Patents by Inventor Allan Robert Thomson

Allan Robert Thomson 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).

  • Patent number: 8004105
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wave energy conversion device (1), for use in relatively shallow water, which has a base portion (2) for anchoring to the bed of a body of water (6) and an upstanding flap portion (8) pivotally connected (12) to the base portion. The flap portion is biased to the vertical and oscillates, backwards and forwards about the vertical in response to wave motion acting on its faces. Power extraction means extract energy from the movement of the flap portion. When the base portion (2) is anchored to the bed of a body of water (6) with the flap portion (8) facing the wave motion, the base portion (2) and the flap portion (8) extend vertically through at least the entire depth of the water, to present a substantially continuous surface to the wave motion throughout the full depth of water from the wave crest to the sea bed. A plurality of devices can be interconnected to form one system. The distance between the plurality of flaps is dependent on the wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Aquamarine Power Limited
    Inventors: Trevor John Whittaker, Allan Robert Thomson, Michael David Crowley
  • Publication number: 20110018276
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wave energy conversion device (1), for use in relatively shallow water, which has a base portion (2) for anchoring to the bed of a body of water (6) and an upstanding flap portion (8) pivotally connected (12) to the base portion. The flap portion is biased to the vertical and oscillates, backwards and forwards about the vertical in response to wave motion acting on its faces. Power extraction means extract energy from the movement of the flap portion. When the base portion (2) is anchored to the bed of a body of water (6) with the flap portion (8) facing the wave motion, the base portion (2) and the flap portion (8) extend vertically through at least the entire depth of the water, to present a substantially continuous surface to the wave motion throughout the full depth of water from the wave crest to the sea bed. A plurality of devices can be interconnected to form one system. The distance between the plurality of flaps is dependent on the wavelength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: Aquamarine Power Limited
    Inventors: Trevor John Whittaker, Allan Robert Thomson, Michael David Crowley
  • Publication number: 20110006005
    Abstract: A desalination system comprises a reverse osmosis device, a pump for pressurizing fluid to be desalinated, a supply conduit for supplying the pressurized fluid to the reverse osmosis device, and a wave power system for driving operation of the pump, wherein the wave power system comprises a turbine connectable to a transmission for driving operation of the pump and arranged such that in operation rotation of the turbine provides mechanical energy to the transmission to drive operation of the pump; and a wave energy conversion device connectable to a turbine fluid supply conduit for supplying fluid to the turbine, wherein the wave energy conversion device is arranged to operate in response to wave motion to transfer fluid through the turbine fluid supply conduit to drive rotation of the turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: Aquamarine Power Limited
    Inventors: Allan Robert Thomson, Richard Morris
  • Publication number: 20100296875
    Abstract: A method of installing an underwater foundation, suitable for use in supporting or anchoring wave or tidal energy capture devices is provided. The method comprises providing a foundation unit (1) equipped with a submersible drilling rig (16); placing the foundation unit (1) on the bed (50) of a body of water at a selected location; activating the submersible drilling rig (16) to drill a plurality of pile holes (56) in the bed of the body of water; and securing the foundation unit (1) to the bed of the body of water by means of piles (54) or tendons, inserted in pile holes (56) and secured to the foundation unit (1). A foundation unit (1) and a submersible drilling rig (16) for use in the method are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: AQUAMARINE POWER LIMITED
    Inventor: Allan Robert Thomson
  • Patent number: 7834474
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wave energy conversion device (1), for use in relatively shallow water, which has a base portion (2) for anchoring to the bed of a body of water (6) and an upstanding flap portion (8) pivotally connected (12) to the base portion. The flap portion is biased to the vertical and oscillates, backwards and forwards about the vertical in response to wave motion acting on its faces. Power extraction means extract energy from the movement of the flap portion. When the base portion (2) is anchored to the bed of a body of water (6) with the flap portion (8) facing the wave motion, the base portion (2) and the flap portion (8) extend vertically through at least the entire depth of the water, to present a substantially continuous surface to the wave motion throughout the full depth of water from the wave crest to the sea bed. A plurality of devices can be interconnected to form one system. The distance between the plurality of flaps is dependent on the wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Aquamarine Power Limited
    Inventors: Trevor John Whittaker, Allan Robert Thomson, Michael David Crowley
  • Publication number: 20080191485
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wave energy conversion device (1), for use in relatively shallow water, which has a base portion (2) for anchoring to the bed of a body of water (6) and an upstanding flap portion (8) pivotally connected (12) to the base portion. The flap portion is biased to the vertical and oscillates, backwards and forwards about the vertical in response to wave motion acting on its faces. Power extraction means extract energy from the movement of the flap portion. When the base portion (2) is anchored to the bed of a body of water (6) with the flap portion (8) facing the wave motion, the base portion (2) and the flap portion (8) extend vertically through at least the entire depth of the water, to present a substantially continuous surface to the wave motion throughout the full depth of water from the wave crest to the sea bed. A plurality of devices can be interconnected to form one system. The distance between the plurality of flaps is dependent on the wavelength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Trevor John Whittaker, Allan Robert Thomson, Michael David Crowley