Abstract: This wave-operated power plant comprises a perforated caisson breakwater in which propellers, or turbines, are mounted in the perforations or openings and drives hydraulic pumps connected thereto, which in turn drives a hydraulic motor coupled to an electric generator. One-way flap valves are mounted in the openings. Some of said flap valves allow the rushing waves to enter the caisson, while the other flap valves allow the water to flow out of the caisson.

Abstract: A device for extracting energy from sea waves by the motion of a submerged cylinder held normal to the direction of motion of the waves by tie members at each end of the cylinder. The tie members at their other respective ends are moored to the sea bed. Changes in the load on the tie members are arranged to turn in one direction a drum drivably connected to a vane pump. A spring, or a counterweight acting on a cam-shaped pulley, is arranged to apply a biasing load to the drum in the other direction so as to produce an oscillatory movement of the drum from changes in load on the tie members and drive the pump. A hydraulic motor connected to an electric generator is driven by the pump.The drum may be situated at the moorings on the sea bed, or at the cylinder.

Abstract: A novel tidal and wave-power collection apparatus is disclosed which is well suited for oceanic installations. In the preferred embodiment, a matrix of power collection units is easily assembled at sea, each being bridged and reinforced by catwalks extending therebetween which form trilateral power collection modules having such units at each of the corners thereof. Each power collection unit comprises a central tubular pilaster embedded in the ocean floor around which is disposed a toroidal float which moves up and down with the waves and tide and which acts to drive an air compressor while rising and falling. The output of the air compressor, i.e. compressed air, is stored in the float's chamber and is transmitted through conduits in the bridging structure to a remote power consumption site. The apparatus is efficient, economical and capable of capturing and storing large quantities of power which may be utilized to satisfy peak load power demands.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for extracting energy from waves on a liquid upon which the device is adapted to float. The device is allowed to move in response to the waves, and has a shape below the surface of the liquid, position of center of gravity, and value of radius of gyration about the center of gravity, in a vertical plane aligned in the direction of propagation of the waves, adapted so that the device in response to the waves inhibits to a substantial extent the transmission and/or reflection of waves by the device itself.

Abstract: A device for deriving power from the energy of water waves, such as ocean waves, includes a buoyant support base, such as a raft, adapted for floating in open waters and having a keel extending from its bottom surface for stabilizing same in a horizontal position. A plurality of open funnels are mounted on the top surface of the base for collecting a wave and directing it into a manifold mounted at the small ends of the funnels for operating a turbine generator in communication with the manifold. The bottom walls of the funnels extend outwardly of their larger ends so as to define artificial shoals lying beneath the bottom surface of the raft and thus beneath the surface of the water. The shoals cause the waves to break into the funnels, the broken waves tumbling along the funnels and increasing in speed upon movement toward the smaller ends thereof.

Abstract: A device for extracting both kinetic and potential energy from the motion of the water beneath waves over a considerable depth comprising a member or sail guided to reciprocate with the movement of the water. The sail is connected to and operates a power device such, for example, as an electric generator or a pump. Multiple units can be arranged in "farms" to furnish megawatts of power.

Abstract: A device for conversion of sea wave energy comprises partially inflated bag-like enclosures formed from flexible impermeable material. The enclosures are connected via non return valves to a high pressure conduit and a low pressure return conduit so as to act as an air pump or bellows as the sea rises and falls around the enclosures. A turbine extracts energy from the high pressure conduit, the exhaust returning to the low pressure return conduit.

Abstract: A device for converting the energy of sea waves into electrical energy. A tank-like inlet converter receives sea water from the peaks of waves and discharges it to a water-driven turbine. The turbine drives an electrical generator. Spent water from the turbine is delivered to an outlet converter which delivers the spent sea water to the troughs of the waves. The inlet and outlet converters are provided with controllable water inlet and outlet valves, respectively, which control the flow of sea water into and out of the inlet and outlet converters, respectively.

Abstract: A water vehicle-actuated air compressor and a system are disclosed for utilizing compressed air to operate an electrical generator to generate electricity. The water vehicle-actuated air compressor includes an actuator, a cylinder, and a piston in the cylinder reciprocable in response to actuation of the actuator by the motion of the vehicle through the water 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 device for extracting energy from water waves comprises high-level and low-level reservoirs with non-return valves for permitting water from wave crests to enter the high-level reservoir (but not return) and for permitting water from the low-level reservoir to escape as a water wave trough passes but preventing entry of water from the crests into the low-level reservoir. The non-return valves operate over a vertical extent and are such as to accommodate the variation in time with depth at which water pressure changes from high on one side and low the other to low on the one side and high on the other.

Abstract: This relates to an electric power generating system particularly adapted for use in locals where there is an absence of a water supply with sufficient elevation to supply the required power for an electrical energy generating system, or the water supply is insufficient for the required generating system. The deficiency is overcome in part by providing an elevated water supply reservoir and a system of gravity actuated water powered pumps for utilizing the discharge of the generating system to pump at least a portion of the discharge to the elevated reservoir. It is further proposed to utilize a pumping system of the wave motor type for pumping relatively available water at sea level to the elevated water reservoir. It is also proposed to provide a split stream of water from an elevated water supply to two generators at different elevations with the discharge from the uppermost generator being recombined with the other portion of the split stream for introduction into the generator at the lower level.

Abstract: A wave energy generator produces electric power from wave motion by means of a distortable underwater section thereof which has a plurality of flexible compartments containing liquid and gas and equipped with flexible internal one-way flow walls separating the compartments, so that in response to wave motion the internal liquid flows in one direction through the compartments and through a fluid flow-powered motor-generator combination. The underwater distortable flexible structure described is the lower portion of a body which also has an upper portion above water so that the combination thereof is useful as a breakwater or dock, when anchored, or as a barge.

Abstract: The invention relates to a water-power motor adapted to be driven by a rising and falling water surface, for instance the wave motion thereof. The novel features of the invention reside in that the water-power motor comprises one or more driving wheels each of which has a plurality of compartments defined in one direction by bottom shutters pivotally mounted in the wheel and allowing the wheel to rotate under water without any appreciable resistance, and in that the wheel or wheels are adapted to cooperate with an equalizer device in the form of a container which is supplied with water when the water surface is on a relatively high level and which in its turn supplies water to the wheel or wheels when the water surface is on a relatively low level.

Abstract: Several impeller chambers are disposed in spaced relationship within a rectangular casing whose interior communicates with the air. The casing and a U-shaped bank having two legs bridged by the casing are partly submerged in the sea to define a sea-water pool between them communicating with the outer sea water only through sea-water channels located on the lower portions of the impeller chambers. Sea waves overflowing the projecting bank portion flow into the pool and then through the sea-water channels to rotate impellers disposed in the chambers to operate air cylinders disposed outside each chamber. The air cylinders compress air to produce a high pressure air that is, in turn, transported through a common pipe to an adjacent shore to be converted to an electrical energy.

Abstract: A machine for harnessing the motion of ocean waves in order to convert the motion energy into useful electrical power; the machine consisting of a large V-shaped frame, submerged near a beach, having its apex pointed away from the beach, and the frame supporting a series of water turbines connected to an electric generator so that incoming waves toward a beach move along the outer side of the frame while turning the turbine rotors, and outgoing waves moving along the inner side of the frame so to likewise influence turning the turbine rotors.

Abstract: A rigid waterproof structure built on the ocean floor near a shore is completely enclosed. Guides are provided to direct the waves or swells from the ocean to an inlet opening which is completely covered, by a free-hanging heavy gate which latter is opened when the waves or swells move toward the shore thereby introducing water into the dome-like structure and displacing the air therein, thus compressing it. The air is forced out through check valves and thus compressed is conducted to a storage tank for the compressed air. Air intakes are provided which are closed when the air is compressed in the structure and are opened when the water escapes from the structure.

Abstract: A wave-powered pneumatic system for producing compressed air to be used for energy storage or power generation, comprising an elongated seawall extending parallel to the shore and at a distance out from the shore, upon which an air-accumulating structure is built. The air-accumulating structure is divided by partitions into a plurality of modules, each consisting of a plurality of stacked air chambers arranged one above the other. Each of the chambers is relatively shallow in the vertical dimension, and each chamber is closed on all sides except the end facing out to sea. A plenum chamber is connected to each of the air chambers by separate ducts having check valves which allow air to flow into the plenum chamber when pressure within the duct exceeds the pressure in the plenum chamber. The plenum chamber is connected to the air storage or power generating means.

Abstract: A motor, preferably in the form of a pump, is primarily designed to be activated by the oscillating motion of waves and has a paddle disposed to oscillate about a stationary horizontal axis located in the plane of the paddle. The paddle is placed in the surf and so positioned where the wave action is greatest so that the force of the waves can act on the paddle to cause the paddle to oscillate back and forth, one cycle with each wave. Preferably, the paddle is disposed to depend from the stationary axis. This oscillating motion of the paddle is coupled to a suitable pump which pumps sea water. Preferably, the pump has a cylindrical housing concentric with the stationary axis. A radial vane is fixed to a shaft within the housing while the paddle is fixed to the shaft and disposed outside the housing. Suitable valves are provided in the housing to allow sea water to enter and exit under action of the oscillating vane.

Abstract: A plurality of base members are seated on an ocean bed adjacent the shore and they support at their shore ends normally expanded compression cylinders provided with fluid inlets and outlets controlled by check valves. The outlets are connected by conduits with the inlet of a turbine that is operatively connected with an electric generator. Rigid pressure plates are disposed above the base members and the cylinders thereon and are inclined downwardly from their shore ends to their opposite ends, where they are hinged to the off-shore ends of the base members. Waves passing over the pressure plates will force their upper ends down to compress the cylinders to force fluid through the conduits to the turbine, after which spring means will expand the cylinders and raise the pressure plates. The base members are located in such positions on the ocean bed that the pressure plates will be depressed in succession to provide substantially constant flow of fluid to the turbine.

Abstract: A mechanism utilizing the energy of the surf including a gravitational bucket with a rack on the outside thereof. The rack engages a gear which drives a reciprocating water pump. The pump transports water to a tank for use later as a source of steady controllable energy.This invention relates a mechanism to be built on a suitable seashore for tapping the energy of the surf thereof. The primary object of the invention is to provide a means to tap the energy of the surf and to store the energy in a huge energy storage tank in the form of potential energy for later usage in driving various machineries, including generator, A further object of the invention is to provide, despite the pulsating nature of the energy input, a steady and controllable energy output making possible the uniform revolution of machinery driven by the energy.

Abstract: A breakwater apparatus for generating electrical power by extracting energy from sea waves. A novel array of subsurface fixed-position flexible-walled pneumatic bags or cells, in a closed cycle system, react to surface-wave-correlated static pressure variations by expiring compressed gas into a supply header to a generator-driving pneumatic motor while simultaneously inspiring return gas in a return header from such motor. Alternate inspirational-expirational operation of individual cells involves use of a supply check valve at each cell, discharging into the supply header, and a return check valve at each cell, receiving from the return header.

Abstract: An electrical generating system in which a hermetically sealed flotation sphere, preferably constructed of plastic, is anchored to a sea bed. The sphere carries a circumferential fender on the outside thereof in which is located a plurality of screws open to sea water which generate electricity from the action of ground swells. A wind turbine is mounted on top of the sphere for generating electricity from wind action and a solar generator is disposed directly beneath the wind turbine and on the upper surface of the sphere for generating energy from solar heat. An air compressor is disposed beneath the sphere for generating electricity from tidal action.

Abstract: An electrical generator is powered by the kinetic energy in ocean waves breaking at the shore. Waves are directed up an inclined surface through which an intake port is defined at a level substantially below the average wave height and extending across the entire length of the generator. Water entering the port is directed to drive the blades of a turbine located below the inclined surface but above the normal water level. Water overshooting the port is collected as it flows back down the surface by a second port which similarly feeds the water to drive the turbine. Water overshooting the top of the inclined surface is collected in a flow-reversing channel and likewise directed to drive the turbine. The system is mounted on wheels which are movable on rails extending from the ocean floor onto the beach, whereby the system can be moved to optimum position for different tidal conditions.

Abstract: A plurality of piston-sealed cylinders are secured in oppositely disposed units in spaced relationship to each other about the circumference of a rotational member having substantially horizontal axes of rotation. The rotational member and all cylinders are submerged within a fluid medium. Cylinders on the vertically upwardly moving side of the rotational member have their pistons withdrawn from sealed ends of the cylinders to create a large air space, reducing the weight of each such cylinder to less than the weight of the quantity of the fluid medium which each such cylinder displaces thereby giving each such cylinder buoyancy in the fluid medium and the tendency to rise therein.