Patent ID: 7525214

Claim:
An apparatus for generating energy from water wave action, comprising: a hull floating in the water and oscillating up and down in response to wave action a plurality of rods having gear teeth therein, fixed relative to the hull, such that when the hill oscillates up and down, the plurality of rods remain relatively stationary relative to the hull, a plurality of at least pinion gear pairs, each pinion of the plurality of pinion gear pairs engaging a corresponding one of the plurality of rods, such that when the hull oscillates up and down, the pinions rotate, a main shaft, for outputting rotary shaft motion, a plurality of freewheel mechanisms, each coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of at least pinion gear pairs, and rotating on the main shaft, such that when a selected pinion rotates in a predetermined direction, rotational energy from the pinion is coupled to the main shaft for transmitting wave energy from oscillation of the hull into rotational shaft energy.