CA2537035A1 - Improved wave energy converter (wec) device and system - Google Patents

Improved wave energy converter (wec) device and system Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2537035A1
CA2537035A1 CA002537035A CA2537035A CA2537035A1 CA 2537035 A1 CA2537035 A1 CA 2537035A1 CA 002537035 A CA002537035 A CA 002537035A CA 2537035 A CA2537035 A CA 2537035A CA 2537035 A1 CA2537035 A1 CA 2537035A1
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CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
spar
float
water
relative
floats
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.)
Granted
Application number
CA002537035A
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
CA2537035C (en
Inventor
James Gerber
David B. Stewart
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ocean Power Technologies Inc
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of CA2537035A1 publication Critical patent/CA2537035A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA2537035C publication Critical patent/CA2537035C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

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"
    • F03B13/20—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" wherein both members, i.e. wom and rem are movable relative to the sea bed or shore
    • 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
    • F03B13/1845—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 slides relative to the rem
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2220/00—Application
    • F05B2220/70—Application in combination with
    • F05B2220/706—Application in combination with an electrical generator
    • F05B2220/7066—Application in combination with an electrical generator via a direct connection, i.e. a gearless transmission
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2220/00—Application
    • F05B2220/70—Application in combination with
    • F05B2220/706—Application in combination with an electrical generator
    • F05B2220/7068—Application in combination with an electrical generator equipped with permanent magnets
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2240/00—Components
    • F05B2240/90—Mounting on supporting structures or systems
    • F05B2240/91—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a stationary structure
    • F05B2240/915—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a stationary structure which is vertically adjustable
    • F05B2240/9151—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a stationary structure which is vertically adjustable telescopically
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2250/00—Geometry
    • F05B2250/30—Arrangement of components
    • F05B2250/31—Arrangement of components according to the direction of their main axis or their axis of rotation
    • F05B2250/311—Arrangement of components according to the direction of their main axis or their axis of rotation the axes being in line
    • 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

Abstract

A wave energy converter system comprises two floats; a first being generally flat and heaving up and down in phase with passing surface waves on a body of water, and the second being elongated and heaving up and down out of phase with the passing waves. Preferably the first float is annular with a central vertical opening therethrough, and the elongated float, with a weighted bottom end, extends vertically through the central opening of the first float. The two floats thus move out of phase with one another, thus providing a relatively large relative motion between the two floats giving rise to highly efficient energy conversion. Each float serves as a ~ground~ for the other;
thus avoiding the need for anchoring the floats to the floor of the body of water.

Claims (18)

1. Apparatus for capturing energy from surface waves on a body of water comprising first and second floats, each having, when the apparatus is deployed in a body of water, an intercept with the water surface, a power take-off element connected between said floats for converting relative movements therebetween into useful energy, and wherein said first float is configured to rise and fall in in-phase relation with passing surface waves, and said second float is configured to rise and fall in out-of-phase relation with said passing waves.
2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said first and second floats have configuration values g/Z which are greater and less than .omega.2, respectively, where:
g = acceleration due to gravity;
Z = the effective depths of the floats and .omega. = the angular frequency of the passing waves; and where:
Z (effective depth) = V D/A S, where:
V D is the volume of the water displaced by the float including hydrodynamic added mass; and A S is the waterplane area of the float.
3. Apparatus according to Claim 2 when the value of g/Z for said first float is greater than 0.63 sec -2 and the value for g/Z
for said second float is less than 0.63 sec -2: and the value of Z
for said first float is less than 15.9 meters and the value of Z
for said second float is greater than 15.9 meters.
4. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said first float is configured as a circular member including an annular rim enclosing a central opening, and said second float is configured as an elongated spar.
5. Apparatus according to Claim 4 wherein said spar is disposed centrally of said circular member for vertical movements relative to said first float in response to passing surface waves.
6. Apparatus according to Claim 5 wherein said spar is in sliding contacting relationship with an inner surface of said annular rim for controlling the relative angular positions of said spar and said rim during said relative vertical movements between said spar and said circular member.
7. Apparatus according to Claim 6 wherein said sliding contacting relationship is such as to provide a fixed angular relationship between said spar and said circular member for all relative vertical positions therebetween.
8. Apparatus according to Claim 5 wherein, for all relative movements between said spar and said first float, said spar has a portion thereof extending downwardly from said float, and the apparatus including a collar slidably disposed along said spar at a position beneath said first float, said collar being anchored for mooring the apparatus.
9. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said second float encloses said first float and provides a bearing surface for relative vertical movements between said first and second floats.
10. Apparatus according to Claim 5 wherein said spar has top and bottom ends, said bottom end being weighted for maintaining said spar in vertical orientation.
11. Apparatus according to Claim 10 wherein said upper end of said spar has an indented region, and including electrically conductive elements disposed along said indented region forming, in cooperation with electrically conductive elements on an inside surface of said annular rim of said first float, a linear electrical generator.
12. Apparatus according to Claim 5 wherein said spar comprises a plurality of telescoped members adapted to be deployed one inside the other during handling of said apparatus when not deployed in a body of water, and means for locking said members in extended relationship to one another for forming a rigid spar when deployed in a body of water.
13. Apparatus according to Claim 5 wherein said spar comprises a central column and a plurality of annular members each disposed around the column and all of which are stacked along the length of the column.
14. Apparatus according to Claim 5 wherein said spar includes a hollow section including a spring mounted mass and including means for selectively allowing the mass to oscillate within the spar upon vertical movements thereof or locking said mass in place for preventing oscillation thereof.
15. Apparatus according to Claim 5 wherein said spar comprises two cylindrical sections disposed end-to-end from the top to the bottom of the spar, the upper of said cylinders having a larger cross-sectional area than the lower of said cylinders.
16. Apparatus according to Claim 15 wherein said lower cylinder comprises an elongated cable stretching from said upper cylinder to the floor of the water body and being anchored to said floor.
17. Apparatus according to Claim 16 wherein said cable comprises a first length hanging from said upper cylinder and a second length resting on the water body floor, the dimensions of said first and second lengths varying relative to one another in response to vertical movements of said upper cylinder, and the density of said second length being less than the density of said first length for minimizing variations in the buoyancy of said spar upon changes in the relative dimensions of said first and second lengths.
18. An apparatus for capturing energy from waves on a body of water comprising an elongated spar having positive buoyancy and having top and bottom ends, said bottom end being anchored to the floor of the water body by a gimbal joint allowing tilting of the spar away from a vertical axis, and said top end extending to and beyond the water body surface, a circular float disposed around the spar upper end for vertical movements relative to the spar in response to passing surface waves on said water body, and a power take-off device interconnected between said float and said spar for converting relative movements between said float and said spar into useful energy.
CA2537035A 2004-02-05 2004-02-05 Improved wave energy converter (wec) device and system Expired - Lifetime CA2537035C (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2004/003519 WO2005085632A1 (en) 2004-02-05 2004-02-05 Improved wave energy converter (wec) device and system

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2537035A1 true CA2537035A1 (en) 2005-09-15
CA2537035C CA2537035C (en) 2011-05-24

Family

ID=34920913

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA2537035A Expired - Lifetime CA2537035C (en) 2004-02-05 2004-02-05 Improved wave energy converter (wec) device and system

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1718864A4 (en)
JP (1) JP4676443B2 (en)
AU (1) AU2004316708B2 (en)
CA (1) CA2537035C (en)
NO (1) NO20062017L (en)
WO (1) WO2005085632A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1954941B1 (en) * 2005-12-01 2021-04-28 Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. Wave energy converter utilizing internal reaction mass and spring
AU2007266234B2 (en) * 2006-05-30 2011-02-24 Triple X Energy Inc. Wave energy converter
NO325929B1 (en) * 2006-05-31 2008-08-18 Fobox As Device for absorption of bulge energy
NO325962B1 (en) * 2006-05-31 2008-08-25 Fobox As Device for converting bulge energy
HUE031987T2 (en) * 2007-04-18 2017-08-28 Seabased Ab A wave power unit, a buoy, use of a wave power unit and a method for producing electric energy
US8587139B2 (en) * 2008-05-30 2013-11-19 Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. Advanced wave energy converter control
ES2754819T3 (en) * 2008-11-21 2020-04-20 Ocean Power Tech Inc Float for Wave Power Converter (WEC)
CN103221682A (en) * 2010-06-23 2013-07-24 布莱恩·T·坎宁安 System and method for renewable electrical power production using wave energy
KR101360304B1 (en) * 2012-08-22 2014-02-14 한국철도기술연구원 High effiency power generator using vibration
JP6084824B2 (en) * 2012-11-26 2017-02-22 三井造船株式会社 Wave power generator and control method thereof
CN103161657A (en) * 2013-04-01 2013-06-19 张荣江 Hydraulic type water-surface power generating device
KR101646162B1 (en) * 2015-11-16 2016-08-05 정민시 Self-Generation Device using the Force of Gravity and Buoyancy, Marine Lighting using it
JP6728523B2 (en) * 2016-09-29 2020-07-22 株式会社三井Ｅ＆Ｓマシナリー Wave power generator and method of installing wave power generator
CN106382182B (en) * 2016-10-14 2019-11-26 哈尔滨工程大学 A kind of passive type of floatation type fan platform, which is inhaled wave and subtracted, shakes power generator

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3631670A (en) * 1969-09-30 1972-01-04 Treadwell Corp Device to extract power from the oscillation of the sea
DE1961382A1 (en) * 1969-12-06 1971-06-16 Dornier System Gmbh Generator for generating electrical energy using the acceleration forces caused by the swell
JPS55125364A (en) * 1979-03-22 1980-09-27 Yasuhiro Manabe Power generator with use of vertical movement of wave
GB2261262A (en) * 1991-11-09 1993-05-12 Bahram Momeny Wave-powered device
US5842838A (en) * 1996-11-04 1998-12-01 Berg; John L. Stable wave motor
JP4128241B2 (en) * 1996-12-03 2008-07-30 大洋プラント株式会社 Wave power pump operating with wave energy
NO311371B1 (en) 2000-03-24 2001-11-19 Arvid Nesheim Device for extracting energy from water movements
IES20000493A2 (en) 2000-06-16 2002-02-06 Wavebob Ltd Wave energy converter

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2537035C (en) 2011-05-24
JP2007520661A (en) 2007-07-26
WO2005085632A1 (en) 2005-09-15
NO20062017L (en) 2006-11-03
EP1718864A4 (en) 2011-12-07
EP1718864A1 (en) 2006-11-08
JP4676443B2 (en) 2011-04-27
AU2004316708B2 (en) 2011-03-24
AU2004316708A1 (en) 2005-09-15

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Effective date: 20240205