Wave power vehicle tethers
First Claim
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1. A wave-powered water vehicle which comprises(1) a float,(2) a swimmer,(3) a first tether which connects the float and the swimmer, and which is attached to a fore position on the float and to a fore position on the swimmer;
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the float, swimmer and tether being such that, when the vehicle is in still water,(i) the float is on or near the surface of the water,(ii) the swimmer is submerged below the float, and(iii) the tether is under tension;
the swimmer, when the vehicle is in wave-bearing water, interacting with the water to generate forces which tend to move the float horizontally; and
each of the tethers comprising(A) an elongate tensile member which carries load when the tether is under tension and which passes through a leading edge portion of the tether, and(B) a jacket which provides the outer surface of the tether.
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Abstract
A wave-powered water vehicle includes a surface float, a submerged swimmer, and a tether which connects the float and the swimmer, so that the swimmer moves up and down as a result of wave motion. The swimmer includes one or more fins which interact with the water as the swimmer moves up and down, and generate forces which propel the vehicle forward. The vehicle, which need not be manned, can carry communication and control equipment so that it can follow a course directed by signals sent to it, and so that it can record or transmit data from sensors on the vehicle.
65 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A wave-powered water vehicle which comprises
(1) a float, (2) a swimmer, (3) a first tether which connects the float and the swimmer, and which is attached to a fore position on the float and to a fore position on the swimmer; - and
(4) a second tether which connects the float and the swimmer, and which is attached to an aft position on the float and to an aft position on the swimmer; the float, swimmer and tether being such that, when the vehicle is in still water, (i) the float is on or near the surface of the water, (ii) the swimmer is submerged below the float, and (iii) the tether is under tension; the swimmer, when the vehicle is in wave-bearing water, interacting with the water to generate forces which tend to move the float horizontally; and each of the tethers comprising (A) an elongate tensile member which carries load when the tether is under tension and which passes through a leading edge portion of the tether, and (B) a jacket which provides the outer surface of the tether. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A wave-powered water vehicle which comprises
(1) a float, (2) a swimmer, (3) a tether connecting the float and the swimmer, and (4) at least one device selected from the group consisting of devices to detect twisting of the tether and devices to correct twisting of the tether; - and
the float, swimmer and tether being such that, when the vehicle is in still water, (i) the float is on or near the surface of the water, (ii) the swimmer is submerged below the float, and (iii) the tether is under tension; the swimmer, when the vehicle is in wave-bearing water, interacting with the water to generate forces which tend to move the float horizontally; and the tether comprising (A) an elongate tensile member which carries load when the tether is under tension and which passes through a leading edge portion of the tether, (B) at least one additional elongate member which (i) does not carry load when the cable is under tension, (ii) transmits one or both of data and electrical power, and (iii) comprises one or more members selected from the group consisting of insulated electrical conductors, optical fibers and acoustic cables, and (C) a jacket which comprises a polymeric composition and which provides the outer surface of the tether. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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Specification
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Current AssigneeLiquid Robotics, Inc. (The Boeing Co.)
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Original AssigneeLiquid Robotics, Inc. (The Boeing Co.)
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InventorsKiesow, Kurt A. F., Hine, Derek L., Burcham, Robert, Rizzi, Joseph D., Stutz, William A., Hine, Roger G.
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Primary Examiner(s)Olson; Lars A
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Application NumberUS12/082,513Publication NumberTime in Patent Office634 DaysField of Search114/293, 440/9, 440/13, 440/17, 440/18, 440/19, 440/20, 439/391US Class Current440/9CPC Class CodesB63B 2035/006 Unmanned surface vessels, e...B63H 1/36 swinging sideways, e.g. fis...B63H 19/02 by using energy derived fro...B63H 19/04 propelled by water currentB63H 2025/028 using remote control means,...B63H 2025/045 making use of satellite rad...B63H 25/04 automatic, e.g. reacting to...Y02T 70/5236 Renewable or hybrid-electri...
