U.S. patent application number 09/742409 was filed with the patent office on 2002-01-24 for influencing weather patterns by way of altering surface or subsurface ocean water temperatures.
Invention is credited to Blum, Ronald D., Duston, Dwight P., Loeb, Jack.
Application Number | 20020009338 09/742409 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22624443 |
Filed Date | 2002-01-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020009338 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Blum, Ronald D. ; et
al. |
January 24, 2002 |
Influencing weather patterns by way of altering surface or
subsurface ocean water temperatures
Abstract
An apparatus and method for altering the temperature of a
surface of a body of water is disclosed. In an embodiment for the
method of the invention, the method includes positioning a conduit
below the surface of the body of water (i.e., underwater)
substantially perpendicular to naturally occurring ocean currents,
dispensing a substance from the conduit, and upwelling water to the
surface. In another embodiment, the method includes positioning an
upwelling system underwater, the upwelling system having a
plurality of valves controllably releasing an upwelling substance,
releasing the upwelling substance from a subset of the plurality of
valves to upwell water to the surface. In an embodiment for the
apparatus of the present invention, the apparatus includes a
conduit, disposed underwater, the conduit releasably containing an
upwelling substance and including an input and a plurality of
outputs. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes an enclosure
containing frozen CO.sub.2 and disposed underwater, a water entry
valve and a gas release valve mounted on the enclosure, the gas
release valve allowing release of gaseous CO.sub.2 into the water
after the frozen CO2 has come in contact with water. In yet another
embodiment, the apparatus includes an electrolysis cell disposed
underwater, a storage vessel coupled to the electrolysis cell, and
a gas release valve mounted on the storage vessel, the gas release
valve allowing release of electrolysis cell generated gasses into
the water. In still another embodiment, the apparatus includes a
manifold, disposed underwater, the manifold comprising a plurality
of valves each valve coupled to an underwater conduit, and a gas
reservoir coupled to the manifold.
Inventors: |
Blum, Ronald D.; (Roanoke,
VA) ; Duston, Dwight P.; (Laguna Niguel, CA) ;
Loeb, Jack; (Roanoke, VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KENYON & KENYON
1500 K STREET, N.W., SUITE 700
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Family ID: |
22624443 |
Appl. No.: |
09/742409 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60171609 |
Dec 23, 1999 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
405/303 ;
239/2.1; 405/195.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02E 10/14 20130101;
F24H 1/0054 20130101; F24H 1/107 20130101; F24T 10/20 20180501;
E21B 41/0099 20200501; Y02E 10/10 20130101; A01G 15/00
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
405/303 ;
405/195.1; 239/2.1 |
International
Class: |
E02B 001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for altering the temperature of a surface of a body of
water, comprising: positioning a conduit below the surface of the
body of water; positioning the conduit substantially perpendicular
to naturally occurring ocean currents; dispensing a substance from
said conduit; and upwelling water through the action of said
substance rising from the conduit to the surface of the body of
water; and altering the temperature of the surface of the body of
water by said upwelling water.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature of the surface of
the body of water is decreased.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature of the surface of
the body of water is increased.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the dispensed substance is a
gas.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the dispensed substance is a
liquid.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the dispensed substance is a
solid.
7. A method for upwelling water to a sub-area within an operating
area of an upwelling system, comprising: positioning said upwelling
system below a surface of a body of water, said upwelling system
having a valve controllably releasing an upwelling substance;
releasing said upwelling substance from said valve; upwelling water
by said step of releasing; and altering the temperature of the
surface of the body of water by said upwelling water.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein said valve releases said
upwelling substance beneath a sub-area within an operating area of
said upwelling system.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the upwelling system includes a
conduit.
10. The method of claim 7, wherein the upwelling system includes a
weighted CO.sub.2 capsule.
11. The method of claim 7, wherein the upwelling system includes an
electrolysis cell.
12. The method of claim 7, wherein the temperature of the surface
of the body of water is decreased.
13. The method of claim 7, wherein the temperature of the surface
of the body of water is increased.
14. The method of claim 7, wherein the upwelling substance is a
gas.
15. The method of claim 7, wherein the upwelling substance is a
liquid.
16. The method of claim 7, wherein the upwelling substance is a
solid.
17. An apparatus for altering the temperature of a surface of a
body of water, comprising: a conduit, disposed below the surface of
the body of water, the conduit releasably containing an upwelling
substance and including: an input; and a plurality of outputs.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the input protrudes above
the surface of the body of water.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the input includes an
adjustable section, said adjustable section allowing the conduit to
be positioned at a selectable depth below the surface of body of
water.
20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the input is coupled to an
underwater source of one of a gas and a liquid and a solid.
21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the plurality of outputs
comprises a plurality of valves.
22. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the conduit comprises a
plurality of conduit sections.
23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein each conduit section is
coupled to at least on other conduit section.
24. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the conduit includes at
least two inputs, wherein the inputs are at opposite ends of the
conduit.
25. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the conduit is a
substantially linear conduit.
26. An apparatus for altering the temperature of a surface of a
body of water, comprising: an enclosure, containing an upwelling
substance and disposed below the surface of the body of water; a
water entry valve mounted on said enclosure, said water entry valve
allowing a volume of water to enter said enclosure; and a gas
release valve mounted on said enclosure, said gas release valve
allowing release of a gaseous state of the upwelling substance into
the water, after the upwelling substance has come in contact with
water.
27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the upwelling substance is
frozen CO.sub.2.
28. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising a weight coupled
to said enclosure.
29. An apparatus for altering the temperature of a surface of a
body of water, comprising: an electrolysis cell disposed below the
surface of the body of water, said electrolysis cell dissociating
hydrogen and oxygen from water in an underwater environment; a
storage vessel coupled to said electrolysis cell, said storage
vessel collecting the dissociated hydrogen and oxygen; and a gas
release valve mounted on said storage vessel, said gas release
valve allowing release of the dissociated hydrogen and oxygen into
the water, the released dissociated hydrogen and oxygen causing an
upwelling of water thereby altering the temperature of the surface
of the body of water.
30. An apparatus for altering the temperature of a surface of a
body of water, comprising: a manifold, disposed below the surface
of the body of water, wherein said manifold comprises a plurality
of valves each valve coupled to an underwater conduit; and a gas
reservoir releasably containing a gas, coupled to said manifold,
released gas causing an upwelling of water thereby altering the
temperature of the surface of the body of water.
31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the gas reservoir is
disposed above the surface of the body of water.
32. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the gas reservoir is
disposed below the surface of the body of water.
33. The apparatus of claim 30, further comprising a source of gas
trapped beneath the ocean floor, wherein said source of gas is
controllably coupled to said gas reservoir.
34. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein each valve on said manifold
is independently operable.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 60/171,609, filed on Dec. 23, 1999, which is
incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to the field of influencing weather
patterns.
BACKGROUND
[0003] It is known in science that the earth's ocean temperatures
have a direct influence upon the earth's weather. For example, a
0.5 to 8.0 degrees Celsius on average, for six consecutive months,
elevation of the ocean's surface temperature found off the coast of
South America, more specifically Ecuador and Peru, is known to
indicate a weather condition known as El Nio. Further a 0.5 to 8.0
degrees Celsius on average, for six consecutive months, reduction
of the ocean's surface temperature again located off the coast of
South America and more specifically Ecuador and Peru is known to
indicate a weather condition known as La Nia. Generally, in an El
Nio year the weather patterns cause flooding in Peru, drought in
Indonesia and Australia, and drought in the Southwestern United
States, flooding and mud slides in the Western United States, and
flooding in the Southeastern United States. In a La Nia year, the
weather patterns cause droughts in South America, heavy rain falls
and floods in Eastern Australia and heavy rainfalls in the
Southwestern United States, drought in the Western United States,
and drought in the Southeastern United States.
[0004] Each of these weather effects can have a disastrous effect
on life and property worldwide. For example, it is estimated that
in 1987 the El Nio weather effects killed 2,000 people and created
$15 billion of property damage worldwide.
[0005] Furthermore, it is well known that hurricanes strengthen in
regions of the ocean where the water is warm. Also, it is well
known that either cold water or a cold weather front substantially
dissipates or reduces the strength of a hurricane. In the case of a
hurricane, reducing the surface water temperature by approximately
23/4 degrees Celsius will substantially impact a hurricane in a
positive way by reducing or diffusing its strength.
[0006] The concept of man-made alterations of weather patterns to
the benefit of society is not new. For example, the seeding of
clouds by airplanes using crystallites such as silver iodide
particles to catalyze rainfall is well known. This technique has
been used, with mixed results, for years in an attempt to mitigate
long-term drought and to counter widespread forest fires. However,
this and other previous attempts at weather alteration address very
localized weather patterns.
[0007] It is well understood that the Earth's weather patterns are
due to complex, interactions between the oceans and the atmosphere;
changes in one affect changes in the other. In particular, many
patterns such as hurricanes and the Southern Oscillation appear to
be closely correlated with, and driven by, the temperature of
surface water in the oceans. Specifically, in a hurricane, warm
surface ocean water leads to enhanced evaporation, which supplies
energy that drives wind speed. In fact, when the eye of a hurricane
reaches landfall, it is deprived of this energy feed mechanism for
the most part and quickly downgrades to a tropical storm or is
mitigated completely. Cooling the surface waters would decrease
evaporation and limit the hurricane's energy supply. This is one
reason hurricanes rarely form in the winter season, when ocean
surfaces are cooler.
[0008] In the interplay between El Nio and the Southern Oscillation
(ENSO), ocean surface temperature also plays a direct role. The
thermocline is a level below the ocean surface where the warm
surface waters meet the colder deep water, typically around
17.degree. C. In equatorial Pacific waters, the thermocline is
typically at a depth of 10 to 50 meters in the east (near South
America) and more than 100 meters in the west (near Indonesia). The
difference is due to the trade winds blowing warm surface water in
a westerly direction, causing warm water to "pile-up" in the
western Pacific.
[0009] In an El Nio situation, these trade winds abate and warm
water remains in the eastern Pacific, depressing the thermocline to
as much as 150 m. This warming in the eastern Pacific affects
rainfall throughout regions of North and South America and is the
cause of major deviations of normal water patterns. Thus, if one
desires to mitigate these weather phenomena, a likely scenario
would be to cool warm surface waters over large areas of the ocean.
This appears to be a daunting task in view of the volume of water
involved and the high heat capacity of water.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus and
method is presented for altering the temperature of a surface of a
body of water. In an embodiment for the method of the invention,
the method includes positioning a conduit below the surface of the
body of water, positioning the conduit substantially perpendicular
to naturally occurring ocean currents, dispensing a substance from
the conduit, and upwelling water through the action of the
substance rising from the conduit to the surface of the body of
water. In another embodiment for the method of the invention, the
method includes positioning a plurality of upwelling systems below
the surface of the body of water, each upwelling system in the
plurality of upwelling systems substantially parallel to each of
the other upwelling systems in the plurality of upwelling systems,
and a projection of the plurality of upwelling systems upon the
surface of the body of water defining an operative area of the
plurality of upwelling systems, positioning the plurality of
upwelling systems substantially perpendicular to naturally
occurring ocean currents, dispensing a substance from a subset of
the plurality of upwelling systems, the subset beneath a sub-area
of the operative area of the plurality of upwelling systems, the
substance rising from the plurality of upwelling systems to the
surface of the body of water, and upwelling the water.
[0011] In an embodiment for the apparatus of the present invention,
the apparatus includes a conduit, disposed below the surface of a
body of water, the conduit releasably containing an upwelling
substance and including an input and a plurality of outputs.
[0012] In another embodiment for the apparatus of the present
invention, the apparatus includes an enclosure, containing frozen
CO.sub.2 and disposed underwater, a water entry valve mounted on
the enclosure, the water entry valve allowing a volume of water to
enter said enclosure, and a gas release valve mounted on the
enclosure, the gas release valve allowing release of gaseous
CO.sub.2 into the water, after the frozen CO.sub.2 has come in
contact with water.
[0013] In yet another embodiment for the apparatus of the present
invention, the apparatus includes an electrolysis cell, the
electrolysis cell dissociating hydrogen and oxygen from water in an
underwater environment, a storage vessel coupled to the
electrolysis cell, the storage vessel collecting the dissociated
hydrogen and oxygen, and a gas release valve mounted on the storage
vessel, the gas release valve allowing release of the dissociated
hydrogen and oxygen into the water.
