WO2002036891A1

WO2002036891A1 - Energy generation apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2002036891A1
Application number: PCT/AU2001/001420
Authority: WO
Inventors: Basil Mafeking Broun
Original assignee: Basil Mafeking Broun
Priority date: 2000-11-06
Filing date: 2001-11-06
Publication date: 2002-05-10
Also published as: AUPR124500A0; AU2002214792A1

Abstract

Energy generation apparatus comprising at least one platform arranged to float on the surface of a body of water. At least one elongate member is pivotally secured adjacent a first end thereof to a platform and at a second end thereof to a remote article. Movement of the surface of the body of water causes pivotal movement of the elongate member about the platform which is used as a source of energy.

Description

"ENERGY GENERATION APPARATUS" BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to apparatus for the generation of energy by utilising the surface movement of ocean waters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided energy generation apparatus comprising at least one platform arranged to float on the surface of a body of water, at least one elongate member pivotally secured adjacent a first end thereof to the or each platform, the or each elongate member being secured at a second end thereof to an article remote from the platform wherein movement of the surface of the body of water causes the or each elongate member to pivot about the platform and the pivotal movement is used as a source of energy. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of energy generation apparatus in accordance with the present invention utilising two platforms; Figure 2 is a top view of energy generation apparatus in accordance with the present invention utilising a series of platforms;

Figure 3 is an end cross sectional view of a platform in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 4 is schematic top view of the platform of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a ram member of the energy generation apparatus.

Figure 6 is an alternative embodiment of energy generation apparatus in accordance with the present invention. Figure 7 is a top view of the energy generation apparatus of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a side cross sectional view of an alternative ram member of the energy generation apparatus; and

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 9 is a top cross sectional view of the ram member of Figure 8. Referring to Figure 1, there is shown an energy generation apparatus 10 including a plurality of platforms 12. In this embodiment there is provided a first platform 13 and a second platform 14. Each of the first and second platforms 13 and 14 are constructed such that they are sufficiently buoyant to float on the surface of the ocean. The first and second platforms 13 and 14 are each provided with a mounting portion 16 extending upwardly from an upper surface thereof. An elongate member 18 is pivotally secured adjacent a first end thereof to an upper end of the mounting portion 16 of the first platform 13. The elongate member 18 is also pivotally secured adjacent a second end thereof to an upper end of the mounting portion 16 of the second platform 14. Each of the first and second platforms 13 and 14 is also provided with a ram member 20. The ram member 20 comprises a cylinder 22 and a piston 25 slidable within the cylinder 22. The piston 25 is connected to a piston rod 24 which extends from the cylinder 22. The cylinder 22 is secured to the upper surface of the respective platform 13 or 14 underneath the elongate member 18. The piston rod 24 of each ram member 20 extends upwardly from the cylinder 22 and is secured at an upper end thereof to the elongate member 18 as can be seen in Figure 1.

The energy generation device 10 is oriented on the surface of the ocean such that the elongate member 18 is generally parallel to the direction of travel of the ocean swell. As the ocean swells pass the energy generation apparatus 10, the first and second platforms 13 and 14 alternate between a first position in which the second platform 14 is situated adjacent a peak of a swell and the first platform 13 is situated adjacent a trough and a second position in which the first platform 13 is situated adjacent a peak of a swell and the second platform 14 is situated adjacent a trough. In the first position described above (and shown in Figure 1), the elongate member 18 extends downwardly from the mounting portion 16 on the second platform 14 towards the first platform 13 and the piston 25 and piston rod 24 of the ram member 20 on the second platform 14 slide toward a retracted position within the cylinder 22. The degree to which the piston rod 24 is retracted within the cylinder 22 is dependent on the size of the ocean swell. In this first position, the elongate member 18 extends upwardly from the mounting portion 16 on the first platform 13 towards the second platform 14 and the piston rod 24 of the ram member 20 on the first platform 13 is extended from the cylinder 22. As the energy generation apparatus moves from the first position to the second position, the piston rod 24 on the second platform 14 is extended out of the cylinder 22 and the piston rod 24 on the first platform 13 is compressed into the cylinder 22. The ocean swells therefore causes reciprocal motion of the pistons 25 within the cylinders 22.

Figure 2 shows another embodiment of an energy generation apparatus 10 in which a series of platforms 12 are used. The platforms 12 are arranged linearly with an elongate member 18 extending between each adjacent pair of platforms 12. The arrangement of the series of platforms 12 is such that each platform 12 will move between a first position in which the platform 12 is located below the two adjacent platforms and a second position in which the platform is located above the two adjacent platforms.

Also, the platforms 12 are constructed to be of a particular weight as necessary. The weight of the platform 12 is adjusted to provide sufficient force on the ram member 20 as the platform falls down from the peak of the swell. Figures 3 and 4 shows an arrangement of a platform 12 of the type shown in Figure 2. The platform 12 includes a first elongate member 32 which extends in one direction from a mounting portion 16 (not shown) to an adjacent platform and a second elongate member 34 which extends in an opposing direction to another adjacent platform. A first ram member 36 is provided to connect between the first elongate member 32 and an upper surface of the platform 12 and a second ram member 38 is provided to connect between the second elongate member 34 and the upper surface of the platform 12. Each of the first and second ram members 36 and 38 includes a cylinder 22 and a piston 24 as described previously.

The platform 12 of Figure 3 is also provided with an upper deck 44 supported above the surface of the platform 12. The upper deck 44 is provided with a fluid reservoir 46, a fluid motor 48, an alternator 50 and a compensator tank 52. The fluid motor 48 and alternator 50 are located within a housing 54 on the upper deck 44. The cylinders 22 of each of the first and second ram members 36 and 38 are provided with a fluid intake 40 in communication with the fluid reservoir 46 and a fluid outlet 42 in fluid communication with the fluid motor 48 via the compensator tank 52. Each of the ram members 36 and 38 is further provided with inlet valves and outlet valves arranged to operate such that fluid is drawn in through the fluid intake 40 from the fluid reservoir 46 and forced out the fluid outlet 42 to the fluid motor 48 on the each stroke of the piston 24. Thus, as the pistons 24 move up and down within the cylinders 22 as described previously, fluid is drawn in the fluid intakes 40 from the fluid reservoir 46 and forced through the fluid motor 48 via the compensator tank 52 which acts to regulate the pressure of fluid to the fluid motor 48. The flow of fluid drives the fluid motor 48 and the fluid is then returned via suitable piping to the fluid reservoir 46. The output of the fluid motor 48 is used to drive the alternator 50 which generates electrical energy. The electrical energy provided by the alternator 50 is transmitted via cables 56 from the platform 12 to an onshore location.

Figure 5 shows a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a ram member 20. The piston 24 divides the cylinder 22 into a first volume 62 adjacent an upper end of the cylinder 22 and a second volume 64 adjacent a lower end of the cylinder 22. A first intake valve 58 is provided to control fluid flow from the fluid intake 40 to the first volume 62 and a second intake valve 59 is provided to control fluid flow from the fluid intake 40 to the second volume 64. A first outlet valve 60 is provided to control fluid flow to the fluid outlet 42 from the first volume 62 and a second outlet valve 61 is provided to control fluid flow to the fluid outlet 42 from the second volume 64. On the downward stroke of the piston 24, the first intake valve 58 is open, the second intake valve 59 is closed, the first outlet valve 60 is closed and the second outlet valve 61 is open. Thus fluid is drawn into the first volume 62 and forced out of the second volume 64. On the upward stroke of the piston 24, the first intake valve 58 is closed, the second intake valve 59 is open, the first outlet valve 60 is open and the second outlet valve 61 is closed. Thus fluid is drawn into the second volume 64 and forced out of the first volume 62. A constant flow of fluid to the fluid motor 48 is therefore obtained. Figures 6 and 7 show an alternative embodiment of energy generation apparatus 10 in accordance with the present invention, where like numerals denote like parts. The energy generation apparatus of Figures 6 and 7 includes a primary platform 70 and a plurality of secondary platforms 72. A first set of secondary platforms 72 are provided adjacent a first side of the primary platform 70 and a second set of secondary platforms 72 are provided adjacent a second opposed side of the primary platform 70. The primary platform 70 is arranged such that the first side of the primary platform faces the oncoming swell and the second side faces away from the oncoming swell. The primary platform 70 is provided with a plurality of mounting portions 16 corresponding to each secondary platform 72. Elongate members 18 are pivotally secured to each mounting portion 16 adjacent first ends thereof and pivotally secured adjacent second ends thereof to the respective secondary platform 72. First ram members 20 are provided between each elongate member 18 and the primary platform 70 in the same manner as for the previous embodiments. Also, the primary platform 70 is provided with tapered edges along the first and second sides as shown in Figure 6. The tapered edges allow swell or waves greater than a certain size to flow in part over the top of the primary platform 70. The secondary platforms 72 are also provided with similar tapered edges. Further, the housing 54 is provided within the primary platform 70 and is accessible through a door 74.

The elongate members 18 may also be pivotally secured to one or more of the mounting portions 16 at a point along the length of the elongate member 18 from the first end of the elongate member as shown in Figure 6. Further ram members 76 may then be provided between the elongate members 18 and the primary platform 70 at the first end of the elongate members 18. The further ram members 76 may be arranged to pump air to the housing 54 for cooling and/or heating. Figures 8 and 9 show a further embodiment of a ram member 20 arranged for pumping fluid. The ram member 20 includes a first volume 62 on one side of the piston 25 and a second volume 64 on the other side of the piston 25 as described previously. The first volume 62 is provided with a first port 80 the second volume 64 is provided with a second port 82. A manifold 84 is provided including a first manifold inlet 86 and a second manifold inlet 88. The manifold 84 is secured to the ram member 20 such that the first port 80 is in fluid communication with the first manifold inlet 86 and the second port 82 is in fluid communication with the second manifold inlet 88. The manifold 84 includes the fluid intake 40 and the fluid outlet 42. A pair of first biased ball valves 90 are provided between the fluid intake 40 and the first and second manifold inlets 86 and 88 respectively and a pair of second biased ball valves 92 are provided between the first and second manifold inlets 86 and 88 respectively and the fluid outlet 42. The ball valves 90 and 92 are arranged such that if either of the first or second volumes 62 or 64 is being reduced by the movement of the piston 25, causing fluid to flow into the respective first or second manifold inlet 86 or 88, the first ball valve 90 is moved to a closed position and the second ball valve 92 is moved to an open position to allow fluid to flow out from the fluid outlet 42. The ball valves 90 and 92 are also arranged such that when the first or second volumes 62 or 64 is being expanded by the movement of the piston 25, causing fluid to flow into the respective first or second manifold inlet 86 or 88, the first ball valve 90 is moved to an open position and the second ball valve 92 is moved to a closed position to allow fluid to flow in from the fluid intake 40. This allows fluid to be drawn in and pumped out by movement of the piston 25 in either direction. Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. Energy generation apparatus characterised by comprising at least one platform arranged to float on the surface of a body of water, at least one elongate member pivotally secured adjacent a first end thereof to the or each platform, the or each elongate member being secured at a second end thereof to an article remote from the platform wherein movement of the surface of the body of water causes the or each elongate member to pivot about the platform and the pivotal movement is used as a source of energy.

2. Energy generation apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterised that the or each elongate member is pivotally secured at the first end thereof to a mounting portion provided on a first platform and pivotally secured at the second end thereof to a mounting portion on a second platform.

3. Energy generation apparatus in accordance with claim 2, characterised that one or more ram members are provided, the or each ram member being secured between the elongate member and the platform adjacent the mounting portion.

4. Energy generation apparatus in accordance with claim 3, characterised that the ram member comprises a piston and piston rod connected to the elongate member and a cylinder connected to the platform, the pivotal movement of the elongate member relative to the platform causing reciprocation of the piston within the cylinder.

5. Energy generation apparatus in accordance with claim 4, characterised that the reciprocation of the piston within the cylinder is used to pump a fluid to a fluid motor, the fluid motor being used to drive an alternator.

6. Energy generation apparatus in accordance with claim 5 characterised that a fluid reservoir and a compensator tank are provided, the ram members being arranged to pump fluid from the fluid reservoir to the fluid motor via the compensator tank and the fluid then being returned to the fluid reservoir.

7. Energy generation apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterised that a series of platforms are provided, the series of platforms being arranged generally linearly, the elongate members extending between each adjacent pair of platforms.

8. Energy generation apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterised that a primary platform and a plurality of secondary platforms are provided, the elongate members being provided between each secondary platform and the primary platform.

9. Energy generation apparatus in accordance with claim 8, characterised that the secondary platforms are arranged in first and second sets, the first set of platforms being arranged adjacent a first side of the primary platform and the second set of platforms being arranged adjacent a second opposed side of the primary platform.

10. Energy generation in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterised that the or each platform includes an edge of tapered cross section, the tapered edge being arranged to allow waves or swell in the body of water to flow in part over an upper surface of the platform.

11. Energy generation apparatus in accordance with any one of claims 5 to 9, characterised that a housing is provided on the platform, the alternator and fluid motor being housed within the housing.

12. Energy generation apparatus in accordance with claim 11, characterised that an upper deck is provided on the platform, the housing being on the upper deck.

13. Energy generation apparatus in accordance with claim 11 , characterised that the housing is provided within the body of the platform.

14. Energy generation apparatus in accordance with any one of claims 4 to 13, characterised that the cylinder includes first and second volumes defined on opposite sides of the cylinder and first and second fluid intake valves between a fluid intake and the first and second fluid volumes respectively and first and second fluid outlet valves between a fluid outlet and the first and second fluid volumes respectively.

15. Energy generation apparatus in accordance with claim 14, characterised that the first intake valve and the second outlet valve and arranged to be open and the second intake valve and the first outlet valve and arranged to be closed when the piston is moving in a direction such that the first volume is expanding and the second volume is contracting and wherein the first intake valve and the second outlet valve and arranged to be closed and the second intake valve and the first outlet valve and arranged to be open when the piston is moving in a direction such that the first volume is contracting and the second volume is expanding, such that fluid is pumped from the fluid intake to the fluid outlet on both strokes of the piston.

16. Energy generation apparatus in accordance with claim 14, characterised that the first and second intake valves and the first and second outlet valves are biased ball valves arranged such that the first intake valve and the second outlet valve and arranged to move to an open position and the second intake valve and the first outlet valve are arranged to move to a closed position when the piston is moving in a direction such that the first volume is expanding and the second volume is contracting and wherein the first intake valve and the second outlet valve and arranged to move to a closed position and the second intake valve and the first outlet valve and arranged to move to an open position when the piston is moving in a direction such that the first volume is contracting and the second volume is expanding, such that fluid is pumped from the fluid intake to the fluid outlet on both strokes of the piston.

17. Energy generation apparatus in accordance with claim 16, characterised that a manifold is provided having first and second manifold inlets in fluid communication with respective first and second ports provided on the cylinder, the first and second ports being in fluid communication with the first and second volumes respectively and the first and second intake valves and first and second outlet valves being provided in the manifold.