Water wave-based energy generator

Abstract

The water wave-based energy generator is a system for extracting usable mechanical energy from a body of water, such as an ocean. A support frame is provided having a central portion, which is suspended over the body of water, and a plurality of legs, extending downwardly therefrom. A pivotal frame is pivotally joined to the central portion of the support frame and has a planar sheet mounted on a lower end thereof. The planar sheet is at least partially suspended in the body of water, such that waves in the body of water cause rotation of the planar sheet and the pivotal frame with respect to the support frame. An elongated rod is pivotally joined at a proximal end thereof to the pivotal frame, such that rotation of the pivotal frame generates lateral movement in the elongated rod. The lateral movement of the distal end of the elongated rod may be used to drive an external mechanically driven system.

1 . A water wave-based energy generator, comprising: 
 a support frame having a central portion and a plurality of support legs extending downwardly therefrom, said central portion of said support frame being positioned over a body of water;    a pivotal frame having an upper end a lower end, said upper end being pivotally secured to said central portion of said support frame;    a planar sheet secured to said lower end of said pivotal frame, said planar sheet being at least partially suspended in said body of water; and,    an elongated rod having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being pivotally joined to said pivotal frame, whereby water waves in said body of water drive said planar sheet and said pivotal frame to rotate with respect to said support frame, rotation of said planar sheet causing said elongated rod to move in a lateral direction, said distal end of said elongated rod being adapted to transfer said lateral movement to an external mechanically driven system.    
   
   
       2 . The water wave-based energy generator as recited in  claim 1 , whereby said elongated rod is a linear gear.  
   
   
       3 . The water wave-based energy generator as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a rotational gear in contact with said distal end of said elongated rod, said lateral movement of said elongated rod driving said rotational gear to rotate;    an axle, said rotational gear being mounted on a first end of said axle; and,    a drive gear mounted on a second end, opposed to said first end, of said axle, said drive gear driving said external mechanically driven system.    
   
   
       4 . The water wave-based energy generator as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said rotational gear is a ratcheting gear.  
   
   
       5 . The water wave-based energy generator as recited in  claim 3 , further comprising a support wheel, wherein said linear gear has an upper surface and a lower surface, a plurality of teeth being formed on said upper surface, the support wheel rotatively contacting and supporting the lower surface of said linear gear.  
   
   
       6 . The water wave-based energy generator as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said pivotal frame comprises a vertical support member and a horizontal support member, the horizontal support member having a proximal end and a distal end, said planar sheet being joined to the proximal end of the horizontal support member.  
   
   
       7 . The water wave-based energy generator as recited in  claim 6 , further comprising a user-selectable distal weighting member being removably mounted on the distal end of the horizontal support member.  
   
   
       8 . The water wave-based energy generator as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising a user-selectable proximal weighting member being removably mounted on the proximal end of the horizontal support member.  
   
   
       9 . A water wave-based energy generator, comprising: 
 a support frame having a central portion and a plurality of support legs extending downwardly therefrom, said central portion of said support frame being positioned over a body of water;    a pivotal frame having an upper end a lower end, said upper end being pivotally secured to said central portion of said support frame;    a plurality of planar sheets secured to said lower end of said pivotal frame, said plurality of planar sheets being at least partially suspended in said body of water; and,    an elongated rod having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being pivotally joined to said pivotal frame, whereby water waves in said body of water drive said plurality of planar sheets and said pivotal frame to rotate with respect to said support frame, rotation of said plurality of planar sheets causing said elongated rod to move in a lateral direction, said distal end of said elongated rod being adapted to transfer said lateral movement to an external mechanically driven system.    
   
   
       10 . The water wave-based energy generator as recited in  claim 9 , whereby said elongated rod is a linear gear.  
   
   
       11 . The water wave-based energy generator as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 a rotational gear in contact with said distal end of said elongated rod, said lateral movement of said elongated rod driving said rotational gear to rotate;    an axle, said rotational gear being mounted on a first end of said axle; and,    a drive gear mounted on a second end, opposed to said first end, of said axle, said drive gear driving said external mechanically driven system.    
   
   
       12 . The water wave-based energy generator as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said rotational gear is a ratcheting gear.  
   
   
       13 . The water wave-based energy generator as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising a support wheel, wherein said linear gear has an upper surface and a lower surface, a plurality of teeth being formed on said upper surface, the support wheel rotatively contacting and supporting the lower surface of said linear gear.  
   
   
       14 . The water wave-based energy generator as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said pivotal frame comprises a plurality of vertical support members and a plurality of horizontal support members, each of the horizontal support members having a proximal end and a distal end, each said planar sheet being joined to the proximal end of a respective one of the horizontal support members.  
   
   
       15 . The water wave-based energy generator as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising a plurality of user-selectable distal weighting members being removably mounted on the distal ends of the plurality of horizontal support members.  
   
   
       16 . The water wave-based energy generator as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of user-selectable proximal weighting members being removably mounted on the proximal ends of the plurality of horizontal support members.  
   
   
       17 . The water wave-based energy generator as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of wheels, each said wheel being pivotally mounted to a lower end of a respective one of said plurality of support legs.