Wave power machine
US6681572B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 15, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jan 27, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 28, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A pair of articulated rods connect between a float and a pair of shafts through a one-way clutch on the respectively shafts. When a float rises an “up” connecting rod causes the “up” shaft to rotate as its clutch is engaged, and when the float falls, that clutch disengages, allowing that shaft to freewheel. Likewise when the float falls a “down” connecting rod causes the “down” clutch to engage and the “down” shaft to rotate, typically rotating opposite the rotation of the “up” shaft. When the float reverses and begins to rise again, the “down” clutch disengages and the “up” clutch reengages. A connecting rod hand member connected pivotably to the forearm at a wrist joint is adjustable in length. The wrist joint adjusts the effective length of the hand member to change the stroke of the machine to match wave amplitude through a computer-controlled pneumatic actuator. A plurality of floats with their attendant connecting rods and clutches typically are connected in series along the two shafts out of phase to track a passing wave such that the shafts continually rotate through input of one…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.