This Invention relates to a device for converting energy wherein the device may be activated by ocean waves or swells and wherein the energy generated by the ocean waves or swells is converted into mechanical energy or other froms of energy.

Hitherto attempts to drive electrical generators, pumps such as piston pumps and alternators have not proved particularly successful for various reasons. One reason in particular was the substantial installation expense some devices require for the production of relatively small energy returns together with lack of flexibility to cope with the varying conditions the ocean can produce. As well as, in the majority of cases, the design of the unit making same wholly dependant on the height of the wave.

It is the object of the invention to produce a device for converting energy actuated by ocean waves which is simple and relatively inexpensive in construction and installation, has ease of maintenance, and is effective in operation.

The energy conversion device of the invention includes : 1] A support frame

2] A carriage member which is desirably moveable in an upward or downward direction relative to the support frame 3] An axle assembly or axles associated with said carriage member from which are suspended levers or pendulums of the same length with floats affixed at their extremities capable of moving freely on the axle[s] The levers that remain vertical in the trough of the wave have float assemblies connected both front and rear at their extremity

and are interconnected to ensure that when moved by swell they move in concert.

Adjust assembly[ies] is/are on the vertical levers to facilitate the movement forward and upward of the adjustable levers to which is attached a float member which can be made to enter the face of the oncoming wave at a predetermined distance from the crest.

The float members attached front and rear of the vertical levers are engineered to have greater buoyancy factor than the float members attached to the adjustable levers thus ensuring that, due to lever assemblies being interconnected, the whole of the lever assemblies contained within one conversion unit will always move in the direction the wave or swell is travelling.

The wave or swell acting on the floats causes them to move in an arc which ensures the maximum buoyancy, relative to wave height, is engulfed by the wave and by then being moved at the speed of the wave energy generated by the movement of said floats assisted by buoyancy factor at final stages of movement may be converted to mechanical or other forms of energy.

The support frame may be of any suitable type and in one form may include a plurality of spaced uprights or piles which may be interconnected by cross members so as to provide rigidity and strength to the resulting structure. In a preferred form the frame includes four spaced uprights defining a rectangle in plan view.

Each of the uprights referred to above suitably has a track attached thereto or guide member so as to guide movement of the carriage member in its upward or downward movement.

The carriage member may be provided with guide rollers or wheels which are each engaged in a corresponding track or guide associated with a respective upright. The carriage member is suitably rectangular in plan view. The piles may have a tube cast within which will facilitate further stability by facilitating entry of a tube or rod attached to carriage.

The float member[s] may be of any appropriate configuration but suitably are in the form that ensures that progressively greater buoyancy volume is engulfed by the advancing wave.

The interconnected lever and float assemblies may have attached thereto translating means wherein the energy generated by the impact of the waves on the float units and forcing the float units to move in the direction the wave is travelling may be translated or converted into mechanical or other energy. In one form this may include attachment means to a hydraulic ram assembly. There may be a winder and cable method as illustrated in Fig 1.

There also may be provided lifting means for the carriage member as desired and in one form this may include a hydraulic ram which is attached to the carriage and which facilitates an upward or downward movement of the carriage.

To assist with understanding the invention reference will now be made to accompanying drawings which illustrate one example of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Reference is made to a preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in the attached drawings wherein -

Fig 1 is a side view of a device constructed in accordance with the invention; and

Fig 2 is a plan view of the device shown in Fig 1.

Referring to Fig 1 Schematic it can be seen that the wave energy conversion device according to the invention comprises a support Frame 1 incorporating piles or uprights 2 constraining a carriage 3 which is mounted for vertically adjustable movement on the piles 2 of the support frame 1.

An axle or axles 4 is across the width of the carriage 3 from which are suspended levers/pendulums 5 and 6 which have float units 7 and 8 attached to their extremities. Levers 6 with float unit 8 attached is adjustable forward and upward per medium of adjusting assembly 9 which is affixed to levers 5.

Levers 5 which also have float units 10 mounted on the rear are desirably required to be in a vertical position when in the trough of a wave have a counterweight 11 attached thus ensuring that float units 7 and 8 are presented to the wave to obtain maximum effect with float unit 8 entering the wave at a predetermined distance from the crest. Mounted so as to be activated by the movement of levers 5 and 6 is the linkage 12 to the hydraulic pumps or generator 13.

The vertical adjustment assemblies] 14 which may be in the form of a telescopic hydraulic ram 14 is/are mounted on support frame 1 with connection to carriage 3.

The vertical movement of the carriage 3 is controlled and stabilised by a track 15 incorporated in piles 2 which can be engaged by a series of rollers 16 mounted on carriage 3. The carriage 3 may be further stabilised by the piles 2 having cast within them a tube 17 that can accommodate a further tube or rod 18 that is part of the carriage 3.