US5078880A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vortex desalination system
Assignee: Water Technology Assessment Group
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Filing: 1990-09-12
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Granted: 1992-01-07
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Expires: 2010-09-12
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for making fresh water from salt water comprising an air accelerator for generating a controlled wind-powered vortex of air in a tower located over a supply of salt water. The vortex of air creates a region of negative pressure over the salt water which causes fresh water to migrate up the tower to a condenser whereby the fresh water is condensed and collected in a collection through to then be used as a source of drinking water.
Inventors
- 👤 William R. Barry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:58
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D3/00; B01D3/34; B01D3/343; B01D5/00; B01D5/0078; B01D5/009; B04; B04C; B04C7/00; C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/02; C02F1/04; C02F3/00; C02F3/02; C02F3/12; C02F3/24; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/124; Y02W; Y02W10/00; Y02W10/10; Y10; Y10S; Y10S203/00; Y10S203/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
282 words
An apparatus comprising: a base means (58) for providing support; said base means (58) including a salt water chamber (64) filled with a supply of salt water (65); said base means (58) also having an air/salt water interface opening (66) located over said salt water chamber (64); a tower means (72) for providing containment; said tower means (72) extending above said base means (58); said tower means (72) having a generally cylindrical cross-section; said tower means (72) having a substantially open, lower input portion (74) and a substantially closed, upper output portion (76); said tower means (72) also having a vertically extending side opening (78); said lower input portion (74) being located over said salt water chamber (64); an air accelerator means (80) for generating a vortex; said air accelerator means (80) being coupled to said vertically extending side opening (78) of said tower means (72); said air accelerator means (80) including an air intake port (82) having an air input area and an air injector nozzle (86) having an air output area; said air input area being at least four times greater than said air output area; and a fresh water condensation and collection means (90) for extracting fresh water from said tower means (72); said fresh water condensation and collection means (90) being attached to said upper output portion (76) of said tower means (72); said fresh water condensation and collection means (90) including: a condensate spray intake (93); a water collection trough (94) coupled to said condensate spray intake (93); a vortex flow exit (96); a fresh water output tube (98) coupled to said water collection trough (94); and an air bleed (100) located on said tower means (72).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
282 words
An apparatus comprising: a base means (58) for providing support; said base means (58) including a salt water chamber (64) filled with a supply of salt water (65); said base means (58) also having an air/salt water interface opening (66) located over said salt water chamber (64); a tower means (72) for providing containment; said tower means (72) extending above said base means (58); said tower means (72) having a generally cylindrical cross-section; said tower means (72) having a substantially open, lower input portion (74) and a substantially closed, upper output portion (76); said tower means (72) also having a vertically extending side opening (78); said lower input portion (74) being located over said salt water chamber (64); an air accelerator means (80) for generating a vortex; said air accelerator means (80) being coupled to said vertically extending side opening (78) of said tower means (72); said air accelerator means (80) including an air intake port (82) having an air input area and an air injector nozzle (86) having an air output area; said air input area being at least four times greater than said air output area; and a fresh water condensation and collection means (90) for extracting fresh water from said tower means (72); said fresh water condensation and collection means (90) being attached to said upper output portion (76) of said tower means (72); said fresh water condensation and collection means (90) including: a condensate spray intake (93); a water collection trough (94) coupled to said condensate spray intake (93); a vortex flow exit (96); a fresh water output tube (98) coupled to said water collection trough (94); and an air bleed (100) located on said tower means (72).
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) | 1995-01-06 | 1995-07-08 | 1996-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-01-06 | 1999-07-08 | 2000-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-01-06 | 2003-07-08 | 2004-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |