The latest breakthrough in the water-conservation-renewables sector comes from Hoffman & Hoffman Electronic and Electro-mechanical Engineering Ltd (operating commercially as Clean Ocean Power), the assignee that recently secured US Patent 12,590,564 for their highly anticipated “Water wave energy harvester.”
This remarkable invention introduces a novel wave-flattening energy harvester that fundamentally shifts how marine kinetic energy is captured. Rather than relying on the traditional, inefficient method of harvesting limited vertical wave motion, this technology utilizes specialized water-engaging vanes and a continuous belt system to slow horizontal water velocity, extracting maximum torque and constant power as the wave is flattened.
Why It Won Patent of the Month for May 2026
This invention was awarded “Patent of the Month” for the water-conservation-renewables industry in May 2026 because it decisively solves the two biggest bottlenecks in ocean power: output intermittency and mechanical fragility. Traditional wave devices often produce unstable electricity and are prone to breaking in harsh storm conditions, making grid integration nearly impossible. By contrast, this wave-flattening mechanical linkage system extends across the full wavelength, delivering a predictable, stable baseload output that rivals traditional power plants. Its robust design minimizes maintenance while offering massive scalability for coastal microgrids, offshore industrial operations, and energy-intensive desalination plants—marking a monumental step toward achieving zero-emission energy independence.
Eligibility for the R&D Tax Credit in the USA
The practical applications and continued commercial development of this patented wave harvester provide an excellent opportunity for companies to claim the Research & Development (R&D) Tax Credit under IRC Section 41 in the United States. To qualify, the applied engineering activities must satisfy the IRS Four-Part Test. For instance, teams working to scale the water-engaging vanes for specific harsh-sea environments or integrating the continuous belt system into existing hybrid wave-wind farms will inherently face technological uncertainties regarding hydrodynamic stress, corrosion resistance, and power-grid synchronization. Attempting to eliminate these uncertainties through a systematic process of experimentation—such as computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling, wave-tank prototyping, and structural load testing—relies heavily on the hard sciences of marine engineering and physics. By meticulously documenting these iterative design and testing phases, companies commercializing or building upon this technology can recoup significant portions of their developmental expenditures, allowing for deeper reinvestment into clean ocean power initiatives.