US 9945348 B2 / Apr 17, 2018

Ocean wave energy converter including control system for disabling active rectification when generator output power is less than a conversion loss

An electric generator driven by a source of variable energy produces at its output an alternating current (AC) output voltage and current which is converted via controllable active switching circuitry into a direct current (DC) voltage which is stored in an energy storage element. Power losses are associated with the active switching circuit and the AC to DC conversion. The power available at the output of the generator can be determined. If the available power is less than the power losses the controllable switching circuitry is disabled.