GB2289228A

GB2289228A - Device for the aeration and de-stratification of water using wave-driven air compressors

Info

Publication number: GB2289228A
Application number: GB9409287A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colin Brooks
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-05-10
Filing date: 1994-05-10
Publication date: 1995-11-15
Anticipated expiration: 2014-05-10
Also published as: GB9409287D0; GB2289228B

Abstract

A tethered buoy system generates compressed air from the motion of the floating ring 6 relative to the main body 9 and the tension induced in the mooring and anchor lines 11 and 12 by the spring piston 10. This compressed air is fed into the bottom of the vertical tube 23. Passage of the air through the tube 23 induces a flow of water up the tube to the surface layer. As a result of this action aeration occurs and a movement of water from the lower level to the surface layer. The main body 9 houses bellows (4, Fig. 2) which are caused to alternately expand and contract through oscillation of float ring 6 thereby forcing air via one-way valves (8, Fig. 2) into the air lines 14. In an alternative arrangement the bellows are driven by a pulley wheel (16, Fig. 3) over which runs the mooring line 11. <IMAGE>

Description

PATENT SPECIFICATION DEVICE FOR THE AERATION AND DE-STRATIFICATION OF WATER This invention relates to floating objects producing compressed air to aerate and de-stratify polluted water. The compressed air being generated by the utilization of wind energy, wave energy and water flow.

Fresh water with a low oxygen content, or layering caused by sea-water contamination of "fresh" water can be returned to a normal state by a process of aeration and mixing.

When water is contained by means of dams, barrages or docks if insuficient mixing occurs there will be a gradual lowering of the oxygen content of the water.

In the case of barrages separating sea water and "fresh" water, if sea water is allowed to contaminate the "fresh" water and there ii inadequate mixing, separate layers will be formed as a result of the density difference.

Disclosure of the Invention According io the present invention, there 1 is provided a device for the generation of compressed air from wave motion, water flow and wind energy, this compressed air is fed to the base of a tube immersed vertically below the surface of the polluted water The air bubbles pass up the tube to the surface In doing so aeration of the polluted water is achi eved and mixing of water from the lower level to the surface layer occurs.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which : Diagram 1/3 showe a general arrangement of a compressed air generating buoy and attached lift tube.

Diagram 2/3 illustrates a cross section view of the buoy showing the internal mechanism.

Diagram 3/3 shows an alternative buoy system using a different compressed air generating system.

Referring to the drawings, the buoy system comprises a main float 9, an attached float ring 6, a tube (vertical) 23, tube suspension wires 21 an anchor line 11 and anchoring system 22, two compressed air generating spring pistons 10 a mooring line 12 and air tubes 14, bellows 4, inlet air valves 7 (one way type valves), outlet air valves 8 (one way type valves), a multidirectional ball and socket pivot 3, bellows linkages 5 , air inlets 13 and 15.

Additional items for the system in diagram 3/3 are a rotating shaft 20, cams 17, a grooved pulley 16 and a counter weight 18.

In operation tne system works in the. following manner. Any disturbance of the water surface causes the float ring 6 to move relative to the main float 9. This movement causes the. bellows 4 to alter shape. If the bellows 4 is elongated air is sucked in through the air intake 13 and thence through the inlet one way valve 7 into the bellows 4. Air is not sucked into the bellows 4 from the air tube 14 due to the closure of the outlet one way valve 8. If a bellows 4 is shortened the air inside the bellows 4 is compressed and forced through the outlet one way valve 8, through the air tube '4 and into the base of tie vertical tube 23, the compressed air bubbles rise inside the tube 23 and eventually make their way to the surface of the liquid. Air cannot pass through the inlet one way valve 7 during this motion.

Movement of the float ring 6 relative to the main float 9 causes the bellows 4 and attendant valves to generate sufficient compressed air to be forced into the bottom section of the vertical tube 23 to induce a flow of water through the tube.

The flow c-F compressed air generated by the main float 9 is augmented by compressed air generated by the spring pistons 10, situated in the mooring line 12 and the anchor line 11.

When tension in the lines 11 & 12 increases, the piston Zn the spring piston 10 moves compressing the spring and air is sucked in through the air inlet 15 and inl,.el: one way valve 7, the outlet one way valve 8 prevents ingress of air from the air tube 14. When tension in the lines 11 & 12 decreases the compressed spring moves the piston so that air is forced through the outlet one way valve 8 and air tube 14 into the base of the vertical tube 23, air cannot escape during this action because of the closure of the inlet one way valve 7.

Compressed air can also be generated by the arrangement shown in diagram 3/3 in this case movement induced in the main float 9 is transmitted by the mooring line 11 into rotation of the shaft 20 via the pulley wheel 16. Rotation of the shaft 20 is transmitted by the cams 17 to the bellows 4 which generate compressed air in the manner previously described. This compressed air is fed to the air tube 14 and thence to the base of the vertical tube 23.

Claims

CLAIMS 1 The tethered floating body system as described generates compressed air from wind, water flow and wave energies.
2 The compressed air generated in claim 1 is used to aerate the fluid, the device is floating on.
3 The compressed air generated in claim 1 is used to move liquid from a lower level to the surface.
4 Movement of liquid in claim 3 to the surface in contact with air allows this liquid to be aerated at the surface.
5 There is a synergistic effect of the air bubbles released from the vertical tube on the floating body, to increase the motion of the @ Floating body are heice to increase the compressed air generating capacity of the system.