# US 2014/0152015 A1 · Wave energy converter > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0152015 A1 - Document ID: US20140152015A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/123,346 - Filed: 2012-06-04 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2011-06-03 - Assignees: Ocean Harvesting Technologies AB - Applicants: Ocean Harvesting Technologies AB - Inventors: Mikael Sidenmark; Torbjorn Andersson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140152015A1 ## CPC - F03B 13/1885: {and the wom is tied to the rem} - E02B 9/08: Tide or wave power plants (water-pressure machines, tide or wave motors F03B) - F03B 13/18: where the other member, {i.e. rem} is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore - F03B 13/20: wherein both members {, i.e. wom and rem} are movable relative to the sea bed or shore - F05B 2260/406: through hydraulic systems - 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) - E02B: HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING (ship-lifting E02C; dredging E02F) - 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 wave energy converter (10) comprises an energy absorption unit (100) arranged to absorb energy generated by movements of water when the wave energy converter is arranged in a pool of water, an energy accumulation unit (200) connected to the energy absorption unit, and a power generation unit (300) connected to the energy absorption unit. The energy accumulation unit is arranged to accumulate energy from the energy absorption unit when the energy absorption unit absorbs more power than the power generation unit generates and to dissipate energy to the power generation unit when the energy absorption unit absorbs less power than the power generation unit generates. By providing hydraulic components in these units, an efficient and flexible wave energy converter is provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A wave energy converter comprising: an energy absorption unit arranged to absorb energy generated by movements of water when the wave energy converter is arranged in a pool of water, an energy accumulation unit connected to the energy absorption unit, and a power generation unit connected to the energy absorption unit, wherein the energy absorption unit, the energy accumulation unit, and the power generation unit are arranged in a floating body, wherein the energy accumulation unit is arranged to accumulate energy from the energy absorption unit when the energy absorption unit absorbs more energy than the power generation unit generates and to dissipate energy to the power generation unit when the energy absorption unit absorbs less energy than the power generation unit generates, wherein: the energy absorption unit comprises a hydraulic pump connected to means for converting vertical motion into a rotational motion, the energy accumulation unit comprises a first combined hydraulic pump and motor operably connected to counterweight for converting vertical motion into a rotational motion, and the power generation unit comprises a hydraulic motor connectable to an electric generator. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The wave energy converter according to claim 1, wherein the hydraulic pump is a bidirectional hydraulic pump. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The wave energy converter according to claim 1, wherein the means for converting vertical motion into a rotational motion is connectable to a foundation. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The wave energy converter according to claim 1, wherein the means for converting vertical motion into a rotational motion is a drum. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The wave energy converter according to claim 4, wherein the drum is, during operation, connected to a bottom foundation and also to an upper foundation, which is fixed at a predetermined distance from the bottom foundation. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The wave energy converter according to claim 1, comprising a return feeding device mechanically connected to the means for converting vertical motion into a rotational motion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The wave energy converter according to claim 6, wherein the return feeding device is a second combined hydraulic pump and motor hydraulically connected to the first combined hydraulic pump and motor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The wave energy converter according to claim 7, wherein the displacement of the second hydraulic pump/motor is substantially lower compared to the displacement of the hydraulic pump. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The wave energy converter according to claim 1, comprising a first backstop valve connected in parallel with the hydraulic pump. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The wave energy converter according to claim 1, comprising a second backstop valve, the input of which is connected to the hydraulic pump and the output of which is connected to the first combined hydraulic pump and motor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The wave energy converter according to claim 10, comprising a 3/2 valve located on the absorption unit side to the second hydraulic backstop valve preventing hydraulic fluid from flowing back from the accumulation unit and to the absorption unit. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The wave energy converter according to claim 1, comprising a valve bridge provided parallel to the hydraulic pump. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The wave energy converter according to claim 1, comprising a 2/2 valve connected to the input of the hydraulic motor. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The wave energy converter according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the hydraulic pump, the first combined hydraulic pump and motor, and the hydraulic motor has variable displacement.