Patent ID: 6768216
Filing Date: 2004-07-27
Classification: F03B,Y02E

Abstract:
An apparatus for capturing energy from surface waves on a body of water, the apparatus comprising, when in use:a vertically extending submerged member having upper and lower ends, one of said ends being closed for preventing water flow through the member; each of said ends experiencing respective water pressures which vary as a function of overpassing surface waves; said member having a vertical length such that the amplitudes of the water pressure variations at the lower end of said member are smaller than the amplitudes of simultaneous water pressure variations at the upper end of said member for resulting in varying water pressure differentials between said ends which drive said member into vertical oscillations; said member being mounted such that said vertical oscillations result solely from said varying water pressure differentials; and an energy converter connected to said member for converting movements of said member into useful energy.