In Which The Control Means Is Variable Patents (Class 60/503)
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Patent number: 11920554Abstract: Provided with a power generator and a power generation method capable of generating electricity using water of river or the like with a simple facility without using large facilities required in a conventional hydroelectric power plant. A buoyancy power generator includes: a storage tank which is capable of storing water; an inlet port from which the water is introduced into the storage tank; an outlet port from which the water is discharged from the storage tank to an outside; an opening and closing mechanism for opening and closing the outlet port; a floating body arranged in the storage tank so as to be vertically movable; and a power generator configured to convert a vertical motion of the floating body into electricity. A buoyancy power generation method using the above described power generator.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2023Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Inventor: Sanao Fujisaki
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Patent number: 10337357Abstract: The present application provides a power generation system. The power generation system may include a gas turbine engine, a steam turbine, and a steam turbine preheating system. The steam turbine preheating system may include a steam generator that creates a flow of steam to preheat the steam turbine from an extraction of the gas turbine engine.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2017Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: George Vargese Mathai, Joseph Philip Klosinski, Sanji Ekanayake, Alston Ilford Scipio, William Theadore Fisher
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Patent number: 9847696Abstract: The present invention is a system for producing energy via use of gravity and then integrating such a force into a system design of energy power generation by translating the force of gravity into potential energy then into kinetic energy and from kinetic energy back into potential energy again. This system can operate mechanically or electromechanically with the aid of a minimal amount of external energy. A mechanical sequence is introduced in the system's operation to prolong the operational functionality of motion to its working components to the point where full, or substantially full, and independent recycling of fluids takes place and in the process it generates power to run the system's electricity producing generators and supply electricity to the power grid.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2016Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Karousos LLCInventor: John A. Karousos
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Patent number: 8132406Abstract: A tide activated power system has a plurality of horizontally oriented cylinders that each have a pair of chambers. The cylinders are carried on float/weight barges that are located in a lagoon. A plurality of float/weight barges each have at least two cylinders in series. Each cylinder has a chamber holding a piston movable in the chamber defining a pair of variable size chambers: a flood variable size chamber and an ebb variable size chamber. As the float/weight barge rises and falls on the tide in the lagoon, the variable size chambers vary in size and force a working fluid to a turbine generator to create electrical energy. The piston of each of the multiple cylinders of the multiple barges forces combined to move the working fluid above the turbine generator where the flow drives the turbine generator prior to returning to the cylinder. In alternative embodiments, other mechanisms convert the energy from the rising and falling of the flow/weight barges to a non-uniform motion in one direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2009Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Inventor: Randall Thompson, Jr.
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Publication number: 20110252779Abstract: An energy conversion system, including a wave chamber, and a turbine wheel coupled to a shaft and fluidly coupled with the wave chamber. The energy conversion system may also include a first radial flow passage fluidly coupled with the wave chamber and the turbine wheel, and first vanes disposed at least partially in the first radial flow passage, each of the first vanes being compliantly mounted and pivotal between first and second positions, the first vanes being configured to allow a motive fluid to flow in a first radial direction through the first radial flow passage when the first vanes are in the first position, and the first vanes being configured to substantially prevent the motive fluid from flowing through the first radial flow passage in a second radial direction when the second vanes are in the second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2010Publication date: October 20, 2011Applicant: DRESSER-RAND COMPANYInventor: William C. Maier
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Patent number: 8035243Abstract: A system to harness energy from water waves, comprising a frame assembly, first and second hydraulic systems, at least one float assembly, and an electrical assembly. The float assembly comprises front, rear, bottom, top, and first and second lateral faces. The float assembly further comprises a trailing face. The trailing face and the rear face merge to define an edge. The float assembly is mounted onto the mounting plate. The float assembly is placed in a body of water that comprises wave forces. The electrical system comprises a generator. The generator produces electricity when driven by the hydraulic motor when hydraulic fluid is displaced and pressurized within a hydraulic system when the wave forces cause the float assembly to move when in the body of water.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2009Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Matter Wave Technologies, LLC.Inventor: Manuel Constanzo Mesa
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Publication number: 20110179785Abstract: The invention relates to a power plant comprising a float (3) arranged to float in a body of water. The float is attached to anchoring means (7) via at least one telescopically extendable leg (5). Flow of a hydraulic medium is generated when the leg is extended or retracted, which activates generation of electrical power in a generator. The power plant is provided with a delay device (13) which controls the flow of hydraulic fluid, such that power generation is evened out. The delay device (13) may control the generation of power such that it compensates for nip and flood tide. The invention further relates to such power plant where the float (3) comprises a cavity for storage of hydraulic fluid in the plant.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2009Publication date: July 28, 2011Inventor: Ulf Sven Ramström
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Patent number: 7076949Abstract: System for multiple harnessing and complemented conversion of energy from sea waves. The system includes a structure of vertical guides along which the central floating body moves, a submerged captive-air tank, held up by the floating body, with the body and the tank so arranged that the movement of the submerged tank is contrary to that of the central floating body. The movement of the central floating body and of the submerged tank is transmitted to the means of conversion of the movement into pneumatic, electrical or hydraulic energy. The system shows high energy harnessing efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2004Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: Pipo Systems, S.L.Inventors: José Joaquín Fernández Gomez, Javier Fernández Gomez, Abel Cucurella Ripoll, Rafael Ibáñez Lostal, Alfons Guell Ferre
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Patent number: 7003947Abstract: A gyro wave-activated power generator utilizing wave energy which has, as a component, a control moment gyro, and which comprises a floating body (1), a control moment gyro (5) supported by the floating body, and a power generator (10) connected to the gimbal shaft of the gyro through a gearing to increase speed(9), and is characterized by the gimbal (6) of the gyro being rotated by the movement of the floating body by wave energy to drive the power generator (10) for power generation.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2002Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: Japan Science and Technology CorporationInventor: Hiroshi Kanki
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Patent number: 5424582Abstract: A wave power generator is substantially continuously driven by a pair of floats connected to a common drive shaft and positioned side by side along a line perpendicular to the direction of wave motion, one float being specifically designed to efficiently drive the shaft during the rising portion of a wave, the other to efficiently drive the shaft during the falling portion of a wave. The generator's flywheel is maintained at a constant speed by an automatic load control throughout a range of wave patterns sufficient to encompass over 70% of the statistically expected wave patterns at the generator location. An inclined-bottom float is used for the rising wave drive, and a bottom-weighted float is disclosed for the falling wave drive. The floats may be disposed one above the other and may have mating conical surfaces for cushioning occasional contact between the floats.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1993Date of Patent: June 13, 1995Assignee: Elektra Power Industries, Inc.Inventors: John A. Trepl, II, Farhad Bashardoust
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Patent number: 5084630Abstract: A wave powered generator incorporating a plurality of paddle and hydraulic cylinder units. Each paddle and hydraulic cylinder unit has a paddle in the path of waves and is pivotally supported to reciprocate and operate a hydraulic pump. Each hydraulic pump discharges into an accumulator that in turn delivers fluid to an electric generator station. The accumulator automatically accommodates variations in flow rate from the hydraulic cylinder. There are provisions for accommodating variations in the height and velocity of waves, of changes in the period of the waves, and of changes in the level of the sea.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 1989Date of Patent: January 28, 1992Inventor: Hossein Azimi
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Patent number: 4765140Abstract: A floating plate is provided in a cylinder chamber and slides freely like a piston. A first group of laminated, ring-shaped, thin-plate piezoelectric elements is provided between a fixed support member provided on part of a wall portion of this cylinder chamber and the floating plate. A second group of laminated, cylindrical, thin-plate piezoelectric elements is provided in the center of the first group and a working member is provided on the free end of the second group of elements that is not attached to the floating plate. A hydraulic chamber is formed in the cylinder chamber on the side of the floating plate opposite to the side on which the first and second groups of elements are provided, and the pressure in this hydraulic chamber pushes the floating plate in the direction of the fixed support member.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 1986Date of Patent: August 23, 1988Assignees: Nippondenso Co., Ltd., Nippon Soken, Inc.Inventors: Yuzo Imoto, Yoshiyuki Hattori, Toshihiro Takei, Mitsuo Inagaki
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Patent number: 4691514Abstract: A water engine comprises two floats arranged to reciprocate vertically in respective water chambers. Water is admitted to each chamber in turn from a head of water and then allowed to exhaust to a lower level, thereby causing the floats to rise and fall. The floats drive a pivotally mounted beam and power is derived from the beam movement by means of hydraulic rams.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1986Date of Patent: September 8, 1987Assignee: Aur Hydropower LimitedInventor: Iain M. Smith
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Patent number: 4674281Abstract: An apparatus for the generation of power which comprises a first cylinder and a second cylinder, a first float member and a second float member disposed in the first and second cylinders, respectively, a first inner cylinder and a second inner cylinder disposed in the first and second float members, respectively, a first lever and a second lever connected to the first and second float members, a crank member rotatably disposed on a crank shaft, a pair of arms connected at one end to the crank member and at the other end to the first and second levers, introducing and removing member of a fluid to and from the first and second cylinders, introducing and discharging member of air to and from the first and second float members, whereby when the fluid and air are introduced into the first cylinder and float member, and simultaneously removed from the second cylinder and float member, the first float member is caused to rise in the first cylinder and the second float member is caused to fall in the second cylinderType: GrantFiled: May 16, 1986Date of Patent: June 23, 1987Inventors: Myung K. Kim, Se Eun Lee, Baek K. Shin
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Patent number: 4472937Abstract: A water driven power system has a cylindrical body with valved water supply and drain ports in the bottom thereof, the valves including valve plates rotatable between valve open and valve closed positions. A float is freely movable up and down between an upper limit position and a lower limit position in the cylindrical body due to buoyancy during supply of water through the supply valve and due to gravity during drainage through the drain valve. The float movement during the time of water supply is converted to rotation and a one-way clutch mechanism supplies the motion to an output mechanism. A valve opening and closing mechanism closes the water supply valve and opens the drain valve at the upper limit position of the float and opens the water supply valve and closes the drain valve at the lower limit position of the float.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 1982Date of Patent: September 25, 1984Assignee: Kawaguchi Spring Manufacturing Company, LimitedInventor: Kihata Isamu
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Patent number: 4371788Abstract: A device for extracting both kinetic and potential energy from the motion beneath waves over a considerable depth comprising a power member or sail guided to reciprocate with the movement of the water. The power sail is connected to and operates a power device such as an electric generator or pump. A second member, or sail, is located in geometric position relative to the power sail to reflect energy back to the power sail. Sensors, servo systems, and computers may be used to optimize power output. Multiple units can be arranged in "farms" to furnish megawatts of power.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 1980Date of Patent: February 1, 1983Assignee: Q CorporationInventor: E. Quimby Smith, Jr.
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Patent number: 4267695Abstract: The engine comprises an elongated, vertical casing within which a buoyancy piston is vertically reciprocal between upper and lower positions. The buoyancy piston bottomly carries a bottom piston plate which is a sliding seal within the interior of the casing. A flapper check valve is positioned on the piston plate to alternately open or close the valve opening to thereby allow the liquid to pass through the plate to impinge buoyancy forces upon the underside of the piston. A circulating pump draws its suction below the piston plate and discharges to the top of the casing at a height elevated above the piston plate. Cyclical opening and closing of the flapper check valve causes corresponding reciprocal movement of the power piston within the casing to power an output shaft for reciprocal motion.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 1979Date of Patent: May 19, 1981Inventor: Peter Micciche
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Patent number: 4207741Abstract: An hydraulic motor having as an energy source a cyclically controlled rising and falling level of liquid in a working tank in which is provided a piston element having a liquid-tight hollow chamber that is arranged to move vertically with the rising and falling liquid level in response to buoyant and gravitational forces acting thereon. The liquid level in the tank is varied by using a plurality of liquid-tight exchange receptacles located adjacent the tank in vertically spaced relationship between the lower and upper liquid levels in the tank, with each exchange receptacle communicating with the tank through an opening including a normally closed valve. A control means for varying the liquid level in the tank includes a system for sequentially and individually opening and closing each of the valves from the uppermost to the lowermost exchange receptacle, and vice versa.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 1979Date of Patent: June 17, 1980Inventor: Don E. Rainey
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Patent number: 4108579Abstract: A basin for containing water is provided and a heavy buoyant body is guidingly received in the basin for back and forth reciprocal movement therein and also raising and lowering within the basin in response to changes in the elevation of the water level therein. One end of the basin opens toward and in opposition to a source of wave movement and the body is drivingly connected to a rotary output shaft to be driven in response to back and forth reciprocal movement of the body. The output shaft includes eccentric crankpin portions and connecting rods operably connect the reciprocal body to the crankpin portions of the output shaft. The basin opens toward the source of wave movement through a straight channel having a wave modulating gate operatively associated therewith.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 1976Date of Patent: August 22, 1978Inventors: Antero Martinez, Estrella Martinez
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Patent number: 4083186Abstract: Hydrostatic energy is converted to kinetic energy preferably for generating electricity by driving a fluid actuated motor connected to an electrical generator. Pumps are arranged in parallel for driving the motor, and are in turn actuated by engines driven themselves by a liquid contained in a reservoir in which the engines are disposed. The liquid in the reservoir is transferred to and from and also between the engines for actuating same.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1976Date of Patent: April 11, 1978Inventor: Andrew W. Jackson, Sr.
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Patent number: 4034565Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating power includes providing at least one elongated chamber having a float reciprocatively mounted therewithin for axial and reciprocative movement and having at least one opening in the chamber, and disposing vertically the chamber in an intermediate portion of a constantly downwardly flowing body of water between an upper-elevational portion thereof and a lower-elevational portion thereof with the opening in the chamber communicating with the water. The flow of water is alternatingly interrupted and permitted to enter the chamber via its opening to cause the float to be carried by the water in the chamber reciprocatively upwardly and downwardly within the chamber, and the reciprocative movement of the float is utilized by, for example, converting the reciprocative motion to rotational motion for driving an electrical generator.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1974Date of Patent: July 12, 1977Inventor: Charles E. McVeigh
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Patent number: 3957398Abstract: This is a floating pumping station, conceived as ordinarily to be used at the shore of the ocean or large lake where wave action is very considerable and where provision must be made for tidal change and in some cases change in the force of the waves since the waves of great amplitude must be refused entry into the apparatus or attenuated. The apparatus comprises, in brief, a pair of elongated pontoons which define a channel therebetween and this channel is guarded at one end at least by the said wave attenuating apparatus, while a plurality of double-acting pumps distributed along the length of the channel operate in response to the movement of floats which are connected to the pistons of the pump.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 1974Date of Patent: May 18, 1976Inventor: Harold Lloyd