[0014] In still another embodiment for the apparatus of the present
invention, the apparatus includes a manifold, disposed below the
surface of a body of water, wherein the manifold comprises a
plurality of valves each valve coupled to an underwater aerator
conduit, and a gas reservoir coupled to the manifold.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an aerator
conduit;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of
an aerator conduit;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a third alternate
embodiment of an aerator conduit;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a fourth alternate
embodiment of an aerator conduit;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a fifth alternate
embodiment of an aerator conduit;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of weighted compressed
CO.sub.2 capsules spaced and located on the ocean floor;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an aerator conduit having
an electrolysis cell as a source of upwelling bubbles;
[0022] FIG. 8 illustrates a series of aerator conduits positioned
in accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a chart illustrating normal ocean water currents,
hurricane alley, and a series of lines or arrays of aerator
conduits positioned in accordance with the principles of the
present invention;
[0024] FIG. 10 is an illustration of one possible deployment of an
aerator conduit in accordance with the principles of the present
invention;
[0025] FIG. 11 is an illustration of an apparatus for placing or
re-positioning aerator conduits in accordance with the present
invention;
[0026] FIG. 12 is an illustration of another possible deployment of
an aerator conduit in accordance with the principles of the present
invention;
[0027] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of an upwelling system;
[0028] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of an alternate upwelling
system; and
[0029] FIG. 15 illustrates operation of an upwelling system in a
sub-area within the operating area of the upwelling system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0030] The present invention is used to weaken or mitigate the
negative effects of such large-scale phenomena as hurricanes, El
Nio/La Nia, and the Southern Oscillation. As stated previously,
this application claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 60/171,609, filed on Dec. 23, 1999, which is incorporated
herein in its entirety by reference. What was not previously known,
and what is disclosed in patent application Ser. No. 60/171,609
(the '609 application), and this application, is how to alter the
ocean's water temperature in a manner that is practical, safe,
predictable, and affordable. The invention disclosed in the '609
application is not intended to be limiting in scope and, by way of
example only, while it may be easier to implement the present
inventive method and/or inventive physical system for weakening or
diffusing a hurricane than altering El Nifio, the present invention
can be scaled up to impact any and all weather patterns that are
influenced by earth water temperature including specifically El Nio
or La Nia.
[0031] The invention disclosed herein provides a practical, safe,
efficient method, as well as, a physical system for weakening
weather patterns that are typified by hurricanes, El Nio/La Nia,
and the Southern Oscillation. The invention may include a conduit,
which releases a gas or liquid from the cool depths of the ocean
(see FIGS. 1-5, 7-8, 13-15). The invention may include encapsulated
compressed gasses, which bubble up upon being released from their
encapsulant (see FIG. 6). The gas or liquid is cooled by ocean
depths and rises to the surface, cooling it. Moreover, the drag
between rising gas bubbles, from for example gaseous CO.sub.2, or
rising liquid, from for example liquid CO.sub.2 or any liquid
lighter than the surrounding ocean water, and the deep ocean water
transports colder deep water to the surface, the thermocline rises,
and the ocean surface cools. Alternatively, a solid structure(s)
could be released, such as for example, from the conduit which,
when it floats up to the surface of the water, causes cold water to
well up to the surface of the water, thus cooling the ocean
surface. The solid could be comprised of, for example, non-toxic
plastic or ice, which could be removed from the surface of the
water after they float to the surface or, in the case of ice, melts
in the warmer waters. Thus, the present invention is capable of
utilizing naturally occurring cold water in the depths of the ocean
or other body of water to cool the surface of the water.
[0032] The present invention utilizes the normal ocean currents to
move surface and subsurface water across a line or a series of
lines, or arrays of conduits, or other upwelling systems. Conduits,
or other upwelling systems, are spaced and located beneath the
ocean surface such that they are positioned substantially
perpendicular to the ocean surface currents. By positioning the
conduits or other upwelling systems substantially perpendicular to
the ocean surface currents, the invention substantially increases
both the effectiveness and efficiency of the aeration while at the
same time reduces the aeration system's cost. Thus, the invention
allows the surface and subsurface water currents to, under
naturally occurring conditions, move water across the aerator
conduits or other upwelling systems.
[0033] In some cases, it may be desirable to warm surface water. In
this case, warm gas or liquid might be released at a depth just at
or near the thermocline, warming the ocean's surface. Thus, by
being able to control the temperature and depth of release of the
gas or liquid, it is possible to tune the ocean's surface and
subsurface water temperature.
[0034] In an inventive embodiment, the invention includes a large
conduit or pipeline, which is placed at an appropriate depth and
location in the ocean. FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary conduit
sections 100, 102, which may, for example, be aerator conduits to
release gasses. FIG. 1 additionally illustrates that individual
conduit sections 100, 102 may be coupled to form a conduit 104 of
greater length than the individual conduit sections 100, 102. It is
understood that FIG. 1 is used for example only and that conduits
may be made up of any number of conduit sections. The conduit 104
may have vents, holes, or valves 106, which may or may not be
remotely controllable to open or close them. Vents, holes, or
valves 106 may be placed periodically along the length of the
conduit 104, allowing gas, liquid, or solids inside the conduit to
escape into the surrounding water. In FIG. 1, gas, liquid, or
solids escaping from the vents, holes, or valves 106 in the conduit
104 is represented by the substantially vertical flow paths 110. An
input 108 for gas, liquid, or solid may be positioned above the
ocean surface 112 to allow for, for example, connections to sources
of gas, liquid, or solid to be pumped to the conduit 104 below the
ocean surface 112.
[0035] In an alternate embodiment, FIG. 2 illustrates a single
conduit 204 having two inputs 208, 208' for gas, liquid, or solids.
Upon release from vents, holes, or valves 206, the gas, liquid, or
solids may travel substantially upon flow paths 210 to the ocean
surface 212. In the illustration of FIG. 2, inputs 208, 208' are
placed at opposite ends of the conduit 204.
[0036] In a third alternate embodiment, FIG. 3 illustrates a
conduit 304 including three conduit sections 300, 301, 302. In the
illustration of FIG. 3, the center conduit section 301 has no input
that directly reaches the surface; instead, the inputs 308, 308' to
a leftmost conduit section 300 and to a rightmost conduit section
302, respectively, are coupled to the center conduit section 301
through, for example, valves (not shown) between the conduit
sections 300, 301, 302. Upon release from vents, holes, or valves
306, the gas, liquid, or solids may travel substantially upon flow
paths 310 to the ocean surface 312. Also illustrated in FIG. 3 are
expandable or retractable vertical coupling sections 314, 314' that
may, for example, be used to adjust the depth of the conduit 304
beneath the ocean surface 312. The depth of the conduit 304 can be
adjusted manually or by remote control.
[0037] In a fourth alternate embodiment, FIG. 4 illustrates a
conduit 404 including four conduit sections 400, 401, 402, 403.
Each of the four conduit sections 400, 401, 402, 403 is coupled to
an input 408, 408', 408", 408'", respectively. Upon release from
vents, holes, or valves 406, the gas, liquid, or solids may travel
substantially upon flow paths 410 to the ocean surface 412.
[0038] In a fifth embodiment, FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic
diagram of a conduit 504 using frozen CO.sub.2 as a source of
upwelling bubbles. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the conduit 504 is
coupled to a reservoir 508. The conduit 504 and/or reservoir 508
may be filled with either frozen or cold compressed CO.sub.2 gas,
which becomes further compressed and remains extremely cold or
frozen at certain ocean depths. In this embodiment, the conduit can
be deployed in advance of a hurricane and may remain in a
non-active state until such time as it is activated by, for
example, allowing ocean water to contact the frozen CO.sub.2. This
can be done either manually, or by remote control, by way of
opening a vent or vents 506 on the conduit 504 or on the reservoir
508. Upon release from the conduit 504, the CO.sub.2, now in a
gaseous state, may travel substantially upon flow paths 510 to the
ocean surface 512.
[0039] In a sixth embodiment, FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic
diagram of an upwelling system to effecting upwelling in accordance
with the principles of the present invention, that includes
weighted compressed CO.sub.2 capsules 600 spaced and located on the
ocean floor 608. In this exemplary embodiment, frozen or cold and
compressed CO.sub.2 is encapsulated in a capsule 602 and weighed
down with a weight 604 so that it will sink. A plurality of these
weighted CO.sub.2 capsules 600 may be dropped in a line extending,
by way of example only, one hundred miles. The weighted CO.sub.2
capsules 600 are placed every, by way of example only, ten feet
apart. The encapsulation material, e.g., a non-toxic biodegradable
plastic, is designed to dissolve by way of the ocean water or to
crack open under pressure in certain depths of the ocean, and thus,
cause the release of CO.sub.2 to rise by way of bubbles in flow
path 610 to the ocean surface 606. This again will cause an
upwelling of cool water, which will reduce the ocean surface water
temperature.
[0040] In a seventh embodiment, FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic
diagram of a conduit 704 having an electrolysis cell 708 as a
source of upwelling bubbles, which may travel along flow paths 710
to the ocean surface 712. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, an
electrolysis cell or cells 708 may be placed at certain depths and
at certain intervals. The electrolysis cells 708 break down ocean
water into hydrogen and oxygen gas, which will rise to the ocean
surface 712 again causing an upwelling of cool water and cooling
the ocean's surface water temperature. Electrolysis of ocean water
in an electrolysis cell 708 may be accomplished by admitting ocean
water through an input valve or valves 706 and may require the
application of electrical power to be delivered by, for example,
cable 714 to the electrolysis cell 708. In the inventive embodiment
using electrolysis cell or cells 708, conduits 704 may or may not
be utilized to distribute the gases.
[0041] FIG. 8 illustrates a series of conduits 804 spaced and
located beneath the ocean surface such that they are positioned
substantially perpendicular to the ocean surface currents 802.
Substantially perpendicular positioning to the ocean surface
currents may increase both the effectiveness and efficiency of the
release of upwelling substances by allowing the surface and
subsurface water currents to move water across the conduits 804 or
other upwelling systems (not shown).
[0042] Any of the disclosed embodiments for conduits 104, 204, 304,
404, 504, 704, 804 can be grouped into arrays of conduits by laying
a series of conduits 104, 204, 304, 404, 504, 704, 804
approximately parallel to each other. Multiple types of conduits
104, 204, 304, 404, 504, 704, 804 may be grouped together within
one array. In addition, weighted compressed CO.sub.2 capsules 600
may also be included in arrays. Any of these combinations of
conduits and/or CO.sub.2 capsules, or any individual conduit or
individual CO.sub.2 capsule may be described as an upwelling
system. These exemplary combinations are not intended to limit the
types or combinations of apparatus that may be included in an
upwelling system. By forming arrays of conduits, gas, liquid, or
solids could be injected into a wide area of the ocean. Each
conduit might be from 1 to 1,000 miles in length, but they are not
limited to this range. The conduits 104, 204, 304, 404, 504, 704,
804 might be, but are not limited to, 10 meters to over a kilometer
in spacing between adjacent conduit sections. Thus, several
thousand square miles of ocean could be aerated and surface
temperature altered by this method and apparatus. It is believed,
however, that through the proper placement of the conduit or
conduits, it is possible to maximize the impact and minimize the
length of the conduit(s).
[0043] FIG. 9 is a chart illustrating normal ocean water currents
900, hurricane alley 902, and a series of lines or arrays 904 of
conduits or other upwelling systems. For example only, by placement
of either a single conduit or a series of conduits off of the
Bahamas, it is possible to greatly influence the ocean surface and
subsurface water temperature of a region of the ocean where most
Atlantic hurricanes pass should they target the coastline of
Florida and North and South Carolina. By way of example only, an
array 904 of conduits could be permanently placed or temporarily
positioned along hurricane alley 902 north of the Caribbean
Islands, and the ocean surface temperature cooled to change a
Category 4 hurricane into a Category 2 hurricane, or a Category 2
into a mere tropical storm. The cost of deploying this invention is
a small fraction of the damage in property cost of a single season
of hurricanes in the Atlantic, to say nothing of the saving in the
loss of lives due to hurricanes. For example only, in 1992
hurricane Andrew caused $26 billion in damages and killed 65 people
(39 indirect deaths).
[0044] The upwelling substance in conduits 104, 204, 304, 404, 504,
704, 804 could be air or some other gas, an air/other gas mixture,
a liquid, or a liquid/gas mixture. The gas, liquid, or solid could
be delivered to the vents, holes, or valves of a conduit 104, 204,
304, 404, 504, 704, 804, by way of example only, by a compressor,
or in the case of a liquid by a pump, or in the case of a solid by
a motor. Vents, holes, or valves may be opened or closed either
manually or by remote control. In this way, either complete lengths
of conduit or selected sections of each conduit could be vented,
under manual control or automatic control. By way of example only,
this control could allow one to target a fixed area of ocean, for
example the ocean area directly under the hurricane's eye, without
attempting to alter the temperature of larger ocean areas
unnecessarily.
[0045] The array of conduits could be deployed at various depths,
depending on the effect to be created. Additionally, and as
illustrated in FIG. 3, the depth of a conduit can be adjusted
manually or by remote control by expandable or retractable sections
314, 314'.
[0046] The deployment of the conduits could be accomplished in
several ways and the present invention is not limited to any
particular methodology or deployment system. For example, FIG. 10
illustrates that a conduit 1004 could be laid on the ocean floor
1006 and terminate on-shore 1010, with a mechanical compressor,
pump, or other machinery 1000 located on land near the conduit
terminus 1002.
[0047] Alternatively, FIG. 11 illustrates that remote, unmanned
robots 1102 under the ocean surface 1100, could place and relocate
conduits 1104, on the floor of the ocean 1106, in anticipation of
an approaching hurricane.
[0048] Additionally, FIG. 12 illustrates that a compressor/pump
1202 could be placed onboard a ship 1208, which could deploy a
length of conduit 1204 on-site to change ocean surface 1210
temperature. In this embodiment, a fleet of such ships 1208 could
be deployed to affect large areas of the ocean, each controlling a
length of conduit 1204. The ships 1208 may tow the conduits 1204 to
position using a tow line 1206, or any other suitable
methodology.
[0049] The rate of flow or movement of gas and/or liquid and/or
solid, the rate of release through the vents, and the distance
between adjacent venting sites may be controlled, manually or
remotely, to tailor the surface heating or cooling to address the
specific effect dictated by the desired weather pattern.
[0050] Each of the disclosed inventive embodiments can be
individually modified in part or total or combined, to create the
needed effect. Therefore, the scope of the present invention
includes any and all ways of producing an upwelling of cool water
in order to cool the surface water of the ocean, by way of gases,
liquids, or solids. The invention is not limited to a conduit, but
includes any method or device that will allow for a gas, liquid, or
solid to be released from underwater and rise to the surface to
cause the upwelling of water.
[0051] Furthermore, in the event that it is desirable to warm the
ocean surface water, this can be accomplished within the scope of
the invention, by way of the utilization of warm gases, liquids, or
solids released at an appropriate depth.
[0052] In the previously disclosed embodiments, large volumes of
gases may be required to be either transported to certain ocean
depths from outside the ocean or created at certain ocean depths
through electrolysis or other means. These gases may then be
utilized to cause an upwelling of cold ocean water when released.
While this inventive method works well, the energy needed to
transport these gases could be substantial and, in certain cases,
could become a difficulty in commercial implementation.
[0053] The following inventive embodiments provide alternatives to
the previously disclosed embodiments and for the mentioned issue of
energy consumption. In these embodiments, geological and
non-geological gas deposits are tapped that are deposited on or
trapped beneath the ocean floor.
[0054] In one embodiment, FIG. 13 illustrates a schematic diagram
of an upwelling system, comprising a series of conduits 1304,
1304A, 1304B, 1304C, 1304D coupled to a storage/release conduit
1306, a gas reservoir 1308, and a drilled and tapped hole 1312
adapted for penetration of a gas source 1314 below the ocean floor
1318. In one embodiment, drilling rigs (not shown) may be placed
over known gas deposits 1316 such as, by way of example only,
methane gas, and holes may be drilled through the ocean floor to
access the gases. Taps are put in place to control the release of
the gases and are connected to large reservoirs 1308 placed, for
example, on the ocean floor. In this way, valves in the taps can be
opened on demand to release the trapped gases into the reservoirs
1308 and pressurized for greater trapped volume. The pressurizing
mechanism may be manufactured pumps or the actual release pressure
of trapped gases from the gas sources 1314 forcing their way into
the reservoir 1308.
[0055] These reservoirs 1308 may also be connected to long
distribution pipes 1306 and storage/release conduits 1304A, 1304B,
1304C, 1304D under the ocean, which contain many release valves
(not shown) that allow the gas to bubble to the surface over a
selected wide area, as in the previous embodiments. For example, in
the illustration of FIG. 13, upwelling substance may be released
from distribution pipe 1306 to the leftmost conduit 1304, while the
release valves (not shown) supplying gas to other conduits 1304A,
1304B, 1304C, 1304D may not be opened, thus allowing upwelling gas
to bubble, along a flow path 1310, to the surface only over the
selected area substantially above the leftmost conduit 1304.
[0056] In times of hurricane threat, the gases in the reservoirs
1308 are opened to the distribution pipelines 1306 and conduits
1304, 1304A, 1304B, 1304C, 1304D and released into the ocean, which
then causes an upwelling of cool ocean water thus cooling the
surface. The pressurized reservoir 1308 is replenished by allowing
additional sub-floor trapped gases 1316 to enter the reservoir 1308
during or after the release of gas to the surface. Whereas only one
reservoir 1308 and distribution pipeline 1306 are illustrated in
FIG. 13, it is to be understood that multiple reservoirs 1308 and
distribution pipelines 1306 could be utilized.
