Abstract:
An invention for transporting material is described. The material, which may be or include a liquid or particles, be transported floats on and flows on a more dense fluid. Standing waves may be induced in the more dense fluid, and devices are provided to either force the transported fluid in a direction, or to prevent the transported fluid from flowing in a direction counter to the flow direction. The inventive apparatus and method have the ability to transport fluids long distances with much less frictional losses than convention technology.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention generally relates to apparatus and methods for transporting materials, which may include fluids, and more particularly to a method and system for efficiently transporting fluids over long distances. 
         [0003]    2. Discussion of the Background 
         [0004]    The transport of fluids, such as water or oil, over long distances may be accomplished by shipping or by transport through a dedicated fixed system of pipes or conduits. While the use of a conduits or pipe is effective, this technique has several problems. First, the fluid experiences drag on walls of the conduit, requiring a large amount of energy to overcome frictional losses. In addition, if the system relies on gravity to provide flow, then it is also necessary to provide a consistent slope to the system over long distances. 
         [0005]    There is a need in the art for a method and apparatus that permits the more efficient transport of material over large distances. Such a method and apparatus should be simple to construct and operate, consume less power than conventional conduits or pipes, and be less affected by the slope of the ground on which the conduit or pipes rest. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of prior art by providing an apparatus and method wherein materials are transported with less frictional losses. Thus, for example, a transported fluid floats on a denser fluid. The denser fluid oscillates with no net motion, while a flow is induced in the transported fluid. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided to accept two or more fluids. The two or more fluids include a first fluid, less dense fluid, to be transported and a second, denser fluid that remains stationary. The apparatus includes: a channel to accept the two or more fluids; a first means to produce periodic standing waves one fluid; and a second means to induce a net motion of the less dense fluid in the flow direction. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, a method is provided to accept one or more fluids and transport a first fluid of the one or more accepted fluids in a flow direction. The method includes: accepting one or more fluids in a channel; imparting a periodic standing wave to the accepted fluids, where said standing wave is generally aligned with the flow direction; and providing means to inhibit the flow of the accepted first fluid in a direction counter to said flow direction. 
         [0009]    These features together with the various ancillary provisions and features which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, are attained by the fluid transporting method and device of the present invention, preferred embodiments thereof being shown with reference to the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, wherein: 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0010]      FIGS. 1 and 2  are top and side views, respectively, of one embodiment of a material transport apparatus; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  3 C, and  3 D are sequential side views of an embodiment illustrating the up and down motion of the fluid; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4A  is a side view illustrating a second embodiment of an apparatus for transporting a fluid; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4B  is a side view illustrating an alternative second embodiment of an apparatus for transporting a fluid; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are side views of an embodiment of an oscillatory device; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 6A ,  6 B, and  6 C are side views illustrating a third embodiment of an apparatus for transporting a fluid; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 7A ,  7 B, and  7 C are side views illustrating a fourth embodiment of an apparatus for transporting a fluid; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7D  is a side view illustrating an alternative embodiment fourth embodiment of an apparatus for transporting a fluid; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a side view illustrating a fifth embodiment of an apparatus for transporting a fluid; and 
           [0019]      FIGS. 9A ,  9 B,  9 C, and  9 D are four sequential side views illustrating one embodiment of the apparatus of  FIG. 8 . 
       
    
    
       [0020]    Reference symbols are used in the Figures to indicate certain components, aspects or features shown therein, with reference symbols common to more than one Figure indicating like components, aspects or features shown therein. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    In general, embodiments are presented of an apparatus and method for transporting material across long distances. The material may be, for example and without limitation, a fluid, such as a liquid, or may be a slurry or suspension that contains particles suspended or floating on the liquid, thereby enabling transport of solid particles as well. In general, such particles must have a density less than or equal to the transporting fluid. Solid particles themselves can consist of encapsulated third phases, for example, silica or polymer microballoons containing other fluids or particles. 
         [0022]    Certain embodiments provide a channel or other conduit that induces longitudinal movement of at least one fluid along the length of the channel. In certain other embodiments, for example and without limitation, a transported fluid floats on a fluid within a channel. The fluid may be deformed by oscillatory motion as a standing wave, and means may be provided to induce longitudinal movement transported fluid perpendicular to the channel width. 
         [0023]      FIGS. 1 and 2  are general schematic representations of embodiments of the invention, where  FIG. 1  is a top view and  FIG. 2  is a side view  2 - 2  of a material transport apparatus channel  100 . Channel  100  is adapted to contain one or more fluids, illustrated for example as fluids  10 ,  20 , and  30 , which do not form part of the present invention. Channel  100  may include one or more devices (not shown) within fluid  10 ,  20 , or  30  to facilitate the flow of fluid  10  in the channel. The cross-section of channel  100  has a depth along a “y” axis and a width along a “z” axis. Channel  100  also has a length perpendicular to the cross-sectional area and having associated “x” direction. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , channel  100  has channel sides  101  and  103  with height H and length L, and a channel bottom  105 . In general, fluid  10  moves in a direction from x=0 to x=L. It is understood that fluid  10  may be provided from channel  100  at x=0 and extracted from the channel at x=L. 
         [0024]    In one embodiment, channel  100  has a rectangular cross-section of width W and a height H. Alternatively, channel  100  may some curvature along its length. Channel  100  is approximately horizontal. 
         [0025]    Channel  100  may be used to transport a fluid, such as fluid  10 , in a direction indicated by an arrow V. A second, denser fluid  20  is relatively stationary compared to fluid  10 . Thus for example, a fluid  10  to be transported is shown as having a fluid upper surface  11  and a lower surface  12 , which is also the upper surface of fluid  20 . 
         [0026]    Channel  100  may also be used to transport particles. Thus, for example and without limitation, the fluid  10  may include particles of neutral density in the first fluid, or of a density less than that of the first fluid, thereby enabling transport of particles with the net flow of the first fluid. The particles themselves may consist of encapsulated third phases such as other liquids or cargo of various materials and devices. For example, such particles may be silica or polymer microballoons containing other fluids or materials or devices. 
         [0027]    In several embodiments, surface  11  has a wavelike structure about an average height A, and surface  12  has a wavelike structure about an average B. Average surfaces A and B are horizontal. The combined average depth of fluids  10  and  20  is shown as depth D, with fluid  10  having an average depth D 1  and fluid  20  having an average depth D 2  and may bound on the bottom by channel bottom  105 . Fluid upper surface  11  may be a free surface, bound by air, or, alternatively, as shown optionally in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , by a lighter fluid  30  that floats on fluid  10 . 
         [0028]    An average longitudinal motion (flow) of fluid  10  is induced in the x direction, at least in part, by the repeated up-and-down motion of the bottom, or lower surface  12 , of the fluid. As one example,  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  3 C, and  3 D are sequential side views of an embodiment illustrating the up and down motion of the fluid, showing the displacement of fluid lower surface  12  at four sequential times during a periodic cycle. As described subsequently, embodiments of the present invention induce a periodic motion in the fluid lower surface  12  about an average B. In response to the motion of lower surface  12 , fluid upper surface  11  oscillates about an average A. Under the proper circumstance, the oscillations of surfaces  11  and  12  result in a net flow of fluid  10  perpendicular to the oscillations, in the x direction. 
         [0029]    While fluid  10  has a net flow in the x direction, fluid  20  has little or no net flow in the x direction. As described in several of the embodiments, fluid  20  executes a substantially stationary oscillatory motion which perturbs surface  12 . Thus fluid  10  is transported over fluid  20 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 4A  is a side view of a second embodiment channel  400  of the material transport apparatus. Channel  400  is generally similar to channel  100 , and may include elements or features that may be present in channel  100 , except as explicitly stated. 
         [0031]    Channel  400  includes a plurality of oscillatory devices  50 . Each oscillatory device  50  extends along the width W, and is located at regular intervals l with fluid  20 . Channel  400  is generally similar to channel  100 , except as where explicitly noted. As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , devices  50  produce waves in fluid  10  having a wavelength λ, which is equal to length l. 
         [0032]    Oscillatory device  50  may include, for example and without limitation, one or more vertical, oscillatory plates that extend upwards from the channel bottom.  FIGS. 5A and 5B  are side views of an embodiment of an oscillatory device  50 , illustrating two positions of the oscillatory device. Each oscillatory device  50  includes a first device  510  and a second device  520 . Each device  510 ,  520  includes a plate  517 ,  527 , respectively, extending a height h above channel bottom  105  and which spans width W of channel  400 . Plate  517  is coupled to bottom  105  through a linkage  515  connected to bottom mounted motors  511 ,  513 . Plate  527  is coupled to bottom  105  through a linkage  525  connected to bottom mounted motors  521 ,  523 . Motors  511 ,  513 ,  521 ,  513  move plates  517 ,  527  between a spacing S 1  and S 2 , as indicated in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . The motion of plates  517 ,  527  between spacing  51  and S 2  disturbs the fluid in which it is immersed, resulting in an up and down wave action, as in  FIGS. 3A-C , where the waves gradually build up by resonance. The device performs vigorous action to build the wave, and then settles into small gentle motion to sustain the waves. 
         [0033]    As examples, which are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention, the average depth of fluid  20 , D 2 , may be 8 feet, the height D 1  may be 2 feet, the distance between each plate  517 ,  527  is, on average, 12 feet, with S 1 =8 feet and S 2 =16 feet, resulting in a length l of 40 feet. 
         [0034]      FIG. 4A  also illustrates alternative additional devices  52 . Devices  52  have a spacing l and direct air flow in the direction V. Devices  52  may be jet of air that direct air to provide surface  11  with a force on the crest of surface  11  that forces it slightly ahead of that of surface  12 . In this way, flow of fluid  10  is induced to the next standing wave during each oscillatory period, and there is a net movement of fluid in the direction V during each cycle. Fluid  20  remains essentially stationary, having little or no net motion in the x direction. 
         [0035]      FIG. 4B  is a side view of an alternative second embodiment channel  410 . Channel  410  is generally similar to channels  100  and  400 , and may include elements or features that may be present in channels  100  or  410 , except as explicitly stated. 
         [0036]    Channel  410  includes devices  54  that are placed at regular intervals l along the channel. Devices  54 , each having a bottom surface  55  may be fixed or may move up and down, as indicated by the vertical double arrows, to coincide with the rising surface  11  to urge fluid  10  downstream. Alternatively, devices  54  could descend onto the top surface of the fluid  10  at ⅛ of each cycle before nearby peaks of fluid  20  forms. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 6A ,  6 B, and  6 C are side views illustrating a third embodiment of a channel  600  for transporting a fluid. Channel  600  is generally similar to channels  100  or  400 , and may include elements or features that may be present in channel  100  or  400 , except as explicitly stated. 
         [0038]    More specifically,  FIGS. 6A ,  6 B, and  6 C are illustrations of a portion of channel  600  at three sequential times during a cycle of period T of standing waves in fluid  10 , where  FIG. 6A  is at time t=0,  FIG. 6B  at time t=T/4 and  FIG. 6C  at time t=T/2. 
         [0039]    Channel  600  includes a plurality of barriers  601 , several of which are individually labeled  601   a - f . Each barrier  601  extends the width W of channel  600  and may be support at sides  101 ,  103 . Each barrier  601  extends down to the same location C in the channel. The location C is above the average position B of surface  12 , and thus protrudes fully into fluid  10  at certain portions of a standing wave cycle and does not protrude fully into fluid  10  at other times. 
         [0040]    Individual barriers  601  are located at half-wave locations, spaced by l/2, for example. Further, barriers  601  are located at positions slightly “upstream” of the peak/trough location by a distance δ, i.e. just before each crest. 
         [0041]    As fluid  10  oscillates between curved and flat, as indicated in  FIGS. 6A-6C , surface  12  drops below some barriers  601 , permitting the fluid to flow, as indicated by arrow F during each half cycle, providing a net flow of fluid  10 . Specifically, due to the gap g between surface  12  and barrier  601 , fluid  10  may collect in troughs of surface  12  between alternate barriers  601 . Thus, for example,  FIG. 6A  shows that some barriers, such as barriers  601   a ,  601   c , and  601   e , extend through fluid  10  and thus prevent backflow past these barriers. Some barriers, such as barriers  601   b ,  601   d , and  601   f , have some space below location C through which fluid  10  may flow. As a result of the gap g, some net flow F of fluid  10  may flow and collect in a trough, such as trough T 1 . 
         [0042]    As surface  12  recedes, as in  FIG. 6B , there may be some backflow of fluid  10 . In  FIG. 6C , fluid  20  crests and contacts near other alternate barriers  601 , causing a net flow of fluid  10 . Thus, for example, the fluid in trough T 1  may advance to the downstream trough T 2 . The repetition of this motion induces an average flow of fluid  10 . 
         [0043]    As one illustration of the dimensions of fluid in channel  600 ,  FIG. 6A  indicates the maximum height of fluid  10  as plane Z, the average height of fluid  10  as plane A, the minimum height of fluid  10  (and the maximum height of fluid  20 ) as plane Y, the average height of fluid  20  as plane B, and the minimum height of fluid  20  as plane E. The distance from A to Z may be, for example and without limitation approximately 2 feet, the distance from B to Y may be, for example and without limitation 3 feet, the distance from C to B may be, for example and without limitation, 1 to 3 feet, so that the gap g between C and E is from 4 to 6 feet, the distance l may be approximately 40 feet, and the distance δ may be 2.5 feet. 
         [0044]      FIGS. 7A ,  7 B, and  7 C are side views illustrating a fourth embodiment of a channel  700  for transporting a fluid, which is generally similar to channel  100 ,  400 ,  410 , or  600 , except as explicitly noted.  FIG. 7A  is at time t=0,  FIG. 7B  at time t=T/4 and  FIG. 7C  at time t=T/2 of period T. 
         [0045]    Channel  700  contains a plurality of identical barriers  701 , several of which are individually labeled  701   a - f . Each barrier  701  floats on surface  12  of fluid  10 . Thus, for example, each barrier  701  includes a float  703  and a gate  705  that extends along width W and into fluid  10 . Barriers  701  may be tethered to channel  700  or ride on rails attached to the conduit to permit them to move longitudinally in an oscillatory motion. Alternatively, barriers  701  may ride on rails attached to the conduit to permit them to move vertically. 
         [0046]    With the height of gate  705  chosen to be within the range of the depth of fluid  10 , the gate alternatively protrudes into fluid  20  and withdraws from the fluid, permitting fluid  10  to move generally in the flow direction, but having hindered backflow. 
         [0047]    Individual barriers  701  are located at half-wave locations, spaced by l/2, for example. Further, barriers  701  are located at positions slightly “upstream” of the peak/trough location by a distance δ. 
         [0048]    The operation of channel  700  is similar to that of channel  600 . As fluid  10  oscillates between curved and flat, as indicated in  FIGS. 7A-7C , surface  12  moves below barriers  601 , permitting the fluid to flow, as indicated by arrow F during each half cycle, providing a net flow of fluid  10 . Specifically, due to the gap g between surface  12  and barrier  601 , fluid  10  may collect in troughs of surface  12  between alternate barriers  601 . Thus, for example,  FIG. 7A  shows that some barriers, such as barriers  701   a ,  701   c , and  701   e , extend through fluid  10  and thus prevent any net flow past these barriers. Some barriers, such as barriers  701   b ,  701   d , and  701   f , have some space below the barrier through which fluid  10  may flow. As a result of the gap g, some net flow F of fluid  10  may flow and collect in a trough, such as trough T 1 . 
