Patents by Inventor Michael David Crowley

Michael David Crowley 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).

  • Publication number: 20140007568
    Abstract: A wave power capture system includes a double acting piston arrangement in which reciprocation of the piston arrangement as a result of wave action to causes hydraulic fluid to be pumped into a hydraulic supply to a hydraulic motor and the flow and differential pressure of the double acting piston may be different to the flow and differential pressure provided to the hydraulic supply and that such difference is variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventor: Michael David Crowley
  • Publication number: 20120193914
    Abstract: A wave power capture system, comprises a fluid transfer conduit for connection to a wave energy conversion device such that, in operation, the wave energy conversion device pressurizes fluid in the fluid transfer conduit in response to wave motion; a turbine apparatus arranged to receive fluid from the fluid transfer conduit; at least one sensor for sensing pressure and/or flow rate of the fluid; a variable opening valve for controlling the rate of flow of fluid from the fluid transfer conduit to the turbine apparatus; a controller for controlling operation of the variable opening valve in dependence upon the pressure and/or flow rate of the fluid sensed by the sensor and/or the speed of rotation of the turbine apparatus; and an electrical power generation system for obtaining electrical power from operation of the turbine apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventor: Michael David Crowley
  • Publication number: 20120187689
    Abstract: A wave energy conversion apparatus comprises:-a mechanical element arranged in operation to move repeatedly in a cycle in response to wave motion, wherein the speed of the mechanical element varies between a maximum and a minimum during each cycle; power extraction means arranged to extract energy from the movement of the mechanical element; and movement assistance means arranged to assist the movement, in response to the wave motion, of the mechanical element, during at least one part of the cycle during which the speed of movement of the mechanical element is substantially equal to the minimum for that cycle, wherein the power extraction means comprises a fluid pressurisation system that is arranged so that in operation fluid in the fluid pressurisation system is pressurised in response to movement of the mechanical element, the fluid pressurisation system comprises a one-way valve for transferring pressurised fluid from the fluid pressurisation system and the movement assistance means is located upstream o
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Aquamarine Power Limited
    Inventor: Michael David Crowley
  • Publication number: 20110316276
    Abstract: A wave power capture system, comprises a fluid transfer conduit for connection to a wave energy conversion device such that, in operation, the wave energy conversion device pressurizes fluid in the fluid transfer conduit in response to wave motion; a turbine apparatus arranged to receive fluid from the fluid transfer conduit; at least one sensor for sensing pressure and/or flow rate of the fluid; a variable opening valve for controlling the rate of flow of fluid from the fluid transfer conduit to the turbine apparatus; a controller for controlling operation of the variable opening valve in dependence upon the pressure and/or flow rate of the fluid sensed by the sensor and/or the speed of rotation of the turbine apparatus; and an electrical power generation system for obtaining electrical power from operation of the turbine apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventor: Michael David Crowley
  • 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
  • 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