Apparatus for collecting and transporting fluids in a body of water

Abstract

An apparatus for transporting fluids in a body of water, the apparatus including a surface structure, a plurality of flexible modular elements extending from the surface structure, and a plurality of connecting rings that connect the surface structure and the plurality of modular elements to each other, where at least one of the connecting rings is a two-piece structure that includes a top half and a bottom half.

1 . An apparatus for transporting fluids in a body of water, the apparatus comprising:
 a surface structure;   a base structure made of a flexible material;   a plurality of modular elements disposed between and connecting the base structure and the surface structure and made of a flexible material;   a plurality of connecting rings that connect the surface structure, the base structure and the plurality of modular elements to each other;   a plurality of means for anchoring the base structure; and   a plurality of vertical lines extending between the surface structure, the plurality of modular elements, the base structure, and the means for anchoring the base structure,   wherein a plurality of reinforcing elements extend between connecting rings located on each end of the modular elements.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the connecting rings is a two-piece structure comprising a top half and a bottom half. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the top half of the two-piece connecting ring attaches to a bottom end of a first modular element and the bottom half of the two-piece connecting ring attaches to a top end of a second modular element. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the first and second modular elements are attached to one another by connecting the top half of the two-piece connecting ring to the bottom half of the two-piece connecting ring. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the connecting rings are torus-shaped fabric structures that are filled with water and super pressurized by bladders filled with oil. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the flexible material is a fabric membrane. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least the plurality of modular elements are constructed as double walled structures having an interior wall, an exterior wall, and a gap therebetween. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the surface structure is a means for collecting fluids. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein a vertical position of the means for collecting fluids can be adjusted from a location at a water surface to a depth below the water surfaced. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is used to transport oil. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is used in an OTEC process. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the surface structure attaches to an OTEC platform. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein an interior surface of the plurality of modular elements includes an anti-adhesive coating. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for transporting fluids in a body of water, the apparatus comprising:
 a surface structure;   a plurality of flexible modular elements extending from the surface structure; and   a plurality of connecting rings that connect the surface structure and the plurality of modular elements to each other,   wherein at least one of the connecting rings is a two-piece structure comprising a top half and a bottom half.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the top half of the two-piece connecting ring attaches to a bottom end of a first modular element and the bottom half of the two-piece connecting ring attaches to a top end of a second modular element 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the first and second modular elements are attached to one another by connecting the top half of the two-piece connecting ring to the bottom half of the two-piece connecting ring. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the flexible modular elements comprise a fabric material. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the apparatus is used in an OTEC process. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein prior to deployment, the plurality of modular elements are folded such that their pre deployed volume is less than their deployed volume. 
     
     
         20 . A method of transporting cold water for use in an OTEC process, the method comprising the steps of:
 constructing the apparatus as claimed in  claim 14  at a location in a body of water; and   transporting cold water within the apparatus from a depth in the body of water to a location where the OTEC process is in operation.   
     
     
         21 . A system for generating renewable energy, the system comprising:
 a plant for processing large volumes of water transported from a body of water, wherein the plant includes a platform; and   a tubular structure for transporting the large volumes of water, the tubular structure comprising:
 a surface structure for attaching to the platform; 
 a plurality of flexible modular elements extending from the surface structure; and 
 a plurality of connecting rings that connect the surface structure and the plurality of modular elements to each other. 
   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the connecting rings is a two-piece structure comprising a top half and a bottom half.