Apparatus for converting ocean wave energy into electric power

• US 7,012,340 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2003
• Issued: 03/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kun Shan University
• Original Assignee: Kun Shan University
• Inventors: Yi, Jwo-Hwu
• Primary Examiner(s): Schuberg, Darren
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cuevas, Pedro J.
• Application Number:
  US10/645,381
• Publication Number:
  US 20040239120A1
• Time in Patent Office: 936 Days
• Field of Search: 290/42, 290 53- 54
• US Class Current: 290/42
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 13/1815 with an up-and-down movement
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/30 Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient

Abstract

An ocean wave energy conversion apparatus includes a float adapted to ride on the surface of the ocean in reciprocal vertical motion in response to ocean wave front action and a lever adapted to ride on the surface of the ocean. The lever has one end coupled to the float. A fulcrum pivotally supports the lever. A magnet is coupled to the other end of the lever. Parallel stator cores having electric coils wound thereon together with the magnet form a magnetic circuit. Springs are adjacent the magnet and interconnected to the lever and the magnet. A barrier is disposed between adjacent stator cores. The upward motion of the float caused by impact of waves will move the magnet downward by the lever and compresses the springs. Downward motion of the float will move the magnet upward by the lever and expand the springs. Repeated movement of the magnet will induce a voltage in the electric coils.

Claims

1. An apparatus for converting ocean wave energy into electric power, comprising:

a float adapted to ride on the surface of the ocean in reciprocal vertical motion in response to ocean wave front action;

a lever adapted to ride on the surface of the ocean, the lever having a first end coupled to the float;

a fulcrum for pivotally supporting the lever;

a magnet coupled to a second end of the lever, with the fulcrum located intermediate the first and second ends of the lever, with the magnet movable about an arc defined by an axis of the fulcrum;

resilient means adjacent the magnet and interconnected to the lever and the magnet;

a plurality of stator cores together with the magnet forming a magnetic circuit;

an electric coil wound on each of the plurality of stator cores, wherein the stator cores and the electric coils wound thereon are parallel and perpendicular to the arc; and

a barrier is disposed between and abutting each adjacent stator cores, whereby upward motion of the float caused by impact of the waves will move the magnet downward by the leverage of the lever and compress the resilient means, downward motion of the float will move the magnet by the leverage of the lever and expand the resilient means, and repeated upward and downward motions of the magnet will induce a voltage in the electric coils.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the magnet and the plurality of stator cores are formed of a same ferromagnetic material, with the apparatus further comprising a second electric coil wound on each of the plurality of stator cores, and an external power source electrically coupled to the second electric coils.

3. An apparatus for converting ocean wave energy into electric power, comprising:

support means mounted on a fixed section;

an intermediate vibration member having a lower portion submerged in the ocean, the intermediate vibration member including a driving shaft rotatably coupled to the support means about an axis;

a magnet on top of the vibration member, with the magnet movable about an arc defined by the axis of the driving shaft;

left and right resilient means adjacent the magnet and coupled to the intermediate vibration member;

a plurality of stator cores together with the magnet forming a magnetic circuit;

an electric coil wound on each of the stator cores, wherein the stator cores and the electric coils wound thereon are parallel and perpendicular to the arc; and

a barrier is disposed between and abutting each adjacent stator cores, whereby a vibration of the intermediate vibration member caused by impact of waves will compress the left resilient means and expand the right resilient means via the driving shaft so as to move the magnet, and repeating of the movement of the magnet will induce a voltage in the electric coils.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the magnet and the plurality of stator cores are formed of a same ferromagnetic material, with the apparatus further comprising a second electric coil wound on each of the plurality of stator cores, and an external power source electrically coupled to the second electric coils.