NZ749728B2 - Energy harvesting from moving fluids using mass displacement - Google Patents

Energy harvesting from moving fluids using mass displacement Download PDF

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Publication number
NZ749728B2
NZ749728B2 NZ749728A NZ74972817A NZ749728B2 NZ 749728 B2 NZ749728 B2 NZ 749728B2 NZ 749728 A NZ749728 A NZ 749728A NZ 74972817 A NZ74972817 A NZ 74972817A NZ 749728 B2 NZ749728 B2 NZ 749728B2
Authority
NZ
New Zealand
Prior art keywords
rotor
cavity
rotational axis
boundary
fluid
Prior art date
Application number
NZ749728A
Other versions
NZ749728A (en
Inventor
Carl Ludwig Hansmann
Original Assignee
Carl Ludwig Hansmann
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Carl Ludwig Hansmann filed Critical Carl Ludwig Hansmann
Priority claimed from PCT/IB2017/052833 external-priority patent/WO2017212356A1/en
Publication of NZ749728A publication Critical patent/NZ749728A/en
Publication of NZ749728B2 publication Critical patent/NZ749728B2/en

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B9/00—Water-power plants; Layout, construction or equipment, methods of, or apparatus for, making same
    • E02B9/08—Tide or wave power plants
    • 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
    • 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
    • F03B17/00—Other machines or engines
    • F03B17/02—Other machines or engines using hydrostatic thrust
    • F03B17/04—Alleged perpetua mobilia
    • 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
    • F03B17/00—Other machines or engines
    • F03B17/06—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head"
    • 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
    • F03D—WIND MOTORS
    • F03D3/00—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the air flow entering the rotor 
    • F03D3/002—Wind motors with rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the air flow entering the rotor  the axis being horizontal
    • 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
    • F03D—WIND MOTORS
    • F03D9/00—Adaptations of wind motors for special use; Combinations of wind motors with apparatus driven thereby; Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations
    • F03D9/008—Adaptations of wind motors for special use; Combinations of wind motors with apparatus driven thereby; Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations the wind motor being combined with water energy converters, e.g. a water turbine
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2240/00—Components
    • F05B2240/90—Mounting on supporting structures or systems
    • F05B2240/91—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a stationary structure
    • F05B2240/915—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a stationary structure which is vertically adjustable
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2240/00—Components
    • F05B2240/90—Mounting on supporting structures or systems
    • F05B2240/93—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a structure floating on a liquid surface
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2250/00—Geometry
    • F05B2250/20—Geometry three-dimensional
    • F05B2250/23—Geometry three-dimensional prismatic
    • F05B2250/231—Geometry three-dimensional prismatic cylindrical
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2260/00—Function
    • F05B2260/40—Transmission of power
    • F05B2260/402—Transmission of power through friction drives
    • F05B2260/4021—Transmission of power through friction drives through belt drives
    • 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
    • Y02E10/20—Hydro energy
    • 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
    • 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
    • Y02E10/70—Wind energy
    • Y02E10/728—Onshore wind turbines
    • 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
    • Y02E10/70—Wind energy
    • Y02E10/74—Wind turbines with rotation axis perpendicular to the wind direction

Abstract

apparatus for harvesting energy from fluids, comprising a rotor (12) and a support structure (59) that supports the rotor (12) to rotate about a generally horizontal rotational axis (14) of the rotor in a rotation direction (16). The support structure is configured such that the rotational axis (14) is selectively, sequentially positioned above or below a boundary (30)between two fluids of different density, such that the rotational axis is selectively, sequentially positioned in the fluid above the boundary or in the fluid below the boundary. The rotor (12) includes a plurality of hollow elements (18). Each of the plurality of hollow elements (18) has an elongate shape with a longitudinal axis that is parallel to the horizontal rotational axis (14) of the rotor, and defines an internal cavity at a radial orientation relative to the rotational axis. The cavities inside a first and second element are spaced apart in the rotation axis, and have different radial orientations. Each hollow element defines a permanently open trailing aperture extending from the cavity in a direction opposite to the rotation direction, to an outside of the element. The cavities are permanently sealed at their leading sides which are opposite to the trailing opening. The apparatus uses the fluid density difference to create a rotating mechanism for energy harvesting.

Claims (13)

