Just simple buoyancy wheel

[johnny874]

Hi Jim
This is a good idea with "water lubrication" as the pressure on gasket may be to high.
I've posted this picture to another forum and one of my colleagues noticed that for buoyancy force to have an effect the water must have access to underneath of the float (the wheel in here is a conjunction of several floats). This requirement is not fully complied in my design... so I've changed some things. Now every second compartment has a couple of holes which allow water to pour into that compartment. In that way water has an access to underneath of each "float" and we are clear with physics  ... Also this system may help to "lubricate" the gasket by reducing pressure on it.

    Raphael,
Another thought is similar to a Ferris Wheel. If the floats are spaced properly, the supporting "frame work / wheel" could provide the necessary water barrier.
The attached diagram is simple but shows the basic ideas. Something like denim (blue jeans) would make a good seal.
The material could stay wet to help seal while allowing enough leakage to stay lubricated.
It is something possible because of the difference in density of the floats and water. This would determine the lift in net force which could be considered against energy loss due to design requirements.

                                                                                                                                Jim

p.s. I got the seal idea from labrynth packing on steam turbines.

[diegra]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxnHJoyrQpM