Apparatus and method for extracting wave energy

Claim 2

Apparatus for extracting energy from a wave pattern on the surface of a body of water comprising, a first body, a horizontal shaft supported by said first body, a second member pivotally supported on said horizontal shaft and having a vertical crosssectional contour of asymmetrical shape with a rear circular portion having a radius centered at the center of said horizontal shaft and a forward generally pointed portion extending from said rear circular portion and means for generating power from relative motion of said body and said second member.

Claim 3

Apparatus according to claim 1 including an upper portion of said forward portion extending straight and tangentially from said rear portion, a lower portion of said forward portion extending straight and tangentially from said rear portion and a curved front point joining said upper and lower portions.

Claim 4

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said forward portion has an upper portion which extends tangentially and straight from said rear portion, a first lower portion of said forward portion formed on a curve centered above the center of said horizontal shaft by a distance one half the radius of said rear circular portion and tangentially joining said rear circular portion, a second lower portion of said forward portion extending straight and tangentially from said first lower portion, and a curved front point portion joining said upper portion and said second lower portion.

Claim 5

Apparatus according to claim 2 comprising a plurality of second members similarly shaped pivotally supported on said horizontal shaft and with their forward portions extending in the same general direction.

Claim 6

Apparatus according to claim 3 comprising a plurality of second members similarly shaped pivotally supported on said horizontal shaft and with their forward portions extending in the same general direction.

Claim 7

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said power generating means comprises a water pump.

Claim 8

Apparatus for extracting energy from a wave pattern on the surface of a body of water comprising, a first body, a horizontal shaft supported by said first body, an energy removing member pivotally supported on said shaft and having a center of gravity and in calm water said energy removing member having a vertical cross-sectional contour in a plane normal to said shaft which comprises, a rear semi-circular portion having a radius centered at the center of said shaft and extending from a vertical plane extending along the center line of said shaft, a forward portion comprising a first upper straight portion which extends upwardly from the upper end of said rear semi-circular portion, a lower curved portion joining the lower end of said rear semi-circular portion and has a radius equal to the distance from a point above the center of the shaft a distance of one half the radius of said rear semi-circular portion to said lower end of said rear semi-circular portion, said lower curved portion extending upwardly to a point where a tangent to the curve makes an angle between 10 to 20 degrees with the vertical, a second lower straight portion extending from the upper end of said lower curved portion generally along said tangent, and a curved front point joining the forward ends of said first and second straight portions, said second member having a width sufficient to intercept waves, and means for generating power connected to said first body and said energy removing member to generate power upon relative motion between said body and said member.

Claim 9

Apparatus for extracting energy from a wave pattern on the surface of a body of water comprising, a first body, a horizontal shaft supported by said first body, an energy removing member pivotally supported on said shaft and having a center of gravity and in calm water said energy removing member having a vertical cross-sectional contour in a plane normal to said shaft which comprises, a rear semi-circular portion having a radius centered at the center of said shaft and extending from a vertical plane extending along the center line of said shaft, a forward portion comprising a first upper straight portion which extends upwardly from the upper end of said rear semi-circular portion, a lower curved portion joining the lower end of said rear semi-circular portion and has a radius equal to the distance from a point above the center of the shaft a distance of one half the radius of said rear semi-circular portion to said lower end of said rear semi-circular portion, said lower curved portion extending upwardly to a point where a tangent to the curve makes an angle between 10 to 20 degrees with the vertical, a second lower straight portion extending from the upper end of said lower curved portion generally along said tangent, and a curved front point joining the forward ends of said first and second straight portions, said second member having a width sufficient to intercept waves, and means for generating power connected to said first body and said energy removing member to generate power upon relative motion between said body and said member.

Claim 10

Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said tangent makes an angle of about 15 degrees with the vertical.

Claim 11

Apparatus for extracting energy according to claim 7 comprising a plurality of similar energy removing members mounted for pivotal movement on said shaft and said power generating means coupled to said plurality of energy removing members.

Claim 12

Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said first body and said energy removing body float in said body of water.

Claim 13

Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the combined width of said plurality of energy removing members is several wave lengths long.

Claim 14

Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said power generating means comprise pumps having stators mounted on said horizontal shaft and rotors mounted on said energy removing members.

Claim 15

Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said pumps are rib pumps.

Claim 16

Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said rear semi-circular portion has a top portion which is contoured somewhat below the radius of the remaining portions of said rear portion so as to displace water in anti-phase to water which may have passed below.

Claim 19

The method as claimed in claim 15, in which the energy removing member contacts a body of water which extends down from the water surface about one tenth of a wavelength in depth.

Claim 20

The method of claim 15 wherein the energy removed is in the form of pressurized fluid.

Claim 21

The method of claim 17 wherein the pressurized fluid is used to power a turbine generator.