Relatively Movable Working Member Portions Patents (Class 416/82)
  • Patent number: 11465719
    Abstract: Fluke drive system for a vessel (100), comprising a pivot element (114) having a forward end and an aft end, which pivot element (114) is pivotally connected at the forward end to a hull (101) of the vessel (100) and which pivot element (114) is connected at the aft end to a flexible fluke (125); a driving mechanism having a drive point (120), which driving mechanism is arranged to impart a reciprocal or rotary movement to the drive point (120); and a drive rod (121) having a first end and a second end, which drive rod (121) is connected at the first end to the drive point (120) and at the second end to the pivot element (114), which second end is connected to the pivot element (114) at a point (122) along the pivot element (114) between said forward and aft ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: DOLPROP INDUSTRIES AB
    Inventor: Thomas Jemt
  • Patent number: 10196118
    Abstract: A propellable aquatic board includes a main body that is at least partially buoyant. The propellable aquatic board also includes a flexible member secured to the main body by a fastener. The flexible member extends away from the main body in a longitudinal direction. The flexible member is configured to selectively deflect to propel the aquatic board through water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Inventor: Wayne H. Strak
  • Patent number: 10190570
    Abstract: The TRAVELING WAVE PROPELLER, PUMP AND GENERATOR APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS include force or forces applied to an arc-like flexible sheet-like material to create a deformed crenated strip fin with strained-deformations. The strained-deformations take on a sinusoid-like form that express the internal energy state of the flexible sheet-like material after it has been configured into a crenated strip fin. After being incorporated into a mechanism with couplings that prevent the crenated strip fin from returning to its un-strained state, the strained-deformations persist. Actuators may be used to sequentially rotate vertebrae attached to the fins causing the travel of sinusoid-like deformations along the fins. In a fluid medium, the traveling waves of sinusoidal deformations may exert force on the fluid causing the fluid to move and/or creating thrust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Pliant Energy Systems LLC
    Inventor: Benjamin Pietro Filardo
  • Patent number: 9511837
    Abstract: A device for propelling a vessel through water that includes an elongated handle; a grip at one end of the elongated handle; a paddle-shaped frame at an opposite end of the handle; a pair of blades that are pivotally supported at opposed respective sides of the frame and that have an open position and a normally biased closed position; and a cam supported by the frame and operated from the grip end of the handle. The cam is constructed and arranged to control the position of the blades so that in one position thereof the blades are partially opened allowing the blades to pivot, and in another position thereof the blades are nested against the frame so that the blades are maintained in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Inventor: John Reeves
  • Patent number: 8591168
    Abstract: A subsurface wave power generation system includes a seabed mounting plate adapted for securing to a seabed, a wing having generally opposed first and second wing surfaces extending between a first and second wing ends, the second wing end being pivotably mounted to the seabed mounting plate such that pivoting motion about a pivot axis generally parallel to the mounting plate is imparted to the wing by subsurface wave action acting on the first and second wing surfaces, and a drive arm pivotably connected to the wing to convert the pivoting motion into reciprocal motion. An electrical generator can be driven by the drive arm through a slip linkage. The slip linkage includes a first stage that converts the reciprocal motion of the drive arm into rotational motion and a second stage that selectively engages the a drive shaft of the generator drive to impart the rotational motion thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Clean and Green Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Elbert Lee Marcum
  • Patent number: 8469663
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for converting the kinetic energy of a moving fluid stream into useful work by using a parallel cascade of aerofoils or hydrofoils positioned therein. The foils may be provided with at least two degrees of freedom and adjacent foils move in antiphase. The foils are subjected to resonant oscillations, known as flutter, induced by the fluid flow. Profiled inflow and outflow ducts may be positioned upstream and downstream, and the apparatus may be enclosed in a profiled duct, to increase efficiency by altering the fluid velocity and pressure. The foils are cantilevered, supported by vertical rods but are otherwise unattached. A cascade comprised of independent foil modules, each including a foil, a power conversion module and a motion control module, may be programmed to (1) receive energy from a fluid stream to generate power, or (2) transfer energy into a fluid stream to create propulsion or pumping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: ResHydro LLC
    Inventor: Colin C. Kerr
  • Patent number: 8212187
    Abstract: A heater with 360° rotation of a heated air stream is provided. The device includes a housing, a motor, an impeller, a heating element, an air stream deflector and a rotational engine. More specifically, the device is directed toward a portable space heater having an outward radial projection of a heated air stream in combination with 360° rotational movement for reducing air temperature stratification and uneven heating problems in a room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Lasko Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: William E. Lasko
  • Publication number: 20120038164
    Abstract: A wave power plant is disclosed which has one or more foils that are pivotally movable about a body. The foil is set into an oscillating, pivotal motion about the body by the force of the waves. A power engine is mounted between the body and the foil and extract works as the foil pivots about the body. The foil and body are held submerged below the surface of the water to reduce the effects of extreme weather conditions on the structural components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: Tidal Sails AS
    Inventor: Are Borgesen
  • Patent number: 7989973
    Abstract: Power generation apparatus includes a wing-shaped blade having opposite sides, opposite ends and leading and trailing edges extending between those ends. A lift differential producing device in the blade produces a lift differential at the opposite sides of the blade and that device is switched so that one blade side or the other produces the greater lift. A blade shaft extends along an axis in the blade that is in close parallel relation to the leading edge of the blade and that shaft is fixed to move with the blade. Supports support the blade shaft so that the blade can be positioned in a fluid stream with the leading edge facing upstream and swing about the axis between first and second extreme positions on opposite sides of a neutral position, the blade shaft oscillating with the blade. A coordinating device coordinates the switching of the lift differential producing device with the swinging of the blade so that the switching occurs at the extreme positions of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Inventor: Orville J. Birkestrand
  • Publication number: 20110064576
    Abstract: A wind oscillator configured for power generation is provided. The wind oscillator includes an upwardly oriented elongate rotatable support beam configured to rotate to enable the wind oscillator to be approximately oriented with respect to a wind direction, a bracket supported by the support beam, the bracket extending transversely and outward therefrom, a shaft operably connected to the bracket at a first end of the shaft, and a gear attached to a second end of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventor: Tianshu Liu
  • Patent number: 7905705
    Abstract: A fluid flow-driven energy conversion system configured to oscillate in the presence of fluid flow. The system comprises an adjustable electromechanically controlled fluidfoil, a balance beam, a compensatory weight and an angle of attack positioner to adjust the angle of attack of the fluidfoil with respect to fluid flow. The fluidfoil is controlled to permit a consistently optimum angle of attack into the prevailing flow. The kinetic energy of the oscillating action is transferred to a connector for energy transfer to one of a variety of energy storage systems for converting the energy of the linear oscillating motion to other desired forms of energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: W2 Energy Development Corporation
    Inventor: Gene Ryland Kelley
  • Patent number: 7632069
    Abstract: A fluid flow-driven energy conversion system configured to oscillate in the presence of fluid flow. The system comprises an adjustable electromechanically controlled fluidfoil, a balance beam, a compensatory weight and an angle of attack positioner to adjust the angle of attack of the fluidfoil with respect to fluid flow. The fluidfoil is controlled to permit a consistently optimum angle of attack into the prevailing flow. The kinetic energy of the oscillating action is transferred to a connector for energy transfer to one of a variety of energy storage systems for converting the energy of the linear oscillating motion to other desired forms of energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: W2 Energy Development Corporation
    Inventor: Gene Ryland Kelley
  • Patent number: 7520788
    Abstract: A manually-operable reciprocating rowing system having a reversible oar for forward or reverse propulsion. The oar has a plurality of pivoting blades mounted in a housing and movable between open and closed positions with each stroke of the oar. In the open position, the blades are positioned to allow water passage through the housing, while in the closed position, the blades are positioned to obstruct water passage through the housing. Gates are provided for stopping the pivoting movement of the blade at the blade housing. A reversing mechanism selectively pivots the gates to allow the blades to pass from one side to an opposite side of the housing, thereby allowing propulsion in a reversed direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Inventor: Gustavo Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 7204731
    Abstract: The invention comprises a scalable, configurable “propulsor” system. A propulsor system is an assembly of individual propulsors that act in concert to form a substantially continuous control surface that undulates in a working fluid. Each propulsor is driven and configured by computer-controlled actuators so that the control surface undulates in various wave forms. Optional actuators that may refine the surface shape include an “orientation” actuator that drives rotation about the propulsor's longitudinal axis, and a “geometry” actuator that controls each propulsor's geometric configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Carl Phillip Gusler
  • Patent number: 6959895
    Abstract: A vehicle for flying and having a forward portion and a rearward portion opposite the forward. The vehicle includes a first pair of wings arranged at the forward portion of the vehicle, a second pair of wings arranged at the rearward portion of the vehicle, and a support structure. The support structure is connected to the forward pair of wings and connected to the rearward pair of wings, the support structure being arranged to drive the forward pair of wings alternately toward each other and apart and drives the second pair of wings alternately toward each other and apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: David A. Cylinder
  • Patent number: 6652232
    Abstract: The present invention shows an oscillating wing system like lifting surface featuring a symmetrical profile mounted free to rotate over a fixation point located ahead neutral point and self-trimming at angle of attack in the flow by adjustment of a trailing edge elevon, and whose the system is actuated by linear lateral or vertical movement allowing to produce electrical energy with the wind flow or water flow of a deep river or at flood/ebb tide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventor: Maxime Lambert Bolduc
  • Patent number: 6273680
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for converting the kinetic energy of a moving fluid stream into useful work by using a cascade of thin aero or hydro foils positioned therein. The foils may be provided with at least two degrees of freedom and adjacent foils move out of phase. The foils are subjected to fluid induced oscillations known as flutter. Barriers (3, 43) may be positioned upstream, above, or at sides of the apparatus for increasing efficiency by increasing the fluid velocity. A system of flywheels (17, 18) are used to increase inertia of the foils and are particularly useful with hydrofoils. A cascade of aero or hydro foils may be mechanically oscillated to transfer energy to a fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Lee Arnold
  • Patent number: 5820342
    Abstract: A fluid forcing device comprising many rotatable slender elements that converts mechanical energy into fluid energy by mechanically arranging and maintaining, at all time, the rotatable slender elements in a predetermined wave form and by mechanically moving the wave form in a direction normal to the rotation of the elements by an improved drive comprising two fluted rollers. The new drive reduces the weight and complexity of the entire fluid forcing device and renders it more mechanically rigid and less vibration prone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventors: Ching Yin Au, Lawrence Au
  • Patent number: 5611666
    Abstract: A fluid forcing device comprising many rotatable slender elements that converts mechanical energy into fluid energy by mechanically arranging and maintaining, at all times, the rotatable slender elements in a pre-determined wave form and by mechanically moving the wave form in a direction normal to the rotation of the elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Inventors: Ching Y. Au, Lawrence Au
  • Patent number: 5466124
    Abstract: A device for converting a rotational movement for directing displacement of a flowable medium is provided with a mount and two rotatably mounted fixed axles which are arranged at a distance from one another on the mount and on which are articulated two end portions of a half cube-linkage chain having two lateral members and a middle member, the two lateral members being connected to the fixed axles and to the middle member by means of pivot axles which are successively offset relative to one another by in each case 90.degree.. The device is characterized in that the middle member and at least one of the two lateral members of the half cube-linkage chain cooperate to form sheet-like driving elements for displacing flowable substances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Inventor: Hermann Dettwiler
  • Patent number: 4688994
    Abstract: A watercraft propulsion device having a forward and a rearward foil in nested relationship for reciprocal oscillating movement in opposite directions having a foil angle greater than 0.degree. and less than 60.degree..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Assignee: Innerspace Corporation
    Inventor: Calvin A. Gongwer
  • Patent number: 4595336
    Abstract: An elevated and elongated boom is centrally pivoted for rocking movement in a vertical plane through the horizontal plane. Provision is made to align such plane with the direction of the wind. A pair of free wings are mounted on the fore and aft ends of the boom with control panels being oscillatably mounted on such wings for determining, by their relative positions and aerodynamic equilibrium reaction thereto, the angle of attack of such wings. Provision is made to control the relative positions of the control panels with respect to their respective wings so that the wings have angles of attack of opposite sense, with such senses being reversed as the boom approaches each predetermined limit of its rocking motion. The fore (canard) and aft wings are positioned and sized relative to each other to equalize their moment contributions to the rocking motion of the boom. Alternative wing structures are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1986
    Assignee: Solartech Energy and Research Corporation
    Inventor: David L. Grose
  • Patent number: 4525122
    Abstract: A wind-powered machine is provided in which a vane is driven through a vertical or horizontal arc with a back and forth motion, the motion of the vane serves to actuate a power generating mechanism, in the case where the vane moves in a vertical arc the actuation of the power generating mechanism can be achieved without any translation of the direction of the power transmission system; a governing mechanism serves to vary the response of the vane relative to the wind velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Inventor: Ondrej Krnac
  • Patent number: 4486145
    Abstract: A fluid machine which converts fluid movement into a useful force utilizing a pivotally mounted first plate which is hingedly connected to a second plate, the first plate first contacting the moving fluid and the second plate causing the first plate to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1984
    Inventors: Charles L. Eldredge, John T. Eldredge
  • Patent number: 4470770
    Abstract: An elevated and elongated boom is centrally pivoted for rocking movement in a vertical plane through the horizontal plane. Provision is made to align such plane with the direction of the wind. A pair of free wings are mounted on the fore and aft ends of the boom with control panels being oscullatably mounted on such wings for determining by their relative positions and aerodynamic equilibrium reaction thereto the angle of attack of such wings. Provision is made to control the relative positions of the control panels with respect to their respective wings so that the wings have angles of attack of opposite sense, with such senses being reversed as the boom approaches each predetermined limit of its rocking motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1984
    Assignee: Solartech Energy and Research Corporation
    Inventor: David L. Grose
  • Patent number: 4178128
    Abstract: A propulsion device and its method of use, the device having a forward foil and a rearward foil adapted for alternate transverse reciprocal and alternate pivotal movement in opposed direction about parallel axes. The forward and rearward foil axes are perpendicular to the chords of the forward and rearward foils and the rearward foil is positioned to the rear of, and in a nested relationship with, the forward foil. The axes of the forward and rearward foils are positioned a distance of less than one-quarter of the chord length from the leading edge of the forward and rearward foils, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1979
    Assignee: Innerspace Corporation
    Inventor: Calvin A. Gongwer
  • Patent number: 4170882
    Abstract: An agitator for a vertical axis washing machine and for effecting uniform, repetitive oscillations about the machine axis has upper, lower and middle portions with different degrees of lost motion so that the agitator can achieve multiple stroke lengths and so relative motion can be effected between the vanes and the skirt, for example, because of different stroke lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1979
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Brenner, Victor W. Cuthbert