US4362432A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Fluid wave energy dissipating and absorbing structure
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-03-03
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Granted: 1982-12-07
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Expires: 2000-03-03
Abstract
Abstract A fluid wave energy dissipating and absorbing structure having at least one surface exposed to fluid wave action, said surface comprising an array of alternating three-sided pyramidal protuberances and triangular flat spaces, said protuberances and spaces being alternating in both rows and columns. Erosion caused by fluid wave action may be prevented or mitigated by erecting on a surface subject to such erosion a fluid wave energy dissipating and absorbing structure, and forming on said structure at least one surface exposed to the eroding fluid wave action, said surface comprising an array of alternating three-sided pyramidal protuberances and triangular flat spaces as above described.
Inventors
- 👤 Maria T. Conover
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 15:53
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B3/00; E02B3/04; E02B3/06; E02B3/12; E02B3/14; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A10/00; Y02A10/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A fluid wave energy dissipating and absorbing structure comprising a supporting structure bearing a fluid wave energy dissipating and absorbing surface, said supporting structure being affixed to a surface to be protected from fluid wave action, said wave energy dissipating and absorbing surface being exposed to fluid wave action and comprising an array of alternating three-sided pyramidal protuberances and triangular flat spaces, said protuberances and spaces being alternating in both rows and columns, said wave energy dissipating and absorbing surface being so disposed in relation to impinging fluid waves as to permit said protuberances and flat spaces to coact to dissipate and absorb the energy of impinging fluid waves.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
A fluid wave energy dissipating and absorbing structure comprising a supporting structure bearing a fluid wave energy dissipating and absorbing surface, said supporting structure being affixed to a surface to be protected from fluid wave action, said wave energy dissipating and absorbing surface being exposed to fluid wave action and comprising an array of alternating three-sided pyramidal protuberances and triangular flat spaces, said protuberances and spaces being alternating in both rows and columns, said wave energy dissipating and absorbing surface being so disposed in relation to impinging fluid waves as to permit said protuberances and flat spaces to coact to dissipate and absorb the energy of impinging fluid waves.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A fluid wave energy dissipating and absorbing structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said surface is supported by a supporting structure having strength sufficient to withstand the forces normally applied to the structure by said fluid wave action.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A fluid wave energy dissipating and absorbing structure as defined in claim 1 and 2 wherein the bases of the protuberances and the open areas have the form of equilateral triangles.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A fluid wave energy dissipating and absorbing structure as defined in claim 1 and 2 wherein the protuberances are 1 to 21/2 feet in altitude.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A fluid energy dissipating and absorbing structure as defined in claim 4 wherein the protuberances are about 1.5 feet in altitude.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A fluid wave energy dissipating and absorbing structure as defined in claim 4 wherein the protuberances are about 1.75 feet in altitude.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A fluid wave energy dissipating and absorbing structure as defined in claim 1 or 2 wherein said surface is formed from a molded synthetic resinous material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A fluid wave energy dissipating and absorbing structure as defined in claim 7 wherein said surface is formed from reinforced molded synthetic resinous material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A fluid wave-energy dissipating and absorbing structure as defined in claim 8 wherein said reinforcing material is formed from high-modulus filimentary material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A fluid wave energy dissipating and absorbing structure as defined in claim 9 wherein the reinforcing material is a glass fabric.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A fluid wave energy dissipating and absorbing structure as defined in claim 2 wherein the supporting structure is in the form of a metallic truss.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
A fluid wave energy dissipating and absorbing structure as defined in claim 11 wherein said surface is formed from molded, glass-reinforced synthetic resin material supported by said metallic truss.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A fluid wave energy dissipating and absorbing structure as defined in claim 1 or 2 wherein said surface is formed from molded inorganic cementitous material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A fluid wave energy dissipating and absorbing structure as defined in claim 13 wherein said surface and said supporting structure are a unitary structure formed from inorganic cementitous material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
A fluid wave energy dissipating and absorbing structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said supporting structure is in the form of a seawall.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A fluid wave energy dissipating and absorbing structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said supporting structure is a pier or piling.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
A fluid wave energy dissipating and absorbing structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said supporting structure is a bulkhead attached to the bank of a canal, river, lake or inland water way.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
A fluid wave energy dissipating and absorbing structure as defined in claims 1 or 2 wherein the altitudes of the protuberances are parallel to the surface of the source of the fluid waves.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of preventing or mitigating erosion caused by fluid wave action comprising erecting on a surface subject to such erosion a fluid wave energy dissipating and absorbing structure, and forming on said structure at least one surface exposed to the eroding fluid wave action, said surface comprising an array of alternating three-sided pyramidal protuberances and triangular flat spaces, said protuberances and said spaces being alternating in both rows and columns.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of preventing or mitigating erosion caused by fluid wave action comprising erecting on a surface subject to such erosion a fluid wave energy dissipating and absorbing structure, and forming on said structure at least one surface exposed to the eroding fluid wave action, said surface comprising an array of alternating three-sided pyramidal protuberances and triangular flat spaces, said protuberances and said spaces being alternating in both rows and columns.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 19 wherein the altitudes of the protuberances are parallel to the surface of the source of the fluid waves.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
A fluid wave-energy dissipating and absorbing structure as defined in claim 9 wherein said reinforcing material comprises fibers.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
A fluid wave-energy dissipating and absorbing structure as defined in claim 9 wherein said reinforcing material comprises woven fabric.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
A fluid wave-energy dissipating and absorbing structure as defined in claim 9 wherein said reinforcing material comprises non-woven fabric.
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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) | 1985-12-06 | 1986-06-07 | 1986-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-12-06 | 1990-06-07 | 1990-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-12-06 | 1994-06-07 | 1994-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |