Patents Assigned to Columbia Power Technologies
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Patent number: 11952974Abstract: A wave energy converter is provided which includes a nacelle having a starboard side and a port side axis, and housing a power take-off. The wave energy converter also includes at least one buoyancy member coupled to the nacelle, and a ballast tank coupled to the nacelle. The ballast tank, the at least one buoyancy member, and the nacelle, together form a first body, where the first body is coupled to the power take-off. The wave energy converter further includes a float and a drive arm forming a second body, where the second body is rotatably coupled to the first body about a coupling axis, and the second body is coupled to the power take-off. The second body is configured to rotate relative to the first body about the coupling axis within a radial span bounded by a proximal end of the float and a radially distal end of the float.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Columbia Power Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Pukha Lenee-Bluhm, Michael L. Ondusko, Zhe Zhang
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Publication number: 20230151789Abstract: A wave energy converter is provided which includes a central body including a nacelle, the nacelle housing at least one power take off. The wave energy converter also includes a first float and a first float arm coupled to the nacelle on a first side, and a second float and a second float arm coupled to the nacelle on a second side. The first float is rotatably coupled to the nacelle, the first float and the first float arm forming a first body configured to rotate, where the first body is operatively coupled to the at least one power take off such that relative motion between the first body and the central body generates energy in the at least one power take off. In one embodiment, the central body has a low reserve buoyancy, where the reserve buoyancy of the central body is lower than the reserve buoyancy of either of the first float and the second float, to minimize a heave response of the central body relative to the first float to increase output of the wave energy converter.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2022Publication date: May 18, 2023Applicant: Columbia Power Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Erik J. Hammagren, Pukha Lenee-Bluhm, Kelen P. Bush-O'Hearn, Michael L. Ondusko, Joseph H. Prudell, Leonard G. Rummel, Zhe Zhang
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Patent number: 11542913Abstract: A wave energy converter is provided which includes a central body including a nacelle, the nacelle housing at least one power take off. The wave energy converter also includes a first float and a first float arm coupled to the nacelle on a first side, and a second float and a second float arm coupled to the nacelle on a second side. The first float is rotatably coupled to the nacelle, the first float and the first float arm forming a first body configured to rotate, where the first body is operatively coupled to the at least one power take off such that relative motion between the first body and the central body generates energy in the at least one power take off. In one embodiment, the central body has a low reserve buoyancy, where the reserve buoyancy of the central body is lower than the reserve buoyancy of either of the first float and the second float, to minimize a heave response of the central body relative to the first float to increase output of the wave energy converter.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2021Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: Columbia Power Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Erik J. Hammagren, Pukha Lenee-Bluhm, Kelen P. Bush-O'Hearn, Michael L. Ondusko, Joseph H. Prudell, Leonard G. Rummel, Zhe Zhang
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Patent number: 9587620Abstract: An apparatus and method for converting wave energy using the relative rotational movement between two interconnected float assemblies and the relative rotational movement between each of the float assemblies and a spar which extends from a buoyant nacelle having a central longitudinal axis wherein the floats are nestable behind the buoyant nacelle.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2013Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Columbia Power Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Edward Rhinefrank, Alphonse Schacher, Joseph Prudell, Erik Hammagren, Pukha Lenee-Bluhm, Zhe Zhang
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Patent number: 9484779Abstract: An apparatus and corresponding method for maintaining an air gap between a stator and rotor in an electro-mechanical energy converter is provided. The apparatus includes a structural sleeve and a plurality of stator sections attached to an inner surface of the structural sleeve. A hub is enclosed by the structural sleeve and is concentric with the structural sleeve. A plurality of rotor sections is flexibly coupled to the hub and is enclosed by the structural sleeve. A rail system is positioned within the structural sleeve and is concentric with the structural sleeve. The rail system guides the rotor sections in a substantially circular path and defines an air gap between the plurality of stator sections and plurality of rotor sections.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2012Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: Columbia Power Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Edward Rhinefrank, Joseph Prudell, Alphonse Schacher, Erik Hammagren
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Publication number: 20140084590Abstract: An apparatus and corresponding method for maintaining an air gap between a stator and rotor in an electro-mechanical energy converter is provided. The apparatus includes a structural sleeve and a plurality of stator sections attached to an inner surface of the structural sleeve. A hub is enclosed by the structural sleeve and is concentric with the structural sleeve. A plurality of rotor sections is flexibly coupled to the hub and is enclosed by the structural sleeve. A rail system is positioned within the structural sleeve and is concentric with the structural sleeve. The rail system guides the rotor sections in a substantially circular path and defines an air gap between the plurality of stator sections and plurality of rotor sections.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2012Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: Columbia Power Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Rhinefrank, Joseph Prudell, Alphonse Schacher, Erik Hammagren
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Patent number: 8659179Abstract: An apparatus and method for converting wave energy using the relative rotational movement between two interconnected float assemblies and the relative rotational movement between each of the float assemblies and a spar which extends from a connection with the float assemblies at the water surface into the water.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2013Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Columbia Power Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Edward Rhinefrank, Bradford Storrs Lamb, Joseph Horan Prudell, Alphonse Aloysius Schacher
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Publication number: 20130328313Abstract: An apparatus and method for converting wave energy using the relative rotational movement between two interconnected float assemblies and the relative rotational movement between each of the float assemblies and a spar which extends from a connection with the float assemblies at the water surface into the water.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2013Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: Columbia Power Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Edward Rhinefrank, Bradford Storrs Lamb, Joseph Horan Prudell, Alphonse Aloysius Schacher
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Patent number: 8508063Abstract: An apparatus and method for converting wave energy using the relative rotational movement between two interconnected float assemblies and the relative rotational movement between each of the float assemblies and a spar which extends from a connection with the float assemblies at the water surface into the water.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2012Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Columbia Power Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Edward Rhinefrank, Bradford Storrs Lamb, Joseph Horan Prudell, Alphonse Aloysius Schacher
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Publication number: 20130043682Abstract: An apparatus and method for converting wave energy using the relative rotational movement between two interconnected float assemblies and the relative rotational movement between each of the float assemblies and a spar which extends from a connection with the float assemblies at the water surface into the water.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2012Publication date: February 21, 2013Applicant: COLUMBIA POWER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Columbia Power Technologies, Inc.
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Patent number: 8314506Abstract: An apparatus and method for converting wave energy using the relative rotational movement between two interconnected float assemblies and the relative rotational movement between each of the float assemblies and a spar which extends from a connection with the float assemblies at the water surface into the water.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2010Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Columbia Power Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Edward Rhinefrank, Bradford Storrs Lamb, Joseph Horan Prudell, Alphonse Aloysius Schacher
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Publication number: 20100213710Abstract: An apparatus and method for converting wave energy using the relative rotational movement between two interconnected float assemblies and the relative rotational movement between each of the float assemblies and a spar which extends from a connection with the float assemblies at the water surface into the water.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2010Publication date: August 26, 2010Applicant: Columbia Power TechnologiesInventors: Kenneth Edward Rhinefrank, Bradford Storrs Lamb, Joseph Horan Prudell, Alphonse Aloysius Schacher