US4235678A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar powered water desalination system with a regenerative fixture
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-03-17
•
Granted: 1980-11-25
•
Expires: 1998-03-17
Abstract
Abstract A low pressure, low temperature, solar powered evaporating-condensation system to provide relatively large scale conversion of brackish and seawater to fresh water, utilizes a solar radiation frequency selective material covered evaporation chamber, a throat connected elevated condenser containing energy transferring devices for vapor volume reduction to form a condensate which flows through a water-locked barometric leg to maintain the system at the sub-atmospheric pressure. The system is regenerative and includes means whereby the energy removed from the vapor during condensation is returned to the evaporating chamber and is again utilized in the cycle. Egress valves and locks are provided to maintain balanced flower of raw water, condensate and ejection of residuals. Suitable elevation of the condenser above the evaporator would provide for power generation.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph E. McKeen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:03
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/02; C02F1/04; C02F1/14; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/124; Y02A20/138; Y02A20/142; Y02A20/20; Y02A20/208; Y02A20/212; Y10; Y10S; Y10S203/00; Y10S203/01; Y10S203/04; Y10S203/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
208 words
A water desalination system comprising: a vacuum tight tank having a semi-cylindrical top made of a material that is transparent to the suns rays and more transparent to the violet and ultraviolet parts of the spectrum than the red and infrared parts of the spectrum; a condensation sphere disposed at a higher elevation than said tank; a tube connecting said tank to said sphere so that any vapor within said tank rises into said sphere to be condensed therein; a barometric leg coupled to said sphere so that any condensed water therein flows into said leg; first means for storing fresh water disposed at a lower elevation than said sphere and with the lower end of said leg submerged below the surface of said fresh water; second means for forming a vacuum within said tank; third means exposed to the atmosphere for storing sea water so that said sea water absorbs solar energy; fourth means for coupling sea water from said third means into said tank; fifth means disposed within said sphere to absorb heat therein; sixth means disposed within said tank and submersed within said sea water to supply heat to said sea water; seventh means for transporting energy from said fifth means to said sixth means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
208 words
A water desalination system comprising: a vacuum tight tank having a semi-cylindrical top made of a material that is transparent to the suns rays and more transparent to the violet and ultraviolet parts of the spectrum than the red and infrared parts of the spectrum; a condensation sphere disposed at a higher elevation than said tank; a tube connecting said tank to said sphere so that any vapor within said tank rises into said sphere to be condensed therein; a barometric leg coupled to said sphere so that any condensed water therein flows into said leg; first means for storing fresh water disposed at a lower elevation than said sphere and with the lower end of said leg submerged below the surface of said fresh water; second means for forming a vacuum within said tank; third means exposed to the atmosphere for storing sea water so that said sea water absorbs solar energy; fourth means for coupling sea water from said third means into said tank; fifth means disposed within said sphere to absorb heat therein; sixth means disposed within said tank and submersed within said sea water to supply heat to said sea water; seventh means for transporting energy from said fifth means to said sixth means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 1 wherein: said tube extends vertically from said tank; said tube enters said sphere into the bottom thereof and extends into said sphere; said barometric leg is coupled to said sphere at the lower area thereof so that the condensate flow out of said sphere into said leg.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
99 words
The system of claim 2 wherein: said tube is made higher than the height that atmospheric pressure will maintain water therein; an engine disposed coupled to said leg to be driven by said water falling within said leg; a compressor pump driven by said engine to compress gas refrigerant so that it can be converted to a liquid refrigerant; said fifth means is an evaporator; said sixth means is a condensor; said seventh means is piping connecting the outlet of said pump to said condensor, said condensor to said evaporator, and said evaporator to the inlet of said pump.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US138375A
Cited
US2490659A
Cited
US2636129A
Cited
US3104210A
Cited
US2969637A
Cited
US2975107A
Cited
US3522152A
Cited
US3232846A
Cited
US3468762A
Cited
US3558436A
Cited
US3699006A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-11-25 | 1984-05-26 | 1984-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-11-25 | 1988-05-26 | 1988-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-11-25 | 1992-05-26 | 1992-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |