Abstract: An electricity generator having variable capacitors that each includes a repeatedly stretched and relaxed sheet (20, FIG. 3) of SM (stretchable material) and electrodes (22, 24) lying against opposite faces of the sheet, which includes a power extraction unit (110, FIG. 9) coupled to the electrodes of at least a pair of capacitors that are activated out of phase with each other. The unit directs an electrical charge (current) from a first pair of electrodes that have a higher voltage, to one or more second pairs of electrodes that have a lower voltage, to recharge the second pairs of electrodes. During the current flow electrical power is extracted by the drop in voltage of current passing through the unit. The power extraction unit can be provided with a control unit that has voltage detectors (54) and that selectively connect capacitors, based on their voltages, for maximum efficiency in generating power output.

Abstract: Water movement in shallow waters is used to obtain electrical energy. Some systems use panels (4) that are pivotally mounted (13) near the sea floor in shallow water and that extend up to the sea surface, or that are pivotally mounted above the sea surface and extend down into the sea. Electricity is obtained by stretching and relaxing capacitor devices that each has a sheet (188) of elastomeric material and has electrodes (184, 186) at the sheet opposite faces. In one system, a pair of capacitor devices (180, 182) lie in a cylinder (152) that holds a piston head (160) and the cylinder or the piston head is attached to a float and the other is fixed on the sea floor. Upper and lower ends (190, 194, 197, 199) of the devices are mounted so when one capacitor device is stretched (180B) the other is relaxed (182B).

Abstract: An electrical connection assembly (70, FIGS. 4-7) connects a cable conductor (82) of stiff material such as a copper wire, to a deformable electrode (34, FIG. 5) that lies at the surface of a sheet of elastomeric material (74). The connector assembly includes deflectable elastomeric walls that form a cavity (76) that holds an electrically conductive fluid (84) such as an electrolyte that surrounds and engages the stiff conductor (82) and that engages the elastic electrode (34) as it deflects.

Abstract: Systems are described for obtaining energy from water movements in shallow waters. Some systems use panels (4) that are pivotally mounted (13) near the sea floor in shallow water and that extend up to the sea surface, or that are pivotally mounted above the sea surface and extend down into the sea. Electricity is obtained by stretching and relaxing capacitor devices that each has a sheet (188) of elastomeric material and has electrodes (184, 186) at the sheet opposite faces. In one system, a pair of capacitor devices (180, 182) lie in a cylinder (152) that holds a piston head (160). Upper and lower ends (190, 194, 197, 199) of the devices are mounted so when one capacitor device is stretched (1806) the other is relaxed (182B).

Abstract: An electrical connection assembly (70, FIGS. 4-7) connects a cable conductor (82) of stiff material such as a copper wire, to a deformable electrode (34, FIG. 5) that lies at the surface of a sheet of elastomeric material (74). The connector assembly includes deflectable elastomeric walls that form a cavity (76) that holds an electrically conductive fluid (84) such as an electrolyte that surrounds and engages the stiff conductor (82) and that engages the elastic electrode (34) as it deflects.

Abstract: Systems are described for obtaining energy, especially electrical energy, from sea waves. An elongated elastic tube device (12) floats at the sea surface (20) (or at a shallow depth under it) and extends at least partially parallel to the direction of wave propagation (D). The tube bends as a wave passes by and such tube bending stretches and relaxes SSM (synthetic stretchable material) (44, 60, 62) which generates electricity in electrodes (46, 48) when its amount of stretching changes. Electricity from power takeoffs in the tube are electronically added.

Abstract: Systems are disclosed for generating electricity from sea waves, that include a float (12) that lies at the sea surface (14) and moves up and down with the waves. A motion resist element (30) moves horizontally with the float but resists vertical movement. Electricity-generating apparatus (52, 54) is coupled to the float and resist element for generating electricity as the float moves vertically relative to the resist element.

Abstract: An electricity generator having variable capacitors that each includes a repeatedly stretched and relaxed sheet (20, FIG. 3) of SM (stretchable material) and electrodes (22, 24) lying against opposite faces of the sheet, which includes a power extraction unit (110, FIG. 9) coupled to the electrodes of at least a pair of capacitors that are activated out of phase with each other. The unit directs an electrical charge (current) from a first pair of electrodes that have a higher voltage, to one or more second pairs of electrodes that have a lower voltage, to recharge the second pairs of electrodes. During the current flow electrical power is extracted by the drop in voltage of current passing through the unit. The power extraction unit can be provided with a control unit that has voltage detectors (54) and that selectively connect capacitors, based on their voltages, for maximum efficiency in generating power output.

Abstract: Systems are described for obtaining energy, especially electrical energy, from sea waves. An elongated elastic tube (12) floats at the sea surface (20) (or at a shallow depth under it) and extends at least partially parallel to the direction of wave propagation (D). The tube bends as a wave passes by and such tube bending stretches and relaxes SSM (synthetic stretchable material) (44, 60, 62) which generates electricity when its amount of stretching changes. Electricity from power takeoffs in the tube are electronically added.

Abstract: Systems are provided for obtaining electrical energy from sea waves using deflectable material, especially EAP (electro-active polymers) type SSM (stretchable synthetic material) that generates electricity when an electrostatic charge is applied to the polymer and it is stretched. In one system (10), a buoyant element (12) has upper and lower parts (14, 22) connected by a quantity (36) of SSM, with the lower part anchored at a fixed height above the sea floor (24) and with the upper part movable vertically to stretch and relax the SSM as waves pass over. In another system (50) the buoy is rigid, but is anchored to the sea floor by at least one line (60) that includes, or is connected to at least a length (64) of SSM material. In still another system (160) a plurality of rigid buoys (162) that float on the sea surface, are connected in tandem by SMM (166, 172) that is stretched and relaxed as the buoys pivot relative to each other in following the waves.

Abstract: A system for generating electrical power from sea waves, includes a tube (12) with first and second opposite ends (14, 16), and a membrane assembly (32) that extends across the inside of the tube and that generates electricity when the membrane assembly is deflected. The tube is moored at a fixed height above the seabed so the tube lower end always lies partially or completely below the sea surface. The tube upper end is maintained at a constant pressure, as by providing a sealed gas-filled chamber (30) at the tube upper end. As sea waves pass over the tube, the water pressure at the tube lower end varies, causing the membrane to be deflected so it generates electrical power. In another system, tube opposite ends are horizontally spaced, so as a wave passes over the tube the crest of the wave pressures one tube end at a time to cause membrane deflection.

Abstract: Systems are disclosed for generating electricity from sea waves, that include a float (12) that lies at the sea surface (14) and moves up and down with the waves. A motion resist element (30) moves horizontally with the float but resists vertical movement. Electricity-generating apparatus (52, 54) is coupled to the float and resist element for generating electricity as the float moves vertically relative to the resist element.

Abstract: Systems are provided for obtaining electrical energy from sea waves using deflectable material, especially EAP (electro-active polymers) type SSM (stretchable synthetic material) that generates electricity when an electrostatic charge is applied to the polymer and it is stretched. In one system (10), a buoyant element (12) has upper and lower parts (14, 22) connected by a quantity (36) of SSM, with the lower part anchored at a fixed height above the sea floor (24) and with the upper part movable vertically to stretch and relax the SSM as waves pass over. In another system (50) the buoy is rigid, but is anchored to the sea floor by at least one line (60) that includes, or is connected to at least a length (64) of SSM material. In still another system (160) a plurality of rigid buoys (162) that float on the sea surface, are connected in tandem by SMM (166, 172) that is stretched and relaxed as the buoys pivot relative to each other in following the waves.