Patents by Inventor Thomas Sabol

Thomas Sabol 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: 7310944
    Abstract: A WEC system embodying the invention includes a column and shell, arranged to move relative to each other, and a lever-like apparatus having an input end and an output end and an intermediate point, between the two ends, the intermediate point being rotatably connected to the column. The input end is connected to the shell and moves at the same velocity and in the same direction as the shell. The output end moves in the opposite direction and at a rate which is a multiple of the shell velocity. The multiple being a function of the ratio of the length of the intermediate point to the output and input ends. In systems embodying the invention, one of two components (a PMA or an ICA) of a linear electric generator may be attached to the shell and the other of the two components may be attached to the output end of the lever-like apparatus to produce high relative velocity between the two components resulting in higher amplitude and higher frequency output voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Ocean Power Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Sabol, David B. Stewart
  • Patent number: 7141888
    Abstract: A WEC includes a non-circular main central column positioned within a like non-circular central opening of a shell to contain the central column and prevent rotation or twisting of the shell relative to the column. In a particular embodiment, the central column is multi-sided (e.g., a square) and the central opening of the shell is likewise multi-sided (e.g., square). The facing sides of the column and shell are parallel to each other facilitating the layout of the components of a linear electric generator (LEG) between the facing sides and ensuring good magnetic coupling between the components of the LEG over the length of travel of the shell and column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Ocean Power Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Sabol, David B. Stewart
  • Publication number: 20050235641
    Abstract: A WEC system embodying the invention includes a column and shell, arranged to move relative to each other, and a lever-like apparatus having an input end and an output end and an intermediate point, between the two ends, the intermediate point being rotatably connected to the column. The input end is connected to the shell and moves at the same velocity and in the same direction as the shell. The output end moves in the opposite direction and at a rate which is a multiple of the shell velocity. The multiple being a function of the ratio of the length of the intermediate point to the output and input ends. In systems embodying the invention, one of two components (a PMA or an ICA) of a linear electric generator may be attached to the shell and the other of the two components may be attached to the output end of the lever-like apparatus to produce high relative velocity between the two components resulting in higher amplitude and higher frequency output voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Publication date: October 27, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Sabol, David Stewart
  • Publication number: 20050237775
    Abstract: A WEC embodying the invention includes a non-circular main central column positioned within a like non-circular central opening of a shell to contain the central column and prevent rotation or twisting of the shell relative to the column. In a particular embodiment, the central column is multi-sided (e.g., a square) and the central opening of the shell is likewise multi-sided (e.g., square). The facing sides of the column and shell are parallel to each other facilitating the layout of the components of a linear electric generator (LEG) between the facing sides and ensuring good magnetic coupling between the components of the LEG over the length of travel of the shell and column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Publication date: October 27, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Sabol, David Stewart