GB2210667A

GB2210667A - Wave power generator

Info

Publication number: GB2210667A
Application number: GB8822582A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Mcmonagle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-10-08
Filing date: 1988-09-26
Publication date: 1989-06-14
Anticipated expiration: 2008-09-26
Also published as: GB2210667B; GB8822582D0

Abstract

A generator device suitable to convert wave energy from the sea to use in, say, the production of electricity comprises a support 6, which may be moved up and down on the shore to accommodate changes in tide level, and float means 14, (44) which can reciprocate in response to the movement of the waves 4. The float means is linked through a suitable linkage 20, (46) to a piston and cylinder arrangement 16, 18 (48) adapted to provide fluid pressure to an energy store device or to a generator. The piston rods of the arrangements 16, 18 may be operated by a cam 24 which moves in response to the float movement, and the fluid pumped may comprise air or hydraulic fluid. The support may be inclined (Fig 3). <IMAGE>

Description

GENERATOR The present invention relates to the generation of power and in particular to the extraction of energy from wave power to.provide for example electrical or mechanical power.

Various devices have been previously proposed for extracting energy from the movements of a body of water. In general though these tend to be relatively complex and involve substantial capital costs or have limited efficiency.

It is an object of the present invention to avoid or minimise one or more of the above disadvantages.

The present invention provides a device suitable for use in converting energy from the movements of a body of water which device comprises a support means, reciprocating float means adapted to be displaced in a generally vertical manner and mounted on said support means, and a piston and cylinder arrangement having piston rod means operable in response to movement of said float means by a linkage means formed and arranged so as to displace the piston means in response to displacement of said float means by waves in use of the device, said piston and cylinder means being connected to a fluid operated drive means by conduit means which transmit fluid displaced from the cylinder chambers of said piston and cylinder arrangement upon displacement of the piston thereof, whereby, in use of said device, energy from waves may be recovered from said drive means.

The fluid operated drive means may be used in any suitable manner including, for example, electricity generation or simply for carrying out mechanical work such as lifting or other movement.

Preferably the generator is provided with a base means which include guide means for allowing displacement of the support means so as to accommodate changes in mean water level with tidal movement.

Further preferred features and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following detailed description given by way of example of two embodiments illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a partially sectioned generally schematic side elevational view of a first example of a wave power generator device of the present invention; Fig. 2 is an end view of the generator of Fig. 1 showing the layout of piston and cylinder devices; and Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of a second example of a generator device according to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a device 2 of the invention suitable for use in extracting energy from waves 4. The device 2 comprises a support means 6 movably supported at 8 on an inclined base support means 10 on a coastal site 12, for support of the main support means 6 to suit the rising and falling means water level (shown in chain-dot line) as the tide comes in and goes out again.

On the support means 6 is mounted reciprocably, generally vertically, displacable float means 14 and two pairs of reciprocably displacable piston and cylinder means 16,18 coupled to said float means 14 by a linkage 20 formed and arranged about pivot P so as to cause displacement of the pistons 22 of the piston and cylinder means 16,18 by a heightwise movement of a contoured cam shaft 24 (see Fig. 2) adapted to contact head portions 26 of the piston and cylinder devices so as to force the pistons 22 thereof in the direction of the arrows A, i.e. outwardly as viewed in the Figure, there being provided return springs (not shown) to return the pistons to their original position, ready for the next stroke as the cam shaft movement continues to reciprocate heightwise under the influence of the waves of the sea.

The action of the piston movement with the associated cylinder causes air to be drawn into the chamber 28 of each cylinder through non-return valves 30 and, on the outwardly direction stroke as viewed in Fig.

2, to expel the compressed air through conduits 32 to a drive means 34 for a turbine or to a pressurised container or other energy storage device 36.

A simpler arrangement is shown in Figure 3 wherein the device comprises a support means 38 which is movably supported at 40 on an inclined base support means 42.

Float means 44 are provided as in the first-example and linkage means 46, connected pivotally at P', couple the float to two vertically arranged hydraulic piston and cylinder devices 48 which act in opposite directions to each other on heightwise of the common piston rod 50.

Each of the piston and cylinder means 48 is connected to a fluid operated drive means 52 by conduit means 54 formed and arranged for transmitting an operating (hydraulic) fluid between the cylinder chamber 56 of one of the piston and cylinder means 48 and a drive means 52 in use of the device.

It will be appreciated that various suitable forms of drive means 52 and operating fluid circuit means 54 already known in the art (and which accordingly need not be described in detail), may be employed in the device of the invention.

As may be seen from the above description, devices according to the present invention may be of a relatively simple and economic construction which can be readily and, if desired, substantially continuously and progressively moved up and down on the base support means for optimum positioning in relation to the level of the actuating waves according to the state of the tide. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the device may be readily drawn up out of the water, for example, in case of storm conditions for avoiding damage, and for servicing and maintenance.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims:

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A generator device suitable for use in converting energy from the movements of a body of water, comprising a support means, a reciprocating float means adapted to be. displaced in a generally vertical manner and mounted on said float means, and a piston and cylinder arrangement having piston rod means operable in response to movement of the float means by a linkage means formed and arranged so as to displace the piston means in response to displacement of said float means by waves in use of the device, said piston and cylinder means being cqnnected to a fluid operated drive means by conduit means which transmit fluid displaced from the cylinder chambers of said piston and cylinder arrangement upon displacement of the piston thereof, whereby, in use of said device, energy from waves may be recovered from said drive means.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein there is provided a base means for said device including guide means for allowing displacement of the support means so as to accommodate changes in mean water level with tidal movement.
3. A device according to either one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the piston rods of the piston and cylinder arrangement are operated by means of a cam shaft, which shaft is moved in a reciprocating manner by means of said linkage.
4. A device according to either one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the piston rods of the piston and cylinder arrangements are linked directly to a pivotable lever of said linkage.
5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating fluid is air pressure.
6. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the operating fluid is a hydraulic fluid.
7. A device according to claim 3, wherein the piston and cylinder arrangement comprises a plurality of cylinders, each cylinder having a non-return valve permitting air to be drawn in on the extending stroke of the piston rod and to be forced from the cylinder to a drive means on the withdrawal stroke of the piston rod.
8. A generator device for use in converting energy from the movement of a body of water constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in a) Figures 1 and 2, b) Figure 3 of the drawings.