Tide And Wave Motors Patents (Class 290/42)
  • Patent number: 11821401
    Abstract: A wave power harnessing device which may include a base configured to support at least one guide opening; first and second shafts which may be situated apart and parallel from each other and to the base; first and second sprockets coupled to the first and second shafts, respectively, the first and second sprockets may each include an overrunning clutch configured to rotate the shaft coupled thereto in a single direction; a force transmitting member (FTM) may be coupled to the first and second sprockets; at least one buoy drive shaft (BUDS) may be coupled to the FTM and to at least one buoy; and/or a generator coupled to at least one of the first and second shafts and which may be configured to generate an electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Inventor: Mirza Aliahmad
  • Patent number: 11802537
    Abstract: Embodiments for managing a wave energy converter (WEC) device by one or more processors are described. At least one environmental characteristic associated with a WEC device in a body of water is received. A prediction of wave conditions on the body of water is calculated based on the at least one environmental characteristic. A signal representative of the prediction of wave conditions is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fearghal O'Donncha, Bei Chen, Sean A. McKenna
  • Patent number: 11719219
    Abstract: Systems and methods for use in capturing energy from natural resources. In one form, the systems and methods capture energy from natural resources, such as movement of fluid in a body of water, and convert it into electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: P TECH, LLC
    Inventors: Peter M. Bonutti, Justin E. Beyers, Tonya M. Bierman
  • Patent number: 11644004
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for extracting energy from an oscillating working fluid, such as ocean waves includes an apparatus (10) having an internal flow passage (40) for the working fluid, a turbine (44) and a flow control device (38), each of the turbine (44) and the flow control device (38) being in direct fluid communication with the flow passage (40), where the flow control device is selectively moveable between a first configuration in which the flow control device is open to allow a flow of the working fluid, such as air, to exit the flow passage therethrough, and a second configuration in which the flow control device restricts a flow of the working fluid therethrough, the working fluid then entering the flow passage via the turbine, which can be harnessed to generate electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: WAVE SWELL ENERGY LIMITED
    Inventor: Thomas Denniss
  • Patent number: 11637479
    Abstract: A linear generator includes one or more helices, and one or more magnet members movable relative to a first helix to generate electric energy within the first helix. The first helix includes a first coil. The first helix and/or the magnet members have a density less than that of water such that the first helix and/or the magnet members have buoyant properties when the linear generator is at least partially submerged in the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: P TECH, LLC
    Inventors: Peter M. Bonutti, Matthew J. Cremens, Justin E. Beyers, Tonya M. Bierman
  • Patent number: 11342829
    Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus for generating electric power from flowing seawater are disclosed. Embodiments form fluid channels having magnetic fields through which seawater will flow. Electrodes are arranged with respect to the fluid channels and connected together such that electric power is generated as seawater flows through the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Inventor: Colin Kerr
  • Patent number: 11286901
    Abstract: A floating plate type marine refrigerated container system capable of generating electricity by using wave energy that relates to ocean energy, including a machine room, retractable pipes, vertical rise-fall pipes, vertical connecting rods, floating plates, controllers, a rising-falling control button, an indicator light, push-pull handles, grooves, fixed supports, generator sets, wires, a storage battery, a connecting block, a machine room door, a heat dissipation window, sliding areas, a movable plate, a displacement sensor, hinges, sliding shafts, sliding groove groups and the electrical equipment of the refrigerated container. The wave energy in the vertically moving waves is collected by the floating plate, and converted into electric energy. The electric energy are gathered to the storage battery, and finally supplied to the electrical equipment of the refrigerated container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Shanghai Ocean University
    Inventors: Jing Xie, Yuyao Sun, Jinfeng Wang
  • Patent number: 11246243
    Abstract: Waterborne data center facility systems and methods comprising a purpose-built marine vessel, a pre-fabricated data center facility structure, a plurality of computer systems, a plurality of energy-efficient water-based heat exchange systems, a plurality of energy efficient closed loop cooling systems, a plurality of data center modules and a plurality of electrical power generators. Described systems and methods may be employed to quickly deploy an energy-efficient waterborne data center facility. Described waterborne data center facility is transportable and may be moved to areas where data center facility and data center type services are needed. Water-based heat exchange and closed-loop cooling system enable energy-efficient cooling to data center facility and the plurality of computing systems therein. Power generators may be used to provide power to data center facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Nautilus TRUE, LLC
    Inventors: Arnold C. Magcale, Daniel Kekai, Byron Putnam Taylor
  • Patent number: 11239768
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with an electricity generator. The generator resembles a transistor and powered by impacting liquid such as water droplets. The generator has a glass substrate defining an upwardly facing surface and a downwardly facing surface. The substrate includes i) a region with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coated on the upwardly facing surface and acting as a virtual source and ii) an electrode arranged adjacent said PTFE coated region on the upwardly facing surface and acting as a drain in that the PTFE coated region and the electrode are positioned on the upwardly facing surface to receive an impacting water droplet acting as a gate, and wherein circuitry of the generator connects the virtual source and the drain via an electrical connection passing the downwardly facing surface, and electricity is harvested via the electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: CITY UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG
    Inventors: Zuankai Wang, Wanghuai Xu, Huanxi Zheng
  • Patent number: 11215160
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a horizontal-axis ocean current power generation device for an underwater vehicle. The power generation device is disposed in a groove of a rotary body of the underwater vehicle, and includes an undercarriage unit, a yawing unit, and a power generation unit. The undercarriage unit can realize elevation and descent of the entire power generation device, and the power generation unit is capable of realizing arbitrary rotation within 360° in a horizontal plane through the yawing unit. The power generation device can actively yaw based on change of an ocean current direction to perform an incident flowing function. The power generation unit respectively drives an outer shaft and an inner shaft to rotate through a front blade and a rear blade that rotate in opposite directions, so as to drive inner and outer rotors of a motor, thereby cutting magnetic induction to generate electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Bin Huang, Pengzhong Wang, Pengcheng Du, Dazhuan Wu, Peng Wu, Shuai Yang, Kexin Pu, Lu Wang
  • Patent number: 11173998
    Abstract: A fixed housing that is configured to be coupled to a balloon envelope and an impeller housing disposed within the fixed housing, wherein the impeller housing and the fixed housing form a seal in a closed position, wherein the impeller housing is moveable into the balloon envelope relative to the fixed housing in an open position, and wherein the impeller housing defines an unobstructed airflow passageway between an internal chamber in a balloon envelope and the atmosphere in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Aerostar International, Inc.
    Inventor: Keegan Gartner
  • Patent number: 11146089
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, there is provided an energy harvesting system using linear kinetic energy based on induction power generation. According to various embodiments, there may be provided an energy harvesting system using linear kinetic energy based on induction power generation, which may minimize the occasions of replacing or recharging the battery in battery-powered products by using the force or energy generated from a linearly reciprocating machine or device and may allow the battery to be charged when linear kinetic energy is generated and, otherwise, discharged, using an automatic battery charging/discharging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Inventors: Jin Yong Lee, Jeong Hun Lee, Su Jin Lee, Myoung Hoon Choi, Jeong Hwan Ahn
  • Patent number: 11118559
    Abstract: A buoyant hydrodynamic pump is disclosed that can float on a surface of a body of water over which waves tend to pass. The pump incorporates an open-bottomed tube with a constriction. The tube partially encloses a substantial volume of water with which the tube's constriction interacts, creating and/or amplifying oscillations therein in response to wave action. Wave-driven oscillations result in periodic upward ejections of portions of the water inside the tube that can be collected in a reservoir that is at least partially positioned above the mean water level of the body of water, or pressurized by compressed air or gas, or both. Water within such a reservoir may return to the body of water via a turbine, thereby generating electrical power (making the device a wave engine), or else the device's pumping action can be used for other purposes such as water circulation, propulsion, or cloud seeding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Inventors: Garth Alexander Sheldon-Coulson, Brian Lee Moffat, Daniel William Place
  • Patent number: 11053922
    Abstract: A turbine energy device having one or more rotors and one or more stators in one or more generator sets wherein said rotors and stators are adapted to be rotated in opposite directions, by means of gear stages adapted to produce counter-rotation in these elements and to produce high relative rotation rates between said elements according to the gear ratios involved, thereby obtaining increased power density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Inventor: Doron E. Ezoory
  • Patent number: 11053921
    Abstract: A multi-source power generation system to generate electricity by utilizing a combination of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and wave energy is disclosed. The power generating system comprises a frame including a float body and a cylindrical body integral to the float body is submerged below the surface of sea water. A solar power generator comprising solar panel is mounted above the float portion, which is configured to receive the solar power energy and produce electrical potential. A wave energy generator is disposed inside the cylindrical body to harness wave energy from wave motion. A wind turbine disposed on the float body, which is configured to harness wind energy from wind. The cylindrical body comprises a cylindrical compartment including a cylindrical magnet which is configured to move in and out of a coil to generate electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Inventor: Laura Gong
  • Patent number: 11008999
    Abstract: A wave power generation system includes a wave receiving member, ram cylinder hydraulic pump device, change value sensor, accumulator device, hydraulic motor, power generator, and controller. The member is arranged near a virtual reflection surface that reflects a coming incident wave. The controller sets a torque command used when the generator generates electric power. Based on a differential value of a change value detected by the sensor and changes in accordance with a swing amount of the member, the controller determines whether the member is swinging toward a first or second side in a swing direction. When the controller determines the member is swinging toward the second side by receiving force of a reflected wave reflected by the virtual reflection surface, the controller changes the torque command from the command set when the controller determines the member is swinging toward the first side by receiving force of the incident wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignees: THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO, KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koki Maruyama, Chang-Kyu Rheem, Hidetaka Kobayashi, Naoki Kuribayashi, Hideki Tanaka, Masahide Tsuji
  • Patent number: 10975833
    Abstract: A modular system of generating electrical power from mechanical energy of kinetic motion originating in current, waves, and tides, where the system resembles natural habitat and illustrates options for optimizing the transmission of current through the system. One or more branches elongate members containing current generators extend up from the bottom of a body of water. The elongate members move with water, in the manner of kelp, to actuate the current generators, and thus transform mechanical energy due to forces inherent in a body of water to electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Inventor: Timm Peddie
  • Patent number: 10975835
    Abstract: A wave energy converter (10) is capable of floating on a body of water (BW), moving in response to waves (W) occurring in the body of water (BW), and includes a hull (12) connected to a heave plate (14). The wave energy converter (10) is characterized in that the hull (12) is formed from reinforced concrete, a plurality of connecting tendons (16) extend between the hull (12) and the heave plate (14), and a power take off (66) is attached to each connecting tendon (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: University of Maine System Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Anthony M. Viselli, Habib J. Dagher
  • Patent number: 10961976
    Abstract: The invention relates to the real-time determination of the forces applied by waves incident upon the moving part (2) of a wave-energy system (1). The method according to the invention is based on the construction of a model of the radiation force applied to the moving part (2) and a model of the dynamics of the wave-energy system (1). The invention uses only measurements of the kinematics of the moving part (2) and the force applied by the conversion machine (3) to the moving part (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES
    Inventors: Hoai-Nam Nguyen, Paolino Tona
  • Patent number: 10923998
    Abstract: Embodiments provide systems and methods for creating and storing energy using the magnetohydrodynamic principle and the flow of a conductive fluid through a magnetic field downhole in a pipeline system. The system can also be configured to determine water holdup using the magnetohydrodynamic principle. The energy the system generates can be used to control electric valves and other electronic devices along the pipeline. The power storing and generating system can be configured to include permanent magnets, electrode pairs, isolation material, and a conductive flowing multiphase media. The multiphase media, i.e., oil, gas, water, or a mixture, flows through a pipeline that has electrodes in direct contact with the media and magnets also configured adjacent the media. The electrode pairs can be arranged inside of the pipeline opposite each other, with a permanent magnet placed between the electrodes and flush to the inside of the pipe, with flux lines perpendicular to the flow direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Frode Hveding, Muhammad Arsalan
  • Patent number: 10910863
    Abstract: A method of charging an energy storage device can be provided by wirelessly coupling to a rotating member contained in a housing using a coil attached to an exterior of the housing and charging an energy storage device using a current induced in the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Sensus Spectrum, LLC
    Inventor: Johannes Wilhelmus Antonius Maria Otten
  • Patent number: 10871141
    Abstract: A Vernier permanent magnet linear generator employs a translator having a plurality of translator modules oriented in a vertical array. At least a portion of the plurality of translator modules has permanent magnets. Supports at lateral edges of the plurality of translator modules and a rod connected to the supports attach the translator to a driving element. The driving element reciprocating the translator in a longitudinal direction. Two stators are supported on a reaction body oppositely spaced from the vertical array of translator modules by an air gap and offset by one half slot pitch. The stators have three phase integral-slot stator windings magnetically interacting with a magnetic field induced by the permanent magnets. A slot depth of the stators is configured such that an 11th harmonic component of the magnetic field is saturated at a multiple value of a 1st harmonic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Dehlsen Associates, LLC
    Inventors: Alan L. McCall, Patrick J. McCleer, Gerald R. Shannon, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10865763
    Abstract: A wave energy converter incorporates a floating body and a reaction body engaging the floating body wherein the reaction body is static or oscillating out of phase relative to the floating body. A power take-off (PTO) has at least one direct drive linear generator, a high level controller responsive to sensors engaged to the direct drive linear generator and providing a PTO force change command (dFPTO) and a low level controller receiving the PTO force change command and providing control signals to power electronics connected to the direct drive linear generator. The direct drive linear generator is operable responsive to the control signals to achieve optimal power extraction performance with high force at low speed with operation in two physical directions and operating as both a motor and a generator for a total of four quadrants of control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: DEHLSEN ASSOCIATES, LLC
    Inventors: Alan L. McCall, Patrick J. McCleer
  • Patent number: 10830106
    Abstract: A method for synchronising a turbine with an AC network having a network frequency, having the following steps: A) accelerating the turbine up to a stated rotational speed, without taking into consideration a difference angle between the turbine and the AC network; B) detecting a difference angle between the turbine and the AC network; C) accelerating or decelerating the turbine in such a way that the differential speed follows a target trajectory, wherein the target trajectory is a trajectory that indicates a target rotational speed depending on the detected difference angle, such that a target angular position that is suitable for a synchronous supply is achieved between the turbine and AC network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gerta Zimmer, Matthias Heue
  • Patent number: 10822992
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon production system includes a well at a remote location. The well is configured to produce hydrocarbon production fluids comprising natural gas. The system also includes a turbo-generator coupled to the well and configured to receive the natural gas and produce electricity from the natural gas. In addition, the system includes a high performance computing (HPC) data center coupled to the turbo-generator and configured to be powered by the electricity from the turbo-generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Steele Spears
  • Patent number: 10823134
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a nonlinear controller for nonlinear wave energy converters (WECs). As an example of the invention, a nonlinear dynamic model is developed for a geometrically right-circular cylinder WEC design for the heave-only motion, or a single degree-of-freedom (DOF). The linear stiffness term is replaced by a nonlinear cubic hardening spring term to demonstrate the performance of a nonlinear WEC as compared to an optimized linear WEC. By exploiting the nonlinear physics in the nonlinear controller, equivalent power and energy capture, as well as simplified operational performance is observed for the nonlinear cubic hardening spring controller when compared to an optimized linear controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignees: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, Michigan Technological University
    Inventors: David G. Wilson, Giorgio Bacelli, Rush D. Robinett, III, Ossama Abdelkhalik
  • Patent number: 10807680
    Abstract: A mooring system for deploying flow kinetic power generation systems in a water flow and placing the power generation systems to a position across moving path of the water flow from an anchoring point, the mooring system comprises: a main tether; an anchor means attached to a first end of the main tether and fixed to the anchoring point; and a main sail means attached to a second end of the main tether and immersed in the water flow; wherein the power generation systems is attached to the second end of the main tether; and the relative to the main sail means creates a fluid dynamic lift force on the main sail means and pulls the power generation systems in a lateral direction with respect to the moving path of the water flow. The mooring system may also be applied to moor and deploy other payloads and devices transversely across a water flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: National Tsing Hua University
    Inventor: Che-Chih Tsao
  • Patent number: 10788010
    Abstract: A means for improving the motion stability of a floating, semi-submerged, or submerged body used in, multi-capture-mode wave energy converters (WECs) having two or more bodies, against wave-induced heave, surge, and pitching forces, while reducing the size, mass and cost of such bodies or bases, thus improving the relative motion and hence capture efficiency of such WECs over a broad spectrum of wave periods and wave heights. Stabilizing counter moments against wave-induced motion are substituted by strategic placement of drag plates or planes entraining seawater mass or water-filled cavities within, or attached to, the bases and/or at least one tensioned seabed-affixed cable. The base or reaction-body stabilizing means is disclosed in a two-body multi-capture-mode, deep-water, surface-deployed, wave-terminator-type WEC to concurrently increase wave energy capture efficiency and reduce the volume, mass, and capital cost of the WEC's stabilized reaction body or base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: ROHRER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: John W. Rohrer
  • Patent number: 10788009
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for recovering wave energy, the device including a drum which is adapted to rotate around its centre axis and inside which an electric generator is adapted, arranged to be rotated by the rotating motion of said drum. In order for the device to recover energy better than prior art devices, the device includes at least one wing adapted on the outside of the drum, the wing being arranged to turn in such a way that it may be turned from a first position to a second position whereby, as the wing is in its first position, the motion of water in a first direction of the drum centre axis is arranged to rotate the drum in a first direction, and as the wing is in its second position, the motion of water in a second direction of the drum centre axis is also arranged to rotate the drum in said first direction, and the turning of the wing is arranged to take place under control of a pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: FINN ESCONE OY
    Inventor: Esko Raikamo
  • Patent number: 10677227
    Abstract: Invention defines a method and apparatus for storing energy where a power source is used to reposition a mass in a gravitational field to a position of higher potential energy where the stored potential energy may be recovered with extremely low loss, where the force of gravity may be allowed to accelerates the mass, where the resulting kinetic energy is converted to shaft horsepower. Said shaft horsepower may be converted to pneumatic, electrical, or hydraulic power. A variation defines a method where a power source is used to submerge a buoyant object in a fluid, where the submerged object represents a potential energy, where the force of gravity displaces the submerged buoyant object, where the kinetic energy resulting from the displacement is converted to shaft horsepower. Said shaft horsepower may be similarly converted to pneumatic, electrical, or hydraulic power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Inventors: James Francis Kellinger, Michael Thane MacKay
  • Patent number: 10677224
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improved, in particular simpler, lighter, mechanically more stable and operationally more reliable offshore wind power plant (100) that can float. By means of a cable (110) constructed as a combination of a power line that is held at least virtually without loading and a holding cable that absorbs all the mechanical forces that occur for holding the wind power plant on a single fixed-location anchoring point (111), said power plant can be connected to the anchoring point such that the power plant can move with six degrees of freedom. A coupling (112) is arranged at a single connecting point (118) between the cable and the wind power plant and, to make an electrical connection, is constructed with a sliding coupling and, for mechanical transmission of force, is constructed with a swivel coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: CRUSE OFFSHORE GMBH
    Inventor: Jens Cruse
  • Patent number: 10634113
    Abstract: Disclosed is a novel device that converts some of the power in ocean waves into electrical power or other means of performing useful work. One or more tubes are arranged so that when the device is in position in a body of water, the tubes are oriented vertically with one end positioned proximate to and/or above the surface of the body of water on which the device floats, and with the other end positioned below the surface of that body of water. In some embodiments, through a differential restriction on the flow of air in and out of an upper end of the tube, the average height of the water inside the tube is different from the average height of the water outside the tube. In some embodiments, a hollow void inside a flotation structure of the embodiment is filled with water to contribute significant mass to the embodiment and increase the momentum associated with its vertical oscillations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: LONE GULL HOLDINGS, LTD.
    Inventors: Garth Alexander Sheldon-Coulson, Brian Lee Moffat, Daniel William Place
  • Patent number: 10615727
    Abstract: A power converter assembly for an electrical power system connected to a power grid includes a rotor-side converter configured for coupling to a generator rotor of a generator of the electrical power system, a line-side converter electrically coupled to rotor-side converter via a DC link, and a dynamic brake assembly electrically coupled to the DC link. The line-side converter is configured for coupling to the power grid. The dynamic brake assembly includes a plurality of switching devices connected in parallel and a plurality of inductors electrically coupled between the plurality of switching devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, Cornelius Edward Holliday, Benjamin Arthur Niemoeller, David Smith
  • Patent number: 10601352
    Abstract: The invention is an improved wave energy conversion system (1, 2) including a model predictive control method for an energy conversion machine (1) that maximizes the power output by accounting for the energy conversion efficiency and prediction of a wave (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: IFP Energies nouvelles
    Inventors: Florian Saupe, Yann Creff
  • Patent number: 10570876
    Abstract: An energy harvesting pendulum device is provided to oscillate in a semi-circular path on an inclined plane with a low friction surface in response to wave motion of an ocean surface. An electrical production source is mounted to an underside of the plane to convert kinetic energy of a pendulum bob of the pendulum device into electrical energy. The pendulum device can be enclosed by an enclosure floating on the ocean surface with the pendulum moving bob on the inclined plane within the enclosure. The length of the pendulum and the angle of the inclined plane are determined so that the pendulum operates in a resonant state at the ocean motion frequency. The pendulum bob can include rollers for minimal friction when contacting the inclined plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Inventor: Anthony A Ruffa
  • Patent number: 10511211
    Abstract: A trip reduction tool for a wind turbine power system includes a capacitor assembly configured to provide multiple capacitance levels for the power system, including e.g. a first level of capacitance during a learning phase of the tool. The tool also includes one or more processors communicatively coupled to the capacitor assembly that is configured to monitor a plurality of electrical devices of the power system for trips during the learning phase. When a trip is detected, the processor(s) collects data and determines a location of the trip. When the location of the trip is located in an electrical device that corresponds to a weak link of the power system, the processor(s) determines a second level of capacitance for the power system based on the collected data. In addition, the processor(s) provides the second level of capacitance at the weak link of the power system to reduce future trips of the electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Joseph Lawrence Chacon
  • Patent number: 10480482
    Abstract: A wave energy collector placed in ocean water a given distance from a shoreline, the wave energy collector formed by at least one parallelogram structure with an even number of mechanical actuators are positioned within the parallelogram structure. Each mechanical actuator has a respective hose with a check valve to suck ocean water in and blow ocean water out under pressure for energy conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Inventors: Gary Ross, Griffin Ross
  • Patent number: 10466155
    Abstract: An embodiment of a system with a minute measure of pulsatility in a flow of a fluid is described that comprises a first pump configured to flow the fluid to a junction at a first flow rate that comprises a measure of pulsatility; and a second pump configured to flow a portion of the fluid from the junction at a second flow rate that is less than the first flow rate to produce a flow of the fluid at a third flow rate from the junction with a minute measure of pulsatility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Ward, Jason Malkin
  • Patent number: 10458385
    Abstract: Assemblies, systems, and methods are disclosed for generating energy from natural and renewable forces and, more particularly, to energy generation using tidal action. A tidal energy conversion assembly includes a displacement vessel coupled via an anchor cable to a directional converter and an electrical power generator on land. The displacement vessel includes a horizontally rotatable drag panel extending into the water to capture drag forces caused by the flow of water. The flow of water against the drag panel causes the displacement vessel to move laterally and pull on the anchor cable thus exerting a force on the directional converter. The directional converter converts this force into rotational energy that may be harnessed by the electrical power generator to generate electricity for consumption. The horizontally rotatable drag panel may be rotated to adjust the amount of electrical energy produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Big Moon Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Lynn Blodgett, Colin Bagley, Jeff Blodgett
  • Patent number: 10378507
    Abstract: An energy harvester including a stand supporting the energy harvester in a fluid flow, i.e. a stream or current; at least one bluff body extending from the stand and positioned substantially perpendicular to the fluid flow, wherein each bluff body moves relative to the stand at least in a direction perpendicular to the fluid flow, wherein sufficient flow causes oscillating movement of the bluff body; and an electrical generator coupled to the stand and coupled to at least one bluff body converting the oscillating movement to electrical power, wherein the rate of electrical power generation per movement of the bluff body (or harvesting) is varied throughout a range of amplitudes of the oscillation of the bluff body and wherein the harvesting rate of at least one amplitude of the body oscillation is greater than the harvesting rate of at least one lower amplitude of the body oscillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: RENERGE, INC.
    Inventors: Scott Kennedy, Lisa Weiland
  • Patent number: 10337488
    Abstract: A wave energy converter deep sea mounting system consists of a floatable platform, an enclosure, a wave energy converter mechanism, a generator, a float arm, and a float. The enclosure is mounted atop the floatable platform by an enclosure support axle, about which the enclosure can rotate. The wave energy converter mechanism and the electrical generator are mounted within the enclosure. The float arm is connected between the enclosure and a stationary float, and as the floatable platform rises and falls due to wave action, the enclosure is thus rotated. The wave energy converter mechanism has a stationary input pulley connected through at least one pulley system to a generator output pulley, multiplying input rotations from the float arm action to the electrical generator in order to generate electricity. As the enclosure rotates about the stationary input pulley, the remaining pulleys are forced to spin through rotation about the stationary input pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventor: John J. Heim
  • Patent number: 10337489
    Abstract: System for power generation from a flow of fluid, comprising a fluid driven device connected to a tether wherein the tether is coupled with a base station to convert energy from the flow of fluid into transportable energy, wherein the fluid driven device comprises a frame provided with adjustable vanes, and wherein the vanes are adjustable for setting into a predefine position relative to the flow of fluid. The fluid driven device comprises a working mode and a retraction mode, wherein in the working mode the vanes are set in a first predetermined position to generate a lift force from the flow of fluid, and wherein in the retraction mode the vanes are set in a second predetermined position to provide a low drag level to the flow of fluid, and wherein the work performed during working mode is larger than the work supplied during retraction mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: SeaQurrent Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Youri Wentzel
  • Patent number: 10309367
    Abstract: A system for obtaining energy from surface waves is disclosed. The system can include an array of buoys. The array of buoys can include a framework having a plurality of vertical members. The array of buoys can also include a base buoy coupled to the framework to support the framework in a body of water and maintain the vertical members in a vertical orientation. The array of buoys can further include a plurality of movable buoys. Each of the plurality of movable buoys can be movably disposed about a different one of the vertical members and configured to move relative to the respective vertical members and the base buoy in response to a wave in the body of water. Additionally, the array of buoys can include an energy conversion device operable with each of the plurality of movable buoys to generate power from movement of the movable buoys relative to the vertical members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Inventor: Mitchell Fait
  • Patent number: 10273931
    Abstract: A wave power station for conversion and storage of energy from waves in an ocean or a sea includes a wave energy absorbing unit including a first floating body connected to a vertically hanging counterweight via a drive line and a drive wheel, a power generating unit including at least one power generation unit for conversion of wave energy, connected to a drive shaft, and a power accumulating unit including at least one power accumulator for storage of generated wave power. The power generating unit and the power accumulating unit are arranged in a second floating body firmly anchored under the first floating body to the ocean bed or sea bed. The drive line is connected to the at least one power generation unit via the drive wheel, and a coupling and transmission unit arranged on the drive shaft for driving of the at least one power generation unit via the up and down movements of the drive line in time with the wave movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: OLCON ENGINEERING AB
