Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
  • F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
  • F03B13/12—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy
  • F03B13/14—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy
  • F03B13/16—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem"
  • F03B13/18—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem" where the other member, i.e. rem is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore
  • F03B13/1805—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem" where the other member, i.e. rem is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore and the wom is hinged to the rem
  • F03B13/181—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem" where the other member, i.e. rem is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore and the wom is hinged to the rem for limited rotation
  • F03B13/1815—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem" where the other member, i.e. rem is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore and the wom is hinged to the rem for limited rotation with an up-and-down movement
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
  • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
  • Y02E10/30—Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient

Definitions

• the invention in question relates to a device for the extraction of energy from wave motion, primarily ocean or sea waves, as well as conversion of the extracted energy into useful energy.
• the extracted energy from the waves can be converted into useful energy by means of many different types of converters such as electrical generators, water pumps, hydraulic pumps or other equipment.
• GB 2261262 showing a toroidally-shaped float, pivotally mounted to the top of a vertical column. Wave movement causes pivotal movement of the float about the horizontal axes.
• the float's pivotal movement in relation to the column is via a transmission system transferred to a generator placed inside the column.
• the device utilises only relative pivotal movement between the float and the column.
• the transmission system consists of a relatively large number of parts.
• the mooring of the device is relatively complicated.
• US 5986349 shows a toroidally-shaped float placed around a vertical column.
• the toroidally-shaped float consists of four segments hinged to the column.
• the segments can move independently of each other.
• the motion of ocean waves causes the segments to move upwards and downwards.
• the movement of the float segments in relation to the column is utilised to drive energy converters.
• the mooring of the device is relatively complicated.
• US 4352023 shows a gyroscope mechanism mounted on a float. In response to wave motion, the float will turn or pivot about horizontal axes. The gyroscope mechanism converts the pivotal motion of the float into rotational movement to drive electrical generators. The device does not utilise the relative movement of two partly submerged bodies.
• the Kepler Buoy published on the Internet.
• the device consists of a round float slidably mounted at the top of a vertical column and a round plate rigidly mounted to the lower end.
• the float will move upwards and downwards whilst the column is prevented from moving by the plate due to drag resistance in the water.
• the float's motion in relation to the column is utilised to generate useful energy.
• the device utilises only the float's upwards and downwards movement.
• the invention in question concerns a float (1) placed around a vertical column (2), a coupling (comprising 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8) and energy converters (9, 10, 11) being activated by the float's (1) motion in relation to the column (2).
• the vertical column's (2) lower part is placed below the water surface and the upper part extends above the water surface through the float (1) and is coupled to the float by means of the coupling (4, 5, 6, 7, 8).
• the float (1) is arranged for both axial movement and pivotal movement in relation to the vertical column (2) so that the energy in both forms of motion can be utilised.
• the device utilises horizontal backwards and forwards (to-and-fro) movement, which causes pivotal movement of the float (1) in relation to the vertical column (2).
• Horizontal to-and-fro movement will occur when the device is moored to a buoy, or other device, which could act as a spring.
• the float (1) has a relatively large volume compared to its own mass and will thereby easily move in response to the ocean waves. Furthermore, the float's cross-section, shown on section B-B figure 7, is shaped so that the lower part (lc) is relatively narrow or pointed to reduce the hydrodynamic resistance in the water when the float oscillates.
• a further aspect which increases energy extraction is the vertical column (2) being arranged so that it will move relatively little in response to the waves. This is achieved primarily by the volume of the column being relatively little and narrow near the water surface where the water-particle velocity is high.
• the column (2) is equipped with a chamber (3) which partially or completely encloses a mass of water. If acceleration and movement of the vertical column is to occur, the water inside the chamber (3) and some of the water outside the chamber will have to follow the movement. In order to accelerate this mass (hydrodynamic mass) an inertia force is required. In addition, movement of the vertical columns (2) and chamber (3) will be resisted by hydrodynamic dampening forces or drag forces. Inertia and drag forces will thereby counteract movement of the vertical column (2).
• the chamber (3) will be affected relatively little by wave forces since it is situated some distance below the water surface where the water particle velocity is relatively low.
• Another aim of the invention in question is to provide a device comprising relatively few parts and which is easy and inexpensive to manufacture.
• a further aim of the invention in question is to provide a device that is easy to deploy and operate. The equipment for energy conversion is easily accessed for inspection and repairs. The device can easily be moored by use of one or more lines/cables connected to buoys or to fastening points on shore.
• Fig. 1 showing an isometric view of the device
• FIG. 2 showing a side view of the device Fig. 3 showing view A-A from fig. 2
• Fig. 4 showing a top plan view of the device
• FIG. 5 showing an example of mooring of the device
• FIG. 6 showing alternative example of mooring of the device
• FIG. 7 showing section B-B from fig. 4
• Fig. 8 showing a top plan view of the float (1) and the coupling (comprising 4,
• the float (1) may for example be a shell structure reinforced with plate stiffeners or a solid body made from a low weight material.
• the outer contour of the float (1) can be round as shown on the drawings or angular.
• the upper part of the vertical column (2) is arranged to accommodate the bearing unit's (4) axial movement.
• the middle and lower part of the vertical column (2) may be a cylinder or pipe with a round or multi-angular cross section.
• the vertical column (2) may be equipped with a chamber (2b) or buoyancy elements to provide the required buoyancy.
• the magnitude of the buoyancy force can be varied so that the column (2) floats independently of the float (1) or exerts an upward force on the float (1).
• the float (1) may carry some or all of the vertical column's (2) weight.
• the distance from the mechanisms' (5, 6, 7, 8) pivotal axes to the float's (1) own pivotal axis in the water will affect the pivotal movement. In order to optimise the float's (1) pivotal movement, the distance from the water surface to the pivot mechanism may differ from that shown in the drawings.
• Fig. 1 shows the device which includes a float (1), a vertical column (2) with a chamber (3) at its lower end, a coupling (comprising 4, 5, 6, 7and 8) and energy converters (9, 10, 11).
• the coupling comprises a bearing unit (4) for axial movement, bearing units for pivotal movement (5), a frame (6) and bearing units for pivotal movement (7, 8).
• the float's (1) movement in the vertical column's (2) axial direction is made possible by use of the bearing unit (4).
• the bearing unit (4) can, for example, consist of a bearing housing with sliding, ball or roller bearings.
• the float's (1) pivotal movement in relation to the vertical column (2), ie rotation about horizontal axes, is made possible by the bearing unit (4) being pivotally mounted to the frame (6) by use of bearing units (5) and by the frame (6) being pivotally mounted to the float (1) by use of bearing units (7, 8).
• the bearings units (5) can, for example, comprise shafts with sliding, ball or roller bearings.
• the sliding, ball or roller bearings can be situated in the frame (6) or in the bearing unit (4).
• the bearing units (7, 8) can eg comprise shafts, bearing housing with sliding, ball or roller bearings.
• the sliding, ball or roller bearings can be situated in the frame (6) or in the bearing housing (8).
• Energy converters (11) are arranged in connection with the bearing unit's (4) axial movement. One end of the energy converter (11) is connected to the bearing unit (4) and the other end is connected to the upper part of the vertical column (2). The relative axial movement which occurs is utilised to drive the energy converters (11).
• energy converters (9, 10) are arranged in connection with the bearing unit's (4) pivotal movement and the frame's (6) pivotal movement.
• the relative pivotal movement which occurs is utilised to drive the energy converters (9, 10).
• the pivotal movement may be transferred by use of the shafts (5, 7) or by use of other mechanical transmission.
• the energy converters (9, 10) may be placed in many ways to achieve optimum results.
• the float' s (1) movements in relation to the vertical column (2) is thus utilised to drive energy converters (9, 10, 11) which generate useful energy, eg electricity.
• useful energy eg electricity.
• the battery or equipment can eg be situated inside the upper part of the vertical column (2).
• the device may be equipped with different control systems to regulate and optimise energy extraction and generation.
• the device may be equipped with a windmill to extract and utilise the energy in wind.
• the windmill may eg be placed on top of the vertical column (2).
• Fig. 5 and 6 show examples of mooring for the device.
• the numbers (12, 13) refer to fastening points for the mooring lines/cables and (14, 15) refer to mooring lines/cables.
• the device can with advantage be moored to buoys or other devices which can act as springs. Horizontal wave forces will thus cause to-and-fro motion of the device which will result in relative pivotal movements of the float ( 1 ) and the vertical column (2).
• Another variant of the invention in question would be to place the vertical column (2) so that its lower end is supported on the seabed or is moored to the seabed.
• a further design variant of the invention in question would be to replace the chamber (3) with plates or a solid body designed to counteract movement of the vertical column (2) in various ways.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=19910926

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Cited By (11)

Families Citing this family (1)

Citations (3)

• 2000
  • 2000-03-24 NO NO20001537A patent/NO311371B1/no not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2001
  • 2001-03-20 WO PCT/NO2001/000117 patent/WO2001073289A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2001-03-20 AU AU2001242895A patent/AU2001242895A1/en not_active Abandoned

Patent Citations (3)

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