Patent Publication Number: US-2022235732-A1

Title: Elongate wave energy generation devices and methods of using the same

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Invention 
     Devices and methods provided herein relate generally to devices that convert kinetic energy into electricity, and more particularly to an oscillating elongate device which converts the movement of ocean waves into purposeful movement that can be used to generate electricity, and various methods for their use. 
     Related Art 
     In recent years, there has been a substantial influx in the ‘green energy’ market related to devices and methods for producing energy from fuel sources other than fossil fuels. The burning of fossil fuels has been the convention for providing both mechanical energy as well as electrical energy. In particular, many large-scale electric generators use the burning of fossil fuels to create and convert mechanical energy to electrical energy. The reliance on fossil fuels in both large and small-scale applications is driving a depletion of many conventional fossil fuel sources and may soon be unsustainable to meet our large energy demands. It is also a widely-held belief among scientists that the burning of these fossil fuels is adding to climate change. As a result, we believe that now is the time for innovation in energy production devices and methods which employ sustainable alternative fuel sources. 
     Conventional alternative energy devices known today include wind turbines, solar cells, geothermal and hydro-electric generators and others. These innovations have provided a huge step toward the long-term goal of cutting our reliance on fossil fuels, however, they have many drawbacks. These methods can be costly, both in monetary terms and in the energy consumption required to manufacture them. A wind turbine or solar farm typically costs millions of dollars to build, install, and maintain and are often deemed unsightly. In addition, the unpredictability of wind and weather can cause these units to go unused for quite some time. Hydro-electric plants rely on the proximity of a water source and the building of a dam which can be destructive to the local habitat. 
     Harvesting natural resources and developing sustainable energy sources that provide viable alternatives to fossil fuels calls for the creation of specialized devices. Therefore, it is desirable to develop devices which produce electricity without the limitations of fossil fuels and the inflexibility and unpredictability of current green energy sources. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments described herein provide for an elongate device vertically oriented in a wave-actuated body of water, the elongate device having an oscillating core slidably connected with a movement resistant shell, the oscillating core being further attached on a top end with a float on a surface of the body of water and attached on a bottom end with a weight, such that wave movement oscillates the core within the slidable connection with the movement-resistant shell to create a linear motion differential that is converted to rotational motion and finally electrical energy. The movement resistant shell may include a horizontally-extending heave plate radially extending from the shell to substantially resist the wave movement impacting the oscillating core, and the slidable connection with the oscillating core may be configured to impact an energy conversion device within the oscillating core and convert the linear motion differential into rotational motion and, using a generator disposed therein, electrical energy. 
     In one embodiment, An elongate energy conversion device comprises a core section with a central shaft movably disposed therethrough; at least one ballscrew disposed around a threaded shaft which is parallel to the central shaft, the ballscrew retained within a central housing such that it is in movable connection with the central shaft; a generator disposed on at least one end of the threaded shaft, wherein vertical movement of the central shaft and central housing creates rotational movement of the threaded shaft which is converted by the generator into electrical energy. 
     In another embodiment, a method of converting wave energy into electrical energy comprises the steps of: actuating a central shaft within a core section, the central shaft in movable connection with a central housing comprising at least one ballscrew disposed around a threaded shaft which is parallel to the central shaft; rotating the threaded shaft in response to the actuation of the central housing; and converting the rotation of the threaded shaft into electrical energy via a generator disposed on at least one end of the threaded shaft. 
     In another embodiment, the elongate device may be disposed horizontally within a body of water within a horizontal flow of current where the core is anchored to a fixed object on each end such that the current flow may instead cause an oscillating movement of the shell with respect to the core, thus still creating the movement of the fluid in the fluid-filled cylinders across the rotating wheel and conversion of the rotational movement into electrical energy. 
     Specifically, the elongate device provides the ability to capture and convert the unilateral bi-directional movement of waves into purposeful motion, such as rotational torque, which can then drive a generator shaft to produce electricity. 
     Described below are various embodiments relating to methods of use of the device; however, many additional applications and uses are possible. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The structure and operation of the present invention will be understood from a review of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like parts and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side cut-out view illustration of an elongate wave energy conversion device in a first position, according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side cut-out view illustration of the elongate wave energy conversion device in a second position, according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a side cut-out view illustration of an elongate wave energy conversion device with a solid shaft, according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a side cut-out view illustration of an energy conversion system mounted within the wave energy conversion device, according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a side cut-out view illustration of an elongate wave energy conversion device with a flexible membrane covering the fluid-filled cylinders, according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a series of front and side-view illustrations of a core of the elongate wave energy conversion device, according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a side cut-out view illustration of an elongate wave energy conversion device in a horizontal configuration, according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary method of converting bi-directional movement of the elongate wave energy conversion device into electrical energy, according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a front cut-out view illustration of an alternate design of an elongate wave oscillation device, according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a side cut-out view illustration of the alternate design of the elongate wave oscillation device, according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 11A-11C  illustrate various cut-out views of a core section of the alternate design of the elongate wave oscillation device, according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a front cut-out view illustration of the alternate design of the elongate wave oscillation device with a second plunger, according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a close-up side view illustration of the core section of the design of the elongate wave oscillation device with the first and second plungers, according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a side-view illustration of the core section with generator covers disposed on outer portions of the core section, according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a conceptual illustration of the alternate design of the elongate wave oscillation device mounted to a fixed vertical object in a wave-actuated body of water, according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a conceptual illustration of the alternate design of the elongate wave oscillation device mounted to a floor of a wave-actuated body of water, according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 17  is a conceptual illustration of the alternate design of the elongate wave oscillation device in electrical connection with a nearby device, according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 18  is a side perspective view illustration of an elongate wave energy conversion device with a turbine-driven energy conversion device, according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 19  is a side perspective view illustration of the elongate wave energy conversion device with dampening springs positioned on either side of the turbine-driven energy conversion device, according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 20  is a bottom perspective view illustration of the elongate wave energy conversion device illustrating a configuration of rotors, stators and guide vanes which make up the turbine-driven energy conversion device; 
         FIG. 21A  is a side perspective view illustration of a Wells turbine as would be utilized in the turbine-driven energy conversion device, according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 21B  is a side perspective view illustration of an impulse turbine with a set of guide vanes positioned on either side of a unidirectional rotor as would be utilized in the turbine-driven energy conversion device, according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 22  is a side perspective view illustration of a ball screw design of the elongate wave oscillation device, according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 23  is a side perspective view illustration of a fluid-filled generator compartment and fluid-filled core compartment of the ball screw design of the elongate wave oscillation device, according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 24  is a side perspective view illustration of a central housing in the fluid-filled core compartment of the ball screw design of the elongate wave oscillation device, according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 25  is a side view illustration of the central housing in the fluid-filled core compartment of the ball screw design of the elongate wave oscillation device, according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 26  is a side perspective view illustration of the fluid-filled generator compartment, according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 27  is a side perspective view illustration of a cover of the central housing, according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 28  is a top perspective view illustration of a central connector of the central housing, according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 29  is a side view illustration of a moveable heave plate, according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 30A-C  are side view illustrations of the movable heave plate in different movable positions, according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 31  is a side view illustration of a foldable heave plate in a folded configuration, according to one embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 32  is a top-down view illustration of the foldable heave plate in an unfolded configuration, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Certain embodiments described herein provide for an elongate device vertically oriented in a wave-actuated body of water with an oscillating core slidably connected with a movement resistant shell, the oscillating core being further attached on a top end with a float on a surface or subsurface of the body of water and attached on a bottom end with a weight, such that wave movement slidably oscillates the core within the movement-resistant shell to create a linear motion differential that is converted to rotational motion via an energy conversion device and into electrical energy via a generator. The movement resistant shell may include a horizontally-extending heave plate radially extending from the shell to substantially resist the wave movement impacting the oscillating core, and the shell may include actuating arms disposed on opposite ends of the oscillating core to impact an energy conversion device during oscillation of the oscillating core to convert the linear motion into rotational motion which, using a generator disposed therein, is then converted into electrical energy. 
     In one embodiment, the energy conversion device may be a set of fluid-filled cylinders disposed on either end of a central chamber with a rotating wheel, where actuating arms attached with the movement resistant shell compress and simultaneously decompress the fluid-filled cylinders during oscillation of the core to push and pull fluid across the rotating wheel, generating rotational motion that can then be converted into electrical energy by the generator. The fluid within the cylinders enters the central chamber and passes over the rotating wheel using a set of one-way valves adjacent to each fluid-filled cylinder to cause unidirectional rotation of the rotating wheel regardless of the direction of oscillation of the core. 
     The elongate device may function at any depth and can be placed at any depth simply by adjusting a length of a cable connecting the float to the oscillating core. Additionally, the elongate device may be formed in a cylindrical, rectangular or other elongate shape so long as the shape allows for a movement differential between the shell and the oscillating core. 
     The embodiments of this device include, but are in no way limited to, the following applications illustrated in the various figures herein, which correspond to potential locations and environments for the device based on varying types of extrinsic bodies and forces which can act upon the device. 
     Additionally, the embodiments described herein are designed to be scalable to various sizes depending on their specific application or desired power generation. For example, a large device may be placed in a body of water to translate the movement of the body of water into a significant amount of power for industrial or commercial uses, while a portable device may be designed which simply scales down the design of the device for placing on an anchor line, buoy or anchored horizontally in a waterway. 
     After reading this description it will become apparent to one skilled in the art how to implement the invention in various alternative embodiments and alternative applications. However, although various embodiments of the present invention will be described herein, it is understood that these embodiments are presented by way of example only, and not limitation. As such, this detailed description of various alternative embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope or breadth of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
     I. Vertically-Oriented Elongate Wave Oscillation Device 
       FIG. 1  is a side cut-out view illustration of one embodiment of an elongate wave oscillation device  100  in a first position where a wave crest  102  has actuated a float  104  upward. The wave oscillation device  100  includes a core section  106  which is attached with the float  104  at a first end  108  via an upper cable  110  such that the vertical, upward movement of the float (shown by directional arrows A) translates into vertical, upward movement of the core section  106 . The core section  106  is at least partially surrounded by a movement resistant shell  112  which is configured with a resistance device  114  designed to prevent the shell from moving with the oscillating core  106 . In this embodiment, the resistance device  114  is a heave plate which extends radially outward from the shell  112  to create resistance when a vertical force is applied to the heave plate  114  in either direction. The shell  112  is slidably attached with the core  106  via an upper drive arm  116  and lower drive arm  118  which are disposed across the diameter of the shell  112  and bisect openings in the core  106  (see  FIG. 6 ). While the core  106  is pulled upward via the float  104 , the shell  112  is inclined to remain stationary due to the force required to pull up the heave plate  114 , thus creating the differential in movement between the core  106  and the shell  112 . Similarly, a weight  120  may be attached to a second end  122  of the core  106  via a lower cable  124  to pull the core  106  downward when a wave crest  102  has passed by, creating a further linear motion differential between the core  106  and shell  112 . The differential in movement is then utilized with the upper drive arm  116  and lower drive arm  118  to impact an energy conversion device such as that described below to convert the oscillating movement of the core  106  into rotational movement, which can then be easily converted into electrical energy via a generator (see  FIG. 4 ). 
     The float  104  may be disposed on top of a surface or slightly below the surface if needed, so that the float does not protrude out of the water. The length of the cable  110  may vary and allow the device  100  to operate at any depth. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a side cut-out view illustration of the elongate wave oscillation device  100  in a second position where a wave crest  102  (see  FIG. 1 ) has passed by, and the float  104  is now lower than in the first position. In this second position, the weight  120  attached with the second end  122  of the core section  106  via the lower cable  124  will act to pull the core section  106  downward and actuate the core section  106  in an opposing direction (shown by direction arrows B) of its upward movement in  FIG. 1 , thus creating a linear, back and forth oscillating movement of the core section  106  from the first position in  FIG. 1  to the second position in  FIG. 2  as waves crest and fall. 
     In one embodiment, the core section  106  includes an energy conversion device  200  which translates the oscillating movement of the core section  106  into rotational movement via the movement differential between the core section  106  and the movement resistant shell  112 . In the embodiment illustrated herein, the energy conversion device  200  is enclosed primarily within the core section  106  and includes a first fluid-filled cylinder  202  and second fluid-filled cylinders  204  disposed on either side of a central chamber  206  containing a rotating wheel  208  such as a Pelton wheel. The first cylinder  202  is in fluid connection with the central chamber  206  via two orifices on opposite sides of the first cylinder  202  from one another. A first orifice  210  on a left side of the first cylinder  202  may be fully open between the first cylinder  202  and the central chamber  206 , while a second orifice  212  on a right side of the first cylinder  202  may be configured with a one-way valve  214  to prevent fluid from passing from the right side of the first cylinder  202  into the central chamber  206 . Thus, the one-way valve  214  of the second orifice  212  closes when fluid is pushed from the first cylinder  202  into the central chamber  206  in order to force fluid through the first orifice  210 , as the first orifice  210  is positioned to allow the fluid to impact blades of the rotating wheel  208  to cause the wheel  208  to rotate in a singular (in this case counter-clockwise) direction. 
     Similarly, first and second orifices  216  and  218  of the second fluid-filled cylinder  204  on the opposing side of the central chamber  206  have an opposite configuration of the first cylinder  202 , as the second cylinder  204  is configured with a one-way valve  220  over the first orifice  216  on the left side of the second cylinder  204  immediately opposite the first orifice  210  in the first fluid-filled cylinder  202 . This configuration prevents fluid from entering the central chamber  206  in an opposing direction of the fluid flow from the first orifice  210  of the first fluid-filled cylinder  202 , as it would otherwise force the rotating wheel  208  to spin in a clockwise direction. Fluid in the second fluid-filled cylinder  204  therefore passes through the second orifice  218  (without a one-way valve) on the right side of the second cylinder  204  and into the central chamber  206  on the opposing side of the rotating wheel  208  from the first orifice  216 , where it will impact the blades of the rotating wheel  208  to further rotate the rotating wheel  208  in the same counter-clockwise direction as the fluid entering the central chamber  206  from the first orifice  210  in the first fluid-filled cylinder  202 . 
     Therefore, regardless of whether the fluid is being pushed into the central chamber from the first cylinder  202  or second cylinder  204 , the fluid will always act upon the rotating wheel  208  to rotate the wheel in the same direction while preventing fluid from acting upon the rotating wheel  208  in an opposite direction. In another embodiment, one-way valves may also be added to the first orifice  210  and the second orifice  218  to prevent even nominal backflow through these passages and ensure that the rotating wheel  208  moves as efficiently as possible. 
     Fluid  222  in the fluid-filled cylinders are actuated into the central chamber  206  by upper and lower actuating arms  224  and  226  movably positioned over end portions  228  and  230  of each of the respective fluid-filled cylinders  202  and  204 , and include sealed plungers formed  229  and  231  within the circumference of the fluid-filled cylinders  202  and  204  to actuate the fluid  222  into or out of the cylinders in a vacuum-sealed environment. The upper actuating arm  224  is attached with the upper drive arm  116  that is anchored to the outer shell  112 , while the lower actuating arm  226  is attached with the lower drive arm  118 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , while the core section  106  oscillates upward from the upward movement of the float  104  in response to the wave crest movement  102 , the shell  112  resists this movement due to the resistance of the heave plate  114  and instead uses its relative stability to cause the upper actuating arm  224  to push the fluid  222  in the first fluid-filled cylinder  202  toward the central chamber  206 , while the lower actuating arm  226  actuates in the same direction as the upper actuating arm  224 , thereby simultaneously pulling the fluid  222  out of the central chamber  206  and into the second cylinder  204 . 
     In the opposing motion of the core section  106  shown in  FIG. 2  via directional arrows B, while the core section  106  oscillates downward from the downward movement of the weight  120  due to gravity and the passing of the wave crest  102 , the shell  112  again resists this downward movement due to the resistance of the heave plate  114  and uses its relative stability to cause the lower actuating arm  226  to push the fluid  222  in the second fluid-filled cylinder  204  toward the central chamber  206 , while the upper actuating arm  224  actuates in the same direction as the lower actuating arm  226 , thereby simultaneously pulling the fluid  222  out of the central chamber  206  and into the first cylinder  202 . 
     It is important to note that by actuating both fluid-filled cylinders to simultaneously both push fluid into the central chamber and pull fluid out of the central chamber on the opposing side of the central chamber, the rotating wheel is also both pushed and pulled in the same direction. Thus, the device embodied herein may overcome the limitations of Betz&#39;s law regarding the maximum power that can be extracted from the flow of air or fluid over a turbine blade. Another principle of the elongate device is that with this embodiment, the lifting force which lifts the oscillating core via the float is two times greater than the lowering force of the weight (combined with gravity). The result of this principle is that when the core oscillates vertically, half of the lifting force is used to generate electricity, while the other half of the lifting force is used to increase the potential energy; conversely, when the oscillating core moves downward, all of the lowering is used to generate electricity. 
     The outer shell may partially, substantially or entirely surround the core section depending on the particular application and environment, although its primary function is to act as a resistance device to actuate the fluid within the fluid-filled cylinders of the core section. Furthermore, the size of the heave plate may be customized depending on the overall size of the elongate device as well as the desired electrical generation power of the elongate device, as a larger heave plate will create more resistance and thus a greater movement differential between the oscillating core. However, the heave plate may also be designed with a moderate size which only provides resistance up to a certain amount of wave energy in order to effectively limit the upper range of electrical generation and protect the elongate device from excessive wave forces (such as large waves during a storm) that might otherwise create enough of a movement differential to overstress the components of the device and cause a failure. 
     In an alternate embodiment,  FIG. 3  shows a side cut-out view illustration of an elongate oscillation device  100  with a rigid shaft  111  connecting the core section  106  with the float  104 . The solid shaft  111  acts similarly to the upper cable  110  to pull the core section  106  upward in direction A via the float  104 , but unlike the upper cable  110 , the solid shaft  111  is also capable of pushing the core section  106  downward in the opposing direction B as the float  104  drops after a wave crest  102 . This may eliminate the need for the weight  120  disposed on the second end  122  of the core section  106  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) since the rigid shaft  110 , using the weight of the float and gravity, would push down onto the core section  106  when a wave crest  102  has subsided, while still pulling up on the core section  106  when a wave crest  102  impacts the float  104  upward. Additionally, in another embodiment, the core section could be weighted on its own so that the weight of the core section causes actuation of the core section in a downward direction via gravity after a wave crest, similarly eliminating the need for the weight  120 . 
       FIG. 4  is a side-view cut-out illustration of an electrical generation system  400  mounted within the core section  106  of the wave energy conversion device, showing blades  150  of the rotating wheel  208  (see  FIG. 2 ) being impacted by the directional arrow movement C of the fluid through the central chamber  206 . A drive shaft  402  is connected with a central shaft (not shown) of the rotating wheel  208  and actuates a series of differential gears  404  and  406  that are then connected with a flywheel and/or generator  408  to convert the rotational movement into electrical energy. The electrical energy may then be transmitted out of the device  100  via electrical wires  410  which may be disposed within the upper cable  110  or run separately to an external device which requires the electrical power. In this embodiment, the generator  408  is disposed within the core section  106 , although in alternate embodiments (not shown), the generator may be disposed outside of the core section or even the outer shell  112 . In another embodiment, the generator may also be a linear generator. 
     This embodiment in  FIG. 4  also illustrates the use of slides  126  disposed between the core section  106  and the outer shell  112  to allow for the slidable connection between the core section  106  and outer shell  112  to be as consistent and as linear as possible during oscillating movement of the core section  106  within the outer shell  112 . 
       FIG. 5  is a side cut-out view illustration of the elongate wave energy conversion device  100  with a flexible membrane  128  covering the fluid-filled cylinders where the actuating arms  224  and  226  impact into and out of the cylinder bodies  202  and  204 . By covering this area with the flexible membrane  128 , it creates a sealed environment where the actuating arms impact into the cylinder bodies, thus preventing any external fluid or contaminants from getting into the seal between the actuating arms and circumferential edges of the cylinder bodies. As shown in  FIG. 5 , when the upper actuating arm  224  is fully impacted into the first fluid-filled cylinder  202 , the membrane  128  may be in a relaxed, unflexed state. In contrast, on the opposing end of the core section  106  where the lower actuating arm  226  is substantially removed from the second fluid-filled cylinder  204 , the flexible membrane  128  is in a fully stretched, flexed state. 
       FIG. 6  is a series of side-view and top-view illustrations of the core  106  of the elongate wave energy conversion device separate from the outer shell in order to illustrate the outer structure of the core  106  and the slidable connection between the core  106  and the outer shell  112 . In the top two illustrations, a side view of the core  106  is shown with slider openings  130  where the upper drive arm  116  and lower drive arm  118  from the shell penetrate through the core section. In the top illustration, a cut-away view of the electrical generation system  400  is shown for scale. The bottom illustration is a top-view of the core section  106 , showing the penetration of the upper drive arm  116  and lower drive arm  118  through both sides of the core section  106 . Thus, this figure more clearly illustrates how the core section moves separately from the outer shell  112  and how the drive arms  116  and  118  anchored with the outer shell  112  slide along the core section  106  within the slider openings  130  during the oscillating movement of the core  106 . 
     II. Horizontally-Oriented Elongate Wave Energy Conversion Device 
     Although the previously-described embodiment is configured for use in a vertical orientation in a wave-actuated body of water, the device may be positioned horizontally in a body of water with horizontal movement.  FIG. 7  is a side cut-out view illustration of an elongate wave energy conversion device  100  in a horizontal configuration, where the first end  108  and the second end  122  of the core section  106  are both attached via cables  110  with an anchor  132 , such as a pier support column below a pier  134 . This allows the horizontal flow of a body of water in either direction (represented by arrow A and arrow B) to actuate the outer shell  112  in the primary direction of horizontal flow while the core section  106  remains stationary due to the tension in the cables  110 . If the body of water has a natural oscillation (such as an ocean surge), the shell  112  will oscillate with respect to the now stationary core  106  to create the movement differential needed for activation of the energy conversion device. However, if the body of water primarily flows in only one direction, the device may be mounted directly behind the anchoring device  132  in order to benefit from the oscillations formed behind by the anchoring device  132  described as the Von Karmen Vortex flow movement. 
     III. Applications 
     The elongate device may function at any depth and can be placed at any depth simply by adjusting a length of a cable connecting the float to the oscillating core. From a practical standpoint, it may be attached to any device in the ocean which needs electricity, such as a navigational, weather or sensor buoy. The elongate device may be connected directly to a buoy or other floating object that will act as the float to cause oscillation of the core while also utilizing the connecting cable to transmit generated electricity to the buoy or floating object that may require power. 
     Additionally, the device may be separately connected with a device requiring power through a separate transmission cable, and the device may be located adjacent to a stationary, anchored object near the shore that needs power. The size of the elongate device may vary depending on the application and the required power for the application, but the device itself is scalable up or down. In one embodiment, the device may be portable, with modular parts which can be easily disassembled and moved from one location to another 
     IV. Methods of Use 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary method of using the elongate energy conversion device to generate electrical energy. In a first step  802 , a wave crest moves a float connected with the device up or down, which, in step  804 , moves a core section of the device in a corresponding up or downward direction. In step  806 , the actuation of the core section causes the actuating arms connected with the movement resistant outer shell to actuate the fluid-filled cylinders, by pushing fluid within a fluid-filled cylinder on the first end of the core section into a central chamber while simultaneously pulling fluid from the central chamber into the fluid-filled chamber on the second end of the core section. In step  808 , the fluid moves in a single direction through the central chamber causing, in step  810 , rotation of the rotating wheel in a single direction. In step  812 , the rotational movement is converted into electrical energy using a generator disposed within the device. 
     V. Alternate Design 
       FIG. 9  is a front cut-out view illustration of an alternate design of an elongate wave oscillation device  500 , with a fluid-filled shell  502  encasing a core section  504  that is actuated within the shell  502  via a plunger  506  attached to the core section  504  via a rigid shaft  508 . The core section  504  includes a wheel chamber  510  with a wheel (see  FIG. 11A ) which turns in response to the movement of fluid  512  through the core section  504  as the core section oscillates within the shell  502 . The rotational movement of the wheel is then converted into electrical energy via adjacent generators  514 , and the resulting electrical energy may be transferred to an adjacent device via a wire  516  running through the shaft  508 . A heave plate  518  which extends radially outward from the shell  504  aids in creating resistance when a vertical force is applied to the heave plate  518  in either direction, aiding in the oscillation of the plunger  506  and core section  502  within the shell  502 .  FIG. 10  illustrates a side cut-out view illustration of the alternate design of the elongate wave oscillation device, illustrating the position of one of the generators  514  disposed within the core section  504  and in electrical connection with the wire  516  running through the shaft  508 . 
       FIGS. 11A-11C  illustrate various cut-out views of a core section  504  of the alternate design of the elongate wave oscillation device  500 , illustrating the movement of fluid  512  the wheel chamber  510  to rotate a wheel  520 . The fluid moves in response to the movement of the shaft  508  in a downward direction (Arrow A in  FIG. 11A ) or upward direction (Arrow B in  FIG. 11B ), creating high pressure in one portion of the fluid-filled shell on one side of the core section  504  and low pressure in an opposing portion of the fluid-filled shell  502  on the other side of the core section  504 , as will be described in further detail below. 
     In  FIG. 11A , when the shaft  508  moves downward (Arrow A), it creates a higher pressure in a lower portion  522  of the fluid-filled shell  502  below the core section  504  while simultaneously creating a lower pressure in an upper portion  524  of the fluid-filled shell  502 . The pressure differentials force the fluid  512  through a small diameter lower orifice  526  and into the wheel chamber  510 , turning the wheel  520  in a counter-clockwise direction and allowing the fluid to exit the wheel chamber  510  into the upper portion  524  through a large diameter upper orifice  528 . 
       FIG. 11B  illustrates the opposite situation where the shaft  508  moves upward (Arrow B), creating a higher pressure in the upper portion  524  of the fluid-filled shell  502  above the core section  504  while simultaneously creating a lower pressure in the lower portion  522  of the fluid-filled shell  502 . The pressure differentials force the fluid  512  through a small diameter upper orifice  530  and into the wheel chamber  510 , turning the wheel  520  in a counter-clockwise direction and allowing the fluid to exit the wheel chamber  510  into the lower portion  522  through a large diameter lower orifice  532 . As has been described in the previous embodiments, a series of one-way valves are positioned across the large diameter orifices to prevent fluid from back flowing 
       FIG. 11C  is a side-view cut-out illustration of the core section  504  more clearly illustrating the position of one of the generators  514  which may be disposed on either side of the wheel chamber  510 , additionally showing the location of the wire  516  which transmits the generated energy to an external device (not shown) via the shaft  508 . The core section  504  is also more clearly illustrated as a substantially enclosed device with the large diameter openings ( 528  and  532 ) on either side governed by one-way valves. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a front cut-out view illustration of the alternate design of the elongate wave oscillation device with a second plunger  534  and shaft  536  connected on a lower end of the device  500 . 
