GB2196697A - Wave power machine - Google Patents
Wave power machine Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2196697A GB2196697A GB08724910A GB8724910A GB2196697A GB 2196697 A GB2196697 A GB 2196697A GB 08724910 A GB08724910 A GB 08724910A GB 8724910 A GB8724910 A GB 8724910A GB 2196697 A GB2196697 A GB 2196697A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- machine according
- passage
- walls
- water
- waves
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000004873 anchoring Methods 0.000 claims 5
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 claims 2
- 230000002459 sustained effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000003643 water by type Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000010248 power generation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002035 prolonged effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000035939 shock Effects 0.000 description 1
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
- F03B13/24—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 to produce a flow of air, e.g. to drive an air turbine
-
- 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
Landscapes
- 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
The machine comprises a platform 1 having upstanding side walls 2-5 which converge rearwardly from an open mouth 6. The walls are part submerged in the water such that waves entering the mouth 6 pass between the walls 2-5 where the magnitude and duration of the waves increases. The waves then travel up a ramp 7 to lift a hinged flap 8 which is operably coupled to water pump (13, Fig. 2) mounted beneath the rear of the platform 1a. The pump discharges into a chamber (12) to compress air therein and a continuous flow of water may be supplied from the chamber (12) by the compressed air to drive power means such as a turbine. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Wave power machine
Many of the machines previously proposed for harnessing the power of waves in a large body of water such as a sea or lake mainly derive energy from the up-and-down motion of the waves. The present machine is designed to also make use of the forward motion of the waves so that the efficiency of the machine is much improved.
This invention provides a wave power machine comprising a pair of upstanding walls which in use are disposed above and below the mean wave level, the said walls defining between them an open ended passage with an open mouth at the forward end of the passage for directing into the oncoming waves so that waves entering the mouth travel along the passage, the said walls including portions which mutually converge in a rearward direction, a movable member being disposed within the said passage towards the rearward end thereof for movement by the waves as they travel through the passage, and power take off means operably coupled to the said movable member.
The movable member is preferably a hinged flap arranged for movement by the waves, the flap preferably being downwardly inclined in a rearward direction. The passage preferably has a floor which is upwardly inclined to meet the movable member. The power take off means may comprise a water pump.
The invention includes any novel combination of the features disclosed herein.
The invention will now be exemplified in the following description to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the main body of the machine, and
Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through the machine.
Referring to Fig. 1, the machine comprises a flat rectangular platform 1 provided with buoyancy tanks or other means of adjusting the buoyancy of the machine (not shown). Two parallel upstanding walls 2, 3 are secured to the rear of the platform parallel to but spaced inwardly form the edges of the platform. Two further upstanding walls 4, 5 define an open mouth 6 at the front of the platform and converge towards the walls 2, 3. These convergent walls are pivoted about a vertical axis (not shown) at the front of the platform They can thus move from a normal position as shown in which their rear edges meet the front edges of walls 2, 3, towards a more parallel position, as indicated by arrows A, A'.
The walls 2, 3 are joined by a flat ramp 7, the front edge of which is joined to the platform 1 and which is upwardly inclined in a rearward direction. The rear edge of the ramp is disposed approximately half way up walls 2, 3 (see Fig. 2) which in use is closely adjacent to mean wave level (MWL). A flat flap 8 is pivoted about a horizontal axis 9 at the top front corners of walls 2, 3, and in its normal position the flap is downwardly inclined so that its rear edge meets the rear edge of ramp 7. The flap can however pivot upwardly to a generally horizontal position shown in outline in Fig. 2. An arm 10 is rigidly secured to the lower edge of flap 8 to extend rearwardly when the flap is in its lower position.
Bracing 11 joins the outer end of arm 10 to the top edge of flap 8. A float (not shown) may be connected to the free end of arm 10 to reduce the force required to lift flap 8.
As shown in fig. 2, a compression chamber 12 is mounted beneath an extension section 1a which projects from the rear end of platform 1. A smaller cylindrical pump chamber 13 is in turn mounted below the compression chamber 12. The pump chamber is open at its lower end and contains a vertically reciprocable piston 14 connected to a piston rod 15.
The rod extends sealably through the chamber 12 and is pivoted to a linkage 16 which is in turn pivoted part way along arm 10. Piston 14 contains one way valves 17 which close on the upward stroke of the piston but open on the downward stroke to permit the chamber 13 to fill with water. Similar valves 18 are disposed between chambers 12 and 13 to permit a unidirectional flow of water from chamber 13 to chamber 12. An outlet pipe 19 is connected to the lower wall of chamber 12.
Since the machine is designed to operate in tidal waters the front of platform 1 is pivoted to the wider end of a rigid A-frame 20 which is in turn rotatably pivoted at its narrow end about a horizontal axis to an anchorage point on the sea bed. Thus, the platform is able to move up and down with the tides. The frame is also able to rotate freely about a vertical axis at the anchorage point so that the mouth 6 of the machine is always directed into the oncoming waves.
In use, the buoyancy tanks are filled to such an extent that the machine floats at the sea surface with the mean sea level MWL about half way up walls 2-5. The rigid A-frame 20 permits the platform 1 to ride up and down but prevents back and forth motion along the surface of the sea. When a wave passes through mouth 6 the height of the wave is increased by the convergent walls 4, 5, but even more importantly, the duration of each wave crest is prolonged. Thus, when the wave impinges on flap 8 it tends to impart a sustained force on the flap rather than a short shock wave. The ramp 7 serves to deflect the wave towards the flap 8 so that as the wave passes rearwardly between walls 2 and 3 it experiences multiple reflections between the flap and ramp. Thus, the amount of energy imparted to the flap is optimised.As a result, the flap 8 is subjected to a sustained lifting force which is transmitted to piston 14 via arm 10, linkage 16 and rod 15. Upward movement of the piston expels the contents of the pump chamber 13 through valves 18 into chamber 12 which causes an air space in the upper portion of the compression chamber
12 to be compressed. When the wave has passed, the flap 8 closes and piston 14 returns to its lower position allowing the chamber 13 to fill via valves 17. Meanwhile, the air pressure built up in chamber 12 causes valves 18 to close foilowed by a sustained expulsion of water through pipe 19. Thus, although the pump action of piston 14 is intermittent the flow of water through pipe 19 may be continuous provided the waves are of sufficient magnitude and frequency. This flow may be used to drive a turbine or other means of power generation, either directly or via a storage reservoir.
In non-tidal waters the machine could be rigidly mounted off the sea bed, e.g on pillars, and again the machine would be arranged so that the mouth of the passage is always directed into the oncoming waves.
In very rough seas the walls 4, 5 may be pivotally moved apart by any convenient means to reduce the volume and force of the waves passing between walls 2, 3. Ramp 7 could also be pivoted at the front edge so that it can be moved towards a horizontal position for a similar purpose.
Claims (19)
1. A wave power machine comprising a pair of upstanding walls which In use are disposed above and below the mean wave level, the said walls defining between them an open ended passage with an open mouth at the forward end of the passage for directing into the oncoming waves so that waves entering the mouth travel along the passage, the said walls including portions which mutually converge in a rearward direction, a movable member being disposed within the said passage towards the rearward end thereof for movement by the waves as they travel through the passage, and power take off means operably coupled to the said movable member.
2. A machine according to Claim 1, in which the said walls are upstanding from a floor of the passage.
3. A machine according to Claim 2, in which the floor includes a portion which is upwardly inclined in a rearward direction.
4. A machine according to any preceding claim, in which the movable member comprises a flap which is arranged for movement by the waves about a substantially horizontal pivot axis.
5. A machine according to Claim 4, in which the flap is downwardly inclined in a rearward direction.
6. A machine according to Claim 4 or 5 as appended to Claim 3, in which the rearward end of the upwardly inclined portion of the passage floor meets the rearward end of the flap.
7. A machine according to any preceding claim, in which the power take off means comprises a water pump.
8. A machine according to Claim 7, in which the pump comprises a piston reciprocable in a cylinder defining a pumping chamber, the piston being operably coupled by a piston rod to the said movable member, and valve means being provided for permitting unidirectional movement of water into the cylinder on reciprocation of the said piston.
