Double acting wave energy converter on vertical axis - supports horizontal radial arms with vertical flaps suspended from them to generate net torque under wave pressure

摘要

The wave power energy converter is mounted on a vertical axis supported by a vertical column. The vertical rotating shaft carried in bearings in the column, has radial arms fixed perpendicular to the shaft. The arms are at equal angles in the horizontal plane. Each arm has a rigid rectangular flap suspended from it by pivots. Below each arm, and fixed to the rotating shaft, a radial projection prevents the flap moving past the vertical when wave pressure is applied in one sense, while not impeding the angular displacement of the flap in the opposite sense. A wave causes a net torque on the shaft because one flap is held square on by the projection while the diametrically opposite flap in deflected upwards towards the horizontal. The ebb and flow of a wave causes first one side of the converter, then the other, to be effective. The rotating shaft is gear coupled to an electric generator mounted on a fixed vertical rod attached to the support column.