IE20100355U1 - A module to generate electricity from water waves - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT The present invention relates to an electricity generating module-device. In particular, the invention has a square base footprint measuring 30 metres by 30 metres with a side elevation of 3 metres high on all sides. It is made of standard range shipbuilding grade steel plate. The structure is anchored to the ground beneath the water. The said structure is a sealed box fabrication filled with air in which a moving water-weighted weight and power wheel rotate on a centre shaft. The module utilizes the energy produced by waves of longer lengths i.e. 50 — 100 metres. The advantage of the module is that no fossil fuels are used as the total energy produced results from the constant and predictable supply of wave motion. There are no carbon dioxide emissions from the device. The module’s optimum environment is ideally in 40 — 60 metres of water, 5 — 10 kilometres from the shore and accessing large wave swells. Inside the pod a centrifugal wheel continuously rotates due to constant wave motion. The power wheel is linked into one generator on the power wheel. The power wheel feeds the generator.

Description

Field of the invention This present invention relates to the generation of electricity. In particular the invention relates to harnessing energy.

Background to the invention A wave power module is a device for harnessing the sea's energy and converting that energy into electricity. Wave power or wave energy comes from the waves in the ocean. The roilin motion of the waves is harnessed to generate electricity. Turning waves into watts might seem far—fetched, but harnessing power from the ocean is a very recent and new development. In time this method will gradually join the ranks of wind and solar as a source of renewable energy. The idea is to harness the undulating action of waves to generate usable energy. One popular existing version of a module or wave energy converter is the Pelamis Machine. It floats along the surface of the water anchored down on one end. These wave energy generators were the first ever developed and put to use. Multiple pelamis machines combined created “wave farms" for generating offshore electricity. The “Hydro Pod” is designed to be highly resistant to the forces of the open ocen and would be a very resilient renewable energy source. This module converts the wave motion to electricity by powering electrical generators.

Suggmag of the invention The “Hydro Pod” is a structure that floats on the surface of the water. This structure size is 30mx 30m x 3m high. The structure is hollow, filled with air. It . is made of steel plate. The walls are reinforced with a steel lattice frame lE100355 support. inside the “Hydro Pod” contains a revolving weight coupled to electric fixed magnet generators. It would be positioned in the sea wherever there are waves of long duration and of suitable wave lengths, i.e. 100mts in length.

The structure contains a centre vertical shaft, which is supported on either end by a tapered roller bearing.

A singular circular railway track running on an outer circle, which is fixed in position by support beams. The support beams are connected at top and bottom to the steel lattice structure.

The lateral beams of the weight carriage are connected to the central shaft.

The opposite ends of the lateral beams are connected to the weight carriage.

The weight caniage consists of a ferro concrete container weighing thirty tons, half of that weight consisting of water. The weight carriage is stabilized by steel wheels that grip either sides the railway track.

There is a cogged drive-wheel connected to the central vertical shaft, which in turn drive cogged wheels on fixed magnet generators.

During suitabte wave conditions this weight would rotate in a complete revolution around the central vertical shaft. The liquid weight content will facilitate the smooth notation of the weight carriage.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1/3 is a cut-away side elevation Figure 213 is a cut-away plan Figure 3/3 is a part section - weight carriage Scale: 120:1 Detailed Qgsgription of the Drawings 1.the outer structure steelplate 2. steel lattice 3.the weight carriage |E1G0355 3 4. lateral beams . central shaft 6. steei wheels 7. railway track 8. cogged drive wheel 9. generator cogged drive wheels . generators 1.central shaft tapered roller bearings 12. ferro concrete container 13. rail support beams 4.ba|last water . top of structure bottom of the structure Referring now to the drawings Fig 1 comprises a cut-away at the central shaft 5. which shows the outer structure steel plate1. The outer steel plate 1 is reinforced by a steel lattice 2. A central shaft 5 running from the top 15 in the centre of the structure is supported in tapered roller bearings 11 at either end at top 15 and bottom 16 of the structure. Two lateral beams 4 extend from the central shaft 5 to the weight carriage 3. The lateral beams 4 are permanently fixed to the central shaft 5. The femo concrete weight container 12 is supported by the weight caniage 3. The steel wheels 6 on the weight carriage 3 are griping either side of the railway track 7, which adds stability to the weight carriage 3 whilst in motion.

The ballast water 14 in the ferro weight container 12 will increase the inertia of the ferro weight container 12 at the top and at the bottom of each cycle allowing for a smooth rotation of the weight carriage 3. The cogged drive wheel 8 rotates with the central shaft 5 which in turn drives the generators 10 using the generator cogged drive wheels 9 which are attached to the generators 10 Referring now to the drawings Fig.2 showing the lateral beams 4 and the weight carriage 3 which will move clockwise or anti clockwise around railway track 7.

Referring now to the drawings Fig 3 showing rail support beams 13 attached to the steel lattice 2. This drawing shows the position of the ferro concrete weight container 12 and the ballast water 14.Steei wheels 6 are attached to the weight lE100355 4 carriage 3. the steel wheels 6 run on the rail track 7.The detail shows section of lateral beam 4

Claims (4)

1. a device to generate electricity utilizing the power in a water wave comprising a liquid filled weight which rotates on a centrifugal shaft in continuous smooth motion cycle via the power wheel which is connected to magnetic generator housed within a floating steel box fabrication.

2. The electricity produced in the fixed magnet generators are fed by cable to the shore power grid

3. The pods are anchored to the ground beneath the water at a depth of 40-60 meters and are linked to each other by means of sub sea artery cables

4. By utilizing a mooring system combing floats and weights that prevent cables becoming taut the device is anchored to the ground under the water