Abstract: An apparatus which generates electrical power from a combination of gravity forces and the inherent buoyancy of a hollow body immersed in a fluid is disclosed. The apparatus includes a long chain having a plurality of hollow buoyant elements attached thereto. The chain extends around a pair of sprockets and the buoyant elements are immersed in a fluid along the portion of the chain moving against gravity and the buoyant elements pass through an airspace along the portion of the chain moving with gravity. The combination of buoyancy and gravitational forces cause movement of the chain to thereby rotate the sprocket gears which are used to drive an electrical power generator. Also disclosed is a housing including a hatch assembly for the apparatus and a valve unit and an insulator for use with the apparatus.

Abstract: Airfoils (32) are secured to the frame (26) of a vertical axis windmill (20) to provide vertical lift to a rotatable vertical shaft (22) and to armatures (54) of electrical generators (50), thereby eliminating friction between each armature (54) and its end bearing (58) as well as between the vertical shaft (22) and its end bearing (68). An indicator (180) provides an indication that the generators (50) of the windmill (20) are generating an alternating electrical current having at least a predetermined voltage magnitude.

Abstract: Cup-type impellers are utilized on wind energy machines which are driven according to a first embodiment to rotate about a vertical axis and according to a second embodiment to rotate about a horizontal axis. In the vertical axis embodiment, the shaft driven by the cups is coupled to one or more offset generators by a gear. Preferably, a single generator mounted to rotate about a vertical axis is utilized. The rotor of the generator is supported by a low friction vertical bearing. In a second embodiment, a pair of cone supports is utilized to drive a horizontally disposed shaft. The shaft is oriented normally with respect to wind direction by utilizing a wind vane mounted on a separate support which detects wind direction and transmits information regarding wind direction to a platform supporting the drive shaft. Preferably, the generator is mounted directly on the drive shaft.