MXPA06003991A - A wave power apparatus having a float and means for locking the float in a position above the ocean surface - Google Patents

Abstract

A wave power apparatus includes at least one rotationally supported arm (122) which carries a float (124) at its free end, so that a translational movement of the float caused by a wave results in rotation of the arm (122). The apparatus comprises power conversion means for converting power transmitted from the wave to the arms into electric power, e.g. a hydraulic system, in which a hydraulic medium is displaced by the movement of the arm, the hydraulic system being coupled to an electric generator. The apparatus comprises a hydraulic lifting system for lifting the float out of the ocean and for locking the float in an upper position above the ocean surface, e.g. during extreme sea wave conditions, such as storm. The lifting system may comprise at least one pump for pumping hydraulic cylinders for lifting the arm out of the ocean.

Description

SURFACE ENERGY GENERATING DEVICE THAT HAS A FLOAT AND MEANS TO FIX THE FLOAT IN A POSITION ABOVE THE OCEAN SURFACE Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wave energy generating apparatus for converting the energy of the ocean or ocean waves into useful energy, such as electricity. The apparatus according to the invention is specifically designed to withstand the extreme conditions of storms during the storms "^" "Jos" Touracanes. "- - - Background of the Invention It is well known that sea waves constitute an almost unlimited source of energy which, if efficiently exploited, can possibly solve a significant portion of the world's energy problems. of many attempts to exploit the energy of sea waves, no commercially successful system to convert sea wave energy into electrical energy has been contemplated until now.In general, three different types of wave energy generating apparatus have been proposed in the prior art One such apparatus is described in US 6,476,511, the apparatus comprises a plurality of elements of Ref.172050 floating cylindrical body connected together at their ends to form a structure similar to a chain, articulated. adjacent cylindricals are connected together by a coupling element which allows the rotary movement relative of the cylindrical elements around a transverse axis. Adjacent coupling elements may allow relative rotation about mutually orthogonal transverse axes. Each coupling element is provided with elements, such as a set of hydraulic arms, which resist and extract the energy of the relative rotational movement of the body elements. The device floats freely on the surface of the sea and is moored to the sea floor. A second type of wave energy generating apparatus comprises one or more surface floats capable of moving along the surface of the sea under the action of waves, and a reference element, which is completely submerged in the sea at a time. some depth, and which is not substantially affected by the waves, be coteried, for example US 4,453.89.4. The movement of the. Float on the surface of the sea causes the displacement of a hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic system comprising hydraulic devices that interconnect the float or surface floats. and the reference element, whereby useful energy can be extracted from the hydraulic system. It will be appreciated that this apparatus is also tied to the ocean floor. Finally, a third type of wave energy generating apparatus is one that has one or more arms supported by a support structure carrying one or more floats which are caused to move by the waves. The energy of the waves in motion is transmitted to the arms and can be transported to a hydraulic system, as in the system of US 4,013,382, or in a mechanical system of axes which, by means of a mechanical transmission system, drive one or more electric generators for the production of .electricity. or. in the system "of WQ__0JL./92644. The present invention is generally related to the third type of wave energy generating apparatus mentioned above. It has been found that a general problem in such systems is to prevent the extreme impacts that occur during storms and hurricanes so as not to damage the floats, the arms and other parts of the wave energy generating apparatus. It is therefore an object of the preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide a wave energy generating apparatus that is capable of withstanding extreme ocean wave conditions. It is an additional object of the preferred embodiments to provide a wave energy generating apparatus which can be conveniently removed from the operation, for example to prevent the formation of ice on various parts of the apparatus during operation. It is still a further object of the preferred embodiments of the invention to provide an apparatus, which allows convenient maintenance access to the arms and floats, more preferably allowing maintenance access to the individual floats and arms in systems comprising a plurality of arms, each provided with a float. Brief Description of the Invention The present invention consequently provides a wave energy generating apparatus comprising at least one arm, the one which is rotatably swung at one end by an axis, and which carries a float at its other end, qμe is opposite the end supported, so that a translation movement of the float caused by a wave leads to the rotation of the arm around the axis, the device comprises means of energy conversion to convert the supplied energy transmitted from the wave to the arms In electric power, the wave energy generating apparatus is characterized by a hydraulic lifting system for raising the float out of the ocean and for fixing the float in a position above the surface of the ocean. Thanks to the hydraulic lifting system, the float can be removed from the ocean and held in a fixed position above the surface of the ocean in the event of a storm, for example, or prior to the occurrence of ice formation. Therefore, the only impact on the float when it is removed from the ocean is the impact of the wind, the forces of which are significantly smaller than the forces of the waves. In one embodiment, the arms can be lifted out of the water by generating a hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic lifting system, which causes the arms to be displaced out of the ocean, and by means of proper closing of a valve, preferably by means of a pin of fij.aci.ó.n_cónioo _, __ manten.er - la__presiój? _de_ elevation. _E1 elevation system - hydraulic - can be controlled ^ - from a location on remote ground, or by a control system that is part of the machine generating energy by waves, and acting in response to a signal indicative of a condition of storm, for example to a signal from an electronic device to continuously determine the wind speed. The control system can be programmed to remove the float and the water arm at a predetermined height of the wave. For example, this height of the wave may be a certain fraction, for example 30%, of the preferred wave, preferred to the operating site of the device, the so-called "wave of 100 years". At an ocean depth of 20 m, this height is approximately 18 meters, and the control system accordingly takes the float and the arm and takes them out of the ocean to a wave height of approximately 6 m. The height of the wave can be coordinated by a mechanical, optical, electromagnetic, or acoustic system, for example, a pressure transducer system with a pressure transducer arranged on the ocean floor, an echo sound system arranged on the floats, an echo sound system arranged on a fixed support structure of the apparatus and pointing up towards the surface of the waves, or operating in the air pointing downwards towards the surface of the water, or a system__senaorjc: on-. transmission of the light or with means receiving - the - ± UZT arranged on the floats - and / or - on the fixed support structure, such light is, for example, a laser beam light. Alternatively, a radar system can be provided in the structure. The pressure of a hydraulic medium in the lifting system can be generated by a pump that is part of the hydraulic lifting system. Alternatively, the pressure can be generated by releasing the pressurized hydraulic medium from an appropriate hydraulic accumulator. The accumulator may for example be charged by a hydraulic impulse system which, in one embodiment of the invention, is comprised in the energy conversion means. For example, the accumulator for supplying the hydraulic lifting pressure can be an accumulator, or a plurality of accumulators in a so-called accumulator battery, for forcing the float towards the wave in a valley of the wave, as described with detail later. In preferred embodiments, the apparatus comprises a plurality of arms, each provided with a float. The hydraulic lifting system is preferably adapted to individually lift each float out of the ocean. For example, the lifting system may comprise a plurality of hydraulic circuits, each of which is associated with one of the arms, and each of which comprises valve and / or pump means for pressurizing the hydraulic circuit to raise the arm and the float-out-of-the-ocean.- In one-mode, - the hydraulic lifting system comprises a smaller number of pumps than circuits, so that the, or each pump, is connected to a plurality of circuits , each circuit with associated valves that are designed for one arm. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the energy conversion means and the arms are arranged in such a way that these arms, which are maintained in the ocean, can supply energy to the energy conversion means, while one or more of the other arms are kept elevated out of the ocean. The embodiments incorporating the energy conversion means of WO 01/92644, which is incorporated herein by reference, may allow free-wheeling around an impeller shaft of the energy conversion means, of the arms that are elevated out of the ocean. Modes which are based on the hydraulic energy conversion means, in which the movement of the arms generates a pressure in a hydraulic impulse system, may comprise means for withdrawing from the operation these means of energy conversion, for example, those hydraulic actuators that are associated with an arm, which has been lifted out of the ocean. In a currently preferred embodiment, an arm can be lifted out of the ocean and fixed in an elevated position by the arm actuator, for example a drive cylinder -dob-1-er -which-can be -used-for elevate -and- -fix the arm. Preferred embodiments of the present invention also provide a solution to the problem of providing a stable rotating arm or arm support, which is less vulnerable to horizontal force components. It has been found that the structure of US Pat. No. 4,013,382 is likely to become unstable due to the components of the horizontal force generated by the waves. More specifically, the bearings of the connecting rods are made up of simple bolts, and any slight wear on such bearings could cause irreparable damage to the bearings.

Connection bars and their support. The apparatus of US Pat. No. 4,013,382 is then unsuitable for installation in the open sea, ie at relatively large wave forces. The structure described in WO 01/02644 also suffers from the disadvantage that even the lightest wear on the one-way bearings supported by the swing arms and connecting the pipes of the swing arm and the drive shaft could damage the bearings. Furthermore, the apparatus of WO 01/02644, in which a total of some 40 oscillating arms are supported by a single drive shaft, requires an immensely strong drive shaft which, due to its dimensions required for it to be capable of transmitting the energy required, could _not_. be., feasible. Due to its weight conferred by its large dimensions, such large dimensions are necessary due to the moment transmitted from the arms to the driving shaft. Preferred embodiments of the apparatus according to the present invention provide improved arm support which makes the apparatus less vulnerable to horizontal force components. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the invention comprises a pair of bearings essentially free of wear and pretensioning. The . Bearings are thus able to efficiently counteract the radial and axial forces and, consequently, withstand the components of the horizontal force conferred by the waves. The term "wear-free bearing" is to be understood as comprising any bearing, which is free of wear in a horizontal and axial direction. For example, the pair of bearings may comprise two tapered bearings with their conical faces that are opposite each other. In one embodiment, the bearings are pressure lubricated. In another embodiment, the bearing comprises an inner and an outer ring or cylinder, the inner ring is secured to a rotating shaft of the arm, and the outer ring is secured to a fixed support, the bearing further comprises a flexible material between the inner ring and the outer ring. During the operation, the inner ring rotates in relation to the outer ring, for which the material is twisted - -flexible. -To adjust the rigidity of the flexible material, at least one cavity or perforation in the material can be provided. The flexible material, for example, may comprise a spring element, such as a flat spring. By proper placement of the perforation (s) or by the proper design of the spring element (s), the bearing bracket may be designed to have a larger force holding capacity in one direction that in another direction. The arm is preferably supported by the bearings at two mounting points which are offset from a central axis of the arm, the central axis of the bearings is coincident with an axis of rotation of the arms. As each arm is connected to, and supported by individual bearings, a stable rotating support for the arms is achieved. In particular, since the two bearings are preferably arranged at a mutual distance along the axis of rotation of the arm, an impact on the shaft resulting from a component of the horizontal force on the float can be counteracted. It will be appreciated that, according to this, the structure of the present apparatus is more stable than the structure of prior art devices. As the present apparatus is proposed primarily as an off-shore construction, stability is a major issue due to maintenance costs in the costs of maintenance at coast sites. outside are typically on average 10 times higher than the maintenance costs at sites on land. In the apparatus according to the invention, a plurality of arms are preferably provided which are arranged in a row such that a wave passing over the row of arms causes the arms to rotate successively around the axis. The arms are arranged at mutual distances, so that at all times at least two of the arms simultaneously supply a contribution of energy to the means of converting the energy. The energy conversion means preferably comprise a hydraulic actuator associated with each arm, the hydraulic actuators feed a hydraulic medium at least towards a hydraulic motor by means of shared hydraulic conduits. Accordingly, a uniform energy output of the energy conversion means can be achieved. This is the case in particular of the embodiments of the apparatus comprising a large number of arms, floats and actuators, for example 60, because the sum of the energy contributions of the individual actuators is essentially constant over time. The 0 possible press undulations on the pressurized side of the hydraulic motor can be eliminated essentially by means of - - of a discharge suppression device, which is known per se, the device for suppressing the discharge tips is arranged in fluid communication 5 with the shared hydraulic conduits. Preferably, the sum of all the contributions of energy is essentially constant in a certain wave climate, that is, the height of the waves and frequency of the waves. The hydraulic motor is preferably a hydraulic motor with a volume of 0 variable displacement per revolution. The changes in the wave climate can be compensated by means of a control circuit that controls the volume of displacement per revolution of the engine to keep the engine rpm essentially constant. To generate an alternating current at a given frequency without using a frequency converter, the motor's rpm must be controlled within +/- 0.1-0.2%. In the event that a different type of hydraulic motor is applied or in the case that the rpm is not exactly controlled, a frequency controller can be used for fine tuning the frequency of the generated AC current. In preferred embodiments, the apparatus of the present invention comprises at least 5 arms, such as at least 20 arms, preferably at least 40 arms, preferably 50-80 arms, such as 55-65 arms, -Example-60 arms -The arms of the apparatus are preferably distributed, so that "at least five arms, preferably at least 10 arms, are provided, per wavelength of the ocean waves. In the open sea, the wavelength of ocean waves is typically 50-300 meters, such as 50-200 meters. In protected waters, the wavelength of the waves is typically 5-50 m. In the preferred embodiments, the apparatus extends at least 2 wavelengths. This causes the possibility of arranging a row of arms and floats at a relatively large angle with respect to the handling of the waves, for example at +/- 60 °, because the length of the wave projected on the orientation of the row of the floats it extends over at least 2 x eos (60 °) of the wavelengths, that is, at least one wavelength, whereby it is ensured that a contribution of energy is supplied all the time. The plurality of the arms are preferably arranged in one or more rows, for example in a star, V or hexagon formation, as described in WO 01/92644. In order to efficiently exploit the energy of the wave, the row of arms is preferably oriented in such a way with respect to the orientation of the wave so that the row forms an angle within +/- 600 with respect to the orientation of the wave. wave. It has been found that the efficiency of the apparatus of Accordingly, in the preferred embodiments of the invention, the buoyancy of the float is at least 10 times its dry weight, such as at least 10 times the dry weight of the float with respect to its dry weight. 20, 30, or 50 times, preferably 20-40 times For example the dry weight of a float is typically 100 kg or less per cubic meter of buoyancy, the salt water buoyancy is typically approximately 1050 kg / m3 A float is typically made of low-weight hard foam or balsa wood materials, which are coated with a composite material, such as reinforced fiberglass composite materials or a combination of fiberglass and composite materials. carbon fiber Alternatively, a float can be made from a sandwich layer of a fiber material reinforced with hard foam that is provided in the middle part of the sandwich and in the middle of the sandwich. lower part and in the back part of the float, with the layers of foam that are separated by a structure in the form of honeycomb of reinforced fiber materials. The efficiency also increases with the increasing diameter of the float in relation to its height. Preferably, the diameter of the float is at least 5 times its height, such as at least 7 times, such as at least 10 times, - - 5--20 times. - In the preferred modes, the float has a section essentially circular cross section, and to improve the dynamic properties of the float fluid, may have a portion with a rounded edge, which acts as an aerodynamic profile. The energy conversion means preferably comprise a hydraulic impulse system with a hydraulically driven motor. For example, each arm can be connected to the hydraulic impulse system by means of at least one actuator which causes a hydraulic means of the hydraulic impulse system to be displaced towards a hydraulic motor, the actuator (s) is (are) arranged (s) to move the hydraulic medium to the engine by means of hydraulic conduits. In the case of several arms or several actuators, the hydraulic means is preferably moved to the motor by means of shared hydraulic conduits. In other words, several hydraulic actuators can feed the hydraulic medium in a single hydraulic motor by means of a shared system of hydraulic conduits. Even more preferably, the hydraulic medium is not accumulated in a hydraulic storage tank to accumulate the hydraulic medium under pressure, from which a pressure is released to the engine. Consequently, the actuators feed the hydraulic medium directly to the hydraulic motor. However, as described below, a battery of hydraulic accumulators can be advantageously applied for a completely different purpose, that is to force a float towards a wave near the valley of the wave. As in the preferred embodiments, a plurality of actuators simultaneously transmit the power to the motor, there is no need for a hydraulic storage tank, because the motor will be able to operate at a substantially constant speed and substantially constant energy input, thanks to the power supply in the hydraulic system shared from a plurality of actuators at the same time. It should be understood that more than one single hydraulic motor can be provided. Preferably, two, three or more motors can be arranged in parallel at the end of the shared hydraulic conduit. Thus, the energy supplied through the shared hydraulic conduit can drive several engines. If, for example, the hydraulic impulse system produces 4 MW, eight motors that supply 500 kW each, can be coupled in parallel in the shared hydraulic line. The motors can supply the same nominal power output, or they can supply different nominal power outputs. For example, an engine can supply 400 kW, one can supply 500 kW, etc. All hydraulic motors can also be linked through the same shaft that runs. one end.-to the other, "which drives the" merids "a common electric generator, or all the hydraulic motors can drive a sprocket which drives at least one common electric generator. To allow the hydraulic system to force the arm (s) and float (s) in any desired direction, each actuator may comprise a double-actuated cylinder that can be used to draw power from the arm to the hydraulic system and to feed the energy from the hydraulic system to the arm, for example to drive the float towards a wave near the valley of the wave as explained in detail later in relation to the hydraulic accumulators. The hydraulic lifting system preferably comprises one or more pumps for pumping the hydraulic medium towards the cylinders to lift them out of the ocean. In the preferred embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for forcing the float (s) into the waves in the valleys for the waves, to increase the vertical distance traveled by the float to increase the energy output in a wave cycle. Such means may comprise, for example, one or more hydraulic accumulators for intermittently storing the energy in the hydraulic impulse system. The energy stored in the hydraulic accumulators can be advantageously derived from the release - e - the - energy - otential when the - float - is removed from the water on the crest of a wave. In other words, when a float moves from a position submerged in a wave near the crest of the wave to a position above the water, potential energy is released, this energy can be accumulated in the accumulator or in a battery of accumulators , where different accumulators are charged at different pressures, for example, in pressure stages according to the number of accumulators.In the embodiments that incorporate such hydraulic accumulators, the hydraulic impulse system can be controllable to release the energy stored in the accumulator. the accumulator (s), when a float is passed through the valley of the wave, to drive the float carried by the arm to the waves.To improve the efficiency of the accumulator system, a plurality of accumulators such as at least 2, such as 3-20, such as typically 6-12, which preferably store the hydraulic medium at different pressure stages. preferred, the float is driven a certain distance towards the wave near the valley of the wave, and subsequently the float is allowed to move up in the wave, but still submerged in the wave, and on the crest of the wave the The float is released, that is, it is allowed to move out of the water. As described above, the energy released when the float is released at the crest of the hydraulic accumulator, in which the energy is stored. to push the float towards the wave. Consequently, the potential energy released when the float moves out of the wave near the crest of the wave is not lost. On the contrary, it is used to drive the float towards the wave in the valley of the wave, whereby the total vertical distance traveled by the float is increased. As a result, the energy output of a wave cycle is increased. It is estimated that, at a wave height of 1.5 m, the vertical distance traveled by the float can be increased from approximately 0.75 m to approximately 1.5 m, thus doubling the energy output. The energy used to propel the float towards the wave in the valley of the wave essentially does not cause losses in the impulse system, because the energy is provided by the release of the float on the crest of the wave. To allow accurate control of the system, each cylinder, or at least some selected cylinders, 5 can be. provided with a sensor to determine a position and / or speed of movement of the piston of the cylinder, the sensor is arranged to transmit a signal to a control unit of the cylinders and associated valves, so that the transmission of the energy from the cylinders individual up to the remaining parts of the impulse system - -h-id-rául-i-c? -self-controllable-individually-in response. to. the "signal" "that '" represents "the position" of the "piston" of the individual cylinder and / or the speed of movement.Therefore, the cylinders can be individually controllable, and a cylinder can be withdrawn from the operation, for example for maintenance, while the remaining cylinders remain in operation, so that the entire system will essentially not be affected by the withdrawal of a single cylinder.The sensor is preferably also used to control the depression of the float in the water, that is, to control the pressure release of the accumulator battery as described above.The sensor can also be used to control the charge of the accumulators, that is to say to determine the passage of a ridge 5 of the wave. The sensor is useful to control the release of the float on a crest of the wave, ie to prevent an outward, catapult-like shot from the float. It can also be used to verify the energy output of each individual actuator in the hydraulic impulse system, so that the energy output of the individual actuators and the complete apparatus, as such, can be used. Although some of the prior art systems are based on submerged reference elements to support these means, which convert the energy of the marine surge into useful energy or supports in the ground. It has been found that "wave energy" is -exploited -more efficiently in the open sea.As a result, the apparatus of the invention preferably comprises a supporting structure that is fixed to the sea floor. , the support structure is fixed to the sea floor by means of a suction anchor, or alternatively by a gravity base or support, or fixed to a rocky seabed with studs.The support structure may advantageously comprise a structure of reinforcement, with the suction anchor that is arranged at a first nodal point of the structure, at least one arm and preferably all the arms of the apparatus are supported at second nodal points of the reinforcing structure, even more preferably at the apex of a triangular substructure of the reinforcement structure The triangular substructure can define two vertices on the sea floor, with a means to fix the structure to the ocean floor in each of the corners. Preferably, the means for fixing are interposed at least partially on the sea floor, for example under a gravity base or support or a suction anchor. As the means for fixing are arranged at the nodal points of the reinforcing structure, the vertical forces in the reinforcement structure caused by the buoyancy of the floats can be counteracted efficiently. -A reinforcement-structure -as described above, "ensures a maximum degree of stability of the system while allowing a low total weight of the support structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described further with reference to the figures, in which: Figure 1 and Figure 2 are cross-sectional illustrations of one embodiment of a wave energy generating apparatus in accordance with the invention; Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show three embodiments of a reinforcing structure of an embodiment of a wave energy generating apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 6 illustrates a honeycomb structure of a float; Figure 7 illustrates a support structure for an arm of the apparatus of Figure 1 and Figure 2; Figure 8, figure 9, figure 10, figure 11, figure 12, and Figure 13 show various bearing assemblies for an arm of the apparatus; Fig. 14, Fig. 15, Fig. 16 and Fig. 17 show diagrams of a hydraulic drive system of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention; ._ la-figur -1-8-sample-iin ... diagram of a hydraulic lift system for "raising" the floats out of the ocean, Figure 19 illustrates a wave energy generating apparatus with an array of floats that extend through the crests of two waves, Figure 20 shows the hydraulic pressure as a function of time in a power line of the hydraulic impulse system of a wave energy generating apparatus of the prior art and in a of the apparatus according to the present invention, respectively, Figure 21 illustrates two different routes of travel of a float through a wave, Figure 22 shows a diagram of a hydraulic impulse system with accumulators to force the floats towards the waves. in the valleys of the waves, figure 23 illustrates the gradual accumulation of energy in a hydraulic storage system, figures 24 and 25 are diagrammatic illustrations of the movement of the waves and the floats. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 and Figure 2 show a cross section of the wave energy generating apparatus 102 comprising a reinforcing structure 104 which may be, for example, a so-called reinforcing structure The structure of the reinforcement structure, which is also illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, comprises a substantially triangular bottom part with first, second and third drive elements 106, 108. 110, and an upper part 111 essentially rectangular. As illustrated in Figures 3-5, the rectangular top extends at a distance perpendicular to the plane of Figures 1 and 2, while a plurality of different triangular bottoms is provided. The reinforcing structure defines first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth nodal points 112, 114, 116, 117, 118, and 120. Preferably, the driving elements are essentially rigid, so that they can withstand the stress and compression. The first and second nodal points 112, 114 are provided on the sea floor and, are retained on the sea floor by means of, for example, suction anchors 121 indicated in Figures 3-5. Alternatively, the first and second nodal points 112, 114 may be supported by a concrete base on the ocean floor. The arms 122 carrying floats 124 are rotatably supported at or near the third and fourth nodal points 116, 117. Figures 3-5 show a perspective view of the reinforcing structure for supporting a plurality of arms on either side of the structure. It should be understood that the reinforcing structure of Figures 3-5 may have a wider extension than that actually shown in Figures 3 - 5, of. _mado_ _que__la ..misma .comprenda ppr ". example, twenty or thirty triangular sections, whereby one arm can extend away from the reinforcing structure at each of the nodal points 116, 117. A plurality of reinforcing structures such as those of Figures 3-5, such as three, six or more reinforcing structures, can be arranged in a star-shaped, V-shaped or hexagonal arrangement to increase the number of arms and floats included in an installation comprising the apparatus of the invention or a plurality of apparatuses according to the invention. The third, fourth, fifth and sixth nodal points 116, 117, 118, 120 are provided above the sea surface at a sufficient height to ensure that they are also above the sea surface when the waves are high under storm conditions. For example, nodal points 116, 117, 118 and 120 can be provided 20 meters above the surface of the sea when the sea is calm. To transform wave energy into hydraulic energy, the wave energy generator apparatus 102 comprises a plurality of arms 122, each of which at one end comprises a float 124 and the opposite end is connected to an axis 126. The arms are adapted to rotate about the axes 126. Each arm 122 is fixed to a hydraulic actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder 128 comprising a piston 130. The hydraulic cylinder 128 is rotatably connected to the arm-in-a-first attachment point -132 and to the reinforcement structure. 104 at a second fixation point 134. The second fixation point is preferably located at a nodal point, ie, along a portion of the edge of an essentially rectangular structure arranged on top of the triangular main structure of the reinforcement structure. The floats 124 move the arms up and down influenced by the movement of the waves. When the arms move up and down, the piston 130 is moved and consequently the energy of the wave is transformed into hydraulic energy that can be converted into useful electrical energy as described below with reference to Figures 14-28 and 22 As shown in Figure 2, the hydraulic cylinders 128 are adapted to fix the arms 122 in an elevated position where the waves can not reach the arms 122 and the floats 124, the arms are withdrawn to their elevated positions by the cylinders 128. It is therefore possible to protect the arms 122 and the floats 124 during a storm or when the environmental temperatures near or below the freezing point of the ocean water cause an irrigation of ice formation on the floats. The hydraulic cylinders 128 are connected to a hydraulic lifting system for fixing the hydraulic cylinder in the raised position, the hydraulic lifting system is described in further detail with reference to the following figure 18. The floats 124 may be rotatably connected to the arms 122. Accordingly, when the arms are raised during a storm, the floats may be rotated to a position where they are essentially parallel to the wind direction. Therefore, the surface on which the wind acts is limited and consequently, the force acting on the floats 124 is reduced and the torque transferred to the reinforcing structure 104 by means of the arms 122 is reduced. In addition, the floats are designed with an aerodynamic shape with rounded edges (not shown) to reduce wind forces on the apparatus.

As shown in Figures 3-5, the reinforcing structure 104 may include diagonal drive elements 113, 115 (not shown in Figures 1 and 2) to provide additional support at the nodal points 116, 117. In the figures 4 and 5, the reinforcing structure is loaded with a downward acting weight to reduce the upward forces on the anchors 121. The weight is caused by a longitudinally extending weight, such as a water tank 123 (FIG. 4). ), or by a plurality of different weights, such as water tanks 125 (Figure 5). - Figure 6 shows a structure of an essentially "hollow" float 124 comprising a honeycomb-shaped structure 127, which supports the external walls of the float, Figure 7 shows one of the arms 122 that is fixed rotatably to a float 124 and adapted to rotate about the axis 126. The arm is connected to the shaft at first and second fixing points 136, 138 which are offset from the central axis 140 of the arm.The shaft 126 is rotatably supported by A fixed support structure 142 comprising two bearings 144 arranged to counteract the radial and axial forces To provide an essentially maintenance-free support for the rotation of the arms 122, the present inventors have proposed bearings such as shown in Figures 8 - 13. The bearings of Figures 8-13 can be incorporated as a bearing 144 in the bearing structure illustrated in FIG. 7, and are particularly well suited to supporting an axis, the rotational amplitude of which is 30 degrees or less during normal operation, i.e. + 15 degrees or less, such as 20 degrees or less, i.e. + 10 degrees or less. When the arm is to be rotated to the secured position of Figure 2, the attachment of the outer ring 147 can be loosened, so that a larger rotary amplitude is allowed, for example + 40 degrees. Ball or roller bearings, - Traditional -, have a short useful time to such small rotary amplitudes, because their lubrication means usually only fulfills its purpose to the desired degree in a continuous rotation at a higher rotary speed than one conferred by the arms 122. The bearing of figure 8 includes an inner ring or cylinder 145 and an outer ring or cylinder 147, between which there is provided a flexible substance 149, for example a rubber material. The inner ring 145 is secured to the rotating shaft, and the outer ring 147 is secured to the stationary support of the shaft. Thanks to the elasticity of the flexible substance 149, the inner ring can rotate relative to the outer ring, to allow the supported shaft to rotate with respect to its support. When the outer ring 147 is supported by, or engaged within, a fixed structure, for example snapped along its outer periphery, an axial and radial support of the shaft is provided. The rigidity of the flexible substance 149 can be adjusted by providing cavities 151, such as holes or perforations, in the material. The maximum load that can be borne by the bearing can be increased by increasing the length of the bearing (i.e., transverse to the plane of Figure 8). The number and dimensions of the cavities 151 can be selected to fit a particular purpose, for example to minimize the sensitivity to grooving or to maximize the. axial force that will be counteracted - by-the-coj-i-nete. - A similar bearing 344 is shown in Figure 9, which has a smaller number of cavities 151 to increase the capacity to carry a bearing force in one direction. The oscillating bearings 346, 348 and 354 are shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, respectively. These bearings comprise inner and outer rings 145, 147, with one or more flat springs which are interposed between the rings. In Figure 10, two flat springs 147 are provided, each of which forms the configuration of number 3. Arrows 345 and 347 indicate that the ability to carry a force is greater in the vertical direction (arrows 345) than in the horizontal direction (arrow 347). In the bearing 348 of FIG. 11, a flat spring element 352 is provided, which defines a plurality of cavities 353. Arrows 349 and 350 indicate that the ability to carry a bearing force is greater in the vertical and vertical directions. horizontal than in the non-horizontal and non-vertical directions (arrows 350). The bearing 354 of FIG. 12 comprises two H-shaped flat spring elements 362, each defining an outer portion and an inner portion 364 and 366 as well as an interconnection portion 368. The bearing stiffness can be chosen by the selection. of the geometry of the spring elements 362. For example, the interconnection portion 368 can be formed as an S. The arrows 355 and 357 indicate that the capacity to carry a force is greater in the vertical direction that in the horizontal direction. The inner and outer rings 145, 147 of Figures 8-12 can be made of steel or carbon fiber materials. Flat springs 342, 352 and 362 can be made in a similar manner from steel or carbon fiber materials. The principles of the bearings of Figs. 8-12 can also be used to provide support for the hydraulic cylinders 128. Fig. 13 shows a bearing support for an arm 122, the support comprises two flat springs 372 and 374. The first Flat spring 372 increases the torsional stiffness as well as the transverse rigidity of the bearing. Flat bearings can also be made from carbon fiber materials. In the hydraulic diagram of Fig. 14, a plurality of cylinders 128 are shown with their respective pistons 130 which can move up and down when the arms 122 and the floats 124 move in the waves, compare the above description of Figure 1. Although three cylinders are shown in the diagram of Figure 14, it should be understood that the apparatus according to the invention typically comprises a larger number of cylinders, for example 60-cylinders. The cylinders 128 are shown as double-acting cylinders connected at their upper ends to the feed conduits 176 by a hydraulic means of the system. A drive valve 178 is provided in each feed conduit 176. The feed conduits 176 are joined in a common main conduit 180., which feeds into a hydraulic motor 182 with a variable volume displacement per revolution. In the feed conduits 176 and common main conduit 180, an operating pressure p0 is maintained. The pressure p0 can also advantageously be the threshold pressure of the valve 178, to which the valve switches between its open and closed state. The hydraulic motor drives an electric generator 184, and at the output of the hydraulic motor, the hydraulic medium is led to a reservoir 186. From the reservoir 186, the hydraulic medium flows back to the cylinders 128 by means of a common return conduit. 188 and branch return conduits 190. In each of the cylinders 128, the piston 130 divides the cylinder into the upper and lower chambers, 192, 194 which are interconnected by means of the conduits 196 and 198. In each of the conduits 196 a two-way valve is provided. tracks 200, and in parallel therewith is provided, in conduit 198, a pressure valve 202 and a flow control valve 204 in series. Finally, each cylinder ^ is provided with a "control-206" element for determining the position and / or speed of movement of the piston 130 of the cylinder 128. When the two-way valve 200 is open, the piston 130 can move freely when the arms 122 (see figure 1) move in the waves. When the control element 206 determines a certain position and / or speed of movement of the piston 130, a control signal is passed to the valve 200 causing the valve 200 to close. When the pressure valve 178 is closed, the piston 130 will be fixed while the wave continues to rise until the buoyancy of the float is large enough to overcome the operating pressure p0 in the main and feed conduits 176 and 180, to open the pressure valve 178. Accordingly, it will be understood that the float 124 (see Figure 1) is at least partially immersed in the wave when the valve 178 is opened (see also the description below of Figure 21). Once the pressure valve 178 has been opened, the hydraulic means is fed to the engine 182. When the float passes the crest of the wave, the float is still submerged, but the pressure at the top 192 of the cylinder 128 is reduces, and the pressure valve 178 closes. Subsequently, the two-way valve 200 is opened, and the hydraulic medium is displaced from the lower part of the cylinder 194 to the part 192 of the. -Upper cylinder., because el_flotador_.se moves Jhacia below ~ - "the" wave- "from ± to" crest- of the wave-to-the-valley-of-the-wave. It will be appreciated that, due to the large number of cylinders 128, all the time it is ensured that at least two of them, and preferably several of them, supply a flow of hydraulic medium to the engine 182. By this, an output of uniform energy from the generator 184, preferably without any need for frequency converters. The above description of Figure 14 also applies to Figure 15, however in the embodiment of Figure 15 a plurality of hydraulic motors 182, 208, 210 are provided. Each of the hydraulic motors, 182, 208, 210 is connected to the respective electric generator 184, 212, 5 214. In the embodiment of Figure 15, only three hydraulic motors and electric generators are provided, but in other embodiments, the wave energy generating apparatus comprises a higher number of motors and generators. For example 5, 10 or 20 motors and generators can be provided. The capacity of the hydraulic motors and their corresponding electric generators can be chosen to enable different energy levels to be generated. In one example, the three generators may be able to produce 0.5 MW, 0.5 MW and 2 MW, respectively. Thus, to produce 1 MW, the hydraulic motor of the two 0.5 MW generators can be connected to the main conduit. while the third generator must be disconnected from the main conduit 180. At the sites where the wave energy is substantially constant over time, the capacity of the generators and their corresponding hydraulic motors can be chosen. each to be at the highest possible level to reduce the total number of hydraulic motors and generators. In the places of high fluctuation of the height of the wave and the frequency of the wave, the capacity of the generators can be chosen from a binary principle for example 1 MW, 2 MW and 4 MW. Choosing, the generators from a binary principle it is possible to couple the generators inside and outside using the later configuration to optimize the utilization of the energy of the swell.

The system of Figure 16 is similar to the system of Figure 15, however, in the system of Figure 16 there is provided only a single electric generator 184, the CuaJi-s_.pulsed_par the-mo_t.ore.s_.jhi. dráuiicos _182, _ 208 and 210 by means of-a-box-of-gears-185. Hydraulic motors can drive, for example, a toothed revolver of a planetary gear. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 17, the hydraulic motors 182, 208 and 210 can drive a common generator 184 by means of an axis from beginning to end 187, common. Figure 18 illustrates a hydraulic lifting system for raising the floats 124 out of the ocean and for keeping them in an elevated position, in which the waves can not reach the floats. Figure 18 also includes a hydraulic impulse system similar to the drive system described above with reference to Figures 14-17. To the extent that the same elements or similar elements are incorporated in the impulse system shown in Fig. 18, like those shown in Figs. 14-17, the reference numerals of Fig. 6 are used in Fig. 8 and are made reference to the above description of Figures 14-17 for a description of such elements and their functionality. The hydraulic lifting system of Fig. 18 is adapted to individually lift one or more floats 124 out of the water and to decouple the cylinders of the elevated floats from the hydraulic drive system. The system of Figure 18 includes, in addition to the common return duct 188, a duct 266 which connects the reservoir 18-6 to the _bomb.8 driven by a motor 270. The conduit "" 272 ~ "connects the downstream water of the pump 268 to a number of one-way valves 274, the number of one-way valves equals the number of floats and cylinders 128. The conduits 276 connect the respective downstream sides of the valves 274 to the two-way valves 278 and to the respective one-way valves 280, downstream from which the conduits 276 are fused in a common conduit 282. The conduits 276 communicate with the chambers 194 of the lower cylinder and the conduits 198 by means of the conduits 284. In addition, the conduits 276 communicate with the chambers of the upper cylinders 192 and the supply conduits 176 by means of the conduits 196. Finally , the two way valves 286 are provided in the branch return pipes 190, and the two way valves 288 are provided in the conduits 198. When an arm is to be lifted out of the water, the valve 278, valve 286 and valve 288 close. The valves 274 and 280 open, and the pump 268 can force the hydraulic medium into the chamber 194 of the lower cylinder, and the arm associated with the cylinder in question is raised. The hydraulic medium in the chamber of the upper cylinder 192 is led to the reservoir 186 by means of the valve 280. The control element 206 detects that the arm and with it, the piston 130 have reached their desired position, for example their position further. - upper and a signal is passed to valves 274 and 280 causing them to close. The piston 130 is fixed accordingly, and the arm is secured in a position, in which the float 124 is lifted out of the water. The arm 122 may be additionally supported by a pawl (not shown) that engages the arm. Fig. 19 is a diagrammatic illustration showing a plurality of floats 124 and 164 that are coupled to a hydraulic drive system by means of the cylinders as described above with reference to Figs. 14-18. In Figure 19, these floats which are placed on the crests of the waves 146, 148, are referred by the reference number 164. While all the other floats are referred by the reference number 124. However, there is no structural difference between the floats 124 and the floats 164. The first, second and third crests 146, 148, 150 of the wave are indicated by the double lines in Figure 19, and the first and second valleys 152, 154 of the waves are indicated by unique lines in the figure. The direction of movement of the wave fronts is indicated by a first arrow 156, the length of the wave is indicated by a second arrow 158 and the parts that rise and fall from the waves are indicated by the third and fourth arrows 160 , 162, respectively. As indicated in Figure 19, these floats 164, which are on the crests 146 and 148 of the waves, have thus complemented their upward movement caused by the waves. These floats 124 that are between the first crest of the wave 146 and the first valley 152 for the wave, are on their way up in the wave, while those floats that are between the second crest of the wave 148 and the first valley for waves 152, they are moving downward along a downstream side of the wave. As the arrangement of the floats 124, 164 extends over a length of the total wave, a plurality of floats is on its upward path in a wave at any time, whereby it is ensured that a plurality of floats provide a power that contributes to the hydraulic impulse system at any time. As described above with reference to Figures 14-17, each of the floats drives a hydraulic cylinder, and the hydraulic pressure is created in the main conduit 180 (see Figures 14-17). As a plurality of the floats is moving upwards at the same time, a plurality of hydraulic cylinders provide hydraulic pressure simultaneously. Consequently, thanks to the provision of the common main conduit 180 connected to a plurality of cylinders with respective floats, and thanks to the extension of the arrangement of floats over at least one length of the complete wave, the pressure fluctuations in the common main conduit 180 and consequently the pressure fluctuations at the inlet to the hydraulic motor 182 or the engines 182, 208, 210 can be kept low. Since the hydraulic motors 182, 208, and 210 are motors with variable displacements per shift, the rpm of the motors can be kept essentially constant. This in turn confers the effect that the frequency of the AC current generated by the generator 184 or the generators 184, 212 and 214 are essentially constant, whereby it is achieved that, in the preferred embodiments of the invention, the current AC can be generated without the need for frequency converters. In Figure 19, the direction of the wave defines an angle? with respect to the row of floats. The direction of the wave is parallel to the row of floats when 0 = 0 °.

It will be understood that the larger the angle? towards 0 °, the row of floats must be longer to ensure that at any given moment, at least one float is moved up by a wave to supply a contribution of the pressure in the common main conduit 180 (see Figures 14- 17) of the hydraulic impulse system. In the design of the system, the typical wave length and location directions must be taken into account to ensure a substantially constant hydraulic pressure in the system. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the relationship between the direction of the wave (angle?) And the length of the wave energy generating apparatus, i.e. the length extended by the floats 124, 164, can be determined by the following formula : Generator device length > wave energy wave length eos (?) Figure 20 shows the hydraulic pressure 242 in the common main conduit 180 (see Figures 14-17) as a function of time 240. The first curve 244 shows the hydraulic pressure in a power supply line of a wave energy generating apparatus of the prior art, typical, with hydraulic cylinders feeding an accumulator with a hydraulic motor. As indicated in Figure 20, the hydraulic pressure fluctuates with a period of the wave 246. The hydraulic pressure 248 in a wave energy generating apparatus embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of arms, floats and cylinders and no accumulator fluctuates with a lower amplitude. Figure 21 illustrates two different path routes of a float through a wave moving in the direction of arrow 171. The upper part of figure 21 illustrates a flow path, in which no steps have been taken to increasing the vertical travel distance of the float 124 when the float is passed by a wave. The lower part of Figure 21 illustrates a flow path, in which the vertical travel distance of the float is increased by actively forcing the float 124 in the water in the valley 152 of the wave. In the upper part of figure 21, in the position 172a, float 124 is moving downward with the wave until the float reaches valley 152 of the wave at position 172b. At this point, the hydraulic cylinder is fixed when the pressure valve 178 is closed (see Figures 14-17), the two-way valve 200 is also closed, and consequently the float moves horizontally towards the wave to the position 172d by means of position 172c. When the wave rises, pressure builds up in the upper chamber 192 of the cylinder 128 and in the upstream passage of the pressure valve 178 (compare Figures 14-17). In position 172d, the pressure is sufficient to overcome the threshold pressure of the pressure valve 178, which opens, whereby float 124 is allowed to move up the wave to position 172f by means of position 172e. During this movement, the hydraulic cylinder 128 of the float 124 feeds the hydraulic medium to the common hydraulic conduit 180, whereby a contribution of energy is supplied to the hydraulic motor 182 or the engines 182, 208, 210. In the position 172f, when the passing wave is about to descend, the pressure in the supply conduit 176 falls below the closing threshold of the pressure relief valve. 178.- - Tan- soon as the pressure valve 178 is closed and the valve of two tracks 200 opens, float 124 is decoupled from common hydraulic conduit 180 and the floatability of float 124 causes it to move essentially vertically out of the water to position 172g. When the wave descends, the float 124 moves downward with the wave to position 172h, and the float starts a new cycle on the next wave. The float 124 travels a vertical distance 168. From the previous description of Figure 21, it will be appreciated that the contribution of energy, from each individual float 124 and the associated cylinder 128 to the hydraulic impulse system is conferred during the vertical movement of the float. In order to increase the energy output of the wave energy generating apparatus it is thus desirable to increase the vertical travel distance of the float 124. The lower part of FIG. 21 illustrates an alternative path of the float 124 through the wave, in FIG. which measures are taken to increase the vertical distance traveled by the float 124. In the position 174a, the float 124 is descending on the downstream side of a wave. At position 174b, float 124 has reached valley 152 of the wave. At this point, the float is forced down under the water to position 174c, and the pressure valve 178 and a two-way pressure valve 200 are closed (check the Figures 14-17) When the pressure upstream of the pressure valve 178 exceeds the threshold cutoff pressure of the pressure valve 178, the valve 178 is opened, and the float 124 is moved. to position 174g through 174d, 174e and 174f In position 174f, pressure valve 178 is closed and two way valve 202 is opened, and the floatability of float 124 causes the float to move essentially in a manner vertically out of the water to the position 174h, from which the float descends on the downstream side of the wave to position 174i, and the previous cycle is repeated, because the float is forced into the water at ridge 152 of the wave, ie from the position 174b to the position 174c, the vertical distance 170 traveled by the float is significantly larger than the vertical distance 168 traveled in the modes, in which the float is not forced down into the wave in , or near the valley of the wave, use the upper part of figure 21. Thus, the energy contribution of the cylinder 128 of a float 124 is also significantly larger with respect to the route of the lower part of figure 21 that with respect to the route of the upper part of figure 21. Obviously, a net gain in terms of the total energy output of the energy generating device per wave, arises only if the energy used to force "~~~ he 'float 124 towards the wave in the valley 152 of the wave is not deduced from the energy output of the apparatus Figure 22 shows a modified embodiment of the hydraulic impulse system 5 of Figure 14, which can accumulate the potential energy released when a float 124 moves vertically out of a wave at or near a wave crest, i.e. from position 174g to position 174h at the bottom of figure 21. This energy, which is 0 lost in the modes of Figures 14-17, is used to force the float 124 into the wave.More specifically, Figure 22 shows a hydraulic diagram with first, second, third and fourth accumulators 216, 218, 220 , 222 to force the floats down 5 under the waves in the wave valleys In addition to the system of Figure 14, the hydraulic system of Figure 22 comprises the hydraulic accumulators 216, 218, 220, 222, which are arranged in a extrem or the ducts 224, 226, 228, 230 of the hydraulic accumulator, which are connected to the supply ducts 176 by means of the first, second, third and fourth two-way valves 232, 234, 236, 238. Once that a float has passed a crest of the wave, the pressure valve 178 closes as described above with reference to Figure 14, and the float 124 moves out of the wave from its submerged position in the wave El-medio. -hydraulic-, which .. is displaced -by means of this from the upper part 192 of the cylinder, is led to the accumulators 216, 218, 220, 222 by means of the valves 232, 234, 236, 238 and conduits 224, 226, 228, 230 of the accumulator. In one embodiment, the valves 232, 234, 236, 238 are arranged and controlled in such a way that the first valve 232 is closed at a first pressure pl, with p1 being lower than the operating pressure pO in the main line 180. The second valve 234 opens to the first pressure pl and . s.e closes again to a second pressure p2 lower. The third valve 236 opens at the second pressure p2 and closes again at a third pressure p3 lower. The fourth valve 238 opens at the third pressure p3 and closes again at a fourth pressure p4 lower. At a pressure p5 still lower, the two-way valve 200 opens.

In the valley of a wave, the valve 200 is closed, the fourth two-way valve 238 is opened, and the pressure in the fourth accumulator 232 is used to force the float under water. When the fourth two-way valve 238 closes, the third two way valve 236 is opened, and the pressure in the third accumulator 220 is used to force the float further under the water. After this, the third two-way valve 236 is closed, and the second two-way valve 234 is opened, and the pressure in the second accumulator 218 is used to force the float still further under the water. Subsequently, the second two way valve 234 is closed, and the first two way valve 232 is opened in such a way that the pressure in the first accumulator 216 is used to force the float further under the water surface. Finally, the first two way valve 232 is closed, and the pressure valve 178 is opened. It will thus be appreciated that at least a portion of the potential energy released when the float 124 moves vertically out of the wave from position 174g to position 174h (use the bottom of figure 21) can be used to force the float towards the water in a valley 152 of the wave to increase the energy output of the energy generating apparatus by swell. Accordingly, the forcing down of a float in the manner described above can be considered as a way of using the potential energy released in the crests of the waves, such energy could otherwise be lost. More than four accumulators 216 can be provided, 218, 220 and 222. For example, six, eight, ten, twelve, twenty or even more accumulators can be provided. Figure 23 generally shows a graphic representation of the accumulation of energy in the N stages, ie in the N accumulators corresponding to the accumulators 216, 218, 220 and 222 of Figure 22. The first axle indicates the displacement-ertical -d0 -250- of the float in the water, and the second axis indicates the force F0 252. The area of the shaded triangle covering the middle of the diagram in figure 23 indicates the ideal maximum energy, which is available. However, to use this energy, the system must comprise an infinite number of stages, that is, an infinite number of accumulators. In other words, the larger the pressure difference between two stages, the greater the energy loss for each stage. In Figure 23, the energy loss is indicated by the shaded triangles 254. Each triangle indicates that the float is displaced a vertical distance? D. The area of each of the small triangles is half the height times the length. Therefore, the loss in each stage can be determined by the following formula: Loss per stage where F0 is the excursion force when the float is forced the distance d0 under the water,? d = do / N, and N is the number of stages. The total energy loss, that is, the sum of the small triangles, is defined by the following formula: Consequently, the larger the number of stages N, the smaller the total loss of energy. The effect of the accumulators described above in relation to Figs. 22 and 23 is shown in Fig. 24, in which curve 256 shows the movement of the float in the wave as a function of time, and curve 258 shows the form of a wave as a function of time. There is a partial overlap of the curves 256 and 258 on the downstream side, ie descending, of a wave. At 260, the two-way valve 200 closes (see Fig. 22) while the pressure valve 178 is also closed, and the float is fixed. At 262, the float moves out of the wave and supplies power to the accumulators 216, 218, 220 and 222. In Figure 25, the curve 264 shows the actual depression of the float in the wave. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims (19)

1. CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property. A wave energy generating apparatus comprising: at least one arm, which is supported rotatably at one end by an axis, and which carries a float at its other end, which is opposite the end supported, so that a movement of translation in the float caused by a wave leads to the rotation of the arm around the axis; - means of converting the energy to convert the energy transmitted from the wave to at least one arm in electrical energy, by means of a hydraulic impulse system with at least one hydraulically driven motor, and - a hydraulic lifting system to elevate the float out of the ocean and to fix the float in the upper position above the surface of the ocean, characterized in that: at least one arm comprises a plurality of rotatably supported arms, each of which carries a float, - each arm is connected to the hydraulic impulse system by means of at least one actuator, which causes a hydraulic means of the hydraulic impulse system to be displaced towards one or more mutual motors, the actuators are arranged to displace the hydraulic medium to the (the) motor (s) ) by means of common hydraulic lines, and - the hydraulic lifting system is adapted to elevate individual each float out of the ocean.
2. 2. A wave energy generating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the float is rotatably attached to the arm.
3. 3. A wave energy generating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of arms, each arm is supported by at least two bearings which are arranged along a common central axis, which is coinciding with an axis of rotation of the arm, the bearings are off center axis, to counteract the radial and axial forces.
4. 4. A wave energy generating apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the bearings are pre-tensioned in an axial direction. A wave energy generating apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that each of the bearings comprises a cylinder or inner ring and an outer ring, the inner ring is secured to a rotating shaft of the arm, and the ring The external bearing is secured to a fixed support, the bearing further comprises a flexible material between the inner and outer ring. 6. A wave energy generating apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the flexible material comprises at least one cavity or perforation. 7. A wave energy generating apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the flexible material comprises at least one spring element, such as a flat spring. 8. A wave energy generating apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one arm comprises a plurality of arms that are arranged in a row in such a way that a wave passing over the row of arms causes the arms rotate successively around the axis, the arms are arranged at mutual distances, so that all the time at least two of the arms simultaneously supply a contribution of energy to the energy conversion means, the energy conversion means comprise a hydraulic actuator associated with each arm, the hydraulic actuators feed a hydraulic medium at least towards a hydraulic motor by means of common hydraulic conduits. 9. A wave energy generating apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the row of arms is oriented in such a way with respect to the orientation of the wave that the row forms an angle within +/- 60 ° with respect to to orientation. 10. A wave energy generating apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that each of the arms intermittently transmits the energy to the energy conversion means when a wave-passes-over-the-arm float, the arms and floats are arranged with mutual distances such that, at all times , at least two arms and floats simultaneously supply a contribution of energy to the energy conversion means. 11. A wave energy generating apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the buoyancy of the float is at least 10 times its dry weight. 12. A wave energy generating apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the diameter of the float is at least 5 times its height. 13. A wave energy generating apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plurality of arms comprises at least five arms per wavelength of the waves. 14. A wave energy generating apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plurality of arms comprise at least five arms extending over a total length of 50-200 m. 15. A wave energy generating apparatus in accordance with any of the claims - --precedentes, characterized- because-the-arms and. Floats are made of a material that has a density as much as 1000 kg / m3. 16. A wave energy generating apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one actuator of each arm comprises a double-acting cylinder. 17. A wave energy generating apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that the double-acting cylinder forms part of the hydraulic lifting system, so that the cylinder is controllable to raise the float out of the ocean. 18. A wave energy generating apparatus according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the hydraulic impulse system comprises at least one hydraulic accumulator for intermittently storing the energy in the hydraulic impulse system, and wherein the Hydraulic impulse is controllable to release the energy stored in the accumulator, when a float is passed over a valley of the wave, to force the float carried by the arm towards the wave. 19. A wave energy generating apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that the hydraulic means is fed to the hydraulic accumulator system by means of common hydraulic conduits. 2 (___ A_ generator device of .._ energy per p_leaje_ of - according to any of claims 16-20, characterized in that each cylinder is provided with a sensor to determine a position and / or speed of movement of the piston of the cylinder, the sensor is arranged to transmit a signal to a control unit of the cylinders and associated valves, so that the transmission of energy from the individual cylinders to the remaining parts of the hydraulic impulse system is individually controllable in response to the signal representing the piston position of the individual cylinder and / or the speed of movement . 21. A wave energy generating apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shaft and the energy conversion means are supported by a support structure which is anchored to the sea floor by means of a suction anchor. 22. A wave energy generating apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that the support structure is anchored to the sea floor by means of a suction anchor and / or a gravitational support. 23. A wave energy generating apparatus according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the support structure comprises a reinforcement structure, ... and in. where the process anchor is arrayed at a nodal first point of the reinforcement structure 24. A wave energy generating apparatus according to claim 23, characterized in that the structure of the Support comprises a reinforcing structure, and wherein at least one arm is supported by the reinforcing structure at a second nodal point thereof. 25. A wave energy generating apparatus according to claim 24, characterized in that the second nodal point is arranged at a vertex of a triangular substructure of the reinforcing structure, and wherein the triangular substructure defines two vertices on the sea floor , with an anchor in each of the corners. 26. A wave energy generating apparatus according to claim 25, characterized in that the reinforcing structure comprises a polygonal substructure, preferably a rectangular substructure, arranged above the triangular substructure. 27. A wave energy generating apparatus according to any of claims 21-26, characterized in that the supporting structure comprises a ballast to provide a downward force on the supporting structure, the ballast is arranged above sea level . 10. 28. A wave energy generating apparatus according to claim 27, characterized in that the ballast comprises at least one ballast tank or a ballast vessel. fifteen