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US 7,476,137 B2Granted
Expandable wave energy conversion system
AssigneeOcean Power Technologies, Inc.
InventorsDavid B. Stewart, James S. Gerber
Life of this patent
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AssigneeOcean Power Technologies, Inc.
InventorsDavid B. Stewart, James S. Gerber
Estimating the term…
A wave energy converter (WEC) for converting energy contained in surface waves on a body of water to useful energy comprises two floats movable relative to one another in response to passing surface waves. Both floats comprise expandable outer envelopes which have been expanded into full and firm shape. In one process, expansion is obtained by filling the floats with fluids, for example, air and water. The fluids can be pumped into the floats, or the floats can be mechanically expanded in the presence of the fluids for self filling owing to pressure differentials. In one embodiment, a float envelope can comprise of plurality of end to end connected length sections in nested or telescoped relationship. Expansion is obtained by pulling the telescoped sections out from one and other, for example, by pumping fluids into the telescoped sections.
A wave energy converter (WEC) for converting energy contained in surface waves on a body of water to useful energy, said WEC including a float having an expandable envelope for facilitating its deployment when it is to be disposed in said body of water, and including means for causing expansion of said envelope and retaining said envelope in an expanded fixed volume condition when deployed and disposed in said body of water;
A WEC for converting energy contained in surface waves on a body of water to useful energy, said WEC including a float having an expandable envelope for facilitating its deployment when it is to be disposed in said body of water, and including means for causing expansion of said envelope and retaining said envelope in an expanded fixed volume condition when deployed and disposed in said body of water;
A WEC for converting energy contained in surface waves on a body of water to useful energy, said WEC including a float having an expandable envelope for facilitating its deployment when it is to be disposed in said body of water, and including means for causing expansion of said envelope and retaining said envelope in an expanded fixed volume condition when deployed and disposed in said body of water;
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.