WO2020008242A1

WO2020008242A1 - Combined point wave energy convertor

Info

Publication number: WO2020008242A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/055008
Authority: WO
Inventors: modjtaba KABOODVANDY RAD
Original assignee: Kaboodvandy Rad Modjtaba
Priority date: 2018-07-06
Filing date: 2018-07-06
Publication date: 2020-01-09

Abstract

A machine able to exploit wave's power is generally known as a wave energy converter (WEC). Point absorber buoys use the rise and fall of swells to drive hydro-motor, etc. to generate electricity, or water desalination. Wave-power generation is not currently a widely employed commercial technology. A Combined Wave Energy Converter is an effective wave power device that captures as much as possible of the wave energy flux in the event of very large oncoming waves, and when the wave heights return to normal. The Combined wave energy converter (CWEC) have a small horizontal footprint and have been designed to be scalable. Large buoys have been designed for extreme wave conditions; but smaller (resonant or non-resonant) side buoys has a low "surface profile" that the lower rising and falling of the waves causes the side buoys to move freely up and down for continuous and reliable energy harvesting.

Description

Combined Point Wave Energy Convertor

This invention relates generally to ocean power plants, and, more specifically to combined point absorbers that they could extract energy of waves with very large and normal height.

Wave power is the transport of energy by wind waves, and the capture of that energy to do useful work, for example, electricity generation, or water desalination. The first known patent to use energy from ocean waves dates back to 1799, and was filed in Paris by Girard and his son. An early application of wave power was a device constructed around 1910 by Bochaux-Praceique to light and power his house at , near Bordeaux in France.

A renewed interest in wave energy was motivated by the oil crisis in 1973. In the 1980s, as the oil price went down, wave-energy funding was drastically reduced. Nevertheless, a few first-generation prototypes were tested at sea. Wave-power generation is not currently a widely employed commercial technology. More recently, following the issue of climate change, there is again a growing interest worldwide for renewable energy, including wave energy.

The wave energy sector is reaching a significant milestone in the development of the industry, with positive steps towards commercial viability being taken. The more advanced device developers are now progressing beyond single unit demonstration devices and are proceeding to array development and multi-megawatt projects. The backing of major utility companies is now manifesting itself through partnerships within the development process, unlocking further investment and, in some cases, international co-operation.

Rising energy costs combined with diminishing resources and increased regulation is placing energy consumption in the spot-light. Both society and industry must face the challenge of making the energy supply both sustainable yet at the same time, affordable.

Marine energy has the potential of providing a substantial amount of new renewable energy around the world. Marine energy refers to the energy carried by ocean waves, tides, salinity, and ocean temperature differences. This energy can be harnessed to generate electricity to power homes, transport and industries. Solar energy from the Sun creates temperature differentials that result in wind. The interaction between wind and the surface of water creates waves, which are larger when there is a greater distance for them to build up. Wave power refers to the energy carried by ocean waves that can be harnessed to generate electricity, water desalination, etc. Wave energy potential is greatest between 30° and 60° latitude in both hemispheres on the west coast because of the global direction of wind. When evaluating wave energy as a technology type, it is important to distinguish between the four most common approaches: point absorber buoys, surface attenuators, oscillating water columns, and overtopping devices.

At a simplified level, wave energy technology can be located near-shore and offshore. Wave energy converters can also be designed for operation in specific water depth conditions: deep water, intermediate water or shallow water. The fundamental device design will be dependent on the location of the device and the intended resource characteristics.

The Combined wave energy converter is a power station for generating electrical energy from wave power. It generates power by using a hydro-motor, permanent magnet linear generator, etc. It can be connected to the electrical grid by power transmission cables and operate autonomously in a deep/shallow water environment.

The rising and falling of the offshore waves causes the buoy to move freely up and down. The resultant mechanical stroking drives an electrical generator. The generated wave power is transmitted ashore via an underwater power cable.

In accordance with one embodiment a system for extracting water waves energy comprises a main buoy coupled to side buoys and also to energy extraction units, energy extraction units configured to extract energy from the rise and fall of water surface provided by the buoys.

Accordingly several advantages of one or more aspects are as follows: to embody combined wave energy convertors that are assemblage of small buoys on the bigger buoy; that are more reliable; that are break waves and diminish harmful impact on jetties, harbor, etc.; that have a very low "surface profile", meaning they are barely visible from shore; that have a small horizontal footprint and have been designed to be scalable, meaning they are ideal for wave farms; that have been designed for normal and extreme wave conditions; that continuously operate in the various surrounding ocean environment and that are relatively inexpensive. Other advantages of one or more aspects will be apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

Fig.1

is a front side view of a combined wave energy converter.

Fig.2

is a perspective top view of the combined wave energy converter on water surface.

Fig.3A

is a perspective view of a hollow on a main buoy.

Fig.3B

is a perspective view of a hollow on a main buoy with external hydraulic energy extracting unit.

Fig.4

is a perspective view of a single hydraulic energy generator (of the combined wave energy converter).

Fig.5

is a perspective view of interior of the combined wave energy converter.

Fig.6A

is a perspective view of a permanent magnet generator (of the combined wave energy converter).

Fig.6B

is an exploded perspective view of a permanent magnet generator (of the combined wave energy converter).

Fig.7

is a perspective view of a U-form rack ends.

Fig.8

is a perspective view of a single rack, pinion and generator.

Fig.9

is a perspective view of a single hydraulic energy generator of the combined wave energy converter that unify hydro-motor and generator.

Fig.10

is a perspective view of interior of the combined wave energy converter that use both hydraulic energy generator and permanent magnet generators.

Fig.11A

is a perspective view of the combined wave energy converter in small amplitude water waves.

Fig.11B

is a front side view of the combined wave energy converter in small amplitude water waves.

Fig.12

is a perspective view of the combined wave energy converter in high amplitude water waves.

Drawings are for purposes of illustrating the concepts of the invention and, except for the graphical illustration, are not to scale.

Following description and the accompanying drawings provide examples for the purposes of illustration. However, these embodiments should not be construed in a limiting sense as they are not intended to provide an exhaustive list of all possible implementations. In other instances, certain structures and devices are omitted or simplified in order to avoid obscuring the details of the various embodiments. Various other components may be included and called upon for providing for aspects of the teachings herein. For example, additional materials, combinations of materials and/or omission of materials may be used to provide for added embodiments that are within the scope of the teachings herein. In the present application a variety of variables are described, including but not limited to components and conditions. It is to be understood that any combination of any of these variables can define an embodiment of the disclosure. Other combinations of articles, components, conditions, and/or methods can also be specifically selected from among variables listed herein to define other embodiments, as would be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. Similarly, the adjective “another,” when used to introduce an element, is intended to mean one or more elements. The terms “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive such that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

A system able to exploit wave power is generally known as a wave energy converter (WEC) that use the rise and fall of swells to generate electricity, or water desalination. Wave-power generation is not currently a widely employed commercial technology because of non-reliability. The Combined wave energy converter (CWEC) have a small horizontal footprint and have been designed to be scalable. Large buoys in have been designed for extreme wave conditions; but smaller buoys has a very low "surface profile" that the lower rising and falling of the waves offshore causes the buoy to move freely up and down and continuous energy harvesting.

As shown in Figs. 1 through 5, a combined wave energy converter includes main buoy 22; and hollows 34. One embodiment of the combined wave energy converter is illustrated in Fig.1. The combined wave energy converter has a main buoy 22 consisting of a stiffened plate of material which can be durable, watertight and supportive for side buoys 24. In one embodiment, the buoy 22 and side buoys 24 are metallic stiffened structures, such as steel, aluminum, etc. However, the buoy 22 and side buoys 24 can consist of any other material such as plastic, composite, etc.

Anchor 30 rests on the seabed 28. Power cable 32 is attached to anchor cable 26 from the underside of the combined wave energy converter to the anchor 30. Also, Power cables 32 run from anchor 30 to carry energy generated by the combined wave energy converter for consumption.

Fig. 2 shows the combined wave energy converter which floats on free surface 20 of the sea. The main buoy 22 and side buoys 24 float on the surface of the ocean and rises and falls as the large and small amplitude waves rise and fall respectively. In main buoy 22 the anchor cable 26 is connected to the anchor 30 on seabed 28 at a first end with thimble eye machine swaged sling 38. A second end 42 is connected to the end of hydraulic cylinder 42, permanent magnet 56, etc. depending on different method of absorbing energy. In side buoys the anchor cable 26 is connected to the underside of the side buoys 24 at a first end with thimble eye machine swaged sling 38. A second end 42 is connected to the end of hydraulic cylinder 42, permanent magnet 56, etc. depending on different method of absorbing energy.

The Combined Wave Energy Converters (CWEC) are effective wave power systems that captures as much as possible of the wave energy flux in the event of very large oncoming waves, and when the wave heights return to normal. The energy of wide variety of large and small waves can be extracted by the combined wave energy convertor (CWEC), that large buoys have been designed for extreme wave conditions; but smaller buoys has a very low "surface profile" that the lower rising and falling of the waves offshore causes the buoy to move freely up and down and continuous energy harvesting.

As shown in Fig. 3A, a hollow 34 on the main buoy 22 includes the anchor cable 26; and a side buoy 24; watertight cable hole 36; top surface 33; bottom surface 35; and thimble eye machine swaged sling 38. A great range of slings could be used with different specifications. Fig. 3B shows perspective view of a hollow 34 on a main buoy 24 with external hydraulic energy extracting unit that includes spring 40; and hydraulic cylinder (ram) 42. Instead of hollow 34 said side buoys can be rise and fall into external limited and open-side channel that fixed outside of said main buoy (not shown).

Energy extracting unit can in any method, extract energy of waves. (1) One energy extraction unit lonely can extract energy of all buoys. (2) Said side buoys and said main buoy is anchored to a main anchor cable. (3) Energy extraction units of each said side buoys is disposed inside of said side buoys and said energy extraction unit of said main buoys is disposed inside of said main buoy. (4) Said main and side buoys for themselves have said energy extraction units separately and one by one that is disposed into said main buoy. (5) Said energy extraction units is disposed inside, outside, bottom, or any other location of said combined wave energy convertor (not shown).

As shown in Fig. 4, a single hydraulic energy generator of the combined wave energy converter includes sliders 50; spring 40; Hydraulic cylinder 42; Hydro-motor 44; Generator 46; Hydraulic hose 48; pulley 52; pin 41; inside anchor 43; power cable 32; and Gear wheels 54. Fig. 5 shows interior of the combined wave energy converter includes Supportive structure 55; a combination small hydraulic energy generator for side buoys 24; and a small hydraulic energy generator for main buoy 22. Adding at least one spring coupled to said energy extraction units, buoys, or any other components can be caused making resonance and improve efficiency of energy extracting.

As shown in Fig. 6A, a permanent magnet generator of the combined wave energy converter includes sliders 50; rod 59; supportive structure 57; a spring 40; a permanent magnet 56; and a solenoid 58. A solenoid generates electricity through magnetic inductance. Magnetic inductance is a phenomenon where a current is produced when a permanent magnet is passed through a coil of conductive wire such as copper wire, or vice versa or solenoid 58 where a current may be sent through a coil of conductive wire with a ferrous material inside the coil to produce an electro-magnet. Fig. 6B shows an exploded permanent magnet generator of the combined wave energy converter includes sliders 50; a spring 40; rod 59; supportive structure 57; a permanent magnet 56; and a solenoid 58.

As shown in Fig. 7, a U-form rack ends includes side buoys 24; U-form rod 61; and a main buoy 22. Fig. 8 shows an inner single part of the combined wave energy converter includes a single rack 62; pinion 64; power cable 32; and a generator 46.

Wave energy have vibration and reciprocating nature. Piezoelectricity have requirements to harvesting energy from pressure changes, vibrations, or mechanical impulses. The harvesting energy of waves is possible by using piezoelectric materials to convert deflections or displacements into electrical energy that can either be used or stored for later use.

As shown in Fig. 9, a single hydraulic energy generator of the combined wave energy converter that unify hydro-motor 44 and generator 46 includes a flange 66; spring 40; thimble eye machine swaged sling 38; Hydraulic cylinder 42; base 67; Hydraulic hose 48; and power cable 32. Different kind of said energy extraction units could be selected for each buoys, for example, hydraulic energy generator for the main buoy and permanent magnet generator for the side buoys, or any other energy extraction unit selection. Fig. 10 shows interior of the combined wave energy converter that use both hydraulic energy generator 39 and permanent magnet generators 60 on supportive structure 55. Other arrangement and design can be used depending on different working situation and operation.

As shown in Fig. 11A, the combined wave energy converter in normal water waves 68. Fig. 11B shows the combined wave energy converter in small amplitude water waves that main buoy 22 don’t have considerable movement, but side buoys 24 can simply rise and fall.

As shown in Fig. 12, the combined wave energy converter in high amplitude water waves 70 that main buoy 22 in addition to side buoys 24 rise and fall freely.

CWEC have been designed for both normal and extreme wave conditions. The system continuously operate in the various surrounding ocean environment. Power is transmitted to shore in real time. In the event of very large oncoming waves, the bigger buoy automatically starts power production. When the wave heights return to normal, (the smaller buoys) recommences energy conversion and transmission of the electrical power ashore.

The Combined wave energy converter benefits from a deep water emplacement and has a very low "surface profile", meaning it is barely visible from shore. They also have a small horizontal footprint and have been designed to be scalable. As such, they are ideal for wave farms.

Addition at least one solar cell panel to the top of said main buoy, can produce energy more reliably (not shown), because calm sea is accompany with sunny days mostly.

While the disclosure refers to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications will be appreciated by those skilled in the art to adapt a particular instrument, situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the spirit thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed.

Claims

A system for extracting water waves energy, comprising:
a main buoy coupled to a plurality of side buoys and also to at least one energy extraction unit, said energy extraction units configured to extract energy from the rise and fall of water surface provided by the said buoys;
wherein moving path on said main buoy is configured so as to permit installing and moving said side buoys into or on said main buoy to extract energy from small amplitude water waves by said side buoys.
The system of claim 1, wherein all said side buoys rise and fall into a plurality of hollows into said main buoy.
The system of claim 1, wherein said side buoys rise and fall into external limited and open-side channel that fixed outside of said main buoy.
The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one spring coupled to said energy extraction units, buoys, or any other components to making resonance and improve efficiency of energy extracting.
The system of claim 1, wherein the energy are extracted by every mechanism such as a hydraulic energy generator, a permanent magnet generator, Piezoelectricity, or any other energy convertor.
The system of claim 1, wherein one said energy extraction unit is disposed to extract energy of all buoys.
The system of claim 1, wherein said main and side buoys for themselves have said energy extraction units separately and one by one that is disposed into said main buoy.
The system of claim 1, wherein said energy extraction units of each said side buoys is disposed inside of said side buoys and said energy extraction unit of said main buoys is disposed inside of said main buoy.
The system of claim 1, wherein said energy extraction units is disposed inside, outside, bottom, or any other location of said combined wave energy convertor.
The system of claim 1, wherein said side buoys and said main buoy is anchored to a main anchor cable.
The system of claim 1, wherein different kind of said energy extraction units are selected for each buoys, for example, hydraulic energy generator for the main buoy and permanent magnet generator for the side buoys, or any other energy extraction unit selection.
The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one panel with solar cell is disposed on said main buoy.
A method for extracting energy that stored in different water waveforms, comprising:
providing a plurality of buoys and positioning them together so that permitting a plurality of side buoys to attach and operate with a main buoy,
anchoring said device to base, seabed, or any other fixed point, and
extracting energy of falling and rising of the buoys by at least one energy extracting unit,
whereby the energy of different waveforms will be extracted by said buoys in different size.
The method of claim 13, wherein one said extracting energy unit is used for extract energy from all buoys.
The method of claim 13, wherein a plurality of said extracting energy unit is used for extract energy from each of said buoys.