Device for converting buoyancy energy into rotational energy

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for converting buoyancy energy into rotational energy, comprising at least one fluid-filled fluid container, wherein: the device has at least one drive train connected to at least two deflection rollers arranged one above the other; the fluid container is assigned a feed device for feeding at least one buoyancy medium into the fluid; the drive train has receiving elements for at least temporarily receiving the buoyancy medium; the receiving elements are guided in the fluid; and the feed device is arranged below the lower deflection roller. According to the invention, the feed device has an oblique plane, the oblique plane has feed openings for feeding the buoyancy medium into the receiving elements, and the drive train is, in the region of the lower deflection rollers, guided substantially parallel to the surface of the oblique plane.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for converting buoyancy energy into rotational energy, comprising at least one fluid container filled with a fluid, wherein the device has at least one drive train connected to at least two superimposed deflection rollers, wherein the fluid container is associated with a feed device for supplying at least one buoyancy medium into the fluid, and wherein the drive train has receiving elements for at least temporarily receiving the buoyancy medium, wherein the receiving elements are guided in the fluid and wherein the feed device is arranged below the lower deflection roller.

[0002] Devices for converting the buoyancy energy of a buoyancy medium into rotational energy or electrical energy are known. For example, water can be used as the fluid, with the buoyancy medium having a lower average density than water. The buoyancy medium can be, for example, air. As the buoyancy medium rises in the fluid, a drive train is driven, converting the buoyancy energy into rotational energy. For this purpose, a drive train is usually arranged in the fluid-filled container, rotating around pulleys. Receiving elements for the buoyancy medium are arranged on the drive train. The invention is based on the objective of proposing a device of the type mentioned above in which the efficiency of the energy conversion from buoyancy energy to rotational energy is increased.

[0003] This problem is solved according to the invention by a device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0004] In a device for converting buoyancy energy into rotational energy, comprising at least one fluid container filled with a fluid, wherein the device has at least one drive train connected to at least two superimposed deflection rollers, wherein the fluid container is associated with a feed device for supplying at least one buoyancy medium into the fluid, and wherein the drive train has receiving elements for at least temporarily receiving the buoyancy medium, wherein the receiving elements are guided in the fluid and wherein the feed device is arranged below the lower deflection roller, it is essential to the invention that the feed device has an inclined plane, that the inclined plane has feed openings for directing the buoyancy medium into the receiving elements, and that the drive train is guided substantially parallel to the surface of the inclined plane in the area of ​​the lower deflection rollers.

[0005] The device is designed for energy conversion by utilizing buoyancy. The device comprises at least one fluid-filled container in which a buoyancy medium can rise. The fluid can be, in particular, water, or another liquid or liquid mixture. At least one drive train, preferably several parallel drive trains, is arranged in the fluid container, the drive train having receiving elements for at least temporarily receiving the introduced buoyancy medium. The buoyancy medium can preferably be a gaseous substance, in particular air. The use of buoyancy bodies with an average density lower than the average density of the fluid is also conceivable.The receiving elements can be cup-shaped containers with an open end for receiving the buoyancy medium and a closed end, allowing the buoyancy medium to be absorbed, at least temporarily. In particular, the buoyancy medium can be introduced from below into the fluid within the container, and the receiving elements absorb the buoyancy medium through their open end. In this process, the fluid volume in the cup is at least partially displaced by the rising buoyancy medium. The receiving elements experience a buoyancy force from the absorbed buoyancy medium, thus setting the drive train in motion. The drive train can be a drive belt, a drive chain, or similar. Upon reaching the upper deflection pulleys, the buoyancy medium is released again along the drive train as the receiving elements begin their downward movement.The device includes a feed system for supplying and guiding the buoyancy medium. The feed system can have feed elements through which the buoyancy medium can be supplied to the fluid. These feed elements can be designed, for example, as flexible bellows, particularly cylindrical bellows, or as cylinder systems that transfer the buoyancy medium into the fluid reservoir. The cylinder system can, for example, be arranged below the fluid reservoir and transfer the buoyancy medium into the fluid by means of stroke movements through the lower bottom of the fluid reservoir. The feed system has an inclined plane, the plane having feed openings through which the buoyancy medium is supplied to the receiving elements. The drive train has at least two lower deflection pulleys that guide the drive train.The drive train in this section is essentially parallel to the surface of the inclined plane. By guiding the drive train along the inclined plane, the receiving elements can be positioned over the surface of the inclined plane in such a way that the buoyancy fluid exiting through the inlet openings of the inclined plane is efficiently absorbed by the receiving elements. In this process, the fluid volume contained within the receiving elements is at least partially, and preferably completely, displaced. During operation, a flow develops in the fluid along the drive train, guided along the surface of the inclined plane. When the receiving elements move with the flow across the inclined plane from which the buoyancy fluid exits, the flow assists in drawing the buoyancy fluid into the receiving elements.The drive train can, for example, power a generator, converting its rotational energy into electrical energy. The device can also be used for energy-efficient circulation and / or ventilation of a fluid volume by generating a circulating flow along its path within the fluid. This enables particularly efficient flow of the buoyancy medium and thus energy-efficient operation of the device.

[0006] In a further development of the invention, the angle of attack of the inclined plane is adjustable. The angle of attack of the inclined plane relative to the drive train is adjustable. By adjusting the angle of attack, the volume flow of the buoyancy medium to the receiving elements can be controlled. For this purpose, lifting elements, actuators, driven threaded rods, or similar devices can be used, for example.

[0007] In a further development of the invention, control elements for adjusting the size and / or closing the respective supply openings are assigned to the feed openings of the inclined plane. The feed openings of the inclined plane can be adjusted in size or closed by means of control elements. For example, valves, in particular slide valves or other controllable actuators, can be used to control the volume flow of the buoyancy medium through the inclined plane. The slide valves can, for example, be designed such that the buoyancy medium can exit through the inclined plane, but the passage of the fluid from the container through the feed openings of the inclined plane is prevented. Furthermore, at least one further valve, preferably several valves, can be provided spatially adjacent to the inclined plane, through which the buoyancy medium can be supplied to the receiving elements.These valves are specifically designed to supply the buoyancy medium to the buoyancy elements when they are already moving upwards or in a vertical position with a downward-facing receiving opening. These valves can be used, for example, if an insufficient quantity of the buoyancy medium could be supplied to the receiving elements via the inclined plane.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the feeding device comprises volume-variable feeding elements with chambers for receiving the buoyancy medium. The feeding device for supplying and guiding the buoyancy medium includes feeding elements with which the buoyancy medium, in particular air from the environment, can be drawn in and transferred into the fluid against the fluid pressure. The feeding elements are designed to be volume-variable. In particular, the feeding elements can have a chamber for receiving the buoyancy medium, the walls of which are preferably flexible. For example, by compressing the feeding element, the buoyancy medium received in the chamber is forced out of the feeding element and thus out of the feeding device into the fluid. An external force can be applied to the feeding element to compress it.The feed element can also be returned to its original shape by an external force, so that the chamber again experiences a Q:\IB5JAW\JAWDKA\2O25O12736.DOC volume increase, whereby the buoyancy medium can be taken in from the air.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the feed elements are bellows, in particular cylindrical bellows. These feed elements can be, in particular, cylindrical bellows. The cylindrical bellows can have an elastic wall that includes a chamber for receiving the buoyancy medium. When the bellows is compressed, the buoyancy medium is forced out of the chamber and transferred into the fluid. Without force being applied, i.e., when the pressure is released, the bellows decompresses, and the chamber is refilled with the buoyancy medium from the surroundings, in particular with the ambient air. It is also possible that the feed elements are pulled apart under force and returned to their original shape in order to transfer the buoyancy medium into the fluid and to reabsorb the buoyancy medium.

[0010] In one embodiment of the invention, the feeding device comprises a plurality of feeding elements arranged in a grid. The feeding elements are arranged below the inclined plane of the feeding device, and a collection chamber for accumulating the buoyancy medium may be arranged between the feeding elements and the inclined plane. The collection chamber may be directly connected to the space below the inclined plane, or a plane with openings may be arranged between the two spaces. Control elements, such as sliding elements, may be assigned to the openings, allowing the volume flow between the collection chamber and the space below the inclined plane to be controlled. Preferably, the feeding device has a rectangular base. Below this base, the feeding elements are arranged side by side in a grid. In particular, the feeding elements can be arranged in rows and columns.The DOC units should be arranged side by side. The grid arrangement ensures a uniform supply of the buoyancy medium to the collection chamber of the feed device.

[0011] In one embodiment of the invention, each feed element is associated with an actuating element, and the actuating element is designed to linearly deform the respective feed element. Compression of the feed element transfers the buoyancy medium contained within it into the fluid, while decompression of the feed element fills it with buoyancy medium from the surroundings. Actuating elements are arranged below the feed elements, which can compress the feed elements, particularly the bellows. These actuating elements can be, for example, crank rods, actuators, or similar devices. The actuating elements are designed such that the bellows can be compressed and decompressed, particularly in a linear direction, to allow the release and intake of the buoyancy medium, especially air, from the surroundings.The feed elements can also be pulled apart and returned to their original shape to transfer the buoyancy medium into the fluid and to reabsorb the buoyancy medium.

[0012] In a further development of the invention, the feed elements each have at least one valve, in particular a diaphragm valve, designed to transfer the buoyancy medium into the fluid against the fluid pressure. For example, the feed elements can be surrounded by the fluid and have a connection to the ambient air through which air can be drawn into the bellows. Alternatively, the feed elements can be arranged outside the fluid. The feed device can have a collection chamber located between the inclined plane and the feed elements. The buoyancy medium can be transferred into the collection chamber via the feed elements. The collection chamber can be a space enclosed laterally by walls and connected to the inclined plane. The collection chamber is partially filled with the fluid, which accumulates in the incoming fluid within the collection chamber.Valves, particularly diaphragm valves, are arranged between the collection chamber and the feed elements. These valves allow the buoyancy medium, forced out of the feed element during compression, to be released into the fluid against the fluid pressure. The collection chamber must be at least partially filled with the buoyancy medium. The valve allows the buoyancy medium to escape from the feed element chamber, but prevents the fluid from entering the chamber. The feed elements can be surrounded by the fluid, thus maintaining a constant fill level in the fluid reservoir.

[0013] In a further development, the feed elements each have at least one valve, in particular a butterfly valve, designed to receive the buoyancy medium from the surroundings of the feed element. In addition to the valve for releasing the buoyancy medium into the fluid, a receiving element has another valve through which the buoyancy medium can be received from the surroundings. This could be, for example, a butterfly valve or similar device. For instance, one valve could be arranged between the fluid surrounding the feed element and another between the buoyancy medium (i.e., the surroundings) and the feed element.

[0014] In one embodiment of the invention, the actuating elements are sections of a crankshaft, and the feed elements can be changed in volume by means of the crankshaft. The actuating elements can be crankshafts, with each crankshaft being arranged in series with several feed elements. Each crank of the crankshaft is associated with a feed element. The feed elements can each have an actuating rod, in particular a connecting rod, through which the movement of the crankshaft can be transmitted to the feed element. For example, during an upward stroke of a corresponding section of the crankshaft, the feed element can be compressed, and during a downward stroke, the feed element is decompressed.A feed element can also be pulled apart by the power transmission of the crankshaft during a downward stroke and returned to its original state during an upward stroke.

[0015] In a further development of the invention, the crankshafts are arranged offset from one another, so that each feed element experiences a different deflection at any given time. Preferably, the feed elements are arranged in a grid, and each row or column is assigned a crankshaft. The cranks of the crankshafts are aligned such that each feed element in the entire grid experiences a different deflection. No two feed elements of the device have the same deflection at any given time. This ensures that the fluid level in the fluid reservoir can be kept constant. The crankshafts can be controlled, for example, by a computing unit or similar device.

[0016] In a further development of the invention, spring elements are assigned to the feed elements, and these spring elements linearize the force required to deflect the feed elements. To achieve the most linear force requirement possible, i.e., to ensure the most proportional relationship between the force required to deflect the feed element, spring elements are assigned to the feed elements. For example, these spring elements can be arranged parallel to the deflection path of the feed elements and can be designed, for example, as mechanical springs, particularly coil springs.

[0017] Q:\IB5JAW\JAWDKA\2O25O12736.DOC In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the receiving elements have a flow-optimized outer shape. To minimize the flow resistance of the receiving elements in the fluid, the receiving elements have a flow-optimized shape in the direction of flow, i.e., in the direction of movement of the drive trains. In particular, the closed side of the container is adapted to the flow.

[0018] In a further development of the invention, the receiving elements are cup-shaped, partially hollow-cylindrical, have an opening for receiving the buoyancy medium, and feature a flow-optimized, particularly projectile-shaped, closed end located at the front in the direction of movement of the drive train. The open end has an extended outer wall on its side facing the drive train. The end of the cup-shaped receiving elements located at the front in the direction of flow, i.e., the end opposite the opening, preferably has a projectile shape so that low flow resistance of the receiving elements in the fluid can be expected. The outer walls of the receiving elements can have grooves along the respective drive train in the direction of movement for flow guidance and for stabilizing the movement of the receiving elements.Furthermore, the outer wall of the receiving element on the side attached to the drive train has an extension. This enables efficient absorption of the buoyancy medium. The receiving elements are preferably connected to the drive train in a tilting manner. For this purpose, the receiving elements need only have one connection to the respective drive train, which is preferably located in the area of ​​the receiving opening. The receiving element can tilt at this connection, thus enabling it to be guided around the deflection pulleys.

[0019] Q:\IB5JAW\JAWDKA\2O25O12736.DOC In a further development of the invention, the device has several drive trains, and the drive trains are arranged parallel to each other. To increase efficiency, the device has several, for example five, drive trains that are arranged parallel to each other. Preferably, the receiving elements on the different drive trains are arranged offset from each other in order to achieve the most uniform possible buoyancy energy generation and a stable water column in the fluid container.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a fluid-filled container is associated with the feed device, a fluid-filled container is associated with the upper deflection section, and the drive trains are at least partially surrounded by fluid-filled tubes. The fluid-filled container of the device is formed by a fluid-filled section in the area of ​​the feed device, a fluid-filled section in the area of ​​the upper deflection rollers, and a connection between these two sections by tubes. The drive trains with the receiving elements attached to them are arranged in the tubes. By guiding the drive trains in fluid-filled tubes, a significant reduction in the total amount of fluid required is achieved. In the upper fluid-filled section, the tubes can have openings through which the buoyancy medium absorbed by the receiving elements can be released into the fluid at the deflection point.The tubes can be designed as flow-guiding elements and can also have non-circular cross-sections. The fluid-filled areas can be surrounded by dense walls.

[0021] In a further development of the invention, the outer diameter of the receiving elements is adapted to the inner diameter of the tubes. To ensure the most flow-efficient guidance of the receiving elements within the tubes, the fluid-filled gap between the outer wall of the respective receiving element and the inner wall of the tube is optimized. Preferably, the cross-sectional area of ​​the tube has a cross-sectional area of ​​1.2 to 1.7 times, and particularly preferably 1.4 times, the size of the cross-sectional area of ​​the receiving element.

[0022] In a further development of the invention, the tubes for receiving the buoyancy medium have at least one opening in the area facing the feed device. Preferably, the drive trains are completely surrounded by the tubes. In the lower area, below the lower deflection rollers and above the inclined plane with the feed openings, the tubes have openings to receive or allow the buoyancy medium to escape.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drive trains are guided on the side of the deflection rollers facing the interior of the container, and the receiving elements are arranged on the outer sides. When mounted to the drive train, the receiving elements project outwards from the deflection rollers to facilitate the easy intake and discharge of the buoyancy medium.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drive trains are each connected to at least one generator. To convert the rotational energy of the drive train into electrical energy, the drive trains are each connected to at least one generator.

[0025] In a device for generating energy, with at least one fluid container filled with a fluid, it is provided that the device has at least one drive train connected to at least two superimposed deflection rollers, that the fluid container is assigned a feed device for supplying at least one buoyancy medium into the fluid, that the drive train has receiving elements for at least temporarily receiving the buoyancy medium, that the receiving elements are guided in the fluid, that the feed device is arranged below the lower deflection roller, that the feed device Q:\IB5JAW\JAWDKA\2O25O12736.DOC has an inclined plane, that the inclined plane has feed openings for directing the buoyancy medium into the receiving elements, that the drive train in the area of ​​the lower deflection rollers is guided essentially parallel to the surface of the inclined plane, and that an electric generator is assigned to the drive train.

[0026] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment illustrated in the drawing. Specifically, the schematic representations in:

[0027] Fig 1 : a device according to the invention in a partially cutaway view;

[0028] Fig 2: a feeding device in a partially cutaway view;

[0029] Fig 3: a device in a perspective view;

[0030] Fig 4: an upper area of ​​the device with swivel casters;

[0031] Fig 5: a lower area of ​​the device with the

[0032] Feeding device;

[0033] Fig. 6: a recording element in perspective view; and

[0034] Fig 7: a crankshaft in perspective view.

