WET buoyancy engine
US8100074B2 · kind B2 · utility
3Cited by
3References
10Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 9, 2009 |
| Grant date | Jan 24, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 9, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T90/40
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Technologies such as stealth buoys and underwater gliders need to modify their own buoyancy in order to operate. Strategies such as pumping fluid are typically used to change the device's net volume. This in turn requires a mechanically sophisticated apparatus, increasing the cost of the vehicle while diminishing its reliability. The concept of a buoyancy engine that exploits the enormous volume and pressure changes accompanying the reversible electrochemical interconversion of water to hydrogen and oxygen gases is applied to stealth buoys and underwater gliders.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.