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US 2009/0015013 A1Published application
Wave power converter
AssigneeNaval Dynamics AS
InventorOystein Jaer
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AssigneeNaval Dynamics AS
InventorOystein Jaer
Estimating the term…
A wave power converter for implementation at an offshore location where it will be exposed to passing waves and swell, comprises a buoyancy element (1) placed within a reaction structure (3) so as to move at least vertically relative to the reaction structure (3), with a force transfer mechanism (2) that connects the buoyancy element (1) to the reaction structure (3) and transfers at least vertical relative motions between the buoyancy element (1) and the reaction structure (3) to a linear energy converting arrangement (8) in the reaction structure (3). Said mechanism (2) is articulated and configured to transfer compression, tension and shear reactions, but essentially no movements, between the buoyancy element (1) and the reaction structure (3) and at the same time allow limited rotational movements between the buoyancy element (1) and the reaction structure (3) about at least two orthogonal axes (X, Y).
A wave power converter for implementation at an off-shore location where it will be exposed to passing waves and swell, comprising a buoyancy element placed within a reaction structure so as to move at least vertically relative to the reaction structure, with a force transfer mechanism that connects the buoyancy element to the reaction structure and transfers at least vertical relative motions between the buoyancy element and the reaction structure to a linear energy converting arrangement in the reaction structure,
A wave power converter comprising a buoyancy element arranged to interface with a wave surface profile, a surrounding floating moored reaction structure, articulated force transfer mechanisms which allow the buoyancy element and floating reaction structure to react against each other and generate useful work through a linear power conversion process, wherein the wave converter device buoyancy element is free to move in a vertical direction (heave) while allowing a limited pitch and roll motion, move laterally over a limited distance and rotate in the lateral plane due to the force transfer mechanisms being articulated and comprising parallelogram multiple arms to allow a limited rotation, hence lateral shift in the lateral plane between a vertical guide track and ball and socket joint on the buoyancy element allowing a six degree of freedom motion over a symbiosis limit governed by the stroke length of a damper cylinder, resultant reaction being transferred through a sliding piston which is free to rotate in the vertical guide track limited by the three dimensional action of the multiple articulated mechanisms while being free to move in the vertical direction, thus providing useful work as force reaction in linear power converters.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.