Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
060641600 | With natural temperature differential | 56 |
20080202120 | Device Converting Themal Energy into Kinetic One by Using Spontaneous Isothermal Gas Aggregation - Device converting thermal energy into kinetic energy, related to the group of machines based on four-phase basic thermodynamic cycles. It uses rarefied gas in a novel three-phase cycle, of which the first phase is a spontaneous isothermal gas aggregation ( | 08-28-2008 |
20080223042 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR A FIBER EVAPORATION ENGINE - An evaporation engine system for producing usable energy by application of alternate cycles of a cold liquid and available hot dry air. The system includes a vessel containing the cold liquid, a wheel partially submerged in the cold liquid, wherein the wheel is mounted on a first bearing on the crankshaft located at the axis of the wheel. The system also includes a second bearing on the crankshaft parallel to and fixed horizontally relative to the first bearing and a plurality of cords connected between the rim of the wheel and the second bearing, such that with each rotation of the wheel the plurality of cords dip into the cold liquid at the bottom of the rotation, wherein the plurality of cords shrink causing the plurality of cords come out again into the warm, dry air at the top of the rotation, wherein the plurality of cords become dry and as a result of the drying the plurality of cords lengthen, such that the rotation of the wheel becomes self-sustaining, wherein the rotation is available as an energy source. | 09-18-2008 |
20090217664 | Submerged Geo-Ocean Thermal Energy System - A system for generating electrical energy using a naturally occurring temperature difference is disclosed. The system provides electrical energy by thermally conduit a geothermal heat source and cold deep-level water to opposing sides of a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element generates electrical energy based on the temperature difference between these two surfaces. | 09-03-2009 |
20110048007 | POWER CONVERSION APPARATUS - The present application relates to a power conversion device suitable for converting a temperature differential between two fluids into a source of energy comprising: a pressure vessel comprising at least one inlet hatch, suitable for receiving a first fluid of a first temperature and at least one outlet hatch suitable for venting said first fluid; and a fluid dispersal means for dispersing a second fluid of a second temperature greater than the temperature of the first fluid; and further comprising at least one master piston moveable with respect to at least one master cylinder between a first and second position, said master piston and master cylinder in fluid communication with the pressure vessel such that the fluid dispersal means causes the second fluid to increase the temperature and volume of the first fluid resulting in movement of the master piston within the master cylinder. | 03-03-2011 |
20110173977 | HP Generator - Ancona Power Generator (APG) is a closed loop thermodynamic system which uses the heat pump principle to convert heat into mechanical energy which can be used to drive an electric generator or a machine. | 07-21-2011 |
20110179788 | AIR CONDITIONING USING MECHANICAL LEVERAGE AND REFRIGERANTS - In one embodiment, a mechanical leverage system using refrigerants in conjunction with temperature differences found in the environment is utilized for air conditioning, energy generation and other applications. The mechanical leverage system provides a means for altering boiling point temperatures of refrigerants in which the system is enabled to absorb and expel heat within the temperature differentials found in the environment. The mechanical leverage system is capable of saving or generating energy. | 07-28-2011 |
20120240576 | Thermal Gradient Hydroelectric Power System and Method - A thermal gradient hydroelectric power system and method is disclosed herein. Specifically, the method can comprise cycling through a submersed evaporator warm from a natural warm water source, said warm water source having a first temperature. The method also can comprise evaporating a working fluid using said evaporator, and routing the working fluid from the evaporator through a vapor line to a condenser above said evaporator. Finally, the method can also comprise cycling through a condenser cold water from a natural cold water source, the cold water source having a second temperature, and condensing the working fluid, the working fluid having a boiling point between said first temperature and said second temperature. | 09-27-2012 |
20130036735 | FLOATING ICE SHEET BASED RENEWABLE THERMAL ENERGY HARVESTING SYSTEM - The invention provides a floating ice sheet based renewable thermal energy harvesting system, that can harvest energy from naturally occurring temperature differential between liquid water below a floating ice sheet that is substantially at the freezing temperature of water (0 degrees C. or slightly lower for salt water), and colder air above the floating ice sheet. For example, this is a naturally occurring phenomenon in Artic and Antarctic region sea ice or ice shelf regions, where the air temperature above the floating ice may range from −5 degrees C. down to winter extreme cold temperatures of around −50 degrees C. In addition to the inventive application of thermodynamic cycle engines to harvest renewable energy from this naturally occurring temperature differential, variant embodiments also combine wind energy and/or solar energy subsystems to provide synergistic further benefits and greater quantities of renewable energy harvestable from devices of this class. | 02-14-2013 |
20130180243 | METHODS OF AUGMENTATION AND HEAT COLLECTING CONDUIT SYSTEM FOR MECHANICAL LEVERAGE AND AIR CONDITIONING - A mechanical leverage system comprising a first piston and cylinder assembly and a second piston and cylinder assembly and a first, a second and a third chamber, wherein, the first chamber comprises a first evaporator for absorbing heat from its surroundings so as to generate a gas-phase from a liquid-phase of the fluid, the second chamber comprises a second evaporator for absorbing heat from its surroundings so as to generate a gas-phase from a liquid-phase of the fluid and the third chamber comprises a condenser for expelling heat to its surroundings so as to convert a gas-phase of the fluid to a liquid-phase; wherein the second piston's cylinder is in controlled fluid communication with the second chamber and the third chamber such that the second piston acts as an expander for converting the thermal energy of the gas-phase fluid generated by the second evaporator into mechanical energy. | 07-18-2013 |
20150369221 | Closed-cycle cryogenic engine and operating method for propelling vehicles and generating electricity - A closed-cycle cryogenic engine is provided for propelling vehicles or generating electricity at high power densities without consuming any working fluid. The engine comprises a working fluid having a high specific heat that remains in a gaseous phase. The high temperature heat reservoir is the natural environment and the low temperature heat reservoir is created artificially by evaporating water. By isothermally compressing the working fluid at low temperature by absorbing the heat of compression by evaporating water, it is possible to extract a large amount of natural heat energy from the environment and convert a large fraction of it into net output work. Since the latent heat of evaporating water is very high, very little water is consumed which represents the engine's only fuel. | 12-24-2015 |
060641700 | Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) | 46 |
20080229745 | Free Floating Wave Energy Converter - A wave energy converter includes a flexible pipe and an inlet. The flexible pipe floats on the water surface, following the wave form. Slugs of water and air enter, one after the other, through the inlet. Because the flexible pipe follows the shape of the wave, water is transported through a manifold to a pressure chamber connected to a generator. The inlet consists of a hollow, inflexible pipe attached to the throat of the flexible pipe. The inflexible pipe is fixedly attached to a buoyancy tank or plurality thereof. The buoyancy tanks are arranged in a vertical plane or in tandem, with the inflexible pipe passing along the plane vertical to the fore and aft axis of the buoyancy tank and the frontward portion projecting sufficiently ahead of the buoyancy tank with the flexible pipe terminating at a singular outlet. The entire apparatus is facing the oncoming waves. | 09-25-2008 |
20080295517 | EXTRACTION OF NOBLE GASES FROM OCEAN OR SEA WATER - A process includes degassing ocean or sea water in an ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) system, and then extracting one or more noble gases from the out-gas of the ocean or sea water. An OTEC system capable of degassing ocean or sea water and extracting noble gases therefrom is also described. | 12-04-2008 |
20080314043 | CLATHRATE ICE THERMAL TRANSPORT FOR OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION - A substance is added to cold ocean water in a cold water pipe of an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) system. The substance raises the freezing point of the ocean water in a cold water heat exchanger of the OTEC system, thereby forming an ice slurry. The substance is added at the depth of the apparatus. The ice slurry is transported from the point of addition in the cold water pipe to the cold water heat exchanger at the surface. | 12-25-2008 |
20090013691 | PHASE CHANGE MATERIAL THERMAL POWER GENERATOR - An energy producing device, for example a submersible vehicle for descending or ascending to different depths within water or ocean, is disclosed. The vehicle comprises a temperature-responsive material to which a hydraulic fluid is associated. A pressurized storage compartment stores the fluid as soon as the temperature-responsive material changes density. The storage compartment is connected with a hydraulic motor, and a valve allows fluid passage from the storage compartment to the hydraulic motor. An energy storage component, e.g. a battery, is connected with the hydraulic motor and is charged by the hydraulic motor when the hydraulic fluid passes through the hydraulic motor. Upon passage in the hydraulic motor, the fluid is stored in a further storage compartment and is then sent back to the area of the temperature-responsive material. | 01-15-2009 |
20090077969 | Heat Transfer Methods for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion and Desalination - A means is provided to produce fresh water from seawater on both the boiler side and the condenser side of an OTEC power plant. Part of the warm ocean surface water is evaporated, and its vapor transfers heat to the working-fluid boiler as the vapor condenses. The condensation of the vapor provides fresh water. On the condenser side, the condensation of the working-fluid vapor from the turbine in the condenser releases heat that evaporates seawater that runs down the outside of the condenser surfaces. The vapor from the seawater is condensed by a heat exchanger that uses input from colder seawater. As the cold seawater accepts heat from the condensing vapor, it becomes slightly warmer and provides the source of seawater that accepts heat from the condenser. The condensing vapor on the heat exchanger becomes fresh water that is drawn out as potable water. To provide additional fresh water, a multi-stage desalination unit uses the warm water discharge and the cold-water discharge from the OTEC plant to provide a temperature gradient that causes evaporation and condensation in each stage of the unit. | 03-26-2009 |
20090260358 | Thermoelectric Energy Conversion System - A system for generating electrical energy using a naturally occurring temperature difference is disclosed. The system provides electrical energy by thermally coupling a conduit that conveys hot material from a petroleum reserve and cold deep-level water to opposing sides of a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element generates electrical energy based on the temperature difference between these two surfaces. | 10-22-2009 |
20090301088 | Wave Elimination System for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Assembly - An ocean thermal energy conversion assembly includes a ship having support tubes connected between a lower part and a top deck of the ship so as to define an open space. A passage is defined through the lower part and an annular connector is connected to a lower end of the passage. A plurality of rods extend from a top of the annular connector and are pivotably connected to the annular connection portion. A transmission pipe is connected to an underside of the annular connector. A hollow damper is connected to an outer periphery of the annular connector and an outer periphery of the hollow damper is engaged with an inner periphery of a bottom opening in a lower end of the passage. A top cover seals a top opening of the passage and has a wave-elimination way which communicates with holes in the top cover. | 12-10-2009 |
20100050636 | SEA WATER DESALINATION AND THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION - A system for energy conversion includes a first sub-system to be disposed at about a surface of the ocean and a second sub-system to be disposed at an ocean depth. The first sub-system includes an evaporation unit. The system also includes a turbine that is coupled between the first and second sub-systems. The first heat exchange unit is configured to vaporize a working fluid, the vaporized working fluid turns the turbine. The second sub-system is configured to condense the working fluid. | 03-04-2010 |
20100122532 | OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEM AND CONDENSER THEREOF - An ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) system includes a working fluid pump, an evaporator, a turbine, a condenser, and a working fluid. The evaporator is connected to the working fluid pump. The turbine is connected to the evaporator. The condenser is respectively connected to the turbine and the working fluid pump, and located in a sea area below sea surface. The condenser includes a condenser main body and a deep sea water pipe. The condenser main body is respectively connected to the turbine and the working fluid pump. The deep sea water pipe is connected to the condenser main body, and has an inlet end and an outlet end. The deep sea water pipe is connected to the condenser main body via the outlet end. The working fluid flows between the working fluid pump, the evaporator, the turbine, and the condenser under the driven of the working fluid pump. | 05-20-2010 |
20100139271 | OTEC System - An Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) system comprising a self-contained submersible OTEC plant is disclosed. The OTEC plant comprises a electrical generation system and a thermal mass whose temperature is based on the temperature of water at a first depth of a body of water. The OTEC plant is moved to a second depth of the body of water, wherein water at the second depth is a different temperature that the water at the first depth. The OTEC system generates electrical energy based on a difference in the temperatures of the water at the second depth and the temperature of the thermal mass. The OTEC system is able to generate electrical energy at either of the first depth and the second depth. | 06-10-2010 |
20100139272 | Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion System - An Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) system is disclosed. The OTEC system generates electrical energy based on a difference in the temperatures of the water from a surface region of a body of water and a thermal mass whose temperature is based on the temperature of water from a deep water region of the body of water. The thermal mass attains a desired temperature while it is positioned in the deep water region, with which it is thermally coupled. The present invention uses a bulk transport vessel to carry the thermal mass from the deep water region to a depth where it can be thermally coupled with the OTEC system. | 06-10-2010 |
20100205961 | Recoverable Heat Exchanger - A modular heat exchanger that can be submerged to great depths and then easily recovered in order to reduce the costs and disadvantages of the prior art. Because the heat exchanger is submergible and recoverable, it can be more easily maintained. This ease of maintenance allows the heat exchangers to be deployed at greater depths. This, in turn, allows for greater differences in temperatures, greater efficiency for the heat engine, and a more effective ocean thermal energy conversion system. | 08-19-2010 |
20100275597 | Submarine cold water pipe water intake system of an ocean thermal energy conversion power plant - A submarine cold water pipe water intake system of an ocean thermal energy conversion power plant is installed at a cold water inlet of a power boat, and the cold water pipe includes: a water intake head; a water intake pipe formed by connecting composite pipes in a series, and each composite pipe is formed by arranging a plurality of wavy inner pipes sequentially into a tubular shape; a connecting pipe formed by engaging an outer pipe and an inner pipe, and an inner pipe of the connecting pipe being connected to the cold water inlet of the power boat, and an end of the outer pipe of the connecting pipe is connected to a connecting portion of the water intake pipe. | 11-04-2010 |
20100300095 | SEA SURFACE COOLING SYSTEM UTILIZING OTEC - A sea surface cooling system utilizing OTEC of the present invention comprises means for drawing surface seawater, deep seawater pumping means for pumping deep seawater through a draw pipe, evaporator means for heating and vaporizing working fluid with a low boiling point by said drawn surface seawater, mechanical power producing means for producing mechanical power by expansion force of said vaporized working fluid, condensation means for cooling said vaporized working fluid after said expansion by said pumped deep seawater to cause condensation, and means for circulating said condensed working fluid to said evaporator means. The system is characterized by including mechanical power transmission means for directly transmitting from said mechanical power producing means to said pumping means a mechanical power of variable ratio, without once converting said mechanical power into electric power. | 12-02-2010 |
20110000211 | LIQUID DISPLACER ENGINE - A fluid-displacer engine which utilizes the thermodynamic Stirling cycle to extract energy from an external thermal gradient is disclosed. A working gas is disposed in each of two adjacent cylinders and is cycled from a hot region to a cold region of the respective cylinders by movement of a hot displacer fluid and a cold displacer fluid. Alternate heating and cooling of the working gas in each chamber causes the displacer fluid to flow from one cylinder to the other which, in turn allows one of the working gasses to expand and compresses the other. The flow of displacer fluids can be optimally controlled by the use of control valves. Energy can be extracted from the flow of the displacer fluids by the use of turbines in the displacer fluid flow paths. | 01-06-2011 |
20110061383 | INCREASING THE EFFICIENCY OF SUPPLEMENTED OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION (SOTEC) SYSTEMS - A system and method for increasing the efficiency of an ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) system is described. In some examples, the system collects thermal energy using a solar collector, warms ocean water located within the solar collector, and provides the warmed water to an OTEC system, such as to a vaporizer of a heat engine. In some examples, the OTEC system provides electricity and other energy to another system, creating a cycle of sustainable economic development of energy and resources. | 03-17-2011 |
20110120126 | OFFSHORE FLOATING PLATFORM WITH OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEM - An offshore floating platform having at least one buoyant column with an upper end extending above a sea surface, a lower end submerged below the sea surface, and at least one keel tank disposed at the lower end. A deck is supported at the upper end the column. An ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) system is integrated with the platform in which heat is extracted from warm sea surface waters to vaporize a liquid working fluid and heat is rejected to cold water from lower depths of the sea to condense the vaporized working fluid. At least one turbine and power generator is disposed on the deck, at least one evaporator is disposed on the platform beneath the deck, and at least one condenser is disposed on the seabed or platform or keel tank a distance beneath the evaporator. | 05-26-2011 |
20110173978 | Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Cold Water Pipe - An offshore power generation structure comprising a submerged portion having heat exchange sections, power generation sections, a cold water pipe and a cold water pipe connection. The cold water pipe comprises a plurality of offset first and second staved portions. | 07-21-2011 |
20110173979 | Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Plant - An offshore power generation structure comprising a submerged portion having a first deck portion comprising an integral multi-stage evaporator system, a second deck portion comprising an integral multi-stage condensing system, a third deck portion housing power generation equipment, cold water pipe; and a cold water pipe connection. The heat exchangers in the evaporator and condenser systems include a multi-stage cascading heat exchange system. Warm water conduits in the first deck portion and cold water conduits in the second deck portion are integral to the structure of the submerged portion of the offshore platform. | 07-21-2011 |
20110203273 | Hydrostatic aspiration thermal concentrator - With the discovery of the Hydrothermal Aspiration Concentration Method claimed herein a valuable new method of a system of components to extract thermal energy from a body of liquid and convert it to continue the operation of the device and perform other useful work is invented. Additionally the Hydrothermal Aspiration Extraction Process claimed herein defines the transformation of thermal energy present in bodies of liquids into kinetic energy utilizing the Hydrothermal Aspiration Concentration Method to achieve the transformation. The above method and process are applied to achieve the design of the Hydrostatic Aspiration Thermal Concentrator device, also claimed herein. The invention includes a method, process and apparatus for extracting and converting the thermal energy present in bodies of liquids utilizing a portion of the converted energy to operate the device, and also to perform other useful work. | 08-25-2011 |
20110314811 | PHASE CHANGE MATERIAL THERMAL POWER GENERATOR - An energy producing device, for example a submersible vehicle for descending or ascending to different depths within water or ocean, is disclosed. The vehicle comprises a temperature-responsive material to which a hydraulic fluid is associated. A pressurized storage compartment stores the fluid as soon as the temperature-responsive material changes density. The storage compartment is connected with a hydraulic motor, and a valve allows fluid passage from the storage compartment to the hydraulic motor. An energy storage component, e.g. a battery, is connected with the hydraulic motor and is charged by the hydraulic motor when the hydraulic fluid passes through the hydraulic motor. Upon passage in the hydraulic motor, the fluid is stored in a further storage compartment and is then sent back to the area of the temperature-responsive material. | 12-29-2011 |
20120011849 | Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Power Plant - An offshore power generation structure comprising a submerged portion having a first deck portion comprising an integral multi-stage evaporator system, a second deck portion comprising an integral multi-stage condensing system, a third deck portion housing power generation equipment, cold water pipe; and a cold water pipe connection. | 01-19-2012 |
20120073290 | Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) electric power plant - Apparatus and methods are disclosed for OTEC plant. The device can be deployed in ocean with depth of 600 meter or more. | 03-29-2012 |
20120073291 | Industrial Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Processes - A combined OTEC and steam system having an OTEC power generation system including a multistage condensing system in fluid communication with a cold water system and a steam system comprising a steam condenser, wherein the steam condenser is in fluid communication with the cold water system. | 03-29-2012 |
20120234006 | OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION COUNTER-CURRENT HEAT TRANSFER SYSTEM - For OTEC (Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion), rather than transferring large quantities of surface heat from near the ocean surface used to vaporize a working fluid to drive a heat engine (turbine) and generator to the deep ocean to provide a heat sink, this invention provides a method of using small masses of low-boiling-point fluids to absorb heat in a heat pipe near the ocean surface using the latent heat of evaporation and returning the heat of condensation of the vapor in a condensed working fluid pumped back to the ocean surface in a counter-current heat pipe system. The counter-current flow minimizes the amount of heat that is absorbed from the surface to vaporize the working fluid as well as the mount of heat dumped into the deep ocean. | 09-20-2012 |
20130019596 | PROCESS AND POWER SYSTEM UTILIZING POTENTIAL OF OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION - Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) systems and methods utilizing the systems are disclosed for producing a useable form of energy utilizing warm surface seawater and cold seawater from depths up to 2 miles below the surface and utilizing a multi-component working fluid. The systems and methods are designed to maximize energy conversion per unit of cold seawater, the limited resource, achieving relative net outputs compared to a Rankine cycle using a single component fluid by at least 20% and even as high as about 55%. | 01-24-2013 |
20130019597 | PROCESS AND POWER SYSTEM UTILIZING POTENTIAL OF OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION - Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) systems and methods utilizing the systems are disclosed for producing a useable form of energy utilizing warm surface seawater and cold seawater from depths up to 2 miles below the surface and utilizing a multi-component working fluid. The systems and methods are designed to maximize energy conversion per unit of cold seawater, the limited resource, achieving relative net outputs compared to a Rankine cycle using a single component fluid by at least 20% and even as high as about 55%. | 01-24-2013 |
20130031903 | OCEAN THERMAL POWER SYSTEM - The various embodiments provide a power-generating plant including a dynamic floating platform that is configured to efficiently produce 100 MW of power using a honeycomb configuration of mist lift cells. The mist lift columns are configured to optimize performance and to adjust configurations of components to compensate for changes in orientation of the platform and temperature of sea water in order to manage power output of the plant. | 02-07-2013 |
20130042612 | OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION POWER PLANT - An power generation structure comprising a portion having a first deck portion comprising an integral multi-stage evaporator system, a second deck portion comprising an integral multi-stage condensing system, a third deck portion housing power generation equipment, a cold water pipe, and a cold water pipe connection. The evaporator and condenser systems include a multi-stage cascading heat exchange system. Warm water conduits in the first deck portion and cold water conduits in the second deck portion are integral to the structure of the portion of the platform. | 02-21-2013 |
20130042613 | OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION POWER PLANT COLD WATER PIPE CONNECTION - An offshore structure for use with an OTEC system includes a submerged spar having a lower portion having a cold water intake. The cold water intake includes a domed terminus in fluid communication with a cold water pipe. A dry machinery space adjacent the cold water intake includes one or more cold water supply pumps and one or more cold water pipe lifting and retention winches having a lifting cable connected to the cold water pipe. | 02-21-2013 |
20130074498 | OFFSHORE INSTALLATION FOR PRODUCING ELECTRICAL ENERGY - This offshore installation for producing electrical energy from thermal energy of the oceans includes a floating platform supporting a generator for producing electrical energy from the temperature difference of the water at the surface and at a depth and associated with a pipe for drawing up water from a depth, is characterized in that the pipe for drawing up water from a depth include three portions, including a first formed with a rigid pipe, the lower end of which is immersed at a great depth and the upper end of which is immersed in midwater at a reduced depth, a second portion formed with flexible pipes for connecting the upper end of this rigid suction pipe to a third portion forming a suction pipe, formed with rigid pumping pipes structuring a lattice of pipes attached under the platform. | 03-28-2013 |
20130098035 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING SUPPLEMENTAL AQUEOUS THERMAL ENERGY - Systems and methods for collecting, storing, and conveying aqueous thermal energy are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a floating film retains solar energy in a volume of water located under the film. A series of curtains hanging from a bottom surface of the film define a passage between a periphery of the film and a center of the film to direct the heated water at the center of the film. The heated water is circulated to deliver the heat to a dissociation reactor and/or donor substance. The donor is conveyed to the reactor and dissociated. | 04-25-2013 |
20130145761 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING SUPPLEMENTAL AQUEOUSTHERMAL ENERGY - Systems and methods for collecting, storing, and conveying aqueous thermal energy are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a floating film retains solar energy in a volume of water located under the film. A series of curtains hanging from a bottom surface of the film define a passage between a periphery of the film and a center of the film to direct the heated water at the center of the film. The heated water is circulated to deliver the heat to a dissociation reactor and/or donor substance. The donor is conveyed to the reactor and dissociated. | 06-13-2013 |
20130160446 | Thermal Energy Conversion Plant - A thermal energy conversion plant, wherein a pressurized liquefied working fluid gasifies in an evaporator unit located at the lower level of the closed-loop thermodynamic circuit, from where ascends through a widening ascending conduit, under constant temperature, to a condenser unit located at the upper level of said thermodynamic circuit, where condenses, and from where falls because gravity powering a power extraction apparatus, before entering back into the evaporator, and restarting the cycle. A much lighter pressuring gas could be optionally set in the widening ascending conduit. | 06-27-2013 |
20140096519 | THERMAL ENERGY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ITS OPERATION - The present invention relates to a thermal energy system ( | 04-10-2014 |
20140096520 | Thermal Energy Conversion Plant - A thermal energy conversion plant, wherein a pressurized liquefied working fluid gasifies in an evaporator unit located at the lower level of a closed-loop thermodynamic circuit, ascends through a widening ascending conduit to a condenser unit located at the upper level of said thermodynamic circuit, condenses and falls because gravity powering a power extraction apparatus, before entering back into the evaporator, and restarting the cycle. A much lighter pressuring gas could be optionally included in the widening ascending conduit. | 04-10-2014 |
20140202152 | Cold State Engine for Utilising Air Thermal Energy to Output Work, Refrigeration and Water - A cold state engine utilising air heat energy to output work, refrigeration and water, includes a first cycle and a second cycle. The first cycle comprises of vaporiser, expander, and working fluid pump. The second cycle includes a vaporiser, circulation pump, air heat exchanger. The two cycles are opera lively interconnected via at least a vaporiser, piping, valves, sensors and a generator. Using air or water as a high temperature heat source, an expander generates cryogenic liquid as a low temperature heat source, using natural gases (such as N2, He, Air, CO2 etc.) as a working fluid, based on methods of cryogenic working fluid thermodynamic—refrigeration cycle and frost-free two stage heat exchange cycle. | 07-24-2014 |
20140260248 | SYSTEM AND PROCESS OF COOLING AN OTEC WORKING FLUID PUMP MOTOR - A cooling system and process in an OTEC system are described where the sub-cooled working liquid from the working fluid pump outlet is used to cool the working fluid pump motor, either directly or indirectly via heat exchange with a secondary fluid. The heat from the motor that is being rejected into the working fluid just prior to the working fluid flowing to the evaporator helps to alleviate heat duty in the evaporator meaning more potential for the evaporator to create energy. Also, because two-phase evaporators, such as those in an OTEC system, are less efficient than single-phase heat exchangers at single-phase heating, this pre-heating of the working fluid will help the evaporator performance substantially. | 09-18-2014 |
20140325985 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING SUPPLEMENTAL AQUEOUS THERMAL ENERGY - Systems and methods for collecting, storing, and conveying aqueous thermal energy are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a floating film retains solar energy in a volume of water located under the film. A series of curtains hanging from a bottom surface of the film define a passage between a periphery of the film and a center of the film to direct the heated water at the center of the film. The heated water is circulated to deliver the heat to a dissociation reactor and/or donor substance. The donor is conveyed to the reactor and dissociated. | 11-06-2014 |
20150040563 | Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Plant - An offshore power generation structure comprising a submerged portion having a first deck portion comprising an integral multi-stage evaporator system, a second deck portion comprising an integral multi-stage condensing system, a third deck portion housing power generation equipment, cold water pipe; and a cold water pipe connection. The heat exchangers in the evaporator and condenser systems include a multi-stage cascading heat exchange system. Warm water conduits in the first deck portion and cold water conduits in the second deck portion are integral to the structure of the submerged portion of the offshore platform. | 02-12-2015 |
20150052894 | OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION METHOD AND SYSTEM - The invention is an ocean thermal energy conversion method and a system in which a motive fluid having predetermined characteristics is circulated in a closed loop between a cold source in cold deep ocean water and heat sources in warm surface water. The motive fluid is compressed between the cold source and a first primary warm water heat source resulting in the motive fluid being substantially totally vaporized at an outlet of the warm water heat source. The motive fluid is heated downstream from the primary heat source by a secondary heat source. The thermal energy of the heated motive fluid is recovered from a turbine and the motive fluid is condensed in the cold source. | 02-26-2015 |
20150135710 | Industrial Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Processes - A combined OTEC and steam system having an OTEC power generation system including a multistage condensing system in fluid communication with a cold water system and a steam system comprising a steam condenser, wherein the steam condenser is in fluid communication with the cold water system. | 05-21-2015 |
20150322928 | Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Cold Water Pipe - An offshore power generation structure comprising a submerged portion having heat exchange sections, power generation sections, a cold water pipe and a cold water pipe connection. The cold water pipe comprises a plurality of offset first and second staved portions. | 11-12-2015 |
20160047362 | Phase Change Device for Use within a Volume of Fluid - A phase-change device for use in a volume of fluid, comprising a pressure vessel; a displacement cylinder; a displacement piston; a drive cylinder containing a phase-change material; a drive piston; and a gas spring. As the device sinks and experiences cooler fluid temperatures, the phase change material reduces in volume, causing the drive cylinder to move relative to the drive piston and thereby exert an outward force on the displacement piston. The displacement piston is pulled away from the displacement cylinder, increasing the overall displacement of the device. The increase in displacement increases the buoyancy of the device, thereby causing the device to rise in the fluid. | 02-18-2016 |
20160108899 | TWO-PHASE EXPANSION DEVICE CAPABLE OF MAXIMIZING THE AMOUNT OF MOVEMENT PRODUCED BY A TWO-PHASE FLOW - A two-phase expansion device ( | 04-21-2016 |
20160160845 | SUBMERSIBLE POWER GENERATORS AND METHOD OF OPERATING THEREOF - A submersible liquid-vapor generator (LVG) includes an evaporator portion in heat transfer communication with a heat energy source. The LVG also includes a magnetic field apparatus coupled in flow communication with the evaporator portion. The LVG further includes a condenser portion coupled in flow communication with the magnetic field apparatus. The LVG also includes a hybrid working fluid including nanoparticles. The evaporator portion, the magnetic field portion, and the condenser portion at least partially define a hybrid working vapor flow path. The LVG further includes an electrically non-conductive wick structure coupled in flow communication with the evaporator portion and the condenser portion. The wick structure at least partially defines a hybrid working liquid flow path extending between the condenser portion and the evaporator portion. | 06-09-2016 |