WO2016177858A1 - Générateur d'énergie électrique houlomotrice - Google Patents

Générateur d'énergie électrique houlomotrice Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2016177858A1
WO2016177858A1 PCT/EP2016/060136 EP2016060136W WO2016177858A1 WO 2016177858 A1 WO2016177858 A1 WO 2016177858A1 EP 2016060136 W EP2016060136 W EP 2016060136W WO 2016177858 A1 WO2016177858 A1 WO 2016177858A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
electrical energy
wave
energy generation
generation device
powered electrical
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2016/060136
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Sean Lavelle
Original Assignee
Sean Lavelle
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sean Lavelle filed Critical Sean Lavelle
Publication of WO2016177858A1 publication Critical patent/WO2016177858A1/fr

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
    • F03B13/12—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy
    • F03B13/14—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy
    • F03B13/16—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem"
    • F03B13/20—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
    • F05B2210/00—Working fluid
    • F05B2210/40—Flow geometry or direction
    • F05B2210/404—Flow geometry or direction bidirectional, i.e. in opposite, alternating directions
    • 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
    • F05B2240/95—Mounting on supporting structures or systems offshore
    • 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

  • This invention relates to a wave-powered electrical energy generation device. It will be immediately recognised that the need to find a cost effective source of renewable energy has been desired for a long period of time. In addition to the typical sources of energy found in nature, such as wind, solar and tidal, the use of wave energy has also been heavily explored as a potential source of renewal energy. Many different types of wave powered electricity energy generator device exist. These can be broadly categorised into point absorber devices, surge plate converter devices, attenuator devices, rotating mass devices and oscillating water column devices.
  • Point absorber devices use a float connected by a connection line to a fixed point on a seabed and uses the rise and fall of the waves to cause the float to rise and fall relative to the fixed point on the seabed. This rise and fall is captured using the connection line, extending between the float and the fixed point, to generate electricity.
  • a surge plate converter device is installed underwater and uses the movement of the water to push and pull a surge plate beneath the water. The back and forth motion of the surge plate is converted into electrical energy.
  • An attenuator device floats on top of the water and is generally a two (or more) part machine, whereby the two (or more) parts are connected by flexible connection points.
  • a rotating mass device uses a rotatable mass secured in a floatation pod to allow waves to cause the floatation pod to bob in the water and cause the mass to rotate. The rotation of the mass is converted into electrical energy.
  • the present invention is however directed towards a terminator-type wave-powered electrical energy generation device.
  • the present invention acts as a wave energy converter (WEC) using an oscillating water column (OWC) by generating electrical energy from waves travelling across a body of water.
  • WEC wave energy converter
  • OWC oscillating water column
  • the OWC device of the present invention is a terminator device as the OWC device of the present invention will be oriented perpendicular to the direction of the waves.
  • microwave-powered electrical energy generation device shall be understood to encompass any type of terminator-type WEC using an OWC for generation of the electrical energy.
  • OWC devices will be understood to operate by using a rising and falling column of water to cause electrical energy to be generated.
  • the means to create the electrical energy from the rising/falling column of water can be a turbine, a pulley system and/or a hydraulic ram system.
  • OWC devices are fixed to a seabed and have an opening adjacent a lower end of a column to allow incoming waves to cause a rising water level within the column. This movement of the level of water in the water column is converted into electrical energy. As the wave goes out to sea again, the fall of the water level in the water column can also be converted into electrical energy.
  • these types of fixed terminators are similar to pistons in a vehicle in that the fixed terminators comprise a stationary part (the column) and a moving part (the water level) which moves as a result of the waves.
  • the stationary part is typically fixed to a shoreline or to a seabed and it remains still relative to the moving part which consequently works similarly to a piston. It is the piston-like motion which pressurises a gas, normally to drive a turbine; or pushes a belt around a pulley; or, pushes a float to compress/expand a hydraulic ram.
  • OWC is a floating type OWC device which holds a quantity of fluid, typically seawater, within a compartment in the OWC device.
  • the waves will cause the floating type device to pitch and roll and therefore the fluid inside the device will also move.
  • This movement of fluid within the floatation device can be used to generate electrical energy by forcing the moving fluid into columns connected to the compartment holding the fluid.
  • U.K. Patent Publication Number GB2478723 discloses a wave energy device having a pair of spaced-apart, fluid-tight chambers fluidly interconnected in a lower region by a liquid flow conduit, and fluidly interconnected in an upper region by an air flow conduit.
  • Liquid is able to flow between the chambers due to movement of the device, caused by the passing waves.
  • a counter flow of air flows between the chambers driving a prime mover, such as a turbine.
  • This design requires tubes which comprise at least two 90° bends, and a large portion of the device is not utilised but will have to be carefully designed for operational purposes as the weight and distribution of weight in a floating device is important. There is an inefficient use of space within this type of design.
  • a single 180° bend has less than twice the loss of two 90° bends ("Internal Flow Systems" by DS Miller and published by BHRA).
  • Patent Publication Number GB2478723 comprise two 90° bends, this results in a certain loss in performance and a lower transfer/conversion of energy as a result of this loss.
  • this prior art design comprises two water chambers which are spaced apart and this can cause issues with stability if one of the chambers becomes damaged.
  • the hull design and mooring point location of this prior art device are arranged to cause the prior art device to be unidirectional, the device acts more as a point absorber device.
  • FIG. 1 Another example of a prior art OWC devices which comprises turbines which are rotated by the fluid moving in the columns of the OWC device can be found in the Applicant's own UK Patent Number GB 2 459 352.
  • the water rising and falling in the water columns is used to compress and expand a gas which is held above the fluid, such that the compression and expansion of the gas is used to rotate a turbine mounted in the column of the OWC device.
  • the wave powered fluid filled electric generation device in this prior art which comprises a pair of air chambers which are open to the atmosphere with means for generating electricity as fluid passes in either of these chambers.
  • the means of generating electricity are open to the elements of the weather by virtue of being open to the atmosphere. In rough bodies of water, the device could be damaged, or at least the means for generating the electricity could become damaged by way of being open to the atmosphere.
  • U.K. Patent Publication Number GB 2 299 833 (ZAKHEOS).
  • This device uses hydraulic rams located within a chamber, with the hydraulic rams being connected to a flotation plate, such that the pitching of the device in waves causes the flotation plate to move and causes the hydraulic rams to extend and compress within the device.
  • the chamber is open to the body of water to allow the water to enter the chamber beneath the floatation plate. This suffers from the same problem of being open to the environment.
  • Korean Patent Publication Number KR1000861566B (JOON) describes a wave power generator which uses a quad compartment floatation pod to cause rotation of a vertical axis turbine in the floatation pod.
  • the floatation pod bobs in a body of water and cause electrical energy to be generated.
  • the problem with this type of design is the complexity of using a four room chamber. The reason this number of chambers is required is because the device can pitch and roll in any direction and it is desired to generate electricity no what which direction is followed. Having to provide four chambers increases the complexity of the device and the associated communicating conduits and so on.
  • a number of different air flow patterns can result as the floatation pod is capable of pitching and rolling in any direction and this needs to be taken into account for the type of power take off device (i.e. generator device that can be used with such a design).
  • generator device i.e. generator device that can be used with such a design.
  • a simple belt and pulley type of generator means could be difficult to use in such a design as there would be at least two required and these would have to be designed to be separated from one another.
  • This type of design is advantageous for stability in high seas, as opposed to terminator type device like the present invention which could turn to be side-on to oncoming waves; however, in order to accommodate the resulting movements and to make the device as efficient as possible, a four (or more) chambered pod has to be designed and used along with a vertical axis turbine for the power take off.
  • U.K. Patent Publication Number GB 2 299 833 (GEORGIOU) which discloses a floating annular ring of chambers which each contain liquid and air, and are bounded by walls.
  • the top face of each chamber has an outlet with a non-return valve, and an inlet with a non-return valve.
  • the liquid level moves up the chambers thus pressurising the air, above the liquid, to pass through valves so as to drive a turbine and thus to generate electricity.
  • the valves open to admit air to the chambers, creating a vacuum which may also be used to drive the turbine.
  • the chambers may be linked to form a continuous communicating chamber.
  • the design of the floating ring of chambers is such that the device can face in any direction and the ring of separate chambers is capable of generating electricity due to the large number of different chambers and the valve system. This is a complicated design and is more expensive to manufacture and maintain in working order. As above, the type of power take off is limited due to this type of design. A simpler design with options to use different types of generator means is sought.
  • the sea wave generator comprises a generator body and a vertical axis worm gear which is connected to the generator body.
  • the generator body and the worm gear are installed within a shell and two ends of the shell are connected to ball-shaped containers respectively.
  • the bottom portions of the ball- shaped containers have a tube running between them so fluid from one ball-shape container can flow into the other and vice versa.
  • the rising fluid in a ball-shaped container due to the pitching of the sea wave generator causes air to flow through the vertical axis worm gear and generate electricity.
  • Hinged flaps are used to open and closed air flow paths as the sea wave generator pitches in the waves.
  • the present invention is directed towards a wave-powered electrical energy generation device for use on a body of water such that the wave-powered electrical energy generation device floats on the body of water with a portion of the wave- powered electrical energy generation device sitting below a surface level of the body of water;
  • the wave-powered electrical energy generation device comprising a hull which houses an enclosed void within the hull; the hull comprising a fore end and an aft end with the enclosed void housed substantially centrally between the fore end and the aft end; the fore end of the hull comprising a nosed portion and the aft end of the hull comprising a nosed portion; an upper face of the hull extending intermediate the nosed portion of the fore end and the nosed portion of the aft end with the upper face of the hull being held above the surface level of the body of water during operation; a lower face of the hull extending intermediate the nosed portion of the fore end and the nosed portion of the aft end with at
  • the advantage of providing the wave-powered electrical energy generation device with an enclosed void housing the fluid and the electrical energy generation means is that the electrical energy generation means is protected from the atmosphere and any rough weather which the wave-powered electrical energy generation device may be subjected to.
