Patent US3668412A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3668412A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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An apparatus for harnessing the vertical movement of ocean tides and utilize the force for generating electrical energy
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1970-10-27
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Granted: 1972-06-06
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Expires: 1990-10-27
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for harnessing the vertical movement of ocean tides and utilize the force for generating electrical energy, the apparatus being based upon the principal of a large float which exerts force upwardly at a time of a risen tide and a downward force due to gravity at a time of a fallen tide, said float is first securely captivated to the level of the prevailing low tide and which is then released at the height of the tide in order to contribute its full built up force of available energy, the vertical movements of the float being transmited from a vertical superstructure mounted upon the float to a rotatable gear mounted upon a rotatable horizontal shaft journalled in stationary stanchions, and the rotatable shaft thus driving an electrical generator or performing other useful work.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles K Vrana
- 👤 Jacqulyn G Lawton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 13:07
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03B; F03B13/00; F03B13/12; F03B13/26; F03B13/262
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
In a sea tide power gratis motor, the combination of a battery of tanks at sea level which at their upper and extend upward at least to a spring high tide elevation, and at their lower end extend downwardly at least to a spring low tide elevation, said tanks each having a free float, a duct communicating between each said tanks and adapted to communicate with a sea, so that sea water can flow inward and outward of said tanks, means of converting vertical movement of said floats into usable energy, and means to captivate or exclude sea water in said tanks, wherein each said float has an inverted U-Shaped stanchion mounted thereupon, a ratchet rack along an inner edge of said stanchion engaging a ratchet wheel mounted on a driven shaft rotatably journaled in stationary bearings and connected through a clutch to an output shaft for powering various other machines, wherein each said ratchet wheel includes a slip clutch for disconnecting said ratchet wheel from said shaft when not powering the same, wherein a vertical post secured to an underside of said float has a series of teeth along opposite sides thereof, said teeth being engageable by sliding bars of remotely controlled electric locks, so to lock said floats from vertical movement until so wished.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
216 words
In a sea tide power gratis motor, the combination of a battery of tanks at sea level which at their upper and extend upward at least to a spring high tide elevation, and at their lower end extend downwardly at least to a spring low tide elevation, said tanks each having a free float, a duct communicating between each said tanks and adapted to communicate with a sea, so that sea water can flow inward and outward of said tanks, means of converting vertical movement of said floats into usable energy, and means to captivate or exclude sea water in said tanks, wherein each said float has an inverted U-Shaped stanchion mounted thereupon, a ratchet rack along an inner edge of said stanchion engaging a ratchet wheel mounted on a driven shaft rotatably journaled in stationary bearings and connected through a clutch to an output shaft for powering various other machines, wherein each said ratchet wheel includes a slip clutch for disconnecting said ratchet wheel from said shaft when not powering the same, wherein a vertical post secured to an underside of said float has a series of teeth along opposite sides thereof, said teeth being engageable by sliding bars of remotely controlled electric locks, so to lock said floats from vertical movement until so wished.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein a turbine installed along said duct serves to harness energy from sea water moving in either direction through said duct, said turbine driving an electric generator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
108 words
In sea tide power gratis motor, a tank at sea level which at the upper end extends upward at least to a spring high tide elevation, and at the lower end extending downwardly at least to a spring low tide elevation, said tank having a plurality of free floats, a means to secure said floats from vertical movement until so desired, a duct communicating between said tank and adapted to communicate with a sea, so that sea water can flow inward and outward of said tank, means of converting vertical movement of said floats into usable energy and means to captivate or exclude sea water in said tanks.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
108 words
In sea tide power gratis motor, a tank at sea level which at the upper end extends upward at least to a spring high tide elevation, and at the lower end extending downwardly at least to a spring low tide elevation, said tank having a plurality of free floats, a means to secure said floats from vertical movement until so desired, a duct communicating between said tank and adapted to communicate with a sea, so that sea water can flow inward and outward of said tank, means of converting vertical movement of said floats into usable energy and means to captivate or exclude sea water in said tanks.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US163451A
Cited
US2871790A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-06 | 1975-12-06 | 1976-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-06 | 1979-12-06 | 1980-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-06 | 1983-12-06 | 1984-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |