US4258270A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Marine wave power plant
Assignee: SALEN ENERGY AB
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Filing: 1979-08-09
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Granted: 1981-03-24
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Expires: 1999-08-09
Abstract
Abstract A marine wave power plant includes interconnected, swingable, floating basic units with anchoring means. Each unit consists of bearing displacement tubes, a stationary member and a displacement body movably joined thereto and moving with the waves. The wave movements are converted to electrical energy via a hydraulic-electrical system. The rear surface of the movable member is curved with its center of curvature at the journalling axis on the stationary member to avoid pumping between the two members, while a journalling arm is length-adjustable for different wave characteristics. To control the various parameters dependent on incoming waves, a sensor measures the water level in front of the displacement body. The movements of this body, the radian volume of the hydraulic motor and the electrical power output is controlled via a process computer.
Inventors
- 👤 Rolf E. A. Tornkvist
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 11:38
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03B; F03B13/00; F03B13/12; F03B13/14; F03B13/16; F03B13/18; F03B13/1805; F03B13/181; F03B13/1815; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
Wave power plant consisting of adjacently arranged basic units with anchoring means, with each basic unit comprising a member movable with the waves, a stationary member cooperating therewith, and a hydraulic-electrical system for converting the movements of the movable member relative to the stationary member into electrical energy, characterized in that the movable member consists of a displacement body whose front surface, facing the wave front, as it moves makes room for the mass of water which moves with a wave, and as it returns fills up the space freed as the water moves towards the wave, that the stationary member consists of displacement tubes rigidly joined to each other and with a substantially vertical plate which is sufficiently large and extends to sufficient depth to offer large resistance to movements in the water, and that journalling means are arranged for swingable attachment of the movable member to the stationary member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
Wave power plant consisting of adjacently arranged basic units with anchoring means, with each basic unit comprising a member movable with the waves, a stationary member cooperating therewith, and a hydraulic-electrical system for converting the movements of the movable member relative to the stationary member into electrical energy, characterized in that the movable member consists of a displacement body whose front surface, facing the wave front, as it moves makes room for the mass of water which moves with a wave, and as it returns fills up the space freed as the water moves towards the wave, that the stationary member consists of displacement tubes rigidly joined to each other and with a substantially vertical plate which is sufficiently large and extends to sufficient depth to offer large resistance to movements in the water, and that journalling means are arranged for swingable attachment of the movable member to the stationary member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
Wave power plant according to claim 1, characterized in that the rear surface of the movable member is cylindrically curved around an axis of curvature coinciding with the journalling shaft on the stationary member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
73 words
Wave power plant according to claim 1, characterized in that the journalling means consists of at least one link of constant length and at least one length-adjustable link journalled vertically spaced from each other to the rear surface of the movable member and to the same shaft on the front surface of the stationary member, whereby the center of curvature of the surface can be brought into positions deviating from the pivot center.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
84 words
Wave power plant according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable member is arranged above the stationary member and consists of a plate swingable between two positions around a journal shaft on the stationary member, the space between the plate and the stationary member being separated from the water with a bellows but open to the air through a channel, and that a linkage system is arranged as the plate moves to cause the hydraulic cylinder to pump oil to the hydraulic motor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
Wave power plant according to claim 1, characterized in that the hydraulic-electrical system comprises the double-acting hydraulic cylinder mounted between the stationary and movable members, a rotatable hydraulic motor with variable volume, coupled to an electrical generator, a hydraulic motor setter, connecting pipes and hoses and a control system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
Wave power plant according to claim 5, characterized in that the hydraulic cylinder is hydraulically symmetrical.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
Wave power plant according to claim 5, characterized in that a flywheel is disposed on the electrical generator which is mechanically coupled to one or more hydraulic motors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
91 words
Wave power plant according to claim 1, characterized in that the control system is arranged to control the radian volume of the hydraulic motor, the electrical power output and the oscillations of the movable member dependent on the incoming waves, and comprises a process computer, a sensor in front of the movable member for the instantaneous water level, the hydraulic motor setter with an electrohydraulic servo valve, the flywheel, a tachometer generator for the rotational speed of the generator and sensors for forces on and the position of the movable member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
Wave power plant according to claim 1, characterized by one or more steering propellers for turning the wave power plant to the desired position in relation to the wave fronts.
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) | 1984-03-23 | 1984-09-22 | 1985-03-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-03-23 | 1988-09-22 | 1989-03-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-03-23 | 1992-09-22 | 1993-03-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |