US4278743A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Generation of electrical energy
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-12-31
•
Granted: 1981-07-14
•
Expires: 1999-12-31
Abstract
Abstract A marine installation for generating electrical energy, which installation operates as a giant battery using the sea as the electrolyte and comprises a plurality of electrodes (6, 8) connected together mechanically and electrically to form a floating structure of cells (5) which is anchored to the sea bed and insulated to prevent loss of potential by conduction.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack E. Thompson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:31
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M6/00; H01M6/30; H01M6/32; H01M6/34; H01M50/00; H01M50/40; H01M50/463; H01M50/469
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A marine installation for generating electrical energy, which installation operates as an electric battery using the sea as the electrolyte and comprising a plurality of individual electric cells connected together mechanically and electrically to form a floating structure which is anchored to the sea bed and insulated to prevent loss of potential by conduction, each cell comprising an upper electrode coated with a material which reacts electrochemically with sea water and arranged to float on or just below the surface of the water, a lower electrode of greater weight than said upper electrode and also coated with a material which reacts electrochemically with sea water, insulated means and insulated means suspending said lower electrode from said upper electrode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A marine installation for generating electrical energy, which installation operates as an electric battery using the sea as the electrolyte and comprising a plurality of individual electric cells connected together mechanically and electrically to form a floating structure which is anchored to the sea bed and insulated to prevent loss of potential by conduction, each cell comprising an upper electrode coated with a material which reacts electrochemically with sea water and arranged to float on or just below the surface of the water, a lower electrode of greater weight than said upper electrode and also coated with a material which reacts electrochemically with sea water, insulated means and insulated means suspending said lower electrode from said upper electrode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
An installation according to claim 1, wherein said upper electrodes of individual cells are pivotally connected together in a horizontal plane for movement relative to one another in response to the motion of the sea.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
An installation according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said cells are electrically connected in series by flexible cables extending between the lower electrode of one cell and the upper electrode of the next cell.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
An installation according to claim 1, wherein each electrode is in the form of a plate having tubes extending outwardly at right angles to the surface thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
An installation according to claim 4, wherein the tubes on one electrode of a cell extend towards or away from the tubes on the other electrode of said cell.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
An installation according to claim 4, wherein the tubes on one electrode of a cell are concentric with and are slidable in the tubes on the other electrode of said cell.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
An installation according to claim 6, wherein said concentric tubes are radially spaced from each other by concentric rings which are axially bored for the passage of electrolyte along the tubes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
An installation according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the inner of said concentric tubes is open for the axial flow of cooling medium therethrough.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US2669596A
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US2684988A
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US2856616A
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US3462309A
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US4198474A
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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) | 1984-07-13 | 1985-01-12 | 1985-07-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-07-13 | 1989-01-12 | 1989-07-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-07-13 | 1993-01-12 | 1993-07-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |