초록 ▼

A wave energy converter apparatus comprising at least two members joined by a connector movable so as to allow displacement of the members relative to one another in response to waves in water where the apparatus is located. The apparatus also includes an energy converter for converting motion of th

A wave energy converter apparatus comprising at least two members joined by a connector movable so as to allow displacement of the members relative to one another in response to waves in water where the apparatus is located. The apparatus also includes an energy converter for converting motion of the connector to electrical energy, and a device for storing and/or transporting elsewhere the energy produced. The members, when in use and located in a body of water, are non-floating and completely submerged, the apparatus, as a whole, being neutrally buoyant. A member is additionally provided for maintaining each of the submerged members substantially at rest relative to the surrounding water with which they are in contact, such that the submerged members move under wave-induced action substantially in the same manner as a water particle would move under wave-induced action if located in the same region as the respective submerged member.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A wave energy converter apparatus, which comprises: at least two members joined by a connector movable so as to allow displacement of the members relative to one another in response to waves in water where the apparatus is located,the apparatus further comprising an energy converter for convertin

1. A wave energy converter apparatus, which comprises: at least two members joined by a connector movable so as to allow displacement of the members relative to one another in response to waves in water where the apparatus is located,the apparatus further comprising an energy converter for converting motion of the connector into electrical energy, and a device for storing and/or transporting elsewhere the energy produced,wherein, when in use and located in a body of water, the at least two members are completely submerged, the apparatus, as a whole, being neutrally buoyant, and a member being provided for maintaining each of the submerged members substantially at rest relative to the surrounding water with which they are in contact, such that the submerged members move under wave-induced action substantially in the same manner as a water particle would move under wave-induced action if located in the same region as the respective submerged member,the at least two submerged members being spaced from one another so as to assume respective positions affected differently by the wave-induced water motion, the at least two submerged members including an upper and a lower submerged member. 2. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of submerged members, each having at least one tank filled with water and air, the submerged members being connected mutually via a plurality of elongated elements so as to form a three dimensional assembly,the elongated elements having an axially extensible structure, andthe energy converter including a generator driven by the reciprocating extension and contraction movement of the elongated elements. 3. The apparatus set forth in claim 2, further comprising four submerged members joined via six elongated elements so as to form a tetrahedral assembly. 4. The apparatus set forth in claim 2, wherein each elongated element has a stick slidably engaging coaxially and telescopically with a tubular sleeve, the generator being joined with the inner end of the same sleeve so as to be fed by the mutual reciprocating movement of the stick and sleeve. 5. The apparatus set forth in claim 2, wherein the submerged members have a relatively small size in relation to the smallest of the main wavelengths desired to be harvested. 6. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein the upper and lower submerged members each comprises a tank filled with air. 7. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein the upper and lower submerged members each comprises a tank, at least one of the tanks being filled with air. 8. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein the upper and lower submerged members each comprises a tank, at least one of the tanks being filled with water and air. 9. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein the position-maintaining member includes a weight associated with the connector for maintaining each of the submerged members substantially at rest relative to the surrounding water. 10. A wave energy converter apparatus, which comprises: at least two members joined by a connector movable so as to allow displacement of the members relative to one another in response to waves in water where the apparatus is located,the apparatus further comprising an energy converter for converting motion of the connector into electrical energy, and a device for storing and/or transporting elsewhere the energy produced,wherein, when in use and located in a body of water, the at least two members are completely submerged, the apparatus, as a whole, being neutrally buoyant, and a member being provided for maintaining each of the submerged members substantially at rest relative to the surrounding water with which they are in contact, such that the submerged members move under wave-induced action substantially in the same manner as a water particle would move under wave-induced action if located in the same region as the respective submerged member,the at least two submerged members being spaced from one another so as to assume respective positions affected differently by the wave-induced water motion,the at least two submerged members further including an upper submerged member and a lower submerged member, respectively, wherein the upper and lower submerged members each comprises a tank filled with water and air, andthe position-maintaining member having a weight associated with the connector. 11. The apparatus set forth in claim 10, wherein the connector has an elongated element extending between the members and connected in a movable manner at least relative to the lower submerged member. 12. The apparatus set forth in claim 11, wherein the lower submerged member includes a piece for linking the member to the elongated element, the linking piece having a ball member with a hole for slidable engagement of the elongated element,the ball member being rotatable within a housing defined by an external body of the piece. 13. The apparatus set forth in claim 11, wherein the elongated element is connected to the upper submerged member via a ball joint. 14. The apparatus set forth in claim 11, wherein the elongated element extends beyond the lower submerged member, the energy converter having a turbine joined to the lower end of the elongated element. 15. The apparatus set forth in claim 11, wherein the elongated element extends beyond the lower submerged member, the energy converter having a water collection device, connected to the lower end of the elongated element,a water circuit being formed within the elongated element and in communication with the water collection device, anda water turbine in the elongated element driven by the water delivered via the water circuit. 16. The apparatus set forth in claim 15, wherein the elongated element has an axial core in which the water circuit is formed, the core extending from a central block engaged with the hole of the ball member and enclosing an engine room for the water turbine, anda reinforcing cage about the core and projecting axially from the periphery of the block. 17. The apparatus set forth in claim 12, wherein the energy converter includes a generator driven by mutual displacement between the elongated element and the ball member, and between the ball member and the external body. 18. The apparatus set forth in claim 10, wherein the connector comprises a plurality of cables attached at a first end to the upper submerged member and by the other end to weights, the cables passing through deviation pulleys supported by frames mounted on the lower submerged member,the energy convertor comprising a dynamo driven by the pulleys and housed in, or associated with, the lower submerged member. 19. The apparatus set forth in claim 10, wherein the upper submerged member has a relatively small size relative to the smallest of the main wavelengths desired to be harvested. 20. The apparatus set forth in claim 19, wherein the lower submerged member comprises a plurality of tanks arranged peripherally about a cylindrical side surface of a central disc-shaped or ring-shaped body. 21. The apparatus set forth in claim 10, wherein a plurality of buoyancy elements are joined via cables to a top surface of the upper submerged member. 22. The apparatus set forth in claim 10, wherein a plurality of buoyancy elements are joined via cables to respective ends of radial beams protruding from the lower submerged member. 23. The apparatus set forth in claim 11, wherein the elongated element has an axially extensible structure, the energy converter having a generator driven by the reciprocating extension and contraction movement of the elongated element.