IP Library Granted Patent US 11,815,060
Granted Patent B2
US 11,815,060 · App. 17/851,418 · Granted Nov 14, 2023

Flexible wave energy converter

Inventors: Blake Craig Boren (Corvallis, OR); Jochem Weber (Golden, CO)
Assignee: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
F03B13/188
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,815,060
App. No.
17/851,418
Granted
Nov 14, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

Disclosed herein are flexible wave energy converters that actuate electrical generators with dynamic strain (e.g., flexing, stretching, twisting, distension) to convert wave energy to electrical energy. The flexible wave energy converter utilizes flexible electric generators embedded throughout the wave-energy converter's flexible body.

Claims (29)

1. An ocean wave energy converter device comprising:

a hull having an interior and an exterior;

a lattice comprising a honeycomb structure and positioned in the interior; and

a mass located in the interior; wherein:

the hull is substantially spherical,

the honeycomb structure comprises elastomer generators and magnetostrictive fibers arranged in a plurality of octagons,

the mass comprises a solid spherical object and is surrounded by the lattice and in contact with the lattice,

the mass is configured to apply a strain to the lattice when the device is subjected to a stress from a wave, and

the strain on the lattice results in a generation of electrical energy.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the elastomer generators comprises:

an ionic dielectric elastomer generator;

a layered reinforced dielectric elastomer generator; and

a structural reinforcement; wherein:

the structural reinforcement has a first surface and a second surface,

the ionic dielectric elastomer generator is in contact with the first surface, and

the layered reinforced dielectric elastomer generator is in contact with the second surface.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein:

the stress results in the hull being deformed.

4. The device of claim 1 , further comprising:

a mooring line attached to the exterior; wherein:

the mooring line is configured to apply the stress to the device as a result of ocean wave forces.

5. The device of claim 4 , wherein:

the stress results in the hull being deformed.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein:

the hull is comprised of a synthetic polymer.

7. The device of claim 6 , wherein:

the synthetic polymer comprises at least one of neoprene, fiberglass, polyurethane, or rubber.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein:

the mass comprises at least one of rubber, aluminum, concrete, or plastic.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 16, 2025
From: ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, LLC
To: ALLIANCE FOR ENERGY INNOVATION, LLC
Reel/Frame 073993/0276 →
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Jan 24, 2023
From: NATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY LABORATORY
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Reel/Frame 062469/0973 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 28, 2022
From: BOREN, BLAKE CRAIG; WEBER, JOCHEM
To: ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, LLC
Reel/Frame 060337/0497 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 16997455 · Aug 19, 2020
Provisional Application 62888685 · Aug 19, 2019
Related Publication 20220403811A1 · Dec 22, 2022
Cited By (6)
US 12,202,580 US 12,297,798 US 12,656,110 US 12,656,111 US 12,656,112 US 12,693,116