Tide activated generator

• US 4,610,140 A
• Filed: 05/15/1984
• Issued: 09/09/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Randall Thompson Jr
• Original Assignee: Randall Thompson Jr
• Inventors: Thompson, Randall Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ostrager, Allen M.
• Application Number:
  US06/610,443
• Time in Patent Office: 847 Days
• Field of Search: 60/497-507, 74/63, 474/148
• US Class Current: 60/506
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 13/1815 with an up-and-down movement
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/30 Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/1836 Rotary to rotary

Abstract

Apparatus for mechanical storage of energy derived from the rotation of a first shaft and for driving a rotatable main shaft associated with a power generator comprising, in combination, means for rotating the first shaft, connecting means for communicating the rotation of the first shaft to a first sprocketed sheave, and gear train means connecting the rotatable main shaft to a second sprocketed sheave and adapted to cause a rate of rotation of the rotatable main shaft greater than the rate of rotation of the second sprocketed sheave, the first and second sprocketed sheaves being in communication with one another by means of continuous, flexible connecting means disposed on the first and second sprocketed sheaves in non-sliding relationship therewith, the continuous, flexible connecting means having disposed thereon a weight which is raised by the rotation of the first sprocketed sheave, the second sprocketed sheave being capable of being rotated by the descent of the weight to cause rotation of the rotatable main shaft.

Claims

1. Apparatus for mechanically storing energy derived from the rotation of a first shaft and for driving a rotatable main shaft associated with a power generator comprising, in combination,

means for rotating said first shaft,

connecting means for communicating said rotation of said first shaft to a first sprocketed sheave, and

gear train means connecting said rotatable main shaft to a second sprocketed sheave and adapted to cause a rate of rotation of said second sprocketed sheave,

said first and second sprocketed sheaves being in communication with one another by means of continuous, flexible connecting means disposed on said first and second sprocketed sheaves in non-sliding relationship therewith,

said continuous, flexible connecting means having disposed thereon a weight which is raised by the rotation of said first sprocketed sheave,

said second sprocketed sheave being capable of being rotated by the descent of said weight to cause rotation of said rotatable main shaft

said first sprocketed sheave and said second sprocketed sheave being adapted to rotate independently in response to rate of energy derivation and energy requirement, respectively, and

said weight disposed therebetween being adapted to be raised and lowered on said continuous flexible connecting means in automatic response to difference in energy derivation and energy requirement.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said continuous, flexible connecting means comprises a continuous loop of chain.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising additional gear train means intermediate said first shaft and said first sprocketed sheave.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second sprocketed sheave is capable of being rotated by the descent of said weight to cause rotation of said main shaft to an extent sufficient to permit said rotatable main shaft to achieve such rotation rate as is necessary to meet the desired power output of said power generator.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for rotating said first shaft is a windmill.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for rotating said first shaft is a turbine activated by the flow of water.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for rotating said first shaft is a motor powered by solar energy.