# US 11,441,532 B2 · Submerged oscillating water column energy harvester

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- Number: US 11,441,532 B2
- Document ID: US11441532B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/209,665
- Filed: 2021-03-23
- Published: 2021-09-23
- Granted: 2022-09-13
- Earliest claimed: 2020-03-23
- Assignees: Idaho State University
- Applicants: Idaho State University
- Inventors: Bruce Savage; Mohammadamin Torabi
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11441532B2

## CPC

- F03B 13/142: {which creates an oscillating water column}
- F03B 13/24: to produce a flow of air, e.g. to drive an air turbine {(F03B13/142 takes precedence)}
- F05B 2210/404: bidirectional, i.e. in opposite, alternating directions
- F05B 2240/40: Use of a multiplicity of similar components
- F05B 2250/231: cylindrical
- 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

Wave energy conversion (WEC) systems and methods for harvesting wave energy by use of the systems are described. WEC systems incorporate a plurality of submerged oscillating water columns (SOWC) that encourage oscillating water motion within each submerged column to mimic the motion of waves passing the SOWC system. A WEC system includes multiple SOWC connected to one another via air pockets within each submerged column. Each SOWC includes a float connected to a power take-off. The oscillations of the floats are converted to useful energy by the power take-off of the system.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A wave energy converter system comprising:
a first submerged oscillating water column (SOWC) comprising a first end attached to a sea floor, a second end at a distance above the sea floor, and a wall extending from the first end to the second end, at least one opening being defined in the first SOWC, the at least one opening allowing water flow between an exterior of the first SOWC and an interior of the first SOWC, the first SOWC comprising a first air pocket at the second end of the first SOWC and within the interior of the first SOWC, the first SOWC retaining a first float within the interior of the first SOWC;
a second SOWC comprising a first end attached to a sea floor, a second end at a distance above the sea floor, and a wall extending from the first end to the second end, at least one opening being defined in the second SOWC, the at least one opening allowing water flow between an exterior of the second SOWC and an interior of the second SOWC, the second SOWC comprising a second air pocket at the second end of the second SOWC and within the interior of the second SOWC, the second SOWC retaining a second float within the interior of the second SOWC;
an air line connecting the first air pocket to the second air pocket; and
a power take-off in mechanical communication with the first float via a first shaft and in mechanical communication with the second float via a second shaft.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more additional SOWC, each of the one or more additional SOWC comprising an air pocket, each air pocket of the one or more additional SOWC being connected to at least one other air pocket of another SOWC via an air line.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the first float is in mechanical communication via the first shaft with a first pump of the power take-off and the second float is in mechanical communication via the second shaft with a second pump of the power take-off.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The system of claim 3, wherein the first pump and the second pump are connected to a high pressure transmission line.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The system of claim 3, wherein the first pump and the second pump are dual action pumps.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein a center of the first SOWC and a center of the second SOWC are separated from one another by a distance that is equivalent to about one-half wavelength of a typical wave passing over the sea floor.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, the first SOWC comprising a first connection associated with the wall of the first SOWC, the first connection providing for the first SOWC to be temporarily disassembled and/or rotated about a hinge.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, the second SOWC comprising a second connection associated with the wall of the second SOWC, the second connection providing for the second SOWC to be temporarily disassembled and/or rotated about a hinge.

### Claim 9

A method for harvesting wave energy, the method comprising:
forming a first air pocket at a second end of a first SOWC, the first SOWC comprising a first end attached to a sea floor, the second end being at a distance above the sea floor, with a wall extending from the first end to the second end, at least one opening being defined in the wall, the at least one opening allowing water flow between an exterior of the first SOWC and an interior of the first SOWC;
forming a second air pocket at a second end of a second SOWC, the second SOWC comprising a first end attached to a sea floor, the second end being at a distance above the sea floor, with a wall extending from the first end to the second end, at least one opening being defined in the wall, the at least one opening allowing water flow between an exterior of the second SOWC and an interior of the second SOWC; and
connecting the first air pocket to the second air pocket via an air line; wherein as a wave passes the first SOWC and the second SOWC, a first water level within the first SOWC and a second water level within the second SOWC mimic the vertical motion of the water of the passing wave, causing air to move between the first air pocket and the second air pocket and causing a first float retained within the first SOWC and a second float retained within the second SOWC to oscillate; wherein
the first float and the second float are connected to a power take-off, the power take-off comprising a first pump in mechanical communication with the first float and a second pump in mechanical communication with the second float, the oscillating motion of the first and second floats being translated to energy of a pump fluid that is pumped by the first and second pumps.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, the method further comprising forming an air pocket at a second end of each of one or more additional SOWC and connecting the air pocket of each of the one or more additional SOWC to at least one other air pocket of another SOWC.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, further comprising storing the energy of the pump fluid.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein the energy is stored in a reservoir.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, further comprising utilizing the energy of the pump fluid to generate electricity.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the first SOWC and the second SOWC are submerged in transitional depth water or shallow water.

### Claim 15 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, the first SOWC and the second SOWC each independently exhibiting a change in water depth within the first SOWC and the second SOWC as the wave passes the first SOWC and the second SOWC, respectively, of about 70% or greater of the vertical motion of the water of the passing wave.

### Claim 16 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the first water level is below the water level of the passing wave at the first SOWC and the second water level is below the water level of the passing wave at the second SOWC.

### Claim 17 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the first SOWC and the second SOWC are located in an ocean area at which the ratio of a typical wave height to a typical depth is about 0.78 or less.