Patent ID: 8314506

Claim:
A wave energy converter comprising: a first and second float; a first and second float bearing serving to connect said first float to said second float such that said floats are capable of relative rotational movement about an axis of rotation, said first and second float being constructed so as to define a central opening when connected; a spar having a top end terminating in a motor housing and a bottom end, said motor housing defining a watertight interior, said motor housing including at least two sealed bearings, one on opposite side walls of said motor housing; a rotational power take off disposed within said motor housing water tight interior; a first drive shaft rotably supported by one of said at least two sealed bearings operatively connecting said first float to said mechanical power take off whereby rotation of said first float about said axis of rotation causes said first drive shaft to rotate; a second drive shaft rotably supported by one of said at least two sealed bearings operatively connecting said second float to said mechanical power take off whereby rotation of said second float about said axis of rotation causes said drive shaft to rotate; said spar nesting within said central opening defined between said first float and said second float and supporting said first float and said second float through said first drive shaft and said second drive shaft; and wherein said spar bottom end extends into a body of water while said first float and said second float are supported at water surface and wave heave and wave thrust of said body of water cause said spar, said first float, and said second float to rotate relative to one another about said axis of rotation so as to deliver rotational energy to said power take off within said motor housing.