Water alteration structure movement method and system

• US 20090175685A1
• Filed: 01/03/2008
• Published: 07/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Enterprise Science Fund, LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Chan, Alistair K., Caldeira, Kenneth G., Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Myhrvold, Nathan P., Tegreene, Clarence T., Wood, Lowell L. JR., Latham, John, Hyde, Roderick A., Bowers, Jeffrey A., Gates, William H. III, Kare, Jordin T., Salter, Stephen H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,679,331 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 405/52
• CPC Class Codes: E02B 1/003 Mechanically induced gas or liquid streams in seas, lakes or water-courses for forming weirs or breakwaters; making or keeping water surfaces free from ice, aerating or circulating water, e.g. screens of air-bubbles against sludge formation or salt water entry, pump-assisted water circulation moving sediments E02B3/023; for ice breakers B63B35/08; aerating or circulating water in fish-tanks A01K63/042; purification of waste water with addition of air C02F; distributing gases in liquids in general B01F23/20
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/30 Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient

Abstract

A structure described generally for altering one or more properties within a body of water includes a vessel configured to hold water. The vessel may have at least one wall. The at least one wall extends at least above a mean surface water level. At least one conduit extends downward from the holding vessel. The at least one conduit has a length that extends below the surface of the water. A propulsion system may be coupled to at least one of the vessel or the conduit and may be configured to provide forces to the vessel.

Claims

1. A structure for altering one or more properties within a body of water, comprising:

a vessel configured to hold water, the vessel having at least one wall, the at least one wall extending at least above a mean surface water level;

at least one conduit extending downward from the holding vessel, the at least one conduit having a length extending substantially below the surface of the water; and

a propulsion system coupled to at least one of the vessel or the conduit and configured to provide force to the vessel.

2. The structure of claim 1, wherein at least one conduit extends to a depth at which the properties to be altered differ substantially from their values at the surface.

3. The structure of claim 1, wherein the propulsion system comprises a propeller.

4. The structure of claim 1, wherein the propulsion system comprises a reaction device.

5. The structure of claim 1, wherein the propulsion system comprises a reaction device that propels water.

6. The structure of claim 1, wherein the propulsion system comprises a reaction device that propels air.

7. The structure of claim 1, wherein the propulsion system comprises a fuel driven device.

8. The structure of claim 1, wherein the propulsion system comprises a wind driven device.

9. The structure of claim 1, wherein the propulsion system comprises solar driven device.

10. The structure of claim 1, wherein the propulsion system comprises a wave driven device.

11. The structure of claim 1, wherein the propulsion system comprises an electrically driven device.

12. The structure of claim 1, wherein the propulsion system comprises a stored energy driven device.

13. The structure of claim 1, wherein the propulsion system comprises a sea-anchor.

14. A system for altering one or more properties within a body of water, comprising:

a vessel configured to hold water, the vessel having at least one wall, the at least one wall extending at least above a mean surface water level;

at least one conduit extending downward from the holding vessel, the at least one conduit having a length extending substantially below the surface of the water; and

at least one watercraft coupled to at least one of the vessel or the conduit and configured to provide force to the vessel.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein at least one conduit extends to a depth at which the properties to be altered differ substantially from their values at the surface.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the watercraft comprises a tugboat.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the force is provided by pulling at least one of the vessel or the conduit.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the force is provided by pushing at least one of the vessel or the conduit.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the watercraft is coupled to a propulsion system.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein multiple vessels or conduits are coupled together.

21. The system of claim 14, wherein multiple vessels or conduits are coupled together and towed by the watercraft.

22. The system of claim 14, wherein multiple vessels or conduits are coupled together and pushed by the watercraft.

23. A method of maintaining a water alteration system, comprising:

providing at least one water alteration vessel, the vessel being configured to hold water, the vessel having at least one wall, the at least one wall extending at least above a mean surface water level and at least one conduit extending downward from the holding vessel, the at least one conduit having a length extending substantially below the surface of the water; and

attending the at least one water alteration vessels by at least one watercraft.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein at least one conduit extends to a depth at which the properties to be altered differ substantially from their values at the surface.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

providing fuel to a power source on board the vessel from the watercraft.

26. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

linking more than one vessel together.

27. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

linking more than one vessel together and providing force to the more than one vessel by the watercraft.

28. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

providing force to the at least one vessel by the watercraft.

29. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

providing maintenance services to the at least one vessel.

30. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

maintaining a controlled position of at least one vessel.

31. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

maintaining at least one vessel within a controlled region.

32. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

causing at least one vessel to travel along a controlled path.

33. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

maintaining at least one vessel in a controlled relationship relative to other vessels.

34. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

maintaining multiple vessels in a controlled relationship relative to each other.

35. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

maintaining multiple vessels in a controlled density.

36. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

maintaining vessels within a controlled range of each other.