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"
  • F03B13/20—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" wherein both members, i.e. wom and rem are movable relative to the sea bed or shore
• • 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
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
  • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
  • E02B9/00—Water-power plants; Layout, construction or equipment, methods of, or apparatus for, making same
  • E02B9/08—Tide or wave power plants
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
  • F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
  • F03B13/12—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy
  • 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
• • 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
  • F03B13/141—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 with a static energy collector
  • F03B13/144—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 with a static energy collector which lifts water above sea level
  • F03B13/145—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 with a static energy collector which lifts water above sea level for immediate use in an energy converter
• • 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"
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
  • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
  • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
  • E02B2017/0056—Platforms with supporting legs
  • E02B2017/0073—Details of sea bottom engaging footing
• • 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
  • F05B2230/00—Manufacture
  • F05B2230/60—Assembly methods
  • F05B2230/604—Assembly methods using positioning or alignment devices for aligning or centering, e.g. pins
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
  • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
  • F05B2240/00—Components
  • F05B2240/90—Mounting on supporting structures or systems
  • F05B2240/91—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a stationary structure
  • F05B2240/917—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a stationary structure attached to cables
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
  • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
  • F05B2240/00—Components
  • F05B2240/90—Mounting on supporting structures or systems
  • F05B2240/93—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a structure floating on a liquid surface
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
  • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
  • F05B2240/00—Components
  • F05B2240/90—Mounting on supporting structures or systems
  • F05B2240/97—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a submerged structure
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
  • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
  • F05B2260/00—Function
  • F05B2260/02—Transport, e.g. specific adaptations or devices for conveyance
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
  • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
  • F05B2260/00—Function
  • F05B2260/30—Retaining components in desired mutual position
• • 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 wave energy converters for converting ocean wave energy into electrical energy, and relates more particularly to a system and method for transporting, launching, mooring and retrieving a wave energy converter (WEC).
• WEC wave energy converter
• WECs are ideally deployed to hostile locations with large waves and therefore there may be significant safety and damage-control problems that need to be overcome during a WEC launch or retrieval.
• the present invention was developed with a view to providing a system and method for deploying and/or retrieving a WEC in a wide variety of sea-states and weather conditions without the use of commercial divers.
• a system for deploying a wave energy converter comprising: a submersible structure having a buoyancy chamber sufficiently large that when filled with gas it enables the submersible structure to float wherein, in use, a wave energy converter can be transported to a site on the submersible structure and launched by releasing the gas from the buoyancy chamber;
• a tethering means operatively coupled to the submersible structure for tethering the wave energy converter to the submersible structure; and, a docking station provided in connection with the submersible structure for mechanically coupling the wave energy converter to the submersible structure during transportation.
• the submersible structure is a barge structure having a plurality of buoyancy chambers provided therein.
• the barge structure has a plurality of tow points provided thereon to enable it to be coupled to a marine vessel for towing the barge structure out to sea.
• the barge structure preferably further comprises a ballast with sufficient mass to act as a clump weight mooring for the wave energy converter when the buoyancy chambers have been evacuated.
• the tethering means preferably comprises a plurality of tethers.
• the tethers are preferably used to connect the wave energy converter to the barge structure thus allowing the barge structure to act as a mooring means when it is submerged.
• the tethering means preferably further comprises a plurality of tether winding assemblies for winding the respective tethers during deployment or retrieval of the wave energy converter.
• Each tether winding assembly preferably comprises a spindle or winch on which a respective tether is wound. The spindle/winches are used to keep a specific tension on the tethers during the submersion and resurfacing of the barge structure.
• the docking station incorporates a guiding means that will facilitate automatic alignment of the wave energy converter to the docking position in the docking station.
• the guiding means comprises a plurality of projecting alignment guides which also act to inhibit horizontal movement of the wave energy converter in the docking position.
• a method of deploying a wave energy converter comprising the steps of: docking a wave energy converter in a docking station provided in connection with an upper surface of a submersible structure, the docking station mechanically coupling the wave energy converter to the submersible structure during transportation; tethering the wave energy converter to the submersible structure via a tethering means operatively coupled to the submersible structure; floating the submersible structure with the wave energy converter mounted thereon, the submersible structure having a buoyancy chamber sufficiently large that when filled with gas it enables the submersible structure to float; transporting the wave energy converter to a site for deployment by towing the submersible structure with the wave energy converter mounted thereon; and, launching the wave energy converter by releasing the gas from the buoyancy chamber so that the submersible structure submerges, and wherein the tethering means keeps the wave energy converter operatively coupled to the submersible structure during submersion.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a system for deploying a WEC
• Figure 2 is a partially transparent perspective view of a submersible barge structure employed in the system of Figure 1 ;
• FIG 3 is a close-up view of a preferred embodiment of a tethering means employed in the system of Figure 1 ;
• FIG 4 is a close-up view of the WEC and a preferred embodiment of the docking means provided on the system of Figure 1;
• Figure 5 illustrates the WEC being launched using the system of Figure 1.
• a preferred embodiment of a system for deploying a wave energy converter in accordance with the invention comprises a submersible structure in the form of a submersible barge structure 1.
• the barge structure 1 has a plurality of buoyancy chambers 3, with a combined capacity sufficiently large that when filled with gas they enable the barge structure 1 to float (see Figure 2).
• a wave energy converter (WEC) 5 can be mounted on the barge structure 1, transported to a site and launched by releasing the gas from the buoyancy chambers 3 and allowing them to fill with water.
• the WEC 5 is a basic buoy type WEC used for illustrative purposes. However the deployment system can also be used with other types of tethered wave energy converters.
• the barge structure 1 preferably further comprises a ballast 2 with sufficient mass to act as a clump weight mooring for the WEC 5 when the buoyancy chambers 3 have been evacuated.
• a ballast 2 with sufficient mass to act as a clump weight mooring for the WEC 5 when the buoyancy chambers 3 have been evacuated.
• Other mooring techniques may be used in conjunction with the clump weight to ensure the submerged barge 1 is anchored to the ocean floor; these may include sea anchors, pylons, and screw pylons.
• a plurality of tow points 4 are preferably provided on the barge structure 1 to enable it to be coupled to a marine vessel (not shown) for towing the barge structure 1 out to sea.
• the tow points 4 are located at the bow, stern, and sides of the barge structure 1 to allow for easy access to the required tow vectors.
• Inbuilt compressed gas tanks 13 are provided for refilling the buoyancy chambers 3.
• an air hose (not shown) may be provided for connection to an external air supply. These air supplies will be used to expel the water within the buoyancy chambers 3 when refloating of the barge structure 1 is desired.
• the system preferably further comprises a tethering means operatively coupled to the submersible barge structure 1 for tethering the WEC 5 to the barge structure 1.
• the tethering means of the illustrated embodiment comprises three tethers 6 (see Figures 3 and 5).
• the tethers 6 are used to connect the WEC 5 to the main barge structure 1 thus allowing the barge structure 1 to act as a mooring means when it is submerged.
• the tethers 6 also act as a means to attach the WEC 5 to the deck of the barge 1 when the barge is afloat.
• the tethering means further comprises three tether winding assemblies 9 for winding the respective tethers 6 during deployment or retrieval of the WEC 5.
• Each tether winding assembly 9 comprises a spindle/winch 7 on which a respective tether 6 is wound.
• the spindle/winches 7 are used to keep a specific tension on the tethers 6 during the submersion and resurfacing of the barge structure 1.
• a second purpose of the tether winches 7 is to rewind the tethers 6 around the circumference of the respective spindles, thus preventing the drifting of the WEC 5 away from the barge deck during surfacing.
• a third purpose for the tether winches 7 is to keep the tethers 6 from straying and becoming a tangle hazard.
• a respective prime mover 8 for example, a hydraulic motor, is provided for driving the respective tether spindle/winches 7.
• the deployment system preferably further comprises a docking station 10 provided in connection with an upper deck of the barge structure 1 for mechanically coupling the WEC 5 to the barge structure 1 during transportation.
• the WEC docking station 10 is a structure located on the barge's deck in which the WEC is located during transportation.
• the docking station 10 preferably prevents the WEC 5 from moving in a horizontal plane, whilst the tension applied to the WEC tethers will prevent motion in a vertical direction.
• the docking station 10 incorporates a guiding means that will facilitate an automatic alignment of the WEC 5 to the docking position in the WEC docking station 10.
• the guiding means comprises a plurality of projecting alignment guides 11 (See Figure 4) which also act to inhibit horizontal movement of the WEC 5 in the docking position as shown in Figure 4.
• the system also includes a control and communications system 12 operatively connected to the tether assemblies 9 and buoyancy air release and refill system.
• the control and communications system 12 will be used to ensure the submersion and ascension of the barge structure 1 in a controlled manner; limiting the barge structure tilt to within acceptable limits.
• the communications system 12 will be used to provide feedback to the launching ship as well as providing the means to act as a remote control receiver for the launching and retrieval ship to instigate the systems submersion and re- floatation.
• the WEC 5 is mounted on the deck of the submersible barge structure 1 in the docking station 10.
• the barge structure 1 can then be towed behind a boat or other marine vessel, and when the desired location is reached the excess buoyancy within the barge buoyancy chambers 3 is released.
• the filling of the buoyancy chambers 3 with water causes the barge to submerge.
• the WEC 5 remains connected to the barge 1 through the tethers 6, which are wrapped around the spindle/winches 7.
• the spindles 7 are unwound at a rate designed to keep a constant tension on the tether lines 6.
• the spindles 7 can be either locked down to fix the tether lengths, or a dynamic control mechanism can be applied to the spindles 7, which would continually adjust the length of the tethers 6 to achieve a specific result.
• the method of retrieval of the WEC 5 is the reverse of deployment.
• the barge 1 can be refloated through the refilling of the buoyancy tanks 3 with compressed gas/air, which would be controlled by remote means via the control and communications system 12.
• constant tension is applied to the tethers 6 through the spindles 7 via suitable means such as pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric prime movers attached to the spindles.
• the WEC may alternatively be tethered via a single tether to the barge.
• the WEC may alternatively be tethered via a single tether to the barge.
• the description and accompanying drawings of the preferred embodiment of the system there is only one WEC attached to the mooring system.
• it is a function of the system that there could be more than one mooring system attached to a single WEC or that there could be more than one WEC attached to a single mooring system.
• the scope of the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described.

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

Priority Applications (10)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=41161461

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (10)

Cited By (8)

Families Citing this family (4)

Citations (8)

Family Cites Families (8)

• 2009
  • 2009-04-09 CN CN2009801169796A patent/CN102027229A/zh active Pending
  • 2009-04-09 JP JP2011503308A patent/JP2011516779A/ja active Pending
  • 2009-04-09 MX MX2010011157A patent/MX2010011157A/es not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2009-04-09 KR KR1020107025040A patent/KR101734004B1/ko active IP Right Grant
  • 2009-04-09 EP EP09730284.8A patent/EP2281115A4/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2009-04-09 WO PCT/AU2009/000429 patent/WO2009124344A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2009-04-09 AU AU2009235944A patent/AU2009235944A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2009-04-10 TW TW098112072A patent/TWI509150B/zh not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2010
  • 2010-10-11 IL IL208628A patent/IL208628A0/en unknown
  • 2010-10-25 ZA ZA2010/07577A patent/ZA201007577B/en unknown

Patent Citations (8)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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