FR3126238A1 - Wave energy device for converting wave energy into electrical energy. - Google Patents

Abstract

Device designed for the conversion of wave energy into electrical energy comprising a self-supporting structure, formed by a metal frame (1) out of the water and submerged boxes (3), both connected by uprights (2), which can accommodate several floats (4) by limiting their degree of freedom of movement to take advantage of it. The device is made up of elementary modules to facilitate and speed up construction, interventions and maintenance. It allows both to exploit the movement of the swell (5) vertically and horizontally. The floats slide around certain uprights which guide them in their strictly vertical oscillations. These floats, under the action of the swell, activate electric generators fixed on the metal frame and house turbines coupled to electric generators, to exploit the ebb and flow of water. Figure for abstract: Fig.1

Description

Wave energy device for converting wave energy into electrical energy.

The present innovation finds advantageous applications in the field of renewable marine energies and specifically that of the swell.

In recent decades, the rush towards renewable energies has increased, due to the need for sustainable energy resources without greenhouse gas emissions, which, following the decrease in their prices, have become more accessible and sometimes competitive than those fossil fuels as is the case with photovoltaic solar power now.

One area where there is still a lot to be done is that of converting wave energy into electrical energy. This market is relatively young and has not yet matured to the point of becoming acceptably profitable and competitive with others. The techniques used are numerous and struggle to assert themselves because the constraints are multiple and enormous and their number and order of magnitude change according to the technique used.

The current techniques for the extraction of energy from the swell are varied: systems of absorption (floats actuated by the swell: absorbers or buoys), of attenuation, of oscillation, of oscillating water column, of breaking , tilting... We always use the relative movement of a body, water or air, actuated by the effect of the swell, in relation to another fixed to the seabed or floating.

In the current state of the art, some types of wave energy converter exploit the vertical component, others the horizontal component, and still others seek to combine the two.

Among the converters that seek to exploit the horizontal component of the swell, we find buoys with turbining of the flows by the use of turbines or wheels driven by the currents, such as certain signaling buoys at sea.

Among the converters that seek to exploit the vertical component of the swell, floating or fixed to the seabed, we find vertical action buoys such as the Danish WAVESTAR.

Among the converters that seek to exploit the two components of the swell are the French SEAREV or the Italian PEWEC.

Among the converters which seek to exploit the two components of the swell, and which use the same type of structure as the current application, one finds the device described in the patent application US 2009/0235660 A1 (24/09/2009) on which we will return to in the description to detail the points of similarity and the points of significant difference.

Despite all efforts, the sector is unable to compete with other renewable energy sources given the constraints that these techniques must overcome, which are as follows:
1. Irregularities in the frequency and amplitude of the swell, which pose a problem for having a stabilized current. This leads to the use of braking systems for phasing with the swell or the use of hydraulic systems with accumulators and turbining of said hydraulic circuits which influence performance, initial investments and maintenance,
2. the large amounts of energy in the event of rough seas: this therefore requires a resistant structure and an adequate anchoring, mooring or stabilization system, which harms the seabed and increases the initial costs to avoid damage ,
3. the unusable swell in the event of very calm or very rough seas, which leads to the uselessness or stoppage of production. Putting the device in the safety position triggered from a certain threshold therefore leads to a stoppage of energy production,
4. the costs of installation and maintenance, since the imposing structures and components are fully or partially submerged and sometimes fixed to the seabed individually,
5. the very aggressive environment, which reduces the life of the equipment, not to mention the deposit of algae,
6. the investments which are often very significant and the levels of performance which sometimes struggle to exceed 10% of the available energy, a discouraging profitability which delays the return on investment,
7. the methods of transferring or transforming the energy captured into exploited energy which is very costly and/or complicated to achieve: for example the use of high-pressure hydraulic circuits with cylinders/pistons and the turbining of the pressurized fluid for the production of 'electric energy. We get the yield of the yield.

The device for converting wave energy into electrical energy, concerned by this application, is designed to provide solutions to the constraints and problems that hinder and oppose the development of this renewable energy subsidiary from the wave. : profitability of devices, initial cost, cost and time of maintenance, production stoppages caused by this or due to the state of the sea, impact on the environment, optimization of the marine surface occupied per kilowatt produced in a wave energy fields and optimization of energy extraction per meter of wave front.

With the aim of economic profitability and to overcome the difficulties encountered which prevent the development of the sector, to make it more competitive, this new device is based on an innovative design and brings some design modifications: improvement and combination of different techniques in a single device, manufacture of this device at a lower cost of installation and maintenance, increase in the yield of some existing techniques and resolution of other technical problems,

These modifications and enhancements are intended to have a cost effective, viable, and market launch wave energy subsidiary using a simple, low cost, not fully submerged, tidal resistant device. , not fixed to the bottom, with easy maintenance, optimizing and without loss of yield in the double transformation of energy, through the following actions:
1. use of a frame, out of the water, tubular metal (square or round tube), resistant and rigid, to remain stable on the sea, which allows us to use as little material as possible per kilowatt produced and to lower the cost/output ratio. Uprights, resting on submerged caissons which keep the entire structure afloat, are fixed to the metal frame. The larger and more rigid the structure, the less sensitive it is to the vertical movements of the swell. It accommodates floats,
2. use of a tubular metal frame that minimizes the effect of winds and storms to relieve the anchoring system, since the other forces exerted by the swell on the device partially compensate each other. As a result, anchoring becomes less harmful to the seabed,
3. use of a modular structure as a whole by assembling several elementary modules, identical, assemblable, autonomous, replaceable and interchangeable. Switching off before disconnecting and replacing a module takes up little time and resources. This allows time savings and production gains,
4. arrangement of the floats to exploit, head on, the energy of the same wave several times in order to increase the yield and optimize the occupation of the marine space,
5. use of floats designed to exploit both the vertical and horizontal component of wave forces. The floats activate generators by vertical movements and are equipped with horizontal conduits where the flow of water is turbined. The conduits crossing the float and not exploited for the turbines reduce the lateral stresses of the swell which it undergoes,
6. using a progressive braking system to slow down the vertical movements of the floats, a ballast mechanism to decrease their amount of energy, a limit switch protection to protect the structure against shocks and a safety blocking device for the integrity of the structure. This avoids stoppages in the event of rough seas and guarantees minimum production because the turbine remains in operation whatever the state of the sea,
7. increase in the production/cost ratio by combining the exploitation of the two components of wave energy, horizontal and vertical, in a single device, whereas the floats can only oscillate vertically. A single device that exploits the two wave components is economically more profitable than two separate devices, one for each type of component. The combination of the exploitation of the two components brings advantages and benefits from a mutual synergy effect of the two and on which we will come back later,
8. use of a suitable anchor system, less expensive to install and dismantle, less invasive for the seabed, which will withstand the force of the swell. Due to the fact that the floats, with their through conduits, oppose less lateral resistance to the water and due to its large dimensions and its rigidity, the structure takes advantage of the compensation, even partial, of the forces exerted on the floats. This relieves the anchor system and prevents it from being pulled out in rough seas,
9. use of a metal frame out of the water, designed to facilitate the movement of people on board, which houses the components for easier access. This makes installation and preventive and curative maintenance simpler and quicker, while avoiding algae deposits. This emersion also extends the life of certain components,
10. sizing of the device according to the desired power, the assembly being composed of identical elementary modules, which can be assembled, autonomous and interchangeable,
11. adaptation of the height of the uprights to the height of the local swell, to protect the device in the event of rough seas and to avoid frequent production stoppages,
12. use of a large number of floats to take advantage of their number for the stability of the device, to compensate for the irregularity of the swell and for the production of energy as stable and uniform as possible. The device has a single electrical circuit, grouping together all the generators,
13. increase in efficiency by optimizing the energy transformation system, with the fewest possible intermediate steps, combined with high efficiency transformations, such as an electric generator driven by a direct mechanical transmission system replacing cylinders/pistons which operate high-pressure hydraulic circuits with their constraints and costs and which require turbines,
14. Design of the device to automatically follow the movement of the tides and thus avoid variations in performance as certain devices fixed to the seabed record,
15. use of fixed cranes on board for manipulations on the wave energy field, to optimize interventions, and even beforehand during the construction phase, with a predisposition of external power supply (ship, submarine cable, etc.),
16. Combination with wind power generation, solar power generation or both.

The result leads to the following overall design:
1. a self-supporting structure, made up of a metal frame, out of the water, connected to submerged boxes by uprights,
2. a set of floats, crossed by horizontal ducts, sliding vertically along uprights which limit their freedom of movement to strict verticality,
3. electrical generators, rotating or linear, fixed to the metal frame, actuated by a direct transmission mechanism thanks to the vertical movements of the floats,
4. turbines, driven by the ebb and flow of the water, driving electric generators rotating in the or certain conduits crossing the floats.

Consequently, each elementary module, in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped, capable of operating in perfect autonomy, is composed of:
1. part of the metal frame forming the top,
2. one or more boxes joined or not forming the bottom,
3. fixed uprights connecting the top and bottom, some of which allow the floats to slide and protect them with shock absorbers at the limit switches,
4. at least one float whose upper and lower ends are conical or pyramidal to maintain fluidity in their movement of exit or re-entry into the water, each float being equipped with at least one upright for its sliding and at least at least one horizontally crossing duct provided or not with a turbine which actuates a generator for the exploitation of the horizontal movements of the water,
5. a generator, linear or rotary, fixed on the part of the metal frame for the exploitation of the vertical movements of each float,
6. a progressive braking system by float to slow down and reduce its vertical movements, and a ballast mechanism to lighten said float,
7. the connections of the electrical circuits necessary for the operation of the device.

The floats, independent of each other, mechanically and directly actuate electric generators fixed to the metal frame, to exploit the vertical component of the movements of the swell, while they accommodate turbines, coupled to rotating electric generators, actuated by the ebb and flow movements of the water, through crossing horizontal conduits, to exploit the horizontal component of the movements of the same swell.

Among the converters which seek to exploit the two components of the swell, alone or combined, and which have partial similarities with the present device, we find the following examples:

A converter, described in the document concerning the referenced patent application: FR 2267927 A1 (14/11/1975), which exploits the horizontal component. This device, with a float equipped with a horizontal turbine pipe, is anchored to the seabed. Said float therefore has a certain freedom of movement horizontally, which negatively influences the very efficiency of the turbine, which is different from the present device where the floats do not have freedom of horizontal movement.

In addition, the device described in application FR 2267927 A1 (14/11/1975) does not exploit the vertical forces of the waves, which is different from the present device which, moreover, repeats it several times on the same wave.

A converter, described in the document concerning the patent application referenced US 2012/0261923 A1 (18/10/2012), which only exploits the vertical component of the swell. This floating structure is equipped with floats which take into account the horizontal movements of the water, precisely to minimize their lateral effects [0012], [0084], [0085], [0086] and [0087], by giving them a very specific shape Fig.8A, Fig.8B and Fig.8C while the present device seeks to extract the maximum energy from these movements.

In addition, the structure in document US 2012/0261923 A1 is centered on a main central float [0048] and [0050] whereas the present device has no main box and uses another ballast mechanism.

Another converter, described in the document concerning the patent application referenced US 4622473 A (11/11/1986), which exploits the vertical component of the swell, with a floating structure but which uses pistons which actuate a hydraulic circuit and the turbine to drive the electrical generators, that is to say a double transformation (yield of a yield), which is different from the present device where the generators on the metal frame are actuated mechanically and directly by the floats.

Moreover, the floats, described in the document US 4622473 A (11/11/1986) do not exploit the lateral movements of the water whereas, in the present device, generators in the conduits which cross these floats, are actuated by turbines to exploit these same lateral movements.

Another converter, described in the document concerning the patent application referenced US 2009/0235660 A1 (24/09/2009), which exploits the two components of the swell and which uses the same type of structure as the current application with a mode extraction of the vertical component similar but with a significant difference in the mode of extraction of the horizontal component of the wave.

To obtain additional energy from the horizontal flows, the document concerning the patent application referenced US 2009/0235660 A1 (24/09/2009) proposes two different methods from those adopted by the present application.

The first uses the lateral fluctuations of the uprights which, under the effect of the lateral forces transferred by the floats, actuate a hydraulic system to rotate an electric generator, these uprights having a horizontal freedom of movement of amplitude limited to 100 mm [0020 ], [0031], [0032], [0033] and [0034].

The second consists of a paddle wheel, driven by water, which turns around an upright [0050], [0051] and [0052] and drives a generator.

These two solutions discussed in the document US 2009/0235660 A1 (24/09/2009) for additional energy production by the horizontal component of the swell are different from that provided by the device concerned by the present application which turbines the flows in the conduits and whose floats have strictly vertical movements.

All the examples we have seen before are different from the present device in its specificity. The prior art in general, and none of these patents in particular, discloses the present invention for generating electrical energy from the combination of wave actions and which comprises a structure with similar principle of operation.

