US4249518A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for maintaining a correct density gradient in a non-convecting solar pond
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1979-10-22
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Granted: 1981-02-10
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Expires: 1999-10-22
Abstract
Abstract The present invention resides in a method and apparatus for maintaining a substantially constant salt density gradient in a non-convecting salt gradient pond. The apparatus for carrying out the method of the present invention enables one to maintain a substantially constant salt density gradient automatically in a highly efficient, simple and economic manner.
Inventors
- 👤 Rush D. Holt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 15:16
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28D; F28D20/00; F28D20/0034; F28D20/0043; F24; F24S; F24S10/00; F24S10/10; F24S10/13; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/44; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/14; Y02E70/00; Y02E70/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for automatically controlling the salt gradient region in a non-convecting salt gradient pond comprising the steps of: A. providing a solar pond having an upper fresh water region, an intermediate salt gradient region and a lower heat storage region; B. automatically removing salty water from a first level of said lower heat storage region of said solar pond in response to a sensed ambient condition; C. feeding said removed salty water to a spillway where said water is exposed to sun and air; D. evaporating said saltly water by said sun and air on said spillway so as to form a concentrated brine; E. collecting said concentrated brine from said spillway; and F. automatically returning said collected concentrated brine to a second level of said solar pond above said first level.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for automatically controlling the salt gradient region in a non-convecting salt gradient pond comprising the steps of: A. providing a solar pond having an upper fresh water region, an intermediate salt gradient region and a lower heat storage region; B. automatically removing salty water from a first level of said lower heat storage region of said solar pond in response to a sensed ambient condition; C. feeding said removed salty water to a spillway where said water is exposed to sun and air; D. evaporating said saltly water by said sun and air on said spillway so as to form a concentrated brine; E. collecting said concentrated brine from said spillway; and F. automatically returning said collected concentrated brine to a second level of said solar pond above said first level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 1 including the steps of automatically feeding fresh water to the top of said fresh water region so as to replace to evaporated water and thereby maintain the height of said solar pond substantially constant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said salty water is automatically removed from said solar pond in response to light intensity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said salty water is automatically removed from said solar pond in response to ambient temperature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said salty water is automatically removed from said solar pond in response to light intensity and ambient temperature.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said heat storage region is in direct contact with said salt gradient region and has a salt density substantially equal to the salt density of the lowermost portion of said salt gradient region.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 including the step of separating said heat storage region from said salt gradient region.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
104 words
An apparatus for automatically controlling the salt density gradient in a non-convecting salt gradient pond comprising an evaporation spillway, first pump means in fluid communication with said salt gradient pond at a first level thereof, means for sensing an ambient condition so as to activate said first pump means for automatically feeding salt water from said pond to said spillway, a catch basin downstream of said spillway for collecting concentrated brine and second pump means in fluid communication with said catch basin and said salt gradient pond at a second level thereof above said first level for automatically returning said brine to said pond.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
104 words
An apparatus for automatically controlling the salt density gradient in a non-convecting salt gradient pond comprising an evaporation spillway, first pump means in fluid communication with said salt gradient pond at a first level thereof, means for sensing an ambient condition so as to activate said first pump means for automatically feeding salt water from said pond to said spillway, a catch basin downstream of said spillway for collecting concentrated brine and second pump means in fluid communication with said catch basin and said salt gradient pond at a second level thereof above said first level for automatically returning said brine to said pond.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said spillway comprises a sloped graded bank sloped at an angle equal to the geographic latitude plus or minus up to 15°.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 9 including sensing means for sensing the ambient temperature for activating said first pump upon sensing a sufficiently high temperature.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 9 including sensing means for sensing the light intensity for activating said first pump means upon sensing a sufficiently high light intensity.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 9 including sensing means for sensing the ambient temperature and light intensity for activating said first pump means upon sensing a sufficiently high temperature and/or light intensity.
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) | 1984-02-10 | 1984-08-11 | 1985-02-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-02-10 | 1988-08-11 | 1989-02-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-02-10 | 1992-08-11 | 1993-02-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |