Abstract: A method and device are provided for generating energy from the motion of waves. Fluid is conveyed through stages in series, each stage having at least one unit, and each unit incrementally increasing the energy available. The fluid passes under the forces created by differential pressure within that unit and energy from a preceding stage is input into the succeeding stage in series. Preferably, each unit includes a first member and an associated second member, the first member being immersed in or floating on the surface of a body of water, the first member rising and falling with the rise and fall of wave motion, and the second member being anchored. Energy is created as the result of the relative movement between the first and second members as the fluid passes through a unit. The fluid may then be used to drive turbines and electric generators or other energy conversion devices.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing electrical energy from the rise and fall of waves on a body of water. A vertical column is anchored to the floor of the body of water. A buoyant, spherical float is telescopically mounted to the vertical column in a manner that allows it to rise and fall with the waves, guided by the vertical column. A drive shaft is mounted to the vertical column and above the float. A downstroke drive transfer mechanism is mounted to the drive shaft. A first cable is attached to the float and to the downstroke drive transfer mechanism. A second cable is attached to a counter-weight and to the downstroke drive transfer mechanism. As the float falls as a wave trough passes, the downward motion of the float is transferred to the downstroke drive transfer mechanism through the first cable, causing the drive shaft to rotate. The drive shaft does not rotate as the float rises. The drive shaft is connected to an electrical energy generating system.

Abstract: A pump actuated by a reciprocal oscillating motion, the pump including a casing member enclosing an elongated substantially cylindrical chamber therewithin, a pair of flexible bellows disposed at the opposing distal ends of the chamber, each of the bellows, in a normal unflexed state, extending inward into the chamber, and each of the bellows enclosing a pumping chamber, each of the pumping-chambers having a one way intake port and a one way output port, a piston positioned within the chamber for reciprocation therewithin under the influence of gravity in response to the reciprocal oscillating motion, the piston including a substantially spheroid member, the piston having a reciprocal stroke such that, at the extremes of the reciprocal stroke, the piston alternately compresses each of the flexible bellows, thereby alternately decreasing the volume of each of the pumping, and a cap member disposed at each of the distal ends of the casing member, each of the cap members abutting one of the flexible bellows to t

Abstract: A desalination apparatus including pressure responsive desalination means, a storage tank and conduit means connecting such storage tank to a pump mounted in a caisson defining a resonant chamber having an opening in one side thereof for receiving the incoming ocean waves. The caisson is configured in accordance with the natural frequency of the incoming waves and amplify such waves to drive a float coupled with the pump. Actuation of such pump pressurizes the storage tank to drive brine through the desalination means for separating therefrom potable water. The apparatus includes a turbine generator arranged to facilitate the pressurizing of the brine.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for generating energy from the motion of waves. Fluid is conveyed through a series of fluid pressurization units, each unit incrementally increasing the pressure of the fluid as the fluid passes under the force of differential pressure within that unit. The pressurized fluid from a preceding unit is outlet from that unit and input into the succeeding unit in series. Each unit includes a first member and an associated second member, the first member being immersed in or floating on the surface of a body of water, the first member rising and falling with the rise and fall of wave motion, and the second member being submerged and anchored. The fluid is pressurized as the result of the relative movement between the first and second members as the fluid passes through a unit. The pressurized fluid may then be used to drive turbines and electric generators or other energy conversion devices.

Abstract: A wave motion-actuated pumping apparatus includes a pair of inner and outer telescoping sleeves, a float, an anchoring arrangement, and a pair of one-way flow valves. The inner and outer sleeve are telescopically fitted together for reciprocal sliding movement relative to one another and define a water flow chamber therebetween being variable in volume in response to reciprocal movement of the tubular members relative to one another. The inner and outer tubular members also respectively define an inlet to and an outlet from the chamber. The float is attached about the outer sleeve so as to provide it with sufficient buoyancy to floatably follow up and down motion of waves with the float when the float and outer sleeve are disposed in a body of water. The inner sleeve is attached to the anchoring arrangement to restrain the inner sleeve from following up and down motion of waves with the outer sleeve, thereby causing the outer sleeve to reciprocally move relative to the inner sleeve.

