Surface wave energy capture system

Abstract

For capturing energy contained in surface waves on a body of water while protecting the system from damage against conditions on the water surface, a transducer for converting wave energy to useful, e.g., electrical, energy is anchored to the water bed. A float is connected to the transducer by a rigid connector for transmitting variable forces against the float caused by wave induced circulatory water movements against the float. The connector is of such length that the float is always fully submerged (but within the energy zone of the waves) thus displacing a fixed volume of water and providing an essentially constant upward force on the transducer. The constant upward force is modified by the moving water induced variable forces against the float. The float can be a sphere, but the float is preferably of a shape including laterally extending panels providing a ratio of area to volume larger than that provided by a sphere. The transducer can be suspended from the float either closely adjacent to or well above the floor of the water body.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.