Abstract: An apparatus for converting wave energy to electrical energy in a sea environment comprises a flotation duck anchored to the sea bottom and a turbine assembly pivotally connected thereto comprising an air chamber partially filled with liquid and/or granular particles having a turbine mounted on the upper portion thereof. The turbine is either self-rectifying or with a flap valve controlled entrance to the air chamber. A generator is coupled to the turbine and driven thereby. In operation, the motion of the waves causes the liquid and/or granular particles to compress the air within the chamber which is then used to drive the turbine. The spent air is fed back into the air chamber from the turbine as wave motion continues. In alternate embodiments the turbine generator assembly is mounted to the upper portion of an air chamber open to the sea on the bottom in an apparatus which rotates about a fixed or stable central axis.

Abstract: A pumping unit suitable for driving an electric generator and which is powered by ocean surf and waves. The unit includes a tower which is located on an ocean beach, and which includes a generally horizontal boom. The boom includes two forward sections disposed at right angles to one another. Two blades are mounted on the respective ends of the forward sections, and the forward sections are controlled so that the blades can be alternately dropped into the water to be driven toward the shore by the incoming surf and waves. As one blade is driven to the shore, it turns the boom in one direction about the vertical axis, causing the other blade to be moved out over the water. Then, the first blade can be lifted out of the water, and the second blade dropped into the water, so that the incoming surf will drive the second blade towards the shore turning the boom in the opposite direction about the vertical axis.

Abstract: A plant for the combined utilization of energy from both wind and waves includes a plurality of fluid flow engines for utilizing both energies, and generating power therefrom. Each engine includes blades for making use of the energy of the wind, and a float for making use of the energy of the waves. The engines operate a common turbogenerator, and a floating carrier receives the turbogenerator. A low-loss power transmission is provided for transmitting power generated by the engines to the turbogenerator; it includes a pressure vessel adapted to store water under pressure to drive the turbogenerator, a conduit to pass the water under pressure to the vessel, and a pump driven by the engines to draw in the water from a water source, and to deliver it through the conduit to the vessel.

Abstract: A float having depending fins and a curved surface on which waves impinge. The float provides an additional lift over and beyond its buoyancy. The float is coupled through a swivel to allow it to turn into the direction of waves. The float is additionally provided with an arrangement to compensate for variations in the mean water level due to tide action.

Abstract: An installation for exploiting the energy of oceans, comprising at least one floating-member, or float, capable of moving along the surface of the sea under the action of waves, at least one reference-member deeply submerged, said reference-member being substantially unaffected by the waves and at least one variable-capacity hydraulic device, said device comprising a fixed member connected to said reference-member and a movable member, adapted to slide with respect to said fixed member, said movable member being connected to said float.

Abstract: A wave energy conversion system is disclosed and comprises a spine and a plurality of wave driven pump units each comprising a pillow shaped flexible bag arranged with its length direction horizontal and mounted on the spine so that the water in which the system is located flows to both sides of the bag so that in use the bag is kept out of abrading contact with the spine. The lower edges of the bags are attached to the spine and the upper edge of each bag has a common outlet/inlet passage through which air is pumped back and forth by the bag collapsing and expanding under the influence of the waves. The common passage is at one top corner of the bag and at the other top corner is a dummy passage which enables the bag to be fabricated in such a manner that the corners are not stressed significantly in use. Also, a common pipe can be used to define the common passage of one bag and the dummy passage of the adjacent bag.

Abstract: Electrical energy is generated from waves in a body of water employing a support member, buoyant vanes connected to a shaft and rotated by the waves, and a generator coupled to the shaft. Each vane has an elongated slot that the shaft extends through. Cooperating gear teeth around the periphery of the slots and on the shaft cause radial movement of the vanes relative to the shaft during the rotation of the vanes.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating power from wave action comprising a barge (12) and at least one float (14, 15) connected thereto by rigid members (16, 17, 18, 19) pivotally connected thereto by sockets (20). A watertight cylinder (37) including a piston (40) is attached to the barge. Cables (32, 34) connect with the piston and pass through pulleys to the barge. As the wave action rocks the float relative to the barge the piston is moved longitudinally in the cylinder to pump water used for driving a turbine (57) for generating electrical power. Wind vanes (24) and water vanes (27) are also included in the float to enhance the rocking action.

Abstract: A dynamic breakwater system includes at least one and preferably a plurality of dynamic breakwater assemblies, each of which includes a baffle wall member which is pivotally mounted in a body of water about an axis which extends substantially transverse to the direction of wave motion and so that a lower portion thereof is submerged below the water surface while an upper portion thereof extends above the water surface, each baffle wall member being biased such that it has a tendency to move in a direction opposite to the direction of wave motion and wherein apparatus for damping the movement of the baffle wall member when the same moves in the direction of wave motion under the force of waves impinging thereon are provided.

Abstract: Wave energy apparatus comprises a hollow buoy (2) for floating in water. The buoy has a turbine (5) which rotates in response to air flow into and out of the buoy (2) through a nozzle (4). The turbine (5) is designed to rotate in the same direction regardless of the axial direction of air flow. The air flow is caused by the change of level of water (W) within the buoy in response to wave motion.To enable rocking motion to be accommodated as well as vertical motion, the interior of the buoy is divided into a plurality of conduits (9), by means of partitions (6), the conduits directing air to different portions of the turbine (5). The conduits (9) preferably have lateral openings (10) and may be defined in part by upwardly inclined portions (11) of an inertial body (8).In an alternative embodiment the buoy has a closed bottom and liquid in the buoy is acted on by a centrally disposed air spring.

Abstract: A device for extracting both kinetic and potential energy from the motion beneath waves over a considerable depth comprising a power member or sail guided to reciprocate with the movement of the water. The power sail is connected to and operates a power device such as an electric generator or pump. A second member, or sail, is located in geometric position relative to the power sail to reflect energy back to the power sail. Sensors, servo systems, and computers may be used to optimize power output. Multiple units can be arranged in "farms" to furnish megawatts of power.

Abstract: A wave motor comprising flotation means, a ramp carried by said flotation means to convert waves into breakers and means to cause the water in approximately the top half of the breakers to be moving horizontally forward at the time of impact against an energy conversion vane. The vane drives an electric generator that produces a pulsating D.C. current voltage basically the same frequency as that of the sea waves and an electrolytic cell driven by said generator produces hydrogen at the pulsing frequency of the sea waves.

Abstract: A mechanism for generating power from wave motion on a body of water. The mechanism includes a buoyant body which is adapted to float on a body of water and to roll and pitch in response to the wave motion of the water. A gyro-wave energy transducer is mounted on the buoyant body for translating the pendulum-like motions of the buoyant body into rotational motion. The gyro-wave energy transducer includes a gimbal comprised of first and second frames, with the first frame being pivotally mounted to the second frame and the second frame being pivotally mounted to the buoyant body. A gyroscope is mounted to the first frame for rotation about an axis perpendicular to the axes of rotation of the first and second frames. A motor/generator is coupled to the gyroscope for maintaining a controlled rotational velocity for the gyroscope.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for converting energy generated by ocean swells or waves so as to drive hydraulic pumps, generators and the like which comprises a support frame and a carriage which is movable in said support frame in an upward or downward direction. The carriage has a float member mounted on tracks on the carriage which is subject to impact from the waves from a downward location to upward location and vice versa. Suitably the tracks are curved so that the radius of curvature decreases from the downward location to the upward location. The float member may have linkage means attached to the pump or generator.

Abstract: Apparatus for deriving power output from wave energy is disclosed. A rotatable member is provided which is capable of rotating in only one direction. A float is provided which rises and falls in response to wave action, and thereby moves relative to the rotatable member. The float is coupled to the rotatable member so that the movement of the float rotates the rotatable member in its available direction to provide power output.In its preferred form, the present invention provides an elongate floating barge flanked by a pair of elongate floats. Transverse movement of the floats relative to the barge is limited. A rotatable power output shaft is mounted on the barge parallel to the elongate floats. A plurality of pulleys circumscribe the shaft and are spaced along its length. Tension members attached to the floats circumscribe the respective pulleys to rotate the pulleys and thereby the shaft as the floats move relative to the barge to achieve power output.

Abstract: A marine wave power plant includes interconnected, swingable, floating basic units with anchoring means. Each unit consists of bearing displacement tubes, a stationary member and a displacement body movably joined thereto and moving with the waves. The wave movements are converted to electrical energy via a hydraulic-electrical system. The rear surface of the movable member is curved with its center of curvature at the journalling axis on the stationary member to avoid pumping between the two members, while a journalling arm is length-adjustable for different wave characteristics. To control the various parameters dependent on incoming waves, a sensor measures the water level in front of the displacement body. The movements of this body, the radian volume of the hydraulic motor and the electrical power output is controlled via a process computer.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for extracting energy from waves in the surface of a body of water, comprising a structure adapted to float on the water and having an inlet channel and means for anchoring the structure with the inlet channel facing into incoming waves; and means for converting the energy contained in water entering the inlet channel as a result of the wave motion, to a transmittable form.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for obtaining useful work from or with waves includes a buoyant body having a leading edge and a trailing edge, and a convex upper surface extending between the leading and trailing edges. The upper surface is configured with a gradually sloping shape from the leading edge toward the trailing edge and terminates at the trailing edge in a sharply oppositely sloping surface, whereby the circular or orbital motion of water particles in waves is converted by the upper surface to linear flow of the water particles, and waves traveling across the surface from the leading to the trailing edge are not damped or extinguished by backwash of waves from the trailing edge toward the leading edge.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for obtaining useful work from or with waves includes a buoyant body having a leading edge and a trailing edge, and a convex upper surface extending between the leading and trailing edges. The upper surface is configured with a gradually sloping shape from the leading edge toward the trailing edge and terminates at the trailing edge in a sharply oppositely sloping surface, whereby the circular or orbital motion of water particles in waves is converted by the upper surface to linear flow of the water particles, and waves traveling across the surface from the leading to the trailing edge are not damped or extinguished by backwash of waves from the trailing edge toward the leading edge.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for obtaining useful work from or with waves includes a buoyant body having a leading edge and a trailing edge, and a convex upper surface extending between the leading and trailing edges. The upper surface is configured with a gradually sloping shape from the leading edge toward the trailing edge and terminates at the trailing edge in a sharply oppositely sloping surface, whereby the circular or orbital motion of water particles in waves is converted by the upper surface to linear flow of the water particles, and waves traveling across the surface from the leading to the trailing edge are not damped or extinguished by backwash of waves from the trailing edge toward the leading edge.

Abstract: A buoyant body is carried by one or more stationary shafts that extend obliquely and freely, from securement adjacent to an end or ends thereof, in a body of water whose surface level varies with time. Each shaft extends through at least that depth portion of such body of water which comprehends the variations in surface level, and is interconnected with the buoyant body by means encircling the shaft for movement longitudinally therealong. Means are provided for converting into rotational energy the longitudinal travel of the buoyant body along the shaft as such buoyant body rises and falls with variations in water level.

Abstract: A basin for containing water is provided and a heavy buoyant body is guidingly received in the basin for back and forth reciprocal movement therein and also raising and lowering within the basin in response to changes in the elevation of the water level therein. One end of the basin opens toward and in opposition to a source of wave movement and the body is drivingly connected to a rotary output shaft to be driven in response to back and forth reciprocal movement of the body. The output shaft includes eccentric crankpin portions and connecting rods operably connect the reciprocal body to the crankpin portions of the output shaft. The basin opens toward the source of wave movement through a straight channel having a wave modulating gate operatively associated therewith.

Abstract: A wave motor is described comprising a cylinder fixed to a first float, a plunger fixed to a second float, and an anchor secured to the cylinder normally retaining same submerged beneath the sea surface in a vertical position above the sea bottom but permitting it to move in a lateral direction with respect to the sea bottom. The second float is of sufficient volume to float on the surface of the sea, whereby wave crests and wave troughs cause the cylinder to move laterally and the plunger to rise and fall within the cylinder, thereby converting the wave energy to mechanical pumping energy.

Abstract: Method and apparatus wherein complex multiplanar surface motion of the sea or other fluid body is converted into usable energy. One embodiment of the apparatus comprises a pair of flexible tubular pumping elements that pump a fluid, such as sea water, to load such as a storage means or an energy converter such as a turbine driven prime mover. The apparatus makes use of multiplanar waves and surface currents that axially flex the pumping elements to provide hydraulic or pneumatic pressure for pumping the water. Floats distributed along the pumping elements support the apparatus horizontally at the surface of the sea and act as a breakwater. Lever arm struts, attached to the floats, are coupled together with swivel connector linkage to form a flexible beam or truss structure that permits the pumping elements to flex axially as complex wave systems and currents apply natural multiplanar forces to the floats.