Wave energy converter
First Claim
1. A tension mooring system for an apparatus for converting ocean wave energy into a more usable form, the apparatus having a structure with a submerged member provided in connection therewith below a mean water level, the mooring system comprising:
- an elongate flexible member extending from a ballast means through a counterbalancing means, the counterbalancing means being suspended from the submerged member by the elongate flexible member via a pulley mechanism; and
a dampening means for applying a dampening action to the motion of the submerged member, the dampening means applying the dampening action to the elongate flexible member via the pulley mechanism.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A wave energy converting apparatus 44 and its associated tension mooring system 50 is described. The wave energy converting apparatus 44 comprises an elongate support structure 45 designed to extend above a mean water level in the ocean. The support structure 45 has a submerged member 46 provided in connection therewith below the mean water level. A float member 48 of positive buoyancy is slidably mounted on the support structure 45 so as to be movable in a vertical direction. The apparatus 44 also comprises a linear electric generator 49 having a stator provided in connection with the support structure 45 and a translator integrated into the body of the float member 48. Differential motion of the float member 48 relative to the support structure 45 results in the generation of electrical power by the linear electric generator 49. The tension mooring system 50 comprises a cable 51 extending from a ballast means 52 to a counterbalancing means 53 adapted to be suspended from the submerged member 46 via a pulley mechanism 54. The tension mooring system 50 allows the apparatus 44 to be “tuned” to the prevailing ocean conditions.
33 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A tension mooring system for an apparatus for converting ocean wave energy into a more usable form, the apparatus having a structure with a submerged member provided in connection therewith below a mean water level, the mooring system comprising:
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an elongate flexible member extending from a ballast means through a counterbalancing means, the counterbalancing means being suspended from the submerged member by the elongate flexible member via a pulley mechanism; and a dampening means for applying a dampening action to the motion of the submerged member, the dampening means applying the dampening action to the elongate flexible member via the pulley mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus for converting ocean wave energy into a more usable form, the apparatus comprising:
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an elongate support structure designed to extend above a mean water level, having a submerged member provided in connection therewith below the mean water level and a buoyant means to enable the support structure to float in the ocean in a generally upright orientation; a float member of positive buoyancy slidably mounted on the support structure so as to be movable in a vertical direction, the float member being provided with a hydroplane surface that converts a horizontal component of the wave motion into a vertical movement of the float member, thus enhancing the energy extracting capacity of the float member; the float member has an elongate horizontal cross-section with a front end and a rear end, the front end being adapted to face into the general direction of an approaching wave; the hydroplane surface on the float member is one of a plurality of substantially parallel hydroplane surfaces extending substantially perpendicularly to and along respective first and second sides of the float member; and an energy extraction means provided in connection with the support structure and the float member, so that when wave motion causes a suitable differential motion between the float member and the support structure said energy extraction means converts the incident energy into a more usable form. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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Specification