Wave-powered devices configured for nesting
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A wave-powered device comprising:
- (1) a float;
(2) a wave-actuated component;
(3) a flexible tether having a first end connected to the float and a second end connected to the wave-actuated component; and
(4) a closure component that comprises a winch mounted to pivot about pitch axis of the tether, the winch having a spool to which the tether is connected, the closure component having a first state in which the tether is wound onto the winch to secure the float and the wave-actuated component together as an assembly that can be moved as a unit, and a second state in which the tether is unwound from the winch to permit the wave-actuated component to move away from the float wherein the winch is mounted on the float;
wherein,when the closure component is in the second state and the float is placed on or near the surface of still water,the float floats on or near the surface of the still water,the tether extends downwards from the float and under tension, andthe wave-actuated component is submerged below the float, andwhen the closure component is in the second state and the float is placed on or near the surface of wave-bearing water,the float floats on or near the surface of the wave-bearing water,the tether extends downwards from the float, andthe wave-actuated component is submerged below the float, and interacts with the water to generate forces that are transmitted to the tether.
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Abstract
A wave-powered water vehicle includes a) a first component which is a float that travels on or near the water surface; b) a second component which is wave actuated and travels below the first component; and c) a means whereby the first component engages the second component and/or the second component engages the first component; wherein the engagement means provides lateral support of one component for the other, and thereby minimizes lateral movement of one against the other when the components are fitted together.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A wave-powered device comprising:
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(1) a float; (2) a wave-actuated component; (3) a flexible tether having a first end connected to the float and a second end connected to the wave-actuated component; and (4) a closure component that comprises a winch mounted to pivot about pitch axis of the tether, the winch having a spool to which the tether is connected, the closure component having a first state in which the tether is wound onto the winch to secure the float and the wave-actuated component together as an assembly that can be moved as a unit, and a second state in which the tether is unwound from the winch to permit the wave-actuated component to move away from the float wherein the winch is mounted on the float; wherein, when the closure component is in the second state and the float is placed on or near the surface of still water, the float floats on or near the surface of the still water, the tether extends downwards from the float and under tension, and the wave-actuated component is submerged below the float, and when the closure component is in the second state and the float is placed on or near the surface of wave-bearing water, the float floats on or near the surface of the wave-bearing water, the tether extends downwards from the float, and the wave-actuated component is submerged below the float, and interacts with the water to generate forces that are transmitted to the tether. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A wave-powered water vehicle, comprising:
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a) a first component that is a float that travels on or near the water surface; b) a second component that is wave actuated and travels below the first component; c) a flexible tether that connects the first and second components; and (d) a winch, mounted so as to pivot about pitch axis of the tether, the winch being built into the first component, wherein the winch is operable to assume a first state in which the tether is wound onto the winch, whereby one of said components may be secured against the other, and a second state in which the tether is unwound from the winch, whereby one of said components can move away from the other. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A wave-powered water vehicle, comprising:
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a float that travels on or near the water surface; a wave-actuated component that travels below the float; a flexible tether connecting the float and the wave-actuated component; and a winch, mounted to the wave-powered water vehicle so as to pivot about pitch axis of the tether, the winch having; a first state in which the tether is wound onto the winch to secure the float and the wave-actuated component together as an assembly that can be moved as a unit, and a second state in which the tether is unwound from the winch to permit the wave-actuated component to move away from the float. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A wave-powered water vehicle, comprising:
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a float that travels on or near the water surface, the float having a longitudinal roll axis and a transverse pitch axis; a wave-actuated component that travels below the float; a flexible tether connecting the float and the wave-actuated component, wherein the tether has a substantially flat configuration with wide and narrow axes to reduce drag when the tether is oriented with its narrow axis directed parallel to pitch axis of the tether; and a winch, mounted to the wave-powered water vehicle so as to pivot about pitch axis, wherein the winch has a spool that rotates about an axis perpendicular to the pitch axis of the tether so that the tether can be wound onto the spool without twisting, and the winch is operable to assume first and second states where; in the first state, the tether is wound onto the winch to secure the float and the wave-actuated component together as an assembly that can be moved as a unit, and in the second state, the tether is unwound from the winch to permit the wave-actuated component to move away from the float.
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Specification