US4137005A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Oceanic wave powered prime mover
Assignee: Outdoor Enterprises of America Inc
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Filing: 1977-12-01
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Granted: 1979-01-30
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Expires: 1997-12-01
Abstract
Abstract A prime mover has a number of bladed rotors supported on a drive shaft over the surface of a wave-generating body of water for rotating the shafts by action of waves against the rotors. Unique planetary gearing assemblies coupling each rotor to the shaft provide necessary torque conversion for rotating the shaft at the desired speed. In preferred forms, the drive shaft is shiftably supported on a plurality of stationary pylons for up and down movement relative to the surface of the water through the action of a hydraulic lift assembly. A bank of wave height sensors is coupled to a computerized control for the lift assembly to adjust the position of the rotors in response to changes in wave height whereby the prime mover operates at maximum efficiency under the prevailing surf conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter F. Comstock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 07:54
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03B; F03B13/00; F03B13/12; F03B13/14; F03B13/16; F03B13/18; F03B13/1805; F03B13/1825; F03B13/184; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/30; Y10; Y10S; Y10S415/00; Y10S415/905; Y10S415/906
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A prime mover for harnessing energy in surface waves on a body of water, said prime mover including: drive means including a generally horizontally disposed drive shaft and at least one power rotor coaxially supported on the shaft; stationary structure extending upwardly beyond the surface of said body; mechanism shiftably mounting said drive means on said structure for up and down movement over said body; said rotor having a central hub and a number of radially projecting wave-engageable blades secured to the hub for powered rotation by said waves; a planetary gear assembly operably coupling said rotor and said shaft for in unison rotation, said gear assembly including a speed multiplier for rotation of said shaft at a speed greater than said rotor, lift means for selectively shifting said drive means toward and away from said surface whereby to permit positive optimum positioning of said rotor relative to said surface for advantageous wave engagement; and a control for said drive means, there being a wave height sensor coupled with said control for shifting said drive means in response to changes in wave height.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
A prime mover for harnessing energy in surface waves on a body of water, said prime mover including: drive means including a generally horizontally disposed drive shaft and at least one power rotor coaxially supported on the shaft; stationary structure extending upwardly beyond the surface of said body; mechanism shiftably mounting said drive means on said structure for up and down movement over said body; said rotor having a central hub and a number of radially projecting wave-engageable blades secured to the hub for powered rotation by said waves; a planetary gear assembly operably coupling said rotor and said shaft for in unison rotation, said gear assembly including a speed multiplier for rotation of said shaft at a speed greater than said rotor, lift means for selectively shifting said drive means toward and away from said surface whereby to permit positive optimum positioning of said rotor relative to said surface for advantageous wave engagement; and a control for said drive means, there being a wave height sensor coupled with said control for shifting said drive means in response to changes in wave height.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention of claim 1, said sensor being spaced from said lift means in the direction of said waves, whereby to permit sufficient response time for shifting said drive means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 1, said mechanism including a pair of parallel spaced arms pivotally mounted on said structure for up and down swinging movement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention of claim 3, said arms being mounted intermediate the ends of the latter, said shaft being rotatably supported by one end of each arm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 4, the other ends of said arms being intercoupled and having a counterweight to facilitate shifting movement of said drive means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of claim 5, said lift means comprising a hydraulic cylinder assembly extending between said structure and said arms.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of claim 1, said structure comprising a plurality of spaced pylons anchored to the floor of said body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention of claim 1; and a wave deflector mounted on said structure over said rotor for directing waves of excessive height downwardly toward said rotor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 1, said blades being concavo-convex in transverse cross section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 1, said blades each having an outermost edge remote from said shaft, each blade being transversely tapered toward its outermost edge.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention of claim 10, said rotor having binding means circumscribing the same for holding the blades circumferentially spaced.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 1, there being six of said blades on said rotor for achieving required torque on said shaft.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention of claim 1, said drive means comprising a plurality of said rotors supported end-to-end on said shaft, there being a planetary gear assembly for each rotor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-01-29 | 1982-07-31 | 1983-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-01-29 | 1986-07-31 | 1987-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-01-29 | 1990-07-31 | 1991-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |