Wave energy converter
AssigneeOcean Harvesting Technologies AB
InventorsMikael Sidenmark, Torbjörn Andersson
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Abstract
A wave energy converter (10) comprises an energy absorption unit (100) arranged to absorb energy generated by movements of water when the wave energy converter is arranged in a pool of water, an energy accumulation unit (200) connected to the energy absorption unit, and a power generation unit (300) connected to the energy absorption unit. The energy accumulation unit is arranged to accumulate energy from the energy absorption unit when the energy absorption unit absorbs more power than the power generation unit generates and to dissipate energy to the power generation unit when the energy absorption unit absorbs less power than the power generation unit generates. By providing hydraulic components in these units, an efficient and flexible wave energy converter is provided.
Claims14
A wave energy converter comprising:
- an energy absorption unit arranged to absorb energy generated by movements of water when the wave energy converter is arranged in a pool of water,
- an energy accumulation unit connected to the energy absorption unit, and
- a power generation unit connected to the energy absorption unit,
- wherein the energy absorption unit, the energy accumulation unit, and the power generation unit are arranged in a floating body,
- wherein the energy accumulation unit is arranged to accumulate energy from the energy absorption unit when the energy absorption unit absorbs more energy than the power generation unit generates and to dissipate energy to the power generation unit when the energy absorption unit absorbs less energy than the power generation unit generates, wherein:
- the energy absorption unit comprises a hydraulic pump connected to means for converting vertical motion into a rotational motion, the energy accumulation unit comprises a first combined hydraulic pump and motor operably connected to counterweight for converting vertical motion into a rotational motion, and the power generation unit comprises a hydraulic motor connectable to an electric generator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.