Low-power autonomous wave energy capture device for remote sensing and communications applications

Ocean remote sensing techniques often rely on autonomous buoys to measure and transmit real-time oceanographic and meteorological data. The operating lifetime, payload capacity, and sampling rate of such platforms are limited by onboard battery power. Here, we describe a rotary-drive, wave energy conversion device which utilizes the heaving motion of a surface buoy to generate power over a broad range of sea-states. The device was demonstrated to generate over 50 W of power in moderate seas at the Kilo Nalu Nearshore Reef Observatory.