Our Technology
The Anaconda Lobe-Tendon is a sealed water filled rubber tube. The unique technology harnesses energy from the ocean waves by the amplification of internal bulge waves as they travel along the length of the natural rubber tube.
The tube that turns waves into energy
The Anaconda Lobe-Tendon is a flexible water-filled tube that is moored to the seabed. The device utilises the bulge wave effect. Sea waves, travelling along the length of the tube, excite bulge waves within the tube. When the speed of the ocean waves is close to that of the internal bulge waves, the bulge wave ‘surfs’ in front of the ocean wave and a resonant transfer of energy occurs.
A power take-off is located at the stern of the tube which converts the amplified bulge wave into the desired energy vector.
Patented Lobe-Tendon device that brings a step-change in performance
Inside the Anaconda bulge tube is our patented Lobe-Tendon technology (patent no. GB2112123.1). The outer tube is made from a durable reinforced rubber material, while internal tendons are made from high performance rubber. The internal tendons pull the outer tube into lobes. The elasticity of the tendons is selected to tune the bulge wave speed to that of the predominant wave speed. This unique technology provides a number of improvements to the Anaconda concept, including significant reduction in material requirements, removal of aneurysm risk and improved durability in the marine environment.
The Lobe-Tendon system is the result of intensive research and development into understanding of the effect of bulge waves. Physical testing has demonstrated the benefits of the lobe tendon technology alongside improvements in power capture performance relative to the original Anaconda concept.
The Anaconda Lobe-Tendon and arising developments are IP protected by patents UK Patent 1979609, UK Patent App 2112123.1 and WO2024/047350.
Built from natural rubber that withstands the harsh ocean environment
The inherently flexible nature of rubber improves the survivability of the Anaconda Lobe-Tendon without the need for complex engineering solutions.
Checkmate Flexible Engineering Limited - specialists in rubber fabrication and design - have been contracted to manufacture the Anaconda tubes in small scale for Checkmate Sea Energy.
Current testing indicates the bulge tube has a projected lifespan of 12 years. The material used is the highest-grade rubber. Demonstrating its durability, a similar material is used as the skirt to military air cushion crafts in demanding environments.
Lower costs to manufacture and deploy
The Anaconda Lobe-Tendon's durable rubber not only stands up to harsh weather conditions, it is also a cost-effective material for production and deployment.
While many alternative wave energy devices are constructed from steel or concrete, the Anaconda's flexible bulge tube can be produced at scale using modular construction techniques and transported with ease; reducing the cost and carbon impact of the device.
Scalable to meet all needs
The Anaconda Lobe-Tendon is designed to be used independently or as part of an Anaconda energy farm. The use cases for the technology are broad and include powering the grid, meeting the energy needs of an off-grid system, providing disaster relief through emergency energy power production and powering marine desalination.
The device itself can be scaled in size, and the bulge wave speed tuned to meet the optimum wave conditions for its environment; ensuring each device yields optimum cost of energy.