[0035] Figure 1 shows a device 1 according to the invention, comprising a fluid-filled container 2 and a feed device 3. The device 1 according to the invention has drive trains 4, five of which are arranged parallel to each other in this embodiment. Receiving elements 5 for receiving a buoyancy medium, in particular air, are arranged on the drive trains 4. The drive trains 4 with the receiving elements 5 are arranged in tubes 6. The tubes 6 connect the upper region 7 with the lower region 8 of the fluid-filled container 2. The tubes 6, the upper region 7, and the lower region 8 are all filled with a fluid 9. The drive trains 4 are guided around deflection pulleys 10. The device 1 has a feed device 3 for supplying a buoyancy medium, in particular air.The buoyancy medium is at least temporarily absorbed by the receiving elements 5, causing the receiving elements 5 to experience a buoyancy force and thus setting the respective drive train 4 in motion. The rotational movement of the drive train 4 is used to drive a generator 20. To ensure the most energy-efficient absorption of the buoyancy medium, the feed device 3 has an inclined plane 11 with feed openings 12. The drive trains 4 with the receiving elements 5 are guided essentially parallel over the inclined plane 11 by means of the deflection pulleys 10. The buoyancy medium exits through the feed openings 12 and, as it passes along the receiving elements 5, is drawn into them by the flow generated by the movement of the drive train 4. Control elements are assigned to the feed openings 12, allowing the size of the feed openings 12 to be adjusted.The control elements can be actuators, slide valves, or similar devices. Control elements 28 are provided for actuating the control elements. The supply device has three supply elements 13 for feeding the buoyancy medium from the environment. The supply elements 13 are preferably bellows. By compressing the bellows, the buoyancy medium inside the bellows is forced into a collection chamber 14. For this purpose, the bellows are subjected to a force by means of actuating elements 15 to compress and then decompress them. During decompression, the supply elements 13 return to their original shape, allowing the buoyancy medium to be drawn in from the environment. To receive the buoyancy medium, the tubes 6 have openings 16 on their side facing the inclined plane 11.

[0036] Q:\IB5JAW\JAWDKA\2O25O12736.DOC Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the feed device 3. The feed elements 13 are formed by bellows. The bellows can be compressed or decompressed by actuating elements 15. In this embodiment, the actuating elements 15 are crankshafts. One crankshaft is associated with a series of six bellows arranged side by side. The cranks of the crankshaft are arranged such that each bellows in the array experiences a different deflection at any given time. Connecting rods 17 are associated with the bellows, through which the force can be transmitted from the respective crankshaft to the bellows. The feed elements 13 transfer the buoyancy medium into a collecting chamber 14. From the collecting chamber 14, the buoyancy medium flows to the inclined plane 11, from which it is directed into the receiving elements 5.The angle of inclination of the inclined plane 11 is adjustable to achieve the most energy-efficient supply of the buoyancy medium to the receiving elements 5. Diaphragm valves 18 are arranged between the supply elements 13 and the collection chamber 14, through which the buoyancy medium can be transferred into the fluid against the fluid pressure. The diaphragm valves 18 prevent the fluid from entering the supply elements 13. Furthermore, the supply elements 13 have valves for receiving the buoyancy medium from the environment. The receiving elements 5 are cup-shaped and have an extended outer shell 19 on their side facing the drive train 4 to ensure efficient intake of the buoyancy medium.

[0037] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a device according to the invention as shown in Figure 1. The fluid-filled container 2 is formed by fluid-tight walls in the upper and lower regions 7, 8 and by fluid-tight tubes. The generator 20 converts the rotational energy of the drive trains 4, which is caused by the buoyancy force of the receiving elements 5, into electrical energy.

[0038] Q:\IB5JAW\JAWDKA\2O25O12736.DOC Figure 4 shows a detailed view of the upper region 7 of the fluid-filled container 2. The tubes 6 have openings 21 in their upper region through which the buoyancy medium can escape into the fluid 9 when the drive trains 4 are deflected into a downward movement. This ensures that the fluid level 22 remains as constant as possible.

[0039] Figure 5 shows the lower section 8 with the feed device 3. The feed elements 13 are surrounded by the fluid 9. The actuating elements 15 are located outside the fluid chamber. The arrangement of the volume-variable feed elements 13 and their control, such that each feed element 13 has a different degree of compression at any given time, is necessary to maintain the fluid fill level 22 at a constant level.

[0040] Figure 6 shows a detailed view of a receiving element 5. The upper, closed end 23 has a streamlined, projectile-like shape. The lower end 24 has an opening for receiving the buoyancy medium. The area of ​​the outer shell of the receiving element 5 facing the drive train 4 has an extended outer shell 19 to enable effective intake of the buoyancy medium. The receiving element 5 can be guided along the respective drive train by the element 26. The receiving element 5 has grooves 27 on its outer shell for flow guidance.

[0041] Figure 7 shows a detailed view of an actuating element 15 designed as a crankshaft. The actuating element 15 has cranks 25 which are provided for actuating the connecting rods 17 of the feed elements 13. The cranks 25 are arranged offset from one another such that each of the receiving elements 5 experiences a different deflection at any given time.

[0042] Q:\IB5JAW\JAWDKA\2O25O12736.DOC

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device (1) for converting buoyancy energy into rotational energy, comprising at least one fluid container (2) filled with a fluid, wherein the device (1) has at least one drive train (4) connected to at least two superimposed deflection rollers (10), wherein the fluid container (2) is associated with a feed device (3) for feeding at least one buoyancy medium into the fluid (9), and wherein the drive train (4) has receiving elements (5) for at least temporarily receiving the buoyancy medium, wherein the receiving elements (5) are guided in the fluid (9) and wherein the feed device (3) is arranged below the lower deflection roller (10), characterized in that the feed device has an inclined plane (11), and that the inclined plane (11) has feed openings (12) for directing the buoyancy medium into the receiving elements (5).that the drive train (4) is guided essentially parallel to the surface of the inclined plane (11) in the area of ​​the lower deflection pulleys (10).

2. Device according to claim 1 , characterized in that an angle of inclination of the inclined plane (11 ) is adjustable.

3. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the feed openings (12) of the inclined plane (11) are assigned control elements for adjusting the size and / or closing the respective feed opening (12).

4. Device according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the feed device (3) has volume-variable feed elements (13) with chambers for receiving the buoyancy medium. Q:\IB5JAW\JAWDKA\2O25O12736.DOC 5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the feed elements (13) are bellows, in particular cylindrical bellows.

6. Device according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the feeding device (3) has a plurality of feeding elements (13) and that the feeding elements (13) are arranged in a grid.

7. Device according to one of claims 5 to 6, characterized in that each feed element (13) is assigned an actuating element (15), that the actuating element (15) is designed for linear deformation of the respective feed element (13), wherein by compression of the feed element (13) the buoyancy medium located in the feed element (13) is transferred into the fluid (9) and wherein by decompression of the feed element (13) the feed element (13) is filled with the buoyancy medium from the environment.

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the feed elements (13) each have at least one valve (18), in particular a diaphragm valve, which is designed to transfer the buoyancy medium into the fluid (9) against the fluid pressure.

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the feed elements (13) each have at least one valve, in particular a flap valve, which is designed to receive the buoyancy medium from the environment of the feed element (13).

10. Device according to claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the actuating elements (15) are sections of a crankshaft and that the feed elements (13) can be changed in volume by the crankshafts. Q:\IB5JAW\JAWDKA\2O25O12736.DOC 11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the crankshafts are arranged offset from each other, so that at any given time each feed element (13) experiences a different deflection.

12. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that spring elements are assigned to the feed elements (13), wherein the spring elements linearize the force required to deflect the feed elements (13).

13. Device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the receiving elements (5) have a flow-optimized outer shape.

14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the receiving elements (5) are cup-shaped, that the receiving elements (5) are partially hollow cylindrical, that the receiving elements (5) have an opening for receiving the buoyancy medium, and that the receiving elements (5) have a flow-optimized, in particular projectile-shaped, closed end (23) which is arranged at the front in the direction of movement of the drive train (4), and that the open end (24) has an extended outer wall on its side facing the drive train (4).

15. Device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the device has several drive trains (4) and that the drive trains (4) are arranged parallel to each other.

16. Device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that a fluid-filled container (2) is associated with the feed device (3), that a fluid-filled container (7) is associated with the upper deflection area, and that the drive trains (4) are at least partially surrounded by fluid-filled tubes (6). Q:\IB5JAW\JAWDKA\2O25O12736.DOC 17. Device according to claim 16, characterized in that the outer diameter of the receiving elements (5) is adapted to the inner diameter of the tubes (6).

18. Device according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the tubes (6) for receiving the buoyancy medium have at least one opening (16) in the area facing the feed device (3).

19. Device according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the drive trains (4) are each connected to at least one generator (20). Q:\IB5JAW\JAWDKA\2O25O12736.DOC

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