Kenneth Gregory Welch

US Patent:

20060233613, Oct 19, 2006

Filed:

Dec 16, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/303772

Inventors:

Kenneth Welch - Willis TX, US
Curtis Rothi - Anoka MN, US
Harold Rothi - Otsego MN, US

International Classification:

E02B 9/08

US Classification:

405076000

Abstract:

A system for generating electricity includes a pump operable to convert wave motion from a body of water into mechanical energy. The pump includes an input port through which an operating fluid can enter the pump and an output port through which the operating fluid can exit the pump. A first outlet line and a second outlet line are fluidly coupled to the output port of the pump. A first reservoir is fluidly connected to the first outlet line, and a second reservoir is fluidly connected to the second outlet line, both reservoirs being selectively capable of receiving operating fluid driven through the output port.

US Patent:

20060242954, Nov 2, 2006

Filed:

Dec 16, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/305761

Inventors:

Kenneth Welch - Willis TX, US

International Classification:

F16D 31/02

US Classification:

060398000

Abstract:

A system for generating electricity includes a buoyancy pump operable to convert wave motion from a body of water into mechanical energy. The buoyancy pump includes a buoyancy block that reciprocally moves in response to wave motion to pump an operating fluid that is delivered to a turbine to produce electricity. The buoyancy block is preferably sized such that a diameter of the buoyancy block is no less than about one-sixth a wavelength and no greater than about one wavelength of an average wave for a region in which the buoyancy pump is operated.

US Patent:

20080001410, Jan 3, 2008

Filed:

Aug 9, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/891269

Inventors:

Kenneth Welch - Willis TX, US

International Classification:

F03B 13/22

US Classification:

290053000

Abstract:

A system for generating electricity includes a buoyancy pump operable to convert wave motion from a body of water into mechanical energy. The buoyancy pump includes a buoyancy block that reciprocally moves in response to wave motion to pump an operating fluid that is delivered to a turbine to produce electricity. The buoyancy block is preferably sized such that a diameter of the buoyancy block is no less than about one-sixth a wavelength and no greater than about one wavelength of an average wave for a region in which the buoyancy pump is operated.

US Patent:

20080101963, May 1, 2008

Filed:

Aug 9, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/891256

Inventors:

Kenneth Welch - Willis TX, US
Curtis Rothi - Anoka MN, US
Harold Rothi - Elk River MN, US

International Classification:

F04B 53/00

US Classification:

417061000

Abstract:

A buoyancy pump device for use in fluid. The buoyancy pump device includes a buoyancy block housing defining a buoyancy chamber therein through which the fluid may flow. A buoyancy block is disposed within the buoyancy chamber to move axially therein in a first direction responsive to rising of the fluid in the buoyancy chamber and a second direction responsive to lowering of the fluid in the buoyancy chamber. A piston cylinder is connected to the buoyancy block housing and has at least one valve disposed therein operating as an inlet in response to movement of the buoyancy block in the second direction and an outlet in response to movement of the buoyancy block in the first direction. A piston is slideably disposed within the piston cylinder and connected to the buoyancy block, the piston being moveable in the first and second directions and responsive to movement of the buoyancy block in the second direction to draw a gas or liquid substance into the piston cylinder through the at least one valve, and responsive to movement of the buoyancy block in the first direction to output the gas or liquid substance through the at least one valve.

US Patent:

20080265581, Oct 30, 2008

Filed:

Jan 29, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/011708

Inventors:

Kenneth W. Welch - Willis TX, US
Harold L. Rothi - Otsego MN, US

International Classification:

F03B 13/14

US Classification:

290 53, 60495

Abstract:

A system for generating electricity includes a pump operable to convert wave motion from a body of water into mechanical energy. The pump includes an input port through which an operating fluid can enter the pump and an output port through which the operating fluid can exit the pump. A first outlet line and a second outlet line are fluidly coupled to the output port of the pump. A first reservoir is fluidly connected to the first outlet line, and a second reservoir is fluidly connected to the second outlet line, both reservoirs being selectively capable of receiving operating fluid driven through the output port.

US Patent:

55557287, Sep 17, 1996

Filed:

Feb 3, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/383420

Inventors:

Kenneth W. Welch - Houston TX

Assignee:

Welch, Welch and Swanson - Houston TX

International Classification:

F03B 1700

US Classification:

60496

Abstract:

An apparatus and method are provided that comprise the use of a water-filled vessel having two vertical sections and two horizontal sections that connect the respective upper and lower ends of the vertical sections. A sprocket is mounted for rotation with a horizontal output shaft in one of the horizontal sections, and an idler pulley is mounted for rotation in the other horizontal section. An endless drive chain carrying a plurality of gas receptacles, or buckets encircles the sprocket and the idler pulley within the vessel. A gas inlet is positioned at the bottom of the vessel such that a portion of the gas entering the vessel enters the open ends of the downwardly facing buckets and forces part of the water out of the buckets. The hydrostatic pressure of the water exerts an upward buoyant force on the gas in the bucket moving the bucket upwardly. The hydrostatic pressure of the water decreases as the bucket moves upward causing a corresponding reduction in the pressure of the gas until, at the surface, the gas will have decreased in pressure by the hydrostatic pressure of the water at the inlet of the gas into the vessel.

US Patent:

57274967, Mar 17, 1998

Filed:

May 3, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/642751

Inventors:

Kenneth W. Welch - Houston TX

Assignee:

Global Oceanic Designs Ltd. - Houston TX

International Classification:

B63B 313

US Classification:

114312

Abstract:

A transport vessel hull is provided for withstanding great pressure differential between the environments inside and outside the hull, and includes an enclosed hexahedral housing having a substantially diamond-shaped cross section with a long diagonal oriented horizontally and a short diagonal oriented vertically. A support structure is contained within the housing for bearing the loads resulting from the pressure differential across the hull, and includes a plurality of vertical frame members connected at the upper and lower ends thereof to the housing on either respective side of the short diagonal to form a plurality of high strength-to-weight ratio trusses.