EP3359806A2 - Convertisseur d'énergie des vagues à modes multiples comportant un flotteur à parallèle de front de vague allongé à extension de haut-fond inférieure monobloc - Google Patents

Convertisseur d'énergie des vagues à modes multiples comportant un flotteur à parallèle de front de vague allongé à extension de haut-fond inférieure monobloc

Info

Publication number
EP3359806A2
EP3359806A2 EP16854266.0A EP16854266A EP3359806A2 EP 3359806 A2 EP3359806 A2 EP 3359806A2 EP 16854266 A EP16854266 A EP 16854266A EP 3359806 A2 EP3359806 A2 EP 3359806A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
float
wave
base
frame
swing arm
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP16854266.0A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP3359806A4 (fr
Inventor
John W. Rohrer
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.)
Rohrer Technologies Inc
Rohrer Tech Inc
Original Assignee
Rohrer Technologies Inc
Rohrer Tech Inc
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 Rohrer Technologies Inc, Rohrer Tech Inc filed Critical Rohrer Technologies Inc
Publication of EP3359806A2 publication Critical patent/EP3359806A2/fr
Publication of EP3359806A4 publication Critical patent/EP3359806A4/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current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"
    • F03B13/18—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
    • F03B13/182—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 a to-and-fro movement
    • 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
    • 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
    • F05B2240/97—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a submerged structure
    • 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
    • F05B2270/00—Control
    • F05B2270/10—Purpose of the control system
    • F05B2270/18—Purpose of the control system to control buoyancy
    • 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

  • This disclosure relates to the production of electrical power, pressurized water, or other useful work from surface waves on a water body. More particularly, this disclosure relates to Wave Energy Converters ("WEC") of the wave terminator or barrier type, wherein one or more elongated buoyant surface floats or bodies, or groups of adjacent floats or bodies are oriented, or self-orienting, parallel to the prevailing direction of oncoming wave fronts or swells.
  • WEC Wave Energy Converters
  • the disclosure relates primarily to WECs having one or more floats or bodies linked or connected by one or more swing arms or other mechanical linkages to one or more stationary or stabilized bodies, frames, or seabed or shore attachment points.
  • Such linkages drive a power take off (PTO) and are arranged in such a manner that the buoyant floats or bodies can rotate and/or translate about the attachment points, or concurrently move in more than one axis or direction of motion to thereby allow the WEC to absorb and capture additional heave (vertical), surge (lateral) and or pitch (rotational) wave energy from such multi-axis or multi-direction motion.
  • PTO power take off
  • the elongated and wave front parallel floats or bodies of several embodiments of the disclosure can be partially or fully submerged during severe sea conditions.
  • Such float submergence, and re-emergence, can be facilitated by any of several means including forcing float submergence by utilizing the WEC s PTOs (in reverse), by use of auxiliary drives to force float submergence, by partially or fully flooding the float, or by altering the submerged depth of the stabilized bodies or frames or their attachment points to force submergence of the floats under the still water line, or under oncoming wave troughs, until severe seas subside.
  • the present disclosure is of the wave “barrier” or “terminator” type WEC utilizing at least one "Elongated Wave Front Parallel” (EWFP) surface float.
  • Other terminator type WECs include the "Salter Duck” (Stephen Salter, U. of Edinburgh, GB1482085, 1977), Akers Engineering barge with float (Ersdal, WO 2011071390), Columbia StingRay (Rhinefrank US 2015/0252777), Azura (Gardiner US2010/Q1409440), WEPTOS (Larsen WO2015082638), and the related John Rohrer/Rohrer Technologies, Inc. patents and applications (referenced above in the Cross-reference to Related Applications section).
  • the float lobe rotates or "nods" up and down (like a "duck") up to about +/- 45° about a large diameter relatively motion stabilized cylindrical core or "flexible spine” in response to wave heave and surge forces driving a hydraulic power take-off (PTO) system located within the core.
  • PTO hydraulic power take-off
  • the WEPTOS WEC consists of multiple adjacent Salter Duck shaped floats mounted concentrically about either of 2 line shafts (drive shafts) arranged in a "V" configuration with the apex pointed up-sea toward oncoming wave fronts.
  • the Aker WEC consists of an up-sea EWFP float attached below the Still Water Line (SWL) to a down -sea stabilizing barge with 2 swing or PTO drive arms.
  • the barge is several times the volume, mass, and cost of the EWFP float resulting in high capital cost (CAPEX).
  • the Columbia StingRay (FIG. 2 and 2015/0252777), like the Salter Duck, also utilizes a large central cylinder (8 meter diameter) housing its 2 direct drive rotary electric PTO(s), with a fore float similar in shape to the Duck cam lobe shaped float. Unlike the Duck, however, only the float rotates rather than the entire cylinder (on 2 swing arms about pivot points on the central cylinder horizontal axis).
  • the forward oriented cam shaped lobe or float of the StingRay rotates about a stationary central cylinder rather than being affixed to a rotating central cylinder.
  • the cylinder is rigidly mounted to a vertically oriented twin spar column frame reaching deep into the water column and connected to each other near the bottom by a horizontal plane drag plate to reduce cylinder heave (vertical) motion, the two frame vertical columns being connected to a submerged mooring buoy allowing the WEC to weather vane parallel to oncoming wave fronts, both frame and mooring as previously described in Rohrer US 8,604,631 and its continuations.
  • the StingRay also utilizes a rear EWFP float on swing arms (like McCabe US 5,132,550) which is partially masked from wave energy by the large central cylinder in front of it.
  • the fore float is either rotated behind the cylinder using it as a protective barrier or flooded and submerged as previously described and claimed in Rohrer US 8,614,520 and its continuations.
  • the Azura (formerly WET-NZ) WEC utilizes a narrow (point absorber type) horizontally oriented float, hinged near the water surface to a vertically oriented "elongate reactive body". It differs from Salter's Duck, WEPOS, the Stingray, Akers, and the present disclosure by arranging the float to frail rather than precede the reactive body (buoyant cylinder, barge or frame).
  • the wave surge forces acting against both the upper portions of the reactive body and the float produce both lateral movement and rotation of the body enhancing the relative motion between float and body (frame).
  • Such lateral and rotational movement of any such vertically oriented elongated reactive body connected to a surface float is impossible to prevent.
  • the Stingray (Rhinefrank 2015/025277, however, does claim lateral and rotation movement of their buoyant cylinder and twin spar frame which is predated by Azura, McCabe, and others.
  • the RTI F2 QD of the present disclosure utilizes swing arms to rotatably attach the at least one EWFP float to its twin spar heave stabilized (but not pitch stabilized) frame driving a single or dual PTOs housed within the frame, thus avoiding the costly central cylinder of the Duck and Stingray.
