U.S. patent application number 12/056480 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-24 for oceanic layers modification methods, apparatus, systems and applications.
This patent application is currently assigned to ATMOCEAN, Inc.. Invention is credited to Philip W. Kithil.
Application Number | 20080175728 12/056480 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37900471 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080175728 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kithil; Philip W. |
July 24, 2008 |
Oceanic Layers Modification Methods, Apparatus, Systems and
Applications
Abstract
A method and apparatus for reducing the surface temperature of a
large body of water by pumping deeper cooler water to an area near
the surface. The deeper cooler water can be pumped using a
self-deploying pump which is powered by waves which travel across
the surface of the large body of water.
Inventors: |
Kithil; Philip W.; (Santa
Fe, NM) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PEACOCK MYERS, P.C.
201 THIRD STREET, N.W., SUITE 1340
ALBUQUERQUE
NM
87102
US
|
Assignee: |
ATMOCEAN, Inc.
Santa Fe
NM
|
Family ID: |
37900471 |
Appl. No.: |
12/056480 |
Filed: |
March 27, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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PCT/US2006/037912 |
Sep 26, 2006 |
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12056480 |
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60720864 |
Sep 27, 2005 |
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60741006 |
Nov 29, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
417/331 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04B 17/00 20130101;
F04B 35/004 20130101; F04B 19/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
417/331 |
International
Class: |
F04B 19/00 20060101
F04B019/00 |
Claims
1. A water pump comprising a floatable portion, a flexible
submergible portion, said floatable portion connected by an
inelastic flexible connector to a rigid submergible portion,
whereby gravity maintains tension between said floatable portion
and said rigid submergible portion.
2. The water pump of claim 1 wherein said floatable portion is
cylindrical and is provided with a spool shape to allow said
flexible submergible portion and/or said inelastic flexible
connector to wrap around said spool shape for storage and
transportation.
3. The water pump of claim 1 wherein said rigid submergible portion
comprises a density greater than that of seawater.
4. The water pump of claim 2 wherein said spool portion is caused
to unwind by gravity upon reaching a surface of a body of
water.
5. The water pump of claim 1 wherein said floatable portion is
connected to said flexible submergible portion.
6. The water pump of claim 1 wherein said flexible submergible
portion can assume a tubular shape.
7. The water pump of claim 1 wherein said flexible submergible
portion comprises slits to allow water to escape.
8. The water pump of claim 1 wherein said flexible submergible
portion comprises two or more diameters.
9. The water pump of claim 1 wherein said rigid submergible portion
comprises a valve permitting entry of water into said water pump
upon downward motion or upon upward motion of said water pump.
10. The water pump of claim 9 wherein said valve comprises a
butterfly valve.
11. The water pump of claim 1 wherein a plurality of said pumps are
disposed to modify surface water characteristics.
12. The water pump of claim 1 wherein a plurality of the water
pumps are tethered together.
13. A water pump comprising a floatable portion, a flexible
submergible portion, and a rigid submergible portion, said
floatable portion connected to an upper end of said flexible
submergible portion and said rigid portion connected to a lower end
of said flexible submergible portion, whereby gravity maintains
tension between said floatable portion and said rigid submergible
portion.
14. The water pump of claim 13 further comprising one or more
openings disposed near an upper end of said flexible submergible
portion.
15. The water pump of claim 13 wherein said floatable portion
comprises a sealed upper end of said flexible submergible portion
with air entrapped therein.
16. The water pump of claim 13 wherein said floatable portion
comprises a spool shape.
17. A method for modifying at least a portion of a body of water
comprising using wave action to move water having a temperature
less than that of water near a surface of the body of water from a
depth to an area near a surface of the body of water; wherein the
water is transported through one or more flexible cylinders.
18. The method of claim 13 comprising wave action raising and
lowering a floatable element.
19. The method of claim 14 wherein a non-elastic member connects
the floatable element to a bottom portion of a pump.
20. The method of claim 13 wherein one or more valves reduce and/or
prevent water from escaping from a bottom portion of a pump.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of
Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) Serial No. PCT/US2006/037912,
entitled "Ocean Layers Modification Methods, Apparatus, Systems and
Applications", to Philip W. Kithil, filed on Sep. 27, 2006,
designating the U.S., and the specification and claims thereof are
incorporated herein by reference.
[0002] This application claims priority to and the benefit of the
filing of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/720,864,
filed on Sep. 27, 2005, entitled "Wave-driven Self-deploying Deep
Water Pump and Application to an Ocean Thermocline System" to
Philip W. Kithil. This application also claims priority to and the
benefit of the filing of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.
No. 60/741,006, filed on Nov. 29, 2005, entitled "Wave-Driven Self
Deploying Deep Water Pump and Application to an Ocean Thermocline
Modification System" to Philip W. Kithil. Both of these
applications are incorporated herein by reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0003] Not Applicable.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT
DISC
[0004] Not Applicable.
COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL
[0005] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0006] 1. Field of the Invention (Technical Field)
[0007] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method,
apparatus, and system employing multiple units of the apparatus,
and applications of the system, to alter the temperature and other
characteristics of various layers including the surface layer of
large bodies of water. Particularly, embodiments of the present
invention relate to a method, apparatus, and system employing
multiple units of the apparatus, and applications of the system,
which alters the upper layers including the surface layer of large
bodies of water by moving water from one or more deeper layers
toward the upper layers and/or surface layer thereof.
Alternatively, embodiments of the present invention relate to a
method, apparatus, and system employing multiple units of the
apparatus, and applications of the system, which alter the
temperature and other characteristics of large bodies of water by
moving water from the upper layers or surface layer toward one or
more deeper layers thereof. The other characteristics of the water
may include but are not limited to chemical or biochemical
constituents, oxygen content, other gas content, particulate
matter, living organisms, expired organisms, and other suspended or
dissolved components in the body of water.
[0008] 2. Description of Related Art
[0009] Note that the following discussion refers to a number of
publications by author(s) and year of publication, and that due to
recent publication dates certain publications are not to be
considered as prior art vis-a-vis the present invention. Discussion
of such publications herein is given for more complete background
and is not to be construed as an admission that such publications
are prior art for patentability determination purposes.
[0010] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002 0008155 by Herbert Uram,
dated Jan. 24, 2002, entitled a "Method and System For Hurricane
Control," proposes a method and system for inhibiting or weakening
the formation of hurricanes, by detecting the onset of a hurricane
in a region of open water and immediately cooling the surface water
in the open water region. In the described preferred embodiments of
that application, the surface water is cooled by using one or more
nuclear-powered submarines to pump cooler water at a depth in the
open water region to the surface of the open water region." This
invention requires the detection at the onset of formation, while
the hurricane is supposedly physically compact enough for several
submarines to provide the pumping of cool deep water. That
invention, however, requires that the size of a hurricane at its
onset (assuming this is detectable and can be differentiated from
other weather patterns) is orders of magnitude larger in geographic
area than could be affected by even the entire US fleet of
submarines. Further, there is no assurance that this proposed
method would entirely erase an incipient hurricane, which possibly
could re-generate if the weather system moves over warmer water.
Therefore, a method and system is needed to reduce the hurricane
intensity once it is formed and is heading for occupied land, ocean
oil rigs, or other valuable structures.
[0011] Other efforts have been undertaken to diminish hurricane
intensity, as cited in the following news article published
electronically on Sep. 21, 2005 by MSN.com: [0012] "DENVER--It
sounds like a great idea: Let's just blast hurricanes like Rita and
Katrina out of the sky before they hurt more people. Or, at least
weaken the storms and steer them away from cities. Atmospheric
scientists say it's wishful thinking that we could destroy or even
influence something as huge and powerful as a hurricane. They
abandoned such a quest years ago after more than two decades of
inconclusive government-sponsored research. Private companies have
conducted tests on a much smaller scale, but have made little
progress despite initially claiming to erase storm clouds from the
atmosphere. "It would be like trying to move a car with a pea
shooter," said hydrometeorologist Matthew Kelsch of the National
Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder. "The amount of energy
involved in a hurricane is far greater that anything we're going to
impart to it."
[0013] The federal government attempted hurricane modification with
a program called "Project Stormfury." The idea was raised during
the Eisenhower administration after several major storms hit the
East Coast in the mid-1950s, killing 749 people and causing
billions in damages. But it was not until 1961 that initial tests
were conducted on Hurricane Esther with a Navy plane releasing
silver iodide crystals. Some reports indicate winds were reduced by
10 percent to 30 percent. During Project Stormfury, scientists also
seeded hurricanes in 1963, 1969, and 1971 over the open Atlantic
Ocean far from land. Researchers dropped silver iodide, a substance
that serves as effective ice nuclei, into clouds just outside of
the hurricane's eyewall. The idea was that a new ring of clouds
would form around the artificial ice nuclei. The new clouds were
supposed to change rain patterns and form a new eyewall that would
collapse the old one. The re-formed hurricane would spin more
slowly and be less dangerous.
[0014] Sometimes the experiments appeared to work. Hurricane Debbie
in 1969 was seeded twice over four days by several aircraft.
Researchers noted that its intensity waxed and waned by up to 30
percent. For cloud seeding to be successful, clouds must contain
sufficient supercooled water that is still liquid even though it is
below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (zero degrees Celsius). Raindrops form
when the artificial nuclei and the supercooled water combine. But
scientists also learned that hurricanes contain less supercooled
water than other storm clouds, so seeding was unreliable. And,
hurricanes grow and dissipate all on their own, even forming new
walls of clouds called "concentric eyewall circles." This made it
impossible to determine whether storm reductions were the result of
human intervention. Project Stormfury was abandoned in the 1980s
after spending hundreds of millions of dollars. Other storm
modification methods that have been suggested include cooling the
tropical ocean with icebergs and spreading particles or films over
the ocean surface to inhibit storms from evaporating heat from the
sea.
