# US 12,215,665 B2 · Assembly for transferring wave energy to an energy converter > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,215,665 B2 - Document ID: US12215665B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/637,353 - Filed: 2018-08-09 - Published: 2021-12-02 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2017-08-10 - Applicants: Marine Power Systems Limited - Inventors: Gareth Ian Stockman; John Christopher Chapman; Graham Foster - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12215665B2 ## CPC - F03B 13/1865: {where the connection between wom and conversion system takes tension only (F03B13/187, F03B13/1875 take precedence)} - F03B 13/20: wherein both members {, i.e. wom and rem} are movable relative to the sea bed or shore - F03B 13/1885: {and the wom is tied to the rem} - F05B 2240/40: Use of a multiplicity of similar components - F05B 2260/406: through hydraulic systems - F05B 2270/20: to optimise the performance of a machine - F05B 2270/202: Tuning to wave conditions - 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 drive assembly is provided suitable for aiding in the conversion of wave energy to useful energy. The drive assembly of the present invention is arranged to transfer wave energy to an energy converter, the drive assembly comprising, an actuating member having an actuating length. The drive assembly further comprises a movable energy transfer member arranged to be coupled to an energy converter and arranged to transfer energy from the actuating member to said energy converter. The drive assembly further comprises an energy storing member comprising a biasing member coupled to one or more of: the actuating member, the energy transfer member; the energy storing member being arranged to cause the actuating member or the energy transfer member to move position. The actuating member is arranged to move the energy transfer member from a first stroke position to a second stroke position; and the first stroke position and the second stroke position define distal end points of a working stroke; the working stroke arranged so as to drive said energy converter. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An assembly arranged to transfer wave energy to a plurality of hydraulic pistons, the assembly comprising: a platform; a float; a plurality of flexible lines, each line defining an actuating portion comprising a segment of the line, the actuating portion of each line extending between the float and the platform; a plurality of pulleys, each of the plurality of pulleys being in engagement with an associated one of the plurality of flexible lines and movable by the associated line between a first position and a second position, where each pulley is coupled to an associated one of the plurality of hydraulic pistons and is arranged to transfer energy from the associated line to the associated hydraulic piston; a plurality of springs, each spring extending between the platform and an associated one of the plurality of pulleys in a coterminal and coplanar relationship with the associated one of the plurality of hydraulic pistons, the spring biasing the associated one of the plurality of pulleys toward the first position; and a plurality of winches, each winch engaged with a corresponding one of the lines and configured to adjust a length of the actuating portion of the corresponding line; wherein movement of each pulley of the plurality of pulleys from the first position to the second position and back to the first position defines a working stroke of each of the plurality of pulleys and drives the associated one of the plurality of hydraulic pistons; wherein movement of each pulley of the plurality of pulleys by the associated line comprises rotation of the pulley about respective pulley axis; and wherein each winch of the plurality of winches is configured such that the actuating portion of the corresponding line is adjustable by the winch during movement of the associated pulley along the corresponding working stroke of the associated pulley. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of flexible lines comprises a flexible rope. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The assembly of claim 2, wherein the actuating portion of each of the plurality of flexible lines extends between the float and a corresponding one of the plurality of pulleys. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The assembly of claim 3, wherein the actuating portion of each of the plurality of flexible lines is adjustable by the corresponding winch during movement of the corresponding one of the plurality of pulleys along the working stroke. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The assembly of claim 4, wherein each respective winch is configured such that the actuating portion of each of the plurality of flexible lines is adjustable by the respective winch during movement of each of the plurality of pulleys along the corresponding working strokes of the pulleys. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The assembly of claim 5, wherein the plurality of flexible lines comprises at least a first line, a second line, and a third line, each of the first, second, and third lines defining an actuating portion thereof extending between the float and the platform. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The assembly of claim 5, wherein each winch of the plurality of winches is configured to store a portion of the corresponding one of the plurality of flexible lines. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The assembly of claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of pulleys comprises a rotating portion arranged to rotate about an axis as a result of actuation by a corresponding one of the plurality of flexible lines. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The assembly of claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of pulleys is mounted for linear translation and configured to move in a reciprocating motion along the platform as a result of said actuation by said corresponding one of the plurality of flexible lines.