The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 15, 2014
Filed:
Sep. 30, 2011
Nicholas J. Nagurny, Manassas, VA (US);
Eugene C. Jansen, Dumfries, VA (US);
Natalie B. Levings, North Richland Hills, TX (US);
Stephen L. Bailey, Los Gatos, CA (US);
Robert J. Howard, Walkersville, MD (US);
Nicholas J. Nagurny, Manassas, VA (US);
Eugene C. Jansen, Dumfries, VA (US);
Natalie B. Levings, North Richland Hills, TX (US);
Stephen L. Bailey, Los Gatos, CA (US);
Robert J. Howard, Walkersville, MD (US);
Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bethesda, MD (US);
Abstract
A pontoon that includes infrastructure for fluidically coupling a heat exchanger or heat exchanger module into each of the seawater and working-fluid distribution systems of an OTEC power generation system is provided. In some embodiments, a pontoon comprises: (1) a first passage for conveying seawater between a first port and a second port at which a heat exchanger module can be connected; and (2) a conduit and connectors for connecting the heat exchanger module and the working fluid circulation system—even while the heat exchanger module is submerged. In some embodiments, pontoons in accordance with the present invention enable heat exchangers or heat exchanger modules to be added or removed to an OTEC system without disrupting the operation of other heat exchangers or heat exchanger modules in use in the OTEC system.