9. A machine according to Claim 8, in which further valve means are provided for permitting unidirectional movement of water from the pumping chamber into a compression chamber which includes an air space, the compression chamber having an exit opening for the water.
10. A machine according to Claim 9, in which the compression chamber is located above the pump chamber and the piston rod passes sealably through the compression chamber.
11. A machine according to any preceding claim, in which the said walls of the passage are upstanding from a platform.
12. A machine according to Claim 11, in which the platform is provided with buoyancy adjustment means.
13. A machine according to any preceding claim including means for automatically varying the orientation of the machine such that the mouth of the passage is always directed into the oncoming waves.
14. A machine according to any preceding
Claim, in which the machine includes means for anchoring to the bed of a body of water.
15. A machine according to Claim 14, in which the said anchoring means is rigid.
16. A machine according to Claim 15 as appended to Claim 11, in which the rigid anchoring means is pivoted to both the platform and the bed to permit the body to move up and down in the water.
17. A machine according to Claim 16, in which the rigid anchoring means is pivoted to the bed for movement about a substantially vertical axis.
18. A machine according to Claim 16 or 17 as appended to Claim 11, in which the rigid anchoring means is pivoted to the platform at two spaced positions.
19. A wave power machine substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB868625386A GB8625386D0 (en) | 1986-10-23 | 1986-10-23 | Wave power machine |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB8724910D0 GB8724910D0 (en) | 1987-11-25 |
GB2196697A true GB2196697A (en) | 1988-05-05 |
GB2196697B GB2196697B (en) | 1991-07-31 |
Family
ID=10606190
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB868625386A Pending GB8625386D0 (en) | 1986-10-23 | 1986-10-23 | Wave power machine |
GB8724910A Expired - Lifetime GB2196697B (en) | 1986-10-23 | 1987-10-23 | Wave power machine. |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB868625386A Pending GB8625386D0 (en) | 1986-10-23 | 1986-10-23 | Wave power machine |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
GB (2) | GB8625386D0 (en) |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE3922724A1 (en) * | 1989-07-11 | 1991-01-24 | Herbert Zemann | Wave-powered electrical energy generation plant - uses angled guide surfaces directing waves to propeller turbines driving respective generators |
WO1996000848A1 (en) * | 1994-06-28 | 1996-01-11 | Friis Madsen Erik | Offshore wind-/wave-energy converter |
AT403946B (en) * | 1987-09-03 | 1998-06-25 | Norbert Guenter | Hydroelectric power station |
DE19734077A1 (en) * | 1997-08-06 | 1998-10-15 | Klaus Ranz | Magneto-hydrostatic drive for hydroelectric power generation |
GB2359859A (en) * | 2000-03-02 | 2001-09-05 | John Frederick Kemp | Apparatus for deriving energy from waves |
DE102006039144A1 (en) * | 2006-08-16 | 2008-02-21 | Lodahl, Manfred, Dipl.-Ing. | Floating wave energy converter |
ITMI20090446A1 (en) * | 2009-03-23 | 2010-09-24 | Nav Tek S R L | ENERGY TRANSFORMATION SYSTEM DERIVING FROM THE WAVE MOTORCYCLE. |
FR3006344A1 (en) * | 2013-06-03 | 2014-12-05 | Thierry Fereol | DEVICE FOR PROVIDING A MARITIME AREA FOR THE AMPLIFICATION AND CONTROL OF THE HULL WITHOUT DEFERING |
Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB126573A (en) * | 1918-10-31 | 1919-05-15 | Gordon Phillips | Improvements relating to Air Compressors. |
GB307681A (en) * | 1928-07-09 | 1929-03-14 | John Caspar Avakian | Improvements in apparatus for utilising wave energy |
GB655987A (en) * | 1948-04-06 | 1951-08-08 | Wave Power Dev Ltd | Method and means for harnessing wave power |
US3644052A (en) * | 1970-02-16 | 1972-02-22 | William W Lininger | Sea wave power generator |
US4132901A (en) * | 1975-08-07 | 1979-01-02 | Don Crausbay | Electric power generating system |
US4172689A (en) * | 1977-12-14 | 1979-10-30 | Ivar Thorsheim | Wave power generator |
US4179886A (en) * | 1977-11-08 | 1979-12-25 | Junjiro Tsubota | Method and apparatus for obtaining useful work from wave energy |
US4296602A (en) * | 1980-01-10 | 1981-10-27 | Hales Marwood J | Apparatus for extracting energy from water waves |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4454429A (en) * | 1982-12-06 | 1984-06-12 | Frank Buonome | Method of converting ocean wave action into electrical energy |
-
1986
- 1986-10-23 GB GB868625386A patent/GB8625386D0/en active Pending
-
1987
- 1987-10-23 GB GB8724910A patent/GB2196697B/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB126573A (en) * | 1918-10-31 | 1919-05-15 | Gordon Phillips | Improvements relating to Air Compressors. |
GB307681A (en) * | 1928-07-09 | 1929-03-14 | John Caspar Avakian | Improvements in apparatus for utilising wave energy |
GB655987A (en) * | 1948-04-06 | 1951-08-08 | Wave Power Dev Ltd | Method and means for harnessing wave power |
US3644052A (en) * | 1970-02-16 | 1972-02-22 | William W Lininger | Sea wave power generator |
US4132901A (en) * | 1975-08-07 | 1979-01-02 | Don Crausbay | Electric power generating system |
US4179886A (en) * | 1977-11-08 | 1979-12-25 | Junjiro Tsubota | Method and apparatus for obtaining useful work from wave energy |
US4172689A (en) * | 1977-12-14 | 1979-10-30 | Ivar Thorsheim | Wave power generator |
US4296602A (en) * | 1980-01-10 | 1981-10-27 | Hales Marwood J | Apparatus for extracting energy from water waves |
Cited By (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
AT403946B (en) * | 1987-09-03 | 1998-06-25 | Norbert Guenter | Hydroelectric power station |
DE3922724A1 (en) * | 1989-07-11 | 1991-01-24 | Herbert Zemann | Wave-powered electrical energy generation plant - uses angled guide surfaces directing waves to propeller turbines driving respective generators |
WO1996000848A1 (en) * | 1994-06-28 | 1996-01-11 | Friis Madsen Erik | Offshore wind-/wave-energy converter |
DE19734077A1 (en) * | 1997-08-06 | 1998-10-15 | Klaus Ranz | Magneto-hydrostatic drive for hydroelectric power generation |
GB2359859A (en) * | 2000-03-02 | 2001-09-05 | John Frederick Kemp | Apparatus for deriving energy from waves |
WO2001065112A1 (en) * | 2000-03-02 | 2001-09-07 | John Frederick Kemp | Apparatus for deriving energy from waves |
GB2359859B (en) * | 2000-03-02 | 2003-07-30 | John Frederick Kemp | Apparatus for deriving energy from waves |
US6922993B2 (en) | 2000-03-02 | 2005-08-02 | John Frederick Kemp | Apparatus for deriving energy from waves |
DE102006039144A1 (en) * | 2006-08-16 | 2008-02-21 | Lodahl, Manfred, Dipl.-Ing. | Floating wave energy converter |
ITMI20090446A1 (en) * | 2009-03-23 | 2010-09-24 | Nav Tek S R L | ENERGY TRANSFORMATION SYSTEM DERIVING FROM THE WAVE MOTORCYCLE. |
WO2010108828A1 (en) * | 2009-03-23 | 2010-09-30 | Nav Tek S.R.L. | System for converting energy derived from wave motion |
FR3006344A1 (en) * | 2013-06-03 | 2014-12-05 | Thierry Fereol | DEVICE FOR PROVIDING A MARITIME AREA FOR THE AMPLIFICATION AND CONTROL OF THE HULL WITHOUT DEFERING |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB8724910D0 (en) | 1987-11-25 |
GB2196697B (en) | 1991-07-31 |
GB8625386D0 (en) | 1986-11-26 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 19931023 |