WO2019053686A1

WO2019053686A1 - Energy harvesting mechanism from sea waves

Info

Publication number: WO2019053686A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/057141
Authority: WO
Inventors: Syed Noor AHAMAD
Original assignee: Ahamad Syed Noor
Priority date: 2017-09-18
Filing date: 2018-09-18
Publication date: 2019-03-21

Abstract

An energy capturing system (301) for capturing energy from a water channel (103,308), the device comprising a work piece (101,14,302) having one or more cavity, and adapted to be placed in a water channel (103,308), the work piece (101,14,302) is adapted to swing at least in two direction due to a force applied onto surface of one of the cavities by a flow of water through the water channel (103,308), and a converter (307) coupled to the work piece (101,14,302) and adapted to be actuated by the movement of the work piece (101,14,302) and to convert the mechanical energy of the work piece movement to another form of energy.

Description

ENERGY HARVESTING MECHANISM FROM SEA WAVES

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a system for extraction of energy from sea wave and tidal motion in a body of water channel. More particularly, it relates to a system for extracting energy from wave motion using a swing arm.

Background

Given that oceans are rich in wave energy resources, how to effectively develop and utilize wave energy at low cost has become a task faced by the ocean wave energy researchers throughout the world. At present, the wave energy technology is still in the research stage all over the world, and there are various wave energy power generating devices that are being subjected to laboratory research or practical oceanic condition experiments. Today researchers and scientists have once again focused on the untapped energy source i.e Sea / Oceanic tidal wave energy which is available all the time and is clean.

By utilizing this unique source of sea wave energy, we can produce any desirable amount of energy. Types of Wave Energy Converters are classified into the following basic categories, namely:

Floats or Pitching Devices (Heaving buoys) These devices generate electricity from the bobbing or pitching action of a floating object. The object can be mounted to a floating raft or to a device fixed on the ocean floor. To generate large amounts of energy, a multitude of these devices must be deployed, each with its own piston and power take off equipment.

Oscillating Water Columns (OWC) These devices generate electricity from the wave-driven rise and fall of water in a cylindrical shaft. The rising and falling water column drives air in and out of the top of the shaft, powering an air-driven turbine.

Hinged Contour Converters It is a system of buoys consisting of tubular steel cylinders, attached to one another by hinges capable of interacting with a much large ocean area along its length. The force which the waves exert in moving each segment relative to its neighbors is captured by hydraulic rams that press fluid into accumulators, which, in turn, power a number of generators. References is also made to the most popular method of utilizing the tidal wave energy is using a float type converter, where float moves up and down along with the tidal waves and this movement of the float is being converted into an input source. When the wave comes in and lifts the float, it needs to overcome the weight of the float itself & the downward pressure exerted by the steel arm attached to the float. And with the water making up the wave travelling along the horizontal plane, between lifting the float and simply passing off from under the float, the water chooses the path of lesser resistance; that is simply passing off from under the float. The upward movement of the float mainly thus comes from the volume of the water in the wave than anything else; thereby resulting in the under-utilization of the complete energy that the wave brings along with it.

The oscillation of the steel arm is also limited because of the length of the hydraulic cylinders pump. This movement of the pump cannot be extended unless the pump itself is replaced with a new one, with a length as desired.

From the above methods/converters, it is clear that they are not sufficient to meet the requirements and they come with their own problems and limitations like they become highly sophisticated, life of the equipment, availability of the free source across all seasons, escalation, besides increasing the degree of difficulty in implementation and maintenance.

After all the research and studies regarding the suitability of the area/site, a better construction needs to be made to accommodate the length of the float arm, there should be no escape for the waves, no suppression on waves like in the float type converters. Our invention has a better design, a better method that can be used to harness the maximum energy available in a wave by placing an energy capturing system in a water channel, where a large amount of water is forced to travel through the narrow channel, creating an enormous force for the movement of the swing arm and this movement will convert the mechanical energy to another form of energy.

Objective of the Invention

The objective of the invention is to harness energy from a water channel in an efficient manner.

Summary of the Invention

The object of the invention is achieved by an energy capturing system for capturing energy from a water channel, the device comprising a work piece having one or more cavity, and adapted to be placed in a water channel, the work piece is adapted to swing at least in two direction due to a force applied onto one of the cavities by a flow of water through the water channel and a converter coupled to the work piece and adapted to be actuated by the movement of the work piece and to convert the mechanical energy of the work piece movement to another form of energy.

This embodiment is helpful as it provides converting wave energy to another form of energy by the movement of the workpiece when it is placed in the water channel. As a mass flow of the water forcefully pushes onto the cavity of the workpiece which tends to move/displace workpiece towards the wave direction from its original position. Since one or more cavity of the workpiece helps to prevent flow of water from the sides of the workpiece when water pushes the workpiece. According to one embodiment of energy capturing system, a channeling means adapted to channel the flow of water from a water source, wherein the work piece is adapted to be placed within the channeling means, or in proximity to the channeling means.

This embodiment is helpful, as it enables the movement of the workpiece which is placed in a channel, the waves travelling from a water source has to push the workpiece with an enormous force making the workpiece to move / displace and there is no escape for the waves, and this movement of workpiece will help in capturing wave energy.

According to another embodiment of energy capturing system, wherein the channeling means is adapted to channel the water in two directions opposite to each other, such that the work piece is adapted to receive the force from the flow of water in each direction and adapted to move in the two directions alternatively.

This embodiment is helpful, as the flow of water in water channel is high, due to the force of the water flow, workpiece is moved forward in direction of the wave and after sometime workpiece is moved back to its original place. This provides that workpiece moves in two directions which helps in harnessing wave energy.

According to yet another embodiment of energy capturing system, wherein a regulator is coupled to the work piece and adapted to regulated movement of the work piece in a predefined direction. This embodiment is helpful, as a regulator helps the workpiece to allow motion in a specific direction to avoid haphazard movement when enormous force from wave makes the workpiece to move/displace.

According to a further embodiment of energy capturing system, wherein a swing arm is physically coupled to the work piece and adapted to facilitate the movement of the work piece.

This embodiment is helpful for movement of the workpiece wherein a swing arm moves forward and returning back to its original position, which utilizes maximum amount of tidal wave energy when workpiece is moving forward and backward.

According to one embodiment of energy capturing system, a converter comprises a fly wheel rotatably coupled to the swing arm, and adapted to rotate when the swing arm moves.

This embodiment is helpful as a huge fly-wheel is functionally coupled to the swing arm which enables a continuous rotating torque due to its inertia / kinetic energy stored in it, when swing arm moves or displace from its position. According to a further embodiment of energy capturing system, comprises a first directional movement means adapted to rotate the fly wheel in a first rotational direction when the swing arm moves in a first direction; and a second directional movement means adapted to rotate the fly wheel in a second rotational direction when the swing arm moves in a second direction.

This embodiment is helpful as fly wheel enables a continuous rotating when the swing arm is moved forward and backward.

According to yet another embodiment of energy capturing system, wherein a first step up gear rotatably coupled to the fly wheel, the first directional means and the second directional means, and adapted to rotate the fly wheel on receiving drive from either of the first directional means or the second directional means.

This embodiment is helpful as the step-up gear is functionally coupled to the fly wheel and the swing arm. When swing arm moves forwards, step up gear gets activated to rotate in first direction and which tends to rotate fly wheel in the first direction. When swing arm move backward step up gear gets activated to rotate in second direction and which tends to rotate fly wheel in the second direction. This means fly wheel enables a continuous rotating when the swing arm is moved forward and backward.

According to another embodiment of energy capturing system, comprises the first directional means comprises a first unidirectional gear wheel, and the second directional means comprises a second unidirectional gear wheel, wherein each of the unidirectional gear wheel adapted to move only in one direction which is opposite direction to the other unidirectional gear wheel.

This embodiment is helpful as the unidirectional gear wheels are linked with the step- up gear in such a way that when first unidirectional gear drives step up gear, the second unidirectional gear will not get involve in the rotation. And when second unidirectional gear wheel drives step up gear, first unidirectional gear will not get involve in the rotation. That means only one unidirectional gear will drive the step-up gear at a time and which makes continuous rotation of the gear wheel which rotates the fly wheel and fly wheel enables a continuous rotating for harnessing energy. According to another further embodiment of energy capturing system, wherein the first directional means is functionally coupled to the second directional means, such that one directional means is adapted to drive the other directional means.

This embodiment is helpful as the gear wheels are unidirectional means one gear wheel drives other gear wheel that means usage of any external support for functioning of the rotation of the gear wheels is not required.

Further benefits, goals and features of the present invention will be described by the following specification of the attached figures, in which components of the invention are exemplarily illustrated. Components of the devices and method according to the inventions, which match at least essentially with respect to their function, can be marked with the same reference sign, wherein such components do not have to be marked or described in all figures.

The invention is just exemplarily described with respect to the attached figure in the following.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig 1 . illustrates a workpiece placed in a water channel passing through a channeling means for harvesting energy from the water channel, according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig 2. illustrates an energy converter used in the invention for harvesting energy from the water channel, according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig 3. illustrates a schematic diagram of an energy capturing system for harvesting energy from a water channel, according to an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The best and other modes for carrying out the present invention are presented in terms of the embodiments, herein depicted in Drawings provided. The embodiments are described herein for illustrative purposes and are subject to many variations. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Further, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. Any heading utilized within this description is for convenience only and has no legal or limiting effect.

The terms "a" and "an" herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items.

Fig 1 . shows a workpiece 101 placed in a water channel 103 passing through a channeling means 102 for harvesting energy from the water channel. For harvesting energy from the mass flow of the water channel 103, a converter (not shown in the figure) is further attached to the work piece 101 , and because of the movement of the workpiece 101 , the converter is triggered to receive a drive, which further converts mechanical energy of the work piece 101 into electrical energy. In one embodiment, the converter need not be mechanical energy to electrical energy converter, rather it can be another energy type converter, converting mechanical energy to any other form of energy, like thermal energy.

The geometry of the work piece is having one or more cavities. The channel flow of water towards any of the cavity enhances harvesting of energy, as the mass flow of the water is more directed.

In one embodiment, the geometry of the cavity is having curve, which enhances the application of the force due to the mass flow of the water onto the surfaces of the cavity.

In one embodiment, the channelizing means 102 are not provided, rather a water channel can be used which is directed towards the workpiece as such because of the flow direction of the water.

In another embodiment, the channeling means 102 is configured in such a way that the water channel can be routed from atleast two directions towards the work piece 101 . These two directions can be opposite to each other in one specific embodiment, which helps to provide swinging motion to the work piece. In one embodiment, when the flow of water channel 102 is multidirectional or bidirectional, each water flow channel's direction is directed towards the cavity of the workpiece, which enhances movement of the workpiece in the multi directions.

In one scenario, the arrangement of the workpiece 101 and the channeling means 102 is provided in ocean, where the bidirectional flow through the channel is naturally managed when the water channel flow is first established towards the shore through the channeling means, and when the waves retreats, the water channel flow is established away from the shore.

Fig 2. shows an energy converter used in the invention for harvesting energy from the water channel. As shown in Fig 2, the mechanism consists of four shafts, four gear wheels, one pinion, one step up gear and one fly wheel along with coupler and pillow block bearings assembled on a main frame.

