IES20120377A2 - Device to convert energy from ocean waves to useful mechanical energy - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to a device to convert ocean wave energy to useful mechanical energy. It involves a floating platform connected to a counter weight through a system of a cables and pulleys where one point in the system is fixed relative to the floating platform. Wave action causes the floating platform to move which, in turn, causes the cable to move over a pulley causing it to rotate alternatively in both directions. Useful energy can be taken from the rotating pulley.

Description

DEVICE TO CONVERT ENERGY FROM OCEAN WAVES TO USEFUL MECHANICAL ENERGY FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention involves a platform floating at or near the surface of the ocean where wave motion causes vertical movement of the platform. An attached mechanism converts this 10 vertical movement to useful mechanical movement such as rotation of a pulley. This, in turn, can be used to, for instance, compress gas, pump water or to generate electricity directly.

BACKGROUND Potentially there is a very significant amount of energy available from ocean waves.

However, practical difficulties such as a harsh operating environment and continually changing sea conditions make it very difficult to construct an effective and reliable machine to generate useful energy from ocean waves. This invention is not 20 mechanically complex, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, will· operate over a wide range of sea conditions and is not affected by tidal movement. An effective anchoring system will protect It against major storms SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In essence, this invention involves a floating platform connected to a counterweight by a system of cables and pulleys. One point in the system is fixed relative to the floating platform. As the floating platform is moved by wave action, the cable connecting it to the counter weight moves over a pulley causing the pulley to rotate. Useful power can be 30 d ra wn from the rota tin g pu 11 ey. 886433 DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Refer to Figure 1 on page 1/3. The floating platform” (1) is typically doughnut shaped. The supporting frame (2) is fixed to the floating platform and typically tripod shaped. It supports the pulley (3) from its apex. As the floating platform moves up and down due to waves and sea swells (6), the cable (7), suspending the weight (4) and anchored to the seabed (5), causes the pulley (3) to rotate fore and aft.

The scale of the device is such as to provide stability and sufficient pulley height to allow full movement of the counter weight (4) in rough sea conditions and varying tide levels. An effective anchoring system would have to be employed. The buoyancy of the floating platform may have to be variable to cater for varying sea conditions.

Figures 2 and 3 show different configurations of the device using the same principle to generate useful mechanical movement from wave energy.

In Figure 2 on page 2/3, the supporting frame (2) is attached directly to the seabed (5). The cable (7) is attached to the floating platform (1) and suspends the weight (4). Wave motion (6) wiil cause the floating platform ¢1) to move up and down. As the floating platform moves up and down, the cable (7) caused the pulley (3) to rotate fore and aft. in Figure 3 on page 3/3. the supporting frame (2) is attached to a semi-submersible platform ¢1). The cable (7) is attached to the floating platform (5) and is suspending the weight ¢4).

Wave motion (6) will cause the floating platform (5) to move relative the semi-submersible platform (1). This relative movement will cause the cable (7) to rotate the pulley (3) fore and aft.

Claims (1)

1. A device to convert wave energy to useful mechanical energy using a floating 5 platform connected to a counter weight by a system of cable and pulleys where one point on the system Is fixed relative to the floating platform.