Wave power
AssigneeLiquid Robotics, Inc.
InventorsRoger G. Hine, Derek L. Hine, Joseph D. Rizzi, Kurt A. F. Kiesow, III, Robert Burcham, William A. Stutz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A wave-powered water vehicle includes a surface float, a submerged swimmer, and a tether which connects the float and the swimmer, so that the swimmer moves up and down as a result of wave motion. The swimmer includes one or more fins which interact with the water as the swimmer moves up and down, and generate forces which propel the vehicle forward. The vehicle, which need not be manned, can carry communication and control equipment so that it can follow a course directed by signals sent to it, and so that it can record or transmit data from sensors on the vehicle.
Claims18
A wave-powered water vehicle which comprises:
- (1) a float,
- (2) a swimmer, and
- (3) a tether connecting the float and the swimmer;
- the float, swimmer and tether being such that, when the vehicle is in still water,
- (i) the float is on or near a surface of the water,
- (ii) the swimmer is submerged below the float, and
- the swimmer comprising:
- (2a) a swimmer body having a longitudinal axis, and
- (2b) a fin system which
- (a) is secured to the body by a frame,
- (b) comprises a fin, connected to the frame, the fin being rotatable about an axis of rotation which is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the frame, the fin comprising an elastically deformable component that resists rotation of at least one fin in either direction from a rest position;
- and
- (c) when the vehicle is in wave-bearing water,
- (i) has a configuration which changes as a result of wave motion, and
- (ii) interacts with the water to generate forces which tend to move the swimmer in a horizontal direction.
A fin system comprising
- a frame having a longitudinal axis,
- a plurality of fins, each fin being connected to the frame, and being rotatable about an axis of rotation which is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the frame;
- and
- an elastically deformable component that resists rotation of at least one fin in either direction from a rest position.
A wave-powered water vehicle comprising:
- a float;
- a swimmer;
- a tether connecting the float and the swimmer, the float, swimmer and tether being such that, when the vehicle is in still water, (i) the float is on or near a surface of the water, (ii) the swimmer is submerged below the float;
- and
- the swimmer comprises (i) a swimmer body having a longitudinal axis, and (ii) a fin system which is secured to the swimmer body, wherein the fin system comprises:
- a frame having a longitudinal axis,
- a plurality of fins, each fin being connected to the frame, and being rotatable about an axis of rotation which is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the frame, each fin comprising:
- an elastically deformable component that resists rotation of at least one fin in either direction from a rest position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.