CA2075470C - Wave power generating device - Google Patents
Wave power generating deviceInfo
- Publication number
- CA2075470C CA2075470C CA002075470A CA2075470A CA2075470C CA 2075470 C CA2075470 C CA 2075470C CA 002075470 A CA002075470 A CA 002075470A CA 2075470 A CA2075470 A CA 2075470A CA 2075470 C CA2075470 C CA 2075470C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- generating device
- power generating
- guides
- wave power
- frame
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
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Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
- E02B9/00—Water-power plants; Layout, construction or equipment, methods of, or apparatus for, making same
- E02B9/08—Tide or wave power plants
-
- 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
- Y02E10/20—Hydro energy
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)
Abstract
A wave power generating device which utilizes a simple mechanical arrangement to convert wave energy to rotational energy for subsequent conversion to other forms of energy. A main flotation section supports a pair of guides within which a frame is slidable. The frame has a float attached thereto which is responsive to the action of the waves for reciprocating the frame within the guides.
A pair of racks movable with the frame and engageable with a pair of one-way drive mechanisms mounted on a power shaft drive the shaft uni-directionally on both the upstroke and the downstroke of the frame. Preferably, the guides are disposed at an oblique angle with respect to the vertical for capitalizing, at least in part, on the kinetic energy of the wave.
A pair of racks movable with the frame and engageable with a pair of one-way drive mechanisms mounted on a power shaft drive the shaft uni-directionally on both the upstroke and the downstroke of the frame. Preferably, the guides are disposed at an oblique angle with respect to the vertical for capitalizing, at least in part, on the kinetic energy of the wave.
Description
WAVE POWER GENERATING DEVICE
Fie1d of the Invention The invention relates to a power generation device which utilizes water wave motion as its driving source and, in particular, to a wave power generating device 5 which converts potential and kinetic energy of the waves to rotational energy which may be more readily converted to alternate forms of energy.
Bacl~x~ (~und of the Invention Various devices have heretofore been proposed which extract potential or kinetic energy from waves for the subsequent conversion to more usable forms of 10 energy such as electricity. Typical arrangements provide that transverse waves act on a floating mechanism to produce a linearly reciprocating motion thereof or waves impact a paddle-wheel or similar mechanism to impart a rotational motion thereto.
Many contrivances have been devised to convert these motions into intermediary or ultimate forms of energy.
.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
; The present invention provides a wave power generation device of the linear reciprocating type which is capable of not only extracting potential energy from waves but also kinetic energy. The present invention also provides a simple arrangement for conversion of this linear reciprocating motion to a rotary motion 20 which can be readily converted to alternate forms of energy. Accordingly, there is provided a wave power generating device which comprises a main floatation section having a ]eading end; means for anchoring the main flotation section with its leading ~7~
end into the direction of oncoming waves; a pair of parallel, spaced-apart guides mounted at or near the leading end of the main flotation section at an angle with respect to the horizontal; frame means constrained for sliding movement within the guides; float means associated with the frame means, the float means being responsive to wave action for reciprocating said frame within the guides, a shaft rotatablymounted transversely across the guides and above the main float; a pair of one-way drive mechanisms disposed on the shaft; a pair of racks movable with the frame means, each of said racks being engaged with a respective one-way drive mechanism whereby said shaft is driven uni-directionally during both strokes of the frame means;
and energy conversion means operatively associated with said shaft for converting the rotational energy of the shaft to an alternate form of energy.
Further features and advantages will become apparent from the following description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF T~IE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a plan view of the wave power generating device;
Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the wave power generating device shown along lines A-A in Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a cross-section of the wave power generating device shown along lines B-B in Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is a plan view showing in detail a one-way drive mechanism usable in connection with the invention;
Figs. 5 and 6 are the same cross-sectional views illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, respectively, but with the wave power generating device shown in operation.
I~ETAILEI~ DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to Figs. 1 to 3, there is shown one embodiment of the invention only in suff;cient detail to permit a thorough understanding thereo~ The wave power generating device is denoted generally by the reference numeral 10 and S partially comprises a main flotation section 12 upon which the remainder of the apparatus is supported. Preferably, the main flotation section 12 consists of a pair of floats or pontoons 14 catamaranned by a structure comprising a pair of longitudinal beams 16 separated by a pair of cross-pieces 18, thus providing a longitudinallyextending channel 19 between the pontoons 14. ~lternatively, the main flotation section 12 might comprise a barge or scow which is divided below the floor to form ; a similar longitudinal channel. The channel 19 permits incoming waves to flow therethrough with minimal deleterious effects.
