Method and apparatus for converting ocean wave energy into electricity
First Claim
1. An apparatus for converting wave energy into electrical energy comprising:
- a buoyant member comprising;
a pendulum configured to rotate under the influence of wave motion;
a generator configured to generate electricity by converting energy associated with said rotating pendulum; and
a mooring line extending between said buoyant member and a counterweight; and
a ring of sufficient size to allow said mooring line to move laterally and rotate within said ring and to prevent said counterweight from passing there through.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for harnessing power associated with ocean waves and converting that power into electricity. The apparatus is a buoy that houses a vertically oriented central shaft, a pendulum, and a generator. As the buoy tilts from the vertical under the influence of wave motion, the pendulum is accelerated and rotates about the central shaft. A centrally-placed generator is mechanically coupled to, and driven by, the rotating pendulum so that the pendulum'"'"'s kinetic energy is converted into electricity. The electricity may be stored at or near the buoy or transferred to a remote facility. Moreover, a fin array located along the bottom of the buoy serves as an anti-torque mechanism and improves the operational efficiency of the electricity production. The method involves employing use of the centrally located generator and the fin array to efficiently harness wave power.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. An apparatus for converting wave energy into electrical energy comprising:
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a buoyant member comprising; a pendulum configured to rotate under the influence of wave motion; a generator configured to generate electricity by converting energy associated with said rotating pendulum; and a mooring line extending between said buoyant member and a counterweight; and a ring of sufficient size to allow said mooring line to move laterally and rotate within said ring and to prevent said counterweight from passing there through. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus for converting wave energy into electricity, said apparatus comprising:
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a pendulum that rotates with a central shaft under the influence of wave motion; a generator mechanism that generates electricity in response to the rotation of said pendulum; a stabilizing mechanism configured to hold said apparatus substantially rotationally stationary with respect to said pendulum; an electricity transfer mechanism; and a mooring mechanism, said mooring mechanism comprising; a mooring line extending between said apparatus and a counterweight; and a ring of sufficient size to allow said mooring line to move laterally and rotate within said ring and to prevent said counterweight from passing there through. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A device that converts kinetic energy of waves into electricity when said device is placed in motion by said waves in a medium, said device comprising:
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a kinetic energy conversion mechanism to convert kinetic energy associated with said wave motion; a housing at least substantially enclosing said kinetic energy mechanism; a stabilization mechanism configured to allow said kinetic energy conversion mechanism to rotationally operate with respect to said housing; and a generator mechanism configured to engage said kinetic energy conversion mechanism and generate electricity in response to operation of said kinetic energy conversion mechanism; and a mooring mechanism comprising; a mooring line extending between said housing and a counterweight; and a ring of sufficient size to allow said mooring line to move laterally and rotate within said ring and to prevent said counterweight from passing there through. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method for converting wave motion energy into electricity comprising:
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suspending a kinetic energy conversion mechanism in a medium; stabilizing said kinetic energy conversion mechanism such that said wave motion imparts kinetic energy to said kinetic conversion mechanism; generating electricity from the kinetic energy imparted to said kinetic energy conversion mechanism, and ; and applying a restoring force to said kinetic energy conversion mechanism , said applying comprising; placing a mooring line between said kinetic energy conversion mechanism and a counterweight; and allowing said mooring line to move within a ring of sufficient size to prevent said counterweight from passing there through. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method for generating electrical power, said method comprising:
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tilting a pendulum within a housing with respect to the horizontal plane, said tilting resulting in rotation of said pendulum; offsetting a torsional load placed upon said pendulum, said torsional load resulting from said rotation; allowing said housing to move within a defined area of said medium, said allowing accomplished, at least in part, by a plurality of lines, substantially equally spaced from one another about said housing, each line extending from said housing in radial fashion; and applying a restoring force to said housing, wherein said applying accomplished, at least in part, by a mooring line extending between said housing and a counterweight;
said mooring line moving within a ring of sufficient size to prevent said counterweight from passing there through. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35)
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Specification