Wave motion apparatus

Patent · Tue Oct 14 04:00:00 EDT 1980

OSTI ID:6852480

Navarro, P

Apparatus for producing useful work from wave motion in a body of water is described. The apparatus translates wave motions of varying periods to continuous rotational kinetic energy which is then available to perform useful work. A float assembly is anchored off shore and communicates with the shore via a steel cable. The float rises and falls with the waves and is arranged to cause a reciprocating translational motion of the cable. A cable drum assembly is anchored to the ground on the shore and adapted to reel and unreel the cable by means of a rewind spring. As the cable unreels, the drum drives a transfer gear via a first ratchet which is therefore operative only in one direction. The transfer gear winds a heavy spiral energy storage spring via a second ratchet. The spring is attached to an anchor plate which drives a shaft. The shaft is coupled via a step-up gear train to an energy storage flywheel. The flywheel may be coupled to an electrical generating system or the like for utilizing the energy stored in the flywheel.

• Assignee: IFI; EDB-81-050323
• Patent Number(s): US 4228360
• OSTI ID: 6852480
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER
160800* -- Tidal & Wave Power-- Wave Energy Converters
25 ENERGY STORAGE
250500 -- Energy Storage-- Flywheels
BATTERY CHARGERS
DESIGN
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
ELECTRIC GENERATORS
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ENERGY STORAGE
FLYWHEEL ENERGY STORAGE
FLYWHEELS
MECHANICAL ENERGY STORAGE EQUIPMENT
STORAGE
WAVE ENERGY CONVERTERS