Patent ID: 8438844
Filing Date: 2013-05-14
Classification: F03B,F05B,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A floatable wave energy converter for converting wave energy to electricity, the wave energy converter comprising a housing adapted to oscillate in response to wave motion and extending between a forward end and an aft end with the forward end thereof adapted to face into the waves in use, a forwardly facing lower portion of the housing adjacent the forward end thereof sloping in a generally downward aft direction, an air chamber formed in the housing, a water accommodating duct formed in the housing for accommodating water into and out of the air chamber as the housing oscillates in response to wave motion for varying the water level in the air chamber, the water accommodating duct terminating in a water accommodating opening aft of the air chamber, an air accommodating duct for accommodating air into and out of the air chamber in response to the varying water level therein, a converting means for converting energy in air being urged through the air accommodating duct in response to the varying water level in the air chamber to mechanical rotational energy, and a first stabilising plate extending below a waterline of the housing in a generally forward downward direction from the forwardly facing sloping lower portion of the housing adjacent the forward end of the housing for controlling the heaving and pitching motion of the housing to maximise the efficiency of conversion of the movement of the housing in water to useable energy.