Systems and methods for power generation based on surface air-to-water thermal differences

A system comprising:

• a vehicle comprising a body, a power generation system, and a controller;
• wherein the power generation system comprises:
• first and second tanks each configured to receive and store a refrigerant under pressure;
• and
• at least one generator configured to generate electrical power based on a flow of the refrigerant between the tanks during each of multiple power generation cycles;
• wherein the first tank is configured to be one of cooled and warmed by one of ambient air and water to a first temperature;
• wherein the second tank is configured to be one of warmed and cooled by another of the ambient air and the water to a second temperature different than the first temperature;
• and
• wherein the controller is configured to cause the vehicle to dive in order to substantially equalize an amount of the refrigerant in the tanks prior to at least some of the power generation cycles.

A method comprising:

• generating electrical power based on a flow of refrigerant between first and second tanks during each of multiple power generation cycles, each of the tanks configured to receive and store the refrigerant under pressure;
• and
• controlling operation of a vehicle that includes the tanks, wherein controlling the operation of the vehicle comprises causing the vehicle to dive in order to substantially equalize an amount of the refrigerant in the tanks prior to at least some of the power generation cycles;
• wherein the first tank is one of cooled and warmed by one of ambient air and water to a first temperature;
• and
• wherein the second tank is one of warmed and cooled by another of the ambient air and the water to a second temperature different than the first temperature.