U.S. patent application number 10/600701 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-15 for wave and tide actuated energy pump.
Invention is credited to Hill, Richard Newton JR..
Application Number | 20040071566 10/600701 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32073112 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040071566 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hill, Richard Newton JR. |
April 15, 2004 |
Wave and tide actuated energy pump
Abstract
A pumping mechanism that utilizes wave and tidal energy to
operate. The mechanism relies on the depth of the fluid or ocean
and the length of the pump cylinder to accommodate shifting wave
and tide patterns. Alternatively, the mechanism is imbedded or
placed in an excavation in the fluid or ocean bed of sufficient
depth and width to accommodate the piston cylinder, its' casing and
the shifting wave and tide conditions. The invention relies on a
buoy or float for the lift of a weighted piston and the weighted
piston, when descending, provides the means of creating pressure on
the water entrapped in the cylinder, thus causing a pumping action.
The pump may be used individually or in concert with other pumps.
The pump is intended to move large or small volumes of water at
high or low pressures, singularly or in concert with other
pumps.
Inventors: |
Hill, Richard Newton JR.;
(Silver Spring, MD) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RICHARD NEWTON HILL, JR.
P.O. BOX 9033
SILVER SPRING
MD
20916
US
|
Family ID: |
32073112 |
Appl. No.: |
10/600701 |
Filed: |
June 23, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60390421 |
Jun 24, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
417/333 ;
417/331 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04B 35/004 20130101;
F04B 17/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
417/333 ;
417/331 |
International
Class: |
F04B 017/00 |
Claims
1. A wave and tide actuated energy pump which uses the depth of the
medium and the length of the pump cylinder 7, mounted to, near, or
in the seabed floor, to accommodate shifting wave and tide
conditions. The deeper the medium and the longer the cylinder 7 the
greater the accommodation.
2. A piston 8 whose weight is sufficient to provide the pressure
necessary to pump the liquid in which it is contained.
3. I claim a piston 8 without sealing rings or with one or more
sealing rings 9 and 10 to provide a seal against the cylinder wall
7.
4. I claim a weighted piston 8 with a check valve assembly, 19 and
24, to allow the ventilation and passage of entrapped air or
gases.
5. A buoy 1 whose draft is determined by the depth of wave action
below the surface. The buoy 1 displaces water down to the maximum
practical depth of the wave action and the piston 8 is weighted
according to this displacement.
6. I claim a buoy 1 whose freeboard or surplus buoyancy is
determined as needed to raise the buoy, as close as possible, to
the same speed as the wave is traveling vertically but not
sufficient enough to keep from positioning buoy within the desired
angle of repose in ocean currents with or without the aid of
mooring lines.
7. I claim a process as shown on process flow sheet, page 17, using
this wave and tide actuated pump 1 to create a field 2 of wave and
tide actuated pumps for the benefit of delivering a greater volume
of energy in the form of fluid or water and fluid or water
pressure.
8. I claim a process as shown on process flow sheet, page 17, using
this wave and tide actuated pump 1 to create a oxygen regeneration
system by pumping oxygen enriched sea water from the surface to the
bottom of the ocean floor.
9. I claim a process as shown on process flow sheet, page 17, using
this wave and tide actuated pump 1 to create a reservoir 7 of
stored energy in the form of the fluid or water pumped.
10. I claim a process as shown on process flow sheet, page 17,
using this wave and tide actuated pump 1 to create hydroelectric
power 8 from said reservoir 7 or directly from the wave and tide
actuated pump 1.
11. I claim a process as shown on process flow sheet, page 17,
using this wave and tide actuated pump 1 to use booster pumps 9 to
increase pressure when needed.
12. I claim a process as shown on process flow sheet, page 17,
using this wave and tide actuated pump 1 to create evaporation
ponds 5 for mineral and chemical extraction, refinement and toxic
waste removal from the sea.
13. I claim a process as shown on process flow sheet, page 17,
using this wave and tide actuated pump 1 to create large bodies of
in land lakes 11 and seas for the evaporation sea water for the
purpose of forming moisture laden clouds.
14. I claim a process as shown on process flow sheet, page 17,
using this wave and tide actuated pump 1 to create a process 12
where prevailing winds will blow these clouds 11 to natural and man
made barriers, causing rain to fall.
15. I claim a process as shown on process flow sheet, page 17,
using this wave and tide actuated pump 1 to create new pasture and
farmland 13 created by resultant rainfall 12.
16. I claim a process as shown on process flow sheet, page 17,
using this wave and tide actuated pump 1 to create a process 12, 13
which will moderate the earth's climate 14.
17. I claim a process as shown on process flow sheet, page 17,
using this wave and tide actuated pump 1 to desalinate water 8.
18. I claim a process as shown on process flow sheet, page 17,
using this wave and tide actuated pump 1 to create levied sea
animal farming 10 and harvesting of sea food.
19. I claim a process as shown on process flow sheet, page 17,
using this wave and tide actuated pump 1 to claim land from the sea
6 by pumping water out of a levied area.
20. I claim a process as shown on process flow sheet, page 17,
using this wave and tide actuated pump 1 to clean up oil spills 3
and other contaminants.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Provisional patent application serial No. 60/390,421, filed
Jun. 24, 2002, by current applicant, Richard Newton Hill, Jr.,
entitled "WAVE AND TIDE ACTUATED PUMP." Applicant claims use of
this prior filing date.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] This wave and tide actuated pump will satisfy most of the
world's energy requirements. By harnessing 1/2 of 1% of the
renewable energy in the ocean waves, the entire world's energy
needs can be met. This pump will replace oil, gas, coal and nuclear
power as primary sources of energy. It is these sources of energy
that are causing pending and future conflicts in the Middle East
and the world.
[0003] More importantly, by the year 2025 the world will run out of
food and water sufficient to support the world's population. This
pump again provides the answer.
[0004] This pump is the best deterrent to war that we have.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0005] This invention is designed specifically with deep water
applications in mind, using the length of the pumping cylinder and
the depth of the sea or medium in which it used to accommodate
changing wave and tide conditions. Rather than being hindered by
the depth of the sea, this invention takes advantage of it. This
invention and design is simplistic and robust enough to withstand
the most severe rigors of the oceanic environment. This invention
is equally suitable for shallower waters when imbedded or used in
an excavation of sufficient depth in the fluid or ocean bed.
[0006] The molecular excitation that causes the body of water to
raise and lower as a wave or ocean swell is not restricted to the
surface of the body of water but continues down several feet from
the surface. The buoy diameter is thus determined by the depth of
wave action below the surface and by the amount of surplus buoyancy
needed to raise the buoy at the same speed as the wave is traveling
vertically. Typically, a wave action is transmitted approximately
15 feet beneath the surface. Ideally, the buoy should displace
water down to the maximum depth of the wave action and the piston
weighted according to this displacement. An additional volume of
buoyancy is added sufficient to insure the buoy travels at the same
speed of the wave in its' up and down motion but not sufficient
enough to keep from positioning buoy within the desired angle of
repose in ocean currents with the aid of additional mooring lines
if necessary.
[0007] I have determined several significant uses for this pump.
Some of which are 1--
[0008] 1. Pump the ocean water over, around or tunnel through,
obstructions such as mountain ranges, spread the ocean water out on
the desert floor. The resultant evaporation shall form clouds and
the prevailing winds will carry the moisture to the next natural or
man made barrier, causing rain to fall. In addition, hydro-electric
power shall be created. The resultant salt water basins created
shall be used to concentrate and extract minerals from the sea as
well as removing man made pollutants from the world's oceans.
Surplus sea water shall be allowed to flow back into the ocean.
Once the feasibility is proved, Morocco with the Atlas Mountains
and the Sahara need to be a top priority. The Western United States
should prove to be an excellent model for what can be done in the
rest of the world. The creation of this new farmland, water and
energy will eliminate current and future world conflicts and, God
willing, shall give us peace and prosperity for ONE THOUSAND
YEARS!
[0009] 2. Creation of Hydro-electric power. Either directly pumping
the water to a submerged turbine with surge tank or by pumping the
water behind a dam and allowing it to flow out uniformly to
hydroelectric turbines. The surplus energy should make coastal
states the most financially solvent and prosperous states in the US
while consumer energy bills drop to an insignificant cost and
energy rationing or "Brown Outs" is eliminated.
[0010] 3. Desalination Of Sea water. The energy pump can be the
source of power for conventional desalination plants, dramatically
reducing the cost of operation as energy consumption will now be a
minimal factor, making desalination of sea water practical in fresh
water deprived parts of the world.
[0011] 4. Seafood Farming Pump sea water to a levied area and raise
fish or shrimp, etc. When ready for harvest, let the water out
through the levee's flood gate and scoop up the fish or shrimp by
hand or mechanically, eliminating the need for shrimp and fish
trawlers, while guaranteeing a full harvest. This is similar to
what is being done in some other countries now, using their high
tides to capture the water behind levees. 5. Land Reclamation from
the sea, etc.: Again, a levee would be thrown up with the pump on
the ocean or sea side. The suction would run under the levee and
excavate the water behind the levee, leaving dry land.
[0012] 6. In the "dead" areas of the ocean: Where oxygen has been
depleted, killing off marine life, the pump would be used to
circulate oxygen rich water in, eliminating the "dead" area of the
sea.
[0013] 7. Oil contaminant reclamation: At surface level, a
containment barrier, as is used today, would be put in place. A
skimmer funnel would be placed inside the containment area just
below the surface, its' suction leading back down to one or more
pumps. The contaminants could be pumped up to a Tender, where
further skimming would transpire. A final phase can be introducing
the oil/sea water mix into boiling brine. The difference in the
specific gravity the three materials would allow for a clean cut,
removing the remaining and now useable oil. Alternatively, the
contaminants could be pumped to a levied area on shore for further
processing, containment confinement and removal. A similar process,
but with the suction at the bottom of the ocean, can be developed
for crude such as Bunker "C", which have a tendency to remain on
the seabed floor and eventually wash ashore in balls of oil/sea
water contaminants.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Sheet 1 of 9 shows the lifting buoy, connecting chain or
cable and a cross section of the pumping mechanism to be mounted on
the bed of the ocean and sea floors.
[0015] Sheet 2 of 9 shows the lifting buoy, connecting chain or
cable and a cross section of the pumping mechanism as to be
designed to be imbedded in the bed of the ocean and sea floors.
[0016] Sheet 3 of 9 shows the lifting chain and a closer look at
the cross section of the pumping mechanism as prepared for
imbedding in the ocean floor.
[0017] Sheet 4 of 9 shows the weighted piston with "O" rings and a
cross section revealing the air vent check valve.
[0018] Sheet 5 of 9 shows the weighted piston without "O" rings and
air vent.
[0019] Sheet 6 of 9 shows a closer look at the lifting buoy and
connections.
[0020] Sheet 7 of 9 is an isometric rendition showing what the wave
and tidal pump will look like when installed on the bed of the
ocean floor.
[0021] Sheet 8 of 9 is an isometric rendition showing what the wave
and tidal pump will look like when installed imbedded in the bed of
the ocean floor.
[0022] Sheet 9 of 9 is an isometric rendition showing wave and
tidal pumps being used in concert and in clusters.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0023] The buoy 1, shown in FIGS. 1,2,5 and 6-8 is sufficient in
size to capture as much wave energy as is practical. The buoy 1,
has a lifting eye or anchorage 2 in which a shackle 21 or clevis is
secured. A chain or cable 4, is attached to shackle 21. An
additional mooring eye 3 is provided for anchorage to tether the
buoy 1 against strong prevailing currents such as the Gulf and
Japanese Streams off the respective east and west coasts of the
US.
[0024] A second shackle or clevis 16 is attached to eyebolt 17
shown in FIG. 3. The eyebolt 17 is imbedded in the weighted piston
8, FIGS. 3 and 4. The weighted piston 8, may have one or more
sealing rings 9, FIGS. 1,2,3 and 4. The bottom ring 9 provides the
primary seal while the upper ring 10 stabilizes the direction of
travel as well as providing a second seal. An air vent 18 with
check valve ball 19 and air vent chamber 34, FIG. 4 is provided in
the weighted piston 8 to prevent air entrapment. The ball 19 falls
to the bottom of vent chamber 34 when air is trapped below. The air
passes by the ball 19. When water enters the vent 18 and chamber 34
from below, the ball 19 becomes buoyant, rising to the top of the
vent chamber 34, sealing the flow of water but not air. The ratio
of the volume of water displaced by larger pistons 8 in relation to
the amount of water capable of escaping between the wall of the
cylinder, FIGS. 1,2,3,6 and 7, and the piston 8 may be sufficiently
small to negate the need 10, air vent 18, vent chamber 34 and check
valve ball 19.
[0025] FIGS. 1,2 and 3 show a mooring guide 5. FIG. 3 shows the
mooring guide 5 with wear ring 20. The mooring guide 5 and wear
ring 20 facilitate lining the lifting chain 4 over the center of
the piston 8 and eyebolt 17.
[0026] FIGS. 1,2 and 3 show stop pins 6 which restrict the upper
reaches of the path of piston 8. The whole system is anchored with
such sufficiency as to resist the entire submersion of buoy.
[0027] FIGS. 1,2,3,6,7 and 8 show the pump cylinder 7 whose inner
surface provides the seal for the piston rings 9 and 10. The length
of pump cylinder 7 determines the maximum variance of tide and wave
actions allowed in the performance of the pump and is key to this
invention.
[0028] FIGS. 1,2,3,6,7 and 8 show the inlet check valve 11 which
allows one way travel of water into the cylinder 7 when piston 8 is
raised by buoy 1. Check valve 11 does not allow flow out of the
cylinder 7. In the same figures, check valve 12 allows the one way
travel of water out of cylinder 7 when the weighted piston 8
travels downward when buoy 1 descends to the bottom of a wave or
ocean swell. Check valve 12 prevents and stops the travel of water
back into cylinder 7.
[0029] FIGS. 1, 6 and 8 show a bottom flange plate 13 attached to
the pump cylinder with bolt holes 14 for securing pumping cylinder
7 and related mechanisms to a suitable submerged foundation on the
bottom of the ocean and ocean floor.
[0030] FIGS. 2,3 and 7 show bottom plate 15, suitable for imbedding
the pump cylinder in the ocean floor.
[0031] FIG. 7 shows the pump cylinder 7 imbedded in the ocean floor
35 in the protective casing 23, with support plates 24, 26 and 35
bracing and holding cylinder 7 in place. Support plate 24 is
equipped with opening 22 to allow for the flow of water to the
check valve 11 below. Support plate 35 is similarly equipped with a
check valve 11 mounted on top and a 90 degree elbow 25 mounted
below allowing for the one way flow of water into the cylinder 7.
The weighted piston 8 and buoy 1 perform in their usual manner
pumping water out of cylinder 7 into the pressure side 90 degree
elbow 27 through plate 35 via discharge pipe 28, a second 90 degree
elbow 29 through the one way pressure side check valve 12 thence to
discharge pipe 30.
[0032] FIG. 8 is an isometric representation showing 36 wave and
tide actuated pumps, mounted on the ocean floor, being used in
concert, connected together with piping 31. A final one way
pressure check valve 33 is provided at the last outlet as a safety
measure.
* * * * *