Abstract:
Disclosed is a wave powered electric generating device for generating electric power from wave-driven water body in a fast, easy, inexpensive, and efficient manner such that the set up has less configurational complexity, involves easy installation and maintainability. The wave powered electric generating device comprises: a plurality of buoyant members capable of floating in a wave-driven water body, wherein one of the buoyant members comprises at least one electric generator, and a transmission system; and interconnecting mechanism for connecting the buoyant members, wherein the transmission system is configured to convert a wave motion of the wave-driven water body to a rotary motion, the transmission system is capable of transmitting the rotary motion to the electric generator for producing electric power.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This patent application is related to the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/662,5825 dated Mar. 18, 2005 titled “Floating Wave Powered Electric Generating Device” and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a floating, wave powered electric generating device.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Waves are a powerful source of energy. Waves are caused by the wind as it blows across a water body. When this wind skims over the water body, an interaction is caused in which energy is exchanged between the wind and the surface of the water body. Initially ripples arise on the surface and then, the wind that skims along these ripples causes higher air pressure at the front of the wave than at the back. As a result, the ripples change into small waves. As this process continues, the waves become higher.  
         [0004]     Wave power plants are built to extract the wave energy and convert it into useful electric power. Some of the advantages of generating electricity from wave movements are: firstly, the energy extracted is free without utilizing any fuel, secondly, waves can produce a great deal of energy since wave power is renewable, and thirdly, wave power plants are easy and inexpensive to operate and maintain, when compared to other sources such as, nuclear power, solar power, and the like. However, the problem is that it is not easy to harness the wave energy and convert it into electrical energy in large amounts. Thus, wave power stations are rare.  
         [0005]     Several attempts have been made in the past to build devices for generating electric power from waves. For Example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,098,084 discloses an apparatus for generating energy from movement of water, particularly sea waves. The disclosed apparatus comprises a plurality of buoyant members interconnected to one another so as to be movable relative to one another. Each buoyant member is provided with a plate or plate like member. The apparatus is submerged below the level of the water, and means are provided for converting the relative movement of the buoyant members into useful electrical energy. However, the problem associated with the disclosed apparatus is that the buoyant members may flip over the other in large waves. This is because larger waves that pass over the end of the buoyant member would continue to lift the buoyant member. Another problem associated with the disclosed apparatus is the associated high torque low rpm.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,319,454 discloses a wave action power plant—driven by the action waves and having a drive shaft rotated by a plurality of drive units. The drive units have a lever pivotally mounted on and extending said shaft and carrying a weight, in the form of float, which floats on the waves and rocks the lever up and down on the shaft. A ratchet mechanism causes said shaft to be rotated in one direction by the weight of the float after it has been raised by wave and the wave has passed, leaving said float free to move downwardly by gravity and apply it full weight to pull down on the lever and rotate the drive shaft. The large number of drive units ensures that there are always some of the weights pulling down on their respective levers while other weights are being lifted by waves and thereby causing continuous rotation of the drive shaft in one direction. The said levers are so mounted that they may be easily raised to bring the weights into a position wherein they are readily accessible for cleaning the bottoms thereof to remove any accumulation of barnacles, mollusks, and the like. The disclosed wave power plant is also provided with means for preventing the weights from colliding with each other as they independently move up and down on the waves. However, it may not be desirable to use weights on the floats, since some power may be wasted in order to lift the float.  
         [0007]     Accordingly what is needed is a way to generate electric power from wave-driven water body in a fast, easy, inexpensive, and efficient manner such that the set up has less configurational complexity, involves easy set up and maintainability.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior arts, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for generating electricity from a wave driven water body by converting the energy from the wave motion of the waves to electrical energy and to include all the advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein.  
         [0009]     In one aspect, the present invention provides a wave powered electric generating device comprising: a plurality of buoyant members capable of floating in a wave-driven water body, wherein one of the buoyant members comprises at least one electric generator, and a transmission system; and interconnecting mechanism for connecting the buoyant members, wherein the transmission system configured to convert a wave motion of the wave-driven water body to a rotary motion, the transmission system capable of transmitting the rotary motion to the electric generator for producing electric power.  
         [0010]     In another aspect, the present invention provides a floating wave powered electric generating device comprising: a first buoyant member, a second buoyant member, a third buoyant member placed intermediate to the first buoyant member and the second buoyant member, a first interconnector configured to pivotally attach the third buoyant member to the first buoyant member, and a second interconnector configured to rigidly attach the third buoyant member to the second buoyant member. The first buoyant member, the second buoyant member, and the third buoyant member operably floating along a wave motion of a wave-driven water body, the third buoyant member comprises a primary shaft disposed along a longitudinal axis of the third buoyant member, a secondary shaft disposed adjacently and parallel along the longitudinal axis of the third buoyant member, the secondary shaft operably coupled to the primary shaft, a large drive gear mounted on the primary shaft and configured to rotate integrally with the primary shaft, a first small gear mounted on the secondary shaft, the first small gear capable of meshing with the large drive gear, the first small gear configured to transmit a rotary motion of the primary shaft to the secondary shaft, in such a manner, that a direction of rotation of the first small gear is opposite to a direction of rotation of the large drive gear, a reversing gear capable of meshing with the large drive gear, a second small gear mounted on the secondary shaft, the second small gear capable of meshing with the reversing gear, the second small gear in mesh with the reversing gear configured to transmit a rotary motion of the primary shaft to the secondary shaft, in such a manner, that a direction of rotation of the second small gear is same as a direction of rotation of the large drive gear, and a driving mechanism for transmitting the rotary motion of the secondary shaft to a electric generator, the electric generator is capable of generating electric power from the rotary motion transmitted to the electric generator.  
         [0011]     In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a floating wave powered electric generating device comprising: a first buoyant member; a second buoyant member, and a third buoyant member placed intermediate to the first buoyant member and the second buoyant member; a first interconnector configured to pivotally attach the third buoyant member to the first buoyant member, and a second interconnector configured to rigidly attach the third buoyant member to the second buoyant member, wherein the first buoyant member, the second buoyant member, and the third buoyant member operably floating along a wave motion of a wave-driven water body, the third buoyant member comprises a primary shaft disposed along a longitudinal axis of the third buoyant member, a secondary shaft disposed adjacently and parallel along the longitudinal axis of the third buoyant member, the secondary shaft operably coupled to the primary shaft, a large double sprocket mounted on the primary shaft and configured to rotate integrally with the primary shaft, a first small sprocket mounted on the secondary shaft, the first small sprocket capable of coupling with the large double sprocket through a first chain, the first small sprocket configured to transmit a rotary motion of the primary shaft to the secondary shaft, in such a manner, that a direction of rotation of the first small sprocket is same as a direction of rotation of the large double sprocket, a second small sprocket mounted on the secondary shaft and coupled to the large double sprocket through a second chain along a pair of idler rollers, the second small sprocket is configured to transmit a rotary motion of the primary shaft to the secondary shaft, in such a manner, that a direction of rotation of the second small sprocket is opposite to a direction of rotation of the large double sprocket, and a driving mechanism for transmitting the rotary motion of the secondary shaft to a electric generator, the electric generator is capable of generating electric power from the rotary motion transmitted to said electric generator.  
         [0012]     These together with other aspects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]     The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a floating wave powered electric generating device  100 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the floating wave powered electric generating device  100 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is another side view of a floating wave powered electric generating device  100 , according to another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4A  is a side view of the floating wave powered electric generating device  100 , positioned on the surface of a wave-driven water body with a crest and two troughs, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4B  is a side view of the floating wave powered electric generating device  100 , positioned on a surface of the wave-driven water body with two crests and a trough, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate the degree of rotation generated by the up and down movement of the buoyant members on the wave-driven water body;  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a top cutaway view of a third buoyant member  30 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is another top cutaway view of the third buoyant member  30  of the floating wave powered electric generating device  100 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrates a side sectional view of the floating wave powered electric generating device  100 , illustrating the transmission system and the axis of rotation of a primary shaft of within a third buoyant member  30 , according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 9  illustrates the top cutaway view of the floating wave powered electric generating device  100 , according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0024]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate a chain drive system of the floating wave powered electric generating device  100  for transmission of power to an electric generator, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0025]     Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0026]     The exemplary embodiments described herein detail for illustrative purposes are subject to many variations in structure and design. It should be emphasized, however, that the present invention is not limited to a particular floating wave powered electric generating device, as shown and described. It is understood that various omissions, substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.  
         [0027]     The terms “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.  
         [0028]     The present invention provides a device for generating electricity in a fast, easy, convenient and inexpensive manner. The device of the present invention uses the up and down motion of the waves in a wave-driven water body (for e.g. ocean waves) and extracts energy from the wave movement to generate electric power i.e. mechanical energy of the components of the device of the present invention caused by the motion of the waves is converted to the electrical energy.  
