received by the International Bureau on 03 January 2017 (03.01 .2017)

Claims

1. A tidal energy conversion assembly comprising:

a displacement vessel supporting a directional converter that is coupled to a generator; and

an anchor cable having a first end, a second end, and a length in between the first end and the second end, wherein the second end is connected to the directional converter and the anchor cable is connected to a stationary location;

wherein said displacement vessel is spaced from the stationary location at a first distance, and

wherein the directional converter activates said generator to generate electricity when the displacement vessel changes its position relative to the stationary location.

2. The energy conversion assembly of claim 1, wherein the stationary location comprises a sea floor or a platform that is anchored to the sea floor.

3. The energy conversion assembly of claim 1, wherein upon an increase in the first distance, said anchor cable engages the directional converter in a first direction, thereby providing mechanical power to the generator.

4. The energy conversion assembly of claim 1, wherein upon a decrease in the first distance, a control mechanism winds said anchor cable.

5. The energy conversion assembly of claim 1, wherein the directional converter comprises a sprocket on an axle and the second end is coupled to the sprocket.

6. The energy conversion assembly of claim 1, wherein the displacement vessel comprises at least one of: concrete, fiberglass, polymer, pumice, or steel.

7. The energy conversion assembly of claim 1, wherein the displacement vessel is elastic and is configured to be inflated.

8. The energy conversion assembly of claim 1, wherein the directional converter comprises a gearing mechanism.

9. The energy conversion assembly of claim 8, wherein the gearing mechanism is a gear multiplication arrangement.

10. The energy conversion assembly of claim 1, wherein the displacement vessel comprises a hull, and at least a portion of the hull has a corrugated shape.

11. The energy conversion assembly of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism configured to hold the displacement vessel at a distance above the stationary location regardless of the elevation of the tide.

12. The energy conversion assembly of claim 11, wherein the locking device is coupled to the directional converter.

13. The energy conversion assembly of claim 1, wherein said anchor cable is disposed at least partially within the displacement vessel.

14. The energy conversion assembly of claim 1, wherein the displacement vessel comprises a plurality of chambers.

15. The energy conversion assembly of claim 14, wherein a first of the plurality of chambers comprises a wall with a first thickness and a second of the plurality of chambers comprises a wall with a second thickness.

16. The energy conversion assembly of claim 15, wherein the first thickness is greater than the second thickness.

17. The energy conversion assembly of claim 16, wherein the first of the plurality of chambers is located above the second of the plurality of chambers.

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18. The energy conversion assembly of claim 1, wherein the displacement vessel is configured to float below a surface of the water in its entirety.

19. The energy conversion assembly of claim 1, wherein the external surface of the displacement vessel comprises a surface configured to substantially mimic a coral reef structure.

20. The energy conversion assembly of claim 1, wherein the directional converter comprises a rotatable drum.

21. The energy conversion assembly of claim 1, wherein upon the drag of the displacement vessel in a direction lateral to the stationary location, said anchor cable engages the directional converter and provides mechanical power to the generator.

22. The energy conversion assembly of claim 1, further comprising a positioning system having a receiver, a transmitter, and a processor.

23. The energy conversion assembly of claim 1, wherein the directional converter comprises a rack and pinion.

24. A tidal energy conversion system comprising:

a plurality of displacement vessels, each of the plurality of displacement vessels having: a directional converter that is coupled to a generator; and

an anchor cable having a first end, a second end, and a length in between the first end and the second end, the second end is connected to the directional converter and the first end is connected to a stationary location;

wherein said displacement vessel is spaced from the stationary location at a first distance; and

wherein the directional converter activates said generator to generate electricity when the displacement vessel changes its position relative to the stationary location.

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25. A method for generating electricity from the rising and falling of a water surface due to tidal action, the method comprising:

allowing the tidal action to change a vertical distance between a body at the water surface and a stationary location below the body, wherein the change in vertical distance is defined from a first distance above the stationary location to a second distance above the stationary location;

converting the change in vertical distance of the body into mechanical energy;

transmitting the mechanical energy to an electrical power generator; and

generating electricity with the generator using the mechanical energy.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the mechanical energy is rotational kinetic energy.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the stationary location is a bay/ocean floor.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the body is a displacement vessel housing a directional converter coupled to a generator, said displacement vessel being disposed at the first distance from the stationary location.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising providing an anchor cable having a first end and a second end, whereby said second end is attached to said directional converter and said anchor cable extends to an anchor secured at said stationary location, the anchor cable having a first length between said directional converter and said anchor.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance, and wherein the change in vertical distance activates the directional converter.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

storing at least a portion of the mechanical energy as potential energy with a storage mechanism;

allowing the tidal action to change the vertical distance between the displacement vessel and the stationary location to a third distance, wherein the third distance is less than the

120 second distance;

releasing the stored mechanical energy from the storage mechanism

transmitting the stored mechanical energy to the generator; and

generating electricity with the stored mechanical energy.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the storage mechanism is a spring.

33. A method for generating electricity from the ebb and flow of water due to tidal action, the method comprising:

allowing the tidal action to change a lateral distance between a body floating in the water and a stationary location below the body;

converting the change in lateral distance of the body into mechanical energy;

transmitting the mechanical energy to an electrical power generator; and

generating electricity with the generator using the mechanical energy.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the mechanical energy is rotational kinetic energy.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the stationary location is a bay/ocean floor.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein the body is a displacement vessel housing a directional converter coupled to a generator, said displacement vessel being disposed directly above the stationary location.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising providing an anchor cable having a first end and a second end, whereby said second end is attached to said directional converter and said anchor cable extends to an anchor secured at said stationary location, the anchor cable having a first length between said directional converter and said anchor.

38. A tidal energy conversion assembly comprising:

a displacement vessel;

a directional converter coupled to a generator, wherein said directional converter and said generator are positioned at a stationary location; and

121 an anchor cable having a first end, a second end, and a length in between the first end and the second end, wherein said first end is connected to the directional converter and said second end is connected to said displacement vessel;

wherein said displacement vessel is spaced from the stationary location at a first distance, and

wherein said directional converter activates said generator to generate electricity when the displacement vessel changes its position relative to said stationary location.

39. The tidal energy conversion assembly of claim 38, wherein the displacement vessel comprises a drag panel.

40. The tidal energy conversion assembly of claim 38, further comprising at least two control cables coupled to the drag panel, wherein the control cables are configure to rotate the displacement vessel about a vertical axis.

41. A tidal energy conversion assembly comprising:

a displacement vessel;

a first directional converter coupled to a generator;

a second directional converter coupled to said generator, wherein said first directional converter, second directional converter, and said generator are positioned at a first stationary location; and

an anchor cable coupled to the displacement vessel, said anchor cable having a first end, a second end, and a length in between the first end and the second end, said anchor cable wrapped at least in part around a pulley arrangement at a second stationary location, wherein the first end is connected to the first directional converter and the second end is connected to the second directional converter;

wherein said displacement vessel is spaced from the first stationary location at a first distance,

wherein the first directional converter activates said generator to generate electricity when the displacement vessel moves in a first direction relative to the first stationary location,

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wherein the second directional converter activates said generator to generate electricity when the displacement vessel moves in a second direction relative to the first stationary location.

42. A method for generating electricity from the ebb and flow of water due to tidal action, the method comprising:

providing a displacement vessel at a distance from a stationary location, said displacement vessel operatively coupled to a plurality of directional converters at the stationary location, wherein the plurality of directional converters is coupled to a plurality of electrical power generators;

changing the distance between said displacement vessel and said stationary location by tidal action;

engaging at least one of said plurality of electrical power generators;

converting the change in lateral distance of the body into mechanical energy;

transmitting the mechanical energy to the at least one activated electrical power generator; and

generating electricity with the at least one activated electrical power generator using the mechanical energy.

43. The method of claim 42, further comprising the step of engaging an electrical power generator that was previously disengaged upon the increases of the force of the tidal currents.

44. The method of claim 42, further comprising the step of disengaging an electrical power generator that was previously engaged upon the decrease of the force of the tidal currents.

45. A tidal energy conversion assembly comprising:

a displacement vessel including a drag panel having a non-flat surface;

a directional converter coupled to a generator for converting translational movement of an anchor cable into rotational energy to drive the generator, wherein said directional converter and said generator are positioned at a stationary location; and

123 the anchor cable having a first end, a second end, and a length in between the first end and the second end, wherein said first end is connected to the directional converter and said second end is connected to said displacement vessel;

wherein said displacement vessel is spaced from the stationary location at a first distance, and

wherein said directional converter activates said generator to generate electricity when the displacement vessel changes its position relative to said stationary location.

46. The tidal energy conversion assembly of claim 45, wherein the displacement vessel further comprises a first arm extending from the displacement vessel, wherein the first arm is rotatable about a first hinge coupled to the drag panel.

47. The tidal energy conversion assembly of claim 46, wherein the displacement vessel further comprises a second arm extending from the displacement vessel, wherein the second arm is rotatable about a second hinge coupled to the drag panel.

48. The tidal energy conversion assembly of claim 47, wherein the first arm and the second arm are disposed on opposite sides of the drag panel.

49. The tidal energy conversion assembly of claim 47, further comprising a third arm extending from the displacement vessel, wherein the third arm is rotatable about a third hinge coupled to the drag panel.

50. The tidal energy generation assembly of claim 49, wherein the first arm, second arm, and third arm are coupled to the anchor cable.

51. The tidal energy conversion assembly of claim 45, wherein the non-flat surface is selected from the group consisting of: a parabolic shape, a concave shape, and a lofted cut.

52. The tidal energy conversion assembly of claim 45, wherein the non-flat surface is a first non-flat surface on a first side of the drag panel and the drag panel further comprises a second non-flat surface on a second side of the drag panel.

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53. The tidal energy conversion assembly of claim 45, further comprising a first control cable and a second control cable, wherein the second end of the anchor cable is connected to the displacement vessel via the first control cable and the second control cable.

54. The tidal energy conversion assembly of claim 53, wherein the displacement vessel comprises a floatation device.

55. The tidal energy conversion assembly of claim 54, further comprising a control mechanism housed within with floatation device configured to controllably wind the first control cable and/or the second control cable and effect rotation of the displacement vessel about a vertical axis.

56. The tidal energy conversion assembly of claim 55, wherein the control mechanism comprises a motor, a winch, or a drum and spring affixed to an axle.

57. The tidal energy conversion assembly of claim 46, further comprising a stopping mechanism that is configured to limit the range of motion of the first arm.

58. A method for generating electricity from the ebb and flow of water due to tidal action, the method comprising:

changing a distance between a body floating in the water and a stationary location to a first lateral distance;

generating electricity from the changing of the first lateral distance;

rotating the body about an axis;

changing distance between the body and the stationary location to a second lateral; generating electricity from the changing of the second lateral distance.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein rotating the body comprises:

winding a first control cable coupled to the body with a first control mechanism; and releasing a second control cable coupled to a body with a second control mechanism.

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60. A method for changing the orientation of a displacement vessel in a body of water, the method comprising:

providing the displacement vessel having first and second sides configured to capture drag forces from the flow of water,

providing a control cable having a first length defined between a first end and a second end, the control cable coupled at the first end to the first side of the displacement vessel and at the second end to an anchor cable, the anchor cable coupled to a directional converter and electric power generator located at a stationary location,

changing the length of the control cable to effect rotation of the displacement vessel in the body of water.

61. A bridle for controlling rotation of a displacement vessel floating in a body of water, the control mechanism comprising:

at least two control cables, wherein each control cable is coupled to a side of the displacement vessel via a control mechanism, wherein each control mechanism is configured to controllably wind up or release the respective control cable to effect rotation of the

displacement vessel.

62. A tidal energy conversion assembly comprising:

a displacement vessel;

a directional converter coupled to a generator for converting translational movement of an anchor cable into rotational energy to drive the generator, wherein said directional converter and said generator are mounted at the base of a crane; and

the anchor cable having a first end, a second end, and a length in between the first end and the second end, wherein said first end is connected to the directional converter and said second end is connected to said displacement vessel;

wherein said displacement vessel is spaced from the stationary location at a first distance, and

wherein said directional converter activates said generator to generate electricity when the displacement vessel changes its position relative to said stationary location.

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63. The assembly of claim 40, wherein the stationary location is a barge.

64. The assembly of claim 62, wherein the stationary location is a barge.

65. A tidal energy conversion assembly comprising:

a turbine;

a directional converter coupled to a generator, wherein said directional converter and said generator are positioned at a stationary location; and

an anchor cable having a first end, a second end, and a length in between the first end and the second end, wherein said first end is connected to the directional converter and said second end is connected to said turbine;

wherein said directional converter activates said generator to generate electricity when the turbine rotates due to the flow of water.

66. The tidal energy conversion assembly of claim 65, wherein the turbine comprises an impellor.

67. The tidal energy conversion assembly of claim 65, wherein the turbine comprises a plurality of propellers.

68. The tidal energy conversion assembly of claim 65, wherein the turbine is coupled to the bay/ocean floor.

69. The tidal energy conversion assembly of claim 65, wherein the turbine is adapted to float at or near the surface of the water.

70. The tidal energy conversion assembly of claim 65, wherein the turbine is coupled to a barge.

71. The tidal energy conversion assembly of claim 65, wherein the turbine is a first of a plurality of turbines.

72. The tidal energy conversion assembly of claim 65, wherein the stationary location is land.

73. The tidal energy conversion assembly of claim 65, wherein the stationary location is a barge.

74. A tidal energy generation assembly comprising:

a displacement vessel including a turbine;

a generator for converting rotational motion of the turbine into electrical energy, wherein said generator is positioned on the displacement vessel,

an anchor cable coupled to a rewind assembly positioned at a stationary location, and a first control cable and a second control cable, each control cable having a first end, a second end, and a length in between the first end and the second end, wherein said first end is connected to the displacement vessel and the second end is connected to the anchor cable.

75. The tidal energy generation assembly of claim 74, further comprising a drag panel extending from the displacement vessel.

76. The tidal energy generation assembly of claim 75, wherein the drag panel comprises the turbine.

77. The tidal energy generation assembly of claim 74, further comprising a first control mechanism coupled to the first end of the first control cable, wherein the first control mechanism is configured to wind or unwind the first control cable.

78. The tidal energy generation assembly of claim 77, further comprising a second control mechanism coupled to the first end of the second control cable, wherein the second control mechanism is configured to wind or unwind the second control cable.

79. The tidal energy system of claim 1, wherein electricity is generated during both the ebb and flow of the tide.

80. A tidal energy conversion assembly comprising:

a displacement vessel having a drag panel;

a first directional converter coupled to a first generator, wherein said first directional converter and said first generator are positioned at a first stationary location;

a second directional converter coupled to a second generator, wherein said second directional converter and said second generator are positioned at a second stationary location; and

a first anchor cable having a first end, a second end, and a length in between the first end and the second end, wherein said first end is connected to the first directional converter and said second end is connected to said displacement vessel;

a second anchor cable having a first end, a second end, and a length in between the first end and the second end, wherein said first end is connected to the second directional converter and said second end is connected to said displacement vessel;

wherein said displacement vessel is spaced from the first stationary location at a first distance,

wherein said first directional converter activates said first generator to generate electricity when the displacement vessel moves away from said first stationary location, and wherein said second directional converter activates said second generator to generate electricity when the displacement vessel moves away from said second stationary location.

81. The assembly of claim 78, wherein the first directional converter activates said first generator during the ebb of the tide and said second directional converter activates said second generator during the flow of the tide.

82. A tidal energy conversion assembly comprising:

a displacement vessel having a drag panel;

a first directional converter coupled to a generator, wherein said first directional converter and said generator are positioned on the displacement vessel;

a second directional converter coupled to the generator, wherein said second directional converter is positioned on the displacement vessel; and

129 a first anchor cable having a first end, a second end, and a length in between the first end and the second end, wherein said first end is connected to the first directional converter and said second end is connected to a first stationary location;

a second anchor cable having a first end, a second end, and a length in between the first end and the second end, wherein said first end is connected to the second directional converter and said second end is connected to a second stationary location;

wherein said first directional converter activates said first generator to generate electricity when the displacement vessel moves away from said first stationary location, and wherein said second directional converter activates said second generator to generate electricity when the displacement vessel moves away from said second stationary location.

83. A method for generating electricity from the ebb and flow of water due to tidal action, the method comprising:

providing a displacement vessel at a distance from a first stationary location, said displacement vessel operatively coupled to a first directional converter at the first stationary location and a second directional converter at a second stationary location, wherein the first directional converter is coupled to a first electrical power generator and the second directional converter is coupled to a second electrical power generator;

changing the lateral distance between said displacement vessel and said first stationary location by tidal action in a first direction;

engaging the first electrical power generator to generate electricity;

changing the lateral distance between said displacement vessel and said first stationary location by tidal action in a first direction;

engaging at least the first electrical power generator to generate electricity;

changing the lateral distance between said displacement vessel and said first stationary location by tidal action in a second direction; and engaging at least the second electrical power generator to generate electricity.

84. The tidal energy conversion assembly of claim 39, wherein the drag panel is rotatable about an axis.

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85. The tidal energy conversion assembly of claim 84, further comprising a control mechanism coupled to the rotatable drag panel.

86. A tidal energy conversion assembly comprising:

a displacement vessel having a plurality of drag panels;

a directional converter coupled to a generator, wherein said directional converter and said generator are positioned at a stationary location;

an anchor cable having a first end, a second end, and a length in between the first end and the second end, wherein said first end is connected to the directional converter and said second end is connected to said displacement vessel;

wherein said displacement vessel is spaced from the stationary location at a first distance.

87. The tidal energy conversion assembly of claim 86, wherein each of the plurality of drag panels is rotatably coupled to the displacement vessel.

88. The tidal energy conversion assembly of claim 86, further comprising a plurality of control mechanisms, each of the plurality of control mechanisms coupled to a respective one of the plurality of drag panels to effect rotation of the respective drag panel.

89. The tidal energy conversion assembly of claim 88, wherein each of the plurality of drag panels is coupled to a respective axle.

90. The tidal energy conversion assembly of claim 86, further comprising at least two control cables coupled to the drag panel, wherein the control cables are configured to rotate the displacement vessel about a vertical axis.

91. The tidal energy conversion assembly of claim 86, wherein the stationary location comprises land or a barge.

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92. The tidal energy conversion assembly of claim 86, wherein upon an increase in the first distance, said anchor cable engages the directional converter in a first direction, thereby providing mechanical power to the generator.

93. The tidal energy conversion assembly of claim 86, wherein the directional converter comprises a rotatable drum.

94. The tidal energy conversion assembly of claim 93, wherein the directional converter comprises a level wind assembly.

95. A tidal energy conversion assembly comprising:

a first displacement vessel coupled to a directional converter via a first end of a cable; a second displacement vessel coupled to a directional converter via a second end of a cable, said cable having a length between the first end and the second end;

said directional converter coupled to a generator, wherein said directional converter and said generator are positioned at a stationary location.

96. The tidal energy conversion assembly of claim 95, wherein the first displacement vessel comprises a first drag panel and the second displacement vessel comprises a second drag panel.

97. A method for generating electricity using water flow in a river, the method comprising: releasing a first displacement vessel downstream in the river;

generating electricity as the first displacement vessel travels downstream in the river; releasing a second displacement vessel downstream in the river;

generating electricity as the second displacement vessel travels downstream in the river; and

rewinding the first displacing vessel upstream as the second displacement vessel travels downstream in the river.

98. The method of claim 97, further comprising rotating the first displacement vessel before rewinding the first displacement vessel.

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99. A tidal energy conversion assembly comprising:

a displacement vessel coupled to a first directional converter via a first cable;

said first displacement vessel coupled to a second directional converter via a second cable;

said first directional converter coupled to a first generator, said second directional converter coupled to a second generator, wherein said first directional converter and said first generator are positioned at a first stationary location, and wherein said second directional converter and said second generator are positioned at a second stationary location.

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