Compared to all of these converters and for those skilled in the art, the present device, which combines the two effects, sliding of the float around one or more uprights on the one hand and turbining in horizontal flow ducts on the other hand, produces four unexpected benefits that go beyond obtaining extra energy.

The first is that having horizontal through-ducts lessens the stresses from the horizontal forces that the floats, their individual sliding mechanism, and the structure itself experience.

The second stems from the first because these same horizontal forces exerted on the floats transmitted to the structure partially compensate for each other, the resultant of these forces is also reduced, which further relieves the anchoring system.

The third also stems from the first because the reduction in the constraints of the lateral forces is advantageous for the sliding system which becomes more efficient and less subject to mechanical fatigue.

Finally, the fourth is a mutual synergy effect, because the sliding system takes advantage of the horizontal ducts while the turbine takes advantage of the strictly vertical movement of the floats.

Thus, the less the float is free in its lateral movements, the more the flows which cross its flow ducts are exploited and, the more lateral ducts there are crossing the floats, the more the sliding is efficient and the less it is subject to mechanical fatigue.

For the person skilled in the art, the combination of the two effects, sliding of the float around one or more uprights on the one hand and turbine operation in the horizontal flow ducts on the other hand, therefore does not stop at obtaining extra energy as ordinary developing solution. It brings unexpected advantages by reducing the horizontal stresses on the floats, on their sliding mechanism and on the structure and by relieving the anchoring system. In addition, it brings a mutual synergy effect between these two effects because one takes advantage of the other.

With reference to the drawings in the appendices, given by way of non-limiting examples, the device is described by the following reference numbers:

A metal frame (1), supported by vertical uprights (2), rests on a set of submerged caissons (3) which keep the entire system afloat, which allows the whole of this self-supporting structure to follow the movements of the tide and to remain well positioned in relation to the swell (5).

Said amounts (2) are fixed, adapted to the maximum height of the local swell (5).

Some uprights (2) are equipped with a sliding system whose different thresholds trigger a progressive slowing system (not shown in the drawing) of the floats (4) and a ballast mechanism (not shown in the drawing). Only in case of danger the device locks and goes into safety position.

These last uprights (2) cause the floats (4) to slide vertically, limit their degree of freedom of movement to strict verticality and prevent them from tipping, which would cause energy loss and damage due to impact. The floats are guided in their movements along the uprights by a mechanism (not shown in the drawing) equipped, depending on the needs in combination or alone, with gears, bearings, pinions, rack, anti-friction system such as magnetic repulsion, segments or specific materials to facilitate sliding or sliding.

The floats (4), designed to slide along one or more uprights (2) fitted with end-of-travel protections (not shown in the drawing) to protect them in the event of extreme swell, have a degree of freedom of movement limited to vertical oscillations only. They activate electric generators (not shown in the drawing) fixed to the metal frame (1) to transform the vertical component of the wave energy (5).

Each float (4) benefits from two other protections, intervening in the event of rough seas, consisting of a progressive braking system (not shown in the drawing) on the metal frame (1) to slow down its vertical movements in order to reduce its amplitude, and a ballast mechanism (not shown in the drawing) to lighten it in order to reduce its energy quantity. The system and the mechanism have two predetermined intervention thresholds, they act alone or in combination.

The shape of the floats (4) and their size as well as the number of uprights (2) for the sliding, are to be defined according to the characteristics of the device which is itself dependent on the local swell and the operating needs.

Under the effect of the vertical component of the movements of the swell (5) and their masses, the floats (4) actuate the electrical generators (not shown in the drawing), rotating or linear, on the metal frame (1) and, under the effect of the flow in the horizontal ducts (6) which cross the said floats (4), turbines (7) actuate rotating generators (not shown in the drawing) which exploit the ebb and flow of the water.

Each float (4) directly drives an electric generator fixed to the metal frame (1) of the structure either by a gear, a lever, an arm, a strap, a drive belt, a chain (rigid or semi-rigid) or pinions (which are not shown in the drawing), or by one or more combinations of these solutions, to transform the energy of the vertical movements into electrical energy.

The rigid caissons (3), joined or not, are modular and adapted to keep the entire device afloat and allow it to follow the movement of the tides according to Archimedes' principle.

Diagonal reinforcements (which are not shown in the drawing) can help the uprights to consolidate the device, between the metal frame (1) and the boxes (3), without hindering its operation.

In some cases, the installation of a lever system (not shown in the drawing) is possible. It will be adapted to transmit the vertical movement of the float (4) to the electric generator located on the metal frame (1). Said lever is connected to the float for example by an articulated arm or a piston, pivots on the metal frame and actuates the gear of the rotating electric generator or the rotor of the linear electric generator.

The device is equipped with a system of anchors (not shown in the drawing) suitable to always keep the same angle of attack by the swell (5). Chain lengths will be adapted to local tides to prevent drifting.

The metal frame (1) is tubular and therefore more aerodynamic than if it had such a solid surface facing the wind: the action of winds and storms is therefore minimized.

Likewise, given the rigidity of the structure combined with its large dimensions, the anchor system undergoes neither the totality of the vertical nor the totality of the horizontal component of the forces exerted on said structure since in each component there is a compensation partial. The compensation increases with the stiffness and size of the structure.

The floats (4) exploit the vertical component of the energy of the swell and their potential energy to actuate electric generators, linear or rotating, fixed to the metal frame (1).

These same floats (4) are crossed horizontally from one side to the other by conduits (6) adapted to allow the ebb and flow of the swell (5) to pass. Turbines (7) coupled with electric generators (not shown in the drawing) are arranged in these ducts (6) to produce electricity.

This wave energy device recovers energy from both the vertical and horizontal movements of the swell (5). A much better yield than the devices that only exploit one or the other, moreover it benefits from a synergy effect brought by the two types of exploitations.

The structure supports a single electrical circuit (not shown in the drawing) and takes advantage of a large number of floats (4) to increase the stability of the electrical current produced.

The metal frame (1) houses electric generators, automated electric or electronic circuits (not shown in the drawing), necessary for the transformation, grouping, rectification and stabilization of the electric current produced at the output of the device. The use of electronic components such as super capacitors is strongly considered for the stability and regularity of the electric current.

This same metal frame (1) is suitable for fixing on its structure wind generators (not shown in the drawing), for a combination of electricity production, and accumulators if necessary.

This same metal frame (1) is suitable for fixing a system for converting solar energy into electrical energy (not shown in the drawing), for a combination of electricity production, and accumulators if necessary.

In order to further optimize the device, the combination of these three types of energy production, swell, wind and sun, is desirable. The addition of accumulators is possible for safety uses.

the metal frame (1) is adapted to allow movement on board in order to perform the tasks necessary for the proper functioning of the device.

The installation, on the structure, of one or more fixed cranes (not shown in the drawing), provides another advantage for the handling of loads on a wave energy field. In addition, the predisposition of an external power supply to the cranes will facilitate the construction phase and the maintenance phases of a large wave energy field, especially in the event of power failures.

The entire fastening system is modular to facilitate maintenance and exchange of components.

The wave energy device has its own signaling means (not shown in the drawing) according to the standards in force in the local maritime domains as well as transmission systems to allow exchanges between the structure and the cockpit.

These actions taken as a whole make the device economically more profitable compared to other systems which moor each of the floats separately, which exploit only one of the two components of the swell, vertically or horizontally, which transform the energy of each float individually , which use a mode of motion transfer with less efficiency, which use a costly mode of energy transformation with losses in the many stages (pistons/cylinders, high-pressure circuits for turbines) or whose essential parts are submerged or concealed at the seabed .

The device is also modifiable and adaptable in order to broaden the scope of its applications to produce electrical energy on existing or future fixed offshore platforms.

In this use, depending on the needs and the space available, the only uprights used for sliding are grafted, with their floats ( ), to the offshore platform that has become a support. Thus this offshore platform, designed for other uses such as the extraction of hydrocarbons, replaces and plays the role of part of the metal frame, uprights not necessary for the sliding of the floats and the caissons ( ). Said floats remain guided by their uprights in their slides and actuate generators, for the exploitation of the vertical component of the energy of the swell, while generators are actuated by the flow in the crossing conduits, to exploit the component horizontal.

This device and its adaptation to an offshore platform have identical operating modes:

From a certain degree of swell, it is necessary to protect the device because the more energetic movements and important in amplitudes of the floats risk causing damage. On the other hand, the turbines in the ducts of the floats are not affected by the state of the sea. There is therefore no risk that they will be damaged.

Each float therefore benefits from three protections, consisting of a progressive braking system on the metal frame to slow down its vertical movements in order to reduce their amplitudes and delay its phase in relation to that of the swell, then a ballast mechanism to lighten it in order to reduce its amount of energy and finally a limit switch protection. These protections intervene successively according to previously defined thresholds.

Each generator, linear or rotating, on the metal frame is designed in two parts.

If necessary, to slow down the vertical movements of each float, one of the two parts of said generator changes function to brake the rotor by creating an induced magnetic field.

The braking of the rotor applies a delay in the phase of the float compared to that of the swell and decreases its maximum amplitude during each phase of said swell. The action of the braking system is proportional to the amplitude reached. As a result, it is prevented from suffering shocks at the end of its travel. This allows the device to continue operating even in conditions where it should be shut down.

Depending on the degree of the swell, the device therefore has a surplus of energy that it will use for the benefit of the braking system to find the balance between the energy supplied by the vertical movements and that induced in the braking system. .

The device continues to generate energy even in rough seas, using the excess energy available to its advantage, first to reduce the amplitude of the vertical movements of the floats by progressive brakes, then to trigger the mechanism of ballast, to lighten said floats and avoid damaging the structure.

Finally, the uprights, which allow the floats to slide, are equipped with a mechanical shock absorption system in the event that the braking system is not sufficient and the floats nevertheless reach the end of their travel. This is possible with a deformable material with memory, a spring, a hydraulic protection or one of their combinations.

When the previous protections are no longer sufficient to guarantee the integrity of the structure, a final automatic mechanism blocks the floats in the safety position, but the device continues to produce electricity thanks to the turbines in the horizontal ducts.

The threshold which triggers the safety position is defined beforehand by the designer when determining the height of the uprights of the device which will be personalized according to the characteristics of the local swell.

This brings an advantage in terms of production of the device, which therefore does not have to stop. This advantage is added to that already provided by the use of identical elementary modules which are replaceable, by substitution, without stopping production of the device, for reasons of breakdown or maintenance.

In a first embodiment, the floats slide along the uprights of a self-supporting structure, formed by a metal frame out of the water and submerged boxes, the two connected by uprights, some of which can accommodate floats. Linear electric generators fixed on the metal frame of said structure, actuated directly by vertical arms fixed on said floats, are used for the exploitation of the vertical component of the forces of the swell, and rotating electric generators, coupled with turbines placed in ducts crossing these same floats, for the exploitation of the horizontal component. Electric currents are grouped together, adapted, with the help of electronic components and circuits, on the metal frame, for consumption.

In a second embodiment, the floats slide along the uprights of a self-supporting structure, formed by a metal frame out of the water and submerged boxes, the two connected by uprights, some of which can accommodate floats. Rotating electric generators are used, fixed to the metal frame of said structure, which said floats actuate directly by drive chains, for the exploitation of the vertical component of the forces of the swell, and rotating electric generators, coupled with turbines placed in ducts crossing these same floats, for the exploitation of the horizontal component. Electric currents are grouped together, adapted, with the help of electronic components and circuits, on the metal frame, for consumption.

In a third exemplary embodiment, the only uprights used for sliding are fixed, with their float ( ), on an existing offshore, fixed or mobile platform, which has become a support. Thus, this offshore platform, designed for other uses such as the offshore extraction of hydrocarbons, is used to replace and play the role of part of the metal frame, amounts not necessary for the sliding of the floats and the caissons. Only the uprights necessary for sliding are adapted and grafted onto the offshore platform ( ). The floats, guided by their uprights in their slides, activate generators, for the exploitation of the vertical component of the energy of the swell, while generators, driven by their turbines activated by the ebb and flow in the ducts crossing these floats, exploit the horizontal component. This adaptation allows these platforms to produce electrical energy, making the wave energy device even more profitable for converting wave energy.

The following is a brief description of the figures and numbering for better understanding:

: represents a simplified profile view of the wave energy device,

And : represent two simplified face configurations of the wave energy device,

: represent a simplified view of an elementary module with a single float,

: represent a simplified view of an elementary module with two floats,

: represent another simplified configuration of an elementary module with two floats,

: represent another configuration of uprights and float

And : represent two simplified profile views of a float,

And : represent two simplified front views of a float,

And : represent two simplified views of a module suitable for use on an offshore platform.

1: Metal frame

2: amount

3: Box

4: Float

5: Swell

6: Horizontal duct

7: Propeller

Claims (9)

Wave energy device exploiting the energy of the swell, in its two forms, vertical and horizontal, to transform it into electrical energy; He understands :

• a self-supporting structure, formed of a metal frame (1), out of the water, connected to submerged boxes (3) by uprights (2),
• a set of floats (4) traversed by horizontal ducts (6) equipped with turbines (7), these floats follow the vertical movements of the swell (5) using a vertical sliding mechanism, along uprights which limit their freedom of movement and protect them at the end of their travels with a shock absorption system,
• an electric generator for each float, linear or rotating, fixed on the metal frame for the exploitation of the vertical movements of the swell,

• turbines, driven by the ebb and flow of water, driving rotating electric generators, in certain conduits crossing the floats,
• a progressive braking system to slow down and reduce the vertical movements of each float,
• a ballast mechanism to lighten each float and reduce its amount of energy,

• electric and electronic components and circuits for stabilizing and adapting electric current.

the entire structure is made up of identical and autonomous elementary modules.
Said wave-power device is characterized in that: under the effect of the vertical component of the movements of the swell and their masses, the floats actuate the electrical generators, rotating or linear, on the metal frame and, under the effect of the flow in the horizontal ducts which cross the floats, the turbines drive rotating generators, exploiting the ebb and flow of the water. The device according to claim (1) is characterized in that : The mechanism, which allows the sliding, is constituted according to the needs, in combinations or alone, of gears, bearings, chains, pinions, rack, an anti-friction system such as magnetic repulsion, segments or specific materials to facilitate movement. By sliding around at least one upright, the float has a freedom of movement limited to vertical oscillations only. The device according to any one of claims (1) and (2) is characterized by having at least one float which directly and mechanically actuates an electric generator fixed to the metal frame of the structure. The vertical movements of the float activate a linear or rotating electric generator, either by a gear, a lever, an arm, a strap, a drive belt, a chain (rigid or semi-rigid) or sprockets, or by one or more combinations of these solutions, to transform the energy of vertical movements into electrical energy. The device according to any one of claims (1) to (3 ) is characterized by the installation of one or more cranes on the structure to handle the loads. The device according to any one of claims (1) to (4 ) is characterized in that it comprises one or more wind turbines, or a solar energy transformation system, or both together, for additional production of 'electric energy. The device according to any nth of claims (1) to (3 ) is characterized in this thatthe elementary modules, autonomous in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped, making up the device, each include:

• part of the metal frame forming the top,
• one or more boxes joined or not forming the bottom,
• uprights, connecting the top and bottom, some of which allow the floats to slide,
• at least one float, the upper and lower ends of which are conical or pyramidal to maintain fluidity in their movement of exit or re-entry into the water, each float being provided with at least one upright for its sliding and at least one horizontally crossing duct, whether or not provided with a turbine which actuates a generator for the exploitation of the horizontal movements of the water, and with a ballast system,
• a generator by float, linear or rotating, on its part of the metal frame, for the exploitation of the vertical movements of the swell, designed in two parts, one of which changes function to brake the rotor by creating an induced magnetic field ,
• components and connections of the electrical circuits necessary for the operation of the device.

The device according to claims (1) to (3) is characterized in that the braking system for slowing down the vertical movements of the floats intervenes from a previously defined threshold. The braking system acts by induction on the rotor of the generator fixed on the metal frame, in proportion to the amplitude of the vertical movements of the floats to reduce it. The slowing down of the float results in the reduction of the maximum amplitude of its movement during each phase of the swell. The device according to claims (1) to (3) is characterized in that the ballast mechanism triggered from a previously defined threshold intervenes to lighten the floats and reduce their quantity of energy. Use of the device according to claim (6) characterized by fixing only the uprights used for sliding, with their float, on an already existing fixed or mobile offshore platform, which has become a support. Thus, this offshore platform, designed for other uses such as the offshore extraction of hydrocarbons, is used to replace and play the role of part of the metal frame, amounts not necessary for the sliding of the floats and the caissons. Only the uprights necessary for the sliding are adapted and grafted onto the offshore platform. Said floats, guided by their uprights in their slides, actuate generators for the exploitation of the vertical component of the energy of the swell, while generators, driven by their turbines actuated by the ebb and flow in the conduits crossing these floats exploit the horizontal component.