there is disclosed a device to convert water wave motion into useful energy which includes a shaft mounted to be rotatable and having fixed thereto a plurality of gears , a plurality of floats equal in number to the plurality of gears with each float connected by an arm , through a fulcrum , to a ratchet - like device on the other end of the arm from the float , which ratchet - like device drives one of the gears . the shaft drives a gear train which results in a rapidly rotating shaft which drives a pump which takes suction from a low pressure reservoir and discharges to drive a fluid - driven motor . between the discharge side of the pump and the fluid - driven motor are a high pressure reservoir for the driving fluid , a regulating valve , and a pressure relief valve which discharges into the low pressure reservoir , whereby the action of waves in a body of water causes a continuous surge of fluid through the motor at a uniform pressure .