AU2013201756A1

AU2013201756A1 - Wave driven electrical power generation

Info

Publication number: AU2013201756A1
Application number: AU2013201756A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Johann Granitzer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-10-02
Filing date: 2013-03-21
Publication date: 2014-04-17

Abstract

The specification discloses a wave powered electrical energy generation system (10, 38, 41, 42) having an open support frame structure (11) positionable in a sea bed zone subject to wave action, the open support frame (11) carrying slide rail members (12,13, 14,15) positioned in the direction of wave flow in the sea bed zone, a slide frame (17) is slidably carried on the rail members (12, 13, 14, 15) for movement therealong, the slide frame (17) being positioned generally transverse to the direction of wave flow, the slide frame (17) further including a wave engageable plate (25) moveable relative to the slide frame (17) from a first operative position where waves impinge on the wave engageable plate (25) to a second elevated and inoperative position where no or minimal wave engagement occurs with the plate (25), first drive means (26) being provided to drive the wave engageable plate (25) between said first and said second positions whereby said plate (25) is in said first position when a wave is moving in a forward direction, the system (10, 38, 41, 42) further including sea water pump means (33) connected to the slide frame (17), the pump means (33) being arranged to receive sea water from said sea bed zone and to pump sea water to an elevated storage zone (38), the system further including a turbine motor (41) driven by water delivered from the elevated storage zone 38 and an electrical generator means (42) driven by said turbine motor (41). L . - ------- ----------

Description

1 WAVE DRIVEN ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION [0001] The present invention relates to improvements in systems for generating electric power from sea or ocean movement, in particular, wave generated motion. [0002] One known arrangement for generating electrical energy from wave power is to provide a structure for waves to run through specially designed races to drive a turbine in the forward direction of flow but such arrangements have a difficulty in that the force applied by waves provides only an intermittent driving force for the turbine or turbines. [0003] US 3970415 discloses an arrangement wherein fixed pumping stations are provided undersea, each station having a float which rises and falls with wave motion, thereby regularly pumping water to a hydraulic turbine to generate electricity. Although this provides a somewhat more regular driving force to the turbine, fluid flow to the turbine is intermittent. Furthermore, the number of pump cycles per second and volume of fluid delivered to the turbine will depend on the size and frequency of the waves, further contributing to irregular and intermittent power availability. Furthermore, the pumping mechanism is inherently inefficient. [0004] EP1 013953 discloses an arrangement wherein an undersea pumping mechanism uses wave power to pump water to an elevated tank, thereby providing a constant source of elevated water for use in a hydraulic turbine. However, this arrangement relies upon a float attached via a cable to the pumping piston. Vertical movement of the float translates directly to vertical movement of the piston and no leverage advantages are gained. Furthermore, the pumping mechanism is again inherently inefficient. When waves are small and have a high frequency, the arrangement will result in very short piston strokes and frequent changes of piston direction. This is inefficient and ultimately results in less fluid being delivered to the elevated tank, and hence less power generation capacity.

2 [0005] The objective of the present invention is to provide an improved system for creating electrical energy from wave power. [0006] Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention provides a wave powered electrical energy generation system including an open support frame structure positionable in a sea bed zone subject to wave action, said open support frame carrying slide rail means positioned, in use, in the direction of wave flow in said sea bed zone, a slide frame carried by said slide rail means for movement therealong, said slide frame being positioned generally transverse to the direction of wave flow, said slide frame including a wave engageable member movable relative to said slide frame from a first position where waves will impinge on the wave engageable member to a second position where no or minimal wave engagement occurs with the wave engageable member, first drive means being provided to drive said wave engageable member selectably between said first and said second positions whereby said wave engageable member is located in said first position when a wave is moving in a forward direction, said system further including sea water pump means connected to said slide frame, said pump means being arranged to receive sea water from said sea bed zone and to pump said sea water to an elevated storage zone, said system further including a turbine motor driven by water delivered from said elevated storage zone and an electrical generator driven by said turbine motor. [0007] Preferred features of this invention may be as defined in any claim annexed hereto, the subject matter of these claims being included in the disclosure of this specification by this reference thereto. [0008] Preferred embodiments will be described hereafter with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: [0009] Fig 1 is a schematic perspective view of apparatus utilizing wave energy to pump sea water to an elevated storage facility; and 3 [0010] Fig 2 is a schematic view of apparatus utilizing sea water stored in the elevated storage facility to generate power via a sea water driven turbine driving an electrical generator. [0011] Referring first to Fig 1, apparatus 10 is illustrated comprising an open rigid support frame 11 formed from suitable structural bars (not shown). The support frame 11 is intended to be positioned in a sea bed zone subject to wave action. The support frame 11 includes two pairs of slide rails 12, 13 and 14, 15 on opposed longitudinal sides of the support frame 11. In use, the slide rails 12-15 are positioned generally in line with wave movement in the sea bed zone in which the apparatus 10 is positioned. The apparatus 10 further includes a slide frame 16 having a generally rectangular form with upright side members 17, 18, an upper cross bar 19 and a lower cross bar 20. Each of the upright side members 17, 18 have a pair of bearing fittings 21, 22 and 23, 24 including bearings fitting over the slide rails 12, 13, 14 and 15 to allow the slide frame 16 to move forwardly and rearwardly along the slide rails 12 to 15. Mounted within the slide frame 16, a plate 25 is positioned in guide slots 50 or similar on the inside faces of the upright side members 17, 18 such that the plate 25 is capable of being lowered from the upper position illustrated to a lower position where the lower edge of the plate 25 engages or is adjacent the lower cross bar 20. Upward and downward movement of the plate 25 is achieved by actuation of a pneumatic cylinder 26. The plate 25 is elevated as illustrated as the slide frame 16 moves from the right hand end of the support frame 11 towards the left hand end of the frame 11, as a wave recedes. When a new wave arrives, the slide frame 16 is at the left hand end of the apparatus 11 and the plate 25 is lowered to be engaged by the new wave with the new wave pushing the slide frame 16 towards the right hand end of the frame 11. With the plate 25 elevated, the plate is positioned substantially out of wave contact and with the plate lowered, the plate is contacted and moved by the wave. [0012] At the right hand end of the frame 11, a plate member 27 forming part of the frame 11 mounts a pair of pneumatic cylinders 28, 29 having push rod 4 members 30, 31, each connected to the slide frame 16. The cylinders 28, 29 and their push rod members 30, 31 are used to push the frame 16 towards the left hand end of the frame 11 as each wave recedes. Suitable valving associated with a compressed air supply supplies compressed gas to the cylinders 26, 28 and 29. Specifically when the slide frame 16 has been pushed to the right as illustrated by a wave flowing in this direction with the plate 25 lowered, air is supplied to all three cylinders to raise the plate 25 and move the frame 16 to the left with a receding wave. When a limit of movement to the left is reached, the air is exhausted from the cylinders which allow the plate 25 to drop under its own weight to its lowered position. At the same time the cylinders 28, 29 are exhausted which allows a new wave to push the plate 25 and slide frame 16 to the right. [0013] In a possible alternative, the pneumatic cylinders 28, 29 might be replaced by spring means to push the slide frame 17 back to a start position, i.e. left of the drawing of Fig 1. In this embodiment, wave action pushing the slide frame 17 with the plate 25 in a lowered position needs to also overcome the spring applied forces but any loss of energy supplied to the pneumatic cylinders 28, 29 is avoided. Ideally any energy generated is utilized to drive the pneumatic cylinder 26 and, if needed, the cylinders 28, 29. [0014] Connected to the frame 16, typically the lower cross bar 20, is a connecting rod 32 of a sea water pumping cylinder 33. Sea water is drawn into the cylinder 33 through an inlet passage 34 and valve 35 as the slide frame member 16 moves to the left, i.e. as a wave recedes. When a new wave arrives, the frame 16 moves to the right and sea water is pumped from the cylinder 33 via line 36 and discharge valve 37. The sea water is delivered via line 36 to an elevated water storage zone (e.g. tank 38 - Fig 2). Water level in the tank 38 is controlled by a float valve 39. Water is delivered, when required via line 40 to a water turbine 41 which in turn drives a generator 42 to produce electrical energy. The electrical energy may be used directly via line 43 supplied to an end user or 5 might be stored in a storage facility 44 and then used by a user 45. The storage facility 44 might consist of a suitable battery bank or similar.

Claims

1. Wave powered electrical energy generation system including an open support frame structure positionable in a sea bed zone subject to wave action, said open support frame carrying slide rail means positioned, in use, in the direction of wave flow in said sea bed zone, a slide frame carried by said slide rail means for movement therealong, said slide frame being positioned generally transverse to the direction of wave flow, said slide frame including a wave engageable member movable relative to said slide frame from a first position where waves will impinge on the wave engageable member to a second position where no or minimal wave engagement occurs with the wave engageable member, first drive means being provided to drive said wave engageable member selectably between said first and said second positions whereby said wave engageable member is located in said first position when a wave is moving in a forward direction, said system further including sea water pump means connected to said slide frame, said pump means being arranged to receive sea water from said sea bed zone and to pump said sea water to an elevated storage zone, said system further including a turbine motor driven by water delivered from said elevated storage zone and an electrical generator means driven by said turbine motor.

2. Wave powered electrical generation system according to claim 1 wherein said wave engageable member is lifted in a substantially vertical direction when being from said first position to said second position.

3. Wave powered electrical generation system according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein movement means is provided to move said slide frame on said slide rail means in a direction opposite to said wave action while said wave engageable means is held in said second position. 7

4. Wave powered electrical generation system according to claim 3 wherein said movement means includes pneumatic cylinder means.

5. Wave powered electrical generation system according to claim 4 wherein said pneumatic cylinder means provides minimal restriction to movement of the slide frame under forces supplied by a wave.

6. Wave powered electrical generation system according to claim 3 wherein said movement means includes spring means. JOHANN GRANITZER WATERMARK PATENT AND TRADE MARKS ATTORNEYS P36575AU00