US4900188A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for local reduction of wave amplitude
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1989-04-21
•
Granted: 1990-02-13
•
Expires: 2009-04-21
Abstract
Abstract A device for effecting local reduction of sea wave amplitude includes a grid plate adapted to be supported in the sea at a predetermined depth ensuring that the grid plate remains submerged below the trough of the highest wave expected to be encountered in use of the wave reduction device. The grid plate member includes a plurality of interconnected elongate supporting members hingedly supporting flapper valve plates which are operable between substantially opened and closed positions, each flapper walve in its opened position permitting sea water to flow substantially unimpeded through the flapper valve and in its closed position substantially blocking the flow of sea water through the flapper valve.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas Haselton
- 👤 Frederick R. Haselton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:22
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B3/00; E02B3/04; E02B3/06; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A10/00; Y02A10/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
211 words
Means for effecting local reduction of sea wave amplitude comprising: a grid plate member adapted to be supported in the sea at a predetermined depth ensuring that said grid plate member remains submerged below the trough of the highest wave expected to be encountered in use of said wave reduction means, said grid plate member including a plurality of interconnected elongate supporting members; at least some of said supporting members hingedly supporting flapper valve plates which are operable between respective substantially open and substantially closed positions, each said flapper valve in its said open position permitting sea water to flow substantially unimpeded through the flapper valve and in its said closed position substantially blocking the flow of sea water through the flapper valve; means effective on each flapper valve to operate it to its open position in response to vertically downward movement of water as the wave amplitude decreases and to its closed position in response to vertically upward movement of the sea water as the wave amplitude increases; means for providing positive buoyancy to said grid plate member; anchoring means adapted to be supported on the sea bottom; and means connected between said anchoring means and said grid plate member for maintaining said grid plate member at said predetermined depth.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
211 words
Means for effecting local reduction of sea wave amplitude comprising: a grid plate member adapted to be supported in the sea at a predetermined depth ensuring that said grid plate member remains submerged below the trough of the highest wave expected to be encountered in use of said wave reduction means, said grid plate member including a plurality of interconnected elongate supporting members; at least some of said supporting members hingedly supporting flapper valve plates which are operable between respective substantially open and substantially closed positions, each said flapper valve in its said open position permitting sea water to flow substantially unimpeded through the flapper valve and in its said closed position substantially blocking the flow of sea water through the flapper valve; means effective on each flapper valve to operate it to its open position in response to vertically downward movement of water as the wave amplitude decreases and to its closed position in response to vertically upward movement of the sea water as the wave amplitude increases; means for providing positive buoyancy to said grid plate member; anchoring means adapted to be supported on the sea bottom; and means connected between said anchoring means and said grid plate member for maintaining said grid plate member at said predetermined depth.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
Means according to claim 1, wherein said grid-plate member includes: a plurality of grid segments, the sides of said segments being defined by interconnected supporting members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
Means according to claim 2, wherein said grid segments have a polygonal shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
Means according to claim 3, wherein each of said grid segments includes a plurality of flapper valves, each having one end hingedly mounted on said supporting member and the opposite end freely movable between said opened and closed position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
Means according to claim 4, wherein said means for providing a positive buoyancy include a plurality of buoyancy chambers, each mounted centrally in at least some of said grid segments, said chambers being positioned for contact by said free ends of said flapper valves.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
Means according to claim 1, wherein said grid segments have hexagonal shapes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
Means according to claim 5, wherein said flapper valves have a substantially triangular shape.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
Means according to claim 4, wherein each of said supporting members includes a bar for pivotally supporting two flapper valves of adjacent grid segments.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
Means according to claim 8, wherein each of said flapper valves is provided with means for inserting said flapper valves onto said bar.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
Means according to claim 5, wherein said buoyancy chambers are cylindrically shaped.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
Means according to claim 10, wherein said buoyancy chambers are positioned substantially perpendicular to a horizontal plane of said grid plate member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
Means according to claim 11, wherein said flapper valves are made of a structural foam or other buoyant material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
Means according to claim 12, wherein said buoyancy chambers are centered within said segments through a plurality of tension members extending between said supporting members defining said frame and the upper and lower portions of said buoyancy chambers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
Means according to claim 1, wherein said connecting means includes a plurality of tether lines extending between said anchoring means and at least some of said grid segments.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
Means according to claim 13, further including a plurality of tether lines extending between said anchoring means and at least some of said grid segments.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
Means according to claim 15, wherein at least one of said tether lines extends between said anchoring means and a bottom portion of each of said buoyancy chambers.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
Means according to claim 16, further including a plurality of rods extending between the upper ends of said buoyancy chambers to form a first supporting means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
Means according to claim 17, further including a second supporting means defined by a plurality of rods extending between the lower ends of said buoyancy chambers.
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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) | 1993-02-12 | 1993-08-14 | 1994-02-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-02-12 | 1997-08-14 | 1998-02-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-02-12 | 2001-08-14 | 2002-02-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |