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:
Nov. 26, 1996
Filed:
Feb. 14, 1995
Michael Y Epstein, Belle Mead, NJ (US);
Ocean Power Technologies, Inc., West Trenton, NJ (US);
Abstract
A system for converting the mechanical energy of ocean waves to electrical energy comprises a weighted member supported from a piezoelectric element for applying a preselected strain to the element. In one embodiment, the element is supported by a float floating on the surface of the water. In another embodiment, the element is supported above the surface of the water and the weighted member, of negative buoyancy, is immersed in the water. The system functions, in use, as an oscillating, weighted spring and, for tuning the system to cause it to enter into mechanical resonance in response to passing waves, means are provided for tuning the natural frequency of the oscillating system.