WO2011161688A2

WO2011161688A2 - A device to utilize energy intrinsic in water movements

Info

Publication number: WO2011161688A2
Application number: PCT/IN2010/000707
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ashish Kumar Deb
Original assignee: Ashish Kumar Deb
Priority date: 2010-06-22
Filing date: 2010-10-29
Publication date: 2011-12-29
Also published as: WO2011161688A3

Abstract

A device to utilize intrinsic energy of the water movements is disclosed. The device comprises a platform (1) to support at least one large body (2) adapted to be submerged in water. The large body (2) comprises a plurality of chambers (12) with a channel (4) provided between each pair of the chambers (12). At least one blade (5) is provided in each of said channel (4). A shaft (3) is secured with the platform (1) to support the large body (2), slidably thereon. Blade movement means (19) is provided to facilitate up and down movement of the blades (5). An electric power generator (10) is provided to receive rotational movement from the shaft (3). Control means is provided to control the blade movement means (19). Support means (11) secured with said platform (1) is provided to support the large body (2), rotatably and to provide up and down movement to the large body (2). An energy accumulator (6) is provided to provide uninterrupted uniform rotational movement to the electric power generator (10) (FIG. 2).

Description

A DEVICE TO UTILIZE ENERGY INTRINSIC IN WATER MOVEMENTS FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a device to utilize energy intrinsic in water movements in rivers, seas and oceans for example ocean currents, tidal currents and water waves in lakes, seas and oceans and water currents in rivers to generate electricity. The device may also be used in water purification industries as decanter, desalination of water and as screen centrifuge in various other industries.

STATE OF THE ART IN THE FIELD It is known to generate electricity by using turbines and / or windmills type devices immersed in sea water for tapping intrinsic energy in tidal currents. For tapping energy from waves air flow generated by upward and downward movement of sea / ocean waves is also utilized in some devices. In this process air column inside a converging truncated structure is pushed by pressure generated by upward and downward movement of water waves. In other method waves are made to rise and fill chambers and energy is tapped when water gushes out through an outlet. In some devices hollow bodies are made to rise and fall when . waves pass underneath and electricity is generated from this motion. There are disadvantages associated with the known devices. One of the main disadvantages is that these devices are costly and of very low efficiency. These devices therefore fail to address the requirement of the industry.

Another disadvantage is that known devices are not adjustable, as required in highly variable water movement of ocean environment, to tap the intrinsic energy of water movement.

Yet another disadvantage is that known devices are unable to withstand the abrupt increase in energy levels of water movement. Still another disadvantage is that known devices developed for tapping tidal / current energy of seas and oceans are unable to tap wave energy.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

Therefore the main object of the present invention is to propose a device which obviates the disadvantages associated with the prior art.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device to utilize intrinsic energy of the water movement of seas / oceans or rivers, for example, tide, water waves and currents, to generate electricity in all kinds of conditions of sea / ocean or river. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a device to utilize intrinsic energy of the water movement and which is cheap in cost but has high efficiency.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device which can be adjusted, in highly variable water environments, to tap the intrinsic energy of water movement.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device which can be adjusted to withstand the abrupt increase in energy levels of water movement so as to tap the intrinsic energy of the water movement.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a device which can be utilized to tap the intrinsic energy of the water movement, for example currents, tides and waves of sea, ocean, river and lakes

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a device to utilize intrinsic energy of the water movement comprising a platform to support at least one large body adapted to be submerged in water and having a plurality of chambers with a channel provided between each pair of the chambers, a shaft secured with the platform being provided to support the large body slidably, at least one blade being provided in each of said channel, blade movement means provided to facilitate up and down movement of the blades, an electric power generator provided to receive rotational movement from the shaft, control means being provided to control the blade movement means, support means secured with said platform provided to support the large body rotatably and to provide up and down movement to the large body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A device to utilize intrinsic energy of the water movement according to a preferred embodiment is herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein,

Fig. 1 illustrates front view of the device without energy accumulator

Fig. 2 illustrates perspective view of the device with energy accumulator Fig. 3 illustrates perspective view of the device according to an option with energy accumulator

Fig. 4 illustrates side view of the device

Fig. 5 illustrates top view of the large body with blades

Fig. 6 illustrates blade movement means Fig. 7 illustrates current conveying means

Fig. 8 illustrates telescopic cover

Fig. 9 illustrates large body with water energy concentrator Fig. 10 illustrates large body with dual water energy concentrators. Fig. 1 1 illustrates large body with blades above and below the large body. Fig. 12 illustrates side view of the device according to an embodiment A device to utilize intrinsic energy of the water movements for example, tides, water waves and currents in rivers, sea and oceans is described herein below with numerous specific details so as to provide a complete understanding of the invention. However these specific details are exemplary details and should not be treated as the; limitation to the scope of the invention. The invention may be performed with slight modifications.

A device to utilize intrinsic energy of the water movement comprises a platform 1 to support at least one large body 2 adapted to be submerged and floated in water for example river, sea or ocean water. The large body 2 may be any number depending upon the requirements of energy generation and space available. The large body 2 has a plurality of chambers 12 with a channel 4 provided between each pair of the chambers 2. A shaft 3 secured with the platform 1 is provided to support the large body 2 slidably so that large body 2 can move up and down depending upon the water level. The large body 2 is moved up and down to adjust the level of the large body 2 while immersed in water such that to receive maximum impact of water movement through the blades 5 in order to be rotated constantly and at a maximum speed. At least one blade 5 may be provided in each of said channel 4. The number of blades 5 according to an option may be in the range of two or more depending on the water movement conditions. Blade movement means 19 is provided to facilitate up and down movement of the blade 5. The blades 5 may be positioned in the respective channels 4 at an angle up to 45 degree from the vertical axis so to receive optimum impact of the water movement. In an embodiment, the channels 4 may be through channels 4 such that to accommodate a pair of blades 5 adapted to move in the opposite direction, simultaneously.

The large body 2 is made of strong, light in weight and non-corrosive material, such as, concrete, steel or plastic and is of cylindrical shape or any other shape such that to minimize resistance during rotation of the body in the water.

Referring to Fig.5, blades 5 are extended outwardly in half portion "A" of the large body 2 to obstruct the flow of water so as to utilize water energy in order to rotate the large body 2. The blades 5 provided in the other half portion "B" of the large body 2 are accommodated in the channels 4 so as to avoid obstruction to the flow of water on the other side of the large body 2 and thus to facilitate rotational movement of the large body 2 in one direction. The large body 2 may have guiding means 17 to guide and support up and down movement of the blades 5 in the channels 4.

The blade movement means 19 may be a motor 21 connected to a rack 28 and pinion 27 arrangements through a chain 26 and sprockets 22, 24 to move the rack 28 up and down so as to facilitate up and down movement of the blade 5. in an embodiment, the blade movement means 19 may be a motor 21 connected to a rack and pinion arrangement. In another embodiment, the blade movement means 19 may be a motor 21 connected to a pneumatic / hydraulic arrangement.

A control means to control the operation of the motor of the blade movement means comprises a computer controlled system such that to provide movement to the blades to receives maximum water energy impact on the blade.

A support means, for example, a rod 11 , secured with said platform 1 is provided to support the large body 2 rotatably and to facilitate up and down movement of the large body 2. The upper end of the support means 11 is adapted to be moved up and down by a motor 15. A plurality of wheels / rollers 14 are provided at the lower end of the support means 11 to provide support at the tapered upper and lower peripheral edges 16 of the rotatable large body 2. The large body 2 may have guiding means 17 to guide and support up and down movement of the blades 5 in the channels 4.

Referring to Fig. 7, electric power conveying means are provided at the lower surface of the platform 1 such^* that to supply electric energy to the motor 21 . The electric power conveying means may comprise plurality of metallic rings 32 having insulating material 33 provided between each pair of rings 32. Plurality of metallic brushes 34 with springs are provided such that to remain in touch with the metallic rings 32 and to supply electric power to the motor 21. An electric power generator 10 is provided to receive rotational movement from the shaft 3. In one embodiment the electric generator 10 may receive rotational movement from the shaft 3 through a gear box 8. The gear box 8 may be either above the platform 1 or below the platform 1 .

According to an option, an energy accumulator 6 may be secured with another shaft 7. The energy accumulator 6 is provided below the large body 2 to receive rotational movement from the large body 2 through a ratchet arrangement 9 secured with the shaft 3 of the Jarge body 2 such that to provide continuous movement to the electric power generator 10. In one embodiment, the energy accumulator 6 may be provided above the platform 1 to be accommodated in a tank 43 provided on the platform 1 .

The water, to be desalinated, is filled in the energy accumulator 6 and gets desalinated due to rotation of the energy accumulator 6. The energy accumulator 6 is accommodated in a water tank 43 filled with water.

The energy accumulator 6 is made of strong, light in weight and non corrosive materials such as concrete or steel in a cylindrical shape, conical or any other shape such that to minimize resistance during rotation of the energy accumulator 6. Reference is now made to Fig. 9, wherein a large body 2, according to an embodiment is shown. A water movement concentrator 37 may be provided to concentrate flow of water on blades 5 such as to provide optimum impact of water movement in case of slow water movement due to tidal currents and water waves in the rivers, oceans and seas. A stop plate 13 may be provided on top of the large body 2 such that to avoid spillage of water in the upward direction. The water movement concentrator 37 may be provided on one side of the large body 2 to concentrate flow of water to provide optimum water impact on the blade 5. In an embodiment the water movement concentrator 37 may be provided on the other side of the large body to concentrate flow of water from the other side to provide optimum water impact on the blade 5.

According to another embodiment and as shown in Fig. 10, plurality of water movement concentrators 37 may be provided to concentrate flow of water on blades 5 from both sides that is during up and down water movements, for example, tidal currents in seas and oceans. The water movement concentrators 37 are provided on both the sides of the large body 2 such that water energy is concentrated on a set of blades 5 positioned in one half portion of the large body 2 during, for example, up movement of the water and on the blades 5 positioned in other half portion of the large body 2 during down movement of the water so as to increase the rotational movement of the large body 2 only in one direction all the time, constantly. The means may be curved toothed rails 39 and wheels 40 are provided to rotate the water movement concentrators 37 so as to provide maximum water concentration on the blades 5. Guiding means comprising curved plates 41 having wheels 42 are provided to support and guide movement of the front end of the water movement concentrators 37.

A sealing means 31 may be provided to seal the water entry to the blade movement means 19 to protect the moving part to come in contact of water. A telescopic cover 18 may be provided in between lower surface of platform and upper surface of large body to prevent water to come in contact with the motor and other means meant for moving the blades 5 in all conditions such as during up and down movement of the large body 2 and even after the adjustment of the level of the large body 2 in the water.

Referring to Fig. 8 the telescopic cover 18 comprises a plurality of cylindrical bodies 35 disposed into one and another such that to be expanded and contracted as and when required. Flexible means 36 are provided between said cylinders 35 so as to avoid water entry inside the cover 18 and thus to avoid water contact with the shaft 3 during up and down movement of the large body 2 and even after the adjustment of the level of the large body 2 in the water.

The energy accumulator 6 may be provided above the platform 1 to be accommodated in a tank 43 provided on the platform 1 may be used for the desalination or purification of water.

Certain features of the invention have been described with reference to the example embodiments. However, the description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the example

embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention, which are apparent to the persons skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, are deemed to lie within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims,

1. A device to utilize intrinsic energy of the water movement comprising a platform to support at least one large body adapted to be submerged in water and having a plurality of chambers with a channel provided between each pair of the chambers, a shaft secured with the platform being provided to support the large body slidably, at least one blade being provided in each of said channel, blade movement means provided to facilitate up and down movement of the blades, an electric power generator provided to receive rotational movement from the shaft, control means being provided to control the blade movement means, support means secured with said platform provided to support the large body rotatably and to provide up and down movement to the large body.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the large body has tapered upper and lower peripheral edges such that to receive support at the respective edges by the wheels / rollers provided at the lower end of the support means, upper end of the support means adapted to be moved up and down by a motor.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the large body has guiding means to guide and support up and down movement of the blades in the channels.

4. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the large body is made of strong, light in weight and non-corrosive material, such as, concrete, steel or plastic and is of cylindrical shape or any other shape such that to minimize resistance during rotation of the body in the water.

5. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the electric generator receives rotational movement from the shaft through a gear box.

6. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein blade movement means comprises a motor connected to a rack and pinion arrangement through a chain and sprockets to move the rack up and down so as to facilitate up and down movement of the blade.

7. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the blade movement means comprises a motor connected to a rack and pinion arrangement.

8. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the blade movement means comprises a motor connected to a pneumatic / hydraulic arrangement.

9. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the channels comprises through channels such that to accommodate a pair of blades adapted to move in the opposite direction, simultaneously.

10. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a control means to control the operation of the motor of the blade movement means comprises a computer controlled system such that to provide movement to the blades to receive maximum water energy impact on the blade.

11. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claim, wherein an energy accumulator secured with a shaft being provided below the large body to receive rotational movement from the large body through a ratchet arrangement secured with the shaft of the large body such that to provide continuous movement to the electric power generator.

12. The device as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the energy accumulator is made of strong, light in weight and non corrosive materials such as concrete or steel in a cylindrical , conical or any other shape such that to minimize resistance during rotation of the energy accumulator.

13. The device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the energy accumulator is provided above the platform to be accommodated in a tank provided on the platform.

14. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claim, wherein a water movement concentrator is provided on one side of the large body to concentrate flow of water to provide optimum water impact on the blade.

15. The device as claimed in claim 14, wherein a water movement concentrator is provided on the other side of the large body to concentrate flow of water from the other side to provide optimum water impact on the blade.

16. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claim, wherein sealing means is provided to seal the water entry to the blade movement means.

17. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claim, wherein a telescopic cover is provided in between lower surface of platform and upper surface of large body to prevent water to in contact with the shaft between the lower surface and the upper surface.

18. The device as claimed in claim 3, as and when used for desalination.