[0057] In another embodiment of an upwelling system, FIG. 14
illustrates a schematic diagram of a series of conduits 1404,
1404A, 1404B, 1404C, 1404D coupled to a storage/release conduit
1406, and a gas reservoir 1408. In the embodiment of FIG. 14,
deposits 1416 of sources of gas, which are at or above the ocean
floor 1418, are collected and converted to a gaseous state. By way
of example only, methane ice or methane hydrate (ice clatherate of
methane) CH.sub.4(H.sub.2O).sub.6, which in many cases is deposited
on the ocean floor 1418, is collected and converted to a gaseous
state by way of increasing its temperature, reducing the external
environmental pressure, or both. In either case, this can be done
in numerous ways, one of which, by way of example only, would be to
simply raise the collected methane hydrate to a certain ocean depth
above the ocean floor, thus both increasing the temperature and
reducing the external pressure. In this case the methane hydrate
will dissociate into its components of methane and water. The
dissociated gas may be stored in a reservoir 1408 for use in an
embodiment of the invention. Again, whereas only one reservoir 1408
and distribution pipeline 1406 are illustrated in FIG. 14, it is to
be understood that multiple reservoirs 1408 and distribution
pipelines 1406 could be utilized in this embodiment, or any other
alternative embodiment contemplated.
[0058] By employing either of these two embodiments, as well as any
other means to liberate gases from a geological formation or
entrapment, it is possible to substantially reduce the energy
needed to fill the conduits 1304, 1304A, 1304B, 1304C, 1304D, 1404,
1404A, 1404B, 1404C, 1404D, distribution pipeline 1306, 1406,
and/or reservoir 1308, 1408 with gases. Gases located or trapped at
the bottom of the ocean, once liberated, will rise to where they
can be collected with far less external energy consumption needed
than if a gas has to be pumped from a source external to the ocean
to a location under the ocean.
[0059] FIG. 15 illustrates an upwelling system 1500 with an
upwelling substance rising along flow paths 1528 to the surface
1514 in a sub-area (i.e., a selected wide area) 1526 within an
operating area 1516 of the upwelling system 1500. In FIG. 15, the
upwelling system 1500, comprises a storage reservoir 1502, a
manifold or storage/release conduit 1504, and three conduits 1506,
1508, 1510 each having multiple release valves (not shown). The
release valves on the conduits 1506, 1508, 1510 may be individually
controlled or controlled in groups. The upwelling system 1500 is
depicted as resting on the ocean floor 1512, however, as discussed
previously, conduits 1506, 1508, 1510 may be raised or lowered to
any depth below the surface of the ocean 1514 in accordance with
the principles of the present invention. FIG. 15 illustrates that
the operating area 1516 of the upwelling system 1500 may be bounded
by a polygon whose vertices 1518, 1520, 1522, 1524 are projected
onto the surface 1514 from the endpoints 1518', 1520', 1522',
1524', respectively, of the outermost conduits 1506, 1510. As
illustrated in FIG. 15, the upwelling system may release an
upwelling substance into the sub-area 1526 within the operating
area 1516 of the upwelling system 1500. The sub-area 1526 may be
moved, enlarged, or reduced to any area within the operating area
1516. Movement and/or change in size of the sub-area is undertaken
by control of the multiple release valves (not shown) on each of
the conduits 1506, 1508, 1510 of the upwelling system 1500.
[0060] As described previously, the inventions disclosed herein may
utilize the forces of nature. As previously disclosed and
illustrated in FIG. 9, upwelling systems may be placed in an array
904 such that they are positioned substantially perpendicular to
the path of the ocean currents 900, as well as that of an
approaching hurricane 902, when possible. This allows for nature's
own forces of ocean currents to move the body of surface water
across the line or lines of conduits. Further, the gases naturally
will find their way to the surface. Also, the gases, which have
been transported in most cases from above the ocean surface, are
cooled by nature's ocean depths. In alternative embodiments, nature
may be again called on to provide naturally deposited gases, thus,
substantially reducing energy needs.
[0061] Finally, during an off season (a non-hurricane season) or
also when hurricanes are not anywhere in the forecast period, the
collected methane gas, by way of example only, could be diverted,
by the present invention, to be used as an energy source to power
any number of energy consuming machines or devices, by way of
example only, factories, power stations, automobiles, homes,
etc.
[0062] The disclosed embodiments are illustrative of the various
ways in which the present invention may be practiced. Other
embodiments can be implemented by those skilled in the art without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
* * * * *