Hydrodynamic gravity motor

Claim 2

A radial gate valve assembly for use in a hydrodynamic gravity motor for admitting successive ones of a plurality of closed vessels into a reservoir holding a vertical column of liquid, comprising: two normally closed arcuate upper radial gate panels hinged at one edge to the bottom wall of the reservoir for movement between the normally closed and an open position, including side walls formed on the ends of each of said arcuate upper panels; two normally closed retractable lower panel members extending upwardly from said upper panel members, such that a chamber is defined between said upper and lower panels and said side walls for receiving successive ones of said closed vessels; said upper and lower panel members operating in sequence, such that said lower panel members first retract to open and sdmit one of said closed vessels, said lower panel members returning to the normally closed position before said normally closed upper panel members open to admit said closed vessel to the reservoir; and valve means operating in response to one of said closed vessels entering said chamber defined by said upper and lower panel members for introducing liquid from the reservoir into the chamber, such that an initial upward buoyant force is provided to said closed vessel.

Claim 3

The radial gate valve assembly of claim 1 and further comprising: a plurality of buoyant lift tanks submerged within the reservoir and attached to said normally closed upper panels for counterbalancing the hydraulic pressure of the liquid within the reservoir upon said panels.

Claim 4

The radial gate valve assembly of claim 2, wherein said buoyant lift tanks include gate valves for adjusting the buoyant lift force provided to said upper panels.

Claim 5

The radial gate valve assembly of claim 1, wherein said valve means comprises flap valves located upon said upper panels, said flap valves being adjustable to control the quantity of liquid introduced into the chamber formed by said upper arcuate panels, said lower panels, and said side walls.

Claim 6

A radial gate valve assembly for use in a hydrodynamic gravity motor for admitting successive ones of closed vessels to a reservoir containing a column of liquid, comprising: two normally closed upper panel members having one edge hinged to the bottom wall of the reservoir, such that said panels open radially into said reservoir in the open position for admitting successive ones of said vessels; each of said upper panel members including side panel members; side walls extending from the bottom of said reservoir beneath said upper panel members; two normally closed retractable lower panel members supported upon a foundation beneath the bottom wall of the reservoir for engaging said side walls and defining a chamber between said upper panel member, said side panel members, said side walls and said lower panel members for receiving said vessels, said normally closed lower panel members operating in balanced sequence with said upper panel members, such that said lower anel members open to admit one of said vessels and return to the normally closed position before said upper panel members open; and valve means operating in response to a vessel in said chamber for introducing a quantity of liquid into said chamber for providing an initial upward buoyant force to the vessel exiting said valve assembly.

Claim 7

A radial gate valve assembly for use in a hydrodynamic gravity motor for admitting successive ones of closed vessels to a reservoir containing a column of liquid, comprising: two normally closed upper panel members having one edge hinged to the bottom wall of the reservoir, such that said panels open radially into said reservoir in the open position for admitting successive ones of said vessels; each of said upper panel members including side panel members; side walls extending from the bottom of said reservoir beneath said upper panel members; two normally closed retractable lower panel members supported upon a foundation beneath the bottom wall of the reservoir for engaging said side walls and defining a chamber between said upper panel member, said side panel members, said side walls and said lower panel members for receiving said vessels, said normally closed lower panel members operating in balanced sequence with said upper panel members, such that said lower anel members open to admit one of said vessels and return to the normally closed position before said upper panel members open; and valve means operating in response to a vessel in said chamber for introducing a quantity of liquid into said chamber for providing an initial upward buoyant force to the vessel exiting said valve assembly.

Claim 8

The radial gate valve assembly of claim 5, and further comprising: bracing extending from the bottom wall of the reservoir, said bracing supporting a sleeve member for receiving each of said retractable lower panel members in the open position.