Electric generator responsive to waves in bodies of water

• US 3,898,471 A
• Filed: 08/15/1974
• Issued: 08/05/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Enos L. Schera Jr
• Original Assignee: Enos L. Schera Jr
• Inventors: Schera, Enos L. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Simmons, G. R.
• Application Number:
  US05/497,653
• Time in Patent Office: 355 Days
• Field of Search: 290/42,43,53,54 417/330-334
• US Class Current: 290/42
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 13/186 the connection being of the rack-and-pinion type
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/30 Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient

Abstract

A float operated electric generator responsive to surface waves in a body of water independent of predetermined variations in the level of the water.

Claims

1. A float operated electric generator responsive to surface waves of a body of water comprising a fixed base means having a vertical portion thereof extending a predetermined distance into the said body of water, a substantially rectangular metal rail of predetermined length secured in vertical position on said verticaL portion of said base means, a metal rack of predetermined pitch secured along the front side of said rail between the lowest level of said body of water and terminating at the top of said rail, said rail having a straight groove on opposite sides thereof extending from a predetermined small distance from the lower end thereof and extending upward a predetermined distance substantially equal to the distance between the low and high water level, a hermetically sealed float means of predetermined size having a bracket extending outward therefrom and retaining a roller engaged in each opposite said groove with said bracket having a third roller engaged against the outer side of said rail, a linear vertical extension of said float positioned in spaced parallel relation to said rail terminating in a second bracket means for supporting an electric generator and including an extension thereof retaining a like roller journalled transversely on opposite sides of said rail and said third roller journalled transversely on the rear of said extension provided to retain the vertical movement of the generator in a linear path, the said generator provided with gear means engaged with said rack for rotation by the vertical oscillation of said generator when oscillated by said float within the length of said rack for generating electricity by said generator when said float is vertically oscillated by water waves.

2. The construction recited in claim 1 wherein an electric lamp receptacle is secured to the upper end of said rail and retains a glass enclosed electric lamp which is connected by a waterproof cable to said generator whereby said lamp will flash intermittently when said float is reciprocated by water waves.

3. The construction recited in claim 1 wherein the generator is an alternating current permanent magnet type which is connected to a solid state rectifier by a waterproof cable for providing direct current for charging a storage battery.

4. The construction recited in claim 1 wherein the generator is of the alternating current type and connected by waterproof cable to a voltage regulator for supplying an electric power output of substantially constant voltage.

5. The construction recited in claim 1 whereby the said vertical extension of said float consists of a vertical tubular member secured to said float and a telescopic shaft within said tube secured to said second bracket means with screw means extending through vertical slots in said tubular member for adjusting the float with respect to the generator to accommodate variations in the level of said water.

6. The construction recited in claim 1 wherein said hermetically sealed float is generally cylindrical in shape.

7. A float operated electric generator responsive to surface waves in a body of water comprising a hollow rectangular rail secured to the vertical side of a base means, said rail extending a predetermined distance above said base and having a central slot of predetermined width through the outer side thereof, a rack member of predetermined length and pitch slidably positioned within said rail with the teeth of the rack member facing the said base, a spherical float having a vertical central extension slidably positioned through said slot in said rail and formed to journal a pair of opposite transverse rollers in contact with the opposite inner sides of said rail and one transverse roller journalled to contact the inner rear surface of said rail and a pair of transverse rollers journalled to rotate against the inner side of said rail on opposite sides of said bracket, an electric generator secured on the upper end of said base, said generator including a gear transmission terminating in a drive gear engaged with said rack through an opening in the rear side of said rail, a second guide means for said rack member in spaced relation to said first guide means comprising a pair of opposite transverse rollers journalled against opposite inner sides of saiD rack member, a third transverse roller journalled on said rack member and positioned against the inner mating sides of said slot whereby the oscillation of said float will rotate said generator and produce an electric current for a variety of electric loads and whereby said float will oscillate in response to waves of water independent of predetermined variations in the level of the water.

8. The construction recited in claim 1 wherein said hermetically sealed float is of generally cylindrical shape.

9. The construction recited in claim 1 wherein said hermetically sealed float is of spherical shape.