Described is a free floating or tethered buoy that will produce renewable energy. The buoy generates power by using two types of self-rectifying turbines. These power take-offs (PTOs) mechanically converts the up and down motion of waves into a one-way rotational force to spin multiple generators. The generators are specifically designed for variable and low speed operation and their air core design reduces the magnetic force that causes drag on drivetrains.
The buoys will add power to the grid. Multi-buoy arrays can provide energy for submerged AI data centers such as the one tested by Microsoft or the fully commercial enterprise deployed by China’s Hailanyun Technology.
The submerged PTO spins slowly and quietly. The buoy’s bobbing motion creates bi-directional water flows within the Venturi Tube which spins the turbine blades. The dual sets of rotor blades are mirror images of each other and each has an opposing one-way bearing placed in its hub. Both rotors spin in the same direction but, depending on the flow direction, only one rotor will engage the drive shaft while the other rotor simply freewheels. As the water flows back and forth, the two bearings will switch modalities. The shifting modes cause the shaft to spin in one direction only. The shaft has no end stops. At the top of the drive shaft is a bevel gear which spins four generators simultaneously inside a sealed compartment.
Positioned above the submerged rotor is an air turbine. This PTO drive spins a similar mirror image dual rotor arrangement with opposing one-way bearings placed in each hub. The rotor blades are driven by the OWC (Oscillating Water Column) principle. Stacked air core disc-shaped generators are placed on the common shaft between the two rotor sets. This inline low drag generator design allows for the free, unrestricted passage of alternating air flows within the buoy’s Venturi Tube. Four OWC Boost Ducts situated below the buoy’s water line amplifies the piston effect of the air/water interface for maximum OWC power capture.
The turbine design utilized in this buoy was originally patented by John Clark Hanna on January 22, 2013 (US 8,358,026). The patent was sold to a tidal developer in Penryn, UK. The patent expired in 2025. The turbine’s latest iteration is a new improved design that now exists in the public domain. The original turbine was the subject of two Master’s theses; the device has been studied and validated at four universities: Heriot-Watt, Paris Tech, Oregon State, and the Oregon Institute of Technology. With a desire to help stimulate the global Blue Economy, this buoy design is now offered freely as an open-source technology.
Described is a free floating or tethered buoy that will produce renewable energy. The buoy generates power by using two types of self-rectifying turbines. These power take-offs (PTOs) mechanically converts the up and down motion of waves into a one-way rotational force to spin multiple generators. The generators are specifically designed for variable and low speed operation and their air core design reduces the magnetic force that causes drag on drivetrains.
The buoys will add power to the grid. Multi-buoy arrays can provide energy for submerged AI data centers such as the one tested by Microsoft or the fully commercial enterprise deployed by China’s Hailanyun Technology.
The submerged PTO spins slowly and quietly. The buoy’s bobbing motion creates bi-directional water flows within the Venturi Tube which spins the turbine blades. The dual sets of rotor blades are mirror images of each other and each has an opposing one-way bearing placed in its hub. Both rotors spin in the same direction but, depending on the flow direction, only one rotor will engage the drive shaft while the other rotor simply freewheels. As the water flows back and forth, the two bearings will switch modalities. The shifting modes cause the shaft to spin in one direction only. The shaft has no end stops. At the top of the drive shaft is a bevel gear which spins four generators simultaneously inside a sealed compartment.
Positioned above the submerged rotor is an air turbine. This PTO drive spins a similar mirror image dual rotor arrangement with opposing one-way bearings placed in each hub. The rotor blades are driven by the OWC (Oscillating Water Column) principle. Stacked air core disc-shaped generators are placed on the common shaft between the two rotor sets. This inline low drag generator design allows for the free, unrestricted passage of alternating air flows within the buoy’s Venturi Tube. Four OWC Boost Ducts situated below the buoy’s water line amplifies the piston effect of the air/water interface for maximum OWC power capture.
The turbine design utilized in this buoy was originally patented by John Clark Hanna on January 22, 2013 (US 8,358,026). The patent was sold to a tidal developer in Penryn, UK. The patent expired in 2025. The turbine’s latest iteration is a new improved design that now exists in the public domain. The original turbine was the subject of two Master’s theses; the device has been studied and validated at four universities: Heriot-Watt, Paris Tech, Oregon State, and the Oregon Institute of Technology. With a desire to help stimulate the global Blue Economy, this buoy design is now offered freely as an open-source technology.
