Improvements in Wave and Tide-motors.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 27th June, 1899-Accepted, 14th Oct., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Wave and Tide-motors.
I, EDWARD JOHN RYAN, of Milltown, in the County of Washington, and State
of Maine, United States of America, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner, the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
:-
My invention has relation to water motors and more especially that class of
water motors known as wave and tide powers. The object of my invention is to
provide a mechanism which will utilize the rise and fall of the tides and waves to
operate machinery.
In the present instance my preferred method of obtaining this result is to apply
the force of said waves for various purposes, as the operation of air pumps for
the storing of compressed air in an air-tank or reservoir.
Said air may be used for running compressed air engines, which may be used ·
to operate dynamos.
Referring to the drawings:
Figure is a side elevation showing the part above water of my invention as
it will appear when completed;
Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the float and the manner of attaching
it to the truck tube by means of universal joints, and the construction of the lower
part of the frame;
Figures 3 and 4 form a sectional view of Figure 1, the former of the upper part
and the latter of the lower part; the two figures may be considered one figure to
be united on the line;
Figure 5 shows the relative position of the twin pumps and air-tank;
Figure 6 shows the lower sprocket wheel as it appears in operative position
with means for adjusting the axle of the same to give proper tension to the
sprocket chain working thereon ;
Figure 7 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the bearing of said axle show-
ing the manner of attaching the adjusting screw thereto;
Figure 8 is a top plan view of said bearing with the adjusting screw omitted;
Figures 9 and 10 are side elevations of the chain gripping devices carried by
the truck tube, the front plates of said devices being removed that their internal
mechanism may appear;
Figure 11 is a top plan view of Figure 9 with the gravity dogs and sprocket
chain omitted;
Figure 12 is a top plan view illustrating the relative location of the trucks,
their tracks and the chain gripping devices when in operative positions;
Figure 13 is a sectional view of one of the trucks;
Figure 14 is a front elevation of one of the trucks in its mounting as seen from
the inside of the tube;
Figure 15 is a side elevation of one each of the top and bottom trucks illus-
trating the means for adjusting the same to the rails upon which they travel;
Figure 16 is a top plan view further illustrating the means for making said
adiustment··

page_text: Figure 17 is a sectional view of one of the twin air pumps employed;
Figure 18 is a top plan view of the valve casing of said pump.
Figure 19 is a central section of the float and cooperating parts illustrating the
support therefor in side elevation.
My motor is erected in the ocean a few miles off the coast where there is always
a roll or swell in the water. It is built upon a stone or concrete foundation at
the bottom of the ocean and extends a suitable distance above the high water mark.
It is provided with suitable sills and braces and sufficient ballast to cause it to
stand firm and secure in any storm. The methods employed for accomplishing
this are such as are well known and commonly used by engineers doing this kind
of work and for this reason are neither illustrated nor described.
To prevent confusion, the same numerals will be used to represent the same
parts throughout the various figures of the drawings.
In materializing my invention numeral 1 designates the central stationary tube
which is securely anchored at the bottom of the ocean and extends upward to the
dynamo room near the top of the tower. In the top of this tower is located the air
tank or reservoir 2. The numeral 3 designates the outer tube which will be
hereinafter referred to as the truck tube. Said tube 3 éncircles the central tube
a short distance above the surface of the water. To the lower end of said tube is
connected the hoop 4 by the journals and bearings 5. On a line at right angles
to that passing through journals 5 are the journals and bearings 6 which connect
said hoop with the float 7 which rests upon the surface of the water.
Said float is substantially a hollow ring, its shape being like that of a pneumatic
life preserver. Located within the central tube just above the surface of the
water is the lower sprocket wheel 8 and just above and over the top of said tube
is the upper sprocket wheel 9. These two wheels carry the endless sprocket
chain 10.
It will be observed that the combined operation of the journals and bearings 5
with the journals and bearings 6 constitutes joints admitting of a universal move-
ment which permits the float 7 to receive a wave and gracefully ride it from
whatever direction it may come.
The dotted line -a in Figure 4 shows the water line or surface of the water.
