Title:
WAVE ENERGY CONVERSION APPARATUS AND METHOD
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2011/010102
Kind Code:
A3
Abstract:
A wave energy conversion apparatus comprises:- a mechanical element arranged in operation to move repeatedly in a cycle in response to wave motion, wherein the speed of the mechanical element varies between a maximum and a minimum during each cycle; power extraction means arranged to extract energy from the movement of the mechanical element; and movement assistance means arranged to assist the movement, in response to the wave motion, of the mechanical element, during at least one part of the cycle during which the speed of movement of the mechanical element is substantially equal to the minimum for that cycle, wherein the power extraction means comprises a fluid pressurisation system that is arranged so that in operation fluid in the fluid pressurisation system is pressurised in response to movement of the mechanical element, the fluid pressurisation system comprises a one-way valve for transferring pressurised fluid from the fluid pressurisation system and the movement assistance means is located upstream of the one-way valve.
Inventors:
CROWLEY MICHAEL (GB)
Application Number:
PCT/GB2010/001393
Publication Date:
September 09, 2011
Filing Date:
July 22, 2010
Export Citation:
Assignee:
AQUAMARINE POWER LTD (GB)
CROWLEY MICHAEL (GB)
CROWLEY MICHAEL (GB)
International Classes:
F03B13/18
Domestic Patent References:
| WO2002077447A1 | 2002-10-03 | |||
| WO1998017911A1 | 1998-04-30 |
Foreign References:
| JPH0419363A | 1992-01-23 | |||
| US4754157A | 1988-06-28 |
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
NAISMITH, Robert, Stewart et al. (Aurora120 Bothwell Street, Glasgow G2 7JS, GB)
Download PDF: