Two-body variable geometry wave energy converter
AssigneeAlliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
InventorsDavid Ogden, Nathan Michael Tom, Jennifer Van Rij, Yi Guo
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Abstract
A two-body wave energy converter (WEC) that utilizes components in the two bodies having variable geometry is described. The WEC includes a surface control body which includes a first variable geometry component, and a reaction control body, which includes a second variable geometry component. During operating, the two variable geometry components may be substantially inflated to enable the WEC to generate electrical energy using power-take off (PTO) components or substantially deflated to allow for load shedding or protection from intense elements.
Claims12
A device for converting wave action to electrical energy, the device comprising:
- a first body comprising a first rigid body and a first variable geometry component;
- a second body comprising a second rigid body and a second variable geometry component;
- and
- a tether comprising a power takeoff component and connecting the first rigid body to the second rigid body;
- wherein:
- the second rigid body comprises a plate having an edge,
- the plate is substantially circular,
- the second variable geometry component is in contact with the edge and is configured to contain a liquid,
- the device has a first position and a second position,
- the first position comprises:
- the first variable geometry component having a first volume, and
- the second variable geometry component having a second volume,
- the second position comprises:
- the first variable geometry component having a third volume, and
- the second variable geometry component having a fourth volume,
- the first volume is greater than the third volume,
- the second volume is greater than the fourth volume, and
- force on at least one of the first body or the second body from wave action when the device is in the first position results in the power takeoff component generating electrical energy.
A method of operating a device for converting wave action to electrical energy, the method comprising:
- operating the device in a first position;
- and
- transitioning the device to a second position;
- wherein:
- the device comprises:
- a first body comprising a first rigid body and a first variable geometry component;
- a second body comprising a second rigid body and a second variable geometry component;
- and
- a tether comprising a power takeoff component and connecting the first rigid body to the second rigid body;
- the first variable geometry component comprises a first valve and contains a gas,
- the second variable geometry component comprises a second valve and contains a liquid,
- the first position comprises:
- the first variable geometry component having a first volume, and
- the second variable geometry component having a second volume,
- the second position comprises:
- the first variable geometry component having a third volume, and
- the second variable geometry component having a fourth volume,
- the first volume is greater than the third volume,
- the second volume is greater than the fourth volume
- the transitioning comprises:
- releasing the gas through the first valve, resulting in a change from the first volume to the third volume, and
- releasing the liquid through the second valve, resulting in a change from the second volume to the fourth volume.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.