The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 19, 2025
Filed:
May. 06, 2022
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc., Blacksburg, VA (US);
Adetoso Afonja, Blacksburg, VA (US);
Stefano Brizzolara, Blacksburg, VA (US);
VIRGINIA TECH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC., Blacksburg, VA (US);
Abstract
In one or more embodiments, a wave energy converter comprises a floater that is buoyant in a body of water. The floater has a geometry such that the floater pitches in an angular motion about a transverse axis in response to an incoming wave in the body of water. The floater includes a tank that has a plurality of vertical columns. At least one of the vertical columns includes an air turbine. The tank stores a volume of fluid and a volume of air. The volume of fluid in the vertical columns is connected by at least one horizontal conduit. In response to the floater pitching due to the incoming wave, a motion of the volume of fluid between the plurality of vertical columns via the at least one horizontal conduit causes air to be released or admitted via the air turbine to generate electrical power.