Patents by Inventor Graham Foster

Graham Foster 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: 12253058
    Abstract: A drive assembly is provided suitable for aiding in the conversion of wave energy to useful energy. The drive assembly of the present invention is arranged to transfer wave energy to an energy converter, the drive assembly comprising a wave energy capturing member; and a lever arm coupled to the wave energy capturing member, the lever arm being movable between a first stroke position and a second stroke position to define a working stroke; wherein the lever arm is arranged to be coupled to an energy converter and is further arranged to transfer energy from the wave energy capturing member to said energy converter; further wherein the wave energy capturing member is arranged to move the lever arm between the first stroke position and the second stroke position; and wherein the first stroke position and the second stroke position define distal end points of the working stroke; the working stroke arranged so as to drive said energy converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Marine Power Systems Limited
    Inventors: Graham Foster, John Chapman, Ashley Norman
  • Patent number: 12215665
    Abstract: A drive assembly is provided suitable for aiding in the conversion of wave energy to useful energy. The drive assembly of the present invention is arranged to transfer wave energy to an energy converter, the drive assembly comprising, an actuating member having an actuating length. The drive assembly further comprises a movable energy transfer member arranged to be coupled to an energy converter and arranged to transfer energy from the actuating member to said energy converter. The drive assembly further comprises an energy storing member comprising a biasing member coupled to one or more of: the actuating member, the energy transfer member; the energy storing member being arranged to cause the actuating member or the energy transfer member to move position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Inventors: Gareth Ian Stockman, John Christopher Chapman, Graham Foster
  • Publication number: 20250002125
    Abstract: An assembly kit for an offshore renewable energy system mounting platform having a frame with three or more lateral braces; upright braces and vertex members with each vertex member coupled to the lateral braces such that the lateral braces and the vertex members form a substantially planar base of the frame. The vertex members each engage a first end of a corresponding upright brace affixing the upright brace to the base, The frame includes a transition piece engaging a second end of the upright braces to form a fixed apex of the frame. The kit includes a plurality of lateral brace supports and a vertical tower. Each of the lateral brace supports are on a horizontal plane above the ground and the vertical tower is positioned to engage the upright braces such that each engaged upright brace is supported at an upright angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2024
    Publication date: January 2, 2025
    Applicant: MARINE POWER SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventor: Graham FOSTER
  • Publication number: 20240298901
    Abstract: Described herein are improved systems and methods for cellular ionic activity visualization. Specifically, for example, the systems and methods can observe and characterize biological ionic channel activity and subsequently detect, measure or manipulate a biological sample in the field of biological or medical sciences on the cellular level. Such a capability can be implemented across any type of biological cell which possesses ionic channels on the surface or contained within.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2024
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Inventors: Peter Graham Foster, Jason Arya Varzaly, Laird Alan Varzaly
  • Publication number: 20240262469
    Abstract: A wind turbine mounting apparatus having a first non-yawing section; and a second yawing section affixed to a first end of the first section by a yawing mechanism, the yawing mechanism permits rotation of the second section relative to the first section about a yaw axis. The second section comprises at least two wind turbines, each of which have a rotor arranged to rotate about a rotor axis, the rotor axis defining a hub height and a plurality of blades affixed to the rotor. The rotation of the blades defines a swept area of the blades. The first section includes a first section width. The first section width is smaller at the first end than at a second end distal to the first end. The present invention provides a mounting solution for mounting multiple wind turbines to maximise energy captured per installation, while overcoming issues presented by mounting multiple turbines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2024
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Applicant: Marine Power Systems Limited
    Inventor: Graham FOSTER
  • Patent number: 12016656
    Abstract: Described herein are improved systems and methods for cellular ionic activity visualization. Specifically, for example, the systems and methods can observe and characterize biological ionic channel activity and subsequently detect, measure or manipulate a biological sample in the field of biological or medical sciences on the cellular level. Such a capability can be implemented across any type of biological cell which possesses ionic channels on the surface or contained within.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: QuantuMed Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Peter Graham Foster, Jason Arya Varzaly, Laird Alan Varzaly
  • Publication number: 20240110540
    Abstract: A wave energy capturing device arranged to capture and convert wave energy to useful energy when positioned in an operating mode. The device includes a pivot point and a buoyant wave energy absorber affixed to the pivot point. The device has an operating mode where the device is arranged to capture wave energy. In the operating mode the pivot point is supported above the surface of a body of water and is held substantially stationary relative to wave movement. The buoyant absorber is engaged with the surface of the body of water at an operating location positioned downwave of the pivot point and wherein the absorber is arranged to rotate about the pivot point. The rotation defining a rotation arc of the absorber along which the absorber is arranged to reciprocate in the operating mode. The disclosure aims to provide improved capture of wave energy for conversion to useful energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: MARINE POWER SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventor: Graham FOSTER
  • Publication number: 20240092460
    Abstract: A buoyant offshore platform for supporting a renewable energy system having a base portion for submerging below the surface of a body of water, a top portion, at least one mooring line for fixing the platform to a bed of the body of water, and a tensioning means for applying tension to at least one of the mooring lines. The platform further comprises a floating configuration in which the platform is positioned floating on the surface of the body of water. The platform has a deployed configuration in which the base portion is submerged and the top portion remains above the surface of the body of water. In use, the tensioning means is arranged to apply tension to the at least one mooring line fixed between the platform and the bed such that the buoyant offshore platform transitions between the floating configuration and the deployed configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Marine Power Systems Limited
    Inventor: Graham FOSTER
  • Publication number: 20240034439
    Abstract: A buoyant tension leg platform arranged to support a renewable energy capturing device when the platform is submerged in a body of water. The platform has at least three vertices or lateral extents, at least three of the vertices or lateral extents have a mooring arrangement. The mooring arrangement includes a first mooring line extending between the vertex or lateral extent and a first anchor point in communication with a bed of the body of water. The first mooring line extends at an angle relative to the bed and a second mooring line extending from the vertex or lateral extent to a second anchor point. The second mooring line extends at an angle relative to the bed, such that the mooring arrangement of the corresponding vertex or lateral extent defines a triangle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: Marine Power Systems Limited
    Inventors: Graham FOSTER, Alex O'MALLEY
  • Publication number: 20230383720
    Abstract: A buoyant wave energy capturing device is provided for use in a wave energy conversion (WEC) system, the device comprising: an absorber portion having a physical property linked to a hydrodynamic characteristic of the absorber portion; and wherein the physical property of the absorber portion, and in-turn, the hydrodynamic characteristic of the absorber portion, is arranged to be adjusted. The present invention aims to provide an improved energy capturing member for use in a WEC system which is less susceptible to damage as a result of large wave forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: MARINE POWER SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventor: Graham FOSTER
  • Publication number: 20230374965
    Abstract: A wave energy absorber is provided for use with a wave energy converter, the absorber having one or more body portions arranged to engage hydrodynamically with a water flow from waves of a body of water, the one or more body portions having a rotational axis about which the one or more body portions are arranged to rotate. The one or more body portions are asymmetrical about the rotational axis. The present invention aims to provide an improved energy capturing member for use with the wave energy converter which allows a pressure difference to be created by the wave energy absorber that is ultimately converted into useful energy, done using a smaller and lighter structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: MARINE POWER SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventor: Graham FOSTER
  • Publication number: 20230009075
    Abstract: A buoyant offshore renewable energy system mounting platform is provided for positioning a renewable energy device in a body of water, the body of water comprising a surface and a bed, the platform comprising a framework, comprising at least three vertexes, and at least one mooring member for positioning the platform relative to the surface and bed of the body of water. Each of the at least three vertexes having at least one buoyancy member. The buoyancy member preferably comprising a plurality of buoyancy units wherein at least one of the buoyancy members comprises a renewable energy device selected from: a renewable energy convertor; a renewable energy harnessing apparatus; a renewable energy processing apparatus; a renewable energy storing apparatus; a renewable energy data capture apparatus; a data storing apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Applicant: MARINE POWER SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventor: Graham FOSTER
  • Publication number: 20220290647
    Abstract: A drive assembly is provided suitable for aiding in the conversion of wave energy to useful energy. The drive assembly of the present invention is arranged to transfer wave energy to an energy converter, the drive assembly comprising a wave energy capturing member; and a lever arm coupled to the wave energy capturing member, the lever arm being movable between a first stroke position and a second stroke position to define a working stroke; wherein the lever arm is arranged to be coupled to an energy converter and is further arranged to transfer energy from the wave energy capturing member to said energy converter; further wherein the wave energy capturing member is arranged to move the lever arm between the first stroke position and the second stroke position; and wherein the first stroke position and the second stroke position define distal end points of the working stroke; the working stroke arranged so as to drive said energy converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Graham Foster, John Chapman, Ashley Norman
  • Patent number: 11415150
    Abstract: A fluid pump for conveying a fluid is provided comprising: a housing with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a rotor which is disposed rotatably about an axis of rotation in the housing, and a rotor body and at least one conveying element connected rigidly to the rotor body in order to convey the fluid from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet, the rotor being mounted in the housing radially to the axis of rotation by means of a passive magnetic bearing and also axially and radially by means of a mechanical and/or hydrodynamic bearing disposed on the inlet side or outlet side. A safety bearing is disposed on one side of the rotor situated opposite the mechanical and/or hydrodynamic bearing, wherein the safety bearing has a first safety bearing component connected rigidly to the rotor and a second safety bearing component connected rigidly to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Berlin Heart GmbH
    Inventors: Hendryk Richert, Graham Foster
  • Publication number: 20220110527
    Abstract: Described herein are improved systems and methods for cellular ionic activity visualization. Specifically, for example, the systems and methods can observe and characterize biological ionic channel activity and subsequently detect, measure or manipulate a biological sample in the field of biological or medical sciences on the cellular level. Such a capability can be implemented across any type of biological cell which possesses ionic channels on the surface or contained within.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Peter Graham Foster, Jason Arya Varzaly, Laird Alan Varzaly
  • Publication number: 20210372361
    Abstract: A drive assembly is provided suitable for aiding in the conversion of wave energy to useful energy. The drive assembly of the present invention is arranged to transfer wave energy to an energy converter, the drive assembly comprising, an actuating member having an actuating length. The drive assembly further comprises a movable energy transfer member arranged to be coupled to an energy converter and arranged to transfer energy from the actuating member to said energy converter. The drive assembly further comprises an energy storing member comprising a biasing member coupled to one or more of: the actuating member, the energy transfer member; the energy storing member being arranged to cause the actuating member or the energy transfer member to move position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Gareth Ian Stockman, John Christopher Chapman, Graham Foster
  • Publication number: 20210199127
    Abstract: A fluid pump for conveying a fluid is provided comprising: a housing with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a rotor which is disposed rotatably about an axis of rotation in the housing, and a rotor body and at least one conveying element connected rigidly to the rotor body in order to convey the fluid from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet, the rotor being mounted in the housing radially to the axis of rotation by means of a passive magnetic bearing and also axially and radially by means of a mechanical and/or hydrodynamic bearing disposed on the inlet side or outlet side. A safety bearing is disposed on one side of the rotor situated opposite the mechanical and/or hydrodynamic bearing, wherein the safety bearing has a first safety bearing component connected rigidly to the rotor and a second safety bearing component connected rigidly to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2019
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: Berlin Heart GmbH
    Inventors: Hendryk Richert, Graham Foster
  • Publication number: 20210108612
    Abstract: The apparatus described is a buoyant energy converting apparatus for converting energy obtained from renewable ocean energy sources to useful energy, comprising: a wind energy converter; a buoyant platform arranged to support the wind energy converter in a body of water having a surface and a bed; and a connection member, the connection member being positioned between the wind energy converter and the buoyant platform, the buoyant platform comprises an in-use configuration in which the buoyant platform is submerged in the body of water. In the in-use configuration the connection member protrudes through the surface of the body of water such that the wind energy converter is located substantially above the body of water. The apparatus further comprises a wave energy converter. The apparatus aims to provide a device having increased stability in stormy conditions, a more consistent supply of power and improved cost and ease of maintenance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Applicant: Marine Power Systems Limited
    Inventor: Graham FOSTER
  • Publication number: 20200224633
    Abstract: A generator for capturing and converting wave energy into a more useful form is provided. The generator comprises: at least one energy capturing float (2) which is movable in response to wave motion; a reaction member (1) to be positioned below the energy capturing float; connecting lines (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) for connecting the at least one energy capturing float to the reaction member and defining a spacing (D2) between the energy capturing float and the reaction member; energy convertors (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) for converting relative movement between the reaction member and at least one respective energy capturing float to useful energy. The generator includes depth setting means such as adjustable mooring lines (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) securing the reaction member to the sea bed SB for setting the depth (D1) of the reaction member in the sea. Both the float and the reaction member possess a positive buoyancy, allowing suitable tension to be applied to the mooring lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventor: Graham Foster
  • Patent number: 10660996
    Abstract: A cardiac pump includes a plain bearing assembly having a first plain bearing portion that is coupled to a cardiac pump rotor and a second lain bearing portion that is coupled to a cardiac pump housing. The plain bearing assembly is configured to rotatably support the cardiac pump rotor within the cardiac pump housing in at least an axial direction of the cardiac pump rotor. A magnetic bearing assembly includes a first magnetic bearing portion that is coupled to the cardiac pump rotor and a second magnetic bearing portion that is coupled to the cardiac pump housing. The magnetic bearing assembly is configured to rotatably support the cardiac pump rotor within the cardiac pump housing in a radial direction of the cardiac pump rotor and bias the cardiac pump rotor in the axial direction such that the magnetic bearing assembly provides a preload force to preload the plain bearing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Calon Cardio-Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Graham Foster