The main flotation section 12 is anchored in such a manner so as to align automatically the device 10 in the direction of oncoming waves. Chains 20 are attached at both sides of the main flotation section 12 and are pivotably anchored at a common anchorage (not shown) so as to permit the device 10 to freely align itself.
To facilitate this alignment, a transverse keel 22 may be provided generally below the surface of the water (see Figs. S and 6) which is attached through the pontoons 14 to the longitudinal beams 16 by means of support braces 24. The leading ends 15 of pontoons 14 may also be suitably configured such as depicted in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 to aid in alignment.
A pair o~ parallel guides 26 are mounted at the leading end of the main flotation section 12 in an upwardly transverse relationship with respect to the longitudinal beams 16 and, hence, with respect to the horizontal. As shown, the guides 26 are preferably disposed at an oblique angle with respect to the vertical, the purpose of which wi]l be explained hereinbelow. The guides 26 are, in essence, a pair of C-channels which are disposed with their openings inwardly opposed and which are spaced-apart structurally at their upper ends by a cross-bar 28 and near their lower erlds indirectly through the longitudinal beams 16 by cross-pieces 18. Preferably, the 5 guides 26 extend downwardly below the water line of the main flotation section 12 to take full advantage of the amplitude of the wave.
The guides 26 serve to constrain a frame 30 in sliding reciprocating motion therebetween. 7'he generally rectangular frame 30 consists of a pair of lateral slides 32 separated by a pair of transverse members 34 and a cross-bar 36. The slides 10 32 are constrained for sliding movement within the C-channel guides 26 whereby the ends of cross-bar 36 provide a bearing surface to facilitate sliding. A pair of racks 38,40 are attached to and movable with the frame 30. A smaller float 42 is attached to the frame 30 by means of supports 44 which are affixed to slides 32 and which extend forwardly of the main flotation section 12 so as to dispose the float 42 forward 15 of the main flotation section 12 and generally between pontoons 14. As will be described in greater detail hereinbelow, the float 42 is responsive to the undulating motion of incoming waves (see Figs. 5 and 6) which in turn causes reciprocating motion of the frame 30 within guides 26. Stops 45 are provided at or near the lower ends of guides 26 for limiting the extent to which the frame 30 slides and to prevent 20 derailing of the frame 30 from the guides 26.
A power shaft 46 is rotatably mounted transversely across the upper ends of the guides 30 by means of mounting brackets 47 and suitable bearings. A pair of one-way drive mechanisms 48,50 are disposed on the shaft 46 for engagement with racks 38,40, respectively, and in such a manner as to permit only uni-directional rotation of the shaft. As can be seen in Figs. 2 and 3, racks 38,40 are arranged such that they engage their respective one-way drive mechanisms 48,50 on radially opposed sides. In particular, rack 38 lies generally in the plane of frame 30 while rack 40 extends outwardly from but parallel to the plane of the frame 30. This arrangement permits the uni-directional driving of the shaft 46 during both the upstroke anddownstroke of the frame 30. One or more flywheels 52 are disposed on shaft 46 inorder to smooth-out power transients and to conserve the shaft's angular momentum.
Although not shown, it may be necessary to provide additional supporting membersbetween the guides 26 and the beams 16 to prevent excessive stresses from occurring : at the joints 53.
The rotational energy of the shaft 46 can be converted into more usable forms of energy using conventional technology. The rotating shaft may be used todrive one or more electric generators (not shown) to produce electricity which is then transferred to shore by transmission lines. An electric generator may be situated on the main floatation section 12, collpled to the shaft 46 through a gear or pulley arrangement, or a pair of generators may be disposed outwardly of the flywheels 52 at either end of the shaft 46, supported by suitable supporting structure. Alternately, the shaft 46 may drive a compressor (not shown) for pressurizing a gas which can be stored in a tank for later use or may be used to do a myriad of other forms of work using known techniques.
While the one-way drive mechanisms illustrated in the drawings are ratchet mech~ni~mc, it will be understood that the invention is not necessarily restricted to the use thereof and that other one-way drive mechanisms, for example overrunning clutches, might likewise be employed. The ratchet mechanisms 48,50 shown in Fig. 1 and in more detail in Fig. 4, each include a pinion 54,54' which is freely rotatable on the shaft 46; a ratchet having a driving section 56a,56a' and a ;~ ' . ., - :
~7~
driven section 56b,56b'; a spring 58,58' for biasing the driving and driven ratchet sections together; and a coupling mechanism such as key 60,60' for coupling the driven ratchet section 56b,56b' to the shaft 46 by means of keyway 61,61'.
In operation, the wave power generating device 10 is suitably anchored 5 by means of chains 2~ in a body of water in which surface waves are prevalent. A
plurality of such devices 10 might be installed in banks along a shoreline to take full advantage of the entire breadth of the incoming waves. Incoming waves 62 acting on the device 10 cause the main flotation section 12 to align in the direction of the incoming waves. Any incoming wave 62 will, therefore, contact the small float 42 first (see Figs. 5 and 6). Since the float 42 is extremely buoyant in water, the float 42 and attached frame 30 will be forced in an upward direction, thus extracting some of the potential energy of the wave 62. The effect shown in Figs. 5 and 6 that the wave 62 has on the float 42 has been exaggerated for illustrative purposes and it will be appreciated that a portion of float 42 will be submerged. As mentioned above, the 15 guides 26 are preferably disposed at an oblique angle with respect to the vertical (essentially inclined rearwardly) while the float 42 is supported generally perpendicularly and forwardly therefrom. Such an arrangement permits, upon impact of the wave 62 with the float 42, at least a portion of the kinetic energy of the wave to be transferred to the frame 30 in the form of an initial upward velocity, which 20 facilitates overcoming of inertia and permits more of the total energy of the wave to be extracted. This function may likewise be provided simply by disposing the float 42 at such an angle to take advantage of the kinetic energy of the wave, i.e. by making the angle 13 (see Fig. 2) at which the support 44 extends relative to the guides 26 acute, even if the guides are substantially vertical. The shape of the float 42 might 2S also provide additional kinetic energy extracting capability, for example by providing -:-' 7 ~'~
the float 42 with an angled face 43 as shown in Figs. 2,3,5 and 6. As far as themagnitude of angle ~ is concerned, in general, more kinetic energy is extracted from a wave with increasing angle ~, while more potential energy is extracted from the wave when angle ~ approaches 0 (zero). It is also thought that waves of different shapes S might be swited for harnessing more or less kinetic energy therefrom, i.e wind-driven s~lrface waves versus ocean swells, respectively, and therefore it might be advantageous, depending upon the specific app]ication of the device 10, to provide guides 26 which are angularly adjustable. In this regard, the guide 26 could be pivotably mounted at joints 53 to the longitudinal beams 16 with the aforementioned non-illustrated additional supporting members being extendable to provide the necessary support. It is also conceivable that sensing means be provided in conjunction with an automatic angle adjustment mechanism to optimize the angle for maximum rotational speed of the shaft 46.
As mentioned, both kinetic and potential energy from the wave may be transferred to the frame 30 by means of the float 42, thus causing the frame 30 to be lifted in an upstroke. As the wave 62 passes, the float 42 and attached frame 30 will fall under the influence of gravity in a downstroke. Preferably, the mass of thetranslating components, i.e. the frame 30, racks 38,40, float 42 and supports 44, is relatively small compared to that of the more stationary components, i.e. the main flotation section 12, guides 26, shaft 46, ratchets 48,50 and fly~vheels 52, and the float 42 is disposed sufficiently forward of the main flotation section 12, such that the incoming wave 62 essentially acts on the float 42 and attached *ame 30 as if the main flotation section was fixed in place. The longitudinal channel 19 and keel 22 also help to keep the main flotation section 12 in a relatively fixed attitude.
As mentioned above, the ratchet mechanisms 48,50, as can be seen in ~ ~14~
Fig. 1, permit the shaft 46 to be driven only in one direction while permitting slip in the opposite direction. In particular, on the upstroke of the frame 30, both theupstroke rack 38 and downstroke rack 40 cause their respective pinions 54,54' torotate in the same direction. However, due to the manner in which the ratchet mechanisms 48,50 are arranged, driving section 56a drives driven section 56b causing shaft 46 to be rotated, while driving section 56a' slips against driven section 56b' due both to the rotation of pinion 54' and the rotation of the shaft 46 in the opposite direction. At top dead centre of the cycle, neither of the racks 38,40 are in movement, however the shaft 46, carried by the angular momentum of flywheels 52, continues to rotate, thereby causing both driven sections 56b,56b' to slip against their respective driving sections 56a,56b'. On the downstroke of the frame 30, both the upstroke rack 38 and the downstroke rack 40 cause their respective pinions 54,54' to rotate in the same direction, which direction is opposite to the direction they are rotated during the upstroke of frame 30. This callses driven section 56a' to drive driven section 56b' adding to the shaft's rotational velocity while driving section 56a slips against driven section 56b. The operation of the device at bottom dead centre is the same as that at top dead centre.
While there has been described and shown herein a particular embodiment of the invention including some variations, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and/or substitutions can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
' '
Fie1d of the Invention The invention relates to a power generation device which utilizes water wave motion as its driving source and, in particular, to a wave power generating device 5 which converts potential and kinetic energy of the waves to rotational energy which may be more readily converted to alternate forms of energy.
Bacl~x~ (~und of the Invention Various devices have heretofore been proposed which extract potential or kinetic energy from waves for the subsequent conversion to more usable forms of 10 energy such as electricity. Typical arrangements provide that transverse waves act on a floating mechanism to produce a linearly reciprocating motion thereof or waves impact a paddle-wheel or similar mechanism to impart a rotational motion thereto.
Many contrivances have been devised to convert these motions into intermediary or ultimate forms of energy.
.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
; The present invention provides a wave power generation device of the linear reciprocating type which is capable of not only extracting potential energy from waves but also kinetic energy. The present invention also provides a simple arrangement for conversion of this linear reciprocating motion to a rotary motion 20 which can be readily converted to alternate forms of energy. Accordingly, there is provided a wave power generating device which comprises a main floatation section having a ]eading end; means for anchoring the main flotation section with its leading ~7~
end into the direction of oncoming waves; a pair of parallel, spaced-apart guides mounted at or near the leading end of the main flotation section at an angle with respect to the horizontal; frame means constrained for sliding movement within the guides; float means associated with the frame means, the float means being responsive to wave action for reciprocating said frame within the guides, a shaft rotatablymounted transversely across the guides and above the main float; a pair of one-way drive mechanisms disposed on the shaft; a pair of racks movable with the frame means, each of said racks being engaged with a respective one-way drive mechanism whereby said shaft is driven uni-directionally during both strokes of the frame means;
and energy conversion means operatively associated with said shaft for converting the rotational energy of the shaft to an alternate form of energy.
Further features and advantages will become apparent from the following description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF T~IE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a plan view of the wave power generating device;
Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the wave power generating device shown along lines A-A in Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a cross-section of the wave power generating device shown along lines B-B in Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is a plan view showing in detail a one-way drive mechanism usable in connection with the invention;
Figs. 5 and 6 are the same cross-sectional views illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, respectively, but with the wave power generating device shown in operation.
I~ETAILEI~ DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to Figs. 1 to 3, there is shown one embodiment of the invention only in suff;cient detail to permit a thorough understanding thereo~ The wave power generating device is denoted generally by the reference numeral 10 and S partially comprises a main flotation section 12 upon which the remainder of the apparatus is supported. Preferably, the main flotation section 12 consists of a pair of floats or pontoons 14 catamaranned by a structure comprising a pair of longitudinal beams 16 separated by a pair of cross-pieces 18, thus providing a longitudinallyextending channel 19 between the pontoons 14. ~lternatively, the main flotation section 12 might comprise a barge or scow which is divided below the floor to form ; a similar longitudinal channel. The channel 19 permits incoming waves to flow therethrough with minimal deleterious effects.
The main flotation section 12 is anchored in such a manner so as to align automatically the device 10 in the direction of oncoming waves. Chains 20 are attached at both sides of the main flotation section 12 and are pivotably anchored at a common anchorage (not shown) so as to permit the device 10 to freely align itself.
To facilitate this alignment, a transverse keel 22 may be provided generally below the surface of the water (see Figs. S and 6) which is attached through the pontoons 14 to the longitudinal beams 16 by means of support braces 24. The leading ends 15 of pontoons 14 may also be suitably configured such as depicted in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 to aid in alignment.
A pair o~ parallel guides 26 are mounted at the leading end of the main flotation section 12 in an upwardly transverse relationship with respect to the longitudinal beams 16 and, hence, with respect to the horizontal. As shown, the guides 26 are preferably disposed at an oblique angle with respect to the vertical, the purpose of which wi]l be explained hereinbelow. The guides 26 are, in essence, a pair of C-channels which are disposed with their openings inwardly opposed and which are spaced-apart structurally at their upper ends by a cross-bar 28 and near their lower erlds indirectly through the longitudinal beams 16 by cross-pieces 18. Preferably, the 5 guides 26 extend downwardly below the water line of the main flotation section 12 to take full advantage of the amplitude of the wave.
The guides 26 serve to constrain a frame 30 in sliding reciprocating motion therebetween. 7'he generally rectangular frame 30 consists of a pair of lateral slides 32 separated by a pair of transverse members 34 and a cross-bar 36. The slides 10 32 are constrained for sliding movement within the C-channel guides 26 whereby the ends of cross-bar 36 provide a bearing surface to facilitate sliding. A pair of racks 38,40 are attached to and movable with the frame 30. A smaller float 42 is attached to the frame 30 by means of supports 44 which are affixed to slides 32 and which extend forwardly of the main flotation section 12 so as to dispose the float 42 forward 15 of the main flotation section 12 and generally between pontoons 14. As will be described in greater detail hereinbelow, the float 42 is responsive to the undulating motion of incoming waves (see Figs. 5 and 6) which in turn causes reciprocating motion of the frame 30 within guides 26. Stops 45 are provided at or near the lower ends of guides 26 for limiting the extent to which the frame 30 slides and to prevent 20 derailing of the frame 30 from the guides 26.
A power shaft 46 is rotatably mounted transversely across the upper ends of the guides 30 by means of mounting brackets 47 and suitable bearings. A pair of one-way drive mechanisms 48,50 are disposed on the shaft 46 for engagement with racks 38,40, respectively, and in such a manner as to permit only uni-directional rotation of the shaft. As can be seen in Figs. 2 and 3, racks 38,40 are arranged such that they engage their respective one-way drive mechanisms 48,50 on radially opposed sides. In particular, rack 38 lies generally in the plane of frame 30 while rack 40 extends outwardly from but parallel to the plane of the frame 30. This arrangement permits the uni-directional driving of the shaft 46 during both the upstroke anddownstroke of the frame 30. One or more flywheels 52 are disposed on shaft 46 inorder to smooth-out power transients and to conserve the shaft's angular momentum.
Although not shown, it may be necessary to provide additional supporting membersbetween the guides 26 and the beams 16 to prevent excessive stresses from occurring : at the joints 53.
The rotational energy of the shaft 46 can be converted into more usable forms of energy using conventional technology. The rotating shaft may be used todrive one or more electric generators (not shown) to produce electricity which is then transferred to shore by transmission lines. An electric generator may be situated on the main floatation section 12, collpled to the shaft 46 through a gear or pulley arrangement, or a pair of generators may be disposed outwardly of the flywheels 52 at either end of the shaft 46, supported by suitable supporting structure. Alternately, the shaft 46 may drive a compressor (not shown) for pressurizing a gas which can be stored in a tank for later use or may be used to do a myriad of other forms of work using known techniques.
While the one-way drive mechanisms illustrated in the drawings are ratchet mech~ni~mc, it will be understood that the invention is not necessarily restricted to the use thereof and that other one-way drive mechanisms, for example overrunning clutches, might likewise be employed. The ratchet mechanisms 48,50 shown in Fig. 1 and in more detail in Fig. 4, each include a pinion 54,54' which is freely rotatable on the shaft 46; a ratchet having a driving section 56a,56a' and a ;~ ' . ., - :
~7~
driven section 56b,56b'; a spring 58,58' for biasing the driving and driven ratchet sections together; and a coupling mechanism such as key 60,60' for coupling the driven ratchet section 56b,56b' to the shaft 46 by means of keyway 61,61'.
