WO2013003184A2 - Hydraulic pressure generating system with buoyancy-adjusted subsystem connected to parabolic-shaped buoy, system further comprising rotatable panels - Google Patents

Abstract

A hydraulic pressure generating system comprising rotatable panels, together with a novel parabolic-shaped buoy connected to a buoyancy-adjusted hydraulic pressure generating subsystem and thence to said rotatable panels. The panels also may enhance upwelling to help generate marine life.

Description

PATENT APPLICATION

HYDRAULIC PRESSURE GENERATING SYSTEM WITH BUOYANCY-ADJUSTED SUBSYSTEM CONNECTED TO PARABOLIC-SHAPED BUOY, SYSTEM FURTHER

COMPRISING ROTATABLE PANELS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application

Serial No. 61/503,458, entitled " Hydraulic Pressure Generating System with Buoyant Subsystem Movably Connected to Parabolic Buoy and with Rotatable Panels", to Philip W. Kithil and Philip S. Fullam, filed on June 30, 2011 , and the specification and claims thereof are incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR

DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC [0003] Not Applicable.

COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL

[0004] Not Applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention (Technical Field):

[0005] The field is wave energy, and optionally enhanced upwelling.

[0006] The present invention discloses a Hydraulic Pressure Generating System

With Buoyancy-Adjusted Subsystem Connected To Parabolic-Shaped Buoy, System Further Comprising Rotatable Panels. The hydraulic pressure is used to operate a hydraulic motor, which may be connected to an electric generator or to any number of other useful devices. Alternatively or in addition, the hydraulic pressure may be used as feedstock in a water desalination system.

Description of Related Art:

[0007] In the preferred embodiment, and as readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the apparatus according to the invention will include a general or specific purpose.

Wave energy devices in general capture the latent energy in waves by oscillating up and down, side to side, and/or forward and backward, as the wave peaks and troughs pass by the wave energy device. Examples include the inventions of Spencer et.al., U.S. Patent 7785163; Wegener etal., U.S. Patent 7770390; Berg, U.S. Patents 6045339 and 5842838; Manabe, U.S. Patent 5975865; Hibbs etal., U.S. Patent 6756695; and numerous others.

[0008] Despite the considerable diversity of inventions relating to wave energy, thus far no systems have achieved widespread commercial success. This is attributable to many factors, including survival of wave energy devices in harsh ocean conditions, excessive cost unsupported by low value of the energy captured, low efficiency, difficulty in deployment, transmission cost, transmission complexity, as well as market conditions - competing against heavily subsidized fossil fuels or other energy sources.

[0009] To overcome these constraints, the present invention provides a durable, low-cost, efficient approach for capturing wave energy, transmitting the energy onshore, and converting the wave energy to electricity, or alternative beneficial uses such as desalination. The invention includes elements found in U.S. Patent Publications 2008/0175728 and U.S. 2011/0067641 to Philip W. Kithil and the claims and specifications thereof are incorporated herein by reference.

[0010] Further scope of applicability of the present invention will be set forth in part in the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The Hydraulic Pressure Generating System With Buoyancy-Adjusted

Subsystem Connected To Parabolic-Shaped Buoy, System Further Comprising Rotatable Panels device comprises the following components and/or methods:

1 ) parabolic-shaped buoy with attaching point;

2) hydraulic pump with integral means for adjusting the pump unit's specific

gravity;

rotating panels to resist upward movement of the buoy;

hydraulic pressure line interconnected between adjacent devices and to

an onshore hydraulic motor or similar useful element;

mooring method such that individual devices are not directly connected

to the seafloor;

deployment method comprising inflatable rafts;

diagnostic means whereby pressurized water is utilized to notify of inoperable devices; and

gravity-based undersea energy storage means.

[0012] By providing a parabolic shape to the buoy, optimum capture of wave energy is achieved. It is well known in the art that parabolic shapes are used in microwave capture devices since they focus incoming radiation to a single point. In the case of wave energy, the opposing surface of the parabolic shape offers the same benefit, however in an inverse manner, as it provides the optimum resistance against the wave energy rather than optimum focusing of the energy. With more resistance, the parabola-shaped buoy rides the surface of the wave more efficiently compared to other shapes which tend to sink into the wave when the wave-rising force is applied. By riding upward more efficiently, more force is transmitted to the piston element within the hydraulic pump component, while the cylinder portion of the hydraulic pump component is restrained from moving upward by the rotating panels secured underneath the cylinder portion. Therefore the relative motion of the piston component and the cylinder component is optimized for each passing wave.

[0013] Optionally, to reduce cost, the buoy may be provided with a conical shape having similar efficiency as the parabolic shape described above. This shape is provided by two 45° angles (when viewed in side perspective) rather than the continuous curved shape of a parabola. The benefit of this shape is lower cost production and ease of shipping in standard ocean shipping containers, as two such buoys with a top surface diameter of approximately 10' will fit inside a standard container, as seen in Figure 1.

[0014] Further scope of applicability of the present invention will be set forth in part in the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating one or more preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. In the drawings:

[0016] Figures 1a and 1 b are depictions of parabolic and conical shaped buoys and buoys loaded in a shipping container; [0017] Figures 2a and 2b show displacement of parabolic buoy with moveable (Fig.

2a) and non-moveable (Fig. 2b) connecting points;

[0018] Figure 3 shows a moveable connecting point buoy force generation at down slope of a wave-front;

[0019] Figure 4 shows an overlay of a buoy positioned with respect to passing waves creating a pumping cycle capable of providing a continuous flow of pressurized water;

[0020] Figure 5 shows a water pressurization and relocation means;

[0021] Figure 6 shows a wave energy system;

[0022] Figure 7 shows an array mooring of connected buoy and wave-energy capture pumps;

[0023] Figure 8 shows a wave-energy raft deployment subsystem;

[0024] Figure 9 shows a wave-energy subsystems on rafts for deployment;

[0025] Figure 10 shows a wave-energy subsystem deployment scheme;

[0026] Figure 11 shows components for maintenance of deployed pump

assemblies;

[0027] Figure 12 shows a submerged pressurized water wave-energy storage system; and

[0028] Figure 13 is an aerial photo image of the coastline and harbor highlighting a seafloor hydraulic pressure transmission line following the seafloor into a port containing a dock on which a container or building is provided with a water pressure conversion mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] The conical shaped buoy of the invention can be produced very efficiently using fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) and at low cost by utilizing a multi-piece form which is bolted together during fabrication, then unbolted to remove the FRP shaped unit. The form can be constructed from metal, wood, or other material worked into the circular shape. The interior of the FRP shaped unit is filled with foam, then the top surface laid on and sealed.

[0030] If the parabolic buoy (4) is connected at a single point (2), this may be disadvantageous under certain wave conditions, because as the parabolic shape follows the rising wave, the single connecting point (2) will restrict the orientation of the parabolic buoy (4) so it no longer optimally rides the rising wave, but rather retains a more horizontal aspect relative to the wave slope. This single point connection (2) results in more water displacement (8) on wave upslope which is inefficient since some of the wave energy is lost.

[0031] However, a movable connecting point (6) advantageously allows the parabolic buoy (4) to remain "normal" to all wave slopes, achieving near-constant amount of water displacement (8), as further depicted in Figure 2.

[0032] As the buoy (4) slides down the wave, restoring force is required to reset the piston (12) inside the cylinder (10). If the mass of the underwater components (20) generate force which is greater than the force provided by this downslope movement, the piston (12) will not reset to its maximum stroke position inside the cylinder (10), but rather may only travel partway to the maximum position. Therefore, gravity-adjusting means are required to insure the piston (12) resets. This is accomplished by providing buoyancy elements integral to the cylinder (10) so the force causing the piston (12) to travel downward relative to the cylinder (10) becomes greater than the force causing the cylinder (10) and underneath components (20) to fall on the wave downslope. This is depicted in Figure 3. [0033] The rotating panels (16) which provide resistance to the upward movement of the buoy (4) are more fully described in the aforementioned U.S. Patent Publication 2011/0067641 to Philip W. Kithil.

[0034] As is well known in the art, hydraulic pressure lines are used to convey water. In the present invention, suitable pressure-rated lines (43) with appropriate diameters are specified such that flow rate is allowed to increase from one to the next since the inputs from many devices are cumulative. The pressure lines (43) can be provided with buoyant collars or other buoyant elements so the pressure lines (43) become neutrally buoyant for the ambient water density at the line depths. As the pressure line (43) exits the last of numerous pump units (36), the buoyant elements can be reduced in size or number so the pressure line becomes heavier than the ambient water, and gradually sinks to the seafloor as it progresses towards shore. In the preferred embodiment, the pressure line (43) is an open loop system, meaning that once the pressurized water has reached shore and achieved the desired end result, the water is allowed to drain back to the water body.

[0035] Waves are produced in a body of water due to wind action, as more fully described at http://hyperphvsics.phv-astr.qsu.edu/hbase/waves/watwav2.html and references cited therein. This brief analysis overlooks the true 4-dimensional nature of open ocean waves, as further clarified in

http://www.qlerl.noaa.qov/pubs/fulltext/2008/20080017.pdf. The dimensions of the buoys described above will tend to average out waves many times smaller than the buoy diameter and height. In the preferred embodiment the buoy may have a diameter of 3m and a height of 1.5m. Therefore, small waves perhaps up to 0.33 m in height will tend to be averaged by the much larger buoy.

[0036] Since the present invention provides for multiple devices (42) connected in series to capture the wave energy and produce hydraulic flow within the pressure line (43), one can assume each buoy's (4) up and down movement on passing waves are nearly always out of phase with respect to other buoys, and therefore the hydraulic flow generated by the system becomes steady-state rather than pulsing. This is more clearly shown in Figure 4 depicting 15 identical waves equally offset in space and time. If we overlay a buoy (4) which is stably positioned with respect to these passing waves, we can readily see that the buoy (4) will assume a different height for each of the waves. Therefore, the piston (12) and cylinder (10) comprising the pumping apparatus (36) assume a different position with respect to each other, and therefore the pumping cycle for 15 adjacent devices provides a continuous flow of pressurized water.

[0037] To ensure and assist in the piston (12) restoring function, the cable (11) between the connecting point on the buoy (4) and the piston (12) is provided with additional ballast which may be in the form of a rigid heavy material. This ballast further ensures the piston (12) accelerates more quickly on wave down slope than the cylinder (10), to ensure restoring of piston (12) within the cylinder (10).

[0038] The invention further comprises a force-limiting feature to reduce the chance of a very large wave causing damage to the device. This is achieved in two ways:

1 ) by ensuring the net buoyancy of the buoy (4) plus underwater component mass (20), is barely sufficient to lift the piston (12) inside the cylinder (10) when confronted with an above-average amplitude and steepness wave, such as a wave measuring 12 feet from wave trough to peak with period of 8 seconds. In waves with wave heights greater, and/or periods shorter, the wave steepness overwhelms the net buoyancy of the buoy (4) such that the buoy (4) partly or entirely submerges on wave upslope; and

2) when the piston (12) reaches the top of its effective stroke inside the cylinder (10), the upward force is transmitted to the entire pump unit and thence to the horizontal hydraulic pressure lines (42), which impart additional drag and cause the buoy (4) to submerge. These features effectively limit the forces seen by the connecting elements and underwater components (20), thereby reducing the likelihood of excessive wave force causing damage.

[0039] The invention further comprises a system which incorporates both water pressurization means and water relocation means. As seen in Figure 5, said system is provided with a buoy (4) connected to a piston (12) residing inside a cylinder (10), further connected to one or more pairs of rotating panels (16), (16') which resist upward movement of the cylinder (10) when the buoy (4) rises on a passing wave. The panels (16), being oriented horizontal during this phase of the wave, necessarily move upward some amount, the balance of the buoy (4) upward movement occurring as the piston (12) slides upward inside the cylinder (10). In this manner, the piston (12) generates hydraulic pressure inside the cylinder ( 0), and the panels (16) relocate the adjacent water which is external to the piston/cylinder device. [0040] As knowledge of ocean biogeochemistry increases, some unique aspects are discovered, including for example the work of David M. Karl at University of Hawaii and his colleague Ricardo Letelier from Oregon State University who published the 2008 scientific paper "Nitrogen fixation-enhanced carbon sequestration in low-nitrate, low- chlorophyll seascapes". Among the discoveries is their estimate of net C02 sequestration produced by upwelling of nutrients from specified depths of the ocean. The deeper ocean, for example 300m, is found to have ratios of nutrients that will trigger multiple blooms when brought up to the sunlit upper ocean, and these multiple blooms absorb more molecules of C02 than the molecules brought upward from the deep ocean. Therefore, there is a net reduction of C02 molecules in the upper ocean, ultimately providing a pathway for the ocean to absorb more atmospheric C02 to reduce atmospheric heat gain.

[0041] In the present invention, a combination of dedicated tube-type upwelling wave driven pumps (41) and the aforementioned wave-energy capture pumps (36) are used, thus achieving both the desired renewable energy source (replacing C02-emitting fossil energy) while helping sequester C02 already emitted from the burning of fossil fuels. As seen in Figure 6, many wave-driven connected devices (42) of multiple types are provided which extend from shore far out to the ocean to provide both renewable energy and enhanced upwelling, the latter triggering multiple blooms to increase the ocean's natural absorption of C02.

[0042] Deploying wave energy systems in the ocean remains challenging and expensive due to the continuous movement of the water (both waves and currents) as well as winds which make more difficult the placement of the system in a fixed position on the seafloor. The deployment problem is compounded if an array of interconnected devices must be deployed, each precisely affixed to the seafloor at a known distance from each neighboring device. Transporting wave energy devices to the deployment site represents another challenge, since often the device comprises several underwater subsystems needing to be interconnected at the deployment site.

[0043] Therefore, a wave energy system is advantageous if it eliminates the need for precise affixing of each device to the seafloor; is readily transported to the deployment site; and can be deployed even in non-optimum conditions such as caused by moderate waves, conflicting current direction, and windy weather. The present invention describes such a system and incorporates the key elements shown. [0044] The system of the present invention employs array moorings (51) so each device is not directly affixed to the seafloor, rather adjacent devices are interconnected with a connecting cable (9) in serial fashion to form a string (50), with each end of the string anchored (54) and attached to the seafloor using a "slack" or catenary mooring line (7). The string ideally is inline with currents which typically run parallel to the coast (waves moving more or less orthogonal to the coast). Such a system is depicted in Figure 6, and more precisely shown in Figure 7.

[0045] The invention further comprises wave-energy subsystems (57) in Figure 8 comprising each device which are individually loaded on a platform (59) spanning the catamaran inflatable tubes (61) comprised as inflatable rafts (65), (64), (63), connected in series, and towed to the deployment site. The bottom-most subsystem (63) is at the end of the towing line, then the next-higher subsystem, and so on with the surface or near-surface subsystem (65) closest to the towing vessel. Upon reaching the site, air pressure is allowed to escape from one or more compartments of the inflatable raft tubes (61) holding the bottom-most subsystem, thus allowing the raft to tip over or submerge which releases the bottom-most subsystem (63). As this subsystem sinks, its weight causes the inflatable raft holding the next subsystem to submerge or tip, releasing this subsystem, and so on until the raft holding the surface or near-surface subsystem (65) is caused to submerge or tip, as depicted in Figures 9 and 10 below.

[0046] In this manner, a series of vertically attached subsystems can be quickly and efficiently deployed even under moderately challenging wave, current, and windy conditions. Depending on the raft design, it may be possible to sequentially release the air pressure using a remotely operated valve, to expedite the sequential deployment of the bottom-most subsystem (63), then next subsystem/and so on to the uppermost/surface subsystem (65).

[0047] Subsystems are connected bottom of front subsystem, to top of next subsystem, etc., so when deployed (e.g. in vertical orientation) as shown in Figure 10 the subsystems and their connecting lines are properly aligned top to bottom.

[0048] Once the system is deployed and operating, a method is needed to easily undertake repairs and diagnostics of the pump components. To achieve this, the midpoint of hose (66) between adjacent units is provided with a releasable fitting (62), a bypass connector (67), and with a riser line (68) to a surface float (58), (58'). The service vessel lifts the riser line (68) to bring the hose (66) and fitting (62) onto the boat deck, and installs a bypass hose (69), then repeats this action on the fitting at the opposite side of the pump unit. With the bypass hose (69) connected, it is now possible to maintain hydraulic pressure to the system while working on the pump that has been bypassed.

[0049] To diagnose the operation of each pump, a small bleed line (68) is provided from the releasing fitting (62) to the surface float (58). This will bleed off a very small amount of hydraulic flow which is released into the air above the surface float (58). By visually comparing the released water ejected into the air by adjacent bleed lines, the repair crew can judge if this portion of the system is working properly. The volume of water spurting into the air can be redirected into a measuring container to further determine exactly which pump is not performing, since if the volume in the container is less than anticipated, the crew will know exactly which pump unit is underperforming.

[0050] In one embodiment, the bleed line (68) depicted is connected to a brightly colored underwater bladder with pressurized air contained therein (not shown). If the bleed-off water diminishes due to a pump malfunction, the air will expand causing the bladder to surface. By looking for the brightly-colored bladders on the surface, the repair crew will know which pump needs repair.

[0051] Alternatively, pressure and/or flow rate measuring devices can be installed at numerous locations on the hydraulic lines, with output conveyed to one or more monitoring stations, thus determining operability of the undersea components. These measuring devices could utilize electronic sensors, mechanical sensors, acoustic sensors, or any other sensing mechanism to detect hydraulic pressure and/or flow.

[0052] In one embodiment of the invention, the pump assembly (36) is provided with cushioning flow control to prevent the piston (12) from damaging the cylinder (10), when subjected to a large wave. To achieve this, fluid pressure and/or mechanical retarding components are used to slow the piston (12) as it approaches the top, as well as the bottom, of the cylinder (10). [0053] As it is well known that wave energy varies from hour to hour as well as seasonally, a method is needed to store the wave energy when the source is high and release the energy when the wave energy source is lower. One such method relies on a gravity-influenced heavy body contained in a cylinder. For land-based energy storage, such a system is shown at http://www.launchpnt.com/portfolio/enerqy/arid-scale-electricitv- storaqe/ . In the case of the present invention, the tube (75) conveying the pressurized seawater to shore is connected to a vertical rigid cylindrical structure (73) containing a moveable heavy body (71).

[0054] The movement of the heavy body (71) is governed by pressurized water entering or exiting through valves at the base of the rigid cylinder (73) where the conveying tube (75) is connected. When wave energy is abundant the pressurized water enters the rigid cylinder (73), forcing the moveable heavy body (71) upward inside the cylinder (73), maintaining the heavy body (71) in said upward position. When the pressure and flow acting against the input valve is less than specified values, such as in lower wave conditions, the entry valve closes, allowing the volume of water in the conveying tube (75) to bypass the rigid cylinder (73). The rigid cylinder (73) exit valve then opens, which allows the moveable weight to move downward from gravity, forcing water inside the rigid cylinder (73) out the exit valve, thereby supplementing the flow inside the conveying tube. In this manner, a natural and automated balancing of wave energy is accomplished without need for human intervention or operation.

[0055] The rigid cylinder (73) can assume any size convenient for the water depth, benthic environment, and system size, for example 10m diameter and 40m tall if the water depth is 60m deep. In this example, the 20m clearance from top of the rigid cylinder (73) to sea surface should be ample to avoid interfering with marine surface vessels.

[0056] In a further embodiment of the invention, the hydraulic pressure line follows the seafloor into a port containing a dock on which a container or building is provided with a water pressure conversion mechanism such as a Pelton motor. The container or building may be floating adjacent the dock, positioned on the dock, or on adjacent land. The Pelton motor is connected to a generator to generate electricity. The electricity may be consumed locally or may be connected to an electrical distribution network. The advantage of this system is that it avoids the cost and difficulty of embedding the hydraulic pressure line in a coastline or beachfront adjacent the ocean, said coastline or beachfront subjected to very harsh conditions such as crashing waves, driftwood, or abandoned vessels, as well as avoiding the conflicts inherent to vacationers using the beach for recreation, fishing, and similar activities. This embodiment is depicted in Figure 13 below (a Google™ Earth image of the coastline and harbor in Charleston, Oregon), showing the seafloor hydraulic transmission line as a light grey line.

[0057] Although the invention has been described in detail with particular reference to these preferred embodiments, other embodiments can achieve the same results.

Variations and modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications and equivalents. The entire disclosures of all references, applications, patents, and publications cited above are hereby incorporated by reference

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. An underwater hydraulic pressure-generating device comprising two slideably-joined parts, optionally further comprising a piston and a cylinder, said one part provided with a buoyancy adjustment component, said buoyancy adjustment component providing for different accelerations of the one part and the second part when caused to rise and fall by passing waves.

2. An underwater hydraulic pressure-generating device comprising two slideably-joined parts, further comprising a piston and a cylinder, and further comprising one or more rotating panels which resist upward motion of one of the parts on wave upslope, said device not being directly secured to earth.

3. An array of devices according to claims 1 or 2, said devices not directly secured to earth.

4. A wave-driven pump providing both water pressurization and water relocation, said water relocation occurring external to said water pressurization.

5. A hydraulic wave energy system comprising hydraulic diagnostic components to alert operators if one or more subsystems of said hydraulic wave energy system are defective.

6. A wave energy system comprising a subsea hydraulic storage container.

7. A subsea method for storing and releasing energy using a weight inside a cylinder, said weight moved upward by water pressure and downward by gravity.