Patents by Inventor Timothy Donegal Finnigan

Timothy Donegal Finnigan 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: 9228561
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device (10) for capturing energy from ocean waves. The device (10) comprises a base (12) adapted for stationary mounting relative to a fluid flow generated by the ocean waves. A drive member (14) is movably connected relative to the base (12) and adapted to be driven in oscillatory rotational motion relative to the base (12). An array of paddles (14c) extend from the drive member (14), such that forces applied to the paddles by the ocean waves drive the drive member in oscillatory rotational motion relative to the base (12), A plurality of removable modular energy transfer mechanisms (20) are associated with the drive member (14) and adapted to be driven by the oscillation of the drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: BioPower Systems Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Timothy Donegal Finnigan, Gerold Kloos, Carlos Andres Gonzalez Toro
  • Patent number: 8288883
    Abstract: A device (10) for capturing energy from a fluid flow is disclosed. The device (10) comprises a base (12) adapted for stationary mounting relative to the fluid flow. A member (20), having a longitudinal axis (21), is pivotally connected relative to the base (12) about a substantially vertical first pivotal axis (22) and is adapted to move relative to the base (12) towards a position in which the longitudinal axis (21) generally aligns with a vertical plane parallel to the direction of the fluid flow passing the member (20). A lift generating element (26) is connected to the member (20) and is movable relative to the direction of the fluid flow to vary a direction of lift produced by the lift generating element (26) as fluid flows therearound. The lift generated by the lift generating element (26) drives the member (20) in oscillatory motion relative to the base (12). An energy transfer mechanism is attached to the member (20) and is adapted to be driven by the oscillation of the member (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: BioPower Systems Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Timothy Donegal Finnigan
  • Publication number: 20120181790
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device (10) for capturing energy from ocean waves. The device (10) comprises a base (12) adapted for stationary mounting relative to a fluid flow generated by the ocean waves. A drive member (14) is movably connected relative to the base (12) and adapted to be driven in oscillatory rotational motion relative to the base (12). An array of paddles (14c) extend from the drive member (14), such that forces applied to the paddles by the ocean waves drive the drive member in oscillatory rotational motion relative to the base (12), A plurality of removable modular energy transfer mechanisms (20) are associated with the drive member (14) and adapted to be driven by the oscillation of the drive member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: BIOPOWER SYSTEMS PTY. LTD.
    Inventors: Timothy Donegal Finnigan, Gerold Kloos, Carlos Andres Gonzalez Toro
  • Patent number: 8110937
    Abstract: A wave energy capturing device (10) comprising a base (12) adapted for fixed connection to a submerged surface (14). At least one elongate buoyant paddle (26) is pivotally mounted to the base (12) about a first pivotal axis (22), for angular oscillation through an angle range when wave motion applies a force to the paddle (26). The paddle (26) has a longitudinal axis (27), an upper end portion and a lower end portion. An energy transfer member is attached to the paddle (26) and is adapted to be driven by the angular oscillation of the paddle (26). A paddle adjustment assembly is associated with the paddle (26) and is adapted to adjust the angle range of the paddle (26) in magnitude and/or angular position relative to the first pivotal axis (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Biopower Systems Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Timothy Donegal Finnigan
  • Publication number: 20110316283
    Abstract: A device (10) for capturing energy from a fluid flow is disclosed. The device (10) comprises a base (12) adapted for stationary mounting relative to the fluid flow. A member (20), having a longitudinal axis (21), is pivotally connected relative to the base (12) about a substantially vertical first pivotal axis (22) and is adapted to move relative to the base (12) towards a position in which the longitudinal axis (21) generally aligns with a vertical plane parallel to the direction of the fluid flow passing the member (20). A lift generating element (26) is connected to the member (20) and is movable relative to the direction of the fluid flow to vary a direction of lift produced by the lift generating element (26) as fluid flows therearound. The lift generated by the lift generating element (26) drives the member (20) in oscillatory motion relative to the base (12). An energy transfer mechanism is attached to the member (20) and is adapted to be driven by the oscillation of the member (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: BIOPOWER SYSTEMS PTY. LTD.
    Inventor: Timothy Donegal Finnigan
  • Patent number: 8030794
    Abstract: A device (10) for capturing energy from a fluid flow is disclosed. The device (10) comprises a base (12) adapted for stationary mounting relative to the fluid flow. A member (20), having a longitudinal axis (21), is movably connected relative to the base (12) and is adapted to move relative to the base (12) towards a position in which the longitudinal axis (21) generally aligns with a vertical plane parallel to the direction of the fluid flow passing the member (20). A lift generating element (26) is connected to the member (20) and is movable relative to the direction of the fluid flow to vary a direction of lift produced by the lift generating element (26) as fluid flows therearound. The lift generated by the lift generating element (26) drives the member (20) in oscillatory motion relative to the base (12). An energy transfer mechanism is attached to the member (20) and is adapted to be driven by the oscillation of the member (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: BioPower Systems Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Timothy Donegal Finnigan
  • Patent number: 7976245
    Abstract: A mooring (10) for connecting an ocean energy capturing device (51) to a seabed (16) is disclosed. The mooring (10) comprises a base (12) adapted for connection to the ocean energy capturing device (51). A plurality of anchor bolts (18) are each connected at a first end to the base (12) and have a second end adapted to be embedded in the seabed (16) for attaching the base (12) to the seabed (16). A method of securing the ocean energy capturing device (51) to the seabed (16) is also disclosed. The method involves passing a tensile transmission line (46) through a guide opening (44) in the base (12) and drawing the tensile transmission line (46) through the guide opening (44) to drag the ocean energy capturing device (51) toward the base (51).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Sykei Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Timothy Donegal Finnigan
  • Publication number: 20100156106
    Abstract: A wave energy capturing device (10) comprising a base (12) adapted for fixed connection to a submerged surface (14). At least one elongate buoyant paddle (26) is pivotally mounted to the base (12) about a first pivotal axis (22), for angular oscillation through an angle range when wave motion applies a force to the paddle (26). The paddle (26) has a longitudinal axis (27), an upper end portion and a lower end portion. An energy transfer member is attached to the paddle (26) and is adapted to be driven by the angular oscillation of the paddle (26). A paddle adjustment assembly is associated with the paddle (26) and is adapted to adjust the angle range of the paddle (26) in magnitude and/or angular position relative to the first pivotal axis (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: BIOPOWER SYSTEMS PTY. LTD.
    Inventor: Timothy Donegal Finnigan
  • Publication number: 20100140933
    Abstract: A device (10) for capturing energy from a fluid flow is disclosed. The device (10) comprises a base (12) adapted for stationary mounting relative to the fluid flow. A member (20), having a longitudinal axis (21), is movably connected relative to the base (12) and is adapted to move relative to the base (12) towards a position in which the longitudinal axis (21) generally aligns with a vertical plane parallel to the direction of the fluid flow passing the member (20). A lift generating element (26) is connected to the member (20) and is movable relative to the direction of the fluid flow to vary a direction of lift produced by the lift generating element (26) as fluid flows therearound. The lift generated by the lift generating element (26) drives the member (20) in oscillatory motion relative to the base (12). An energy transfer mechanism is attached to the member (20) and is adapted to be driven by the oscillation of the member (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: BIOPOWER SYSTEMS PTY. LTD.
    Inventor: Timothy Donegal Finnigan
  • Publication number: 20100135729
    Abstract: A mooring (10) for connecting an ocean energy capturing device (51) to a seabed (16) is disclosed. The mooring (10) comprises a base (12) adapted for connection to the ocean energy capturing device (51). A plurality of anchor bolts (18) are each connected at a first end to the base (12) and have a second end adapted to be embedded in the seabed (16) for attaching the base (12) to the seabed (16). A method of securing the ocean energy capturing device (51) to the seabed (16) is also disclosed. The method involves passing a tensile transmission line (46) through a guide opening (44) in the base (12) and drawing the tensile transmission line (46) through the guide opening (44) to drag the ocean energy capturing device (51) toward the base (51).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: BIOPOWER SYSTEMS PTY. LTD.
    Inventor: Timothy Donegal Finnigan