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Title: Apparatus for harnessing wave motion and solar energy and coriolis acceleration of nature for solar distillation use

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6453636

Individually useable wave-powered pumping means, solar distillation means, and cyclonic wind generating means, together with a system which employs each of them for harnessing natural energy sources are disclosed. Wave and solar energy, together with coriolis acceleration are employed in the system which includes a basin for water situated near an ocean, or other such body of water, having a surface subject to wave action. A solar energy transmitting cover is provided over the basin for solar heating, and evaporation of water contained therein. Vapor condensing means are located adjacent the bottom of the basin, and an upwardly extending inlet conduit, or passageway, connects the condenser to a source of water vapor above the water surface of the covered basin. Cooled air, and distilled water, are discharged from the condenser to a location outside the covered basin. Due to Coriolis acceleration, air enters the inlet conduit to the condenser with a rotational, or cyclonic, motion and wind driven means are located in the rotating air path for drive rotation thereof. Cooling fluid for the vapor condensing means is provided by relatively cold ocean water pumped into the basin by wave operated piston pumping means which includes an elongated upright cylinder anchored to the ocean floor near the shore. A piston, with an attached upwardly extending piston rod, is reciprocally movable within the cylinder. A surface float is attached to the piston rod for upward movement thereof as the float moves upwardly with a wave crest. Gravity returns the piston to a lowered position as the float travels downwardly from the wave crest to a wave trough. The piston is provided with inlet, check valve means through which ocean water passes into the upper end of the cylinder on the gravity-produced downstroke of the piston. Discharge, check, valve means are included in the connection of the pump cylinder to the basin to prevent reverse flow of ocean water therein.

Assignee:
EDB-84-189446
Patent Number(s):
US 4442887
OSTI ID:
6453636
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: Filed date 12 Jul 1979; Other Information: PAT-APPL-53828
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English