초록 ▼

Apparatus for converting ocean surface wave energy into useful rotational kinetic energy. A refractive horn and ramp provides reflectionless impedance transformation of ocean surface wave energy at the input to the system. Wave energy, in the form of breakers, which are massive pulses of essentially

Apparatus for converting ocean surface wave energy into useful rotational kinetic energy. A refractive horn and ramp provides reflectionless impedance transformation of ocean surface wave energy at the input to the system. Wave energy, in the form of breakers, which are massive pulses of essentially pure kinetic energy, from the output of the horn/ramp are then smoothed and transformed directly to mechanical rotation. Smoothing is accomplished by the inertial properties of a “liquid flywheel”. The rotational kinetic energy may be extracted by means of a turbine to provide useful work. Discharged water is returned to the ambient ocean through a low terminal velocity diffuser. The entire structure may be located offshore and the discharged fluids may be used for auxiliary purposes.

대표청구항 ▼

Wave motor apparatus for converting surface wave energy propagated via a liquid medium into useful rotating shaft power, comprising: a refractive horn means having a mouth portion and a throat portion non-reflectivity transforming the intercepted surface waves at said mouth portion to pulses of pred

Wave motor apparatus for converting surface wave energy propagated via a liquid medium into useful rotating shaft power, comprising: a refractive horn means having a mouth portion and a throat portion non-reflectivity transforming the intercepted surface waves at said mouth portion to pulses of predominatly kinetic energy at said throat portion; a hollow cylindrical standpipe having an input end and an output end, said input end being coupled to the throat portion of said refractive horn for receiving and temporarily storing said pulses of kinetic energy; turbine means, having an output shaft, for receiving kinetic energy supplied thereto from said standpipe, and imparting a continuous rotary motion to its output shaft; and, diffuser means located downstream of said turbine for discharging the liquid medium passing through said apparatus.