Abstract

Apparatus for converting movement into energy, comprising a buoyant or floating body fully (1,9,11) submerged in a fluid medium. The buoyant body is supported in the fluid by a buoyancy or similar force acting in a first direction. A connecting or mooring line connects the buoyant body (1,9,11) to a pivot point displaced from the buoyant body in the direction from which the buoyancy or similar force acts on the buoyant body, and formed by a counterweight (2). The apparatus also includes at least one power or energy take-off line (3) separate from the connecting or mooring line to convert movement of the buoyant body into energy.

IPC Classes  ?

• F03B 13/16 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member and another member
• F03B 13/18 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member and another member wherein the other member is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore
• F03B 13/14 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy

Abstract

An apparatus (1) for guiding a flexible member (6) comprising a drum (4) mounted for rotation about a drum axis (5) and a pulley (2) mounted for rotation about a pulley axis (3), the drum and pulley axes being inclined. The apparatus defines a path for the flexible member including first and second drum wrap portions (7,9) on axially spaced first and second fixed drum diametric planes, a pulley wrap portion (8) on a fixed pulley diametric plane, and first and second connecting portions (7a, 7b). The arrangement is such that the connecting portions (7a, 7b) lie on the respective first and second drum diametric planes and both lie on the pulley diametric plane. As the drum (4) and pulley (2) rotate with the flexible member (6) in use, the arrangement is such that the first and second drum wrap portions (7,9) remain on the fixed drum diametric planes and the pulley portion of wrap (8) remains on the fixed diametrical plane of the pulley. The apparatus reduces slippage of the flexible member (6) and associated wear.

IPC Classes  ?

• F16H 7/04 - Gearings for conveying rotary motion by endless flexible members with ropes
• B66D 1/36 - Guiding, or otherwise ensuring winding in an orderly manner, of ropes, cables, or chains
• F03B 13/14 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special useCombinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatusPower stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy