US 11,795,903 B2 · Modular wave energy converter

Abstract

A modular wave energy converter includes: a forward attachment frame; forward guide rails coupled to the forward attachment frame; a forward paddle coupled to the forward guide rails; and one or more forward tethers coupled to the forward paddle and the shaft. A combination of heave and surge forces from waves of water causes the forward paddle moves up and down the forward guide rails. The movement of the forward paddle moves the one or more forward tethers. The movement of the one or more forward tethers causes the shaft to rotate via the rotation of winches. The winches are configured with a one-way clutch, which allows the shaft to rotate in a first direction but not a second. The converter has the same structure on the aft side, including an aft paddle. The forward and aft paddles are positioned vertically or inclined.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A modular wave energy converter, comprising:

a power take-off system, the power take-off system comprising a shaft, the shaft being coupled to a generator;
a forward attachment frame coupled to a forward side;
forward guide rails coupled to the forward attachment frame;
a forward paddle coupled to the forward guide rails and configured to move up and down the forward guide rails;
and
one or more forward tethers coupled to the forward paddle and the shaft, wherein the one or more forward tethers comprises:
a driving tether of a first forward set,
a retrieval tether of the first forward set,
a driving tether of a second forward set, and
a retrieval tether of the second forward set,
wherein in response to a combination of heave and surge forces from waves of water, the forward paddle moves up and down the forward guide rails,
wherein the movement of the forward paddle moves the one or more forward tethers,
wherein the movement of the one or more forward tethers causes the shaft to rotate.

10 more elements

A modular wave energy converter, comprising:

a power take-off system, the power take-off system comprising a shaft, the shaft being coupled to a generator;
a forward attachment frame coupled to a forward side;
an aft attachment frame coupled to an aft side;
forward guide rails coupled to the forward attachment frame;
aft guide rails coupled to the aft attachment frame;
a forward paddle coupled to the forward guide rails and configured to move up and down the forward guide rails;
an aft paddle coupled to the aft guide rails and configured to move up and down the aft guide rails;
one or more forward tethers coupled to the forward paddle and the shaft;
one or more aft tethers coupled to the aft paddle and the shaft,
wherein in response to a combination of heave and surge forces from waves of water, the forward paddle moves up and down the forward guide rails and the aft paddle moves up and down the aft guide rails,
wherein the movement of the forward paddle moves the one or more forward tethers and the movement of the aft paddle moves the one or more aft tethers,
wherein the movement of the one or more forward tethers and the one or more aft tethers causes the shaft to rotate.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Modular wave energy converter

Life of this patent

Modular wave energy converter

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16