Energy device powered by the motion of water beneath waves
AssigneeQ, LLC
InventorE. Quimby Smith
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device for extracting both kinetic and potential energy from the motion of the water beneath waves over a considerable depth comprising a member or sail guided to reciprocate with the movement of the water. The sail is connected to and operates a power device such, for example, as an electric generator or a pump. Multiple units can be arranged in "farms" to furnish megawatts of power.
Claims19
Apparatus for extracting energy from the motion of water beneath waves in a body of water comprising a generally upright sail structure capable of being moved by the water, means for supporting said sail structure in said body of water transverse to the direction of water movement with at least a substantial portion thereof beneath the surface of the waves and for guiding the same for generally rectilinear movement in the direction of water movement so that said structure may be reciprocated by the movement of the water beneath the waves, and means operatively connecting said sail structure to a power device, such as an electric generator or pump, to transfer the energy extracted by said sail structure to said power device.
Apparatus for extracting energy from the motion of water beneath waves in a body of water comprising a generally upright sail structure capable of being moved by the water, means for supporting said sail structure in said body of water transverse to the direction of water movement with at least a substantial portion thereof beneath the surface of the waves, said sail structure being pivoted adjacent its lower extremity for oscillation about a generally horizontal axis.
Apparatus for extracting energy from the motion of water beneath waves in a body of water comprising a member capable of being moved by the water, means for supporting said member in said body of water transverse to the direction of water movement with at least a substantial portion thereof beneath the surface of the waves, said member being pivoted for oscillation about a generally horizontal axis, buoyant means associated with said member urging it to an upright position, and means operatively connecting said member to a power device, such as an electric generator or pump, to transfer the energy extracted by said member to said power device.
Apparatus for extracting energy from the motion of water beneath waves in a body of water comprising a generally upright sail structure capable of being moved by the water, said sail structure including a sheet of material held by a frame, means for supporting said sail structure in said body of water so that said sheet is disposed transverse to the direction of water movement with at least a portion of said sheet beneath the surface of the waves, and means operatively connecting said sail structure to a power device, such as an electric generator or pump, to transfer the energy extracted by said sail structure to said power device.
Apparatus for extracting energy from the motion of water beneath waves in a body of water comprising a member capable of being moved by the water, means for supporting said member in said body of water transverse to the direction of water movement with at least a substantial portion thereof beneath the surface of the waves, an electric generator, means connecting said member to said generator to transfer energy extracted by said member to said generator, and means for restraining said member from movement in either direction beyond predetermined limits comprising means for changing the generator field in response to movements of said member beyond said predetermined limits.
Apparatus for extracting energy from the motion of water beneath waves in a body of water comprising a sail structure capable of being moved by the water, said sail structure including a plurality of sheets held by a frame, means for supporting said sail structure in said body of water so that said sheets are disposed transverse to the direction of water movement with at least a portion of said sail structure beneath the surface of the waves, and means operatively connecting said sail structure to a power device, such as an electric generator or pump, to transfer the energy extracted by said sail structure to said power device.
A method for extracting energy from the motion of water beneath waves in a body of water comprising supporting a sail structure in said body of water transverse to the direction of water movement and with at least a substantial portion thereof beneath the surface of the waves, guiding said sail structure for generally rectilinear pg,30 movement in the direction of water movement so that said sail structure may be reciprocated by the reciprocatory movement of the water beneath the waves, and operatively connecting said sail structure to a power device, such as an electric motor or pump, to transfer the energy extracted by said sail structure to said power device.
A method for extracting energy from the motion of water beneath waves in a body of water comprising providing a sail structure capable of being moved by the water, supporting said sail structure generally upright in said body of water transverse to the direction of water movement with at least a substantial portion thereof beneath the surface of the waves for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis adjacent its lower extremity to enable said sail structure to be oscillated by the movement of the water, and operatively connecting said sail structure to a power device, such as an electric motor or pump, to transfer the energy extracted by said sail structure to said power device.
A method for extracting energy from the motion of water beneath waves in a body of water comprising supporting a sail structure in said body of water disposed transversely of the direction of water movement and with at least a substantial portion thereof beneath the surface of the waves, supporting said sail structure for back and forth movement by the water, and operatively connecting said sail structure to a power device, such as an electric motor or pump, to transfer the energy extracted by said sail structure to said power device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.