US3818704A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for converting the energy of ocean waves
Assignee: Laitram LLC
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Filing: 1973-06-25
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Granted: 1974-06-25
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Expires: 1993-06-25
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for converting the energy of surface waves in a liquid such as an ocean, comprising a buoyant helical member mounted for rotation about an axis. The pitch of the helical member approximates the length of the expected waves and the member is floated on the surface with its axis oriented so that each wave traverses the helix lengthwise and buoyantly supports successive sections thereof causing it to rotate about its axis. The helix is coupled with rotary driven means such as an electrical generator.
Inventors
- 👤 J Lapeyre
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 03:39
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03B; F03B13/00; F03B13/12; F03B13/14; F03B13/16; F05; F05B; F05B2250/00; F05B2250/20; F05B2250/25; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
Apparatus for converting the energy of surface waves in a liquid comprising, in combination: an elongated, buoyant member curved about an axis to form a helix; means mounting said helical buoyant member for rotation about said axis and including means for suspending said helical buoyant member so as to enable said member to float partially submerged with respect to the crests of said surface waves; and driven means coupled with said buoyant member for rotation thereby in response to rotation of said member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
Apparatus for converting the energy of surface waves in a liquid comprising, in combination: an elongated, buoyant member curved about an axis to form a helix; means mounting said helical buoyant member for rotation about said axis and including means for suspending said helical buoyant member so as to enable said member to float partially submerged with respect to the crests of said surface waves; and driven means coupled with said buoyant member for rotation thereby in response to rotation of said member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said helix formed by said buoyant member includes at least a 360* section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said helix includes at least one additional incremental section of 180*.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means mounting said buoyant member include means for rotatably mounting said helix at least near opposite ends thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said means mounting said buoyant member include means for supporting said buoyant member at spaced intervals throughout its length.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the buoyancy of said buoyant member is substantially uniform throughout its length.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said buoyant member has a buoyancy enabling said member to float in said liquid with said axis substantially in the plane of the mean level of said liquid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said buoyant member has a buoyancy such that in a calm body of said liquid approximately half of said member is submerged and half of said member extends above the surface of said liquid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the cross-section of said buoyant member is substantially uniform throughout its entire length.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein the ends of said buoyant member are tapered.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said buoyant member has a substantially rectangular cross-section.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 having a net positive buoyancy wherein the net buoyancy of said means mounting said buoyant member are negative.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 12 further including means for mounting and enclosing said driven means wherein the net buoyance of the remaining components of said apparatus including the last mentioned means is approximately neutral or slightly buoyant.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including a plurality of said helices, and wherein said helices are supported in said means mounting said buoyant member with the helical axes all in substantially paralled relation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including second support means for mounting said drive means and means for preventing rotation of said second support means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including at least one additional helical member mounted on said means mounting said buoyant member with the axis of said additional member being substantially parallel with the axis of the first-mentioned helical member and driven means coupled with said additional helical member.
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) | 1977-06-24 | 1977-12-24 | 1978-06-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-24 | 1981-12-24 | 1982-06-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-24 | 1985-12-24 | 1986-06-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |