Disclosed herein are flexible wave energy converters that actuate electrical generators with dynamic strain (e.g., flexing, stretching, twisting, distension) to convert wave energy to electrical energy. The flexible wave energy converter utilizes flexible electric generators embedded throughout the wave-energy converter's flexible body.

An apparatus that floats at the surface of a body of water over which waves pass, causing a nominally vertical axis of the apparatus to tilt away from an axis normal to the resting surface of the body of water. Tilting allows a fluid to flow through a channel that in an un-tilted apparatus would require the gravitational potential energy of the fluid to increase (i.e., to flow uphill), but, because of the tilt allows the fluid to flow through the channel in a downhill direction. Successive wave-driven tilts of the apparatus incrementally raise water to a head from which a portion of its gravitational potential energy can be converted to electrical power by causing the water to return to a lower level by flowing through a water turbine, or through some other apparatus that performs a useful function when supplied with a flow of high-pressure water.

This invention relates to a wave energy recovery apparatus with a power-take-off arrangement comprising at least a base, a reciprocating panel, two power-take-off (PTO) units with one or more generators to convert kinetic energy of waves or tidal currents to electricity, at least two gear transmissions operatively connected between the panel and the generators and at least two one-way clutch mechanisms to control the directions of rotation of the generators. The panel is arranged to rotate a half of the generators when rotating into one direction and another half of the generators when rotating into the opposite direction.

A device to stabilize, reduce, or control the wave or wind-induced heave (vertical), surge (lateral), or pitching (rolling) motion of a floating or semi-submerged buoyant base, raft, barge, buoy or other buoyant body such as the buoyant base of a wave energy converter or a floating wind turbine base. The device concurrently allows the floating base to self-orient or weathervane to substantially maintains its orientation with respect to the direction of oncoming waves, winds, or wind gusts. The device also facilitates maintaining the submerged depth or vertical orientation of the buoyant base relative to the still water line to compensate for tidal depth changes. The device utilizes a second substantially submerged buoyant body having a center of buoyancy and at least one tensioned seabed connection located substantially below and forward or up-sea or up-wind of the center of buoyancy of the buoyant base. A structural member, which can optionally also be buoyant or integral with the base or second submerged body, connects the submerged buoyant body with the floating base.

A wave power generation system includes: a hydraulic pump device configured to operate by force of a wave to discharge an operating liquid to a main passage; a hydraulic motor device configured to be rotated by the operating liquid flowing through the main passage; a power generator configured to be driven by the hydraulic motor to generate electric power; and a heat exchanger device configured to perform heat exchange of the operating liquid. The heat exchanger device includes a heat exchange motor device connected to the main passage through a sub passage and configured to be operated by the operating liquid introduced through the sub passage, a refrigerant pump device driven by the heat exchange motor device and configured to suck and discharge a refrigerant liquid, and a heat exchanger to which the refrigerant liquid discharged from the heat exchange pump device and the operating liquid are introduced.

A turbine comprises a shaft (20), a mass (10) eccentrically mounted for rotation about shaft (20), having its center of gravity at a distance from the shaft (20) and a motion base (15). Motion base (15) rigidly supports the shaft (20), and is configured for moving the shaft (20) in any direction of at least two degrees of movement freedom, except for heave.

A floating vessel-turbine (120), encloses entirely the eccentrically rotating mass (10) and the motion base (15). The turbine converts ocean wave energy into useful energy, very efficiently.

A wave receiving plate is pivotably supported by a support device in the wave force generation system and includes a flexible plate in at least a part of the wave receiving plate.

The apparatus described is a buoyant energy converting apparatus for converting energy obtained from renewable ocean energy sources to useful energy, comprising: a wind energy converter; a buoyant platform arranged to support the wind energy converter in a body of water having a surface and a bed; and a connection member, the connection member being positioned between the wind energy converter and the buoyant platform, the buoyant platform comprises an in-use configuration in which the buoyant platform is submerged in the body of water. In the in-use configuration the connection member protrudes through the surface of the body of water such that the wind energy converter is located substantially above the body of water. The apparatus further comprises a wave energy converter. The apparatus aims to provide a device having increased stability in stormy conditions, a more consistent supply of power and improved cost and ease of maintenance.

A wave power generation system includes a wave receiving member, ram cylinder hydraulic pump device, change value sensor, accumulator device, hydraulic motor, power generator, and controller. The member is arranged near a virtual reflection surface that reflects a coming incident wave. The controller sets a torque command used when the generator generates electric power. Based on a differential value of a change value detected by the sensor and changes in accordance with a swing amount of the member, the controller determines whether the member is swinging toward a first or second side in a swing direction. When the controller determines the member is swinging toward the second side by receiving force of a reflected wave reflected by the virtual reflection surface, the controller changes the torque command from the command set when the controller determines the member is swinging toward the first side by receiving force of the incident wave.

Disclosed herein are aquatic substructures capable of supporting a weight such as a wind tower and turbine. The aquatic substructures may include a central column and at least one buoyancy container connected by means of a system of cables and beams as described herein.