Ocean Power Technologies, Inc.

Philip R Hart

Wei-Ming Chi

A mooring system for a plurality of wave energy converters (WECs) includes a multiplicity of anchors coupled to form an array of contiguous hexagonal shaped cells. Each cell has 3 WECs and 3 anchors located at the vertices of the hexagon, with a WEC alternating with an anchor going around the perimeter of the cell. Except for the cells at the edges of the array, each WEC is connected to two anchors of its cell and an anchor of an adjacent contiguous cell. Each WEC is connected to three different anchors via 3 mooring lines spaced 120 degrees apart about the WEC. The ratio of the number of anchors per WEC is decreased by connecting each anchor to more than one WEC. The cells can be arranged to form many different patterns. In one embodiment a plurality of WECs and anchors are deployed in a generally triangular formation extending from an apex of the triangular formation to a base.

Mooring anchor system for wave energy converters (WECS)

A wave energy converter (WEC) includes a float and a spar for guiding the up and down movement of the float in response to the waves. A power take off (PTO) device coupled between the float and the spar and mounted within one of the float and spar such that the PTO includes apparatus responsive to the mechanical interaction of the float with the portion of the spar in proximity to the float for converting their relative motion into useful energy. In one embodiment the PTO includes a linear rack extending along an external portion of the spar and a linear to rotary converter, mounted within the float, including a double sided toothed belt for engaging the rack and causing rotation of the rotary converter to drive an electric generator. In another embodiment the PTO includes tires mounted within the float which rotate as the float moves up and down. In another embodiment the PTO includes a rack and pinion arrangement with one of them connected to the spar and the other mounted in the float.

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Yardley, PA, United States of America

Philip R Hart