Ocean wave energy converter
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for converting the energy of wave motion on the surface of a body of water to electricity comprising:
- (a) a plurality of lower structural support means approximately forming edge elements of an equilateral triangle;
(b) a plurality of lower tube receptacles connected to said lower structural support means approximately forming vertex elements of an equilateral triangle;
(c) a plurality of tubular members having upper and lower portions positioned within said tube receptacles approximately forming trimetric edge elements of a right conical frustum;
(d) a separable buoyancy device affixed to the upper portions of said tubular members above said lower structural support means, said buoyancy device having upper and lower surfaces and an enclosed space therein;
(e) an annulated receptacle plate affixed to said upper surface of said buoyancy device;
(f) a plurality of truncated right circular cylinders connected to said annulated receptacle plate extending outwardly in coaxial alignment with respective tubular members;
(g) a plurality of articulated brackets connected to said annulated receptacle plate in radial extension;
(h) a plurality of upper structural support means connected to said articulated brackets in radial extension for connection to other receptacle plate articulated brackets of a module array;
(i) dual rolling contact support means comprising open linear slide bearings operatively positioned within said tube upper portions and said truncated cylinders.
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Abstract
A self-stabilized and modularly expandable system of independently operative point absorbers with respective drive transmissions and electrical generators produces electricity from wave motion on a body of water.
73 Citations
14 Claims
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1. Apparatus for converting the energy of wave motion on the surface of a body of water to electricity comprising:
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(a) a plurality of lower structural support means approximately forming edge elements of an equilateral triangle; (b) a plurality of lower tube receptacles connected to said lower structural support means approximately forming vertex elements of an equilateral triangle; (c) a plurality of tubular members having upper and lower portions positioned within said tube receptacles approximately forming trimetric edge elements of a right conical frustum; (d) a separable buoyancy device affixed to the upper portions of said tubular members above said lower structural support means, said buoyancy device having upper and lower surfaces and an enclosed space therein; (e) an annulated receptacle plate affixed to said upper surface of said buoyancy device; (f) a plurality of truncated right circular cylinders connected to said annulated receptacle plate extending outwardly in coaxial alignment with respective tubular members; (g) a plurality of articulated brackets connected to said annulated receptacle plate in radial extension; (h) a plurality of upper structural support means connected to said articulated brackets in radial extension for connection to other receptacle plate articulated brackets of a module array; (i) dual rolling contact support means comprising open linear slide bearings operatively positioned within said tube upper portions and said truncated cylinders. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification