Ocean Power Technologies, Inc.

Thomas Sabol

David B Stewart

A WEC system embodying the invention includes a column and shell, arranged to move relative to each other, and a lever-like apparatus having an input end and an output end and an intermediate point, between the two ends, the intermediate point being rotatably connected to the column. The input end is connected to the shell and moves at the same velocity and in the same direction as the shell. The output end moves in the opposite direction and at a rate which is a multiple of the shell velocity. The multiple being a function of the ratio of the length of the intermediate point to the output and input ends. In systems embodying the invention, one of two components (a PMA or an ICA) of a linear electric generator may be attached to the shell and the other of the two components may be attached to the output end of the lever-like apparatus to produce high relative velocity between the two components resulting in higher amplitude and higher frequency output voltages.

Wave energy converters (WECs) with velocity multiplication

A WEC includes a non-circular main central column positioned within a like non-circular central opening of a shell to contain the central column and prevent rotation or twisting of the shell relative to the column. In a particular embodiment, the central column is multi-sided (e.g., a square) and the central opening of the shell is likewise multi-sided (e.g., square). The facing sides of the column and shell are parallel to each other facilitating the layout of the components of a linear electric generator (LEG) between the facing sides and ensuring good magnetic coupling between the components of the LEG over the length of travel of the shell and column.

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Lawrenceville, NJ, United States of America

Thomas Sabol