Wave energy converter
US8120195B2 · kind B2 · utility
15Cited by
14References
7Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 15, 2009 |
| Grant date | Feb 21, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 15, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Systems are described for obtaining energy, especially electrical energy, from sea waves. An elongated elastic tube device (12) floats at the sea surface (20) (or at a shallow depth under it) and extends at least partially parallel to the direction of wave propagation (D). The tube bends as a wave passes by and such tube bending stretches and relaxes SSM (synthetic stretchable material) (44, 60, 62) which generates electricity in electrodes (46, 48) when its amount of stretching changes. Electricity from power takeoffs in the tube are electronically added.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.