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
  • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
  • F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
  • F03B13/12—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy
  • F03B13/14—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy
  • F03B13/16—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem"
  • F03B13/18—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem" where the other member, i.e. rem is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore
  • F03B13/1885—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem" where the other member, i.e. rem is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore and the wom is tied to the rem
• • 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
  • F05B2230/00—Manufacture
  • F05B2230/60—Assembly methods
  • F05B2230/61—Assembly methods using auxiliary equipment for lifting or holding
  • F05B2230/6102—Assembly methods using auxiliary equipment for lifting or holding carried on a floating platform
• • 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
  • F05B2240/91—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a stationary structure
  • F05B2240/916—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a stationary structure with provision for hoisting onto the structure
• • 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
  • F05B2240/91—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a stationary structure
  • F05B2240/917—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a stationary structure attached to cables
• • 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
  • F05B2240/93—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a structure floating on a liquid surface
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
  • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
  • F05B2260/00—Function
  • F05B2260/42—Storage of energy
  • F05B2260/421—Storage of energy in the form of rotational kinetic energy, e.g. in flywheels
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
  • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
  • Y02E10/30—Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient

Definitions

• the present invention defines a highly efficient method of capturing wave energy, harnessing different wave heights, frequencies and ocean swells at different sea conditions.
• the present invention offers a cost effective and low maintenance design, with few moving parts and self-directing capabilities, suitable for either close-to-shore operations or deep sea operations.
• the present invention is a highly efficient but simple system, with high conversion ratio and energy generation.
• the small footprint of the invention makes it uniquely suitable for environments in which larger more complex devices would not be appropriate.
• a device for harnessing kinetic wave energy and converting said kinetic wave energy into electrical energy comprising a pressure receptacle comprising; an impervious sidewall through which fluids cannot pass; at least one integrated buoyancy unit on the impervious sidewall; a base which is connected to the sidewall to form a closed end; and an open upper end; a tethering cable; a converter for converting kinetic energy translated from wave motion into electrical energy; and a means for connection to a floating body; wherein, in use, the pressure receptacle is connected in tension within a water column via the tethering cable to a tethering mechanism in the converter which is located on a floating body; such that, fluctuations of waves cause movement of the floating body on which the converter is located, thus varying the tension in the tethering cable in a cyclical manner to convert kinetic wave movement into electrical energy, whereby, a flow of water through the pressure receptacle on upward wave movement increases
• the base of the pressure receptacle comprises at least one check valve.
• the at least one check valve comprises a passive or active means of modulation.
• the converter comprises a flywheel and generator.
• the converter comprises a hydraulic arm.
• the tethering cable comprises a pulley mechanism.
• the tethering cable is fitted with a variable tension mechanism.
• the integrated buoyancy unit comprises non elastic sidewalls.
• the pressure receptacle is made from high strength materials.
• the device comprises a plurality of pressure receptacles.
• the device comprises a vessel.
• a farm comprising a plurality of devices wherein the devices are interconnected.
• a generator is connected to flywheel in order to generate electricity from the harnessed wave energy.
• a processor is provided to control the working parameters of the generator for various different wave conditions.
• motion sensors are provided in order to monitor the movement of the waves.
• sensors are provided to monitor the energy generated by the device.
• a three axis accelerometer is provided.
• creating power from waves creates no harmful by-products such as gases, waste, and pollution.
• the energy from waves can be taken directly into electricity producing machinery and used to power generators and power plants nearby.
• a source of clean energy is hard to come by-
• wave energy plants Another benefit of using wave energy is its nearness to places that can avail of it. Lots of big cities and harbours are next to the ocean and can harness the power of the waves for their use. Coastal cities tend to be well-populated, so lots of people can benefit from wave energy plants.
