Method and apparatus for generating electricity

Claim 3

A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said step of converting wave motion into energy includes the step of compressing Air, and said step of storing the energy includes storing the compressed air, and said step of using the energy including using the compress air to drive a turbine-generator.

Claim 4

A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said step of storing said energy in the container includes using underground storage containers of great capacity.

Claim 5

A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said converting step includes using a plurality of floats, using the up and down movement of each float to drive a plurality of air compressors to compress air at a first pressure, and using other floats to further compress said compressed air from said first pressure to a higher pressure, and said step of storing said energy including storing compressed air at said higher pressure.

Claim 6

Apparatus for generating electricity comprising a plurality of floats guided for up and down movement, at least one container, means for converting the up and down movement of said floats into energy capable of being stored in said container, said means including a cam having an undulating cam surface with a plurality of air compressors driven directly by said cam surface, the stroke of the compressors corresponding to the throw of the cam, means for transmitting said energy from said compressors to said container, and means for generating electricity including a turbine connected to said container for selective use of the energy stored in said container.

Claim 7

Apparatus for generating electricity comprising a plurality of floats guided for up and down movement, at least one container, means for converting the up and down movement of said floats into energy capable of being stored in said container, said means including a cam having an undulating cam surface with a plurality of air compressors driven directly by said cam surface, the stroke of the compressors corresponding to the throw of the cam, means for transmitting said energy from said compressors to said container, and means for generating electricity including a turbine connected to said container for selective use of the energy stored in said container.

Claim 8

A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said converting step includes operating each compressor with a plurality of power strokes per revolution of the cam.

Claim 9

Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said transmitting means includes a manifold conduit connected to said compressors and said container.

Claim 10

Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said compressors are arranged in a circle around said cam.

Claim 11

Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said compressors are on opposite sides of the cam.

Claim 12

Apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein said compressors are disposed one above the other, and said cam being integral with said floats.

Claim 13

Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said floats have an upright stem means, said cam being supported for rotation about the longitudinal axis of said stem means.

Claim 14

Apparatus for generating electricity comprising a housing supported in water having a depth of at least 80 feet, a plurality of floats guided for up and down movement by said housing, means on the housing for converting the up and down movement of the floats into energy capable of being stored in a container, said means including a cam having an undulating cam surface, a plurality of air compressors each having a cam follower, at least some of said compressors being on opposite sides of each cam surface and having their cam followers extending towards each other, the stroke of the compressors corresponding to the throw of the cam surface, at least one container, means for transmitting said energy from said compressors to said containers, and means for generating electricity including a turbine connected to said container for selective use of the energy stored in said container.

Claim 15

Apparatus for generating electricity comprising a housing supported in water having a depth of at least 80 feet, a plurality of floats guided for up and down movement by said housing, means on the housing for converting the up and down movement of the floats into energy capable of being stored in a container, said means including a cam having an undulating cam surface, a plurality of air compressors each having a cam follower, at least some of said compressors being on opposite sides of each cam surface and having their cam followers extending towards each other, the stroke of the compressors corresponding to the throw of the cam surface, at least one container, means for transmitting said energy from said compressors to said containers, and means for generating electricity including a turbine connected to said container for selective use of the energy stored in said container.

Claim 16

Apparatus in accordance with claim 12 including a manifold connected to the outlet of each compressor, the outlet of the manifold being connected to a second compressor means for compressing air to a still higher pressure before being transmitted to said container.

Claim 17

Apparatus in accordance with claim 12 wherein said container and said means for generating electricity are mounted on land with the container being below ground level.

Claim 18

Apparatus in accordance with claim 12 including a reservoir on said housing above said floats, and a downwardly sloping conduit extending from said reservoir.

Claim 19

Apparatus in accordance with claim 12 wherein said cam surface has a plurality of undulations each directly coupled to air compressor for operating a power stoke of the air compressor a plurality of times per movement of each Float.