US4408455A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wave action energy generating system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-05-18
•
Granted: 1983-10-11
•
Expires: 2001-05-18
Abstract
Abstract The invention is an improvement in the economical generation of energy by providing a system for utilizing the wave action of bodies of water, such as ocean waves. The system consists of a pair of floating units, each separately connected to a shaft member by a connecting arm, a ratchet-like gear affixed to the shaft member is indexed forward alternately or concurrently by spring loaded pawls affixed to each of the connecting arms from the floating units to the shaft members. The wave action alternately raising and lowering the floating units concurrently turns the ratchet-like gear through the action of the pawls. Thus, the turning shaft, properly geared can turn an electric generator, air compressor, or other device of generating another form of energy which can be used or stored for future use.
Inventors
- 👤 Melville G. Montgomery
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:39
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03B; F03B13/00; F03B13/12; F03B13/14; F03B13/16; F03B13/18; F03B13/1805; F03B13/181; F03B13/1815; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
425 words
An energy generating system using the forces of wave action of a body of water to generate energy, comprising: a base means, said base means having a first side, a second side, and a top side, said base means being located at a body of water, said body of water being subject to wave action; a first float means, said first float means being located in said body of water on said first side of said base means, said first float means being subject to said wave action of said body of water, said first float means being in close vicinity of said base means; a shaft means; a gear means, said gear means having a plurality of ratchet-like teeth thereon around the periphery of said gear means, said gear means being suitably affixed to said shaft means; a first connecting means, said first connecting means consisting of a first member and a second member, said first and second members of said first connecting means being spaced apart, said first connecting means having a first end and a second end, said first end of said first connecting means being pivotably connected to said first float means, said second end of said connecting means being pivotably connected to said shaft means; a first housing means, said first housing means being hollow, said first housing means having an aperture in one end thereof said first housing means being located between and affixed to said spaced apart first and second members of said first connecting means; a first spring means, said first spring means being a compression-type spring, said first spring means located and confined within said hollow housing means; a first pawl means, said first pawl means having a first end and a second end, said first pawl means being located within said hollow housing means, said first end of said first pawl means protruding through and from said aperture in said hollow housing means, said second end of said first pawl means being in contact with said first spring means, said first pawl means thereby being spring loaded within said first hollow housing means, said fist hollow housing means being suitably located and affixed to said first connecting means so as to orient and position said first end of said pawl means protruding from said aperture in said holding means for proper meshing and operation with said ratchet-like teeth; and a support means, said support means being located upon said top side of and affixed to said base means, said support means supporting said shaft means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
425 words
An energy generating system using the forces of wave action of a body of water to generate energy, comprising: a base means, said base means having a first side, a second side, and a top side, said base means being located at a body of water, said body of water being subject to wave action; a first float means, said first float means being located in said body of water on said first side of said base means, said first float means being subject to said wave action of said body of water, said first float means being in close vicinity of said base means; a shaft means; a gear means, said gear means having a plurality of ratchet-like teeth thereon around the periphery of said gear means, said gear means being suitably affixed to said shaft means; a first connecting means, said first connecting means consisting of a first member and a second member, said first and second members of said first connecting means being spaced apart, said first connecting means having a first end and a second end, said first end of said first connecting means being pivotably connected to said first float means, said second end of said connecting means being pivotably connected to said shaft means; a first housing means, said first housing means being hollow, said first housing means having an aperture in one end thereof said first housing means being located between and affixed to said spaced apart first and second members of said first connecting means; a first spring means, said first spring means being a compression-type spring, said first spring means located and confined within said hollow housing means; a first pawl means, said first pawl means having a first end and a second end, said first pawl means being located within said hollow housing means, said first end of said first pawl means protruding through and from said aperture in said hollow housing means, said second end of said first pawl means being in contact with said first spring means, said first pawl means thereby being spring loaded within said first hollow housing means, said fist hollow housing means being suitably located and affixed to said first connecting means so as to orient and position said first end of said pawl means protruding from said aperture in said holding means for proper meshing and operation with said ratchet-like teeth; and a support means, said support means being located upon said top side of and affixed to said base means, said support means supporting said shaft means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
97 words
An energy generating system as recited in claim 1 and additionally, a second float means, a second connecting means, a second housing means, a second spring means, and a second pawl means, said second float means, said second connecting means, said second housing means, said second spring means, and said second pawl means being located on said second side of said base means, each of said additional second components being assembled into a structure similar to said first float means, said first connecting means, said first housing means, said first spring means, and said first pawl means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An energy generating system as recited in claim 2, wherein said base means is fixed in position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
An energy generating system as recited in claim 2, wherein said base means is a floating base means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
112 words
An energy generating system as recited in claim 2 and additionally, a first and a second guide means, said first and second guide means each consisting of a first and second member, said first and second guide means being located upon and affixed to said top side of said base means at said first and second connecting means, respectively, said first and second members of each said first and second guide means straddling said first and second connecting means, respectively, said first and second guide means maintaining the position and alignment of both said first and second connecting means, respectively, between said first and second float means, respectively, and said shaft means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
88 words
An energy generating system as recited in claim 2, wherein each of said first and second connecting means consists of a first member and a second member, said first and second members of said first connecting means straddling said gear means at said pivotable connecting of said first connection means to said shaft means, said first and second members of said second connecting means straddling said first and second members of said first connecting means at said pivotable connection of said second connection means to said shaft means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
An energy generating system as recited in claim 6 and additionally, a first and second lug means, said first and second lug means being located upon and suitably affixed to said first and second float means, respectively, said first and second lug means being the respective means by which said first and second connecting means are each pivotably affixed to said first and second float means, respectively.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
An energy generating system as recited in claim 2 and additionally, an energy use means, said energy use means being suitably located and mechanically connected to said shaft means, said energy use means utilizing energy produced by said energy generating system and made available at said shaft means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-10-10 | 1987-04-11 | 1987-10-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-10-10 | 1991-04-11 | 1991-10-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-10-10 | 1995-04-11 | 1995-10-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |