A point absorber wave energy converter is described. The converter uses a surface piercing float operably coupled to a water column tube extending downwardly from the surface piercing float, the tube being open at its bottom and being configured to accommodate a column of sea water therein. Air is trapped above that column within a plenum, the plenum being configured such that operably relative movement between the point absorber and the internal water column expands and compresses the trapped volume of air. That movement can be used to pump air through an open or a closed circuit power take off system. The open circuit power take-off system as described is suitable for other oscillating water column wave energy converters including both floating offshore and fixed shoreline installations.

A point absorber wave energy converter is described. The converter uses a surface piercing float operably coupled to a water column tube extending downwardly from the surface piercing float, the tube being open at its bottom and being configured to accommodate a column of sea water therein. Air is trapped above that column within a plenum, the plenum being configured such that operably relative movement between the point absorber and the internal water column expands and compresses the trapped volume of air. That movement can be used to pump air through an open or a closed circuit power take off system. The open circuit power take-off system as described is suitable for other oscillating water column wave energy converters including both floating offshore and fixed shoreline installations.

An apparatus and method for extracting energy from an oscillating working fluid, such as ocean waves includes an apparatus (10) having an internal flow passage (40) for the working fluid, a turbine (44) and a flow control device (38), each of the turbine (44) and the flow control device (38) being in direct fluid communication with the flow passage (40), where the flow control device is selectively moveable between a first configuration in which the flow control device is open to allow a flow of the working fluid, such as air, to exit the flow passage therethrough, and a second configuration in which the flow control device restricts a flow of the working fluid therethrough, the working fluid then entering the flow passage via the turbine, which can be harnessed to generate electricity.

An apparatus and method for extracting energy from an oscillating working fluid, such as ocean waves includes an apparatus (10) having an internal flow passage (40) for the working fluid, a turbine (44) and a flow control device (38), each of the turbine (44) and the flow control device (38) being in direct fluid communication with the flow passage (40), where the flow control device is selectively moveable between a first configuration in which the flow control device is open to allow a flow of the working fluid, such as air, to exit the flow passage therethrough, and a second configuration in which the flow control device restricts a flow of the working fluid therethrough, the working fluid then entering the flow passage via the turbine, which can be harnessed to generate electricity.

A buoyant wave energy device is disclosed that incorporates an open-bottomed tube of substantial length in which is partially enclosed a first body of water that oscillates in response to wave action. The device incorporates a buoy to which an upper end of the tube is connected and inside of which is trapped a second body of water of substantial mass. A differential phase in the oscillations of the water trapped in the tube, and the oscillations of the buoy of augmented mass, result in the periodic compression of a pocket of air trapped at the top of the tube, and in the subsequent expulsion of pressurized air through a turbine, thereby generating electrical power.

A buoyant wave energy device is disclosed that incorporates an open-bottomed tube of substantial length in which is partially enclosed a first body of water that oscillates in response to wave action. The device incorporates a buoy to which an upper end of the tube is connected and inside of which is trapped a second body of water of substantial mass. A differential phase in the oscillations of the water trapped in the tube, and the oscillations of the buoy of augmented mass, result in the periodic compression of a pocket of air trapped at the top of the tube, and in the subsequent expulsion of pressurized air through a turbine, thereby generating electrical power.

A device for collecting renewable energy includes two superposed caissons and the height of which is small in comparison with the expanse of the device which are floating or secured to a fixed or shoreline structure. A plurality of similar tubes with vertical axes is distributed over the expanse of the caissons, extending down beneath the caissons, open at their lower ends immersed in the water. Upper ends are inset into the caissons and have a valve that opens from the inside of the tube toward the upper caisson, and with a valve opening from the lower caisson toward the inside of the tube. Air is driven into the upper caisson by the rise in water level in some of the tube and conveyed through a turbine generator unit which produces electricity, then returns into the lower caisson suction into tubes in which the water level is falling.

A device for collecting renewable energy includes two superposed caissons and the height of which is small in comparison with the expanse of the device which are floating or secured to a fixed or shoreline structure. A plurality of similar tubes with vertical axes is distributed over the expanse of the caissons, extending down beneath the caissons, open at their lower ends immersed in the water. Upper ends are inset into the caissons and have a valve that opens from the inside of the tube toward the upper caisson, and with a valve opening from the lower caisson toward the inside of the tube. Air is driven into the upper caisson by the rise in water level in some of the tube and conveyed through a turbine generator unit which produces electricity, then returns into the lower caisson suction into tubes in which the water level is falling.

A wave power converter is presented comprising an airtight compressible bag supporting a ballast and configured to be inflated with gas. The airtight compressible bag comprises flexible walls, wherein the shape and length of the bag is determined by the equilibrium between the weight of the ballast and the pressure inside the bag. A floating body is connected to the airtight compressible bag by a tube. The converter comprises one or more airtight vessels and a power conversion means for generating power from the reciprocating flow of gas between the bag and airtight vessel. The airtight compressible bag is submerged and surrounded by water on all sides wherein the heaving and/or pitching of said floating body excites the oscillation of said ballast which squeezes and expands said airtight compressible bag driving the contained gas via the tube and power conversion means into and out of the airtight vessel.

A wave power converter is presented comprising an airtight compressible bag supporting a ballast and configured to be inflated with gas. The airtight compressible bag comprises flexible walls, wherein the shape and length of the bag is determined by the equilibrium between the weight of the ballast and the pressure inside the bag. A floating body is connected to the airtight compressible bag by a tube. The converter comprises one or more airtight vessels and a power conversion means for generating power from the reciprocating flow of gas between the bag and airtight vessel. The airtight compressible bag is submerged and surrounded by water on all sides wherein the heaving and/or pitching of said floating body excites the oscillation of said ballast which squeezes and expands said airtight compressible bag driving the contained gas via the tube and power conversion means into and out of the airtight vessel.