Patent · US Active

Method and apparatus for converting energy in a moving fluid mass to rotational energy driving a transmission

US8276377B2 · kind B2 · utility

11Cited by
7References
11Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 25, 2009
Grant dateOct 2, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 9, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E60/16
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Three bodies interact to drive a transmission having a pair of one-way clutches coupling a single length of drive chain or other elongate flexible member to an intermeshed pair of counter rotatable gears so as to drive a primary shaft in a single rotational direction. The three bodies are a fixed body, a floating body, and a suspended and usually submerged weighted body. The three bodies are interconnected by the single length of the elongate flexible member and are spaced apart there along. The weighted body is mounted at one end of the elongate flexible member. The primary shaft is mounted above the surface of a moving fluid mass to either the fixed or floating body. The end of the flexible member opposite to the weight is mounted to the other of the fixed or floating body.

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