US 9,175,665 B2Granted

Method of extracting energy from wave motion in a fluid

AssigneeVigor Wave Energy AB

InventorDaniel Ehrnberg

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A wave-power aggregate and a method of extracting energy from wave motion in a liquid by means of a wave-power aggregate is provided. The wave-power aggregate comprises a container which is situated at least partially in the liquid and also comprises an inflow and an outflow. The container is arranged to, under the influence of said wave motion, to let a first part of the container arrange itself in a first position and a second part of the container in a second position, where the first and second position corresponds to different potential energy states. The method comprises the steps of: alternately supplying the container with at least a first and a second fluid respectively via the inflow, where the density of the fluids differs; and at least during an initial stage of the method controlling a flow resistance in at least one of the first and second fluids through the container.

Claims8

Dependent claims

A method of extracting energy from wave motion in a single fluid (12), comprising:

a. providing a wave power aggregate comprising at least one container (14) situated at least partially in said single fluid (12), the container (14) being designed to have the qualities of a flexible hose and being equipped with an inflow (16) and an outflow (18), wherein said container (14) has an extension in an extension direction (30) between said inflow (16) and said outflow (18), and wherein said container further comprises a first (20) and a second (22) part which when under the influence of said wave motion, the first part (20) of said container (14) arranges itself in a first position and the second part (22) of said container (14) arranges in a second position, and wherein said first and second positions correspond to different potential energy;
b. alternately supplying to the container (14) at least a first and a second fluid (32, 34) via the inflow (16), where the density of said first fluid (32) differs from the density of said second fluid (34);
and
c. at least during an initial stage of said method, controlling a flow speed in said extension direction (30) in at least one of said first and second fluids (32, 34).

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 12/448,963Filed 17 Jan 2008
Priority: SE 070012422 Jan 2007
Published: US 2010/0066084 A118 Mar 2010
Granted: 3 Nov 2015
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

F03B 13/20
Using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem": wherein both members…
F03B 13/148
Using wave energy: using the static pressure increase due to the wave
F03B 13/188
Where the other member, i.e. rem is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore: and the wom is flexible or deformable
F05B 2240/93
Mounting on supporting structures or systems: on a structure floating on a liquid surface