In operation, the wave power generating device 10 is suitably anchored 5 by means of chains 2~ in a body of water in which surface waves are prevalent. A
plurality of such devices 10 might be installed in banks along a shoreline to take full advantage of the entire breadth of the incoming waves. Incoming waves 62 acting on the device 10 cause the main flotation section 12 to align in the direction of the incoming waves. Any incoming wave 62 will, therefore, contact the small float 42 first (see Figs. 5 and 6). Since the float 42 is extremely buoyant in water, the float 42 and attached frame 30 will be forced in an upward direction, thus extracting some of the potential energy of the wave 62. The effect shown in Figs. 5 and 6 that the wave 62 has on the float 42 has been exaggerated for illustrative purposes and it will be appreciated that a portion of float 42 will be submerged. As mentioned above, the 15 guides 26 are preferably disposed at an oblique angle with respect to the vertical (essentially inclined rearwardly) while the float 42 is supported generally perpendicularly and forwardly therefrom. Such an arrangement permits, upon impact of the wave 62 with the float 42, at least a portion of the kinetic energy of the wave to be transferred to the frame 30 in the form of an initial upward velocity, which 20 facilitates overcoming of inertia and permits more of the total energy of the wave to be extracted. This function may likewise be provided simply by disposing the float 42 at such an angle to take advantage of the kinetic energy of the wave, i.e. by making the angle 13 (see Fig. 2) at which the support 44 extends relative to the guides 26 acute, even if the guides are substantially vertical. The shape of the float 42 might 2S also provide additional kinetic energy extracting capability, for example by providing -:-' 7 ~'~
the float 42 with an angled face 43 as shown in Figs. 2,3,5 and 6. As far as themagnitude of angle ~ is concerned, in general, more kinetic energy is extracted from a wave with increasing angle ~, while more potential energy is extracted from the wave when angle ~ approaches 0 (zero). It is also thought that waves of different shapes S might be swited for harnessing more or less kinetic energy therefrom, i.e wind-driven s~lrface waves versus ocean swells, respectively, and therefore it might be advantageous, depending upon the specific app]ication of the device 10, to provide guides 26 which are angularly adjustable. In this regard, the guide 26 could be pivotably mounted at joints 53 to the longitudinal beams 16 with the aforementioned non-illustrated additional supporting members being extendable to provide the necessary support. It is also conceivable that sensing means be provided in conjunction with an automatic angle adjustment mechanism to optimize the angle for maximum rotational speed of the shaft 46.
As mentioned, both kinetic and potential energy from the wave may be transferred to the frame 30 by means of the float 42, thus causing the frame 30 to be lifted in an upstroke. As the wave 62 passes, the float 42 and attached frame 30 will fall under the influence of gravity in a downstroke. Preferably, the mass of thetranslating components, i.e. the frame 30, racks 38,40, float 42 and supports 44, is relatively small compared to that of the more stationary components, i.e. the main flotation section 12, guides 26, shaft 46, ratchets 48,50 and fly~vheels 52, and the float 42 is disposed sufficiently forward of the main flotation section 12, such that the incoming wave 62 essentially acts on the float 42 and attached *ame 30 as if the main flotation section was fixed in place. The longitudinal channel 19 and keel 22 also help to keep the main flotation section 12 in a relatively fixed attitude.
As mentioned above, the ratchet mechanisms 48,50, as can be seen in ~ ~14~
Fig. 1, permit the shaft 46 to be driven only in one direction while permitting slip in the opposite direction. In particular, on the upstroke of the frame 30, both theupstroke rack 38 and downstroke rack 40 cause their respective pinions 54,54' torotate in the same direction. However, due to the manner in which the ratchet mechanisms 48,50 are arranged, driving section 56a drives driven section 56b causing shaft 46 to be rotated, while driving section 56a' slips against driven section 56b' due both to the rotation of pinion 54' and the rotation of the shaft 46 in the opposite direction. At top dead centre of the cycle, neither of the racks 38,40 are in movement, however the shaft 46, carried by the angular momentum of flywheels 52, continues to rotate, thereby causing both driven sections 56b,56b' to slip against their respective driving sections 56a,56b'. On the downstroke of the frame 30, both the upstroke rack 38 and the downstroke rack 40 cause their respective pinions 54,54' to rotate in the same direction, which direction is opposite to the direction they are rotated during the upstroke of frame 30. This callses driven section 56a' to drive driven section 56b' adding to the shaft's rotational velocity while driving section 56a slips against driven section 56b. The operation of the device at bottom dead centre is the same as that at top dead centre.
While there has been described and shown herein a particular embodiment of the invention including some variations, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and/or substitutions can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
' '
Claims (11)
1. A wave power generating device comprising:
a main floatation section having a leading end;
means for anchoring the main flotation section with its leading end into the direction of oncoming waves;
a pair of parallel, spaced-apart guides mounted at or near the leading end of the main flotation section at an angle with respect to the horizontal;
frame means constrained for sliding movement in first and second stroke directions within the guides;
float means associated with the frame means, said float means being responsive to wave action for reciprocating said frame within the guides in said first and second stroke directions;
a shaft rotatably mounted transversely across the guides and above the main float;
a pair of one-way drive mechanisms disposed on the shaft;
a pair of racks movable with the frame means, each of said racks being engaged with a respective one-way drive mechanism whereby said shaft is driven unidirectionally during both the first and second stroke directions of the frame means; and energy conversion means operatively associated with said shaft for converting the rotational energy of the shaft to an alternate form of energy.
a main floatation section having a leading end;
means for anchoring the main flotation section with its leading end into the direction of oncoming waves;
a pair of parallel, spaced-apart guides mounted at or near the leading end of the main flotation section at an angle with respect to the horizontal;
frame means constrained for sliding movement in first and second stroke directions within the guides;
float means associated with the frame means, said float means being responsive to wave action for reciprocating said frame within the guides in said first and second stroke directions;
a shaft rotatably mounted transversely across the guides and above the main float;
a pair of one-way drive mechanisms disposed on the shaft;
a pair of racks movable with the frame means, each of said racks being engaged with a respective one-way drive mechanism whereby said shaft is driven unidirectionally during both the first and second stroke directions of the frame means; and energy conversion means operatively associated with said shaft for converting the rotational energy of the shaft to an alternate form of energy.
2. The wave power generating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main flotation section comprises a pair of spaced-apart, interconnected pontoons.
3. The wave power generating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said anchor means comprises a pair of chains attached at one end to the main floatation section at transversely opposed locations and attached pivotably at the other end to a common anchor so as to permit the main flotation section to align automatically into the direction of oncoming waves.
4. The wave power generating device as claimed in claim 2, further including keel means extending transversely between and under said pontoons.
5. The wave power generating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said guides have a generally c-shaped cross-section.
6. The wave power generating device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said frame comprises a pair of lateral slides adapted to slide within said guides, said slides being spaced-apart by a pair of transverse members.
7. The wave power generating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one-way drive mechanisms each comprise:
a pinion rotatably mounted on said shaft and engageable with a respective rack;
a ratchet mechanism having a driving section coupled to said pinion and a driven section coupled to said shaft; and means for biasing said driven section into mating engagement with said driving section.
a pinion rotatably mounted on said shaft and engageable with a respective rack;
a ratchet mechanism having a driving section coupled to said pinion and a driven section coupled to said shaft; and means for biasing said driven section into mating engagement with said driving section.
8. The wave power generating device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said racks engage said respective pinions on radially opposed sides.
9. The wave power generating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said float is attached to said frame means by support members which extend generally perpendicularly from said frame and forward of the leading end of said main flotation section.
10. The wave power generating device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said angle at which said guides are disposed is oblique to the vertical such that the guides are rearwardly inclined with respect to the leading end of the main flotation section.
11. The wave power generating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shaft has at least one flywheel located thereon.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002075470A CA2075470C (en) | 1992-08-06 | 1992-08-06 | Wave power generating device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002075470A CA2075470C (en) | 1992-08-06 | 1992-08-06 | Wave power generating device |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2075470A1 CA2075470A1 (en) | 1994-02-07 |
| CA2075470C true CA2075470C (en) | 1999-04-06 |
Family
ID=4150263
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002075470A Expired - Fee Related CA2075470C (en) | 1992-08-06 | 1992-08-06 | Wave power generating device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2075470C (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DK200100573A (en) * | 2000-05-08 | 2001-11-09 | Niels Arpe Hansen | Wave power plant |
-
1992
- 1992-08-06 CA CA002075470A patent/CA2075470C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2075470A1 (en) | 1994-02-07 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |