Abstract: Systems and methods for recovering manganese nodules from the seabed are disclosed. A buoyant body is generated by freezing water, forming a clathrate ice, or using a liquid that is less dense than seawater. Nodules that have been collected from the seabed are incorporated into or otherwise coupled to the buoyant body. The buoyant body is then released to make a free or tethered ascent to the surface.

Abstract: A resonant, contactless, RF power coupling suitable for high power-density applications and for use in an ocean environment is disclosed. In the illustrative embodiment, the power coupling includes a transmit coupling and a receive coupling, each of which include a resonant element. A high-powered RF generator is coupled to the transmit coupling and a rectifier circuit is coupled to the output coupling. Each of the resonant elements is disposed in its own electrically-conductive canister and advantageously potted in an appropriate insulating dielectric. Each canister has an open end to facilitate inductive coupling between the two resonant elements. In order to exclude seawater from the interface between the canisters, a seal of compliant material is disposed therebetween.

Abstract: An Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) system comprising a self-contained submersible OTEC plant is disclosed. The OTEC plant comprises a electrical generation system and a thermal mass whose temperature is based on the temperature of water at a first depth of a body of water. The OTEC plant is moved to a second depth of the body of water, wherein water at the second depth is a different temperature that the water at the first depth. The OTEC system generates electrical energy based on a difference in the temperatures of the water at the second depth and the temperature of the thermal mass. The OTEC system is able to generate electrical energy at either of the first depth and the second depth.

Abstract: An Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) system is disclosed. The OTEC system generates electrical energy based on a difference in the temperatures of the water from a surface region of a body of water and a thermal mass whose temperature is based on the temperature of water from a deep water region of the body of water. The thermal mass attains a desired temperature while it is positioned in the deep water region, with which it is thermally coupled. The present invention uses a bulk transport vessel to carry the thermal mass from the deep water region to a depth where it can be thermally coupled with the OTEC system.

Abstract: An underwater vehicle comprising an electrical power generation system that converts thermal energy from a body of water into electrical energy is disclosed. The vehicle comprises the electrical power generation system and a thermal mass whose temperature is based on the temperature of water at a first depth of a body of water. The vehicle is moved to a second depth of the body of water, wherein water at the second depth is a different temperature that the water at the first depth. The electrical power generation system generates electrical energy based on the difference between the temperature of the water at the second depth and the temperature of the thermal mass. The electrical power generation system is able to generate electrical energy when the temperature difference is negative as well as when the temperature difference is positive.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealing the barrel of an underwater gun between firings is disclosed. The apparatus clears the barrel and/or prevents water from entering the barrel based on pressure variations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealing the barrel of an underwater gun between firings is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an adapter that attaches to the barrel and includes a physical adaptation that is capable of sealing the barrel. In some embodiments, the physical adaptation is actuated to un-seal the barrel via combustion gases from firing of a round.

Abstract: An underwater vehicle comprising an electrical power generation system that converts thermal energy from a body of water into electrical energy is disclosed. The vehicle comprises the electrical power generation system and a thermal mass whose temperature is based on the temperature of water at a first depth of a body of water. The vehicle is moved to a second depth of the body of water, wherein water at the second depth is a different temperature that the water at the first depth. The electrical power generation system generates electrical energy based on the difference between the temperature of the water at the second depth and the temperature of the thermal mass. The electrical power generation system is able to generate electrical energy when the temperature difference is negative as well as when the temperature difference is positive.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing the barrel of an underwater gun between firings is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a magnetically-attractable water-impermeable disk. Via operation of a drive system, the disk is movable between a sealing position, wherein it prevents water from entering the barrel by moving into alignment with the first bore, and a firing position, wherein the first water-impermeable disk moves out of alignment with the first bore.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recovering manganese nodules from the seabed are disclosed. A buoyant body is generated by freezing water, forming a clathrate ice, or using a liquid that is less dense than seawater. Nodules that have been collected from the seabed are incorporated into or otherwise coupled to the buoyant body. The buoyant body is then released to make a free or tethered ascent to the surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealing the barrel of an underwater gun between firings is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a turbine that is disposed at the outlet of the muzzle of the gun. The turbine draws in water and, in various embodiments, either (a) vaporizes it, forming a vapor barrier along the spin axis that keeps water out of the barrel, (b) expels it radially, thereby re-directing it so that it does not enter the barrel, or (c) generates water jets that prevent water from entering the barrel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealing the barrel of an underwater gun between firings is disclosed. The apparatus clears the barrel and/or prevents water from entering the barrel based on pressure variations.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing the barrel of an underwater gun between firings is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a magnetically-attractable water-impermeable disk. Via operation of a drive system, the disk is movable between a sealing position, wherein it prevents water from entering the barrel by moving into alignment with the first bore, and a firing position, wherein the first water-impermeable disk moves out of alignment with the first bore.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealing the barrel of an underwater gun between firings is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an adapter that attaches to the barrel and includes a physical adaptation that is capable of sealing the barrel. In some embodiments, the physical adaptation is actuated to un-seal the barrel via combustion gases from firing of a round.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealing the barrel of an underwater gun between firings is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a turbine that is disposed at the outlet of the muzzle of the gun. The turbine draws in water and, in various embodiments, either (a) vaporizes it, forming a vapor barrier along the spin axis that keeps water out of the barrel, (b) expels it radially, thereby re-directing it so that it does not enter the barrel, or (c) generates water jets that prevent water from entering the barrel.

Abstract: An Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) system comprising a self-contained submersible OTEC plant is disclosed. The OTEC plant comprises a electrical generation system and a thermal mass whose temperature is based on the temperature of water at a first depth of a body of water. The OTEC plant is moved to a second depth of the body of water, wherein water at the second depth is a different temperature that the water at the first depth. The OTEC system generates electrical energy based on a difference in the temperatures of the water at the second depth and the temperature of the thermal mass. The OTEC system is able to generate electrical energy at either of the first depth and the second depth.

Abstract: An Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) system is disclosed. The OTEC system generates electrical energy based on a difference in the temperatures of the water from a surface region of a body of water and a thermal mass whose temperature is based on the temperature of water from a deep water region of the body of water. The thermal mass attains a desired temperature while it is positioned in the deep water region, with which it is thermally coupled. The present invention uses a bulk transport vessel to carry the thermal mass from the deep water region to a depth where it can be thermally coupled with the OTEC system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealing the barrel of an underwater gun between firings is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a valve that is moved between a sealing and non-sealing state by a valve-actuator. In some embodiments, the valve actuator is driven by gases that result when a round is fired.

Abstract: A resonant, contactless, RF power coupling suitable for high power-density applications and for use in an ocean environment is disclosed. In the illustrative embodiment, the power coupling includes a transmit coupling and a receive coupling, each of which include a resonant element. A high-powered RF generator is coupled to the transmit coupling and a rectifier circuit is coupled to the output coupling. Each of the resonant elements is disposed in its own electrically-conductive canister and advantageously potted in an appropriate insulating dielectric. Each canister has an open end to facilitate inductive coupling between the two resonant elements. In order to exclude seawater from the interface between the canisters, a seal of compliant material is disposed therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealing the barrel of an underwater gun between firings is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a valve that is moved between a sealing and non-sealing state by a valve-actuator. In some embodiments, the valve actuator is driven by gases that result when a round is fired.