Watercraft and electricity generator system for harvesting electrical power from wave motion
First Claim
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1. A wave-powered vessel, comprising:
- (a) a buoyant vessel body;
(b) a propulsion system that is structured to mechanically convert movement of the vessel body caused by wave motion to locomotive thrust;
(c) a first generating system that is structured to convert vertical movement of the vessel body caused by wave motion to electrical power; and
(d) a second generating system that is structured to convert horizontal movement of the vessel body through water to electrical power.
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Abstract
This disclosure provides improved nautical craft that can travel and navigate on their own. A hybrid vessel is described that converts wave motion to locomotive thrust by mechanical means, and also converts wave motion to electrical power for storage in a battery. The electrical power can then be tapped to provide locomotive power during periods where wave motion is inadequate and during deployment. The electrical power can also be tapped to even out the undulating thrust that is created when locomotion of the vessel is powered by wave motion alone.
139 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A wave-powered vessel, comprising:
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(a) a buoyant vessel body; (b) a propulsion system that is structured to mechanically convert movement of the vessel body caused by wave motion to locomotive thrust; (c) a first generating system that is structured to convert vertical movement of the vessel body caused by wave motion to electrical power; and (d) a second generating system that is structured to convert horizontal movement of the vessel body through water to electrical power. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A wave-powered vessel, comprising:
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(a) a buoyant vessel body; (b) a propulsion system that is structured to mechanically convert movement of the vessel body caused by wave motion to locomotive thrust; (c) a generating system that is structured to convert movement of the vessel body caused by wave motion to electrical power; (d) a battery wired to receive electrical power generated by the generating system; (e) an electrically powered motor wired to receive electrical power from the battery and positioned to provide locomotive thrust of the vessel through the water; and (f) one or more solar panels configured to supply electrical power to the battery.
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5. A dual power method for propelling a vessel smoothly along the surface of a body of water, the method comprising:
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(a) harvesting motion of the vessel caused by and oscillating in accordance with waves on the body of water; (b) mechanically converting at least some of the harvested motion so as to propel the vessel horizontally with oscillating thrust in a particular direction; (c) generating electrical power; (d) storing the electrical power; and (e) retrieving electrical power from storage to drive an electrically powered motor in an oscillating fashion, thereby propelling the vessel in substantially the same direction in an alternating pattern with the oscillating thrust provided in step (b) and thereby smoothing the oscillating thrust. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus configured for deployment on a body of water, comprising:
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(a) a surface component that is buoyant; (b) a separate underwater component configured and weighted to be suspended underwater; and (c) one or more tethers connecting the surface component to the underwater component each through a corresponding swing arm mounted to the surface component or the underwater component; (d) a generating system operably connected to the swing arm(s); and (e) a battery electrically connected to the generating system; wherein the apparatus is structured such that when it is deployed on a body of water, the underwater component is suspended underwater from the surface component by way of the tethers, and wave motion on the body of water causes the surface component to rise and fall relative to the underwater component, thereby moving the swing arms in a manner that oscillates with the wave motion, wherein the moving of the swim arms drives the generating system to produce electrical power, which is then conveyed to the battery. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A wave-powered vessel, comprising
(a) a buoyant vessel body; -
(b) a propulsion system that is structured to mechanically convert movement of the vessel body caused by wave motion to locomotive thrust; (c) a generating system that is structured to convert movement of the vessel body caused by wave motion to electrical power; wherein the generating system includes a surface component connected to an underwater component through one or more swing arms such that when the vessel is deployed on a body of water, wave motion on the body of water causes the surface component to rise and fall relative to the underwater component, thereby moving the swing arms in a manner that oscillates with the wave motion. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A wave-powered vessel, comprising
(a) a buoyant vessel body; -
(b) a propulsion system that is structured to mechanically convert movement of the vessel body caused by wave motion to locomotive thrust; (c) a generating system that is structured to convert movement of the vessel body caused by wave motion to electrical power; wherein the propulsion system includes an underwater component that comprises fins or wings that mechanically provide locomotive thrust when actuated by rising and falling of the swimmer in the water, and wherein the propulsion system comprises a fin control system configured to variably dampen movement of the fins or wings, whereby the proportion of vessel movement used for locomotive thrust can be reduced in favor of electrical power generation. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification