LOW-DRAG HYDRO-PNEUMATIC POWER CYLINDER AND SYSTEM

摘要

A hydro-pneumatic cylinder for converting buoyancy energy of compressed gas into mechanical energy. The cylinder can include a pair of end plates disposed a? opposite ends of the cylinder and a drive axle extending longitudinally through the cylinder and passing through the center of each end plate. The cylinder can also include a core support coupled to each end plate and centrally disposed in the cylinder and a plurality of vanes for promoting a low-drag flow. Each of the plurality of vanes is coupled to the core support and the pair of end plates. A bucket is defined by the core support, two of the plurality of vanes, and the pair of end plates. The cylinder further includes a vane support coupled to the plurality of vanes and the core support. The vane support defines a plurality of openings formed therein through which a gas can pass for equalizing pressure ro the bucket.