[0015] Occasionally, a suggestion is made that a nuclear weapon be
used to shatter a storm. Researchers say hurricanes would dwarf
such measures. For example, Hurricane Rita measured about 3,500
miles (5,600 kilometers) in irregular circumference and 350 miles
(560 kilometers) across. According to the center for atmospheric
research, the energy released by a hurricane equals 50 to 200
trillion watts or about the same amount of energy released by
exploding a 10-megaton nuclear bomb every 20 minutes."
[0016] There is thus a present need for a wave-driven pump which
can be used to incrementally diminish the hurricane intensity by
affecting the primary energy source, namely warm ocean surface
water, by modestly decreasing upper ocean heat content over a large
region in the path of a hurricane within 24 to 48 hours before
landfall, and preferably, to avoid undue negative effects on ocean
life from continuously cooling the upper ocean even when no
hurricanes are evident, there is a need to enable the optimum
number of pumps directly in the path of the hurricane for only a
day or two before the hurricane passes across the region.
[0017] The paper titled "Hydrodynamic Performance of Wave-Driven
Artificial Upwelling Device", Journal of Engineering Mechanics,
July 1999, Clark C. K. Liu et al., discloses a tube with valve at
the top and a buoy, operating in a manner similar to the present
invention. However with the valve at the top, the tube must be
rigid; otherwise it would collapse from the ambient water pressure
created on wave upslopes. The only application cited in this paper
is to increase fish production ("open ocean mariculture").
[0018] In the paper "Artificial Upwelling Using the Energy of
Surface Waves" appearing in Oceanology, vol. 27 no. 3, 1987, by N.
V. Vershinskiy et al., the device likewise utilizes a rigid tube
which moves up and down on successive wave peaks and troughs, with
the tube having a valve at the top. The device is held in place by
an anchor assembly and ballast to maintain vertical orientation of
the tube. The applications cited include increasing primary
production, and modifying local weather patterns by changing the
upper water layer heat content.
[0019] In the Journal of Ocean Engineering Vol. 5, 1997, pp
235-242, "The Isaacs Wave-Energy Pump: Field Tests Off the Coast of
Kaneohe Bay, Hi." by Gerald Wick et al., cites a wave energy pump
for creating electrical power. The pipe/valve configuration
delivers water under pressure to a power generator.
[0020] In the Journal of Ocean Engineering, Vol. 3, 1976, pp
175-187, "Utilization of the Energy in Ocean Waves" by John D.
Isaacs, et al., cites a similar wave energy pump which produces a
steady flow of water exiting a tube above the waves, to generate
power. In this version, the tube is rigid and the valve is located
near the top at 10% depth vs. pipe length.
[0021] U.S. Patent Publication No. US2004/0071566, to Hill, Jr.
dated Apr. 15, 2004, suggests a rigid tube with heavy piston
therein to generate pumping action. The base of the device is
permanently positioned on the ocean floor. Numerous applications
are cited.
[0022] Houser et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,377 describes a "mass
displacement wave energy conversion system" comprising a platform,
manifold, and reciprocating pump which is anchored to the sea floor
and produces pressurized water to produce energy.
[0023] Assaf et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,492,274 proposes a ship
pulling a series of deflectors which push deep water to the
surface, thereby modifying local weather conditions.
[0024] Blum et al., in U.S. Patent Publication No. US2002/0009338,
dated Jan. 24, 2002, suggests underwater tubes in which buoyant
substances are released at the bottom, causing an upwelling in the
tubes, thus altering the surface water conditions, temperature,
etc.
[0025] Cowan, U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,850 describes a fixed device to
generate power, comprising a hollow base on or near the sea
bottom.
[0026] Simmons, U.S. Pat. No. 4,954,052 describes a transportable
apparatus for extracting energy from waves. The device includes a
wheel-shaped float and wheel-shaped anchor.
[0027] Windle, U.S. Pat. No. 4,754,157 describes a power generator
comprising a piston in a cylinder.
[0028] Bromicki, U.S. Pat. No. 4,470,544 suggests local weather
modification adjacent to water bodies by pumping deep water to the
surface. The only method proposed is using wave motion attached to
underwater paddles that rotate, supposedly forcing deep water
upward.
[0029] Hofer et al., in U.S. Patent Publication US2005/0031417,
dated Feb. 10, 2005, uses entrained bubbles released underwater to
bring up deep water.
[0030] Uram, U.S. Patent Publication US2005/0133612 suggests
pumping deep water to the surface in the vicinity of a tropical
cyclone, using a nuclear powered submarine which follows the
cyclone path.
[0031] UK Patent Application GB 2044843, dated Mar. 3, 1980, filed
by BP Company, with Duckworth et al. as inventors, describes a pump
for wave energy production.
[0032] Welczer, U.S. Pat. No. 4,076,463 describes a wave motor to
convert sea energy to mechanical energy.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0033] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a water
pump comprising a floatable portion, a flexible submergible
portion, the floatable portion connected by an inelastic flexible
connector to a rigid submergible portion, whereby gravity maintains
tension between the floatable portion and the rigid submergible
portion. The floatable portion can be cylindrical and can be
provided with a spool section to allow the flexible submergible
portion and/or the inelastic flexible connector to wrap around the
spool section for storage and transportation.
[0034] The rigid submergible portion preferably has a density
greater than that of seawater such that it sinks when disposed
therein. The spool portion preferably unwinds due to the force of
gravity upon reaching a surface of a body of water.
[0035] In the water pump, the floatable portion can optionally be
integral with the flexible submergible portion. In addition, the
flexible submergible portion can assume a tubular shape and can
optionally have slits to allow water to escape. Further, the
flexible submergible portion can comprises two or more
diameters.
[0036] In one embodiment of the present invention, a rigid
submergible portion preferably has a valve for permitting entry of
water into the water pump upon downward motion, or upon upward
motion of the water pump. In one embodiment, the valve preferably
comprises a butterfly valve.
[0037] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a system
for modification of surface water characteristics by using a
plurality of the water pumps of the present invention. A plurality
of the water pumps can be tethered together.
[0038] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a water
pump comprising a floatable portion, a flexible submergible
portion, and a rigid submergible portion, the floatable portion is
preferably connected to an upper end of said flexible submergible
portion and the rigid portion is preferably connected to a lower
end of said flexible submergible portion, whereby gravity maintains
tension between the floatable portion and the rigid submergible
portion. As with other embodiments of the present invention, one or
more openings can be disposed near an upper end of the flexible
submergible portion. In addition, the floatable portion can
comprise a spool shape.
[0039] In an embodiment of the present invention, the floatable
portion can be a sealed upper end of the flexible submergible
portion with air entrapped therein.
[0040] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a method
for modifying at least a portion of a body of water which includes
using wave action to move water having a temperature less than that
of water near a surface of the body of water from a depth to an
area near a surface of the body of water. The water is preferably
transported through one or more flexible cylinders. The method can
include wave action raising and lowering a floatable element.
[0041] In an embodiment of the present invention, a non-elastic
member can connect the floatable element to a bottom portion of a
pump. One or more valves reduce and/or prevent water from escaping
from a bottom portion of a pump.
[0042] An embodiment of the present invention relates to pumping
cooler water found at ocean depths toward the ocean surface water
which is warmer, causing a mixing of the cooler and warmer water
with resulting temperature decrease in the surface water.
[0043] Another embodiment of the present invention relates to using
ocean wave energy to drive a pump according to embodiments of the
present invention brings the cooler water toward the surface. In
another embodiment, the pump of the present invention comprises a
floatable element.
[0044] Another embodiment of the present invention relates to an
elongated flexible cylinder to convey the cooler deep water to the
surface. The elongated flexible cylinder may comprise structural
elements to counteract deformation of the flexible cylinder. In
another embodiment of the present invention, a rigid cylinder is
preferably attached to the bottom of the elongated flexible
cylinder, the rigid cylinder having a valve which opens when the
flexible and rigid cylinders move down and which closes when the
flexible and rigid cylinders move up. The up and down motion is
preferably caused by waves acting on the floatable element.
[0045] Another embodiment of the present invention relates to
spooling the flexible cylinder around the floatable element, to
provide economical storage and transport, and efficient deployment
of the invention when dropped in the water. In this embodiment, the
floatable element is preferably spool-shaped and provided with
eyebolts at each end, to which is optionally attached a cable sling
at the apex of which is preferably attached a cable running down to
the base. The cable sling preferably travels through slots in the
floatable element, such that the floatable element resides in an
upright position once deployed, due to the force of the cable sling
pulling against the slots. By maintaining an upright orientation, a
communications antenna is optionally mountable, as well as control
devices, on the portion of the floatable element that remains above
water.
[0046] In another embodiment, two rigid cylinders are preferably
provided and are attached at each end of the flexible cylinder. In
this embodiment, the uppermost cylinder is preferably provided with
a valve which opens when the cylinder moves up and closes when the
cylinder moves down. The up and down motion is preferably caused by
waves acting on the floatable element.
[0047] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the
flexible cylinder is optionally folded in such a manner that some
air is trapped within the folded material. Upon deployment, the
entrapped air is forced upward into the floatable element by water
entering into the flexible cylinder as it extends down into the
ocean. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to an
angular collar releaseably attached near the top of the rigid
cylinder and permanently attached to the floatable element. The
angular collar preferably provides parachute-like stabilization
when the pump is ejected into the air from a plane or ship. The
angle of the angular collar preferably becomes reversed from impact
with the water, thereby separating it from the rigid cylinder and
extracting the floatable element and the flexible cylinder from
their folded stored position inside the rigid cylinder. As
indicated above, the rigid cylinder and attached flexible cylinder
preferably fill with water as they extend toward the deep ocean.
