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WO1992010675A1 - System for utilization of wave energy - Google Patents

System for utilization of wave energy Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1992010675A1
WO1992010675A1 PCT/NO1991/000151 NO9100151W WO9210675A1 WO 1992010675 A1 WO1992010675 A1 WO 1992010675A1 NO 9100151 W NO9100151 W NO 9100151W WO 9210675 A1 WO9210675 A1 WO 9210675A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
energy
float
channel
transfer
floats
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NO1991/000151
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jan Hans Vestre
Original Assignee
Dyno Industrier A.S
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
Priority claimed from NO905296A external-priority patent/NO172306C/en
Priority claimed from NO910380A external-priority patent/NO172307C/en
Application filed by Dyno Industrier A.S filed Critical Dyno Industrier A.S
Publication of WO1992010675A1 publication Critical patent/WO1992010675A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03BMACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B13/00Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
    • F03B13/12Adaptations 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
    • F03B13/14Adaptations 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
    • F03B13/16Adaptations 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"
    • F03B13/18Adaptations 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
    • F03B13/1885Adaptations 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
    • YGENERAL 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
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02EREDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/30Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a system for utilization of the energy in waves in a body of water, comprising at least one float connected to a counterweight and with means for transfer of the vertical movements of the floats to rotational energy, running of pumps or other forms of mechancial or potential energy and possibly also further conversion of this energy to electrical energy. Said transfer of energy can be carried out be means of devices known per se.
  • the total potential energy in sea waves is large. Outside the Norwegian West Coast the yearly average wave energy flux the last 26 years is about 50 kW/m (ISBN 82595 2649-2), i.e. across a distance of 251 km, potentially there is as much energy as the total Norwegian electrical consumption of about 110.000 GWh/year.
  • a general problem related to wave energy power plants is that most types depend on some kind of fastening to the sea bed. During storm/hurricane these anchoring points are the weakest parts and can be the reason for their wreckage. In many cases this also implies a total wreckage on the complete wave energy power plant.
  • the other project is constructed according to Norwegian Patent Application No. 843844 and utilizes the energy in an oscillating water column which arises when the waves hit a correctly formed hollow space ashore.
  • the air above this oscillating water column is blown past a double working air turbine which then generates electricity.
  • the disadvantage of this power plant type is that only a small part of the wave front can be utilized. Besides, extreme weather can result in damage and wreckage of the power plant. Work has also been carried out on different types of floats which generate electricity as they follow the up and down movements of the waves.
  • Such a system is described in Norwegian Patent Application No. 742429.
  • DE 3.409.325 a type of wave energy power plant in which one utilizes floats connected to counterweights.
  • the connecting line between float and counterweight runs over an axis with rowal for transfer of the horizontal movements of the float to rotational movements which then is further utilized for production of electrical energy.
  • the transfer means are placed in a floating construction anchored to the sea bed and runs through a sliding sleeve which also is anchored to the sea bed.
  • the complete system consists of a series of float/counterweights and all these are connected to a common power plant.
  • the disadvantage with such arrangements is that they demand a large number of anchoring points at the sea bed, and these are then exposed to the large strains from the waves. The most vital and expensive units are exposed to large strains which can arise during storm and bad weather, and thereby the risk for total wreckage is large.
  • the main object of the present invention was to arrive at a system for utilization of energy in water waves in an efficient and economical way and at the same time avoid the disadvantages of known technique, first of all with regard to the risk for wreckage of vital and economically expensive units.
  • a further object was to obtain as many as possible of the advantages of known systems with regard to flexibility of utilization of wave energy and protection of coastal areas and break waters against wave erosion and other damage caused by heavy sea.
  • a special object under certain local conditions was to focus or concentrate the energy from a longer part of the coast to one production site ashore.
  • the development started with a closer study of known systems in order to find their weakest point and reasons for wreckage.
  • the inventor found that an essential problem was the risk for total wreckage of essential and expensive units of the wave energy power plant.
  • the anchoring points of the installation for instance the float, could be a weak point, and the strains here should be reduced.
  • a further question was whether one could reduce the consequences of fracture and resulting wreckage. Based on the experience of known technology and the above considera ⁇ tions, the inventor found that he would base his system on utilization of floats connected with counterweights.
  • the connecting line between the floats and the counterweights had to be strong bars, rods, pipes, wires etc. As a common concept in the following it will be used "rods" for these connections. These are dimensioned in view of the size and weight of the floats and the counterweights.
  • the counterweights were placed ashore, on an island or on a platform, for instance an oil platform. This is especially advantageous when it is a long distance to solid ground from the sea bed or when there are difficult conditions at the bottom. In such cases one might obtain a safer and more economical solution by placing as much as possible of the vital and expensive units ashore.
  • a connection between the float/- counterweight would then have to be such that it could transfer the vertical movements of the float via at least three transfer means, pulley wheels, toothed wheels or the like. Also in this case it is applied as mentioned above, connections like wires, rods, bars and the like.
  • the new and special features of the invention will accordingly first of all be that vital parts of a wave energy power plant are placed in hollow spaces in the ground below the water bed or ashore or on a platform, as the connecting line and the transfer means are in a channel in the underground or in a vertical chamber or in a closed unit, comprising channel and chamber placed on the sea bed, and these will not be wrecked due to the wave energy. Maintenance and inspection of these parts will at the same time be simple.
  • the power plant itself can be placed underground or ashore either in connection with pumping of water up to a higher level or by transferring the energy from the floats by means of pumps which then transfer the energy to a power plant.
  • the system is further based on the principle with one, preferably several floats on the water or sea surface.
  • the floats are kept partly submerged by means of counterweights placed in spaces in the underground.
  • the float/counterweight system will start to oscillate up and down with a natural frequency decided by the dimensions of the float and the mass of the counterweight.
  • the energy in this oscillating system can be utilized by means of several known techniques.
  • a preferred technique comprises that the oscillating counter ⁇ weights or rods which connect float and counterweight run pumps which deliver liquid to a central reservoir.
  • This reservoir can either be placed under pressure or be at a certain level above the sea surface.
  • the liquid or water from the central reservoir can then run a turbine and a generator of traditional type.
  • the wave energy is picked up over a large stretch with cheap arrangements, while the only further investments required are a turbine and one generator for electric power.
  • the floats on the water surface are in the form of cylinders, but any form will of course function.
  • Choice of floats is primarily done in relation to cost versus effici ⁇ ency.
  • the possibility for damage and wreckage has also to be considered in connection with choice of form and material.
  • the size and the distance between the floats can be optimized based on tests and calculations.
  • Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal section of a system compris ⁇ ing several floats.
  • Fig. 2 shows a vertical section of the same system.
  • Fig. 3 shows a system in which the connecting lines between float/counterweight is lead ashore via an underground channel.
  • Fig. 4 shows a system where the connecting line floaty- counterweight is lead to a platform via a channel placed on the sea bed.
  • a system comprising several floats 1 connected to counterweights 3 with a rod 2.
  • the counterweight 3 is placed in an underground chamber 4.
  • the transfer of the vertical movement of the rod 2 can for instance be obtained by means of a toothed rod transferring the vertical movement to pumps 5.
  • Series of pumps 5 can all deliver a high pressure liquid to a pressure reservoir which again runs a turbine which then runs an elec ⁇ trical generator in a power plant 8.
  • the energy transfer units, pumps 5, are placed in an underground channel 6.
  • In connection with the channel 6 one might have another channel 7 which can be a road tunnel, railway tunnel or a tunnel for gas/oil pipelines.
  • the underground installations and tunnels are placed in safe distance from the sea bed 9 down in the underground 10.
  • FIG. 2 shows the vertical section of the system described in fig. 1, and here it is seen that the tunnel 6 for the energy transfer units is placed sideways to the channel 7 and that the chambers 4 for the counterweights are placed aside of the channels 6 and 7 such that the rod 2 with its transfers does not have to pass through the channels 6 and 7.
  • the power plant 8 is as shown placed in the underground but can as mentioned above also be placed ashore.
  • a system comprising at least one float 1 connected to counterweights 3 placed ashore or on an island.
  • the counterweight 3 is in the chamber 4.
  • the float 1 and the counterweight 3 are connected together by the connecting line 2.
  • This line can consist of one or several wires, bars, rods, pipes, chains or the like and changes direction by means of at least two transfer means 11.
  • the transfer means 11 can either by pulley wheels, tooth wheel, steering wheel, drum or the like and the transfer means 11 directly above the counterweight 3 can for instance be used to run a pump 5 which delivers water to a reservoir 12 at a higher level through pipe 14.
