Electrical power generation using compressed gas

A method of generating electricity using a buoyancy powered electrical generator comprising a source of compressed gas;

• a chamber containing a liquid having a liquid level within said chamber;
• a wheel comprising a hub and a plurality of drums radially disposed about said hub and mechanically connected to said wheel, wherein each drum comprises a substantially hollow body having a nose opposite a tail and an interior positioned within said hollow body;
• a first aperture positioned in the nose and a second aperture in the tail, wherein the first and second apertures provide fluid passage to said interior of said body;
• a valve positioned proximate said first aperture, said valve having an open position wherein said first aperture is open and closed position wherein said first aperture is closed;
• a plurality of gas distribution lines fluidly connecting said source of compressed gas to said plurality of drums;
• whereby gas may be selectively delivered to said drums;
• wherein said wheel is positioned and configured to rotate within said chamber about a substantially horizontal axis, said wheel having a falling half and a rising half at any point during said rotation of said wheel, wherein said wheel is positioned in said chamber so that at least one of said plurality of drums on said falling half of said wheel is positioned below said liquid level and so that at least one of said plurality of drums on said rising half of said wheel is positioned below said liquid level;
• wherein said plurality of drums are configured to allow each of said plurality of drums positioned on said falling half of said wheel to be filled with said liquid when said drums are submerged below said liquid level in said chamber when said wheel;
• wherein said plurality of drums are each configured so that delivery of gas to a submerged one of said plurality of drums will move said valve into said closed position and evacuate said fluid from the interior of said submerged one of said plurality drums, whereby evacuating said fluid from the interior of said submerged one of said plurality of drums will generate a buoyant lift force which said drum will apply to said wheel on said rising half of said wheel, thereby imparting a rotational force to said wheel;
• and a magnetic generator having a rotor and a stator and a drive shaft operatively connected to said wheel and said rotor, wherein the method comprises:
• applying a rotational force to said wheel by introducing compressed gas from said source of compressed gas, via said plurality of gas distribution lines, to successive ones of said plurality of drums when each of said plurality of drums is in the rising half of said wheel, whereby said wheel may be rotated;
• using the rotation of said wheel to turn the drive shaft and the rotor within said magnetic generator, to generate electricity.