Reaction body for wave energy apparatus

摘要

A subsurface reaction body arranged for use in apparatus for converting wave motion in a body of water to useful energy is provided. The subsurface reaction body is arranged to be selectively filled with air to a maximum buoyancy configuration and to be filled with water to a minimum buoyancy configuration. The subsurface reaction body has an arrangement of chambers therein to inhibit free flow of water through the reaction body and to define at least one further preset buoyancy configuration between the respective maximum and minimum configuration.

主权项

1. A subsurface reaction body arranged for use in apparatus for converting wave motion in a body of water to useful energy,
the subsurface reaction body having an array of chambers that (a) are sized and configured to inhibit free flow of water through the reaction body, (b) each have an enclosed interior space that can be independently selectively filled wholly with either air or water, and (c) are sized and configured to define a maximum buoyancy configuration of the reaction body which is positively buoyant when the chambers are filled wholly with air, a minimum buoyancy configuration of the reaction body which is negatively buoyant when the chambers are filled wholly with water, and a first intermediate buoyancy configuration of the reaction body which is negatively buoyant when a combination of one or more of the chambers are filled wholly with air and one or more of the chambers are filled wholly with water, wherein the subsurface reaction body is present in the first intermediate buoyancy configuration wherein a combination of one or more of the chambers are filled wholly with air and one or more of the chambers are filled wholly with water.