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US 11,637,479 B2Granted
Wave energy harvester
AssigneeP Tech, LLC
InventorsPeter M. Bonutti, Matthew J. Cremens, Justin E. Beyers, Tonya M. Bierman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A linear generator includes one or more helices, and one or more magnet members movable relative to a first helix to generate electric energy within the first helix. The first helix includes a first coil. The first helix and/or the magnet members have a density less than that of water such that the first helix and/or the magnet members have buoyant properties when the linear generator is at least partially submerged in the water.
Claims17
A linear generator comprising:
- one or more helices movable in response to an external mechanical energy source, wherein a first helix of the one or more helices includes a first coil capable of having an electric current induced therein, and wherein the first helix has a hollow core;
- one or more magnet members movable relative to the first coil along a predetermined path defined by the first helix to induce the electric current in the first coil, wherein movement of the first helix in response to the external mechanical energy source causes the one or more magnet members to move relative to the first coil, and wherein a first magnet member of the one or more magnet members is positioned within the hollow core of the first helix and movable relative to the first coil within the hollow core of the first helix;
- and
- one or more resilient members in the hollow core, the one or more resilient members configured to urge the one or more magnet members to move relative to the first helix within the hollow core thereof.
1 more element
A wave energy harvester comprising:
- a reservoir for storing water;
- at least one linear generator comprising:
- an inductive coil capable of having an electric current induced therein, wherein the inductive coil is configured to move in response to mechanical energy provided thereto by movement of the water in the reservoir, and
- one or more magnet members configured to move relative to the inductive coil to induce the electric current in the inductive coil;
- and
- a resilient member configured to urge the one or more magnet members away from the resilient member when the movement of the inductive coil in response to the mechanical energy provided by the movement of the water causes the one or more magnet members to move toward the resilient member;
- wherein the inductive coil has a helical configuration, and wherein the movement of the inductive coil in response to the mechanical energy provided by the movement of the water channeled from the reservoir causes the one or more magnet members to move along a predetermined path defined by the helical configuration.
4 more elements
A linear generator comprising:
- a helix movable in response to an external mechanical energy source, wherein the helix includes a coil capable of having an electric current induced therein;
- a magnet member movable relative to the coil along a predetermined path defined by the helix to induce the electric current in the coil, wherein movement of the helix in response to the external mechanical energy source causes the magnet member to move relative to the coil along the helix;
- and
- a resilient member configured to urge the magnet member away from the resilient member when the movement of the helix in response to the external mechanical energy source causes the magnet member to move along the helix toward the resilient member.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.