Abstract: A wave energy converter includes a housing having a forward end and an aft end. Three upstanding air chambers are located in the housing and three corresponding water accommodating ducts extend aft from the air chambers and terminate in aft water accommodating openings for accommodating water into and out of the air chambers as the housing oscillates by pitching in response to passing waves. An air accommodating duct communicates with the air chambers through a manifold for accommodating air into and out of the air chambers as the water level falls and rises within the air chambers as the housing oscillates. A self-rectifying turbine in the air accommodating duct powers an electrical generator. A first stabilizing plate extends forwardly and downwardly from the forward end of the housing for controlling the oscillating motion of the housing.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 18, 2007
Date of Patent:
May 14, 2013
Assignee:
Maritime Technologies Limited
Inventors:
Michael John Martin McCarthy, Michael Martin Whelan
Abstract: A wave energy converter (1) comprises a housing (2) extending between a forward end (3) and an aft end (4). Three upstanding air chambers (15) are located in the housing (2) and three corresponding water accommodating ducts (16) extend aft from the air chambers (15) and terminate in aft water accommodating openings (17) for accommodating water into and out of the air chambers (15) as the housing (2) oscillates by pitching in response to passing waves. An air accommodating duct (21) communicates with the air chambers (15) through a manifold (20) for accommodating air into and out of the air chambers (15) as the water level (19a) falls and rises within the air chambers (15) as the housing (2) oscillates. A self-rectifying turbine (22) located in the air accommodating duct (21) powers an electrical generator (24) for generating electricity.
Type:
Application
Filed:
October 18, 2007
Publication date:
February 18, 2010
Applicant:
Maritime Technologies Limited
Inventors:
Michael John Martin McCarthy, Michael Martin Whelan