  • the water runs from the reservoir 12 back to the sea 13 via a conventional power plant 8.
  • the line 2 can be lead ashore in several ways, but as shown in this figure the line 2 is lead ashore through a tunnel 6 below the sea bed 9.
  • a system comprising at least one float 1 connected to a counterweight 3 which moves in a vertical shaft 4.
  • the floats 1 as well as the shafts 4 can be placed in a rim around the platform 17 and reduce the strain from the waves on the platform 17.
  • the line 2 which connects float 1 and counter ⁇ weight 3 will in this example move back and forward in the pipe 6.
  • the line 2 changes direction by means of two transfer means 11 placed in chamber 16 and the transfer means 11 on top of the shaft 4.
  • the transfer means 11 might be a drum with a tooth rim which is in connection with a tooth rim on the line 2.
  • the chamber 16, the channel 6 and the shaft 4 can be built together in a construction resting on the sea bed 9 and fastened to this by means of a skirt er special anchoring means 15.
  • the energy from the oscillating counterweights 3 can be tapped in several ways, but as shown in fig. 4 one thinks of transfer means 11 running a pump 5 which delivers water under pressure, which then runs a generator on the platform 17.
  • a wave energy power plant consisting of for instance 100 floats each having a counterweight of 300 tons has a potential tidal energy effect of about 0.6 GWh per year when the difference between high and low tide is 10 m as in the English Channel.
  • the units such that one can combine a conventional hydro electric power plant with wave energy.
  • wave energy power plant By using the wave energy power plant to pump water to a reservoir at a higher level it is possible to utilize the wave energy by means of a conventional power plant primarily based on rain fall in the area. Having a yearly rain fall of about 2000 mm and falling height of 200 m one will get a yearly energy supply from the rain fall of about 1 GWh per km 2 if all that precipitation is lead to the reservoir. In this way one can utilize rain fall areas which otherwise will not be commercially utilizable.
  • basin can also be utilized for fish farming.
  • the advantage of this will be that the installation is not exposed to wind and weather, and that the water which is pumped back to the basin can be taken from different depths such that the most advantageous possible sea temperature can be obtained and possible pollutions, for instance from algae, can be avoided.
  • the present invention combine wave energy power plants and submerged tunnels and obtain a certain synergy effect.
  • the underground tunnel gives access to the vital parts of the power plant and combined with an underground road/railway tunnel the user of the road or railway would take part in financing the installation.
  • the running costs of an underground tunnel will be less because water leakage which always will occur in the tunnel will be pumped out of the wave energy power plant.
  • the wave energy power plant according to the invention can be applied.
  • the wave energy power plant can protect the oil installations against large waves.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for utilization of energy in water waves, comprising at least one float (1) connected with counterweight (3) and means for transfer of the vertical movement of the floats to mechanical, electrical energy or potential energy. Each float (1) is fastened to one end of a connecting line (2) which in its other end is connected to a counterweight (3) placed in a vertical chamber (4) in such a way that the counterweight (3) partly submerges the float (1). Means for transfer of energy from the floats are placed in air filled hollow spaces or channels (6) in connection to the chambers (4), as the chambers (4) and the channels (6) are underground or built together in a unit placed on the seabed. Wave energy can be transferred to pumps (5) placed in the channel (6) and a series of such pumps (5) transfer the energy from a series of floats (1) to a central turbine/generator system in a power plant (8) which can be placed in the underground in connection to the channel (6) or ashore. The system in connection to the channel (6) may comprise an underground channel (7) for cars/trains or for pipelines for transportation of oil or gas.

Description

System for utilization of wave energy
The present invention relates to a system for utilization of the energy in waves in a body of water, comprising at least one float connected to a counterweight and with means for transfer of the vertical movements of the floats to rotational energy, running of pumps or other forms of mechancial or potential energy and possibly also further conversion of this energy to electrical energy. Said transfer of energy can be carried out be means of devices known per se.
The total potential energy in sea waves is large. Outside the Norwegian West Coast the yearly average wave energy flux the last 26 years is about 50 kW/m (ISBN 82595 2649-2), i.e. across a distance of 251 km, potentially there is as much energy as the total Norwegian electrical consumption of about 110.000 GWh/year.
During strong storms and hurricanes the energy flux can reach more than 1 MW/m. It is important that a wave energy power plant can endure such extreme strains as storm and hurricane result in without being wrecked and at the same time utilize the energy during these extreme conditions. A large part of the yearly average wave energy does come from such large storms.
A general problem related to wave energy power plants is that most types depend on some kind of fastening to the sea bed. During storm/hurricane these anchoring points are the weakest parts and can be the reason for their wreckage. In many cases this also implies a total wreckage on the complete wave energy power plant.
Today there are no commercially run wave energy power plants in spite of the fact that during the last 15 years large effort in research both in Norway and in the world at large has been carried out. There exist more than 300 different patent publica¬ tions relating to utilization of wave energy.
On the West Coast of Norway there exist two pilot projects for utilization of wave energy. One of these projects is constructed according to Norwegian Patent No. 140.237, which is based on focusing the waves to one large wave which then hits an onshore shaft and fills a basin higher up. From this basin the water flows back to the sea through a conventional hydro power plant. The advantage of this principle is that one concentrates the wave energy from a longer stretch to a central production site. The disadvantage is that very strict conditions with regard to wave direction and localization of this type of power plant are set. Besides, all ships should be lead outside this lens area and the large focused wave.
The other project is constructed according to Norwegian Patent Application No. 843844 and utilizes the energy in an oscillating water column which arises when the waves hit a correctly formed hollow space ashore. The air above this oscillating water column is blown past a double working air turbine which then generates electricity. The disadvantage of this power plant type is that only a small part of the wave front can be utilized. Besides, extreme weather can result in damage and wreckage of the power plant. Work has also been carried out on different types of floats which generate electricity as they follow the up and down movements of the waves. Such a system is described in Norwegian Patent Application No. 742429. Further, there is known from DE 3.409.325 a type of wave energy power plant in which one utilizes floats connected to counterweights. The connecting line between float and counterweight runs over an axis with rowal for transfer of the horizontal movements of the float to rotational movements which then is further utilized for production of electrical energy. The transfer means are placed in a floating construction anchored to the sea bed and runs through a sliding sleeve which also is anchored to the sea bed. The complete system consists of a series of float/counterweights and all these are connected to a common power plant. The disadvantage with such arrangements is that they demand a large number of anchoring points at the sea bed, and these are then exposed to the large strains from the waves. The most vital and expensive units are exposed to large strains which can arise during storm and bad weather, and thereby the risk for total wreckage is large.
The main object of the present invention was to arrive at a system for utilization of energy in water waves in an efficient and economical way and at the same time avoid the disadvantages of known technique, first of all with regard to the risk for wreckage of vital and economically expensive units.
A further object was to obtain as many as possible of the advantages of known systems with regard to flexibility of utilization of wave energy and protection of coastal areas and break waters against wave erosion and other damage caused by heavy sea.
A special object under certain local conditions was to focus or concentrate the energy from a longer part of the coast to one production site ashore. The development started with a closer study of known systems in order to find their weakest point and reasons for wreckage. The inventor found that an essential problem was the risk for total wreckage of essential and expensive units of the wave energy power plant. The anchoring points of the installation, for instance the float, could be a weak point, and the strains here should be reduced. A further question was whether one could reduce the consequences of fracture and resulting wreckage. Based on the experience of known technology and the above considera¬ tions, the inventor found that he would base his system on utilization of floats connected with counterweights. The connecting line between the floats and the counterweights had to be strong bars, rods, pipes, wires etc. As a common concept in the following it will be used "rods" for these connections. These are dimensioned in view of the size and weight of the floats and the counterweights.
One tried to fasten the floats and counterweights in each end of the rod, but the problem was to find a simple and cheap way of transferring the energy and the anchorage of the total system. It was then surprisingly found that several problems could be solved if one placed the counterweights in a hollow space or chamber in the ground below the water bed. First of all one thereby avoided the problem of anchoring to the sea bed. The energy transfer system itself could also be placed in the underground, and one would thereby obtain that only relatively cheap floats were exposed to the powers of the waves. Possible wreckage would then have minor consequences as the floats would be the cheapest part of the system.
Further, it was found that in certain cases it would be more advantageous that the counterweights were placed ashore, on an island or on a platform, for instance an oil platform. This is especially advantageous when it is a long distance to solid ground from the sea bed or when there are difficult conditions at the bottom. In such cases one might obtain a safer and more economical solution by placing as much as possible of the vital and expensive units ashore. A connection between the float/- counterweight would then have to be such that it could transfer the vertical movements of the float via at least three transfer means, pulley wheels, toothed wheels or the like. Also in this case it is applied as mentioned above, connections like wires, rods, bars and the like.
The new and special features of the invention will accordingly first of all be that vital parts of a wave energy power plant are placed in hollow spaces in the ground below the water bed or ashore or on a platform, as the connecting line and the transfer means are in a channel in the underground or in a vertical chamber or in a closed unit, comprising channel and chamber placed on the sea bed, and these will not be wrecked due to the wave energy. Maintenance and inspection of these parts will at the same time be simple.
In the case of an underground tunnel one will have to move in in order to make the necessary hollow spaces for installations and counterweights and this can be combined with driving tunnels for submerged road/railroad connections or oil/gas pipelines as an integrated part of the power plant. The power plant itself can be placed underground or ashore either in connection with pumping of water up to a higher level or by transferring the energy from the floats by means of pumps which then transfer the energy to a power plant.
The system is further based on the principle with one, preferably several floats on the water or sea surface. The floats are kept partly submerged by means of counterweights placed in spaces in the underground. When waves arise on the water surface, the float/counterweight system will start to oscillate up and down with a natural frequency decided by the dimensions of the float and the mass of the counterweight. The energy in this oscillating system can be utilized by means of several known techniques.
A preferred technique comprises that the oscillating counter¬ weights or rods which connect float and counterweight run pumps which deliver liquid to a central reservoir. This reservoir can either be placed under pressure or be at a certain level above the sea surface. The liquid or water from the central reservoir can then run a turbine and a generator of traditional type. Thus the wave energy is picked up over a large stretch with cheap arrangements, while the only further investments required are a turbine and one generator for electric power.
It is also possible to design the counterweights such that these function as counterweights and piston in a piston pump for delivery of water to a central reservoir.
Further, it is also possible to utilize the energy from the oscillating counterweight system by having a generator connected to each counterweight or that the electricity is induced directly from the movements of the counterweights.
It is preferred that the floats on the water surface are in the form of cylinders, but any form will of course function. Choice of floats is primarily done in relation to cost versus effici¬ ency. The possibility for damage and wreckage has also to be considered in connection with choice of form and material. The size and the distance between the floats can be optimized based on tests and calculations.
In order to utilize wave or tidal energy in the most efficient way one might lock the float/counterweight system in a fixed position for shorter or longer time and then release at the right moment. The special features of the invention are as defined in the attached patent claims.
The invention will now be further explained in connection with the description of the figures.
Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal section of a system compris¬ ing several floats.
Fig. 2 shows a vertical section of the same system.
Fig. 3 shows a system in which the connecting lines between float/counterweight is lead ashore via an underground channel.
Fig. 4 shows a system where the connecting line floaty- counterweight is lead to a platform via a channel placed on the sea bed.
In fig. 1 is shown a system comprising several floats 1 connected to counterweights 3 with a rod 2. The counterweight 3 is placed in an underground chamber 4. The transfer of the vertical movement of the rod 2 can for instance be obtained by means of a toothed rod transferring the vertical movement to pumps 5. Series of pumps 5 can all deliver a high pressure liquid to a pressure reservoir which again runs a turbine which then runs an elec¬ trical generator in a power plant 8. The energy transfer units, pumps 5, are placed in an underground channel 6. In connection with the channel 6 one might have another channel 7 which can be a road tunnel, railway tunnel or a tunnel for gas/oil pipelines. The underground installations and tunnels are placed in safe distance from the sea bed 9 down in the underground 10. Fig. 2 shows the vertical section of the system described in fig. 1, and here it is seen that the tunnel 6 for the energy transfer units is placed sideways to the channel 7 and that the chambers 4 for the counterweights are placed aside of the channels 6 and 7 such that the rod 2 with its transfers does not have to pass through the channels 6 and 7. The power plant 8 is as shown placed in the underground but can as mentioned above also be placed ashore.
In fig. 3 is illustrated a system comprising at least one float 1 connected to counterweights 3 placed ashore or on an island. The counterweight 3 is in the chamber 4. The float 1 and the counterweight 3 are connected together by the connecting line 2. This line can consist of one or several wires, bars, rods, pipes, chains or the like and changes direction by means of at least two transfer means 11. The transfer means 11 can either by pulley wheels, tooth wheel, steering wheel, drum or the like and the transfer means 11 directly above the counterweight 3 can for instance be used to run a pump 5 which delivers water to a reservoir 12 at a higher level through pipe 14. The water runs from the reservoir 12 back to the sea 13 via a conventional power plant 8. The line 2 can be lead ashore in several ways, but as shown in this figure the line 2 is lead ashore through a tunnel 6 below the sea bed 9.
In fig. 4 is illustrated a system comprising at least one float 1 connected to a counterweight 3 which moves in a vertical shaft 4. The floats 1 as well as the shafts 4 can be placed in a rim around the platform 17 and reduce the strain from the waves on the platform 17. The line 2 which connects float 1 and counter¬ weight 3 will in this example move back and forward in the pipe 6. The line 2 changes direction by means of two transfer means 11 placed in chamber 16 and the transfer means 11 on top of the shaft 4. The transfer means 11 might be a drum with a tooth rim which is in connection with a tooth rim on the line 2. The chamber 16, the channel 6 and the shaft 4 can be built together in a construction resting on the sea bed 9 and fastened to this by means of a skirt er special anchoring means 15. The energy from the oscillating counterweights 3 can be tapped in several ways, but as shown in fig. 4 one thinks of transfer means 11 running a pump 5 which delivers water under pressure, which then runs a generator on the platform 17.
If the present power plant is placed in an area with a large difference between high and low tide, also the tidal water will give an energy effect. A wave energy power plant consisting of for instance 100 floats each having a counterweight of 300 tons has a potential tidal energy effect of about 0.6 GWh per year when the difference between high and low tide is 10 m as in the English Channel.
It is also within the scope of the invention to choose placement of the units such that one can combine a conventional hydro electric power plant with wave energy. By using the wave energy power plant to pump water to a reservoir at a higher level it is possible to utilize the wave energy by means of a conventional power plant primarily based on rain fall in the area. Having a yearly rain fall of about 2000 mm and falling height of 200 m one will get a yearly energy supply from the rain fall of about 1 GWh per km2 if all that precipitation is lead to the reservoir. In this way one can utilize rain fall areas which otherwise will not be commercially utilizable.
Another possible effect one can obtain by choosing to pump the water to a reservoir or a basin at a higher level is that the basin can also be utilized for fish farming. The advantage of this will be that the installation is not exposed to wind and weather, and that the water which is pumped back to the basin can be taken from different depths such that the most advantageous possible sea temperature can be obtained and possible pollutions, for instance from algae, can be avoided.
By such a combination of wave energy power plant and several other applications as indicated above there are far greater possibilities for en economical utilization of wave energy because the costs both for the installations and running of these will be divided between several different interests.
With a system according to the invention only small and rela¬ tively cheap parts will be exposed to the waves and can get possible problems with wreckage etc. The large investments and expensive units of the power plant are safely placed in the rock below the sea bed and/or ashore or on a platform and the risk for total wreckage is accordingly minimal. It is further possible if the weather conditions should be extreme to pull the floats partly or completely below the sea surface and thereby minimize the strain on these. This can either be obtained by increasing the counterweights or by partly filling the floats with water. In this way it is also possible to reduce the natural frequency such that one better can utilize the waves having large wave lengths which occurs more frequently during storms.
Further, one can by the present invention combine wave energy power plants and submerged tunnels and obtain a certain synergy effect. Firstly, the underground tunnel gives access to the vital parts of the power plant and combined with an underground road/railway tunnel the user of the road or railway would take part in financing the installation. Secondly, the running costs of an underground tunnel will be less because water leakage which always will occur in the tunnel will be pumped out of the wave energy power plant. In connection with oil platforms, for instance in the North Sea, the wave energy power plant according to the invention can be applied. In addition to producing power or heat via a heat pump the wave energy power plant can protect the oil installations against large waves.

Claims

Claims
System for utilization of energy in water waves, comprising at least one float (1) connected with counterweight (3) and means for transfer of the vertical movement of the floats to mechanical, electrical energy or potential energy, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t each float (1) is fastened to one end of a con¬ necting line (2) which in its other end is con¬ nected to a counterweight (3) placed in a vertical chamber (4) , and that means known per se for transfer of energy from the floats (1) are placed in air filled hollow spaces or channels (6) in connection to the chambers (4) , and that the channels (6) and chambers (4) are placed in the underground or built together in a unit placed on the sea bed.
System according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t each of the connecting lines or rods (2) transfer energy to pumps (5) placed in the channel (6) and that a series of such pumps (5) transfer the energy from a series of floats (1) to a central turbine/generator system in a power plant (8) which can be placed in the underground in connec¬ tion to the channel (6) or ashore.
System according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t in connection to the channel (6) it comprises an underground channel (7) for cars/trains or for pipelines for transportation of oil or gas. System according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t the connecting line (2) from the float (1) runs via at least three transfer means 11 in the chamber (16) and a channel (6) and the vertical shaft (4) with counterweights (3) are built together in the air filled unit which is placed on the sea bed (9) and connected to a platform (17) having a turbine/generator system.
System according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t the transfer means (11) directly below the float (1) is a drum or a tooth rim which is in connec¬ tion with a tooth rim on the line (2) , whereby the float (1) can be drawn partly below the sea sur¬ face.
PCT/NO1991/000151 1990-12-07 1991-12-04 System for utilization of wave energy WO1992010675A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO905296A NO172306C (en) 1990-12-07 1990-12-07 SYSTEM FOR USE OF ENERGY IN WATER WAVES
NO905296 1990-12-07
NO910380 1991-01-31
NO910380A NO172307C (en) 1991-01-31 1991-01-31 SYSTEM FOR UTILIZATION OF ENERGY IN WATER WAVES, COMPREHENSIVE FLOW BODIES CONNECTED WITH WEIGHT

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1992010675A1 true WO1992010675A1 (en) 1992-06-25

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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2000070218A1 (en) * 1999-05-12 2000-11-23 Henry Lemont Wienand Wave-powered pump
FR2808844A1 (en) * 2000-05-10 2001-11-16 Michel Albert Pioche Conversion of wave energy from the sea to electrical energy, uses multiple float operated pumps resting on sea bed to deliver water through collective pipe to generating station on the shore
WO2002048544A1 (en) * 2000-12-11 2002-06-20 Serrano Molina Jose Antonio Energy generating system using sea waves
US7265132B2 (en) 1999-09-13 2007-09-04 Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc. Compounds useful as reversible inhibitors of cysteine proteases
NO20062752A (en) * 2006-06-13 2007-12-10 Misje Oeyvind Wave power plants

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2062113A (en) * 1979-09-19 1981-05-20 Ortega I M Apparatus for Harnessing the Hydraulic Power of the Sea
US4754157A (en) * 1985-10-01 1988-06-28 Windle Tom J Float type wave energy extraction apparatus and method
US4883411A (en) * 1988-09-01 1989-11-28 Windle Tom J Wave powered pumping apparatus and method

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2062113A (en) * 1979-09-19 1981-05-20 Ortega I M Apparatus for Harnessing the Hydraulic Power of the Sea
US4754157A (en) * 1985-10-01 1988-06-28 Windle Tom J Float type wave energy extraction apparatus and method
US4883411A (en) * 1988-09-01 1989-11-28 Windle Tom J Wave powered pumping apparatus and method

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2000070218A1 (en) * 1999-05-12 2000-11-23 Henry Lemont Wienand Wave-powered pump
US7265132B2 (en) 1999-09-13 2007-09-04 Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc. Compounds useful as reversible inhibitors of cysteine proteases
FR2808844A1 (en) * 2000-05-10 2001-11-16 Michel Albert Pioche Conversion of wave energy from the sea to electrical energy, uses multiple float operated pumps resting on sea bed to deliver water through collective pipe to generating station on the shore
WO2002048544A1 (en) * 2000-12-11 2002-06-20 Serrano Molina Jose Antonio Energy generating system using sea waves
AU2002221971B2 (en) * 2000-12-11 2006-04-27 Arlas Invest, S.L. Energy generating system using sea waves
NO20062752A (en) * 2006-06-13 2007-12-10 Misje Oeyvind Wave power plants

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