# US 10,309,367 B2 · Systems and methods for obtaining energy from surface waves > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,309,367 B2 - Document ID: US10309367B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/313,586 - Filed: 2015-04-27 - Published: 2017-07-06 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2014-06-04 - Applicants: Mitchell Fait - Inventors: Mitchell Fait - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10309367B2 ## CPC - F03B 13/14: using wave energy - F03B 13/10: Submerged units incorporating electric generators or motors - F03B 13/12: characterised by using wave or tide energy - F03B 13/1845: {and the wom slides relative to the rem} - F03B 13/20: wherein both members {, i.e. wom and rem} are movable relative to the sea bed or shore - F05B 2240/40: Use of a multiplicity of similar components - F05B 2250/33: symmetrical - F05B 2260/406: through hydraulic systems - Y02E 10/20: Hydro energy - Y02E 10/30: Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient - F03B: MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS (positive-displacement engines for liquid F03C; machines for liquids and gases F01; positive-displacement machines for liquids F04, rotary fluid gearing of the hydrokinetic type F16H41/00) - F05B: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract A system for obtaining energy from surface waves is disclosed. The system can include an array of buoys. The array of buoys can include a framework having a plurality of vertical members. The array of buoys can also include a base buoy coupled to the framework to support the framework in a body of water and maintain the vertical members in a vertical orientation. The array of buoys can further include a plurality of movable buoys. Each of the plurality of movable buoys can be movably disposed about a different one of the vertical members and configured to move relative to the respective vertical members and the base buoy in response to a wave in the body of water. Additionally, the array of buoys can include an energy conversion device operable with each of the plurality of movable buoys to generate power from movement of the movable buoys relative to the vertical members. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for obtaining energy from surface waves, comprising: a first array of buoys and a second array of buoys coupled to one another, each of the first and second arrays of buoys including a framework having a plurality of vertical members, a base buoy coupled to the framework to support the framework in a body of water and maintain the vertical members in a vertical orientation, a plurality of movable buoys, wherein each of the plurality of movable buoys is movably disposed about a different one of the plurality of vertical members and configured to move relative to the respective vertical members and the base buoy in response to a wave in the body of water, and an energy conversion device operable with each of the plurality of movable buoys to generate power from movement of the movable buoys relative to the vertical members; and a first buoyant tether coupled to the first array of buoys to secure the first and second arrays of buoys to an object. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first buoyant tether is a utility line carrying at least one of electricity, pumped fluid, or gas. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first buoyant tether comprises an attached buoyancy device coupled thereto. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first buoyant tether has built in buoyancy. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first buoyant tether comprises a primary buoyant tether and a plurality of secondary tethers coupled to the primary tether via a tensioner that facilitates load sharing among the secondary tethers. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first buoyant tether is coupled to the first array of buoys via at least one of the framework and the base buoy. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first buoyant tether comprises: a first lateral tether portion coupled to the first array of buoys; a first vertical tether portion to attach to an ocean floor; and a first lateral support buoy coupled between the first lateral tether portion and the first vertical tether portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the first lateral support buoy substantially provides buoyancy for at least one of the first lateral tether and the first vertical tether. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein at least one of the first lateral tether and the first vertical tether comprises an attached buoyancy device coupled thereto. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein at least one of the first lateral tether and the first vertical tether has built in buoyancy. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, further comprising a second buoyant tether coupled to the second array of buoys to secure the first and second arrays of buoys to the object. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the second buoyant tether comprises: a second lateral tether portion coupled to the first or second array of buoys; a second vertical tether portion to attach to the ocean floor; and a second lateral support buoy coupled between the second lateral tether portion and the second vertical tether portion. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the first buoyant tether and the second buoyant tether are coupled about opposite ends of the first and second arrays of buoys. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the first and second vertical tether portions are configured to facilitate changing an orientation of the first and second arrays of buoys when attached to the ocean floor. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the first lateral tether portion and the second lateral tether portion are coupled to the respective first and second arrays of buoys such that the first and second lateral tether portions are substantially orthogonal to one another. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the base buoy and the plurality of movable buoys comprises a hydrodynamic surface to reduce drag as water passes around the buoy. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the vertical members and the plurality of movable buoys are configured to maintain an orientation of the plurality of movable buoys relative to the vertical members. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second arrays of buoys further comprises a ballast portion operable with the base buoy to move in a pendulum motion in response to a wave in the body of water, wherein the base buoy is substantially maintained above the ballast portion. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein each of the first and second arrays of buoys further comprises an extension member coupled to the base buoy and the ballast portion to suspend the ballast portion below the base buoy. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, wherein the extension member is extendable and retractable to vary a distance between the ballast portion and the base buoy to vary stability of the array of buoys. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein the ballast portion is configured as a rudder to facilitate steering the array of buoys through the water. ### Claim 22 A method for obtaining energy from a wave in a body of water, comprising: obtaining a first array of buoys and a second array of buoys coupled to one another, each of the first and second arrays of buoys including: a framework having a plurality of vertical members, a base buoy coupled to the framework to support the framework in a body of water and maintain the vertical members in a vertical orientation, a plurality of movable buoys, wherein each of the plurality of movable buoys is movably disposed about a different one of the plurality of vertical members and configured to move relative to the respective vertical members and the base buoy in response to a wave in the body of water, and an energy conversion device operable with each of the plurality of movable buoys to generate power from movement of the movable buoys relative to the vertical members; coupling a first buoyant tether to the first array of buoys; disposing the first and second arrays of buoys in the body of water; and securing the first and second arrays of buoys to an object. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The method of claim 22, wherein the first buoyant tether comprises: a first lateral tether portion to couple to the first array of buoys; a first vertical tether portion to attach to an ocean floor; and a first lateral support buoy coupled between the first lateral tether portion and the first vertical tether portion. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first buoyant tether includes submerged buoys adapted to provide tension between the first array of buoys and the object. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first buoyant tether comprises a tensioner adapted to facilitate a change in length of the buoyant tether between the first array of buoys and the object to compensate for changing ocean height due to waves and tides. ### Claim 26 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the first and second lateral support buoys are operable to move toward and away from the first array of buoys under changing wave conditions to maintain the first and second buoyant tethers under tension to reduce slack in the first and second buoyant tethers. ### Claim 27 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the first and second lateral support buoys are operable to provide support for the first array of buoys against waves propagating in different directions.