Liquid Robotics, Inc.

Kurt A F Kiesow, Iii

Roger G Hine

Derek L Hine

William A Stutz

Joseph D Rizzi

Robert Burcham

Graham Hine

A float () suitable for use as a buoy or as a component for a wave-powered vehicle. The float () includes an upper member () whose height can be changed and/or which remained substantially vertical even when the float is in wave-bearing water. A low drag cable () suitable for use as a tether in a wave-powered vehicle has a streamlined cross-section and includes a tensile member () near the front of the cross-section, at least one non-load-bearing member () behind the tensile member, and a polymeric jacket (). Wave-powered vehicles having a float (), a submerged swimmer () and a tether () connecting the float and the swimmer, include a means for determining whether the tether is twisted; or a means () for untwisting the tether; or a pressure-sensitive connection () which can disconnect the tether when the vehicle is dragged downwards by entanglement with a whale; or a 2-axis universal joint securing the tether to the float or to the swimmer; or elastic elements which absorb snap loads created by the tether; or two or more of these.

Method and apparatus for untwisting a tether of a water powered vehicle

Float for connection to a swimmer in a wave powered vehicle

Cable for connecting a float to a swimmer in a wave powered vehicle

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.

Wave power

A float () suitable for use as a buoy or as a component for a wave-powered vehicle. The float () includes an upper member () whose height can be changed and/or which remained substantially vertical even when the float is in wave-bearing water. A low drag cable () suitable for use as a tether in a wave-powered vehicle has a streamlined cross-section and includes a tensile member () near the front of the cross-section, at least one non-load-bearing member () behind the tensile member, and a polymeric jacket (). Wave-powered vehicles having a float (), a submerged swimmer () and a tether () connecting the float and the swimmer, include a means for determining whether the tether is twisted; or a means for untwisting the tether; or a pressure-sensitive connection () which can disconnect the tether when the vehicle is dragged downwards by entanglement with a whale; or a 2-axis universal joint securing the tether to the float or to the swimmer; or elastic elements which absorb snap loads created by the tether; or two or more of these.

Wave power components

Wave power vehicle tethers

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

Kurt A F Kiesow, Iii