Ocean wave power system and method

A wave energy converter system (100) including the wave energy converter apparatus (10), the system comprising:

• a platform (50) including a plurality of pillars (51), whereby the base end of each of the pillars (51) is anchored to a bed of a body of water and the top end is attached to the platform (50);
• a plurality of floatable wave receiver units (11) arranged in a row and disposed vertically at one side of the platform (50) in the path of oncoming waves (38), wherein each of the wave receiver units (11) comprises first and second chambers (34a, 34b) coupled to, and movable relative to each other in response to wave motion, to form an extensible and retractable wave receiver unit, the first chamber (34a) having a front panel (11b) attached to side panels (11c) with the front panel facing wave motion and the second chamber (34b) having a rear panel (11d) attached to side panels (11e) and an open front end for receiving the first chamber (34a) to enable horizontal axial movement between the first and second chambers, wherein a flexible corrugated shield (61) is disposed peripherally about the side panels (11c, 11e) of the first and second chambers (34a, 34b) to prevent water from entering the chambers;
• a power conversion and generation module (12) disposed on the platform (50), which includes a hydraulic motor (35) and a generator (36) for generating electricity from wave motion,
• a plurality of connecting assemblies (20) each including a hydraulic cylinder (20a) containing hydraulic fluid and a connecting structure (18) connected to the hydraulic cylinder (20a) and an inner surface of the front panel (11b) of the first chamber such that wave motion energy is transferred to the hydraulic cylinder (20a) through the connecting structure (18) due to forward displacement of the first chamber (34a) into the second chamber (34b) caused by wave motion acting on the front panel (11b),
• said chamber displacement pressurizing the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic cylinder (20a) into the hydraulic motor (35) for driving the generator (36).

A method for converting energy from waves, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a floatable wave receiver unit (11) comprising first and second chambers (34a, 34b) coupled to, and movable relative to each other in response to wave motion, to form an extensible and retractable wave receiver unit, the first chamber (34a) having a front panel (11b) attached to side panels (11c) with the front panel facing wave motion and the second chamber (34b) having a rear panel (11d) attached to side panels (11e) and an open front end for receiving the first chamber to enable horizontal axial movement between the first and second chambers, wherein a flexible corrugated shield is disposed peripherally about the side panels (11c, 11e) of the first and second chambers (34a, 34b) to prevent water from entering the chambers;
• providing a power conversion and generation module (12) having a hydraulic motor (35) and a generator (36) for generating electricity from wave motion, the module (12) disposed on a float unit (24) that floats in a body of water, and
• connecting the wave receiver unit (11) to the power conversion and generation module (12) with a connection assembly (20) comprising a hydraulic cylinder (20a) containing hydraulic fluid and a connecting structure (18) connected to the hydraulic cylinder (20a) and an inner surface of the front panel (11b) of the first chamber such that wave motion energy is transferred to the hydraulic cylinder (20a) through the connecting structure (18) due to forward displacement of the first chamber (34a) into the second chamber (34b) caused by wave motion acting on the front panel (11b),
• said chamber displacement pressurizing the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic cylinder (20a) into the hydraulic motor (35) for driving the generator (36).