Water alteration structure and system having heat transfer conduit

US8348550B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• THE INVENTION SCIENCE FUND I, LLC · US

Inventors

• Jeffrey A. Bowers · Bellevue, US
• Kenneth G. Caldeira · Redwood City, US
• Alistair K. Chan · Bainbridge Island, US
• William Gates · Redmond, US
• Roderick A. Hyde · Redmond, US
• Muriel Y. Ishikawa · Livermore, US
• Jordin T. Kare · Seattle, US
• John Latham · Boulder, US
• Nathan P. Myhrvold · Bellevue, US
• Stephen H. Salter · Edinburgh, GB
• Clarence T. Tegreene · Bellevue, US
• Willard H. Wattenburg · Chico, US
• Lowell L. Wood, JR. · Bellevue, US
• Victoria Y.H. Wood · Livermore, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 29, 2009
• Grant date: Jan 8, 2013
• Expiry date: Jun 19, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T137/8593
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A system is described generally for a water capture structure that is configured to capture wave water lapping over at least one wall of the water capture structure. The at least one wall extends at least above a nominal surface water level and at least one conduit extends downward from the water capture structure. The at least one conduit has a length extending to a depth at which at least one property of water at the depth differs substantially from that of water at the surface. The at least one conduit is configured to provide thermal energy to water outside of the at least one conduit. The at least one conduit has at least one conduit wall.