Buoyancy pump power system
First Claim
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1. A method for generating electricity comprising:
- converting wave motion into mechanical power;
driving a first operating fluid using the mechanical power to a first reservoir;
driving a second operating fluid using the mechanical power to a second reservoir;
flowing the operating fluid from at least one of the first and second reservoirs; and
converting at least a portion of a kinetic energy of the flowing operating fluid into electrical energy;
wherein the first operating fluid is driven in response to wave motion of a first magnitude, and the second operating fluid is driven in response to wave motion of a second magnitude.
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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.
68 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for generating electricity comprising:
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converting wave motion into mechanical power; driving a first operating fluid using the mechanical power to a first reservoir; driving a second operating fluid using the mechanical power to a second reservoir; flowing the operating fluid from at least one of the first and second reservoirs; and converting at least a portion of a kinetic energy of the flowing operating fluid into electrical energy; wherein the first operating fluid is driven in response to wave motion of a first magnitude, and the second operating fluid is driven in response to wave motion of a second magnitude. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for generating electricity comprising:
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a pump located in a body of water and operable to convert wave motion from the body of water into mechanical energy, the pump including an input port and an output port and being operable to intake an operating fluid through the input port and drive the operating fluid out through the output port; a first outlet line fluidly coupled to the output port of the pump, the first outlet line capable of receiving operating fluid driven out through the output port; a second outlet line fluidly coupled to the output port of the pump, the second outlet line capable of receiving operating fluid driven out through the output port; a first reservoir fluidly connected to the first outlet line; and a second reservoir fluidly connected to the second outlet line; wherein the pump is operable to drive the operating fluid through the first outlet line in response to wave motion of a first magnitude and to drive the operating fluid through the second outlet line in response to wave motion of a second magnitude. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification