Wave energy converter
AssigneeWavebob Limited
InventorWilliam Dick
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A point absorber wave energy apparatus includes first and second devices, the first device being a surface float and the second a submerged body. Linkages are provided between the two devices so that energy resulting from relative motion between the two devices can be extracted. The apparatus may be tuned to the prevailing conditions by enabling the submerged body to trap volumes of the surrounding liquid.
Claims12
A point absorber wave energy conversion apparatus (1) for harnessing energy from wave motion on the surface of a body of liquid (2) and having dimensions small with respect to the wavelength of the predominant wave, the apparatus comprising:
- a) at least two devices (3, 4, 43, 44), a first device comprising a surface float (5, 6, 43) and a second device comprising at least one submerged body (9,10, 44) below the surface of the body of liquid,
- b) linkages (12) between the at least two devices,
- wherein the at least two devices are adapted to move relative to one another in response to passing waves, and the relative movement between the at least two devices effects an energy transfer which is harnessed by the linkages between the at least two devices, and wherein the at least one submerged body comprises a compartment to entrap volumes of the surrounding liquid within the at least one submerged body or may alternatively or also in part entrap or contain airspaces or buoyancy devices so as to adjust the natural frequency of each combination of surface float and submerged body to enable a tuning of the apparatus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.