Located preferably in the upper end of the outer tube 3 on opposite sides of snid
tube are the chain grips 11 and 12, the former being adapted to grip the chain
if said grip is carried upward and the latter of which likewise grips the chain
when it (the grip) is moved downward. Said grips are further so constructed and
related to each other that when the endless chain is gripped by either one and
caused to rotate, the movement of said chain will not be resisted by the other, as
will be hereinafter more fully explained. When the float 7 is lifted by a wave
(being connected with truck tube 3 as already explained) said tube will also be
lifted, and as it goes up it of course carries its gripping devices upward with it.
The upward grip 11 upon this upward movement of the truck tube grasps the
right side of the chain and carries it upward which causes the top sprocket wheel 9
to rotate. When the wave has passed the float falls downward again by gravity
and as it falls down the grip 12 in like manner grips the opposite side of the chain
and draws it downward with it and causes said sprocket wheel to further rotate
in the same direction so that said wheel is kept rotating so long as the motion
of the waves causes the float 7 and the tube 3 connected therewith to rise and fall.
On either end of the shaft of the sprocket wheel 9 is mounted a crank, the two
cranks being disposed at 180 degrees to each other. Said cranks, by means of the
connecting rods 13, are adapted to operate the twin air pumps 14 located on opposite
sides of the air tank 2 into which they pump air. when they are in operation.
This air is used to run compressed air engines which in their turn run dynamos
so that the force of the waves is ultimately converted into electricity. With the
construction shown (Figure 3) room 15 is deemed the most suitable place for
locating the compressed air engines. Room 16 likewise forms a suitable compart-
ment for the location of dynamos, while room 17 may be used for living com-

page_text: partments. From the dynamos in room 16, if desired, wires may run down the
outside of air tank 2 and enter through suitable apertures the inside of the central
tube and run down said tube to the bottom of the ocean and thence to any point
on land to which it may be desired to convey the electricity.
Suitable stairways or ladders (not shown) are provided to form a passage way
from one room to another. Room 18 is intended for a light house to be provided
with brilliant electric lights from the dynamos within, and on top of said house
is to be erected a powerful whistle to be operated when needed by air from the
compressed air tank. The lower compartments 19 are so provided with doors 20
which open to the promenade 21 on the outside of the tower just above the eve
of the roof.
The upper room 16 is likewise surrounded with a smaller promenade. Said
promenades are thoroughly provided with suitable railing and supported by suit-
able brackets as shown. Compartment 19 is provided with a large central opening,
through which truck tube 3 may freely pass when the sea runs high, said
opening, however, being surrounded with the railing 22. Opposite the top of
said railing is the door 23, which forms a means of access to the inside of central
tube 1. From said door a ladder may, it is obvious, extend down the inside of
said tube to near the surface of the water. When it is desired to reach the lower
sprocket wheel for adjusting or oiling, this ladder (not shown) is used as a means
of descent. On the outside of truck tube 3 is a ladder likewise extending from
the top nearly to the bottom. This ladder is reached by means of a suitable ladder
(not shown) let down from railing 22. Hereby a means is provided for reaching
the points 5 and 6 when it is desired to oil or repair them and also the lower trucks
which are located immediately beneath the man-holes 23.
A suitable rail surrounds the tube a few feet from its bottom as a means of
safety for the operator. The air tank is provided with a pressure gauge and a
safety valve (not shown). I further provide a safety governor 23" constructed on
the principle of the ordinary steam engine governor which operates to open a valve
in a pipe connected with the air tank and release a certain quantity of air when
the pumps are acting with too great rapidity on account of a high sea.
The different floors are of course provided with suitable openings for the free
passage of the endless chain and the lower floor being of greater diameter than
any of the others and having a large opening in its central part for the passage
of the truck tube which prevents it from being supported by means of the floor
hangers 24 which consist of iron or steel rods of suitable size, which rods depend
from the floor above.
It will of course be understood that I will employ any desired material in the
construction of the various parts of my invention, but it is thought that for the
piles, braces and tubes, and in fact nearly all the parts of my invention steel will
be the most suitable material to use as it combines the maximum of strength
with the greatest lightness and durability. Steel bolts will be very largely used
in uniting the various parts together. This is especially true of the parts under
water. As will be seen from Figures 1 and 2 that part of my water tower
between the eve of the roof and the water is surrounded by a netting made of
very strong wire or small rods. This netting extends downward a few feet below
the low water mark so that no drift wood or other foreign substance that may be
afloat upon the water shall get entangled or come in contact with the operating
mechanism of my water motor.
It will be found most expedient to have this netting made in frames constructed
of thin strips of metal and of such shape and size as to fit snugly between the piles
to the outer flanges of said piles and braces by means of bolts. This, however, is
simply mentioned as a matter of expediency as I reserve the right to employ any
method I may choose in connecting the wire netting to my water tower.
Having now described the general construction and operation of my invention
I will proceed to more particularly describe certain details of the various parts.
The two shaft bearings 25 are rigidly attached to the top of the float 7 at

page_text: opposite sides thereof. Said bearings carry the journals 26, the inner ends of
which are conical in shape and work within the ball bearing case 27, said case
being rigidly attached to the hoop 4. Each of said ball bearing cases 27 is pro-
vided with ball bearings as shown in Figure 4 which reduces the friction to a
minimum at this point. The outer pair of journals connecting the hoop with
the truck tube is also provided with ball bearings. The hoop
may be made solid
or hollow as the needs of the case may require, but it is thought that ordinarily
it will best serve the purposes for which it is intended when made hollow and of
material similar to that used in the float.
It will be observed that the lower part of the truck tube is provided with the
base 28 which consists of the vertical sides 29 somewhat larger in diameter than
that of the truck tube, the inwardly inclined face 30 and the flange 31 which
snugly receives the outside diameter of the truck tube and is securely riveted
thereto.
The upper pair of journals connecting the truck tube with the hoop is attached
to this base. Figures 6, 7 and 8 clearly illustrate the means employed to adjust
the lower sprocket wheel to the sprocket chain. The numeral 32 designates the
bearing of the journal 33 of said wheel. The cap 34 of said bearing is secured
in proper position by bolts and to the top of this cap is further
secured by bolts the block 35, said block being made in
two parts
as illustrated in Figure 8. This block has a central bore of suffi-
cient diameter to receive the neck 36 of the adjusting screw the lower part
of said bore being made of still larger diameter having the offset 37, said larger
diameter being adapted to receive the head or swell provided on the extreme lower
end of the adjusting screw. Since said cap is made in two sections, the two
sections thereof are placed in their position around the collar 36 of the
adjusting screw and are then bolted together by the bolts 38 as clearly illustrated
in Figure 8.
As will be further seen from Figures 6 and 8 the bearing 32 is provided at its
ends with the grooves 39 which receive the tongues of the blocks 40 as shown by
dotted lines in Figure 8 and said blocks are properly riveted to the tube at the
edge of the opening therein, as shown in Figure 6 where said bearings are located.
The arched cross bar 41 which rests upon the upper end of said blocks 40 is
provided at its center with a threaded aperture which receives the adjusting screw
and it is clearly apparent from Figure 6 that said adjusting screw being attached
to the bearing of journal 3 as already explained, will, when turned in one direc-
tion, raise said bearing and when turned in the opposite direction lower the same.
The adjusting screws are two in number, one on each side of the central tube
to accommodate the two ends of the sprocket shaft.
Figure 12 illustrates my preferred means for reducing the friction in the
upward and downward movement of truck tube 3 upon the central stationary
tube. That part of the central tube which is traversed by the truck tube 3 is
provided on its outer circumference with a suitable number of vertical rails 42
rigidly attached thereto. The tube 3 is provided on its inner side with a series
of trucks 43 located a sufficient distance from each other along the entire length
of said outer tube, said trucks being provided with flanges and adapted to cooperate
with said rails so that when said tube is moved up and down by the force of the
waves, the friction caused by the horizontal travel of said waves is greatly reduced.
It is believed that for practical purposes one set of trucks at the bottom and
another at the top of said tube 3 will be sufficient for all ordinary requirements.
I prefer to face the trucks with compressed fibre or other suitable material in
order that their motion upon the rails may be as noiseless as possible.
Figure 13 illustrates the groove which I provide between the flanges of said
trucks for the purpose of receiving this facing.
Figures 15 and 16 illustrate a means which may be employed for adjusting said
trucks to their respective tracks. Figure 15 shows a side elevation of one of the

page_text: 5
op and bottom trucks with this adjusting mechanism, while Figure 16 shows a
op plan view of the upper truck provided with: this means of adjustment.
The vertical braces 44 are securely riveted to the inner side of the truck tube
and are further secured in this position by the horizontal braces 45, said braces 44
being provided with the horizontal slots 40. Within said slots are located the
bearing blocks 47 in which are mounted the journals or axles of the trucks. Said
bearing blocks are made in two sections as illustrated in Figure 15, said sections
being securely held together when in their operative positions by bolts.
The outer ends of said blocks are provided with recesses similar to those in
blocks 35 of the adjusting arrangement for the lower sprocket wheel (see Figure 7).
This recess receives the inner end of the adjusting bolt 48 which is provided with
a swell or head similar to that of the adjusting arrangement of the sprocket wheel
previously referred to.
It will be clearly seen that by the proper rotation of said bolts 48 the desired
adjustment may be readily obtained. As will be seen from Figure 16 each truck
is provided with two of these adjusting screws, one for each end of its journal
My chain gripping devices, preferably located in the top of truck tube 3 on
opposite sides thereof, being rigidly secured thereto as illustrated in Figure 12,
are two in number, the upward grip is illustrated in Figure 10 and the downward
grip in Figures 9 and 11. The two grips are exactly alike in construction and
principle with this one difference that in the one the ratchets and gravity dogs or
pawls are so located with reference to each other that when the grip moves upward
it carries the sprocket chain with it, while the other grip carries the chain with
it when it moves downward.
Each of the grips is provided with the sprocket shaft 49 and the roller shaft 50.
Each of said shafts is further provided with cog wheels 51 and 52 rigidly attached
thereto, which are of equal size and mesh with each other causing said sprocket
wheel and roller to always move uniformly together and in case one of the dogs or
ratchets should be broken the other dog will, through the mediation of the cog
wheels, still cause the grip to reliably perform its work.
Said shafts 49 and 50 are further provided with the ratchet 53 and 54 which
are also rigidly secured to said shafts. The rollers 55 are each provided with the
apertures 56 adapted to receive the ends of the dogs of the sprocket wheels 57
so that said sprocket wheels may be located sufficiently close to their respective
rollers to only allow the sprocket chain to pass conveniently between them. By
this means it will be impossible for the sprocket chain to slip over the end of the
cog with which it may happen to be in engagement at any time when a sudden
jerk or strain is imposed upon it.
In the case of the upward grip (Figure 10) it will be observed that the ratchet
wheels and their gravity dogs 58 and 59 cooperating therewith are so arranged
with respect to each other that when the tube 3 moves upward carrying said
grip with it the tendency of the sprocket wheel to revolve and run up the chain
is prevented by said dogs and the chain is consequently carried up with the grip
which, as previously specified, imparts rotation to the upper sprocket wheel which
is connected with the air pumps.
It will be clearly seen from Figure 9 without further explanation that when the
truck tube descends carrying with it its grip that downward grip 12 will grasp
the chain and carry said chain downward with it, thus imparting further rotation
to said sprocket wheel just referred to. Furthermore it is manifest that when one
side of the endless chain is carried upward a certain distance the other side will
be drawn downward an equal distance and it will be seen from Figures 9 and 10
when the upward grip grasps the chain and carries one side of it up, there is
nothing to prevent the sprocket wheel of the downward grip from freely revolving
in a direction which permits this necessary movement of that side of the chain.
It is likewise manifest that when the down grip carries its side of the chain
with it there is nothing in the construction of the other grip to prevent its sprocket

page_text: wheel from freely revolving and allowing its side of the chain to move upward the
required distance. When it is desired to stop the pumps all that is necessary is
to disengage the gravity dogs from their respective ratchets and turn each one
of them over. The upper or weighted ends of said dogs which, when in the
position illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, tend to hold them in engagement with
their ratchets will then hold them in a disengaged position and hence the upward
and downward movement of truck tube 3 will impart no rotation to the endless
chain.
Figure 17 shows the construction of one of my air pumps. It consists of the
cylinder 60 provided with the ordinary piston 61 and piston rod 62. To the lower
end of said cylinder is rigidly attached the valve casing 63 in which is located the
ball valve 64. The lower end of said casing 63 is provided with the cap 65
having a central aperture 66 at the upper end of which is located the valve seat 67.
It will be observed that when the piston 61 moves upward its tendency will be
to produce a vacuum in the lower end of cylinder 60. This tendency causes the
air to pass in through opening 66 lifting the valve 64 and on up through open-
ing 68 in the top of said valve casing into the cylinder. When the piston 61
begins to descend, the ball 64 will drop into its seat and thus prevent the air from
escaping at the point where it entered, thereby causing the air to escape through
the exit port 70 by first overcoming the tension of the spring 73, and thereby
forcing the ball 69 outward, thus permitting the air to pass out of the apertures 71
into the air tank 2, (one of the walls of which is shown by dotted lines) it being
understood that said pump is to be properly connected with said tank by means of
the bolts 72.
The valve 69 in the exit port is normally held to its seat by the spring 73 and
operates, as clearly shown to freely permit the passage of air from the pump into
the air tank and prevents the air when once in the tank from escaping at that
point. The block or cap 74 affords a means of access to the valve 69 and the
spring 73. It will be observed from Figure that the cranks which operate my
pumps are so disposed with reference to each other that while one pump is forcing
air into the air tank the other is simply receiving air from outside. This will
permit the pumps to work when there is only slight disturbance of the water.
If, however, my tower is located in a place where there is always an abundance
of power readily obtainable from the waves I will make my pumps double acting,
placing a receiving and an exit port at the upper end of the cylinder as well
as at the lower end, in which case one pump will be made to do double the work
that it now performs.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. In water power machines, a central tube, a truck tube surrounding the same
and encircling the hoop, a float resting on the water and journaled to said hoop,
the latter being journaled to the truck tube, and devices connected to the latter
for the conveyance of power, as set forth.
2. In water power machines, a stationary central tube, a movable truck tube
surrounding the same, a concentric hoop journaled to said truck tube and a float
journaled to said hoop at right angles to the truck tube whereby said truck tube
will always move vertically, as set forth.
3. In water power machines, a stationary central tube having rails upon its
outer surface, an encircling truck tube provided with friction rollers cooperating
with said rails, a float pivotally connected to said truck tube, an endless sprocket
chain carried by said fixed tube and extending from the upper to the lower end
thereof and suitable clutch mechanism carried by said truck tube for cooperating
with said chain to the end that the same will be moved as the float rises and falls,
as set forth.
4. In water power machines, a stationary center tube having vertical rails, an

page_text: 0
ncircling truck tube provided with friction rollers cooperating with
nd means to adjust said rollers, a float and means to carry power attached to Baid
ruck. as set forth.
5. In water power machines, a center tube provided with rails, an encircling
ube provided with plates carrying an adjustable journal having friction rollers
cooperating with said rails, said contacting parts of the rollers being covered
with an elastic material to deaden the sound of a float for operating the truck
tube, as set forth.
6. In water power machines, a center tube provided with guides, journal bear-
ings adjustable on the guides and encircling a journal carrying a sprocket wheel,
means to adjust said bearings, a concentric tube carrying pawl and ratchet
mechanism and a sprocket chain connected to the sprocket wheel, said pawl and
ratchet mechanism cooperating with said chain, and a float connected to the truck
tube whereby the sprocket chain will be gripped by the pawl mechanism and
operated as set forth.
7. In water power machines, a truck tube, a float connected therewith, pawl
and ratchet mechanism having a sprocket wheel and a wheel having peripheral
recesses cooperating with said sprocket wheel to grip a sprocket chain passing
between said wheels, as set forth.
8. In water power machines, the combination of a float, a fixed vertical tube.
a movable truck tube interposed between and cooperating with said tube and
float, a sprocket chain mounted on said vertical tube and gripping devices carried
by said truck tube whereby the chain will be alternately grasped upon one side
of the tube during the upward movement of the float and upon the opposite side
during the downward movement thereof, as set forth.
9. In water power devices, a vertical tube connected to a float and operated
thereby, said tube carrying pawl and ratchet mechanism provided with gripping
wheels located on opposite sides of the tube, the pawl of one set cooperating with
the outer periphery of its ratchets, and the pawls of the other set cooperating
with the inner periphery of its ratchets, a sprocket chain passing between said
grinning wheels, whereby the chain will be moved. as set forth.
10. In water power machines, a truck tube, a float cooperating therewith by
ball-bearing joints an outer tube having gripping mechanism located on its top,
a center tube carrying an adiustable sprocket wheel provided with a sprocket
chain passing through said gripping mechanism and extending around an upper
sprocket wheel operating an air-compressing pump, as set forth.
Ja of June 1899.
TRADE