US 4,622,473 AGranted

Wave-action power generator platform

OwnerAdolph Curryinventor

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Abstract

An off-shore platform is provided with a power grid comprised of a plurality of depending float members which are buoyant and weighted sufficiently to rise vertically in response to the buoyant energy of the wave action and to fall in response to gravity. A reciprocating piston member disposed in a cylinder is operatively connected to each float member to compress a fluid on the up stroke as the float member rises on a wave, and to extract fluid from a reservoir on the down stroke as the float member falls after the wave passes. The exhaust ports of the cylinders are commonly connected to accumulate fluid pressure in an exhaust reservoir sufficient to drive a turbine which powers an electric generator. The intake ports of the cylinders are commonly connected to an intake reservoir whereby the fluid extracted therefrom drives a second turbine and electric generator. The generating equipment disposed atop the platform sends the electricity to shore through subsea power lines.

Claims12

Dependent claims

An apparatus adapted to be positioned in a body of water for generating electrical power from wave action therein, comprising

a platform having a deck and leg members extending in supporting relation thereto and adapted to suspend said deck above the water surface when installed in a body of water,
means to adjust the position of said deck above the wave-free surface of the water when said platform is installed in place, and
a power grid assembly disposed on the bottom surface of said deck including means for generating electrical power by pressurizing a fluid in response to the rise and fall of a wave passing therebelow,
said power grid comprising a plurality of weighted float members supported on and guided for vertical movement relative to said deck to contact the water surface at the wave-free level and provide independent reciprocal vertical movement in response to the rise and fall of the water surface by wave action,
said means for generating electrical power operated by both upward and downward vertical movement of said float members and comprising a plurality of piston members each positioned within a plurality of cylinders and each connected one to each of said float members at one end for direct operation thereby, a fluid contained in said cylinders acted upon by said pistons, and turbogenerator means operated by said fluid.

2 more elements

An apparatus for generating electrical power from wave action in a body of water, comprising

a platform installed in a body of water, subject to wave action, having a deck and leg members extending in supporting relation thereto and suspending said deck above the wave-free surface of the water,
means to adjust the position of said deck above the wave-free surface of the water when said platform is installed in place, and
a power grid assembly disposed on the bottom surface of said deck including means for generating electrical power by pressurizing a fluid in response to the rise and fall of a wave passing therebelow,
said power grid comprising a plurality of weighted float members supported on and guided for vertical movement relative to said deck to contact the water surface at the wave-free level and provide independent reciprocal vertical movement in response to the rise and fall of the water surface by wave action,
said means for generating electrical power operated by both upward and downward vertical movement of said float members and comprising a plurality of piston members each positioned within a plurality of cylinders and each connected one to each of said float members at one end for direct operation thereby, a fluid contained in said cylinders acted upon by said pistons, and turbogenerator means operated by said fluid.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.