초록 ▼

A floating structure is used for transforming thermal energy in sea water into another form of energy, such as electrical energy. The structure consists of a floating body with a tube extending downwardly from the center of the body for a considerable depth into the water for drawing cooler water up

A floating structure is used for transforming thermal energy in sea water into another form of energy, such as electrical energy. The structure consists of a floating body with a tube extending downwardly from the center of the body for a considerable depth into the water for drawing cooler water upwardly for use in the energy transformation process. The floating body may be a single floating element or a group of such elements connected together, preferably in a symmetrical arrangement. The floating element includes a downwardly open air chamber in its lower surface. The outer wall of the air chamber forms a number of passageways for drawing warmer sea water upwardly from near the water surface for use in the energy transformation process.

대표청구항 ▼

Floating structure supported on a body of sea water having a water surface for transforming the thermal energy in warmer sea water located near the water surface into other forms of energy, particularly electrical energy, comprising a floating body, means positioned within said floating body for tra

Floating structure supported on a body of sea water having a water surface for transforming the thermal energy in warmer sea water located near the water surface into other forms of energy, particularly electrical energy, comprising a floating body, means positioned within said floating body for transforming the thermal energy of the warmer sea water into another form of energy, a tube depending downwardly from said floating body for a considerable depth below the water surface for conveying cooler sea water into said means, wherein the improvement comprises that said floating body is formed of one of reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete and includes a platform forming the upper exterior surface of said floating body and located upwardly from the water surface, said tube is formed of one of reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete and extends substantially vertically downward from said floating body, a bending-resistant connection formed of one of reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete interconnects said tube and said floating body, said floating body including wall means formed of one of reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete with at least one portion of said wall means extending downwardly from said platform to below the water surface and another portion extending transversely of the downward direction above the lower end of said one portion and below said platform so that said portions define a downwardly open annular chamber in said floating body extending inwardly from the inner surface of said one portion of said wall means toward said tube with said chamber being open at the lower end thereof so that water enters into and partially fills said chamber with an air cushion being formed above the water level in the chamber and said portions formed to retain the air cushion, said one portion of said wall means including an annular shaped wall extending downwardly from said platform and defining the laterally outer border of said chamber and said tube having a length downwardly from said bending-resistant connection of at least twice the diameter of said floating body.