[Al Skierkiewicz]

The overriding rule in this case lies in the robot section as follows...
<R01> Energy used by FIRST Robotics Competition ROBOTS, (i.e., stored at the start of a
MATCH), shall come only from the following sources:
• Electrical energy derived from the onboard 12V and 7.2V batteries
• Compressed air stored in the pneumatic system, stored at a maximum pressure of 120 PSI
in no more than four Clippard Instruments tanks. Extraneous lengths of pneumatic tubing
shall not be used to increase the storage capacity of the air storage system.
• A change in the altitude of the ROBOT center of gravity.
• Storage achieved by deformation of ROBOT parts. Teams must be very careful when
incorporating springs or other items to store energy on their ROBOT by means of part or
material deformation. A ROBOT may be rejected at inspection if, in the judgment of the
inspector, such items are unsafe.

This must first be asked on the Q&A for a correct interpretation and will likely be addressed by each inspector that evaluates your robot. At this point in the build, you may very well find an alternative method in the next few days. Prototype like mad and build with experience.