US3953971A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power generation arrangement
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-01-02
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Granted: 1976-05-04
•
Expires: 1995-01-02
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a system for generating power utilizing the elevation differences and available temperatures on the earth's surface, such as occurs in a mountainous region with a nearby valley or desert. The system includes heat rejection means, as for example, a condenser located at a higher elevation (a mountain top). Means for supplying heat to the system may be provided at a lower elevation (in a valley or desert region below). A geothermal source of heat, such as a hot spring, may be used. Power generation means are also provided in the valley and operatively communicated with the condenser on the mountain top and the heat supply means in the valley. Liquid flowing from the condenser to the power generation means at a relatively high pressure will drive the power generation means to create electrical energy and the liquid will be expanded, vaporized and cooled. The cooled vapor will absorb heat from the heat supply means and then be returned to the condenser on the mountain top. It may be desirable to have the relatively high pressure liquid pass through the power generation means in a liquid stage. The liquid will then be boiled off into a vapor at the heat supply means. This vapor then will be returned to the condenser on the mountain top. In some instances it may be desirable to add heat or work to the vapor in order to assist the return of same to the mountain top. Another aspect of this invention is to take advantage of a source of cold at the relatively cool mountain top and a source of warmth in the relatively hot valley or desert. Additional power may be derived with a compound cycle where there is heat exchange between the ambient or other sources of cold and warmth at the mountain top and in the valley or desert below.
Inventors
- 👤 Sidney A. Parker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 17:48
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03G; F03G4/00; F03G4/074; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A system for generating power utilizing the elevation difference between a higher elevation and a lower elevation and available temperatures of the earth's surface comprising heat rejection means at a higher elevation, heat supply means at a lower elevation, power generation means at substantially the same level as the heat supply means between the heat rejection means and the heat supply means, relatively small diameter conduit means communicating the heat rejection means and the power generation means and the heat supply means respectively, and relatively large diameter insulated conduit means communicating the heat supply means with the heat rejection means, whereby fluid flowing through the relatively small diameter conduit means will actuate the power generation means and be cooled, and the cooled fluid will absorb heat from the heat supply means and flow to the heat rejection means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
138 words
A system for generating power utilizing the elevation difference between a higher elevation and a lower elevation and available temperatures of the earth's surface comprising heat rejection means at a higher elevation, heat supply means at a lower elevation, power generation means at substantially the same level as the heat supply means between the heat rejection means and the heat supply means, relatively small diameter conduit means communicating the heat rejection means and the power generation means and the heat supply means respectively, and relatively large diameter insulated conduit means communicating the heat supply means with the heat rejection means, whereby fluid flowing through the relatively small diameter conduit means will actuate the power generation means and be cooled, and the cooled fluid will absorb heat from the heat supply means and flow to the heat rejection means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as in claim 1 including a liquid storage tank for storing liquid at said higher elevation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as in claim 1 including vapor pump means in the relatively large diameter conduit means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein the relatively small diameter conduit means is thermally insulated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as in claim 1 including a heat exchanger in association with the small diameter conduit means for adding heat to the liquid in said small diameter conduit means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system as in claim 1 including charge adjust means for adjusting the quantity of fluid in the system for optimum operation depending upon heat radiation as occurs through daily, seasonal and/or geothermal changes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as in claim 2 including vapor pump boost means in the relatively large diameter conduit means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as in claim 2 wherein the relatively small diameter conduit means is thermally insulated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as in claim 2 wherein a heat exchanger is disposed in the relatively small diameter conduit means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
10 words
A system as in claim 2 including charge adjustment means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as in claim 3 wherein the relatively small diameter conduit means is thermally insulated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as in claim 3 including a heat exchanger in the relatively small diameter conduit means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
10 words
A system as in claim 3 including charge adjustment means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as in claim 4 including a heat exchanger in the relatively small diameter conduit means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
A system as in claim 4 including a charge adjustment means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as in claim 7 wherein the relatively small diameter conduit means is thermally insulated.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as in claim 7 including a heat exchanger in the relatively small diameter conduit means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
A system as in claim 7 including charge adjust tank means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
60 words
A system as in claim 1 including compound power generation means comprising secondary power generation means and a secondary heat source at the lower elevation, wherein power is derived from the temperature difference between the relatively low temperature fluid leaving the primary power generation drive means and the relatively warm temperature fluid leaving said heat source at the lower elevation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
60 words
A system as in claim 2 including compound power generation means comprising secondary power generation means and a secondary heat source in the lower elevation, where power is derived from the temperature difference between the relatively low temperature fluid leaving the primary power generation drive means and the relatively warm temperature fluid leaving said heat source at the lower elevation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
60 words
A system as in claim 3 including compound power generation means comprising secondary power generation means and a secondary heat source at the lower elevation, wherein power is derived from the temperature difference between the relatively low temperature fluid leaving the primary power generation drive means and the relatively warm temperature fluid leaving said heat source at the lower elevation.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
60 words
A system as in claim 4 including compound power generation means comprising secondary power generation means and a secondary heat source at the lower elevation, where power is derived from the temperature difference between the relatively low temperature fluid leaving the primary power generation drive means and the relatively warm temperature fluid leaving said heat source at the lower elevation.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
61 words
A system as in claim 6 including compound power generation cycle means comprising secondary power generation means and a secondary heat source at the lower elevation, wherein power is derived from the temperature difference between the relatively low temperature fluid leaving the primary power generation drive means and the relatively warm temperature fluid leaving said heat source at the lower elevation.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
57 words
A system as in claim 7 including a compound power generation means comprising secondary power generation means and a secondary heat source at the lower elevation, wherein power is derived from the temperature difference between the relatively low temperature fluid leaving the primary power generation drive means and the relatively warm temperature fluid leaving said heat source.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
56 words
A system as in claim 8 including a compound power generation means comprising secondary power generation means and secondary heat source at the lower elevation, wherein power is derived from the temperature difference between the relatively low temperature fluid leaving the primary power generation drive means and the relatively warm temperature fluid leaving said heat source.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
57 words
A system as in claim 10 including a compound power generation means comprising secondary power generation means and a secondary heat source at the lower elevation, wherein power is derived from the temperature difference between the relatively low temperature fluid leaving the primary power generation drive means and the relatively warm temperature fluid leaving said heat source.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
56 words
A system as in claim 11 including a compound power generation means comprising secondary power generation means and secondary heat source at the lower elevation wherein power is derived from the temperature difference between the relatively low temperature fluid leaving the primary power generation drive means and the relatively warm temperature fluid leaving said heat source.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
57 words
A system as in claim 15 including a compound power generation means comprising secondary power generation means and a secondary heat source at the lower elevation, wherein power is derived from the temperature difference between the relatively low temperature fluid leaving the primary power generation drive means and the relatively warm temperature fluid leaving said heat source.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
57 words
A system as in claim 16 including a compound power generation means comprising secondary power generation means and a secondary heat source at the lower elevation, wherein power is derived from the temperature difference between the relatively low temperature fluid leaving the primary power generation drive means and the relatively warm temperature fluid leaving said heat source.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
57 words
A system as in claim 18 including a compound power generation means comprising secondary power generation means and a secondary heat source at the lower elevation, wherein power is derived from the temperature difference between the relatively low temperature fluid leaving the primary power generation drive means and the relatively warm temperature fluid leaving said heat source.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein the heat supply means is a geothermal source.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as in claim 31 wherein the heat supply means comprises solar heat in combination with that from a geothermal source.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein the heat rejection means comprises a condenser utilizing natural convection.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein the heat rejection means comprises a condenser that includes fan means for moving the air over the condenser.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system as in claim 6 wherein the charge adjust means includes a reservoir and a pump responsive to predetermined conditions to move fluid from the system to the reservoir or from the reservoir to the system.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
12 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein the fluid is a refrigerant.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein the fluid has a vapor form at one temperature-pressure and a liquid form at a lower temperature-pressure.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
11 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein the fluid is water.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein the fluid is a refrigerant taken from the group comprising a fluorinated refrigerant compound, butane, propane, methylchloride or carbon dioxide.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein the fluid is a refrigerant taken from the group comprising naptha, ammonia, methyl chloride sulphur dioxide or ethane.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of generating power by a system utilizing the elevation difference between a higher elevation and a lower elevation and available temperatures of the earth's surface, comprising the steps of rejecting heat from the system at a higher elevation, supplying heat to the system at a lower elevation, passing liquid from the higher elevation to the lower elevation through relatively small diameter conduit means, driving power generation means disposed at substantially the same level as the heat supply means by the potential heat of liquid flowing through the system from the higher elevation to the lower elevation, said liquid actuating the power generation means and being vaporized and cooled and the vaporized and cooled fluid absorbing heat at the lower elevation, and returning vapor from the lower elevation to the higher elevation through relatively large diameter insulated conduit means.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of generating power by a system utilizing the elevation difference between a higher elevation and a lower elevation and available temperatures of the earth's surface, comprising the steps of rejecting heat from the system at a higher elevation, supplying heat to the system at a lower elevation, passing liquid from the higher elevation to the lower elevation through relatively small diameter conduit means, driving power generation means disposed at substantially the same level as the heat supply means by the potential heat of liquid flowing through the system from the higher elevation to the lower elevation, said liquid actuating the power generation means and being vaporized and cooled and the vaporized and cooled fluid absorbing heat at the lower elevation, and returning vapor from the lower elevation to the higher elevation through relatively large diameter insulated conduit means.
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) | 1979-05-04 | 1979-11-03 | 1980-05-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-05-04 | 1983-11-03 | 1984-05-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-05-04 | 1987-11-03 | 1988-05-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |