GB2247925A

GB2247925A - Generating electricity from sea waves

Info

Publication number: GB2247925A
Application number: GB9113669A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ivan A Filipov
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-08-17
Filing date: 1991-06-25
Publication date: 1992-03-18
Anticipated expiration: 2011-06-25
Also published as: GB2247925B; GB9113669D0; GB9018110D0

Abstract

A device for generating electricity from the power of sea waves consists of a body 1 with an upper conical surface for guiding waves to a wheel 14 with a bar construction (20) (Fig 2) and balanced or non-balanced radial blades 9, pivotable about their axes automatically from a working to a non-working mode (see Figure 4). The wheel 14 is turned by the waves and transfers the motion by a flywheel 6 to an electro-generator 5. The electricity produced is transferred to the shore by a cable 7. The body 1 can go up or down in accordance with the changes of the tidal sea level and is fixed to the bottom of the sea at the necessary level by the construction 3, 4 and stopping slides 2. The arrangement protects the blades (9) and other parts from damage in the event of a storm or overloading and allows the blades to swing around their axes and take up a safe position. <IMAGE>

Description

( PANEL A ) DEVICE FOR GENERATING ELECTRICITY FROM THE POWER OF SEw WAVES This invention relates to a device for generating electricity from the power of sea waves.

There are known different devices for transferring the power of sea waves to electricity. The Department of Energy has investigated through its R & D programmes many proposalsfor such devices and has come to the conclusion that building an offshore wave power station on a large scale is non-profitable in comparison with other sources of renewable energy. It recommends the development of small scale wave energy systems transferring the power of sea waves to electricity. They can be competitive with power stations using expensive oil fuels, especially when they are used locally on islands far from the central electricity grid. Such a device is the "Shoerline Rock Gully System" developed by the Queen's University, Belfast. Here the sea waves drive a pulsating water and air post which rotates a Wells turbine and electro-generator in one direction.

This invention is a device which generates electricity from the power of sea waves. It comprises; -a body with an upper cone surface and lower shell, a working wheel with a bar construction and radial blades partly turning round their axes. The wheel is operated by the sea waves and transfers the motion by means of a flywheel to an electric generator. The electricity thus produced by the generator is transferred by a cable to the shore. The device has a unit for lifting and lowering the body in accordance with the tidal changes of the sea level and a means to prevent damage to the blades in case of storms. A directing wave wall is provided when mounting the device in a natural or man-made gully.

We will describe the working of the invention by reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of the device for generating electricity from the power of sea waves with a partial cross-section.

Figure 2 illustrates the device from above.

( PANEL B ) Figure 3 shows the blade bearing in the two ends and the protective unit.

Figure 4 illEstrates the cross-section of the blade: a. non-balanced blade b. half-balanced blade Referring to the drawing the device comprises a body (1) with an upper cone surface and a lower shell. The upper cone surface imitates the shore and is used to direct the waves towards the working wheel (14) with bar construction (20) and blades (9). The peripheral body edge should be static below the calm sea level (24), regulated by a variable ballast (8). The leading bar devices are firmly attached by the construction and the base (4) to the sea bottom.The stopping slides (2) enable the body to lift and to lower in accordance with the tidal sea level changes and provide a stable position for the body (1) on the sea level which is;required. There should be a certain distance between the peripheral edge of the body (1) and the periphery of the blades. The slope of the upper cone surface enables the waves to move quickly' away after passing a part of their energy to the blades.

On the illustrated device (see Figure 2), under the influence of the sea waves in direction (23), the working wheel (14) with the bar construction (20) and blades (9) revolves clockwise. Vilien the blade is near the position B, it swings down around its axis through its own weight and goes into working mode. (See Figure 4). From position B to position C (Figure 2) the blade is in working mode and through the action of the sea waves operates the working wheel (14). When the blade is in working mode, it is prevented from swinging round its axis by the stopping unit (12). After passing position C the blade is activated by the action of the waves, turns round its axis and takes a nearly horn mental position.In this way, when the blade turns from position C to position B, it shows significantly less resistance to the waves than in the working mode - from position B to position C.

So the rotation of the working wheel (14) is produced. The flywheel (6) ensures smooth revolving and operates the elecro-generator (5). The electricity which is produced is transferred to the shore by an electric cable (7).

In order to prevent the blades (9) and other parts of the device being (PANEL C) damaged in a storm the unit (12) allows the blades to swing around their axis and take a safe position.

The blades can be non-balanced (see Figure 4b) or half-balanced (see Figure 4a). Their interiors are filled with a light porous material which makes it possible to operate even in the event of slight damage to their outer cover. A mounting hatch (19) is provided to allow access from the landing (17) by the staircase (18) into the entrance pipe (16) to the body (1) inside. For marking and lighting the device for generating electricity from the power of sea waves a buoy and lights (21) are fitted. Suitable anti-corrosive material, coatings and seals will be used to protect the device.

When mounting the device in inshore waters a directing wave wall (22) (see Figure 2) will not be necessary and the device will work equally effectively irrespective of the direction of the sea waves (23j. If mounted in a gully it is recommended that a directing wave wall should be built.

Claims

( PANEL D )

CLAIMS 1 device for generating electricity from the power of sea waves comprising: a body with upper cone surface and lower shell, a working wheel with a bar construction and radial blades partly swinging round their axis. The wheel is operated by the sea waves and transfers the motion by means of a flywheel to an electro-generator, thus pro ducing electricity which is transferred by a cable to the shore; 2 a device for generating electricity from the power of sea waves as claimed in Claim 1, equipped with a construction for fixing onto the sea bottom and a unit for lifting and lowering the body according to the changes of the tidal sea level and providing a stable position of the body at the necessary level according to the sea level;

3 a device for generating electricity from the power of sea waves as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2, with an upper cone surface whose periphery is situated below the calm sea level and its central part above that level, which is achieved by a variable ballast and the unit mentioned in Claim 2; there is a distance between the peripheral body edge and the periphery of the working wheel, in order to guide the waves in the most suitable way to the work ing wheel; 4 a device for generating electricity from the power of sea waves as claimed above, supplied with working wheel blades; the interior of the blades is filled with light porous material, and its centre of weight does not coincide with its longitudinal swinging axis; a stopping unit which enables the blade under its own weight and by the waves to pass automatically from working mode to non working and to turn the working wheel under the power of the waves; 5 a device for generating electricity from the power of sea waves as claimed in Claim 4, the stopping blades unit allows the blades in event of a storm or overloading to swing around their axes and to take up a safe position; 6 a device for generating electricity from the power of sea waves as described herein with reference to Figures 1 - 4 of the accompagnying drawing; ( PANEL E ) 7 a device for generating electricity from the power of sea waves as described in the previous claims, which when mounted in the gully is provided with a directing wave wall guiding the waves into the working zDne.