Buoyancy engine apparatus

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.

Description

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.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing mechanical force comprising: a polygonal upper frame member formed of a plurality of individual elongated linear segments each having distal ends engaged to distal ends of adjacent said segments, said upper frame defining an upper circumscribed area;a polygonal lower frame member formed of a plurality of individual elongated linear segments each having distal ends engaged to distal ends of adjacent said segments, said upper frame defining an lower circumscribed area;means for rotational angled engagement of said distal ends of said linear segments forming said upper frame, to adjacent said ends of said linear members;means for rotational angled engagement of said distal ends of said linear segments forming said lower frame, to adjacent said ends of said linear members;means for rotational support of said upper frame a fixed distance from a rotational support with said lower frame;a plurality of pairs of upper circular planar members with one each of said pairs rotationally engaged at center portions of each said elongated members of said upper frame;a plurality of pairs of lower circular planar members with one each of said pairs rotationally engaged at center sections of said elongated segments of said lower frame;a first angle formed between each of said pair of upper circular planar members thereby forming a narrowing path therebetween, said narrowing path proceeding from a widest point outside said upper circumscribed area to a narrowest point inside said respective upper circumscribed area;an equal second angle to said first angle formed between each of said pair of lower circular planar members thereby forming a widening path therebetween, said widening path proceeding from a narrowest point inside said lower circumscribed area to a widest point outside said respective lower circumscribed area;a plurality of chains engaged for rotation with said upper circular planar members and said lower circular planar members whereby said chains and said circular planar members rotate at substantially a same speed;a plurality of evenly spaced floatation members having endwalls in sealed engagement to a collapsible sidewall thereby defining an interior cavity;said floatation members having an enlarged dimension with a maximum volume and a collapsed dimension of a minimum volume;means of engagement of one of each endwall to a respective one of a pair of said plurality of chains, with each floatation member of each pair of chains aligned with adjacent floatation members of adjacent pairs of chains;said floatation members engaged to each said pair of chains aligned with those of adjacent said pairs of chains for an inline rotation around said upper and lower frames and therebetween;said narrowing path defined by said rotating upper circular planar members providing means to force said endwalls to collapse said sidewall thereby moving said floatation member to said collapsed dimension;means to maintain said floatation members in said collapsed dimension;means to release said floatation members from said collapsed dimension prior to travel through said widening path; andwhereby said floatation members in said enlarged state impart an upward force to said plurality of chains.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising: wherein said collapsible sidewall is provided by a bellows shape of said sidewall.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising a sprocketed engagement of said chains to said circular planar members.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, additionally comprising a sprocketed engagement of said chains to said circular planar members.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said means to maintain said floatation members in said collapsed dimension comprises: a plurality of tethers located inside said interior cavity of each said floatation members;said tethers extending from a biased retracted position wound on a reel engaged with a housing, to an extended position with a distal end extended a distance, from said housing;said distal ends engaged to said endwalls of said floatation members;means to lock said tethers in said retracted position; andmeans to release said tethers from said retracted position and relock said tether in said extended position, whereby said tethers in said retracted position maintain said floatation members in said collapsed position and in said extended position maintain said floatation members in said enlarged state.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said means to maintain said floatation members in said collapsed dimension comprises: a plurality of tethers located inside said interior cavity of each said floatation members;said tethers extending from a biased retracted position wound on a reel engaged with a housing, to an extended position with a distal end extended a distance, from said housing;said distal ends engaged to said sidewall of said floatation members;means to lock said tethers in said retracted position; andmeans to release said tethers from said retracted position and relock said tether in said extended position, whereby said tethers in said retracted position maintain said floatation members in said collapsed position and in said extended position maintain said floatation members in said enlarged state.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said means to means to lock said tethers in said retracted position and said means to release said tethers from said retracted and relock said tethers in said extended position comprise: an elongated pin having a roller at a first end, and engaged to a locking mechanism in said housing at a second end;said roller adapted for rolling engagement on a first eccentric rail adjacent to a circumference of said upper circular members;said roller adapted for rolling engagement on a second eccentric rail, adjacent to a circumference of said lower circular members;said second eccentric rail translating said pin from said locked position to allow a biased rotation of said reel to said extended position of said tether;said first eccentric rail translating said pin from said relocked position to allow a biased rotation of said reel to said retracted position of said tether.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means to means to lock said tethers in said retracted position and said means to release said tethers from said retracted and relock said tethers in said extended position comprise: an elongated pin having a roller at a first end, and engaged to a locking mechanism in said housing at a second end;said roller adapted for rolling engagement on a first eccentric rail adjacent to a circumference of said upper circular members;said roller adapted for rolling engagement on a second eccentric rail, adjacent to a circumference of said lower circular members;said second eccentric rail translating said pin from said locked position to an unlocked position to allow a biased rotation of said reel to said extended position of said tether;said first eccentric rail translating said pin from said locked position to an unlocked position to allow a biased rotation of said reel to said retracted position of said tether.

9. An apparatus for providing mechanical force comprising: a generally annular top frame, said frame formed of a plurality of individual linear members, each linear member rotationally engaged at two ends, to an adjacent linear member of said plurality;said top frame having an area outside the circumscribed area and a circumscribed area;a generally annular bottom frame, said frame formed of a plurality of individual linear members, each linear member rotationally engaged at two ends, to an adjacent linear member of said plurality;said bottom frame having a lower circumscribed area substantially equal to said top frame;a planar circular member having two side surfaces, located at center portions of each of said linear members of said top frame and said bottom frame;means for rotational support of said top frame distance from a rotational support for said bottom frame;adjacent said planar circular members, which are engaged to adjacent said linear members on said top frame thereby forming a plurality of upper pairs of planar circular members;adjacent said planar circular members, which are engaged to adjacent said linear members on said bottom frame thereby forming a plurality of lower pairs of planar circular members, said lower pairs substantially aligned with said upper pairs;a first angle formed between each of said upper pair of circular planar members thereby forming a narrowing path therebetween, said narrowing path proceeding from a widest point outside said upper circumscribed area to a narrowest point inside said respective upper circumscribed area;an equal second angle to said first angle formed between each of said lower pairs of circular planar members thereby forming a widening path therebetween, said widening path proceeding from a narrowest point inside said lower circumscribed area to a widest point outside said respective lower circumscribed area;a plurality of chains engaged for rotation with said pairs of upper circular planar members and said pairs of lower circular planar members whereby said upper and lower pairs of circular planar members at substantially a same speed;a plurality of evenly spaced floatation members having endwalls in sealed engagement to a collapsible sidewall thereby defining an interior cavity;said floatation members having an enlarged dimension with a maximum volume and a collapsed dimension of a minimum volume;means of engagement of one of each endwall to a respective one of a pair of said plurality of chains, with each floatation member of each pair of chains aligned with adjacent floatation members of adjacent pairs of chains;said floatation members engaged to each said pair of chains aligned with those of adjacent said pairs of chains for an inline rotation around said upper and lower frames and therebetween;said narrowing path defined by said rotating upper pairs of circular planar members providing means to force said endwalls to collapse said sidewall thereby moving said floatation member to said collapsed dimension;means to maintain said floatation members in said collapsed dimension;means to release said floatation members from said collapsed dimension prior to travel through said widening path; andwhereby said floatation members in said enlarged state impart an upward force to said plurality of chains.