US1757166A

US1757166A - Apparatus for and method of obtaining power from ocean waves

Info

Publication number: US1757166A
Application number: US75283A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward J Brady
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1925-12-14
Filing date: 1925-12-14
Publication date: 1930-05-06
Anticipated expiration: 1947-05-06
Also published as: GB346947A; FR693653A

Description

MaY 6, 19130- Y AE. J. BRADY 1,757,166

APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF' OBTAINING POWER FROM OCEAN WAVES Filedl Dec. 14l '1925 5 Sheets-Sheet l mf-,mazza EL.v J. BRADY 1,757,166

APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF OBTA-INING POWER FROM OCEAN WAVES May 6, 1930.

1925 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed Dec. 14,

hpv/Mr@ zzzzmfacfmg E. J. BRADY May 6, 1930.

APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF OBTAINING POWER FROM OCEA WVES 41925 5 Sheets-Sheer.

Filed Dec. 14,

May 6, 1930. E. J. BRADY 1,757,166

' APPARATUS FOR ND METHOD OF OBTANING POWER FROM OCEAN WAVES Filed Deo. 14l 1925 .5 sheets-sm@-f.- 4

May 6, 1930.

E, J. BRADY APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF OBTAINING POWER FROM OCEAN WAVES Filed Deo. 14I 1925 5 Sheets-Shaml 5 y Patented May 6, 1.930

` UNITED STATES PATENT ori-ice y EDWARD J. BRADY, or PHILADELPHIA, rENNsYLvANrA.

APPARATUS ron AND METHoD or GBTAINING roWER FROM ocnAN WAVES Application mea December 14,v 1925. serie1No.,75,as3. Y

Before describing in aaai-1 a suitable-form of apparatus embodying my invention Ivvill describe two fundamental principles which and reflect them back, asin an echo, must bev at least several wave lengths wide. A more l recent, and perhaps a better, illustration of the principle is in radio communication,

4 where, in order to receive and convert the energy of the incoming waves to useful effect, we must have the electrical characteristics of the receiver of the proper magnitude to permit tuning This question of the relative magnitude of the apparatus and the waves from which it is supposed to abstract energy is in fact the most important factor in the problem of recovering wave energy. This 'is one aspect of the problem that has been neglected in all prior attempts to recover energy from ocean Waves,

and my invention contemplates the practical application of this principle. I, therefore,

propose in order to carry out the above principle and to achieve other results which will i.

be described in detail hereinafter, to make my apparatus sufficiently long' to extend across W several waves. A

As incidental to this first principle, itmayV f i "a In accordance withimy invention thefloats turbulencev and throwing aside of the water.

are cylindrical-in shape and they have a diameter approximately equal .to Vthe diameter of the circle described byL the-particle of water near the surface- Theyv 'are arranged approximately perpendicularly to the direction 5 of movement ofthe waves. y They, therefore, cause practically no turbulence ofthe water, such as would occur with other shapes and they permit the form of the wave to proceed unbroken to the next and succeeding cells. No prior mechanism has included floats so disposed that the weight of the apparatus is unsymmetrically distributed'over Vthe wave form', the greater part of the weight falling upon .the rising side. This action, which is known as damping is obsolutely necessary if we wish to gradually bring the waves to rest Y and recover their energy. Y A Y Thesecond fundamental principle is that no 'structure can be built on or near the shore 70 strong enough to withstand the destructive action of the ocean waves at such a point, and that a successful apparatus must operate at a distance offshore, where the waves are larger andino're uniform butmuch less destructive 75 and where'they'have not already converted a' large part of their energy into a more chaotic and destructive form of motion by reason of the comparative shallowness'of the water.

In accordance with the invention I, there- Se fore,rpropose to provide a mobile apparatus which is supported as an entirety on its own floats or pontoons. The apparatus may be located at asuitable distance away from the shore. lVVith this type of construction in a5 which the apparatus is of sufficient length to reach Voverfseveral wave lengths, all of the parts acting and being acted upon can be placed in one integral structure which remains practically horizontal, thus getting the maximum amount of motion from the waves, and which may riseand fall asa whole with the tide. f l

The -principal object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus for converting the energy of deep sea or ocean waves into a usable formof energy, the said apparatus conforming tothe foregoing principles and making use of a large number of floating cells or pontoons which support the appara- .a system of piping on the apparatus. i

high pressure water may be used to operate atus and which rise and fall on the waves relative to the apparatus as a whole and thereby pump water under liigh pressure into The this power for the fixation of ,atmospheric nitrogen, for ther manufacture of fertilizer and other nitrogenous compounds from the air and for other v chemical 'manufacturing purposes. In accordance with the invention I may provide floating chemical manufacturing plants having abundant and cheap power for the production of valuable'products and i to the waves and to move from one location to sa u ` water at certain places. The present method compounds yfrom the .elements obtainable in abundance from the sea and air or which may be taken to the apparatus from the shore.

Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby the apparatus as an entirety may be capable of self-propulsion, so as to maintain itself in the proper-relation another' if desired.

Another object of my invention is to prof vide a structure that will gradually absorb the energy of the waves and act asa breakof protecting harbor and parts of the shore by building great walls of masonry is unscientific because these walls do not absorb the energy of the waves they.- merely reflect it back upon itself. v This may cause a worse condition in so far as shipping is concerned. Furthermore, such reflection requires a sea wall of great strength. A structure built along the lines of my invention would be an absorber of this energy and it would not be reflected back vbut would `be absorbed and converted into useful effect. In such service the invention would have to be anchored in a certainposition; but it would be found that the amount of force necessary to hold it in position would be very small compared with the following specificationand claims.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown one embodiment of the invention, but it will be understood thatthe drawings are forillustrative purposes only, and that various changes and substitutions may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Of the drawings: Y

Fig. l is a diagrammatic plan view of an apparatus embodying my invention, many of the details/of `construction being omitted for the sake of simplicity.

Fig. 2 is a side view.

Fig. 3 is an end view. I y

Fig. 4 isl afi'agmentary :plan view on an enlarged scale showingv some of the features of construction in .greaterv detail. In this View, however, the central power plant 1s not "shown in detail inasmuch as it is so shown in another figure.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side view on the samescale as Fig. 4.

. F 1g.76 is an end view on the same scale as Fig.

Y Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view'on a still larger scale showing the vconstruction of one of the float units.v

Fig. .8 is a side view of the parts shown in Fig. 7. Y

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional detail view on va still larger fiscale, this View being taken along the line 9,-9 of Fig."7.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentarysectional detail view, thisview being ltaken along the line lO-.lO of Fig. 8.

Fig. 1l is a diagrammatic plan View on an enlargedscale showing the power plant. p

Fig. l2 1s a side view of the parts shown inV ioo Fig.' 11. y i Figs. 18 to 16 are diagrammatic views. V'Ihe apparatus, as a whole, comprises an open framework of structural steel or other suitable material, this framework being` strongly constructed tofresist fiexure and being long enough to extend over at least two, and preferably more than two, waves of normal or average length. In practice the total length maybe from 800 to 1000 feet.

Preferably theframe structure comprises' aplurality of parallel trusses l, l which ex-f` tend through the entire length. These trusses are spaced at uniform distances apart, and.-

are connected by suitablel transverse members 2,

Q'and

3, 8. Preferably, in order to stiffen the entire structure, I provide a series of longitudinal

tension cablesor rods

4, 4, supported on struts 5,5k at the top of the structure; and I may also provide if necessary a series oftension rods 6,6vr supported on struts 7,"u

Referring more particularly to Figs. 4, 5`

andG, it will be seen that each trussy 1 is provided with upper and lower

longitudinal members

9 and 10 between-which extend a series ofuniformly spaced vertical members 11, 11.v

Diagonal brace4 members

12, 12 `entend across the rectangles formed by the said

members

9, 10 and 11 to brace and reinforce the structure.

The beforementioned transverse .

members

2, 2 are preferably located somewhat below the

longitudinal members

9, 9. Each of these

members

2, 2 preferably comprises two parts 2a and 2b which are located on opposite sides respectively of the corresponding vertical ymembers 11, 11. brace

members

14, 14 serve to connect `the members 2a and 2h with the respective members 9 and 11. The beforementioned

transverse members

3, 3 are preferably located adjacent to the bottoms of the members-11, 11 and are directly connected either with the said members 11 orwith the

longitudinal members

10, 10. Y

Preferably a deck 15 is provided,.this resting directly on the

longitudinal truss members

9, 9. rThis deck may eXtend over the entire structure or it may be providedonly where needed for actualprotection or use. Tf

Vdesired a lower floor or deck la'may also be provided. If the power developed is transmitted to the shore as hereinafter described, and no manufacturing is carried on upon the apparatus, both of these decks may be dispensed with.

The longitudinal spacing of the vertical members 11, 11 is preferably approximately the same as the transverse spacing` of the

trusses

1, 1. In practice this spacingmay be from 12 to 15 feet or more depending upon the height and length of thewaves. Between each pair-of oppositely located vertical members 11, 11, there is provided a float 16 as shown more in detail in Figs. 7 and 8. Each float 16 is substantially cylindrical and is arranged with its axis horizontal and extending transversely of the apparatus. Each float is preferably formed ofsheet metal, andv it may be provided with circumferential corrugations for the sake of added strength.

Each float is provided at each end with a suit-v able guide device, such as a roller 17, adapted to travel along a vertical yOuideway carried by the adjacent vertical member 11. Y As shown, particularly in Fig. 9, the members 11 carry ver ical channel bars 18, 18 which are of such size as to receive the correspondingl Preferably diagonal .18a to engage the

rollers

17, 17 and limit 'their relative downward movement. 1

Y Carried bythe framework above each float 16 isa pump 20. Preferably this pump is carried bythe corresponding two transverse members V2a and 2". p l The pump 20 is preferably vertical and comprises a cylinder 21 which is open at the bottom and adapted to float ina horizontal positionv as it rises and falls.

As shown in detail in Fig. 10, the cylinder 21 is provided with a normally closed inlet valve 26 `and a normally closed outlet valve 27. The details of these valvesconstitute no part of the present invention and specific description is unnecessary; It will be clear that when the piston 22moves downward with the float 16it tends to draw iiuidinto thev cylinder through the valve 26,-the valve 27 at this time being closed. .l/Vhen the piston moves upward the fluid contained in the cylinder is forced out through the valve 27, the valve 20 at this time being closed. The cylinders and pistons are relatively small and, therefore, the pumps operate athigh pressures.V I contemplate the use of pressures ranging from 500 to 1000 pounds.

-Siiitably located on the framework, vpreferably near the center thereof, is a power plant station 28. Preferably the door 29 of thsstation is locatedbelow the `level of the deck 15. Two or more of the floats with their accessories may be omittedto provide room for the power plantv station.

A system of

high Apressure pipes

30, 30 extends over the entire apparatus, and the various pipes of this system are connected respectively tothe discharge

valves

27, 27 Aof the

several pumps

20, 20. The

high pressure pipes

30, 30 communicate with a high pressure main 31 which in turn communicates through avalve 32 with a suitable fluidmotor 33.y The fluid used may be air or sea water, or ity may be a separate body of water or water solution. If water, ora water solution, isv supplied tothe several pumps the motor may be a hydraulic turbine. This turbine may be of the impulse type or of anyother suitable type, and as the turbine itself does not constitute any part of my presentVV invention,

a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The hydraulic turbine33 may be used to drive any desired apparatus requiring` mechanical power, Vand as shown itis used to drive an electric generator 34.

A high pressure receiver 35 may be connected with the high pressure main 31, and

for the Vpurpose of equalizing the pressure of thewater delivered to the turbine.

If air or sea water is used' the discharge from the motor or turbine may be wasted;l

:but I preferto use a non-corrosive liquid,

such as a water solution '-of potassium bichromate. In the latter case the liquid discharged from the turbine 33 passes into a'receiver 36 at low pressure from which it can pass through

pipes

37, 37 which extend over the entire apparatusV to the

respective inlet valves

26, 26 Vof the several pumps 20.' The provision for circulating a quantity of liquid instead of using sea water hasthe advantage that energy does not have to be expended in lifting the water from the surface ofthe sea up to t-he pumpsa distance of fifteenor twenty feet. This energy could not be recovered with a turbine of the impulse type, which I propose to use. The non-corrosive solution can be conserved, and it will eliminate the corrosive action on the turbine wheel and on the cylinder and valve mechanism of the ump.

It may be found preferable to provide av pump 38 for withdrawing the `liquid from the receiver 36 and delivering it to the

pipes

37, 37 at alow pressure. In this way the pressure inthe pipes is maintained `at all times above atmospheric pressure, andvthere is no possibility of air entering the pipes in case there should be leaks at any points. i As system for the severaly floats toprevent any of them from filling with water through these openings, or through leaksfthat might devel op. I have shown a system of pipes 43, which extend over the entire apparatus, and which are adapted to Vreceive air under pressure from a suitable pump or compressor 43a located in the power station. This pump or compressor may be driven intermittently and when necessary, or continuously, by means of a motor 44. From the system of pipes 42 suitable Y sections45 of flexible hose extend to theV reof the buoyancy of the floats in the manner w described serves another important purpose.`

In certain cases it may be found desirable to use myinvention to transmit high pressure water to the' shore for elevated storage, for the generation Vof power, or for use in hydraulic mining. In such cases the apparatus would have no machinery onA board, except the pumping cylinders and the high pressure receiver.. By means of the `aforementioned openings 42 in the bottoms of the floats, and the system ofY piping described, water could be permitted to flow into all of the floats, thus making the apparatus submersible. This would be resorted to 'only at times of extreme emergency, as it is well known that the movement of the waterin wave motion falls off very rapidly withV the .depth below the surface. Suitable provision could be made for subsequently supplying air to the floats 'to force out the water and againfbring the rapparatus to the surface of the water.

It may be found desirable in some cases to provide the apparatus with means whereby it may propel .itself through the water, or whereby it may at least maintain itself in the proper position to be acted upon by the waves. F or this purpose, I have provided two propeller units located at one end of the apparatus and at the extreme corners thereof. When these propeller units are provided, the correspondingly located float units may be omitted. As illustrated, each propeller unit comprises a water tight casing or chamber 46,

susA

the bottom of which is below the lowest level of the water. A propeller shaft 47 projects rearward from the casing and carries a propeller 48. Located within the casing 46 is an electric motor 49 which is operativelyconnected with the propeller shaft, as for instance by meansV of a drive chain 50. It will be seen that when the two propellers 48, 48- are in operation the apparatus will be pro- Y pelled through the water. Steering may be effected by momentarilystopping one or the other of the propellers as required. Y

Suitably located on the framework there is preferably provided a manufacturing Vstation or plant indicated diagrammatically at 51 in Fig. l. One or more of the floats with associated parts may be removed to provderoom for the manufacturing plant. The manufacturing plantV can be used for any desired or suitable line of manufacture, such as the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen for fertilizer,

the electrolytic productionV of hydrogen Y and oxygen from water, the operation of the Haber process for making ammonia, the production of chlorine, Vcaustic soda, bromine and otherindustrial products requiring power. Power to operate this plant 51 can'be supplied directly from the said motor or turbine 38, but is preferably supplied electrically from the generator 34.

Referring to the diagrammatic Fig.'18,-A and E can b e considered as being any two floats in a series spaced apart by the distance a or one-half a wave length. By reason of' the crest of a wave, and the float A is beingl shown as being `at the trough between two waves. The float A, vbeing inthe trough, is submerged only to the depth required to carry its own weight, and it does not assist in carrying the weight of the framework and other parts. The float E is submerged to anincreased depth as represented by the yline d, this increased submergence being necessary inorder that the float E may carry an increased Vproportion of the lweight of `the framework and otherl parts which becomes necessary because of the fact that other floats, such as A, are not Vcarrying their proportionate shares of the weight. Unless the height of the waves is greaterthanthe vertical distance@ between-the lines b and d the floats will have no vertical motion and no'pump- Ving will take place.

Fig. 16 shows a series of floats A to I in the approximate positions which they may assume when acted uponby a wave. The float A is at nthe trough between twowaves and is submerged only sufficiently to support its own weight. The float vB has a greater 'submergence than vthe float A, but itis not quite submerged to the line c, and it therefore isnot sufficiently submerged to be forced upwardl against the resistance oered by the ,liquid in the corresponding pump. The float C has been submerged somewhat beyond the 1 line c and has, therefore', started to move upward thus forcing the corresponding piston into the pump cylinder, and forcing the liquid from the pump into the high pressure piping system. The float D has moved further upward and has done considerable work in forcing water into the high pressure pipes. The float E has reached the upper limit of its stroke, and has completed its work of forcing liquid into the high pressure system.

The float F has less submergence than the float E but it has not moved downward for the reason that it is 'still submerged beyond the line Z). VIt will be obvious that the float F can move downward only when it has approximately the amount of submergence that is required to carry its own weight, particularly if the pressure maintained in the

supply pipes

37, 37 is approximately sufficient to open the valves 26. The float G has a sub.-

mergence approximatelyto the line b and Y the floats are very important.

has Vmoved down a short distance.

and the float I has reached the bottom of its stroke and is in a position corresponding to that of the iioat A. It is ready to begin another cycle of movement, and this will be `repeated every nine or ten seconds, depending uponv the length of the waves. Y

It will be seen that each float has a stroke i f which is determined in part by the height Y The iioat yI-I has moved down a still greater distance,

Jthat thisdistance f is-not equal to the height n of the waves, but is approximately the height V'of the waves minus the height e already referred toinconnection with Fig.- 15. 1 Calvculations showthat approximately one-tenth of the wave energy may be absorbed by oneV float, and if it be assumed that this relation continues to hold as the wave passes underneath aV number of the floats, then Va row of from twenty to twenty-five* floats would absorb practically all of the energy capable of being absorbed. Bearing in mind the fact that successive portions ofthe energyV are absorbed by successive floats it will be understood that it would be theoretically possible to provide an apparatus in which each sucL cessive float has a shorter range of motion than ythe preceding float.'` In actual operation, each successive float will have a shorter stroke, but for convenience and simplicity of Y floats with the same possible range of motion even `though the floats toward the rear of theapparatus do not move throughthe entire range., f l Y.

The shapes', sizes andarelative positions of The floats are cylindrical with their aXes horizontal and eX- tending transversely of the-direction of move ment of the waves. Each float has a -di-,l ameter approximately equal to the diameter of the circle described by a particle of water near the surface. `Each float is thus adapted to absorb the-maximum `amount of energy from the water, and to produce a minimum of agitation and turbulence in the water.

In view of the fact that the series of iioats extends longitudinally over two or more wave lengths, itwill'be clear ythat the apparatus as a whole will remain substantially level. It will further be clear that the successive kactions of the several pumps will serve to debe understood however that the floats in all of the rows act similarly, and that ordinarily all of the floats in any given transverse line will move upward and downward in unison. It will be yunderstood that in the operation of the apparatus the

valves

32 and 41 mustv be so adjusted as to regulate the pressure maintained .in the high pressure system. If i no lresistance were oered to thepumps, the apparatus would go through its motions but no useful work would be accomplished, as Y this is accomplished only by delivering fluid under pressure. On-the other hand, if the lvalves 32 and 41 were closed or approximately closed so as to buildup an excessive pressure the entire apparatus would become inoperative by reason of the pumps gradually becoming filled with liquid. Clearly if the pressure becomes so great that the pumps could not discharge against it the pumps would gradually become. filled with liquid and .vouldcollectively act to lift the'entire apparatus above` its normal position. The length of-stroke of the various floats would gradually decrease until finally allI of the floats come to rest in their lowermost positions. For the reason'stated the

valves

32 and 41 must be regulated to give the required operating pressure for the turbine, and at the same time to avoid an excessive pressure against which the pumps Vcannot act. It will be thus seen that the action of the floats and-pumps is to continually lift the superimposed structure out of the water and support it upon the highpres'sure water of the cylinders. L Releasing this high pressure water into the turbine permits the apparatus to descend. These twoacti'ons are'in equilibrium when the apparatus is working normally. Y

In operating theV apparatus, itv bev understood that it vis to be 'initiallyjtowed or` otherwise movedV to a suitable distance from the shore, and that itis to be Aoriented so that its lengthv willlie in the direction of movement of thewaves.y The floats will'then begin to move up and downinthe manner already described, and Vif the low pressure supply system be primed the pumps will supply 'liquid to the turbine'whichin turn operates Y the electric generator. AssoonA as the apparatus is in operation rit can maintain itself in the proper position with respect to the waves by operating one or the other of the propel- 1ers so as to correct any tendency of the apparatusto drift-into'a position at an angle to the direction of wave movement. It'will further be understood that within certain limits the apparatus can act to propel itself from one location to another, normally using both of the propellers,but stopping one or the other of them from time to time to effect steering.

A study of the mechanical construction of the apparatus will Yshow that it is very simple,

and that most of the parts are in multiple so that they can be made economically in largev quantities. Most of the elements of the framework are duplicates of one another,

and all of the floats, pumps &c. are identical in construction. Y

It will further be understood that the apparatus is ,readilyv adapted for convenient maintenance and repair. Each float, t0- gether with the parts associated therewith, can be readily removed and lifted to the deck for inspection or repair. ForVthi's-purpose, the deck may be constructed with removable sections, and the severall pipes may be pr-o- Y vided with valves (not shown) whereby each pump can be separately shut off from the main system.

At the beginning ofthis specification, I

mentioned theV possible use of an apparatus embodying my invention for absorbing the energy of sea waves to prevent destructive action at theshore.V Forvthis purpose it may be necessary to permanently locate the apparatus infixed relation to the shore. The apparatus may be floating and permanently anchored, or it maybe supported on a fixed structure extending outward from the shore or upward from the bottom.

In some cases'it may be preferable to conduct the power to the shore for utilization instead of utilizing it on the apparatus as herein described. This may be done in suitableV cases V'either by providing a pipe, with suitable flexible portions, extending to the shore and locating the hydraulic turbine on the shore,or it may be done 'by retaining the Yturbine and generatoren the apparatusand conducting the electric currentto the shore for suitable utilization..

. vVVhatI claim is: A

l. In an apparatus for obtaining power from waves, the combination of a rigid, open equal to or exceeding two wavelengths, a series of floats substantially uniformly distributed along the framework andV serving as the sole meansV ofk support therefor.v

'andfunbuoyant framework having a length the said series; comprising a plurality of parallellongitudinal rows and each float in the series `being independently movable by the waves vertically with respect to the framework, and power mechanism on the frame'- work connected tobe operated by the relative vertical. movements of the several floats.

several floats.

l3. In an apparatus for obtaining power from waves, the combination of a main, rigid, open and unbuoyantframework, bodily movby the relative vertical movements'of the :Fenice able so that it can be made to extend longitudinally inthe direction of travel of the waves, a. series of floats each vertically movable by the waves independently with respect to the framework and each substantially cylindrical in shape and arranged with its aXis horizontal and approximately perpendicular to the direction of travel ofthe waves, the said floats serving as the sole means of support for said framework, and power mechanism on the framework connected to be operated by the relative vertical movements of the several floats.

4. In an apparatus for obtaining'power from waves, the combination of a'main, rigid, open and unbuoyant framework, having a length equal to or exceeding two wave lengths, a series of floats substantially uniformly distributed along the framework, the said'floats being each verticallyvmovable by the waves independently with respect to the framework and each substantially cylindrical in shape and arranged with its axis horizontal and approximately perpendicular to -the direction of travel of the waves, andthe said floats serving as the sole means of support for the framework, and power mechanism on the framework connected to be operated by the relative vertical movements of the several 1 floats.

5. In apparatus for obtaining power from waves the combination of a rio'id o Aen and unbuoyant framework, a plurality of buoyant floats movable by the waves inde-` .1 pendentljyY of cach other, the said floats acting as a sole means of support for said'framework, a closed system of piping on the framework containing a substantially incompressible fluid circulated by the relative movements of the several floats.

6. ln an apparatus for obtaining V'powerfrozn waves the combination of a rigid open and unbuoyant framework, a plurality of buoyant floats movable'by the waves independently of each other, the said floats acting as a sole means of support for said frame- Vand completely unbuoyantframework, having a' length equal to or exceeding two wave lengths, a series of floats Vsubstantially uniformly distributed along the framework and serving as the sole means of support therefor, said floats being movable lvertically with respect to said framework and independently of each other, each float being substantially cylindrical in form and arranged with its axis horizontal and substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel ofthe waves, a circuitous system of piping on said frameworkcontaining a substantially incompressi- `ble fluid, means operable by said floats for producing a flow of the fluid in the circuit, means for restricting the flow of .fluid in the circuit,.and means for recovering the energy stored inthe ycirculating fluid by the vmovements` of said floats. i

S. In an apparatus for. producing a ening action on waves the combination of a -rigidopen and completely unbuo-yant framework having a` length .equal to or exceeding two wav-e lengths, a .series of floats substantially uniformly distributed along said framework and serving as a sole means of support therefor, said floats being, movableivertically l with Vrespect to said frameworkand independently of each other, each ofsaidfloats being substantially cylindrical in form and arranged with its axis horizontal andy substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the waves, a circuitous system of piping on said framework containing a substantially incompressible fluid, means operable by said floats for producing flow of said fluidl in the circuit-,fand means for restricting: the said flow through the circuit. whereby thefwave energy is absorbed by the fluid in circulation. V9; In an apparatus .for obtaining power from waves the combinationof a rigid open and completely unbuoyant framework, 1a series of hollow cylindrical submersible elements arranged with their axeshorizontal and substantially perpendicular tothe direction of movement of the waveseach hollow element having 'a relatively andpermanently open port in its bottom side,'means on said framework for maintaining a'gaseous fluid underA pressure in each ofsaid hollow elements whereby said liollowlelements kbecome 'buoyant andV act as the sole means of support for said framework, a closed system ofpiping kon said framework containing a substantially lincompressible fluidsaid systemincluding a series of vertically disposed pump cylinders secured to said framework and pistons carried by said hollow elements and operable respectively in said cylinders for displacing the fluid in said system when said hollow elements are moved by the waves relative to the framework, whereby a circulation of said fluid is effected in the circuit and the framework supported solely by the fluid between said pistons and the heads of said cylinders.

l0. A method of obtaining power from ocean waves, which consists of subjecting each oncoming wave form to a succession of dampening operations at spaced intervals along the wave form, the sum of the intervals comprising a full wave length or more, and extracting a portion of the waves energy at each interval,`and thereby successively reduclll() isa ing the height of the wave proportionately as energy is extracted. Y

11. In anapparatus `for recovering power from ocean waves, an unbuoyant weight solely and transiently supported at spaced intervals along thewave form by buoyant members vertically movable withv respect tothe weight, such buoyant members reacting transiently on the weight through the interposition kof a fluid conned inA a Yclosed circulating system on the weight.V I

l2. In an kapparatus for recovering power from ocean waves, an unbuoyant weight solely and transiently supported at spaced intervals along the wave form by buoyant members vertically movable with respectV to the weight, such buoyant members reacting transiently on the weightthrough the interposition of a fluid conined in a closed circulating system on the weight, and power mechanism on theY weight connectedin the said closed system and adapted to be operated by the pressure of the fluid in the system.

13. In an apparatus for recovering power from ocean waves, a rigid, open and unbuoyant framework solely supported by the transient and periodic reactions of a plurality of buoyant members movable with respect to the framework against a fluid interposed between the framework and the buoyant members and connediin a closed 'circulating system, said transient reactions occurringon the rising side of the wave form only and constituting the sole support of the framework. a

14. In an apparatus for recovering power Y from ocean waves, a rigid, open and unbuoya-nt framework 'solely supported by the transient and periodicv-reactionsfof a plurality of buoyant members movable with respect vto the framework against a fluid interposed between the framework and the buoyant mem- Y bers and confinedV in a closed circulating sys- Cil tem, said transient reactions: occurring on the rising side of the wave form only and consti-k tuting the sole support of the framework, and power mechanism on the framework con-V nected in the said circulating system to be operated by the pressure ofthe fluid.V

EDVARD J. BRADY.