US3896622A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mobile power generation device employing tropical water thermocline
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-07-22
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Granted: 1975-07-29
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Expires: 1994-07-22
Abstract
Abstract A power generating device operating in tropical ocean waters, containing a working fluid which absorbs heat from the warm surface ocean water to boil and vaporize to raise a piston. The device is then caused to descend to colder water depths whereby the vapor condenses, allowing the piston to fall through its stroke to perform useful work.
Inventors
- 👤 George T Daniello
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:08
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03G; F03G7/00; F03G7/04; F03G7/05; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A power generating device comprising: a medium of variable temperature; a closed housing in said medium; energy absorbing means within said housing for absorbing thermal energy from, and rejecting thermal energy to, said medium; energy conversion means within said housing for converting said thermal energy into useful work; and means exterior to said housing for relocating said housing within said medium; whereby said absorbing means absorbs thermal energy from said medium when said housing is in a warm location within said medium and said absorbing means rejects thermal energy to said medium when said housing is in a cool location within said medium and whereupon alternate absorption and rejection of thermal energy by said absorbing means causes said energy conversion means to perform useful work.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
A power generating device comprising: a medium of variable temperature; a closed housing in said medium; energy absorbing means within said housing for absorbing thermal energy from, and rejecting thermal energy to, said medium; energy conversion means within said housing for converting said thermal energy into useful work; and means exterior to said housing for relocating said housing within said medium; whereby said absorbing means absorbs thermal energy from said medium when said housing is in a warm location within said medium and said absorbing means rejects thermal energy to said medium when said housing is in a cool location within said medium and whereupon alternate absorption and rejection of thermal energy by said absorbing means causes said energy conversion means to perform useful work.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
91 words
A power generating device as recited in claim 1 wherein said energy absorbing means comprises a fluid contained within said housing and wherein said energy conversion means comprises a piston within said housing above said fluid, whereby when said housing is in said warm location said fluid absorbes thermal energy from said medium and vaporizes to raIse said piston, and whereby when said housing is in said cool location said fluid rejects thermal energy to said medium and condenses, enabling said piston to fall through its stroke and perform useful work.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
A power generating device as recited in claim 2 wherein said medium is tropical water, said relocating means comprises means attached to said housing for ascending and descending said housing in said water from said warm location near the surface of said water to said cool location near thermocline depth of said water, whereby heat exchange with said tropical water exterior to said housing causes said fluid to vaporize at said warm location and condense at said cool location.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A power generating device as recited in claim 3 further including a counterweight within said housing situated above said fluid and below said piston.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A power generating device as recited in claim 4 further including latching means for retaining said piston near the top of said housing upon said fluid vaporizing to lift said counterweight and piston.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A power generating device as recited in claim 5 wherein said housing is lowered below the thermocline depth of the water after said piston is latched, whereby said vaporized liquid fluid condenses, enabling said counterweight to fall to the bottom of said housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
A power generating device as recited in claim 6 further including first sensor means for detecting said counterweight at the bottom of said housing to cause said latching means to release said piston to fall onto said counterweight to perform useful mechanical work equal to said piston weight multiplied by the distance through which it falls.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A power generating device as recited in claim 7 further including generator means fixed to said piston for converting said useful mechanical work into electrical energy and transmitting said electrical energy to a remote location.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A power generating device as recited in claim 8 further including sealant means between said counterweight and walls of said housing, whereby the housing above said sealant may be evacuated.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A power generating device as recited in claim 9 wherein said fluid is freon, and wherein said fluid completely vaporizes when said housing is in said warm location.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A power generating device as recited in claim 10 further including second sensor means for detecting the presence of said piston near the top of said housing to cause said latching means to latch said piston.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
A power generating device recited in claim 11 further including a ballast attached to the bottom of said housing, and wherein said remote location is a moored barge coupled to said housing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
A power generating device as recited in claim 12 further including a take up reel to raise said housing to said warm location upon indication from said first sensor means that said piston is near the bottom of said housing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-07-28 | 1979-01-27 | 1979-07-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-28 | 1983-01-27 | 1983-07-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-28 | 1987-01-27 | 1987-07-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |