GB2390876A

GB2390876A - Wave energy electricity generator

Info

Publication number: GB2390876A
Application number: GB0211928A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith White
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-05-23
Filing date: 2002-05-23
Publication date: 2004-01-21
Also published as: GB0211928D0

Abstract

A float which rides up and down with the waves supports a shaft which extends down to a depth where there is little wave movement and is rotated by paddles attached to the base of the shaft. The paddles move freely up and down in an arc of 45 degrees from the horizontal, as the float moves down and up, resepectively, The electricity generator is located at the top of the shaft.

Description

( Wave generator My idea is to generate electricity from wave motion, the

frequency of the wave moves up and down constantly on average this difference is 4 ft to 6ft, from the peak to the troth.

Under the wave there is little movement from the wave. To harness this power we have a float which rides up and down the wave fixed in position with anchors. From the center of the float a shaft is lowered down to a depth of x (below the wave frequency.) Allowing spinning freely.

At the base of the shaft is attached paddles that move freely up and down in an arc of 45 from horizontal, where stops restrain the movement, the paddles protrude from the shaft at 90 and the length is Y (depending on the power required.) Top of shaft a generator is fix. Upward movement of the float from a wave rising makes the paddles move down till they stop on the rests at 45 from horizontal, reflecting the water off in a 90 horizontal deflection.

The torque generated from this action moves the shah round in the opposite . lrechon. On the downwards cycle, Me float drops down pushing the shah downwards, this action lifts Me paddles up till they stop at the other stop. (Which is at 45 from horizontal, the water is deflected 90 horizontally in the same direction as before. (This is the same direction as the upward motion.) The torque from this spins the shaft in the opposite direction from the water.

The spinning shah will turn the generator on to develop electricity.

i WA PE GENERA TOR

OBJECT OF TO GENERATOR MODLE NO 1

To exact power Mom the vertical movement of water and produce electricity BASIC DECRYPTION

This consists of a vertical spindle that is bee to rotate. At the bme Rich are Cached four vanes. (described below) Attached to Me spindle a shaft, that acts as a handle and enables the spindle to be raised ad lowed. In this case to imitate the action of the water at He surface.

He whole is immersed in water to a depth of about 6 inches (16cm) When The handle is raised or lowered the vanes force the spindle to rotate in a Given direction The vanes ached to the bottom of the shah that produce the rotational movement of the shah. They are allowed to rotate Rough 90 degrees.

From 45 degrees down to 45 degrees up. The movement through this arc is controlled by viable stops. As die float rises the vanes are directed downward. As the float descends, He vanes are deflect upwards. Thus imparting the rotabona1 moment to the spindle.

r REPORT ON MODEL 1

The first trial of the above mentioned model was as follows.

The main shaft approximately ten inches long. Was suspended in a thank of water about six inches in depth.

2. The vanes described on page one were brass fittings soldered on sleeves, which in turn were solidly fixed to the shaft.

3. Wave motion was represented by moving the shaft up and down. A Marker was fixed to the top. When the shaft was activated it shaft was found to turn, and continued to turn in the same direction, thus proving that there was a positive action.

4. Model 2 will be built on a larger scale, and accurate measurements taken, of the following: (a) Number of turns on one complete cycle. This will depend on the length of the stroke and the speed of that stroke. It is assumed at this date that the wave representation will as in model 1 (physical operation) (b) The float has yet to be designed, further consideration has to be designed to measure the amount of current produced over a number of cycles. At this time this will mean a manual recording.

(c) Design of the vanes will require some consideration to evaluate the most productive shapes. There could be a problem with cavitation.

(d) Further models will be of increased size and tested in open water, ome the basic design is achieved.

?

Claims

r' a, I._' i_, / l WH1TF,-AN' GE.NERATOR

l 'sing a UO-N'C) aid? to cons ert the \;ic motion of Awes to cause He rotation of a shaft a continuous direction b, the action of anes situated at the base of an internal shaft, Lehigh rotates a generator mounted on the top of the buoy.

Ale above machinery Could be anchored to the Door The riffler. ore ocean by metals of a chain, adjustable in length, to suit the location for its eirorunent. AlloNVing free moo ement for the direction of the tide Or fixed Vito two supporiLi,g Is to keep He Mite Wave Generator vertical from a solid support The fills details of this are set out in the detailed diagrams accompa!ing the claim of this date.