US4363213A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Combined body and power generating system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-03-11
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Granted: 1982-12-14
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Expires: 2001-03-11
Abstract
Abstract A system is disclosed for converting a standard buoy design into an electrical power producing apparatus. The vertical arms slide in sleeves attached to the buoy body and terminate in feet in the form of flat discs. As the buoy bobs and pivots in the water, the resistance of the feet to motion cause the arms to reciprocate, operating pneumatic piston pumps within the buoy. These piston pumps power pneumatic turbines which activate generators for producing electrical power. The moving parts of the linkages connecting the arms to the pumps are protected by a plastic casing which keeps out sea water. The casing includes facets which act as sails. Annular wipers are provided between the arms and sleeves within which the arms reciprocate, so as to prevent sea water from seeping therebetween.
Inventors
- 👤 George E. Paleologos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 15:51
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03B; F03B13/00; F03B13/12; F03B13/14; F03B13/16; F03B13/18; F03B13/1845; F03B13/1855; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
An apparatus for producing power, comprising: a hollow buoy; electric generator means in said buoy; pneumatic turbine means in said buoy and operatively connected to said generator; at least two pneumatic pump means in said buoy and operatively connected to said turbine means; at least two vertical arms; means connected to said buoy and adapted for constraining each of said arms and for permitting reciprocation of said arms in the vertical direction; linkage means connecting one end of each of said arms to one of said pneumatic pump means; means for sealing said linkage means in a water tight manner; and foot means on the other end of each of said arms, said foot means adapted to resist movement in said vertical direction wherein said arms, said means for constraining said arms, said means for sealing and said foot means are formed of lightweight non-corrosive plastic material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
147 words
An apparatus for producing power, comprising: a hollow buoy; electric generator means in said buoy; pneumatic turbine means in said buoy and operatively connected to said generator; at least two pneumatic pump means in said buoy and operatively connected to said turbine means; at least two vertical arms; means connected to said buoy and adapted for constraining each of said arms and for permitting reciprocation of said arms in the vertical direction; linkage means connecting one end of each of said arms to one of said pneumatic pump means; means for sealing said linkage means in a water tight manner; and foot means on the other end of each of said arms, said foot means adapted to resist movement in said vertical direction wherein said arms, said means for constraining said arms, said means for sealing and said foot means are formed of lightweight non-corrosive plastic material.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
151 words
An apparatus for converting a hollow buoy into a power generating system comprising: electric generator means in said buoy; pneumatic turbine means in said buoy and operatively connected to said generator; at least two pneumatic pump means in said buoy and operatively connected to said turbine means; at least two vertical arms; means connected to said buoy and adapted for constraining each of said arms and for permitting reciprocation of said arms in the vertical direction; linkage means connecting one end of each of said arms to one of said pneumatic pump means; means for sealing said linkage means in a water tight manner; and foot means on the other end of each of said arms, said foot means adapted to resist movement in said vertical direction wherein said arms, said means for constraining said arms, said means for sealing and said foot means are formed of lightweight non-corrosive plastic material.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
151 words
An apparatus for converting a hollow buoy into a power generating system comprising: electric generator means in said buoy; pneumatic turbine means in said buoy and operatively connected to said generator; at least two pneumatic pump means in said buoy and operatively connected to said turbine means; at least two vertical arms; means connected to said buoy and adapted for constraining each of said arms and for permitting reciprocation of said arms in the vertical direction; linkage means connecting one end of each of said arms to one of said pneumatic pump means; means for sealing said linkage means in a water tight manner; and foot means on the other end of each of said arms, said foot means adapted to resist movement in said vertical direction wherein said arms, said means for constraining said arms, said means for sealing and said foot means are formed of lightweight non-corrosive plastic material.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claims 1 or 2 wherein each said foot means comprise at least one disc oriented in a horizontal plane.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
216 words
An apparatus for producing power, comprising: a hollow buoy; electric generator means in said buoy; pneumatic turbine means in said buoy and operatively connected to said generator; at least two pneumatic pump means in said buoy and operatively connected to said turbine means; at least two vertical arms; means connected to said buoy and adapted for constraining each of said arms and for permitting reciprocation of said arms in the vertical direction; linkage means connecting one end of each of said arms to one of said pneumatic pump means; means for sealing said linkage means in a water tight manner; and foot means on the other end of each of said arms, said foot means adapted to resist movement in said vertical direction, wherein said means for constraining each comprise a hollow vertical cylinder horizontally spaced from said buoy and bracket means fixing said cylinder to said buoy, and wherein each said arm reciprocates within the hollow of each said cylinder, wherein said means for sealing further comprises at least one annular elastomeric wiper secured to each said cylinder at the bottom of the hollow thereof, each said wiper extending between one of said cylinders and the arm therein, wherein said housing has a circumferential periphery and includes an array of concave facets on said periphery.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
216 words
An apparatus for producing power, comprising: a hollow buoy; electric generator means in said buoy; pneumatic turbine means in said buoy and operatively connected to said generator; at least two pneumatic pump means in said buoy and operatively connected to said turbine means; at least two vertical arms; means connected to said buoy and adapted for constraining each of said arms and for permitting reciprocation of said arms in the vertical direction; linkage means connecting one end of each of said arms to one of said pneumatic pump means; means for sealing said linkage means in a water tight manner; and foot means on the other end of each of said arms, said foot means adapted to resist movement in said vertical direction, wherein said means for constraining each comprise a hollow vertical cylinder horizontally spaced from said buoy and bracket means fixing said cylinder to said buoy, and wherein each said arm reciprocates within the hollow of each said cylinder, wherein said means for sealing further comprises at least one annular elastomeric wiper secured to each said cylinder at the bottom of the hollow thereof, each said wiper extending between one of said cylinders and the arm therein, wherein said housing has a circumferential periphery and includes an array of concave facets on said periphery.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
219 words
An apparatus for converting a hollow buoy into a power generating system comprising: electric means in said buoy; pneumatic turbine means in said buoy and operatively connected to said generator; at least two pneumatic pump means in said buoy and operatively connected to said turbine means; at least two vertical arms; means connected to said buoy and adapted for constraining each of said arms and for permitting reciprocation of said arms in the vertical direction; linkage means connecting one end of each of said arms to one of said pneumatic pump means; means for sealing said linkage means in a water tight manner; and foot means on the other end of each of said arms, said foot means adapted to resist movement in said vertical direction wherein said means for constraining each comprise a hollow vertical cylinder horizontally spaced from said buoy and bracket means fixing said cylinder to said buoy, and wherein each said arm reciprocates within the hollow of each said cylinder, wherein said means for sealing further comprises at least one annular elastomeric wiper secured to each said cylinder at the bottom of the hollow thereof, each said wiper extending between one of said cylinders and the arm therein, wherein said housing has a circumferential periphery and includes an array of concave facets on said periphery.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
219 words
An apparatus for converting a hollow buoy into a power generating system comprising: electric means in said buoy; pneumatic turbine means in said buoy and operatively connected to said generator; at least two pneumatic pump means in said buoy and operatively connected to said turbine means; at least two vertical arms; means connected to said buoy and adapted for constraining each of said arms and for permitting reciprocation of said arms in the vertical direction; linkage means connecting one end of each of said arms to one of said pneumatic pump means; means for sealing said linkage means in a water tight manner; and foot means on the other end of each of said arms, said foot means adapted to resist movement in said vertical direction wherein said means for constraining each comprise a hollow vertical cylinder horizontally spaced from said buoy and bracket means fixing said cylinder to said buoy, and wherein each said arm reciprocates within the hollow of each said cylinder, wherein said means for sealing further comprises at least one annular elastomeric wiper secured to each said cylinder at the bottom of the hollow thereof, each said wiper extending between one of said cylinders and the arm therein, wherein said housing has a circumferential periphery and includes an array of concave facets on said periphery.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 4 or claim 5 wherein said means for sealing comprises a casing enclosing said linkage and secured to said buoy and to the tops of said cylinders.
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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) | 1985-12-13 | 1986-06-14 | 1986-12-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-12-13 | 1990-06-14 | 1990-12-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-12-13 | 1994-06-14 | 1994-12-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |