Abstract

A wave energy apparatus for extracting energy from waves generated by a body of water, the apparatus including an elongate flexible tubular body, which defines a channel therein having a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of resiliently deformable elements disposed along the tubular body; wherein the elongate flexible tubular body is inextensible in a radial direction; the elongate flexible tube is open at each end; each resiliently deformable element is axially spaced from the adjacent resiliently deformable elements; each resiliently deformable element is secured to the tubular body at two or more anchor portions, wherein the anchor portions for each resiliently deformable element are circumferentially spaced from each other; each of the resiliently deformable elements has a non-extended configuration in which the respective anchor portions of the tubular body are spaced from the longitudinal axis of the channel by a first spacing, and an extended configuration in which the anchor portions of the tubular body are displaced radially outwards and are spaced from the longitudinal axis of the channel by a second spacing, wherein the second spacing is greater than the first spacing; and wherein the cross-sectional area of the tubular body when the resiliently deformable elements are in their extended configuration is greater than the cross-sectional area of the tubular body when the resiliently deformable elements are in their non-extended configuration.

IPC Classes  ?

• F03B 13/14 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy
• F03B 13/18 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member and another member wherein the other member is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore
• F03B 13/24 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy to produce a flow of air, e.g. to drive an air turbine

Abstract

This invention relates to a device and method for extracting energy from surface waves in a body of water, for example, the sea. A wave energy device (1) for extracting energy from surface waves in a body of water includes an elongate and flexible tubular body (2) having an outer wall (4) and within the outer wall a channel (6) that extends along the length of the tubular body (2). The device is positioned in a body of water so that, in use, the elongate body (2) extends along the water surface (15) in the direction of surface waves with water contained within the channel being driven to form a series of bulge waves that travel along the length of the channel as the tubular body flexibly follows the movement of the waves. The device harnesses energy from the bulge waves for providing useful power.

IPC Classes  ?

• F03B 13/24 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy to produce a flow of air, e.g. to drive an air turbine
• F03B 13/14 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy
• F03B 13/22 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the flow of water resulting from wave movements, e.g. to drive a hydraulic motor or turbine
• F03B 13/18 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member and another member wherein the other member is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore

Abstract

The present invention relates to a safety anchor device for limiting the movement of a person or arresting a fall of a person working at height, and in particular to an inflatable safety anchor device that may be positioned on a roof or other high point and then inflated with a liquid such as tap water to provide a dead-weight anchor device. A dead-weight anchor device (1) for securing a line to a person working at height comprises an attachment (36) for a line (2) that is provided on a top surface (11) of a flexible-walled container (4). The container has an internal volume (6) that may in use be inflated with a quantity of water (8) to provide an anchoring dead-weight and subsequently deflated by letting said quantity of water escape from the container when not in use. The container (4) has a plurality of flexible walls (10-19), including a pair of walls (10,11) that are internally connected by drop threads (28) that limit the separation between said pair of walls when the internal volume is inflated by said quantity of water (8).

IPC Classes  ?

• E04G 21/32 - Safety or protective measures for persons during the construction of buildings
• A47C 27/08 - Fluid mattresses

Goods & Services

Generators of electricity; wave power generators of electricity; water wave energy conversion apparatus; parts and fittings for all the aforesaid goods. Inflatable fenders for use on pontoons, marinas and docks; inflatable fenders for use in marinas; skirts for hovercraft; parts and fittings for all the aforesaid goods. Dunnage bags and parts and fittings therefor. Flexible storage tanks; liquid storage tanks; water storage tanks; fuel storage tanks; effluent storage tanks; parts and fittings for all the aforesaid goods.

Abstract

A fall arrest block (10) has a spindle on which a length of lifeline (14) is wound. In normal use, the lifeline (preferably webbing) retracts onto and extends from a drum housing (12), as the workman moves towards and away from a secure point to which the housing is attached. In the event of a fall, an inertia mechanism (42) sensitive to acceleration of the spindle (34) operates to lock a locking mechanism to hold the spindle (34) against further rotation. An energy absorbing link (18) is built into the webbing, close to a hook (16) to which the workman is attached. The energy absorbing link (18) includes a section (20) of lifeline that is stretchable, but non-elastic. The locking mechanism includes a toothed ratchet wheel that is engaged by a pawl in order to lock the spindle rotation. The tool-bed ratchet wheel (36) is part of a unitary body with the spindle (34).

IPC Classes  ?

• A62B 35/04 - Safety belts or body harnessesSimilar equipment for limiting displacement of the human body, especially in case of sudden changes of motion incorporating energy absorbing means

Abstract

A fall arrest block has a drum (40) on which a lifeline is wound and from which the line can be drawn off or drawn back on, as the work man moves towards and away from the block. One end of the lifeline is permanently secured to the drum, and the drum has sockets (50) for securing ends of more than one different type of lifeline. The block also has a brake (24) in the form of a sealed unit which can be removed and replaced with a fresh unit, when servicing of the brake is required.

IPC Classes  ?

• A62B 35/04 - Safety belts or body harnessesSimilar equipment for limiting displacement of the human body, especially in case of sudden changes of motion incorporating energy absorbing means
• B65H 75/22 - Constructional details collapsibleConstructional details with removable parts

Goods & Services

Generators of electricity; wave power generators of electricity; water wave energy conversion apparatus; parts and fittings for all the aforesaid goods. Inflatable fenders for use on pontoons, marinas and docks; inflatable fenders for use in marinas; skirts for hovercraft; parts and fittings for all the aforesaid goods. Dunnage bags and parts and fittings therefor. Flexible storage tanks; liquid storage tanks; water storage tanks; fuel storage tanks; effluent storage tanks; parts and fittings for all the aforesaid goods.