Wave energy converter

Abstract

An apparatus and method as seen in FIG. 2 for converting the motion of waves on a body of fluid 52 into useable energy. This apparatus employs a wave follower 20 to track the rising and falling waves. The reciprocating wave follower interacts with a driven device, such as a pump 202a or generator 202b through an optional lever arm 171 and also through a drive member such as a reciprocating shaft 26. Because the driven device is incorporated into an essentially immovable floating or fixed support member 17, work is accomplished. By increasing the work producing travel distance of the driving member, being the wave follower 20 beyond that of previous art and, in certain embodiments such as that shown in FIG. 2, and by more effectively capturing surge forces that has previous art, this apparatus is intended to produce significantly more work than other similar devices operating in the same waves.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.