Ocean wave kinetic energy conversion method and system

A method for generating electrical power using kinetic energy derived from vertically compressed substantially elliptical oscillating water particle orbits beneath refracted ocean surface waves, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing an elongated rotor having a central horizontal axis and a pair of fixed longitudinal vanes of semicircular transverse cross section extending parallel to the central horizontal axis secured between circular end plates in opposed facing relation, the longitudinal vanes of semicircular transverse cross section having straight longitudinal edges that are diametrically offset and spaced apart in overlapped relation relative to one another defining a water passageway in fluid communication with the opposed facing interior and exterior semicircular curved surfaces of the vanes, the water passageway and opposed facing interior and exterior semicircular curved surfaces of the vanes configured to rotate the rotor in one direction about the central horizontal axis;
• (b) operatively connecting an electrical generator with the rotor for conversion of rotational energy of the rotor into electrical power;
• (c) mounting the electrical generator and the elongated rotor on a support structure with provision for rotation about the central horizontal axis, the elongated rotor, electrical generator, and support structure, forming a water turbine assembly;
• (d) completely submerging and securing the water turbine assembly to the seafloor a distance from the coastline beneath ocean surface waves in an operating zone between an offshore location and a nearshore location and at a depth where water particle motion beneath prevailing ocean surface waves in the operating zone is in the form of closed-loop vertically compressed substantially elliptical oscillating orbits having accentuated horizontal velocity with horizontal, vertical, and oblique velocity components caused by interaction with the seafloor during passage overhead of wave crests and troughs of ocean surface waves in the operating zone, said steps of submerging and securing the water turbine assembly including:
• (e) securing the water turbine at a depth beneath the still water level such that the top of the rotor is completely submerged in the lower half of a vertical water column between the seafloor and the still water level so as to remain submerged and operational during passage of maximum wave crests and troughs of the overhead ocean surface waves in the operating zone during storm conditions, and to facilitate exposure to the closed-loop vertically compressed substantially elliptical oscillating water particle orbits near the seafloor;
• and
• (f) positioning the elevated central horizontal axis of the rotor generally parallel to bathymetric contours in the vicinity of the water turbine assembly to optimize alignment and exposure of the rotor with the horizontal, vertical, and oblique velocity components of the closed-loop vertically compressed substantially elliptical water particle orbits having accentuated horizontal velocity during passage of refracted overhead ocean surface waves in the operating zone;
• and thereafter
• (g) generating electrical power responsive to rotation of the elongated rotor in one direction about the central horizontal axis caused by the kinetic energy of oscillating flow and accentuated horizontal velocity of the vertically compressed substantially elliptical water oscillating particle orbits interacting with the water passageway and the interior and exterior curved surfaces of the opposed facing vanes during passage of crests and troughs of the overhead refracted ocean surface waves moving ashore in the operating zone.