GB2430471A

GB2430471A - Variable volume buoyancy engine

Info

Publication number: GB2430471A
Application number: GB0519584A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Blaise Coonan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-09-26
Filing date: 2005-09-26
Publication date: 2007-03-28
Also published as: GB0519584D0

Abstract

The arrangement comprises a variable volume device supported in harness 111 between cables 210, 211 for vertical reciprocation to drive a generator. The device comprises fixed 101 and free 102 hulls connected by bellows 103 for relative movement to vary buoyancy by expanding and contracting under hydraulic pistons 109 and retracting spring 110. Hydraulic force is applied to the pistons from an electrically powered pump acting through a supply means 106 having pressure sensors 107 and a valve 108. Alternatively it is alleged that hydrostatic pressure of the surrounding fluid 100 may be used in which a membrane transfers external pressure to the hydraulic fluid for use in the pistons. At cycle start the device adopts a minimum volume where weight exceeds buoyancy and thus sinks. At a reference depth detected by the pressure sensor the valve opens and volume increases to increase buoyancy to return the device to the start.

Description

Page 1

Specification

Description

Title: A kinetic energy device

Background

This invention relates to a device that generates kinetic energy that may be used to generate electricity.

There is ever growing interest in looking for a means to create electricity that does not produce as a by product materials that pollute the atmosphere and perpetuate global warming such as fossil fuels or materials that may pollute the environment otherwise such as nuclear fusion.

This interest in alternative sources of power have included the use of solar, wind, wave, and hydroelectric power, though it appears that the harnessing of solar, wind and wave power, necessarily more efficient within unobstructed non-urban environments, has caused increasing concern that they are ruining the environment visually; and hydroelectric power, using gravity as a means to create force, is not always available and can require huge infrastructure changes to harness.

All such power sources harness free energy but such energy is not always available.

This invention arose from a desire to consider how to utilise hydrostatic pressure that naturally occurs within any fluid in such a way as to generate electricity. Such hydrostatic pressure was available throughout the world, was in effect consistent; continuously available, and would even occur within fluids enclosed in man made structures.

hi a fluid, the hydrostatic pressure naturally increases as one goes deeper in a fluid. In such an environment; an object of fixed weight and an initial given volume that was compressible would, in accordance with Archimedes principle of buoyancy and Bolye's Jaw, reduce in volume as it was placed lower in a fluid, thereby reducing the object's displacement volume and therefore at a point achieve net negative buoyancy and commence to descend on its own accord. But in that natural environment such an object would not then ascend without inteivention.

Funher more, an object that acts like a submarine descends or ascends in a fluid by actively altering its weight but not its overall volume, by removing fluid from that fixed volume using high pressure air. But the cyclical action that may arise from using this weight change principle would only be beneficial in terms of producing net free energy if the practical difficulties and cost of renewing an air supply to regularly push the fluid out of the object at the bottom of the cycle ( at depth) was outweighed by the value of electricity obtained from the kinetic energy produced by that cycle of movement in such an object where cables that drove a generator were connected to such an object.

Statement of Invention

To address these various issues this invention proposes a device that applies Archimedes's principle of buoyancy in a fluid to a closed pressure resistant device of fixed weight but of variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume. In this invention such a device in all its embodiments is designed to be capable of proportionately increasing its displacement volume in a controlled manner when at given depth in a fluid and returning to its initial volume subsequently in a controlled manner. In being able to sink to a given depth in a fluid then subsequently increase its displacement volume when at such depth and therefore rise, and, for example where near the top of such fluid, to then return to its initial volume and therefore sink again, the device would be induced to move in a cycle up and down.

Page 2 To valy the device's volume this invention proposes that the outside of the device is formed of a plurality of pressure resistant hull means sealed together by a plurality of sealing means that also allow such phuBlity of hull means to move apart from one another or,as the case may be, move closer together, when required by harnessing and applying certain forces in a controlled manner or, as the case may be, not applying such forces.

Advantages [Preferable features.

In accordingly descending or ascending in that cycle, such a device of a given weight and given variable displacement volume would produce calculable amounts of kinetic energy each time, which, harnessed in a controlled manner via cables above and below the device, may in turn rotate the drive shaft of a generator, whether the device was ascending or descending Within such a cycle the device would not exhibit perpetual continuous motion but in combination with the synchronised and / or staggered cycles of other such devices could, like valves of a petrol engine connected to a drive shaft for example, produce continuous levels of kinetic energy in that drive shaft.

Such a device could have embodiments of variable form, weight and degree of variable displacement volume and source of applied forces depending upon requirements and the environment it is operating in, and produce different amounts of kinetic energy depending upon the characteristics of the embodiment being used, and if necessamy could be adjusted and controlled to move in different cycles of time and distance.

Such a device could be used in domestic or industrial contexts and be used as the sole source of power or as a contribution to the local or national grid.

In the case of fresh or salt water, examples where this device could be used include but are not limited to lakes, lochs, coastal or the open sea, old mine shafts, high rise redundant or purpose built constructions on land including but not limited to silos.

The device in some embodiments could also be used in deep water as submerged buoys that rise up, then rest at a level desired * or move down, in response to instructions via a communication system to control the actual volume of the device, and such a buoy would be capable of rising and floating on the surface until it is necessary to sink and come to rest lower down, tethered or not.

Preferably the force applied to increase the volume of the device would be an hydraulic force acting through a closed hydraulic system that the device incorporates that in turn acts on the hull means or plurality of hull means of the device that are designated to move, though such force may also be produced by or in combination with electrically powered pistons or rams or by other means.

Preferably such hydraulic force applied to increase the volume of the device may be produced by harnessing the forces produced by the actual hydrostatic pressure in the surrounding fluid outside the device at the time by the device incorporating a compressible membrane or plurality of such membranes in contact with the surrounding fluid that flexes as a result and transfers such hydrostatic force to the device's closed hydraulic system, although the hydraulic force may also be produced by or in combination with other means such as the device incorporating an hydraulic pump, energised by electricity ( for example a proportion of the electricity that the device itself is designed to produce) supplied to the device via an electrical cable.

Preferably the force applied to reduce the volume of the device would include the force from a suitable spring.

Preferably, the hull elements of the device that weuld move apart from one another would be sealed together by a sealing means that incorporates the use of a pressure resistant flexible concertinable tubular form whose structure acts in tension against the hydrostatic pressure of the surrounding fluid.

Page 3 Preferably, the device would be connected to a generator via drive cables. Such drive cables would preferably be constructed in such a way so as to have net neutral buoyancy when ui the associated fluid so that as they were moved by the device the kinetic energy harnessed from the device was not otherwise countered by the weight of the drive cables.

Preferably * the device would be connected to the drive cables by a harness of suitable construction to transfer the kinetic energy of the device to the drive cable or cables.

Preferably the drive cables would drive the drive shaft of an electrical generator via a suitable system of geared cogs that operate if desired when the device is ascending or / and descending.

Introduction to Drawings

The invention will now be described by way of example and by reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the overall arrangement in section elevation of (as an example) an embodiment of the device that is depicted in Figure 2, with an embodiment of a generator means depicted in Figure 15.3; and an embodiment of a pulley means depicted in Figure 15.5, such generator means and pulley means that may work in association with any embodiment of the device and cable means 210 and 211 to permit the kinetic energy resulting from the cycle of movement in such a device to be harnessed to drive a generator 201.

Please see detail description of Figure 1 below.

Figure 2 shows in vertical cross section an embodiment of the device where the free hull means 102 is located within the confines of the fixed hull means 101. Figure 2 shows such an embodiment in a state of minimum volume, as would be the case as such a device is descending in the surrounding fluid 100. Please see detail

description of Figure 2 below.

Figure 3 shows the embodiment of the device in Figure 2 in vertical cross section in a state of sufficiently enlarged volume as would be the case when such a device is ascending in the surrounding fluid 100.

Figure 4 shows a side elevation of the embodiment of the device in Figure 2.

Figure 5 shows in vertical cross section an alterative embodiment of the device described in Figure 2 where a single free hull means 102 is located outside the boundaries of the fixed hull means 101. FigureS shows such an embodiment in a state of minimum volume, aswouldbe the case as such a device is descending in the surrowxling fluid 100.

Figure 6 shows the embodiment of the device in Figure 5 in vertical cross section and in a state of sufficiently enlarged volume as would be the case when such a device is ascending in the surrounding fluid 100.

Figure 7 shows a side elevation of the embodiment of the device in Figure 5.

Figure 8 shows a side elevation of the embodiment of the device in Figure 6.

Figure 9 shows the embodiment of the device in Figure 5 in vertical cross section in a state of sufficiently enlarged volume as would be the case when such a device is ascending in the surrounding fluid 100, but in this embodiment the hydraulic force production means 105 is provided by the use of a electrically driven hydraulic pump where the provision of such electrical power is via an electrical cable incorporated within the cable means 210.

Figure 10 shows in vertical cross section another alterative embodiment of the device described in Figure 2 where a double set of free hull means 102 is located outside the boundaries of the fixed hull means 101.

Figure 10 shows such an embodiment in a state of minimum volume, as would be the case when such a device is descending in the surrounding fluid 100.

Page 4 Figure 11 shows the embodiment of the device in Figure 10 in vertical cross section in a state of sufficiently enlarged volume as would be the case when such a device is ascending in the surrounding fluid 100. The lower of the free hull means 102 is pulled up via a plurality of cables 117 connected to the upper free hull means 102.

Figure 12 shows a side elevation of the embodiment of the device in Figure 10.

Figure 13 shows a side elevation of the embodiment of the device in Figure 11.

Figure 14 shows a plan of an embodiment of the device showing the preferred arrangement of an harness means 1ll;ahydraulicpistonmeans lo9andaretractionmeans 110.

Figure 15 shows the preferred embodiments of a generator means and pulley means that may be used in conjunction with the device and their operation when the cable means 210 and 211 are moved by the device.

Please see detail description of Figure 15 below.

Figure 16 shows thedevice,whichoouldbeinanyembodiment, nOtjusttheOfleShOWfl,Operatflg ma surrounding fluid 100 enclosed in an embodiment of a man made structure, and in unison and/or synchrony with other such devices and enclosures. In this Figure 16 the operation of the devices shown have staggered cycles and the kinetic energy produced by each are harnessed together via the pulley means and generator means and cable means described in Figure 1 and Figure 15, via a plurality of interconnecting drive shafts or belts to drive a generator. The number of devices that could be operated is unlimited. The enclosure as aforesaid could for example be a construction above or partly above or below the ground, or a structure immersed in a lake or sea.

Figure 17 shows the operation described in Figure 16 but without the enclosure 250 and where the generator means is supported on a pontoon 251 of some nature,which could be a semi submersible, a reused oil rig or an artificial island within a lake or sea.

Detailed Description

For the purposes of this description one cycle of variable but controlled movement in time and distance of the device (a "cycle") will have occurred when the device has completed a single descent of a given distancefollowedbyasubsequentsingleascentofgivendistance,orviccversa, intheSulTOufldingfluid.

One cycle of the device may be of variable time and distance. The top of the cycle is where the device is at rest in the surrounding fluid just before it descends, and the bottom of the cycle is where the device is at rest just before it starts to ascend in the surrounding fluid. The time and distance taken to descend is called the descent phase and the time and distance taken to ascend is called the ascent phase. The time the device takes to transit each phase of the cycle may or may not be deliberately equal since it may be necessary that one phase produces the maximum kinetic energy that an embodiment of the device may allow whilst in the other phase the device is merely designed to return slowly.

Refernng to Figure 1 in more detail, Figure 1 shows the overall arrangement in section elevation of (as an example) an embodiment of the device that is depicted in Figure 2, with the an embodiment of a generator means depicted in Figures 15.1, 15.2 and 15.3; and an embodiment of a pulley means depicted in Figures 15.4 and 15.5, such generator means and pulley means that may work in association with any embodiment of the device to permit the kinetic energy resulting from the cycle of movement in such a device to be harnessed via a cable means 210 and 211 to drive a generator 201.

The device may commence a cycle in its state of smallest volume on the surface of the surrounding fluid or at any depth in the surrounding fluid 100, though it is assumed hereafter for the purposes of this description that the device will commence a cycle when positioned just below the top surface 217 of the surrounding fluid 100, to be known as the top of the cycle, where for the purposes of this description it is assumed the hydrostatic pressure of the surrounding fluid 100 is at "Reading A" ,150.

Page 5 At the top of such cycle of movement of the device the value of the initial displacement volume of surrounding fluid 100 caused by the device's smallest volume, and the value of the given weight of the device, always have relative values at that time such that the net buoyancy of the device is negative causing the device to descend in the surrounding fluid 100 (herein called "the Descent point" 150) from the position th, Iuw c firci n1M fuvi then'jftpr lPr2te to i d'rei' over time due to ravitaifional acceleration Page 6 state of net negative buoyancy which over time slows the ascent of the device and thereafter the device comes to rest at the top of the its cycle and thereafter begins to descend thereby starting a new cycle.

The above description of the device's movement in the surrounding fluid 100 is on the principle of the device's cycle being wholly below any disruptive effects of waves where the device is operating in exposed i17k..... ,l... .,, .,., ,,.,,re,nmpiit th ti,n nf th g1pu'irp'c vrh mv 1w Page 7 displaced water would rise to 40,700kg whilst the weight of the object remains at 29,000kg. The resultant up-force would be 11,700kg.

Further to the two examples above, the characteristics of an embodiment of the device may also be varied so as to produce a maximum force when descending and minimum force when ascending, or vice a versa, if the process of generating electricity for example is based on the use of a fly wheel, or indeed if a plurality of such devices are used in unison cr/ and in combination with each other then the device's(s) oscillation can be optimised, (including the timing of such oscillation(s) ) to produce maximum kinetic force in just going up, or just going down with the opposite journey by the device(s) having only sufficient net positive buoyancy ( or net negative buoyancy as the case may be) to return the device to a position to recommence producing its desired kinetic energy in the overall context of its use, including but not limited to its weight, volume,proportions, the depth and density of fluid.

if it is supposed that it is the descent phase of the cycle that the kinetic energy is to be maximised, the device would be provided with sufficient weight to produce the maximum downward force in its shnmken, minimum volume state whilst allowing the device still to rise again to the top of the cycle.

So in the case of the first example above, which has a buoyancy force of 11,000kg when in its state of minimum volume, if the actual given fixed weight of such a device is made to be 24,000kg the downward force in the first phase of the cycle would be some 13,000kg. Applying the same increase in volume as before with a corresponding rise in the net positive buoyancy force to 28,000kg as before, the upward force on the second phase of the cycle would be 4000kg.

If the requirement is for the device to produce its maximum optimum kinetic energy when ascending, the weight of the device would be made close to the initial buoyancy force when the device is in it shrunken mode at the top of the cycle.

In all the examples above there are other fluid dynamic coefficients that come into play to technically assist or hinder the initial kinetic forces that arise from the device. As the device sinks it will accelerate based on the formula for rate of sinking that takes into account the cross sectional area of the device, the gravitational acceleration, the difference in density of the fluid and the device, and the dynamic viscosity of the fluid.

When rising it will accelerate,but this time the gravitational coefficient will spell' back rather than assist.

On balance these coefficients are positive and assist in increasing the momentum of the devices and hence improve the degree of kinetic energy available for use. The other constants that would reduce the resultant kinetic forces, before it became utilised by for example a generator itself or fly-wheel itself would be the resistance created by the cables and pulleys that transfer the kinetic force to the generator.

In all the embodiments described herein it is preferred that all the cables in the surrounding fluid have neutral buoyancy when at rest in an associated fluid.

Referring to Figure 2 in more detail, Figure 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the device that may operate in the same manner as described in Figure 1 and as may operate in conjunction with the generator means and pulley means described in Figure 15. The preferred embodiment of the device in Figure 2 consists of fixed hull means 101; a free hull means 102;a sealing means 103; a force transfir means 104; a hydraulic force production means 105 that surrounds the fixed hull means 101, and utilises the hydrostatic pressure in the surrounding fluid 100; a hydraulic fluid supply means 106, that incorporates a pressure measuring means 107 and a hydraulic valve means 108; a hydraulic piston means 109; a retraction means 110; a harness means 111; drive cables 210 and 211; a ballast means 112 (not the subject of this invention); ; a computer and conununications means 1 13(not the subject of this invention); and an electrical generator means 114 (not the subject of this invention) driven by the change in hydrostatic pressure of the surrounding fluid 100. The face of the hydraulic force production means 105 is protected by a grillage 115, and the top of the device has agrillage 116.

Both the fixed hull 101 and free hull means 102 in this embodiment are of pressure resistant construction and in this embodiment the fixed hull means 101 would be formed so as to generally describe a cylinder in shape. The free hull means 102 is sealed to the fixed hull means 101 by the sealing means 103.

Page 8 The sealing means 103 in this embodiment consists of a pressure resistant circular tubular form of given length, thickness and diameter that is formed into a concertina located between, and with its rims sealed to, thefixedhullmeanslolandfreehullmeansl02soasto stopthedevice'ssurroundingfluidlOOfmlfl entering inside the device whilst also permitting such hull means to move, or, as the case may be, not to move in relation to one annth and wherthv the tubular form counteracts the hydrostatic pressure of the Page 9 operation and communication, ) the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the respective pipe and as necessaiy activates the operation of the respective hydraulic valve of the hydraulic valve means 108 located on the same pipe via the computer interface means 113.

The proportionally opening and closing valves of the hydraulic valve means 108 as aforesaid comprises a plurality of electrically powered manufactured rated and calibrated valves positioned on each hydraulic pipe, (using electrical energy from a battery means 114 for their operation and communication with the computer interface means 113) whereby the operation of each valve is controlled by a signal from the computer interface means 113 such that the gate within each valve can be separately and progressively opened or closed so the rate of flow of hydraulic pressurised fluid in the associated hydraulic pipe can over lime be progressively increased or reduced, and the hydraulic force in the hydraulic piston means 109 be controlled.

The hydraulic piston means 109 in this embodiment comprises 4 equal sized and rated hydraulic pistons, which may be telescopic, of sufficient cross sectional area, robustness, size, girth, initial length and maximum extendable length and arranged in a circle, (with the retraction means 110 in the centre, such centre being the central vertical axis of the device), whereby the design of such hydraulic piston means 109 would enable such hydraulic pistons to be suitably restrained and supported at their base by the internal structure of the fixed hull 101 and restrained at their top by a force transfer means 104 such that the hydraulic force produced by the hydraulic force production means 105, when transferred through the hydraulic fluid supply means 106 into such plurality of pistons, may transfer such force to the hull means 101 and 102 that such pistons connect to, and also designed to allow the hydraulic fluid within such pistons to drain out of such pistons when the valves of the hydraulic valve means 108 in the hydraulic supply means 106 allows the hydraulic fluid in the pistons to flow back towards the hydraulic force production means 105, (the pressure in the hydraulic force production means 105 having previously fallen below the pressure that had been retained in the hydraulic piston means 109 when the valves of the hydraulic valve means 108 had closed when the device bad begun to ascend).

The retraction means 110 in this embodiment consists of a suitably elastic spring so that it can stretch and contract over a given distance equal to the distance the free hull 102 and fixed hull means 101 need to move apart from one another to achieve the desired change in displacement volume, and of sufficient performance so as to provide sufficient energy when required and free to do so to act on the force transfer means 104 aM so to force a sufficient proportion of the hydraulic fluid out of the hydraulic piston means 109, when the valves of the hydraulic supply means 106 open, so to assist in drawing the plurality of hull means back together.

Preferably, the device would be connected to the drive cables 210 and 211 by a harness means 111 of suitable construction, structure, height, geometric shape and strength and orientation acting as an interface between the device and the cable cables such that the harness acts to transfer the kinetic energy of the device to the drive cable or cables, and so assembled and arranged relative to the device such that it permits the device in the embodiment being used within the geometric shape of the harness to enlarge to its maximum volume and contract to it smallest volume without fouling said harness.

The drive cables 210 and 211 in this embodiment consist of drive cables of sufficient cross sectional area, or have connected to them at sufficient intervals sufficient buoyant material, such that, for a gwen weight of drive cable per unit of its length and a given density of surrounding fluid 100, the volume of surrounding fluid 100 displaced by such drive cable will produce a continuous net neutral buoyancy effect on such cable means throughout its length when such cable is motionless in the surrounding fluid 100.

Referring to Figure 15 in more detail, Figure 15 shows the preferred embodiments of an electrical generator means, and pulley means in relation to each other.

In respect to the generator means, Figure 15.1 is a plan; figure 15.2 is an elevation along the length of drive shaft 202 and axles 205/207; figure 15.3 is an elevation from the end of the axles 205 and 207, such generator means being located above the top 217 of the fluid 100. In respect to the pulley means, figure 15.4 and 15.5 are elevations, such pulley means being located at the bottom 214 of the fluid.

Page 10 In this preferred embodiment the direction of any clockwise movement is when such movement is viewed looking along the drive shaft 202 from one end at position 200 In this preferred embodiment drive shaft 202 is induced only to rotate in a clockwise direction such direction being the direction assumed to induce electrical energy from within the electrical generator 201. In this embodiment the drive cogs 220 and 222 are of a given diameter such as to act as a plurality of gears to multiply the kinetic force from the device into a given and appropriate level of revolutions per minute and/or torque force in the generator drive shaft 202 commensurate with producing a given level of electrical energy.

The generator means in this embodiment consists of a generator 201; drive shaft 202 that rotates clockwise in response only to the clockwise movement in either ratchet drive cogs 221 and 223; ratchet drive cogs 221 and 223, that are ratcheted internally around the drive shaft 202, such drive cogs that may rotate in either direction in response to the respective direction of rotation of drive cogs 220 and 222; drive cogs 220 and 222 that rotate in response to the rotation of the respective fixed axles 205 and 207; fixed axles 205 and 207 which rotate in response to the respective rotation of cable drum cogs 208 and 209; cable drum cogs 208 and 209, that rotate in a synchronised manner in response to the downward pulling force exerted by the device on their respective cables 211 and 210 such that the effected cable drum cog being consequently rotated anticlockwise in this embodiment exerts a equal clockwise rotation in the other cable drum cog, thereby drawing such other's respective cable onto such other's drum at the same speed as the effected drum is releasing its cable.

In this preferred embodiment the pulley means consists of two pulleys 212 of given diameter freely rotating on independent axles within a structural frame, and protective mesh 215, fixed to a plurality of foundations 213 founded on solid ground 214 at the bottom of the surrounding fluid 100,such pulley means being positioned and orientated on plan to align with the position of the drive cables 210 and 211 with the respective given sizes and spacing of the cable drum cogs 208 and 209, and being capable of withstanding the plurality of dynamic forces exerted by the drive cables transiting through said pulleys and cogs.

The cable drum cogs 208 and 209 would have sufficient capacity to hold the length of associated drive cable 2loand2lltoallowthe pulleymeanstobeflxedatthebase2l4ofthefluid 100 inwhichthedeviceis being used.

All cogs, drives and axles as aforesaid would be of sufficient size, cross sectional area with cogs having teeth at sufficient centres, to collectively induce synchromsed movement in both drive cables and'permit or induce the necessaly speed of rotation and/or torque in the drive shaft and axles to suit and co-ordinate with the dynamic characteristics of the particular electrical generator being used.

Such generator means may also include a flywheel to iron out fluctuations in the degree of kinetic energy produced by the device or set of devices being used over time.

Claims

II

Claims 1. A variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device that utilises Archimedes's principle for the purpose of generating kinetic energy that can be harnessed from the device's cycle of movement through a fluid resulting from the controlled variation in the device's displacement volume during the cycle of movement in a fluid wherein the device's original volume may be proportionally increased in volume when at a given depth in the fluid surrounding the device and wherein such resultant volume of the device may be proportionally decreased in volume when at less than such given depth as aforesaid in the fluid surrounding the device in each case in a controlled manner by the use of a plurality of controlled and variously acting forces, and without requiring a change in the device's given weight.
2. A variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim 1 subsisting in a surrounding fluid containment means, such device comprising of a plurality of means including but not limited to a plurality of hull means sealed to each other by a plurality of sealing means which acting together in unison with the aforesaid plurality of hull means permits, and contributes to produce a device that is a closed and pressure resistant body at all times, and also at given times to facilitate the proportional varying of the displacement volume of the device wherein without a change in the device's weight the device's volume may be proportionally increased in volume at a givendepthinthefluidsurroundingthedeviCeafldPropoltio1lallY decreasedinvolumewhenatless than such given depth in the fluid surrounding the device and therefore consequently altering the buoyancy of the device as the plurality of hull means move apart from each other, or, as the case may be, move closer together, as a result of dynamic forces exerted, or,as the case may be, not exerted, by the controlled, concerted and co-ordinated action of a plurality of controlled and variously acting hydraulic force production means (that produce's hydraulic.force); hydraulic fluid supply means (that transfers such hydraulic force); hydraulic piston means, (which applies such hydraulic force); a force transfer means ( which transfers, or as the case may be concentrates or divides up a plurality of forces acting through it); and a retraction means ( which assists when free to do so in reducing the volume of the device) together acting, or not acting as the case may be, on the plurality of hull means such that in a controlled sequence of such variation in displacement volume the device of a given fixed weight may be induced in accordance with Archimedes' principle of buoyancy to ascend and descend in the fluid containment means ma cycle of, orina plurality of cycles of, variable but controlled movement in time and distance generating as a result controlled and calculable degrees of kinetic energy during such cycle that may drive an electrical generator by the device being connected in a plurality of ways and means to a plurality of cable means connected in turn to such electrical generator means.
3. The variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim 1 wherein such device may be one of a plurality of such devices acting in unison or synchronisation in driving an electrical generator means either in a set of devices connected to the same cable means or each driving the generator means by separate independent cable means.
4. The variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim 1 wherein the fluid containment means according to claim 2 may consist of a given fluid contained in a man made enclosure or series of enclosures each of given cross sectional area and height to suit the chosen embodiment of such device or devices being employed.
5. The variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim 1 wherein the fluid containment means accordingtoclaim2 may consist ofavolume of fluid inanaturally occurring enclosure including but not limited to a lake, sea or estuary.
6. The variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim 1 wherein a cycle of variable but controlled movement in time and distance of the device according to claim 2 will have occurred when the device has completed a single descent of a given distance followed by a subsequent single ascent of a given distance, or vice versa, in the surrounding fluid containment means I).-
7. The variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim 1 wherein one cycle of the device accordingly to claim 6 may be of variable given time and distance.
8. The variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim 1 where within one cycle of the device accordingly to claim 6 the top of the cycle of movement is where the device is at rest in the surrounding fluid just before it descends in the surrounding fluid, and the bottom of the cycle is where the device is at rest just before it starts to ascend in the surrounding fluxL
9. The variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim 1 where within one cycle of the device accordingly to claim 6 the time and distance taken to descend is called the descent phase and the time and distance taken to ascend is called the ascent phase.
10. The variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim 1 where within one cycle of the device accordingly to claim 7 the time the device takes to transit each phaseofthecycle mayormaynotbeequal.
11. The variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim 1 wherein a given weight of the device is determined by the total weight of all the means according to claim 2 and any additional ballast as may be required so that such given weight is of a degree that would induce net negative buoyancy when the device's volume reaches its given minimum state but be light enough to allow net positive buoyancy to take effect when the device increases in volume beyond a given degree.
12. The variable boyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim I wherein a given weight of the device maybe such as to be equal to half the difference between the weight of surrounding fluid displaced by the device's minimum volume, and the weight of the surrounding fluid displaced by the device's maximum volume's, such that the degree of net negative and net positive buoyancy, and consequently degree of kinetic energy that the device produces when in such positive or negative buoyancy, is generally equal as the device transits a cycle within the surrounding fluid.
13. The variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim I wherein a given weight of the device maybe achieved by determining its given weight so as to be closer by degrees in weight to the weight of surrounding fluid displaced by the minimum volume, or, as the case may be, closer by degrees in weight to the weight of the surrounding fluid displaced by the maximum volume of the device, such that the device produces different levels of kinetic energy in one phase of the cycle than the other phase such that the kinetic energy produced for one phase in the cycle may be maximised, in respect to the particular embodiment of the device being employed, whist still allowing the device to attain the necessamy state of buoyancy required for the device to complete the other phase in the cycle relatively slower.
14. A variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of controlled and variously acting forces consist in the first instance of an hydraulic force production means and an hydraulic fluid supply means and an hydraulic piston means according to claim 2 which collectively form a combined hydraulic system means whereby the hydraulic forces produced by the hydraulic force production means is transferred through the elements of the hydraulic fluid supply means and then transferred to the hydraulic piston means to exert a given force on the force transfer means according to claim 2 aixl thence on a plurality of hull means and as a result to move the plurality of hull means apart from one another, and in the second instance a retraction means that assists in drawing the plurality of hull means together.
15. The variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim 1 wherein the characteristics of the device's shape; drag coefficient; size; degree of initial volume; degree of maximum available volume; weight; degree of force from the device's combined hydraulic system means according to claim 14 and retraction means according to claim 37; the desired characteristics of the device's cycle of movement in time, distance, and orientation; the volume of surrounding fluid needed for the device to operate in; and the degree of kinetic energy required from the particular embodiment of the device are all interrelated and have calculable values whereby different values of said characteristics of the device can be determined to suit a particular value of one or more such aforesaid characteristics in the context of the characteristics of the surrounding fluid containment means including such fluid's density, temperature and viscosity, its volume and hydrostatic pressure range; and gravitational acceleration; within such contexts a said embodiment of the device is expected to be operate.
16. The variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim 1 whereby the plurality of hull means according to claim 2 act together with the sealing means and any hydraulic force production means according to claim 2 that may interface with the surrounding fluid to produce a closed pressure resistant vessel.
17. The variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim 1 whereby the closed pressure resistant vessel according to claim 16 of a given minimum volume may contain, or support or facilitate the provision of, according to claim 2, an hydraulic force production means; an hydraulic supply means; an hydraulic piston means; a force transfer means, and a retraction means.
18. The variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim 1 whereby the closed pressure resistant vessel according to claim 16 of a given minimum volume may also contain, support, or /and facilitate other equipment or materials, including but not limited to a ballast means; a battery means; a computer interface means and a communication means.
19. The variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim I whereby the plurality of hull means according to claim 2 consist of a plurality of constructions that may have singular or multiple functions including but not limited to functions such as acting to transfer the kinetic energy of the device to the cable means; acting individually or in tandem or in association or in sequence with similarly acting hull means that make up the device,and in association with a sealing means, to vary the volume of the device; acting to contain the means' described in claim 17 and/or 18; acting to withstand the hydrostatic pressure of the surrounding fluid so that the device's volume is not reduced or increased as a result of changes in hydrostatic pressure in the surrounding fluid unless and until such change in volume is deliberately required; acting to react to the forces applied by the hydraulic piston means and retraction means according to claim 2; acting to provide structural integrity to the device and provide support and restraint to any other means that is connected to it; acting to facilitate additional ballast.
20. The variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim I whereby the plurality of hull means according to claim 2 consists variously of a hull (herein after called a "fixed hull means" ) in the general form of a hollow cylinder that is connected to a cable means and a sealing means; and a hull, or plurality of hulls, (herein after called in either case "free hull means") that is/are also connected to such sealing means but which is/are not connected to the cable means and which move in relation to the fixed hull means in response to the kinetic force, or lack of kinetic force, exerted by the hydraulic piston means and retraction means, as the case may be.
21. The variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim 1 whereby the force transfer means accordingly to claim 2 consists of a first structural member of a given cross sectional area, length and robustness with one of its surfaces securely fixed to the underside of the free hull means according to claim 20,and also securely fixed to another second structural member, that does not touch the plurality of hull means, that acts as a structural transfer slab means, and is of a given cross sectional area, thickness and robustness whose shape and size is sufficient to allow the top of the hydraulic piston means and retraction means according to claim 2 to be securely fixed to such structural transfer beam such that the combined forces passing through the elements of such hydraulic piston means pass into and through said structural members to the structure of such free hull means, and in reverse the forces excited by the hydrostatic pressure in the surrounding fluid on such free hull means and the force exerted by the weight of such associated free hull or free hulls means' may similarly pass through such force transfer means to the hydraulic pistons means according to claim 2.
22. The variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim 1 whereby the force transfer means according to claim 21 consists of a first structural member that may be a column, and a transfer beam that may be in the form of a plate, each of a given and proportional size to one another, such that such plate acts structurally to spread the combined forces exerted by the hydrostatic pressure of the surrounding fluid acting on the associated hull and the weight of the associated free hull or associated free hulls means, that pass through the aforesaid column, such that each element of the hydraulic piston means has to operate on a given fraction of such forces.
23. The variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim 1 whereby the sealing means according to claim 2 consists of a plurality of pressure resisting material and components located between the surfaces of a plurality of hull means so as to stop the device's surrounding fluid from entering inside the device whilst also permitting such hull means to move or not to move as the case may be in relation to one another.
24. The variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim 1 whereby the sealing means according to claim 23 consists of a pressure resistant tubular form of generally hollow cylindrical form of given length, thickness and diameters that is formed into a concertina whereby such tubular form counteracts the hydrostatic pressure of the device's surrounding fluid with its rims being sealed to separate hull means such that the tubular form acts in tension when countering such hydrostatic pressure.
25. The variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim 1 whereby the pressure resistant tubular form according to claim 24 consists of a flexible pressure resistant membrane that is in contact with the surrounding fluid and which is secured to the inner structure of the tubular form such inner structure consisting of a plurality of structural tension rings parallel to one another and spaced apart at given intervals and of varying diameter around a constant centre but all such rings being perpendicular to the length of the tubular form's hollow cylindrical form and which are connected together by components that may be hinged articulated interconnecting and faceted interacting plates in such an assembly whereby the whole tubular form is able to be concertinaed and un-concertinaed upon the relative movement of the associated hull means whilst withstanding the variable hydrostatic pressure of the device's surrounding fluit
26. The variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim 1 whereby the hydraulic force production means according to claim 2 comprises a means that induces a force that can be used when required whereby such force as is induced is of a degree sufficient, given any other forces that may counter said force over time, to move the plurality of hull means according to claim 2 apart from one another by a given distance over time.
27. The variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim 1 whereby the hydraulic force production means according to claim 26 comprises suitably sized and rated and electrically pored hydraulic pump (or a plurality of the same) which may be located within the fixed bull means and whereas such hydraulic pump is sufficiently powerflul to counteract the hydrostatic pressure on the free hull means at the Ascent point according to claim 45; the weight of the free hull means, and the resistance of the retraction means and sealing means according to claim 2.
28. The variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim I whereby the hydraulic force production means according to claim 26 comprises one or a plurality of pressure sensitive hydraulic fluid filled container means of sufficient volume or volumes that reacts to the hydrostatic pressure ni the surrounding fluid and islare connected to the hydraulic pipes of the hydraulic fluid supply means according to claim 2, (such that the hydraulic pressure of the device's surrounding fluid is transferred via such pressure sensitive hydraulic fluid filled container means to such hydraulic fluid supply means and thence to the hydraulic piston means according to claim 2) via a plurality of outlets of given cross sectional area.
29. A The variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim 1 whereby the hydraulic force production means according to claim 26 comprises a pressure sensitive hydraulic fluid filled container means of given cross section and which completely circumnavigates the external perimeter of the device's fixed hull means according to claim 20, and incorporates a pressure sensitive flexible membrane that is in contact with the device's surrounding fluid whereby said flexible membrane will flex as a result of the hydrostatic pressure of the device's surrounding fluid and as a result of such flexing will transfer the force of hydrostatic pressure that pertains at any time in the device's surrounding fluid to the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic fluid supply means according to claim 2 via the plurality of outlets as aforesaid, and, when so pennitted by the valves in the hydraulic fluid supply means, to the hydraulic piston means according to claim 2.
30. A The variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim 1 whereby the hydraulic fluid supply means according to claim 2 comprises a plurality of hydraulic pipes of sufficient length, cross sectional area and pressure resistance to transfer the hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic force production means according to claim 2 to the hydraulic piston means according to claim 2 and numerically equal in number to the number of hydraulic piston or rams as the case may be within such hydraulic piston means whereby such hydraulic pipes will connect to such hydraulic piston means but that no such hydraulic pipe is connected to more than one such hydraulic piston or ram in such hydraulic piston means and whereby located along each such hydraulic pipe there may be a pressure measuring means (that measures pressure in the associated pipe) and hydraulic valve means (that controls the transfer of pressure and volume of fluid along the associated pipe) the location of both such means on each such hydraulic pipe being before the point of connection of such pipes to such hydraulic piston means and where of the two such means located on each pipe the hydraulic valve means will always be the closer of the two to the particular piston or ram of such hydraulic piston means that that particular pipe connects to.
31. A hydraulic fluid supply means according to claim 2 whereby the pressure measuring means according to claim 30 comprises a plurality of appropriately manufactured calibrated pressure sensitive measuring sensor units, one such sensor being fitted on each of the hydraulic pipes of such hydraulic fluid supply means, whereby each such unit independently measures, (which may use electrical energy from a battery means for its operation and communication), the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the respective pipe and informs the hydraulic valve means according to claim 30 located on the same pipe via a computer interface means.
32. A hydraulic fluid supply means according to claim 2 whereby the hydraulic valve means according to claim 30 comprises a plurality of electrically powered manufactured rated and calibrated valves positioned on each hydraulic pipe, (which may use electrical energy from a battery means for their operation and communication with the computer interface means) whereby the operation of each valve is controlled by a signal from a computer interface means such that the gate within each valve can be separately and progressively opened or closed so that the flow of pressurised hydraulic fluid in the associated hydraulic pipe, and the hydraulic force in the hydraulic piston means according to claim 2 can over time be controlled.
33. A battery means according to claim 31 or 32 whereby the device includes its own proprietary battery either physically replaced or recharged at intervals in time or recharged at intervals by electricity passed down by wires within the cable means.
34. A battery means according to claim 31 or 32 whereby the device includes its own proprietary battery that is rechargeable by the use of a proprietary dynamo energised by the hydraulic pressure or, as the case may be, the change in hydraulic pressure arising within the hydraulic force production means according to claim 2.
35. A variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim 1 whereby the hydraulic piston means according to claim 2 comprises a plurality of closed hydraulic fluid filled pistons or rams that may be telescopic in operation and of sufficient cross sectional area robustness, size, girth, initial length and maximum extendable length and positioned between and connected to and restrained by a fixed hull means and such force transfer means according to claim 2 as is necessary in the embodiment of the device being used, such that the hydraulic force, (produced by the hydraulic force production means according to claim 2 and thence through the hydraulic fluid supply means according to claim 2 into such plurality of pistons or rams) may be transferred to a plurality of hull means.
36. A vanable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim I whereby the closed hydraulic pistons or rams of the hydraulic piston means according to claim 35 conSist of 4 equal sized and rated hydraulic pistons arranged in a circle, (with the retraction means according to claim 2 in the centre such centre being the central vertical axis of the device), whereby such hydraulic pistons are each restrained and supported at their base by the internal structure of the fixed hull and restrained at their top by a force transfer means.
37. A variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim 1 whereby the retraction means according to claim 2 consists of a component or plurality of components that perform(s) likeaspringandlocatedSOaStOactoflthes hull meansthatthepistonorramsof the hydraulic piston means are connected to such that as the hull means that the retraction means is connected to move apart from another for the distance they move apart, the resultant potential energy in the retraction means after being extended is sufficient when free to do so to assist in drawing the plurality of hull meaps back to together.
38. A variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim 1 in which the retraction means according to claim 37 consists of a suitable spring.
39. A variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim 1 whereby the cable means according to claim 2 consists of a drive cable or plurality of drive cables of given strength attached by a plurality of means to one or more of the fixed hull means according to claim such that the kinetic energy of the device arising during the device's cycle may be transferred to such drive cable or plurality of drive cables such that such drive cables will transfer such kinetic energy to a generator means during the device's cycle of movement.
40. A variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim I whereby the cable means according to claim 2 and/or claim 39 incorporates a means to supply electricity to the device from a remote location whereby the cable means incorporates a suitably rated and protected and robust electrical cable that can run freely in association with but supported along its length by the associated cable means such that stretching or bending of any drive cables will not exert inappropriate forces on the electrical cable.
41. A variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim 1 whereby the drive cables according to claim 2 and/or claim 39 are of sufficient cross sectional area or have connected to it at sufficient intervals sufficient buoyant material such that, for a given weight of drive cable per unit of its length and a given density of surrounding fluid, the volume of surrounding fluid displaced by such drive cable will exert a continuous neutral net buoyancy effect on such cables throughout their length.
42. A variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim 1 whereby the cable means according to claim 1 and/or claim 39 incorporates a harness means whereby the harness means itself is of suitable construction, structure, height, geometric shape and strength and orientation that acts as an interface between the device and the drive cables such that the harness acts to transfer the kinetic energy of the device to the drive cable or cables, and so assembled and arranged relative to the device such that in any embodiment it permits the device in the embodiment being used within the geometric shape of the such harness to enlarge to its maximum volume and contract to it smallest volume without fouling said harness means. 1?
43. The variable buoyancy and variable displacement volume device according to claim 1 whereby at the top of the cycle of movement of the device according to claim 8 the value of the initial displacement volume of surrounding fluid caused by the device's minimum volume, and the value of the given weight of the device have relative values such that the net buoyancy of the device is negative causing the device to descend at that time ("the Descent point") in the surrounding fluid.