Floating wave or current energy converter using paddle wheel - is mounted square on to water flow to produce rotary motion, and has small wheel to orient converter into flow

摘要

The appts. uses a floating converter unit which has a paddle wheel mounted in a frame, and a guide rudder to orient the converter to the water flow. The unit is tethered to the waters edge or to an underwater anchorage. The converter wheel is supported on a frame (1) with a smaller paddle (14) wheel (12) on the lee side of the main wheel (2a) to turn the platform towards the water flow. A tether rope (19) is used to hold the platform in place. The main wheel (2a) has paddles (3) mounted across its width (parallel to its axis) so the paddles are square on to the water flow. The rotation of the main wheel can drive an electric generator or compress a gas for laser usage. Fins (10) mounted perpendicular to the four paddles at ninety degs. to each other help provide directional stability.