232 



Presented at 2nd Miami Inteimational Conference on Alternate Energy 

 10-23 December 1979 



DAM- ATOLL- -A SYSTEM FOR EXTRACTING 

 ENERGY FROM OCEAN WAVES 



T. P. HIGGINS and H. G. SCHREIBER 



Lockheed Missiles & Space Ccnopany, Inc., Sunnyvale, California, U.S.A. 



ABSTRACT 



A DAM-ATOLL Is a dome-shaped structure located Just below the neutral 

 level of the sea. The special dome shape acts as a concentrating device to 

 concentrate the wave energy In both vertical and horizontal directions. 



The concentrated wave energy is directed to a central core in a manner 

 to create a vortex flow. This vortex, or fluid flywheel, acts as an energy 

 storage device to permit continuous output power from massive pulses of wave 

 energy input power. 



The vortex in the central core serves as a fluid flywheel from which 

 energy is gradually and continuously withdrawn by a turbine. When the turbine 

 drives an electrical generator, the nominal output of a 280 ft. diameter 

 DAM-ATOLL is in the order of 1-2 MW, depending on the input wave energy. 



A 1/100 scale model has been constructed and operated as a proof-of- 

 concept. The inventor received a patent in May 1979. 



The energy in ocean waves Is truly awesome — significant evidence is 

 provided by coastal destruction during storms. Even normal seas can exhibit 

 large energy content by the manner in which the waves break on the shore and 

 the surf explodes onto the beach. Scientists have calculated the amount of 

 energy in ocean waves to be greater than the world's oil supply -- now how do 

 we efficiently obtain this renewable, free energy? 



Man has observed the rise and fall of the ocean wave surfaces for aany, 

 many years and recognized that there is a source of energy to be utllired. 

 While there have been many ingenious atten^ts to have various types of mecha- 

 nisms ride the waves and convert the motion Into usable energy, a cost com- 

 petitive system has not yet been developed. I would like to describe a new 

 concept, developed by a brilliant Lockheed scientist and recently patented, 

 which utilizes a new approach to extract ocean wave energy, and has a valid 

 theoretical base. 



Footnote : Mr. Leslie S. Wirt and his associate, Mr. D. L. Morrow, have 

 brilliantly applied their knowledge from one scientific field to develop a new 

 concept In another scientific arena. A patent for DAM-ATOLL was issued on 

 8 May 1979. 



