AU2012100062A4 - Sea Wave Energy Converter - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A SWEC (Sea Wave Energy Converter) with direct action and self-adjustable for water level is shown in Figure 1. The SWEC includes the following: float, made from standard plastic pipes; ballast, also made from standard plastic pipes filled with sea sand or another heavy substance; dual-action piston pumps (number of pumps depends on model size); and a support structure, including a self-adjusted tide mechanism. 16!

Description

Editorial Note 2012100062 There are 2 pages of Description Description The invention is a SWEC, which includes all necessary parts in order to convert potential wave energy into kinetic hydro energy and then into electrical energy with hydro-turbine and generator. The SWEC is fully submersed under water, only the float is partly exposed. The SWEC being fully submersed the presence of the self-adjusted tide mechanism assist SWEC to resist most natural forces. In order to achieve the dual-action of piston pumps, the buoyancy of the float should be double the weight of the ballast. The pressure generated by the system can be determined by the correlation of the weight in the ballast to the sum of piston surface areas. This provides an opportunity to use the conversion of potential wave energy into pumping seawater in a more effective way than other designs. The common piston, shaft, and bore of each dual action piston pump ensure the force is pulling on the piston from the ballasts shaft negating the need to weigh down the float so that it can apply a pushing / bending force as moves down into a wave trough as would be required to cock a single action pump. Separate inlet and outlet check valves operate the two strokes of the pump. Seawater is accepted into the pump through the inlet valves and pumped through outlet valves into a larger common pipeline fitted with hydraulic accumulators where pulsation is reduced. Under an accumulated constant pressure the seawater is fed to a hydraulic turbine coupled to generator to produce electricity. The support structure is constructed from standard plastic pipes and includes self-adjusted tide mechanism based on hydraulic cylinders. The unit is equipped with a smart control box, which logs and transfers data to a control room. It also is used to submerse the unit in case of emergency. Submersing of the unit is achieved by partially filling the float with seawater. The working principal is illustrated in the below figures: Figure 1 shows a general view of the unit Figure 2 shows the diagram of the pump Figure 3 shows the automatic height adjustment system Description: The general view of the SWEC is illustrated in Figure 1 and includes the following: 1. A float, made from large-diameter standard plastic pipes, the length of which not exceeding 7-8 meters, a single-layered or two-layer package, depending on diameter and average wave height. 2. The shaft of the piston pump, made from stainless steel or composite materials that are resistant to seawater. The shaft is integral and connects the float and ballast, as a result of which the shaft is only responsible for pulling force. 3. The body of the pump made of stainless steel or composite materials that are resistant to seawater. The body is fixed on motionless structure and is connected to the pressure pipeline through the outlet check valves. 4. The ballast, made from standard plastic large-diameter pipes, filled with wetted heavyweight materials, such as sand or gravel. 5. The support structure made from standard plastic pipes and attached to seabed through a pivoting connection that negates lateral forces associated with a change of wind, wave, or current directions. 6. The hydraulic cylinder, providing automatic adjustment of the system to handle tidal movements. The diagram of the pump is shown in Figure 2 and includes the following: 1. The common shaft with the piston attached 2. Shaft seal to maintain seal and pressure in pump chambers. 3. The piston, made from stainless steel or composite materials that are resistant to seawater. 4. The pump cylinder made from stainless steel or composite materials that are resistant to seawater. The body of the pump is secured to a support structure and is connected to the pressure pipeline through the outlet check valves. 5. Inlet and outlet check valves, integral to piston pump operation. Figure 3 illustrates the hydraulic cylinder and includes the following: 1. Hydraulic cylinder, made from stainless steel or composite materials that are resistant to seawater and secured to the support structure of the unit. 2. The pressure line valve (2) and release valve (8), opening in order to surface the unit. 3. The piston, made from stainless steel or composite materials that are resistant to seawater. 4. The pressure line valve (4) and release valve (7), opening in order to submerse the unit. 5. The shaft, which is attached to the piston and the foundation of the seabed through a pivoting joint. 6. Footing

Claims (3)

1. A SWEC (Sea Wave Energy Converter) with direct action and self adjustable for water level, the main part of which is a dual-action pump with common shaft.

2. A float, ballast and all the structure of the unit made from standard plastic pipes, which have a high resistance to seawater.

3. Automatic control of system height to tide level, achieved with hydraulic cylinder principals, powered directly from system pressure sourced from the high pressure pipeline.