WO2024237906A1

WO2024237906A1 - Gravity and buoyancy engine

Info

Publication number: WO2024237906A1
Application number: PCT/US2023/022132
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christopher Filloramo
Original assignee: Christopher Filloramo
Priority date: 2023-05-12
Filing date: 2023-05-12
Publication date: 2024-11-21

Abstract

A gravity and buoyancy engine is an apparatus that enables the conversion of gravitational potential energy into electrical energy by creating a continuous energy conversion cycle. The apparatus may include a gravity chamber, a first inclined channel, a second inclined channel, a buoyancy chamber, an electricity producing system, a buoyant object, a vertical motion transfer assembly, and a floodable airlock. The gravity chamber enables the controlled fall of the buoyant object. The second inclined channel guides the buoyant object from the gravity chamber to the buoyancy chamber. The buoyancy chamber raises the buoyant object towards the first inclined channel. The first inclined channel guides the buoyant object from the buoyancy chamber to the gravity chamber. The vertical motion transfer assembly captures the kinetic energy of the falling buoyant object. The electricity producing system converts the kinetic energy of the buoyant object falling into electrical energy.

Description

Gravity and Buoyancy Engine

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of energy generation. More specifically, the present invention provides a means to convert gravitational potential energy into electrical energy by creating a cyclical process that utilizes buoyancy and gravity at various stages of operation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The energy demands of modern society continuously increase as the use of electronics becomes more prevalent in people’s everyday lives. Unfortunately, current energy generation is largely dependent on the burning of fossil fuels that results in several negative effects. For example, burning fossil fuels can cause immediate environmental degradation during extraction, refinement, and consumption. In addition, there are longer- term effects that the release of large quantities of greenhouse and toxic gasses may have on the atmosphere. Nuclear power has supplanted fossil fuel electricity generation to an extent. However, the potential for catastrophic failures stemming from natural disasters, improper maintenance, improper storage and handling of fissile materials, and simple operator error cannot be ignored. Modern renewable energy sources show some promise as potential safe options for energy generation. However, renewable energy sources are not yet reliable enough to satisfy a need for a consistent baseload of power generation or sufficient battery storage capacity to bridge these low-production periods.

An object of the present invention is to provide a gravity and buoyancy engine designed to generate power by converting gravitational potential energy into electrical energy. The present invention cycles buoyant objects through a closed vertical structure designed to convert the gravitational potential energy of the buoyant objects into electrical energy. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a gravity and buoyancy engine that can be scaled up or down to meet specific energy generation requirements. The present invention is a scalable structure that can be modified to generate different amounts of electric power. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a gravity and buoyancy engine that can be operated automatically or semi- automatically to continuously output target levels of electric power generation.

Additional features and benefits of the present invention are further discussed in the sections below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a gravity and buoyancy engine that generates clean, consistent electrical energy, without reliance on any form of fossil fuels or nuclear power. The present invention harnesses the opposing forces of gravity and buoyancy in a continuous cycle to provide grid-scale production of power in a unitized, deployable package. The present invention utilizes buoyant objects including, but not limited to, Douglas-fir logs, recycled plastic pontoons, or any suitably buoyant objects as the main input of gravitational potential energy that is converted into electrical energy. To raise the buoyant objects to an appropriate height for the necessary gravitational potential energy, the present invention takes advantage of the objects’ buoyancy by cycling the buoyant objects through a vertical fluid channel that guides the buoyant objects from the bottom of the present invention to the top of the present invention. Then, the buoyant objects are guided towards a vertical chamber through which the buoyant objects fall due to gravity in a controlled manner. As the buoyant objects fall in a controlled manner through the vertical chamber, the weight of the buoyant objects drives the operation of an electricity production system so that the gravitational potential energy of the buoyant objects is converted into electrical energy. The buoyant objects are then guided back towards the vertical fluid channel to maintain a continuous cyclical process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. l is a perspective schematic view of the present invention.

FIG. l is a side schematic view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional schematic view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional schematic view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a side schematic view of the present invention, wherein a buoyant object is shown in an arbitrary starting position.

FIG. 6 is a magnified view taken about circle 6 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side schematic view of the present invention, wherein the buoyant object is shown in a controlled fall down a gravity chamber.

FIG. 8 is a magnified view of taken about circle 8 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a side schematic view of the present invention, wherein the buoyant object is shown falling on a channel shock absorber.

FIG. 10 is a side schematic view of the present invention, wherein the buoyant object is shown rolling down a second inclined channel.

FIG. 11 is a side schematic view of the present invention, wherein the buoyant object is shown falling inside a floodable airlock, and wherein the buoyant object is shown falling on an airlock shock absorber within the floodable airlock.

FIG. 12 is a magnified view taken about circle 12 in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a side schematic view of the present invention, wherein the floodable airlock is shown flooded.

FIG. 14 is a magnified view taken about circle 14 in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a side schematic view of the present invention, wherein the buoyant object is shown floating towards the buoyancy chamber from the floodable airlock.

FIG. 16 is a magnified view taken about circle 16 in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a side schematic view of the present invention, wherein the buoyant object is shown floating upwards along the buoyancy chamber.

FIG. 18 is a side schematic view of the present invention, wherein the buoyancy chamber is shown partially drained to release the floodable object.

FIG. 19 is a side schematic view of the present invention, wherein the buoyant object is shown rolling down a first inclined channel towards the arbitrary starting position. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the fluid communication between a drainage reservoir and a buoyancy channel through a drainage inlet, a drainage pump, and a drainage outlet, and the fluid communication between an airlock reservoir and a floodable airlock through a reservoir pump.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention provides a gravity and buoyancy engine. The gravity and buoyancy engine enables the conversion of gravitational potential energy into electrical energy by utilizing buoyancy and gravity to create a continuous energy conversion cycle. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 through 19, the present invention may comprise a gravity chamber 1, a first inclined channel 2, a second inclined channel 3, a buoyancy chamber 6, at least one electricity producing system 14, at least one buoyant object 17, at least one vertical motion transfer assembly 20, and a floodable airlock 32. The gravity chamber 1 is preferably an enclosed space with suitable clearance for the at least one buoyant object 17 to traverse through without binding to the interior of the gravity chamber 1. The second inclined channel 3 guides the fallen at least one buoyant object 17 from the gravity chamber 1 to the buoyancy chamber 6. The buoyancy chamber 6 is preferably a vertical column of fluid of greater density than the at least one buoyant object 17 to raise the at least one buoyant object 17 towards the first inclined channel 2 to achieve maximum gravitational potential energy. The first inclined channel 2 guides the raised at least one buoyant object 17 from the buoyancy chamber 6 to the gravity chamber 1. The at least one vertical motion transfer assembly 20 is preferably a continuous elevator system that enables the unfettered onload and offload of the at least one buoyant object 17. The at least one vertical motion transfer assembly 20 is also arranged within the gravity chamber 1 to capture the kinetic energy of the at least one buoyant object 17 falling downward therethrough. Further, the at least one electricity producing system 14 is linked to the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly 20 to convert the kinetic energy of the at least one buoyant object 17 falling through the gravity chamber 1 into electrical energy.

The general configuration of the aforementioned components enables the generation of electrical power without relying on traditional methods such as the burning of fossil fuels. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 through 4, to facilitate the cyclical operation of the present invention, the first inclined channel 2 and the second inclined channel 3 are designed to enable the seamless movement between the gravity chamber 1 and the buoyancy channel 7. To do so, the first inclined channel 2 and the second inclined channel 3 each comprise a higher channel end 4 and a lower channel end 5 corresponding to the terminal ends of each inclined channel. The first inclined channel 2 and the second inclined channel 3 are both inclined at a predetermined slope that enables the at least one buoyant object 17 to roll down the inclined channels due to gravity. Accordingly, the higher channel end 4 corresponds to the end of the inclined channel that is positioned at a higher altitude, while the lower channel end 5 corresponds to the end of the inclined channel that is positioned at a lower altitude. So, the present invention is preferably assembled as follows. The at least one vertical motion transfer assembly 20 is positioned within the gravity chamber 1 to engage with the falling at least one buoyant object 17. This way, the at least one vertical motion assembly can capture the kinetic energy of the falling at least one buoyant object 17. The first inclined channel 2 and the second inclined channel 3 are positioned in between the gravity chamber 1 and the buoyancy chamber 6 to enable the cyclical movement of the at least one buoyant object 17 throughout the present invention. The higher channel end 4 of the first inclined channel 2 is terminally connected to the buoyancy chamber 6 to connect the first inclined channel 2 to the buoyancy chamber 6. The lower channel end 5 of the first inclined channel 2 is terminally connected to the gravity chamber 1 to connect the first inclined channel 2 to the gravity chamber 1. On the other hand, the higher channel end 4 of the second inclined channel 3 is terminally connected to the gravity chamber 1, opposite the lower channel end 5 of the first inclined channel 2, to connect the second inclined channel 3 to the gravity chamber 1. The lower channel end 5 of the second inclined channel 3 being terminally connected to the buoyancy chamber 6, opposite the higher channel end 4 of the first inclined channel 2, to connect the second inclined channel 3 to the buoyancy chamber 6. Further, the second inclined channel 3 is in fluid communication with the buoyancy chamber 6 through the floodable airlock 32 so that the at least one buoyant object 17 can securely enter the buoyancy chamber 6 without causing any fluid loss of the buoyancy chamber 6. Further, the at least one electricity producing system 14 is linked to the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly 20 to convert the kinetic energy of the falling at least one buoyant object 17 into electrical energy. Furthermore, the at least one buoyant object 17 cycles through the buoyancy chamber 6, the first inclined channel 2, the second inclined channel 3, and the gravity chamber 1 to maintain a continuous energy conversion process.

The at least one vertical motion transfer assembly 20 is designed to engage with the falling at least one buoyant object 17 without hindering the fall of the at least one buoyant object 17. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 through 4, the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly 20 may further comprise at least one link chain 21, at least one first shaft 22, a first gear 23, at least one second shaft 24, a second gear 25, and a buoyant object chain ledge 26. The at least one link chain 21 is preferably a continuously connected chain of suitable material to support the weight of the at least one buoyant object 17 engaged to the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly 20 at the buoyant object chain ledge 26. Accordingly, the buoyant object chain ledge 26 preferably protrudes from the at least one link chain 21 to provide a capture area for the at least one buoyant object 17 at the upper end of the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly 20 that is automatically withdrawn at the lower end as the at least one link chain 21 recirculates within the gravity chamber 1. The first gear 23 is connected to the at least one first shaft 22 to secure the first gear 23 to the at least one first shaft 22, while the second gear 25 is connected to the at least one second shaft 24 to secure the second gear 25 to the at least one second shaft 24. Further, the at least one link chain 21 is rotatably connected in between the first gear 23 and the second gear 25 to connect the first gear 23 to the second gear 25 by the at least one link chain 21. Thus, the at least one first shaft 22 and the at least one second shaft 24 provide rotating axles for the at least one link chain 21 to recirculate about at opposing ends of the gravity chamber 1. Accordingly, the at least one electricity producing system 14 is rotatably linked to the at least one first shaft 22, whereby the recirculation of the at least one link chain 21 will rotate the at least one first shaft 22 to provide operating power to the at least one electricity producing system 14. The at least one link chain 21 also directly engages the first gear 23 and the second gear 25 to prevent slippage of the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly 20 if configured to load multiple buoyant objects simultaneously. Further, the buoyant object chain ledge 26 is connected to the at least one link chain 21 so that when the at least one buoyant object 17 hits the buoyant object chain ledge 26, the movement of the buoyant object chain ledge 26 moves the at least one link chain 21 while allowing the buoyant object chain ledge 26 to move out of the at least one buoyant object 17 path.

According to one embodiment, the present invention is designed to generate Direct Current (DC) power. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 through 4, the present invention may further comprise a transmission 37. Further, the at least one electricity producing system 14 is a generator 39 that outputs DC power. Additionally, the generator 39 comprises a generator input shaft 38. The transmission 37 may be any mechanism that provides a means of governing the output rotational rate of a mechanism relative to an input rotational rate. In this embodiment, the transmission 37 is operatively connected between the at least one first shaft 22 of the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly 20 and the generator input shaft 38, thereby enabling an operator of the present invention to achieve and maintain an optimal rotational rate of the generator input shaft 38 for power generation irrespective of the rate of rotation of the at least one first shaft 22. Moderation of torsional forces may also be achieved by this means, whereby maximal torque of the at least one first shaft 22 may be converted to maximal rotational velocity of the generator input shaft 38.

In an alternate embodiment, the at least one electricity producing system 14 may comprise an alternator 15 and an alternator input pulley 16 to generate Alternating Current (AC) power, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 through 4. In addition, the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly 20 may further comprise at least one alternator belt 27. To enable fullest usage of this embodiment, the at least one alternator belt 27 is rotatably connected between the alternator input pulley 16 and a desired shaft selected from the group consisting of the at least one first shaft 22 and the at least one second shaft 24. The linkage of the alternator 15 to the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly 20 in this way enables the generation of electricity required for the initial operation of the present invention to be drawn directly from the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly 20 for use during startup or secondary operations wherein direct power from the generator 39 may be unsuitable.

It is further considered that the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly 20 may further comprise at least one accessory belt drive 28. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 through 4, the at least one accessory belt drive 28 can be a secondary driven linkage between the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly 20 and any installations or portions of the present invention that may extract useable power from the operation of the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly 20. Accordingly, the present invention may further comprise a pressure control system 40 and a pump input shaft 41. The pressure control system 40 provides a means for generating and vectoring an atmospheric pressure differential as is understood to be required for the operation of the buoyancy chamber 6 in various stages of the functionality of the present invention. In a general interpretation, the pressure control system 40 is understood to be operatively connected with all components described herein as may be required to fully operate the present invention by the methods described, including continuous adjustment of the recirculation rate of several buoyant objects through the present invention to maximize efficacy of all interrelated processes described herein. More specifically, the at least one accessory belt drive 28 comprises at least one first sheave 29, at least one second sheave 30, and at least one accessory belt 31. The at least one first sheave 29 and the at least one second sheave 30 collectively provide a means of mounting the at least one accessory belt 31 to the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly 20, ideally individually defining a channeled disk fixed to rotating elements of the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly 20. Accordingly, the at least one first sheave 29 is mounted to the at least one first shaft 22, opposite the first gear 23 across the at least one first shaft 22 while the at least one second sheave 30 is mounted to the at least one second shaft 24, opposite the second gear 25 across the at least one second shaft 24. The at least one accessory belt 31 is connected between the at least one first sheave 29 and the at least one second sheave 30 to provide a means of synchronizing the rotational velocity of both respective components while simultaneously enabling the transfer of rotational energy to the pump input shaft 41. In this configuration, the pump input shaft 41 is operatively connected between the at least one accessory belt 31 and the pressure control system 40. The pump input shaft 41 is used to transmit torque from the at least one accessory belt 31 that is converted into electrical energy to provide operating power to the pressure control system 40. The conversion of mechanical energy to electrical energy can be performed using an additional generator integrated into the pressure control system 40.

In some embodiments, the pressure control system 40 may further comprise at least one hydraulic pump, at least one pressurized tank, and a plurality of buoyancy regulators. The at least one hydraulic pump is independently and operatively coupled to the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly 20 to provide the operating power for the at least one hydraulic pump. The independent and redundant construction of the at least one hydraulic pump enables the compartmentalization of malfunctions and maintenance to ensure that operation of the present invention is not affected by periodic non-functionality of the at least one hydraulic pump. More specifically, the hydraulic pump is in fluid communication with the buoyancy chamber 6 to enable the cyclical movement of fluid during various stages of operation. Accordingly, the pressurized tank is in fluid communication with the buoyancy chamber 6 through the plurality of buoyancy regulators, whereby the application of pressurized air may be employed to specific effect as required by adjustable operating standards.

In one functional embodiment, the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly 20 may be a plurality of vertical motion transfer assemblies 42. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 through 4, the plurality of vertical motion transfer assemblies 42 is distributed across the gravity chamber 1 such that the at least one buoyant object 17 may be suspended between the buoyant object chain ledge 26 of an arbitrary transfer assembly and the buoyant object chain ledge 26 of an adjacent transfer assembly. The arbitrary transfer assembly and the adjacent transfer assembly are from the plurality of vertical motion transfer assemblies 42. This configuration may be superior to a single vertical motion transfer assembly due to the contrarotating plurality of vertical motion transfer assemblies 42 as the buoyant object chain ledge 26 progresses tangent to the at least one first gear 23 and at least one second gear 25, respectively. More specifically, the buoyant object chain ledge 26 of the arbitrary transfer assembly and the adjacent transfer assembly are brought together at the upper end of the gravity chamber 1 to effectively engage the at least one buoyant object 17 and subsequently separated at the lower end of the gravity chamber 1 to disengage or eject the at least one buoyant object 17 from the gravity chamber 1 to capture the kinetic energy of the falling at least one buoyant object 17.

The present invention may additionally comprise a plurality of tensioner pulley assemblies 43. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 through 4, each of the plurality of tensioner pulley assemblies 43 is rotatably connected in between a corresponding arbitrary transfer assembly and a corresponding adjacent transfer assembly. Likewise, the corresponding arbitrary transfer assembly and the corresponding adjacent transfer assembly are from the plurality of vertical motion transfer assemblies 42. The plurality of tensioner pulley assemblies 43 can be a series of fixed or adjustable pivots about which the ductile components of the present invention may be drawn to ensure appropriate operating tension along said components and to enable effective engagement on any driving and driven components of such mobile assemblies. More specifically, the plurality of tensioner pulley assemblies 43 ensures that the corresponding arbitrary transfer assembly and the corresponding adjacent transfer assembly are rotationally bound to one another to prevent over- or under-rotation of either element. This configuration may forestall any mismatch or misalignment of any supported or interconnected components, i.e., the at least one buoyant object 17 or the at least one electricity producing system 14.

As can be seen in FIG. 9, the present invention may further comprise a channel shock absorber 44 to prevent damage to the at least one buoyant object 17 after the at least one buoyant object 17 has fallen through the gravity chamber 1 and reaches the second inclined channel 3. The channel shock absorber 44 may be any suitable elastic, resilient material or mechanism that can sustain an impact from the fall of the at least one buoyant object 17. The channel shock absorber 44 is integrated onto the higher channel end 4 of the second inclined channel 3 to prevent damage to the second inclined channel 3 once the at least one buoyant object 17 falls on the second inclined channel 3 after the at least one buoyant object 17 has fallen through the gravity chamber 1.

As previously discussed, the floodable airlock 32 prevents the fluid from the buoyancy chamber 6 from leaking into the second inclined channel 3 when the at least one buoyant object 17 moves into the buoyancy chamber 6 from the second inclined channel 3. As can be seen in FIGS. 11 through 16, the floodable airlock 32 may comprise at least one airlock hatch 33, at least one chamber hatch 34, an airlock inlet 35, and an airlock outlet 36. The at least one airlock hatch 33 is designed to selectively seal the floodable airlock 32 once the at least one buoyant object 17 enters the floodable airlock 32. The at least one chamber hatch 34 is designed to selectively open the buoyancy chamber 6 to enable the at least one buoyant object 17 to enter the buoyancy chamber 6. The airlock inlet 35 preferably corresponds to the opening of the floodable airlock 32 through which the at least one buoyant object 17 enters the floodable airlock 32 from the second inclined channel 3. On the other hand, the airlock outlet 36 corresponds to the opening of the floodable airlock 32 through which the at least one buoyant object 17 enters the buoyancy chamber 6 from the floodable airlock 32. Accordingly, the airlock inlet 35 and the airlock outlet 36 are positioned opposite to each other about the floodable airlock 32. Further, the lower channel end 5 of the second inclined channel 3 is connected into the airlock inlet 35 so that the at least one buoyant object 17 rolls towards the airlock inlet 35 as the at least one buoyant object 17 rolls down the second inclined channel 3. On other hand, the airlock outlet 36 is terminally connected to the buoyancy chamber 6, adjacent to the buoyancy chamber 6, to guide the at least one buoyant object 17 into the buoyancy chamber 6. Further, the at least one airlock hatch 33 is hingedly connected to the airlock inlet 35 so that the at least one airlock hatch 33 can be selectively opened or closed. Similarly, the at least one chamber hatch 34 is hingedly connected to the airlock outlet 36 so that the at least one chamber hatch 34 can be selectively opened or closed. In the preferred embodiment, the at least one airlock hatch 33, the at least one chamber hatch 34, and any connectors used to connect the hatches are made from corrosive resistant materials.

Similar to the channel shock absorber 44, the present invention may further comprise an airlock shock absorber 45 that prevents damage to the floodable airlock 32 once the at least one buoyant object 17 falls into the floodable airlock 32, as can be seen in FIGS. 10 through 14. Further, the airlock shock absorber 45 is positioned within the floodable airlock 32 to sustain the impact of the at least one floodable airlock 32 falling into the floodable airlock 32. Similar to the channel shock absorber 44, the airlock shock absorber 45 may be from an elastic, resilient material or mechanism that dampens the force of impact of the at least one buoyant object 17. In other embodiments, the airlock shock absorber 45 can be an amount of water positioned within the floodable airlock 32. Further, several sensors, such as water-level sensors, can be utilized to automatically engage or disengage the hatches. For example, once the at least one buoyant object 17 falls into the floodable airlock 32, the sensors detect a rise of water levels inside the floodable airlock 32 and the at least one airlock hatch 33 is engaged to seal the floodable airlock 32. Simultaneously, the at least one chamber hatch 34 is opened to enable the at least one buoyant object 17 to enter the buoyancy chamber 6.

To prevent drastic fluid level changes in the buoyancy chamber 6 after the at least one chamber hatch 34 has been opened, the present invention may further comprise an airlock reservoir 46 and at least one reservoir pump 47. As can be seen in FIGS. 10 through 17 and 20, the airlock reservoir 46 is designed to retain a smaller amount of fluid than the buoyancy chamber 6 that can be selectively pumped into the floodable airlock 32 using the at least one reservoir pump 47. To do so, the floodable airlock 32 is in fluid communication to the airlock reservoir 46 through the at least one reservoir pump 47. This way, once the at least one buoyant object 17 enters the floodable airlock 32, the at least one airlock hatch 33 is closed to seal the floodable airlock 32. Then, the at least one reservoir pump 47 is engaged to fill the floodable airlock 32 with the fluid from the airlock reservoir 46. The at least one chamber hatch 34 is then opened to enable the at least one buoyant object 17 to float towards the buoyancy chamber 6 without causing the fluid level within the buoyancy chamber 6 to fall. After the at least one buoyant object 17 has entered the buoyancy chamber 6, the at least one chamber hatch 34 is closed so that fluid is pumped out of the floodable airlock 32 back into the airlock reservoir 46. After the floodable airlock 32 is emptied to a predetermined level, the at least one airlock hatch 33 can be opened to enable the next at least one buoyant object 17 to enter the floodable airlock 32.

As previously discussed, the buoyancy chamber 6 facilitates the rising of the at least one buoyant object 17 by utilizing the buoyancy of the object. As can be seen in FIGS. 15 through 18 and 20, the buoyancy chamber 6 may further comprise a buoyancy channel 7, a staging door 8, a drainage platform 9, a drainage reservoir 10, a drainage inlet 11, a drainage outlet 12, and a drainage pump 13. The buoyancy channel 7 provides a passage for the at least one buoyant object 17 to continue circulation through the present invention. The buoyancy channel 7 is necessarily filled with a fluid of greater density than the at least one buoyant object 17, enabling the at least one buoyant object 17 to rise through the buoyancy channel 7. The staging door 8 may be operatively closed and opened to maintain the integrity of the buoyancy chamber 6 or to release the at least one buoyant object 17, respectively. Accordingly, the staging door 8 is hingedly mounted between the buoyancy channel 7 and the first inclined channel 2, with the drainage platform 9 positioned within the buoyancy channel 7, opposite the first inclined channel 2 across the staging door 8. The drainage platform 9 provides a means of reducing the volume of fluid in the buoyancy channel 7 adjacent to the staging door 8 to permit the ejection of the at least one buoyant object 17 without reducing the overall fluid in circulation within the buoyancy channel 7. The drainage reservoir 10 is in fluid communication with the drainage platform 9 to provide an area separate from the buoyancy chamber 6 to retain any displaced fluid in an instance where the staging door 8 is opened. To enable the reintroduction of fluid into the buoyancy channel 7, the drainage inlet 11 is integrated into the drainage reservoir 10 while the drainage outlet 12 is integrated into the buoyancy chamber 6. In addition, the drainage outlet 12 is positioned offset from the drainage platform 9, across the buoyancy channel 7, to prevent accidental flow of the drainage fluid back into the drainage reservoir 10. Further, the drainage reservoir 10 is in fluid communication with the buoyancy channel 7 through the drainage inlet 11, the drainage pump 13, and the drainage outlet 12 to enable the operation of the staging door 8 as described. In other words, the drainage pump 13 enables the controlled drainage or replenishment of the fluid in the buoyancy channel 7 to permit the at least one buoyant object 17 to be cycled into and out of the buoyancy chamber 6. Further, a plurality of water level sensors may be distributed throughout the buoyancy chamber 6, the floodable airlock 32, the drainage reservoir 10, and the airlock reservoir 46. In addition, a plurality of hatch sensors may be included to confirm the positions of all doors and hatches. A programmable controller can be used to monitor and control the system. The opening and closing of doors and hatches are operated within constraints of water level in specific chambers and locations of the at least one buoyant object 17 along the buoyancy channel 7. For monitoring purposes, electrical components can include temperature and vibration sensors to determine the mechanical viability of each electrical component.

As previously discussed, the first inclined channel 2 enables the transfer of the at least one buoyant object 17 from the buoyancy chamber 6 to the gravity chamber 1. However, due to the continuous cyclical operation of the present invention, several buoyant objects may be circulating throughout the present invention. To prevent a blockage from occurring in the gravity chamber 1, the fall of the buoyant objects into the gravity chamber 1 is controlled. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 through 6, the present invention may further comprise at least one object stop 48. The at least one object stop 48 serves to control the timing of the fall of the buoyant objects into the gravity chamber 1. The at least one object stop 48 is positioned adjacent to the lower channel end 5 of the first inclined channel 2 to prevent the at least one buoyant object 17 from falling into the gravity chamber 1 after the at least one buoyant object 17 has rolled down the first inclined channel 2. Further, the at least one object stop 48 is bistably integrated into the first inclined channel 2 so that the at least one object stop 48 can be selectively engaged to enable at least one buoyant object 17 to fall into the gravity chamber 1. In some embodiments, the at least one object stop 48 may be a plurality of object stops distributed along the first inclined channel 2 to control the rate of buoyant objects falling into the gravity chamber 1. In other words, the plurality of object stops serves as a feeding system that controls the rate of buoyant objects falling into the gravity chamber 1.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 through 6, to further improve the sequential flow of the at least one buoyant object 17 through the first inclined channel 2, the at least one object stop 48 may include a bollard-receiving receptacle 49, a chamber bollard 50, and a stop chamber hatch 51. The bollard-receiving receptacle 49 is preferably a hollow cutout normally traversing into the first inclined channel 2 to enable the chamber bollard 50 to be shifted from a position impeding the passage of the at least one buoyant object 17 to a position enclosed within the bollard-receiving receptacle 49. The chamber bollard 50 is a deployable blocking structure slidably mounted within the bollard-receiving receptacle 49, ideally extended and retracted via pressurized air. The principal effect of the chamber bollard 50 is to prevent the at least one buoyant object 17 from falling into the gravity chamber 1 uncontrolled. The stop chamber hatch 51 is hingedly mounted to the first inclined channel 2, adjacent to the bollard-receiving receptacle 49, such that the stop chamber hatch 51 is positioned over the bollard-receiving receptacle 49 when closed. This configuration enables the stop chamber hatch 51 to act as a bridge over the otherwise exposed bollard-receiving receptacle 49, thereby preventing the buoyant object from binding in the open cavity. In an instance that the chamber bollard 50 is extended, the stop chamber hatch 51 will be deflected aside to permit the protrusion of the chamber bollard 50. In other embodiments, different stopping mechanisms can be utilized for the object stop.

In some embodiments, the present invention may further include means to control the rolling of the at least one buoyant object 17 along the first inclined channel 2. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 through 3 and 19, the present invention may further comprise a first object-straightening mechanism 52. The first object-straightening mechanism 52 centers the at least one buoyant object 17 along the first inclined channel 2 to prevent jams due to the orientation of the at least one buoyant object 17 becoming crooked relative to the first inclined channel 2. The first object-straightening mechanism 52 is operatively integrated into the first inclined channel 2 so that the first object-straightening mechanism 52 can be used to prevent deviation of the at least one buoyant object 17 as the at least one buoyant object 17 travels down the first inclined channel 2.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 through 3 and 19, in one embodiment, the first objectstraightening mechanism 52 may comprise at least one first track 53. In addition, the at least one buoyant object 17 may comprise an object body 18 and at least one annular groove 19. The at least one first track 53 may be a raised rail that matches the at least one annular groove 19 to guide the object body 18 in an overall straight orientation down the first inclined channel 2. The innermost circumference of the at least one annular groove 19 rolls on the at least one track, while the outermost circumference of the object body 18 does not touch the first inclined channel 2. Further, the innermost circumference may have a gradual step up angled to the outermost circumference so that if the object body 18 were to not roll straight, the centrifugal force moves the object body 18 to correct itself. Accordingly, the at least one first track 53 is positioned parallel to the first inclined channel 2. In addition, the at least one first track 53 is connected onto the first inclined channel 2 to secure the at least one first track 53 to the first inclined channel 2. Further, the at least one annular groove 19 is laterally integrated into the object body 18 so that the at least one annular groove 19 can be engaged by the at least one first track 53. Thus, the object body 18 is guided along the first inclined channel 2 to prevent slippage of the at least one buoyant object 17 that may result in blocking other buoyant objects. In some embodiments, the at least one first track 53 may be several tracks distributed across the first inclined channel 2 to engage a matching number of annular grooves on the body object to further ensure the correct orientation of the object body 18 as the at least one buoyant object 17 travels down the first inclined channel 2.

Similar to the first inclined channel 2, the present invention may further include means to control the rolling of the at least one buoyant object 17 along the second inclined channel 3. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 through 4 and 10, the present invention may further comprise a second object-straightening mechanism 54. The second objectstraightening mechanism 54 centers the at least one buoyant object 17 along the second inclined channel 3 to prevent jams due to the orientation of the at least one buoyant object

17 becoming crooked relative to the second inclined channel 3. The second objectstraightening mechanism 54 is operatively integrated into the second inclined channel 3 so that the second object-straightening mechanism 54 can be used to prevent deviation of the at least one buoyant object 17 as the at least one buoyant object 17 travels down the second inclined channel 3.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 through 4 and 10, like the first object-straightening mechanism 52, the second object-straightening mechanism 54 may comprise at least one second track 55. Like the at least one first track 53, the at least one second track 55 may be a rail that matches the at least one annular groove 19 to guide the object body 18 in an overall straight orientation down the second inclined channel 3. Accordingly, the at least one second track 55 is positioned parallel to the second inclined channel 3. In addition, the at least one second track 55 is connected onto the second inclined channel 3 to secure the at least one second track 55 to the second inclined channel 3. Thus, the object body

18 is guided along the second inclined channel 3 as the at least one annular groove 19 engages the at least one second track 55 to prevent slippage of the at least one buoyant object 17 that may result in blocking other buoyant objects. In some embodiments, the at least one second track 55 may be several tracks distributed across the second inclined channel 3 to engage a matching number of annular grooves on the body object to further ensure the correct orientation of the object body 18 as the at least one buoyant object 17 travels down the second inclined channel 3.

As can be seen in FIGS. 5 through 19, to illustrate the cyclical process related to the operation of the present invention, the at least one buoyant object 17 may be initially positioned adjacent to the lower channel end 5 of the first inclined channel 2 after passing through the buoyancy chamber 6. Prior to this, the buoyancy chamber 6 released the at least one buoyant object 17 into the first inclined channel 2. The at least one buoyant object 17 then enters the gravity chamber 1 and the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly 20 due to gravity. The at least one buoyant object 17 engages the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly 20 as the buoyant object chain ledge 26 is cycled into position to receive the at least one buoyant object 17. As the at least one buoyant object 17 engages the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly 20, the at least one buoyant object 17 traverses downward through the gravity chamber 1 toward the second inclined channel 3, thereby driving the operation of the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly 20. The gravity chamber 1 may include a plurality of switches distributed along the gravity chamber 1 that control the operation of the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly 20. The operation may be affected by an instance of the at least one buoyant object 17 engaging the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly 20 while contacting the plurality of switches. The arrangement and effect of the plurality of switches are understood to be variable in multiple configurations of the present invention, but at least one configuration triggers the at least one object stop 48 to permit the at least one buoyant object 17 to enter the gravity chamber 1 and engage the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly 20 as described. Corresponding to the movement of the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly 20 caused by the at least one buoyant object 17 moving toward the second inclined channel 3, the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly 20 provides operating power to the at least one electricity producing system 14. Subsequently, the at least one buoyant object 17 is configured to enter the second inclined channel 3 after passing through the gravity chamber 1 and disengaging the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly 20, said disengagement understood to be an inverse process of the engagement occurring because of the cyclical movement of the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly 20. Upon entry into the second inclined channel 3, the at least one buoyant object 17 rolls down the second inclined channel 3 due to gravity to the floodable airlock 32, wherein the floodable airlock 32 is biased to a closed position after the passage of the at least one buoyant object 17 therethrough. In response to the floodable airlock 32 being biased to the closed configuration, the floodable airlock 32 is flooded to enable the at least one buoyant object 17 to enter the buoyancy chamber 6. After entering the buoyancy chamber 6, the at least one buoyant object 17 ascends through the fluid in the buoyancy chamber 6 to return to the first inclined channel 2 where the at least one buoyant object 17 is ready to fall into the gravity chamber 1 and repeat the cyclical process as described.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A gravity and buoyancy engine comprising: a gravity chamber; a first inclined channel; a second inclined channel; a buoyancy chamber; at least one electricity producing system; at least one buoyant object; at least one vertical motion transfer assembly; a floodable airlock; the first inclined channel and the second inclined channel each comprising a higher channel end and a lower channel end; the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly being positioned within the gravity chamber; the first inclined channel and the second inclined channel being positioned in between the gravity chamber and the buoyancy chamber; the higher channel end of the first inclined channel being terminally connected to the buoyancy chamber; the lower channel end of the first inclined channel being terminally connected to the gravity chamber; the higher channel end of the second inclined channel being terminally connected to the gravity chamber, opposite the lower channel end of the first inclined channel; the lower channel end of the second inclined channel being terminally connected to the buoyancy chamber, opposite the higher channel end of the first inclined channel; the second inclined channel being in fluid communication with the buoyancy chamber through the floodable airlock; the at least one electricity producing system being linked to the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly; and the at least one buoyant object cycling through the buoyancy chamber, the first inclined channel, the second inclined channel, and the gravity chamber.

2. The gravity and buoyancy engine as claimed in claim 1 comprising: the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly further comprising at least one link chain, at least one first shaft, a first gear, at least one second shaft, a second gear, and a buoyant object chain ledge; the at least one first shaft being rotatably connected with the at least one electricity producing system; the first gear being connected with the at least one first shaft; the second gear being connected with the at least one second shaft; the at least one link chain being rotatably connected in between the first gear and the second gear; and the buoyant object chain ledge being connected to the at least one link chain.

3. The gravity and buoyancy engine as claimed in claim 2 comprising: a transmission; the at least one electricity producing system being a generator; the generator further comprising a generator input shaft; and the transmission being operatively connected between the at least one first shaft and the generator input shaft, wherein the transmission governs the rotation of the generator input shaft relative to the rotation of the at least one first shaft.

4. The gravity and buoyancy engine as claimed in claim 2 comprising: the at least one electricity producing system comprising an alternator and an alternator input pulley; the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly further comprising at least one alternator belt; and the alternator belt being rotatably connected between the alternator input pulley and a desired shaft selected from the group consisting of the at least one first shaft and the at least one second shaft.

5. The gravity and buoyancy engine as claimed in claim 2 comprising: a pressure control system; a pump input shaft; the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly further comprising at least one accessory belt drive; the at least one accessory belt drive comprising at least one first sheave, at least one second sheave, and at least one accessory belt; the at least one first sheave being mounted to the at least one first shaft, opposite the first gear across the at least one first shaft; the at least one second sheave being mounted to the at least one second shaft opposite the second gear across the at least one second shaft; at least one accessory belt being rotatably connected between the at least one first sheave and the at least one second sheave; and the pump input shaft being operatively connected between the at least one accessory belt and the pressure control system, wherein the pump input shaft is used to transmit torque from the at least one accessory belt that is converted to electrical energy to provide operating power to the pressure control system.

6. The gravity and buoyancy engine as claimed in claim 1 comprising: the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly being a plurality of vertical motion transfer assemblies; the plurality of vertical motion transfer assemblies being distributed across the gravity chamber; and the at least one buoyant object being suspended in between the buoyant object chain ledge of an arbitrary transfer assembly and the buoyant object ledge of an adjacent transfer assembly, wherein the arbitrary transfer assembly and the adjacent transfer assembly are from the plurality of vertical motion transfer assemblies.

7. The gravity and buoyancy engine as claimed in claim 6 comprising: a plurality of tensioner pulley assemblies; and each of the plurality of tensioner pulley assemblies being rotatably connected in between a corresponding arbitrary transfer assembly and a corresponding adjacent transfer assembly, wherein the corresponding arbitrary transfer assembly and the corresponding adjacent transfer assembly are from the plurality of vertical motion transfer assemblies.

8. The gravity and buoyancy engine as claimed in claim 1 comprising: a channel shock absorber; and the channel shock absorber being integrated onto the higher channel end of the second inclined channel.

9. The gravity and buoyancy engine as claimed in claim 1 comprising: the floodable airlock comprising at least one airlock hatch, at least one chamber hatch, an airlock inlet, and an airlock outlet; the airlock inlet and the airlock outlet being positioned opposite to each other about the floodable airlock; the lower channel end of the second inclined channel being connected into the airlock inlet; the airlock outlet being terminally connected to the buoyancy chamber; the at least one airlock hatch being hingedly connected to the airlock inlet; and the at least one chamber hatch being hingedly connected to the airlock outlet.

10. The gravity and buoyancy engine as claimed in claim 1 comprising: an airlock shock absorber; and the airlock shock absorber being positioned within the floodable airlock.

11. The gravity and buoyancy engine as claimed in claim 1 comprising: an airlock reservoir; at least one reservoir pump; and the floodable airlock being in fluid communication to the airlock reservoir through the at least one reservoir pump.

12. The gravity and buoyancy engine as claimed in claim 1 comprising: the buoyancy chamber further comprising a buoyancy channel, a staging door, a drainage platform, a drainage reservoir, a drainage inlet, a drainage outlet, and a drainage pump; the staging door being hingedly mounted between the buoyancy channel and the first inclined channel; the drainage platform being positioned within the buoyancy channel, opposite the first inclined channel across the staging door; the drainage reservoir being in fluid communication with the drainage platform; the drainage inlet being integrated into the drainage reservoir; the drainage outlet being integrated into the buoyancy channel; the drainage outlet being positioned offset from the drainage platform, across the buoyancy channel; and the drainage reservoir being in fluid communication with the buoyancy channel through the drainage inlet, the drainage pump, and the drainage outlet.

13. The gravity and buoyancy engine as claimed in claim 1 comprising: at least one object stop; the at least one object stop being positioned adjacent to the lowered channel end of the first inclined channel; and the at least one object stop being bistably integrated into the first inclined channel.

14. The gravity and buoyancy engine as claimed in claim 1 comprising: a first object-straightening mechanism; and the first object-straightening mechanism being operatively integrated into the first inclined channel, wherein the first object-straightening mechanism is used to prevent deviation of the at least one buoyant object as the at least one buoyant object travels down the first inclined channel.

15. The gravity and buoyancy engine as claimed in claim 14 comprising: the first object-straightening mechanism comprising at least one first track; the at least one buoyant object comprising an object body and at least one annular groove; the at least one first track being positioned parallel to the first inclined channel; the at least one first track being connected onto the first inclined channel; the at least one annular groove being laterally integrated into the object body; and the at least one annular groove being engaged by the at least one first track.

16. The gravity and buoyancy engine as claimed in claim 1 comprising: a second object-straightening mechanism; and the second object-straightening mechanism being operatively integrated into the second inclined channel, wherein the second object-straightening mechanism is used to prevent deviation of the at least one buoyant object as the at least one buoyant object travels down the second inclined channel.

17. The gravity and buoyancy engine as claimed in claim 16 comprising: the second object-straightening mechanism comprising at least one second track; the at least one buoyant object comprising an object body and at least one annular groove; the at least one second track being positioned parallel to the second inclined channel; the at least one second track being connected onto the second inclined channel; the at least one annular groove being laterally integrated into the object body; and the at least one annular groove being engaged by the at least one second track.

18. The gravity and buoyancy engine as claimed in claim 1 comprising: the at least one buoyant object being configured to enter the at least one gravity chamber and the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly via gravity after passing through the buoyancy chamber and the first inclined channel; in response to the at least one buoyant object engaging the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly, the at least one buoyant object traversing through the at least one gravity chamber towards the second inclined channel; in response to the at least one buoyant object moving towards the second inclined channel, the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly providing operating power to the at least one electricity producing system; the at least one buoyant object being configured to enter the floodable airlock via gravity after disengaging the at least one vertical motion transfer assembly and passing through the second inclined channel; in response to the at least one buoyant object entering the floodable airlock, the floodable airlock being biased to a closed configuration; in response to the floodable airlock being biased to the closed configuration, the floodable airlock being flooded; the at least one buoyant object being configured to enter the buoyancy chamber via buoyancy after the floodable airlock being flooded; and in response to the at least one buoyant object entering the buoyancy chamber, the at least one buoyant object ascending along the buoyancy chamber via buoyancy.