1. An apparatus for harvesting energy from fluids, said apparatus comprising; a rotor; and a support structure supporting said rotor to rotate about a generally horizontal rotational axis of said rotor in a rotation direction, said support structure being configured such that said rotational axis is selectively, sequentially positioned above or below a boundary between two fluids of different density, such that the rotational axis is selectively, sequentially positioned in the fluid above said boundary or in the fluid below said boundary; said rotor including a plurality of hollow elements and each of the plurality of hollow elements having an elongate shape with a longitudinal axis that is parallel to the horizontal rotational axis of said rotor, and each of said hollow elements defining an internal cavity, said cavities including at least a first cavity inside the first one of the hollow elements at a first radial orientation relative to the rotational axis, and a second cavity inside a second one of the hollow elements at a second radial orientation relative to the rotational axis; said first radial orientation being spaced from said second radial orientation in the rotation direction; wherein said first hollow element defines a first trailing aperture extending from the first cavity in a direction opposite to the rotation direction, to an outside of the first hollow element, and a second hollow element defines a second trailing aperture extending from the second cavity in a direction that is opposite to the rotation direction, to the outside of the second trailing aperture; wherein the first trailing aperture and the second trailing aperture are permanently open and the first cavity and second cavity are each permanently sealed at leading sides of said cavities, said leading sides being opposite to the trailing opening of each cavity.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the two fluids are water and air, the boundary between said fluids is a water surface, and the rotational axis is selectively above and below said water surface.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the water surface is subject to wave action and the rotational axis is at an elevation that causes it to be selectively above and below the water surface as a result of said wave action.
4. The apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein an elevation of the water surface changes due to tidal action and the rotational axis is at an elevation that causes it to be selectively above and below the water surface as a result of said tidal action.
5. A method of harvesting energy from fluids, said method comprising: providing an apparatus according to claim 1; supporting the rotor with the entire rotational axis of the rotor selectively, sequentially positioned above or above and below the boundary between the two fluids of different density, said rotor being in a submerged position when the entire rotational axis of the rotor is selectively, sequentially positioned below said boundary and in an elevated position when the entire rotational axis of the rotor is above said boundary, said rotational axis being oriented transversely to a direction of flow of said higher density fluid; while the rotor is in the submerged position: positioning the rotor with the first cavity and the second cavity below said boundary and with the first trailing aperture directed upwards and the second trailing aperture directed downwards; holding the lower density fluid inside the second cavity and thereby maintaining a buoyant force exerted by said lower density fluid in the second cavity; allowing the lower density fluid to escape from the first cavity and the higher density fluid to enter the first cavity, via the first trailing aperture, thereby increasing an overall density of contents inside the first cavity and reducing a buoyant force exerted by the contents of the first cavity; exerting a moment on the rotor in the rotation direction, by applying the maintained buoyant force exerted by the lower density fluid in the second cavity and the reduced buoyant force exerted by the contents of the first cavity; and while the rotor is in the elevated position: positioning the rotor with the first cavity and the second cavity above said boundary and with the first trailing aperture directed upwards and the second trailing aperture directed downwards; holding the higher density fluid inside the first cavity and thereby maintaining a gravitational force exerted by said higher density fluid in the first cavity; allowing the higher density fluid to escape from the second cavity and the lower density fluid to enter the second cavity, via the second trailing aperture, thereby reducing the overall density of contents inside the second cavity and reducing a gravitational force exerted by the contents of the second cavity; exerting a moment on the rotor in the rotation direction, by applying the maintained gravitational force exerted by the higher density fluid in the first cavity and the reduced gravitational force exerted by the contents of the second cavity.
6. A method according to claim 5, in which substantially the entire rotor is below said boundary when the rotor is in the submerged position and substantially the entire rotor is above said boundary when the rotor is in the elevated position.
7. A method according to claim 5 or claim 6, which includes exposing said rotor to a fluid flow which impinges on the rotor, said impinging fluid flow exerting a force on the rotor in an impingement direction that causes a moment on the rotor in the rotation direction.
8. A method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, in which the impinging fluid flow is a flow of the low density fluid and said impinging fluid flow impinges the rotor above the rotational axis.
9. A method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, in which the impinging fluid flow is a flow of the high density fluid and said impinging fluid flow impinges the rotor below the rotational axis.
10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the high density fluid is water and the impinging fluid flow is water moving by wave action.
11. An apparatus for harvesting energy from fluids, said apparatus comprising; a rotor; and a support structure supporting said rotor to rotate about a generally horizontal rotational axis of said rotor in a rotation direction, said support structure being configured such that said rotational axis is selectively, sequentially positioned above and below a boundary between two fluids of different density, such that the rotational axis is selectively, sequentially positioned in the fluid above said boundary or in the fluid below said boundary; said rotor including a plurality of hollow elements and each of the plurality of hollow elements having an elongate shape with a longitudinal axis that is parallel to the horizontal rotational axis of said rotor, and each of said hollow elements defining an internal cavity, said cavities including at least a first cavity inside the first one of the hollow elements at a first radial orientation relative to the rotational axis, and a second cavity inside a second one of the hollow elements at a second radial orientation relative to the rotational axis; said first radial orientation being spaced from said second radial orientation in the rotation direction; wherein said first hollow element defines a first trailing aperture extending from the first cavity in a direction opposite to the rotation direction, to an outside of the first hollow element, and a second hollow element defines a second trailing aperture extending from the second cavity in a direction opposite to the rotation direction, to the outside of the second trailing aperture; wherein said hollow elements are arranged at different radii and spaced from each other in a radial direction; and wherein said plurality of hollow elements are arranged within the rotor as a plurality of groups, each of said groups being at a different radial orientation in the rotor, and the hollow elements in each group being disposed at the same angular orientation, so that the hollow elements in each of said groups forms a virtual vane of parallel, radially spaced-apart hollow elements.
12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said rotor defines a first leading aperture extending from the first cavity in the rotation direction, to the outside of the rotor, and a second leading aperture extending from the second cavity in the rotation direction, to the outside of the rotor.
13. The apparatus according to claim 11, which includes valves that are configured to open and close the first trailing apertures and the second trailing apertures, selectively.
NZ749728A 2017-05-13 Energy harvesting from moving fluids using mass displacement NZ749728B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA201603876 2016-06-07
ZA201608350 2016-12-02
PCT/IB2017/052833 WO2017212356A1 (en) 2016-06-07 2017-05-13 Energy harvesting from moving fluids using mass displacement

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
NZ749728A NZ749728A (en) 2024-07-26
NZ749728B2 true NZ749728B2 (en) 2024-10-30

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