         [0049]    As surface  12  recedes, as in  FIG. 7B , there may be some backflow of fluid  10 . In  FIG. 7C , fluid  20  crests and contacts near other alternate floating barriers  701 , causing a net flow of fluid  10 . Thus, for example, the fluid in trough T 1  may advance to the downstream trough T 2 . The repetition of this motion induces an average flow of fluid  10 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 7D  is a side view illustrating an alternative fourth embodiment of an apparatus including a channel  700  for transporting a fluid, which is generally similar to channel  100 ,  400 ,  600  or  700 , as discussed above, except as explicitly noted. 
         [0051]    In channel  700  a plurality of identical barriers  710 , several of which are individually labeled  710   a - f . Each barrier  710  floats on surface  12  of fluid  10  and is generally similar to barrier  710 , and also includes a hinge  706 , a hinged bottom portion  707  extending below gate  705 . Portion  707  is affected by forces of fluid  10 , but is hinged to gate  705  to swing in one direction only, thus permitting flow only in a downstream direction. As an example, portions  710   a ,  710   c , and  710   e  illustrate portion  707  as aligned with gate  705 , and portions  710   b ,  710   d , and  710   f  illustrate portion  707  pointed downstream. Portions  707  faceplate the flow in the downstream direction. 
         [0052]      FIG. 8  is a side view illustrating a fifth embodiment of a channel  800  for providing a change in height of the fluids. Channel  800  includes three portions: channel  801  having a bottom  105   a , channel  803 , and channel  805  having a bottom  105   b . Channels  801  and  805  are, in general, similar to channels  100 ,  400 , or  600 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , channels  801  and  805  each have a depth of D, and bottom  105   b  of channel  105  is a higher level than bottom  105   a  of channel  801  by a height H 1 . Channel  803  is a transition channel that raises the level of the fluid by the height H. The height H 1  may be, for example from 20 feet to 30 feet. 
         [0053]      FIGS. 9A ,  9 B,  9 C, and  9 D are four sequential side views illustrating an embodiment of channel  803  at four sequential quarter intervals of the oscillation of fluid  10  and  20 . Channel  803  includes several portions, shown for illustrations as gates  910 ,  920 ,  930 , and  940 . Each gate extends the width of the channel and floats on fluid  20 . Gates  910 ,  920 ,  930 , and  940  may be hollow or solid, but in general are buoyant with respect to fluid  20  and approximately neutral with respect to fluid  10 . 
         [0054]    Gates  910 ,  920 ,  930 , and  940  may move independently in a vertical direction, with corresponding bottoms  913 ,  923 ,  933 , and  943  shown as being near the average level of surface  12 . As surface  12  oscillates, gates  910 ,  920 ,  930 , and  940  move up and down. The width of the gate is one half a wavelength λ, such that adjacent gates move up and down past each other, as indicated in  FIGS. 9A-D . 
         [0055]    The top of each gate  910 ,  920 ,  930 , and  940  is slopped downwards in the direction of flow, as indicated by top  911 ,  921 ,  931 , and  941 . As gates  910 ,  920 ,  930 , and  940  rises and fall, fluid  10  is collected on tops  911 ,  921 ,  931 , and  941  and urged in the flow direction. Thus, for example,  FIGS. 9B and 9D  show the fluid surface  11   a  on the low side of channel  801  and fluid surface  11   b  on the high side of channel  805 .  FIGS. 9A-9D  also show volumes of fluid  10 , as  10   a  and  10   b , which are moved in the flow direction as gates  910 ,  920 ,  930 , and  940  moves up and down. As one illustrative example of motion of the fluid,  FIG. 9A  shows a volume  10   a  on the top of gate  930 . As gate  930  is displaced upwards, the volume  10   a  flows on top of gate  920 , as shown in  FIG. 9B . During this time, a volume  10   b  moves onto the end gate: gate  940 . Next, the motion raises the level of volumes  10   a  and  10   b , as shown in  FIG. 9C . Next, the gates are positioned to allow volumes  10   a  and  10   b  to move again—with volume  10   a  flowing into the higher level conduit  805  and volume  10   b  moving on top of gate  930 . As the oscillations continue, fluid  10  is thus moved to higher level. 
         [0056]    It should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention. 
         [0057]    Thus, while there has been described what is believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention.