Year: 1886

page_text: I, HENRY EDWARD NEWTON of the Office for Patents, 6 Bream's Buildings,
Chancery Lane in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer 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 :-
This invention relates to a motor derived from the action of the waves, whereby
air is compressed and stored in reservoirs for delivery to machinery; to the employ-
ment of the said motor on a buoy anchored in a bay or harbour or at sea for service
as a signal, relief, or light station, and provided with means for generating
electricity for illumination and other purposes; and to the application of the said
motor to a vessel as a means of propulsion, and for all purposes where power is
required.
These objects are accomplished by the means illustrated in the accompanying
Drawings, such means showing the application of the invention in one of its
various forms.
Fig. 1 is a vertical section of a buoy with the invention applied thereto, and
designed for use as a signal, relief, or light station. The figure shows the arrange-
ment of the ballasted basin, one of the air pumps, and the manner of its attachment
to the shell of the buoy, the arrangement of the air chamber and air reservoir, the
engine and dynamo, and air conducting pipes, the device for guiding and braking
the ballasted basin, the tower and frame work, and the arrangement therein of the
auxiliary water reservoir, bell, whistle, and electric light.
Fig. 2 is a plan of the tower and the water reservoir.
Fig. 3 is a plan of the buoy, showing the arrangement of the air pumps, the
device for guiding and braking the ballasted basin, and the arrangement of cabins
and store rooms.
1
Fig. 4 is a view of the buoy at anchor, arranged as a signal or relief station.
Fig. 5 is a vertical section of one of the air pumps and part of an air conducting
pipe, showing the check valve and four receding valves, the guide bars for the
valves, and the manner of connecting the piston with the piston rod.
Fig. 6 is an elevation of one of the air pumps, showing the manner of attaching
the same to the ballasted basin.
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page_text: Figs. 9, 10, 11, 12 are views of the receding valves, showing their relative
diameter and depth of grooves.
Fig. 13 is a plan of the piston.
Fig. 14 is the same looking from underneath.
Fig. 15 is a plan of the check valve showing holes and channel for oil.
Fig. 16 is a plan of the air pump barrel, showing the guide bars and valve seats.
Referring to Fig. 1, the buoy A is constructed of iron or steel, preferably in
spherical form, and of any required dimensions.-For the purpose of supporting
and poising the ballasted basin B, a conical standard C is bolted to the bottom of
the buoy, and extends upward through the cone-shaped space in the centre of the
basin, and has it top ball-shaped for the action of the semi-spherical cap b, which
fits over it, and is bolted to the annular top of the basin. The top of the standard
on which the basin is poised is lubricated by an oil cup c, which is secured to the
cap b. By poising the basin in this manner, it is maintained level, and its floors
or decks, on which are arranged the cabins and store rooms, and the engine and
dynamo, will always be on the plane of the horizon. The basin is ballasted, as
shown in Fig. 1, for the purpose of giving the required pressure to the air pumps,
at the rate of fifty pounds per square inch to each pump. At the bottom of the
standard, on each side, there are attached heavy rubber bumpers or cushions a, to
receive the swing of the buoy against the lower ends of the basin.
Encircling the buoy above the water line is the reservoir E for storing the com-
pressed air received from air chamber F. This reservoir is divided by partitions
provided with automatic valves which prevent the air from returning, and force it
forward to the point of delivery. The reservoir is provided also with escape valves.
In addition to its use for the storage of air, this reservoir imparts steadiness to
the buoy.
.
The ballasted basin B is provided with decks, on the lower one of which, d, is
arranged the air chamber F, which receives compressed air from the air pumps
through the pipes G. Compressed air is conducted from chamber F to the reser-
voir E-by the pipe K, which extends through the side of the basin into the conical
standard C, and thence downward, and through the side of the standard, under the
basin and upward to the reservoir. The passage of air from the chamber to. the
reservoir is regulated by a stop cock v.. The air pipe K reciprocates the oscillations
of the buoy by having a part of it formed of a flexible tube L, which is attached
near the chamber F, Fig. 1.
The engine I and the dynamo J are arranged on the upper deck e on opposite
sides of the centre, Fig. 1.-Compressed-air is conveyed to the engine by a pipe H,
and it escapes through pipes w. Fresh air is supplied to the buoy through pipes T,
as well as through port holes in the upper segments of the shell, and through the
tower O,
L
The air pumps..D, Figs. 1, 5, and 6, are bolted by plater to the side of the
ballasted basin B, and are attached to the shell of the buoy, on which there are
lugs p, by the piston rod o, which is held loosely on a bolt secured in the lugs.
From the centre upward the pump barrel is graduated in sections as shown in
Figs. 5 and 6, and each section is provided with a valve. Each of these receding
valves g¹ g² g³ g' has recesses or grooves ; in the rim, into which guide bars / enter,
the valves moving.up and down on the bars. These guide bars are secured to the
pump barrel by screws l. Each of the receding valves increases in diameter corre-
sponding to the sections of the pump barrel (see Figs. 9, 10, 11, 12), and is provided
with a rubber cushion or disc h which is attached to the valve by a screw i. The
rubber disc. is countersunk for the head of the screw, the shank of which is loose in
the disc, whereby it is permitted to rise to the pressure of the air which passes into
the upper sections of the pump. The check valve g and the piston m are pro-
vided with a similar rubber cushion or disc.-For the purpose of lubricating the
guide bars k, an oil cup t supplies oil to the channel and holes q in the check
valve g, through which it flows to the bars. The piston rodo is connected with the

page_text: piston m by a universal joint n, which acts reciprocally to the motion of the
buoy, Fig. 5.
In Fig. 1, the dotted lines show the movement of the buoy in imparting a full
stroke to the pumps. A full up-stroke will discharge the compressed air out of
the pump, leaving the valves massed in the upper section of the barrel; and on the
down stroke, each valve falls, and seats in its proper section. The object of the
sections in the pump barrel is to store the air received from imperfect strokes of
the piston, caused by the irregular action of the waves; and the air is thus stored
in each succeeding section until it is discharged out of the pump barrel into the air
chamber. The ballasted basin, to which the air pumps are attached, imparts the
wave power received from the buoy to the pumps, the weight of the ballast in the
basin being the equivalent of the pressure exerted on the pumps. For the purpose
of guiding the ballasted basin B and preventing it from swinging round with the
motion of the buoy, and also to hold it rigid when it is necessary to stop the opera-
tion of the air pumps, in order to make repairs or for other cause, a guiding and
braking device is provided as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.-A brake b, having a deeply
recessed shoe at its end, is secured at the top of the basin on its four sides; the
guides b³ are attached to the shell of the buoy. The shoe on the brake fits loosely
over the guide, whereby the basin is guided and prevented from swinging; and
when it is necessary to hold the basin rigid to the buoy, the brake shoes are
screwed against the guides.
Attached to the upper segment of the buoy is a heavy framework Q of iron, in
which are secured a signal whistle U which is operated by compressed air from
the reservoir E, an electric light V, and a bell W; and at the top there is a step z
for a flag-staff-Extending from the top of the buoy to about the centre of the
framework, there is a cylindrical tower O, having a door from the upper or .
hurricane deck Z, and port-hole lights. This tower is entered from the inside of
the buoy by a spiral stair-way P, for the purpose of arranging the electric light,
and for a look out and observation. Surrounding the buoy above the reservoir E,
there is a main deck X, from which a companion-ladder extends to the deck Z.—
The anchor chain, to which a buoy is attached, is made fast to the main deck, and
may be shipped on the instant, Figs. 1 and 4.
Whenever the water is too quiet to give the required energy to the buoy, its
action is supplemented by a water reservoir R, which is attached round the tower
in four compartments, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The compartments are filled and
discharged through branch pipes x, which connect with supply pipe S, which also
discharges the water.-Any two compartments on the line of equilibrium may be
filled or emptied as required; and when the waves make the action of the buoy
energetic, the water is discharged from the reservoir.
As before mentioned, Figs. 1, 3, 4, illustrate the wave motor arranged for service
as a signal, relief, or light station, and provided with apparatus for generating
electricity for purposes of illumination and the operation of signals; the arrange-
ment of cabins and store-rooms for the crew and supplies; the necessary decks for
landing and observation; and the frame-work and tower.-But when the wave
motor is employed in a river, harbour, or bay, to compress air for power and
transmit the same ashore to machinery, there will be required only the buoy con-
taining the ballasted and poised basin, the air-pumps and conducting pipes, and
the air chamber and storage reservoir.
In employing the wave motor on a vessel as a means of propulsion, the operation
will be similar to that of a buoy. The vessel represents the buoy, and reciprocates
the action of the waves, whereby the air-pumps operate and compress the air. The
vessel, according to its size, will be divided by strong bulkheads into several water-
tight compartments, and in each compartment there will be arranged a ballasted
basin B, poised on a standard C, as shown in Fig. 1. The shape of the basin will
conform in some degree to that of the vessel, or, preferably, will be square, with
obtuse or rounded corners, and will have a cone-shaped space in the centre for the
conical standard, which will be bolted to the keelson.. The ballast in the basin

page_text: will be cargo, and will represent a pressure on each pump of fifty pounds per square
inch. The required number of air-pumps D will be secured to each basin, and each
pump will be connected by its piston rod to the side of the vessel, the connection
between rod and piston being a reciprocating or universal joint. The air chambers F
receiving air from the air-pumps, will be arranged on the deck of each basin, and
compressed air will be conducted from each chamber to the storage reservoir E,
through flexible tubes.
This storage reservoir for compressed air is arranged around the vessel under the
plank-sheer, and is divided amidship by a solid, air-tight partition, forming fore and
aft chambers, the chamber aft receiving air only from the after pumps, and the
forward chamber only from the forward pumps. Each chamber of the reservoir
is subdivided by partitions, each partition being provided with a valve, which
prevents the air from returning and forces it to the point of delivery.
Compressed air is conveyed from the reservoir through suitably arranged pipes
to the engine, which connects with a dynamo, for service in propelling the vessel,
generating electricity for illumination, receiving or discharging cargo, or for any
purpose requiring a motor.
The wave motor may be applied also to a sailing vessel as an auxiliary means of
propulsion. The compressed air may be applied directly to the water through a
large pipe leading from the air reservoir through the stern of the vessel near the
keel, whereby the pressure of the compressed air on the water, combined with its
expansive force, will drive the vessel ahead.
The invention thus fully described may be applied in a buoy at anchor in a bay,
harbour, or river, for the purpose of compressing air and transmitting it ashore to
machinery, and by the employment of an engine and a dynamo, generate electricity,
and transmit it ashore for illumination and other purposes; or it may be applied
in a buoy at anchor on the coast, or at sea, for service as a signal, relief or light
station, and provided with the means for generating electricity for the purposes of
illumination and signals, with. cabins and store-rooms, and with a frame-work and
tower for the purposes set forth; or it may be applied in a vessel, which represents
the buoy, provided with the means and in the manner described, for the purpose of
propulsion of any service requiring power, in combination with the means for
generating electricity for illumination, signals, or other purposes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A wave motor for compressing air for power, consisting of a buoy at anchor,
or a vessel at sea, having a balanced support to carry air-pumps, which are so
arranged as to obtain the required pressure, and provided with a chamber or
chambers for receiving compressed air, and a reservoir for storing the same, and
pipes suitably arranged for conducting and delivering the same, combined with
means for generating electricity for illumination, and other purposes, substantially
as described and set forth.
2. In a wave motor, the ballasted basin B. or its equivalent, having a cap b,
which is bolted to standard C, the said standard being bolted to the bottom of the
buoy, or vessel, and extending vertically through a cone-shaped space in the centre
of said basin, and having a ball-head f, on which said basin is poised, the said basin
being ballasted for the purpose of giving the required pressure to the air-pumps,
and provided with a guiding and braking device, in combination with air-pumps D,
and buoy A, as described, and for the purpose set forth.
3. The air-pumps D. bolted to basin B, and having the barrel, graduated in
sections, each section being provided with a receding valve having grooves j in its
rim for moving up and down on guide bars k, which are bolted to the pump barrel,
and each valve having a rubber cushion or disc countersunk for the head of a
screw attaching it to the valve, the said disc setting loosely on the shank of screw,
and having a vertical movement, whereby compressed air passes upwards; a check

page_text: valve g, having a rubber disc h; and holes q. for conducting oil to the guide bars k;
and a piston m, having a valve and rubber disc h, and connected with the piston
rod o by an universal joint n, the said piston rod being attached by a bolt to lugs p
on the buoy, in combination with standard C, ballasted basin B, or its equivalent,
and buoy A, substantially as described and set forth.
4. Air chamber F, arranged on the deck of the ballasted basin, or its equivalent,
and receiving compressed air from the air-puups, and supplying it to the storage
reservoir through a pipe provided with a flexible tube for reciprocating the motion
of the buoy, as described and set forth.
5. Reservoir E for storing compressed air, the said reservoir being divided by
partitions, each partition having a valve which prevents the return of the air, and
forces it to the point of delivery, as described and set forth.
6. The combination in a wave motor of the air chamber F, air pipe G, air pipe K,
having flexible tube L, and stop-cock v, reservoir E, having partitions with
automatic valves, air-pumps D, ballasted basin B or its equivalent, standard C, and
a buoy A, as described and for the purpose set forth.
7. In a wave motor, the guiding and braking device, consisting of a brake b
attached to the ballasted basin B, and having a shoe and a guide b² attached to the
buoy, the said shoe fitting loosely on the guide, to guide the basin, and prevent it
from swinging, and arranged to impinge on the guide and hold the basin rigid to
the buoy, in combination with the ballasted basin B, or its equivalent, and buoy A,
substantially as described.
8. The combination in a wave motor of the frame-work Q, tower O, auxiliary
water reservoir R, signal whistle U, electric light V, bell W, engine I, dynaino J,
cabins and store-rooms M, with a buoy A, standard C, ballasted basin B, or its
equivalent, air-pumps D, air pipe G, air chamber F, air pipe K, having stop-cock v,
and flexible tube L, reservoir E, having partitions with automatic valves, and the
guiding and braking device, all substantially as described and for the purposes set
forth.