Abstract: A wave energy converter has a primary body interconnected to a secondary body such that the bodies may oscillate longitudinally relative to one another. A slug mass is visco-elastically connected to the primary body. The slug mass has effective mass, stiffness and damping characteristics. A generator is drivingly connected between the primary and secondary bodies. The generator has a load damping characteristic. At least one of the characteristics is dynamically controllable, allowing the bodies' longitudinal motion to be varied in response to wave motion changes of the wave environment in which the wave energy converter is deployed, to maintain out-of-phase oscillation of the bodies, thus increasing the driving force imparted to the generator and thereby increasing the generator's electrical energy output.

Abstract: A wave energy converter (100, 200 or 300) has a primary body (102, 202 or 302) interconnected to a secondary body (104, 204 or 304) such that the bodies may oscillate longitudinally relative to one another. A slug mass (106, 208 or 308) is visco-elastically connected to the primary body. The slug mass has effective mass, stiffness and damping characteristics. A generator (108, 216 or 316) is drivingly connected between the primary and secondary bodies. The generator has a load damping characteristic. At least one of the aforementioned characteristics is dynamically controllable, allowing the bodies' longitudinal motion to be varied in response to wave motion changes of the wave environment in which the wave energy converter is deployed, to maintain out-of-phase oscillation of the bodies, thus increasing the driving force imparted to the generator and thereby increasing the generator's electrical energy output.