Tidal energy converter
OwnerRonald Simeon Eiselsteininventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tidal energy converter has a pivoting lever that moves in response to tidal fluid moving other elements on the converter. The pivoting lever can be operatively coupled with an electricity generator to produce electricity. Namely, the pivoting lever may be coupled to an air source and compress the air to create a compressed air. The compressed air may be used to power an electricity generator. The pivoting lever is moved by fluid that empties from a feed tank to a spill tank. There may be one or more ballast tanks connected to the feed tank and/or the spill tank. Some of the feed tanks work in opposing unison with one of the ballast tanks.
Claims2
A tidal energy converter comprising:
- a platform adapted to be mounted in a waterway that has a high tide level and a low tide level;
- a lever on the platform that pivots about a fulcrum, wherein the fulcrum is vertically below the high tide level;
- a first feed tank having a first discharge outlet in fluid communication with the lever
- a pivot axis defined by the fulcrum, wherein the lever pivots about the pivot axis;
- a first segment of the lever on one side of the fulcrum;
- and
- a second segment of the lever on an opposite side of the fulcrum;
- wherein the first discharge outlet on the first feed tank that is in fluid communication with the first segment to permit fluid discharged from the first feed tank to flow along the first segment;
- a first ballast tank in operative communication with the first feed tank;
- a second ballast tank;
- a first spill tank in fluid communication with the first feed tank by way of the lever and in operative communication with the first ballast tank;
- a third ballast tank connected to the first spill tank;
- a first mechanical system that couples the first feed tank to the first ballast tank,
- wherein the first feed tank and the first ballast tank move vertically opposite each other in response to rising and dropping tide levels;
- a volume defined by the first ballast tank that is greater than a volume defined by the first feed tank;
- a second mechanical system that couples a fourth ballast tank to the first spill tank and the third ballast tank;
- wherein the third ballast tank is vertically above the first spill tank;
- a volume defined by the first spill tank that is greater than or equal to a volume of the first feed tank;
- and
- a volume defined by the second ballast tank that is greater than a volume defined by the first spill tank.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.