Wave energy converter

Abstract

A wave energy converting apparatus and tension mooring system are described. The apparatus comprises an elongate support structure designed to extend above a mean water level in the ocean. The support structure has a submerged member below the mean water level. A float member of positive buoyancy is slidably mounted on the support structure so as to be movable in a vertical direction. The apparatus also comprises a linear electric generator having a stator provided in connection with the support structure and a translator integrated into the body of the float member. Differential motion of the float member relative to the support structure results in the generation of electrical power by the electric generator. The mooring system comprises a cable extending from a ballast to a counterbalancer suspended from the submerged member via a pulley mechanism. The mooring system allows the apparatus to be “tuned” to prevailing ocean conditions.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for converting ocean wave energy into a more usable form, the apparatus comprising:
 an elongate support structure designed to extend above a mean water level, having a submerged member provided in connection therewith below the mean water level and a buoyant means to enable the support structure to float in the ocean in a generally upright orientation;   a float member of positive buoyancy slidably mounted on the support structure so as to be movable in a vertical direction, the float member being provided with a hydroplane surface that converts a horizontal component of the wave motion into a vertical movement of the float member, thus enhancing the energy extracting capacity of the float member; and,   an energy extraction means provided in connection with the support structure and the float member, so that when wave motion causes a suitable differential motion between the float member and the support structure said energy extraction means converts the incident energy into a more usable form.   
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for converting ocean wave energy as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the energy extraction means comprises a linear electric generator in which a stator is provided in connection therewith the support structure and a translator is provided in connection therewith the float member. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus for converting ocean wave energy as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the submerged member is provided with a hydroplane surface adapted to convert a horizontal component of the wave motion into a vertical movement of the submerged member, thus enhancing the energy extracting capacity of the submerged member. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus for converting ocean wave energy as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the submerged member is provided with a variable buoyancy hydrostatic pressure chamber adapted to convert a variation in the hydrostatic pressure at a constant altitude into a decrease or increase in the member's buoyancy leading to an associated vertical movement of the submerged member, thus causing the submerged member to descend as the wave height increases and ascend as the wave height decreases. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus for converting ocean wave energy as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the float member has an elongate horizontal cross-section with a front end and a rear end, the front end being adapted to face into the general direction of an approaching wave. 
     
     
         20 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . An improved float member in an apparatus for converting ocean wave energy into usable energy, the float member comprising:
 a positively buoyant member slidably mounted on a support structure so as to be movable in a vertical direction responsive to wave motion, and having a hydroplane surface that converts a horizontal component of the wave motion into a vertical movement of the float member, thus enhancing the energy extracting capacity of the float member.   
     
     
         23 . An apparatus for converting ocean wave energy as defined in  claim 14 , the apparatus further comprising a mooring system for mooring the structure to the seabed. 
     
     
         24 . An apparatus for converting ocean wave energy as defined in  claim 23 , wherein said submerged member and buoyant means are adapted to have substantially positive buoyancy in use, and said mooring system comprises a dampening means for applying a dampening action to the support structure via the mooring system. 
     
     
         25 . An apparatus for converting ocean wave energy as defined in  claim 24 , wherein said dampening means is adapted to increase the dampening action when the energy extracted by the energy extraction means increases, whereby the differential motion between the float member and the support structure can be maximised and the amount of energy extracted optimised. 
     
     
         26 . An apparatus for converting ocean wave energy as defined in  claim 25 , wherein, when little or no energy is being extracted by the energy extraction means said dampening means applies no dampening action and mechanical stresses on the support structure can be minimised as the mooring system freewheels. 
     
     
         27 . An apparatus for converting ocean wave energy as defined in  claim 25 , wherein, said mooring system comprises a cable extending from a ballast means to a counterbalancing means suspended from the support structure via a pulley mechanism. 
     
     
         28 - 29 . (canceled)