The water preferably forces the residual air contained within the
folds upward into the floating element.
[0048] In yet other embodiments of the present invention, a system
employs multiple wave-driven pumps of one or more embodiments of
the present invention which redistribute ocean layers, thus
resulting in hurricane intensity reduction; modification of
overland weather patterns caused by ocean regions cycling to cooler
or warmer conditions, for example El Nino/La Nina cycles; cooling
the upper ocean adjacent to coral reefs to reduce bleaching from
warm oceans; enhancing primary production of the ocean, namely
phytoplankton, which also preferably increases the food supply for
zooplankton and the entire food chain, thus preferably improving
ocean fisheries; phytoplankton also preferably absorb CO.sub.2 and
emit O.sub.2 to act against global warming, and when consumed by
higher species such as Salps, excrete carbon pellets which sink to
the ocean floor; to mitigate harmful changes of ocean pH to become
less alkaline; to mitigate hypoxia or anoxia water conditions by
introducing vertical currents; and to compensate for excess
freshwater flowing into the ocean from melting icecaps or glaciers
which could have adverse effects on thermohaline circulation
patterns.
[0049] Other embodiments of the invention can optionally relate to
methods for deploying multiple pumps across a wide expanse of
ocean; tethering multiple such devices to maintain equal spacing
and provide more or less stationary positioning; providing
electronic apparatuses on the pumps such that the pumps can respond
to commands, provide location or ocean condition information,
pumping rates, and the like; optimizing an array of the pump
devices, such that ocean surface conditions are modified in an
efficient manner using a minimum number of the pump devices, and
the like.
[0050] In an embodiment of the present invention which reduces
hurricane intensity, pumps are preferably deployed semi-permanently
in ocean regions such as the Gulf of Mexico, and can be enabled
about 24 to about 48 hours prior to a hurricane passing through the
region. In a sub-embodiment thereof, when not being used to reduce
hurricane intensity, the pumps preferably remain disabled, to avoid
negative effects on the ocean environment that might occur if the
pumps operated continuously. In this embodiment, pump density can
optionally be high, with spacing approximately 50 m to 250 m, thus
giving the quick response time needed. Since hurricane intensity is
greatly affected by the time spent over warm water, and the upper
ocean heat content, it is preferable to activate the pump array in
a manner which maximizes the time duration as well as the
temperature change seen by the hurricane as it passes by.
[0051] In the embodiment of the present invention for increasing
primary production (phytoplankton) by pumping higher nutrient deep
water upwards, thereby increasing CO.sub.2 absorption and
mitigating global warming, and/or to increase the food chain to
support greater wild fish populations, the pump spacing can
optionally be 500 m to 2 km, and the pumps can operate more or less
continuously. In the CO.sub.2 absorption application, large arrays
of pumps can be deployed globally to achieve the desired
absorption. Assuming ocean surface area of 372 million km .sup.2,
and 2,000 arrays of pumps each covering 100,000 km .sup.2, the
total area covered is 200 million km .sup.2 or 54% of the ocean
surface. But since photosynthesis is sunlight-dependent, a seasonal
adjustment of 50% operation is necessary to calculate potential
CO.sub.2 absorption. In recent research it was found that a type of
zooplankton, "Salps", converts CO.sub.2 into carbon pellets at the
rate of 4,000 tons per day per 100,000 km .sup.2. Thus up to 5.3
billion tons of CO.sub.2 could be sequestered annually by this
system, which amounts to nearly 20% of current global CO.sub.2
production by mankind. Unlike power-plant CO.sub.2,
transportation-generated CO.sub.2 is diffusely generated by our
hundreds of millions of vehicles, ships, and planes, and obviously
is not amenable to capture at the source.
[0052] In one embodiment of the present invention, the pumps can
simultaneously improve ocean wild fish populations across
widespread regions of the ocean, as the entire food chain benefits
from the increased primary production. However, wild fish
enhancement can be accomplished on a sub-global scale, for instance
in the 200-mile exclusive economic zones adjacent to our coasts. In
this application, arrays of upwelling pumps with spacing from 500 m
to 2 km could operate more or less continuously to provide the
higher nutrient surface water needed to enhance the food chain,
benefiting every level of species.
[0053] In another embodiment of the present invention,
more-oxygenated surface water is preferably pumped downward. This
embodiment is preferably used in areas of the water body suffering
from low-oxygen bottom conditions which wipe out bottom-feeding
species. In this embodiment, the valve is located in a cylinder at
the top of the tube and configured to open on wave upslope and
close on wave downslope. The tube is weighted with an open cylinder
at the bottom. The water column inside the tube thus moves downward
and exits at the base, where it mixes with the lower-oxygen ambient
water to reverse the hypoxic/anoxic condition. In some applications
it can be desirable to alternate upward and downward pumps, thereby
creating a vertical current to enhance even more the mixing
effects.
[0054] In another embodiment of the present invention, large
influxes of freshwater are preferably mitigated from melting
glaciers and icecaps, which can negatively impact global ocean
circulation, particularly in the North Atlantic. The excessive
freshwater can prevent the circulation from "overturning", with
dramatic effects on weather patterns worldwide. By installing large
numbers of upwelling and/or downwelling pumps in the North Atlantic
region, the mixing-in of excess fresh meltwater is improved and the
overturning circulation is maintained.
[0055] Another embodiment of the present invention relates to ocean
acidity and to ocean warming "hotspots" which adversely affect
coral reefs, an important link in the ocean food web. By absorbing
CO.sub.2 as described above, the ocean pH is higher than otherwise
would be the case, mitigating the greater acidity which is harmful
to the calcium carbonate found in living coral. Furthermore, in
some cases upwelling pumps can be deployed in deeper waters
adjacent and "upstream" from coral reefs that are at risk from
too-warm summertime ocean hotspots. The cooler water brought to the
surface can thus wash over the coral reefs, providing the necessary
mitigation of the hotspot conditions.
[0056] Objects, advantages and novel features, and further scope of
applicability of the present invention will be set forth in part in
the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, and in part will become apparent to those
skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be
learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of
the invention may be realized and attained by means of the
instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the
appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0057] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and
form a part of the specification, illustrate one or more
embodiments of the present invention and, together with the
description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The
drawings are only for the purposes of illustrating one or more
preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed
as limiting the invention. In the drawings:
[0058] FIG. 1A is a front view drawing illustrating an embodiment
of the present invention wherein a pump is disposed in a large body
of water and a wave is forcing the floating element up;
[0059] FIG. 1B is a front view drawing illustrating an embodiment
of the present invention wherein the pump is disposed in a large
body of water and the weight of the pump is pulling the pump
assembly down as a floating element rides down the back slope of a
wave;
[0060] FIG. 2A is a drawing illustrating an embodiment of the
present invention wherein the floating element of the present
invention is connected to an open-top cylinder by a connecting
member;
[0061] FIG. 2B is a perspective view drawing illustrating an
embodiment of the present invention wherein a flexible cylinder is
wrapped around a spool-shaped floatable element;
[0062] FIG. 2C is a side view drawing illustrating an embodiment of
the present invention wherein a flexible cylinder is wrapped around
a spool-shaped floatable element;
[0063] FIG. 3 is a perspective view drawing of an embodiment of the
present invention wherein a flexible cylinder is depending from a
spool-shaped floatable element;
[0064] FIG. 4 is a schematic view drawing illustrating an
embodiment of the present invention wherein multiple flexible
cylinders, each wrapped around a spool-shaped floatable element,
are deployed from a floating apparatus;
[0065] FIG. 5A is a perspective view drawing of an embodiment of
the present invention wherein a drag-inducing collar is removably
disposed on a ridged bottom portion;
[0066] FIG. 5B is a close up view illustrating one embodiment of
how a collar can be snap-fitted to a ridged bottom portion;
[0067] FIG. 6 is a top view drawing illustrating an embodiment of
the present invention wherein a plurality of structural elements is
positioned about a circumference of a flexible cylinder; and
[0068] FIGS. 7A and 7B are top and side views respectively of a
butterfly valve disposed within an embodiment of the pump of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0069] An embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in
FIGS. 1A and 1B. As illustrated therein, pump 10, which is
preferably disposed in a large body of water, such as an ocean,
gulf, or sea, preferably has floating element 12 attached to an
upper portion of cylinder 14. Rigid bottom portion 16 is preferably
attached to a bottom portion of cylinder 14. Although not required,
weighted base 18 is optionally attached to rigid bottom portion 16.
One or more valves 20 are preferably provided at a lower portion of
pump 10. Valves 20 are most preferably disposed on, within, or
adjacent to rigid bottom portion 16. Cylinder 14 preferably
comprises a flexible material, such as polyethylene film. In one
embodiment, one or more slits or openings 22 can be disposed on a
side portion of cylinder 14. In another embodiment of the present
invention, floating element 12 can optionally be eliminated. If
floating element 12 is eliminated, flexible cylinder 14 is
preferably sealed in an air tight manner at its upper portion. In
this embodiment, water that is forced into cylinder 14 through
rigid bottom portion 16 preferably travels toward the sealed upper
end, thus forcing entrapped air toward the sealed upper end.
Because the air is entrapped in the upper portion of cylinder 14,
the upper portion of cylinder 14 thus effectively becomes floating
element 12.
[0070] In another embodiment of the present invention, illustrated
in FIG. 2A, floatable element 12 is preferably not connected to
flexible cylinder 14, thus negating the need for slits or openings
being disposed in the side of cylinder 14. In this embodiment,
inelastic connecting member 24 is preferably used to connect
floatable element 12 to rigid cylinder 13. In one embodiment,
cylinder 14 is preferably wound around floating element 12 as
illustrated in FIGS. 2B-4.
[0071] As illustrated in FIG. 2B, an alternative embodiment of the
present invention preferably comprises one or more attachment
points 40, which can be for example eyebolts, which are preferably
disposed at a central portion of each end of spool-shaped cylinder
42. One or more first cables, ropes, slings, wires, cords, and/or
the like ("first cable") 44 preferably connect each of attachment
points 40 together. Near a central portion of first cable 44, a
proximal end of a second cable, rope, wire, cord, and/or the like
("second cable") 46 preferably connects thereto. A distal end of
second cable 46 preferably connects to a heavy base. In an
alternative embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in
FIG. 2C, one or both sides of the spool-shaped cylinder 42 can
optionally be provided with one or more grooves or protrusions 48
which prevent or otherwise resist the rotation of spool-shaped
cylinder 42 with respect to first cable 44.
[0072] In an embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in
FIG. 4, numerous wound spools can be packed together and stored on
a rack or in a box. In this embodiment, the spools can be allowed
to consecutively roll off of the rack and/or can optionally be
connected to one another such that deployment of one causes each
consecutive pump to be pulled off of a traveling vehicle. In
addition, as further illustrated in FIG. 4, if multiple pumps 10
are deployed in an ocean region and are tethered to one another,
thus reducing interference with passing boats, the tethering
further preferably provides a "sea anchor" effect for the tethered
pump units.
[0073] Because a bottom portion of cylinder 14 preferably comprises
valves 20, rigid bottom portion 16, and optionally weighted base
18, when a spooled pump enters the water, this heavier portion
sinks toward the bottom while floating element 12 preferably
remains at the surface. This causes the spooled pump assembly to be
unrolled and thus results in pump 10 becoming installed. In this
embodiment, while ridged base portion 16 is sinking to the bottom,
water is funneled into flexible cylinder 14 the action of ridged
base portion 16 sinking through the water. When flexible cylinder
14 is fully unwound, flexible cylinder 14 is substantially full of
water which is at a temperature approximately equal to that of the
water which lies directly outside flexible cylinder 14 at a
corresponding depth. As waves then cause the entire pump unit to
move up and down, cool water is then drawn into the base and
successively moved upward with each wave "stroke", forcing the
uppermost water out through the slits formed at the top of the
flexible cylinder just beneath the surface water line. Over time,
the continued wave pumping action deposits cool water at the top
where it mixes with warmer surface water, leading to an averaging
of the temperature difference that formerly existed.
[0074] Alternative embodiments of the present invention are
illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B. As illustrated therein, the
construction of pump 10 is substantially similar as in previous
embodiments, except that flexible cylinder 14 is preferably folded
and stowed within rigid bottom portion 16 and not wrapped around
floating element 12. In these embodiments, floating element 12 can
be stowed within rigid bottom portion 16. Although FIGS. 5A and 5B
illustrate an embodiment of the present invention wherein flexible
cylinder 14 is folded within rigid bottom portion 16 in such a
manner that an floating element 12 is disposed beneath folded
cylinder 14, and thus adjacent valves 20, upon studying this
application, those skilled in the art will recognize that flexible
cylinder 14 can be folded in such a manner that floating element 12
is disposed on top of folded cylinder 14 and folded cylinder 14 is
thus adjacent valves 20.
[0075] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention,
illustrated in the top view drawing of FIG. 6, flexible cylinder 14
is optionally supplemented with one or more structural elements 30.
Structural elements 30 preferably extend substantially parallel
with cylinder 14 and along substantially the entire length thereof.
Structural elements preferably comprise tubular sections which have
diameters substantially less than that of cylinder 14. In one
embodiment, structural elements 30 are preferably formed by
stitching or fusing the material of cylinder 14 onto itself so that
approximately 2 cm to 3 cm diameter tubes are formed on the outside
of the main tube. Each of these tubes preferably comprises a single
continuous opening and have open top portions and open bottom
portions, such that when the pump is deployed, the structural tubes
fill with water. When filled with water, these smaller tubes
provide extra rigidity and increase the ability of cylinder 14 to
resist a collapsing force.
[0076] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a preferred valve 20 of an
embodiment of the present invention, comprising two movable flaps
21', 21'' connected at a common central line.
[0077] In an embodiment of the present invention, the pump is
preferably comprised of a floatable element which rides on the
surface waves of a large body of water. A heavy rigid cylinder,
with an open top and bottom, is attached by an inelastic cable to
the floatable element, and has a valve arrangement, preferably
butterfly-type, incorporated therein. A greatly elongated flexible
tube is attached to the upper edge of the rigid cylinder and
preferably contains the inelastic cable. Due to buoyancy of the
tube material, the tube extends from the heavy rigid cylinder
upward toward the floatable element. The upper end of the tube
material remains underwater during operation, and is open at the
top, allowing water being pumped upward to escape during each wave
cycle. A weight optionally may be attached to the bottom of the
rigid cylinder. As waves pass by the floatable element, it moves up
and down from wave action. Because it is fixedly connected to the
rigid cylinder, this causes the entire pump to move up and down. As
the pump moves down, the force of water acting from beneath the
valve forces the valve open, replenishing water from the deeper
layer into the rigid cylinder and allowing water at the top of the
flexible cylinder to escape and mix into the adjacent upper water
layer. As the pump apparatus begins to move up from the wave
action, pressure from the water contained in the rigid cylinder and
flexible tube causes the valve to close, thus forcing the entire
column of water upward. On the next down stroke, water at the top
of the flexible tube is released to mix with adjacent water. In an
alternative embodiment, slits may be disposed in the side of the
flexible tube to allow the escape of water, in addition to or
rather than escaping when the tube moves downward to release the
water. In another embodiment, the uppermost portion of the flexible
tube may be of a different diameter than the main portion of the
tube, for instance bell shaped, to change the volume of pumped
water allowed to mix on each down stroke. In an alternative
embodiment, the floatable element may be provided with an apparatus
to maintain one portion in the water and another portion out of the
water; and the portion in the water may have a roughened surface to
increase the friction against the water. The roughened surface may
consist of a fishscale effect, providing more friction in one
direction of wave action than in the other direction of wave
action. This preferably allows the up and down motion of the
floatable element to more closely match the wave up and down
motion, thus gaining efficiency.
[0078] Over many wave cycles, the continuous up and down motion
fills the flexible tube with deep ocean water which continually
escapes through the top just below the surface. This generates
mixing of the deeper water into the surface water.
[0079] As a further preferred embodiment, when multiple pumps are
deployed in an ocean region, optionally they may be tethered to one
another at the base, to avoid interference with passing boats, and
to provide a "sea anchor" effect for the multiply tethered pump
units, thereby maintaining relative position of the adjacent
pumps.
[0080] Methods and manners for deploying the numerous required
pumps include loading the pumps on one or more containers on a
ship, which then is operated across swaths of ocean while allowing
the pumps to sequentially roll off into the ocean where they unwind
and thus self-deploy. Alternatively, the multiple pump units can be
dropped from cargo airplanes flying over the ocean.
[0081] In another embodiment, in some oceanic regions, the pumping
of cold deep water also will introduce nutrients to the surface. In
such regions, this can enhance algae production which take in
CO.sub.2 and produce oxygen. In some oceanic regions, the present
invention's ability to stimulate algae production can produce the
side benefit of reducing greenhouse gas (CO.sub.2) concentration
levels and thus slowing global warming. Additionally, reducing the
dissolved CO.sub.2 in ocean water will increase the pH and
counteract trends toward more acidic oceans. This trend is
detrimental to calcium shell formation, needed by many ocean life
forms to grow and form the basis of the ocean food chain.
[0082] Various embodiments of the present invention also optionally
comprise a solar-rechargeable battery or other energy generating
and/or storage device. Upon receiving an electronic command a small
electromechanical device can release the stored energy to tighten
or loosen a noose positioned just below the open top of the tube.
Alternatively, the stored energy may open or close either the
primary valve contained in the rigid cylinder, or a second valve
installed in the tube a distance below the top of the tube. When
either the noose is tightened or the lower or upper valve is
closed, pumping action ceases. The noose-like apparatus may be
fabricated from a material which is predisposed to lie in a
straight line. Therefore, when the opening command is provided,
this predisposition causes the noose to assume a larger
circumference, allowing the water pressure inside the tube to
expand the formerly closed area and allowing water to again exit
the open end of the tube.
[0083] In a further embodiment, the pump unit can be disabled by
nullifying the up and down motion of the buoy on wave peaks and
troughs. This is preferably accomplished by a controllable take-up
and release mechanism which on wave upslopes is counterweighted to
release a portion of the inelastic cable and on wave downslopes is
spring loaded or otherwise designed to take up a portion of the
inelastic cable. The controller may include an accelerometer which
measures the buoy acceleration on wave upsiopes and downslopes and
determines buoy vertical displacement, said displacement being
compensated for in the manner stated, thereby nullifying the
vertical motion of the entire unit.
[0084] Given the elongated dimension of the tube, to gain
efficiency it may be desirable to install additional valves at
various points. This can be accomplished by installing one or more
rigid cylinders with similar butterfly-type valves as provided in
the rigid base. The up and down motion thus preferably causes the
valves to open and close. The tube is preferably attached at the
top edge and bottom edge of the intermediate rigid cylinders, thus
providing a continuous enclosure from the base to the top.
[0085] Although the invention has been described in detail with
particular reference to these preferred embodiments, other
embodiments can achieve the same results. Variations and
modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those
skilled in the art and it is intended to cover in the appended
claims all such modifications and equivalents. The entire
disclosures of all references, applications, patents, and
publications cited above and/or in the attachments, and of the
corresponding application(s), are hereby incorporated by
reference.
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