Floating power plant

Claim 2

A floating power plant comprising, A. a generally spherical housing including a fluid tight compartment located at the bottom thereof, B. electrical generating equipment located in the housing, the weight distribution of the housing and its contents being arranged so that the housing floats in an upright position and has a natural frequency of oscillation which is substantially below that of the wave frequency of the water in which the plant floats, C. a relatively large tank suitable for holding water, D. means extending between the tank and the housing for supporting the tank above the housing on the center line thereof, E. a conduit extending between the tank and the fluid tight compartment, and F. valve means in the conduit for controlling the flow of water from the tank to the fluid tight compartment.

Claim 3

The power plant defined in claim 1 wherein the electrical generating equipment includes a nuclear reactor situated near the bottom of the housing directly below the geometrical center thereof.

Claim 4

The power plant defined in claim 2 wherein said nuclear reactor is contained in said fluid-tight compartment, said compartment being separated from the remainder of the housing by a dome-shaped overhead wall.

Claim 5

The power plant defined in claim 3 wherein the overhead wall has a circular joint with the housing wall which is situated well below the static waterline of the floating power plant.

Claim 6

The power plant defined in claim 1 wherein the portion of the housing in contact with the water has a double wall and the space between the walls is compartmented.

Claim 7

The power plant defined in claim 5 wherein the spherical shape of the housing is modified to provide a generally flat main deck area above the static water line of the plant.

Claim 8

A floating power plant comprising A. a generally spherical housing, B. a fluid tight compartment located at the bottom of the housing and having an overhead wall, C. a nuclear reactor contained in the fluid tight compartment on the center line of the housing, D. electrical generating and control equipment located within the housing above the fluid tight compartment, E. a container for holding water, F. means connected between the housing and the container for supporting the container an appreciable distance above the housing, the fixed weight of the housing, reactor, equipment and filled container being distributed so that the center of mass of the entire system is appreciably below the geometric center of the housing so that the power plant tends to float in an upright position, G. a conduit extending between the water container and the fluid tight compartment, and H. valve means in the conduit for controlling the flow of water from the container to the compartment.

Claim 9

A floating power plant comprising A. a generally spherical housing, B. a fluid tight compartment located at the bottom of the housing and having an overhead wall, C. a nuclear reactor contained in the fluid tight compartment on the center line of the housing, D. electrical generating and control equipment located within the housing above the fluid tight compartment, E. a container for holding water, F. means connected between the housing and the container for supporting the container an appreciable distance above the housing, the fixed weight of the housing, reactor, equipment and filled container being distributed so that the center of mass of the entire system is appreciably below the geometric center of the housing so that the power plant tends to float in an upright position, G. a conduit extending between the water container and the fluid tight compartment, and H. valve means in the conduit for controlling the flow of water from the container to the compartment.

Claim 10

The floating power plant defined in claim 7 wherein the overhead wall of the fluid tight compartment is domed-shaped so that it can withstand sudden pressure increases originating inside the compartment.

Claim 11

The floating power plant defined in claim 8 wherein the overhead wall of the compartment engages the housing along a circular joint below the static water level of the floating power plant so that in the event of collision by a ship, penetration of the power plant tends to occur at a point above the joint so that the fluid tight compartment is not flooded.

Claim 12

The floating power plant defined in claim 7 wherein the portion of the housing wall immersed in water has a double wall and intervening compartmented spaces.

Claim 13

The floating power plant defined in claim 7 wherein the spherical shape of the housing is modified to the extent of providing a relatively flat main deck area.

Claim 14

The floating power plant defined in claim 7 and further including A. an elevated compartment situated atop the container for hoUsing operating personnel and B. means for obtaining access to the elevated compartment from the housing.

Claim 15

A floating power plant comprising, A. a generally spherical housing, B. electrical generating equipment located in the housing, the weight distribution of the housing and its contents being arranged so that the housing floats in an upright position and has a natural frequency of oscillation which is substantially below that of the wave frequency of the water in which the plant floats, C. means for mooring the power plant to the ocean floor, the forces of said mooring lines directed through the metacenter of the sphere thereby not creating force couples which cause the platform to roll or pitch, said mooring means comprising a plurality of mooring sets, each set including: a. a mooring line, b. means for attaching the opposite ends of the mooring line to upper and lower locations on the outside of the housing, c. means for securing the bight of the mooring line to the ocean floor, and d. a pulley positioned above the upper securing means over which the upper reach of the mooring line passes.

Claim 16

A floating power plant comprising, A. a generally spherical housing, B. electrical generating equipment located in the housing, the weight distribution of the housing and its contents being arranged so that the housing floats in an upright position and has a natural frequency of oscillation which is substantially below that of the wave frequency of the water in which the plant floats, C. means for mooring the power plant to the ocean floor, the forces of said mooring lines directed through the metacenter of the sphere thereby not creating force couples which cause the platform to roll or pitch, said mooring means comprising a plurality of mooring sets, each set including: a. a mooring line, b. means for attaching the opposite ends of the mooring line to upper and lower locations on the outside of the housing, c. means for securing the bight of the mooring line to the ocean floor, and d. a pulley positioned above the upper securing means over which the upper reach of the mooring line passes.