Process and apparatus for converting rocking motion into electrical energy
US4719158A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 27, 1987 |
| Grant date | Jan 12, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 27, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/30
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A device and method for converting ocean wave energy into electricity either on moored buoys or in small vessels. The device and method of the invention utilize a U-shaped tube in communication with a gas concentration cell. The U-shaped tube resides in a cradle or other support means, secured to the buoy or other base which imparts wave energy thereto. The U-shaped tube contains a combination of liquid and hydrogen gas. The rocking of the U-shaped tube creates varying gas pressure differentials, which deposits oppositely charged particles on parallel electrocatalytic electrodes located within the gas concentration thereby creating an electrical potential therebetween, according to the Nernst equation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.