Modular multi-directional wave energy converter buoy
This technology is a wave energy converter that uses paddles mounted on rails at the front and back of a floating structure to capture energy from ocean waves. As waves push and lift the paddles, tethers connected to the paddles turn a shaft through a winch-and-clutch system, spinning a generator to produce electricity. The one-way clutch design ensures the shaft only rotates in the power-generating direction regardless of wave direction, and the modular, mirrored fore-aft layout extracts energy from both the vertical rise-and-fall and horizontal push-pull of waves. The modular architecture suggests units could be scaled or combined to increase output.
What you could build
A deployable wave energy buoy or platform unit sold to offshore energy developers, island grid operators, or defense installations needing remote renewable power, where each modular unit can be linked with others to scale generation capacity.
Who in Virginia should care
Virginia-based naval shipyards, offshore energy developers operating in the mid-Atlantic, and defense contractors supporting Navy remote power needs (e.g., in the Hampton Roads corridor) would be plausible partners or customers.
Readiness: Prototype likely
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Junhui Lou, Adam Bennett, Lei Zuo, Mingyi Liu, Fujun Ruan, Jia Mi
- Granted
- October 24, 2023
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 11795903
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.