ENERGY CONVERTER

摘要

A wave energy converter (10) for extracting energy from waves in a body of liquid. The converter (10) comprises an inflatable sleeve (12) having an air inlet (14) at or towards one end and an air outlet (18) at or towards its other end. A flexible diaphragm (22) is located within the sleeve (12) so as to extend lengthwise thereof. The diaphragm (22) is sealingly engaged with the sleeve (12) along opposed, elongate edges (22a,22b) thereof. A flexible spine (24) is retained within the diaphragm (22) so as to extend lengthwise thereof. The spine (24) is fixed with the diaphragm (22), relative to the sleeve (12), at or towards each end of the sleeve (12). The converter (10) also comprises a loading device operable to apply an axial compressive force to the spine (24) relative to the sleeve (12) such that, on operation of the loading device, the spine (24) and the diaphragm (22) are buckled into a waveform (26) constrained within the sleeve (12). The waveform (26) has one or more peaks (28) and one or more troughs (30). The spine (24) and diaphragm (24) are drivable to move between first and second opposed positions so as to allow the waveform (26) to travel along the sleeve (26) and pump pockets (46,48) of air contained between opposite surfaces of the diaphragm (22) and the sleeve (12) towards the air outlet (18).