US 12,313,027 B2
Methods for harnessing wave energy
Matthew DeVore Weaver, Aptos, CA (US); George Edward Homsy, Mount Shasta, CA (US); and Travis Leland Manderson, Calgary (CA)
Assigned to Aqua Satellite, Inc., Menlo Park, CA (US)
Filed by Aqua Satellite, Inc., Menlo Park, CA (US)
Filed on Feb. 14, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/441,368.
Application 18/441,368 is a continuation of application No. 17/673,479, filed on Feb. 16, 2022, granted, now 11,933,261.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/226,133, filed on Jul. 27, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/150,045, filed on Feb. 16, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2024/0280073 A1, Aug. 22, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F03B 13/14 (2006.01); B60L 8/00 (2006.01); B60L 53/00 (2019.01); B63B 79/15 (2020.01); G05D 1/00 (2024.01); G05D 1/69 (2024.01); H02K 7/18 (2006.01)
CPC F03B 13/14 (2013.01) [B60L 8/00 (2013.01); B60L 53/00 (2019.02); B63B 79/15 (2020.01); F03B 13/148 (2013.01); G05D 1/0206 (2013.01); G05D 1/048 (2013.01); G05D 1/0692 (2013.01); G05D 1/0875 (2013.01); G05D 1/69 (2024.01); H02K 7/1823 (2013.01); B60L 2200/32 (2013.01); F05B 2220/706 (2013.01); F05B 2240/95 (2013.01); F05B 2260/42 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for harnessing wave energy, the method comprising:
submerging a vehicle to a depth in a body of water, the vehicle comprising:
a vehicle body;
a phase detection system comprising a plurality of pressure taps disposed around the vehicle body;
a processor for processing information from the phase detection system to detect a phase of a wave motion;
a rotor coupled to a motor-generator, wherein the motor-generator comprises a first quadrant for motor mode and a second quadrant for generation mode; and
a rechargeable battery coupled to the motor-generator;
operating the motor-generator of the vehicle in the first quadrant of the motor-generator;
detecting a phase of a wave in the body of water based on information from the processor of the detected phase;
synchronizing an inertial acceleration of the vehicle to movement of the wave;
switching the motor-generator to the second quadrant for generation mode to convert energy from the movement of the wave to electrical energy; and
storing the electrical energy derived from the wave in the rechargeable battery.