US4166363A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of energy conversion utilizing a tubular iceberg
Assignee: Iti Ltd Ste
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Filing: 1978-03-08
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Granted: 1979-09-04
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Expires: 1998-03-08
Abstract
Abstract Melted ice stored in a pool hollowed out of the upper surface of a tabular iceberg is used as a cold source and the sea on which the iceberg is floating is used as a hot source for a heat engine. Useful energy is extracted in spite of the low Carnot cycle efficiency and the melting of the iceberg to provide fresh water is accelerated.
Inventors
- 👤 Georges L. Mougin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 23:46
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B35/00; B63B35/08; B63B35/086; F; F03; F03G; F03G7/00; F03G7/04; F03G7/05; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
46 words
A method of energy conversion utilising a heat engine operating with hot and cold sources, wherein the hot source is seawater and the cold source is melted ice stored in a pool hollowed out of the upper surface of a tabular iceberg floating on the seawater.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
46 words
A method of energy conversion utilising a heat engine operating with hot and cold sources, wherein the hot source is seawater and the cold source is melted ice stored in a pool hollowed out of the upper surface of a tabular iceberg floating on the seawater.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the seawater is drawn from adjacent the surface of the sea by a thermosiphon assisted where necessary by a trimming pump, and passed into a gas evaporator, the evaporated gas then expanding through a turbine which drives an alternator and then being condensed in a condenser which draws fresh water from the pool before being recycled to the evaporator by a pump.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein the condenser is submerged in the water in the pool.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the fresh water is trapped in the pool, drawn up by a thermosiphon, assisted where necessary by a trimming pump, and passed into a gas condenser in which the gas is liquefied before being pumped to an evaporator supplied with the sea water and expanded through a turbine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein the evaporator is submerged in the sea water.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the heat engine is supplied with fresh water and seawater by two thermosiphons, each assisted where necessary by a trimming pump.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the water in the pool hollowed out of the substantially horizontal upper surface of the iceberg acts not only as a cold source for a heat engine using the seawater as the hot source but also as a fresh water reservoir.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein water is drawn up from one or both sources via a thermosiphon and is returned to the source from which it is taken after being passed through the heat engine.
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) | 1982-09-03 | 1983-03-05 | 1983-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-09-03 | 1987-03-05 | 1987-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-09-03 | 1991-03-05 | 1991-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |