| 摘要 |
- 25 Abstract Apparatus (10) for harnessing ocean wave energy in a body of water (11) in which the apparatus incorporates provision for relieving excessive loadings on components of the wave energy conversion system for the purpose of avoiding 5 damage thereof in adverse wave conditions. The apparatus (10) includes a buoyant actuator (14) and a pump (15) anchored within the body of water, typically on the seabed (13). The apparatus (10) is operable in a closed-loop mode wherein fluid at high pressure is pumped ashore by the pump (15), energy is extracted as useful work at an on-shore plant (17), and the resultant reduced 10 pressure fluid is returned to the offshore pump (15) to be re-energised, The buoyant actuator (14) is operably connected to the pump (15) by tether (19) and is buoyantly suspended within the body of water (11) above the pump (15). The buoyant actuator (14) is provided with a connection means (61) adapted to provide a yieldingly resilient connection between the hollow body (21) and the 15 tether (19). The connection means (61) comprises a damping means (63) configured to maintain a substantially rigid connection between the hollow body (21) and the tether (19) until such time as loading therebetween exceeds a prescribed load whereupon the damping means (63) facilitates limited relative movement therebetween to relieve the loading, Additionally, or alternatively, the 20 apparatus (10) incorporates provision for controlling operation of the pump (15) for dissipation of energy for damping purposes in response to an excessive loading condition. Fig. 1 ills '8~ r |
