Abstract:
A water torque converter for extracting energy from the reciprocal motion of water beneath waves in a body of water comprising an open frame on which is mounted a rigid sail. The rigid sail is guidingly moved from one end of the frame to the opposite end of the frame by the reciprocal motion of the water. An elongated driving member is connected through a multi-clutch mechanism to the sail. This elongated driving member is also connected to an output shaft. The reciprocal movement of the sail results in the output shaft to be rotationally driven in one direction.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     A water torque converter for extracting both kinetic energy from the reciprocal motion of water beneath waves in a body of water which is to result in the rotation of an output shaft which can be utilized to operate a power device, such as an electric generator or pump. The use of water movement in a body of water is a non-polluting energy source and does not deplete any natural resources. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The movement of a wave within water produces kinetic energy in the movement of a wave toward the shoreline and also potential energy in the fact that the surface of the water raises and lowers. Scientists estimate that ocean waves generate anywhere from 10–60 Kw per meter of shoreline. Wave energy is an abundantly clean energy resource. Clean is defined as being friendly toward the environment. Current energy technology seemed to be plagued with environmental problems. Using coal as an energy source produces harmful carbon emissions and other pollutants. Nuclear energy creates radioactive waste that is difficult to dispose of properly. Petroleum-burning power generators are expensive and create environmental contaminants. 
     Previously there has been a substantial number of energy producing devices that are directed to extracting potential energy from waves. These devices commonly use a float that floats on the surface of the water and as the surface of the water raises and lowers energy is to be extracted. The main disadvantage of such energy capturing devices is that the potential energy is only a small portion of the total energy that is produced by a water wave. 
     There have been prior art devices that produce energy by capturing the kinetic energy of waves. However, these devices have been complicated and do not function well enough to produce energy efficiently. Most often, these devices require placement within salt water and must be operative for an extended length of time sustaining low frictional operation. Corrosion, caused by the salt water, causes failure of such devices. Also, the device must be compact in size so as to minimize the appearance of the device so as to not detract from the appearance of the environment. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The primary objective of the present invention is to construct a torque converter for extracting the kinetic energy from the reciprocal motion of water beneath the waves in a body of water. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to construct an energy extracting device which requires no fuel input thereby being a clean source of power. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to construct a torque converter that utilizes the literally infinite energy that is produced by the reciprocal motion of water beneath a wave in a body of water. The reciprocal motion of water is caused by compression and rarefaction of waves. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to construct the torque converter entirely of non-corrosive materials, such as aluminum, polymers and stainless steel. All bearings comprise plastic sleeves or collars that are constructed to low frictionally support shafts in a corrosive environment, such as salt water. 
     A first basic embodiment of the present invention utilizes an open frame which has an internal compartment and within this internal compartment is mounted a rigid sail. The rigid sail is designed to be moved linearly by the reciprocal movement of water in a body of water. This frame is to be mounted below the surface of the water, near the shoreline and it will be anchored on the floor of the sea or the lake. The water is to push against the front surface of the sail causing this sail to move in one lineal direction and when the water pushes against the opposite surface of the sail the sail moves in the opposite lineal direction. The sail is maintained in a transverse relationship relative to this lineal movement by a guide structure. An elongated driving member is connected to the sail and is also connected to an output shaft. As the sail is moved along its path of movement, the driving member causes rotation of this output shaft. The rigid sail is substantially planar on both the front surface and the rear surface of the sail with there being a peripheral raised edge also on the front surface and the rear surface. 
     A second basic embodiment of the present invention utilizes an open frame which has an internal compartment and within this internal compartment is mounted a rigid sail. The rigid sail is designed to be moved linearly by the reciprocal movement of water in a body of water. This frame is to be mounted below the surface of the water, near the shoreline and it will be anchored on the floor of the sea or the lake. The water is to push against the front surface of the sail causing the sail to move in one lineal direction, and when the water pushes against the opposite surface of the sail, the sail moves in the opposite lineal direction. The sail is maintained in a transverse relationship relative to this lineal movement by a guide structure. An elongated driving member is connected to the sail and is also connected to an output shaft. As the sail is moved along its path of movement, the driving member causes rotation of this output shaft. There is formed a hole substantially centrally formed within the sail with the elongated driving member being designed to connect with this hole. 
     A further embodiment of the present invention is where the just previous embodiment is modified by there being included a clutch mechanism in association with the hole formed in the sail. 
     A third basic embodiment of the present invention utilizes a rigid open frame which has an internal compartment and within this internal compartment is mounted a rigid sail. The rigid sail is designed to be moved linearly by the reciprocal movement of water in a body of water. This frame is to be mounted below the surface of the water, near the shoreline and it will be anchored on the floor of the sea or the lake. The water is to push against the front surface of the sail causing this sail to move in one lineal direction and when the water pushes against the opposite surface of the sail the sail moves in the opposite lineal direction. The sail is maintained in a transverse relationship relative to this lineal movement by a guide structure. An elongated driving member is directed to the sail and is also connected to an output shaft. As the sail is moved along its path movement, the driving member causes rotation of this output shaft. The rigid sail is substantially planar on both its front surface and its rear surface with the exception that both the front surface and the rear surface has a raised peripheral edge. 
     A further embodiment of the present invention is where the third basic embodiment is modified by defining that the guide means comprises a plurality of spaced apart elongated members on which the sail is mounted. 
     A further embodiment of the present invention is where the just previous embodiment is modified by defining that the elongated driving member is continuous. 
     A further embodiment of the present invention is where the just previous embodiment is modified by defining that the elongated driving member comprises a chain. 
     A further embodiment of the present invention is where the just embodiment is modified by defining that the output shaft is spaced from the frame. 
     A further embodiment of the present invention is where the just previous embodiment is modified by defining that there is a hole formed through the sail and the elongated driving member connects with the hole with this hole being substantially centrally located within the sail. 
     A further embodiment of the present invention is where the just previous embodiment is modified by defining that there is a clutch mechanism mounted on the sail with this clutch mechanism connecting with the elongated driving member. The clutch mechanism functions to prevent lineal movement of the elongated driving member in only a single direction. 
     A further embodiment of the present invention is where the just previous embodiment is modified by there being defined another unit connected to the output shaft with both of these units causing rotation of the output shaft. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is to be made to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangement shown in the drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of the water torque converter of the present invention where there are utilized two units of the torque converter connected in series in conjunction with a single output shaft; 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view, partly in cross-section, taken along line  2 — 2  of  FIG. 1  of the torque converter of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3 — 3  of  FIG. 1  of the torque converter of the present invention showing in more detail the sail that is utilized in conjunction with one of the units of the torque converter; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view showing the mounting arrangement for the driving member in conjunction with the sail that is utilized in conjunction with the torque converter of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  5 — 5  of  FIG. 4  showing the position of the clutch mechanism with the sail being driven in the leftward direction; and 
         FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 5  but showing the position of the clutch mechanism with the sail being driven in the rightward direction. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring particularly to the drawings, there is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  the torque converter  10  of this invention which is shown to comprise a unit  12  and a unit  14 . Units  12  and  14  are basically identical with the only difference being that such are mounted in a facing relationship. The units  12  and  14  may be mounted in direct alignment, as shown in the drawings, or may be mounted in a non-aligned position assuming a staggered relationship. Both the unit  12  and the unit  14  are to be fixedly mounted onto a cement platform  16  which is to be fixedly positioned on the ocean, sea or lake floor  18 . However, the lake would have to be of a sufficient size to readily produce a continuous sizable series of waves that break into the shore. Typical such lakes would be the Great Lakes of the United States. 
     Mounted on the cement platform  16  are a pair of posts  20  and  22 . The posts  20  and  22  are located spaced apart and in between the posts  20  and  22  is mounted a shaft  24 . The shaft  24  is to be rotatable relative to the posts  20  and  22 . One end of the shaft  24  is idly supported by the post  22  while the opposite end of the shaft  24  passes through the post  20  and connects with a motor  26 . Typically, there will be located a gear box between the post  20  and the motor  26 . This gear box is not shown but is deemed to be conventional. The motor  26  will typically comprise a generator or a pump. Rotation of the output shaft  24  will result in the production of electricity if the motor  26  is a generator. This produced electricity will be siphoned off from the motor  26  by means of an electrical wire  28 . 
     The following description will be applicable primarily to unit  12  with it being understood that this description will also be applicable to unit  14 . Unit  12  is constructed of a frame composed of a plurality of longitudinal frame members  30 . Typically, the frame members  30  will be located parallel to each other and will be located in a corner arrangement defining an internal compartment within the area defined by the longitudinal frame members  30 . The longitudinal frame members  30  are fixedly secured at one end thereof to a side transverse member  32  and at the opposite end thereof are secured to a second side transverse member  34 . The remaining two longitudinal frame members  30  at one end thereof are fixedly secured to another side transverse member  36  and at the opposite end of these longitudinal frame members  30  are fixedly secured to another side transverse member  38 . The side transverse members  32  and  36  are fixedly secured at opposite ends to a bottom transverse member  40  which is fixedly mounted on the cement platform  16 . The one end of the side transverse members  34  and  38  are fixedly mounted to another transverse member  42 . The opposite ends of the side transverse members  32  and  36  are fixedly secured to a top transverse member, which is not shown. Also, the opposite end of the side transverse members  34  and  38  are fixedly secured to a top transverse member, which is not shown. These top transverse members are also fixedly secured to a pair of the longitudinal frame members  30 . In essence what is formed is an open box that is to permit free passage of water through the box. 
     Mounted within the internal chamber formed by the box is a sail  44 . The sail  44  is shown in  FIG. 3  to give the appearance of being in physical contact with the frame members  30 . In actual practice, there will be a slight gap area between each frame member  30  and the sail  44 . The sail  44  constitutes a rigid rectangular shaped structure which will usually be formed of plastic. However, aluminum, plastics or other non-corrosive materials could also be used. The sail  44  has a front surface  46  and a rear surface  48 . The front surface  46  is surrounded by a raised peripheral edge  50 . Typically, the peripheral edge  50  will be about one inch high. The rear surface  48  is enclosed by a similar peripheral edge  52 . The function of the peripheral edges  50  and  52  is that when the front surface  46  and the rear surface  48  is pushed by water that the water has a tendency to not slide off of the sail  44  but is intended to be “caught”. The action for the sail  44  is similar to a cup. The front surface  46  and the rear surface  48 , because of the peripheral edges  50  and  52 , function to contain the water so that the maximum energy can be extracted in the movement of the water. 
     Mounted at one end of the frame of the torque converter unit  12  and  14 , which is composed of the members  30  to  42 , is a second output shaft  54 . The second output shaft  54  is rotationally mounted relative to the side transverse members  32  and  36 . This second output shaft  54  includes a sprocket  56 . The sprocket  56  is to be operative in engagement with a chain  58 . The second output shaft  54  is to be connected to a load, such as a generator  60 . The use of the shaft  54  to drive a generator or pump is deemed to be optional in conjunction with this invention. The reason for this is that the chain  58  is also connected to a sprocket  62  which is fixedly mounted on the shaft  24 . There are actually two in number of the sprockets  62  fixedly mounted onto the shaft  24  in a spaced apart manner. One of the sprockets  62  connects with one of the chains  58  for unit  12  and the other chain  58  for unit  14 . The shaft  24  is to be the main output shaft with the shafts  54  being secondary. It may be that it is only necessary to utilize the shaft  24  and not utilize shafts  54 . 
     Formed within the sail  44  is a pair of holes  64  and  66 . These holes  64  and  66  are substantially centrally mounted within the sail  44 . To provide clearance between the sprockets  62 , the holes  64  and  66  of the sails  44  are slightly offset of center in opposite directions from center. It is desirable to have the chains be as close to the center of the sail  44  to minimize undesirable torque which is defined as yaw. Mounted within the sail  44  and located within the hole  64  is a pawl  68 . The pawl  68  is pivotally mounted on a pin  70  which is fixedly secured into holes formed in a pair of brackets  72  and  74 . The brackets  72  and  74  are fixedly mounted by conventional bolt fasteners  76  and  78  respectively into the body of the sail  44 . The pawl  68  is specifically formed to have a cam surface  80  and a concave engaging surface  82 . The chain  58  rests on a guide trough  84  which is fixedly mounted onto the sail  44 . The chain  58 , when it moves in the direction of arrow  86 , will slide relative to the guide trough  88  with the pawl  68  being moved to a disengaged position with the cam surface  80  riding over the different pin-links  94  of the chain  58  essentially replicating a ratcheting action. If the chain  58  moves in the direction of arrows  88  and  98 , which is shown in  FIG. 5 , the pawl  68  will be caused to fall between two of the pin-links  94  of the chain with one of the pin-links  94  of the chain pressing against the engaging surface  82  thereby fixing the chain  58  relative to the sail  44 . Therefore, as the sail  44  is moved by water being pressed against the rear surface  48  (arrow  100 ), the sail  44  will tend to move from one end of the frame to the opposite end of the frame carrying with it the chain  58 . This in turn will cause the output shaft  24  to be rotated in a clockwise direction. 
     During this movement, depicted by arrow  86 , there is a pawl  90 , similar to pawl  68 , that is also pivotally mounted by a pin  92  to an appropriate bracket arrangement similar to brackets  72  and  74  which is mounted in conjunction with the hole  66 . The pawl  90  is reversely positioned relative to the bracket  68  which is readily apparent when observing either  FIG. 5  or  FIG. 6 . Pawls  68  and  90  actually comprise a clutch mechanism. There is to be incorporated with each pawl  68  and  90  a mechanism (not shown) to prevent the pawls  68  and  90  from “flipping over”. Pivoting movement of each pawl  68  and  90  is limited to only a few degrees. 
     Referring particularly to  FIG. 5 , the force of water is applied against the sail  44  in the direction, as depicted by arrow  86 . This will tend to move the sail  44  toward the left. The engaging surface  96  of the pawl  90  is grabbed by one of the pin-links  94  with the result that the chain  58  is moved in the direction of arrow  88 . Since the chain  58  is continuous, the chain  58  will also move to the left at the bottom area of  FIG. 5  and to the right at the top area of  FIG. 5 . This means that the chain  58  will actually slide on the guide trough  84  with a slippage occurring of the chain  58  relative to the cam surface  80  of the pawl  68 . The sprockets  56  and  62  to which the chain  58  is engaged will then be rotated in a clockwise direction. 
     Referring particularly to  FIG. 6 , the force of the water is being exerted in the direction of arrow  100  against the sail  44 . This will tend to move the sail  44  to the right in  FIG. 6 . One of the links  94  will come into contact with the engaging surface  82  of the pawl  68 . This will mean that the chain  58  will be moved in direction of arrow  102  along with the movement of the sail  44 . The chain  58  is also moved in the direction of arrow  104 . At this particular time, the slippage will occur between the cam surface  106  of the pawl  90  with the result that the chain  58  will slide relative to guide trough  108 . Again, the chain  58  is being moved in the same direction so that the output shaft  24  will again be driven clockwise. 
     It is necessary to keep the sail  44  from pitching when being moved in this reciprocal manner. In order to achieve that end result, there are four in number of guide rods  110  that are conducted through holes formed within the sail  44  with the ends of each guide rod  110  being fixed to a portion of the frame. The sail  44  will be constructed to be hollow. This will permit water to flow within the hollow cavity of the sail  44  so that the sail  44  will exhibit a minimal upward force due to flotation. 
     The torque converter  10  of the present invention intends to harness near-shore ocean energy to create an abundant, reliable and environmentally clean source of electricity. The conversion of wave energy directly into mechanical energy produces no harmful pollutant byproducts. The torque converter is built from non-corrosive, modern material and is entirely ocean friendly. It is estimated that a single unit of the torque converter  10  of this invention can produce electricity with a cost that is competitive with other forms of energy. Near-shore wave energy is a viable untapped energy resource. The torque converter  10  can be deployed in the surf zone under the level of the water. Due to the low profile, the torque converter  10  is mostly invisible to the public eye. Also, the torque converter  10  resides in an area where little or no environmental life exists and therefore will have minimal impact on the echosphere. The torque converter  10  is an unseen device that effectively harnesses energy from shore-line waves and produces no harmful by-products. The electricity that is produced by the torque converter  10  of this invention can be stored in battery fuel cells or connected directly to the electric grid. The output of the torque converter  10  could be used to hydrolyze and/or desalinate water.