Vertical gravity/buoyancy power generator

A vertical gravity/buoyancy power generating apparatus for converting the potential energy of gravity and buoyancy acting on an apparatus within a liquid medium into rotational mechanical energy comprising:

• a. the vertical gravity/buoyancy power generator apparatus is immersed wholly or partly in a liquid medium contained in at least one of a tank, a container, or a man made or natural body of water;
• b. a pair of rotatable shafts spaced vertically apart;
• c. fixed means for supporting the shafts in vertical alignment with each other, an upper shaft being relatively located above the other lower shaft;
• d. said shafts are fitted with one-way sprockets or pulleys which rotate said shafts and/or rotate on said shafts;
• said sprockets or pulleys are designed to engage the shaft in one rotational direction and free wheel in the other rotational direction;
• the sprockets or pulleys on the opposite shafts are one-way or completely free wheeling;
• e. one or more endless chains, belts or conveyances disposed on the sprockets or pulleys, and at any time a portion of said chain or belt moves vertically upwardly or ascending, and an opposite portion of the chain or belt moves primarily vertically downwardly, or descending;
• f. a plurality of containers which ascend and descend in a primarily vertical plane on a frame apparatus;
• g. said containers have the ability to attach to or engage the chains, belts or conveyances so that the movement of the containers has a motive effect on the chains or belts;
• h. said containers have both vertical ends open on their longitudinal axis so that liquid or gas can pass through the containers;
• i. each container is fitted with a bladder configured to alternatively hold and release a volume of gas;
• j. said bladder may be designed with a containment structure which allows the bladder to deflate completely and be held in a relatively fixed manner against the container and, when inflated, conform to and maintain position with the container;
• k. said bladder employs a bladder retractor with elastic properties that aids in alignment of the bladder;
• l. a gas discharge means for discharging gas into the containers, and
• m. one or more gas ports that communicate gas between the gas discharge means and the bladders allowing gas to pass into and from the container and bladder;
• whereby when gas is introduced into the containers sealed by the closure means before the ascent the containers have an overall lesser density than the liquid displaced and rise through the liquid medium due to buoyant force, and the gas is released at the top of the apparatus and the containers have an overall greater density than the liquid displaced and descend freely in the liquid medium due to gravity and thereby transmit vertical motive force to the chains, belts or conveyances that is transmitted to the rotating shaft of the apparatus which rotational power can be used for mechanical purposes.