Step 1 :

When the water channel push the bucket 14 forward which is fixed on the first shaft 1 it gives a radial motion to the gear wheel 'Z' 10. The gear wheel 'Z' 10 that is meshed with step up gear 'B' 12 fixed on the second shaft 2 gets the drive. Since the gear wheel X 5 with unidirectional clutch bearings assembly is mounted and gear wheel Y 6 is fixed on the second shaft 2, gear wheel X 5 drives the pinion 'A' 1 1 which is fixed on the third shaft 3 along with the fly wheel 8 rotating, at the same time gear wheel Y' 7 which is fixed on fourth shaft 4 will also get a counter drive through the gear wheel Y 6. Since it is meshed with gear wheel Y 6 and the gear wheel X' 5 with unidirectional clutch bearings is also mounted on the fourth shaft 4 and meshed with pinion 'A' 1 1 rotates freely without driving the pinion 'A' 1 1 .

Step 2: When the bucket 14 swing arm 15 returns to its earlier position the gear wheel 'Z' 10, the step-up gear B 12 and the gear wheel Y 6 moves in the opposite radial direction as in step 1 . The gear wheel X 5 will not give any drive to the pinion 'A' 1 1 because of the unidirectional clutch bearings assembly. At the same time gear wheel Y' 7 which is fixed on fourth shaft 4 and meshed with gear wheel Y 6 gets radial motion in opposite direction to the gear wheel Y 6. The gear wheel X' 5 with unidirectional bearings assembly which is mounted on fourth shaft 4 and meshed with pinion 'A' 1 1 drives the pinion 'A' 1 1 in the same direction as in step 1 . The gear wheel X also rotates freely without giving any drive to the pinion A 1 1 .

In step 1 the pinion 'A' 1 1 gets drive through the gear wheel 'Z' 10 to step up gear 'B' 12, step up gear 'B' 12 to gear wheel X 5. In step 2 the pinion 'A' 1 1 gets the drive through gear wheel 'Z' 10 to step up gear 'B' 12, step up gear 'B' 12 to gear wheel Y 6, gear wheel Y 6 to gear wheel Y' 7 and gear wheel Y' 7 to gear wheel X' 5.

In case if we want to change the direction of rotation of the resultant third 3 shaft we have to change the direction of the clutch bearings in other direction to the prior direction of rotation.

Fig 3. illustrates a schematic diagram of an energy capturing system 301 for harvesting energy from a water channel 308.

The energy capturing system 301 includes a workpiece 302, swing arm 303, first directional means 304, second directional means 305, step up gear 306, and flywheel 307which cooperates together to harvest energy from a water channel 308.

The work piece 302 is coupled to the swing arm 303, and because of the mass flow of water, the work piece 302 moves and swings with the help of swing arm 303. In one embodiment, the swing arm 303 is not provided, and the work piece 302 is physically coupled to the flywheel 307 for driving the flywheel 307 due to the movement of the workpiece 302.

The swing arm 303 is further coupled to the first directional movement means 304 to give a drive to the first directional movement means 304. The first directional movement means 304 further gives drive to the step-up gear 306 which further drives the flywheel 307 to harvest the energy. In current configuration, the first directional movement means 304 also gives drive to the second directional means 305, which further drives the step-up gear 306 to drive the fly wheel 307 to harvest the energy. However, it is to be noted that, the first movement means 304 drives the second directional movement means 305, and the step-up gear 306, once at a time. The first directional movement means 304 when receive a drive from the swing wheel in first direction, it drives the step-up gear 306, and when receives the drive in the second direction, it drives the second directional movement means 305.

In one embodiment, instead of the first directional movement means 304 driving the second directional movement means, the arrangement is alternate, i.e., the second directional means 305 is physically coupled to receive the drive from the swing, and which further drives the first directional means 304.

In one embodiment, the first directional movement means 304, and the second directional movement means 305 are not coupled to each other, rather they are individually coupled to the swing arm 303 to receive the drive from the swing arm 303. The first directional movement means 304 receives the drive when the swing moves in the first direction 304, and the second directional movement means 305 receives the drive in the second direction, when the swing moves in the second direction. On receiving the drive, each of the directional movement means drives the step-up gear 306 in different directions. In one embodiment, the swing is not connected to any of the directional movement means, rather it is connected directly to the step-up gear 306 or the flywheel 307 for rotating the flywheel 307.

In one embodiment, the step-up gear 306 is not provided, rather the directional means are directly coupled to the fly wheel 307 and drives the fly wheel 307 to rotate, when each of them receives the drive from the swing.

In one embodiment, where the swing is independently connected to the directional movement means, the directional means are provided with unidirectional gear wheels, so that to be functional to drive the step-up gear 306 or the fly wheel 307 only in one direction. In one embodiment, a regulator is coupled to the work piece 302, so as to move the work piece 302 only in a predefined direction, so as to avoid any haphazard movement of the work piece 302. List of reference numbers

I First shaft

2 Second shaft

3 Third shaft

4 Fourth shaft

5 Unidirectional gear wheel (X and X')

6 Gear wheel (Y)

7 Gear wheel (Υ')

8 ,307 Fly wheel or converter

9 Coupler

10 Gear wheel (Z)

I I Pinion drive shaft (A)

12 ,306 Step up gear (B)

13 Pillow block bearings

14 Bucket

15 ,303 Swing arm 101 ,302 Workpiece

102 channeling means

103,308 Water channel

301 Energy converter System

304 First unidirectional gear wheel

305 Second unidirectional gear wheel

Claims

Claims I claim:

1 . An energy capturing system (301 ) for capturing energy from a water channel (103,308), the device comprising:

- a work piece (101 ,14,302) having one or more cavity, and adapted to be placed in a water channel (103,308), the work piece (101 ,14,302) is adapted to swing at least in two direction due to a force applied onto surface of one of the cavities by a flow of water through the water channel (103,308); and - a converter (307) coupled to the work piece (101 ,14,302) and adapted to be actuated by the movement of the work piece (101 ,14,302) and to convert the mechanical energy of the work piece (101 ,14,302) movement to another form of energy.

2. The system (301 ) according to claim 1 further comprising:

- a channeling means adapted to channel the flow of water from a water source, wherein the work piece (101 ,14,302) is adapted to be placed within the channeling means, or in proximity to the channeling means.

3. The system (301 ) according to the claim 2 comprising wherein the channeling means is adapted to channel the water in two directions opposite to each other, such that the work piece (101 ,14,302) is adapted to receive the force from the flow of water in each direction and adapted to move in the two directions alternatively.

4. The system (301 ) according to any of the claims 1 to 3 comprising:

- a regulator coupled to the work piece (101 ,14,302) and adapted to regulated movement of the work piece (101 ,14,302) in a predefined direction.

5. The system (301 ) according to any of the claims 1 to 4 comprising:

- a swing arm (15,303) physically coupled to the work piece (101 ,14,302) and adapted to facilitate the movement of the work piece (101 ,14,302).

6. The system (301 ) according to the claim 5, wherein the converter (307) comprises a fly wheel (9,307) rotatably coupled to the swing arm (303), and adapted to rotate when the swing arm moves.

7. The system (301 ) according to the claim 6 comprising: - a first directional movement means (304) adapted to rotate the fly wheel (9,307) in a first rotational direction when the swing arm (303) moves in a first direction; and

- a second directional movement means (305) adapted to rotate the fly wheel (9,307) in a second rotational direction when the swing arm (303) moves in a second direction.

8. The system (301 ) according to the claim 7 comprising

- a first step up gear (12,306) rotatably coupled to the fly wheel (9,307), the first directional means (304) and the second directional means (305), and adapted to rotate the fly wheel (9,307) on receiving drive from either of the first directional means or the second directional means.

9. The system (301 ) according to the claim 8 wherein the first directional means (403) comprises a first unidirectional gear wheel, and the second directional means (305) comprises a second unidirectional gear wheel, wherein each of the unidirectional gear wheel adapted to move only in one direction which is opposite direction to the other unidirectional gear wheel.

10. The system (301 ) according to any of the claims 7 to 9, wherein the first directional means (304) is functionally coupled to the second directional means (305), such that one directional means is adapted to drive the other directional means.