WO2000017518A1 - Dispositif d'exploitation d'energie de vagues - Google Patents

Dispositif d'exploitation d'energie de vagues Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2000017518A1
WO2000017518A1 PCT/GB1999/002931 GB9902931W WO0017518A1 WO 2000017518 A1 WO2000017518 A1 WO 2000017518A1 GB 9902931 W GB9902931 W GB 9902931W WO 0017518 A1 WO0017518 A1 WO 0017518A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
water
reservoir
pressure
reservoirs
power generating
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1999/002931
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Alexander George Southcombe
Original Assignee
Alexander George Southcombe
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GBGB9820150.2A external-priority patent/GB9820150D0/en
Application filed by Alexander George Southcombe filed Critical Alexander George Southcombe
Priority to AU56408/99A priority Critical patent/AU5640899A/en
Publication of WO2000017518A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000017518A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • F03B13/14—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 using wave energy
    • F03B13/148—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 using wave energy using the static pressure increase due to the wave
    • 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
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus for harnessing the energy of water waves.
  • a device for extracting energy from water waves is described in US Patent No._ 4141670.
  • the device is mounted at the surface of the water and comprises high-level and low-level reservoirs each having non-return valves for permitting water from wave crests to enter the high level reservoir and water from the low-level reservoir to escape as a wave trough passes.
  • Water is allowed to pass from the high-level to the low-level reservoir via a vertical axis turbine thereby generating useful power related to the difference in heads of pressure of the water in the two reservoirs that results from their vertical separation.
  • the above device has restricted application as it must be disposed at the surface of the water and the energy derived is dependent on the vertical separation distance between the two reservoirs.
  • a further device for extracting energy from water waves is described in British Patent Application GB-A-2036189.
  • This device is also mounted at the surface of the water and comprises high and low pressure vessels each connected to gas tanks.
  • An air cushion is maintained in the pressure vessels above the water level, with compressors connecting the air cushions to the gas tanks to allow air to flow between the air cushions and their respective gas tanks.
  • the movement of air between the air cushions and the gas tanks alters the pressure in the pressure vessels, causing entry and exit valves provided in the high and low pressure vessels respectively to open and close at relevant times allowing ingress of water to the high pressure vessel and egress of water from the low pressure vessel. This causes water to flow from the high- pressure vessel to the low-pressure vessel through a generator.
  • the device is bulky in that it comprises two reservoirs that are separate and interconnected by an elongate pipeline. This increases drag and thus reduces the power output. It is, in addition, mechanically complicated, requiring gas compressors, ballast systems, stabilisers and the like, which increases the cost of the device. It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the aforesaid disadvantages.
  • apparatus for harnessing water wave energy comprising a first reservoir having at least one nonreturn valve for admitting water from under the peak of a wave, the water having a pressure that is in excess of the pressure of water already in the reservoir, the captured water in the first reservoir having a first pressure, a second reservoir adjoined to the first reservoir and separated therefrom by a dividing wall, the second reservoir having at least one non-return valve for releasing water to the surroundings when the water pressure in the second reservoir exceeds that of the surrounding water under a wave trough to leave water in the second reservoir that is at a second pressure lower than said first pressure, and a power generating device disposed between the reservoirs such that the water flows from the first reservoir to the second reservoir via the power generating device, the power generating device generating power in response to the difference between the first and second water pressures.
  • the flow of water between the reservoirs can be made as direct as possible. This enables a high volume of water flow to pass through the device, enabling energy to be collected from the small pressure differences in the water under the wave peak and trough.
  • the water entering the first reservoir under a wave peak may be evacuated from the second reservoir half a wavelength later from the second reservoir.
  • the apparatus may thus be situated underneath the water surface, where it is subjected to less damage from the waves than if it was situated at the surface.
  • the apparatus may be also made compact and streamlined, reducing drag so that it is more efficient than known designs.
  • the first and second reservoirs are preferably elongate chambers which are designed to be of a length at least equal to the expected wavelength of the water waves.
  • the chambers are preferably attached to one another along an elongate side of each reservoir.
  • Preferably the first reservoir is located above the second reservoir in use.
  • the power generating device may be disposed adjacent the first and second reservoirs at an end of the apparatus, or may be disposed between the first and second reservoirs, for example along the elongate sides thereof that are attached to one another.
  • a plurality of power generating devices may be provided between the reservoirs.
  • the power generating device may be a water wheel or turbine that drives a water pump, or may be a turbine capable of generating electrical energy.
  • the output conduit may be connected to a high level reservoir and a turbine generator.
  • the apparatus may include a floating cradle in which the reservoirs are supported such that, in use, they are disposed just beneath the surface of the water.
  • a vertical and horizontal array of reservoirs are supported by the floating cradle such that at least some of the reservoirs are disposed in use just beneath the surface of the water.
  • Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a first embodiment of apparatus according to the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a non-return valve used in the apparatus of Figure 1 in plan and side views;
  • Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a system employing a plurality of apparatuses in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 4 is a diagrammatic representation of the system of figure 3 showing a high level reservoir and a turbine generator
  • Figure 5 is a diagrammatic side view of a system housed in a floating cradle
  • Figure 6 is an end view of the system of figure 5;
  • Figure 7 is a top plan view of the system of figure 5.
  • FIG 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a second embodiment of apparatus according to the present invention.
  • a single wave energy harnessing device of the present invention has an elongate high-pressure reservoir 1 with a plurality of non-return valves 2 and an adjacent elongate low-pressure reservoir 3 with a plurality of non-return valves 4.
  • the reservoirs are attached one to another along an adjoining elongate wall.
  • the device is disposed below the surface of the sea and is designed to be as long as the greatest expected wavelength.
  • the non-return valves 2 of the high-pressure reservoir 1 are arranged along one side of the reservoir 1.
  • the non-return valves 4 of the low-pressure reservoir 3 are similarly arranged along a side of the reservoir 3.
  • the valves 2, 4 may be simple flap valves made of a flexible plastics material, as illustrated in figure 2 of the drawings.
  • the aperture in the vessel wall is provided with a grid or mesh to prevent the valve flap being sucked through the aperture.
  • Each of the non-return valves 2 in the high-pressure reservoir is opened when the external water pressure is greater than that inside the reservoir 1.
  • the non-return valves 4 in the low-pressure reservoir are opened when the pressure of the water inside the reservoir exceeds that of the external water.
  • An output of the high-pressure reservoir 1 is connected by a conduit 5 to an input 6 of the low-pressure reservoir 3 via a water wheel 7, the output 8 of which drives a pump 9 that draws in water from the surroundings and expels it through a non-return valve 10 at high-pressure to a high-pressure conduit 11. From there the water is delivered to a turbine or other power-generating device.
  • the operation of the device is cyclical as each wave peak and trough passes over the reservoirs.
  • a wave peak P approaches the high-pressure reservoir 1
  • the water pressure increases from X-R to a maximum pressure X directly under the peak P (R being the reduction of water pressure in the high-pressure reservoir from the previous cycle, as described below).
  • R being the reduction of water pressure in the high-pressure reservoir from the previous cycle, as described below.
  • the valves 2 below the wave peak P open so as to allow relatively high-pressure water to enter the high-pressure reservoir 1. This continues while the external water pressure rises to X and stops when it drops below the pressure of the collected water in the high-pressure reservoir 1 whereupon the valves 2 close.
  • the presence of high-pressure water in the high-pressure reservoir 1 and low- pressure water in the low-pressure reservoir 3 means that the high-pressure water passes from the high to the low-pressure reservoirs, thereby driving the water wheel 7.
  • the pressure of the water in the high-pressure reservoir 1 drops by R and the water pressure in the low-pressure reservoir 3 increases by S.
  • the used water is then released to the surroundings as the wave trough T passes.
  • the working pressure for the water wheel 7 is the difference between the water pressure in the high-pressure reservoir 1 and that in the lower pressure reservoir 3 and is dependent on the height between the peaks and troughs of the passing waves.
  • the amount of water passing through the water wheel will depend on its size, design, the height of and the differential pressure between wave peaks and troughs.
  • the power output of the wheel will thus vary with wave activity.
  • the pump is designed to absorb this variation and supply a proportionate amount of water to the conduit 11.
  • Figures 3 and 4 show a plurality of devices in vertical and horizontal array below the surface of the sea.
  • the output of each pump 9 is connected to a common vertical high-pressure conduit 11 to produce an adequate supply to a high level reservoir 12 disposed above sea level as shown in figure 4.
  • the high level reservoir 12 (or equivalent) continuously supplies a turbine/generator unit 13 that provides useful power output. This arrangement balances out variations in the wave pattern so that a continuous supply of energy is available.
  • the device can be seated in a floating cradle as shown in figures 5, 6 and 7.
  • the reservoirs 1, 3 are received in a cradle 15 to which is attached four floats 16.
  • Location maintaining drives 17 and swivel drives 18 are also provided on the cradle.
  • the floating cradle 15 enables the device to be positioned more easily and to be moved using the drives 17 and 18.
  • the cradle may thus be held on station by reference to a GPS system (not shown), and may be swivelled to keep the device in optimum alignment with the prevailing wave direction.
  • the floating cradle 15 may be tethered to the seabed by suitable mechanical means such as anchor cables (not shown) that may be alterable in length.
  • the depth at which the cradle holds the basic units may be controlled so that the outlet valves may be held very near to the surface under a wave trough by means of electronically controlled flotation devices.
  • compressed air tanks may be used to fill or empty the floats 16 to a desired amount.
  • Each reservoir unit may be provided with buoyancy bags or tanks (not shown) so that they can easily be floated to the surface and removed from the cradle for repair and maintenance without the use of undersea divers.
  • An electrical generator may be placed on top of the floating cradle, which means that power generation may be carried out at sea, which is useful for some offshore installations, or may be used to provide power for a floating warning light or buoy.
  • a generator may be placed out of the water, for example on a sea-going platform or on land, being powered from the high-pressure water conduit 11. It therefore requires less protection against waves than if it was placed in the water, making the device more economical. Maintenance of the power generating device is also easier if the device is placed in dry conditions.
  • a plurality of water wheels 7 are provided along the adjoining wall between the reservoirs 1, 3.
  • the water wheels may be located along the same axle (not shown), one end of which drives the pump 9.
  • the flow of water between the two reservoirs is made as direct as possible, thus allowing a large flow of water. This is achieved by the water entering the high-pressure reservoir 1 at, for example, point Q and exiting the lower pressure reservoir 3 at point Z half a wavelength along the reservoirs. The points Q and Z move down the length of the reservoirs sequentially as the waves travel over the device.
  • the water wheel or wheels may be replaced by any suitable mechanical device for generating power such as, for example, a turbine.
  • the electricity generated by such a turbine could either be used on site, or transmitted to the land by any suitable means.
  • One method for transmission of the energy would be - to use the electricity generated by the device to generate hydrogen gas by electrolysis, which could then be shipped or pumped to land for use as a fuel.
  • the non-return valves need not necessarily be arranged along the sides of the high-pressure and low-pressure reservoirs respectively but, rather, at any suitable location where they will be acted upon by the changes in pressure created by the wave peaks and troughs.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un dispositif d'exploitation d'énergie de vagues placé sous la surface de la mer. Un premier réservoir (1) capte de l'eau située sous une crête de vague à une pression relativement élevée. L'eau est évacuée d'un second réservoir (3) dans le milieu environnant lorsque la pression de l'eau environnante tombe en dessous de la pression d'eau présente dans le réservoir, laissant ainsi, dans le second réservoir, de l'eau à relativement basse pression. La différence de pression d'eau est utilisée afin d'entraîner un dispositif générateur d'énergie (7). Les réservoirs sont adjacents l'un à l'autre, ce qui permet un passage direct du courant d'eau à travers le dispositif, améliorant son efficacité.
PCT/GB1999/002931 1998-09-17 1999-09-03 Dispositif d'exploitation d'energie de vagues WO2000017518A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU56408/99A AU5640899A (en) 1998-09-17 1999-09-03 Apparatus for harnessing wave energy

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9820150.2A GB9820150D0 (en) 1998-09-17 1998-09-17 A method and apparatus for harnessing wave energy
GB9820150.2 1998-09-17
GBGB9824709.1A GB9824709D0 (en) 1998-09-17 1998-11-12 A method and apparatus for harnessing wave energy
GB9824709.1 1998-11-12

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2000017518A1 true WO2000017518A1 (fr) 2000-03-30

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ID=26314378

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1999/002931 WO2000017518A1 (fr) 1998-09-17 1999-09-03 Dispositif d'exploitation d'energie de vagues

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU5640899A (fr)
GB (1) GB2341645B (fr)
WO (1) WO2000017518A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003078831A1 (fr) * 2002-03-16 2003-09-25 Capcis Limited Transformateur d'energie des vagues submerge
CN102042155A (zh) * 2009-10-23 2011-05-04 许仁记 海浪发电装置
US20120032444A1 (en) * 2010-08-06 2012-02-09 John Alan Burton Wave Catcher

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2006102694A1 (fr) * 2005-04-01 2006-10-05 Jianfeng Su Convertisseur d'energie de vagues
PT105681A (pt) * 2011-05-08 2012-11-08 Jose Paulo Pereira De Gouveia Lopes De Almeida Gerador hidroeléctrico diferencial a energia das ondas
CN102926919B (zh) * 2012-11-27 2016-01-27 黎日帝 一种海豚式波浪能发电装置及其船
ES2724326T3 (es) 2013-11-12 2019-09-10 Univ De Coimbra Arrecife artificial de protección costera con unidad de generación de energía con o sin contacto directo con agua de mar
WO2015192258A1 (fr) * 2014-06-18 2015-12-23 Etymol Ocean Power Spa Appareil autonome sous-marin permettant d'utiliser l'énergie des vagues

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2239602A1 (en) * 1974-05-14 1975-02-28 Laborie Eugene Sea wave energy extraction system - waves establish difference in level between two valved tanks
FR2289763A1 (fr) * 1974-10-31 1976-05-28 Bertin & Cie Systeme utilisant la houle pour la production d'energie
GB1522661A (en) * 1974-07-04 1978-08-23 Budal K System for the conversion of sea wave energy
US4141670A (en) 1976-06-09 1979-02-27 The Secretary of State for Energy, in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kindgom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Device for extracting energy from water waves
GB2005358A (en) * 1977-10-03 1979-04-19 Hawes R A Utilising wave energy
GB2036189A (en) 1978-11-03 1980-06-25 Inst Za Yadreni Izsledvaniya I Energy converter for extracting energy from sea waves (and the like)
GB2050522A (en) * 1979-04-24 1981-01-07 Vickers Ltd Apparatus for Extracting Energy from Waves
FR2459379A1 (fr) * 1979-06-14 1981-01-09 Francois Paul Dispositif permettant de capter l'energie des vagues
JPS6185586A (ja) * 1984-10-01 1986-05-01 Mitsui Eng & Shipbuild Co Ltd 波力変換装置
US5179837A (en) * 1991-04-02 1993-01-19 Sieber J D Wave powered energy generator

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
PT68889A (en) * 1978-12-07 1979-01-01 Antonio Monteiro Alves Dos San Ondocynetic teledynamic central

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2239602A1 (en) * 1974-05-14 1975-02-28 Laborie Eugene Sea wave energy extraction system - waves establish difference in level between two valved tanks
GB1522661A (en) * 1974-07-04 1978-08-23 Budal K System for the conversion of sea wave energy
FR2289763A1 (fr) * 1974-10-31 1976-05-28 Bertin & Cie Systeme utilisant la houle pour la production d'energie
US4141670A (en) 1976-06-09 1979-02-27 The Secretary of State for Energy, in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kindgom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Device for extracting energy from water waves
GB2005358A (en) * 1977-10-03 1979-04-19 Hawes R A Utilising wave energy
GB2036189A (en) 1978-11-03 1980-06-25 Inst Za Yadreni Izsledvaniya I Energy converter for extracting energy from sea waves (and the like)
GB2050522A (en) * 1979-04-24 1981-01-07 Vickers Ltd Apparatus for Extracting Energy from Waves
FR2459379A1 (fr) * 1979-06-14 1981-01-09 Francois Paul Dispositif permettant de capter l'energie des vagues
JPS6185586A (ja) * 1984-10-01 1986-05-01 Mitsui Eng & Shipbuild Co Ltd 波力変換装置
US5179837A (en) * 1991-04-02 1993-01-19 Sieber J D Wave powered energy generator

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 010, no. 261 (M - 514) 5 September 1986 (1986-09-05) *

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003078831A1 (fr) * 2002-03-16 2003-09-25 Capcis Limited Transformateur d'energie des vagues submerge
GB2401155A (en) * 2002-03-16 2004-11-03 Capcis Ltd Submerged wave energy transformer
CN102042155A (zh) * 2009-10-23 2011-05-04 许仁记 海浪发电装置
US20120032444A1 (en) * 2010-08-06 2012-02-09 John Alan Burton Wave Catcher

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU5640899A (en) 2000-04-10
GB2341645B (en) 2002-10-16
GB2341645A (en) 2000-03-22
GB9920714D0 (en) 1999-11-03

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