Patent US4092827A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4092827A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus for aerial water acquisition and sub-sea aqueduct
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-04-21
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Granted: 1978-06-06
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Expires: 1997-04-21
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for rain water conservation and sub-sea transport thereof, by means of funnels supported above the terrain and sea by balloon tethered to moored reservoirs with a duct fed penstock to a turbine driven generator for electrical power to drive submersible pumps that return the collected rain water to sea level from a well at the remote end of an aqueduct leading therefrom to the destination of use for said collected rain water.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald J. Schneider
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 15:50
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64B; B64B1/00; B64B1/40; B64B1/50; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/402
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
48 words
Apparatus for the acquisition of rain water and including, a funnel supported aerially by balloon means and together forming an elevated basin tethered at and over a reservoir and with a duct from said funnel to said reservoir for the immediate gravitation of acquired rain water into storage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus for the acquisition of rain water and including, a funnel supported aerially by balloon means and together forming an elevated basin tethered at and over a reservoir and with a duct from said funnel to said reservoir for the immediate gravitation of acquired rain water into storage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus for acquiring rain water as set forth in claim 1, wherein the duct tethers the elevated basin to the reservoir.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus for acquiring rain water as set forth in claim 1, wherein the funnel is of inverted pyramidal form depending to a vertex from which the duct extends, and supported aerially by balloon means at each side thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus for acquiring rain water as set forth in claim 1, wherein the funnel is of inverted pyramidal form having six sides depending to a vertex from which the duct extends, and supported aerially by balloon means at each side thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus for acquiring rain water as set forth in claim 1, wherein the funnel is of inverted pyramidal form depending to a vertex from which the duct extends, and supported aerially by separate balloon means at each side thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus for acquiring rain water as set forth in claim 1, wherein the funnel is of inverted pyramidal form having six sides depending to a vertex from which the duct extends, and supported aerially by separate balloon means at each side thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus for acquiring rain water as set forth in claim 1, wherein the funnel is of inverted pyramidal form depending to a vertex from which the duct extends to tether the elevated basin to the reservoir, and supported aerially by balloon means at each side thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus for acquiring rain water as set forth in claim 1, wherein the funnel is of inverted pyramidal form having six sides depending to a vertex from which the duct extends to tether the elevated basin to the reservoir, and supported aerially by balloon means at each side thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus for acquiring rain water as set forth in claim 1, wherein the funnel is of inverted pyramidal form depending to a vertex from which the duct extends to tether the elevated basin to the reservoir, and supported aerially by separate balloon means at each side thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus for acquiring rain water as set forth in claim 1, wherein the funnel is of inverted pyramidal form having six sides depending to a vertex from which the duct extends to tether the elevated basin to the reservoir, and supported aerially by separate balloon means at each side thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
71 words
Augmentable apparatus for the acquisition of rain water and including, a multiplicity of modular funnels of polygonal form having coextensive side engageability, a multiplicity of modular balloons and each secured along a side of each funnel together forming a multiplicity of elevated basins tethered at and over a reservoir and with a duct from each of said funnels to said reservoir for the immediate gravitation of acquired rain water into storage.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
71 words
Augmentable apparatus for the acquisition of rain water and including, a multiplicity of modular funnels of polygonal form having coextensive side engageability, a multiplicity of modular balloons and each secured along a side of each funnel together forming a multiplicity of elevated basins tethered at and over a reservoir and with a duct from each of said funnels to said reservoir for the immediate gravitation of acquired rain water into storage.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The augmentable apparatus for acquiring rain water as set forth in claim 11, wherein the ducts tether the elevated basins to the reservoir.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
The augmentable apparatus for acquiring rain water as set forth in claim 11, wherein each funnel module is of inverted pyramidal form depending to a vertex from which a duct extends and supported aerially by said balloon modules at each side thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
The augmentable apparatus for acquiring rain water as set forth in claim 11, wherein each funnel module is of inverted pyramidal form having six sides depending to a vertex from which a duct extends and supported aerially by said balloon modules at each side thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
The augmentable apparatus for acquiring rain water as set forth in claim 11, wherein each funnel module is of inverted pyramidal form depending to a vertex from which a duct extends to tether the elevated basin to the reservoir and supported aerially by said balloon modules at each side thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
53 words
The augmentable apparatus for acquiring rain water as set forth in claim 11, wherein each funnel module is of inverted pyramidal form having six sides depending to a vertex from which a duct extends to tether the elevated basin to the reservoir and supported aerially by said balloon modules at each side thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus for the acquisition and storage of rain water and including, a funnel supported aerially by balloon means and together forming an elevated basin tethered at and over a floating reservoir anchored at sea as a mooring for said elevated basin tethered thereto and with a duct from said funnel to said reservoir for the immediate gravitation of acquired rain water into storage.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus for the acquisition and storage of rain water and including, a funnel supported aerially by balloon means and together forming an elevated basin tethered at and over a floating reservoir anchored at sea as a mooring for said elevated basin tethered thereto and with a duct from said funnel to said reservoir for the immediate gravitation of acquired rain water into storage.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus for acquiring and storing rain water as set forth in claim 17, wherein the reservoir comprises a floating ring supporting an inflatable membrane separating the acquired rain water from the surrounding saline sea water.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus for acquiring and storing rain water as set forth in claim 17, wherein the reservoir comprises a floating ring supporting inflatable top and bottom membranes separating the acquired rain water from the surrounding saline sea water.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus for acquiring and storing rain water as set forth in claim 17, wherein the reservoir comprises a floating ring supporting an inflatable bottom membrane distended by means from the top membrane to form a sump through which the duct opens into said reservoir.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus for acquiring and storing rain water as set forth in claim 17, wherein the reservoir comprises a floating ring supporting an inflatable bottom membrane distended by an anchor link from a top membrane through which said anchor link extends as part of said mooring.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus for acquiring and storing rain water as set forth in claim 17, wherein the reservoir comprises a floating ring supporting an inflatable bottom membrane distended by an anchor link from the top membrane through which the duct opens into said reservoir and through which said anchor link extends as part of said mooring.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus for the generation of power and storage of acquired rain water and including, a funnel supported aerially by balloon means and together forming an elevated basin tethered at and over a floating reservoir anchored at sea as a mooring for said elevated basin tethered thereto and with a duct from said funnel and discharging through a hydroelectric generator and into said reservoir for the immediate gravitation of acquired rain water into storage.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus for the generation of power and storage of acquired rain water and including, a funnel supported aerially by balloon means and together forming an elevated basin tethered at and over a floating reservoir anchored at sea as a mooring for said elevated basin tethered thereto and with a duct from said funnel and discharging through a hydroelectric generator and into said reservoir for the immediate gravitation of acquired rain water into storage.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus for acquiring and storing rain water and generating power as set forth in claim 23, wherein the reservoir comprises a floating buoy supporting the hydroelectric generator.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus for acquiring and storing rain water and generating power as set forth in claim 23, wherein the reservoir comprises a floating ring supporting an inflatable membrane separating the acquired rain water from the surrounding saline sea water, and a floating buoy within said ring and supporting the hydroelectric generator.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus for acquiring and storing rain water and generating power as set forth in claim 23, wherein the reservoir comprises a floating ring supporting inflatable top and bottom membranes separating the acquired rain water from the surrounding saline sea water, and a floating buoy centered within the said ring by said top membrane and supporting the hydroelectric generator.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
70 words
The apparatus for acquiring and storing rain water and generating power as set forth in claim 23, wherein the reservoir comprises a floating ring supporting an inflatable bottom membrane distended by means from a top membrane to form a sump, and a floating buoy centered within said ring by said top membrane and supporting the hydroelectric generator through which the duct opens through said top membrane and into said reservoir.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus for acquiring and storing rain water and generating power as set forth in claim 23, wherein the reservoir comprises a floating ring supporting an inflatable membrane separating the acquired rain water from the surrounding saline sea water, and a floating buoy moored by an anchor link extending therefrom and through said membrane, and the buoy being within said ring and supporting the hydroelectric generator.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus for acquiring and storing rain water and generating power as set forth in claim 23, wherein the reservoir comprises a floating ring supporting inflatable top and bottom membranes separating the acquired rain water from the surrounding saline sea water, and a floating buoy moored by an anchor link extending therefrom and through said membrane, and the buoy being centered within the said ring by said top membrane and supporting the hydroelectric generator.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
86 words
Apparatus for the acquisition and transport of rain water and including, a funnel supported aerially by balloon means and together forming an elevated basin tethered at and over a floating reservoir anchored at sea as a mooring for said elevated basin tethered thereto and with a duct from said funnel to said reservoir for the immediate gravitation of acquired rain water into storage, and a sub-sea aqueduct extending from the said reservoir to a well at a terminus thereof for delivery of said acquired rain water.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
86 words
Apparatus for the acquisition and transport of rain water and including, a funnel supported aerially by balloon means and together forming an elevated basin tethered at and over a floating reservoir anchored at sea as a mooring for said elevated basin tethered thereto and with a duct from said funnel to said reservoir for the immediate gravitation of acquired rain water into storage, and a sub-sea aqueduct extending from the said reservoir to a well at a terminus thereof for delivery of said acquired rain water.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus for acquiring and transporting rain water as set forth in claim 30, wherein the sub-sea aqueduct comprises a floating pipe positioned by anchors to extend from said reservoir to said terminus.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus for acquiring and transporting rain water as set forth in claim 30, wherein the sub-sea aqueduct comprises a floating pipe positioned by anchors to extend at an angle of decline from said reservoir to said terminus.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus for acquiring and transporting rain water as set forth in claim 30, wherein the well has a submersible pump for the delivery of said acquired rain water.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
100 words
Apparatus for the generation of power by and for the acquisition and transport of rain water and including, a funnel supported aerially by balloon means and together forming an elevated basin tethered at and over a floating reservoir anchored at sea as a mooring for said elevated basin tethered thereto and with a duct from said funnel and discharging through a hydroelectric generator and into said reservoir for the immediate gravitation of acquired rain water into storage, and a sub-sea aqueduct extending from the said reservoir to a well at a terminus thereof for delivery of said acquired rain water.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
100 words
Apparatus for the generation of power by and for the acquisition and transport of rain water and including, a funnel supported aerially by balloon means and together forming an elevated basin tethered at and over a floating reservoir anchored at sea as a mooring for said elevated basin tethered thereto and with a duct from said funnel and discharging through a hydroelectric generator and into said reservoir for the immediate gravitation of acquired rain water into storage, and a sub-sea aqueduct extending from the said reservoir to a well at a terminus thereof for delivery of said acquired rain water.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus for acquiring rain water, generating power therefrom, storage and transport thereof as set forth in claim 34, wherein the sub-sea aqueduct comprises a floating pipe positioned by anchors to extend with power cables from said reservoir to said terminus.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus for acquiring rain water, generating power therefrom, storage and transport thereof as set forth in claim 34, wherein the sub-sea aqueduct comprises a floating pipe positioned by anchors to extend with power cables at an angle of decline from said reservoir to said terminus.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus for acquiring rain water, generating power therefrom, storage and transport thereof as set forth in claim 34, wherein the sub-sea aqueduct comprises a floating pipe positioned by anchors to extend with cables at an angle of decline from said hydroelectric generator to a submersible pump at the well for the delivery of said acquired rain water.
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) | 1981-06-05 | 1981-12-05 | 1982-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-06-05 | 1985-12-05 | 1986-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-06-05 | 1989-12-05 | 1990-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |