Patent US3785159A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3785159A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Attenuation of water waves and control and utilization of wave-induced water movements
Assignee: FMC Corp
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Filing: 1972-11-21
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Granted: 1974-01-15
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Expires: 1992-11-21
Abstract
Abstract Curved vane-like structures for positioning beneath or at the surface of a body of water to attenuate incident waves, and change the wave-induced normal orbital water movements to produce currents and other useful hydrodynamic effects or combinations thereof. The vanes in the structures are configured and oriented to intercept the water at various locations in its orbital movements, guide it into new paths defined by the shape of the vanes, and discharge it from the structure as a current flowing in a preselected direction, such as counter to or in the direction of wave movement, towards the water surface, or towards the bottom or floor of the body of water. These effects are utilized to perform useful work, including diminishing wave height, speed and period, moving subsurface and surface debris and contaminants such as spilled oil to a collecting point or facility, transportation and dispersal of waters polluted by thermal, chemical or other discharges, transfer of sand, silt, or other solid material on the bottom from one location to another, and generation of electrical or hydraulic power. Various styles and configurations of these vaned structures, manners in which they can be arranged to perform an intended function, and methods for securing them in operating position also are described.
Inventors
- 👤 D Hammond
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:23
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B3/00; E02B3/04; E02B3/06; E02B15/00; E02B15/04; E02B3/02; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A10/00; Y02A10/11; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/20; Y02A20/204
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
211 words
Apparatus positioned in water in a selected surface or subsurface location across the path of incident waves for attenuating said waves and for controlling and redirecting waveinduced water movements, comprising a. a plurality of elongated, rigid, transversely curved vanes, each vane having a leading edge, a trailing edge vertically spaced from said leading edge, and a curved intermediate portion interconnecting said edges, and b. means for securing said vanes in spaced relation in a generally planar array such that the leading edges of some vanes substantially reside in a first plane, the trailing edges of said some vanes substantially reside in a second plane, and said first and second planes are substantially parallel, i. to define primary ducts between adjacent vanes, said primary ducts altering said wave-induced water movements from their natural path to create a fluid flow that emanates from said ducts as subsurface water currents, ii. with the curvature of adjacent vanes oriented in substantially the same direction, and iii. with the trailing edges of said vanes oriented in substantially the same direction so that said subsurface currents from the ducts flow in substantially the same direction, whereby said apparatus reduces the height, speed, length and period of incident waves, and creates water currents and other useful hydrodynamic effects.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
211 words
Apparatus positioned in water in a selected surface or subsurface location across the path of incident waves for attenuating said waves and for controlling and redirecting waveinduced water movements, comprising a. a plurality of elongated, rigid, transversely curved vanes, each vane having a leading edge, a trailing edge vertically spaced from said leading edge, and a curved intermediate portion interconnecting said edges, and b. means for securing said vanes in spaced relation in a generally planar array such that the leading edges of some vanes substantially reside in a first plane, the trailing edges of said some vanes substantially reside in a second plane, and said first and second planes are substantially parallel, i. to define primary ducts between adjacent vanes, said primary ducts altering said wave-induced water movements from their natural path to create a fluid flow that emanates from said ducts as subsurface water currents, ii. with the curvature of adjacent vanes oriented in substantially the same direction, and iii. with the trailing edges of said vanes oriented in substantially the same direction so that said subsurface currents from the ducts flow in substantially the same direction, whereby said apparatus reduces the height, speed, length and period of incident waves, and creates water currents and other useful hydrodynamic effects.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said some vanes are uniformly spaced.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said some vanes are uniformly sized.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said some vanes are uniformly spaced and sized.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said some vanes are non-uniformly spaced.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said some vanes are non-uniformly sized.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said some vanes are non-uniformly spaced and sized.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said leading edges are disposed in a direction generally upwardly and toward incident waves.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said vanes defining said primary ducts converge toward said trailing edges, thereby to accelerate fluid flow through said ducts.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein an outermost vane in said array is of extended length to define with said remaining vanes a manifold-type secondary duct into which said primary ducts discharge, for constraining and guiding the flow from said primary ducts.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein both outermost vanes in said array are of extended length to define an exit conduit for controlling the discharge from said secondary duct.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the discharge from said secondary duct is directed generally upwardly when the apparatus is installed in an operating attitude.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the discharge from said secondary duct is directed generally horizontally when the apparatus is installed in and operating attitude.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the discharge from said secondary duct is directed generally downwardLy when the apparatus is installed in an operating attitude.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus according to claim 10 including a collection duct positioned to receive and contain the discharge from said secondary duct, thereby isolating said secondary duct discharge from the surrounding water for subsequent conveyance to a collecting facility.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the collecting duct includes a plurality of curved deflector vanes for accomplishing a transition in the path of said secondary duct discharge.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 16 including at least one fluid conduit in communication with the collecting duct to convey said discharge from said collecting duct to a collecting facility.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus according to claim 15 including a ramp extending towards the terminating proximate the vane array, said ramp positioned to intercept incident waves and wave-induced water movements and direct them into said vane array when the apparatus is oriented in its operating attitude.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the ramp includes a movable section for varying the dimension of said ramp as measured in the direction of movement thereover of incident waves and wave-induced water movements.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 19 including means to move said movable section.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 comprising first and second curved vane arrays secured together in spaced, angular, sandwich-like relationship.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 21 wherein the discharges from both arrays join to create a combined flow from the apparatus.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 22 including a shroud for conveying the discharge from both arrays to a propeller-driven machine.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 21 wherein the discharge from the first array flows from the apparatus in a direction generally opposite to the discharge from the second array, and wherein the arrays are separated by an impervious barrier.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 including a duct plate attached to an outermost vane, said duct plate extending beneath and in spaced relation to the vane trailing edges to define with said edges an exit duct that confines and redirects the flow from said primary ducts.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus according to claim 25 wherein the duct plate is flexible.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 25 wherein the spacing between the duct plate and the trailing edges is variable.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
217 words
A series of end-to-end joined structures positioned in water in a selected surface or subsurface location across the path of incident waves for attenuating water waves and for controlling and utilizing wave-induced water movements, each of said structures comprising a. a plurality of elongated, rigid, transversely curved vanes, each vane having a leading edge, a trailing edge vertically spaced from said leading edge, and a curved intermediate portion interconnecting said edges, and b. means for securing said vanes in spaced relation in a generally planar array such that the leading edges of some vanes lie in a first plane, the trailing edges of said some vanes lie in a second plane, and said first and second planes are substantially parallel, i. to define primary ducts between adjacent vanes, said primary ducts altering said wave-induced water movements from their natural path to create a fluid flow that emanates from said ducts as subsurface water currents, ii. with the curvature of adjacent vanes oriented in substantially the same direction, and iii. with the trailing edges of said vanes oriented in substantially the same direction so that said subsurface currents from the ducts flow in substantially the same direction, thereby to reduce the height, speed, length and period of incident waves, and create water currents and other useful hydrodynamic effects.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
217 words
A series of end-to-end joined structures positioned in water in a selected surface or subsurface location across the path of incident waves for attenuating water waves and for controlling and utilizing wave-induced water movements, each of said structures comprising a. a plurality of elongated, rigid, transversely curved vanes, each vane having a leading edge, a trailing edge vertically spaced from said leading edge, and a curved intermediate portion interconnecting said edges, and b. means for securing said vanes in spaced relation in a generally planar array such that the leading edges of some vanes lie in a first plane, the trailing edges of said some vanes lie in a second plane, and said first and second planes are substantially parallel, i. to define primary ducts between adjacent vanes, said primary ducts altering said wave-induced water movements from their natural path to create a fluid flow that emanates from said ducts as subsurface water currents, ii. with the curvature of adjacent vanes oriented in substantially the same direction, and iii. with the trailing edges of said vanes oriented in substantially the same direction so that said subsurface currents from the ducts flow in substantially the same direction, thereby to reduce the height, speed, length and period of incident waves, and create water currents and other useful hydrodynamic effects.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for attenuating water waves, and for controlling and utilizing wave-induced water movements, comprising a. intercepting said Waves and wave-induced water movements, b. converting said waves and movements into a subsurface current fluid flow, c. guiding said fluid flow in a plurality of curved paths different from the natural path of said waves and movements, and d. discharging said fluid flow from said curved paths in a predetermined direction at a level vertically spaced from the level at which the waves are intercepted, thereby to attenuate the waves and water movements and provide a reinforced utilizable fluid flow.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for attenuating water waves, and for controlling and utilizing wave-induced water movements, comprising a. intercepting said Waves and wave-induced water movements, b. converting said waves and movements into a subsurface current fluid flow, c. guiding said fluid flow in a plurality of curved paths different from the natural path of said waves and movements, and d. discharging said fluid flow from said curved paths in a predetermined direction at a level vertically spaced from the level at which the waves are intercepted, thereby to attenuate the waves and water movements and provide a reinforced utilizable fluid flow.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 29 wherein said fluid flow is discharged as a free current at an elevation below that at which said waves and water movements are intercepted.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 30 wherein said predetermined direction of fluid flow discharge is substantially opposite to that of the intercepted waves at interception.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 29 wherein said fluid flow paths at discharge are merged into a common path prior to passing as a free current.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 29 wherein said fluid flow is discharged as a common flow isolated from the surrounding water.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-14 | 1977-07-16 | 1978-01-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-14 | 1981-07-16 | 1982-01-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-14 | 1985-07-16 | 1986-01-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |