A wave-powered electrical generator (WPEG) of novel design is proposed. WPEG operates by harnessing energy from the water waves, i.e., from an environmentally friendly source of energy. Briefly, WPEG consists of a geared motor-generator, accommodated by a double-cone, which is rolling on two eccentric circular rails. Eccentricity causes a divergent-convergent effect on the rails span (Fig. 1). During a motion toward divergent rails, potential energy of the double-cone is transformed into the kinetic energy of rotation and translation, i.e., into the energy associated to the “spin” of the double-cone around its axis of symmetry, and to the “revolution” of the double-cone around the center of the rails (Fig. 1). During a motion toward convergent rails, oppositely, the kinetic energy (re)transforms into the potential energy. Spontaneous variation of potential energy is proportional to the mass of the double-cone, the gravitational acceleration, and the height change “h” (Fig. 1). Movement of the double-cone can be sustained if water energy, e.g., sea or ocean wave energy, is supplied from time to time into the system.

Thus, waves of random direction, height and period are able to produce random rotation of the buoy (rails). Small inclination angles of the rails are sufficient to sustain the motion of the double-cone, even on concentric rails (nil eccentricity). Besides, full revolution of the double-cone around the center of the rails is not a mandatory condition to achieve electrical power generation.

Proposed double-cone consists of an inner cone, rolling on the inner rail, and an outer cone, rolling on the outer rail (Fig. 2). Double-cone accommodates a geared motor-generator, its case being enclosed by the inner cone, and its shaft being fitted to the outer cone. Gear-box is placed into the space between cones, to achieve balance, easy lubrication, and cooling (Fig. 2). Wires, pulled out at the apex of the inner cone, are used to electrically connect the LED to the geared motor-generator (Fig. 2). Similar to a differential gear, used in the transmission system of the autovehicle wheels, the outer cone is running along the longer outer rail, and hence, it rotates faster than the inner cone, which is running along the shorter inner rail. Such difference of angular speed between the inner and outer cones is amplified by the gear-box of the geared motor-generator. As a result, sufficient difference of angular speed between the stator and rotor of the geared motor-generator is obtained for power generation, and the LED is lighted up. Generated electrical power can be augmented by increasing the mass of the outer cone, the radius of the outer rail, the span of the rails, the friction between the outer cone and the outer rail (achieved by appropriate coating of the outer cone surface, etc.), and the amplification ratio of the gear-box.

WPEG prototype shown in Fig. 2 was constructed by using commercially available items: “frying-pans” for rails (15 USD), “micro metal geared motor-generator” (25 USD), metallic or wooden cones (15 USD/pair of cones), and flash-light LED (5 USD).