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).
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Patent number: 9228561Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 1, 2010Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: BioPower Systems Pty. Ltd.Inventors: Timothy Donegal Finnigan, Gerold Kloos, Carlos Andres Gonzalez Toro
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Patent number: 8288883Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 26, 2011Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: BioPower Systems Pty. Ltd.Inventor: Timothy Donegal Finnigan
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Publication number: 20120181790Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2010Publication date: July 19, 2012Applicant: BIOPOWER SYSTEMS PTY. LTD.Inventors: Timothy Donegal Finnigan, Gerold Kloos, Carlos Andres Gonzalez Toro
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Patent number: 8110937Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 11, 2006Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Biopower Systems Pty. Ltd.Inventor: Timothy Donegal Finnigan
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Publication number: 20110316283Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2011Publication date: December 29, 2011Applicant: BIOPOWER SYSTEMS PTY. LTD.Inventor: Timothy Donegal Finnigan
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Patent number: 8030794Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 11, 2006Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: BioPower Systems Pty. Ltd.Inventor: Timothy Donegal Finnigan
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Patent number: 7976245Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 11, 2006Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Sykei Pty. Ltd.Inventor: Timothy Donegal Finnigan
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Publication number: 20100156106Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2006Publication date: June 24, 2010Applicant: BIOPOWER SYSTEMS PTY. LTD.Inventor: Timothy Donegal Finnigan
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Publication number: 20100140933Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2006Publication date: June 10, 2010Applicant: BIOPOWER SYSTEMS PTY. LTD.Inventor: Timothy Donegal Finnigan
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Publication number: 20100135729Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2006Publication date: June 3, 2010Applicant: BIOPOWER SYSTEMS PTY. LTD.Inventor: Timothy Donegal Finnigan