Patents by Inventor Brant E. Lawrence

Brant E. Lawrence 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: 6217284
    Abstract: An oscillating fluid flow motor and a fluid flow power system that converts the energy in the flowing fluid to mechanical energy through a vane that automatically sweeps back and forth across the flow. In one embodiment of the oscillating fluid flow motor, the motor includes (1) a support structure, (2) an elongated swing arm pivotably and rotatably mounted to the support structure, (3) a vane having a concave face, (4) an elastic link operatively coupled in tension between the swing arm and a support, and (5) a direction control mechanism operatively coupled to the swing arm. The vane is connected to the swing arm so that, upon rotation of the swing arm about its longitudinal axis, the orientation of the concave face of the vane changes relative to the flow of a fluid confronting the face. The direction control mechanism is operative to selectively re-orient the face of the vane at each of two points that define the ends of the bidirectional stroke of the swing arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Inventor: Brant E. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 5899664
    Abstract: An oscillating fluid flow motor and an in-stream fluid flow power system that converts the energy in the flowing fluid to mechanical energy through a vane that automatically sweeps back and forth across the flow. The oscillating fluid flow motor consists of (1) a vane having a concave front face confronting the flow of fluid, (2) an elongated swing arm attached at one end to the vane, and (3) a direction control mechanism operatively coupled to the swing arm. The direction control mechanism is configured to rotate the swing arm about its longitudinal axis to re-orient the vane and thereby change the direction the vane moves across the stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Inventor: Brant E. Lawrence