WO2006053843A1 - Apparatus for converting energy from the wave motion of the sea - Google Patents

Apparatus for converting energy from the wave motion of the sea Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006053843A1
WO2006053843A1 PCT/EP2005/055798 EP2005055798W WO2006053843A1 WO 2006053843 A1 WO2006053843 A1 WO 2006053843A1 EP 2005055798 W EP2005055798 W EP 2005055798W WO 2006053843 A1 WO2006053843 A1 WO 2006053843A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cylinder
piston
way valve
delivery duct
sea
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2005/055798
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Dante Ferrari
Original Assignee
Dante Ferrari
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Dante Ferrari filed Critical Dante Ferrari
Publication of WO2006053843A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006053843A1/en

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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
    • F03B13/16—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 relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem"
    • F03B13/18—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 relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem" where the other member, i.e. rem is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore
    • F03B13/1845—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 relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem" where the other member, i.e. rem is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore and the wom slides relative to the rem
    • F03B13/187—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 relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem" where the other member, i.e. rem is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore and the wom slides relative to the rem and the wom directly actuates the piston of a pump
    • 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
    • F03B13/16—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 relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem"
    • F03B13/18—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 relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem" where the other member, i.e. rem is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore
    • F03B13/1885—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 relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem" where the other member, i.e. rem is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore and the wom is tied to the rem
    • F03B13/189—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 relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem" where the other member, i.e. rem is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore and the wom is tied to the rem acting directly on the piston of a pump
    • 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 converting energy from the wave motion of the sea.
  • sea waves can be exploited as a source of clean and renewable energy in order to generate electric power.
  • Patents and publications are also known which relate to apparatuses used for this purpose which are provided with a set of pumping units constituted by a vertical cylinder which is rigidly anchored to the seabed and inside which a heavy piston slides, said piston being connected, by means of a chain or the like, to a buoy which floats on the free surface of the sea.
  • the length of the cylinder is generally sized according to the maximum height variation of the free surface of the water produced by wave motion related to the region in which the apparatus is installed.
  • the cylinder can be fixed to a submerged base structure provided on the seabed or can be buried into the seabed.
  • the pumping units provide a one-way intake valve, which allows the one-way flow of the water toward the inside of the cylinder but not in the opposite direction, and a one-way discharge valve, which allows the one ⁇ way flow of the water toward the outside of the cylinder but not in the opposite direction, such valves being associated with respective openings provided in the lower part of the cylinder.
  • the operating cycle of the pumping units is as follows: when the level of the water rises, the floating buoy draws upward the piston, drawing water into the cylinder through the intake valve; then, when the free surface of the water moves downward, the piston's own weight tends to make it slide downward by gravity, pumping the water through the discharge valve. Accordingly, the water in output from the cylinder is conveyed toward one or more submerged turbines, or toward a dam and from there is left to flow by gravity towards turbines in order to generate electric power by means of a conventional alternator.
  • the aim of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks of the background art, by providing an apparatus for converting energy from the wave motion of the sea which has a higher productivity than conventional apparatuses in addition to being particularly tough and durable over time.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which is simple, relatively easy to provide in practice, safe in use, effective in operation, and has a relatively low cost.
  • the present apparatus for converting energy from the wave motion of the sea which comprises at least one unit for pumping a working fluid toward a delivery duct, said unit comprising at least one cylinder provided with a lower end which can be associated with the seabed and with an upper end which is arranged opposite said lower end and in which there is at least one intake opening and one discharge opening for said working fluid, said intake opening and discharge opening being functionally associated with a first one-way valve and with a second one- way valve respectively, a piston which can slide within said cylinder, and at least one floating body, which is arranged at the free surface of the sea and is associated with said piston, characterized in that said first and second openings are obtained at said upper end of the cylinder.
  • the present unit for pumping a working fluid toward a delivery duct for converting energy from the wave motion of the sea which comprises at least one cylinder provided with a lower end which can be associated with the seabed and an upper end which lies opposite said lower end, on which there is at least one inlet opening and at least one discharge opening for the working fluid, said openings being functionally associated with first and second one-way valves, respectively, a piston which can slide within said cylinder, and at least one floating body, which is arranged at the free surface of the sea and is associated with said piston, characterized in that said first and second openings are formed at said upper end of the cylinder.
  • Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a first embodiment of the pumping unit provided by the apparatus according to the invention
  • Figure 2 is a side elevation view of a plurality of pumping units of Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is a schematic and partial axonometric view of the apparatus according to the invention provided with the pumping units of Figure 1;
  • Figure 4 is a side elevation view of a second embodiment of the pumping unit provided by the apparatus according to the invention.
  • the reference numeral 1 generally designates an apparatus for converting energy from the wave motion of the sea which comprises a plurality of pumping units 2, submerged below sea level and suitable to propel a working fluid into a delivery duct 3.
  • the working fluid can be conveyed toward one or more turbines located on land (proximate to the coast), which are connected to an alternator, which utilizes its motion to generate electric power, said turbines not being shown in the figures.
  • Such turbines for example, can be of the Pelton type with five or more jets and can be mounted along the delivery duct 3; in such circumstances, if there are substantial variations in the flow-rate of the fluid, the turbines can run continuously and uniformly by changing the number of jets in operation.
  • the delivery duct 3 can be connected to a collection dam, which regulates the gravity outflow of the working fluid toward the turbines.
  • Each unit 2 comprises a cylinder 4, which is provided with a lower end 4a associated with the seabed F and an upper end 4b which lies opposite the lower end 4a, a piston 5 which can slide snugly within the cylinder 4, and a floating body 6, which is arranged at the free surface of the sea and is associated with the piston 5 by means of a chain 7.
  • the units 2 are divided into pairs, which are distributed along the various portions of the delivery duct 3; the units 2 of each pair are arranged on opposite sides of the delivery duct 3 and share a same concrete base structure 9 which is anchored to the seabed F, above which the cylinders 4 are associated by interposing articulated connection means 10.
  • the articulated connection means 10 are of the type of a spherical joint, which in practice allows the cylinders 4 to tilt with respect to the vertical and follow the movements of the floating body 6 caused by the cyclic occurrence of wave motion;
  • the spherical joint is formed by a double cylindrical hinge, which can rotate about two horizontal and mutually perpendicular pivots 11, only one of which is visible in Figures 1 and 2.
  • the cylinders 4 comprise an intake opening 12 and a discharge opening 13 for the working fluid, which are arranged at the upper end 4b and are functionally associated with a first one-way valve 14 and with a second one-way valve 15 respectively.
  • the intake opening 12 of the cylinders 4 is connected directly to the sea and the working fluid processed in the units 2 is sea water, which after passing through the turbines to generate electric power is discharged back into the sea.
  • the first one-way valve 14 is mounted on the cylinder 4 at the intake opening 12.
  • the discharge opening 13 instead is connected to the delivery duct 3 by means of a flexible tube 16, inside which the second one-way valve 15 is associated at the intersection with the duct.
  • the units 2 comprise elastic return means 8, which are interposed between the cylinders 4 and the pistons 5 and are adapted to draw downward the pistons 5 in contrast with the action of the floating bodies 6, which instead tend to lift them;
  • elastic means are constituted by a spring, which is arranged inside each cylinder 4 and whose opposite ends are rigidly connected respectively to the lower face of the piston 5 and to the lower end
  • the apparatus 1 instead provides for recirculation, in a substantially closed hydraulic circuit, of a working fluid such as for example distilled water or otherwise processed water, which after leaving the turbines can be returned into the cylinders 4 along a return duct 17.
  • a working fluid such as for example distilled water or otherwise processed water
  • the intake opening 12 and the discharge opening 13 of each unit 2 mutually coincide and consist of a same aperture provided in the cylinder 4, which can be crossed alternately by the working fluid first in input and then in output.
  • Such aperture is connected to the delivery duct 3 and to the return duct 17 by interposing a tube which is flexible and provided with a first portion 18a, which protrudes from the openings 12, 13 and splits into two second portions 18b for connection to the respective ducts 3 and 17.
  • the first and second one-way valves 14 and 15 are associated with the second connecting portions 18b respectively at the intersection with the return duct 17 and with the delivery duct 3, so that the first valve allows the passage of the working fluid from the return duct 17 toward the first portion 18a but not vice versa, while the second valve allows the outflow of the fluid from the cylinder 4 toward the delivery duct 3 but not the reverse.
  • the floating bodies 6 are formed by elongated elements, the ends of each of which are anchored, by means of the chains 7, to the pistons 5 of two pairs of mutually adjacent units 2.
  • the base structures 9 are anchored to the seabed F so that the floating bodies 6 are parallel to the sea waves, i.e., perpendicular to their direction of propagation, so that wave motion strikes the largest possible surface thereof.
  • the described invention achieves the intended aim and object and in particular the fact is stressed that the step for pumping the water toward the turbines coincides with the lifting of the piston induced by wave motion and not, as in known systems, with the step for downward return thereof.
  • the traction force applied by the floating body is proportional to its volume and therefore can reach particularly high levels and so can, therefore, the pressure of the water inside the cylinder.

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  • 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

An apparatus (1) for converting energy from the wave motion of the sea, which comprises a plurality of units (2) for pumping a working fluid toward a delivery duct (3), each unit (2) comprising a cylinder (4) provided with a lower end (4a) which can be associated with the seabed (F) and with an upper end (4b) at which there is an intake opening (12) and a discharge opening (13) for the working fluid, the openings being functionally associated with a first one-way valve (14) and with a second one-way valve (15) respectively, a piston (5) which can slide within the cylinder (4), and a floating body (6), which is arranged at the free surface of the sea and is associated with the piston (5).

Description

APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING ENERGY FROM THE WAVE MOTION OF THE SEA Technical Field
The present invention relates to an apparatus for converting energy from the wave motion of the sea. Background Art
It is known that sea waves can be exploited as a source of clean and renewable energy in order to generate electric power.
Patents and publications are also known which relate to apparatuses used for this purpose which are provided with a set of pumping units constituted by a vertical cylinder which is rigidly anchored to the seabed and inside which a heavy piston slides, said piston being connected, by means of a chain or the like, to a buoy which floats on the free surface of the sea. The length of the cylinder is generally sized according to the maximum height variation of the free surface of the water produced by wave motion related to the region in which the apparatus is installed.
The cylinder can be fixed to a submerged base structure provided on the seabed or can be buried into the seabed. The pumping units provide a one-way intake valve, which allows the one-way flow of the water toward the inside of the cylinder but not in the opposite direction, and a one-way discharge valve, which allows the one¬ way flow of the water toward the outside of the cylinder but not in the opposite direction, such valves being associated with respective openings provided in the lower part of the cylinder.
The operating cycle of the pumping units is as follows: when the level of the water rises, the floating buoy draws upward the piston, drawing water into the cylinder through the intake valve; then, when the free surface of the water moves downward, the piston's own weight tends to make it slide downward by gravity, pumping the water through the discharge valve. Accordingly, the water in output from the cylinder is conveyed toward one or more submerged turbines, or toward a dam and from there is left to flow by gravity towards turbines in order to generate electric power by means of a conventional alternator. However, these apparatuses are not free from drawbacks, including the fact that they utilize the piston's own weight to compress the seawater to be sent to the turbines, and this weight, despite being considerable, allows to apply to the liquid a pressure which is not always sufficient to utilize commercially its conversion into electric power provided by the turbines. Due to buoyancy, the piston, by being immersed in the water, in fact receives an upward thrust which reduces its liquid pumping action.
Another drawback of the apparatuses described above is that when a wave passes, the floating buoy is moved not only vertically but also horizontally, applying a lateral force to the cylinder which is rigidly fixed to the seabed, with the risk that the cylinder might bend and be damaged more or less considerably. Disclosure of the Invention
The aim of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks of the background art, by providing an apparatus for converting energy from the wave motion of the sea which has a higher productivity than conventional apparatuses in addition to being particularly tough and durable over time.
Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which is simple, relatively easy to provide in practice, safe in use, effective in operation, and has a relatively low cost.
This aim and this and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by the present apparatus for converting energy from the wave motion of the sea, which comprises at least one unit for pumping a working fluid toward a delivery duct, said unit comprising at least one cylinder provided with a lower end which can be associated with the seabed and with an upper end which is arranged opposite said lower end and in which there is at least one intake opening and one discharge opening for said working fluid, said intake opening and discharge opening being functionally associated with a first one-way valve and with a second one- way valve respectively, a piston which can slide within said cylinder, and at least one floating body, which is arranged at the free surface of the sea and is associated with said piston, characterized in that said first and second openings are obtained at said upper end of the cylinder.
