Stowable power generator device
AssigneeWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution
InventorsRobin Littlefield, Jeffrey Kaeli
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A stowable generator device including a housing defining at least one storage chamber having an opening. A closure element is configured to selectively cover and uncover the opening. Support structure is disposed within the storage chamber in a collapsed position and is selectively extendable through the opening into an expanded position when the closure element is moved away from the opening. At least one energy generating unit is connected to the support structure. The support structure and the generating unit are configured to reversibly stow inside the housing in the collapsed position.
Claims2
A stowable generator system positionable into an external environment, comprising:
- a housing defining at least first and second storage chambers, each storage chamber having an opening and a closure element that is configured to selectively cover and uncover the opening;
- support structure disposed within each storage chamber in a collapsed position and selectively extendable through the respective opening into an expanded position when the closure element is moved away from the opening;
- an energy generating unit connected to each support structure;
- wherein each support structure and its respective generating unit are configured to reversibly stow inside the housing in the collapsed position;
- and
- wherein at least one closure element is connected to an upper portion of one of the support structures and is configured to seal its respective energy generating unit within the housing in the collapsed position and to travel with the support structure into the expanded position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.