Patents by Inventor James G. Wenzel

James G. Wenzel has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Flexible retractable cold water pipe for an ocean thermal energy conversion system
    Patent number: 4497342
    Abstract: A cold water pipe (11) for an ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) system comprises a tubular membrane (12) made of a fabric such as a canvas, which is substantially impervious to flowing water. A proximal end of the pipe (11) is secured to a surface structure such as a ship (10), and a distal end of the pipe (11) is extendible from the surface structure to a selected ocean depth. The pipe (11) functions as a conduit through which cold water from the selected ocean depth can be drawn to the surface structure for use in a thermodynamic process of the OTEC system. The distal end of the pipe (11) can be quickly retracted to the surface structure when it becomes desirable to move the surface structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1985
    Assignee: Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc.
    Inventors: James G. Wenzel, Lloyd C. Trimble