Wave-motor system

A machine for converting energy of sea waves to useful work comprising:

• flotation means relative to which the surface of the surrounding water rises and falls as the crests and valleys of waves move therepast;
• an energy conversion device having an impact vane supported from said flotation means above the valleys of waves passing the flotation means and a discharge to the water surface of walleys flowing therepast, said device being actuated by water flowing from said impact vane down to the surface of the water on the discharge side of said device;
• and an inclined ramp carried by said flotation means ahead of said impact vane and over which waves pass before impacting said vane, said ramp being constructued and arranged to produce a generally maximum wave height at said impact vane and to hold said flotation means down when said maximum height impacts said vane and to rise as the water of the wave moves said impact vane.

A method of transforming the energy of sea waves into a readily available stored form of energy comprising:

• transforming sea waves into a pulsating form of electrical energy the pulses of which are at the frequency of the sea waves;
• passing the pulsating electrical current through electrolysis means for the sea water to produce hydrogen the pulses of which are at the frequency of the sea waves;
• and accumulating and smoothening out the pulsing flow of hydrogen.

A method of converting the energy of sea waves into useful mechanical work, comprising:

• providing flotation means the rise and fall of which is considerably less than the vertical distance between the water surface of crests and valleys passing the flotation means:
• providing an energy conversion unit on said flotation means with an impact vane located above the surface of the valleys passing said flotation means and with said energy conversion unit producing mechanical work as water moves said impact vane;
• and causing crests approaching said conversion unit to be converted into breakers that have approximately the top half of the water therein moving generally horizontally forward at the point where they impact said impact vane of said energy conversion unit.

Apparatus for converting energy of sea waves to useful work comprising:

• an impact vane moveable from a generally vertical position to a generally horizontal position;
• a ramp beneath the water level and leading upwardly to said impact vane and constructed and arranged to convert the sea waves into breakers;
• and means for raising and lowering said ramp so that the breakers have approximately the top half of the water therein moving generally horizontally forward at the point where said impact vane is in its generally vertical position.

Apparatus for converting energy of sea waves to useful work comprising:

• flotation means adapted to be raised and lowered relative to a normal water line by adding water to and removing water therefrom, said flotation means having sidewalls, an open front, and a rear wall extending from a point below the normal water line to a point above the normal water line;
• an impact vane hinged about a horizontal axis adjacent the top of said rear wall for movement between a generally vertical position and a horizontal position;
• and a ramp extending from a point beneath the normal water line and adjacent the front end of said flotation means angularly upwardly to a point adjacent the top of said rear wall, said ramp being carried by said flotation means for raising and lowering relative to said normal water line.