Abstract: A wave energy converter (WEC) having an asymmetrically shaped float and a spar which move relative to each other in response to the waves. The asymmetrical float has one side longer than the other. A power take off device (PTO) is coupled between the asymmetric float and the spar for converting their relative motion into useful power. Apparatus is coupled to the WEC for: (a) orienting and rotating the longer side of the float to face and receive oncoming waves to increase energy capture when the waves have an amplitude below a predetermined value for improving the power generation of the WEC; and (b) rotating the float to orient the narrower side of the float to face and receive the incoming waves when the waves have an amplitude above a predetermined value, so as to reduce the forces to which the WEC is subjected. There is no known WEC system with an asymmetrical float which is raised and lowered by the waves.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting a power cable to a marine vessel which is subject to pitch, heave, roll and yaw motion includes a ball and socket device for decreasing the twisting and bending of the power cable. The socket is attached to the vessel and the ball can rotate freely Within the socket but its up down motion is restricted. The power cable's outer protective sheath is attached to the ball while its conductors pass through the ball and are connected to an internal connector. A flexible cable (wire) is connected between the internal connector and electrical equipment internal to the marine vessel.

Abstract: High strength implantable devices having complex surfaces are injection molded from powder metal wherein the surface is defined by a monolithic insert made by additive manufacturing. The insert defines the surface texture of the device and may also include a portion to form an ingrowth texture and a portion to form a substrate interface texture. The tensile bond strength of the texture is 20 Mega Pascal or greater.

Abstract: A reaction mass and a spring are configured to form an “oscillator”. The reaction mass is coupled to, and can wrap around, a first pulley via a first belt/cable. The spring is coupled to, and can wrap around, a second pulley via a second belt/cable. The first and second pulleys are mechanically linked together and are mounted so they rotate in tandem. The diameter of the second pulley is different than the diameter of the first pulley to cause the reaction mass to travel a different distance than the spring in response to the up down motion of the reaction mass. The first and second pulleys may be circular with the second pulley being made smaller than first. Alternatively, the first pulley may be circular and the second pulley a cam of varying radius.

Abstract: A wave energy converter (WEC) system includes WEC devices which can function to produce useful energy (power) efficiently in response to heave motion and/or pitch motion and/or roll motion. Pitch responsive devices are deployed around the outer periphery of a container and one (or more) heave responsive device is located about the center of the container. The pitch responsive devices may be of the type defined as PDWECs which include two reaction masses which are primarily operable in response to pitching motion or they may be of the type which includes one reaction mass operable in response to pitch and/or heave motion.

Abstract: An apparatus and corresponding method for maintaining an air gap between a stator and rotor in an electro-mechanical energy converter is provided. The apparatus includes a structural sleeve and a plurality of stator sections attached to an inner surface of the structural sleeve. A hub is enclosed by the structural sleeve and is concentric with the structural sleeve. A plurality of rotor sections is flexibly coupled to the hub and is enclosed by the structural sleeve. A rail system is positioned within the structural sleeve and is concentric with the structural sleeve. The rail system guides the rotor sections in a substantially circular path and defines an air gap between the plurality of stator sections and plurality of rotor sections.

Abstract: A high capacity electrode includes a conducting substrate on which a plurality of support filaments are disposed. Each of the support filaments have a length substantially greater than their width and may include, for example, a carbon nano-tube (CNT), a carbon nano-fiber (CNF), and/or a nano-wire (NW). The support filaments are coated with a material, such as silicon, having a greater ion absorbing capacity greater than the neat support filaments. A trunk region of the support filaments proximate to the substrate is optionally kept free of ion absorbing material. This trunk region allows for the expansion of the ion absorbing material without detaching the support filaments form the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for converting wave energy using the relative rotational movement between two interconnected float assemblies and the relative rotational movement between each of the float assemblies and a spar which extends from a connection with the float assemblies at the water surface into the water.

Abstract: A high capacity electrode includes a conducting substrate on which a plurality of support filaments are disposed. Each of the support filaments have a length substantially greater than their width and may include, for example, a carbon nano-tube (CNT), a carbon nano-fiber (CNF), and/or a nano-wire (NW). The support filaments are coated with a material, such as silicon, having a greater ion absorbing capacity greater than the neat support filaments. A trunk region of the support filaments proximate to the substrate is optionally kept free of ion absorbing material. This trunk region allows for the expansion of the ion absorbing material without detaching the support filaments form the substrate.

Abstract: An electrical instrument includes an input terminal block that allows customers to configure input power as either single-phase, three-phase delta, or three-phase wye, using shorting bars to connect appropriate line and/or neutral terminals to each other without the need for an external adaptor or converter, and without modifying the internal circuitry or programming of the instrument.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for converting wave energy using the relative rotational movement between two interconnected float assemblies and the relative rotational movement between each of the float assemblies and a spar which extends from a connection with the float assemblies at the water surface into the water.

Abstract: A wave energy converter (WEC) system includes first and second bodies which can move relative to each other in response to waves and a power-take-off (PTO) device coupled between the two bodies to convert their relative motion into energy. A sensor is used to sense selected characteristics of an incoming wave and produce signals which are applied to a control computer for predicting the impact of the incoming waves on the WEC. Simultaneously, signals indicative of the actual conditions (e.g. the velocity) of the WEC are also supplied to the control computer which is programmed to process the predicted and actual information in order to generate appropriate signals (forces) to the components of the WEC such that the average wave power captured by the PTO is maximized.

Abstract: A system and method for supplying power to a variable speed motor for rotating a shaft may include generating an A/C output having a variable frequency corresponding to speed of a prime mover, where the speed of the prime mover is equal to or greater than a predetermined speed limit. The A/C output of the prime mover may be distributed to the variable speed motor such that the speed of the variable speed motor is varied relative to the frequency of the A/C output. The variable speed motor may be electrically disconnected from the A/C power when the speed of the prime mover being used to drive the variable speed motor is equal to or within a predetermined range of the predetermined speed limit. An alternate A/C output may be distributed to the variable speed motor after the A/C power is electrically disconnected from the variable speed motor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for converting wave energy using the relative rotational movement between two interconnected float assemblies and the relative rotational movement between each of the float assemblies and a spar which extends from a connection with the float assemblies at the water surface into the water.

Abstract: A retention system in which rotor pole pieces are retained within complementarily shaped channels in a rotor hub, permanent magnets are secured between the pole pieces and within clamp members, and wedge-shaped pieces are used to apply positive locking forces along the axial length of each clamp member and of adjacent pole pieces. A curable resin preferably in disposed within gaps between the permanent magnets and the clamp members.

Abstract: A wave energy converter (WEC) includes a float tending to move in phase with the waves, a spar tending to move out of phase with the float and power take off device (PTO) coupled between the float and spar for converting their relative motion into useful energy. The PTO includes a rack and pinion mechanism which drives a high-torque, multi-pole, permanent magnet generator (PMG) to produce electrical signals of relatively high frequency relative to the frequency of the waves and the basic motion of the rack and pinion mechanism. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the rack and pinion mechanism may be located within the spar which may be hermetically sealed by a sealing mechanism which allows a thrust rod coupled between the float and spar to move up and down with little friction to ensure efficient operation. In addition, a braking arrangement is provided for inhibiting relative motion between the float and spar during extreme severe wave conditions.

Abstract: A wave energy converter (WEC) includes a float and a spar for guiding the up and down movement of the float in response to the waves. A power take off (PTO) device coupled between the float and the spar and mounted within one of the float and spar such that the PTO includes apparatus responsive to the mechanical interaction of the float with the portion of the spar in proximity to the float for converting their relative motion into useful energy. In one embodiment the PTO includes a linear rack extending along an external portion of the spar and a linear to rotary converter, mounted within the float, including a double sided toothed belt for engaging the rack and causing rotation of the rotary converter to drive an electric generator. In another embodiment the PTO includes tires mounted within the float which rotate as the float moves up and down. In another embodiment the PTO includes a rack and pinion arrangement with one of them connected to the spar and the other mounted in the float.

Abstract: A float structure for a WEC is designed to have a tapered underside to reduce the impact due to wave slam and bending moments while providing little reduction in the surface area responding to the wave surface in order to maintain the beneficial power generating capability of a “flat” float. The underside of the float presents an inverted wedge section to decrease loads associated with wave slamming. The float may have a generally toroidal or elliptical configuration at and about the “still” water line with the generally submerged underside of the float having a cross section shaped to have one or more inverted triangular sections extending between the outer perimeter of the float and its center to reduce impact loading due to wave slamming while maintaining power producing capability.

Abstract: A wave energy converter (WEC) includes a float which moves generally in phase with the waves and whose up and down motion is guided by and along a spar having an upper portion and a lower portion. A power take off (PTO) device is coupled between the float and the spar for converting their relative motion into useful energy. In some embodiments, the PTO includes (a) a drum having an axis of rotation rotatably mounted within one of the float and spar; and (b) cabling means connected between the drum and the other one of the float and spar for causing the drum to rotate as a function of the up and down motion of the float. In other embodiments, the PTO system is formed using a pre-tensioned roller chain wound around sprocket wheels located within one of the spar and float with the opposite ends of the chain connected to the other one of the spar and float to cause rotation of the sprocket wheels in response to movement of the float relative to the spar.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for converting wave energy using the relative rotational movement between two interconnected float assemblies and the relative rotational movement between each of the float assemblies and a spar which extends from a connection with the float assemblies at the water surface into the water.