  • Preferred embodiments of the present and the referenced John Rohrer Related U. S. Patents and Application Data describe and claim submergence of the EWFP float(s) below the troughs of storm waves, by seawater flooding or other means, for secure WEC survival in severe sea conditions.
  • the disclosure utilizes a EWFP float, or multiple adjacent floats together comprising an EWFP float, with at least one rigidly or pivotably connected swing or drive arm which arm is rotatably connected to a either a fixed structure or a buoyant frame or "reaction mass * at a submerged pivot point, which arm rotation drives a power take-off or PTO within or attached to such structure or frame.
  • the at least one swing arm pivot point is located both aft of the float, relative to the direction of oncoming or prevailing wave fronts, and below the SWL on either a shoreline or seabed affixed structure or a float, barge, raft or buoyant frame moored to the seabed.
  • At least a majority of the rearward surface of the EWFP float faces toward and is relatively concentric about the at least one pivot point and is substantially concave and arcuate with a radius of curvature approximating the distance between the rearward EWFP float surface and the at least one swing arm pivot point or axis.
  • the arcuate rearward surface of the EWFP float surface including any lower or upper arcuate extensions of the arcuate surface, which lower extensions we shall refer to as a "shoaling lip" or “shoaling extension”, scribes and arc angle of at least about 30° and not more than about 180° about the swing arm pivot point.
  • This arcuate rearward surface of the float back of the present disclosure produces minimal back wave as the float is rotated back and forth by wave heave and surge forces.
  • a primary wave energy capture efficiency advantage of the Salter Duck (and the WEPTOs and StingRay WECs which utilize the Duck float geometry) is the minimal energy consuming "back wave" produced when the protruding forward facing buoyant Duck float lobes rotate upward and rearward in response to oncoming combined wave heave and surge forces and subsequently rotate forward and downward on subsequent wave troughs.
  • the upward and rearward Duck float lobe movement allows concurrent capture of both wave heave and wave surge energy.
  • Most WECs capture a portion of either wave heave or wave surge energy but not both.
  • a third efficiency advantage of large diameter Duck like WEC floats is the additional energy capture obtained from deeper into the water column as a portion of each wave's lateral surge motion, and its associated kinetic energy, is deflected upward by the large diameter Duck float central cylinder toward the buoyant protruding float lobe or float, the lower cylinder functioning much like a shoaling plane.
  • Salter's scaled wave tank experiments found that good wave energy capture efficiency required very large Duck float central cylinder diameters (see prior reference to 1977 Nature article above). They require a wide (to intercept more wave front) large diameter (6-18 meter) water tight air filled central cylinders (housing their PTO equipment) resulting in high capital cost (CAPEX).
  • Salter/StingRay/WEPTOS lobe or float Is near vertical, it captures little or no heave/vertical wave energy. Keeping near the ideal 45° slope for most of the float or lobe travel requires large costly central cylinders.
  • the large partially submerged buoyant central cylinders of Duck like WECs have a large water plane area exceeding that of their floats or buoyant lobes. This high central cylinder water plane area produces vertical bobbing of the cylinder on wave crests and troughs further reducing the relative vertical movement between cylinder and float or lobe thus further reducing energy capture.
  • the present disclosure eliminates the costly central cylinders Duck like WECs while actually enhancing their good energy capture performance with several additional performance advantages.
  • the large Duck like WEC central cylinders are replaced by a small arcuate section (typically 45° to 90°) of the back of the float in the present disclosure including any arcuate lower extension or shoaling lip attached to or integral with the bottom of such float.
  • This 45° to 90° arcuate float back of the present disclosure replaces the only energy capturing portion of the 360° Duck like WECs central cylinder while preserving its
  • the present disclosure also provides advantages over Duck like and other WECs with respect to Power Take-Off (PTO) selection and use.
  • the Salter Duck describes use of a hydraulic PTO housed within the large central cylinder which drives multiple generators using rotary hydraulic motors.
  • the StingRay has its fore and aft floats mounted to separate pairs of swing or drive arms allowing direct use of 2 separate direct drive generators (one for each float) which generators reverse their rotational direction twice during each typical 6-16 second wave cycle. These are also housed within its large central cylinder.
  • the present disclosure with its one or more adjacent floats each mounted on one or two rotating swing arms, can direct drive either one or two geared or ungeared rotary electric generators (one for lower CAPEX or two for redundant reliability) housed in one or both vertical spar frame members. Power conditioning for utility line interconnection compatibility can be done electronically either on-board or at a remote collection point. Alternatively, if the drive shafts to each generator are each fitted with a one-way or over-riding clutch, one of the generators rotating in only one direction is driven only during wave induced upstrokes and the second, rotating in the opposite direction, is driven only during gravity induced down strokes of the float. Limiting gearbox-generator rotation to a single direction provides longer life and allows use of higher drive gear ratios for lower cost and/or allows the use of flywheel or spring energy storage of energy pulses (twice during each typical 6-16 second wave period) or the use of
  • the present disclosure provides WEC cost (CAPEX) advantages plus improved wave energy capture efficiency, and severe sea survival advantages not available to WECs using Duck like floats with large central cylinders or other WEC types,
  • the present disclosure is also applicable to WECs using at least one EWFP float rotatably attached with at least 1 swing arm to shorelines, sea beds, docks or piers, off-shore platforms, pilings, offshore wind turbine towers, barges, boats, or other floating or fixed bodies or structures.
  • EWFP floats and floating frames which are self-aligning parallel to predominant oncoming wave fronts using a weather vanning effect by having mooring lines attached to the frame pivotably connected to an up sea submerged or surface mooring ball piling, or tower, such that the lateral wave reaction forces acting on the WEC EWFP float(s) remain parallel to oncoming wave fronts.
  • EWFP floats of the present disclosure can also be used in a fixed orientation facing the prevailing wave front direction.
  • FIG. 1 is a side elevation sectional view of the Salter-"Edinburgh Duck" Related Art.
  • FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the Columbia StingRay Related Art.
  • FIG. 3 is a side elevation of a wave energy capture device according to one embodiment of the disclosure having a float pivotably connected to a vertical spar frame by a swing arm with a fixed shoal plane attached to the frame rather than to the float.
  • FIG.4 is a side elevation of a wave energy capture device according to another embodiment of the disclosure that has a float with a partial arcuate rear wall and a short lower arcuate extension as well as a second rear float that can be active (driving a second generator) or locked in position to the frame to increase frame stability and buoyancy.
  • FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a wave energy capture device according to a further embodiment of the disclosure including mooring lines utilizing a frame comprised of 2 vertical spars where the port to starboard width of the float at full scale is 28 meters and which is designed to produce about 1.5 MW in 4 meter wave height seas.
  • FIG. 6a is a side elevation view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 where the 2 lower vertical spar column legs are tubular, rather than truss structures, and can be partially or fully flooded with seawater ballast to alter the frame water line.
  • FIG. 6b is front elevation view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6a.
  • FIG. 7 is a side elevation of yet another embodiment of the disclosure with arcuate float back and lower extension and also using at least one compound swing arm of Rohrer US 2015/0082785 which swing concurrently both rotates and linearly translates to capture additional wave energy.
  • FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of a yet further embodiment of the disclosure with arcuate float back and lower extension and also utilizing at least one pair of dual swing arms, one positioned above the other, of Rohrer US 2015/0082785 which dual arms determine and control the orientation of the float front face.
  • FIG. 9a is a side elevation view according to still another embodiment of the disclosure utilizing a single vertical truss frame with 2 adjacent floats each connected to the frame and its PTO via a single swing arm.
  • FIG. 9b is a front elevation view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9a.
  • FIG.1 and FIG. 2 of the Salter Duck and the Columbia StingRay are related prior art and are described in their references cited including GB1482085 (Salter) and US 2015/0252777 (Rhinefrank). They are also described and distinguished from the present disclosure in the BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE and SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE sections above.
  • FIG, 3 and FIG.4 are described in Rohrer US 9, 127,640 and Rohrer US
  • FIG. 3 describes a float 3 rotatably attached by swing arms 51 to a buoyant vertical spar frame 20 at pivot point or pivot axis 52.
  • the generator 15 is housed within frame column 20 and driven by rack gear 12 on the float bottom through pinion gear 13 on the frame 20.
  • the FIG. 3 embodiment uses a fixed shoaling plane 54 attached to the frame by struts 42 rather than shoaling lower lip extension attached to the float bottom of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 4 also describes a fore float 3 with small lower extension 5 rotatably attached by swing arms 51 to a buoyant vertical spar frame 20 at pivot point or axis 52.
  • the generator 15 is housed in either of 2 locations within frame column 20 and is driven either by swing arm 51 or by rack gear 12 mounted on swing arm 51.
  • FIG.4 lacks the large shoaling plane 54 of FIG. 3, FIG.
  • float 4 also has one or more aft located floats 60 connected to frame 20 by swing arm 58 plus 59 which arm can be rotated about pivot point 62 by wave motion to drive a second generator 15 or locked into a horizontal position for additional frame buoyancy and stability or locked in a vertical position when the WEC is in non-operating survival mode and the float 3 is flooded and rotated downward to the 6 o'clock position.
  • FIG. 5 describes a full scale embodiment of the present disclosure having a EWFP float 3 with forward face 1, top deck 55, arcuate float back 2, and arcuate lower extension 5 of float back 2.
  • the arc of float back 2 and its lower extension 5 are substantially concentric about pivot point or axis 52.
  • the float also has side shields 111 preventing waves impacting the float forward face 1 from escaping laterally without the float 3 capturing its full kinetic (surge) wave energy.
  • the Float is rotatably connected to the twin vertical spar frame (20, 109, 108, and 100 top to bottom) by 2 swing/drive arms 51 which rotate about pivot point or axis 52 driving a single PTO generator 15 housed in one spar or dual generators housed in both.
  • Alternative Power Take-Off means (such as water or hydraulic pumps and motors) may also be utilized.
  • the twin vertical spar frame is comprised of an upper tubular section 20 with maintenance access hatch 36 which protrudes through upper floatation chamber 109 providing access to the PTO-generator housing 15 which is flanked or surrounded by the lower floatation chamber 108.
  • a large horizontal surface area drag plate 32 is rigidly connected to the lower frame float chamber 108 and PTO housing by vertical pipe truss type spars 100 or tubular spars (not shown).
  • the horizontal drag plate 32 has raised fore and aft edges 33 which can be angled upward (shown) or vertical (not shown except and at port and starboard ends) and extended to act as vertical drag plates replacing vertical drag plate 102.
  • a triangular section cross beam 24 with vertical plane drag plate on top 102 increases the stiffness of drag plates 32 and 102 and also serves as an additional seawater floodable ballast tank to adjust frame buoyancy and its water line and/or to alter the distance between the frame's center of gravity (CG) and center of buoyancy (CB).
  • One or more high density metal or reinforced concrete ballasts 21 are attached to the bottom of the drag plate 32.
  • the twin vertical spar frame of FIG. 5 also shows an upper lateral cross truss 61 which in combination with the lower drag plate assembly provides additional frame torsional rigidity.
  • Altering the frame's CG to CB distance changes the pitch recovery time after the frame is pitched rearward by the heave (vertical) and surge (lateral) forces applied by each oncoming wave against the float 3 (acting through pivot point or axis 52) plus wave forces acting directly against the upper frame sections 108 and 109. It is desirable to have the upper frame pitching forward in pitch recovery from the prior wave for at least an initial portion of the time that wave forces from the subsequent wave are again lifting the float This increases the relative rotation between the swing/drive arm(s) and the frame vertical axis housing the PTO. Some lag in frame pitch recovery is inevitable and unavoidable because the mass and natural frequency of the float will always be much smaller than the more massive frame including any water mass entrapped or blocked by the frame and drag from the frame structure.
  • the generator 15 may be direct driven or driven through a step-up gearbox to increase generator RPM and reduce its cost several fold.
  • Typical ocean wave periods and amplitudes produce only 1-4 direct drive RPM, about 1/10*" the RPM of costly large diameter direct drive wind turbines using high efficiency permanent magnets.
  • each spar can be redundant providing continued power generation until a broken generator or gearbox is repaired.
  • one generator in one spar can be used for energy capture during the float upstroke on wave crests and the other generator in the other spar used during down strokes into wave troughs by using a ratcheting, or one way overriding clutch. This allows each generator (and gearbox jf used) to continuously turn in only one direction reducing bearing and gear wear.
  • a spring or flywheel with variable speed transmission can also be used between the drive axel and generator to smooth out energy input pulses and reduce generator RPM variation from typical ocean 6-16 second wave periods.
  • FIG. 6a and 6b show a side and front elevation, respectively, of an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the embodiment also utilizes a twin vertical spar frame and is similar to the embodiment described for F1G.5.
  • This lower spar frame legs 100 of this embodiment are of tubular construction rather than the pipe truss type spar lower legs of FIG. 5.
  • the horizontal plane cross sectional area (water plane area) of the frame upper floatation chambers 109 at or near the frame water line level 18 are substantially smaller than the horizontal plane cross sectional area below the water line transecting the PTO generator housing with supplemental floatation chambers 108.
  • the heaving (lifting) force applied to the frame by each passing wave crest produces vertical frame translation which reduces the relative motion between swing arm and frame and hence wave energy absorption. Reducing the frame water plane area reduces frame heave force proportionally thus reducing the horizontal drag plate 32 area required to maintain vertical frame motion stability.
  • FIG. 6a & 6b also show hinged vertical drag plates 113 attached to the frame upper float chambers 109 with the hinges 114 arranged on the rearward (aft) vertical sides of plates 113, These hinged drag plates remain flat(per FIG. 6a) with the upper float chamber housing as passing lateral wave crest forces acting on both the float and upper frame pitch the upper frame rearwards.
  • the hinged drag plates swing and are mechanically stopped in an open position, however, (113 in FIG. 6b) on subsequent wave troughs delaying frame pitch return which increases the relative rotational motion between frame and float and hence wave energy captured as previously described.
  • FIG. 6a also describes a mooring system of an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • a submerged buoyant mooring buoy 112 is connected to the seabed by 3 tensioned mooring cables 110.
  • Two lateral (substantially horizontal) mooring lines converge at the mooring buoy 31 and are pivotably attached to the buoy 31 and also attached to each of the lower twin spar frame legs at attachment points 114.
  • the frame with attached EWFP float weather vanes into oncoming waves maintaining the EWFP float relatively parallel to oncoming wave fronts thus intercepting maximum wave front width and energy
  • the location of attachment point 114 and the size depth and drag of mooring bail 112 will increase or decrease frame pitch rebound timing which will increase or decrease wave energy capture.
  • the fore and aft ends of frame attached horizontal drag pate 32 are substantially vertical with a rounded corner at the intersection of vertical plates 33 and horizontal plate 32. This provides less drag when the frame is returning downward (after wave induced heave forces on the float) and more resistive forces when wave forces against the float attempt to lift the frame vertically upwards.
  • the vertical surfaces of 33 supplemented by the vertical drag plate area of vertical plate 102, if required and used, are relatively deep in the water column where very little wave motion is present (wave motion and energy decreases exponentially with depth).
  • the combined drag plates at this depth (32, 33, and 102) shift the frame center of pitching rotation near these plates rather than higher up on the lower frame legs. This longer radius about the center of frame pitch rotation delays frame pitch return while the float has already started its next up stroke on the oncoming subsequent wave crest which is desirable as this increases the relative rotational motion between float and frame thus wave energy capture.
  • FIG. 7 describes an embodiment of the present disclosure using a float
  • swing arm 51 with arcuate back 2 and arcuate lower extension 5 rotatably connected by swing arm 51 to a vertical frame 20 about pivot point or axis 52, swing arm 51 being rigidly connected to float 3 at points 115 and &Z.
  • the length of swing arm 51 is not fixed and constant. Swing arm 51 length can be adjusted (by an electric drive) periodically or seasonably to maximize energy capture for average or anticipated wave period and amplitude (which can be forecasted several days in advance).
  • swing arm 51 can translate increasing and decreasing its length during each wave cycle and driving a second PTO or generator 15 co-located at or near swing arm pivot point or axis 52.
  • Salter and Lin confirmed that WEC floats which concurrently moved both horizontally (in response to wave surge forces) and vertically (in response to wave heave forces).
  • WEC floats When WEC floats are constrained to move at a 45° incline (there best case) maximum possible wave energy capture is equal to 0.7101 (the sine and cosine of 45°). If, however, the swing arm of the present disclosure rotates around a middle of 45° but also is free to translate, higher maximum efficiencies are possible.
  • FIG. 8 describes an embodiment of the present disclosure using a float
  • Swing arm 51 drives a PTO or generator either directly at pivot point or axis 52 or indirectly through bull gear 12 to pinion gear 13 mounted to generator 15 located within or affixed to frame vertical spar column 20.
  • Float 3 also has at least one aperture to controliably admit or discharge seawater from the float 3 to either increase or decrease its mass for maximizing energy capture in changing sea conditions or to substantially flood float 3 to low or even negative buoyancy to facilitate its rotation down to a secure storm survival position where the float's center of gravity is substantially below pivot point or axis 52 placing the float 3 safely below troughs of even large storm waves.
  • FIG. 9 describes an embodiment of the present disclosure utilizing two floats 3 with arcuate float backs 2 and arcuate float back extensions 5 both floats being rotatable connected by two swing arms 51 (port and starboard) each arm driving either a common PTO or generator on a common shaft 116 (common un-split shaft not shown) or separate PTOs or generators with shaft 116 being split between the generators 15 (as shown).
  • the buoyant frame of FIG. 9 is comprised of a single vertical spar having a tubular upper section 20 with upper hinged hatch 36 for accessing PTO and power conditioning equipment within the PTO housing 108 which lies below frame floatation chamber 109 shown with small amount of seawaler ballast to raise or lower the frame water line to adjust device performance, energy capture or storm wave exposure.
  • Lower vertical spar column 100 can be either tubular (not shown but like FlGs. 6, 7 & 8) or of pipe truss type as shown.
  • At or near the bottom of vertical frame truss 100 is located a horizontal drag plate 32 with fore and aft vertical ends, a seawater ballast tank 24 with a vertical drag plate above it 102.
  • the lower frame section is connected to a single mooring bar 107 at pivoting point 106.
  • the forward or for end of the bar 107 is connected through connection point 105 to a single lateral mooring line 31 which is connected to and pivots about mooring ball 112 (as shown in FIG. 5).
  • floats 3 can be partially filled with seawater at water level 7 as shown or fu!fy flooded and rotated downward such that their center of gravity is substantially beiow pivot point or axis 52 and subsequently drained through controllable apertures 8.

Landscapes

  • 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)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un convertisseur d'énergie des vagues (WEC) marin à barrière de vague ou à terminateur de vague qui utilise un ou de multiples flotteurs adjacents qui forment conjointement un flotteur à parallèle de front de vague allongé (EWFP) raccordé de façon rotative par au moins un bras oscillant ou d'entraînement à un corps ou cadre fixe secondaire flottant ou à terre ou de fond marin, de telle sorte que le ou les bras oscillants tournent autour d'un point ou axe de pivotement immergé sur un tel corps ou cadre et contraignent le mouvement du ou des flotteurs par rapport au corps ou au cadre lorsque des forces de vague sont appliquées contre le ou les flotteurs. Par rapport à la direction de fronts de vague arrivants et par rapport au niveau d'eau calme (SWL), le ou les flotteurs EWFP sont sensiblement à l'avant, et au-dessus, du point de pivotement de telle sorte que le ou les flotteurs se déplacent simultanément à la fois vers le haut et vers l'arrière sur des crêtes de vague et reviennent à la fois vers l'avant et vers le bas sur des creux de vagues suivants. La surface arrière du flotteur EWFP est sensiblement arquée et concave avec un rayon qui se rapproche de sa distance à partir du point de pivotement de telle sorte que le flotteur produise des vagues arrière à consommation d'énergie minimale lorsqu'il est déplacé par des forces de vagues arrivantes. La surface arquée arrière inférieure du flotteur peut s'étendre en dessous du fond du flotteur plus profondément dans la colonne d'eau pour capturer de l'énergie de vague supplémentaire.
EP16854266.0A 2015-10-05 2016-10-05 Convertisseur d'énergie des vagues à modes multiples comportant un flotteur à parallèle de front de vague allongé à extension de haut-fond inférieure monobloc Withdrawn EP3359806A4 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201562284640P 2015-10-05 2015-10-05
PCT/US2016/055605 WO2017062528A2 (fr) 2015-10-05 2016-10-05 Convertisseur d'énergie des vagues à modes multiples comportant un flotteur à parallèle de front de vague allongé à extension de haut-fond inférieure monobloc

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3359806A2 true EP3359806A2 (fr) 2018-08-15
EP3359806A4 EP3359806A4 (fr) 2019-07-24

Family

ID=58488425

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP16854266.0A Withdrawn EP3359806A4 (fr) 2015-10-05 2016-10-05 Convertisseur d'énergie des vagues à modes multiples comportant un flotteur à parallèle de front de vague allongé à extension de haut-fond inférieure monobloc

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3359806A4 (fr)
WO (1) WO2017062528A2 (fr)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10788010B2 (en) 2012-05-08 2020-09-29 Rohrer Technologies, Inc. High capture efficiency wave energy converter with improved heave, surge and pitch stability
RU2658630C1 (ru) * 2017-09-27 2018-06-22 Владимир Эдуардович Егурнов Волновая установка для защиты побережья от штормов с одновременным производством электроэнергии
WO2019217485A1 (fr) * 2018-05-08 2019-11-14 Rohrer Technologies, Inc. Convertisseur d'énergie houlomotrice à mode de capture multiple avec large flotteur de montant et masse de réaction de fond marin
WO2019229290A1 (fr) * 2018-05-30 2019-12-05 Aw-Energy Oy Appareil de récupération d'énergie houlomotrice à l'aide d'un agencement de prise de force
CN113027667B (zh) * 2021-03-22 2022-09-06 浙江海洋大学 一种可变迎波角度的波浪能转换装置
US11952974B2 (en) 2022-09-09 2024-04-09 Columbia Power Technologies, Inc. Wave energy converter

