Linear generator for submerged use and a method of producing electric energy
AssigneeSeabased AB
InventorsErik Doré, Rafael Waters, Fredrik Axelsson
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Abstract
A linear generator for submerged use in generating electricity has a linearly reciprocating translator which is attached to a wire and a rod arranged to connect the translator to a floating body on the sea surface. The generator has a sealed housing forming a watertight chamber in which the translator is located. The rod is arranged to pass through a sealed opening in a wall portion of the housing. When operated, the wall portion with the sealed opening is located at a level that is below the level of the upper end of the translator at least during a part of the movement of the translator.
Claims17
A linear generator for use in a body of water which comprises:
- a sealed housing which has an upper end wall, a lower end wall and a side wall which extends between said upper and lower end walls and defines a water-tight chamber therein, a recessed portion of said upper end wall extending downwardly and having a bottom end with a sealed opening,
- a stator with windings located in said water-tight chamber, and
- a translator with magnets in said water-tight chamber and vertically movable relative to said stator to generate electricity, said translator being connectable to a connection means which extends through said sealed opening to a floating body on said body of water, said translator defining an upper end and a vertical cavity that extends downwardly from said upper end, in use said vertical cavity being cyclically movable about said recessed portion as said translator is vertically moved such that the bottom end of said recessed portion will be located below said upper end of said translator during a portion of an up-and-down movement cycle.
A method of producing electrical energy comprising the steps of:
- providing a linear generator comprising a sealed housing which has an upper end wall, a lower end wall and a side wall which extends between said upper and lower end walls and defines a water-tight chamber therein, a recessed portion of said upper end wall extending downwardly and having a bottom end with a sealed opening;
- a stator with windings located in said water-tight chamber;
- and a translator with magnets in said water-tight chamber and vertically movable relative to said stator to generate electricity, said translator defining an upper end and a vertical cavity that extends downwardly from said upper end, said vertical cavity being movable about said recessed portion as said translator is vertically moved, such that the bottom end of said recessed portion will be located below said upper end of said translator during a portion of an up-and-down movement cycle;
- anchoring the linear generator to a sea bottom;
- positioning at least one floating body on the sea surface;
- and extending connection means through said sealed opening to attach said at least one floating body to said translator, such that movement of said at least one floating body will provide an up-and-down movement cycle of said translator and generate electricity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.