Patent ID: 7262360
Filing Date: 2007-08-28
Classification: B63B,B63G,B63H,B63J,H01L

Abstract:
1. An underwater power generator comprising: an underwater vessel for navigating through a body of water in order to transit through an underwater thermocline having a temperature range, said underwater vessel including a shell; at least a portion of said shell of said underwater vessel made from a thermally conductive material, said portion having an outer surface in contact with the body of water and an inner surface opposing said outer surface and not in contact with the body of water; a plurality of thermo-to-electric energy converters electrically coupled together, each of said plurality of thermo-to-electric energy converters having a first surface and a second surface with said first surface being thermally coupled to said inner surface of said portion of said shell; and a phase change material thermally coupled to each said second surface of said plurality of thermo-to-electric energy converters, said phase change material having a phase change temperature that is approximately equal to an average of upper and lower temperature extremes of said temperature range of said underwater thermocline, wherein said plurality of thermo-to-electric energy converters generate electrical power as said underwater vessel navigates through the body of water so that said underwater vessel transits through said underwater thermocline.