IL281592A - A turbine propulsion system, based on sea waves energy - Google Patents

Description

41617/21- A TURBINE PROPULSION SYSTEM, BASED ON SEA WAVES ENERGY Field of the invention The present invention is in the fields of electric power generation. More specifically, the invention relates to a turbine propulsion system which captures and redirects sea waves' energy for propelling a floating turbine, employed for generating electricity.

Background of the invention The continuous effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions motivates the deployment of power generating systems that harness renewable energy sources for producing electricity, such as by employing the sea waves flow for moving or oscillating certain driven elements which are mechanically connected to the rotor member of an electric power generator. Some of the abovementioned systems utilize the sea waves flow for rotating a turbine.

However, the variable intensity, direction and height levels of incoming sea waves challenge the efficiency of the abovementioned systems, many of which are capable of utilizing only directly incoming waves, while differently directed waves as well as higher incoming waves breaks against or flow around those systems, thus a meaningful portion of renewable energy flows away, and not being captured.

It is therefore an object of the present invention, to provide a turbine propulsion system which captures the kinetic energy of waves incoming in multiple directions 41617/21- for propelling a turbine which is connected to a power generator for generating electricity.

It is another object of the present invention, to provide a turbine propulsion system which is capable of receiving high waves of higher capacity, thus capturing the full potential of incoming waves.

It is yet another object of the present invention, to provide a turbine propulsion system which is unsusceptible to spoiler counter flows.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Summary of the Invention A turbine propulsion system, comprising: a) a capturing module comprising a front partition adapted with a plurality of unidirectional shuttered inlet apertures of differential sizing, gradually increasing towards the upper area of the capturing module, such as to enable the continuous capturing of incoming sea waves from multiple directions and of various heights and flow rates, while preventing counterflow, b) an essentially narrowing flow acceleration section, utilized for narrowing the flow area through the system, thereby accelerating captured waves' flow towards a turbine, c) a flexible turbine feeding duct consequentially attached to the essentially narrowing flow, and constructed of durable flexible materials, to enable its endurance to high capacity flow, while enabling a limited motion of a 41617/21- turbine module attached to its distal end, and d) a turbine module comprising a turbine housing, a turbine which is connected to a rotor member of an electric power generator (not shown), and floating means, for maintaining the turbine at the sea level, wherein the turbine is rotated by accelerated flow of captured waves, such as to rotate the rotor member with respect to a stator member, and thereby to produce electricity.

The capturing module may be adjustably directed to the incoming waves, by remote or by autonomous control means.

The flow acceleration section may comprise an open-top face, and may also be adapted with higher peripheral shoulders.

Brief Description of the Drawings The above and other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limitative detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, with reference to the appended drawings, wherein: - Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a perspective view of a turbine propulsion system, according to an embodiment of the present invention; - Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a section view of the system of Fig. 1; and - Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a turbine floating means, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of the Invention41617/21- The present invention relates to a turbine propulsion system adapted to capture incoming sea waves from multiple directions and of various heights and flow rates, and, in turn, to direct the captured waves into a centralized accelerated stream for rotating a floating turbine being employed for electricity generation.

In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and which are shown by way of illustrating specific embodiments or examples. These embodiments may be combined, other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a perspective view of a turbine propulsion system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. System 100 essentially comprises waves capturing module 110, a flow acceleration section 120, a flexible turbine feeding duct 130, and a turbine module 140.

Capturing module 110 comprises a front partition 110a adapted with a plurality of shuttered inlet apertures 111 of differential sizing, starting smaller at the lower area 112 (i.e., partially submerged in the sea), and gradually increasing towards the upper area 113, such as to be adapted to entirely receive the higher waves inflow through larger openings, thereby enabling to exploit both higher potential energy and kinetic energy of higher incoming waves. Shuttered inlet apertures 111 further adapted with one-way shutters (shown in Fig. 2) having a larger surface area than the opening size of apertures 111, thus can be easily pushed by the incoming waves 41617/21- enabling smooth inflow, while preventing return flow which pushes the shutters to block apertures 111, thereby shuttered apertures 111 operates as one-way inlet valves.

Acceleration section 120 is an essentially narrowing enclosure reducing the flow area of the captured waves flow, thus forcing accelerated flow towards turbine feeding duct 130 with turbine module 140 at its distal edge. The turbine module comprises a turbine housing 141 and a turbine 142 (shown in Fig. 2).

Duct 130 is constructed of durable yet flexible materials, to enable its endurance to high capacity flow, while enabling turbine module 140 to move to an extent required for maintaining an enclosed turbine therein (not shown) essentially floating at the water level, thereby enabling a free flow of the accelerated seawater through turbine module 140 rotating the enclosed turbine 142 (shown in Fig. 2).

Of course, multiple shapes and sizes of capturing module 110, apertures 111 and acceleration section 120 can be selected by one skilled in the art, for adapting the proposed system to different sea bed layouts, wave flow regimes and other characteristics of specific applications, without departing the principals of the present invention as described and claimed herein. For example, front partition 110a and capturing module 110 can be directed in multiple different angles such as in areas or during time periods prone to intensive high waves, partition 110a may be deflected back, namely, to face upwardly to a desired extent, such as to be aimed for improved receipt of high waves. According to some embodiments of the present 41617/21- invention, system 100 is adapted with an aiming mechanism which can be controlled remotely and/or by autonomous control, thereby enabling the optimal adjustment of system 100 for improved capturing of the waves' energy.

Further shown in Fig. 1 are supports 150 and restraint wires 160 which support and restrain system 100 on the sea bed, while allowing a limited motion of flexible turbine feeding duct 130.

The feeding duct 130 may have other shapes, for example, rectangular or square, according to the inlet shape of turbine 142.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a section view of system 100, in which shatters 201 are in a closed state. Also shown in Fig. 2 is turbine 142, the rotation shaft 202 of which is connected to a rotor member of an electric power generator (not shown), such as to rotate the rotor member with respect to a stator member, and thereby to produce electricity.

Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a turbine floating means 301, according to an embodiment of the present invention, where floating means 301 is utilized for maintaining turbine housing 141 essentially at the sea level thereby to enable a free flow therethrough, avoiding flow spoiling by counter water streams.

Although embodiments of the invention have been described by way of illustration, it will be understood that the invention may be carried out with many variations, modifications, and adaptations, without exceeding the scope of the claims.41617/21- For example, while acceleration section 120 is illustrated in Figs. 1-3 as an enclosed structure, alternative embodiments of the proposed system comprise open-top (i.e., a part of, or the entire top face of which is open) acceleration section 120, which can also be provided with sufficiently higher peripheral shoulders, for successfully handling higher flow rates of captured waves.

The above examples and description have of course been provided only for the purpose of illustrations, and are not intended to limit the invention in any way. As will be appreciated by the skilled person, the invention can be carried out in a great variety of ways, employing more than one technique from those described above, all without exceeding the scope of the invention.

Claims (6)

41617/21- - 8 - Claims

1. A turbine propulsion system, comprising: a) a capturing module comprising a front partition adapted with a plurality of unidirectional shuttered inlet apertures of differential sizing, gradually increasing towards the upper area of said capturing module, such as to enable the continuous capturing of incoming sea waves from multiple directions and of various heights and flow rates, while preventing counterflow; b) an essentially narrowing flow acceleration section, utilized for narrowing the flow area through said system, thereby accelerating captured waves' flow towards a turbine; c) a flexible turbine feeding duct consequentially attached to said essentially narrowing flow, and constructed of durable flexible materials, to enable its endurance to high capacity flow, while enabling a limited motion of a turbine module attached to its distal end; and d) a turbine module comprising a turbine housing, a turbine which is connected to a rotor member of an electric power generator (not shown), and floating means, for maintaining said turbine at the sea level wherein said turbine is rotated by accelerated flow of captured waves, such as to rotate the rotor member with respect to a stator member, and thereby to produce electricity.

2. A system according to claim 1, in which the capturing module is adjustably directed to the incoming waves.41617/21- - 9 -

3. A system according to claim 2, in which the adjustment is performed by a remote station.

4. A system according to claim 2, in which the adjustment is performed by autonomous control.

5. A system according to claim 1, in which the flow acceleration section comprises an open-top face.

6. A system according to claim 5, in which the flow acceleration section is adapted with higher peripheral shoulders.