초록 ▼

A passive ocean current deflector has an elongated conduit positionable in an ocean with its lower inlet end below the euphotic zone and anchored in place and its upper outlet end positioned in the euphotic zone and retained in place. Ocean currents direct cooler, nutrient rich ocean water into the

A passive ocean current deflector has an elongated conduit positionable in an ocean with its lower inlet end below the euphotic zone and anchored in place and its upper outlet end positioned in the euphotic zone and retained in place. Ocean currents direct cooler, nutrient rich ocean water into the inlet end and upwardly through the conduit to exit out the outlet end to intermix with water in the euphotic zone.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for utilising the current in a large body of water, including an ocean to raise water from a lower region of the body of water, containing colder more nutrient rich water, to an upper region of the body of water, containing warmer less nutrient rich water, comprising the steps of: (a) su

1. A method for utilising the current in a large body of water, including an ocean to raise water from a lower region of the body of water, containing colder more nutrient rich water, to an upper region of the body of water, containing warmer less nutrient rich water, comprising the steps of: (a) submersing a conduit into the body of water, the conduit including a lower end having a lower opening and an upper end having an upper opening, such that the lower opening is in the lower region and the upper opening is in the upper region;(b) anchoring the lower opening in place against movement by the current;(c) maintaining the upper opening downstream from the lower opening so that the conduit is angled from the vertical in a direction downstream from the lower opening wherein the conduit is oriented in a direction with the current and the lower opening is oriented in a generally vertical plane wherein the maintaining is undertaken by utilising the current to maintain the upper opening downstream of the lower opening;(d) utilizing the current to direct the water into the lower opening to flow upwards through the conduit and out the upper opening; andwherein the cross-sectional area of the lower opening is greater than the cross-sectional area of the upper opening. 2. The method as described in claim 1 further comprising, prior to step (a) of claim 1: (a) selecting a location of the body of water where the current at an upper region at the selected location is greater than the current at the lower region of the selected location;(b) determining the distance between the upper region and the lower region;(c) selecting a conduit of appropriate length such that when submersed in accordance with steps (a), (b) and (c) of claim 1, the lower end is at or near the lower region at the selected location and the upper end is at or near the upper region at the selected location. 3. The method as described in claim 2 wherein the selected location is selected based on their being sufficient difference in current at the upper region as compared to the lower region to facilitate the flow of water in the conduit from the lower opening to, and out of, the upper opening. 4. The method as described in claim 1 wherein the cross-sectional area of the lower opening is between 1.5 to 2 times as large as the cross-sectional area of the upper opening. 5. The method as described in claim 4 wherein the lower opening is elliptical with a horizontal diameter of about 50 meters and a vertical diameter of about 70 meters and the upper opening is circular with a diameter of about 30 meters. 6. The method as described in claim 1 wherein after step (b) of claim 1: (a) connecting the upper opening to a float responsive to the current at the upper region of the body of water to cause the upper opening to be oriented downstream of the lower opening. 7. The method as described in claim 6 wherein a cable further acts to support the conduit throughout the length of the conduit. 8. The method as described in claim 7 wherein the conduit comprises a plurality of retainers each connected to a section of the cable to support the conduit along its length. 9. The method as described in claim 1 further comprising, after step (d) of claim 1: (a) decreasing the water temperature at the upper opening by reason of the directing of water at step (d) of claim 1. 10. The method as described in claim 1 further comprising, after step (d) of claim 1: (a) causing nutrients located at the lower region to be raised with the directing of water in the conduit at step (d) of claim 1, to the upper region. 11. The method as described in claim 1 wherein the outer periphery of the lower opening defines a plane that is substantially vertical when the upper opening is maintained in the said position downstream from the lower opening. 12. A method for utilising the current in a large body of water, including an ocean to raise water from a lower region of the body of water, containing colder more nutrient rich water, to an upper region of the body of water, containing warmer less nutrient rich water, comprising the steps of: (a) submersing a conduit into the body of water, the conduit including a lower end having a lower opening and an upper end having an upper opening, such that the lower opening is in the lower region and the upper opening is in the upper region;(b) anchoring the lower opening in place against movement by the current;(c) maintaining the upper opening downstream from the lower opening so that the conduit is angled from the vertical in a direction downstream from the lower opening wherein the conduit is oriented in a direction with the current and the lower opening defines a plane oriented generally perpendicular with the current wherein the maintaining is undertaken by utilizing the current to maintain the upper opening downstream of the lower opening;(d) utilizing the current to direct the water into the lower opening to flow upwards through the conduit and out the upper opening;wherein after step (b): connecting the upper opening to a float responsive to the current at the upper region of the body of water to cause the upper opening to be oriented downstream of the lower opening;wherein a cable further acts to support the conduit throughout the length of the conduit;wherein the conduit comprises a plurality of retainers each connected to a section of the cable to support the conduit along its length; andwherein the conduit comprises a plurality of weights along a length of the conduit positioned substantially opposite the positions of the retainers whereby the weights act on the conduit to put pressure on the cable, to urge the conduit open along its length. 13. The method as described in claim 12 wherein the conduit comprises a plurality of floats along a length of the conduit positioned substantially aligned with the positions of the retainers whereby the floats act on the conduit against the weight of the weights to urge the conduit open along its length. 