Liquid Robotics, Inc.

Advanced Micro Devices Corporation

Nexgen Microsystems

Chemand Corporation

Alto Technology

William A Stutz

Roger G Hine

Derek L Hine

Kurt A F Kiesow, Iii

Joseph D Rizzi

Robert Burcham

Graham Hine

Philip Y Pun

Larry Widigen

Laszlo A Kiss

Kurt A Kiesow

Kurt A F Kiesow

Kurt AF Kiesow

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

The fluid pump of the present invention includes an upper enclosure for holding fluid (typically a liquid) from a fluid input source, and a lower enclosure for outputting the fluid to an output line. A first valve (a) controls the fluid input flow into the upper enclosure. A second valve (b) is engaged in a line between the upper enclosure and the lower enclosure to control the fluid flow from the upper enclosure to the lower enclosure. A second fluid input line is engaged to the lower enclosure to input a second fluid (typically a pressurized gas) into the lower enclosure, and a third valve (d) is engaged in a line between the lower enclosure and upper enclosure to control the flow of the second fluid into the second enclosure. A fourth valve (c) is engaged in a fluid output line to control the flow of the second fluid out of the upper enclosure. In the preferred embodiments, each of valves a, b, c and d is controlled by an automated pump system controller. Various embodiments of the present invention include further valves and check valves to provide improved control in the system. The preferred embodiment of the dual chamber pump operates by outputting the liquid from the lower enclosure under a constant, controlled gas pressure. When the liquid level in the lower enclosure is low, the lower enclosure is filled with liquid from the upper enclosure. To accomplish this, the upper enclosure is pressurized to the same pressure as the lower enclosure, and because the upper enclosure is disposed above the enclosure, the gravitational head causes the liquid in the upper enclosure to flow into the lower enclosure. The upper enclosure is filled during the pump cycle in which the lower enclosure is outputting liquid. The pump thus has a repeatable cycle, although the gas pressure in the lower enclosure remains constant and liquid is constantly output from the pump at a controlled pressure.

Dual chamber liquid pump

A technique for high speed transmission of digital signals on a bus line with reduced signal ringing, bounce and bus contention current. The approach uses a multi-partitioned driver design with temporary and steady state parts incorporating internal feedback and delay techniques to control the output slew rate. A built-in function outputs the driving status of the transceiver and allows the output to enter the high impedance status asynchronously.

Slew rate controller for high speed bus

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

William A Stutz