Underwater vehicle
US8065972B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 7, 2009 |
| Grant date | Nov 29, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 15, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63H21/17
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An underwater vehicle comprising an electrical power generation system that converts thermal energy from a body of water into electrical energy is disclosed. The vehicle comprises the electrical power 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 vehicle 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 electrical power generation system generates electrical energy based on the difference between the temperature of the water at the second depth and the temperature of the thermal mass. The electrical power generation system is able to generate electrical energy when the temperature difference is negative as well as when the temperature difference is positive.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.