• Wave power in comparison to most other alternative energy sources is that it is easily predictable and forecasting can be used to calculate the amount of energy that can be produced at a certain location. Wave energy is consistent and proves much more reliable than other sources that are dependent on wind or sun exposure.
• Wave power does not cause any damage to the earth. Waves exist, regardless of whether they are harvested for energy or not. Wave energy is safe, clean, and one of the preferred methods to extract energy from the ocean.
• the pressure receptacle wave energy converter hereinafter referred to as the device, overcomes most of the challenges which are currently topical in the field of energy generation.
• the device offers an economically viable option not only over fossil fuels, but over other wave energy converters and renewable technologies, as all currently available wave energy converters are limited by design in terms of efficiency, energy generation and/or cost.
• the present invention uses a technique involving a buoyancy aided pressure receptacle unit, suspended in a body of the water, under a high buoyancy floating body, where vertical anchoring of the system to the seafloor is not required.
• floating body can refer to a device specific floating platform or it could be a standard seafaring vessel.
• Figure 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a device 100 according to the invention which is capable of submersion if sea/weather conditions require, wherein the floating body 16 is an inflatable / deflatable balloon type of body comprising an integrated power generator 10 and flywheel, a tension reeling unit 8 and a tethered pressure receptacle 101 ; and
• a device comprising a pressure receptacle 101 with integrated buoyancy aids 6, attached to a converter 10 in the form of a flywheel and/or generator.
• the pressure receptacle 101 comprises sidewalls and a base. One end of the pressure receptacle 101 is open thus allowing water into the pressure receptacle 101 . The other end of the pressure receptacle 101 is closed as the base is attached to the sidewalls. The closed end of the pressure receptacle 101 ensures that water stays in the pressure receptable 101 thus allowing pressure to build up in the pressure receptacle 101.
• the shape of the pressure receptacle 101 with vertical sidewalls is the optimal configuration. Vertical sidewalls ensures that the mass of water pressure is captured when the water enters the pressure receptacle 101 . In a further embodiment, a minimal lean of the sidewalls, towards the middle of the pressure receptacle 101 , results in a venturi effect during wave-action, resulting in higher efficiency.
• the device 100 is self adjusting into wave and wind direction, as the receptacles are not connected to the seafloor.
• the invention comprises the pressure receptacle 101 with the at least one integrated buoyancy aid 6 and, optionally the at least one check valve 14, the tethering cable 4, the tension reeling system 8 and the converter/generator 10, wherein the tethering cable 4 is an elongated length of high tensile strength material (such as for example stainless steel wire or polypropylene rope) which connects the pressure receptacle 101 to the floating body 16.
• high tensile strength material such as for example stainless steel wire or polypropylene rope
• the term cable will not be construed as limiting and the feature referred to as a tethering cable 4 may alternatively be wire, cable or a rope provided that it is of suitable tensile strength to withstand the tension reeling activity of the device 100.
• the pressure receptacle 101 is connected to a floating body 16.
• the floating body 16 may be a floating buoy, a vessel, a platform, a ship or any other type of floating body.
• the device 100 may be integrally connected to the floating body 16 or the floating body 16 may be provided separate to the device 100 and the device 100 may simply be located on the floating body 16.
• pressure receptacle 101 is located at a submerged depth below the surface of the body of water, in a depth where surface waves have no effect on the pressure receptacle 101.
• body of water will be understood to mean a lake or sea or ocean.
• the upper end, or plane, of the pressure receptacle 101 is open.
• the combination of an open upper end and at least one integrated buoyancy aid 6 balances the device 100 such that the pressure receptacle 100 net weight is minimal and the force on the tethering cable 4 not so significant that it retracts the tethering cable 4 from a limiter which is place on the tethering cable 4.
• the distance of extended tethering cable 4 is limited by a limiter on the tethering cable 4.
• the minimum distance between the pressure receptacle 101 and the tension reeling device 8 can be easily adjusted by automation or by historical weather patterns/wave-swell data. With the above method, the pressure receptacle 100 remains vertically close to stationery in the body of the water and unaffected by the waves.

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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)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=93377546

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (1)

• 2023
  • 2023-01-27 EP EP23705955.5A patent/EP4469678A2/de active Pending

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