    Inventor: Johnny Ohlsson
  • Patent number: 10267286
    Abstract: A wave power plant (1) comprising: a frame construction (2, 2?), a plurality of rocking rotors (2) arranged on the frame construction (2, 2?) on at least on rotor axis (4), a drive axis (30) connected to a generator and journaled in said frame construction (2, 2?); and at least one belt drive connection (40) arranged between the rotor axis (4) and the drive axis (30) for each rocking rotor (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Weptos A/S
    Inventor: Tommy Larsen
  • Patent number: 10253749
    Abstract: A device is provided that converts random movement of extrinsic oscillation from an ocean wave into purposeful movement, such as torque or other motion that can be used to generate electricity. This device may include but is not limited to two major components: 1) a collection unit and 2) a transmission unit. The collection unit represents the interactive part of the device that interfaces with an extrinsic force which provides the randomized kinetic motion that is translated by an actuating arm connected with the transmission unit into pivoting bidirectional movement along at least two directional axes, and may include a series of connected pivoting arms of different lengths. The transmission unit is the portion of the device that converts the pivoting directional movement of the actuating arm or arms into rotation of a drive shaft that is then converted into purposeful torque, and thus, electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Inventor: Kevin M. Barrett
  • Patent number: 10233902
    Abstract: A method of using a bagged power generation system comprising windbags and waterbags integrated with drones and adapting drone technologies for harnessing wind and water power to produce electricity. An extremely scalable and environmentally friendly method, system, apparatus, equipment, techniques and ecosystem configured to produce renewable green energy with high productivity and efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Inventor: Yik Hei Sia
  • Patent number: 10190567
    Abstract: The invention discloses a heavy hammer type wave power generation method and device. According to the invention, under the action of wave power and gravity, a floating box enables driving sprockets and guiding sprockets to turn leftwards or rightwards along a chain, the driving sprockets turn leftwards or rightwards by means of a speed-increasing gear in a speed-increasing box and a transmission mechanism for converting bidirectional swinging to unidirectional rotation, a generator shaft always rotates in one direction to generate power. According to the invention, a wave energy collecting method is simple and easy, a large amount of wave energy can be collected, energy converting efficiency is high, the structure is simple, manufacturing costs are low, maintenance is avoided for a long time, service life is long, safety is good, a wave power generation station can be established by networking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Changchun University of Science and Technology
    Inventor: Chenghao Piao
  • Patent number: 10186941
    Abstract: A magnetic drive can be configured to transfer torque from a reciprocating magnet to a flywheel having magnets in a contactless manner. The drive can include a reciprocating magnetic leg assembly which guides a magnet through a reciprocating path. The reciprocating path can be elliptical. The leg assembly can be mounted near the outer surface of a flywheel so as to, way of magnetic attraction forces, transfer torque from the leg assembly to a flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Inventor: Fu-Hung Ho
  • Patent number: 10161379
    Abstract: This invention relates to a wave energy generator for a coastal protection system. The wave energy generator includes a base structure arranged in a body of water and configured to protect a portion of a coastline against incoming waves. The base structure has a foundation located on a floor of the body of water and a wall extending from the foundation to a point above a highest predicted height of the waves. At least one duct is associated with the base structure for receiving an oscillating water column from the body of water. The oscillating water column oscillates in response to wave action of the incoming waves and the duct forms part of an energy extraction system for capturing energy from the incoming waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Inventor: Ali Mohammad Baghaei Nanehkaran