Importance

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Abstract

A double acting turbine for converting water wave energy to electrical power in a marine buoy or platform. A tubular body is provided one end of which is adapted to be inserted into the water wave and the second end is adapted to extend out of the water whereby the rise and fall of water in the body creates a flow of air in alternate directions through the body. A turbine having a plurality of outwardly extending blades is positioned in the body above the water level and exposed to and rotated by the flow of air and is connected to an electrical generator for generating electricity in response to the rotation of the wheel. The turbine is designed to operate with air flowing in either direction through the turbine so that power is generated as the water both rises and falls in the tubular body. The turbine blades include a concave surface on one side and a convex surface on the opposite side. The cross-sectional shape of the blades are shaped to provide an air flow passageway between adjacent blades which decreases in area from each edge thereby forming a restriction in the passageway between the blade edges whereby the wheel will rotate in a single direction regardless of the direction of flow of air through the body. A stator may be provided on each side of the turbine wheel having a plurality of blades directed towards the concave surfaces of the blades of the turbine wheel. In order to increase the amount of air flow through the body, the body may include a plurality of housings.

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First Claim