Wave energy converter
AssigneeTracor Hydronautics, Inc.
InventorDaniel Dementhon
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved rotational buoyant mass for wave energy conversion apparatus is disclosed. The rotational buoyant mass comprises at least one pair of helical volumes mounted for rotation about a common axis. The helical volumes are rotationally displaced with respect to one another about the common axis. The improved rotational buoyant mass may include multiple pairs of helices, the helices of respective pairs being displaced with respect to one another.
Claims30
Apparatus for converting the energy of surface waves in a liquid comprising a buoyant mass rotatable around an axis of rotation, said buoyant mass comprising at least two similar helical volumes having a common axis coincident with said axis of rotation, said helical volumes being fixed for joint rotation about said axis, the position of one of said helical volumes being rotationally displaced about said axis with respect to the position of the other said helical volume.
Apparatus for converting the energy of surface waves in a liquid, comprising:
- at least one axis of rotation;
- a buoyant mass on said at least one axis, said mass comprising at least two substantially like helical volumes curved about said axis;
- and
- the position of one of said helical volumes being displaced about said axis with respect to the other of said helical volumes.
Apparatus for converting the energy of surface waves in a liquid, comprising:
- a buoyant mass mounted for rotation about an axis, said buoyant mass being responsive to surface waves to rotate about said axis, and said mass having a center of buoyancy which remains in a fixed axial location for all angles of rotation of said mass, wherein said buoyant mass comprises at least one pair of helical volumes, a first helical volume of said pair being displaced about said axis by one-half revolution with respect to the other helical volume of said pair.
Apparatus for converting the energy of surface waves in a liquid, comprising:
- a buoyant mass mounted for rotation about an axis, said buoyant mass being responsive to surface waves to rotate about said axis, said mass being in rotational equilibrium when freely floating at all angles of rotation thereof about said axis in still water, said buoyant mass comprising at least one pair of helical volumes, a first helical volume of said pair being displaced about said axis by one-half revolution with respect to the other helical volume of said pair.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.