US4152895A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wave powered motor
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp
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Filing: 1978-02-21
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Granted: 1979-05-08
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Expires: 1998-02-21
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for converting ocean surface wave energy into useful rotational kinetic energy. A refractive horn and ramp provides reflectionless impedance transformation of ocean surface wave energy at the input to the system. Wave energy, in the form of breakers, which are massive pulses of essentially pure kinetic energy, from the output of the horn/ramp are then smoothed and transformed directly to mechanical rotation. Smoothing is accomplished by the inertial properties of a "liquid flywheel". The rotational kinetic energy may be extracted by means of a turbine to provide useful work. Discharged water is returned to the ambient ocean through a low terminal velocity diffuser. The entire structure may be located offshore and the discharged fluids may be used for auxiliary purposes.
Inventors
- 👤 Leslie S. Wirt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 23:52
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03B; F03B13/00; F03B13/12; F03B13/14; F03B13/141; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A wave motor comprising: impedance transformation means for receiving surface waves which are at least partly comprised of potential energy, and for converting said potential energy to kinetic energy; inertial means having an input coupled to said impedance transformation means for receiving and temporarily storing said kinetic energy, and having an output from which continuous gradual withdrawal of said kinetic energy is obtained; and, diffuser means for discharging the medium in which said surface waves are propagated, after having passed through said apparatus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
A wave motor comprising: impedance transformation means for receiving surface waves which are at least partly comprised of potential energy, and for converting said potential energy to kinetic energy; inertial means having an input coupled to said impedance transformation means for receiving and temporarily storing said kinetic energy, and having an output from which continuous gradual withdrawal of said kinetic energy is obtained; and, diffuser means for discharging the medium in which said surface waves are propagated, after having passed through said apparatus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A wave motor as defined in claim 1 wherein said impedance transformation means comprises: a refractive horn having a substantially non-reflective flare.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A wave motor as defined in claim 1 wherein said impedance transformation means comprises: an upwardly convex shell member having its central axis vertically disposed and having a first opening at its apex and a second opening at its base.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A wave motor as defined in claim 1 wherein said inertial means comprises: a hollow circular container having an inlet tangentially disposed and coupled to said impedance transformation means so as to impart a vortex motion to the input thereto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A wave motor as defined in claim 1 wherein said diffuser means comprises: an exit duct of increasing cross-section axially disposed with respect to the output of said inertial means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A wave motor as defined in claim 1 wherein said diffuser means comprises: an exit duct of increasing cross-section radially disposed with respect to the output of said inertial means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A wave motor as defined in claim 1 including: kinetic energy converter means coupled to the output of said inertial means for changing said kinetic energy into a continuous rotary motion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A wave motor as defined in claim 7 wherein said kinetic energy converter means comprises: an electrical power generator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
A wave motor as defined in claim 1 including: conduit means having an inlet port located within said inertial means for withdrawing a portion of the medium in which said surface waves are propagated, and having an exit port for discharging said medium portion exteriorly of said inertial means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
134 words
Apparatus for converting surface wave energy into useful rotational kinetic energy, comprising: impedance transformation means immersed in a wave propagating medium for interception of surface waves propagated therein, said waves comprising both potential and kinetic energy, and for converting said waves to pulses of predominately kinetic energy; inertial means, having an input coupled to said impedance transformation means, for receiving and temporarily storing said pulses of kinetic energy, and having an output from which continuous gradual withdrawal of said kinetic energy is obtained; kinetic energy converter means, having a rotating output shaft coupled to the output of said inertial means for changing the kinetic energy supplied thereto into a continuous rotary motion of said output shaft; and, discharge means downstream of said converter means for expelling the wave propagating medium passing through said apparatus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
134 words
Apparatus for converting surface wave energy into useful rotational kinetic energy, comprising: impedance transformation means immersed in a wave propagating medium for interception of surface waves propagated therein, said waves comprising both potential and kinetic energy, and for converting said waves to pulses of predominately kinetic energy; inertial means, having an input coupled to said impedance transformation means, for receiving and temporarily storing said pulses of kinetic energy, and having an output from which continuous gradual withdrawal of said kinetic energy is obtained; kinetic energy converter means, having a rotating output shaft coupled to the output of said inertial means for changing the kinetic energy supplied thereto into a continuous rotary motion of said output shaft; and, discharge means downstream of said converter means for expelling the wave propagating medium passing through said apparatus.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said impedance transformation means comprises: a refractive horn having substantially non-reflective flare rate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said inertial means comprises: a circular vessel having an inlet and an outlet; and, turning vanes being disposed at said inlet for imparting a vortex motion to said medium.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said kinetic energy converter means comprises: a turbine.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said discharge means comprises: a diffuser communicating the interior of said apparatus with the exterior environment thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said input to said inertial means is applied at the radius of gyration thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A wave motor as defined in claim 10, wherein the axis of said inertial means is horizontal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A wave motor as defined in claim 11, wherein the throat of said horn extends parallel to the axis of the inertial means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
A wave motor as defined in claim 10, wherein said impedance transformation means comprises: a non-reflective ramp.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said turning vanes are shaped to conform to refractive ray paths.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
128 words
Wave motor apparatus for converting surface wave energy propagated via a liquid medium into useful rotating shaft power, comprising: a refractive horn means having a mouth portion and a throat portion non-reflectivity transforming the intercepted surface waves at said mouth portion to pulses of predominatly kinetic energy at said throat portion; a hollow cylindrical standpipe having an input end and an output end, said input end being coupled to the throat portion of said refractive horn for receiving and temporarily storing said pulses of kinetic energy; turbine means, having an output shaft, for receiving kinetic energy supplied thereto from said standpipe, and imparting a continuous rotary motion to its output shaft; and, diffuser means located downstream of said turbine for discharging the liquid medium passing through said apparatus.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
128 words
Wave motor apparatus for converting surface wave energy propagated via a liquid medium into useful rotating shaft power, comprising: a refractive horn means having a mouth portion and a throat portion non-reflectivity transforming the intercepted surface waves at said mouth portion to pulses of predominatly kinetic energy at said throat portion; a hollow cylindrical standpipe having an input end and an output end, said input end being coupled to the throat portion of said refractive horn for receiving and temporarily storing said pulses of kinetic energy; turbine means, having an output shaft, for receiving kinetic energy supplied thereto from said standpipe, and imparting a continuous rotary motion to its output shaft; and, diffuser means located downstream of said turbine for discharging the liquid medium passing through said apparatus.
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) | 1982-05-07 | 1982-11-06 | 1983-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-05-07 | 1986-11-06 | 1987-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-05-07 | 1990-11-06 | 1991-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |