A bi-level tank includes a transfer tank and a return tank containing a volume of water, including transfer and return components in the transfer and return tanks, respectively, and a transition component. A bellows couples an upper surface of a piston in the transfer tank to the return component that exerts pressure on the upper surface, while a lower surface of the piston is under pressure from a pressured fluid supplied by a source thereof, producing a pressure differential on the piston. Actuation of a force-applying mechanism on the piston sufficient to overcome the pressure differential displaces the piston for exchanging respective volumes of the return component and the fluid from the source. An extensible and retractable constant-volume boot holds the transition component around the bellows and has valves configured to open and close for equalizing pressure between the boot and the transfer tank.

A bi-level tank includes a transfer tank and a return tank containing a volume of water, including transfer and return components in the transfer and return tanks, respectively, and a transition component. A bellows couples an upper surface of a piston in the transfer tank to the return component that exerts pressure on the upper surface, while a lower surface of the piston is under pressure from a pressured fluid supplied by a source thereof, producing a pressure differential on the piston. Actuation of a force-applying mechanism on the piston sufficient to overcome the pressure differential displaces the piston for exchanging respective volumes of the return component and the fluid from the source. An extensible and retractable constant-volume boot holds the transition component around the bellows and has valves configured to open and close for equalizing pressure between the boot and the transfer tank.

A capillary action propulsion system includes an absorbent material, at least one compression member, and a fluid. The absorbent material forms an endless path. At least one compression member compresses a portion of the absorbent material at a compression location. A fluid is disposed within the absorbent material in an unequal distribution with a first side of the absorbent material having more fluid than a second side. The absorbent material is configured to continuously rotate due to the at least one compression member compressing the portion of the absorbent material at the compression location causing the fluid to continuously remain unequally distributed within the absorbent material creating a weight imbalance in the absorbent material and a resulting moment. The fluid is configured to continuously rise, due to capillary action, within the absorbent material along the endless path from the compression location on the first side of the absorbent material.

A capillary action propulsion system includes an absorbent material, at least one compression member, and a fluid. The absorbent material forms an endless path. At least one compression member compresses a portion of the absorbent material at a compression location. A fluid is disposed within the absorbent material in an unequal distribution with a first side of the absorbent material having more fluid than a second side. The absorbent material is configured to continuously rotate due to the at least one compression member compressing the portion of the absorbent material at the compression location causing the fluid to continuously remain unequally distributed within the absorbent material creating a weight imbalance in the absorbent material and a resulting moment. The fluid is configured to continuously rise, due to capillary action, within the absorbent material along the endless path from the compression location on the first side of the absorbent material.

A vehicle uses a plurality of momentum generators to accelerate. The momentum generator may comprise an arm bearing weights that may be mounted to a frame and arranged to pivot in circular motion. A power source rotates the arm which encounters a stop before rotating half of a full turn. The power source may act continually on the arm, with the arm being released to rotate by a detent mechanism. Momentum of the arm and weights is transferred by the stop to the frame. Direction of rotation is selected to move the frame in a predetermined direction. The vehicle may be wheeled or may be flight capable. If flight capable, the vehicle may have a primary power source such as a rocket motor, with the momentum generators being disposed to increase velocity beyond that produced by the rocket motor. Momentum generators are preferably provided in pairs arranged in mirror image opposition so that operation does not impose unbalanced forces on the vehicle.

A vehicle uses a plurality of momentum generators to accelerate. The momentum generator may comprise an arm bearing weights that may be mounted to a frame and arranged to pivot in circular motion. A power source rotates the arm which encounters a stop before rotating half of a full turn. The power source may act continually on the arm, with the arm being released to rotate by a detent mechanism. Momentum of the arm and weights is transferred by the stop to the frame. Direction of rotation is selected to move the frame in a predetermined direction. The vehicle may be wheeled or may be flight capable. If flight capable, the vehicle may have a primary power source such as a rocket motor, with the momentum generators being disposed to increase velocity beyond that produced by the rocket motor. Momentum generators are preferably provided in pairs arranged in mirror image opposition so that operation does not impose unbalanced forces on the vehicle.

An energy storage and delivery system includes an elevator cage, where the elevator cage is operable to move one or more blocks from a lower elevation to a higher elevation to store energy (e.g., via the potential energy of the block in the higher elevation) and operable to move one or more blocks from the higher elevation to the lower elevation (e.g., by gravity) to generate electricity (e.g., via the kinetic energy of the block when moved to the lower elevation). The blocks are moved between the lower elevation and the higher elevation by an equal vertical distance.

A recirculating gradient power system includes a motion carrier capable of changing its tilt orientation and tilt angle. The central vertical axis of the motion carrier is provided with a rotating shaft. The rotating shaft is pivotally connected with a counterweight. The counterweight is rotationally displaced from a high point of the motion carrier toward a lower point of the motion carrier about the rotating shaft by gravity. At least four power cylinders are evenly arranged at four diagonal corners around the periphery of the central vertical axis of the motion carrier to drive the motion carrier to change the tilt orientation and the tilt angle. A control module is connected with the power cylinders for controlling the operation of the power cylinders which are set in advance when the counterweight is rotationally displaced to a predetermined stroke.

A recirculating gradient power system includes a motion carrier capable of changing its tilt orientation and tilt angle. The central vertical axis of the motion carrier is provided with a rotating shaft. The rotating shaft is pivotally connected with a counterweight. The counterweight is rotationally displaced from a high point of the motion carrier toward a lower point of the motion carrier about the rotating shaft by gravity. At least four power cylinders are evenly arranged at four diagonal corners around the periphery of the central vertical axis of the motion carrier to drive the motion carrier to change the tilt orientation and the tilt angle. A control module is connected with the power cylinders for controlling the operation of the power cylinders which are set in advance when the counterweight is rotationally displaced to a predetermined stroke.

Potential energy conversion systems include a movable mass suspended by a line in a non-producing well, the line being coupled to a motor operable to lift the movable mass, and a generator operable to produce electricity when lowering the movable mass. Energy conversion methods include providing the potential energy conversion system; and storing potential energy by raising the movable mass, or releasing potential energy and converting the potential energy to electricity by lowering the movable mass.