US 12,281,631 B2
Wave energy converter and a method of generating electrical power from wave energy
Sten Swanenberg, Vught (NL); and Hans Lustig, Vught (NL)
Assigned to DUTCH WAVE POWER B.V., Vught (NL)
Appl. No. 18/031,982
Filed by DUTCH WAVE POWER B.V., Vught (NL)
PCT Filed Oct. 19, 2021, PCT No. PCT/NL2021/050632
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Apr. 14, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/093013, PCT Pub. Date May 5, 2022.
Claims priority of application No. 2026767 (NL), filed on Oct. 26, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2024/0018933 A1, Jan. 18, 2024
Int. Cl. F03B 13/18 (2006.01)
CPC F03B 13/1815 (2013.01) [F03B 13/1885 (2013.01); F05B 2240/93 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A wave energy converter, comprising:
a float that comprises an air chamber that comprises a generator that is arranged between a surface of the float and a shaft, and that is configured to generate electrical power when the float rotates relative to the shaft; and
an elongate spacer configured to connect the float to an anchoring at, on or to a floor of a water body;
wherein the float is configured to rotate as the float moves along the elongate spacer due to waves and/or tidal movement of the water body,
wherein the air chamber comprises the shaft that is rotatably suspended inside the float and having a holder configured to substantially arrest the shaft against rotation as the float rotates around the shaft, and
wherein the shaft is completely arranged inside the float, and the air chamber shields the shaft and the generator off from the water body.