Patent ID: 7023104
Filing Date: 2006-04-04
Classification: B01D,F03B,F04B,F05B,Y02A,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A wave energy conversion device for converting wave energy from wave motion in a body of water (the sea) to a pressurized fluid output comprises: (a) a stable platform secured in a seabed position in the sea at a depth below the sea surface; (b) a lever arm having a proximal end pivotably mounted to the platform and a distal end extending upwardly from the proximal end in a vertical direction toward the sea surface such that the distal end is movable near the sea surface in a pivoting motion about the proximal end mounted to the platform below the sea surface; (c) a wave-energy absorbing panel coupled to the distal end of the lever arm and oriented to absorb the impulse wave energy of waves moving through the sea near the sea surface, said panel having a predefined panel surface area facing toward a given direction of expected wave motion beneath the sea surface which is impacted by the wave motion beneath the sea surface to move in oscillating motion to and fro as the lever arm is pivoted with its distal end moving pivotably about its proximal end with the ebb and flow of wave motion; and (d) a fluid pump having a piston rod coupled to the pivoting lever arm for applying pressure to intake fluid in the pump with the oscillating motion of the panel in order to provide a high-pressure fluid output for high-pressure uses, wherein the panel has substantially its entire panel surface area submerged in a sea subsurface region defined as approximately a depth of L/2 below the sea surface, where L represents the wavelength of the waves moving near the sea surface.