14. A method for utilising the current in a large body of water, including an ocean to raise water from a lower region of the body of water, containing colder more nutrient rich water, to an upper region of the body of water, containing warmer less nutrient rich water, comprising the steps of: (a) submersing a conduit into the body of water, the conduit including a lower end having a lower opening and an upper end having an upper opening, such that the lower opening is in the lower region and the upper opening is in the upper region;(b) anchoring the lower opening in place against movement by the current;(c) maintaining the upper opening downstream from the lower opening so that the conduit is angled from the vertical in a direction downstream from the lower opening wherein the conduit is oriented in a direction with the current and the lower opening is oriented in a generally vertical plane wherein the maintaining is undertaken by utilising the current to maintain the upper opening downstream of the lower opening;(d) utilizing the current to direct the water into the lower opening to flow upwards through the conduit and out the upper opening; andwherein the outer periphery of the upper opening defines a plane that is substantially vertical when the upper opening is maintained in the said position downstream from the lower opening. 15. The method as described in claim 14 wherein the outer peripheries of the lower and upper openings define respective planes that are substantially vertical when the upper opening is maintained in the said position downstream from the lower opening. 16. A method for utilising the current in a large body of water, including an ocean to raise water from a lower region of the body of water, containing colder more nutrient rich water, to an upper region of the body of water, containing warmer less nutrient rich water, comprising the steps of: (a) submersing a conduit into the body of water, the conduit including a lower end having a lower opening and an upper end having an upper opening, such that the lower opening is in the lower region and the upper opening is in the upper region;(b) anchoring the lower opening in place against movement by the current;(c) maintaining the upper opening downstream from the lower opening so that the conduit is angled from the vertical in a direction downstream from the lower opening wherein the conduit is oriented in a direction with the current and the lower opening is oriented in a generally vertical plane wherein the maintaining is undertaken by utilising the current to maintain the upper opening downstream of the lower opening;(d) utilizing the current to direct the water into the lower opening to flow upwards through the conduit and out the upper opening; andwherein the outer periphery of the lower opening defines a plane that is angled in respect of the side of the conduit by an angle between approximately 45 to 60 degrees. 17. A passive current deflector for raising water and embedded nutrients from a lower region of a large body of water, including an ocean, having a current, the deflector comprising: (a) a conduit suitable for submersing into the body of water, the conduit including a lower end having a lower opening and an upper end having an upper opening;(b) an anchor connected to the lower end for maintaining the lower opening in place against movement by the current;(c) a float responsive to the current for maintaining the upper opening downstream from the lower opening so that in use: (i) the conduit is angled from the vertical in a direction downstream from the lower opening, (ii) the conduit is oriented in a direction with the current so that the lower opening is aligned with the current and, (iii) the lower opening is oriented in a generally vertical plane;wherein, due to the position of the conduit in use, the current directs water into the lower opening causing it to flow upwards through the conduit and out the upper opening; andwherein the cross-sectional area of the lower opening is greater than the cross-sectional area of the upper opening. 18. The deflector as described in claim 17 further comprising a second anchor to assist in maintaining the upper opening in the said position. 19. The deflector as described in claim 17 wherein the cross-sectional area of the lower opening is between 1.5 to 2 times as large as the cross-sectional area of the upper opening. 20. The deflector as described in claim 17 wherein the lower opening is elliptical with a horizontal diameter of about 50 meters and the upper opening is circular with a diameter of about 30 meters. 21. The deflector as described in claim 17 further comprising a cable connecting the anchor to the lower end, the cable extending substantially along the length of the conduit to support the conduit when in use. 22. The deflector as described in claim 21 wherein the cable connects the float to the upper end. 23. The deflector as described in claim 17 wherein the outer periphery of one or both of the lower opening and upper opening define respective planes that are substantially vertical when in the said position. 24. The deflector as described in claim 17 further comprising vanes extending outwardly form the lower opening responsive to the current flow to urge the periphery of the opening outwardly to maintain the shape of the opening. 25. The deflector as described in claim 17 wherein the outer periphery of one or both of the lower opening and upper opening define respective planes that are angled in respect of the side of the conduit by an angle between approximately 45 to 60 degrees. 26. A passive current deflector for raising water and embedded nutrients from a lower region of a large body of water, including an ocean, having a current, the deflector comprising: (a) a conduit suitable for submersing into the body of water, the conduit including a lower end having a lower opening and an upper end having an upper opening;(b) an anchor connected to the lower end for maintaining the lower opening in place against movement by the current;(c) a float responsive to the current for maintaining the upper opening downstream from the lower opening so that in use: (i) the conduit is angled from the vertical in a direction downstream from the lower opening, (ii) the conduit is oriented in a direction with the current so that the lower opening is aligned with the current and, (iii) the lower opening defines a plane oriented generally perpendicular with the current;(d) a cable connecting the anchor to the lower end, the cable extending substantially along the length of the conduit to support the conduit when in use, wherein the cable connects the float to the upper end;wherein the conduit comprises a plurality of weights along a length of the conduit positioned substantially opposite the position of the cable, such that when in use the weights act on the conduit to put pressure on the cable, to urge the conduit open along its length; andwherein, due to the position of the conduit in use, the current directs water into the lower opening causing it to flow upwards through the conduit and out the upper opening. 27. The deflector as described in claim 26 wherein the conduit comprises a plurality of floats along a length of the conduit positioned substantially aligned with the cable whereby the floats act on the conduit against the weight of the weights to urge the conduit open along its length.