US4122676A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for extracting energy from wave motion
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1977-08-16
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Granted: 1978-10-31
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Expires: 1997-08-16
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus is provided for extracting energy from the motion of water waves during both the ebb and flow of such waves. The apparatus includes a screw propeller which is disposed to contact the waves and to be driven thereby in opposite directions depending on the direction of movement of the waves. A pair of ratchet wheel and pawl assemblies, mounted on a common drive shaft with the propeller, provide transmission of the rotational forces for both directions of rotation. A pair of force transmitting connections disposed between the drive shaft and a driven shaft provide rotation of the driven shaft in the same direction for both directions of rotation of the drive shaft. A plurality of such apparatus are preferably used to drive a single common shaft which serves as a drive shaft for an utilization device such as a dynamo.
Inventors
- 👤 Edmundo Kikut
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 08:52
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03B; F03B13/00; F03B13/12; F03B13/14; F03B13/16; F03B13/18; F03B13/1805; F03B13/1825; F03B13/183; F03B17/00; F03B17/06; F03B17/061; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/20; Y02E10/30; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/19; Y10T74/19172
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
Apparatus for extracting energy from the motion of water waves during both the ebb and flow of such waves, said apparatus including at least one wave responsive drive unit comprising: a screw propeller adapted to be disposed in the path of such waves and rotatable in opposite directions responsive to the ebb and flow of the waves; a drive shaft on which said propeller is mounted; first and second ratchet wheels rotatably mounted on said shaft at spaced locations therealong; first and second pawls respectively associated with said first and second ratchet wheels for respectively limiting the transmission of the rotation of said drive shaft to said opposite directions of rotation of the shaft produced by the ebb and flow of the waves; an output shaft; and first and second transmission means associated with said first ratchet wheel and said first pawl and with said second ratchet wheel and said pawl, respectively, for converting the rotation of the drive shaft produced by each ratchet wheel and pawl combination into rotation of said output shaft in a single direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
Apparatus for extracting energy from the motion of water waves during both the ebb and flow of such waves, said apparatus including at least one wave responsive drive unit comprising: a screw propeller adapted to be disposed in the path of such waves and rotatable in opposite directions responsive to the ebb and flow of the waves; a drive shaft on which said propeller is mounted; first and second ratchet wheels rotatably mounted on said shaft at spaced locations therealong; first and second pawls respectively associated with said first and second ratchet wheels for respectively limiting the transmission of the rotation of said drive shaft to said opposite directions of rotation of the shaft produced by the ebb and flow of the waves; an output shaft; and first and second transmission means associated with said first ratchet wheel and said first pawl and with said second ratchet wheel and said pawl, respectively, for converting the rotation of the drive shaft produced by each ratchet wheel and pawl combination into rotation of said output shaft in a single direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said transmission means comprises first and second drive wheels rotatably mounted on said drive shaft and secured to said first and second ratchet wheels; first and second driven wheels located on said output shaft; and V-belts interconnecting said drive wheels and said driven wheels.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said apparatus comprises a plurality of said drive units rotatably driving a common said output shaft in the same direction of rotation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said common output shaft is connected to a utilization device, located on land, for utilizing the rotational forces of said common output shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said pawls are pivotably mounted on support arms affixed to said drive shaft.
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) | 1981-10-30 | 1982-05-01 | 1982-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-10-30 | 1986-05-01 | 1986-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-10-30 | 1990-05-01 | 1990-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |