Patent ID: 7242106

Claim:
A self protecting wavefarm comprising: a number of wave energy converters, each converter comprising at least one float and being operable to move each float thereof between a first, electricity-generating, position at which the float is immersed in sea waves for driving the mechanical to electrical energy conversion by the converter and a second, protected position at which the movement of the float by sea waves is reduced or eliminated; and a control arrangement for effecting coordinated sequential operation of the converters to move their respective float or floats between their first and second positions in case of inclement sea conditions, the control arrangement being operative such that while the float or floats of at least one converter remain in the electricity generating position, the electrical energy generated by at least one such converter is used to power the other converter or converters to move their float or floats to their second positions, and thereafter, for at least one converter, for which no further converter would remain in a generating condition to supply the necessary power, the power to move its float or floats to their second position is supplied by an alternate source of energy.