Abstract: A system for converting DC electrical solar generated energy to AC electrical energy. A DC motor is driven by electricity obtained from DC electrical energy producing solar panels. The DC motor drives an air compressor which in turn provides, via Archimedes' principle, a constant flow of air to a submerged cross-flor turbine. The turbine is rotated by the rising air bubbles through the water. An AC generator is connected to the shaft of the turbine. The output of the AC generator is connected to the shaft of the turbine. The output of the AC generator is then fed to the consumer's or homeowner's electrical supply lines. Special cleaning means removes impurities from the air flowed through the cross-flow turbine.

Abstract: A buoyancy engine having a plurality of pistons in cylinders is immersed in a vessel of liquid. A crankshaft is rotatably mounted on sealed bearings in the vessels walls. The pistons are attached to the crankshaft by connecting rods. The pistons are designed to hold relatively buoyant compressed air injected into them by computer controlled injectors. When operating, the crankshaft has one or more pistons moving upward due to the buoyancy of the air which they contain, and one or more empty pistons moving downward.

Abstract: An apparatus for the generation of power which comprises a first cylinder and a second cylinder, a first float member and a second float member disposed in the first and second cylinders, respectively, a first inner cylinder and a second inner cylinder disposed in the first and second float members, respectively, a first lever and a second lever connected to the first and second float members, a crank member rotatably disposed on a crank shaft, a pair of arms connected at one end to the crank member and at the other end to the first and second levers, introducing and removing member of a fluid to and from the first and second cylinders, introducing and discharging member of air to and from the first and second float members, whereby when the fluid and air are introduced into the first cylinder and float member, and simultaneously removed from the second cylinder and float member, the first float member is caused to rise in the first cylinder and the second float member is caused to fall in the second cylinder

Abstract: A relatively lightweight `motivator buoy` (15), constrained by guides (93) attached to a ballasted "floating platform" (1) of contrasting and static buoyancy characteristics, reciprocates vertically by wave action, lifting water via a piston (20) and cylinder (4) through automatic non-return valves (21,22) into a pressurized storage compartment (23) incorporating a compressible medium such as an airspace, then turning a water turbine (10) and electricity generator (11), or alternatively providing a hydraulic power source for other uses. Modules so constructed may be linked by an above-water framework to form continuous arrays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for tidal electric power generation using the buoyancy energy of the tide. The present invention includes a buoyant container having a balancing buoyant room and a flood gate, a power transmission apparatus having a converting apparatus, and a four-way valve. The buoyancy force of the buoyant container is decreased during the upward movement of the container while the kinetic energy decreases during the downward movement of said container. With control of the four-way valve, the decreasing buoyancy force is partially compensated for by the pumping of water from the buoyant container and the kinetic energy is reinforced by filling the buoyant container with water. The converting apparatus comprises two conic helical gears. By using the conic helical gear, the buoyancy force and the kinetic energy are constantly transmitted into the pump.

Abstract: A buoyancy prime mover that converts the potential energy of a gas buoyant within a liquid into rotating mechanical energy comprises a plurality of rigid or collapsible buckets joined by one or more chains with rotatable sprockets and shafts to form a continuous loop within an enclosure and means for controlling the pressure within the enclosure whereby the buoyant gas is trapped within the buckets, the buckets rise through the liquid and rotate the chain and sprockets to generate power.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting wave motion at the surface of a supporting medium into usable power and including a buoyant main body 24 forming a housing for a plurality of pumps 30 and a float system 28 connected thereto such that wave induced relative motion between the body 24 and the component parts of the float system 28 causes actuation of the pumps 30. The pumps 30 intake water from the supporting medium and pumps it through an effluent conduit 12 to a remote location 16 where it is used to perform useful work. The apparatus can be scuttled during storms, with effective resurrection made possible by using the buoys of the float system to store air, or other fluid, under pressure until needed to purge the buoyant main body of water.

Abstract: A motor wherein a stationary carrier supports one or more rotors each having a hollow cylindrical or endless belt-like buoyant member confining an annulus of separate inflatable and deflatable compartments for alternative admission of heated gaseous fluid and evacuation of spent fluid while the buoyant member is at least partially immersed in a supply of liquid. The inflated compartments push the buoyant member sideways and thus hold the buoyant member in a position of eccentricity with reference to the carrier and/or with reference to a hub, which is mounted on the carrier and receives torque from the buoyant member, so that the latter rotates due to its eccentric positioning and under the action of the lifting force.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting the periodic undulations of a body of water into electrical energy includes a support structure adapted to be mounted in a substantially fixed position relative to the surface of the body of water and extending a substantial distance above the surface. The apparatus also includes a float member movable relative to the support structure in response to the undulations of the surface, an electrical generator mounted on the support structure for generating electricity, and a nut and lead screw assembly of the type comprising a threaded screw member, a threaded nut member, and bearings disposed therebetween whereby the screw and nut members are axially and rotatably movable relative to each other. The screw member is connected to the float member, and the nut member is operatively connected to the generator whereby movement of the screw member with the float member drives the nut member and generator.

Abstract: A drive is disclosed utilizing at least two units of which one may be an auxiliary. Each unit is positionable in a relatively deep body of water and has upper and lower sprockets about which a chain is trained which carries a series of receptacles that open in the trailing direction. The chain courses of the conveyors that are to travel upwardly are close together and air under pressure is delivered into the receptacles of at least one unit as they reach the lower end of its upwardly travelling course to render the receptacles of those courses buoyant. At least one receptacle of each unit is positioned to receive air escaping from or bypassing a receptacle of the other unit. At the upper end of the downwardly travelling courses, the receptacles become weighted as they fill with water.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of obtaining energy, preferably electrical energy, from different water levels effected by a container resting on a float to be filled from an upper water level of the different water levels via lateral, inwardly opening, flat valves which permit entry of water into the container as it sinks under the weight thereof, and discharge ports for permitting egress of the water while the container is being raised, the discharge ports being closed during the filling process and opened after a desired level of the container is achieved, the discharge ports being arranged in the lower end of the container, and the container resting on a float therebeneath which compensates for the net weight of the cont

Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy conversion device for converting stored liquids and potential energy into rotational and kinetic energy, which is provided with a plurality of ballast tanks disposed about a wheel in a ferris-wheel manner with each tank alternately filling with and discharging liquid at the top and bottom of its travel.

Abstract: A buoyancy prime mover that converts the potential energy of a gas buoyant within a liquid into rotating mechanical energy comprises a plurality of rigid or collapsible buckets joined by one or more chains with rotatable sprockets and shafts to form a continuous loop so that when the buoyant gas is trapped within the buckets, the buckets rise through the liquid and rotate the chain and sprockets to generate power.

Abstract: A wave energy converting device disposed on the wave in the sea comprises a rotary shaft; a rotary hollow sleeve containing the rotary shaft therein; a plurality of partition walls for partitioning said hollow sleeve into a plurality of compartments; a plurality of radial plates each secured to the rotary shaft and said rotary sleeve to thereby form a plurality of water chambers; and plurality of first ports each formed in the rotary sleeve at the trailing end of each water chamber and adjacent to the radial plate corresponding to each water chamber.

Abstract: A dome-shaped atoll structure (12) having a central aperture at its apex is secured to a station-keeping structure (11, or 40, or 52) positioned on the ocean bottom. The atoll structure (12) is moveable through a range of vertical positions relative to the ocean bottom. Sea waves impinging on the atoll structure (12) are refracted as they crest and break, thereby producing spiralling pulses of water that converge toward the central aperture. The central aperture provides entry into a vertical standpipe (14) for the pulses of water, which impart angular momentum to water already present in the standpipe (14). A turbine (31) attached to a shaft (28) in the standpipe (14) converts the rotational energy of the water in the standpipe (14) to rotational energy of the shaft (28), which is coupled to an electrical generator (27).

Abstract: A power generating apparatus, in which air is discharged into a lower portion of a rotatable, underwater wheel or the like, so as to provide buoyancy, in order to rotate the wheel and drive an electric generator; the apparatus including, in one design thereof, an endless bucket-line around a periphery of an upper and lower rotatable wheel, the buckets at a lower end of the line being turned into inverted position where an air nozzle, directed under the buckets, fills them with air, so as to cause the buckets to lift.

Abstract: A thermodynamic flotation engine designed to operate using waste heat contained in hot fluids such as water is provided which is of simple construction and allows for continuous operation with no other outside energy source being required. The engine includes an upright fluid tank adapted to receive the hot fluid, with a continuous loop member having a series of discrete bladders mounted thereon. The loop member is supported for continuous movement of successive portions thereof into and out of the fluid filled tank from bottom to top, as by means of a pair of spaced apart pulley members.

Abstract: Energy producing apparatus comprising an imbalance wheel mounted for energy producing rotation about a substantially horizontal axis, and which is substantially in rotational balance and defines at least two peripherally located and substantially equally circumferentially distributed electrochemical cell zones for conversion of liquid to gas, each zone having operatively opposed cathode and anode devices and operatively disposed imbalance imparting captive gas collection spaces for collecting corresponding conversion gas therein, plus a liquid feed system for feeding liquid to the zones, electrical conductor devices arranged for selectively providing a circuit of current from a source to the corresponding cathode and anode devices of each successive zone when at a selective imbalance imparting lower location in the lower half wheel portion, and a gas delivery system arranged for delivering conversion gas from the corresponding collection space of each successive zone when at the substantially uppermost locati

Abstract: A pumping system uses flowing water to operate a pump or pumps intermittently, each pump having a vertically expansible chamber established by piston and cylinder members of which one is fixed and the other float supported. Each pump chamber is filled and expanded to a predetermined extent by flowing water and is discharged, with the water flow interrupted, under a head greater than the flowing water affords. The discharge of the chamber water of each pump may be used for various purposes including the operation of another pump to further increase the head on its chamber water, increase the volume of such water, or both. The head afforded by the flowing water is usually inadequate to effect wanted expansion of a pump chamber only by the delivery of the flowing water thereto and most situations call for each pump being within a reservoir which can be flooded by the flowing water to lift the float to a desired height and later drained.

Abstract: A turbine wheel is encased in a closely fitting cylindrical housing filled with water. The circumference of the wheel is fitted with a plurality of chambers defined by axially extending vanes, each of which may have a radially flat portion tending to propel water tangentially following the direction of rotation of the wheel. Each chamber communicates to a respective radial conduit, and through the conduit to a central manifold. Gas is supplied at the manifold, so rather than being injected from outside the wheel, the gas is injected into the chambers from a point radially inward of the chamber volume. Water displaced downwardly out of the bottom chambers is diverted into a bypass conduit running outside the closely fitting housing and travels upwardly to be reintroduced into the chambers as they near the top dead center position. The water is preferably introduced over a fraction of the chambers' axial dimension so that the air may be quickly displaced to the side (axially).

Abstract: The specification discloses a hydrodynamic gravity motor for use in converting gravitational and buoyant forces into useful energy. A plurality of hollow vessels are attached between a pair of endless power chains. The power chains define a closed path of movement for the vessels moving by buoyant forces upward through a reservoir holding a column of liquid and returning downward outside of the reservoir from the gravitational forces on the vessels. A radial gate valve is disposed at the bottom of the reservoir for admitting each of the hollow vessels into the reservoir. The radial gate valve has a pair of lower panels operating in sequence with a pair of upper panels for defining a chamber for receiving each of the vessels. The radial gate valve has a plurality of buoyant lift tanks attached to the upper panels for reducing the force necessary to open the gate.

Abstract: A fluid motor is disclosed which includes a rotor supported for rotation about a generally horizontal axis by a hollow shaft. The rotor defines a plurality of chambers circumferentially spaced apart relative to the axis. A relatively large area flow passage extends from the trailing wall portion of each chamber to a succeeding chamber to enable fluid flow between said chambers in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the rotor. A relatively dense working fluid partially occupies the rotor. Intake valving introduces a motive fluid into the rotor chambers disposed within a predetermined angular range relative to the axis so that the motive fluid displaces the working fluid from those chambers through associated respective flow passages and in so doing drives the rotor. Exhaust valving communicates with successive rotor chambers disposed in a second angular range relative to the axis for enabling motive fluid to exhaust from the chambers.

Abstract: A plurality of related systems for converting potential energy present by virtue of gravitational and buoyant forces associated with a body of water into kinetic energy and useful power. A pair of parallel, flexible belts are joined by rigid links or rungs affixed at their ends to each belt and passing over one or more rotatable gears having radial teeth with a pitch equal to the spacing of the links. The belts are turned by mechanism attached thereto which is exposed to either the kinetic force of flowing or falling water, or the buoyant force of a body of water upon elements attached directly to the belt and/or links.

Abstract: An ocean thermal engine utilizing the thermocline and hydrostatic pressure of the ocean to change the buoyancy of a series of rigid containers having good thermal conductivity fitted with means for confining a thermodynamic fluid capable of vaporizing and condensing within the temperature range of the ocean thermocline. The rigid containers are arranged in spaced relation around rotatable supporting means so that the change in buoyancy of the containers causes said means to rotate and to drive a generator if electrical energy is desired.

Abstract: A pressure source to develop a stream of liquid under pressure as a consequence of the rise and fall of the surface of a body of water. The pressurizing means comprises an enclosure which bounds a chamber having a pair of portions at least one of which is movable relative to the other as a consequence of a force applied to one of them to reduce the volume of a chamber and thereby to place under pressure liquid which is contained therein. A conduit leads from the chamber through which a stream of liquid under pressure can flow for doing work. Buoyant means is floatable in the body of water to rise with its surface and to lower when the surface is sufficiently below the weight means. Force transmission means applies force from the weight means, when elevated, to the one portion.

Abstract: A tide motor energy source includes a tidal piston with a valved chamber. The piston drives a hydraulic ram to generate electrical power through a pressure accumulator and hydraulic motor. The ram can be locked hydraulically to enable the tidal piston to be held fixed at a desired elevation and the valves in the chamber permit it to be filled with water or air. The piston with its chamber filled with air at its low tide position and then released for controlled ascent while submerged acts as a submerged float for driving the ram upwardly while the tide runs in during one phase of its operation. The piston with its chamber filled with water while locked at its highest position as the tide begins to run out, and then released to fall under control, acts as a weight suspended in air after the water level drops below the piston for driving the ram downwardly during the second phase of its operation. The rising and falling motion of the tidal piston is used as the energy source.

Abstract: An hydraulic motor having as an energy source a cyclically controlled rising and falling level of liquid in a working tank in which is provided a piston element having a liquid-tight hollow chamber that is arranged to move vertically with the rising and falling liquid level in response to buoyant and gravitational forces acting thereon. The liquid level in the tank is varied by using a plurality of liquid-tight exchange receptacles located adjacent the tank in vertically spaced relationship between the lower and upper liquid levels in the tank, with each exchange receptacle communicating with the tank through an opening including a normally closed valve. A control means for varying the liquid level in the tank includes a system for sequentially and individually opening and closing each of the valves from the uppermost to the lowermost exchange receptacle, and vice versa.

Abstract: A wheel having a plurality of vanes which extend centrally out to the periphery thereof, is rotatably mounted on the walls of a main compartment. A first liquid is contained within this main compartment. A second liquid having a substantially lower boiling temperature than the first is contained within a second "boiler" compartment, the second compartment being mounted in the first and at least partially submersed in the first liquid. A source of heat is applied to the first compartment to heat this compartment and the liquid contained therein to a high enough temperature so as to cause the second liquid to boil. The vapor generated by virtue of the boiling of the second liquid is conveyed to a location beneath the wheel where it is released through port means such that the vapor bubbles rise in the first liquid and in rising are caught within the vanes of the wheel, which then exerts a buoyancy force, thereby rotatably driving the wheel.

Abstract: A tide motor useful for converting periodic rising and falling water levels to useful work such as electric power generation includes a primary piston having a large enclosed chamber that can selectively be filled with air for generation of upward thrust when submerged in rising tidal water or filled with water for generating downward gravitational thrust when the piston is suspended in air above a dropping tidal water level. Cyclic filling and emptying of the chamber is programmed to coordinate piston positions and water level positions, and the piston can be locked in either up or down position to achieve maximum flotation and gravitational thrust forces. An auxiliary tidal piston that can be locked in a down position has an upper water chamber provided with flood valves and an air filled, sealed flotation chamber below. The auxiliary piston is located near the primary piston, and is designed to have positive buoyancy when its respective chambers are filled with water and air.

Abstract: An improved wave motor tank utilizes a tank having an open mouth portion disposed in a downwardmost position when residing in a body of water experiencing the effects of waves and tides. The tank is coupled to a mechanical apparatus, well known in the art, utilized in extracting energy due to the fall and rise of the tank. The interior of the tank is subjected to a negative pressure so as to tightly couple the tank to the water in which it is caused to reside. The tank is provided with a flotation chamber which contains a gas thereon, offsetting the weight of the tank and any ballast attached thereto, maintaining such tank at a near weightless condition yet effectively "clamped" to the surrounding water.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting energy from a swell in a fluid medium using a mobile float which is displaceable in response to movements of the swell. The float is submergible in the fluid medium at a predetermined depth selected such that, in the absence of movement of the fluid medium, the upwardly and downwardly directed forces acting on the float counterbalance each other so that the float is in equilibrium at such predetermined depth. The buoyancy of the float is adjusted to maintain it in equilibrium.

Abstract: A tide operated pump has piston and cylinder members establishing a vertically expansible chamber, one member fixed and the other including a float that is adapted to contain ballast water. Valve controlled inlet and outlet conduits enable the chamber to become expanded and charged with water as a tide rises, the water trapped therein until the tide has ebbed to a wanted extent and then released under the head established by the float. The float may be flooded when in an elevated position to further increase the head and the ballast water later drained to restore normal float buoyancy if desired. A series of such pumps provide a continuous flow and the pumps are interconnected in a manner permitting one or more of the pumps to expand the chamber of at least one of the pumps with its float substantially above the height established at high tide to further increase the pumping capacity of that pump.

Abstract: A turbine wheel having a central hollow cylindrical water tight shell is encased in a closely fitting cylindrical housing filled with water. The circumference of the wheel carries a plurality of chambers defined by vanes, each vane having a radial flat portion for propelling water tangentially in the direction of rotation of the wheel. Gas is injected near the bottom of the wheel. The buoyant force of trapped gas in the chambers imparts rotation to the wheel, and water displaced by the injected gas circulates in the region between the ends of the vanes and the housing. An external conduit may facilitate efficient replacement by receiving some of the displaced water near the bottom and reintroducing it near the top of the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing power from water waves. The apparatus comprises a main pipe having at least one inlet and an outlet. A pump has an inlet to admit ambient water and an outlet that communicates with the inlet of the pipe. A valve controls the inlet to the pump. Another valve controls the outlet to the pump. A buoyancy vessel is attached to the pump. The buoyancy vessel has a slightly positive buoyancy to follow the motion of the waves. Reciprocation of the buoyancy vessel permits water to enter the pump, through the inlet, and then forces water from the outlet into the pipe.

Abstract: A sun-powered engine converts the heat of the sun's rays into mechanical energy which can be used to power a generator or other mechanism having a rotating shaft. The engine, called the "Sunmill" by its inventor, uses heat expanded trapped bubbles to provide buoyancy to vanes contained within a sealed drum thereby causing the drum to rotate. A shaft attached to the axis of the drum is used to transfer power to other devices, such as an electric generator.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a sun-powered engine called the "Sunmill" by its inventor.Heretofore, a number of sun-powered engines have been described. Many of those engines utilize rotating mechanisms which are unbalanced by the boiling of a volatile fluid. For example, such an engine is described in U.S. Pat. No. 389,515 issued Sept. 11, 1888 to A. Iske. Other similar engines are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,509,716 issued on May 5, 1970 to E. N. Avery and in U.S. Pat. No. 3,984,985 issued on Oct. 12, 1976 to J. M. Lapeyre.

Abstract: A basin for containing water is provided and a heavy buoyant body is guidingly received in the basin for back and forth reciprocal movement therein and also raising and lowering within the basin in response to changes in the elevation of the water level therein. One end of the basin opens toward and in opposition to a source of wave movement and the body is drivingly connected to a rotary output shaft to be driven in response to back and forth reciprocal movement of the body. The output shaft includes eccentric crankpin portions and connecting rods operably connect the reciprocal body to the crankpin portions of the output shaft. The basin opens toward the source of wave movement through a straight channel having a wave modulating gate operatively associated therewith.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a turbine having a rotor rotatable on a generally horizontal axis; the rotor being emersed in liquid and being driven upward by rising gasses on an ascending portion of the rotor and also being driven by downward falling liquid within the descending portion of the rotor and the rotor being constructed in such a manner as to provide substantial liquid sealing between the rotor and arcuate housing seal structure and walls, thereby minimizing blow-by or detour of the gasses around the rotor; the housing in its lower portion having a gas inlet and the housing in its upper portion having a gas liquid condenser and the housing being provided with means for maintaining a constant liquid level therein above said rotor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating buoyancy power comprising harnessing the buoyant energy contained in hydrogen and oxygen gases which are electrolytically generated under water. A first wheel is submerged in water with a second wheel submerged vertically beneath the first wheel. An endless belt engages and is stretched between the outer surfaces of the first and second wheels and is adapted to rotate the wheels when the belt is driven. A power generator is coupled to one of the wheels and is drivable therewith. As the hydrogen and oxygen gas bubbles are generated at the respective submerged electrodes of an electrolytic generator, the rising bubbles are separately caught in two columns of receptacles along one side of the belt thereby displacing the water from the receptacles and rendering them buoyant. The buoyant receptacles then drive the belt and the first and second wheels thereby causing the power generator to produce an electric current.

Abstract: A power unit having an endless belt immersed in a tank of water and disposed on upper and lower rotatable rollers in parallel alignment tightly enough to frictionally engage and rotate the pullies, there being transversely arranged and longitudinally spaced, relative to the belt, collapsible air buckets or air traps on the outwardly facing side of the belt. When operating, the belt has one part continually moving upwardly and an opposite part moving downwardly. The air buckets open downwardly and expand on the upwardly moving part of the belt; and those on the opposite downwardly moving part open upwardly in a collapsed condition. Air is pumped to a horizontally disposed discharge pipe adjacent the lower end of the belt, the pipe having openings for discharge of air into the succeeding lower open buckets to cause the buckets to be filled with air and expand the buckets so as to move buoyantly upwardly.

Abstract: A closed cycle energy conversion system adaptable for use with, inter alia, solar collectors and other sources of available heat for increasing the temperature of a circulating fluid to a super heated condition and employing a substantially vertically positioned gas expander column comprising an endless arrangement of cups journaled for movement in a closed path within a liquid medium in the column for trapping the super heated fluid when flashed into a gas inside a succession of the cups inverted at the bottom of the column and displacing at least a part of the liquid in the cups, thereby providing a buoyancy force on the cups causing them to rise in the column exerting a rotating force on the endless arrangement of cups. The trapped gas is released at the top of the liquid in the column to be condensed, pressurized and recirculated to solar collectors and/or other sources of heat for reuse in the system.

Abstract: An open cycle energy conversion system adaptable for use with, inter alia, solar collectors and other sources of available heat for increasing the temperature of a moving gas and employing a substantially vertically positioned gas expanding column comprising an endless arrangement of cups journaled for movement in a closed path in a liquid medium in the column for trapping the heated gas inside a succession of the cups inverted at the bottom of the column and displacing at least a part of the liquid in the cups, thereby providing a buoyancy force on the cups causing them to rise in the column exerting a rotating force on the endless arrangement of cups. The trapped gas is released at the top of the liquid in the column to be exhausted to atmosphere.

Abstract: The apparatus is operating in deep seawater, creating there a space of normal pressure and utilizing the arising pressure difference. The device consists of a telescope-like moving pumping equipment, furthermore an angularly built border frame, a prime mover, a locomotion equipment with motor, a counterbalancing system and a power generator.

Abstract: A new type of power generating plant that utilizes the motion of ocean waves to drive turbine generators in a power station; the plant including a series of underwater units each of which includes a hollow sphere that floats upon the water so that it rises and falls as waves move by, the ball being mounted on an end of a pivoting arm to which there is connected a piston slidable in a cylinder so to pump ocean water through a duct to the turbines in the power station.

Abstract: A pressure source for providing a stream of liquid at a substantial pressure. The pressure source includes pressurizing means such as a piston-cylinder assembly to which a force is applied to expel the contents thereof under pressure to form the stream. Weight means moving from an upper elevation to a lower elevation provides the said force. The pressure source also includes means to release, in discrete quantums of mass, the weight means for downward movement, in the preferred embodiments, without substantial impediment other than the pressurizing means. This provides sufficient force to supply a stream at a usefully high pressure, for example one which can drive a turbine wheel or a linear actuator at a useful velocity. In a preferred form, the weight means is a buoyant body, and the pressure source includes lift means to float the buoyant body to the upper elevation, and then to permit it to descend to the lower elevation.

Abstract: A hydraulic motor for converting the potential energy of a reservoir of water into mechanical or electrical energy and utilizing a reciprocating free floating piston that can be cyclically drained and filled, or floated in a cylinder that can be drained and filled, and including automatically actuated valves to permit the draining and filling, and detention devices for restraining the piston from motion for a portion of its cycle.