GB2024957A - Wave energy device - Google Patents
Wave energy device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2024957A GB2024957A GB7921077A GB7921077A GB2024957A GB 2024957 A GB2024957 A GB 2024957A GB 7921077 A GB7921077 A GB 7921077A GB 7921077 A GB7921077 A GB 7921077A GB 2024957 A GB2024957 A GB 2024957A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- tubes
- liquid
- float
- wave motion
- projections
- 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- Withdrawn
Links
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 23
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 20
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 239000012858 resilient material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000004873 anchoring Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000005060 rubber Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000005188 flotation Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000004800 polyvinyl chloride Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 3
- 229920000915 polyvinyl chloride Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 244000043261 Hevea brasiliensis Species 0.000 description 2
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229920003052 natural elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920001194 natural rubber Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000010248 power generation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920003051 synthetic elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001914 calming effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009877 rendering Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000013535 sea water Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920002554 vinyl polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
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
- F03B13/188—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 flexible or deformable
-
- 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
- F05B2240/20—Rotors
- F05B2240/30—Characteristics of rotor blades, i.e. of any element transforming dynamic fluid energy to or from rotational energy and being attached to a rotor
- F05B2240/31—Characteristics of rotor blades, i.e. of any element transforming dynamic fluid energy to or from rotational energy and being attached to a rotor of changeable form or shape
- F05B2240/311—Characteristics of rotor blades, i.e. of any element transforming dynamic fluid energy to or from rotational energy and being attached to a rotor of changeable form or shape flexible or elastic
-
- 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
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
A device for extraction of energy from liquid wave motion uses a surface float 1 which conforms to the changes in liquid surface level during the passage of waves. Horizontally disposed tubes 5 formed from resilient material are attached to the float, and are capable of changing volume when extended or contracted by movement of the float in response to the wave motion whereby a fluid is pumped through the tubes into a generator under the action of liquid wave motion. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Wave energy device
This invention relates to energy conversion and more particularly to the conversion of energy from the movement of waves of a liquid.
Wave motion has long been regarded as a potential source for power generation and numerous suggestions have been proposed for the extraction of this power.
According to the present invention there is provided a device for extraction of energy from liquid wave motion, the device comprising a surface float which at least partially conforms to the changes in liquid surface level during the passage of waves and one or more substantially horizontally disposed tubes formed from resilient material, the tubes being attached to the float, and capable of changing volume when extended or contracted by movement of the float in response to wave motions, the tubes also having inlet and outlet unidirectional valves whereby a fluid is pumped through the tubes under the action of liquid wave motion.
Preferably the tube or tubes are rendered floating by attachment to a float structure.
Suitable structures are disclosed in our copending
UK patent applications no. 31828/76 which describes a wave reduction device comprising one or more flexible containers which are adapted to be partially or wholly filled with a liquid and means for joining them in a side by side relationship and means for rendering the containers buoyant, the upper and lower faces of each container being drawn towards each other at a number of pucker points so as to form a puckered surface structure whereby a resistance to liquid motion inside each container is created.
The tubes are suitably fabricated from plastic material, e.g. plasticised PVC, synthetic and natural rubbers, and fabric reinforced polymers, although the use of other materials is not precluded.
Preferably the means for converting the fluid flow into energy is a turbine or turbine generating sets. Where the capacity of one pump is insufficient, a plurality of pumps may be arranged in an array to pump more fluid. The fluid may be a liquid or a gas, e.g. air.
The structure is provided with suitable means for towing, positioning and anchoring, e.g. cables and ropes. Anchoring may be made by use of ropes, e.g. nylon or chains to a buoy or the seabed. Groups of the devices may be used, the tubes being of various diameter depending upon conditions.
When extended from its normal free length, the tubing exerts a restoring force to regain its orginal length. Aiso, the wave device can be operated with tubing which exerts a restoring force when compressed. The changes in length of the tube caused by wave motion result in a change in the enclosed volume of the tube as in a concertina.
Preferably the change in volume of the resilient tube causes unidirectional fluid flow by drawing fluid through the inlet non return valve system while the volume of the tube increases and expelling the fluid through a second non return valve system into, for example, a manifold while the volume decreases. The non return valves are preferably flap valves, most preferably rubber flap valves. Supplementary valves may be used between the inlet and outlet valves if desire, for example, to minimise back flow. The tube must have sufficient structural strength to maintain the changes in its volume caused by the waves while subjected to the fluctuating pressures associated with the pumping of the fluid.The tubing may be in the form of a flexible duct, e.g. a bellows vacuum cleaner hose, in which the required restoring force during extension and/or compression is provided by a helical spring which is enclosed by, embedded in or overlaid with a flexible covenng sheet, e.g. plasticised polyvinyl chioride, synthetic and natural rubbers. The springs may be of corrosion resistant material, e.g.
stainless steel, or encased in a protecting pocket in the outer covering sheet.
In an alternative form of the unidirectional valves, a continuous bellows section has one or more conical projections, and preferably the diameter of each conical projection tapers in the direction of travel of the liquid waves along the device.
In another alternative form, the interior wall of the floating tube is contoured so as to present a low resistance to liquid flow in one direction and a high resistance to reverse flow. One or more flow control sections thus cause unidirectional pumping of liquid. This unidirectional liquid flow may then be used directly for mechanical work or to generate electricity.
In yet another alternative form, the flow control projection portion of the floating tube is formed from an essentially rigid material whereas the joining portions are formed of a flexible material whereby the flexing causes unidirectional liquid flow along the floating tube.
The devices described may also be used for various water pumping operations, e.g. for inflation of wave calming booms. A wide range of conditions of flow or pressure may be obtained by arranging the pumping elements in parallel or series.
The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 shows a device comprising a number of liquid filled containers 1 joined in parallel by air filled (flexible) flotation tubes (not shown) attached at the junctions and by PVC pipes 3 to provide some stiffness parallel to the wave front.
The use of the flotation tubes renders the device or raft buoyant. The buoyancy of the flotation tubes is adjusted so that the device floats but is semi-submerged, i.e. slightly below water level 2.
Mooring lines 4 are attached to the corners of the device.
The liquid filled containers 1 are made from
lightweight nylon reinforced PVC and the device comprises four water filled containers 1, the device being adjusted so that the flotation tubes are at right angles to the wave direction.
A more detailed description of a suitable raft structure is described in our co-pending UK patent application no. 31828/76.
Parallel flexible tubes 5 are laced in between the containers 1. The tubes 5 are open-ended, have a concertina-like structure and are formed from plasticised polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The interior of the tubes 5, have a number of conical projections 6, the wide end of the cone projecting from the tubular walls. The three parallel flexible tubes 5 are attached to a manifold 7 which is connected to a turbine (not shown).
During operation of the device, incident waves interact with the raft causing the containers 1 to undergo a concertina-like in and out motion in the wave direction. This motion induces a similar concertina action of the flexible tubes 5. This motion of the tubes 5 acting in conjunction with the conical projections 6 causes water in the tubes 5 to be moved unidirectionally along the tubes 5, and conical projections 6 acting as semi one-way valves. This unidirectional water flow then passes through the manifold 7 to drive the turbine (not shown) for electricity generation.
The open ends of the tubes 5 may be arranged in a closed circuit with the turbine. In sea water operations this has the advantage of reducing or eliminating marine growth inside the circuit.
However, a closed circuit is not essential and alternatively an open circuit system may be used in series with the power generation source such as a turbine.
Figures 2, 3 and 4 illustrate various embodiments of the flexible tubes 5 of Figure 1.
Figure 2 shows a flexible continuous tube having the corrugated form of a bellows or concertina.
Projecting cones or other suitable shapes are attached to the interior walls of the bellows or concertina. Suitable projecting cones are funnels 8 having the stems cut off, the mouth of the funnels being attached continuously around the interior 9 of the bellows or concertina to form a series of valves.
Figure 3 shows a modified form of tube which has alternate flexible corrugated sections 10 and stiff sections 11. The stiff sections 11 have the flow control units or projections 12 attached to them.
Figure 4 shows a further form of tube having integral flow control units or projections 13.
During flexing of the tube, the positions of the projections 13 change (as indicated by the dotted lines). The contouring of the interior of the tube allows opposite pairs or projections to act as semi one-way valves and cause unidirectional pumping of water in the tubes.
Claims (11)
1. A device for extraction of energy from liquid wave motion, the device comprising a surface float which at least partially conforms to the changes in liquid surface level during the passage of waves and one or more substantially horizontally disposed tubes formed from resilient material, the tubes being attached to the float and capable of changing volume when extended or contracted by movement of the float in response to wave motion, the tubes also having inlet and outlet unidirectional valves whereby a fluid is pumped through the tubes under the action of liquid wave motion.
2. A device according to claim 1 in which the tubes comprise a spring enclosed by, embedded in or overlaid with a flexible covering.
3. A device according to claim 1 in which the spring is helical.
4. A device according to claim 1 in which the unidirectional valves are flap valve5.
5. A device according to claim 4 in which the flap valves are fabricated from rubber.
6. A device according to any of claims 1 to 3 in which the unidirectional valves comprise a continuous bellows section having one or more conical projections, the diamater of which projections taper in the direction of flow of liquid waves along the device.
7. A device according to any of claims 1 to 3 in which the interior wall of the tubes is contoured so as to present a low resistance to liquid motion in the direction of flow of liquid waves along the device and a high resistance to reverse flow.
8. A device according to claim 6 in which portions of the tubes carrying the projections are formed from rigid material and the joining portions are formed from a flexible material.
9. A device according to claim 1 in which the generator is a turbine.
10. A device according to any of the preceding claims having means for towing, positioning and anchoring of the float or raft.
11. A device as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB7921077A GB2024957A (en) | 1978-07-06 | 1979-06-18 | Wave energy device |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB7829006 | 1978-07-06 | ||
| GB7921077A GB2024957A (en) | 1978-07-06 | 1979-06-18 | Wave energy device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB2024957A true GB2024957A (en) | 1980-01-16 |
Family
ID=26268138
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB7921077A Withdrawn GB2024957A (en) | 1978-07-06 | 1979-06-18 | Wave energy device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2024957A (en) |
Cited By (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2511734A1 (en) * | 1981-08-18 | 1983-02-25 | Tecnomare Spa | SYSTEM FOR RECOVERING WAVE ENERGY AND CONVERTING IT INTO USEFUL ENERGY |
| WO1984000583A1 (en) * | 1982-08-03 | 1984-02-16 | Kristian Dahl Hertz | A method of utilizing the energy in the surface waves in a body of liquid, such as waves on the surface of an ocean, and equipment for carrying out said method |
| WO2007015269A1 (en) | 2005-08-02 | 2007-02-08 | Syed Mohammed Ghouse | Free floating wave energy converter |
| WO2007088325A1 (en) * | 2006-02-04 | 2007-08-09 | Atkins Limited | Distensible tube wave energy converter |
| WO2008091208A1 (en) | 2007-01-22 | 2008-07-31 | Daniel Ehrnberg | A method and a wave-power aggregate to extract energy from wave motion in a fluid and the use of a wave-power aggregate |
| EP2034177A1 (en) * | 2007-09-05 | 2009-03-11 | Earthfly Holding GmbH | Method and device for generating energy from hydropower |
| BG66042B1 (en) * | 2008-06-10 | 2010-11-30 | Генчо СТАЙНОВ | A device for transforming the sea wave energy |
| US8429910B2 (en) | 2005-08-02 | 2013-04-30 | Syed Mohammed Ghouse | Free floating wave energy converter |
| US9771921B2 (en) | 2011-07-22 | 2017-09-26 | Syed Mohammed Ghouse | Free floating wave energy converter with control devices |
| GB2554407A (en) * | 2016-09-26 | 2018-04-04 | Fortitudo Maris Ltd | Wave energy capture system |
-
1979
- 1979-06-18 GB GB7921077A patent/GB2024957A/en not_active Withdrawn
Cited By (22)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2511734A1 (en) * | 1981-08-18 | 1983-02-25 | Tecnomare Spa | SYSTEM FOR RECOVERING WAVE ENERGY AND CONVERTING IT INTO USEFUL ENERGY |
| WO1984000583A1 (en) * | 1982-08-03 | 1984-02-16 | Kristian Dahl Hertz | A method of utilizing the energy in the surface waves in a body of liquid, such as waves on the surface of an ocean, and equipment for carrying out said method |
| US7823380B2 (en) | 2005-08-02 | 2010-11-02 | Syed Mohammed Ghouse | Free floating wave energy converter |
| WO2007015269A1 (en) | 2005-08-02 | 2007-02-08 | Syed Mohammed Ghouse | Free floating wave energy converter |
| US8429910B2 (en) | 2005-08-02 | 2013-04-30 | Syed Mohammed Ghouse | Free floating wave energy converter |
| AU2006274564B2 (en) * | 2005-08-02 | 2012-04-12 | Syed Mohammed Ghouse | Free floating wave energy converter |
| AU2007211357B2 (en) * | 2006-02-04 | 2012-03-15 | Checkmate Limited | Distensible tube wave energy converter |
| US7980071B2 (en) | 2006-02-04 | 2011-07-19 | Atkins Limited | Distensible tube wave energy converter |
| WO2007088325A1 (en) * | 2006-02-04 | 2007-08-09 | Atkins Limited | Distensible tube wave energy converter |
| US9175665B2 (en) | 2007-01-22 | 2015-11-03 | Vigor Wave Energy Ab | Method of extracting energy from wave motion in a fluid |
| WO2008091208A1 (en) | 2007-01-22 | 2008-07-31 | Daniel Ehrnberg | A method and a wave-power aggregate to extract energy from wave motion in a fluid and the use of a wave-power aggregate |
| AU2008208104B2 (en) * | 2007-01-22 | 2012-07-19 | Vigor Wave Energy Ab | A method and a wave-power aggregate to extract energy from wave motion in a fluid and the use of a wave-power aggregate |
| CN101605986B (en) * | 2007-01-22 | 2013-01-02 | 活力波能量有限公司 | Method for extracting energy from fluid fluctuations and wave energy aggregates and uses of wave energy aggregates |
| EP2122159A4 (en) * | 2007-01-22 | 2013-04-10 | Wave Energy Ab Vigor | A method and a wave-power aggregate to extract energy from wave motion in a fluid and the use of a wave-power aggregate |
| EP2122159A1 (en) | 2007-01-22 | 2009-11-25 | Daniel Ehrnberg | A method and a wave-power aggregate to extract energy from wave motion in a fluid and the use of a wave-power aggregate |
| EP2034177A1 (en) * | 2007-09-05 | 2009-03-11 | Earthfly Holding GmbH | Method and device for generating energy from hydropower |
| BG66042B1 (en) * | 2008-06-10 | 2010-11-30 | Генчо СТАЙНОВ | A device for transforming the sea wave energy |
| US9771921B2 (en) | 2011-07-22 | 2017-09-26 | Syed Mohammed Ghouse | Free floating wave energy converter with control devices |
| GB2554407A (en) * | 2016-09-26 | 2018-04-04 | Fortitudo Maris Ltd | Wave energy capture system |
| JP2019529811A (en) * | 2016-09-26 | 2019-10-17 | フォルティテュード マリス リミテッド | Wave energy capture system |
| US10844831B2 (en) | 2016-09-26 | 2020-11-24 | Fortitudo Maris Ltd | Wave energy capture system |
| GB2554407B (en) * | 2016-09-26 | 2020-12-30 | Fortitudo Maris Ltd | Wave energy capture system |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |