US 6,020,653 AGranted

Submerged reciprocating electric generator

AssigneeAqua Magnetics, Inc.

InventorsDavid D. Woodbridge, Thomas C. Woodbridge

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Abstract

A submerged reciprocating electric generator is placed below the ocean surface and creates electric power from the surface ocean swells. The generator coil reciprocates linearly in response to an external force acting on a float by passing ocean swells. A cable connects the float on the ocean surface with the reciprocating coil of the submerged generator. A magnetic field is focussed through the coil as it reciprocates, creating an electromotive force in the coil. The magnetic field is created in such a manner as to provide uniform field of a single magnetic orientation throughout the entire length of motion of the reciprocating coil. The generator includes a base formed on the ocean floor supporting magnetic core having a generator coil movably mounted therein and connected to a float with a cable passing through cable alignment bearings. Electromagnetic windings are mounted at the closed end of the generator magnetic flux core.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A reciprocating electric generator for use in an oscillating fluid comprising:

a magnetic core having an elongated annular bore extending thereinto and having a bore open end and a bore closed end, said magnetic core being adapted to be submerged in an oscillating fluid;
at least one elongated permanent magnet mounted in said magnetic core along said elongated annular bore;
a generator coil formed on a coil support sleeve and slidably mounted in said annular bore;
an electromagnetic winding mounted in said magnetic core annular bore closed end and being electrically coupled to said generator coil to thereby generate an electromagnetic field within said core when said generator coil is moving within said permanent magnet magnetic field thereby increasing the magnetic field in said magnetic core;
a float member attached to said generator coil for moving said generator coil responsive to movement of said float on an oscillating fluid, whereby said electric generator can produce electric power responsive to movement of a float when said float is positioned to float on an oscillating fluid.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.