WO2014174346A1

WO2014174346A1 - Wave power system

Info

Publication number: WO2014174346A1
Application number: PCT/IB2013/060112
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brinston Joseph FERNANDEZ
Original assignee: Fernandez Brinston Joseph
Priority date: 2013-04-26
Filing date: 2013-11-13
Publication date: 2014-10-30

Abstract

A method of generating electricity from wave undulations includes the steps of: (a) providing an apparatus 10 having (i) a platform 12, (ii) a reservoir 14, (iii) one or more pumps 16 for pumping ocean water to the reservoir 14, each of the one or more pumps 16 comprising a reciprocating piston, each piston comprising a piston head 22 attached to a floatable base 24, each pump 16 being driven by the action of waves against the floatable base 24, and (iv) one or more electrical generators 26 disposed below the reservoir 14; (b) disposing the platform 12 such that each floatable base 24 floats upon the surface of the ocean, the platform 12 also being disposed at a location where average tidal variations are less than 2 M; (c) pumping water to the reservoir 14; and (d) causing water within the reservoir 14 to flow downwardly to drive the electrical generators 26.

Description

WAVE POWER SYSTEM

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present Application claims the benefit of United States provisional patent application 61/816,562, filed April 26, 2013, entitled "Wave Power System," the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to electrical generating systems and, more specifically, to electrical generating systems powered by oceanic undulations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The sea is a tremendous source of energy just waiting to be tapped. The huge mass of water constantly moves. There is a constant vertical displacement of huge masses of water. Just imagine the millions of tons of water surging all the time. Generally it is about a meter surge (offshore Abu Dhabi) every half-a-minute i.e. 120 cycles per hour. In some places like in the regions around Australia it is about 2 to 3 meters.

Many attempts have been made to convert the energy of the sea to electrical energy, but all such attempts have inherent problems in poor energy conversion efficiency, high expense of construction, high maintenance costs and frequent breakdowns.

Accordingly, there is a need for a system which converts the energy of the sea into electrical energy which is more efficient, less expensive to build and maintain and more reliable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention satisfies this need. The invention is an apparatus for generating electricity from ocean wave undulations and a method of using the apparatus.

In one aspect of the invention, the invention is a method of generating electricity from ocean wave undulations comprising the steps of:

a. Providing an apparatus comprising:

i. a platform;

ii. a reservoir disposed above the platform; iii. one or more pumps attached to the platform below the reservoir for pumping ocean water to the reservoir, each of the one or more pumps comprising a reciprocating piston assembly disposed within a vertical cylinder, each piston assembly comprising a piston head attached to a floatable base, each pump being driven by the action of ocean waves against the pump's floatable base; and

iv. one or more electrical generators disposed on the platform at least 5 M below the reservoir and driven by water downwardly flowing from the reservoir; b. Disposing the platform proximate to the surface of the ocean such that each

floatable base floats upon the surface of the ocean, the platform being disposed at a location where average tidal variations are less than 2 M;

c. Pumping ocean water to the reservoir; and

d. Causing water within the reservoir to flow downwardly to drive one or more of the electrical generators and to thereby generate electricity.

In a second aspect of the invention, the invention is an apparatus for generating electricity from ocean wave undulations comprising:

a. A platform;

b. A reservoir disposed above the platform;

c. One or more pumps attached to the platform for pumping ocean water to the

reservoir, each of the one or more pumps comprising a reciprocating piston assembly disposed within a vertical cylinder, each piston assembly comprising a piston head attached to a floatable base, each pump being driven by the action of ocean waves against the pump's floatable base;

d. One or more electrical generators disposed on the platform at least 5 M below the reservoir and driven by water downwardly flowing from the reservoir; and e. One or more shrouds disposed around the sides of each floatable base such that each floatable base is not acted upon by lateral ocean water movements.

In a third aspect of the invention, the invention is an apparatus for generating electricity from ocean wave undulations comprising:

a. A platform;

b. A reservoir disposed above the platform;

c. One or more pumps attached to the platform for pumping ocean water to the

reservoir, each of the one or more pumps comprising: i. a vertical cylinder having an upper end and a lower end;

ii. a reciprocating piston assembly disposed within the vertical cylinder, the piston assembly comprising a piston rod having an upper end and a lower end, a piston head attached to the upper end of the piston rod, the piston head having an upper side, and a floatable base attached to the lower end of the piston rod, the floatable base having an underside;

iii. an air tight piston passageway defined through the floatable base, the piston rod and the piston head, the piston passageway having a lower end opening and an upper end opening, the piston passageway being configured such that water can be drawn upward through its lower end opening to its upper end opening;

iv. a first one way valve disposed proximate to the lower end opening of the piston passageway which, when open, allows water to be drawn into the piston passage way;

v. a second one way valve disposed proximate to the upper end opening of the air tight passageway on the piston head. This when open, allows water to be drawn out of the air tight passageway and into the vertical cylinder above the piston head; and

vi. a third one way valve disposed proximate to the upper end of the vertical cylinder which, when open, allows water to be drawn into the reservoir from the vertical cylinder; and

d. One or more electrical generators disposed on the platform at least 5 M below the reservoir and driven by water downwardly flowing from the reservoir.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, the invention is an apparatus for generating electricity from ocean wave undulations comprising:

a. A platform;

b. A reservoir disposed above the platform;

c. One or more pumps attached to the platform for pumping ocean water to the

reservoir, each of the one or more pumps comprising:

i. a vertical cylinder having an upper end and a lower end;

ii. a reciprocating piston assembly disposed within the vertical cylinder, the piston assembly comprising a piston rod having an upper end and a lower end, a piston head attached to the upper end of the piston rod, and a floatable base attached to the lower end of the piston rod; iii. a fly wheel rotated by the reciprocating piston, typically with a pawl and ratchet arrangement; and

iv. a rotating fluid mover driven by the fly wheel for drawing water from the ocean to the reservoir; and

DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims and

accompanying drawings where:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of an electrical generating apparatus having features of the invention;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional side view of the piston and piston cylinder used in the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic front view of an alternative electrical generating apparatus having features of the invention; and

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic side view of the electrical generating apparatus illustrated in Figure 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention and several variations of that embodiment. This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments. Practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well.

The invention is an apparatus for generating electricity from ocean wave undulations and a method of using the apparatus. The invention is uniquely designed and operated to harness this energy in the surge of the waves of the sea to lift the water through suitable pipes to a reservoir high above a platform, then fall down through guided pipes and pass through turbine generators to produce hydro-electricity and then drain back into the sea.

In one aspect of the invention, the invention is a method of generating electricity from ocean wave undulations comprising the steps of: a. Providing an apparatus 10 comprising:

i. a platform 12;

ii. a reservoir 14 disposed above the platform 12;

iii. one or more pumps 16 attached to the platform 12 for pumping ocean water to the reservoir 14, each of the one or more pumps 16 comprising a reciprocating piston assembly 18 disposed within a vertical cylinder 20, each piston assembly 18 comprising a piston head 22 attached to a floatable base 24, each pump 16 being driven by the action of ocean waves against the floatable base 24 of each pump 16; and

iv. one or more electrical generators 26 disposed on the platform 12 below the reservoir 14 and driven by water downwardly flowing from the reservoir 14; b. Disposing the platform 12 proximate to the surface of the ocean such that each

floatable base 24 floats upon the surface of the ocean, the platform 12 being disposed at a location where average tidal variations are less than 2 M; c. Pumping ocean water to the reservoir 14; and

d. Causing water within the reservoir 14 to flow downwardly to drive one or more of the electrical generators 26 and to thereby generate electricity.

The platform 12 can be of any suitable configuration and construction for service proximate to the surface of the sea.

The reservoir 14 is designed to receive, retain and dispense seawater, and is typically at least 5000 M in capacity approx. or as required by generating capacity design.

The generators 26 are typically water driven turbine generators 26. Typically the generators 26 are disposed at least 5 M below the reservoir 14.

The platform 12 is located sufficiently off shore so that tidal variations average less than 2 M, so that the electrical generators 26 rely almost solely on the continuous undulation of ocean waves. Electrical generators 26 of the prior art, in contrast, rely principally on tidal undulations and periodic wave surges (which vary from one to four meters on average, depending on geographic location). The invention is uniquely constructed to extract energy from the constant undulations of waves, rather than from the much slower variations of tides and wave surges.

In the method, the apparatus 10 further can comprise one or more shrouds 28 disposed around the sides of each floatable base 24 such that each floatable base 24 is not acted upon by lateral ocean water movements, further comprising the step of disposing the platform 12 away from land such that the effect of tides is minimal. The shrouds 28 are made of steel or other suitable rigid material.

Each shroud 28 extends a couple of meters into the sea. This allows vertical undulations of water but prevents lateral movements. This increases efficiency and reduces the wear on the float, piston assembly 18 and vertical cylinder 20.

In the method, the one or more pumps 16 can comprise:

a. a vertical cylinder 20 having an upper end 33 and a lower end 35;

b. a reciprocating piston assembly 18 disposed within the vertical cylinder 20, the piston assembly 18 comprising a piston rod 30 having an upper end 32 and a lower end 34, the piston head 22 being attached to the upper end 32 of the piston rod 30 and the floatable base 24 being attached to the lower end 34 of the piston rod 30, the piston head 22 having an upper side 36 and the floatable base 24 having an underside 38;

c. an air tight piston passageway 40 defined through the floatable base 24, the piston rod 30 and the piston head 22, the piston passageway 40 having a lower end opening 42 and an upper end opening 44, the piston passageway 40 being configured such that water can be drawn upward through its lower end 34 opening to its upper end opening 44;

d. a first one way valve 46 disposed proximate to the lower end opening 42 of the piston passageway 40 which, when open, allows water to be drawn into the piston passage way;

e. a second one way valve 48 disposed proximate to the upper end opening 44 of the air tight passageway 40 on the piston head 22. This when open, allows water to be drawn out of the air tight passageway 40 and into the vertical cylinder 20 above the piston head 22; and

f. a third one way valve 50 disposed proximate to the upper end 33 of the vertical cylinder 20 which, when open, allows water to be drawn into the reservoir 14 from the vertical cylinder 20.

Alternatively, the one or more pumps 16 can comprise:

a. a vertical cylinder 20 having an upper end 33 and a lower end 35;

b. a reciprocating piston assembly 18 disposed within the vertical cylinder 20, the piston assembly 18 comprising a piston rod 30 having an upper end 32 and a lower end 34, the piston head 22 attached to the upper end 32 of the piston rod 30, and a floatable base 24 attached to the lower end 34 of the piston rod 30; c. a fly wheel 70 rotated by the reciprocating piston assembly 18; and

d. a rotating fluid mover 74 driven by the fly wheel 70 for drawing water from the ocean to the reservoir 14, the fly wheel 70 being rotated by the reciprocating piston assembly 18.

The drawings illustrate two alternative preferred ways of implementing the method of the invention. In the invention the overall platform 12 structure is erected in the sea like an oil platform 12. Alternative pumping means, each having filling pipes, are used to lift water into a reservoir 14 on top of the platform 12. Water within the reservoir 14 is delivered by down pipes into turbine generators 26 to produce electricity, and the water is then drained back into the sea.

As an example, a single 12" diameter vertical cylinder 20 with a 4.5 M³ floatable base 24 can lift 9.6 tons of water per hour to a height of 48 meters and generate 4 KWH of electricity. 1000 vertical cylinders 20 pipes on the platform 12 will lift sufficient water to generate 4 megawatts of electricity, and 10 such platforms 12 can generate 40 megawatts of electricity. This is assuming wave undulations of only 1 meter in height. The sea surrounding many countries has wave undulations of 2 to 3 meters in height, such as Australia. Power generation in such countries may be double or triple per square meter of platform 12 area.

In a second aspect of the invention, the invention is an apparatus 10 for generating electricity from ocean wave undulations comprising:

a. A platform 12;

b. A reservoir 14 disposed above the platform 12;

c. One or more pumps 16 attached to the platform 12 for pumping ocean water to the reservoir 14, each of the one or more pumps 16 comprising a reciprocating piston assembly 18 disposed within a vertical cylinder 20, each piston assembly 18 comprising a piston head 22 attached to a floatable base 24, each pump 16 being driven by the action of ocean waves against the floatable base 24 of each pump 16; d. One or more electrical generators 26 disposed on the platform 12 at least 5 M below the reservoir 14 and driven by water downwardly flowing from the reservoir 14; and e. One or more shrouds 28 disposed around the sides of each floatable base 24 such that each floatable base 24 is not acted upon by lateral ocean water movements.

In a third aspect of the invention, the invention is an apparatus 10 for generating electricity from ocean wave undulations comprising: a. A platform 12;

b. A reservoir 14 disposed above the platform 12;

c. One or more pumps 16 attached to the platform 12 for pumping ocean water to the reservoir 14, each of the one or more pumps 16 comprising:

i. a vertical cylinder 20 having an upper end 33 and a lower end 35;

ii. a reciprocating piston assembly 18 disposed within the vertical cylinder 20, the piston assembly 18 comprising a piston rod 30 having an upper end 32 and a lower end 34, a piston head 22 attached to the upper end 32 of the piston rod 30, the piston head 22 having an upper side, and a floatable base 24 attached to the lower end 34 of the piston rod 30, the floatable base 24 having an underside 38; iii. an air tight piston passageway 40 defined through the floatable base 24, the piston rod 30 and the piston head 22, the piston passageway 40 having a lower end opening 42 and an upper end opening 44, the piston passageway 40 being configured such that water can be drawn upward through its lower end opening 42 to its upper end opening 44;

iv. a first one way valve 46 disposed proximate to the lower end opening 42 of the piston passageway 40 which, when open, allows water to be drawn into the piston passageway 40;

v. a second one way valve 48 disposed proximate to the upper end opening 44 of the air tight passageway 40 on the piston head 22. This second one way valve 48, when open, allows water to be drawn out of the air tight passageway 40 and into the vertical cylinder 20 above the piston head 22; and

vi. a third one way valve 50 disposed proximate to the upper end 33 of the vertical cylinder 20 which, when open, allows water to be drawn into the reservoir 14 from the vertical cylinder 20; and

d. One or more electrical generators 26 disposed on the platform 12 at least 5 M below the reservoir 14 and driven by water downwardly flowing from the reservoir 14.

In this third aspect of the invention, the vertical cylinder 20 is, naturally, erected and fixed to the platform 12 in a vertical orientation. In order to adjust to the sea levels from time to time, the vertical cylinder 20 height can be adjusted by, for example, an electrically driven worm and worm wheel mechanism.

The piston's floatable base 24 moves with the waves bobbing up and down in a vertical direction. If a wave moves one meter, then the floatable base 24 will move one meter, displacing the piston assembly 18 by one meter in the vertical direction. If the floatable base 24 is designed to displace 4.5 M³ of water, then, as per Archimedes principal, 4.5 tons of water is displaced i.e. the vertical cylinder 20 will support a 4.5 ton column of water.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the piston head 22 is hollow and can be made using a hollow pipe. Below the piston head 22 is the first one way valve 46, below which can be a strainer 54 to keep sea creatures and debris out of the passageway 40.

At the lower end 35 of the cylinder 20 there can be alignment rings 56 to maintain the piston assembly 18 in vertical alignment within the cylinder 20.

The external surface of the piston head 22 can define one or more circumferential piston ring grooves 58 with split slip rings 60 just as is provided piston rings in an automobile engine. The split slip rings 60 are used in lieu of piston seals and O-rings to reduce friction and wear and to facilitate replacement during maintenance. The split slip rings 60 provide easy sliding motion with minimum friction.

On the upper side of the piston head 22 there is the upper end opening 44 of the piston passageway 40, preferably, a machined and very smooth polished chamfer to which can be set the second one way valve 48. The placement of the second one way valve 48 facilitates the creation of a vacuum in the hollow piston rod 30 which can draw fresh sea water into the piston passageway 40— waiting to be pushed upwards with the next stroke of the piston head 22.

Above the second one way valve 48, the upper portion of the cylinder 20 continues a suitable distance, and therein is disposed the third one way valve 50.

The length of the cylinder 20, piston head 22 and piston rod 30 is preferably adjustable to accommodate variations in ocean level. Thus, following the third one way valve 50, there is preferably attached a short length of male/female height adjustable sliding mechanism tubes 21 with seals for tide level adjustments. The height adjustable sliding mechanism tubes 21, in turn, are connected to a fill pipe 62 which connects in fluid tight fashion to the reservoir 14.

The adjustable sliding mechanism tubes 21 are preferably fixed to a sliding rail block and are provided with a motorized screw mechanism with limit switches to automatically adjust the levels to the tide levels.

In operation, the apparatus 10 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 operate as follows. Each wave lifts the floatable base 24 which in turn lifts the piston assembly 18. The third one way valve 50 opens and initial air/water is bled out from the cylinder 20. When the wave reverses, the piston assembly 18 drops down and the third one way valve 50 closes (creating a vacuum between the third one way valve 50 and the second one way valve 48), and both the first one way valve 46 and the second one way valve 48 open. Water is drawn into the piston passageway 40 and into the cylinder 20 past the second one way valve 48. When the next wave rises, the first one way valve 46 and the second one way valve 48 close, and the third one way valve 50 opens. The piston assembly 18 then pushes water above the second one way valve 48 out through the third one way valve 50. When that wave goes down, the third one way valve 50 closes (again creating a vacuum between the third one way valve 50 and the second one way valve 48) and both the first one way valve 46 and the second one way valve 48 open. Water again fills the piston assembly 18 and cylinder 20. As subsequent waves rise and ebb, the operation is repeated continuously. In this way, water is continuously lifted to fill the reservoir 14 and is made ready to fall through guided pipes 68 downwards into turbines within the generators 26 to generate electricity.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, the invention is an apparatus 10 for generating electricity from ocean wave undulations comprising:

a. A platform 12;

b. A reservoir 14 disposed above the platform 12;

i. a vertical cylinder 20 having an upper end 33 and a lower end 35; ii. a reciprocating piston assembly 18 disposed within the vertical cylinder 20, the piston assembly 18 comprising a piston rod 30 having an upper end 32 and a lower end 34, a piston head 22 attached to the upper end 32 of the piston rod 30, and a floatable base 24 attached to the lower end 34 of the piston rod 30;

iii. a fly wheel 70 rotated by the reciprocating piston assembly 18, typically with a pawl and ratchet arrangement 72; and

iv. a rotating fluid mover 74 driven by the fly wheel 70 for drawing water from the ocean and lifting it to the reservoir 14; and

As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, rows of geared fly wheels 70 are typically fitted onto shafts and fixed to the platform 12 in rows. As above, a piston assembly 18 is slideably disposed in a vertical cylinder 20 for vertical motion. As above, a floatable base 24 is fixed to a piston rod 30. The floatable base 24 is preferably protected from lateral forces by a shroud 28. On the shaft there is a typically pawl and ratchet mechanism 72 to cause the fly wheel 70 to rotate in one direction. The pawl and ratchet mechanism 72 meshes with the teeth of the geared fly wheel 70. As the piston assembly 18 moves upwards it causes the fly wheel 70 to rotate. Thus, the reciprocating motion of the piston assembly 18 is converted to a rotary motion of the fly wheel 70. As the reciprocating motion of the shaft continues with the surge of the waves, the fly wheel 70 continues to rotate and gather momentum.

The geared fly wheel 70 is connected to the rotating fluid mover 74, typically a turbine pump fitted with a gear box drive with a driven gear 73. The driven gear 73 meshes with the gears of the fly wheel 70 and thus the fly wheel 70 drives the rotating fluid mover 74.

The rotating fluid mover 74 typically has a suitable gear box to achieve the required

RPM.

The rotating fluid mover 74 is connected by intake piping 76 to draw up water from the sea and delivery it to the reservoir 14.

Thus, it can be seen that the rotation of the fly wheel 70 causes the rotating fluid mover 74 to rotate and deliver sea water to the reservoir 14, ready to fall through guided pipes 68 downward through the generator(s) 14 to generate hydroelectricity.

With all aspects of the invention, clean sustainable energy can be provided with zero pollution to produce power. This invention can be used throughout the world wherever there are seas/oceans with suitable sea wave surges for power generation. Among the biggest benefits are:

1. Energy is sustainable.

2. A cheaper source of electricity.

3. Clean energy i.e. zero pollution.

4. Reversible opportunity for the polluted earth to rectify itself.

5. Humans are saved and earth is saved.

6. Risky nuclear power can be avoided.

The invention is unique in the way it can provide energy. The height of the reservoir to which water can be raised and the power that can be generated is flexible and depends upon the design. The entire system is very simple and, unlike oil platforms, there are no gases, no fumes, no H2S, no fire hazards or no health hazards, quite operation, no separators or oil field related costly installations and equipment, minimum manpower requirement, less costly maintenance and a host of several other advantages.

Having thus described the invention, it should be apparent that numerous structural modifications and adaptations may be resorted to without departing from the scope and fair meaning of the instant invention as set forth hereinabove and as described herein below by the claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method of generating electricity from ocean wave undulations comprising the steps of: a. Providing an apparatus 10 comprising:

i. a platform 12;

ii. a reservoir 14 disposed above the platform 12;

iv. one or more electrical generators 26 disposed on the platform 12 the reservoir 14 and driven by water downwardly flowing from the reservoir 14; b. Disposing the platform 12 proximate to the surface of the ocean such that each floatable base 24 floats upon the surface of the ocean, the platform 12 being disposed at a location where average tidal variations are less than 2 M; c. Pumping ocean water to the reservoir 14; and

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the apparatus 10 further comprises one or more shrouds 28 disposed around the sides of each floatable base 24 such that each floatable base 24 is not acted upon by lateral ocean water movements.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more pumps 16 further comprise:

a. a vertical cylinder 20 having an upper end 32 and a lower end 34;

b. a reciprocating piston assembly 18 disposed within the vertical cylinder 20, the piston assembly 18 comprising a piston rod 30 having an upper end 32 and a lower end 34, a piston head 22 attached to the upper end 32 of the piston rod 30, the piston head 22 having an upper side 36, and a floatable base 24 attached to the lower end 34 of the piston rod, the floatable base 24 having an underside 38; c. an air tight piston passageway 40 defined through the floatable base 24, the piston rod and the piston head 22, the piston passageway 40 having a lower end opening 42 and an upper end opening 44, the piston passageway 40 being configured such that water can be drawn upward through its lower end opening 42 to its upper end opening 44;

d. a first one way valve 46 disposed proximate to the lower end opening 42 of the piston passageway 40 which, when open, allows water to be drawn into the piston passageway 40;

e. a second one way valve 48 disposed on the piston head 22 proximate to the upper end opening 44 of the air tight passageway 40, which, when open, allows water to be drawn out of the air tight passageway 40 and into the vertical cylinder 20 above the piston head 22; and

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more pumps 16 further comprises:

a. a vertical cylinder 20 having an upper end 32 and a lower end 34;

b. a reciprocating piston assembly 18 disposed within the vertical cylinder 20, the piston assembly 18 comprising a piston rod 30 having an upper end 32 and a lower end 34, a piston head 22 attached to the upper end 32 of the piston rod 30, and a floatable base 24 attached to the lower end 34 of the piston rod 30;

c. a fly wheel 70 rotated by the reciprocating piston assembly 18; and

d. a rotating fluid mover 74 driven by the fly wheel 70 for drawing water from the ocean to the reservoir 14.

5. An apparatus 10 for generating electricity from ocean wave undulations comprising:

a. A platform 12;

b. A reservoir 14 disposed above the platform 12;

c. One or more pumps 16 attached to the platform 12 for pumping ocean water to the reservoir 14, each of the one or more pumps 16 comprising a reciprocating piston assembly 18 disposed within a vertical cylinder 20, each piston assembly 18 comprising a piston head 22 attached to a floatable base 24, each pump 16 being driven by the action of ocean waves against the floatable base 24 of each pump 16; d. One or more electrical generators 26 disposed below the reservoir 14 and driven by water downwardly flowing from the reservoir 14; and

e. One or more shrouds 28 disposed around the sides of each floatable base 24 such that each floatable base 24 is not acted upon by lateral ocean water movements.

6. An apparatus 10 for generating electricity from ocean wave undulations comprising:

a. A platform 12;

b. A reservoir 14 disposed above the platform 12;

i. a vertical cylinder 20 having an upper end 33 and a lower end 35;

ii. a reciprocating piston assembly 18 disposed within the vertical cylinder 20, the piston assembly 18 comprising a piston rod 30 having an upper end 32 and a lower end 34, a piston head 22 attached to the upper end 32 of the piston rod 30, the piston head 22 having an upper side 36, and a floatable base 24 attached to the lower end 34 of the piston rod 30, the floatable base 24 having an underside 38;

iii. an air tight piston passageway 40 defined through the floatable base 24, the piston rod 30 and the piston head 22, the piston passageway 40 having a lower end opening 42 and an upper end opening 44, the piston passageway 40 being configured such that water can be drawn upward through its lower end opening 42 to its upper end opening 44;

v. a second one way valve 48 disposed on the piston head 22 proximate to the upper end opening 44 of the air tight passageway 40, which, when open, allows water to be drawn out of the air tight passageway 40 and into the vertical cylinder 20 above the piston head 22; and

vi. a third one way valve 50 disposed proximate to the upper end 33 of the vertical cylinder 20 which, when open, allows water to be drawn into the reservoir 14 from the vertical cylinder 20; and d. One or more electrical generators 26 disposed below the reservoir 14 and driven by water downwardly flowing from the reservoir 14.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising one or more shrouds 28 disposed around the sides of each floatable base 24 such that each floatable base 24 is not acted upon by lateral ocean water movements.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the piston head 22 has an exterior cylindrical surface defining at least one circumferential piston groove 58, and wherein a split slip ring 60 is disposed within the piston groove 58.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the vertical location of the cylinder 20 is adjustable to accommodate variations in ocean level.

10. The apparatus 10 of claim 6 wherein the cylinder 20 comprises alignment rings 56 to maintain the piston assembly 18 in a vertical alignment within the cylinder 20.

11. The apparatus 10 of claim 6 wherein the first one way valve 46 is disposed at the bottom of the piston assembly 18.

12. The apparatus 10 of claim 6 wherein the third one way valve 50 is disposed proximate to the upper end 35 of the cylinder 20.

13. An apparatus 10 for generating electricity from ocean wave undulations comprising:

a. A platform 12;

b. A reservoir 14 disposed above the platform 12;

i. a vertical cylinder 20 having an upper end 33 and a lower end 35;

ii. a reciprocating piston assembly 18 disposed within the vertical cylinder 20, the piston assembly 18 comprising a piston rod 30 having an upper end 32 and a lower end 34, a piston head 22 attached to the upper end 32 of the piston rod 30, and a floatable base 24 attached to the lower end 34 of the piston rod 30; iii. a fly wheel 70 rotated by the reciprocating piston assembly 18; and iv. a rotating fluid mover 74 driven by the fly wheel 70 for drawing water from the ocean to the reservoir 14; and

14. The apparatus 10 of claim 13 further comprising one or more shrouds 28 disposed around the sides of each floatable base 24 such that each floatable base 24 is not acted upon by lateral ocean water movements.

15. The apparatus 10 of claim 13 wherein the piston assembly 18 comprises a pawl and ratchet mechanism 72 such that the pawl and ratchet mechanism 72 cause the fly wheel 70 to rotate in one direction as the piston assembly 18 reciprocates.

16. The apparatus 10 of claim 13 wherein the height of the cylinder 20 is adjustable to accommodate the ocean level.