Patent ID: 7476986
Filing Date: 2009-01-13
Classification: F03B,F05B,H02P,Y02E

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for converting wave energy propagated in liquids into electrical energy, comprising: a housing; a shaft, said shaft having a relatively forward portion at least partially extending from said housing, and a relatively rearward portion within said housing and having an outer surface, a set of spaced apertures being along said outer surface; a panel connected to said relatively forward shaft portion outside said housing so that said panel may rotate with respect to said shaft, said panel having a surface area, said panel adapted to be placed in a liquid through which waves propagate so that waves strike said panel; a set of gears attached inside said housing, each gear of the set having teeth adapted to fit into said spaced apertures in a rack-and-pinion relationship, and each gear of the set having a respective axle that extends therefrom; at least one electrical generator having a rotor, said rotor being connected to or a part of at least one of said axles; and wherein movement of said panel toward said housing causes said shaft to move relative to said housing, so that said shaft causes each gear of said set of gears to rotate, thus rotating said rotor to generate electrical energy.