Patent ID: 8899043

Claim:
An offshore power generation structure comprising: a submerged portion comprising; a first deck portion comprising an integral multi-stage evaporator system including a first stage evaporator, a second stage evaporator, a third stage evaporator, and a fourth stage evaporator arranged such that a warm water outlet of the first stage evaporator discharges to a warm water inlet of the second stage evaporator, a warm water outlet of the second stage evaporator discharges to a warm water inlet of the third stage evaporator, and a warm water outlet of the third stage evaporator discharges to a warm water inlet of the fourth stage evaporator; a second deck portion comprising an integral multi-stage condensing system including a first stage condenser, a second stage condenser, a third stage condenser, and a fourth stage condenser arranged such that a cooling water outlet of the first stage condenser discharges to a cooling water inlet of the second stage condenser, a cooling water outlet of the second stage condenser discharges to a cooling water inlet of the third stage condenser, and a cooling water outlet of the third stage condenser discharges to a cooling water inlet of the fourth stage condenser; a working fluid; a first working fluid loop extending between the first stage evaporator and the fourth stage condenser, the first working fluid loop containing a portion of the working fluid; a second working fluid loop extending between the second stage evaporator and the third stage condenser, the second working fluid loop containing a portion of the working fluid; a third working fluid loop extending between the third stage evaporator and the second stage condenser, the third working fluid loop containing a portion of the working fluid; and a fourth working fluid loop extending between the fourth stage evaporator and the first stage condenser; the fourth working fluid loop containing a portion of the working fluid; a third deck portion housing mechanical and electrical equipment; a cold water pipe; and a cold water pipe connection.