Wave energy conversion system

A method of converting energy from recurring ocean waves, which comprises:

• (a) positioning pressure sensors (25) adjacent to the sea floor beneath the area of recurring ocean waves and using the sensors (25) to measure the changing pressure as wave crests (26) and troughs (27) approach the wave energy convertor (10)(600) and pass over;
• (b) using a computer (231) to calculate wave vectors (602), including wave height, speed, energy and position in terms of ocean-wave-degrees-before-top-dead-center, and analyze energy of one of the waves;
• (c) using the computer (231) to automatically control operation of a wave energy converter (10) located shoreward from the position of the sensors (25), such wave energy converter (10) having a piston (32) oriented for up and down movement under pressure from waves passing over and
• (d) operating a hydraulic system by reciprocating a piston (32) in a shell (31);
• (e) holding the piston (32) in an upward shifted position until such time as a wave crest (26) is over or nearly over the piston (32) and then automatically releasing the piston (32) for downward motion in a power stroke to pressurize fluid of the assembly of hydraulic cylinders (50)(221);
• (f) using the pressurized fluid to operate an energy conversion system including at least one rotary hydraulic motor (511) (512) and at least one rotary electric generator (510) driven thereby;
• (g) thereafter automatically holding the piston (31) in the downward position until a wave trough (27) is over or nearly over the piston (31) and then automatically releasing the piston (31) and returning it to the upward shifted position by pressure of the hydraulic system.

A method of converting ocean wave energy to electric energy including:

• (a) using sensors (25) to measure changing pressure to determine wave crests (26) and troughs (27) approaching the wave energy converter (10)(600);
• (b) using the computer (231) to select waves appropriate for harvesting (604) by calculating wave vectors (602), including wave height, speed, energy, and position in terms of ocean-wave-degrees-before-top-dead-centre;
• (c) on finding a wave appropriate for harvesting, switching to instituting a power stroke (606) and beginning an energy conversion cycle by:
• (i) using the computer (231) to adjust the deflector (38) to an optimum position for capturing wave energy;
• (ii) holding the piston (32) in an upward shifted position until such time as a wave crest is over or nearly over the piston (32);
• (iii) releasing the piston (32) at optimum ocean-wave-degrees-before-top-dead-centre of the wave crest (26) to start downward motion in a power stroke (606) and pressurize fluid of the hydraulic system (210);
• (iv) monitoring the pressure of the cylinders (50a);
• (v) using the pressurized fluid to operate the energy conversion system including at least one rotary hydraulic motor (511,512) and at least one rotary electric generator (510) driven thereby;
• (d) on completion of the power stroke (608), holding the piston (32) in the downward position (608) until a wave trough (27) is over or nearly over the piston (32);
• (e) instituting a return stroke (610) automatically actuating the piston (32) at optimum ocean-wave-degrees-before-top-dead-centre of the wave trough (27) thereby evacuating the piston chamber while returning the piston (32) to the upward shifted position by pressure of the hydraulic system;
• and
• (f) on completion of the return stroke (614), with the piston (32) in the uppermost position, assessing the energy of the incoming waves in preparation for the next power-stroke-return-stroke cycle.