GB2434620A

GB2434620A - Rocking beam type wave generator

Info

Publication number: GB2434620A
Application number: GB0607592A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Charlton Gaunt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-01-28
Filing date: 2006-03-28
Publication date: 2007-08-01
Anticipated expiration: 2026-03-28
Also published as: GB2434620B; GB0607592D0; GB2434620A8

Abstract

A wave powered generator comprises two floats 2 at opposite ends of a beam, spaced apart by half a wavelength or one and a half wave lengths. The beam rocks relative to a main body, which may be a deep, heavy keel 1. The motion drives pistons in hydraulic cylinders, arrangrd to reach the end of their stroke at the neutral position of the beam, so that the cylinders are fully evacuated on every stroke regardless of wavw amplitude. The fluid is pumped to a location on or off shore where the pressure may be used, for example, for electricity generation. Several such devices may be attached together. Alternatively the main body may comprise floats spaced in front or behind the main floats by half a wave length (figure 2a). A wave weakening device comprising a spaced lattice of wood or steel beams (figure 3a) may be used to dissipate power from storm waves.

Description

Off-shore wave power machines: Desi&n Titles: WAVE SLAVES and WAVE

WALKER ( also WAVE WEAKENER).

Fossil fuels use is bringing planet earth severe heat polution. Atomic power depends on a depleting amount of uranium which requires huge energy inputs to extract from granite and thereafter ia a problem which threatens health and safety at every stage. The clean energy sources derive from the sun which in Britain is seasonal and regularly hidden night and by clouds. Sunshine gives us our weather. Wind,Storrn and waves at sea which can effortlessly carry the energy of storms thousands of miles to our shores where we know waves power is awesome.

Harnessing a portion of the inexhaustible power available to mankind in seawaves is the challenge which needs solving to save the planet.

The sea is a difficult environment with tides and storm driven waves of enormous, destructive power. Designing machines that can function in this eenvironjiient is the challenge and purpose of these designs which do not attempt to halt waves in their progress but aims to ride them and from their movement to win useful energy for human use. In the shallower seas off Britain the deep atlantic swell becomes modified through interaction with the sea bed into shorter steeper slower moving waves. Storms can upset this pattern; that is the difficulty. Par wave power machines to safely operate in the vast areas where waves of suitable dimensions predominate and solve our national energy needs an intervention system has been designed to pacify waves of excessive power and bring them down to a size which the wawe-power machines which are the subject of this design can usefully manage. WAVE WEAKENER is the title of this intervention system. It will be described last.

Figure 1. shows an upright keel (1) furnished with accurate locating bosses or holes onto which with large replacable bearings pivotally mounted floats (2) are securely held centrally by structural spacing girders to float parallel to the waves at half or one and a half of the average wavelength apart as might be judged most appropriate for the worksjte intended. The keel (1), which will assist in alignment into the waves, to be equiped with hydraulic pipework, valves and connections to one or several hydralic cylinders mounted radially from the pivotal bearing centre to fully accommodate pistons linked by connecting rods to crank bearings mounted radially from the pivotal centre of the structural spacing girders of the spaced floats (2) which carrying the full weight of the assembled machine ride up and down the waves to drive the pistons of the hydraulic pumping mechanism from whichever' way the float spacing members are tilted. (Fig,. ta and lb show piston movement).

Figure 2. shows the machine described at Figure 1. linked loosely as WAVE SLAVES or rigidly as WAVE WALKER employed to send hydraulic power through seabed pipeways continuously to onshore powerstations near populations for electricity generation or pumped water storagp of energy systems or gases from air seperation industrial processes needing cheap electricity or for direct power for industrial or transportation purposes; or for application of the power harnessed by these machines for any of the above purposes off shore on floatjr vessels or seabed mounted instalations.

Figure 2a. shows the machine described at Figure 1. and 2. with the central keel altered in its depth stabilization character by a float or floats spaced half a wave length ahead or behind the floats (2) described in figures 1. a.nd 2. the spacing girder/s being made to avoid fouling of the floats (2) at the extremity of their likely movement in high seas the girders to these outer keel float/s passing below or above the sea surface as might be deemed most practical in the shallower esturies or bays where these machines might be employed.

