US 12,704,106 B2Granted

Wave powered generator device and system

AssigneeWave Power Geniuses LLC

InventorsShawn Michael Johnson, Joseph Pandak, Ernest Fontenot

Life of this patent

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Abstract

The wave powered generator device and system provides a system for generating electricity using wave energy. The force exerted on the float body by the waves moves the float body in two directions, up and down. The float body aligns toothed rails with rail gears that drive the PTO. The toothed rails secured to the float body travel vertically in relation to the rail gears. The vertical motion of the neck and the float body moves the toothed rails in relation to the rail gears. Such vertical motion of the toothed rails rotates the rail gears to drive the generator to generate electricity. The toothed rails are located on opposite sides of the rail gears to generate electricity during bi-directional movement of the neck, the float body, and the rail gears.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A generating system that generates electricity by driving a drive shaft of a generator with wave motion, the system comprising:

a drive housing having a central opening;
a float body positioned within the central opening such that the float body moves vertically within the central opening, wherein the float body is buoyant;
a first toothed rail secured to the float body, wherein the first toothed rail moves in a first direction and a second direction with the float body;
a first rail gear contacting the first toothed rail, wherein movement of the first toothed rail in the first direction rotates the first rail gear in a generating direction, wherein the first rail gear rotating in the generating direction drives the drive shaft of the generator;
and
a wall that separates the float body from the generator;
a second toothed rail secured to the float body, wherein the second toothed rail moves in the first direction and the second direction with the first toothed rail and the float body;
a second rail gear contacting the second toothed rail, wherein movement of the second toothed rail in the second direction rotates the second rail gear in the generating direction, wherein the second rail gear rotating in the generating direction drives the drive shaft of the generator;
wherein the first rail gear rotates freely in a non-generating direction when the first toothed rail moves in the second direction without driving the drive shaft of the generator, wherein the non-generating direction is opposite of the generating direction;
wherein the second rail gear rotates freely in the non-generating direction when the second toothed rail moves in the first direction without driving the drive shaft of the generator;
an axle connecting the first rail gear and the second rail gear, wherein the axle secures to the drive housing;
wherein the first toothed rail and the second toothed rail are located on opposite sides of the rail gears;
a vertical opening in the float body, wherein the axle passes through the vertical opening;
wherein the vertical opening enables the float body to travel vertically in relation to the axle;
wherein the axle passes from the drive housing through the wall towards the generator.

12 more elements

A generating system that generates electricity by driving a drive shaft of a generator with wave motion, the system comprising:

a housing configured to store the generator;
a first drive housing positioned adjacent the housing, wherein the first drive housing forms a central opening;
a float body positioned below the first drive housing, wherein the float body is buoyant;
a first neck of the float body configured to extend vertically upward into the first drive housing to secure the float body with the first drive housing, wherein the first drive housing enables vertical movement of the first neck in a first vertical direction and a second vertical direction within the central opening, wherein the first neck moves vertically within the central opening;
a first toothed rail secured within the first neck, wherein the first toothed rail moves in the first vertical direction and the second vertical direction with the first neck;
a first rail gear contacting the first toothed rail within the first neck, wherein movement of the first toothed rail in the first vertical direction rotates the first rail gear in a generating direction, wherein the first rail gear rotating in the generating direction drives the drive shaft of the generator;
an axle secured to the first drive housing, wherein the first rail gear attaches to the axle;
a vertical opening in the first neck of the float body, wherein the axle passes through the vertical opening;
wherein the vertical opening enables the float body to travel vertically in relation to the axle secured to the first drive housing.

6 more elements

A generating system that generates electricity by driving a drive shaft of a generator with wave motion, the system comprising:

a drive housing having a central opening;
a float body positioned within the central opening such that the float body moves vertically within the central opening, wherein the float body is buoyant;
a first toothed rail secured to the float body, wherein the first toothed rail moves in a first direction and a second direction with the float body;
a first rail gear contacting the first toothed rail, wherein movement of the first toothed rail in the first direction rotates the first rail gear in a generating direction, wherein the first rail gear rotating in the generating direction drives the drive shaft of the generator;
a second toothed rail secured to the float body, wherein the second toothed rail moves in the first direction and the second direction with the first toothed rail and the float body;
a second rail gear contacting the second toothed rail, wherein movement of the second toothed rail in the second direction rotates the second rail gear in the generating direction, wherein the second rail gear rotating in the generating direction drives the drive shaft of the generator;
wherein the first rail gear rotates in an opposite direction of the second rail gear during vertical movement of the float body;
an axle connecting the first rail gear and the second rail gear;
wherein the first toothed rail is located laterally apart from the second toothed rail, wherein the axle passes laterally between the first toothed rail and the second toothed rail;
wherein teeth of the first toothed rail extend laterally inward towards the axle;
wherein teeth of the second toothed rail extend laterally inward towards the axle;
wherein the axle positions the first rail gear and the second rail gear laterally between the first toothed rail and the second toothed rail.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 18/737,801Filed 7 Jun 2024 · us provisional application
Priority: 8 Jun 2023
Published: US 2025/0297591 A125 Sep 2025
Granted: 11 Aug 2026
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

F03B 13/1825
And the wom is hinged to the rem: for 360° rotation
F05B 2220/706
In combination with: an electrical generator
F05B 2260/4031
Through the shape of the drive components: as in toothed gearing
Y02E 10/30
Energy generation through renewable energy sources: energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient