Tide activated generator

• US 4,612,768 A
• Filed: 09/16/1985
• Issued: 09/23/1986
• 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:
  US06/776,679
• Time in Patent Office: 372 Days
• Field of Search: 74/29, 74/34, 60/497, 60/504, 60/506, 60/507
• 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 74/18088 Rack and pinion type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/18128 Clutchable gears

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 a for driving a rotatable main shaft associated with a power generator comprising, in combination,

means for deriving energy from the rise and fall of a body of liquid for rotation of said first shaft,

said means comprising, in combination,

float means adapted to move substantially in a vertical plane in response to said rise and fall of said body of liquid,

means associated with said float means for converting said vertical movement into reciprocating rotational movement of a drive shaft,

a ratcheted differential adapted to convert said reciprocating rotational movement of said drive shaft into rotational movement of said first shaft in a single direction, said ratcheted differential being means for converting said vertical movement into reciprocating rotational movement of said drive shaft,

said means for converting said vertical movement into rotational movement in a single direction comprising opposing rack gears communicating with pinion gears mounted on a pair of shafts,

said pair of shafts communicating with said drive shaft, and

each of said pinion gears being ratcheted such that only rotational movement thereof in a predetermined direction is communicated to the shaft upon which it is mounted,

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 rotatable main shaft greater than the 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. Apparatus for converting reciprocating rectilinear motion into rotational movement of a drive shaft in a single direction comprising, in combination,

a pair of opposing rack gears, each said rack gear being engaged with a pinion gear mounted on a shaft,

said pinion gears being in engagement one with the other, and

said shafts being in communication with said drive shaft,

each of said pinion gears being ratcheted with respect to the shaft on which it is mounted such that only rotational movement of each said pinion gear in a predetermined direction is communicated to said shaft upon which said pinion gear is mounted.