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"
• • 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
  • F03B13/1805—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 hinged to the rem
  • F03B13/181—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 hinged to the rem for limited rotation
  • F03B13/1815—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 hinged to the rem for limited rotation with an up-and-down movement
• • 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
  • F03B13/1805—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 hinged to the rem
  • F03B13/181—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 hinged to the rem for limited rotation
• • 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
  • 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
  • F05B2260/40—Transmission of power
  • F05B2260/403—Transmission of power through the shape of the drive components
  • F05B2260/4031—Transmission of power through the shape of the drive components as in toothed gearing
  • F05B2260/40311—Transmission of power through the shape of the drive components as in toothed gearing of the epicyclic, planetary or differential type
• • 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 invention relates to an arrangement for recovering energy-
• a problem with the known solutions is e.g. that they operate at a fairly low efficiency.
• An object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved arrangement for recovering wave energy.
• An arrangement according to the invention is characterised in that the arrangement comprises: at least one hollow piece which is provided with an outer casing and an inner space therein, the outer casing being engaged to be rotatable with respect to a body of the hollow piece, the inner space being provided with a sun-and-planet gear and a first mechanical rectifier, an internal gear of the sun-and-planet gear being fastened with respect to the outer casing so as to rotate therewith and a planet gear and a sun gear of the sun-and-planet gear being pivotally mounted to the body of the hollow piece and arranged to transmit reciprocating rotational motion between the outer casing and the body to said first mechanical rectifier arranged to convert said reciprocating rotational motion into one-directional rotational motion of a rotating axle.
• the invention is based on using the sun-and-planet gear arranged in the inner space of the hollow piece receiving energy of water for transmitting the motion of the casing of the hollow piece to a generator generating electricity.
• an additional piece is engaged with the hollow piece to receive energy of water outside the hollow piece, the motion of the additional piece with respect to the body of the hollow piece being converted into rotational motion.
• Figures 1a and 1b are schematic cross-sectional top and end views of an embodiment of an arrangement
• Figures 2a, 2b are cross-sectional top and end views of a second embodiment of the arrangement
• Figure 3 is a perspective and partially sectional view of a third embodiment of the arrangement
• Figure 4 is a perspective and partially sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the arrangement
• Figure 5 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the arrangement
• Figure 6 is a perspective and partially sectional view of a sixth embodiment of the arrangement
• Figure 7 is a perspective and partially sectional view of a seventh embodiment of the arrangement
• Figure 8 is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of the arrangement.
• FIGS 9a, 9b show some alternative embodiments of details of the arrangement according to Figure 8.
• Figure 10 is a perspective view of a ninth embodiment of the arrangement.
• Figure 1a is a schematic cross-sectional top view and Figure 1b a schematic cross-sectional end view of an embodiment of an arrangement.
• the arrangement includes a hollow piece 1 provided with an outer casing 2 and an inner space 3 therein.
• the hollow piece 1 is placed in water, wherein the outer casing 2 moves due to the influence of motion of the water.
• the hollow formed by the inner space 3 may serve to float the hollow piece 1 on the surface of water, but this is not necessary.
• the outer casing 2 may rotate with respect to a body 8 of the hollow piece.
• the figures show no details, which are conventional per se, of the body 8.
• the body 8 is fastened to a support structure 11 located outside the hollow piece 1.
• the support structure 11 may be secured e.g. to dry land, bottom, vessel, bridge or the like.
• the outer casing 2 may thus rotate with respect to the support structure 11.
• outer casing refers expressly to parts of an outer surface of the hollow structure 1 that are rotatably engaged with respect to the body 8.
• the outer casing 2 shown in the figure has the shape of a circular cylinder surface. Of course, it may have another shape, e.g. that of a polygonal, such as a triangular, tetragonal or pentagonal, cylinder, or it may have a shape other than that of a cylinder.
• the cross section of the outer casing 2 may substantially differ from the rotationally symmetrical shape: it may be elliptical in shape, for instance.
• the inner space 3 is provided with a sun-and-planet gear 4 and a first mechanical rectifier 5, as well as two second mechanical rectifiers 13a, 13b.
• An internal gear 7 of the sun-and-planet gear 4 is fastened to the outer casing 2, to an inner surface thereof.
• the internal gear 7 thus rotates along with the outer casing 2.
• a planet gear 10 and a sun gear 6 of the sun- and-planet gear are pivotally mounted to the body 8 of the hollow piece.
• the sun-and-planet gear 4 shown in Figures 1a, 1b has four planet gears 10. However, it is obvious that the number may also be different.
• the planet gears 10 and the sun gear 6 transmit rotational motion between the internal gear 7 - and, consequently, the outer casing 2 - and the body 8 to the first mechanical rectifier 5.
• the first rectifier 5 converts the reciprocal rotational motion into one-directional rotational motion to be conveyed to rotational motion of a rotating axle 14.
• the inner space 3 has the shape of the outer casing 2, and the sun-and-planet gear 4 is arranged in the inner space 3 symmetrically with respect to the outer casing 2.
• the cross section of the outer casing 2 may have e.g. an elliptical shape while the cross section of the inner space 3 is circular.
• the sun-and-planet gear 4 may be arranged asymmetrically with respect to the outer casing 2, for instance in the case of said elliptical outer casing 2, around a first focal point of the ellipsis. This means that a region surrounding a second focal point of the ellipsis is preferably provided with empty space. The difference in weight between the focal points caused by such placing tends to increase the rocking and swaying of the hollow piece in water moving in waves.
• the rotating axle 14 is coaxial with the symmetry axis of the outer casing 1 and extends outside the hollow piece 1 to the support structure 11 , where it is arranged to rotate a generator 9 generating electricity.
• the first rectifier 5 may be implemented in many ways known per se, for instance by a rectifier described in Fl Patent No. 1 2694, particularly in its Figures 2, 3, and 4 and the corresponding parts of the description, or by a rectifier disclosed in Finnish Utility Model Fl 8504.
• the inner space 3 is provided with two second mechanical rectifiers 13a, 13b. These may have a structure similar to that of the above- described first rectifier 5.
• a floating additional piece 15a, 15b is engaged, respectively, arranged at a distance from the hollow piece 1 and receiving motion of water.
• the motion of the additional piece 15a, 15b with respect to the hollow piece 1 is converted into reciprocal motion of a lever arm 16a, 16b and conveyed to an input axle 17a, 17b of the second rectifier.
• This reciprocal rotational motion is converted in the second rectifier 13a, 13b into one- directional rotational motion which, in this case, is conveyed to the first mechanical rectifier 5.
• the rotational motion provided by the second rectifier 13a, 13b may also be conveyed past the first mechanical rectifier 5 directly to the rotating axle 14, etc.
• the input axle 17a, 17b is arranged to penetrate the sun-and-planet gear 4 in between its internal gear 7 and sun gear 6.
• the input axle 17a, 17b is arranged to penetrate an end 22 of the hollow piece eccentrically with respect to the outer casing 2.
• the end 22 is thus attached to the body 8 of the hollow piece, making the outer casing 2 rotate with respect to the end 22.
• a sealed slide surface 23 allowing said rotary motion and preventing water from entering the inner space 3 is provided between the outer casing 2 and the end 22.
• two additional pieces 15a, 15b and a corresponding number of second mechanical rectifiers 13a, 13b are engaged with the hollow piece 1. However, no additional pieces 15a, 15b are necessary; further, their number may be higher than two.
• Figure 2a is a cross-sectional top view and Figure 2b a cross-sectional end view of a second embodiment of the arrangement.
• an electric generator 9 is arranged, rotated by the rotating axle 14.
• the rotating axle 14 is rotated by the first mechanical rectifier 5 to which the reciprocal motion of both the outer casing 2 and the additional pieces 5a, 15b is conveyed.
• a difference from the previous embodiment is e.g. that the motion of the lever arms 16a, 6b is conveyed into the inner space 3 by means of a transmission axle 24a, 24b arranged coaxially with respect to the outer casing 2.
• the outer casing 2 moving with respect to the body 8 may also comprise an end 22 of the hollow piece.
• the inner space 3 is provided with a first mechanical rectifier 5, as well as two second mechanical rectifiers 3a, 13b.
• the first mechanical rectifier 5 converts reciprocal rotational motion between the outer casing 2 and the body 8 of the hollow piece, transmitted via the sun-and-planet gear 4, into one-directional rotational motion to be conveyed to the electric generator 9.
• the second mechanical rectifiers 3a, 13b are engaged with the additional pieces 15a, 15b mainly as explained in connection with Figures 1a, 1b.
• the solution disclosed herein is different in that the motion of the transmission axle 24a, 24b is first conveyed to an increase gear 18a, 18b which increases the rotation speed of power transmission.
• the typically slow motions of the additional pieces 15a, 5b can be converted into a relatively high rotation speed which is conveyed via the second mechanical rectifiers 13a, 13b to rotate the electric generator 9.
• the rotating axle 14 may naturally be provided with a gear, e.g. an increase gear, in order to bring the rotation speed of the electric generator 9 to an optimal range.
• the lever arms 16a, 16b shown in the figures have a determined length which is selected taking into account e.g. the wave conditions at a location.
• the length of the lever arms 16a, 16b may be adjusted.
• Such a lever arm 16a, 16b may be implemented e.g. as a telescopic structure, toggle joint solution or the like.
• the length is preferably adjustable remote-controllably by controlling an actuator adjusting the length. This enables the length of the lever arm to be adjusted to be optimal for the current wavelength, making the arrangement receive wave energy as efficiently as possible.
• Figure 2b shows a mass piece 12 which is fastened to the body 8 of the hollow piece.
• the purpose of the mass piece 12 is to increase the inertia of the body 8 with respect to the outer casing 2, in other words to reduce the tendency of the body 8 to rotate along with the outer casing 2.
• the mass piece 12 is arranged at a distance from the hollow piece 1 , outside it.
• the mass piece 12 may also, completely or partly, be arranged inside the inner space 3. No mass piece 12 is always necessary, however: it is unnecessary e.g. if the body 8 is fastened to the support structure 11 which does not, at least substantially, rotate along with the outer casing 2.
• the outer casing 2 of the hollow piece 1 is provided with side projections 21a, 21b which receive motion of waves and transmit it to the outer casing 2.
• the side projection 21a, 21b is a float with a circular cross section, which, according to the figure, may be arranged at an end of an arm or, alternatively, fastened directly to the outer casing 2. It may also have another shape.
• the side projection 21a, 21b increases the motion of the outer casing 2.
• the side projection may also be arranged on one side of the hollow piece 1 only.
• Figure 3 is a perspective and partially sectional view of a third embodiment of the arrangement
• the arrangement includes a pontoon 19 with which four hollow pieces 1 are engaged.
• the structure of the hollow piece 1 may be e.g. as shown in Figures 1a, 1b, only without any additional pieces 15a, 15b and related power transmission devices.
• the pontoon 19 is a floating structure and provided with power transmission devices 20 arranged to receive the rotational motion of the rotating axle 14 of the hollow pieces 1.
• the rotational motion is transmitted to an electric generator 9 arranged in the pontoon 19, and electric energy generated by the electric generator is forwarded for use by arrangements known per se.
• the pontoon 19 is elongated in its external shape and secured e.g. to the bottom of its water basin, such as a sea, lake or river, to the shore or a vessel so that it may turn according to a direction of water flow or wind. This enables the hollow pieces 1 to settle in an advantageous position in the flow or waves.
• the power transmission devices 20 comprise power transmission belts or chains engaging the rotating axles 14 with the electric generator 9.
• the power transmission devices 20 may naturally also be implemented otherwise; preferably, however, they comprise freewheel clutches 26a, 26b which lock up in the same direction and via which the motions from different rotating axles 14 are combined. In this manner, a rotating axle 14 possibly rotating at a lower rotation speed does not decelerate a faster rotating one.
• One or more, not necessarily four, hollow pieces 1 may be engaged with the pontoon 19.
• Each hollow piece 1 instead of the pontoon 9, may be provided with an electric generator 9.
• the pontoon 19 mainly serves as a support structure for the hollow pieces 1 and as an element directing them according to the waves or flow of water.
• the pontoon 19 is not necessarily self-floating.
• a non-self- floating pontoon 19 is placed in a suitable position with respect to water by securing it to a support structure.
• the pontoon 19, e.g. an end thereof, may be provided with a transverse structure which forms an obstacle in flowing water, which, in turn, increases the height of waves and rocking.
• This is particularly advantageous particularly in an embodiment provided with an energy collector comprising an anchor wheel and a weight similar to that shown in Figure 4.
• Figure 4 is a perspective and partially sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the arrangement.
• the hollow piece 1 including the additional pieces 15a, 15b engaged therewith is engaged with the pontoon 19.
• the casing of the hollow piece 1 is provided with two side projections 21a, 21b shaped as a fin or a wing.
• the order of the components contained in the hollow piece 1 differs from those shown in Figures 1a and 2a in that the sun-and-planet gear 4 is arranged approximately in the middle of the length of the inner space.
• the hollow pieces 1 are engaged with the pontoon 9 so that two rotating axles 14a, 14b are arranged oppositely and coaxially to rotate a power transmission member 27 receiving the same rotational motion.
• a first freewheel clutch 26a Between the first rotating axle 14a and the power transmission member 27 there is pro- vided a first freewheel clutch 26a while between the second rotating axle 14b and the power transmission member 27 there is provided a second freewheel clutch 26b.
• This solution is advantageous e.g. in that the same power transmission member 27 can be rotated by two rotating axles without the more slowly rotating axle decelerating the rotation of the power transmission member 27.
• the power transmission member 27 is a chain wheel, but it may well be a member of another type as well.
• One or more anchor wheels 36 may be rotatably arranged in the pontoon 19. Such an anchor wheel is engaged with the power transmission member 27 via the freewheel clutch 26 and e.g. a power transmission chain or belt.
• the rim of the anchor wheel 36 is provided with a wire 37 or the like which is secured to a bottom or another corresponding immobile target by a securing member 38.
• the pontoon 19 is secured with the wire 37 by means of the securing member 38 to the immobile target.
• a weight 39 suspended from the anchor wheel 36, hanging between the surface of water and the bottom, is secured to an opposite end of the wire 37.
• the pontoon 19 moves up and down along with the waves, whereby the wire 37 rotates the anchor wheel 36 back and forth. Rotational motion in the other direction is transmitted via the freewheel clutch 26 to the power transmission member 27. This enables potential energy of waves to be recovered even more efficiently.
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the arrangement.
• the arrangement includes an elongated pontoon 19 which is substantially narrower than its height and whose two sides are provided with a total of four hollow pieces 1 together with additional pieces 15a, 15b thereof.
• the pontoon 19 may be e.g. the body of a ship or another vessel in water.
• the arrangement includes at least one electric generator arranged either in the pontoon 19 or in the hollow piece 1.
• the pontoon 19 may be provided with a weighted water tank and a pump necessary for filling and emptying such a tank, a channel system and valve arrangements.
• a weighted water tank By filling up the weighted water tank, the entire arrangement can be submerged below the surface of the water, even all the way to the bottom. This enables the arrangement to be submerged so as to be protected from a heavy storm or the like.
• Figure 6 is a perspective and partially sectional view of a sixth embodiment of the arrangement.
• Three hollow pieces 1 are arranged in the pontoon 19 so as to form a symmetrical structure around a normal N of a plane of the surface of water.
• the structure of the hollow piece 1 may be as already described above.
• the outer casing 2 is provided with two kinds of side projections: cylindrical ones and ones resembling a fin or a wing, the latter ones being arranged at an angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the hollow piece 1 , the sides thereof thus forming a spiral surface which receives water flow and/or wave motion.
• the rotating axles 14, which rotate in one and the same rotating direction, are arranged to rotate the power transmission devices 20 of the pontoon which, in turn, rotate an electric generator 8 (not shown in the figure).
• the power transmission devices 20 may comprise e.g. a sun-and-planet gear whose gears are arranged in parallel to the plane of the surface of water.
• a spherical float 28 is engaged with the pontoon 19 to bear the pontoon 19 on the surface of water or close thereto.
• the pontoon 19 and the float 28 are rotationally symmetrical in shape at the level of the surface of water, enabling their tendency to turn the arrangement along with the flows of water and/or wind to be minimized.
• the arrangement shown in Figure 6 is particularly advantageous in embodiments wherein the direction of the flow of water may change rapidly. In such an arrangement, the number of hollow pieces 1 may be four or even more.
• Figure 7 is a perspective and partially sectional view of a seventh embodiment of the arrangement.
• the cylindrical hollow piece 1 is arranged vertically and secured by its body 8 to the bottom of a water basin so that the body 8 allowed to rotate due to the influence of motions of water.
• the securement may be implemented to a fixed structure other than a bottom, or to a ship or another corresponding vessel, for instance.
• the outer casing 2 comprises two parts 2a, 2b which rotate with respect to one another and which are arranged to rotate around the normal of the plane of the surface of water, each one of which being arranged to rotate a sun-and-planet gear 4a, 4b of its own.
• the sun-and-planet gears 4a, 4b are arranged to rotate the first mechanical rectifier 5 and, further, the electric generator 9.
• the number of rotating parts of the outer casing 2 is one at its lowest and more than two at its highest, for instance three or four. They are provided with side projections 21a, 21b for receiving energy of the motion of water.
• Figure 8 is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of the arrangement, and Figures 9a, 9b show some embodiments of details of the same arrangement.
• the cylindrical hollow piece 1 is arranged vertically.
• Its outer casing comprises two parts 2a, 2b which rotate with respect to one another and which are arranged to rotate around the normal of the plane of the surface of water, each of which being arranged to rotate a sun-and-planet gear of its own.
• Each rotating part 2a, 2b of the outer casing is provided with side projections 21a, 21b to receive energy of water.
• the body 8 of the outer casing is provided with stabilization wings 29 whose purpose is to prevent the body 8 from rotating along with the rotating parts 2a, 2b of the outer casing.
• the surface area of the stabilization wings 29 is preferably substantially larger than the surface area of the side projections 2 a, 21b.
• Two lever arms 16a, 16b are rotatably fastened to an upper part of the body 8.
• An end of the lever arm is provided with an additional piece 15a, 15b.
• the additional piece 15a, 15b floats on the surface of water, moving alternately up and down along with the waves. This motion is conveyed via the lever arm 15a, 15b to a push rod 30a, 30b arranged in the inner space 3 through a watertight lead-in.
• Figure 9a shows a solution for converting the reciprocating and linear motion of the push rod 30a, 30b into reciprocating rotational motion.
• the push rod 30a has a spiral groove 31 wherein a pin 33 provided on the inner rim of a ring 32 is arranged.
• the ring 32 is allowed to rotate in a direction of its rim but not in a direction of the push rod.
• the groove 31 forces the pin 33 arranged therein to take up rotational motion, whereby the ring 32 rotates in its first direction.
• the direction of motion of the push rod 30a changes, the direction of rotation of the ring 32 also changes.
• the reciprocating rotational motion of the ring 32 is converted in the mechanical rectifier into one-directional rotational motion.
• Figure 9b shows a second solution for converting the reciprocating motion of the additional piece 15a, 15b arranged in the lever arm into reciprocating rotational motion.
• the lever arm 16a is engaged with a gear rack 40 arranged to rotate a gear 41.
• This converts the reciprocating linear motion of the gear rack 40 into reciprocating rotational motion transmitted to the mechanical rectifier.
• the gear 41 is placed inside a housing 42, but this is by no means necessary.
• the gear rack 40 and the gear 41 may be placed e.g. in the inner space 3 of the hollow piece, or outside the hollow piece.
• FIG 10 is a perspective view of a ninth embodiment of the arrangement.
• Four power plant units 35 comprising a hollow piece 1 are arranged in a rectangular pattern and engaged with one another at least in their longitudinal directions by rigid support structures 11.
• the hollow piece 1 may be implemented e.g. according to the above-disclosed examples.
• a modular wave power plant 34 is thus provided, comprising a plurality of hollow pieces 1 , together with their optional additional pieces, for collecting energy of water.
• the modular wave power plant 34 may be considerably larger than what is shown in Figure 10: it may form a network-like structure containing tens or even hundreds of nodes, each being provided with a hollow piece 1 together with its optional additional pieces and connected by support structures 11.
• the power plant units 35 of the wave power plant 34 may be either identical or mutually different.
• a hollow piece 1 of a power plant unit 35 located in edge parts of a large network-structured wave power plant 34 may be implemented in a manner different from one residing in a power plant unit 35 located in inner parts of the same wave power plant 34.

Landscapes

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

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=44071556

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Cited By (2)

Citations (5)

Family Cites Families (2)

• 2011
  • 2011-05-05 FI FI20115428A patent/FI123177B/fi not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2012
  • 2012-05-03 WO PCT/FI2012/050427 patent/WO2012160244A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2012-05-03 EP EP12789168.7A patent/EP2705248A4/de not_active Withdrawn

Patent Citations (5)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events