frame  16  where they follow the path of rotation from inside the circumscribed area of the lower frame  16  and around to outside of the circumscribed area, thereof. 
   Each of the floatation members  17  have sidewalls  32  having means for repeated compression and expansion such as a bellows  35  or accordion shaped of sidewall  32  and are formed of material adapted for continuous compression and expansion without failure from fatigue. This sidewall  32  thereby provides means to shorten the sidewall through compression on the endwalls  33  of the floatation members  17 . This is a most preferred component of the device since the segmented polygonal shape of upper and lower frames providing rotational engagement the chain-engaged floatation members  17  takes advantage of the angled pathways defined by the angled positioning of the paired circular members  26  and the principle that where forces which are equal and collinear, and are acting in opposite directions, they will not produce a resultant moment at any point in space. As such, as noted above, the flotation members  17  being hollow bellowed such that they are adapted to change from an expanded position having a maximum volume to a collapsed position having a minimum volume, are urged to a compressed position starting at a widest point in their rotation around the segments  22  of the upper frame  14  section and subsequently decompressed beginning at the narrowest point of their rotation around the segments  22  forming the lower frame  16 . The resulting rotationally engaged combination of compressed and enlarged floatation members  17 , and employment of equal, opposite, and collinear forces on the narrowing and widening paths to change the dimensions of the members  17 , and uniform rotation of the entire system, provide a net upward force to the chain assembly  12  engaging any plurality of the floatation members  17 . 
   During rotation of each of the plurality of flotation members  17  in operative engagement with their respective chain assembly  12  through the angled pathway defined by each angled pair of planar circular members  26  each of the flotation members  17  is collapsed through equal opposite and collinear forces to a collapsed position while traversing the narrowing pathway around the upper frame  14 . Once in this collapsed position, the floatation members  17  are held by means for restraining the floatation members  17  in the collapsed position as they descend toward the interior of the lower frame  16 . 
   The flotation members  17  descending in the collapsed position from inside the circumscribed area of the upper frame  14  traverse through the interior of the lower frame  16  and thereafter rotate through a widening pathway defined by the angled positioning of the paired circular members  26  engaged to segments  22  on the lower frame  16 . During traverse through this widening pathway, a release of the means to restrain the floatation members  17  in the collapsed position is affected thereby allowing sealed flotation members  17  to expand the collapsed sidewalls  32  as the floatation member  17  traverses around the circular planar member  26  on the lower frame  16  and thereby return to the expanded position. 
   As can be seen in  FIG. 3  which is a top plan view of the device  10  the plurality of respective floatation members  17  are in respective spaced engagements between respective flexible chains  18  and rails  20  on the sides and proceed in a path around the planar members  26  where the chain  18  engaged to the endwalls  33  of the floatation members  17  follow the path defined by the chain  18  and rail  20  and planar members  26  rotating with the linear segments of the upper and lower frames. They, thus, move over the top of the upper frame  14  from outside its circumscribed area to inside its circumscribed area and thereafter toward the lower frame  16 . A similar but a reverse path of rotation over the lower frame  16  is provided by the chain  18  and rail  20  and circular planar member  26  on the lower frame  16 . 
   The narrowing pathways and employment of the equal, opposite and collinear force provided by the narrowing angled pathways  28  and rotating planar members  26  on the upper frame  14  provide a defined narrowing pathway yielding the compression for the floatation members  17  and as noted take advantage of forces which are equal and collinear, and are acting in opposite directions to compress the flotation members  17  as they traverse over the top of the upper frame  14 . 
   The compression is accomplished as such, with little or no resistance force as the endwalls  33  of the flotation member  17  are compressed inward during travel through the angled passage  28  formed between the rotating planar members  26 . 
   A graphical representation and mathematical equation of the dimensional relationship between the indicated variables between adjacent circular planar members as shown in  FIG. 5  where
         “R”=distance from point “M” to the center of a circular planar member  26 ,   “r”—radius of the circular planar member  26 ,   “D”=diameter of the collapsible floatation member  17     “2θ”=angle in degrees between two adjacent planar members  26     Also shown in  FIG. 5  is the relationship between “R”, “r” “θ” and “D” is defined by the equation below.       

   
     
       
         
           
             X 
             y 
           
           = 
           
             
               [ 
               
                 
                   ( 
                   
                     R 
                     + 
                     r 
                   
                   ) 
                 
                 - 
                 
                   D 
                   ⁢ 
                   
                     / 
                   
                   ⁢ 
                   2 
                   ⁢ 
                   cos 
                   ⁢ 
                   
                       
                   
                   ⁢ 
                   θ 
                 
               
               ] 
             
             
               [ 
               
                 
                   ( 
                   
                     R 
                     - 
                     r 
                   
                   ) 
                 
                 + 
                 
                   D 
                   ⁢ 
                   
                     / 
                   
                   ⁢ 
                   2 
                   ⁢ 
                   cos 
                   ⁢ 
                   
                       
                   
                   ⁢ 
                   θ 
                 
               
               ] 
             
           
         
       
     
   
   Letting X/y be expressed as compression ratio. (ratio of initial cylinder length to final cylinder length). Examination of the above equation will give the following conclusions:
         1. Doubling “R” decreases the compression ratio.   2. Doubling “r” increases the compression ratio.   3. Doubling “θ” (small angles) produces insignificant changes on the compression ratio.   4. Doubling “D” decreases the compression ratio.       

   From the above equation, “r” has the greatest effect on the compression ratio, hence “r” will mostly dictate in the design of the device to yield the most substantial energy gain from the system. 
     FIG. 7  depicts the registered engagement of the plurality of floatation members  17  in their respective travel around the planar members  26  engaged with the segments  22  on the upper and lower frames, is provided by compression members  38  and  39 . Compression members  38  and  39  are operatively engaged to the endwalls  33  of each floatation member  17  thereby providing means to compress the floatation members  17  to the collapsed position as they travel through the angled passage  28  on the upper frame  14 . 
   During this travel the segments of the flexible chain  18  engaged to a sprocket or other means for engagement rotate at substantially the same speed as the rotation of the planar member  26  to which they are engaged. The first end of the compression members  38  are rotatably engaged to connecting pins  41  of segments of the chain  18  and the second end of the compression members  38  are slidably engaged to endwall  33  of the floatation member  17 . The sliding engagement of compression members  38  will allow for the changing distance between endwall  33  and the connecting pins of the chain  18  as the floatation member rotates with circular member  26  around the segment  22  of the upper and lower frames  14  and  16 . A stopper on member  38  is provided to maintain an equal gap between the chain  18  and the adjacent edge of endwall  33  when the chain  18  is not in contact with the circular planar member  26 . Compression member  39  is rotatably engaged to the chain  18  on one end and on the opposite end is in a fixed engagement with the endwall  33 . This rigid engagement to the endwall  33  provides a means to maintain the member  39  in a radial direction from the center of segment  22  and means to maintain at a fixed distance, the side of endwall  33  adjacent to chain  18 . 
   Traversing the circular planar members  26  rotating with the segments  22  of the upper frame  14 , as the pathway  28  narrows, the compression members  38  and  39  move the endwalls  33  of each floatation member  17  to the collapsed position. As best shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , during travel along the eccentric rails  30  on the upper and lower frames  14  and  16 , a pin  42  is activated to affect engagement of internally located flexible cables  43  from a locked to an unlocked engagement. During the entire time the roller  40  on the pin  42  is in slidable engagement with eccentric rail  30 , the means for volume restraint of the floatation members  17  provided by the cables  43  are in an unlocked position to allow the floatation members  17  to change between the expanded and collapsed position. 
   During traverse of any one floatation member  17  along the eccentric rail  30  on the upper frame  14  the floatation member  17  is collapsed as noted herein. A roller  40  engaged to the distal end of the pin  42 , traverses the eccentric path of the rail  30  around the axis of the planar member  26  it surrounds. While traversing the upper frame, the roller  40  slidably engaged with the rail  30 , translates the pin  42  toward the center axis of segment  22 , where it disengages the cable housing  45  from the stop  47 . The stop  47  when engaged provides a means to lock the cable housing  45  and the cable  43  extending from it. This allows the endwall  33  to follow the narrowing angled path  28  while the cable  43  changes length to accommodate the changing size of the floatation member  17 . 
   The cables  43  as noted are located inside the sealed floatation members  17  and are biased to retract onto cable housings  45  operatively located inside the floatation members  17 . As the floatation members  17  collapses as it rounds the upper frame around any respective planar member  26 , the cables  43  are biased into the housings  45  by a biasing means such as internal springs or the like, whereafter the pin  42  is translated to activate the internal restraint mechanism to engage the stop  47  operatively with the housing  45  to maintain the housing  45  in position, and hold the cables  43  in a shorter state. The current preferred means for retracting and extending the cables  43  into fixed relative positions, is shown by restraint mechanism  51  shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  where the pin  42  activated by the roller  40  engaged with the eccentric rails  30  causes translation of the pin  42  to deactivate the restraint mechanism  51  to allow translation of the cables  43  to their respective retracted or extended positions from their housings  45 . While shown as a series of operatively engaged levers cams and springs, those skilled in the art will realize that other means to restrain the cables  43  in either an elongated position in a longer state, or a retracted position in a shorter state, while the floatation members are traveling vertically along the rails  20  may be employed, and such is anticipated. 
   As the floatation member  17  rounds any planar member  26  located on the lower frame  16 , the eccentric rail  30  engaged with the roller  40  translates the pin  42  toward the axis of the segment  22  moving the restraint mechanism  51  from the locked position to an unlocked position and allowing the cables  43  free to unwind from their housings  45  to the elongated position as the floatation member  17  expands and the endwalls  33  move away from each other to a point where they are fully extended to a pre-determined extended state. As the roller  40  on pin  42  ceases contact with rail  30  the cables  43  are restrained from further elongation by the locking mechanism  51  and provide a means to prevent the floatation members  17  from over expansion. This operation of the locking mechanism  51  to release and then secure the cables  43  to their position of extension from the housing  45 , repeats during each traverse of the upper and lower frames. As noted the pin  42  extends beyond the boundaries of the sealed member  17 . Means to seal the penetration of the pin  42  through the sidewall  32  as well as allow translational motion of the pin  42  through the sidewall  32  is provided by annular seal  44 . 
   The method and components shown in the drawings and described in detail herein disclose arrangements of elements of particular construction, and configuration for illustrating preferred embodiments of structure of the present invention. It is to be understood, however, that elements of different construction and configuration, and using different steps and process procedures, and other arrangements thereof, other than those illustrated and described, may be employed for providing a buoyancy engine system in accordance with the spirit of this invention. 
   As such, while the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modifications, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure, and will be appreciated that in some instance some features of the invention could be employed without a corresponding use of other features, without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. All such changes, alternations and modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of this invention as broadly defined in the appended claims. 
   Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract of the invention, is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting, as to the scope of the invention in any way.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5