Abstract: The prime-mover comprises a central inertial barge 1, a first outer wave-engaging pontoon 2 pivotally movable relative to the central barge 1 about the pivotal axis defined by the arrow A, and a second outer wave-engaging pontoon 3 pivotally movable relative to the central barge 1 about the axis defined by the arrow B. Two series of pumps 4 are mounted on the central barge 1 and driven by the pivotal movement of the outer wave-engaging pontoons 2, 3 respectively. A damping mechanism comprising two shafts 6a, 6b extend downwardly from the bage 1. The shafts 6a, 6b are provided with damping plates 7a, 7b at the bottom ends thereof. The damping plates 7a, 7b may be moved relative to the shafts 6a, 6b by being screwed up or down the shafts as required.

Abstract: A land and water transportable apparatus positionable in a body of water for extracting energy from wave action in the body of water, is disclosed, comprising a wheel-shaped float positionable on the surface of the body of water operable by wave action, a wheel-shaped anchor for positioning on the bottom of the body of water for anchoring the float, a spacer disposed between the float and the anchor for securing the float to the anchor when the apparatus is transported to a deployment site, a spacer for securing the float to the anchor when the float is separated from the anchor, and an accumulator associated with the float for converting wave action energy to useful work.

Abstract: A pumping apparatus and method for pumping fluid using energy from rising and failing wave action in a body of fluid includes at least one float; a primary pump, such as a piston pump, connectable to the float for pumping fluid as the float rises with rising wave action; a secondary pump, such as a piston pump, connectable to the float and connectable to a fluid container extending above the pumping apparatus; and at least one anchor connectable to at least one of the primary pump and the secondary pump for anchoring the primary pump and the secondary pump relative to the float. The primary pump is moved from a reloaded position to a discharged position as the float rises the rising wave action in order to pump fluid. The secondary pump pumps fluid into the fluid container as the float rises with rising wave action.

Abstract: A power generating apparatus including a watertight sealed buoyant vessel of cylindrical form having an external stabilizer for directing the vessel into the current. Internally, the vessel is provided with a supporting structure on the axial centerline for rotatably supporting the axle or pivot shaft of a lever arm having a weight at the end thereof, the weight being supported on a circumferential rail assembly adjacent the upper end of the vessel. The weight is freely rotatable in either direction thorugh 360 degrees. The lower end of the shaft is coupled to a piston type hydraulic pump, which draws fluid from a reservoir, and pressurizes the fluid into a two stage accumulator, the controllable flow therefrom actuating a hydraulic motor coupled to an electrical generator, Fluid from the hydraulic motor then returns to the reservoir for further usage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a control apparatus for a variable-speed hydraulic power generating system comprising a variable-speed a.c. electric generator connected to an a.c. electric power system and a hydraulic machine system including a water turbine for driving the generator and a guide vane for controlling an amount of water supplied to the water turbine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of obtaining useful energy from wave action in a body of water. The apparatus comprises a cylinder, a reciprocal piston in the cylinder, a piston rod connected to the piston and extending sealably out of the cylinder, a mechanical tensioning device connected between the piston and the cylinder for maintaining resilient tension between the piston and the cylinder, a float connected to one of the piston rod or the cylinder, an anchor flexibly connected to the other of the piston rod or the cylinder which is not connected to the float, an inlet check valve and an outlet check valve connected to the cylinder, and a conduit extending from the outlet check to an area where water may be usefully employed. The mechanical tensioning device may be a spring or a weight and tether. The apparatus and method may be used to operate a hydroelectric generator.

Abstract: An ocean wave energy extracting beach sand erosion reversal and electric power generation system. Moored seaward of the breaker zone it serves the function of beach sand accretion by extracting energy from the waves prior to their breaking thereby lessening turbulence responsible for tossing sand into suspension to then be swept away by currents.Two pontoons support a series of pyramidal frameworks from which is suspended a strong, flexible, weighted pendulum which is the drive shaft of a large electric generator. The pendulum is caused to swing by the undulations of the ocean waves. The pendulum is caused to rotate as it swings by means of loops of cable and ratcheted pulleys thereby becomming a drive shaft to turn a large generator.By applying the force of the rotating pendulum to turn an electric generator, electricity is produced as a by-product of erosion reversal.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting power from the wave motion of a body of water comprises a chamber with an opening for receiving waves. The chamber amplifies the amplitude of the waves. The wall of the chamber preferably has protuberance adjacent the opening for smoothing the flow of water through the opening. A float within the chamber is connected to a pump for converting the energy of the waves into useful energy.

Abstract: The invention describes an energy extractor for extracting energy from waves in the sea. A ring spine is disclosed and on the spine, spaced circumferentially thereof are flexible membranes which flex back and forth under the influence of the waves. The back and forth flexing deflects air back and forth and the air movement is used to drive air turbines and electrical generators. Arranging for the spine to be in a ring and spacing the membranes around the ring ensures efficient energy extraction regardless of wave direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating power from the wave motion of the oceans has a resonant chamber operating in the fundamental mode with a float in the chamber. The chamber amplifies the amplitude of the ocean waves.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for converting wave energy into useful work, and comprises a body adapted to be moved to and fro by waves on a liquid, and means such as a hydraulic piston in a cylinder for converting this movement of the body into a power output. The body may be disposed about a horizontal cable along which the to and fro movement of the body is arranged to occur, the cable being secured to the piston so that relative movement between the body and the cable results in displacement of the piston in the cylinder. A plurality of said cables may be threaded through the body, and some of these cables may be in mutually perpendicular relationship to each other to provide a device having an omnidirectional wave energy conversion capability.

Abstract: The weather near a continental arid zone is modified by increasing the heat storage of the seas westwardly of the arid zone during the summer. The heat storage is increased by mixing the relatively warmer surface water with relatively cooler deeper water thereby reducing the surface temperature of the seas during the summer. Cooling the surface of the water will increase the radiant heat flux due to solar radiation and decrease the radiant heat loss from the surface during the summer thus increasing the amount of heat stored in the water an available for evaporation during the winter. Mixing is achieved by pumping water from a lower level in the seas to the upper level. In one embodiment of the invention, normal wave motion provides the mode of power for the pumping operation. In another embodiment, mixing is achieved by a paddle that is operated by wave motion.

Abstract: Individually useable wave-powered pumping means, solar distillation means, and cyclonic wind generating means, together with a system which employs each of them for harnessing natural energy sources are disclosed. Wave and solar energy, together with Coriolis acceleration are employed in the system which includes a basin for water situated near an ocean, or othe such body of water, having a surface subject to wave action. A solar energy transmitting cover is provided over the basin for solar heating, and evaporation of water contained therein. Vapor condensing means are located adjacent the bottom of the basin, and an upwardly extending inlet conduit, or passageway, connects the condenser to a source of water vapor above the water surface of the covered basin. Cooled air, and distilled water, are discharged from the condenser to a location outside the covered basin.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises at least one positive displacement pump, which is driven by the sea waves. The quantity of delivery of this pump is adjustable in accordance with the lengths of strokes made by the ocean waves. This is made possible in that the positive displacement pump comprises pistons having different volume displacements. The height of the incoming waves is measured by a membrane box connected to a transducer which generates signals such that only that piston of the plurality of pistons is made to operate, which has by design a volume displacement which gives the optimal recovery of the energy of the ocean waves. The or these pistons pump a working fluid into a storage vessel, which allows the generation of peak load as well as base load electrical energy.

Abstract: This invention provides efficient and cost effective water wave-powered piston pumps. Utility of such pumps is demonstrated in the reverse osmosis desalination of seawater.

Abstract: This invention is an electric generator system which is wave and/or tidal driven and includes energy storage means to allow a constant electrical output to be realized. The above is accomplished through a counterbalanced walking beam which is wave driven. This beam is connected to one way ratchet drives and an interconnected spring system of varying torque capacities. A governor is connected to the spring system thereby allowing the generator to be driven at a constant speed.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating power from wave action comprising a barge (12) and at least one float (14, 15) connected thereto by rigid members (16, 17, 18, 19) pivotally connected thereto by sockets (20). A watertight cylinder (37) including a piston (40) is attached to the barge. Cables (32, 34) connect with the piston and pass through pulleys to the barge. As the wave action rocks the float relative to the barge the piston is moved longitudinally in the cylinder to pump water used for driving a turbine (57) for generating electrical power. Wind vanes (24) and water vanes (27) are also included in the float to enhance the rocking action.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the invention is a wave powered generator including a "Hagen" float array comprising a plurality of floats each of which is coupled to a subsea support structure through a nonlinear power extraction means. The array may be moved below the surface to avoid adverse sea states. Individual array elements are sized and positioned on the support structure to permit fluid coupling of reflected wave energy between the floats.

Abstract: A device for producing fresh water from salt sea water by utilizing the hydrodynamic energy of waves, comprising a buoyant platform; means for mooring the platform; a pump connected to the mooring means; a reservoir for pressurized sea water; a desalination system for extracting fresh water from the sea water; hydraulic flow control means for causing the pump to pump sea water into the sea water reservoir, as motion of the buoyant platform is produced due to the passing of waves beneath it; measuring means for measuring parameters of the sea adjacent the buoyant platform; and a control device connected to control the pressure in the sea water reservoir and the flow of sea water from the reservoir through the desalination system in response to the parameters of the sea.

Abstract: A wave driven pump includes a buoyant wave follower having an elongated hollow body member depending therefrom with a piston in the body member. The remote end of the body member or cylinder is moored to the sea floor, and the piston is also moored so as to maintain its vertical position generally constant. Means are provided to permit the portion of the cylinder containing the piston to move up and down with respect to the piston in response to wave movements so that a pumping action results to pump water from a pumping chamber in the cylinder upstream from the piston.

Abstract: A tide-driven generator comprising a prime mover connected between an inlet conduit which is suspended at a fixed depth near the surface of the ocean and a discharge conduit which is supported on or near the ocean floor. A plurality of outwardly directed ports in the discharge conduit wall enable the continuously flowing, outgoing undertow to entrain and induce flow in the discharge conduit so that there is flow in the system, even at outgoing tide.

Abstract: An articulated marine structure for an offshore body of water which is subject to wave movement. The structure includes at least two floating elements which are pivotally joined along a common edge to permit relative movement between the respective elements in response to wave action. An energy accumulator is operably connected to the respective floats, and is actuated by movement of either float whereby to initiate conversion of wave energy into an alternate, usable energy form.

Abstract: In a method of, and apparatus for, extracting energy from waves on a liquid, the precession of a gyroscope in response to angular motion of a member in response to waves performs useful work by operating a hydraulic pump.Advantageously, pairs of gyroscopes having their rotors spinning in opposite directions are mounted in the member so as to balance the output torques of the gyroscopes.

Abstract: An electric generating system relying on wave action forces, wherein a shallow reservoir is provided and confined by a cofferdam or silo so as to provide a hydrostatic head between the reservoir and the open body of water exterior to the cofferdam or silo. The hydrostatic head drives turbine generators, and spent water is discharged from the generators into the reservoir. Pump and float assemblies are mounted on the exterior of the cofferdam or silo and function to withdraw water from the reservoir responsive to upwardly directed wave forces thereby maintaining the hydrostatic head.

Abstract: Electric power is generated from a non-uniformly operating energy source such as wind or water waves by driving hydraulic pump means by a wind wheel or a bobbing float. The pump feeds hydraulic medium into a cylinder to raise a piston loaded by a weight. When the weight rises above a predetermined level, the medium is fed under its constant pressure to drive an hydraulic motor connected to an induction generator. Because the generator is driven at constant power (though intermittently) it can be connected to the public mains supply, eliminating the need to store power, without sophisticated interface arrangements. A second generator connected to a resistive space or water heating load can be cut in at higher energy levels. The hydraulic pump can be arranged to extract power from the source in the most efficient way.

Abstract: A system for converting the mechanical energy in the wave motion of a body of water into electrical energy. A frame is fixed with respect to the wave motion of the water. A flotation element is buoyantly supported by the water and constrained to follow only the vertical component of the wave motion. The motion of the flotation element is transferred to an electrical generating device which includes a device for producing electromagnetic flux and electrical coils. The motion of the flotation element causes relative motion between the flux-producing device and the electrical coils thereby generating an electromotive force. A positioning subsystem is provided for moving the electrical generating device relative to the flotation element when the average depth of the body of water changes so as to maintain a symmetrical relative motion between the flux-producing device and the electrical coils.

Abstract: A marine wave power plant includes interconnected, swingable, floating basic units with anchoring means. Each unit consists of bearing displacement tubes, a stationary member and a displacement body movably joined thereto and moving with the waves. The wave movements are converted to electrical energy via a hydraulic-electrical system. The rear surface of the movable member is curved with its center of curvature at the journalling axis on the stationary member to avoid pumping between the two members, while a journalling arm is length-adjustable for different wave characteristics. To control the various parameters dependent on incoming waves, a sensor measures the water level in front of the displacement body. The movements of this body, the radian volume of the hydraulic motor and the electrical power output is controlled via a process computer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tuneable spring/mass dynamic energy absorber with air pumps connected so that the floats become essentially stationary while energy is absorbed at a high rate. The system has a large mass ratio (water mass/float mass) and low float buoyancy rate which combine to preclude float resonances above and below the absorber frequency.

Abstract: By means of Water Wave Power acting upon floats, attached to and made part of mechanical contrivances devised within the context of this invention for which the name of HYDRO-UNDULATORY POWER ARRESTERS has appropriately been chosen, water surrounding the structure is to be pumped positively or forcefully and continuously at that, to locations higher in elevation than the level of the water in the basin where the devices are installed or against a water system which comprises one or more hydro-pneumatic tanks, so that summarily the entire scheme would amount to the building up of potential hydrostatic energy at the expense of Water Wave Power, which under present circumstances is not utilized at all but simply allowed to go to waste.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for obtaining useful work from or with waves includes a buoyant body having a leading edge and a trailing edge, and a convex upper surface extending between the leading and trailing edges. The upper surface is configured with a gradually sloping shape from the leading edge toward the trailing edge and terminates at the trailing edge in a sharply oppositely sloping surface, whereby the circular or orbital motion of water particles in waves is converted by the upper surface to linear flow of the water particles, and waves traveling across the surface from the leading to the trailing edge are not damped or extinguished by backwash of waves from the trailing edge toward the leading edge.

Abstract: A device for efficiently extracting hydrodynamic energy from ocean waves, comprising a floating platform structure, an anchoring means which is connected to piston shafts of an array of hydraulic cylinders having pistons therein within the platform structure which act through a network of check valves as piston pumps for transferring hydraulic fluid from an air cushioned low pressure reservoir to an air cushioned high pressure reservoir, a hydraulic motor or turbine mechanically coupled to an electric generator and hydraulically connected between the two reservoir tanks which produces electricity as fluid is allowed to flow through the motor or turbine from the high pressure reservoir to the low pressure reservoir.

Abstract: A system for conversion of sea wave energy to useful energy comprising a water displacing member adapted to be at least in part submerged in the sea and mechanically secured to solid ground and provided with means to so control the movement of the water displacing member that it is locked relative to the ground during selected time periods of each cycle of such waves to which the water displacing member is subjected, for the purpose of thereby controlling the rotational movement of an electric generator through at least one fluid under controlled circulation within the water displacing member.

Abstract: A fixed tank is disposed in the sea adjacent a floating solar still, with a flexible conduit extending between a lower portion of the tank and the interior of the still. A one-way check valve disposed in the lower portion of the tank permits sea water to enter the tank and fill it as the tide rises. As the tide lowers, water flows from the tank through a restriction in the conduit to the solar still.

Abstract: This disclosure pertains to a plurality of individual floats, each connected to an individual shaft. A pier is provided which supports the shafts in a substantially vertical direction. The shafts are free to move vertically as the floats rise and descend in accordance with the waves and tides at the ocean front. Each shaft is connected to a rotary hydraulic pump which is caused to rotate as the float ascends and descends. The pump in turn charges a tank with oil at high pressure, which in turn is fed to an engine. The engine drives an electric generator.

Abstract: A hydraulic power source for harnessing energy generated by the wave motion of a body of water. A primary or main float has a plurality of secondary or satellite floats spaced outwardly therefrom. The secondary floats are each attached to one end of a plurality of lever arms, the other ends thereof being attached to a plurality of rotatable shafts carried by the primary float so that up/down motion of the lever arms is translated into rotational motion of the shafts. When placed upon a body of water, the wave motion causes the secondary floats to be displaced upwardly or downwardly relative to the primary float. The motion of the secondary floats is translated by the generally vertical movement of the lever arms to the shafts to rotate the shafts. The rotational motion of the shafts is translated into linear motion within the primary float by means of interacting cam surfaces which activate pistons of linear pumps.

Abstract: A plurality of different sized floats are connected into an array through nonlinear interfaces so their relative motions drive hydraulic pumping means. Floats in the array are sized to present a "black body" to the ocean waves incident upon the array. Fluid moved by the pumping means is used to drive an electric turbogenerator.

Abstract: A wave motor is described comprising a cylinder fixed to a first float, a plunger fixed to a second float, and an anchor secured to the cylinder normally retaining same submerged beneath the sea surface in a vertical position above the sea bottom but permitting it to move in a lateral direction with respect to the sea bottom. The second float is of sufficient volume to float on the surface of the sea, whereby wave crests and wave troughs cause the cylinder to move laterally and the plunger to rise and fall within the cylinder, thereby converting the wave energy to mechanical pumping energy.

Abstract: A wave energy transformer for transformation of wave energy into pressure energy of water in a pipe system. The transformer consists of a submerged space network of chambers at least partially closed by walls pivoted to adjacent walls. The walls are deformable due to the action of the waves. At least two of said deformable walls in each chamber are connected to at least one pumping means for pumping water into said pipe system owing to the deformation of said walls.

Abstract: A device for utilizing energy stored in wave motion. A buoyant body on the water surface is anchored so as to permit free, unrestricted vertical movement when acted upon by a heaving wave. An energy collecting member connected to the buoyant body and including propeller blades is located at a depth where the water is not subjected to the vertical wave motion.

Abstract: This is a floating pumping station, conceived as ordinarily to be used at the shore of the ocean or large lake where wave action is very considerable and where provision must be made for tidal change and in some cases change in the force of the waves since the waves of great amplitude must be refused entry into the apparatus or attenuated. The apparatus comprises, in brief, a pair of elongated pontoons which define a channel therebetween and this channel is guarded at one end at least by the said wave attenuating apparatus, while a plurality of double-acting pumps distributed along the length of the channel operate in response to the movement of floats which are connected to the pistons of the pump.

Abstract: A plurality of different sized floats are connected into an array through nonlinear interfaces so their relative motions drive hydraulic pumping means. Floats in the array are sized to present a "black body" to the ocean waves incident upon the array. Fluid moved by the pumping means is used to drive an electric turbogenerator.