GB2321934A - Wave power device has opposite handed turbines and ratchet wheels, so that output shaft is driven in one direction only - Google Patents

Wave power device has opposite handed turbines and ratchet wheels, so that output shaft is driven in one direction only Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2321934A
GB2321934A GB9702764A GB9702764A GB2321934A GB 2321934 A GB2321934 A GB 2321934A GB 9702764 A GB9702764 A GB 9702764A GB 9702764 A GB9702764 A GB 9702764A GB 2321934 A GB2321934 A GB 2321934A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
gear
tidal
propeller
shaft
unidirectional
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Withdrawn
Application number
GB9702764A
Other versions
GB9702764D0 (en
Inventor
Te-Cheng Yang
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
YANG TE CHENG
Original Assignee
YANG TE CHENG
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by YANG TE CHENG filed Critical YANG TE CHENG
Priority to GB9702764A priority Critical patent/GB2321934A/en
Publication of GB9702764D0 publication Critical patent/GB9702764D0/en
Publication of GB2321934A publication Critical patent/GB2321934A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • F03B13/26—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 tide energy
    • F03B13/264—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 tide energy using the horizontal flow of water resulting from tide movement
    • 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
    • F05B2260/00—Function
    • F05B2260/40—Transmission of power
    • F05B2260/403—Transmission of power through the shape of the drive components
    • 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

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Oceanography (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 wave driven power generating system comprises two tidal propellers 1 and 2, each provided with a unidirectional ratchet clutch 3, 4. Turbines and clutches are mounted in matching, but opposed senses. Through the action of ratchets 3 and 4, and gears 5 and 6, output shaft 7 is always driven in a particular, chosen direction. The propellers comprise blades 12, 22 on shafts 11, 21 with gears 13, 23; and semi-cylindrical shields 14, 24 with end plates 15, 25 (fig. 2). End plates 16, 26 are placed outside the blades. Each ratchet may have two pawls. Roller clutches may be used instead of the ratchet clutches; chains or belts may be used, instead of gears.

Description

TITLE: TIDAL WAVES DRIVEN POWER GENERATING STRUCTURE The present invention relates to a power generating structure utilizing tidal energy for providing power supply to dynamos or other machinery.
Conventional tidal electric power generating apparatuses are costly and restricted in terms of their installation sites. Besides, the power generated thereby is insufficient.
Accordingly, a primary aim of the present invention is to provide a tidal waves driven power generating structure which is simple and economical to manufacture andes not have any particular limitations as to installation.
The present invention essentially comprises two tidal propellers each having a unidirectional ratchet clutch. One of the propellers is installed farther away from the shore for utilizing the energy of tidal waves coming in from the sea, which is transmitted via a gear set to actuate a main power shaft of a dynamo or other machinery. The other of the propellers is installed nearer to the shore for utilizing the energy of retreating tidal waves, which is transmitted via the gear set to continuously drive the main power shaft. By use of the unidirectional ratchet clutches, when the tides come in, only the tidal propeller farther away will be actuated while the tidal propeller nearer the shore remains idle, and vice versa when the tides retreat. In this way, loss of tidal energy may be prevented, and power can be supplied without interruption.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which, Fig. 1 is a plan view of the tidal electric power generating structure of the present invention; and Fig. 2 is an elevational exploded view of the structure in part.
With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the present invention essentially comprises a first tidal propeller 1, a first unidirectional ratchet clutch 3, a second tidal propeller 2, and a second unidirectional ratchet clutch 4, a gear 5, a transmission gear 6, and a main power shaft 7. The first tidal propeller 1 includes a shaft 11, a plurality of blades 12, and a couple of circular plates 16 for enveloping the blades 12 disposed therebetween, and a propeller gear 13 at the outer side of one of the circular plates 16. A semi-circular water shield plate 15 is disposed at a position for covering the outer side of each circular plate 16, with a curved water shield cover 14 disposed between the two water shield plates 15. Apart from being capable of protecting the blades 12 and the propeller gear 13, the circular plates 16, the water shield plates 15, and the water shield cover 14 may counteract or reduce the resistance of tidal waves imparted upon the blades 12 from all directions.
The unidirectional ratchet clutch 3 is comprised of a drive gear 31 and a driven gear 32. The drive gear 31 engages with the propeller gear 13, while the driven gear 32 engages with the gear 5 of the main power shaft 7; the power shaft 7 may be linked to a dynamo or other machinery to output electric power.
The second tidal propeller 2 has the same structure as that of the first tidal propeller 1. And the structure of the second unidirectional ratchet clutch 4 is also the same as that of the first unidirectional ratchet clutch 3. However, the second tidal propeller 2 and the second unidirectional ratchet clutch 4 are installed in a mirror-image relationship with the first tidal propeller 1 and the first unidirectional ratchet clutch 3. By means of this arrangement, the direction of rotation of a shaft 21, a plurality of blades 22 and a propeller gear 23 of the second tidal propeller 2 is just opposite to that of the shaft 11, the blades 12, and the propeller gear 13 of the first tidal propeller 1. Besides, the rotational direction of a drive gear 41 and a driven gear 42 of the second unidirectional ratchet clutch 4 is opposite to that of the drive gear 31 and driven gear 32 of the first unidirectional ratchet clutch 3.
The transmission gear 6 engages the gear 5 of the main power shaft 7 and the driven gear 42 of the second unidirectional ratchet clutch 4 so as to transmit the energy to th main power shaft 7.
The relative rotation directions of the structural elements are shown in Fig. 1.
When the tides come in, the waves will come to beat upon the first tidal propeller 1 from the left side of the figure, bringing the shaft 11 and the propeller gear 13 to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction, and the drive gear 31 of the first unidirectional ratchet clutch 3 to rotate in a clockwise direction. The driven gear 32 will, due to engagement with the clutch pawl, rotate in a clockwise direction as well, and further bring the gear 5 to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction so that power is output from the main power shaft 7.
During output of power, the transmission gear 6 is caused to rotate in a clockwise direction, bringing the driven gear 42 of the second unidirectional ratchet clutch 4 to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction.
Although the ratchet pawl retracts due to compression of the spring and allows the driven gear 42 to perform idle rotation, the second tidal propeller 2 is not actuated, thus preventing any loss of tidal energy.
When the tides retreat, the waves hit against the second tidal propeller 2 from the right side of the figure, bringing the driven gear 41 and the driven gear 42 of the second unidirectional ratchet clutch 4 to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction, further bringing the transmission gear to rotate in a clockwise direction, and thus bringing the main power shaft to rotate accomplish power output. As mentioned in the preceding paragraph, though the output of power will also cause the driven gear 32 of the first unidirectional ratchet clutch 3 to perform idle rotation, the first tidal propeller 1 will not be actuated to result in loss of tidal energy.
The driven gear 32 of the first unidirectional ratchet clutch 3 is provided with two radially opposed ratchet pawls at an outer periphery thereof, the ratchet pawls engaging with the teeth at an inner rim of the drive gear 3 of the first unidirectional ratchet clutch 3. The driven gear 42 of the second unidirectional ratchet clutch 4 is also provided with two radially opposed ratchet pawls engaging with the teeth at an inner rim of the drive gear 41 of the second unidirectional ratchet clutch 4, such that the orientation of the teeth and the ratchet pawls of the second unidirectional ratchet clutch 4 is different from that of the teeth and the ratchet pawls of the first unidirectional ratchet clutch 3.
As the propellers, unidirectional ratchet clutches, transmission gears, transmission shafts and main power shafts are readily available, the present invention may be manufactured economically. Besides, supply of these structural elements is steady and maintenance and repair is convenient. Rigid yet light non-metal materials such as engineering plastics may also be used to form the above-mentioned structural elements, which will have advantages like corrosion-resistance, rust-resistance, durability, lightness, and cost economy. The present invention will have better power generation or transmission efficiency if made from such materials.
The present invention is further characterized in that installation and assembly of the electric power generating structure is very flexible. For instance, in places where the coastline is relatively wide, a plurality of propellers may be connected in series to more effectively utilize the tidal energy, and in places where the waves are high and huge, electric power generating apparatus of a larger capacity may be installed. Besides, the present invention, unlike the prior art, eliminates use of apparatus for guiding in the tidal waves, which may counteract part of the thrust of the waves to reduce the tidal force.
In summary, with the ebbs and flows of the tides, the propellers of the present invention may be actuated to continuously provide the main power shaft with uninterrupted power supply.
Although the present invention has been illustrated and described with reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, it should be understood that it is in no way limited to the details of such embodiment but is capable of numerous modifications within the scope of the appended claims. For instance, unidirectional roller clutches may substitute the unidirectional ratchet clutches, or chains or belt may take the place of gears.

