Ocean Wind Water Pump for De-energizing Storms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hurricanes are difficult to dissipate or weaken using existing methods, as they rely on surface water temperature for energy, and the temperature of water beneath the surface is often lower, necessitating a means to exploit this temperature differential to de-energize storms.
Innovation Solution
An ocean wind water pump system comprising a floatation member, an elongate tube, a wind turbine, and a pump that extends into the water to a depth where the temperature is at least 20°C lower than the surface, pumping cold water into the tube to cool the air stream and deprive the storm of its energy source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If surface water temperature is maintained high to sustain hurricane energy, then storm intensity is increased, but the ability to de-energize the storm is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces cold water from depth as an intermediary substance to transfer thermal energy away from the storm system. The cold water acts as a mediator between the warm surface layer and the cooler deep water, facilitating heat transfer and cooling the air-sea interface to disrupt hurricane convection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the temperature parameter at the air-sea interface by introducing cold water from depth. This parameter change directly affects the thermal energy available to the hurricane, transforming the local thermal conditions from storm-sustaining to storm-suppressing without requiring changes to the overall ocean temperature structure.
2Reliability
If cold water from depth is brought to the surface, then storm energy is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hurricane itself provides the energy to operate the de-energization system. The high winds and waves generated by the storm drive the water pumping mechanism, causing the system to draw cold water from depth and introduce it to the surface. The storm's own energy is thus used to counteract itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful high-energy wave and wind conditions into a useful function. The violent storm conditions that cause damage are also the same conditions that drive the water pumping system, transforming the harmful mechanical energy into a beneficial cooling mechanism.
3Temperature
If water is pumped from great depth, then cooling effectiveness is increased, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pumping system is self-powered by the storm's own wind and wave energy. The mechanical energy required to pump water from depth is supplied by the hurricane's high winds acting on the floatation device and water pump mechanism, eliminating the need for external energy sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces an electrically or mechanically powered pump with a wind- and wave-driven mechanical pumping system. The natural forces of wind and waves directly drive the water displacement mechanism, substituting artificial energy input with natural environmental forces.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively de-energizes storms by maintaining position within the storm and pumping cold water to cool the air stream, disrupting the positive feedback loop that sustains hurricanes, thereby reducing their intensity.
Implementation Method 1
anemometer mounted on the second coaxial counter-rotating shaft
Implementation Method 2
a pump that extends into the water to a depth where the temperature is at least 20°C lower than the surface, pumping cold water into the tube
Implementation Method 3
Water having a temperature less than the temperature of the water at the surface of the body of water is pumped into the manifold and distributed into the elongate tube to cool the stream of air passing through the tube
Data Source
AI summary
An engine for reducing the temperature at the surface of a body of water during a storm includes at least one floatation member for supporting the engine, an elongate tube mounted on the floatation member configured to receive a stream of air therethrough, the elongate tube having first and second ends, a constricted center section therebetween and means for distributing water into the tube adjacent the constricted center section, a wind turbine having at least one rotor, a differential and a shaft connecting the rotor to the differential, a pump operatively connected to the wind turbine and extending into the body of water to a depth where the temperature of the water is less the water temperature at the surface and wherein water from beneath the surface of the body of water is pumped into the manifold and distributed into the elongate tube to cool the stream of air.