         [0029]     The present invention provides a floating wave powered electric generating device configured to float on the surface of sea waves, and without any moving parts of the device being exposed to the saline water, or other materials that are capable of causing damage to the components therewithin. Another advantage is the ability of the floating wav powered electric generating device is to operate in the wave-driven water body without utilizing water driven turbines. The present invention also protects the floating wave powered electric generating device from being flooded and sinking to the bottom of the wave-driven water body during storms by providing means to bring back the device to the surface of the water body.  
         [0030]      FIG. 1  illustrates a floating wave powered electric generating device  100  (hereinafter referred to as device  100 ). The device  100  comprises a plurality of buoyant members including a first buoyant member  10 , a second buoyant member  20 , a third buoyant member  30 , a first interconnector  50  and a pair of second interconnectors  60 . The buoyant members are capable of floating on the surface of a wave-driven water body, for example, ocean, river and the like. The buoyant members may take form of a closed hollow cylindrical configuration, for example, a barrel shaped pontoon constructed from a metal, concrete, or similar material. The buoyant members are spaced parallel to each other. The third buoyant member  30  is positioned between the two outer buoyant members (the first buoyant member  10  and the second buoyant member  20 ), such that, the third buoyant member  30  is centrally located. In one embodiment, the first buoyant member  10  and the second buoyant member  20  are substantially similar and may be interchanged. The first buoyant member  10  and the second buoyant member  20  are spaced apart, such that, the distance between them may be substantially same as the distance between two crests of a wave. The first buoyant member  10  and the second buoyant member  20  may be half-filled with water to have lift, and at the same time weight to force them back down between waves.  
         [0031]     In one embodiment, in order to improve the efficiency of the operation of the device  100 , the weight of the device  100  is distributed, such that, the total weight of the first buoyant member  10  and the second buoyant member  20  is half the weight of the third buoyant member  30 . For example, if the third buoyant member  30  has a weight of 1,000 pounds (lbs), then it is preferred to have buoyancy twice its weight, that is, 2000 lbs for the third buoyant member  30 . In such cases, it is also preferred that each of the outer buoyant members (i.e. the first buoyant member  10  and the second buoyant member  20 ) weigh 500 lbs with a buoyancy of 1000 lbs each.  
         [0032]     Referring to  FIG. 2-3 , the side view of the floating, wave powered electric generating device  100 , is shown. The third buoyant member  30  is connected to the first buoyant member  10  through a first interconnector  50 , and the second buoyant member  20  is connected to the third buoyant member  30  through second interconnectors  60 . The third buoyant member  30  further has a primary shaft  34  running centrally through a longitudinal axis of the third buoyant member  30  and having ends protruding from the third buoyant member  30 . The first interconnector  50  may take the form of a crank having a pair of arms pivotally connecting the first buoyant member  10  with the third buoyant member  30 . The crank arms are rigidly coupled to the first buoyant member  10  at first ends  52  using known coupling means, and at the second end  54  pivotally coupled to the protruding end of the primary shaft  34  of the third buoyant member  30 . (See  FIG. 2 ). The second interconnector  60 , for example, a pair of ridged connecting rails, at both ends, rigidly connects the third buoyant member  30  with the second buoyant member  20  (See  FIG. 2 ). The pivotal connection of the first buoyant member  10  with the third buoyant member  30  using the first interconnector  50  enables a pivotal movement of the first buoyant member  10  at the primary shaft  34  and the rigid connection of the second buoyant member  20  with the third buoyant member  30  using the second interconnector  60  causes the movement of the second buoyant member  20  and third buoyant member  30  conjointly. For example, the motion of waves may cause the first buoyant member  10  to move up and down, enabling the primary shaft  34  to rotate in both clockwise and counter-clockwise direction intermittently. In one embodiment, the device  100  may also be configured with a first interconnector  50  taking the form of a crank having a single arm pivotally connecting the third buoyant member  30  with the first buoyant member  10  and the second interconnector  60  taking the form of a single ridged connecting rail rigidly connecting the third buoyant member  30  with the second buoyant member  20  (See  FIG. 3 ).  
         [0033]     Now referring to  FIGS. 4A-4B , the floating wave powered electric generating device  100  positioned on the surface of the wave-driven water body, is shown.  
         [0034]     The motion of the waves causes the buoyant members to move up and down along the waves. In one scenario, the third buoyant member  30  is raised to the top of the wave (wave crest), such that the first buoyant member  10  and the second buoyant member  20  are in the valley (wave trough) of the wave (See  FIG. 4A ). The buoyancy of the third buoyant member  30  causes the third buoyant member  30  to stay at the wave crest, while the weight of the first buoyant member  10  and the second buoyant member  20  causes them to stay at the wave troughs. The weight of the two outer buoyant members (i.e. the first buoyant member  10  and the second buoyant member  20 ) forces the primary shaft  34  to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction ‘A’. Alternatively, the two outer buoyant members (i.e. the first buoyant member  10  and the second buoyant member  20   
         [0035]     are raised to the wave crest, such that, the third buoyant member  30  is placed at the wave trough. (See  FIG. 4B ). The buoyancy of the two outer buoyant members (i.e. the first buoyant member  10  and the second buoyant member  20 ) causes them to stay at the wave crest, while the weight of the third buoyant member  30  forces the primary shaft  34  to rotate in a clockwise direction ‘B’.  
         [0036]     The outer buoyant members (i.e. the first buoyant member  10  and second buoyant member  20 ) and a portion of the third buoyant member  30  may have a valve (not shown) to flood the device  100  (in order to sink the device  100 ) to the bottom of the wave-driven water body during storms. The valve may be controlled remotely through a cable (not shown) strung along the power cables. An air hose (not shown) may be used to fill the buoyant members with air for returning the device  100  to the surface of the wave-driven water body. An anchoring structure (not shown) may be used to hold the device  100  in place while floating on the water-driven water body. A connecting means, such as, a cable, or a rope, or a chain, or a combination thereof, may be used to connect the anchoring structure to the device  100 .  
         [0037]     Now, referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , illustrated is degree of rotation generated by the up and down movement of the buoyant members on the wave-driven water body. When the second buoyant member  20  moves from about 45 degrees above the third buoyant member  30 , to 45 degrees below, the primary shaft  34  rotates 90 degrees in the clockwise direction. Simultaneously, the first buoyant member  10  moves from 45 degrees above the third buoyant member  30 , to 45 degrees below, the primary shaft  34  rotates 90 degrees in the counter-clockwise direction. The total rotation of the primary shaft  34  equals 180 degrees or one-half turn (See  FIG. 5A ). When the wave moves back to its starting position with the outer buoyant members (first buoyant member  10  and second buoyant member  20 ) at the wave crest, the primary shaft  34  rotates another 180 degrees or one-half turn (See  FIG. 5B ). This means that, up to one rpm per wave may be produced. The maximum horse power unit of the device  100  may be calculated by multiplying the total rpm with torque and then dividing by 5252. The torque is the weight of the outer buoyant members (first buoyant member  10  or the second buoyant member  20 ) multiplied by the total length of the first interconnector  50  or the second interconnector  60 .  
         [0038]     For example, if the number of waves is 10, weight of the outer buoyant members is 15,000 lbs, and total length of the first interconnector  50  or the second interconnector  60  are 20 feet, then horse power may be calculated as follows: Ten waves per minute equals 10 Revolutions Per Minute (RPMs). Torque=15000×20=300,000 foots pounds torque. Horse Power=10 RPMs×300,000 lbs torque/5252. Maximum Horse Power=571 hp. Assuming that, horse power is 335 hp. One hp equals 746 watts. Therefore, power generated=335 hp×746=250,000 watts=¼ megawatt.  
         [0039]     Now referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the third buoyant member  30  comprises an electric generator  32 , the primary shaft  34 , and a secondary shaft  36 . The protruding ends of the primary shaft  34  are held by bearings on each end of the third buoyant member  30 . Flexible boots (not shown) may be used to protect the bearings from the water. The secondary shaft  36  is connected to the electric generator  32  through driving mechanism  46  that may adjust shaft speeds to the electric generator  32 . The driving mechanism  46  includes, but is not limited to, belt, chain, or gears. In one embodiment, the electric generator  32  is directly coupled to the secondary shaft  36 .  
         [0040]     The third buoyant member  30  further has a large drive gear  38  mounted on the primary shaft  34  and configured to rotate integrally with the primary shaft  34 . As the wave on the water body moves the buoyant members up and down, the large drive gear  38  attached to the primary shaft  34  spins back and forth. The secondary shaft  36  is disposed adjacently and parallel to the primary shaft  34  along the longitudinal axis of the third buoyant member  30 . A first small gear  40  mounted on the secondary shaft  36  is capable of meshing with the large drive gear  38  and configured to transmit the rotation of the primary shaft  34  to the secondary shaft  36  in such a manner that the direction of rotation of the first small gear  40  and in turn the secondary shaft  36  is always opposite to the large drive gear  38  and in turn the primary shaft  34 . The secondary shaft  36  further has a second small gear  42  mounted concentrically on the secondary shaft  36  and in mesh with a reversing gear  44 . The reversing gear  44  is capable of meshing with the large drive gear  38  and configured to transmit the rotation of the primary shaft  34  to the secondary shaft  36  in such a manner that the direction of rotation of the reversing gear  44  is always opposite to the direction of rotation of the large drive gear  38  an in turn the primary shaft  34 . As the reversing gear  44  is in mesh with the second small gear  42 , the direction of rotation of the second small gear  42  is opposite to the direction of rotation of the reversing gear  44  leading to the direction of rotation of the second small gear  42  in the same direction as the rotation of the large drive gear and in turn the primary shaft  34 . The secondary shaft  36  further comprises a pair one way clutch configured to engage or disengage the first small gear  40  with the large drive gear  38  and the reversing gear  44  with the large drive gear  38 . The reversing gear  44  thereby ensures that the secondary shaft  36  rotates in the same direction irrespective of the direction of rotation of the primary shaft  34 . In one embodiment, a pair of large drive gears is mounted on the primary shaft  34 , such that, first small gear  40  meshes with one of the large drive gears while the second small gear  42  meshes with the other large drive gear through the reversing gear  44 . The mechanical energy of the rotation of the secondary shaft  36  is transmitted to a shaft (not shown) of the electric generator  32 , capable of generating electric power which is transmitted to a base station using power cables.  
         [0041]     The wave powered electric generating device  100  may be operated to generate electric power either by a clockwise rotation or a counter-clockwise rotation of the shaft of the electric generator  32 . Now, taking a scenario, wherein the wave powered electric generating device  100  is operated to generate power by the clockwise rotation of the shaft of the electric generator  32  is desired. Referring to  FIG. 8A , shown is a transmission system within a third buoyant member  30  illustrating the direction of rotation of the primary shaft  34  and the secondary shaft  36 . When a wave moves the third buoyant member  30  to the wave crest, causing the first buoyant member  10  and the second buoyant member  20  to be positioned in the wave trough, such that the primary shaft  34  and in turn the large drive gear  38  rotates in the counterclockwise direction ‘A’. The first one way clutch  48  (See  FIG. 7 ) engages the first small gear  40  to the large drive gear  38 , which causes the secondary shaft  36  to rotate in the clockwise direction ‘B’. If the rotation of the secondary shaft  36  is transmitted to the electric generator  32 , the shaft of the electric generator  32  also rotates in the clockwise direction ‘B’.  
         [0042]     Now, referring to  FIG. 8B , when the two outer buoyant members (i.e. the first buoyant member  10  and the second buoyant member  20 ) are raised to the wave crest, such that, the third buoyant member  30  is placed at the wave trough, such that the primary shaft  34  and in turn the large drive gear  38  rotates in the clockwise direction ‘B’. The second one way clutch  49  (See  FIG. 7 ) engages the reversing gear  44  with the large drive gear  38  upon disengaging the first small gear  40  from the large drive gear  38  by the first one way clutch  48 . The meshing of the reversing gear  44  with the large drive gear  38  causes the reversing gear  44  to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction ‘A’. As the reversing gear  44  is in mesh with the second small gear  42 , the second small gear  42  and in turn the secondary shaft  36  rotates in the clockwise direction ‘B’ thereby enabling the shaft of the electric generator  32  to rotate in the clockwise direction ‘B’ as desired. This causes a continuous clockwise rotation of the shaft of the electric generator  32 . This continuous rotation of the shaft of the electric generator  32  is used to convert the mechanical/rotational energy of the shaft to electric power by the electric generator  32 .  
         [0043]      FIGS. 9, 10A  and  10 B illustrate an embodiment in which the device  100  uses a chain drive system for transmitting the rotation of the primary shaft to the secondary shaft.  
         [0044]     Now, particularly referring to  FIG. 9 , the chain drive system comprises a first chain  70 , a second chain  72 , a large double sprocket  74 , a first small sprocket  76 , a second small sprocket  78  and idler rollers  80 . The large double sprocket  74  mounted on the primary shaft  34  and configured to rotate integrally with the primary shaft  34 . As the wave on the water body moves the buoyant members up and down the large double sprocket  74  mounted on the primary shaft  34  also rotates back and forth. The first small sprocket  76  mounted on the secondary shaft  36  is capable of coupling with the large double sprocket  74  through the first chain  70 . The first small sprocket  76  is configured to transmit the rotation of the primary shaft  34  to the secondary shaft  36  in such a manner that the direction of rotation of the first small sprocket  76  and in turn the secondary shaft  36  is the same as the direction of rotation of the large double sprocket  74  and in turn the primary shaft  34 . The second small sprocket  78  mounted on the secondary shaft  36  is capable of coupling with the large double sprocket  74  through the second chain  72  and the idler rollers  80  in such a manner that the direction of rotation of the second small sprocket  78  and in turn the secondary shaft  36  is opposite to the direction of rotation of the large double sprocket  74  and in turn the primary shaft  34 . The idler rollers  80  thereby ensure that the secondary shaft  36  rotates in the same direction irrespective of the direction of rotation of the primary shaft  34 . The mechanical energy of the rotation of the secondary shaft  36  is transmitted to the shaft of the electric generator  32 , capable of generating electric power, which is transmitted to the base station using power cables.  
         [0045]     The device  100  utilizing the chain drive system may be operated to generate electric power either by a clockwise rotation or a counter-clockwise rotation of the shaft of the electric generator  32 . Now, taking a scenario, wherein the device  100  is operated to generate power by the clockwise rotation of the shaft of the electric generator  32  is desired. Now, referring to  FIG. 10A , shown is a chain drive system illustrating the direction of rotation of the primary shaft  34  and the secondary shaft  36 . When the two outer buoyant members (i.e. the first buoyant member  10  and the second buoyant member  20 ) are raised to the wave crest, such that, the third buoyant member  30  is placed at the wave trough, causing the primary shaft  34  and in turn the large double sprocket  74  to rotate in the clockwise direction ‘B’. The chain drive system further provides a means for engaging the first small sprocket  76  with the large double sprocket  74  through the first chain  70 . In one embodiment, the means may include a one way clutch. The first chain  70  coupled with the large double sprocket  74  enables the first small sprocket  76  and in turn the secondary shaft  36  to rotate in the clockwise direction ‘B’ (which is the direction of rotation of the primary shaft  34 ). If the rotation of the secondary shaft  36  is transmitted to the electric generator  32 , the shaft of the electric generator  32  also rotates in the clockwise direction ‘B’.  
         [0046]     Referring to  FIG. 10B , shown is a chain drive system illustrating the direction of rotation of the primary shaft  34  and the secondary shaft  36 . When a wave moves the third buoyant member to the wave crest, causing the first buoyant member  10  and the second buoyant member  20  to be positioned in the wave trough, such that the primary shaft  34  and in turn the large double sprocket  74  rotates in the counter-clockwise direction ‘A’. The chain drive system further provides a means for engaging the second small sprocket  78  with the large double sprocket  74  through the second chain  72 . In one embodiment, the means may include a one way clutch. The configuration of the idler rollers  80  with the large double sprocket  74  and the second small sprocket  78  through the second chain  72  causes the second small sprocket  78  and in turn the secondary shaft  36  to rotate in the clockwise direction ‘B’ thereby enabling the shaft of the electric generator  32  to rotate in the clockwise direction ‘B’. The second chain  72  coupled with the large double sprocket  74  enables the second small sprocket  78  and in turn the secondary shaft  36  to rotate in the clockwise direction ‘B’ (which is the direction of rotation of the primary shaft  34 ). If the rotation of the secondary shaft  36  is transmitted to the electric generator  32 , the shaft of the electric generator  32  also rotates in the clockwise direction ‘B’. This causes a continuous clockwise rotation of the shaft of the electric generator  32  as desired. This continuous rotation of the shaft of the electric generator  32  is used to convert the mechanical/rotational energy of the shaft to electric power by the electric generator  32 .  
         [0047]     In one embodiment, a power plant comprising a plurality of buoyant members is operated by interconnecting an array of floating, wave powered electric generating device  100 . The power plant may be employed in ocean waves to generate required electric power. The amount of electric power to be generated is determined by the scale of the power plant (i.e. number of devices  100  interconnected together). The generated electric power may be transmitted to the base station using the power cables.  
         [0048]     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions, substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.