Wave energy converter with internal mass on spring oscillator
First Claim
1. A wave energy converter (WEC) system comprising:
- a shell responsive to wave motion in a body of water;
an internal oscillator including a reaction mass and a spring mechanism contained within the shell;
the spring mechanism including a constant force spring connected between the reaction mass and the shell and an elastic spring also connected between the reaction mass and the shell, said internal oscillator mounted within the shell for moving out of phase relative to the shell, when the shell and the internal oscillator are placed in a body of water subject to wave conditions; and
a power take-off (PTO) device, located within the shell, coupled between the shell and the internal oscillator for converting their relative motion into electrical energy.
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Abstract
A wave energy converter (WEC) system includes a shell containing an internal oscillator comprised of a reaction mass suspended from the shell by an elastic spring in parallel with a constant force spring. The constant force spring provides a relatively constant force (Fc) to counterbalance the static weight of the reaction mass and reduce the extension “static” length of the elastic spring while the elastic spring exerts a force (Fes) on the reaction mass that is proportional to the displacement, x, of the elastic spring. A power take-off (PTO) device, located within the shell, coupled between the shell and the internal oscillator converts their relative motion into electrical energy.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A wave energy converter (WEC) system comprising:
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a shell responsive to wave motion in a body of water; an internal oscillator including a reaction mass and a spring mechanism contained within the shell;
the spring mechanism including a constant force spring connected between the reaction mass and the shell and an elastic spring also connected between the reaction mass and the shell, said internal oscillator mounted within the shell for moving out of phase relative to the shell, when the shell and the internal oscillator are placed in a body of water subject to wave conditions; anda power take-off (PTO) device, located within the shell, coupled between the shell and the internal oscillator for converting their relative motion into electrical energy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A wave energy converter (WEC) system comprising:
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a float responsive to wave motion in a body of water; an internal oscillator including a reaction mass and a spring system contained within the float; the spring system including a constant force spring and an elastic spring; means connecting the constant force spring between the float and the reaction mass for exerting a relatively constant force (Fc) counterbalancing the weight of the reaction mass; and means connecting the elastic spring between the shell and the reaction mass for exerting a force (Fes) on the reaction mass that is proportional to the displacement, x, of the elastic spring. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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Specification