Underwater thermal energy conversion unit

Power plants – Utilizing natural heat – Geothermal

Patent

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Details

60398, 417379, F03G 704

Patent

active

040417077

ABSTRACT:
An underwater thermal energy conversion unit adapted to exploit the temperature differential between the surface temperature and the water temperature at the depth of submersion to generate useful power. The unit includes a cylinder divided by a piston assembly into a variable-temperature (VT) air-filled chamber and a constant-temperature (CT) air-filled chamber, both chambers being in heat exchange relationship with the relatively cold water at the depth of the submerged cylinder. The air in the CT chamber is always at the cold water temperature, whereas the air in the VT chamber communicates through a thermally-insulated duct with ambient air above the water body, so that when a control valve is open, the air temperature within the VT chamber rises above the cold water temperature, and when the valve is thereafter closed to isolate the VT chamber from ambient air, the air temperature therein falls again to the cold water temperature. A sensing system causes the valve to open when the temperatures in both chambers are at about the same level. As a consequence, the temperature in the VT chamber proceeds to rise to create an air pressure difference between the chambers, causing the piston assembly to move in the direction of the CT chamber to compress the air therein. When the temperature in the VT chamber reaches a level close to that of the ambient air, the sensing system then acts to close the valve, and the temperature in the VT chamber then proceeds to fall. As this occurs, the pressurized air in the CT chamber forces the piston assembly in the direction of the VT chamber to a point of equilibrium to complete the cycle. The reciprocation of the piston assembly is converted into output power.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3805515 (1974-04-01), Zener
patent: 3896622 (1975-07-01), Daniello
patent: 3967449 (1976-07-01), Beck

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