Patent ID: 9657710
Date: 2017-05-23
CPC Classifications: F03B,F05B,Y02E

Claim:
1. A wave energy converter dynamically tunable over a wide range, meaning over a significant part of the range of periods that characterise high energy swell, comprising: a. at least one buoyant body arranged to oscillate under the influence of ocean swell; b. means for aligning said buoyant body with the dominant swell; c. a power take off system; d. a control system, comprising means for collecting data on the prevailing sea-state and means for calculating adjustments to the disposition and oscillation period of said buoyant body; e. means for dynamically varying the oscillation period of said buoyant body said means being selected from at least one of: f. said variation in total mass of said buoyant body excluding significant pumping of seawater; g. said buoyant body being arranged to significantly limit the level of fixed mass moment of inertia (MOI) of said buoyant body by means of streamlining in the direction of oscillation of said buoyant body, whereby said tuning over a wide range is enabled; h. said buoyant body having a low fixed mass MOI meaning a fixed mass MOI that is less than 20% of the maximum variable sum of mass MOI and added mass MOI and preferably less than 10% of said maximum sum, whereby said tuning over a wide range is enabled; i. means for controlling bridging of waves by said buoyant body whereby limits to tuning range can be controlled.