Patent ID: 6864592

Claim:
An apparatus of wave energy to electrical energy power conversion comprising: at least one linear generator having a stator and an armature which can be linearly driven relative to the stator to generate electrical energy and at least one float linked to the armature by link means and which, in use, is immersed in the sea to be subject to the action of waves to drive the armature, the at least one float, the link means and the armature thereby constituting a wave-driven mass; wherein the weight of the wave-driven mass is substantially equal to half the upthrust provided by the water displaced by the at least one float(s) when fully immersed in the water, and wherein the contribution to the weight of the wave driven mass of the at least one float and the link means is negligible compared with that of the armature; and further comprising control means used to regulate the effective load impedance presented to the generator or generators in accordance with the strength of the prevailing wave motion acting upon the at least one float, the regulation being such as to ensure that the electromagnetic damping of the motion of the armature of the or each generator as it generates electricity, is always such as to optimise the generation of power.