Patent · US Expired

Apparatus for converting the surface motion of a liquid body into usable power

US4480966A · kind A · utility

42Cited by
3References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 16, 1983
Grant dateNov 6, 1984
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 16, 2003

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E10/30
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Apparatus for converting wave motion at the surface of a supporting medium into usable power and including a buoyant main body 24 forming a housing for a plurality of pumps 30 and a float system 28 connected thereto such that wave induced relative motion between the body 24 and the component parts of the float system 28 causes actuation of the pumps 30. The pumps 30 intake water from the supporting medium and pumps it through an effluent conduit 12 to a remote location 16 where it is used to perform useful work. The apparatus can be scuttled during storms, with effective resurrection made possible by using the buoys of the float system to store air, or other fluid, under pressure until needed to purge the buoyant main body of water.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.