WO2004094815A1 - Apparatus for converting of water surface waves energy into mechanical energy - Google Patents

Apparatus for converting of water surface waves energy into mechanical energy Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2004094815A1
WO2004094815A1 PCT/UA2004/000023 UA2004000023W WO2004094815A1 WO 2004094815 A1 WO2004094815 A1 WO 2004094815A1 UA 2004000023 W UA2004000023 W UA 2004000023W WO 2004094815 A1 WO2004094815 A1 WO 2004094815A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tank
tanks
rotation
energy
casing
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/UA2004/000023
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Artem Valerievich Madatov
Valentin Ivanovich Mikhailyuk
Original Assignee
Artem Valerievich Madatov
Valentin Ivanovich Mikhailyuk
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 Artem Valerievich Madatov, Valentin Ivanovich Mikhailyuk filed Critical Artem Valerievich Madatov
Publication of WO2004094815A1 publication Critical patent/WO2004094815A1/en

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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"
    • F03B13/18—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
    • F03B13/1805—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 hinged to the rem
    • F03B13/1825—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 hinged to the rem for 360° rotation
    • F03B13/184—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 hinged to the rem for 360° rotation of a water-wheel type wom
    • 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 related to wave power engineering in general and, in particular, to apparatuses for converting of energy of water surface waves, preferably that of sea and ocean waves, to useful mechanical energy, which can be either used directly or converted into another type of energy, for instance, to electric energy.
  • Known in the prior art is an apparatus for converting of water surface waves energy, which apparatus comprises an oblong rotor as a float that has an axis of rotation and is secured on water surface (GB 3,110,763, F03B 13/12, 1983).
  • the axis of rotation of the rotor is substantially horizontal, located at the height of the mean water level, and oriented at the wave movement direction.
  • the tanks are fitted on the rotor surface, they are to be filled with water on the one side and to be emptied on the other side. These tanks are distributed along the length of the rotor.
  • the tanks Upon wave incoming, the tanks are filled with water on the one side of the rotor while, upon wave outgoing, the tanks are emptied on the other side of the rotor whereby a torque is produced, which can be either transferred to a consumer or converted into another type of energy, for instance, to electric energy.
  • This apparatus can only operate properly provided that waves height exceeds the vertical dimension, that is to say, the height of a tank. To meet this requirement, the tank height must be less than an average statistical waves height in a given water area.
  • the energy efficiency of the apparatus is in direct proportion to the tank volume filled with water, and such limitation to the tank height capacity limits, therefore, the energy efficiency of the apparatus as a whole.
  • the tanks are to be of 0.5 meters high, this means that the apparatus would become dead if waves height were less than 0.5 meters. I.e. the tank height should be less than an average statistical waves height in a given water area.
  • Such apparatus would operate substantially uninterruptedly but its specific power, i.e., power per unit volume of the apparatus, would be, however, limited.
  • Another known apparatus for converting of water surface waves energy to mechanical energy has a substantially horizontal axis of rotation and comprises a plurality of tanks, which are connected to each other, arranged uniformly in series in a cyclic manner, substantially symmetrically about their axis of rotation and at a some distance from the axis of rotation and form an one-piece construction in the form of groups of rotors.
  • Each rotor comprises the full turn of tanks.
  • Each tank is confined by a casing comprising a trailing section relative to the direction of rotor rotation, a leading section relative to the direction of rotor rotation, and a middle section extended between said leading section and said trailing section (RU 2,065,078, F03B 13/12, 1996).
  • the trailing section of each casing comprises an inlet, through which the internal cavity of the tank communicates the environment.
  • This apparatus operates in the same manner as that previously described and has the same disadvantages.
  • the present invention is directed to an apparatus for converting wave energy to mechanical energy, which is free of the above described disadvantages and drawbacks and in which tank dimensions can be optimized based on a predetermined energy efficiency without loss of function at any wave height.
  • an apparatus according to the invention for converting of wave energy into mechanical energy has a substantially horizontal axis of rotation and comprises a plurality of tanks, which are connected to each other, arranged uniformly in series in a cyclic manner, substantially symmetrically about their axis of rotation and at a some distance from the axis of rotation and form an one-piece construction comprising at least one full turn of tanks each tank being confined by a casing, which comprises a leading section relative to the direction of apparatus rotation, a trailing section relative to the direction of apparatus rotation, and a middle section located between said leading section and said trailing section the trailing section of each casing comprising an inlet, through which the internal cavity of the tank communicates the environment, the leading section of the tank casing being provided with a valve, which allows fluid flow in the direction from the outside inside the tank only and prevents flowing of fluid from the tank outwards.
  • the apparatus comprises a plurality of full turns of tanks and the tanks themselves are bucket-shaped.
  • a bucket throat performs the function of inlet.
  • the tanks can be made in the form of a lengthy chain, in which the leading section of the casing of every following tank is connected to the trailing section of the preceding tank and said lengthy chain is wound around the axis of rotation with at least one turn.
  • the lengthy chain is wound with a plurality of turns, for instance, around a forming surface having the shape of a body of revolution such as cylinder, ellipsoid or any other body of revolution.
  • all adjacent tanks of neighboring turns are located with angular displacement relative to each other.
  • the tanks are attached to a bearing frame made, for example, as a hollow one in the form of a body of revolution with end face walls the tanks being attached to the body of revolution whereof and a half-axle being attached to at least one end face wall. If the hollow body of revolution is made hermetically sealed, then apparatus buoyancy is ensured automatically and, to control buoyancy, weights may be employed, which are attached to the inside of the body of revolution.
  • FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates tank connection to form a chain.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates chain placement onto a cylinder.
  • FIG. 5 shows the apparatus according to the invention in the lower submerged position.
  • FIG. 6 shows the apparatus according to the invention in the upper position.
  • FIG. 7 shows an example of a series connection of the apparatuses.
  • FIG. 8 shows an example of a parallel connection of the apparatuses.
  • Tanks 1 forms a one-piece construction comprising one or more full turns of tanKs 1.
  • Each tank 1 is confined by casing 3, which comprises a leading section 4 relative to the direction of apparatus rotation (as shown by the arrow, a trailing section 5 relative to the direction of apparatus rotation, and middle section 6 located between said leading section and said trailing section.
  • Trailing section 5 of the casing has inlet 7, through which the internal cavity 8 of tank 1 communicates the environment.
  • Leading section 4 of the casing is provided with valve 9, which allows fluid flow in the direction from the outside inside the tank 1 only and prevents flowing of fluid from the tank 1 outwards.
  • FIG. 2 shows the tanks in the form of buckets, the throats of which, being a portion of the trailing sections of the tanks, serve as inlets 7.
  • the tanks are arranged in the form of a chain, in which the leading section of the casing of every following tank is connected to the trailing section of the preceding tank as shown in FIG. 3.
  • this chain is wound around a forming surface, for instance, that in the form of cylinder as shown in FIG. 4.
  • a tank pitch is chosen such that, when wound, ail adjacent tanks 1 of neighboring turns are located with angular displacement relative to each other.
  • the tanks are attached to bearing frame 10 made in the form of solid of revolution 11 with end face walls 12 and 13.
  • Tanks 1 are attached to solid of revolution 11 while attached to end face wall 12 is half-axle 14 intended to take off the rotation energy of the apparatus.
  • Frame 10 is made hermetically sealed that ensuring the buoyancy of the apparatus as a whole automatically. To control buoyancy, there are provided weights 15 secured inside of body of revolution 11.
  • tanks 1 When such an apparatus is being placed on a water surface, tanks 1 , the leading sections of which are turned towards the water surface and relative to which the water level rise occurs, will be filled with water either through valves 9 if waves height is less than the height of tank 1 or via both valves 9 and inlet 7 if waves height exceeds the height of tank 1 as shown in FIG. 5.
  • torque M1 is produced, which torque tends to turn the apparatus about its axis of rotation as shown in FIG. 6.
  • the trailing sections of tanks 1 are turned towards the water surface.
  • valve 9 opens, air enters tank 1 , and the water flows out of tank 1.
  • valve 9 closes preventing air leakage from I tank 1 and water can not, therefore, enter tank 1. Therefore, the part of tank 1 filled with air also creates torque M2, which torque tends to turn the apparatus about its axis of rotation in the same direction as torque M
  • a tank size may be, thus, optimized to meet the requirements for energy efficiency of the apparatus, as well as process and consumption conditions.
  • FIG. 7 shows one more possible embodiment of a wave energy plant according to the invention.
  • the plant comprises a plurality of the above-described apparatuses in the form of rotors 15, which are buoyed up.
  • Rotors 15 are connected to each other to form a row by means of connecting devices 16 and the last rotor 15 in the row is connected to device 17 intended to transfer torque to energy consumer 18.
  • Connecting device 16 is made in the form of a flexible shaft.
  • the row of rotors 15 is fixed by means of rope 19 and anchor 20 against carrying away by wind or waves beyond the boundaries of a predetermined water area.
  • Step-up gear 21 is the energy consumer, which gear is, in turn, connected to electric energy generator 22.
  • Such an embodiment of the plant according to the invention is preferable for water areas where the directions of waves and wind do not change practically and, therefore, the factors that cause the carrying away of the plant in the lateral direction are absent or minimum.
  • a plant according to the invention comprises a plurality of rotors 15 installed in parallel.
  • each rotor 15 is connected to common device 23 intended to transfer torque to an electric energy generator.
  • rotors 15' rotate in one direction, for instance, clockwise while rotors 15" rotate in the other direction - counterclockwise respectively.
  • Rotors 15' and 15" are installed in turn that is enable to compensate overturning moment acting from rotors 15.
  • Rotors 15' and 15" operate as described above.
  • the whole plant is afloat and fixed by means of a rope and anchor against carrying away by waves or wind.
  • the plant is advantageously anchored to a small island, the size of which is such that waves flow around it without substantial loss of energy.
  • Electric energy is transmitted from the generator to a consumer, which can be located both in close vicinity to the plant and ashore, through a power cable.
  • the rotors of these plants will rotate, whatever a tank height is, then the parameters of plants such as the number of rotors, the dimensions and shape of their elements can be chosen so as to meet the requirements for energy efficiency of a given plant and the plant would ensure safe operation at any wave height.
  • the present invention is not limited to the examples described herein.
  • the rotors may have their radius of 3 meters to 4 meters or more.
  • the rotors may be small-sized and generate electric energy sufficient to feed navigational aids such as beacons and radio buoys.
  • the plant according to the invention does not necessarily generate electric energy - it can be a source of mechanical energy, for instance, to rotate a vessel oar screw or propeller.

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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

The invention related to wave power engineering in general and, more particularly, to apparatuses for converting energy from water surfaces waves, preferably that from sea and ocean waves, to useful mechanical energy, which can be either used directly or converted to another type of energy, for instance, to electric energy. The apparatus has a substantially horizontal axis of rotation and comprises a plurality of tanks, which are connected to each other, arranged uniformly in series in a cyclic manner, substantially symmetrically about their axis of rotation and at a some distance from the axis of rotation and form an one-piece construction, which comprises at least one full turn of tanks. Each tank is confined by a casing, which has a leading section relative to the direction of apparatus rotation, a trailing section relative to the direction of apparatus rotation, and a middle section located between said leading section and said trailing section the trailing section of each casing comprising an inlet, through which the internal cavity of the tank communicates the environment. The leading section of the tank casing is provided with a valve, which allows fluid flow in the direction from the outside inside the tank only and prevents flowing of fluid from the tank outwards. The apparatuses will rotate at any wave height, whatever a tank height is, and the parameters of plants such as the number of apparatuses, the dimensions and shape of their elements will be chosen to meet the requirements for energy efficiency of a given plant. The plant would ensure safe operation at any wave height.

Description

Apparatus for Converting of Water Surface Waves Energy into Mechanical
Energy
The present invention related to wave power engineering in general and, in particular, to apparatuses for converting of energy of water surface waves, preferably that of sea and ocean waves, to useful mechanical energy, which can be either used directly or converted into another type of energy, for instance, to electric energy.
Known in the prior art is an apparatus for converting of water surface waves energy, which apparatus comprises an oblong rotor as a float that has an axis of rotation and is secured on water surface (GB 3,110,763, F03B 13/12, 1983). The axis of rotation of the rotor is substantially horizontal, located at the height of the mean water level, and oriented at the wave movement direction. The tanks are fitted on the rotor surface, they are to be filled with water on the one side and to be emptied on the other side. These tanks are distributed along the length of the rotor. Upon wave incoming, the tanks are filled with water on the one side of the rotor while, upon wave outgoing, the tanks are emptied on the other side of the rotor whereby a torque is produced, which can be either transferred to a consumer or converted into another type of energy, for instance, to electric energy.
This apparatus can only operate properly provided that waves height exceeds the vertical dimension, that is to say, the height of a tank. To meet this requirement, the tank height must be less than an average statistical waves height in a given water area. On the other hand, the energy efficiency of the apparatus is in direct proportion to the tank volume filled with water, and such limitation to the tank height capacity limits, therefore, the energy efficiency of the apparatus as a whole. In other words, if in order to achieve a predetermined power of the apparatus, the tanks are to be of 0.5 meters high, this means that the apparatus would become dead if waves height were less than 0.5 meters. I.e. the tank height should be less than an average statistical waves height in a given water area. Such apparatus would operate substantially uninterruptedly but its specific power, i.e., power per unit volume of the apparatus, would be, however, limited.
Another known apparatus for converting of water surface waves energy to mechanical energy has a substantially horizontal axis of rotation and comprises a plurality of tanks, which are connected to each other, arranged uniformly in series in a cyclic manner, substantially symmetrically about their axis of rotation and at a some distance from the axis of rotation and form an one-piece construction in the form of groups of rotors. Each rotor comprises the full turn of tanks. Each tank is confined by a casing comprising a trailing section relative to the direction of rotor rotation, a leading section relative to the direction of rotor rotation, and a middle section extended between said leading section and said trailing section (RU 2,065,078, F03B 13/12, 1996). The trailing section of each casing comprises an inlet, through which the internal cavity of the tank communicates the environment.
This apparatus operates in the same manner as that previously described and has the same disadvantages.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an apparatus for converting wave energy to mechanical energy, which is free of the above described disadvantages and drawbacks and in which tank dimensions can be optimized based on a predetermined energy efficiency without loss of function at any wave height.
The object set is achieved by that an apparatus according to the invention for converting of wave energy into mechanical energy has a substantially horizontal axis of rotation and comprises a plurality of tanks, which are connected to each other, arranged uniformly in series in a cyclic manner, substantially symmetrically about their axis of rotation and at a some distance from the axis of rotation and form an one-piece construction comprising at least one full turn of tanks each tank being confined by a casing, which comprises a leading section relative to the direction of apparatus rotation, a trailing section relative to the direction of apparatus rotation, and a middle section located between said leading section and said trailing section the trailing section of each casing comprising an inlet, through which the internal cavity of the tank communicates the environment, the leading section of the tank casing being provided with a valve, which allows fluid flow in the direction from the outside inside the tank only and prevents flowing of fluid from the tank outwards.
Preferably, the apparatus comprises a plurality of full turns of tanks and the tanks themselves are bucket-shaped. In such a case, a bucket throat performs the function of inlet.
The tanks can be made in the form of a lengthy chain, in which the leading section of the casing of every following tank is connected to the trailing section of the preceding tank and said lengthy chain is wound around the axis of rotation with at least one turn. Such embodiment is expeditious to facilitate apparatus assembly and installation. Alternatively, the lengthy chain is wound with a plurality of turns, for instance, around a forming surface having the shape of a body of revolution such as cylinder, ellipsoid or any other body of revolution.
Preferably, all adjacent tanks of neighboring turns are located with angular displacement relative to each other.
Advantageously, the tanks are attached to a bearing frame made, for example, as a hollow one in the form of a body of revolution with end face walls the tanks being attached to the body of revolution whereof and a half-axle being attached to at least one end face wall. If the hollow body of revolution is made hermetically sealed, then apparatus buoyancy is ensured automatically and, to control buoyancy, weights may be employed, which are attached to the inside of the body of revolution.
The present invention will be now explained with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates tank connection to form a chain.
FIG. 4 illustrates chain placement onto a cylinder.
FIG. 5 shows the apparatus according to the invention in the lower submerged position.
FIG. 6 shows the apparatus according to the invention in the upper position.
FIG. 7 shows an example of a series connection of the apparatuses.
FIG. 8 shows an example of a parallel connection of the apparatuses.
Referring first to FIG. 1, an apparatus according to the invention for converting of water surface waves energy to mechanical energy comprises a rotor in the form of a plurality of tanks 1, which are connected to each other, arranged uniformly in series in a cyclic manner, substantially symmetrically about axis 2 of rotation of the apparatus and at a some distance from this axis. Tanks 1 forms a one-piece construction comprising one or more full turns of tanKs 1. Each tank 1 is confined by casing 3, which comprises a leading section 4 relative to the direction of apparatus rotation (as shown by the arrow, a trailing section 5 relative to the direction of apparatus rotation, and middle section 6 located between said leading section and said trailing section. Trailing section 5 of the casing has inlet 7, through which the internal cavity 8 of tank 1 communicates the environment. Leading section 4 of the casing is provided with valve 9, which allows fluid flow in the direction from the outside inside the tank 1 only and prevents flowing of fluid from the tank 1 outwards.
The turns of tanks 1 are combined into a single block. As a non-limitative example, FIG. 2 shows the tanks in the form of buckets, the throats of which, being a portion of the trailing sections of the tanks, serve as inlets 7.
Preferably, especially in the event of plastic tanks, the tanks are arranged in the form of a chain, in which the leading section of the casing of every following tank is connected to the trailing section of the preceding tank as shown in FIG. 3. When assembling, this chain is wound around a forming surface, for instance, that in the form of cylinder as shown in FIG. 4. A tank pitch is chosen such that, when wound, ail adjacent tanks 1 of neighboring turns are located with angular displacement relative to each other. In this example, the tanks are attached to bearing frame 10 made in the form of solid of revolution 11 with end face walls 12 and 13. Tanks 1 are attached to solid of revolution 11 while attached to end face wall 12 is half-axle 14 intended to take off the rotation energy of the apparatus.
Frame 10 is made hermetically sealed that ensuring the buoyancy of the apparatus as a whole automatically. To control buoyancy, there are provided weights 15 secured inside of body of revolution 11.
When such an apparatus is being placed on a water surface, tanks 1 , the leading sections of which are turned towards the water surface and relative to which the water level rise occurs, will be filled with water either through valves 9 if waves height is less than the height of tank 1 or via both valves 9 and inlet 7 if waves height exceeds the height of tank 1 as shown in FIG. 5. When the water level drops relative to these tanks 1 , water can not flow out of them and torque M1 is produced, which torque tends to turn the apparatus about its axis of rotation as shown in FIG. 6. On the diametrically opposite side of the apparatus, the trailing sections of tanks 1 are turned towards the water surface. When the water level drops relative to these sections, valve 9 opens, air enters tank 1 , and the water flows out of tank 1. When the water level rises relative to these sections, valve 9 closes preventing air leakage from I tank 1 and water can not, therefore, enter tank 1. Therefore, the part of tank 1 filled with air also creates torque M2, which torque tends to turn the apparatus about its axis of rotation in the same direction as torque M
Filling tanks with water and their emptying occur at any waves height and the rotor will rotate at any waves height whatever a tank height is. A tank size may be, thus, optimized to meet the requirements for energy efficiency of the apparatus, as well as process and consumption conditions.
FIG. 7 shows one more possible embodiment of a wave energy plant according to the invention. The plant comprises a plurality of the above-described apparatuses in the form of rotors 15, which are buoyed up. Rotors 15 are connected to each other to form a row by means of connecting devices 16 and the last rotor 15 in the row is connected to device 17 intended to transfer torque to energy consumer 18. Connecting device 16 is made in the form of a flexible shaft. The row of rotors 15 is fixed by means of rope 19 and anchor 20 against carrying away by wind or waves beyond the boundaries of a predetermined water area.
Step-up gear 21 is the energy consumer, which gear is, in turn, connected to electric energy generator 22.
Such an embodiment of the plant according to the invention is preferable for water areas where the directions of waves and wind do not change practically and, therefore, the factors that cause the carrying away of the plant in the lateral direction are absent or minimum.
Should the directions of waves and wind be variable, it would be then preferable to install the gear and generator on a self-floating platform fixed by means of, for instance, an anchor and rope against carrying away and to connect a rotor or a row of rotors to this platform. The other end of the rotor or the row of rotors remains then loose and can move around the platform under the action of variable direction waves and wind.
In yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 8, a plant according to the invention comprises a plurality of rotors 15 installed in parallel. Here, each rotor 15 is connected to common device 23 intended to transfer torque to an electric energy generator. In this embodiment, rotors 15' rotate in one direction, for instance, clockwise while rotors 15" rotate in the other direction - counterclockwise respectively. Rotors 15' and 15" are installed in turn that is enable to compensate overturning moment acting from rotors 15.
Rotors 15' and 15" operate as described above. The whole plant is afloat and fixed by means of a rope and anchor against carrying away by waves or wind. In certain cases, the plant is advantageously anchored to a small island, the size of which is such that waves flow around it without substantial loss of energy.
Electric energy is transmitted from the generator to a consumer, which can be located both in close vicinity to the plant and ashore, through a power cable.
Because, the rotors of these plants will rotate, whatever a tank height is, then the parameters of plants such as the number of rotors, the dimensions and shape of their elements can be chosen so as to meet the requirements for energy efficiency of a given plant and the plant would ensure safe operation at any wave height.
The present invention is not limited to the examples described herein. For instance, in the event of a plant of several dozens kilowatts in power, the rotors may have their radius of 3 meters to 4 meters or more. In another event, the rotors may be small-sized and generate electric energy sufficient to feed navigational aids such as beacons and radio buoys. Moreover, the plant according to the invention does not necessarily generate electric energy - it can be a source of mechanical energy, for instance, to rotate a vessel oar screw or propeller. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents obvious to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1 An apparatus for converting water surface waves energy into mechanical energy having a substantially horizontal axis of rotation and comprising a plurality of tanks, which are connected to each other, arranged uniformly in series in a cyclic manner, substantially symmetrically about their axis of rotation and at a some distance from the axis of rotation and form a one-piece construction, which comprises at least one full turn of the tanks each tank being confined by a casing, which comprises a leading section relative to the direction of apparatus rotation, a trailing section relative to the direction of apparatus rotation, and a middle section located between said leading section and said trailing section the trailing section of each casing comprising an inlet, through which the internal cavity of the tank communicates the environment, characterized in that the leading section of the tank casing is provided with a valve, which allows fluid flow in the direction from the outside inside the tank only and prevents flowing of fluid from the tank outwards.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the apparatus comprises a plurality of full turns of the tanks.
3. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the tanks are bucket-shaped.
4. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the tanks form a lengthy chain, in which the leading section of the casing of every following tank is connected to the trailing section of the preceding tank and said lengthy chain is wound around the axis of rotation with at least one turn.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the lengthy chain is wound with a plurality of turns.
6. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the tanks are located around a hard surface substantially in the form of a solid of revolution.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the solid of revolution is in the form of cylinder.
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the solid of revolution is in the form of ellipsoid.
9. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that adjacent tanks of neighboring turns are located with angular displacement relative to each other.
10. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the tanks are attached to a bearing frame.
11 The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the bearing frame is made as a hollow one in the form of a solid of revolution with end face walls the tanks being attached to the solid of revolution whereof and a half-axle being attached to at least one end face wall.
12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11 , characterized in that the hollow body is made hermetically sealed.
13. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the apparatus is provided with means to control buoyancy of the apparatus.
PCT/UA2004/000023 2003-04-23 2004-04-23 Apparatus for converting of water surface waves energy into mechanical energy WO2004094815A1 (en)

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UA2003043758A UA62659A (en) 2003-04-23 2003-04-23 Unit for transforming the waves on the water surface energy into mechanical energy
UA2003043758 2003-04-23

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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2006087448A2 (en) * 2005-02-18 2006-08-24 Jean Gambarota Sea wave energy converter
EP2282049A1 (en) * 2009-07-31 2011-02-09 Padraig Molloy Rotating wave energy capture system and method
NL2010619C2 (en) * 2013-04-11 2014-10-14 Heuvel Bernardus Johannes Maria Olde DEVICE FOR CONVERTING GOLF ENERGY.
WO2017212356A1 (en) 2016-06-07 2017-12-14 Hansmann Carl Ludwig Energy harvesting from moving fluids using mass displacement

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Cited By (12)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2006087448A2 (en) * 2005-02-18 2006-08-24 Jean Gambarota Sea wave energy converter
FR2882403A1 (en) * 2005-02-18 2006-08-25 Jean Gambarota WAVE MOTOR
WO2006087448A3 (en) * 2005-02-18 2007-04-05 Jean Gambarota Sea wave energy converter
EP2282049A1 (en) * 2009-07-31 2011-02-09 Padraig Molloy Rotating wave energy capture system and method
NL2010619C2 (en) * 2013-04-11 2014-10-14 Heuvel Bernardus Johannes Maria Olde DEVICE FOR CONVERTING GOLF ENERGY.
WO2017212356A1 (en) 2016-06-07 2017-12-14 Hansmann Carl Ludwig Energy harvesting from moving fluids using mass displacement
CN109563803A (en) * 2016-06-07 2019-04-02 卡尔·卢德维格·汉斯曼 Energy is obtained from moving fluid using mass shift
US20190218737A1 (en) * 2016-06-07 2019-07-18 Carl Ludwig HANSMANN Energy harvesting from moving fluids using mass displacement
EP3464881A4 (en) * 2016-06-07 2020-01-08 Hansmann, Carl Ludwig Energy harvesting from moving fluids using mass displacement
US11162470B2 (en) * 2016-06-07 2021-11-02 Carl Ludwig HANSMANN Energy harvesting from moving fluids using mass displacement
TWI772307B (en) * 2016-06-07 2022-08-01 漢斯曼 卡爾路德維格 Energy harvesting from moving fluids using mass displacement
AU2017278033B2 (en) * 2016-06-07 2023-06-01 Carl Ludwig HANSMANN Energy harvesting from moving fluids using mass displacement

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