Abstract: An apparatus for harnessing the energy derived from the undulatory motion of a body of water includes an assembly having a buoyancy sufficient for maintaining it afloat in the water, a first structure substantially following multidirectional undulatory motions of the water and a second structure mounted in the assembly for free movement in a plurality of planes with respect to the first structure. The second structure is displaceable by gravity and by forces derived from the motions of said first structure. There is further provided a device connected to the first and second structures for generating a pressure output in response to the force derived from the relative motions between the first and second structures. An arrangement is coupled to the pressure output of the device for utilizing, at least indirectly, the energy derived from the pressure output.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for extracting energy from waves and having a pump arranged to be operated by relative motion between members of the device in response to waves. The pump according to the invention has a pump body with a flexible portion extending between the members so as to define a pump chamber having a volume which varies as a result of the aforesaid relative motion. In one form of the invention the pump body is provided by a tubular bellows comprising elastomeric material. A plurality of such pumps may be disposed between the members, each pump being activated by said relative motion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for extracting energy from waves, the device having a pump or a number of pumps arranged to be operated by relative motion between hingedly connected members of the device in response to waves so as to displace a fluid. The device according to the invention is provided with a vane pump having a pump chamber defined by one of the members and a vane extending from an adjacent member so as to be displaced in the pump chamber by the relative motion of the members to displace the fluid. The members may be hingedly connected together at a number of locations at which a respective bearing is supported by a resiliently flexible mounting.

Abstract: The invention provides a pump in the form of a length of hose reinforced by at least one extensible multi-filament strand, or parallel multi-filament strands, wound helically about it which during the application of torsion or tension to the hose is wound up, or has its helix angle reduced, so as to constrict the hose. In a torsion pump the reinforcement is unbalanced, meaning that there is no opposite helix, but in a tension pump reinforcement strands are wound about the hose in opposite senses providing a balanced structure.Preferably means is provided whereby relative movement between two members 10 and 11 caused by waves is used to distort and relax the length of hose 16, the resulting changes in its internal volume serving to pump water between inlet and outlet lines controlled by non-return valves 20 and 22. The hose length 16 is subjected to torsion as two rafts 10 and 11 pivot about an axis x, but in an alternative embodiment a hose length transverse to axis x is subject to tension.

Abstract: An energy conversion device is disclosed which utilizes the natural movements of ocean waves to produce electrical energy. The apparatus is contained in a tank which is adapted to float near the surface of the water and tilt from side to side about a pivot point located below the tank, thereby simulating a pendulum-like movement. A sinker weight is employed to produce the appropriate movement of the tank and maintain the floating tank in balance at the ocean surface. The pendulum motion of the tank is used to roll a plurality of gravity wheels or their respective horizontal platforms in the tank in such manner that shafts associated with the gravity wheels are caused to rotate. Electrical generators are operatively connected to the rotating shafts for producing electrical energy from the mechanical rotative energy of the shafts as the tank tilts from side to side with the wave motion.

Abstract: At least two spaced apart eccentric weights are rotatably mounted about vertical axles. The weights are coupled to advance a drive mechanism in a single direction when the weights move about their respective axles in either direction of rotation. The drive mechanism is coupled to a flywheel mounted upon a vertical axle and rotatable therewith. The transducer may be mounted athwartship in a floating vessel or supported on a mast or other support which is subjected to wind or wave motion. The eccentric weights oscillate irregularly about their axles under the influence of the rolling and pitching motion imparted by wind or waves. The motion of the eccentric weights thereby drives the flywheel in a single direction to provide useful power.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for converting into useful energy movements imparted thereto by movement of water, preferably sea waves and/or sea currents, the apparatus comprising two or more interconnected members of which at least one is buoyant and which in use of the apparatus are movable relative to each other due to vertical motions of the water, at least one of said members being provided with or connected to means which in use of the apparatus is responsive to horizontal motions of the water, and means for converting the relative movements of said interconnected members and operation of the means responsive to horizontal motions of the water into useful energy, such as electricity.

Abstract: A water wave-to-hydraulic power converter pumps quantities of working liquid which are approximately proportional to the square of wave height. A reciprocating force pump is attached pivotally to a pair of hinged hulls, the cylinder to one hull and the piston rod to the other hull, so that the axis defined by the points of pivotal connection intersects the axis of the interhull hinge when the hulls are at rest, in the absence of waves.

Abstract: An elongated floatable hull is provided including bottom anchoring structure for anchoring the hull in position above a predetermined bottom portion against horizontal displacement from the aforementioned position, while allowing roll, pitch and heave movements of the hull in response to wave action thereon. Fluid motor and pump structures are supported from the hull and are driven in response to each of the roll, pitch and heave movements of the hull and also various combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting energy from a swell in a fluid medium using a mobile float which is displaceable in response to movements of the swell. The float is submergible in the fluid medium at a predetermined depth selected such that, in the absence of movement of the fluid medium, the upwardly and downwardly directed forces acting on the float counterbalance each other so that the float is in equilibrium at such predetermined depth. The buoyancy of the float is adjusted to maintain it in equilibrium.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for converting the motion of waves in a body of water to a usable form, including a support structure, a lever arm pivotally supported from the support structure, and a buoy fixed to one end of the lever arm and positioned on the body of water. A lift-force pump is attached to the lever arm and actuated by the movement of the lever arm of the body of water. The pump, the lever arm and the buoy are designed such that the buoy is substantially submerged in the body of water by ascending waves before a sufficient buoyance force is applied by the water to the buoy to drive the pump thereby making more efficient use of the buoyance force on the buoy.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing power from water waves. The apparatus comprises a main pipe having at least one inlet and an outlet. A pump has an inlet to admit ambient water and an outlet that communicates with the inlet of the pipe. A valve controls the inlet to the pump. Another valve controls the outlet to the pump. A buoyancy vessel is attached to the pump. The buoyancy vessel has a slightly positive buoyancy to follow the motion of the waves. Reciprocation of the buoyancy vessel permits water to enter the pump, through the inlet, and then forces water from the outlet into the pipe.

Abstract: A power generation system for the generation of electrica power from wave motions of the sea comprising a spine on which a plurality of ducks are rockably mounted and for each duck a power generation assembly comprising a hydrostatic transmission having a pump operatively connected with a drive which is rotated back and forth by the rocking motion of the duck, caused by the wave motions of the sea and a variable displacement motor hydraulically coupled to the pump so as to be driven by the pump. The system further includes an electric generator operatively connected to the motor to be driven thereby so as to provide electrical power and a sensing means for sensing the force or velocity condition of the duck and for varying the motor displacement in accordance with such condition.

Abstract: A pumping apparatus actuated by waves in a large body of water for pumping water to a remote location. The pumping apparatus is bouyant and comprises a barge structure carrying a compression system having a plurality of pumping units disposed substantially colinearly along the length of the barge structure. The pumping units are actuated by float members which rise and fall responsive to waves in the water body in which the pumping apparatus is disposed. To this end, each of the float members is connected to a piston head of one of the pumping units through a linkage system. Actuation of the piston heads serves to force water under pressure through a suitable discharge pipe to a remote location such as a reservoir where the water can be converted into a usable form of energy.

Abstract: A system for converting wave energy from the sea into electrical energy, comprises a floatable assembly which, in use, is moored at sea and which is capable of internal movement in response to the action of waves. The assembly includes a hollow body mounted on a shaft and reciprocable angularly about the axis of the shaft in response to said internal movement. The body and the shaft define respective parts of a pump which also comprises a pair of spaced, opposed annular cam tracks extending around the axis of the shaft and rigidly connected to one of the pump parts defined by the body and the shaft, and at least one piston and cylinder arrangement disposed between the cam tracks and rigidly secured to the other of the pump parts so as to extend substantially parallel with the shaft axis.

Abstract: A vehicle-actuated air compressor and a system are disclosed for utilizing compressed air to operate an electrical generator to generate electricity. The vehicle-actuated air compressor includes an actuator, a cylinder, and a piston in the cylinder reciprocatable in response to actuation of the actuator by a vehicle for compressing air in the cylinder. The cylinder is provided with a first vent means for introducing air into the cylinder behind the piston during a forward stroke of the piston, a valve-controlled second vent means for introducing air into the cylinder on the other side of the piston during the reverse stroke thereof, and outlet means for supplying air compressed by the piston during the forward stroke thereof to a utilization device.

Abstract: A wave powered pumping system of a type adapted for installation in a body of water subject to surface wave motion. A support structure is adapted to be mounted within the body of water, and a float is connected to a reciprocal structure which is movably connected to the support structure for permitting the float to rise and fall upon the water surface in response to wave motion. A load is driven by the reciprocal structure, and apparatus is provided which opposes free movement of the reciprocal structure toward two positional extremes for minimizing the likelihood of damage to the pumping system which would otherwise occur during severe weather conditions.

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: This invention relates to apparatus for extracting energy from movement of water, particularly sea waves, the apparatus comprising a plurality of buoyant members which are interconnected one with another so as to be movable relative to one another, each buoyant member being provided with a plate or plate-like member which is supported from the buoyant member and positioned so that in use of the apparatus it is submerged below the level of the water, and means are provided for converting the relative movement of the buoyant members into useful energy, such as electricity.

Abstract: A hydroelectric plant operated by wave action is supported by the ocean floor and extends above the surface of the ocean. Connected to an outer edge of the plant structure above the surface of the ocean is a plurality of pivotally connected lever arms having floats connected on the ends thereof. The floats rise and fall with the ocean waves to cause pivotal motion of the lever arms. The lever arms connect through an adjustable crosshead and hydraulic cylinder to secondary levers. The secondary levers are pivotally attached to the plant structure and operate pump rods to move pistons the same stroke length regardless of the tide or the height of the waves. The movement of the piston may be used to pump water through a turbine, or to pressurize air, either of which may be used as a driving force for generating power.

Abstract: An apparatus for the conversion of complex surface motion of the sea or other fluid body into useful energy, comprising a pair of floating bodies, each of which constitutes a wave motion pump; the pair of floating bodies being linked by a lever whose motion serves to initiate and multiply the pumping energy of each. Each floating body contains two piston operated water cylinders with water intake check valves at their bases and a third cylinder serving as a pressure chamber. Each floating body contains its own fulcrum such that it rocks about one end of the lever. The downward pivotal motion of the lever on the piston shaft of the piston in one of said water cylinders forces water out of the cylinder. Simultaneously, the upward motion of the lever on the other side of the fulcrum pulse the piston shaft of the other piston upward, causing water to be taken into the other cylinder through the intake check valve at its base.

Abstract: A power generating system for the generation of energy from the wave motions of the sea is buoyantly supported by the sea. The system comprises spine elements defining a spine on which ducks are rockably mounted, the system further including tension cable means pressing the spine elements towards each other thereby to define a spine, and energy conversion means for converting the rocking motion into electrical power.

Abstract: A wave powered pumping system including a floating platform and a plurality of floats hinged about the periphery of the platform. A double acting piston pump is provided on the platform for each float, with the float driving the piston of the pump utilizing both upward and downward movements of the float in a variable stroke operation. Nozzles for water jets may be carried on the platform below the water line to provide positioning and/or propulsion forces for the platform. In one embodiment, the platform is free floating; in another embodiment, the platform moves up and down with the swells and has a telescoping pipe anchor.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting water wave movement into power. A float is located in a body of water, and the apparatus converts the up and down movement of that float caused by waves in the water to operate a pump to displace hydraulic fluid through a hydraulic pumping station which actuates fluid motors, or the like to produce power. The force of the float movement is multiplied by a mechanical advantage so that the pump displaces the hydraulic fluid on both the upward and downward movement of the float even in calm water. A plurality of modules are interconnected to take advantage of as much of a wave front as desired.

Abstract: A wave and tide actuated hydraulic electrical generating apparatus including a flotation chamber floatingly supported in a water containing basin area connected to a fluctuating water source, such as the tide and wave level of an ocean, the flotation chamber rising and falling with the changes in elevation of the water in the basin, such as caused by the movement of waves, with the chamber being linked by lever arms through suitable gear mechanisms to a multitude of piston rods associated with a like number of hydraulic cylinders which are connected in hydraulic parallel relationship, the movement of the flotation chamber in an upward direction effecting movement of the piston rods in a first direction relative to the cylinders, the movement of the flotation chamber in a downward direction effecting movement of the piston rods in the opposite direction in their associated cylinders, this movement of the piston rods in their associated cylinders effecting a pumping of hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic turbine to

Abstract: There is disclosed a device to convert water wave motion into useful energy which includes a shaft mounted to be rotatable and having fixed thereto a plurality of gears, a plurality of floats equal in number to the plurality of gears with each float connected by an arm, through a fulcrum, to a ratchet-like device on the other end of the arm from the float, which ratchet-like device drives one of the gears. The shaft drives a gear train which results in a rapidly rotating shaft which drives a pump which takes suction from a low pressure reservoir and discharges to drive a fluid-driven motor. Between the discharge side of the pump and the fluid-driven motor are a high pressure reservoir for the driving fluid, a regulating valve, and a pressure relief valve which discharges into the low pressure reservoir, whereby the action of waves in a body of water causes a continuous surge of fluid through the motor at a uniform pressure.

Abstract: A new type of power generating plant that utilizes the motion of ocean waves to drive turbine generators in a power station; the plant including a series of underwater units each of which includes a hollow sphere that floats upon the water so that it rises and falls as waves move by, the ball being mounted on an end of a pivoting arm to which there is connected a piston slidable in a cylinder so to pump ocean water through a duct to the turbines in the power station.