Oceanic Layers Modification Methods, Apparatus, Systems and Applications

Abstract

A method and apparatus for reducing the surface temperature of a large body of water by pumping deeper cooler water to an area near the surface. The deeper cooler water can be pumped using a self-deploying pump which is powered by waves which travel across the surface of the large body of water.

1 . A water pump comprising a floatable portion, a flexible submergible portion, said floatable portion connected by an inelastic flexible connector to a rigid submergible portion, whereby gravity maintains tension between said floatable portion and said rigid submergible portion. 
     
     
         2 . The water pump of  claim 1  wherein said floatable portion is cylindrical and is provided with a spool shape to allow said flexible submergible portion and/or said inelastic flexible connector to wrap around said spool shape for storage and transportation. 
     
     
         3 . The water pump of  claim 1  wherein said rigid submergible portion comprises a density greater than that of seawater. 
     
     
         4 . The water pump of  claim 2  wherein said spool portion is caused to unwind by gravity upon reaching a surface of a body of water. 
     
     
         5 . The water pump of  claim 1  wherein said floatable portion is connected to said flexible submergible portion. 
     
     
         6 . The water pump of  claim 1  wherein said flexible submergible portion can assume a tubular shape. 
     
     
         7 . The water pump of  claim 1  wherein said flexible submergible portion comprises slits to allow water to escape. 
     
     
         8 . The water pump of  claim 1  wherein said flexible submergible portion comprises two or more diameters. 
     
     
         9 . The water pump of  claim 1  wherein said rigid submergible portion comprises a valve permitting entry of water into said water pump upon downward motion or upon upward motion of said water pump. 
     
     
         10 . The water pump of  claim 9  wherein said valve comprises a butterfly valve. 
     
     
         11 . The water pump of  claim 1  wherein a plurality of said pumps are disposed to modify surface water characteristics. 
     
     
         12 . The water pump of  claim 1  wherein a plurality of the water pumps are tethered together. 
     
     
         13 . A water pump comprising a floatable portion, a flexible submergible portion, and a rigid submergible portion, said floatable portion connected to an upper end of said flexible submergible portion and said rigid portion connected to a lower end of said flexible submergible portion, whereby gravity maintains tension between said floatable portion and said rigid submergible portion. 
     
     
         14 . The water pump of  claim 13  further comprising one or more openings disposed near an upper end of said flexible submergible portion. 
     
     
         15 . The water pump of  claim 13  wherein said floatable portion comprises a sealed upper end of said flexible submergible portion with air entrapped therein. 
     
     
         16 . The water pump of  claim 13  wherein said floatable portion comprises a spool shape. 
     
     
         17 . A method for modifying at least a portion of a body of water comprising using wave action to move water having a temperature less than that of water near a surface of the body of water from a depth to an area near a surface of the body of water; wherein the water is transported through one or more flexible cylinders. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13  comprising wave action raising and lowering a floatable element. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14  wherein a non-elastic member connects the floatable element to a bottom portion of a pump. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13  wherein one or more valves reduce and/or prevent water from escaping from a bottom portion of a pump.