Apparatus and methods for energy conversion in an ocean environment
First Claim
1. A deep water hydrogen generation system comprisinga deep water hydrogen generator comprising a transfer chamber for being submerged underwater at great depths and having a water inlet for water to be electrolyzed to enter said transfer chamber, an electrolysis unit for electrolyzing the water in said transfer chamber to generate compressed hydrogen gas in said transfer chamber, a transport member within said transfer chamber defining a transport channel for the compressed hydrogen gas, said transport member having a hydrogen gas inlet for directing the compressed hydrogen gas into said transport channel and having a hydrogen gas outlet for removal of the compressed hydrogen gas from said transfer chamber, and a flotation member within said transfer chamber movable in response to the level of the water in said transfer chamber to open and close said water inlet and said hydrogen gas inlet;
- and a source of electrical power coupled with said hydrogen generator for supplying electricity to electrolyze the water.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A wave power generator is characterized by an elongate inner member extending vertically in a body of water with its lower end constrained against vertical movement beneath the surface of the water, and an elongate outer flotation member mounted for linear movement along the length of the inner member in response to wave action. The outer member moves along the inner member with the length of the outer member extending along the length of the inner member. Movement of the outer member relative to and along the inner member effects relative linear movement between a coil and magnet to generate electrical power. The wave power generators may be used to supply electrical power to deep water hydrogen generators in which water is electrolyzed at great depths underwater to generate compressed hydrogen gas.
119 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A deep water hydrogen generation system comprising
a deep water hydrogen generator comprising a transfer chamber for being submerged underwater at great depths and having a water inlet for water to be electrolyzed to enter said transfer chamber, an electrolysis unit for electrolyzing the water in said transfer chamber to generate compressed hydrogen gas in said transfer chamber, a transport member within said transfer chamber defining a transport channel for the compressed hydrogen gas, said transport member having a hydrogen gas inlet for directing the compressed hydrogen gas into said transport channel and having a hydrogen gas outlet for removal of the compressed hydrogen gas from said transfer chamber, and a flotation member within said transfer chamber movable in response to the level of the water in said transfer chamber to open and close said water inlet and said hydrogen gas inlet; - and
a source of electrical power coupled with said hydrogen generator for supplying electricity to electrolyze the water. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of producing compressed hydrogen gas at great underwater depths comprising the steps of
deploying a transfer chamber under water at a great depth; -
introducing water to be electrolyzed into the transfer chamber via a water inlet of the transfer chamber;
supplying electrical power to an electrolysis unit;
electrolyzing the water in the transfer chamber with the electrolysis unit to generate compressed hydrogen gas within the transfer chamber;
directing the compressed hydrogen gas into a transport channel within the transfer chamber via a hydrogen gas inlet of the transport channel;
allowing a flotation member to rise and fall within the transfer chamber in accordance with the level of the water in the transfer chamber; and
closing and opening the hydrogen gas inlet and the water inlet in response to the rise and fall of the flotation member. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification