This invention relates to a method of, and apparatus for, extracting energy from waves on a liquid. Wave energy offers a potential source of power, and several differing apparatus and methods have already been devised in an attempt to produce from wave energy an economic alternative source of power to that provided by the use of fossil fuels, for example in the generation of electricity.
An article entitled "Power from the Waves" by M. B. Holland, appeared in the Chartered Mechanical Engineer, September 1978, published by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, London, England, and examined the potential of wave power around the United Kingdom. Among the apparatus described in the article for extracting energy from waves were:
(1) The Salter Duck, the subject of British Pat. No. 1,482,085 (U.S. Pat. No. 3,928,967) which is incorporated by reference herein, and PA1 (2) The Cockerell Raft, the subject of British Pat. No. 1,448,204 which is also incorporated by reference herein.
Furthermore, a recent development in the field of wave energy extraction is the "Triplate" apparatus based on the ideas of Dr. J. F. Farley and Professor P. C. Parks of the Royal Military College of Science, Shrivenham, England, and described for example in New Scientist, Vol. 80, No. 1124, pp 113, Oct. 12th 1978 which is incorporated by reference herein. All the above apparatus utilise the motion of a member thereof in response to waves as a means of extracting energy from the waves, and one feature common to all these apparatus is that of the protection of the working parts, particularly the power producing parts, from the marine environment in which the apparatus is to be used during the working life of the apparatus.