GB190822658A - Improvements relating to Variable Buoyancy Apparatus, for Self-acting Buoyancy and Weight Motors. - Google Patents

Abstract

22,658. Heywood, J. J. Oct. 26. [Patent of Addition to No. 23,682, A.D. 1907.] Self-driving motors.-Relates to buoyancy motors of the type described in Specification No. 23,682, A.D. 1907, and consists in modification of the variable buoyancy apparatus, and of the whole motor. Fig. 1 shows one modification of the variable buoyancy apparatus, in which a cylinder b provided with an internal cylinder b<10> slides on a ram a, a bracket j and guide-rod f keeping the two in alinement. The ram a is fixed to a lever arm y<5>, and is provided with an air inlet and outlet c. When the apparatus is immersed in an horizontal position, the pressure on the surface d is greater than that on the annular surface e, and the apparatus takes up the position and is in its least buoyant state. When in a vertical position, the apparatus is arranged to be immersed to such a depth that the pressure on the top surface d is less than that on the surface e. The cylinder consequently rises on the ram to the position shown by the dotted lines, and the apparatus is in its most buoyant position. Catches hold the cylinder in one of its extreme positions. In other forms of the apparatus, the ram is made longer and the internal cylinder is extended downwards to allow of a longer stroke ; the water-tight packing may be replaced by a bellows fixed to the cylinder at one end and the ram at the other. The cylinder a may be fitted with an internal cylinder which slides in the ram ; or the ram itself may be replaced by a bellows chamber. A water-tight packing is also described comprising a band of india-rubber or the like secured at the middle to the ram, and having its ends bent back and secured to the cylinder. The annular tube thus formed is inflated with air. In the complete motor, Fig. 10, a lever y' carries at one end the variable buoyancy apparatus X, and is fixed at the other end to a spring J. The variable buoyancy apparatus is partly or wholly immersed in water in a tank A, into which also dips a plunger E carried by an arm B. The action is stated to be as follows: The variable buoyancy apparatus on reaching its lowest position, is horizontal, when the catch is released and the apparatus takes up its least buoyant position, and tends to sink in the water. This is prevented to some extent by the spring J, with the result that the water level in the tank falls, and the plunger E sinks a little to restore its equilibrium, unwinding a chain L attached to the arm B. This throws more weight on the plunger, which sinks further, raising the water level, and causing the variable buoyancy apparatus to rise to the top of its stroke, where it is vertical. On the catch being released by a projection D on the plunger E, the apparatus becomes more buoyant and tends to rise higher, but is prevented by the spring J which is now in tension. The water-level thus rises and destroys the equilibrium of the plunger E, which ascends, winding up the chain L, until the first position is reached. The spring J may be replaced by a chain weight. Power is taken off from the arm B. A cock may be fitted in the arm F of the tank A to stop the engine.