Patent US2249640A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4598211A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Tidal energy system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-01-16
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Granted: 1986-07-01
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Expires: 2004-01-16
Abstract
Abstract Float/weights are positioned in the tidal water, arranged to rise and fall with the tides. A power unit including a cylinder and piston is arranged with the piston connected with the float/weights, and draws water into it upon the float/weights rising and forcing it into a storage unit upon the float/weights dropping. The storage unit includes a cylinder and a weighted piston. After the storage unit is filled, the water is let out to drive a water turbine and generator. The apparatus may use a closed circuit for the water, or an open circuit and draw it directly from the sea and return it to the sea. In the use of a closed circuit, instead of sea water, the apparatus may use fresh water, or oil. The apparatus is also adapted to use compressed gas instead of liquid.
Inventors
- 👤 John Koruthu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:10
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03B; F03B13/00; F03B13/12; F03B13/26; F03B13/262; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/20; Y02E10/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
234 words
Tidal apparatus for producing energy by means of rising and ebbing sea tides, comprising, (A) a first main component, (B) a second main component, (C) linkage operably interconnecting the two main components, A. said first main component including a float/weight in the sea, of indeterminate maximum dimensions, of a density less, but only slightly less, than the sea water, so as to float therein and of maximum weight/volume ratio, and being contained only by the sea water and supported only by flotation by the sea water, and being movable into and out of an operable position adjacent to an operating position on the land, the float/weight being movable bodily as a whole in vertical directions in direct response to the tidal movements in proportion to its own dimensions, B. said second main component being mounted on and supported by the land in said operating position, and independently of the sea water, and having at least a portion located above the first main component, for operating cooperation between the two main components, said second main component including, 1. a power unit including a vertical cylinder and piston and being located in said portion located above the first main component, 2. a storage unit, 3. a conduit system operative for conducting fluid from a source to the power unit and from the power unit to the storage unit in response to operation of the power unit,
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
234 words
Tidal apparatus for producing energy by means of rising and ebbing sea tides, comprising, (A) a first main component, (B) a second main component, (C) linkage operably interconnecting the two main components, A. said first main component including a float/weight in the sea, of indeterminate maximum dimensions, of a density less, but only slightly less, than the sea water, so as to float therein and of maximum weight/volume ratio, and being contained only by the sea water and supported only by flotation by the sea water, and being movable into and out of an operable position adjacent to an operating position on the land, the float/weight being movable bodily as a whole in vertical directions in direct response to the tidal movements in proportion to its own dimensions, B. said second main component being mounted on and supported by the land in said operating position, and independently of the sea water, and having at least a portion located above the first main component, for operating cooperation between the two main components, said second main component including, 1. a power unit including a vertical cylinder and piston and being located in said portion located above the first main component, 2. a storage unit, 3. a conduit system operative for conducting fluid from a source to the power unit and from the power unit to the storage unit in response to operation of the power unit,
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
an operating unit, and 5. the storage unit being capable of moving fluid therein to the operating unit for operating the latter, C. said linkage being interconnected between the float/weight and the piston in the power unit, whereby to operate the power unit in response to vertical movements of the float/weight.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
an operating unit, and 5. the storage unit being capable of moving fluid therein to the operating unit for operating the latter, C. said linkage being interconnected between the float/weight and the piston in the power unit, whereby to operate the power unit in response to vertical movements of the float/weight.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
Tidal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, the storage unit includes a vertical cylinder and weighted piston therein, and the power unit and storage unit, and the conduit system, are arranged and operative for utilizing liquid as said fluid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
Tidal apparatus according to claim 2 wherein, the power unit and storage unit are arranged and operative for utilizing sea water as said fluid, and operative for drawing water from the sea and for conducting sea water from the operating unit in return to the sea.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
Tidal apparatus according to claim 2 wherein, the apparatus includes a reservoir for holding liquid, the conduit system is operative for conducting the fluid from the reservoir to the power unit, and conducting spent fluid from the operating unit in return to the reservoir, thereby forming a closed circuit for the fluid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
63 words
Tidal apparatus according to claim 1 wherein, the power unit is operable for forcing fluid to the storage unit in each cycle of rising/ebbing of the tide, and the storage unit has capacity independent of a single said cycle, and the apparatus having means for controlling the movement of the fluid from the storage unit to the operating unit idependently of said cycles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
Tidal apparatus according to claim 1 wherein, the operating unit is constituted by a turbine and generator, and the apparatus includes means for controlling the movement of fluid to that unit at a uniform rate, whereby to enable the utilization of an AC generator or an operative part of the unit.
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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) | 1989-06-30 | 1989-12-30 | 1990-07-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-06-30 | 1993-12-30 | 1994-07-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-06-30 | 1997-12-30 | 1998-07-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |