Wave energy harvester

Abstract

A linear generator includes one or more helices, and one or more magnet members movable relative to a first helix to generate electric energy within the first helix. The first helix includes a first coil. The first helix and/or the magnet members have a density less than that of water such that the first helix and/or the magnet members have buoyant properties when the linear generator is at least partially submerged in the water.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A linear generator comprising:
 a first helix movable in response to an external mechanical energy source, wherein the helix includes a first coil capable of having an electric current induced therein;   a first magnet member movable relative to the first coil along a predetermined path defined by the first helix to induce the electric current in the coil, wherein movement of the first helix in response to the external mechanical energy source causes the first magnet member to move relative to the first coil in a first direction; and   a second magnet member, wherein the first and second magnet members have opposite polarities, and wherein the second magnet member is configured to urge the first magnet member to move relative to the first coil in a second direction away from the second magnet member when the movement of the first helix in response to the external mechanical energy source causes the first magnet member to move toward the second magnet member.   
     
     
         2 . The linear generator of  claim 1 , further comprising a second helix including a second coil. 
     
     
         3 . The linear generator of  claim 2 , wherein the first helix defines a first channel and the second helix defines a second channel in fluid communication with the first channel. 
     
     
         4 . The linear generator of  claim 2 , wherein the first helix is electrically coupled to the second helix in a series configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The linear generator of  claim 2 , wherein the first helix and the second helix are coiled in opposite directions. 
     
     
         6 . The linear generator of  claim 2 , wherein the first helix and the second helix are coiled in a common direction. 
     
     
         7 . The linear generator of  claim 1 , wherein the first helix includes a conductive core. 
     
     
         8 . The linear generator of  claim 1 , wherein the first helix is coated with a ferromagnetic material. 
     
     
         9 . The linear generator of  claim 1 , wherein the core of the first helix is hollow and wherein the first magnet member is configured to move within the hollow core. 
     
     
         10 . The linear generator of  claim 9 , wherein the first helix defines an air vent in fluid communication with the hollow core. 
     
     
         11 . The linear generator of  claim 1 , further comprising a bridge rectifier coupled to the first helix, the bridge rectifier configured to convert the electric current induced in the first coil to a direct current. 
     
     
         12 . The linear generator of  claim 1 , wherein the first magnet member at least partially circumscribes the first helix and is movable along the first helix in a helical direction. 
     
     
         13 . The linear generator of  claim 1 , wherein the first magnet member extends substantially along a longitudinal axis of the first helix and is movable along the longitudinal axis of the first helix. 
     
     
         14 . A wave energy harvester comprising:
 a reservoir for storing water;   at least one linear generator comprising:
 an inductive coil capable of having an electric current induced therein, wherein the inductive coil is configured to move in response to mechanical energy provided thereto by movement of the water in the reservoir, 
 a first magnet member movable relative to the first coil along a predetermined path defined by the first helix to induce the electric current in the coil, wherein movement of the first helix in response to the external mechanical energy source causes the first magnet member to move relative to the first coil in a first direction; and 
 a second magnet member, wherein the first and second magnet members have opposite polarities, and wherein the second magnet member is configured to urge the first magnet member to move relative to the first coil in a second direction away from the second magnet member when the movement of the first helix in response to the mechanical energy causes the first magnet member to move toward the second magnet member; 
   wherein the inductive coil has a helical configuration, and wherein the movement of the inductive coil in response to the mechanical energy provided by the movement of the water channeled from the reservoir causes the first magnet member to move along a predetermined path defined by the helical configuration.   
     
     
         15 . The wave energy harvester of  claim 14 , further comprising a barrier that controls a first quantity of water entering the reservoir. 
     
     
         16 . The wave energy harvester of  claim 14 , further comprising a valve in fluid communication with the reservoir that controls a second quantity of water channeled from the reservoir to the at least one linear generator. 
     
     
         17 . A linear generator comprising:
 a helix movable in response to an external mechanical energy source, wherein the helix comprises a coil capable of having an electric current induced therein;   one or more magnet members movable relative to the coil along a longitudinal axis of the helix to induce the electric current in the coil, wherein movement of the helix in response to the external mechanical energy source causes the one or more magnet members to move relative to the coil;   a first resilient member positioned on the longitudinal axis of the helix at a first end thereof and configured to urge the one or more magnet members away from the first resilient member when the movement of the helix in response to the external mechanical energy source causes the one or more magnet members to move toward the first resilient member; and   a second resilient member positioned on the longitudinal axis of the helix at a second end thereof and configured to urge the one or more magnet members away from the second resilient member when the movement of the helix in response to the external mechanical energy source causes the one or more magnet members to move toward the second resilient member.