Patent US4204406A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4204406A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wave energy module 2
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-01-15
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Granted: 1980-05-27
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Expires: 1999-01-15
Abstract
Abstract A device for efficiently extracting hydrodynamic energy from ocean waves, comprising a floating platform structure, an anchoring means which is connected to piston shafts of an array of hydraulic cylinders having pistons therein within the platform structure which act through a network of check valves as piston pumps for transferring hydraulic fluid from an air cushioned low pressure reservoir to an air cushioned high pressure reservoir, a hydraulic motor or turbine mechanically coupled to an electric generator and hydraulically connected between the two reservoir tanks which produces electricity as fluid is allowed to flow through the motor or turbine from the high pressure reservoir to the low pressure reservoir.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold H. Hopfe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 17:18
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D61/00; B01D61/02; B01D61/10; F; F03; F03B; F03B13/00; F03B13/12; F03B13/14; F03B13/24; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A device for efficiently extracting hydrodynamic energy from ocean waves, comprising a floating platform structure, an anchoring means which is connected to piston shafts of an array of hydraulic cylinders having pistons therein within the platform structure which act through a network of check valves as piston pumps for transferring hydraulic fluid from an air cushioned low pressure reservoir to an air cushioned high pressure reservoir, a sea condition monitor and intelligent controller which regulates the air cushion pressure in the reservoir tanks so that optimum energy conversion efficiency is achieved for any given sea condition, and a hydraulic motor or turbine mechanically coupled to an electric generator and hydraulically connected between the two reservoir tanks which produces electricity as fluid is allowed to flow through the motor or turbine from the high pressure reservoir to the low pressure reservoir.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
140 words
A device for efficiently extracting hydrodynamic energy from ocean waves, comprising a floating platform structure, an anchoring means which is connected to piston shafts of an array of hydraulic cylinders having pistons therein within the platform structure which act through a network of check valves as piston pumps for transferring hydraulic fluid from an air cushioned low pressure reservoir to an air cushioned high pressure reservoir, a sea condition monitor and intelligent controller which regulates the air cushion pressure in the reservoir tanks so that optimum energy conversion efficiency is achieved for any given sea condition, and a hydraulic motor or turbine mechanically coupled to an electric generator and hydraulically connected between the two reservoir tanks which produces electricity as fluid is allowed to flow through the motor or turbine from the high pressure reservoir to the low pressure reservoir.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the platform structure has a length and width of 100 feet or greater so as to achieve improved energy conversion efficiency under typical open sea conditions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the platform structure is of sufficiently low mass to result in a vertical mode natural frequency due to the buoyancy of the water which is greater than 0.5 Hertz so as to achieve improved energy conversion efficiency under typical open sea conditions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein excess anchor line generated at low tide and during the passing of wave troughs is stored by the shaft retraction of the pistons in the hydraulic cylinders due to the flow of hydraulic fluid into the hydraulic cylinders from the low pressure reservoir.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein a high degree of portability is realized due to the integral construction of the floating platform with all other elements of the device, except anchor line, said integrally constructed unit requiring no external structure for its support or proper functioning.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein hydrostatic bearings are employed between the interior walls of the hydraulic cylinders and their pistons and piston shafts as a means of minimizing friction and mechanical wear of said elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device according to claim 6 wherein pistons and piston shafts are allowed to be self-aligning with respect to the hydraulic cylinders, owing to the use of a completely flexible link between pistons and piston shafts.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein non-corroding polymeric coatings, such as Teflon, are employed as a means of minimizing corrosive wear and fouling of the hydraulic cylinders and their pistons and shafts.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device according to claim 8 wherein the polymeric coating is infused within a well-adhered, porous matrix of corrosion-resistant metal, such as tin, so as to improve its mechanical stability and wear resistance.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the anchoring means is a reaction plate resting on the sea bed, and having cleats on its bottom surface to inhibit horizontal motion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
A device according to claim 10 wherein the mooring lines between the reaction plate and floating platform are symmetrically connected to each, but with a smaller mutual separation at the reaction plate, as a means of discouraging rotation of the plate about its edges during the passing of wave crests.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
A device according to claim 10 wherein horizontal elastic connections between the reaction plate and a symmetrical array of piles are employed as a means of reestablishing the location of the reaction plate after an upsetting condition has occurred.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device according to claim 10 wherein the positional stability of the reaction plate is improved by means of a continuous concentrated weight positioned along the perimeter of said reaction plate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
A device according to claim 10 wherein a continuous vertical wall is provided along the perimeter of the reaction plate and the space within is filled with high density aggregate materials as a means of increasing the effective weight of the reaction plate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
54 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the shape of the platform in the plane of contact with the water surface is made circular or nearly circular as a means of discouraging rotation of the platform about its vertical axis of symmetry due to the action of waves, currents, and winds of varying directionality.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the interior volume of the platform is filled with a closed cell polymeric foam or similar non-porous, buoyant, monolithic filler as a means of rendering the platform leakproof and improving the platform's flexural rigidity.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the intelligent controller is a minicomputer or microprocessor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device according to claim 10 wherein the reaction plate resides at any elevation between the sea bed and the floating platform and is moored to the sea bed by conventional means.
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) | 1983-05-27 | 1983-11-26 | 1984-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-05-27 | 1987-11-26 | 1988-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-05-27 | 1991-11-26 | 1992-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |