# US 2014/0152014 A1 · Array of buoys for obtaining energy from a wave in a body of water > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0152014 A1 - Document ID: US20140152014A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/692,905 - Filed: 2012-12-03 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-03 - Inventors: Mitchell Fait - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140152014A1 ## CPC - F03B 13/20: wherein both members {, i.e. wom and rem} are movable relative to the sea bed or shore - 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) - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract An array of buoys is disclosed for obtaining energy from a wave in a body of water. The array of buoys can include a framework having a plurality of vertical members and a base buoy coupled to the framework to support the framework in a body of water and maintain the vertical members in a vertical orientation. The array of buoys can further include a plurality of movable buoys. Each of the plurality of movable buoys can be movably disposed about a different one of the plurality of vertical members and configured to move relative to the respective vertical members and the base buoy in response to a wave in the body of water. Additionally, the array of buoys can include an energy conversion device operable with each of the plurality of movable buoys to generate power from movement of the movable buoys relative to the vertical members. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An array of buoys for obtaining energy from a wave in a body of water, comprising: a framework having a plurality of vertical members; a base buoy coupled to the framework to support the framework in a body of water and maintain the vertical members in a vertical orientation; a plurality of movable buoys, wherein each of the plurality of movable buoys is movably disposed about a different one of the plurality of vertical members and configured to move relative to the respective vertical members and the base buoy in response to a wave in the body of water; and an energy conversion device operable with each of the plurality of movable buoys to generate power from movement of the movable buoys relative to the vertical members. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The array of buoys of claim 1, wherein the base buoy is fixedly attached to the framework. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The array of buoys of claim 1, wherein at least one of the energy conversion devices generates electricity. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The array of buoys of claim 3, wherein at least one of the energy conversion devices generates electricity via electromagnetic induction. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The array of buoys of claim 1, wherein at least one of the energy conversion devices comprises a pump. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The array of buoys of claim 1, further comprising a tether coupled to the framework to anchor the array of buoys to an object. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The array of buoys of claim 6, wherein the tether anchors the array of buoys to an ocean floor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The array of buoys of claim 6, wherein the tether anchors the array of buoys to an object floating on a surface of the body of water. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The array of buoys of claim 8, wherein the object floating on the surface of the body of water comprises a boat or an oil rig. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The array of buoys of claim 1, wherein a ratio of a distance between one of the plurality of movable buoys and the base buoy to a wave height in the body of water is between about 2:1 and about 5:1. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The array of buoys of claim 10, wherein a ratio of a distance between one of the plurality of movable buoys and the base buoy to a wave height in the body of water is about 3.5:1. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The array of buoys of claim 1, further comprising a control system operable to control operation of the array of buoys. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The array of buoys of claim 1, further comprising a communication system operable to communicate with a base station. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The array of buoys of claim 1, further comprising a global positioning system. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The array of buoys of claim 1, further comprising a locomotion device operable to move the array of buoys through the body of water. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The array of buoys of claim 1, wherein the base buoy and the plurality of movable buoys are arranged in a cross configuration with the base buoy disposed at a center of the cross configuration. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The array of buoys of claim 1, wherein the base buoy comprises a plurality of base buoys, each base buoy being associated with at least one of the plurality of movable buoys. ### Claim 18 A method for obtaining energy from a wave in a body of water, comprising: obtaining an array of buoys, the array of buoys including: a framework having a plurality of vertical members, a base buoy coupled to the framework to support the framework in a body of water and maintain the vertical members in a vertical orientation, a plurality of movable buoys, wherein each of the plurality of movable buoys is movably disposed about a different one of the plurality of vertical members and configured to move relative to the respective vertical members and the base buoy in response to a wave in the body of water, and an energy conversion device operable with each of the plurality of movable buoys to generate power from movement of the movable buoys relative to the vertical members; and disposing the array of buoys in the body of water. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising causing the array of buoys to move through the body of water. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising tethering the array of buoys to an object.