# US 8,541,901 B2 · Wave power generating installation based on the principle of the oscillating water column > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,541,901 B2 - Document ID: US8541901B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/795,008 - Filed: 2010-06-07 - Published: 2010-12-23 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2009-06-05 - Assignees: Rencon - Applicants: Jörg Folchert; Axel Goelz - Inventors: Jörg Folchert; Axel Goelz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8541901B2 ## CPC - F03B 13/142: {which creates an oscillating water column} - F03B 13/1815: {with an up-and-down movement} - F03B 17/02: using hydrostatic thrust - F05B 2220/707: of the linear type - Y02E 10/20: Hydro energy - Y02E 10/30: Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient - F03B: MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS (positive-displacement engines for liquid F03C; machines for liquids and gases F01; positive-displacement machines for liquids F04, rotary fluid gearing of the hydrokinetic type F16H41/00) - F05B: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract To increase in particular the level of efficiency in the conversion of sea wave energy into electrical energy there is proposed a wave power generating installation having a chamber for the positive guidance of an oscillating water column, wherein the chamber which is closed in itself below the surface of the water has an opening through which water flows into the chamber and then out again, and a means for taking mechanical energy from the oscillating water column and for converting the mechanical energy into electrical energy. The generating installation according to the invention is distinguished in that the means includes a float body device carried by the water column and a linear generator having a stator and an actuator, wherein the float body device is mechanically operatively connected to the actuator of the linear generator and the actuator for generating electrical energy is reciprocatingly movable by the movement of the float body device relative to the stator of the linear generator. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A wave power generating system configured to generate power based on a movement of waves, said wave power generating system comprising: a chamber having one single opening configured to allow water to flow into and out of the chamber, the chamber defining a water column configured to oscillate based on the movement of the waves; a float body disposed within the chamber, the float body configured to be carried by the oscillating water column; a linear generator having a stator and an actuator configured to generate electrical power, wherein the actuator is coupled to the float body device such that the actuator reciprocatingly moves relative the stator based on the movement of the float body device; a plunger positioned between the float body device and the actuator; a control device configured to adjust a characteristic frequency of the wave power generating system to a frequency of the waves arriving at the chamber based by causing at least one of actuation of the linear generator for taking off energy, trimming of the float body device by the actuation of at least one valve device, or adjustment of an operating parameter of an actuator-carrier device mechanically operatively connected to the plunger. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the plunger is coupled to a longitudinal end of the actuator-carrier device, and wherein the plunger is positioned between the float body device and the actuator. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the plunger is positioned between the float body device and the actuator, and wherein the plunger has an elastic buffer device configured to absorb shock. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the plunger is pivotably coupled to at least a portion of the actuator-carrier device and at least a portion of the float body device by means of a hinge arrangement. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a roller mechanism configured to provide linear guidance to the float body device during movement of the float body device, wherein the roller mechanism is fixed to the float body device and supported against an inside wall of the chamber. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the float body device defines a plurality of float bodies secured to a common carrier device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 6 wherein at least one float body of the plurality of float bodies defines a hollow body having at least one opening and the at least one valve device, wherein the at least one valve device is configured to allow air into and out of the hollow body. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the linear generator is positioned outside the chamber, and wherein the plunger is configured to movably extend through an upper wall of the chamber. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the actuator-carrier device defines at least a portion of a gas pressure compartment, wherein the gas pressure compartment is configured to operate as a gas pressure spring, and wherein a volume of the gas pressure compartment can be altered by movement of the plunger. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the actuator-carrier device includes a spring mechanism coupled to the plunger, the spring mechanism configured to be deflectable from a resting position by movement of the plunger. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the linear generator is cylindrical and the actuator-carrier device comprises a sliding tube configured to carry the actuator at a peripheral surface defined on the sliding tube, wherein the sliding tube is movable within a hollow cylinder, the hollow cylinder being stationary relative to the actuator. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 11 further comprising a holding mechanism defining a bar portion and a carrier portion, configured to hold the stator in a stationary position within the hollow cylinder, wherein the holding mechanism extends parallel to the axis of the hollow cylinder. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 12 wherein the bar portion extends through a transverse wall of the sliding tube and is positioned within an interior portion of the sliding tube and radially adjacent to the actuator of the linear generator. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the linear generator is cylindrical and the actuator-carrier device comprises a cylinder configured to carry the at a peripheral surface defined on the cylinder, wherein the cylinder is movable within a hollow cylinder, the hollow cylinder being stationary relative to the actuator. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 14 wherein the hollow cylinder defines a transverse wall having an opening through which the plunger movably extends. ### Claim 16 (depends on 6) A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said a control device is configured to control accommodation of water in at least one float body of the plurality of float bodies of the float body device. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the linear generator comprises electrically excitable magnets. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the linear generator comprises superconducting magnets. ### Claim 19 (depends on 2) A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 2 further comprising closable air openings for adjusting and/or regulating the power delivered by means of the plunger to the linear generator. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a buffer device positioned on at least a portion of the float body device and configured to absorb shock and/or pressure forces, wherein the buffer device is configured to be supported against an inner wall of the chamber and limit and/or dampen the movement of the float body device. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a buffer device positioned on at least a portion of an inner wall of the chamber and configured to absorb shock and/or pressure forces, wherein the buffer device is configured to support the float body device and limit and/or dampen movement thereof. ### Claim 22 A wave power generating system configured to generate power based on a movement of waves, said wave power generating system comprising: a chamber defining a water column configured to oscillate based on the movement of the waves; a float body disposed within the chamber, the float body configured to be carried by the oscillating water column; a linear generator including a stator and an actuator configured to generate electrical power, wherein said actuator is coupled to the float body device by a plunger such that the actuator reciprocatingly moves relative to the stator based on the movement of the float body; a gas pressure compartment configured to bias the actuator; and a control device configured to adjust oscillating frequency of the chamber to the frequency of the waves arriving at the chamber based on at least one of actuating the linear generator for taking off energy out of the system, trimming of the float body device by actuating at least one valve device or adjusting an operating parameter of the gas pressure compartment.