Figure 2b (drawn pictorially on 7/7) illustrates how any or all of the wave machine designs might be constructed so that the floats are hinged adjustably through variflblelength struts (3), either mechanically or hydraulically(from remote radio control most likely The purpose of this adjustment may be necessary to accommodate tidal variation in sea depth and tidal currents which it is believed might possibly upset too much the efficiency of the machines which are best when the floats are spaced at half wave length intervals.

* (Another way of maximizing efficiency m.ght be to construct an artificial ) sea bed designed to rise and lower back to the sea bed with the tide end in so doing modify waves to wavelength and character ideal for the maahines employed at a particular worksite.

An artificia,l seabed as just described could be exceptionally useful * for carrying hydraulic pipeways linked to a flotilla of SAVE SLAVES.

I:ote 1: The exposed pumping cylinders and cranks could be totally enclosed in another configuration but the advantage of the design illustrated is that worn cylinders, pistons, cranks and bearings can all be designed to be replaced individually without dismantling the machine or taking it off worksite. The pressurized organic hydraulic oil could be controllably piped to lubricate all the bearings of the moving parts or the pressure used to hydraulically drive a suitable heavy organic grease into the bearing lubrication channels.

Note 2: It is envisaged that because of the long leverage and weight o the floats the hydraulic pressure mossible could be so great that economics and safety might dictate that the enormous power should be transferred through hydraulic motor and gearing to transmit a large volume of seawater under optimum pressure over long distances to generate electricity in suitable locations where the used water can iT: back into the sea.

Yot. :o lic.ions of the machines might be to power genrrators on board mother ships and utilize the electricity to separate Hydrogen and Oxygen from seawater by electrolysis to power a1clean' generation of motor vehicles and aircraft.

Figures 3a. and 3b. show the WAVE dEAKENER refered to earlier which aims to reduce the power of oversize waves without deflecting their diecion towards the wave machines. $sweves progress on a rolling rotating vortex of water proportional in size depth and speed to the kinetic energy of the wave in its forward progression. Just as wind speed can be reduced better by trees than by solid buildings or hills which deflect rather than reduce the wind speed so it is in water.

AVE i&UcENER consists a wide spaced lattice of steel beams or weighted waterlogged telegraph poles suspended from buoys horezontally which are firmly anchored around the perimeter of the wave machine worksite. The suspended lattice of wide spaced beams (Fig.3a.) in its simpiest form is contrived to absorb and fragment the underbelly of the oversized wave into turbulance at its lowest depths. It is hoped AVE.LAKR will work effectively but in its lowest position 3.

allow manageable waves to progress unweakened. It is also expected that storm driven seas could actually lift the rav 1EAKENER beam lattice into a shallower position as the suspending buoys climb larger waves. Pig.3b (6/7 illustration) shows special buoys designed to lift the WAVE WEAKENER from the ocean floor if the Pig.3a. version proves too weakening of useful waves. Pig. 3b. buoys can be remotely filled by compressed air and lowered by release valves in an adjust- -able to effective depth of the WAVE 1EAKENER as required. High tech versions of these buoys might be controlled from a Mother ship or from satellite as the shipping forcasts demanded.

ENVIRONNENT PROTECTION off the coast must b considered. The extremely high hydraulic pressures likely will have toemanaged to prevent haemorrhageing. Normally the arrangement of non-return valves for one way flow of hydraulic fluid should transmit all the energy into useful work elsewhere but in storms an excess of pressureized hydraulic fluid prevented by connection of the flow and return pipes through a maximum working pressure safety valve should manage the danger but heat build up will also have to be disipated and planned for in the event of a breakdown elsewhere. Leaking hydraulic fluid may be a polutant. Perhaps a vegetable or fish oil would break down harmlessly but serve the purpose. Over-fishing is a world wide probleni.

Wavepower worksites would exclude many fishing vessels creating havens where fish would be undisturbed. Marine organisms would colanize the wave machines and seaweed would grow on the floats but not to the extent of upsetting efficiency to any great extent provided the floats are big enough to retain buoyancy under full loading. 4.

Claims

Claims 1. An off-shore wave powered hydraulic pumping mechanism

anchored to the seabed from a deep heavy central keel loosely enough to rise and fall with the tides held pivotally on two large floats through bearings fitted between the keel and strong centrally balanced float spacing girders so that the floats are half or one and a half of the average distance beween wave crests apart to ensure that the spaced floats alternate on the wave crest whilst the linked partner float lowers into the wave trough causing movement about the pivotal centre to powerfully drive hydraulic pump pistons via hinged corniecting rods attached radially at distance from the float spacing girders pivotal centre fully into hydraulic pump cylinders attached securely to the keel from both left and right movement of the wave lifted floats relative to the deep heavy keels resistnce to movement against gravity and,the water resistance at distance from the pivotal centre of the mechanism.

2. An off-shore wave powered hydraulic pumping mechanism as at claim 1. linked securely with others rigidly or flexibly from the central keel with hydraulic pipeways t.o collectively propel hydraulic fluid under pressure to transfer some wave power energy to instalations on. or off-shore where it can be employed to drive machines for industrial purposes, transportation or for the generation of electricity.

3. An off-shore wave powered hdrauli.c pumping mach .nâsm as at claims 1 and 2 employed at sites where storm risk dictates that NAVE iEAKENER protection can be engaged beneath the waves when required.

4. An off-shore wave powered hydraulic pumping mechanism as at claims 1.
2. and
3. where the variously employed wave machines are linked to a mother ship or between mother ships along with wave weakening devices employed when required.

5. An off-shore wave powered hydraulic pumping mechanism as at claims 1.,2.,3.,and
4. with the hydraulic power piped through single direction valves for one ay flow with excess pressure prevented by comnecting the flow and return pipeways through high working pressure safety valves to protect the system from haemorrhageing.

6. The WAVE WEAKENER protection refered to in claim 3 to be suspended from buoys either anchored to seabed or ship/s to consist a wide spaced lattice of rigid wooden or steel beams pf sufficient size to engage meaningfully with the underwave vortex of two or more waves simultaneously the drag and thrust forces being thereby balanced adjustably at deptThi to limit the wave size to that which the off-shore hydraulic pumping mechanisms refered to in claims 1.,2., 3., 4., anc., an safely opprate.

7. An off-shore wave powered hydraulic pumping mechanism as at claims 1. 2. 3. 4.
5. and
6. with the centia1 keel changed in its depth instead substituting a float or floats spaced half a wave, length ahead or behind the floats of the piston driving dual float central section of the mechanism the spacing girder or girders of the changed keel to hold these floats being arranged above or below the counter moving parts so that the assembled mechanism does not foul on itself in high seas. 5.

Clims continued: 8. An off-shore wave powerd hydraulic pumping mechanism as described and employed in claims 1., 2., 3., 4., 5., 6., and
7. with the floats made adjustable to accommodate to changes in the average wavelength to optiuize efficiency.

9. An off-shore wave powered hydraulic pumping mechanism as described and employed in claims 1., 2., 3., 4., 5., 6., 7., and
8. but anchored above an artificial sea bed designed to rise end roll with the tides to effect a constant wave most * suitab1 for the machines employed at a particular orksite.

10. An off-shore wave powered hydraulic pumping mechanism as described and employed in claims 1., 2., 3., 4., 5., 6., 7., 8., and
9. so that replacable bearings and pump parts can be contro]lably lubricated with organic hydraulic oil fed directly un-icr pressure through restricted pipeways or with the hydraulic pressure employed to drive heavy organic grease into the bearing lubrication channels or with a combination of these lubrication methods as most appropriate for each bearing function.

11. An jff-shore wave powered hydraulic pumping mechanism as described and employed in claims 1., 2., 3., 4., 5., 6., 7., 8., 9.. nd
10. with the energy in the extremely high hydraulic pressures possible transferred where appropriate through hydraulic motor gearing to pumps or impellers to transfer energy over long distances as a large volume one- way flow of optimally pressurized seawater for electricity generation the advantage being cost savings and reduced polution risk.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows -"O---Claims 1.An off-shore wave powered hydraulic pumping mechanism anchored to the seabed from a deep heavy central keel loosely enough to rise and Call with the tides held pivotally on two large floats through bearings fitted between the keel and strong centrally balanced float spacing girders so that the floats are half or one and a half of the average distance between wave creats apart to ensure that the spaced floats alternate on. the wave crest whilst the linked partner float lowers into the wave trough causing movement about the pivota.l centre to powerfully drive hydraulic pump pistons via hinged connecting rods attached radially at distance from the float spacing girders pivotal centre fully into hydraulic pump cylinders attached securely to the keel from both left and right movement of the wave lifted floats relative to the deep heavy keels resistance to movement against gravity and water resistance at distance from the pivotal centre of the mechanism.

2.An off-shore wave powered hydraulic pumping mechanism as at claim 1.

linked securely with others rigidly or flexibly from the central keel with hydraulic pipeways to collectively propel hydraulic fluid under pressure to transfer some v/ave power energy to instala C- ions on or off-shore where it can be employed to drive niachines for industrial purposes, transportation or for the generation of electricity.

3.An off-shore wave powered hydraulic mechanism as at claims 1 and 2 employed always with a V1A1TJ AKNR in place to be engaged with storm driven waves as necessary.

4.An off-shore wave powered hydraulic pumping mechanism as in any preceding claim where the variously employed wave machines are linked to a mother ship or between mother ships along with wave weakening devices employed when required.

5.An off-shore wave powered hydraulic pumping mechanism as in any preceding claim with the hydraulic power piped through single direction valves for one way flow with excess pressure prevented by connecting the flow and return pipeways through high working pressure safety valves to protect the system from haenorrhaging.

6.An off-shore wave powered hydraulic pumping mechanism as in any preceding claim where the ilA1T JEAKNJR refered to at claii 3 to be suspended from buoys consists of a wide spaced lattice of rigid beams of sufficient strength and overall area to engage meaningfully with, the underwav-e thrust and drag of excess.Lvely powerful waves to dissipate the excess power in local turbulance.

7. An Off-shore wave powered hydraulic pumping mechanismn as in any previous claim with the central keel changed Lii its depth iiitead subs C-i C-u ting a float or floe ts spaced half a wave leng C-h ahead or r)ehlncl the iloats of the piston driving dual loat central section of the mechanism C-he spacLng girder or girders of the changed keel to hold these floats being arranged above or below the coo itcr moving parts so that C-he assembled mechanism does not foul on itself in high seas.

Claims continued: 8. An off-shore wave powered hydraulic pumping mechanism as described and employed in any previous claim with the floats spacing made adjustable to accommodate to changes in the average:iavionth to Optimize effictoncy.

9. An off-shore wave powered hydraulic pumping mechanism as described and employed in any previos claim but arranged to suspend an artificial sea bed the intention being to effect a constant wave length where the sea depth is affecting wave length due to rising and falling tide.

10. An off-shore wave powered hydraulic pumping mechanism a.s described and employed in any previous claim made so that replaceable bearings and pump parts can be congPola.y lubricated with organic hydraulic oil fed directly under pressure through restricted pipeways or with the hydraulic pressure employed to drive heavy organic grease into the bearing lubrication channels or with a combination of these lubrication methods as most appropriate for each bearing function.

U * An off-shore vave powered hydraulic pumping mechanism as described and employed in any previous claim with the energy in the ext emely high pressures and volumes possible transferred where appropriate through hydraulic motor gearing to pumps or impellers to transfer energy over long distances as a large volume one-way flow of optimally large diameter piped and pressured seawater for electricity generation on land the advantages beLng reduced pollution risk and possible cost and energy savings. 0S * .

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