US4180980A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydropressure power
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-03-07
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Granted: 1980-01-01
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Expires: 1998-03-07
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for releasing for use, air that has been absorbed under pressure in sea water or in any other large free body of water. An elongated conduit, or equivalent means, is vertically disposed so that air released from its upper end is collected by an open-bottom container serving as a reservoir. The interface of the collected air and the submersion level of water within the reservoir is substantially below the free water surface level. A small amount of gas is introduced at the lower end of the conduit so as to rise upwardly through the conduit, thereby carrying water behind it, and to initiate a continuous process in which the rising water is under decreasing pressure, at times increasing temperature, thereby releasing more air, which in turn carries more water behind it, and so on. Air from the reservoir can be used as an energy source.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald A. Marks
- 👤 John O. Dorius
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 02:04
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D19/00; B01D19/0005; F; F24; F24V; F24V99/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for releasing absorbed pressurized air from a body of water, the steps comprising: releasing an initial quantity only of gas in a submerged distal part of a self-sustaining means for conveying water; subsequent to release of said initial quantity of air, continuously collecting air exiting from the proximal end of said means in a reservoir container located above said distal part; and displacing water from said reservoir container responsive to collection of said air.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for releasing absorbed pressurized air from a body of water, the steps comprising: releasing an initial quantity only of gas in a submerged distal part of a self-sustaining means for conveying water; subsequent to release of said initial quantity of air, continuously collecting air exiting from the proximal end of said means in a reservoir container located above said distal part; and displacing water from said reservoir container responsive to collection of said air.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said self-sustaining means for conveying water is a vertically disposed, elongated conduit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said reservoir container has an open bottom, and further comprising the step of positioning said container so that air can be contained therein while said container is submerged in said body of water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein further comprising the step of releasing said collected air from said reservoir container.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein air from said reservoir container is delivered to a reservoir extension positioned above said reservoir container.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
76 words
An apparatus for releasing and collecting absorbed pressured air from a body of water, comprising: a reservoir container for collecting air released from said water; means for positioning said reservoir container below the surface of a body of water; self-sustaining means below said reservoir container for conveying water; means for releasing water from said reservoir container responsive to collection of said air; and means for releasing an initial quantity only of gas in said self-sustaining means.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
76 words
An apparatus for releasing and collecting absorbed pressured air from a body of water, comprising: a reservoir container for collecting air released from said water; means for positioning said reservoir container below the surface of a body of water; self-sustaining means below said reservoir container for conveying water; means for releasing water from said reservoir container responsive to collection of said air; and means for releasing an initial quantity only of gas in said self-sustaining means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus of claim 6 in which said self-sustaining means for conveying water comprises an elongated conduit having a proximal end positioned for discharge into said reservoir container and a distal part positioned in said water substantially below said proximal end, said conduit being substantially vertically disposed so that gas released in said conduit at said distal part can rise upwardly through water contained within said conduit and exit through said proximal end.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said reservoir container has an open bottom, said container being positioned so that air can be contained therein while said container is submerged in said body of water.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said water releasing means comprises space between the open bottom end of said container and said conduit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising means for releasing air collected within said reservoir container.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 8 in which said releasing means is an air-driven engine.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said elongated conduit is substantially straight, the proximal end of said conduit being positioned so as to discharge air into said reservoir container through its open end.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 7 in which said elongated circuit is sufficiently below the collecting surface so as to allow releasing of absorbed pressurized air from the water as the water rises to lower pressure and/or higher temperature surroundings.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
107 words
An apparatus for releasing absorbed pressurized air from sea water comprising: a reservoir container having an open-bottom for collecting air released from said sea water, means for positioning said reservoir container below the surface of said sea water so that air pressurized with respect to the outside air can be contained within said reservoir container; a vertically disposed, elongated conduit below said reservoir container having a proximal end positioned so that air discharged therefrom will be contained within said reservoir container, and a distal end positioned below said proximal end; and means for releasing an initial quantity only of gas in a distal part of said conduit.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
107 words
An apparatus for releasing absorbed pressurized air from sea water comprising: a reservoir container having an open-bottom for collecting air released from said sea water, means for positioning said reservoir container below the surface of said sea water so that air pressurized with respect to the outside air can be contained within said reservoir container; a vertically disposed, elongated conduit below said reservoir container having a proximal end positioned so that air discharged therefrom will be contained within said reservoir container, and a distal end positioned below said proximal end; and means for releasing an initial quantity only of gas in a distal part of said conduit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 14 in which said elongated conduit is sufficiently below the collecting surface so as to allow releasing of absorbed pressurized air from the water as the water rises to lower pressure and/or higher temperature surroundings.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 14 including an extension of said reservoir container connected thereto and positioned thereabove.
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) | 1982-12-31 | 1983-07-02 | 1984-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-12-31 | 1987-07-02 | 1988-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-12-31 | 1991-07-02 | 1992-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |