Ocean energy system and method

An energy system, comprising:

• one or more wave energy devices, wherein each wave energy device further comprises a piling,
• a float that moves vertically on the piling and is capable of generating an amount of potential energy,
• at least one drive structure that transfers a movement of the float to at least one generator that is capable of generating energy based on the vertical movement of the float, and
• the float further comprises a mass that stores potential energy during an upstroke of the float and generates kinetic energy during the downstroke of the float that is transferred to the at least one drive structure and one or more buoyant elements that allow the float with the mass to float on a wave crest;
• and
• one or more generators associated with each wave energy device that generate energy based on the downward movement of each wave energy device, wherein
• the float further comprises
• a power collar that connects the mass to the float and transfers the movement of the mass to the float and wherein the system further comprises
• a drive plate that couples the float to the at least one drive structure and is capable of isolating any non-vertical movement of the float from the at least one drive structure.

A method for generating energy from wave motion, comprising:

• providing a wave energy device having a piling inserted into a floor of a water body,
• a float that moves vertically relative to the piling,
• a drive structure to transfer a movement of the wave energy device to a generator that generates energy, wherein the float has a buoyant portion and a mass;
• floating, as a wave crest in the water body approaches the wave energy device, the wave energy device on top of the wave crest to store potential energy in the wave energy device;
• moving, as a wave trough in the water body approaches the wave energy device, the wave energy device with the mass downwards;
• and
• generating energy at the generator based on the downward movement of the wave energy device, and further comprising
• transferring, using a set of drive structures and a rotating drive plate, the downward movement of the wave energy device to the generator.

A float structure for a wave energy device, the float structure comprising:

• a float that is capable of moving vertically on a piling and is capable of generating an amount of potential energy;
• and
• the float further comprises a mass that stores potential energy during an upstroke of the float and generates kinetic energy during the downstroke of the float that is transferred to a drive structure, one or more buoyant elements that allow the float with the mass to float on a wave crest, a power collar that connects the mass to the float and transfers the movement of the mass to the float and a drive plate that couples the float to a drive structure and is capable of isolating any non-vertical movement of the float from the drive structure, wherein
• the drive plate further comprises a lower drive plate connected to the power collar that is capable of rotational motion when the float has rotational motion, an upper drive plate connected to the at least one drive structure and an interface layer between the lower drive plate and the upper drive plate wherein the rotational motion of the float and the lower drive plate are isolated from the upper drive plate and the drive structure.