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US 8,925,313 B2Granted
Wave energy conversion apparatus
OwnerBrian Lee Moffatinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device that converts wave energy to electrical or chemical energy includes a buoy adapted to float on a water surface, a venturi tube, and a rigid or flexible means of connecting the buoy and the venturi tube. The venturi tube defines a lumen through which water flows downwardly when the buoy moves upwardly and upwardly when the buoy moves downwardly. A constriction is formed in the lumen to create a venturi effect for water flowing upwardly and downwardly through the lumen. A turbine is positioned in the lumen at the constriction where water flow is at a maximum rate. The turbine is connected to a generator so that the venturi effect is harnessed to generate power. Multiple embodiments are included.
Claims71
A wave energy conversion apparatus, comprising:
- a flotation device adapted to float on the surface of a body of water having a wave base;
- a venturi device having a venturi channel including an upper mouth, a lower mouth and a constricted region between the upper and lower mouths;
- a connection assembly connecting the venturi device to the flotation device such that when the apparatus is in position in the body of water, the venturi device is positioned below the flotation device and at a distance below the surface of the body of water near or below the wave base, and water flows downwardly in the venturi channel and through the constricted region when the flotation device moves upwardly by wave action in the body of water and water flows upwardly in the venturi channel and through the constricted region when the flotation device moves downwardly by wave action in the body of water;
- and
- a turbine in the venturi channel;
- the constricted region has a cross-sectional area that is less than one-half of that of one of the upper or lower mouths thereby causing water flowing through the constricted region to have a speed that is more than two times the speed of water entering the one of the upper or lower mouths;
- a plurality of rods, each of the rods extending between the flotation device and the venturi tube;
- and
- at least one of a first extension cuff extending upwardly from the upper mouth and a second extension cuff extending downwardly from the lower mouth.
6 more elements
A wave energy conversion apparatus, comprising:
- a flotation device adapted to float on the surface of a body of water having a wave base;
- a venturi tube having a venturi channel including an upper mouth, a lower mouth and a constricted region between the upper and lower mouths;
- the venturi tube is connected to the flotation device such that when the apparatus is in position in the body of water, the venturi tube is positioned below the flotation device and at a distance below the surface of the body of water near or below the wave base, and water flows downwardly in the venturi channel and through the constricted region when the flotation device moves upwardly by wave action in the body of water and water flows upwardly in the venturi channel and through the constricted region when the flotation device moves downwardly by wave action in the body of water;
- a turbine in the venturi channel;
- the constricted region has a cross-sectional area that is less than one-half of that of one of the upper or lower mouths thereby causing water flowing through the constricted region to have a speed that is more than two times the speed of water entering the one of the upper or lower mouths;
- the venturi tube is connected to the flotation device at a plurality of connection points on the flotation device and at least one of the connection points is at least partially outside of an upward projection of the innermost surface of the constricted region of the venturi tube;
- and
- at least one of a first extension cuff extending upwardly from the upper mouth and a second extension cuff extending downwardly from the lower mouth.
5 more elements
A wave energy conversion apparatus, comprising:
- a flotation device that is adapted to float on the surface of a body of water having a wave base;
- a venturi tube having a venturi channel including an upper mouth, a lower mouth and a constricted region between the upper and lower mouths;
- the venturi tube being connected to the flotation device such that when the apparatus is in position in the body of water, the venturi tube is positioned below the flotation device and at a distance below the surface of the body of water near or below the wave base, and water flows downwardly in the venturi channel and through the constricted region when the flotation device moves upwardly by wave action in the body of water and water flows upwardly in the venturi channel and through the constricted region when the flotation device moves downwardly by wave action in the body of water;
- a turbine in the venturi channel;
- and
- at least one of a first extension cuff extending upwardly from the upper mouth and a second extension cuff extending downwardly from the lower mouth.
3 more elements
A wave energy conversion apparatus, comprising:
- a flotation device adapted to float on the surface of a body of water having a wave base;
- a venturi tube having a venturi channel including an upper mouth, a lower mouth and a constricted region between the upper and lower mouths;
- the venturi tube is connected to the flotation device such that when the apparatus is in position in the body of water, the venturi tube is positioned below the flotation device and at a distance below the surface of the body of water near or below the wave base, and water flows downwardly in the venturi channel and through the constricted region when the flotation device moves upwardly by wave action in the body of water and water flows upwardly in the venturi channel and through the constricted region when the flotation device moves downwardly by wave action in the body of water;
- a turbine in the venturi channel;
- the constricted region has a cross-sectional area that is less than one-half of that of one of the upper or lower mouths thereby causing water flowing through the constricted region to have a speed that is more than two times the speed of water entering the one of the upper or lower mouths;
- and
- at least one of a first extension cuff extending upwardly from the upper mouth and a second extension cuff extending downwardly from the lower mouth.
4 more elements
A wave energy conversion apparatus, comprising:
- a flotation device adapted to float on the surface of a body of water;
- a venturi tube having a venturi channel including an upper mouth, a lower mouth and a constricted region between the upper and lower mouths;
- the venturi tube is connected to the flotation device such that when the apparatus is in position in the body of water, the venturi tube is positioned below the flotation device and at a distance below the surface of the body of water, and water inside the venturi channel flows away from the upper mouth, through the constricted region, and toward the lower mouth when the flotation device moves upwardly by wave action in the body of water, and water inside the venturi channel flows away from the lower mouth, through the constricted region and toward the upper mouth when the flotation device moves downwardly by wave action in the body of water;
- a turbine in the venturi channel;
- a plurality of rods, each of the rods extending between the flotation device and the venturi tube;
- and
- at least one of a first extension cuff extending upwardly from the upper mouth and a second extension cuff extending downwardly from the lower mouth;
- wherein the rods are positioned at least partially within an envelope defined by an outside surface of the venturi tube.
5 more elements
A wave energy conversion apparatus, comprising:
- a flotation device adapted to float on the surface of a body of water;
- a venturi tube having a venturi channel including an upper mouth, a lower mouth and a constricted region between the upper and lower mouths;
- the venturi tube is connected to the flotation device such that when the apparatus is in position in the body of water, the venturi tube is positioned below the flotation device and at a distance below the surface of the body of water, and water inside the venturi channel flows away from the upper mouth, through the constricted region, and toward the lower mouth when the flotation device moves upwardly by wave action in the body of water, and water inside the venturi channel flows away from the lower mouth, through the constricted region and toward the upper mouth when the flotation device moves downwardly by wave action in the body of water;
- a turbine in the venturi channel;
- a plurality of rods, each of the rods extending between the flotation device and the venturi tube;
- and
- at least one of a first extension cuff extending upwardly from the upper mouth and a second extension cuff extending downwardly from the lower mouth;
- wherein the rods are connected to the venturi tube at a plurality of locations including at least one location outside of an innermost surface of the constricted region.
5 more elements
A wave energy conversion apparatus, comprising:
- a flotation device adapted to float on the surface of a body of water;
- a venturi tube having a venturi channel including an upper mouth, a lower mouth and a constricted region between the upper and lower mouths;
- the venturi tube is connected to the flotation device such that when the apparatus is in position in the body of water, the venturi tube is positioned below the flotation device and at a distance below the surface of the body of water, and water inside the venturi channel flows away from the upper mouth, through the constricted region, and toward the lower mouth when the flotation device moves upwardly by wave action in the body of water, and water inside the venturi channel flows away from the lower mouth, through the constricted region and toward the upper mouth when the flotation device moves downwardly by wave action in the body of water;
- a turbine in the venturi channel;
- a first extension cuff extending upwardly from the upper mouth and a second extension cuff extending downwardly from the lower mouth;
- and
- the venturi tube including an internal hourglass-shaped venturi surface, and a casing surrounding the hourglass-shaped venturi surface, and the casing defines with the first and second extension cuffs a continuous cylinder.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.