Wave energy converter with rotary hydraulic spring

摘要

The generally up and down movement of a reaction mass is converted into rotary motion which is used to drive a rotary hydraulic spring comprised of a rotary hydraulic pump motor and an accumulator to produce a “spring” function. The invention is particularly applicable to wave energy converters (WECs) having a reaction mass which needs to be coupled to a spring to ensure its oscillation and to cause it to be centered about its center of travel. The linear up-down motion of a reaction mass may be converted via a linear-to-rotary translator to rotary motion to drive a rotary hydraulic pump/motor so as to provide spring action to the reaction mass and ensure its oscillation and proper positioning.

主权项

1. A wave energy converter (WEC) system comprising:
a container extending along the surface of a body of water and responsive to motion of waves in the body of water; a wave energy converter (WEC) device mounted and entirely contained within the container; said WEC device including a reaction mass located within the container and arranged to move generally up and down in response to motion of the waves; a rotary hydraulic spring comprising a rotary hydraulic pump/motor and an accumulator, the rotary hydraulic pump/motor being rotatably coupled to the reaction mass for controlling at least one of oscillation and position of the reaction mass.