Claims (4)

1. A tidal waves driven power generating structure, comprising: a first tidal propeller having a shaft an outer periphery thereof being provided with a plurality of unidirectional slanting blades capable of free rotation, said shaft being further provided with a propeller gear; a first unidirectional ratchet clutch comprising a drive gear and a driven gear coaxially mounted on a shaft thereof, said drive gear engaging said propeller gear of said first tidal propeller; a main power shaft having an input gear engaging said driven gear of said first unidirectional ratchet clutch; a power transmission shaft having a transmission gear engaging said input gear of said main power shaft; a second unidirectional ratchet clutch comprising a drive gear and a driven gear coaxially mounted on a shaft thereof, said driven gear engaging said transmission gear of said power transmission shaft; a second tidal propeller having a shaft an outer periphery thereof being provided with a plurality of unidirectional slanting blades capable of free rotation, said shaft being further provided with a propeller gear engaging with said drive gear of said second unidirectional ratchet clutch.
2. A tidal waves driven power generating structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said driven gear of said first unidirectional ratchet clutch is provided with two radially opposed ratchet pawls at an outer periphery thereof, said ratchet pawls engaging with the teeth at an inner rim of said drive gear of said first unidirectional ratchet clutch; and said driven gear of said second unidirectional ratchet clutch is also provided with two radially opposed ratchet pawls engaging with the teeth at an inner rim of said drive gear of said second unidirectional ratchet clutch, such that the orientation of said teeth and said ratchet pawls of said second unidirectional ratchet clutch is different from that of said teeth and said ratchet pawls of said first unidirectional ratchet clutch.
3. A tidal waves driven power generating structure as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the respective blades of both of said first tidal propeller and said second tidal propeller are enveloped at either side thereof by a circular plate and provided with a semicircular water shield plate at either side with a curved water shield cover disposed thereabove between said water shield plates.
4. A tidal waves driven power generating structure substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.
GB9702764A 1997-02-11 1997-02-11 Wave power device has opposite handed turbines and ratchet wheels, so that output shaft is driven in one direction only Withdrawn GB2321934A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9702764A GB2321934A (en) 1997-02-11 1997-02-11 Wave power device has opposite handed turbines and ratchet wheels, so that output shaft is driven in one direction only

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9702764A GB2321934A (en) 1997-02-11 1997-02-11 Wave power device has opposite handed turbines and ratchet wheels, so that output shaft is driven in one direction only

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9702764D0 GB9702764D0 (en) 1997-04-02
GB2321934A true GB2321934A (en) 1998-08-12

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GB9702764A Withdrawn GB2321934A (en) 1997-02-11 1997-02-11 Wave power device has opposite handed turbines and ratchet wheels, so that output shaft is driven in one direction only

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102493909A (en) * 2011-12-12 2012-06-13 山东中泰新能源集团有限公司 Large dam-less hydroelectric power station
CN109812371A (en) * 2019-03-01 2019-05-28 武汉理工大学 A kind of storm sewer gravitational potential energy electric generating apparatus based on pawl clutch
WO2020018145A1 (en) * 2018-07-17 2020-01-23 Harker Matthew Wayne Harker oceanic power station

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN112253365B (en) * 2020-10-15 2022-01-18 安徽工业大学 Electromechanical conversion device of wave-activated generator

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB398280A (en) * 1932-04-14 1933-09-14 Charles Edward Hodson Improvements in or relating to wave motors
EP0017569A1 (en) * 1979-03-29 1980-10-15 de la Roche Kerandraon, Olivier Moving-fluid energy-conversion device
GB2164097A (en) * 1984-09-07 1986-03-12 Bahram Momeny Extracting power from waves
GB2225811A (en) * 1988-12-08 1990-06-13 David John Price Device for converting sea and wind energy to rotary power

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB398280A (en) * 1932-04-14 1933-09-14 Charles Edward Hodson Improvements in or relating to wave motors
EP0017569A1 (en) * 1979-03-29 1980-10-15 de la Roche Kerandraon, Olivier Moving-fluid energy-conversion device
GB2164097A (en) * 1984-09-07 1986-03-12 Bahram Momeny Extracting power from waves
GB2225811A (en) * 1988-12-08 1990-06-13 David John Price Device for converting sea and wind energy to rotary power

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102493909A (en) * 2011-12-12 2012-06-13 山东中泰新能源集团有限公司 Large dam-less hydroelectric power station
CN102493909B (en) * 2011-12-12 2013-12-04 山东中泰新能源集团有限公司 Large dam-less hydroelectric power station
WO2020018145A1 (en) * 2018-07-17 2020-01-23 Harker Matthew Wayne Harker oceanic power station
CN109812371A (en) * 2019-03-01 2019-05-28 武汉理工大学 A kind of storm sewer gravitational potential energy electric generating apparatus based on pawl clutch

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9702764D0 (en) 1997-04-02

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