Abstract: A structure for supporting wave energy conversion mechanisms driven by—floats (24, 25) placed in the sea, said structure comprising: an open sided lattice framework (15); at least one leg (16) for supporting said open sided lattice framework; members (20) which are supported by said lattice framework (15) for providing a platform, in use, above sea level for said wave energy conversion mechanisms; and a plurality of discrete protective containers (21, 22) affixed to said members (20) and each for housing at least part of a wave energy conversion mechanism (23).

Abstract: A float for use in capturing energy from waves, said float comprising: a central body providing buoyancy, said float further comprising: a leading part which has a leading surface which, in use of the float, is inclined upwards from horizontal such that the top of said leading surface projects further from said central body than the bottom of said leading surface and/or a trailing part which, in use of said float, extends downwards from said central body and presents a trailing surface which is inclined downwards from horizontal such that the top of said trailing surface is closer to said body than the bottom of said trailing surface.

Abstract: A tubular linear generator comprises an elongate translator, containing a series of permanent magnets and one or more annular coils (not shown) contained within and affixed to a ferromagnetic sleeve. Relative movement between the translator and armature causes the generation of electricity in the coils. The sleeve is contoured in terms of permeability around its circumference at one or both its ends, as shown at, in order to reduce cogging forces between the sleeve and the permanent magnets along the translator.

Abstract: A structure for supporting wave energy conversion mechanisms driven by—floats (24, 25) placed in the sea, said structure comprising: an open sided lattice framework (15); at least one leg (16) for supporting said open sided lattice framework; members (20) which are supported by said lattice framework (15) for providing a platform, in use, above sea level for said wave energy conversion mechanisms; and a plurality of discrete protective containers (21, 22) affixed to said members (20) and each for housing at least part of a wave energy conversion mechanism (23).

Abstract: A wavefarm (10) comprises a multiplicity of wave energy converters, comprising linear generators (19, 20, 21) and (22) which are driven by floats immersed in the sea, (14). In normal wave conditions, all of the generators supply a land line (17) via a control unit (18). In the event of inclement conditions, one or more of the generators are switched to linear motors, and these are then powered by those generators remaining in the sea, to withdraw their floats into protective cavities (23). The process is repeated sequentially until all but the last one or few of the generators have withdrawn their floats. Finally, these last are withdrawn by connecting them to an alternate power source e.g. a battery, (24), again via the control unit (18).

Abstract: An electrical short stroke actuator, comprising an annular filed collar and a composite plunger for travelling therethrough. In its simplest form, the plunger comprises two permanent magnets with like poles facing, and which are housed within a thin walled tube, and separated by a central spacer. By judicious choice of the spacing of the magnets, and the length of the field coil, a substantially constant thrust profile is achieved over a pre-selected stroke of the field coil relative to the plunger. The thrust may be augmented by fabricating the means used for spacing the magnets wholly or in part from ferromagnetic material, and also adding collars, similarly fabricated, onto the outside face of each of the permanent magnets.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting the motion of sea wave energy to electrical energy includes one or more float driven linear generators, in which the inertial mass of the float and any linkage means to the linear generator is minimised. In order to generate electrical power consistently upon both the upstroke and downstroke of the float, the moving part of the generator is so sized that its gravitational weight acting upon the float, together with that of the float itself and any intermediate linkage means, is substantially equal to half the total buoyancy of the float.

Abstract: An electrical short stroke actuator, comprising an annular filed collar and a composite plunger for travelling therethrough. In its simplest form, the plunger comprises two permanent magnets with like poles facing, and which are housed within a thin walled tube, and separated by a central spacer. By judicious choice of the spacing of the magnets, and the length of the field coil, a substantially constant thrust profile is achieved over a pre-selected stroke of the field coil relative to the plunger. The thrust may be augmented by fabricating the means used for spacing the magnets wholly or in part from ferromagnetic material, and also adding collars, similarly fabricated, onto the outside face of each of the permanent magnets.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting the motion of sea waves to electrical energy comprises at least one vertically oriented linear generator, relatively reciprocating motion of the armature and stator of which is driven by a float immersed in the sea directly below the motor armature. To protect the generator against unfavourable sea conditions, on the onset or occurrence of same, the float is moved to and held in a position in which it is clear of, or submerged, in the sea. This movement may be achieved in whole or in part by operating the linear generator as a linear motor.

Abstract: In a linear motor, the drive coils (5a,5b) on the armature are formed by a number of sub-coils (6a.sub.1,6a.sub.2,6a.sub.3,6b.sub.1,6b.sub.2,6b.sub.3) oriented laterally of the motor axis subject to lateral magnetic fields generated by pairs of magnets (3a,3b) on the stator. The sub-coils are so arranged that the fields produced by the adjacent winding portions (8 and 9, 10 and 11) of an adjacent pair of sub-coils are of the same polarity.