Having Relatively Movable Working Members Patents (Class 60/505)
  • Patent number: 11971019
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and a controller for controlling generation of geothermal power in an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) operation in the vicinity of a wellhead during hydrocarbon production to thereby supply electrical power to one or more of in-field operational equipment, a grid power structure, and an energy storage device. In an embodiment, during hydrocarbon production, a temperature of a flow of wellhead fluid from the wellhead or working fluid may be determined. If the temperature is above a vaporous phase change threshold of the working fluid, heat exchanger valves may be opened to divert flow of wellhead fluid to heat exchangers to facilitate heat transfer from the flow of wellhead fluid to working fluid through the heat exchangers, thereby to cause the working fluid to change from a liquid to vapor, the vapor to cause a generator to generate electrical power via rotation of an expander.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: ICE Thermal Harvesting, LLC
    Inventors: Adrian Benjamin Bodishbaugh, Carrie Jeanne Murtland
  • Patent number: 11761433
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and a controller for controlling generation of geothermal power in an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) operation to thereby supply electrical power to one or more of in-field operational equipment, a grid power structure, and an energy storage device. In an embodiment, during hydrocarbon production, a temperature of a flow of heated fluid from a source or working fluid may be determined. If the temperature is above a vaporous phase change threshold of the working fluid, heat exchanger valves may be opened to divert flow of heated fluid to heat exchangers to facilitate heat transfer from the flow of wellhead fluid to working fluid through the heat exchangers, thereby to cause the working fluid to change from a liquid to vapor, the vapor to cause a generator to generate electrical power via rotation of an expander.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: ICE Thermal Harvesting, LLC
    Inventors: Adrian Benjamin Bodishbaugh, Carrie Jeanne Murtland
  • Patent number: 10883471
    Abstract: Wave energy convertor (WEC) 100 and related control methods. The WEC has at least one cell 102 of variable volume containing an energy transfer fluid and at least partially bounded by a movable flexible membrane 106, and the at least one cell has a substantially constant membrane pressure differential during at least part of a respective cell volume deflation or inflation stroke. Pressure differential between the exterior and interior surfaces of the membrane of the respective cell can be maintained as stable and constant as possible for a substantial part of the volume change during deflation and inflation of the membrane/cell. Membrane and/or cell inclination angle can range between 35° and 50°. Chord ratio of the flexible membrane of at least one cell can be between 1.01 and 1.3 during operation. A control surface 108 can modify the available membrane surface or limit of operation of the membrane for operation and/or modify an internal wall or surface of the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Bombora Wave Power Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Sam Leighton, Campbell Algie, Shawn Kay Ryan
  • Patent number: 10683838
    Abstract: A wave powered electricity generator is provided. Waves are separated from a floating platform unit by using a partition plate unit so that the floating platform unit enclosed by the partition plate unit is almost no wave. The waves outside the partition plate unit are to move many floating ball units up and down so that the racks provided on each of the floating ball units are capable of rotating the gears extending from the floating platform unit, and the rotational forces of gears are regulated through ratchets and consolidated to produce a power for driving generators. The racks on the floating ball units and the gears on the floating platform unit are pulled together by using springs. The resilient force of the two springs simultaneously helps the rack's ‘up and down’ in smooth reciprocating motion. Then the gears directly and indirectly output a force to drive generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Inventor: Dien-Foon Wu
  • Patent number: 10669982
    Abstract: A wave energy converter is provided. The wave energy converter includes a paravane rotationally and pivotably coupled to a support structure, and operatively coupled to an energy collection device. A method of harvesting water wave energy is provided. The method includes positioning the paravane within water to be impacted by water waves, and transferring water wave energy from the paravane to the energy collection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Bardex Corporation
    Inventor: Frank Herbert Stapelmann
  • Patent number: 10352289
    Abstract: The present application discloses an energy harvesting system for harvesting energy from water waves, such as ocean waves. The energy harvesting system comprises: a base rotational mechanism comprising a first shaft and a positive rotational direction about the axis of the first shaft; an electricity generator configured to generate electricity from the rotation of the first shaft in the positive rotational direction; and a plurality of rotation driving apparatuses. Each rotation driving apparatus comprises a freewheel mechanism whose axis of rotation is the same as the axis of the first shaft, a swing component which may make a two-way rotation of limited angular range, a floating component comprising a buoy which is connected to an of the swing component, and a spring or weight which directly or indirectly exerts a force on the swing component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Inventor: Zhengxu He
  • Patent number: 10184458
    Abstract: A power generation apparatus includes a rocker arm having a first end and a second end and is mounted pivotally between the first end and the second end, wherein reciprocal movement of the first end between raised and lowered positions urges reciprocal movement of the second end between lowered and raised positions. A pulley apparatus couples the second end of the rocker arm to a drive member, wherein reciprocal movement of the second end of the rocker arm between its lowered and raised positions urges reciprocal rotation of the drive member between first and second positions. A transmission interacts between the drive member and the output shaft, wherein reciprocal rotation of the drive member between its first and second positions urges rotation of the output shaft in one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Inventor: Issa Saad Al Tamsheh
  • Patent number: 9957018
    Abstract: The present invention is related generally to electric energy production and storage and more particularly to three devices that can work independently or as a system for generating, storing and retrieving of significant volume of “green” electric energy from sea and ocean waves. The present invention comprises of three module systems for wave power amplifying, wave power harnessing and conversion to electric energy, and energy storage. The system could double the height and quadruple the power of any wave, harness and convert all the wave power to electrical energy, store it without loss for as long as needed, and release it when and as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Inventor: Cvetan Angeliev
  • Patent number: 9617971
    Abstract: An absorber unit for absorption of wave energy from a body of water comprises a pivoting absorber element with a front end around which the absorber element reciprocates between turning positions. The absorber unit has a frame structure defining an absorber chamber and is at rest with respect to the body of water. The frame structure pivotally supports the absorber element within the absorber chamber from a horizontal front pivot axis above an average surface level of the body of water, wherein the absorber element in an idle position under still water conditions is partially submerged, with an idle draft of the absorber element being determined by the depth of submersion of the lower rear edge below the average surface level. A bottom plate attached to the frame structure has a front portion arranged underneath the absorber element and an upwardly projecting rear portion aft of the absorber element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Floating Power Plant A/S
    Inventor: Anders Køhler
  • Patent number: 9038377
    Abstract: The power plant disclosed is an engine that derives its usefulness in the pursuit of energy generation by utilizing hydrostatic pressure differentials found or created in various liquids, gases or solutions, such as but not limited to water and air. It is generally provided as a two-stroke piston cycle power generating system, wherein the actions of the pistons perform work or replenish working fluid from a lower head to a higher head, and can be utilized to generate power, pump fluids, or perform work, for example. Multiple power generating systems are interconnected to provide continuous and constant power generation through a penstock and turbine system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Inventor: Mark R. Anteau
  • Patent number: 9016055
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the utilization of wave energy and its conversion into operating motion of an electrical energy generating system. The system for generation of electrical energy through the conversion of aquatic wave motion includes floating bodies and a constant rotation mechanism, which converts the two-way linear motion of an inflexible transmission shaft or a flexible transmission shafts into one-way rotation of an output shaft of the constant rotation mechanism. This mechanism allows utilization of wave energy in two directions caused by the rise and fall of waves. The output shaft of the constant rotation mechanism is coupled to a force multiplier that is further coupled to a generator which generates electrical energy. Constant rotation mechanism can be driven by inflexible transmission shaft pivotally coupled to the floating bodies at one end, and the other end to an input gear of the constant rotation mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Inventor: Mile Dragic
  • Publication number: 20150107239
    Abstract: A system and method for generating energy from tuning the natural frequency of masses relative to a ground plane and an external force. In some embodiments the external force is the action of the waves. The system has a first mass movable relative to the ground plane, wherein the external force induces an oscillation in the first mass relative to the ground plane. A second movable mass is carried by and movable relative to the first movable mass. The second movable mass creates kinetic energy as the result of varying the position of the second movable mass relative to the first mass. The system adjusts or tunes the frequency of various components in relation to the natural frequency of the waves. The energy created by the relative motion can be converted to various forms of energy including electrical energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Glenn L. Beane
  • Publication number: 20150089937
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a device for converting wave motion into electricity, and methods of using the devices for generating electricity. The disclosure also provides a power generation device that includes a water blanket having a plurality of pods arranged in a grid for floating on the surface of a body of water. In one example, ball joints and hydraulic cylinders couple each of the pods to adjacent pods. Motors are coupled to the hydraulic cylinders such that a flow of hydraulic fluid created by expansion and compression of the cylinders due to movement of the pods causes rotational motion in the motor. Generators are coupled to respective motors to generate electricity from the rotational motion of the motors. Power from the ocean blanket can be supplemental with wind turbines, water paddles, water turbines, and solar cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: GLOBAL PERPETUAL ENERGY, INC.
    Inventor: Terry Wayne Henry
  • Patent number: 8959907
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a rotating apparatus related to water power, particularly related to wave power, and related to conversion of energy, for instance to generate electricity. The apparatus according to the invention may comprise one or more axially connected horizontally arranged floating or neutrally buoyant rotors that are driven by a number of fins that in turn are driven by wave waterflows and/or linear waterflows, said rotors being adapted for rotation, said rotation being non-changing and independent of the direction of the waterflows. The rotational energy is preferably converted to electricity by built-in generators. In addition, the apparatus comprises an arrangement so that the apparatus is adapted to move into a position corresponding to the direction of the waterflows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Inventua ApS
    Inventors: Ojvind Boltz, Manfred Boltz, Mrs. Stig Vindeløv
  • Patent number: 8943821
    Abstract: A wave power plant includes a platform and at least one coupling member. The at least one coupling member is mounted in such a way as to perform an orbital movement which has a predetermined direction of movement and from which a torque usable for energy conversion can be tapped. A torque compensation device is provided which is designed to essentially compensate or neutralize a reactive torque generated by tapping the usable torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Benjamin Hagemann, Nik Scharmann
  • Patent number: 8915078
    Abstract: A system and method for generating energy from tuning the natural frequency of masses relative to a ground plane and an external force. In some embodiments the external force is the action of the waves. The system has a first mass movable relative to the ground plane, wherein the external force induces an oscillation in the first mass relative to the ground plane. A second movable mass is carried by and movable relative to the first movable mass. The second movable mass creates kinetic energy as the result of varying the position of the second movable mass relative to the first mass. The system adjusts or tunes the frequency of various components in relation to the natural frequency of the waves. The energy created by the relative motion can be converted to various forms of energy including electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: GWAVE LLC
    Inventor: Glenn L. Beane
  • Publication number: 20140360176
    Abstract: This invention is a wave powered electricity-generating mechanism which utilizes the fluctuations of multiple pontoons and ratchets' direction control to integrate various gear speeds into a high speed in order to drive an electricity generator. There are low, medium, and high speed gear sets. Low speed is for a quick start, higher speeds are to adopt lower speeds. The highest speed can be calculated in advance by adjusting the number of dynamic units, gear ratios, and number of transmission phases of gear sets in order to keep a designated output speed. This mechanism does not need to be fastened to the coast. Due to the independence feature of each dynamic unit, the number of dynamic units can be adjusted to meet various power output requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: DIEN-FOON WU
  • Patent number: 8887501
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wave power plant, comprising at least one float or pontoon (1) or a plurality of interconnected floats or pontoons (2). The float or pontoon (1) is shaped or the interconnected floats or pontoons (2) are disposed asymmetrically relative to the advancing direction of waves, such that the float or pontoon (1) or a member (3) linking the interconnected floats or pontoons is set in a gyrating motion in response to the buoyancy of a succession of waves advancing in said direction. The wave power plant includes elements (5, 6, 7; 9, 10) for converting the gyrating motion into a rotational motion for power take-off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Wello Oy
    Inventor: Heikki Paakkinen
  • Patent number: 8784653
    Abstract: A filter-anchor for placement on a sea floor is provided. It includes a filter housing for filtering sea water prior to entry into a water desalinization system. The filter housing has an exterior, an interior chamber, at least one inlet for providing the sea water to the interior chamber, and at least one outlet for enabling filtered water to be pumped from the interior chamber. A sand filter is disposed in the filter housing. The filter housing has at least one water conduction outlet conduit for filtered water to be pumped to the desalinization system. A wave energy conversion system utilizing the filter anchor is also provided to effect the pumping of the filtered water to the desalinization system. A method of anchoring a wave energy conversion system and providing filtered water to a desalinization system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Murtech, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Murtha, Michael E. McCormick, Mark Washington
  • Patent number: 8778176
    Abstract: A potable water producing system for disposition at a body of salt water and a method of producing potable water is provided. The system includes a wave energy conversion system (AWECS) and a portable filtration-anchor system. The AWECS is in the form of a floating articulated barge housing a desalination system including a reverse osmosis membrane. The filtration-anchor system is submerged in the body of salt water and includes a sand filter to filter the adjacent salt water and to provide the filtered salt water to the desalination system on the articulated barge. The action of the waves on the articulated barge provides energy to pump the filtered salt water from the sand filter to the reverse osmosis member to produce potable water. Moreover, the action of the waves on the articulated barge effects the shaking of the reverse osmosis filter, thereby rendering it self-cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Murtech, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Murtha, Michael E. McCormick, Mark K. Washington
  • Patent number: 8701403
    Abstract: A system and method for generating energy from the tuning masses relative to a ground plane and an external force. In some embodiments the external force is the action of the waves. The system has a first mass movable relative to the ground plane, wherein the external force induces an oscillation in the first mass relative to the ground plane. A second movable mass is carried by and movable relative to the first movable mass. The second movable mass creates kinetic energy as the result of varying the position of the second movable mass relative to the first mass. The system adjusts or tunes the frequency of various components in relation to the natural frequency of the waves. The second mass can move relative to the first mass by various methods including rolling on a track or pendulum. The energy created by the relative motion can be converted to various forms of energy including electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Gwave LLC
    Inventor: Glenn L. Beane
  • Patent number: 8677743
    Abstract: Invention for extraction and accumulation of energy from displacement of an agitated fluid includes buoyant body, camshaft, flywheel, and platforms. Buoyant body floats upon agitated fluid surface and is constrained to vertical translation. Buoyant body translation is converted to flywheel rotation via bearings which engage helical cam tracks of a camshaft. Camshaft is torsionally engaged with flywheel. Buoyant body and camshaft are fitted with unidirectional rotary clutches. Upon action of rising wave, buoyant force is exerted upon buoyant body, displacing body vertically and causing bearings to apply torsion to camshaft, driving camshaft and flywheel into rotation. Upon wave recession, buoyant body descends under self weight via freewheeling action of unidirectional clutches. Flywheel may be filled with or emptied of fluid to adjust its rotary inertia during operation. Buoyant body has a tapered shape and may be filled with or emptied of fluid to adjust its interface with agitated fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Inventor: Steven Pedersen
  • Patent number: 8671675
    Abstract: In a wave powered electric generator system, multiple floatation devices are interconnected by torque arms arranged to convert pivotal movement of the torque arms due to up and down movement of the floatation devices, into one-way rotational movement of electric generator shafts, the torque arms being configured to permit expansion and contraction of their lengths when exposed to sudden, severe axial forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventor: Nguyen Huu Cuong
  • Patent number: 8667791
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a damper for damping the reactionary motion of a wave energy conversion device to wave motion, comprising a damping energy absorber (7) having a reversible non-linear stress-strain response, arranged to damp the reactionary motion of the WEC. According to a first aspect, there is provided a damping structure (2) for a wave energy conversion device (1). The structure comprises a fixed member (6), and a damping member (7) having a reversible non-linear stress-strain response. The present invention also relates to a mooring component (2) for a mooring system (1) and to a method for manufacturing a mooring component (2). The component comprises a deformable element (6) having a reversible non-linear stress-strain response, wherein the response is a composite reversible non-linear stress-strain response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Technology From Ideas, Limited
    Inventors: Paul McEvoy, Robert Healy
  • Patent number: 8584454
    Abstract: An electrical power generation device (10) utilising movement of the ocean comprising an elongate column (12) journalled in a support structure (14) for universal movement relative thereto. The support structure is adapted to be secured to the sea bed so that the column is disposed for at least partially submerged universal motion relative to the support structure automatically in response to force transmitted by movement of the ocean in which the support structure and the column reside. The support structure may contain an array of piston and cylinder assemblies (32) in such a construction the supported end (26) of the column is adapted to actuate one or more of the piston and cylinder assemblies in random sequence as a result of movement of the column relative to the support structure. The piston and cylinder assemblies are operatively connected to drive electrical power generators (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Sybre Limited
    Inventors: Ivan Patrick Williams, John Malcolm Hepworth, David Homfray Slater
  • Patent number: 8499554
    Abstract: A stable power-output device driven by waves includes buoys and a scaffold with the buoys, guiding tracks and rotating shafts installed. The scaffold floats on the waves, and wheels are installed at two sides of the buoys. Each two of the roller wheels are sandwiched between the related guiding track and the related side of each buoy, so that the roller wheels and the guiding tracks can work together. Guiding devices are installed on top of the buoys, and rotating shafts are connected to the guiding devices and float horizontally on the waves. Ratchets are installed on the short shafts in contact with the guiding devices. A shaft connector is adapted to connect each two of the rotating shafts together and form a long shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventor: Xuefeng Ye
  • Patent number: 8484964
    Abstract: A wave energy collecting device comprises an array of modules, each including three pairs of buoyant members arranged in a circular configuration, a tubular shaft connector interconnecting each pair of buoyant members, and a trilateral radial plank member comprising three identical equidistantly spaced members located centrally within the circular configuration. Each of the three members of the plank member is linearly connected to a member of the plank member of an adjacent module through a spring assembly and perpendicularly connected with a pivotally hinged shaft of a corresponding tubular shaft connector. A working fluid medium flows within a pipe network lined along sequential members. An array of pumps mounted onto each buoyant member, another array of pumps mounted adjacently each spring assembly and another array of pumps mounted adjacently each shaft, impart wave induced pressure pulses into the working fluid medium, which is subsequently converted into energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Inventors: Georgios Preftitsis, Dimitrios Mavrommatakis
  • Publication number: 20130076039
    Abstract: A wave power plant is configured to convert energy from a wave motion in a fluid, particularly sea water, into a rotation or rotational energy. The particles of the fluid describe a circulating orbital flow beneath the wave surface, and the kinetic energy of which is converted, at least partially, into rotational energy of one or several crankshafts. At least one resistance element and at least one buoyancy element are arranged on each crankshaft so that various coupling elements are combined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Benjamin Hagemann, Nik Scharmann
  • Publication number: 20130067903
    Abstract: A wave energy conversion device including a first pontoon configured to respond to an incident wave by operating in at least a first mode of motion and a second pontoon movably attached to the first pontoon by attachment means and configured to respond to an incident wave by operating in at least one mode of motion different from the first mode of motion. The relative motion of the first pontoon to the second pontoon in response to an incident wave is converted into a desired form of energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: SEA POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Joseph Murtagh, Thomas Lyne
  • Patent number: 8397497
    Abstract: System for multiple harnessing and complemented conversion of energy from sea waves, which includes a structure of vertical guides (12) along which a floating body (1) moves, and a first submerged tank (2) of captive gas (3), held up by said floating body (1), characterized in that it includes a second submerged tank (5) with captive gas (3), attached to said floating body (1), with said first tank (2) and second tank (5) being connected to each other, in such a way that they exchange their respective volumes of gas (3) due to the effect of changes of pressure of water column (4) caused by the waves. Improves the energy harnessing performance of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Pipo Systems, S.L.
    Inventor: Abel Cucurella Ripoli
  • Publication number: 20130031897
    Abstract: A wave power plant includes a platform and at least one coupling member. The at least one coupling member is mounted in such a way as to perform an orbital movement which has a predetermined direction of movement and from which a torque usable for energy conversion can be tapped. A torque compensation device is provided which is designed to essentially compensate or neutralize a reactive torque generated by tapping the usable torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Benjamin Hagemann, Nik Scharmann
  • Publication number: 20130008164
    Abstract: Wave energy conversion to produce electricity uses wave-engaging articulated, forward and after barges connected to a center inertial barge. A damper plate attached to the central barge minimizes heaving to increase stability. The barges use composite materials, steel or other materials that can withstand the impact and wear caused by a corrosive weather environment. A movable ballast weight in each barge adjusts the mass moment of inertia, and changes the natural pitching frequency. Electrical energy is generated from the motions of the barges and the movement of the movable ballast weights being converted by linear induction motor/generators and/or Pelton Wheel hydraulic systems connected to electrical generators. A dynamic computer control system controls the energy generating system to keep the forward/after barges and the movable ballast moving in phase with the wave excitation force. During dangerous wave action, the system is submerged and then re-surfaced when the waves have subsided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: Wave Energy Conversion Corporation of America
    Inventors: Brian T. Cunningham, Daniel C. Morley
  • Patent number: 8342818
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for an improved float type wave powered pump that uses the continuous rising and falling wave action in a body of water to pump a fluid. The pump includes piston and cylinder assemblies that are configured for relative reciprocal movement therebetween. One of the assemblies is anchored to the floor of the body of water and the other is vertically moveable in response to a drive float riding on a wave. The pump selectively includes a tide compensating device to reduce the ratio of vertical travel of the drive float to vertical travel of the moveable assembly. The pump also selectively includes a fluid inlet check valve incorporating a support plate of the piston assembly with openings therein and a cover for the same. The pump further selectively includes a directional pressure-activated seal at the point of sliding connection between the piston rod and the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Inventor: Tommy J. Windle
  • Patent number: 8291701
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a device and method for generation of electrical power from sea waves, with either simultaneous or no desalination of seawater. The device comprises a seaborne portion and a shore-side portion. The seaborne portion of the device comprises a float, an anchor and a pumping mechanism. Seawater and air are drawn in and pumped through pipes and respectively to a shore-side compressor system. The compressor system is adapted to provide pressurized water of constant pressure to the next stage, which is either the desalination assembly through which potable water is produced using the reverse-osmosis method or the water-motor, which drives a generator that provides electrical power or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Eocean Renewables Limited
    Inventor: Christos F. Papadopoulos
  • Publication number: 20120090313
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a device of a floating wave power plant. More precisely, the invention pertains to a submerged frame structure with an attached ballast body as an element in a floating wave power plant. The frame structure and thereby the wave power plant is preferably anchored to the sea bottom. The wave power plant comprise several pumping cylinders (4) connected to buoyancy elements (5) via connecting elements, which buoyancy elements (5) under the action from waves move the pumping cylinders in full or partial pumping strokes. Furthermore, the pumping cylinders are connected to the submerged frame structure (3), and said frame structure is connected to one or more ballast bodies via a number of connecting elements (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: PONTOON POWER AS
    Inventor: Nils Severin Myklebust
  • Patent number: 7975476
    Abstract: A power plant using sea waves comprising a float, a horizontal shaft. The float (1/1) of a spherical or cylindrical shape made with plastic or metal material, empty filled with ballast, floats half emerged and transfers the wave vertical motions to a vertical metal beam (1/2) which can be increased or decreased in order to deal with the tidal changes of the sea level. The vertical beam is attached with knuckle joins, at one end with the float and at the other with horizontal beam of rectangular metal triangle which transfers the vertical motions at the horizontally moving forwards and backwards saw (1/5) with the two chains (1/6) and (3/20) which rotate two pairs of gears each gear of a pair to the diametrically opposite side, so that with every movement one gear produces action while the other gear of the pair moves freely. The gears rotate the horizontal shaft which is fitted on them (3/8) and the shaft gives motion to the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventor: Constantinos A. Hatzilakos
  • Publication number: 20110162357
    Abstract: A wave energy converter for extracting energy from waves in a body of liquid. The converter comprising an endless spine, the spine including a plurality of spine sections (10). Each of the spine sections (10) houses at least one pneumatic absorber and each pneumatic absorber includes an oscillator that is displaceable cyclically on contact with an incident wave to pump air contained within the pneumatic absorber and thereby extract energy from the wave in the form of pneumatic energy. The spine further includes at least one high pressure duct (31) to direct air pumped from each of the pneumatic absorbers and thereby aggregate and rectify the pneumatic energy extracted via the pneumatic absorbers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Norman West Bellamy, Neil Michael Bellamy, Robert Ian Smith
  • Publication number: 20110120109
    Abstract: A power generator is provided having one or more reservoirs. Each reservoir has an inlet and an outlet. A float is disposed in each reservoir. A shaft is connected to each float. Controls are provided for actuating each inlets and outlet to cause water to flow into and out of each reservoir via its corresponding inlet and outlet, respectively. As a result, the flowing water moves each float in a vertically oscillating manner to rotate the shaft at an output a rate suitable to generate usable power. Also provided are a method for generating electricity and an energy converter that converts vertical float movement into rotational energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventor: Jack Alexander McGillis
  • Patent number: 7908854
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for recovering energy contained by waves. In the arrangement, a plurality of collecting devices (8) is coupled in series. Each collecting device comprises a float (7) coupled by means of a power transmission member (10, 11) to a motion converter (13). The coupling between the collecting devices may be mechanical, the motion converters being coupled up by means of an intermediate shaft (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignees: Finn Escone Oy, Oitsu Oy
    Inventors: Esko Raikamo, Markku Oikarainen
  • Publication number: 20110036085
    Abstract: Apparatus for generation of wave power comprising a first longitudinal floatation body (1) which is floating in a substantially vertical position in a body of water. The device also comprises a second floatation body (2), which encircles the first body (1) and the second body being adapted to move in response to waves relative to the first body (1). It also comprises energy transmission means (5, 6; 52, 53) coupled between the first and the second body, to transfer movement energy from the second body to at least one electric generator (8) on the first body. The first body (1) is anchored to the seabed by a tension leg (16), which is under a sufficient tension to prevent the first body (1) to move vertically because of the waves. The first body has a ballast chamber (29, 30), which is situated below the lowest level of the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventor: Hans Oigarden
  • Publication number: 20100319340
    Abstract: A device producing unidirectional rotation motion as output from any bidirectional rotation motion as input, includes: —a first input rotation axis (1); —a second input rotation axis (2), orthogonal to the first input rotation axis (1); —an output rotation axis; transmission elements (6A, 6B, 6C, 91, 9B, 9C) provided between the first input rotation axis and the output rotation axis and between the second input rotation axis and the output rotation axis, in order to convert a clockwise or anti-clockwise rotation motion on the first input rotation axis and/or on the second input rotation axis into a unidirectional rotation motion on the output rotation axis, characterized in that one of the first input rotation axes is the same as the output rotation axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventor: Martin John Wickett
  • Publication number: 20100175373
    Abstract: This invention relates to a stable power-output device driven by waves, the power-output device consists of buoys, and a scaffold with buoys, guiding tracks and rotating shafts installed. The scaffold floats on the wave, roller wheels are installed at two sides of the buoys, with each two of the roller wheels are sandwiched between the related guiding track and the related side of each buoy so that the roller wheels and the guiding tracks can work together. Guiding devices are installed on top of the buoys; rotating shafts are connected to the guiding devices and float horizontally on the waves. Ratchets are installed on the short shafts; they are in contact with the guiding devices. A shaft connector is adapted to connect each two of the rotating shafts together and form a long shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventor: Xuefeng Ye
  • Patent number: 7735319
    Abstract: Power generating apparatus includes a float mounted on a support pivotally mounted to a base and secured to a beam extending rearwardly of the base to a vertically extending elongated structure carrying a pair of vertically movable gear racks in guideways. Each rack is engaged by a gear wheel driven by movement of the racks and a one-way drive arrangement connects each gear wheel to an output shaft. Driving weights are secured to each rack to drive the racks in opposite directions under the action of gravity forces acting on the weights, thus causing the output shaft to rotate in a given direction. The free end of the beam is connected to a cross-arm vertically moveable on a guide on the elongate structure, the cross-arm having a motion transmitting arrangement to raise each weight during vertical movement of the cross-arm resulting from movement of the float.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Inventor: Marko Vukovic
  • Publication number: 20100043424
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a device and method for generation of electrical power from sea waves, with either simultaneous or no desalination of seawater. The device comprises a seaborne portion and a shore-side portion. The seaborne portion of the device comprises a float, an anchor and a pumping mechanism. Seawater and air are drawn in and pumped through pipes and respectively to a shore-side compressor system. The compressor system is adapted to provide pressurized water of constant pressure to the next stage, which is either the desalination assembly through which potable water is produced using the reverse-osmosis method or the water-motor, which drives a generator that provides electrical power or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: ECOCEAN RENEWABLES LIMITED
    Inventor: Christos F. Papadopoulos
  • Patent number: 7549288
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating power from waves. Weighted power cells are suspended at opposing ends of a connecting arm supported by a floating frame that rocks in response to passing waves. The power cells compress air or draw a vacuum as they fall and rise, respectively, with respect to passing waves. The compressed air and vacuum are communicated to a pressure chamber and a vacuum chamber, each of which are operably connected to pneumatically drive an electrical generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Inventor: Francis W. Layher
  • Patent number: 7525214
    Abstract: A wave energy conversion system or device is provided which includes a hull that serves as a float, moving up and down with incoming waves. The power take-off system contained within the hull comprises a longitudinal main rotary shaft upon which a series different diameter sets of dual same-diameter pinions interact with the main rotary shaft through their corresponding freewheels. This interaction only allows the main rotary shaft to rotate in only one direction. A fork-like rod system member that is either fixed directly to a base on the seabed or to a supporting underwater taut moored floating platform. This fork-like rod system member has an alternate rod in permanent contact with each pinion (two rods per each set of dual same-diameter pinions).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Nova Oceanic Energy Systems
    Inventors: Alvaro Jose Atilano Medina, Rafael Uzcategui Trinkl
  • Patent number: 7493759
    Abstract: A converter for producing useable energy from fluid motion of a fluid medium. The converter includes a support structure, at least one movable element immersed in the fluid medium and supported externally on the support structure such that the movable element can move relatively to the structure in response to the fluid motion by vortex induced motion, galloping or combination thereof, and at least one power device supported on the support structure and coupled to the movable element. The power device converts motion of the movable element to useable energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Michael M Bernitsas, Kamaldev Raghavan
  • Publication number: 20080295510
    Abstract: Power generating apparatus includes a float mounted on a support pivotally mounted to a base and secured to a beam extending rearwardly of the base to a vertically extending elongated structure carrying a pair of vertically movable gear racks in guideways. Each rack is engaged by a gear wheel driven by movement of the racks and a one-way drive arrangement connects each gear wheel to an output shaft. Driving weights are secured to each rack to drive the racks in opposite directions under the action of gravity forces acting on the weights, thus causing the output shaft to rotate in a given direction. The free end of the beam is connected to a cross-arm vertically moveable on a guide on the elongate structure, the cross-arm having a motion transmitting arrangement to raise each weight during vertical movement of the cross-arm resulting from movement of the float.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Marko Vukovic
  • Patent number: 7293960
    Abstract: A floating power generation assembly comprises at least three floating units (900) floating on a body of water, and at least three anchors (916) secured to a solid surface beneath the body of water, each of the floating units (900) being provided with a power generator, the floating units (900) being arranged substantially at the vertices of at least one equilateral triangle. Ship borne apparatus for deploying the floating units of such a power generation assembly and a novel multiple wind turbine assembly are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Yamamoto, Warren E. Colburn, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7254946
    Abstract: A thermodilution catheter having a heating filament which is fabricated so as to be thin and flexible enough to avoid contact with the patient's blood. The heating filament is either inserted in a preformed catheter lumen, incorporated into a wall of the catheter body itself, or wrapped around the catheter body wall and surrounded by an external sheath. Generally, the covering of the heating filament is minimally thin so as to allow the heat from the heating filament to be transferred to the surrounding blood and to minimally increase the overall cross-sectional area. Since the heating filament does not directly touch the patient's blood, the outer surface may be made smooth so as to prevent inducement of blood clots. In addition, the heating filament may be maintained at a safe temperature by forming the heating element of a flexible material having a high temperature coefficient of resistance, low thermal capacitance and high thermal conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Quinn, Mark L. Yelderman