  • the design of the hull and the elliptic cylinder shaped enclosed void is important as the terminator-type design is useful for facing into oncoming waves and transferring the energy for the waves into movement of fluid in the enclosed void which is turn is used to generate electricity by some type of generator means.
  • the enclosed void houses a central divider wall which extends partially downwardly through the enclosed void from an uppermost point of the enclosed void so as to form a first area and a second area within the enclosed void, with the first area and second area being separated from one another adjacent the uppermost point by the central divider wall and the first area and the second area being in fluid communication with one another adjacent a lowermost point of the enclosed void; the quantity of fluid held in the wave-powered electrical energy generation device being such that fluid in the first area is permitted to pass through to the second area when the fluid flows adjacent the lowermost point of the enclosed void, and, the fluid in the second area is also permitted to pass through to the first area when the fluid flows adjacent the lowermost point of the enclosed void; wherein, the level of the fluid in the first area and the level of fluid in the second area is always above a lowermost edge of the central divider wall; and, the level of the fluid in the first area and in the second area will reciprocally rise and fall as fluid passes from the first area to the second area
  • the central divider wall comprises a through hole
  • the electrical energy generation means comprises a bi-directional turbine with the bidirectional turbine being installed in the through hole; such that, as the fluid flows from one of the first and second areas to the other of the first and second areas, a gas housed in the enclosed void, above the fluid in both the first and second areas, is compressed and expanded by the rising and falling levels of the fluid in the areas respectively such that the gas is forced through the bi-directional turbine causing the turbine to rotate and the rotation of the turbine can be converted into electrical energy.
  • the central divider wall comprises a through hole
  • the electrical energy generation means comprises a pulley, a first float plate on top of the fluid in the first area, a second float plate on top of the fluid in the second area, and, a belt connected between the first float plate and the second float plate with the belt running over the pulley which is located in the through hole of the central divider wall; such that, as the fluid flows from one of the first and second areas to the other of the first and second areas, the first and second float plates will be forced to rise and fall and the belt will thusly rotate the pulley, with the rotation of the pulley being converted into electrical energy.
  • the use of the floating plates will dampening and smoothen the movement of the belt to produce a smooth rotation of the pulley which in turn will produce a smoother electrical power signal.
  • the electrical energy generation means further comprises a gearing arrangement to convert the reciprocating rotation of the pulley into electrical energy.
  • a rotatable fin plate is secured between the side walls of the hull with the fluid held in the enclosed void being held on either side of the rotatable fin pate such that the rotatable fin plate acts as a surge plate within the enclosed void; a crossbeam being connected orthogonally to the top edge of the rotatable fin plate; the electrical energy generation means comprises a pulley and a belt connected between opposing ends of the crossbeam with the belt running over the pulley; such that, as the fluid moves within the enclosed void, the rotatable fin plate will be rotated about its axis and cause the cross beam to move in a see-saw fashion such that the belt will thusly rotate the pulley, with the rotation of the pulley being converted into electrical energy.
  • the electrical energy generation means further comprises a gearing arrangement to convert the reciprocating rotation of the pulley into electrical energy.
  • the enclosed void further houses anti-sloshing walls which are positioned to extend from adjacent a fore end of the hull towards the aft end of the hull.
  • the anti-sloshing walls of the wave-powered electrical energy generation device project upwardly through the enclosed void.
  • the wave-powered electrical energy generation device further comprises a fore compartment adjacent the fore end of the hull, and, an aft compartment adjacent the aft end of the hull; the fore compartment and the aft compartment being capable of adaptively receiving ballast so as to alter a trim angle and/or a buoyancy of the wave-powered electrical energy generation device.
  • the wave-powered electrical energy generation device further comprises pumps to change the amount of ballast in the fore compartment and/or the aft compartment by pumping ballast into or out of the fore compartment and/or the aft compartment in order to alter the trim angle and/or the buoyancy of the wave-powered electrical energy generation device.
  • the wave-powered electrical energy generation device further comprises a surge damping plate which depends downwardly beneath the keel section of the lower face of the hull, such that the surge damping plate is moveable by any surges in the body of water, and, said movement of the surge damping plate is converted into electrical energy.
  • the wave-powered electrical energy generation device further comprises a first mooring line connected intermediate the wave-powered electrical energy generation device and a floating rotating damper assembly and a second mooring line intermediate the floating rotating damper assembly and a mooring; such that the floating rotating damper assembly comprises a fixed element and a rotating element which rotates relative to the fixed element, whereby the first mooring line is connected to the rotating element and the second mooring line is connected to the fixed element; the action of the waves on the wave- powered electrical energy generation device causes the rotating element to rotate relative to the fixed element and this rotation can be converted into electrical energy,
  • the enclosed void is a substantially cylindrically shaped void, In a further embodiment, the enclosed void is a substantially elliptical cylinder shaped void.
  • the substantially elliptic cylinder shaped void is arranged within the hull such that its major axis extends in a substantially horizontal direction and its minor axis extends in a substantially vertical direction.
  • the major axis is up to 15% longer in length than the minor axis.
  • a first plane extends from the fore end of the hull to a substantially central point within the enclosed void
  • a second plane extends from the aft end of the hull to the substantially central point within the enclosed void; such that the acute angle formed between the first plane and the second plane is in the range of 115° to 145°.
  • the acute angle formed between the first plane and the second plane is approximately 130°
  • the acute angle formed between the first plane and the second plane is 130°.
  • the wave-powered electrical energy generation device further comprises one or more fluid holding compartments which may be presented on the fore end of the hull or on the aft end of the hull; the one or more fluid holding compartments being used to replenish the quantity of fluid held in the void, if necessary, and also being capable of adaptively receiving fluid so as to alter a trim angle and/or a buoyancy of the wave-powered electrical energy generation device.
  • the quantity of fluid held in the enclosed void is not saltwater. In a further embodiment, the quantity of fluid held in the enclosed void is a fluid having a fluid density in the range of 800 kg/m 3 and 1400 kg/m 3 . The density and the viscosity of the quantity of fluid held within the enclosed void in the wave- powered electrical energy generation device will be determined by the wave climate condition of the body of water where the wave-powered electrical energy generation device will be installed.
  • a fluid having a fluid density of between 800 kg/m3 and 1400 kg/m3 is envisaged to be used, as such a fluid with a density in this range will be effective at transferring the energy from the wave to a power take-off device in the enclosed void in the hull of the wave-powered electrical energy generation device.
  • the present invention is further directed towards a wave-powered electrical energy generation assembly comprising a plurality of inter-connected wave-powered electrical energy generation devices as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein, the wave-powered electrical energy generation devices are interconnected by way of a number of linkage arms and the movement of the linkage arms relative to one another may be converted into electrical energy.
  • the Linkage arms are rods. 26.
  • the linkage arms are pantograph linkages.
  • the linkage arms are cables.
  • the linkage arms are ropes.
  • the present invention is directed towards a wave-powered electrical energy generation assembly comprising a plurality of inter-connected wave-powered electrical energy generation devices as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein, the movement of the linkage arms relative to one another is converted into electrical energy by way of one or more dynamos.
  • the present invention is directed to a wave-powered electrical energy generation device, the wave-powered electrical energy generation device comprising a hull which surrounds an enclosed void within the hull of the wave-powered electrical energy generation device; the enclosed void housing a central divider wall which extends downwardly from an uppermost point within the void and partially downwardly through the void to form a first area and a second area within the void which first area and second area are separated from one another by the central divider wall adjacent the uppermost point of the enclosed void but are in fluid communication with one another adjacent a lowermost point of the enclosed void; the wave-powered electrical energy generation device housing a quantity of fluid in the enclosed void such that the fluid in the first area in the enclosed void is permitted to pass through to the second area in the enclosed void when the fluid flows adjacent the lowermost point of the enclosed void, and, the fluid in the second area is also permitted to pass through to the first area when the fluid flows adjacent the lowermost point of the enclosed void; wherein, the level of the fluid in the first area and the
  • the central divider wall comprises a through hole
  • the electrical energy generation means comprises a bi-directional turbine with the bidirectional turbine being installed in the through hole; such that, as the fluid flows from one of the first and second areas to the other of the first and second areas, a gas housed in the enclosed void, above the fluid in both the first and second areas, is compressed and expanded by the rising and falling levels of the fluid in the areas respectively such that the gas is forced through the bi-directional turbine causing the turbine to rotate and the rotation of the turbine can be converted into electrical energy.
  • the central divider wall comprises a through hole
  • the electrical energy generation means comprises a pulley, a first float plate on top of the fluid in the first area, a second float plate on top of the fluid in the second area, and, a belt connected between the first float plate and the second float plate and running over the pulley which is located in the through hole of the central divider wall; such that, as the fluid flows from one of the first and second areas to the other of the first and second areas, the first and second float plates will be forced to rise and fall and the belt will thusly rotate the pulley, with the rotation of the pulley being convertible into electrical energy.
  • the use of the floating plates will dampening and smoother! the movement of the belt to produce a smooth rotation of the pulley which in turn will produce a smoother electrical power signal.
  • the enclosed void further houses anti-sloshing walls which are positioned orthogonally to the central divider wall.
  • the anti-sloshing walls of the wave-powered electrical energy generation device further project upwardly from a lowermost point within the enclosed void.
  • the wave-powered electrical energy generation device further comprises fore and aft compartments which can adaptively receive ballast so as to alter a trim angle of the wave-powered electrical energy generation device.
  • the wave-powered electrical energy generation device further comprises pumps to change the amount of ballast in the fore and aft compartments by pumping ballast in the form of seawater into or out of said compartments in order to alter the trim angle and/or device buoyancy of the wave- powered electrical energy generation device.
  • the wave-powered electrical energy generation device further comprises a surge damping plate which extends beneath a lower side of the hull of the wave-powered electrical energy generation device, such that the surge damping plate is moveable by any surges and said movement of the surge damping plate can be convertible into electrical energy.
  • the wave-powered electrical energy generation device further comprises a first mooring line connected intermediate the wave-powered electrical energy generation device and a floating rotating damper assembly and a second mooring line intermediate the floating rotating damper assembly and a mooring; such that the floating rotating damper assembly comprises a fixed element and a rotating element which rotates relative to the fixed element, whereby the first mooring line is connected to the rotating element and the second mooring line is connected to the fixed element; and, the action of the waves on the wave- powered electrical energy generation device causes the rotating element to rotate relative to the fixed element and this rotation can be converted into electrical energy.
  • the present invention is further directed towards a wave-powered electrical energy generation assembly comprising a plurality of inter-connected wave-powered electrical energy generation devices as hereinbefore described, wherein, the wave- powered electrical energy generation devices are inter-connected by way of a number of linkage arms and the movement of the linkage arms relative to one another may be converted into electrical energy.
  • the present invention is further directed towards a method of generation electrical energy from wave power by using any of the aforementioned wave-powered electrical energy generation devices.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wave-powered electrical energy generation device
  • Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the wave-powered electrical energy generation device of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a perspective cut-through view of a portion of the wave-powered electrical energy generation device of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 4a is a side elevation view of a wave-powered electrical energy generation device in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 4b is a side elevation view of a wave-powered electrical energy generation device in accordance with yet a further embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 5 is a side elevation view of a wave-powered electrical energy generation device in accordance with a yet another embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 6 is a top view of the wave-powered electrical energy generation device of Figure 5;
  • Figure 7 is a side elevation view of a plurality of wave-powered electrical energy generation devices connected in series forming an electrical energy generation assembly in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention.
  • a wave-powered electrical energy generation device indicated generally by reference numeral 100.
  • the wave- powered electrical energy generation device 100 comprises a hull 102.
  • the wave- powered electrical energy generation device 100 is suitable to be used on a body of water (not shown) such that the wave-powered electrical energy generation device 100 floats on the body of water with a portion of the wave-powered electrical energy generation device 100 sitting below a surface level of the body of water.
  • the hull 102 comprises a nosed portion 126, occasionally referred to as a fore nose, at a fore end of the hull 102, and, an nosed portion 128, occasionally referred to as an aft nose, at an aft end of the hull 102 with an enclosed void indicated generally by reference numeral 104 housed substantially centrally between the fore end and the aft end of the hull 102.
  • the positive buoyancy of the wave-powered electrical energy generation device 100 is such that the enclosed void 104 is held above a waterline of the body of water in which the wave-powered electrical energy generation device 100 is installed and floats.
  • an angle of approximately 130° is established between a first plane, which extends from the fore nose 126 (at the fore end of the hull 102) to a substantially centra! axis within the void 104, and, a second plane, which extends from the aft nose 128 (at the aft end of the hull 102) to a substantially central axis within the void 104.
  • An upper face of the hull 102 extending intermediate the nosed portion 126 of the fore end and the nosed portion 128 of the aft end with the upper face of the hull being held above the surface level of the body of water during operation.
  • a lower face of the hull 102 extending intermediate the nosed portion 126 of the fore end and the nosed portion 128 of the aft end with at least a portion of the lower face of the hull being below the surface level of the body of water during operation, whereby the lower face is arced, such that the lower face arcs downwardly away from the nosed portion 126 of the fore end towards a lowermost keel section 125 and then upwardly to the nosed portion 128 of the aft end.
  • the lowermost keel section 125 being positioned beneath the substantially centrally housed enclosed void 104.
  • the hull 102 further comprising side walls.
  • the side walls of the hull extend beyond the sides of the enclosed void 104.
  • the side portions of the enclosed void 104 will be set into the hull 102 such that the side walls of the hull 102 extend beyond the side walls of the enclosed void 104. This is useful for improving the stability of the wave-powered electrical energy generation device 100, particularly if the wave- powered electrical energy generation device 100 is hit by a wave on one of its side walls.
  • the mass of the fluid in the enclosed void 104 is held within a central portion of the hull 102, with the fore nosed portion 126 and the aft nosed portion 128 and the side walls of the hull extending beyond the enclosed void 104, for improved stability.
  • the wave-powered electrical energy generation device 100 comprises a hull shaped as outlined above so that the wave-powered electrical energy generation device 100 acts as a terminator type wave device which is held by a mooring but is directed into oncoming waves.
  • the the nosed portion 126 of the fore end and the lower face of the hull 102 assists the wave-powered electrical energy generation device 100 to pitch up into the oncoming wave.
  • the nosed portion 128 of the aft end and the lower face of the hull 102 assists the wave-powered electrical energy generation device 100 to arrest the pitching of the wave-powered electrical energy generation device 100 so as to prevent the wave-powered electrical energy generation device 100 from over pitching.
  • the nosed portion 128 of the aft end and the lower face of the hull 102 assists the wave-powered electrical energy generation device 100 to return pitch.
  • the enclosed void 104 may be formed by a horizontally extending elliptic cylinder 106, although alternative shapes of voids are envisaged such as inverted bell- shapes, semi-cylindrical shapes and so on.
  • An elliptic cylinder shaped enclosed void 104 is seen to be particularly advantageous as the dimensions allow for more fluid to be moved/rotated within the elliptic shaped enclosed void 104 as compared to a cylindrically-shaped void when the void is rotated by the same angle. This will make the wave power electricity generation move effective when using an elliptic cylinder shaped enclosed void 104.
  • a fluid will partially fill this enclosed void 104.
  • the fluid is not saltwater, or a saltwater-dominant fluid.
  • a central divider wall 108 depends downwardly from an uppermost point 112 within the enclosed void 104.
  • a lowermost edge 110 of the central divider wall 108 is shown in Figure 3 and the fluid level will always remain above this lowermost edge 110 as described in further detail hereinunder.
  • a through hole 116 is formed in the central divider wall 108 and a bi-directional turbine 118 is installed in said through hole 116.
  • the central divider wall 108 forms two areas within the enclosed void 104. A first area and a second area are formed within the enclosed void 104 with the first area and the second area being separated from one another adjacent to the uppermost point 112 of the enclosed void 104, by the central divider wall 108.
  • the wave-powered electrical energy generation device 100 will hold a quantity of the fluid in the enclosed void 104 such that the fluid in the first area in the enclosed void 104 is permitted to pass through to the second area in the enclosed void 104 when the fluid flows adjacent the lowermost point of the enclosed void 104, and, the fluid in the second area 104 is also permitted to pass through to the first area when the fluid flows adjacent the lowermost point of the enclosed void 104.
  • Anti-sloshing walls 114 are provided within the enclosed void 104 and these anti- sloshing walls 114 extend orthogonally relative to the central divider wall 108.
  • Channels 113 are provided in the anti-sloshing walls 114 to allow fluid to pass from one section within the enclosed void 104 to another section within the enclosed void 104 where said sections are divided by an anti-sloshing wall 114.
  • An uppermost edge 115 of the anti-sloshing walls 114 is also shown and will be described in greater detail further below.
  • a fore compartment 120 and an aft compartment 122 are provided in the wave- powered electrical energy generation device 100 to allow the trim angle of the wave- powered electrical energy generation device 100 to be changed dependent on weather conditions and prevailing wave conditions.
  • Pumps can be used to fill the fore compartment 120 and the aft compartment 122 with ballast so as to pitch the angle of the wave-powered electrical energy generation device 100 into incoming waves (not shown).
  • Seawater can be used as the ballast, although other solids and/or fluids having different volumetric mass densities may be alternatively used.
  • a gas could be used to alter the trim angle by increasing or decreasing the density of the gas in the fore compartment 120 and the aft compartment 122.
  • the gas in a preferred embodiment, may be air. It will be appreciated that pumping a gas into and out of the fore compartment 120 and the aft compartment 122 will be less power intensive than pumping other ballasts having greater densities, such as water. It will be understood that the trim can be changed by adding or removing ballast from just one of the fore compartment 120 and the aft compartment 122.
  • anti-sloshing plates 124 are provided within the enclosed void 104 to reduce sloshing. These anti-sloshing plates 124 may be installed along the uppermost edges 115 of the anti-sloshing walls 114 and run in parallel to the central divider wall 108.
  • the wave-powered electrical energy generation device 100 will be partially filled with the fluid, which will likely be seawater but could be other types of fluids, such that the fluid will have a surface level that is established in the first area and a surface level that is established in the second area; both the first area and the second are being in the enclosed void 104.
  • the surface levels of the fluid in the first area and the second area will, during normal use, be above the lower edge 110 of the central wall divider 108 but below the uppermost edge 115 of the anti-sloshing walls 114, In this manner, a gas can be kept housed in the first and second areas of the enclosed void 104, above the part of the first and second areas holding the fluid in the first and second areas
  • the surface levels of the fluid in the first and second areas will reciprocally rise and fall as the fluid passes from one of the first area and the second area to the other of the first area and the second area, and vice versa.
  • the gas housed above the fluid is housed in an enclosed void 104, which is protected from the atmospheric elements.
  • the gas will be compressed and expanded by the rising and falling surface levels of the fluid in the enclosed void 104 and it doing so, the gas will be forced through the through hole 116 in the central divider wall 108. Whilst passing through the through hole 116 in the central divider wall 108, the flow of the gas will cause the bi-directional turbine 118 to rotate. This rotation of the turbine 118 can be converted into electrical energy using known techniques.
  • a uni-directional turbine could be used in place of the bidirectional turbine 118, but this would be a less effective solution.
  • a plurality of through holes 116 could be located on the central dividing wall 108, and, each of the plurality of through holes 1 16 may accommodate a uni-directional turbine or a bi-directional turbine or a combination thereof.
  • the device 100 can prevent the gas from passing from one of the first and second areas to the other of the first and second areas underneath the lower edge 110 of the central dividing wall 108.
  • the device 100 can prevent the fluid, for the most part, from spilling over from one section within the enclosed void 104 to another section within the enclosed void 104 where said sections are divided by an anti-sloshing wall 114.
  • the shape and length of the fore nose 126 and the aft nose 128 are constructed to suit the wave climate that the wave-powered electrical energy generation device 100 will be deployed into.
  • the fore nose 126 and the aft nose 128 accommodate the fore compartment 120 and the aft compartment 122 where the ballast is held to alter the trim angle and/or the buoyancy of the wave-powered electrical energy generation device 100.
  • the trim angle and/or buoyancy can be adaptively changed automatically by the wave-powered electrical energy generation device 100 by monitoring its own trim angle and/or buoyancy, and, activation pumps can be used to fill or remove ballast as required.
  • the trim angle and/or buoyancy of the wave-powered electrical energy generation device 100 can be controlled remotely from the wave-powered electrical energy generation device 100 as an external buoy which may be kept at a distance from the wave-powered electrical energy generation device 100 can be used to detect the size and type of oncoming waves and can relay this information back to the wave-powered electrical energy generation device 100 so that the trim angle is controlled appropriately.
  • a user could alternatively, or in conjunction with the above described systems, manage the ballast loads in the fore and aft compartments 120, 122 from a remote controlling station on-shore. In such a manner, the wave-powered electrical energy generation device 100 can be tuned to the response of an oncoming set of waves.
  • a conduit (not shown) between the fore compartment 120 and the aft compartment 122, may be housed within the hull 102 of the wave-powered electrical energy generation device 100.
  • the ballast from one compartment can be moved to another by way of this conduit.
  • the density of the fluid and the density of the gas housed in the enclosed void 104 can be changed to suit the wave climate condition that the wave-powered electrical energy generation device 100 will be deployed into as different parts of the world have different wave periods, and so on.
  • the shape of the hull 102 of the wave-powered electrical energy generation device 100 is particularly suited to deployment in open sea conditions and can withstand large waves, storms and the like.
  • the first and second float plates 404, 406 will be forced to rise and fall and the belt 410 will thusly rotate the pulley 408, with the rotation of the pulley 408 being convertible into electrical energy using the standard techniques.
  • the buoyancy of the first float plate 404 and the second float plate 406 may be altered by adding or removing ballast from the first float plate 404 and the second float plate 406 respectively.
  • the ballast in the first float plate 404 and the second float plate 406 may be water, or a gas or other types of solids and/or fluids.
  • the electrical energy generation means which is used to convert the movement of the fluid in the enclosed void of the wave- powered electrical energy generation device 412, comprises a pulley 408, a cross beam 414 which is orthogonally connected to a rotatable fin plate 416.
  • the rotatable fin plate 416 is hinged about an axis 418, which is connected to side walls (not shown) of the enclosed void.
  • a belt 410 is connected between opposing ends of the cross beam 414, and, the belt 410 runs over the pulley 408.
  • the rotatable fin plate 416 will rotate about its axis. In this sense the rotatable fin plate 416 acts similarly to a surge plate. The rotation of the rotatable fin plate 416 causes the cross beam to move in a see-saw fashion which acts on the belt 410 and causes the belt 410 to thusly rotate the pulley 408. The rotation of the pulley 408 being converted into electrical energy using standard techniques, such as gearing mechanisms to account for the reciprocating nature of the belt movement over the pulley 408.
  • a gearbox (not shown) may be used in conjunction with a mechanical generator or hydraulic generator to create the electrical energy, when any of the see-saw or pulley-type mechanisms described hereinbefore are used to generate the electrical energy.
  • the gearbox mechanism may be used to accommodate reciprocating movement of belts over pulleys and/or of see-saw type arrangements.
  • the wave-powered electrical energy generation device 500 comprises a surge damping plate 502 which extends downwardly beneath the hull 102 of the wave-powered electrical energy generation device 500.
  • This surge damping plate 502 reduces the surge on the wave-powered electrical energy generation device 500 and can also incorporate a generator ⁇ not shown) to generate electricity from the surge movement.
  • the wave-powered electrical energy generation device 500 also comprises a first mooring line 512A, 512B connected intermediate the wave-powered electrical energy generation device 500 and a floating rotating damper assembly indicated generally by reference numeral 506 and a second mooring line 514 intermediate the floating rotating damper assembly 506 and a mooring point 504, It can be seen that the floating rotating damper assembly 506 comprises a fixed element 508 and a rotating element 510 which rotates relative to the fixed element 508.
  • the first mooring line 512A, 512B is connected to the rotating element 510 and the second mooring line 514 is connected to the fixed element 508.
  • the action of the waves on the wave-powered electrical energy generation device 500 causes the rotating element 510 to rotate relative to the fixed element 508 and this rotation can be converted into electrical energy.
  • a wave-powered electrical energy generation assembly indicated generally by reference numeral 700 comprising a plurality of interconnected wave-powered electrical energy generation devices 100.
  • the wave- powered electrical energy generation devices 100 are inter-connected by way of a number of linkage arms 704A, 704B and the movement of the linkage arms 704A, 704B relative to one another may be converted into electrical energy by using a hinge mechanism 706A, 706B, 708 to extract electrical energy from the relative movement of the linkage arms 704A, 704B.
  • a linkage arm could be connected to the sea bed at one end, rather than to an additional wave-powered electrical energy generation device 100.
  • Dynamos, or similar types of power take off devices could be used to convert the movement of the linkage arms 704A, 704B inot electrical energy.
  • Pantographic linkages, cables, ropes and the like may be used, although rods will be understood to be the preferred choice for the linkage arms 704A, 704B.
  • the wave-powered electrical energy generation device 100 is preferably moored at a point beyond the fore nosed portion 126 or aft nosed portion 128 of the hull 102.
  • a foam material may be used as part of the hull 102 of the wave-powered electrical energy generation device 100.
  • a High-Density Polyethylene (HOPE) pipe may be used to form the horizontally extending cylinder 106 which is believed to be a unique and novel use of material for the construction of a wave-powered electrical energy generation device 100, 400, 500. It wilt be readily appreciated that the preceding specification has described the present invention in respect of holding a fluid within the enclosed void, and it will be further appreciated that alternative substances, which display fluid-like characteristics in their movement, may be used in place of a gas fluid or a liquid fluid.

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

Abstract

L'invention concerne un générateur d'énergie électrique houlomotrice utilisable sur une masse d'eau. Le générateur d'énergie électrique houlomotrice flotte sur la masse d'eau, une de ses parties reposant en-dessous d'un niveau superficiel de la masse d'eau. Une coque (102) comportant un espace vide fermé (104) présente une extrémité avant et une extrémité arrière, l'espace vide fermé (104) occupant une position sensiblement centrale entre l'extrémité avant et l'extrémité arrière de la coque (102). Le générateur d'énergie électrique houlomotrice retient dans l'espace vide fermé (104) une quantité de liquide (402) dont le mouvement, provoqué par le tangage et/ou le roulis du générateur d'énergie électrique houlomotrice dans le masse d'eau, est converti en énergie électrique par un générateur d'énergie électrique.
PCT/EP2016/060136 2015-05-05 2016-05-05 Générateur d'énergie électrique houlomotrice WO2016177858A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB1507646.6A GB201507646D0 (en) 2015-05-05 2015-05-05 A wave-powered electrical energy generation device
GB1507646.6 2015-05-05

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2016177858A1 true WO2016177858A1 (fr) 2016-11-10

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WO (1) WO2016177858A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN106640500A (zh) * 2017-03-10 2017-05-10 大连理工大学 一种基于横摇运动的发电装置
US11542912B2 (en) * 2020-08-25 2023-01-03 Lone Gull Holdings, Ltd. Wave-energized diode pump

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2001193626A (ja) * 2000-01-11 2001-07-17 Masaharu Miyake 波エネルギー利用海洋発電装置
KR100861566B1 (ko) * 2007-05-11 2008-10-07 김병준 파력발전구 및 그 시스템
GB2456833A (en) * 2008-01-28 2009-07-29 Adam Zakheos Tilting wave energy device
WO2011162817A1 (fr) * 2010-06-23 2011-12-29 Cunningham Brian T Système et procédé pour la production d'énergie électrique renouvelable utilisant l'énergie des vagues

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2001193626A (ja) * 2000-01-11 2001-07-17 Masaharu Miyake 波エネルギー利用海洋発電装置
KR100861566B1 (ko) * 2007-05-11 2008-10-07 김병준 파력발전구 및 그 시스템
GB2456833A (en) * 2008-01-28 2009-07-29 Adam Zakheos Tilting wave energy device
WO2011162817A1 (fr) * 2010-06-23 2011-12-29 Cunningham Brian T Système et procédé pour la production d'énergie électrique renouvelable utilisant l'énergie des vagues

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN106640500A (zh) * 2017-03-10 2017-05-10 大连理工大学 一种基于横摇运动的发电装置
US11542912B2 (en) * 2020-08-25 2023-01-03 Lone Gull Holdings, Ltd. Wave-energized diode pump

Also Published As

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