Convert Low Frequency Energy from Wave Power Plant to High Frequency Energy in Linear Electrical Generator with Gas Springs

Abstract

This paper describes the concept on conversion of the movement of a float in a wave power plant, characterize by high force and low speed energy, to a high speed and low force energy in linear machine by using gas springs. In a wave power plant the float is moving slowly. The buoyancy force on the float from the raising wave and the gravitational force on the float when the wave is sinking are enormous. This enormous force combined with the movement presents much concentrated energy. A linear electric generator which converts this low speed high force ocean wave energy into electrical energy by direct conversion i.e. piston in the generator is moving in the same way as the float, will not be cost effective due to its large size and expensive. The concept of converting slow movement (low frequency) of the ocean energy to a faster movement (high frequency) to reduce the size of generator by using double gas spring is presented.