GB2299833A - Floating wave power device comprising annular ring of fluid chambers - Google Patents

Abstract

Chambers 2 each contain liquid and air, and are bounded by walls 3 and 4. The top face of each chamber has an outlet with a non-return valve V1, and an inlet with a non-return valve V2. As the device is tilted by waves, liquid moves up the chambers, pressurizing the air above to pass through valves V1 and receiver 6 to drive turbine 8, and thus to generate electricity. As the liquid levels fall, valves V2 open to admit air to the chambers, creating a vacuum in reservoir 7, which may also drive the turbine. V3 represents a safety valve for the vacuum reservoir. 9 represents an air-filled buoyancy tank, surrounding the chambers. The chambers may be linked to form a closed circuit.

Description

POWER GENERATION This invention relates to apparatus and method for the generation of electricity by the use of wave power.

It is one object of the invention to provide apparatus for the purpose specified which is economical to build and use, and is efficient in producing electricity.

According to the invention in one aspect there is provided apparatus for generating electric power from wave energy, the apparatus comprising an annual ring of chambers, each containing a liquid and air. each chamber having an upper outlet including a non-return valve through which the air may pass into a turbine associated with the ring, the apparatus being arranged so that upward movement of the liquid in a chamber pressurises the air above and urges that pressurised air to drive the turbine.

Preferably the turbine is mounted within the ring.

Preferably each chamber includes an inlet in the top of the chamber, the inlet including a non-return valve, and the chambers are arranged so that as the air is pressured in one chamber, air in the chamber substantially diametrically opposite is placed under reduced pressure.

Preferably the chambers are interconnected to form a closed circuit.

In order that the invention may be well understood it will now be described.

by way of example only. with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of one apparatus of the invention: Figure 2 is a vertical section therethrough: and Figure 3 is a partial vertical section through the apparatus in one condition of use.

The apparatus comprises a ring shaped vessel 1 internally divided into a series of vertical air chambers 2 by means of air tight transverse partitions 3 equally spaced about the internal perimeter of the ring. The inner wall 4 and the partitions 3 stop short of the base of the ring to define a basement 5. Each chamber 2 has sealed, within its top, two non-return valves, V1, V2, one being an outlet and the other an inlet. The outlet valves V1 are connected by piping to a pressurised air receiver 6 within the ring. A vacuum receiver 7 is mounted above the air receiver 6, and above that is an air driven turbine generator 8. The inlet valves V2 are connected to the vacuum receiver 7 to ensure that the vacuum created is drawn at a controlled rate through the turbine generator 8.Safety valves V3 within the vacuum receivers ensures safe operational condition at all times.

The whole ring is surrounded by a large sealed air chamber 9 to give it buoyancy.

Operation of the apparatus is based on the self levelling nature of all liquids. creating flow of compressed air and air under vacuum to drive turbine generators.

As the apparatus floats on the surface of the water, wave motion displaces the structure from the horizontal position raising and lowering the water levels in the chambers 2. Those chambers that have been raised above the horizontal undergo a drop in water level, allowing the respective non-return inlet valves V2 to draw air in by the vacuum effect caused. At the same time those chambers which fall below the horizontal undergo a rise in water level and expel air from the chambers under pressure, through the non-return outlet valves V1.

The continual displacement of the apparatus on the waves ensures a constant supply of both positive and negative air pressure that can be fed and drawn through the turbine at a controlled rate in order to produce a continuous supply of electricity.

The apparatus reacts to all movements in the water and enables the pollution free generation of electricity from wave motion. The electricity is fed in to the national grid via cable along the sea bed to the mainland.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment shown. More than one turbine may be present and the turbine need not be within the annulus.

Claims (3)

1. Apparatus for generating electric power using wave energy, the apparatus comprising an annular ring of chambers, each containing a liquid and air, each chamber having an upper outlet including a non-return valve through which the air may pass into a turbine associated with the ring, the apparatus being arranged so that upward movement of the liquid in a chamber pressurises the air above and urges that pressurised air to drive the turbine.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein each chamber includes an inlet in the top of the chamber, the inlet including a non-return valve, and the chambers are arranged so that as the air is pressured in one chamber, air in the chamber substantially diametrically opposite is placed under reduced pressure.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 and 2, wherein the chambers are interconnected to form a closed circuit.