Abstract: An apparatus for harnessing and extracting a portion of the power generated by the rise and fall of ocean tides. A tidal chamber is provided wherein the rise of the tide creates positive air pressure within the tidal chamber and the fall of the tide creates a partial vacuum within the tidal chamber. The pressure and partial vacuum are, through appropriate valving, used to drive a pair of reciprocating, fluid-coupled rod and float assemblies, the motions of which can be harnessed to operate an air compressor, crank shaft, flywheel or other suitable mechanical device.

Abstract: An apparatus for harnessing and extracting a portion of the power generated by the rise and fall of ocean tides. A portion of a waterway is dammed and the difference in water levels across the dam provides a pressure differential which, through appropriate valving, feeds two sealed chambers which are used to contain air under positive pressure. The chambers are connected one each to alternate ends of a cylinder for driving a piston and rod assembly disposed therein, in reciprocating motion. The dam is comprised of a thin-walled structure which may be either rigid, conventional materials or flexible and flotationally supported.