WO2009128027A2 - Apparatus and method for harnessing water energy - Google Patents

Apparatus and method for harnessing water energy Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009128027A2
WO2009128027A2 PCT/IB2009/051551 IB2009051551W WO2009128027A2 WO 2009128027 A2 WO2009128027 A2 WO 2009128027A2 IB 2009051551 W IB2009051551 W IB 2009051551W WO 2009128027 A2 WO2009128027 A2 WO 2009128027A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
water
mass
cable
movement
load
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Application number
PCT/IB2009/051551
Other languages
French (fr)
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WO2009128027A3 (en
Inventor
Paseka Emile Hanyane
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Paseka Emile Hanyane
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Application filed by Paseka Emile Hanyane filed Critical Paseka Emile Hanyane
Publication of WO2009128027A2 publication Critical patent/WO2009128027A2/en
Publication of WO2009128027A3 publication Critical patent/WO2009128027A3/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
    • F03B13/181—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 limited rotation
    • F03B13/182—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 limited rotation with a to-and-fro movement
    • 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
    • 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
    • F03B13/1895—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 where the tie is a tension/compression member
    • 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
    • F05B2260/00—Function
    • F05B2260/40—Transmission of power
    • F05B2260/403—Transmission of power through the shape of the drive components
    • F05B2260/4031—Transmission of power through the shape of the drive components as in toothed gearing
    • 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 invention of apparatus used to harness energy from waves, tides and the like.
  • the inventor is aware of a wide range of ingenious solutions to the problem of harnessing energy from passing or breaking waves.
  • the majority of water energy devices seek to absorb some of the energy from waves, whilst being robust enough to resist the destructive power of the waves.
  • Most wave-energy devices have four basic components:
  • the working surface must be able to (partially) absorb the wave motion
  • the working surface is coupled to some device that enables the water energy to be extracted for conversion to electricity, water or hydrogen.
  • the details of individual devices are more complex.
  • an apparatus for harnessing water energy including; a body suspended relative a mass of water, wherein the body is capable of being displaced from a resting position to a displaced position by the movement of the mass of water; a cable connected at one end thereof to the body; a load connected at an opposite end of the cable; and a pulley configured to transmit the force of the movement of the mass of water on the body to the load and wherein the load is configured to return the body to its resting position via the pulley system, thereby causing a stroking movement of the cable.
  • the mass of water may be any one or more of the group including an ocean, a lake and/or a man made collection of water.
  • the body may be suspended within the mass of water, where the resting position of the body may be a suspended position within the mass of water and the displaced position may be a second suspended position within the mass of water.
  • the body may float on the mass of water, wherein the resting position of the body may be on the surface of the mass of water and the displaced position may be on the surface of the mass of water and/or below the surface of the mass of water.
  • the body may be shaped and dimensioned to maximally intercept the path of a wave.
  • the body may include curved surfaces configured to increase the body's exposure to the force of a wave or flow of water.
  • the apparatus may include a body suspended within the mass of water and body floating on the mass of water.
  • the apparatus may include a plurality of bodies.
  • the cable may be made from any suitable material.
  • the apparatus may include a plurality of cables.
  • a body of the apparatus may be connected to a single cable.
  • a body of the apparatus may be connected to a plurality of cables.
  • a cable may be connected to a plurality of bodies.
  • the cable may be housed within a housing that may aid in minimising movement of the cable along an axis that is perpendicular to its long axis.
  • the cable may be wound around a shaft.
  • the cable may be fixed to the shaft at a point and may allow for the counter-balancing of the cable.
  • the cable may be a rigid or semi-rigid structure.
  • the load may be in the form of a spring.
  • the load may be in the form of a counterweight.
  • the load may be in the form of an electric motor which may be configured to counterbalance the force applied to the cable by the displacement of the body of the apparatus.
  • the load may be mounted on a rail and adjusted continually to match the height needed for the floating body to effectively harness the wave energy with the water depth as induced by the tides.
  • the counterweight may be suspended in the mass of water or in any other suitable medium.
  • the pulley may be fixed to any suitable surface.
  • the surface may include the ocean and/or lake bed.
  • the pulley may be suspended from any suitable surface.
  • the surface may include the ocean and/or lake bed.
  • the stroking movement of the cable around the pulley may be converted to a rotational movement.
  • At least a part of the cable may include gear teeth.
  • the gear teeth may engage the cogs of a gear wheel and the stroking movement of the cable may thus be converted to a rotational movement of the gear wheel.
  • the gear teeth and the cogs of the gear wheel may be configured to allow for a uni-directional movement of the gear wheel.
  • the gear wheel may be connected to an electric generator and the rotation of the gear wheel may lead to the generation of electricity.
  • the cable may be connected to a flywheel.
  • the flywheel may be connected to a reciprocating piston engine configuration.
  • the flywheel may include a clutch system which may be used to fine- tune the rotation to make it steadier.
  • the gear system may be used to increase or decrease the rotational speed to the desired level.
  • any one or more of the gear teeth, gear wheel and/or generator may be remote the body of the apparatus.
  • a method of harnessing water energy including the steps of; suspending a body relative a mass of water, wherein the body is capable of being displaced from a resting position to a displaced position by the movement of the mass of water; connecting a cable at one end thereof to the body; connecting a load at an opposite end of the cable; and utilizing a pulley to transmit the force of the movement of the mass of water on the body to the load and wherein the load is configured to return the body to its resting position via the pulley system, thereby causing a stroking movement of the cable.
  • Figure 1 - 7 show various embodiments of the invention.
  • reference numeral 10 generally refers to an apparatus in accordance with the invention.
  • An apparatus 10 for harnessing water energy said apparatus including a body 12 suspended relative a mass of water 14, wherein the body 12 is capable of being displaced from a resting position 16 to a displaced position 18 by the movement of the mass of water 14, a cable 20 connected at one end thereof to the body 12, a load 22 connected at an opposite end of the cable 20 and a pulley 24 configured to transmit the force of the movement 26 of the mass of water 14 on the body 12 to the load 22 and wherein the load 22 is configured to return the body 12 to its resting position 16 via the pulley system, thereby causing a stroking movement 28 of the cable 20.
  • the mass of water 14 is any one or more of the group including an ocean, a lake and/or a man made collection of water.
  • the body 12 is suspended within the mass of water 14, where the resting position 16 of the body 12 is a suspended position within the mass of water 14 and the displaced position 18 is a second suspended position with in the mass of water 14.
  • the body 12 floats on the mass of water 14, wherein the resting position 16 of the body 12 is on the surface 30 of the mass of water 14 and the displaced position 18 is also on the surface 30 of the mass of water 14.
  • the rise and fall of the water surface 30 with the movement of waves 32 causes the body 12 to be displaced from a resting position 16 to a displaced position 18.
  • the body 12 is shaped and dimensioned to maximally intercept the path of a wave 32.
  • the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 6 shows the body 12 with a curved surface 34 configured to increase the body's 12 exposure to the force of a wave 32 or flow of water.
  • the apparatus 10 includes a plurality of bodies 12.
  • the cable 20 is made from any suitable material and the apparatus 10 can include a plurality of cables 20.
  • the body 12 of the apparatus 10 can be connected to a single cable 20 or to a plurality of cables 20.
  • the cable 20 is housed with in a housing that aids in minimising movement of the cable along an axis that is perpendicular to its long axis and can be wound around a shaft 56 as shown in figure 5.
  • the cable 20 can be fixed to the shaft at a point and may allow for the counter-balancing of the cable 20.
  • the load 22 is in the form of a spring 36 in the embodiments shown in Figures 1,2,5,6 &7 whereas the load shown in Figures 3 & 4 is a counterweight 38.
  • the load 22 can be in the form of an electric motor which is configured to counterbalance the force applied to the cable 20 by the displacement of the body 12 of the apparatus 10.
  • the counterweight 38 is suspended in the mass of water 14 or in any other suitable medium.
  • the pulley 24 is fixed to any suitable surface and in the embodiments shown in the drawings is fixed to the ocean floor 40.
  • the stroking movement 28 of the cable 20 around the pulley 24 is converted to a rotational movement 42.
  • At least a part of the cable 20 includes gear teeth 44.
  • the gear teeth 44 engage the cogs 46 of a gear wheel 48 and the stroking movement 28 of the cable 20 is thus be converted to a rotational movement 42 of the gear wheel 48.
  • the gear teeth 44 and the cogs 46 of the gear wheel 48 are configured to allow for a uni-directional movement of the gear wheel 48.
  • the gear wheel 48 is connected to an electric generator 50 and the rotation of the gear wheel 48 lead to the generation of electricity, and is used to increase or decrease the rotational speed to a desired level.
  • the cable 20 is connected to a flywheel 52.
  • the flywheel 52 is connected to a reciprocating piston engine configuration 54.

Abstract

The invention provides for an apparatus (10) for harnessing water energy, said apparatus (10) including a body (12) suspended relative a mass of water, wherein the body (12) is capable of being displaced from a resting position (16) to a displaced position (18) by the movement of the mass of water (14); a cable (20) connected at one end thereof to the body (12); a load (22) connected at an opposite end of the cable (20); and a pulley (24) configured to transmit the force of the movement (26) of the mass of water (14) on the body (12) to the load (22) and wherein the load (22) is configured to return the body (12) to its resting position (16) via the pulley (24) system, thereby causing a stroking movement of the cable (20). The invention also provides for a method of harnessing water energy.

Description

Apparatus and method for harnessing the water energy
Field of the Invention
The invention of apparatus used to harness energy from waves, tides and the like.
Background to the invention
The inventor is aware of a wide range of ingenious solutions to the problem of harnessing energy from passing or breaking waves. The majority of water energy devices seek to absorb some of the energy from waves, whilst being robust enough to resist the destructive power of the waves. Most wave-energy devices have four basic components:
1. A fixed surface or platform that does not respond to the wave motion
2. A working surface that moves in response to the waves
3. The working surface must be able to (partially) absorb the wave motion
4. The working surface is coupled to some device that enables the water energy to be extracted for conversion to electricity, water or hydrogen. The details of individual devices are more complex. (Marine Energy: Summary of Current Developments and Outlook for New Zealand. Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority. 18 May 2005)
The inventor believes that a need exists for an apparatus that can effectively and in a cost effective manner harness the energy of waves, tides and the like. Summary of the invention
According to an aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for harnessing water energy, said apparatus including; a body suspended relative a mass of water, wherein the body is capable of being displaced from a resting position to a displaced position by the movement of the mass of water; a cable connected at one end thereof to the body; a load connected at an opposite end of the cable; and a pulley configured to transmit the force of the movement of the mass of water on the body to the load and wherein the load is configured to return the body to its resting position via the pulley system, thereby causing a stroking movement of the cable.
The mass of water may be any one or more of the group including an ocean, a lake and/or a man made collection of water.
The body may be suspended within the mass of water, where the resting position of the body may be a suspended position within the mass of water and the displaced position may be a second suspended position within the mass of water.
The body may float on the mass of water, wherein the resting position of the body may be on the surface of the mass of water and the displaced position may be on the surface of the mass of water and/or below the surface of the mass of water. The body may be shaped and dimensioned to maximally intercept the path of a wave. The body may include curved surfaces configured to increase the body's exposure to the force of a wave or flow of water.
The apparatus may include a body suspended within the mass of water and body floating on the mass of water.
The apparatus may include a plurality of bodies.
The cable may be made from any suitable material.
The apparatus may include a plurality of cables.
A body of the apparatus may be connected to a single cable.
A body of the apparatus may be connected to a plurality of cables.
A cable may be connected to a plurality of bodies.
The cable may be housed within a housing that may aid in minimising movement of the cable along an axis that is perpendicular to its long axis.
The cable may be wound around a shaft. The cable may be fixed to the shaft at a point and may allow for the counter-balancing of the cable.
It is to be appreciated from the specification that the cable may be a rigid or semi-rigid structure.
The load may be in the form of a spring.
The load may be in the form of a counterweight.
The load may be in the form of an electric motor which may be configured to counterbalance the force applied to the cable by the displacement of the body of the apparatus.
The load may be mounted on a rail and adjusted continually to match the height needed for the floating body to effectively harness the wave energy with the water depth as induced by the tides.
The counterweight may be suspended in the mass of water or in any other suitable medium.
The pulley may be fixed to any suitable surface. The surface may include the ocean and/or lake bed.
The pulley may be suspended from any suitable surface. The surface may include the ocean and/or lake bed.
The stroking movement of the cable around the pulley may be converted to a rotational movement.
At least a part of the cable may include gear teeth. The gear teeth may engage the cogs of a gear wheel and the stroking movement of the cable may thus be converted to a rotational movement of the gear wheel.
The gear teeth and the cogs of the gear wheel may be configured to allow for a uni-directional movement of the gear wheel.
The gear wheel may be connected to an electric generator and the rotation of the gear wheel may lead to the generation of electricity.
The cable may be connected to a flywheel. The flywheel may be connected to a reciprocating piston engine configuration.
The flywheel may include a clutch system which may be used to fine- tune the rotation to make it steadier.
The gear system may be used to increase or decrease the rotational speed to the desired level.
It is to be appreciated from the specification that any one or more of the gear teeth, gear wheel and/or generator may be remote the body of the apparatus.
It is furthermore to be appreciated from the specification that energy may be also be harnessed from the load.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of harnessing water energy, said method including the steps of; suspending a body relative a mass of water, wherein the body is capable of being displaced from a resting position to a displaced position by the movement of the mass of water; connecting a cable at one end thereof to the body; connecting a load at an opposite end of the cable; and utilizing a pulley to transmit the force of the movement of the mass of water on the body to the load and wherein the load is configured to return the body to its resting position via the pulley system, thereby causing a stroking movement of the cable.
Detailed description of drawings
The invention will now be described by way of non-limiting example with reference to the drawings, in which
Figure 1 - 7 show various embodiments of the invention.
In the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally refers to an apparatus in accordance with the invention.
An apparatus 10 for harnessing water energy, said apparatus including a body 12 suspended relative a mass of water 14, wherein the body 12 is capable of being displaced from a resting position 16 to a displaced position 18 by the movement of the mass of water 14, a cable 20 connected at one end thereof to the body 12, a load 22 connected at an opposite end of the cable 20 and a pulley 24 configured to transmit the force of the movement 26 of the mass of water 14 on the body 12 to the load 22 and wherein the load 22 is configured to return the body 12 to its resting position 16 via the pulley system, thereby causing a stroking movement 28 of the cable 20.
The mass of water 14 is any one or more of the group including an ocean, a lake and/or a man made collection of water.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the body 12 is suspended within the mass of water 14, where the resting position 16 of the body 12 is a suspended position within the mass of water 14 and the displaced position 18 is a second suspended position with in the mass of water 14.
In the embodiments shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 &6, the body 12 floats on the mass of water 14, wherein the resting position 16 of the body 12 is on the surface 30 of the mass of water 14 and the displaced position 18 is also on the surface 30 of the mass of water 14. In these embodiments, the rise and fall of the water surface 30 with the movement of waves 32 causes the body 12 to be displaced from a resting position 16 to a displaced position 18.
It is however to be appreciated from the specification that the displaced position 18 can be below the surface 30 of the mass of water 14.
The body 12 is shaped and dimensioned to maximally intercept the path of a wave 32. The embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 6 shows the body 12 with a curved surface 34 configured to increase the body's 12 exposure to the force of a wave 32 or flow of water.
In the embodiments shown in Figures 1 & 2, the apparatus 10 includes a plurality of bodies 12. The cable 20 is made from any suitable material and the apparatus 10 can include a plurality of cables 20. The body 12 of the apparatus 10 can be connected to a single cable 20 or to a plurality of cables 20.
It is also to be appreciated from the specification that a single cable 20 can be connected to a plurality of bodies 12.
In embodiments not shown in the drawings, the cable 20 is housed with in a housing that aids in minimising movement of the cable along an axis that is perpendicular to its long axis and can be wound around a shaft 56 as shown in figure 5. The cable 20 can be fixed to the shaft at a point and may allow for the counter-balancing of the cable 20.
The load 22 is in the form of a spring 36 in the embodiments shown in Figures 1,2,5,6 &7 whereas the load shown in Figures 3 & 4 is a counterweight 38.
It is to be appreciated that the load 22 can be in the form of an electric motor which is configured to counterbalance the force applied to the cable 20 by the displacement of the body 12 of the apparatus 10.
The counterweight 38 is suspended in the mass of water 14 or in any other suitable medium.
The pulley 24 is fixed to any suitable surface and in the embodiments shown in the drawings is fixed to the ocean floor 40. The stroking movement 28 of the cable 20 around the pulley 24 is converted to a rotational movement 42. At least a part of the cable 20 includes gear teeth 44. The gear teeth 44 engage the cogs 46 of a gear wheel 48 and the stroking movement 28 of the cable 20 is thus be converted to a rotational movement 42 of the gear wheel 48.
The gear teeth 44 and the cogs 46 of the gear wheel 48 are configured to allow for a uni-directional movement of the gear wheel 48.
The gear wheel 48 is connected to an electric generator 50 and the rotation of the gear wheel 48 lead to the generation of electricity, and is used to increase or decrease the rotational speed to a desired level.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the cable 20 is connected to a flywheel 52. The flywheel 52 is connected to a reciprocating piston engine configuration 54.

Claims

Claims
1. An apparatus for harnessing water energy, said apparatus including; a body suspended relative a mass of water, wherein the body is capable of being displaced from a resting position to a displaced position by the movement of the mass of water; a cable connected at one end thereof to the body; a load connected at an opposite end of the cable; and a pulley configured to transmit the force of the movement of the mass of water on the body to the load and wherein the load is configured to return the body to its resting position via the pulley system, thereby causing a stroking movement of the cable.
2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mass of water is any one or more of the group including an ocean, a lake and/or a man made collection of water.
3. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body is suspended within the mass of water, and wherein the resting position of the body is suspended within the mass of water and the displaced position is a second suspended position with in the mass of water.
4. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the body floats on the mass of water, and wherein the resting position of the body is on the surface of the mass of water and the displaced position is on the surface of the mass of water or below the surface of the mass of water.
5. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the body is shaped and dimensioned to maximally intercept the path of a wave.
6. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the body includes at least one curved surface configured to increase the body's exposure to the force of a wave or flow of water.
7. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the apparatus includes a body suspended within the mass of water and a body floating on the mass of water.
8. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the cable is housed within a housing that aids in minimising movement of the cable along an axis that is perpendicular to its long axis.
9. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the load includes any one or more from the group including a spring, a counterweight and/or an electric motor.
10. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the load is configured to counterbalance the force applied to the cable by the displacement of the body of the apparatus.
11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the counterweight is suspended in any other suitable medium.
12. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the stroking movement of the cable around the pulley is converted to a rotational movement.
13. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein at least a part of the cable includes gear teeth, the gear teeth configured to engage the cogs of a gear wheel and the stroking movement of the cable thus be converted to a rotational movement of the gear wheel.
14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the gear wheel is connected to an electric generator and the rotation of the gear wheel leads to the generation of electricity by the electric generator.
15. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the cable is connected to a flywheel and the flywheel is connected to a reciprocating piston engine configuration.
16. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the load is mounted on a rail and adjusted continually to match the height needed for the floating body to effectively harness the wave energy with the water depth as induced by the tides.
17. A method of harnessing water energy, said method including the steps of; suspending a body relative a mass of water, wherein the body is capable of being displaced from a resting position to a displaced position by the movement of the mass of water; connecting a cable at one end thereof to the body; connecting a load at an opposite end of the cable; and utilizing a pulley to transmit the force of the movement of the mass of water on the body to the load and wherein the load is configured to return the body to its resting position via the pulley system, thereby causing a stroking movement of the cable.
18. A new apparatus for harnessing water energy substantially as herein described and illustrated.
19. A new apparatus for harnessing water energy as claimed in claim 1.
20. A new method of harnessing water energy substantially as herein described and illustrated.
21. A new method for harnessing water energy as claimed in claim
17.
PCT/IB2009/051551 2008-04-15 2009-04-14 Apparatus and method for harnessing water energy WO2009128027A2 (en)

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Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB519155A (en) * 1939-05-09 1940-03-18 Luigi Premoli Improvements in and relating to apparatus for utilising the wave movements of water for producing a motive power
WO2006100436A1 (en) * 2005-03-23 2006-09-28 Aquamarine Power Limited Apparatus and control system for generating power from wave energy

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB519155A (en) * 1939-05-09 1940-03-18 Luigi Premoli Improvements in and relating to apparatus for utilising the wave movements of water for producing a motive power
WO2006100436A1 (en) * 2005-03-23 2006-09-28 Aquamarine Power Limited Apparatus and control system for generating power from wave energy

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ZA201008074B (en) 2011-08-31

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