Method and device for harvesting energy from ocean waves
AssigneeOscilla Power Inc.
InventorBalakrishnan Nair
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and device for generating electricity from ocean waves. The device includes at least one magnetostrictive element and one or more electrically conductive coils or circuits. When the magnetostrictive element is deployed in a body of water, the motion of the body of water, including wave motion, causes changes in the strain of the magnetostrictive element. The electrically conductive coil or circuit is within the vicinity of the magnetostrictive element. A corresponding change in magnetic field around the magnetostrictive element generates an electric voltage and/or electric current in the electrically conductive coil or circuit.
Claims20
A device for generating electricity, the device comprising:
- at least one magnetostrictive element which, when deployed in a body of water, the motion of the body of water, including wave motion, causes changes in the strain of one or more magnetostrictive elements;
- and
- one or more electrically conductive coils or circuits within the vicinity of one or more of the magnetostrictive elements, wherein a corresponding change in magnetic flux density in the one or more magnetostrictive elements generates an electric voltage and/or electric current in the one or more electrically conductive coils or circuits, wherein there is no substantial relative motion between the one or more magnetostrictive elements and the one or more electrically conductive coils or circuits.
A method for generating electricity, the method comprising:
- utilizing the motion of a body of water, including wave motion, to cause changes in the strain of one or more magnetostrictive elements;
- and
- using a corresponding change in magnetic flux density in the magnetostrictive elements to generate an electric voltage and/or electric current in one or more electrically conductive coils or circuits that are in the vicinity of the magnetostrictive elements, wherein there is no substantial relative motion between the one or more magnetostrictive elements and the one or more electrically conductive coils or circuits.
A device for generating electricity, wherein the device comprises:
- a buoy deployed in a body of water;
- a magnetostrictive element mechanically coupled to the buoy, wherein the motion of the body of water, including wave motion, causes motion of the buoy, which in turn causes changes in the strain of the magnetostrictive element;
- and
- an electrically conductive coil or circuit within the vicinity of the magnetostrictive element, wherein a corresponding change in magnetic flux density in the magnetostrictive element generates an electric voltage and/or electric current in the electrically conductive coil or circuit, wherein there is no substantial relative motion between the one or more magnetostrictive elements and the one or more electrically conductive coils or circuits.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.