The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 08, 1979
Filed:
Feb. 21, 1978
Leslie S Wirt, Newhall, CA (US);
Lockheed Corporation, Burbank, CA (US);
Abstract
Apparatus for converting ocean surface wave energy into useful rotational kinetic energy. A refractive horn and ramp provides reflectionless impedance transformation of ocean surface wave energy at the input to the system. Wave energy, in the form of breakers, which are massive pulses of essentially pure kinetic energy, from the output of the horn/ramp are then smoothed and transformed directly to mechanical rotation. Smoothing is accomplished by the inertial properties of a 'liquid flywheel'. The rotational kinetic energy may be extracted by means of a turbine to provide useful work. Discharged water is returned to the ambient ocean through a low terminal velocity diffuser. The entire structure may be located offshore and the discharged fluids may be used for auxiliary purposes.