US 12,146,465 B2
Wave energy converter
Erik J. Hammagren, Charlottesville, VA (US); Pukha Lenee-Bluhm, Charlottesville, VA (US); Kelen P. Bush-O'Hearn, Charlottesville, VA (US); Michael L Ondusko, Charlottesville, VA (US); Joseph H. Prudell, Charlottesville, VA (US); Leonard G. Rummel, Charlottesville, VA (US); and Zhe Zhang, Charlottesville, VA (US)
Assigned to Columbia Power Technologies, Inc., Charlottesville, VA (US)
Filed by Columbia Power Technologies, Inc., Charlottesville, VA (US)
Filed on Dec. 1, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/060,621.
Application 18/060,621 is a continuation of application No. 17/528,705, filed on Nov. 17, 2021, granted, now 11,542,913.
Prior Publication US 2023/0151789 A1, May 18, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F03B 13/20 (2006.01)
CPC F03B 13/20 (2013.01) [F05B 2270/18 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A wave energy converter comprising:
a central body including a nacelle, the nacelle having a first side, a second side, and a longitudinal axis, the nacelle housing at least one power take off;
a first float and a first float arm coupled to the nacelle on the first side;
a second float and a second float arm coupled to the nacelle on the second side;
wherein the first float is rotatably coupled to the nacelle, the first float and the first float arm forming a first body configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis, wherein the first body is operatively coupled to the at least one power take off such that relative motion between the first body and the central body generates energy in the at least one power take off;
wherein the central body further comprises:
a yoke extending downwardly from the nacelle;
a plurality of lines attached to the base of the yoke and extending downwardly, each of the plurality of lines have a lower terminus;
a heave plate attached to the lower terminus of each of the plurality of lines, wherein the heave plate and lines attached to the lower portion of the yoke tend to reduce rotation of the nacelle; and
wherein the yoke includes an upper end and a lower end, and wherein the lower end of the yoke includes at least one coupling configured to attach the plurality of lines to the base of the yoke.