Family Cites Families (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1887316A (en) * 1931-08-20 1932-11-08 John A Lockfaw Wave motor
GB1482085A (en) 1973-11-15 1977-08-03 Univ Edinburgh Wave energy extraction
IE883159L (en) 1988-10-19 1990-04-19 Hydam Ltd Wave powered prime mover
NZ551485A (en) 2006-11-21 2009-06-26 Ind Res Ltd Wave energy converter
US8604631B2 (en) * 2009-05-27 2013-12-10 Rohrer Technologies, Inc. Ocean wave energy converter with multiple capture modes
NO330942B1 (no) 2009-12-09 2011-08-22 Aker Engineering & Technology Innretning for utvinning av energi fra bolger
US9127640B2 (en) 2011-09-02 2015-09-08 Rohrer Technologies, Inc. Multi-capture mode wave energy converter with submergible float
US8614520B2 (en) 2011-11-05 2013-12-24 Rohrer Technologies, Inc. Submergable sloped absorption barrier wave energy converter
US9863395B2 (en) 2012-05-08 2018-01-09 Rohrer Technologies, Inc. Wave energy converter with concurrent multi-directional energy absorption
ES2664981T3 (es) 2012-09-28 2018-04-24 Columbia Power Technologies, Inc. Método y sistema para conversión de energía de las olas
PT3092404T (pt) 2013-12-04 2020-04-17 Weptos As Central de energia das ondas acionada por correia

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2017062528A2 (fr) 2017-04-13
WO2017062528A3 (fr) 2017-05-18
WO2017062528A4 (fr) 2017-06-22
EP3359806A4 (fr) 2019-07-24

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US10094356B2 (en) Multi mode wave energy converter with elongated wave front parallel float having integral lower shoaling extension
US9863395B2 (en) Wave energy converter with concurrent multi-directional energy absorption
US10788010B2 (en) High capture efficiency wave energy converter with improved heave, surge and pitch stability
US9127640B2 (en) Multi-capture mode wave energy converter with submergible float
US8614520B2 (en) Submergable sloped absorption barrier wave energy converter
AU2017200610B2 (en) Wave energy converter system
EP3359806A2 (fr) Convertisseur d'énergie des vagues à modes multiples comportant un flotteur à parallèle de front de vague allongé à extension de haut-fond inférieure monobloc
EP1831542B1 (fr) Dispositif d'énergie houlomotrice
EP2384398A2 (fr) Procede et appareil pour convertir l'energie de la houle oceanique en electricite
WO2010096195A1 (fr) Conversion à entraînement direct de l'énergie des vagues en rotation
JP6613226B2 (ja) ハイブリッド発電プラント
EP3790793B1 (fr) Convertisseur d'énergie houlomotrice à haute efficacité de capture avec stabilité améliorée vis-à-vis du pilonnement, du cavalement et du tangage
CA2847346A1 (fr) Houlomotrice a barriere d'absorption inclinee submersible
US11131287B2 (en) Cantilevered tension-leg stabilization of buoyant wave energy converter or floating wind turbine base
JP2001221142A (ja) 水力、波力、および、風力のエネルギー変換装置
US8002523B2 (en) Turbine system and method for extracting energy from waves, wind, and other fluid flows
WO2021231102A1 (fr) Stabilisation de jambe de tension en porte-à-faux d'un convertisseur d'énergie houlomotrice flottant ou d'une base de turbine éolienne flottante
US10184445B2 (en) Linear array of wave energy conversion devices
AU2015200380A1 (en) Direct drive rotary wave energy conversion

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20180405

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

DAV Request for validation of the european patent (deleted)
DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
A4 Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched

Effective date: 20190625

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: F03B 13/18 20060101AFI20190618BHEP

Ipc: F03B 13/20 20060101ALI20190618BHEP

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20200218

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20200630