| 摘要 |
A wave energy converter comprises a submerged float 10 that reacts directly with the seabed 11 and is arranged to react to heave and surge vectors of wave energy and to take off power in said vectors, the float comprising means to vary dynamically its natural period of oscillation over the range that characterises energetic ocean swell. The converter may comprise an axi-symmetric arrangement of tethers 19 fixed by anchoring means 13 to the seabed, arranged to drive oscillating shafts (22, figure 2b) within said float and held under steady state tension by tensioning means. Means for varying dynamically the depth of submersion of the float may comprise a mooring line 12 connecting the float to the seabed by anchoring means with the length of the mooring line being varied by a lower locking winch 14, the mooring line comprising at least one elastically extensible section. The period of oscillation may be varied by locking an unlocking at least one body to the float or by trapping and releasing water (55, figure 5a) within an inertial trap (50) fixed to the float. Also disclosed is a method of operating a wave energy converter. |
