WAVE ENERGY SYSTEM

摘要

A wave energy system (10) having a primary buoy (14) coupled to a tether (16), the tether (16) being anchored in such a manner as to provide resistance to upward movement of the buoy. In one form of the invention the buoy (14) is anchored to a support platform (12) via the tether (16). A portion of the tether (16) is wound onto a first drive wheel (18) mounted on the support platform (12). In use, the first drive wheel (18) is driven in a first direction during upwards movement of the buoy (14) as the tether (16) unwinds, and in a second opposite direction during downwards movement of the buoy (14). A drive shaft (26) is connected to the first drive wheel (18). The rotational movement of the drive shaft (26) drives a hydraulic pump (28) to deliver pressurised fluid to an accumulator module (30). Hydraulic lines (37) provide pressurised hydraulic fluid from the accumulator (30) to drive a hydraulic motor (39). The hydraulic motor (39) in turn drives an electric generator (40) which creates electrical energy for delivery to an onshore location by power lines (44).