ANTIROTATIONAL STRUCTURE FOR WAVE ENERGY CONVERTERS

摘要

A WEC embodying the invention includes a non-circular main central column positioned within a like non-circular central opening of a shell to contain the central column and prevent rotation or twisting of the shell relative to the column. In a particular embodiment, the central column is multi-sided (e.g., a square) and the central opening of the shell is likewise multi-sided (e.g., square). The facing sides of the column and shell are parallel to each other facilitating the layout of the components of a linear electric generator (LEG) between the facing sides and ensuring good magnetic coupling between the components of the LEG over the length of travel of the shell and column.