Ocean thermal energy conversion system
US8117843B2 · kind B2 · utility
21Cited by
17References
33Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 4, 2008 |
| Grant date | Feb 21, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 12, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/30
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.