       FIG. 13  is a close-up side view illustration of the core section  504  of the design of the elongate wave oscillation device with the first and second plungers, illustrating how the wheel  520  is rotatably connected with the generators  514  via rotating drive shafts  538 . The rotating shafts  538  then rotate the components of the generators  514  to convert the rotational energy into electrical energy, which may then be transmitted through the wires  516  to an electrical device. 
       FIG. 14  is a side-view illustration of the core section  504  illustrating the connection between the wheel chamber  510  and adjacent generator chambers  540  housing the generators. In order to access the generators for maintenance and assembly, removable generator covers  542  may be disposed on outer portions of the core section  504 . 
       FIG. 15  is a conceptual illustration of the alternate design of the elongate wave oscillation device  500  mounted to a fixed vertical object in a wave-actuated body of water  512 , such as a pier  546 . The device  500  may be mounted to a support piling  544  via one or more mounting beams  548 . As the surface of the wave-actuated body of water  512  moves up and down, a float  506  such as a buoy acts as the plunger to actuate the shaft  508  upward and downward, causing the core section  504  to oscillate within the shell  502 . 
       FIG. 16  is a conceptual illustration of the alternate design of the elongate wave oscillation device  500  mounted to a floor  550  of a wave-actuated body of water, according to one embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the shell  502  is substantially enclosed by an anchor  552  which maintains the device on the floor  550  of the body of water. Furthermore, since the shell  502  is fixed with the floor  550 , a float  506  such as a buoy floating on the surface of the water  512  is attached via a flexible cable  554  to a weighted actuating arm  556  which acts to pull the buoy  506  in a downward position to oscillate the core section  504  within the shell  502 . When the surface of the water rises, the buoy pulls the weighted actuating arm  556  upward via the flexible cable  554 , thus oscillating the core section  504  in the opposing direction. 
       FIG. 17  is a conceptual illustration of the alternate design of the elongate wave oscillation device  500  with a lower mounted weight  558  in electrical connection with a nearby electrical device  560  in the body of water via a wire  562 . The nearby electrical device  560  which is separately anchored by a weight  564 , according to one embodiment of the invention. This configuration allows the elongate wave oscillation device  500  to power a nearby object to which it is not directly connected with on the surface 
     In one embodiment, the entire oscillating device  500  may be further encased in an outer shell which encapsulates the shell, shaft and plunger in order to protect all of the devices from objects which may affect the functionality of the device. The outer shell may have a series of openings to allow water from the surrounding body of water to enter and move the plunger up and down to actuate the device. 
     VI. Turbine-Driven Core Section 
     In one embodiment, a double acting hydraulic cylinder converts linear motion to rotation of a turbine-driven generator within the cylinder. The linear motion can be generated from any source (car, train, truck, machine, human, animal, ocean, wind, river, etc.). The device can convert slow (such as ocean) or fast (such as machine vibration) reversal of motion. 
     As one example of its potential application, the included illustrations demonstrate how the device is placed in the ocean, where the cylinder has an oscillating core that is substantially enclosed by a movement resistant shell with a horizontally extending heave plate. The linear motion which is created by a buoy lifting a mass (increasing the potential energy of that mass) while simultaneously driving the core (turbine rotor, stator, generator, gear and cone) through the fluid filled cylinder to generate a pressure drop across a turbine which will thereby rotate and in turn thereby spin a generator while the buoy is rising up to a wave crest. When the buoy drops from the wave crest to the wave trough the mass under force of gravity will convert its potential energy into kinetic energy of turbine rotation by again driving the core (now in the opposite direction) through the fluid filled cylinder designed to maximize the pressure drop across a turbine which will spin a generator. The generator within the cylinder may be driven by a turbine that can rotate in either direction or be designed to rotate in only one direction no matter the direction of the linear force. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 18-21 , the energy conversion device may have a central core with a horizontally-oriented turbine which is rotated by the fluid movement from the first cylinder to the second cylinder (and vice-versa). The rotating turbine is then connected with a generator as described below to convert the rotational energy of the turbine into electrical energy. 
       FIG. 18  is a side perspective view illustration of the elongate wave energy conversion device illustrating the turbine-driven energy conversion device movably disposed within the center of the core section. The turbine and generator are positioned together in the middle of the core section and capable of slidably moving up and down the core section similar to the previous embodiments. The core section may be connected on either end to a rigid shaft attached to a float and weight, respectively, which along with the heave plate cause the wave energy conversion device to oscillate in response to external wave energy. The oscillation then pushes the fluid within the core section across the turbine due to the pressure drop on one side of the turbine and the pressure increase on the other side of the turbine. The turbine design allows significant fluid flow across the blades which then increases the velocity of the rotating turbine and thus increases the amount of rotational energy available for conversion into electrical energy. Additionally, since the fluid-filled core section is completely sealed from the external environment, there is no danger of contaminants or other objects impacting the turbine and impeding the fluid flow or rotation of the turbine. 
     As is also illustrated in  FIG. 18 , in one embodiment, a cone-shaped covering may be disposed around the upper and lower central shaft, immediately adjacent the turbine to direct fluid to the outer circumference of the turbine where it will then directly impact the turbine blades, further increasing the velocity of fluid flow across the blades. 
       FIG. 19  is a side perspective view illustration of the elongate wave energy conversion device with dampening springs positioned on either side of the turbine within the core section in order to act as a dampener (and collector of energy to use when the linear motion reverses) to the movement of the turbine during the oscillation of the wave energy conversion device. The springs may be generally disposed around the central shaft and extend from the smaller upper point of the cone-shaped covering to an upper and lower end of the core section. 
       FIG. 20  is a bottom perspective view illustration of the elongate wave energy conversion device which more clearly illustrates the design and placement of the turbine and generator within the core section. Here, the turbine is surrounded by stators positioned above and below, the stators having a plurality of fixed guide vanes to guide the fluid from either side of the core section into an angle which more directly impacts the rotor blades, as will be more specifically described and illustrated below. The stator is positioned on either side of the rotor. Additionally, this embodiment demonstrates an alternate embodiment of the outer cylinder and exterior support shafts disposed between the two end caps of the core section. In this embodiment, an O-ring may be disposed around the interior portion of the end cap which interfaces with the core section in order to maintain the sealed, liquid-filled environment. 
       FIG. 21A  is a side perspective view illustration of a Wells turbine that may be utilized as the turbine in the turbine-driven core section. A Wells turbine has blades which are uniquely shaped to rotate in a singular direction regardless of the direction of air (or liquid) flowing across the blades. Thus, the Wells turbine will continue to rotate in the same direction as the fluid flows from one side of the core section to another, creating a continuous rotational movement that can be converted into continuously-generated electrical energy. 
       FIG. 21B  is a side perspective view illustration of an impulse turbine as previously illustrated in  FIG. 20 , including a set of guide vanes positioned on either side of a unidirectional rotor. As initially described above, the rotor blades may be shaped with a concave and convex angle to allow for rotation in a single direction upon impact of fluid from either side of the guide vanes across the pressure drop. The guide vanes are also positioned at an angle to push fluid toward the rotor blades at that angle in order to maximize the force being applied to the rotor blades. 
     The center portion of either turbine contains the generator with a separate stator and rotor which convert the rotational movement of the turbine into electrical energy. As shown in  FIG. 18 , a power connection may be positioned on a top portion of the device such that the electrical energy generated by the generator is transmitted through the central shaft via a wire to the power connection. 
     VII. Ball Screw Shaft Configuration 
     In one embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 22 , an elongate wave energy conversion device  900  incorporates a fluid-filled central core  902  with a central housing  904  comprising a set of ballscrews  906 , such that linear movement of the central housing  904  about a central shaft  908  is translated into rotational movement of ballscrew shafts  910 . Generators  912  are then disposed in a fluid-filled generator compartment  914  on at least one end of each of the ballscrew shafts  910  in order to convert the rotational motion into electric potential, as has already been described above with regard to the previous embodiments. 
     As with the prior embodiments, the vertical movement of the central core  902  about a central shaft  908  drives the overall device movement. Eye bolts  916  may be positioned at one or more ends of the central shaft  908  for attaching to a float (at the top) or weight (at the bottom) to actuate the central shaft in response to external movement from a wave. As the device  900  experiences a force applied to the central shaft  908  (such as an upward force from a buoy or downward force from a weight), the opposing reactionary force will be applied to the central core  902  through one or more heave plates (not pictured) that attach to the core  902  at attachment plate  918  disposed on each end of the central core  902 , causing the central housing  904  to move from one end of the central core  902  to another, thereby spinning the ballscrew shafts  910 . 
     Note the generator compartment  914  and the central core  902  may be fluid filled and sealed from the external environment where the central shaft enters the core  902  via an upper seal  920  and lower seal  922 . The generator compartment  914  and central core  902  can share fluid or be sealed from each other via a separate seal positioned between the two sections. This allows the device to have little to no detrimental effects when being placed in a body of water to any depth or in any fluid or non-fluid environment. It allows for control of the fluid or air around the core and generator components to minimize degradation. 
     The device is scalable both in size and number of shafts/generators in each device, and could be used in or on land, air or water in or alongside most any machine. It can be pulled, pushed or both by anything that moves with reciprocating motion. This device, like all these devices, could be configured with the central shaft  908  terminating at the top (or bottom) with some connection to the prime mover and the other end terminating at the central core  902  of the device. It is preferable to have the central core  902  pulled and pushed from the same end. 
       FIG. 23  is a closeup illustration of the fluid-filled generator compartment  914  and fluid-filled core compartment  902  of the ball screw design of the elongate wave oscillation device, which more clearly illustrates the configuration and design of the central housing  904  and ball screws  906  within the central core  902 . In this embodiment, the central housing  904  is designed with a plurality of ballscrews  906  disposed in a circular configuration around the central core  902 , where each ballscrew  906  is disposed around a ballscrew shaft  910 . In this particular embodiment, a ballscrew  906  is disposed on an upper and lower portion of the central housing  904  such that each ballscrew shaft  910  includes two ballscrews  906 . 
     Additionally, as shown by the detail view of the central housing  904  in  FIG. 24 , this embodiment also includes a plurality of linear guide shafts  924  that are designed to keep the entire structure straight and secure, with corresponding guide shaft supports  926  in the central housing  904 . The central housing  904  is made up several parts; in this embodiment there are 3 sets of 2 ballscrews  906  (6 total) and the top and bottom central housing cover  904 , although the number may vary depending on the size and scale of the overall device. Also shown in this illustration are rubber bumpers  928  at each end and bearings at the end of the ballscrew shafts which buffer the movement of the central core  904  as it moves from one side of the central chamber  902  to another. 
       FIG. 25  is a cut-away illustration of the central housing  904  to more clearly illustrate a linear bearings chamber  930  which comprises the primary component of the ballscrew  906 , along with a central connector  932  which movably connects the central shaft  908  with the ballscrews  906  on the central housing  904 . It also shows 1 of 2 pins  934  that connect the main shaft to this central core. 
       FIG. 26  is a side perspective cutaway view illustration of the fluid-filled generator compartment  914 , according to one embodiment of the invention. The generator compartment includes the central shaft  908  passing through the middle of 3 generators  912 . Each generator may also include a generator mount  936  and coupling  938  of each to the ballscrew shafts  910 . 
       FIG. 27  is a side perspective view illustration of a cover portion  940  of the central housing, according to one embodiment of the invention, showing the overall structure of the central housing and the position and location of a central shaft through hole  942 , ballscrew shaft through holes  944 , and linear guide shaft through holes  946 . Similarly,  FIG. 28  is a top perspective view illustration of the central connector  932  of the central housing, illustrating the overall structure of the part which movably connects the central shaft with the ballscrews via their respective contacts at the central shaft through hole  948  and ballscrew shaft through holes  950 . 
     VIII. Movable Heave Plate 
     In one embodiment, it may be advantageous to utilize a movable heave plate to improve the movement, deployment and portability of the device.  FIG. 29  is a side view illustration of a moveable heave plate  1114  disposed laterally from the core section  1106 , similar to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 . However, the moveable heave plate  1114  is attached with the core section  1106  via a first pivot point  1150  which allows the heave plate  1114  to pivot in at least one direction from a substantially perpendicular angle relative to the core section  1114  to a substantially parallel angle relative to the core section  1114 , as is more clearly illustrated in  FIG. 30A-30C , below. The heave plate  1114  also pivots about a 2 nd  pivot point  1152 , which allows the heave plate to move in an arc created by a pivot arm  1154  connecting the 2 nd  pivot point  1152  to the shaft  1108  at a 3 rd  pivot point  1156 . The 3 rd  pivot point may be positioned just above the lower end of the shaft  1108  immediately adjacent to the lower cable  124  connected to a weight (not shown). 
       FIGS. 30A-30C  are side view illustrations of the movable heave plate in different movable positions, showing only one half of the heave plate for ease of understanding.  FIG. 30A  illustrates a standard position,  FIG. 30B  illustrates an upper folded position, and  FIG. 30  C illustrates a lower folded position. As the main shaft  1108  is pulled up or pushed down by a solid connection to a moving object (weight or float), the water will push on the heave plate  1114  in the opposite direction causing it to move either up or down. The configuration of heave plate  1114  to core  1106  will in turn cause the core  1106  to move in the same direction of the primary force. The heave plate  1114  will thus move away from the primary force ending in an almost parallel position to  1106 . This will have effect of a lower reactionary force created as the movement begins, with the heave plate  1114  in a more parallel alignment to the core  1106 , as shown in  FIG. 30B . As the movement continues and the heave plate  1114  moves back to a perpendicular angle to the core  1106 , the reactionary force is at its greatest. As the movement continues in the same direction, the heave plate  1114  moves back to a more parallel alignment to the core  1106  (just facing the other way, as in  FIG. 30C ) and again the reactionary force is reduced. 
     The movable heave plate is advantageous in that it defines the maximum movement of the core over the main shaft. There is no need for bumpers or stops to absorb large movements beyond the maximum stroke of the device. One of the main problems with wave energy converter (WEC) designs today is that they have to be built very large and strong to handle the power delivered by storms which can be thousands of times greater than the average power of the waves in that area. However, WEC&#39;s can only convert a percentage of power from the average wave power available, making them too expensive to be practical. The movable heave plate configuration solves this issue. Additionally, the moveable heave plate allows for easy deployment of the device into a body of water, as it can simply be thrown overboard and will quickly sink with the heave plates folded up until it reaches it maximum depth, after which it will automatically begin functioning normally as it starts reciprocating motion in the water. 
     In one embodiment, the device can be sized to absorb only the average energy in an area. The configuration allows for large storm waves to simply pull and push the device in a similar way to smaller waves. Once the heave plate has been moved to its maximum movable position—parallel to the core—there is very little force being applied to the device. The whole device simply moves up through the water column with the wave without absorbing any additional energy. It is this protective design that overcomes the need to build a large (and expensive) version to survive. 
     As stated, there are many ways to move the device, but other examples of how to design it in water might be to have the object to which the device is connected be stationary and the water move about it, e.g. the leg of a pier. Another option would be where the object could be connected with a flexible connection to the device and then the device itself be weighted or made buoyant. 
       FIG. 31  is a side view illustration of a foldable heave plate in a folded configuration, according to one embodiment of the invention. The heave plate  1114  is configured with a set of hinged joints  1158  to allow for folding of the heave plate during transport or non-use. The illustration shows an outer section of the heave plate  1114  folded at an approximately 90 degree angle, although the heave plate may be folded in additional configurations as may be appropriate. 
       FIG. 32  is a top-down view illustration of the foldable heave plate in an unfolded configuration, according to one embodiment of the invention. In this configuration, the heave plate is separated into quadrants, where two quadrants are connected with a pivot arm  1160  via a pivot connector  1162 , and where the pivot arm  1160  is then connected with the shaft at the 1 st  pivot point  1150 . The hinge  1158  of the heave plate  1114  is more clearly shown disposed across a section of the heave plate  1114 , where the sections may be secured by a lock  1160 . 
     Finally, it should also be noted that the heave plate itself may be configured with veins or other texture in order to create additional friction between the external fluid or air environment. 
     The above description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles described herein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is to be understood that the description and drawings presented herein represent a presently preferred embodiment of the invention and are therefore representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present invention. It is further understood that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly not limited