This aim and this object are also achieved by the present unit for pumping a working fluid toward a delivery duct for converting energy from the wave motion of the sea, which comprises at least one cylinder provided with a lower end which can be associated with the seabed and an upper end which lies opposite said lower end, on which there is at least one inlet opening and at least one discharge opening for the working fluid, said openings being functionally associated with first and second one-way valves, respectively, a piston which can slide within said cylinder, and at least one floating body, which is arranged at the free surface of the sea and is associated with said piston, characterized in that said first and second openings are formed at said upper end of the cylinder. Brief Description of the Drawings
Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of an apparatus for converting energy from the wave motion of the sea, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a first embodiment of the pumping unit provided by the apparatus according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a side elevation view of a plurality of pumping units of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic and partial axonometric view of the apparatus according to the invention provided with the pumping units of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a side elevation view of a second embodiment of the pumping unit provided by the apparatus according to the invention. Ways of Carrying out the Invention With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates an apparatus for converting energy from the wave motion of the sea which comprises a plurality of pumping units 2, submerged below sea level and suitable to propel a working fluid into a delivery duct 3.
Through the delivery duct 3, the working fluid can be conveyed toward one or more turbines located on land (proximate to the coast), which are connected to an alternator, which utilizes its motion to generate electric power, said turbines not being shown in the figures.
Such turbines, for example, can be of the Pelton type with five or more jets and can be mounted along the delivery duct 3; in such circumstances, if there are substantial variations in the flow-rate of the fluid, the turbines can run continuously and uniformly by changing the number of jets in operation.
As an alternative, the delivery duct 3 can be connected to a collection dam, which regulates the gravity outflow of the working fluid toward the turbines.
Each unit 2 comprises a cylinder 4, which is provided with a lower end 4a associated with the seabed F and an upper end 4b which lies opposite the lower end 4a, a piston 5 which can slide snugly within the cylinder 4, and a floating body 6, which is arranged at the free surface of the sea and is associated with the piston 5 by means of a chain 7.
Advantageously, the units 2 are divided into pairs, which are distributed along the various portions of the delivery duct 3; the units 2 of each pair are arranged on opposite sides of the delivery duct 3 and share a same concrete base structure 9 which is anchored to the seabed F, above which the cylinders 4 are associated by interposing articulated connection means 10.
Preferably, the articulated connection means 10 are of the type of a spherical joint, which in practice allows the cylinders 4 to tilt with respect to the vertical and follow the movements of the floating body 6 caused by the cyclic occurrence of wave motion; the spherical joint is formed by a double cylindrical hinge, which can rotate about two horizontal and mutually perpendicular pivots 11, only one of which is visible in Figures 1 and 2.
The cylinders 4 comprise an intake opening 12 and a discharge opening 13 for the working fluid, which are arranged at the upper end 4b and are functionally associated with a first one-way valve 14 and with a second one-way valve 15 respectively.
In a first embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the intake opening 12 of the cylinders 4 is connected directly to the sea and the working fluid processed in the units 2 is sea water, which after passing through the turbines to generate electric power is discharged back into the sea.
In this first embodiment, the first one-way valve 14 is mounted on the cylinder 4 at the intake opening 12.
The discharge opening 13 instead is connected to the delivery duct 3 by means of a flexible tube 16, inside which the second one-way valve 15 is associated at the intersection with the duct.
Such flexible tube in practice allows to connect the cylinder 4 to the delivery duct 3 regardless of the movements of said cylinder about the fulcrum of the articulated connection means 10. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the units 2 comprise elastic return means 8, which are interposed between the cylinders 4 and the pistons 5 and are adapted to draw downward the pistons 5 in contrast with the action of the floating bodies 6, which instead tend to lift them; conveniently, such elastic means are constituted by a spring, which is arranged inside each cylinder 4 and whose opposite ends are rigidly connected respectively to the lower face of the piston 5 and to the lower end
4a of said cylinder.
In a second embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figure 4, the apparatus 1 instead provides for recirculation, in a substantially closed hydraulic circuit, of a working fluid such as for example distilled water or otherwise processed water, which after leaving the turbines can be returned into the cylinders 4 along a return duct 17.
In this second embodiment, the intake opening 12 and the discharge opening 13 of each unit 2 mutually coincide and consist of a same aperture provided in the cylinder 4, which can be crossed alternately by the working fluid first in input and then in output.
Such aperture is connected to the delivery duct 3 and to the return duct 17 by interposing a tube which is flexible and provided with a first portion 18a, which protrudes from the openings 12, 13 and splits into two second portions 18b for connection to the respective ducts 3 and 17.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the first and second one-way valves 14 and 15 are associated with the second connecting portions 18b respectively at the intersection with the return duct 17 and with the delivery duct 3, so that the first valve allows the passage of the working fluid from the return duct 17 toward the first portion 18a but not vice versa, while the second valve allows the outflow of the fluid from the cylinder 4 toward the delivery duct 3 but not the reverse.
In this embodiment, inside the cylinders 4 there are no means for returning the piston 5, such as the springs 8 described above. During the wave thrust step, the working fluid is in fact conveyed into the turbines by means of the delivery duct 3 and exits from them with a certain level of residual pressure which, during the wave stagnation step, allows the fluid to return into the cylinders 4 through the second one-way valve 14 and push the pistons 5 into the original positions. In both embodiments of the invention described above, the floating bodies 6 are formed by elongated elements, the ends of each of which are anchored, by means of the chains 7, to the pistons 5 of two pairs of mutually adjacent units 2.
Preferably, in the apparatus 1 the base structures 9 are anchored to the seabed F so that the floating bodies 6 are parallel to the sea waves, i.e., perpendicular to their direction of propagation, so that wave motion strikes the largest possible surface thereof.
In practice it has been found that the described invention achieves the intended aim and object and in particular the fact is stressed that the step for pumping the water toward the turbines coincides with the lifting of the piston induced by wave motion and not, as in known systems, with the step for downward return thereof.
In this regard, it is noted that the traction force applied by the floating body is proportional to its volume and therefore can reach particularly high levels and so can, therefore, the pressure of the water inside the cylinder.
Moreover, the particular solution of using articulated connection means allows the cylinder to tilt with respect to the vertical, avoiding the onset of lateral thrusts produced by horizontal movements of the floating body, which might in some way compromise its integrity. The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.
All the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements. Li practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to requirements without thereby abandoning the scope of the protection of the appended claims.
The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. MO2004A000300 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. An apparatus for converting energy from the wave motion of the sea, comprising at least one unit for pumping a working fluid toward a delivery duct, said unit comprising at least one cylinder provided with a lower end which can be associated with the seabed and with an upper end which is arranged opposite said lower end and in which there is at least one intake opening and one discharge opening for said working fluid, said intake opening and discharge opening being functionally associated with a first one-way valve and with a second one-way valve respectively, a piston which can slide within said cylinder, and at least one floating body, which is arranged at the free surface of the sea and is associated with said piston, characterized in that said first and second openings are obtained at said upper end of the cylinder.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said pumping unit comprises elastic return means which are substantially interposed between said piston and said cylinder and are adapted to draw downward said piston in contrast with the action of said floating body.
3. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastic return means comprise at least one spring, which is arranged within said cylinder and whose opposite ends are associated respectively with the lower face of said piston and with the lower end of said cylinder.
4. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said pumping unit comprises at least one base structure, which is associated with the seabed and above which said cylinder is associated by means of the interposition of articulated connection means.
5. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said base structure is substantially made of concrete.
6. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said articulated connection means are of the type with a spherical joint.
7. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said articulated connection means comprise a double cylindrical hinge.
8. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said intake opening is connected to the sea, said working fluid being seawater.
9. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first one-way valve is associated with said cylinder at said intake opening.
10. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said discharge opening is connected to said delivery duct by means of the interposition of at least one tube of a substantially flexible type.
11. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second one-way valve is associated with said tube at the intersection with said delivery duct.
12. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said intake opening and said discharge opening substantially coincide with each other and are connected to said delivery duct and to a duct for the return of the working fluid by interposition of at least one tube of a substantially flexible type, which is provided with a portion which protrudes from said openings and splits into two portions for connection to the respective ducts.
13. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first one-way valve is associated with one of said connecting portions at the intersection with said return duct.
14. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second one-way valve is associated with one of said connecting portions at the intersection with said delivery duct.
15. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said floating body is associated with said piston by interposition of a chain or the like.
16. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one pair of said pumping units, arranged on opposite sides of said delivery duct.
17. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pumping units of said pair share the same base structure.
18. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of said pairs distributed along said delivery duct.
19. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said floating bodies are constituted by elongated elements, the ends of each of which are associated with the pistons of two of said mutually adjacent pairs.
20. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elongated elements are substantially perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the sea waves.
21. A unit for pumping a working fluid toward a delivery duct for converting energy from the wave motion of the sea, comprising at least one cylinder provided with a lower end which can be associated with the seabed and an upper end which lies opposite said lower end and on which there is at least one intake opening and at least one discharge opening for said working fluid, which are functionally associated with a first one-way valve and with a second one-way valve respectively, a piston which can slide within said cylinder, and at least one floating body, which is arranged at the free surface of the sea and is associated with said piston, characterized in that said first and second openings are formed at said upper end of the cylinder.
22. The unit according to claim 21, characterized in that it comprises elastic return means, which are interposed substantially between said piston and said cylinder and are adapted to draw downward said piston in contrast with the action of said floating body.
23. The unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elastic return means comprise at least one spring, which is arranged within said cylinder and whose opposite ends are associated respectively with the lower face of said piston and with the lower end of said cylinder.
24. The unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one base structure, which is associated with the seabed and above which said cylinder is associated by interposing articulated connection means.
25. The unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said base structure is substantially made of concrete.
26. The unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said articulated connection means are of the type with a spherical joint.
27. The unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said articulated connection means comprise a double cylindrical hinge.
28. The unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said intake opening is connected to the sea, said working fluid being seawater.
29. The unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first one-way valve is associated with said cylinder at said intake opening.
30. The unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said discharge opening is connected to said delivery duct by interposing at least one tube of a substantially flexible type.
31. The unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second one-way valve is associated with said flexible tube at the intersection with said delivery duct.
32. The unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said intake opening and said discharge opening substantially coincide and are connected to said delivery duct and to a duct for the return of the working fluid by interposition of at least one substantially flexible tube, provided with a portion which protrudes from said openings and splits into two portions for connection to the respective ducts.
33. The unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first one-way valve is associated with one of said connecting portions at the intersection with said return duct.
34. The unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second one-way valve is associated with one of said connecting portions at the intersection with said delivery duct.
35. The unit according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said floating body is associated with said piston by interposing a chain or the like.
PCT/EP2005/055798 2004-11-19 2005-11-07 Apparatus for converting energy from the wave motion of the sea WO2006053843A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT000300A ITMO20040300A1 (en) 2004-11-19 2004-11-19 PLANT FOR ENERGY CONVERSION FROM THE SEA MOTO MOTION.
ITMO2004A000300 2004-11-19

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2006053843A1 true WO2006053843A1 (en) 2006-05-26

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WO (1) WO2006053843A1 (en)

Cited By (6)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2428747A (en) * 2005-08-02 2007-02-07 Seawood Designs Inc Wave energy system with float moored by single hydraulic cylinder
GB2445951A (en) * 2007-01-25 2008-07-30 Alvin Smith Height adjustable wave powered pump
GB2473223A (en) * 2007-01-25 2011-03-09 Dartmouth Wave Energy Ltd Height adjustable wave powered pump
ITPD20090286A1 (en) * 2009-09-30 2011-04-01 Informatica Professionale S R L DESALINIZATION SYSTEM
CN109477452A (en) * 2016-06-13 2019-03-15 诺维奇股份公司 Equipment for collecting energy from wave
NO343666B1 (en) * 2017-11-20 2019-04-29 Frode Reppe Tidal powered seawater pump

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US4326840A (en) * 1980-03-10 1982-04-27 University Of Delaware Wave driven pump
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CA2099964A1 (en) * 1993-07-06 1995-01-07 Paul J. G. Tremblay Surface wave driven generator
FR2800423A1 (en) * 1999-10-27 2001-05-04 Jean Marc Albert Janody Wave energy pump has float on air/water surface which is connected by a piston rod to a spring return piston in a submerged cylinder with non return valves mounted on the bottom of the water
US6392314B1 (en) * 1997-12-03 2002-05-21 William Dick Wave energy converter

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US3126830A (en) * 1964-03-31 dilliner
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US2109173A (en) * 1937-02-16 1938-02-22 E M Blackwood Wave motor
US4076463A (en) * 1976-10-26 1978-02-28 Mordechai Welczer Wave motor
GB2033488A (en) * 1978-07-19 1980-05-21 Sea Energy Associates Ltd Wave powered energy generator
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FR2800423A1 (en) * 1999-10-27 2001-05-04 Jean Marc Albert Janody Wave energy pump has float on air/water surface which is connected by a piston rod to a spring return piston in a submerged cylinder with non return valves mounted on the bottom of the water

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2428747A (en) * 2005-08-02 2007-02-07 Seawood Designs Inc Wave energy system with float moored by single hydraulic cylinder
GB2428747B (en) * 2005-08-02 2009-10-21 Seawood Designs Inc Wave energy conversion system
GB2445951A (en) * 2007-01-25 2008-07-30 Alvin Smith Height adjustable wave powered pump
GB2445951B (en) * 2007-01-25 2008-12-17 Alvin Smith Hydro column
GB2473223A (en) * 2007-01-25 2011-03-09 Dartmouth Wave Energy Ltd Height adjustable wave powered pump
US8308449B2 (en) 2007-01-25 2012-11-13 Dartmouth Wave Energy Limited Wave energy converter
US8628303B2 (en) 2007-01-25 2014-01-14 Dartmouth Wave Energy Limited Wave energy converter
ITPD20090286A1 (en) * 2009-09-30 2011-04-01 Informatica Professionale S R L DESALINIZATION SYSTEM
CN109477452A (en) * 2016-06-13 2019-03-15 诺维奇股份公司 Equipment for collecting energy from wave
NO343666B1 (en) * 2017-11-20 2019-04-29 Frode Reppe Tidal powered seawater pump
NO20171846A1 (en) * 2017-11-20 2019-04-29 Frode Reppe Tide-driven seawater pump

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