US1418680A - Method of and apparatus for obtaining power from the surf - Google Patents

Description

W. S. SCOTT.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING POWER FROM THE SURF- APPLICATION FILED JULYT. 1917. RENEWED NOV. 4.1921.

1,418,680.. I atented u e 6, 19 22..

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W. S. SCOTT.

METHOD OF AND APFARATUS'FOR OBTAINING POWER FROM THE SURF.

APPLICATION FILED JULYZ. 1917. RENEWED NOV- 4.1921.

2 suns-slain 2.

1,418,680. Patented June 6,1922.

F159 RG6 t if.

STATES ATEN' METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING POWER FROM THE SUB/F.

Lat-18,680.

Application filed July 7, 1917, Serial No. 179,108.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I,lV1LLIAM SEAMAN Soor'r, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Maplewood, in the county of Essex, State of New Jersey, have invented an Improvement in Methods of and Apparatus for Obtaining Power from the Surf, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a method and apparatus for utilizing the energy of ocean waves as they break upon a shore, and contemplates the storage of such energy in the form of compressed air, or water power, and its use in either or both of such forms, in suitable power translating devices. d

In the practice of my invention, I make use of the impact force of a breaking wave, to produce movement of a mass of water into a container against the pressure of a head of water, and also to propel into said container and compress therein, air carried in the water, or trapped by the movement of the wave in the manner hereinafter described.

My invention also contemplates certain modifications, whereby the energy may. be partly on entirely stored in the form of compressed air at moderate pressures, as up to fifty or sixty pounds per square inch, and also the provision of means whereby air at different pressures may be simultaneously obtained from differentportions of my apparatus.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, I have illustrated more or less diagrammatically. and without reference to absolute or relative dimensions, examples of the various forms which my apparatus or parts thereof may take. It should be understood, however, that the forms illustrated are not the only ones my apparatus is capable of taking, and that they are shown herein merely by way of illustration, and that many modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention. v

In Fig. 1, I have shown a plan view of my apparatus;

In Fig. 52, a side view thereof partly in section, the section being taken on the lines 2-2 of Fig. 1;

In Fig. 3, a sectional view of a modification of my invention; I

In Figs. 4:, 5 and 6, detail views of one form of a portion of my apparatus;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 6, 192.2.

Renewed November 4, 1921. Serial No. 512,938.

InFigs. 7 andS, detail views of another form of a portion of my apparatus;

In Fig. 9, a detail view of a portion of the apparatus illustrated in Figs. t to 8 inclusive; and in Figs. 10 and 11, detail views showing a valve mechanism which may be used with my invention.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, my apparatus comprises a closed, separating chamber 1., preferably, as shown, of elongated form, so as to permit substantially complete separation of the air from the water in which it is entrapped before the water reaches the standpipe and overflow subsequently to be described. The chamber 1 is preferably, as shown, above the ground and is also preferably not below but even slightly above, the level of the waves and is located in proximity to a beach, and preferably outside of the destructive action of the waves.

The separating chamber 1 is air and water i tight and*serves as a space in which the mixed air and water are separated from each other.

Connected to the chamber 1 and extending towards the sea, are a plurality of pipes 2, which may be supported by piles 3 sunk in the beach by any suitable or convenient method. Pipes 2 carry at their outer ends, wave-receiving means t, which may be in the form offunnels, and which may take any suitable form, examples of which are illustrated in Figs. {i to 8. The wave receiving means -i are preferably located to follow the general. line of the approaching waves on the beach, and to receive the impact of the breaking wave under the various conditions of tide. To accomplish these results, they may be superimposed or arranged in echelon, or in any other suitable manner.

Between the wave-receiving means 4 and the separating chamber 1 is located a gate valve 5, or any other hand-operated cut-ofi' and an automatic valve. such as the check valve 6, permit-ting thefiow of the water t owards the separating chamber 1, but preventing the flow away from it. A second gate, or hand-operated valve, 7, is preferably located close to the container. The gate valves 5 permit, when closed, the examination and repair of the automatic valves 6.

Valves 5, 6 and 7 should be of a suitable size to permit the full, free flow of water carried by the pipes 2 to pass through them with the least possible retardation or obstruction. In order to reduce or check the high velocity of the water in the pipes, the latte are preferably provided with portions of gradually increasing crossseetion indicated at 8, preferably adjacent those points of th pipes 2 where the latter approach the separating chamber 1. Located opposite the inlet pipes :2 in the separating chamber 1 are bailie plates 9 or other suitable means for breaking the impact of the water when it reaches the separating chamber 1. The second series of gate valves 7 is preferably placed between the automatic valves 6 and th enlarged portions 8 of the pipes 2.

The container may also be supplied with suitable openings, indicated at 10, to permit cleaning out sand or rubbish which may penetrate within it.

Connected to the container 1, and preferably located at a point a considerable dis tance from pipes 2, is a stand pipe ll, communicating with the container 1, by means of: an orifice 12. which is lower than the height of the container 1. In said stand pipe there is consequently maintained a column' oi water which after the apparatus has been operating for some time, is oi a substantially constant, predetermined height above the level of the incoming water. This column of ater of substantially constant height e, erts a substantially constant pressure upon the air within the separating chamber, so that the intermittent impulses of: the waves entering the tunnels are not directly coinmunicated to the air within the separating chamber. Stand pipe l1 communicates at its top with downflow pipe 13, and is provided with a spillway 14 For any excess of water. The lower end of? the downflow pipe 13 is connected, in any suitable manner, to suitable translating devices, such as turbines or Pelton wheels, indicated diagrannnatically at 15, said translating devices being supplied with an out'l'low pipe 16. l preterably arrange the spillway let to empty into acatch-basin 17, having an overflow 18. The water falling from the spillway thus falls upon the body of water in the catchbasin 1?, and prevents destructive action due to the height from which it falls. The water from the waste weir and that from the translating devices is carried back to the ocean by any. suitably located channel, said channel being preferably so located that the flow will not disturb the other operative portions of the device.

Container 1 is also provided with a blow oi? pipe or governor 19 and outlets 20. for compressed air service pipe. I

The operation of the device described thus far is substantially as follows: The surf, breaking into the wave-receiving devices 4:. forces at each wave. a certain amount of water mixed. with air into the pipes 2, past the automatic valve 6 into the container 1.

The water is there deflected by the baiile plates 9, and the air held in the water is given up, rising to the top of the container. The level of the water in the container 1 is thus raised. At first the air escapes freely up the stand pipe until the level of the water has reached the upper edge of the orifice lid, into the stand pipe 11. At this point the air is sealed against escape into stand pipe ll... The blow-off pipe 19, which is preferably provided with a bell mouth, as indicated in F 2, is then sealed by the rising water, and a certain quantity of air is trapped. between the level of the water and the top of the container 1. Further increments of water entering through the tunnels 4 into pipes 2 serve to raise the level of the water in the stand pipe 11, thus compressing the air trapped in the upper part of container 1, and the decreasing of the volume 01' this trapped air is compensated for by further air introduced with the further increments of water. The operation of the device thus continues, the level of the water in stand pipe 11 being constantly aised, and the air being therefore compressed to a higher pressure, until the level of the water reaches the top of the stand pipe 11, and overflows into the downfio'w pipe 13. After this level has been reached, the air is maintained at a constant pressure (as long as the stand pipe ll is "Full of water) the height of the column of water in stand pipe 11 regulating the air pressure within the separating chamber. If more air accumulates there is drawn off for service any excess of air. any iurther excess of air being i'lischargeil through the hlow-ofi' pipe 19 or through the stand pipe 11, There is thus available a supply of COIHPIQSSGt'fl air which may in drawn oil as needed, through the service pipe 20 and supplied to suitable translating devices at a sul'istantiallv constant pressure.

The overflow of water into the down flow pipe 13 may be utilized For the purpose of driving suitable translating devices. and

it the water requirements of such devices are properly designed they will be kept constantly operating under a head of water equivalent to the height of the downflow pipe 13. The compressed air and the water from the downllow shaft. may he used tor any other desired purpose as for example, for directly lifting water from the drainage canal of tidal or other marshes.

It willhe understood that the arrange ment of stand pipe and downfiow pipe may be dimlicated as illustrated in Fig. l. and that a number of such pairs of pipes may he provided with a common spillway. as indicated. in said drawing.

In the modification illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. it is evident that the pressure of the air in the separating chamber 1 is regulated by the height of stand pipe 11, each twent seven and one half inches in height of the water column corresponding to one pound pressure per square inch on the air in separating chamber 17. It may be desirable, at certain times, to secure compressed air at higher pressures. For this purpose, I prefer to use the modification illustrated in Fig. 3, which gives good results up to one hundred and thirty or even one hundred and fifty pounds of pressure per square inch.

In this modification, 1 make use of the separating chamber 1, provided with the blow-off pipe 19, stand pipe 11, compressed air service pipe 20, and the funnel, pipe and valve apparatus forintroducing air and water therein. 1, however, provide, in addi tion to said separatingchamber, an underground separating chamber 21, which may be located at any convenient depth, depending upon the pressure desired. Instead of using the water in the downflow pipe 13 to operate translating devices 15. as in the mod ification shown in Figs. 1 and 2. I make use of said water to gather and compress an additional supply of air in the underground chamber 21 in the following manner:

Chamber 21 is provided with a blow-off pipe 22, a service compressed air outlet pipe 23, and an outflow shaft 24, which communicates with chamber 21 by means of an aperture 25 of less height than the height of chamber 21. The downflow shaft 13 is provided at its top with'suitable air'inlets 26, and communicates at its bottom with cham ber 21. 1 preferably enlarge the'lower end of downflow shaft 13. as indicated at 27, and provide a suitable baffie plate 28 to disperse the stream of water flowing through the downflow shaft 13. The operation of this apparatus is essentially as follows:

Air is compressed in chamber 1. as in the modification of Figs. 1 and 2, and the level of water in stand pipe 11 rises until it overflows into downtlow shaft 13. When the water overflows in this manner, itsucks into downflow shaft a certain quantity of air through. the air inlets 26, which air is carried down to the lower chamber 21. and. there given off, rising to the top of chamber 21. As more water and air is carried down downfiow shaft 13', the level of the water in outflow shaft 24 rises, thus compressing the air, and more air is supplied to the upper part of chamber 21. I am thus enabled to supply compressed air from air outlet 20 of chamber 1, at a pressure which is a function of the height of stand pipe 11, and I am able to supply air through outlet pipe 23 at a pressure which is a function of. the height of outflow shaft 24.

If desired, and if the supply of water is sufficient, a portion of the water flowing through downfiow shaft 13 may be used to operate translating devices, such as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2'. Among the devices fication described, the container 1 is an air and water tight chamber so constructed that the upper portion thereof is a compressed air chamber, and the lower portion a large passage for the water, so that the water will move slowly from the entrance pipes to the stand pipe and give up its contained air. The gradual enlargement of the entrance pipes and the baffle-plates assist in reducing the speed of movement of the water, and thus permit it to give up more of its air than it otherwise would. The topof the connection between the chamber and the stand pipe constitutes a water seal for the compressed air, and the height of the water in the stand pipe regulates the air compression. and being always full, maintains a substantially constant pressure upon the air, thereby stabilizing such compressed air for power purposes.

In the second modification, the underground chamber is'so constructed that the upper portion is a compressed air chamber and the lower portion a large passage for the water, which will give up its contained air as it slowly passes from'the downflow shaft to the outflow shaft. The top of the waterway in the chamber at each shaft forms a water seal for the-compressed air. The difference in level between the tops of the downflow and outflow shafts gives the power head, and the difference in level between the water in the chamberand the top of the outflow shaft gives the air compression head. It will thus be noted that in both the surface and underground chambers the air is compressed isothermally and not adiabatically, and for this reason a maximum efficiency for power purposes is obtained.

InFigs. 4 to 8, I have illustrated some modifications of the wave-receiving devices or funnels 4, the modification illustrated in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 being an arrangement of three superimposed funnels, having straight converging sides, although said funnels may be formed with parabolic, or otherwise curved sides, as indicated in Fig. 1. This arrangement of funnels permits operation of the same at all stages of tide. The effect of such restriction of the funnels is to concentrate the concussive force of. the waves upon their small inner ends. In Fig. 4, three of such funnels are shown having the pipes connected thereto slightly ofi'set, so as to permit access to the gate valves 5 and automatic. valves 6, the latter being illustrated in Fig. 4 as being a vertically hinged flap valve.

When said. funnels are superimposed. they may be conveniently supported by means of spacing members which tend to make a rigid structure. adapted. to arrest the impact of the waves. The mouths of tunnels dare preferably covered with a screen or grill 30. to prevent the entrance oi debris. seaweed, etc and to break up the waves so that they will gather free air and the bottom of the tunnels are forwardly inclined to permit quick reflux oi? the waves and to permit the tunnels to fill with air before the next wave strilqes into the mouth thereol. the mouths of the tunnels are prei? erahly inclined. as indicated .in Fig; 6, so (but the debris collecting upon screen 80 may fall off by gravity.

I preferably provide the lower edge of the lowermost tunnel with a lip 31. which may be constructed. as shown in Fig. 9. from sheet steel. This lip permits the easy ingress of the wave. 'llorccs a larger body of water against the mouth of the ilfunnel, and directs the scour of the receding wave away from the piling or other support of the tunnels. It dcsi red. the lower edges of the tunnels of the upper tiers may he provided with similar lips. but I lind that the prolongation of the lower wall of the upper "funnels, as indicated at is sufficient.

In Figs. 7 and 8. I have shown an arrangement ot tunnels. in which two tunnels are superimposed. the bottom of each shelving towards the top and being provided with slightly ofiset pipes to permit access to the grate valves and check valves 6. In this case, the check valves are illustrated as being horizontally hinged flap valves. and the tunnels are illustrated as being provided with a lip 31 and a grating 30, as in the other modifications.

In Figs. it and 11.. i. have illustrated amoditied form of valve, which comprises a plurality ol poppet valves seated in a disk 83. and guided by a disk 3- T his design of valve permits of a very wide openin and by reason of the relatively small size of the. constituent val'ves subject to less impact force upon the seating of the valves than in, the llap valves illustrated in Figs. 4 and T. It should, however, he understood that my invention is not confined to any pz'irtirular form of valve. and that these may be varied to best suit the requirements of iniattirc. may be the other apparatus described above.

I claim: 1. In a device of the kind described. a

portions of my chamber. a plurality of wave-receiving means connected thereto. a stand pipe communicatinc with said chamber, an outflow 2. In a device of the kind described. a chamber, adapted to contain a body of air and a body o'l, water, a plurality of wavereceivifng means adapted to deliver air and water thereto, a stand pipe communicating with the portion of the chamber containing water, an outflow pipe communicating with the stand pipe adjacent its upper end. a second chamber located at a lower level than the first chamber. and adapted to contain a body of air and a body of water, the portion of said chamber adapted to contain a body of water being connected to the outflow pipe.

3. In a device of the kind described. a. chamber, adapted to contain a body of air in its upper portion and a body of water in its lower portion. a stand. pipe connected to the lower portion of the chamber a downflow pipe communicating with the stand pipe adjacent its upper extremity. a second cham ber located at a lower level than the first chamber, and adapted to contain a body of air in its upper portion. the lower portion thereof being connected to the downflow pipe, and an outflow shaft connected to the lower portion only of said lower chamber.

4;. In a device of the kind described, a chamber, adapted to contain a body of air in its upper portion. and a body of water in its lower portion, a plurality of wave-receiving means connected to the lower portion of said chamber, means for permitting the flow of water in one direction only between said wavereceiving means and said chamber, a stand pipe connected. to the lower portion of said chan'ibe-r, a. downflow pipe communicating with the stand pipe adjacent its upper extremity, a second chamber located at a lower level than the first chamber, and adapted to contain a body of water in its lower portion and a body of air in its upper portion. the lower portion of said chainber being connected to the said downflow pipe. and an outflow shaft connected to the lower portion only of said lower chamber.

5. In a device of the kind iileffljifibd. wavereceiving means. con'iprising a funnel. provided with a lip attached to the lower edge oi? the funnel and projecting forwardly and mitwardly therefrom.

6. In a device for obtaining power from aves. the combination with an air and water separating chamber positioned substantially at the level ol the i DCOITllTlQ waves, of one or more wave-receiving; means discharging into said chamber tor delivering the incoming waves to said chamber sul'istantially at the level of the same. a stand pipe connected to said chamber adjacent the bottom thereof and extending above said chamber and also above the level of the incoming water. and means for maintaining the height of the column of water in said stand pipe substantially constant,

said substantially constant column of water serving to maintain air in said chamber under substantially constant pressure.

7. In a device for obtaining power from Waves, the combination with an air and water separating chamber positioned not substantially below the level of the incoming waves, of one or more wave-receiving -means discharging into said chamber for delivering the incoming waves to said chamber substantially at the level of. the same, a stand pipe connected to said chamber adjacent the bottom thereof and extending abovesaid chamber and also above the level of the incoming water, means for maintaining the height of the column of water in said stand pipe substantially constant, said substantially constant column of water serving to maintain air in said chamber under substantially constant pressure, and means for drawing oil the overflow water from said stand pipe.

8. In a device for obtaining power from waves, the combination with an air and water separating chamber positioned substantially at the level of the incoming waves, of one or more wave-receiving means discharging into said chamber for delivering the incoming Waves to said chamber substantially at the level of the same, a stand pipe connected to said chamber adjacent the bottom thereof and extending above said chamber and also above the level of the incoming water, means for maintaining the height of the column of water in said stand pipe substantially constant said substantially constant column of water serving to maintain air in said chamber under substantially constant pressure, means for drawing off the overflow water from said stand pipe, and power-translation means associated with said last-mentioned means for utilizing said overflow water.

9. In a device for obtaining power from waves, the combination with an air and water separating chamber positioned not substantially below the level of the incoming waves, of one or more wave-receiving means discharging into said chamber for delivering the incoming waves to said chamber substantially at the level of the same, a stand pipe connected to said chamber adjacent the bottom thereof and extending above said chamber and also above the level of the incoming water, means for maintaining the height of the column of water in said stand pipe substantially constant, said substantially constant column of water serving to maintain air in said chamber under substantially constant pressure, means for drawing off the overflow water from said stand pipe, power-translation means associated with said last-mentioned means for utilizing said overflow water, and means associated with the air in said chamber for utilizing the same "for power purposes.

10. The method. of obtaining power from waves, which comprises, in combination, the steps of discharging the waves, consisting of mixed air and water, into a container, said discharge taking place substantially at the level of the incoming waves and the container permitting the air and water to become separated, thereafter causing the air, under compression, in cooperation with the subsequent incoming waves, to act upon the water within the container to raise the same to a substantially constant level above the level of the incoming waves, whereby the air is maintained under a substantially con' stant pressure, and thereafter drawing oft desired portions of the overflow water or of the compressed a1r for power or other purposes.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 27th day of June, 1917.

WILLIAM SEAMAN SCOTT.

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