Patent ID: 7735319
Filing Date: 2010-06-15
Classification: F03B,Y02E

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for generating electrical power utilizing the motion of waves on an open body of water comprising: (a) an elongate support structure extending vertically upwards from a base relatively fixed with respect to the body of water, (b) guide arrangement on said support structure for at least two vertically moveable gear racks and a vertically moveable cross-arm engaged with each rack, (c) a motion transmitting arrangement on the cross-arm to move a first one of said gear racks during upward movement of the cross-arm and to move a second of said gear racks during downward movement of the cross-arm, (d) at least one gear wheel engaged with each gear rack, each gear wheel drivingly connected to a first output shaft through a one-way motion transmitting arrangement whereby motion of each gear rack in one direction only drivingly rotates said output shaft, (e) a first driving mass fixed to said first one of said gear racks to drive the gear rack downward under the action of gravity, (f) a second driving mass secured by a cable passing around a pulley on the support structure to said second of said gear racks to drive the said second gear rack upwardly under the action of gravitational forces on said second mass, (g) a float positioned on the body of water and horizontally spaced from the support structure, said float having a shape and configuration whereby the wave motion causes the float to move vertically relative to said base, (h) a support for said float pivotally mounted to a pivot support fixed relative to said base and between said float and said support structure, (i) a beam pivotally mounted at one end to said pivot support and extending towards said support structure, said beam being adjustably secured to said support for movement therewith in a vertical plane, (j) a connecting arm pivoted at one end to a free end of said beam and extending generally, upwardly therefrom to said cross-arm, whereby vertical movement of said float reciprocating drives said cross-arm vertically on said guide arrangement, wherein said float includes a plurality of float members supported on an axle for rotation responsive to the wave motion wherein rotational movement of the float members is transmitted to a second output shaft through a one way motion transmitting arrangement, and (k) a device for combining an output of said first and said second output shafts and transmitting the same to a flywheel.