WAVE-ENERGY PLANT Russian patent published in 1997 - IPC

FIELD: hydroelectric power engineering; conversion of wave energy to other kings of energy, such as electricity. SUBSTANCE: wave-energy plant has floats 4, power take-off shaft 12, and mechanism converting reciprocal movement of floats 4 into rotary movement of power take-off shaft 12. Floats 4 (at least two ones) are placed of opposite sides relative to shaft 12; converting mechanism has ratchet gear 14 mounted on power take-off shaft 12 and rockers 5 whose slots receive teeth 9 engageable with ratchet gear 14. Each rocker 5 is fixed with its respective float 4 and latter, in its turn, is fixed to its respective lever providing for easy reciprocal movement of floats 4 in case of waves on water surface; in this case, teeth 9 of opposite rockers are facing away from teeth of ratchet gear 14. With floats 4 moving up and down, ratchet gear 14 and power take-off shaft 12 start continuously rotating together and unidirectionally. Additional similar pairs of left and right floats with conversion mechanisms can be installed. EFFECT: improved power output of plant, improved reliability in operation, simplified design, and facilitated servicing. 2 dwg