Patents by Inventor Robert B. Lomerson, Jr.

Robert B. Lomerson, Jr. 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: 8125097
    Abstract: A power generator has a mass that is capable of moving vertically up and down. A generator has a rotor and a stator. A shaft couples the mass to the rotor, with the shaft allowing the mass to move vertically up and down. The shaft has spirals that produce relative rotation between the shaft and the rotor. The mass can float on a body of water that is subject to fluctuating water levels, such as a tidal body or a lock, or the mass can be used on dry land. The mass has an interior cavity. When the cavity contains gas, the mass rises in the water. When the cavity contains water, the mass sinks in the water. When the mass has sunk, gas is introduced into the cavity. When the mass has risen, the gas is vented from the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventors: Robert B. Lomerson, Sr., Robert B. Lomerson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7827788
    Abstract: A tidal power generator has a floating vessel hull that is subject to rising and falling water levels so that the hull moves vertically up and down. Linear-to-rotary converters are coupled between the vessel hull and a fixed object. The converters allow the hull to move vertically while constraining the horizontal movement of the hull. The converters convert the vertical movement of the hull into rotary movement, which is then used to drive an electrical generator. A harborage is provided to protect the hull and the converters and to regulate the water level for the vessel hull as well as become a fixed object relative to the vessel from which a change in relative position causes power to be developed. If the hull is subject to tidal variations, vertical movement of the hull can be desynchronized from the tidal variations so as to store energy during slack tides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Inventors: Robert B. Lomerson, Sr., Robert B. Lomerson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7432612
    Abstract: A tidal power generator has a floating vessel hull that is subject to rising and falling water levels so that the hull moves vertically up and down. Linear-to-rotary converters are coupled between the vessel hull and a fixed object. The converters allow the hull to move vertically while constraining the horizontal movement of the hull. The converters convert the vertical movement of the hull into rotary movement, which is then used to drive an electrical generator. A harborage is provided to protect the hull and the converters and to regulate the water level for the vessel hull as well as become a fixed object relative to the vessel from which a change in relative position causes power to be developed. If the hull is subject to tidal variations, vertical movement of the hull can be desynchronized from the tidal variations so as to store energy during slack tides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Inventors: Robert B. Lomerson, Sr., Robert B. Lomerson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7199483
    Abstract: A tidal power generator has a floating vessel hull that is subject to rising and falling water levels so that the hull moves vertically up and down. Linear-to-rotary converters are coupled between the vessel hull and a fixed object. The converters allow the hull to move vertically while constraining the horizontal movement of the hull. The converters convert the vertical movement of the hull into rotary movement, which is then used to drive an electrical generator. A harborage is provided to protect the hull and the converters and to regulate the water level for the vessel hull as well as become a fixed object relative to the vessel from which a change in relative position causes power to be developed. If the hull is subject to tidal variations, vertical movement of the hull can be desynchronized from the tidal variations so as to store energy during slack tides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Inventors: Robert B. Lomerson, Sr., Robert B. Lomerson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7075190
    Abstract: A tidal power generator has a floating vessel hull that is subject to rising and falling water levels so that the hull moves vertically up and down. Linear-to-rotary converters are coupled between the vessel hull and a fixed object. The converters allow the hull to move vertically while constraining the horizontal movement of the hull. The converters convert the vertical movement of the hull into rotary movement, which is then used to drive an electrical generator. A harborage is provided to protect the hull and the converters and to regulate the water level for the vessel hull as well as become a fixed object relative to the vessel from which a change in relative position causes power to be developed. If the hull is subject to tidal variations, vertical movement of the hull can be desynchronized from the tidal variations so as to store energy during slack tides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Inventors: Robert B. Lomerson, Sr., Robert B. Lomerson, Jr.