GB2472625A - Wave energy device with flaps hinged on inclined axes - Google Patents
Wave energy device with flaps hinged on inclined axes Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2472625A GB2472625A GB0914137A GB0914137A GB2472625A GB 2472625 A GB2472625 A GB 2472625A GB 0914137 A GB0914137 A GB 0914137A GB 0914137 A GB0914137 A GB 0914137A GB 2472625 A GB2472625 A GB 2472625A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- previous
- bodies
- frame
- providing
- flaps
- 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.)
- Granted
Links
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
- F03B13/14—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 wave energy
-
- 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
- F03B13/14—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 wave energy
- F03B13/16—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 wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem"
- F03B13/18—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 wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem" where the other member, i.e. rem is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore
- F03B13/1805—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 wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem" where the other member, i.e. rem is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore and the wom is hinged to the rem
- F03B13/181—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 wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem" where the other member, i.e. rem is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore and the wom is hinged to the rem for limited rotation
- F03B13/182—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 wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem" where the other member, i.e. rem is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore and the wom is hinged to the rem for limited rotation with a to-and-fro movement
-
- 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
- F03B13/14—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 wave energy
- F03B13/16—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 wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem"
- F03B13/18—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 wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem" where the other member, i.e. rem is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore
-
- 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
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (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 flap type wave energy converter has one or more buoyant paddles 121 that are hinged about an inclined (diagonal) axis. They may be hinged to the arms 107 of a V or Y shaped frame 101. The frame may be filled with air. The adjacent edges of two flaps may be provided with a part conical tube (411, figure 3) so that they maintain an approximately constant clearance. The tubes may be filled with air to provide buoyancy for the flaps. The device may be tethered (303, figure 2) and adjusted by winches to control depth and / or direction.
Description
I
WAVE ENERGY DEVICE
DESCRIPTION
As the demand for sources of renewable energy increases, there is increasing interest in the Wave Energy Converter (WEC) of which there are many different types.
The present invention is a novel design of WEC.
There exist many WECs of various geometries, some suited for near-shore installation and some for deeper water.
These devices are still at the proving stage. Power extraction depends on the geometry of each device, and the engineering for long-term survival at sea remains an issue.
Researchers continue to explore designs in the search for a successful combination of efficient power output, durability, and low cost of construction, installation and maintenance. Of the many types of WEC that have been proposed previous to the present invention, few if any have proved commercially viable.
Many previous designs incorporate bodies which oscillate about axes which are vertical or horizontal. These devices extract power more efficiently when their movements are resonant with the energy-carrying waves, and their basic principles have been known for at least 30 years.
It is an object of embodiments of the present invention to exceed the performance of previous WECs.
Embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a schematic elevation of a two-flap embodiment Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of an anchoring arrangement of a two-flap embodiment Figure 3 is simplified schematic plan (above) and elevation (below) showing the construction of an embodiment of one flap in a multiple-flap embodiment The figures are to be read as schematic illustrations only and do not show precise geometries (which anyway differ between embodiments) and are not to scale.
Figure 1 shows a schematic elevation of an embodiment with two moving flaps (121). A Y-shaped frame (101) is located in a mounting (103) on the sea bed (111). The mounting (103) is sufficiently rigid and deep to withstand shear forces imposed by waves, while allowing rotation of the frame (101) about a vertical axis, and also allowing limited vertical movement. The mounting (103) may be a plate and socket secured to the sea bed (111) by one or more drilled and optionally grouted holes of sufficient depth.
These holes may be 20 metres deep in rock.
The device is arranged so that its upper part is roughly aligned with the top of the normal ocean swell on the ocean surface.
The frame comprises an optional vertical section (105) and in the embodiment shown two inclined arms (107). The arms may extend to about 25 metres above the sea bed (111), and the horizontal span of the device may be of the order of twice this (depending mainly on the angle of incline of the arms (107)).
The arms (107) may be formed as tubes, and may have a diameter of about 3 to 4 metres. The frame (101) is preferably air-filled. The materials of construction and dimensions of the arms (107) are chosen so as to support the arms (107) and the flaps (121) in each particular embodiment. The tubes may be made of steel.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, each flap (121) is substantially triangular and planar with a plurality of hinges and/or bearings (123) at the arms (107). The edges of the flaps (121) may be constructed of tubing to provide a structurally strong frame. Each hinge (123) may be constructed in a variety of forms, one such being a plurality of vehicle wheels and tyres running round a diameter of an arm (107).
In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 the flaps (121) are buoyant and are held down by forces acting via the fixed frame (101) and hinges (123). The buoyancy of the flaps (121) causes them return to the upright position.
In other embodiments there may be different numbers of flaps (121) and/or different geometries as appropriate for achieving greater efficiency in general, or greater efficiency in local sea conditions.
The flaps (121) are designed and constructed so that their natural frequency of oscillation is substantially similar to that of the ocean swell, and thus they move resonantly when driven by the ocean swell.
If each flap (121) were simply planar, as it rotated there would appear a gap along the line (131) where the flaps (121) are adjacent. This would introduce inefficiency.
Preferably along this line (1 31) there is a small gap so as to avoid collisions between flaps (121) and the flaps (121) are shaped so that this gap remains roughly constant in width as the flaps (121) oscillate through small displacements To achieve this, each flap (121) preferably has its vertical edge formed as a specially shaped tube (411, as shown in Figure 3). For clarity this (411) is omitted from Figure 1.
The flap (121) and shaped tube (411) together in plan view take approximately the form of a capital letter T with a curved top as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The exact geometry of each shaped tube (411) depends on the geometry of the arms (107) and the flaps (121).
Figure 3 shows more detail of a flap (121). The outer face (407) of the shaped tube (411) preferably takes the form of the three-dimensional surface swept out by the edge of the flap (121). For example in the embodiments shown in the drawings, the outer surface (407) of the shaped tube (411) takes the form of part of the surface of a cone.
Figure 3 shows an outline plan and elevation of one embodiment of a flap (121) where the hinged edge (401) and top edge (403) are constructed as tubes, the body (405) is substantially planar, and the outer surface (407) takes the form of part of the surface of a cone. The remaining surface (409) can take any convenient and appropriate shape, but is preferably substantially planar. The outer surface (407), the two surfaces (409) and a top surface (not shown) together form the shaped tube (411) detailed previously.
The tubes (401, 403 and/or 411) may be air-filled to provide buoyancy.
The lateral dimension (away from the planar body (405)) of each shaped tube (411) is determined by the operational range of angular displacement of each flap (121) away from its central vertical position. At small displacements a minimal gap gives higher efficiencies, but at high displacements a significant gap is desirable, to allow water to flow through in order to limit the forces on the device in exceptional sea conditions.
As shown in plan view in Figure 2, in certain embodiments the device is anchored from fixing points (141) to anchor points (301) on the sea bed by one or more cables (303) which are held tight. Various cabling geometries are possible, and in an installation of multiple devices, anchor points (301) may preferably be shared.
In most maritime locations the direction of wave travel does not vary greatly, but it is preferable to be able to alter the alignment of the device to optimise power generation.
Optionally the frame (101) may be equipped with winches (replacing rigid fixing points 141) acting on the anchor cables (303). By altering the lengths of the anchor cables (303), the winches (141) are able to steer the device as shown in Figure 2. The winches (141) may be operated manually or preferably by an automated control system, and are preferably hydraulically operated.
In most maritime locations there is a tidal range, meaning that the sea surface where the sea waves are active varies periodically in height from the sea bed (111). In order to improve generation efficiency, and allow the device to operate at all stages of the tide, embodiments of the device incorporate means to adjust the height relative to the sea bed (111) so as to intercept the maximum energy of the sea waves. In some embodiments the device may passively use its buoyancy to achieve this. In other embodiments active mechanisms may be employed.
In certain embodiments winches (141) acting on anchor cables (303) may be used to achieve vertical positioning. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 the flaps (121) are buoyant (providing an upward force). Since the cables (303) are attached to the sea bed (111) they provide a downward force. By lengthening (or shortening) cables (303), the device may be caused to reposition higher (or respectively lower) in the water. To effect vertical positioning, the mounting (103) and vertical section (105) of the device are sized to allow sufficient movement for the local sea conditions, while retaining the device in place.
The adjustment of the cables (303) by the winches (141) in normal operation requires very little power relative to the power generated.
The mechanisms for steering and vertical positioning are preferably automated or semi-automated in response to locally sensed sea conditions but also so that the device can be remotely controlled, preferably from boats or other vessels and also from land or air.
Power is taken from the device using the movement of the flaps (121) relative to the frame (101). This is standard practice in wave power devices, and options include hydraulic generators and electrical generators (optionally using the electricity to generate hydrogen by hydrolysis). The technology of such power systems is well known to those skilled in the art.
Power can conveniently be transmitted via an internal ring-cam fitted to the upper ends of the edge of each flap (121) driving multiple hydraulic pumps housed within a sealed substantially toroidal enclosure (126) fitted to the inclined frame member (107) of the fixed frame (101). This type of machine is optimised for power extraction from small angular displacements. From these pumps the working fluid may be passed through the wall of the frame and thence on to a prime-mover and electrical generator positioned either within or external to the device.
It may be desirable to locate a number of these WECs in proximity on an area of sea bed (111) where local conditions are advantageous for wave power, and in this case they may preferably share certain items of infrastructure, such as anchor points (301).
While the present invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described, but can be practised with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The Description is thus to be regarded as illustrative instead of limiting.
Claims (1)
- CLAIMS1 A device providing extraction of energy from moving water, wherein the water causes oscillation of one or more buoyant bodies each body being hinged and at least one hinge axis being inclined (not horizontal not vertical), and the movement of the one or more bodies driving one or more generators 2 A device according to any previous Claim where the bodies are hinged on a frame, the frame being substantially V-shaped or Y-shaped and attached by a rigid, semi-rigid or flexible coupling to the sea bed 3 A device according to any previous Claim where the bodies are substantially optimised for extracting energy from sea waves 4 A device according to any previous Claim where the bodies are shaped so that when they move through a defined range of angular displacement they substantially maintain their adjacency while avoiding collision A device according to any previous Claim where the generator(s) is/are electrical and/or hydraulic generator(s) and/or electrolytic unit(s) 6 A device according to any previous Claim providing a mechanism to allow it to be steered 7 A device according to Claim 6 incorporating a control system to steer the device to a given alignment, including without limitation aligning the device such that the bodies are substantially perpendicular to the direction of wave travel 8 A device according to any previous Claim providing a mechanism to allow it to be moved vertically 9 A device according to Claim 8 incorporating a control system to cause the device to be positioned vertically, including without limitation positioning the device relative to the sea surface A device according to any previous Claim where at least one part of the frame is attached by at least one cable to at least one point on the sea bed 11 A device according to any of Claims 6 to Claim 10 inclusive where steering and/or vertical positioning is effected by at least one winch operating on at least one cable 12 A device according to any of Claims 6 to 11 inclusive providing one or more mechanisms so that steering and/or vertical positioning are remotely controlled 13 A power station comprising a plurality of devices according to any previous Claim
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0914137.5A GB2472625B (en) | 2009-08-13 | 2009-08-13 | Wave energy device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0914137.5A GB2472625B (en) | 2009-08-13 | 2009-08-13 | Wave energy device |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0914137D0 GB0914137D0 (en) | 2009-09-16 |
| GB2472625A true GB2472625A (en) | 2011-02-16 |
| GB2472625B GB2472625B (en) | 2016-06-29 |
Family
ID=41130061
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0914137.5A Expired - Fee Related GB2472625B (en) | 2009-08-13 | 2009-08-13 | Wave energy device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2472625B (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2014026027A2 (en) * | 2012-08-08 | 2014-02-13 | Atargis Energy Corporation | Ocean floor mounting of wave energy converters |
| WO2015085445A1 (en) * | 2013-12-11 | 2015-06-18 | Ivan Dib Echeverria | Improved facility for capturing sea energy |
| DE102016207662A1 (en) | 2016-05-03 | 2017-11-09 | Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. | Wave energy converter and method for the conversion of wave energy |
| US11754035B2 (en) | 2021-04-12 | 2023-09-12 | Loubert S. Suddaby | Assembly for capturing oscillating fluid energy with hinged propeller and segmented driveshaft |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20080018113A1 (en) * | 2004-02-24 | 2008-01-24 | Y.T. Enterprises Ltd. | Wave Power Plant |
| US20080191485A1 (en) * | 2005-03-23 | 2008-08-14 | Trevor John Whittaker | Wave Power Energy Generation Apparatus |
| WO2008111849A1 (en) * | 2007-03-14 | 2008-09-18 | Langlee Wave Power As | Wave power plant |
-
2009
- 2009-08-13 GB GB0914137.5A patent/GB2472625B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20080018113A1 (en) * | 2004-02-24 | 2008-01-24 | Y.T. Enterprises Ltd. | Wave Power Plant |
| US20080191485A1 (en) * | 2005-03-23 | 2008-08-14 | Trevor John Whittaker | Wave Power Energy Generation Apparatus |
| WO2008111849A1 (en) * | 2007-03-14 | 2008-09-18 | Langlee Wave Power As | Wave power plant |
Cited By (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2014026027A2 (en) * | 2012-08-08 | 2014-02-13 | Atargis Energy Corporation | Ocean floor mounting of wave energy converters |
| WO2014026027A3 (en) * | 2012-08-08 | 2014-04-03 | Atargis Energy Corporation | Ocean floor mounting of wave energy converters |
| US8937395B2 (en) | 2012-08-08 | 2015-01-20 | Atargis Energy Corporation | Ocean floor mounting of wave energy converters |
| WO2015085445A1 (en) * | 2013-12-11 | 2015-06-18 | Ivan Dib Echeverria | Improved facility for capturing sea energy |
| DE102016207662A1 (en) | 2016-05-03 | 2017-11-09 | Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. | Wave energy converter and method for the conversion of wave energy |
| DE102016207662B4 (en) | 2016-05-03 | 2023-05-25 | Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. | Wave energy converters and methods for converting wave energy |
| US11754035B2 (en) | 2021-04-12 | 2023-09-12 | Loubert S. Suddaby | Assembly for capturing oscillating fluid energy with hinged propeller and segmented driveshaft |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2472625B (en) | 2016-06-29 |
| GB0914137D0 (en) | 2009-09-16 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 746 | Register noted 'licences of right' (sect. 46/1977) |
Effective date: 20160713 |
|
| 746 | Register noted 'licences of right' (sect. 46/1977) |
Effective date: 20160727 |
|
| 732E | Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977) |
Free format text: REGISTERED BETWEEN 20160922 AND 20160928 |
|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20180813 |