U.S. patent application number 12/772217 was filed with the patent office on 2010-11-04 for aparatus for converting wave energy.
Invention is credited to Dan Nicolaus Costas.
Application Number | 20100276933 12/772217 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43029817 |
Filed Date | 2010-11-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100276933 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Costas; Dan Nicolaus |
November 4, 2010 |
APARATUS FOR CONVERTING WAVE ENERGY
Abstract
The invention is an apparatus and method for harnessing wave
energy by transforming it in potential energy of water in a
reservoir, to be converted in mechanical energy through a
classical, proved in time, low head water turbine. The invention
maximizes the throughput by raising the water head regardless of
the unpredictable wave behavior, to a predictable head. The cost of
it is greatly mitigated by sharing the facilities with wind power,
desalination and hydrogen generating facilities as well as lodging
facilities having all necessary ingredients generated on board.
Inventors: |
Costas; Dan Nicolaus;
(Culver City, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARC E. HANKIN, ESQ.
11414 THURSTON CIRCLE
LOS ANGELES
CA
90049
US
|
Family ID: |
43029817 |
Appl. No.: |
12/772217 |
Filed: |
May 2, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61215251 |
May 4, 2009 |
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61216814 |
May 22, 2009 |
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61270994 |
Jul 16, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
290/53 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F03B 13/144 20130101;
Y02E 60/16 20130101; Y02E 60/17 20130101; Y02A 20/144 20180101;
Y02E 10/30 20130101; Y02E 10/38 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
290/53 |
International
Class: |
F03B 13/22 20060101
F03B013/22 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for converting wave energy comprising: one or more
water turbines; a water reservoir; wherein said water reservoir has
a bottom and one or more sides; wherein said bottom and one or more
sides have one or more openings; wherein said one or more openings
allow a water to pass into said water reservoir; wherein said one
or more openings prevent said water from exiting said water
reservoir; wherein said water is propelled through said one or more
openings into said water reservoir by a wave energy of said water;
wherein said water entering said water reservoir through said one
or more openings raises a water head inside of said water
reservoir; wherein said raised water head inside said water
reservoir feeds said one or more water turbines; and wherein said
potential energy of said water is converted by said one or more
water turbines into a mechanical energy.
2. The apparatus for converting wave energy of claim 1, wherein
said one or more openings have one or more one way valves; wherein
said one or more one way valves allow said water to enter said
water reservoir and prevent said water from exiting said water
reservoir.
3. The apparatus for converting wave energy of claim 1, further
comprising: one or more pipes; wherein said one or more pipes have
an opening end and a floating end; wherein said opening end of said
one or more pipes are connected to an inside of said one or more
openings; wherein said floating end of said one or more pipes is
held above a reservoir water level by a floating device; wherein
said one or more pipes allow said water to enter said water
reservoir and prevent said water from exiting said water
reservoir.
4. The apparatus for converting wave energy of claim 1, further
comprising: one or more concentrating wall risers; wherein said one
or more concentrating wall risers direct and concentrate said water
entering said one or more openings.
5. The apparatus for converting wave energy of claim 2, wherein
said one or more valves are part of one or more frames; wherein
said one or more frames are removable attached to said one or more
openings.
6. The apparatus for converting wave energy of claim 1, wherein
said water exits said one or more water turbines into a body of
water surrounding said water reservoir.
7. The apparatus for converting wave energy of claim 1, further
comprising: a discharge reservoir; one or more discharge reservoir
exit pipes; wherein said one or more discharge reservoir exit pipes
have a floating end and a reservoir end; wherein said floating end
of said one or more discharge reservoir exit pipes is held above a
surrounding water level by a floating device. wherein said water
from said one or more turbines is discharged into said discharge
reservoir; wherein said water from said discharge reservoir is
discharged into a body of water surrounding said discharge
reservoir.
8. The apparatus for converting wave energy of claim 1, further
comprising: a bridge; wherein said bridge is a perforated platform
on a top side of said water reservoir.
9. The apparatus for converting wave energy of claim 1, wherein
said apparatus is connected to one or more wind turbines.
10. The apparatus for converting wave energy of claim 1, wherein
said apparatus is connected to one or more water desalination
facilities.
11. The apparatus for converting wave energy of claim 1, wherein
said apparatus is connected to one or more hydrogen making
facilities.
12. The apparatus for converting wave energy of claim 1, wherein
said apparatus is connected to one or more dwelling facilities.
13. The apparatus for converting wave energy of claim 9, further
comprising: a plurality of apparatuses for converting wave energy;
wherein said plurality of apparatuses for converting wave energy
are interconnected such that they share a plurality of facilities
and provide one or more areas of smooth water; wherein said one or
more areas of smooth water make feasible an activity selected from
the group consisting of aquaculture, water sports, and mooring.
14. An apparatus for converting wave energy of water in a primary
upper reservoir comprising: one or more primary water turbines; one
or more secondary water turbines; a first primary water reservoir;
an upper secondary fluid reservoir; a lower secondary fluid
reservoir; one or more pumps; wherein said first primary reservoir
has one or more sides; wherein said one or more sides have one or
more openings; wherein said one or more openings allow a water to
pass into said first primary reservoir; wherein said one or more
openings prevent said water from exiting said first primary
reservoir; wherein said water is propelled through said one or more
openings into said first primary reservoir by a wave energy of said
water; wherein said water entering said first primary reservoir
through said one or more openings raises a water head inside of
said first primary reservoir; wherein said raised water head inside
said first primary reservoir feeds said one or more primary water
turbines; and wherein said potential energy of said water is
converted by said one or more primary water turbines into a first
mechanical energy; wherein said first mechanical energy powers said
one or more pumps; wherein said one or more pumps pump a fluid from
said secondary lower reservoir to said secondary upper reservoir;
wherein said fluid cascades down from said upper secondary
reservoir to said lower secondary reservoir and passes through said
one or more secondary water turbines; wherein said one or more
secondary water turbines convert said cascading fluid into a
secondary mechanical energy.
15. The apparatus for converting wave energy of claim 14, wherein
said one or more openings have one or more one way valves; wherein
said one or more one way valves allow said water to enter said
primary water reservoir and prevent said water from exiting said
primary water reservoir.
16. The apparatus for converting wave energy of claim 14, further
comprising: one or more pipes; wherein said one or more pipes have
an opening end and a floating end; wherein said opening end of said
one or more pipes are connected to an inside of said one or more
openings; wherein said floating end of said one or more pipes is
held above a reservoir water level by a floating device; wherein
said one or more pipes allow said water to enter said primary water
reservoir and prevent said water from exiting said primary water
reservoir.
17. The apparatus for converting wave energy of claim 14, further
comprising: a primary discharge reservoir; one or more primary
discharge reservoir exit pipes; wherein said one or more primary
discharge reservoir exit pipes have a floating end and a reservoir
end; wherein said floating end of said one or more discharge
reservoir exit pipes is held above a surrounding water level by a
floating device; wherein said water exits said one or more primary
water turbines into said primary discharge reservoir; wherein said
water from said primary discharge reservoir exits into a body of
water surrounding said primary discharge water reservoir through
said one or more discharge reservoir exit pipes.
18. The apparatus for converting wave energy of claim 14, wherein
said apparatus is connected to a device selected from the group
consisting of one or more wind turbines, one or more water
desalination facilities, one or more dwelling facilities, and one
or more hydrogen making facilities.
19. The apparatus for converting wave energy of claim 18, further
comprising: a plurality of apparatuses for converting wave energy;
wherein said plurality of apparatuses for converting wave energy
are interconnected such that they share a plurality of facilities
and provide one or more areas of smooth water; wherein said one or
more areas of smooth water make feasible an activity selected from
the group consisting of aquaculture, water sports, and mooring.
20. The apparatus for converting wave energy of claim 7, wherein
said apparatus is connected to a device selected from the group
consisting of one or more wind turbines, one or more desalination
facilities, one or more dwelling facilities, and one or more
hydrogen making facilities.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Priority is claimed to U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Ser. No. 61/215,251, filed on May 4, 2009, titled "Wave Energy
Converting Methods and Systems", U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 61/216,814, filed on May 22, 2009, titled
"Wave Energy Converter", and U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Ser. No. 61/270,994 filed on Jul. 16, 2009, all three by inventor
Dan Nicolaus Costas, and the contents of all three of these
priority applications are expressly incorporated herein by this
reference as though set forth in full.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to the method and apparatus for
converting the wave energy into electrical energy by converting the
raised level of water accumulated from the waves. More
particularly, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for
converting the random bursts of energy given by waves into a
predictable raised level of water capable of powering a low head
turbine.
BACKGROUND
[0003] For over a century, hundreds of inventions tried to offer
solutions for exploitation of energy packed in waves. In the last
few decades, more efforts have been directed towards converting the
vast amounts of unharnessed natural resources. One of them is the
wave energy.
[0004] Ocean's waves pack more energy that can be harnessed than
the wind and solar energy combined. This energy is available 60% of
the time and the oceans cover 70% of the earth surface.
[0005] It has been estimated that waves can pack as much as 70 KW
of power per each linear meter of wave; therefore a 15 meter long
wave can deliver over 1 MW if somehow its energy could be exploited
in a practical manner.
[0006] The methods currently employed for extracting the wave's
energy fall basically in to four main categories point absorbers,
attenuators, terminators, and overtopping.
[0007] Point absorbers, are buoys using the heaving motion of the
waves that is being converted to mechanical and than electrical
energy, or directly to electrical energy like Power Buoy of Ocean
Power Technology.
[0008] Attenuators, like McCabe's Wave Pump or "Pelamis" which use
a few floating bodies hinged together which are in relative motion
to each other due to the passing waves. At the hinging point,
hydraulic pistons push oil in hydraulic motors which in turn
actuate electric generators.
[0009] Terminators, like Oscillating Water Column (OWC) employed in
the "Mighty Whale" Japanese project or in various shore based
projects like the one on the Pico island.
[0010] Overtopping, employed either on shore or on a floating
structure like the "Wave Dragon" Danish project involving also
Germany, Sweden, UK and Austria.
[0011] The first two categories employ mechanical devices that are
inefficient and demand a high capital cost due to the demanding
conditions out in the ocean. The seals needed, the inability to
service on the spot, the dangerous conditions of even approaching
the devices to be tugged for service make them undesirable as
viable solutions. They also need a long "trial and error"
validation period for not being proven in time technologies. The
vast majority of the inventions fall in this category, with all
kinds of mechanics being imagined, most of them using floating
members that are moved by the waves in relative motion with fixed
members attached to the ocean floor or held in position by other
means. They are also by their nature inefficient, being capable of
extracting only small fractions of energy contained in a wave.
[0012] The last two categories use the wave's energy to actuate
air, respective water turbines which in turn actuate electrical
generators as does the proposed invention. For this reason they
will be closer analyzed. The OWC is mostly used on shore where a
trapezoidal chamber communicates on the lower side with the sea
water allowing the incoming wave to raise the inside level of
water. When the wave retreats, on a through, the level of the water
inside will drop. This raising and lowering of the water level
inside the chamber acts as a piston, pushing and pulling the air
above it through a narrow hole where a Wells turbine rotates,
actuating an electric generator. The Wells turbine, named after its
inventor is a self rectifying turbine, which rotates in the same
direction regardless of the direction where the air is coming
from.
[0013] The advantage of this concept is a simple design that has no
moving parts except the group of turbine-generator.
[0014] The disadvantages are: [0015] low efficiency of the air
turbine. [0016] limited size of the chamber which cannot be bigger
than the order of magnitude of a wave or the principle won't work,
therefore for each chamber a separate turbine-generator is
needed.
[0017] Chambers cannot be coupled to actuate one bigger turbine
generator group. Most of the kinetic energy of the wave is wasted
due to the fact that the separating wall of the chamber is always
submerged.
[0018] The existing OWC systems are mostly placed on shore where
the waves lost most of the energy they had on deep water, besides
the fact that the sites need to have appropriate configuration and
constitute expensive real estate. Due to the fact that there are
significant periods of time between waves and also the lowering is
slower than the rising level inside the chamber, the Wells turbine
tends to stall. A high level of noise of the air turbine limits the
number of sites where it can be used on shore.
[0019] The overtopping is used on the "Wave Dragon", a floating
structure that has a ramp (artificial beach) on which the wave
climbs due to its kinetic energy and spills over into a basin above
the sea water level from where it falls through a water turbine
that actuates an electric generator much like in a regular hydro
power plant. The concept is simple and this is one of its
advantages.
[0020] Another obvious advantage of this design is the use of a
technology that has long been used and perfected. Below will
outline a few specifics of the turbines used in this environment
for decades proving their feasibility. Water turbines which are
suitable for this purpose have been used in low head river water
power plants for many decades and have been developed to a high
level of efficiency and reliability. In France the 240 MW La Rance
tidal power station has been using such turbines in a salt water
environment since 1967. Thus, in contrast to most of the WEC
principles, a proven and mature technology can be used for the
production of electrical energy.
[0021] Turbine operating conditions in a WEC are quite different
from the ones in a normal hydro power plant. In the Wave Dragon,
the turbine head range is typically between 1.0 and 4.0 meters,
which is on the lower bounds of existing water turbine experience.
While there are only slow and relatively small variations of flow
and head in a river hydro power plant, the strong stochastic
variations of the wave overtopping call for a radically different
mode of operation in the Wave Dragon. The head, being a function of
the significant wave height, is varying in a range as large as 1:4,
and it has been shown by Knapp (2005) that the discharge has to be
regulated within time intervals as short as ten seconds in order to
achieve a good efficiency of the energy exploitation.
[0022] From a river hydro power installation which is properly
maintained, a service life of 40-80 years can be expected. On an
unmanned offshore device, the environmental conditions are much
rougher, and routine maintenance work is much more difficult to
perform. Special criteria for the choice and construction of water
turbines for the Wave Dragon have to be followed; it is advisable
to aim for constructional simplicity rather than maximum peak
efficiency.
[0023] By stopping a number of turbines at lower flow rates, the
flow rate can be regulated over a wider range without sacrificing
efficiency. Single units can be taken out of service for
maintenance without stopping production. Capacity demanded for
hoisting and transport equipment to perform repair and maintenance
work is greatly reduced. The smaller turbines have shorter draft
tubes, and are thus easier to accommodate in the whole device. The
smaller turbines have a higher speed, which reduces the cost of the
generator.
[0024] Another advantage of the Wave Dragon by being a floating
structure is the possibility of being moored in deep waters where
the energy of the wave is not diminished by the sea floor and there
is no real estate cost involved. There are quite a few important
drawbacks of the overtopping devices, and in particular regarding
the Wave Dragon. The capacity of the water reservoir has to be
significant to feed the turbine between two waves. It is 8,000
cubic meters which means over 8,000 tons of water to be lifted and
held above the sea level in a precarious act of balancing. It is
like a plate filled with water which easily will spill when shaken.
The structure to hold all this weight becomes significantly bulky
and expensive. The mooring lines and anchoring will have to be
dimensioned accordingly mostly taking also in consideration the two
floating wings that spread sideways to gather the waves giving a
span of 300 meters to the whole structure.
[0025] Underneath there are pockets of air (air cavities) for
lifting and lowering the structure such that always the ramp is at
the proper height depending on the height of the incoming waves. If
the ramp is too high, the incoming wave may not make it over or too
little water will be added to the reservoir. If the ramp is too
low, the water will just wash over the reservoir not giving enough
head for the turbine.
[0026] A sophisticated "just in time" automation system will have
to keep this huge structure in balance at all times since the level
of the ramp has to continuously keep up with the surrounding
conditions, the amount of momentary load (variations of thousands
of tons of water weight of load on the structure in a matter of
seconds between waves), the task of keeping an even keel,
horizontal position at all times in choppy waters. The turbines are
equipped with cylindrical vanes that close when there is not enough
head and reopen when enough flow of water is assured. In stormy
weather the structure sinks to a standby low profile by letting out
the air of the air pockets.
[0027] Most of the kinetic energy of the incoming wave is cancelled
by the vertical component of the ramp to push over the upper edge
of the ramp from where the water falls to a lower level in the
reservoir to a lower potential energy. This amounts to lower
efficiency in the process of conversion of the wave's energy. If
somehow, the top of the ramp could be continuously adjusted with
the water level inside the reservoir, this would always be the
optimum level over which the water in the wave will spill. If also
somehow the gap between the waves could be bridged, a continuous
flow of water into the reservoir would keep up with the continuous
demand of the turbine and the big buffering reservoir won't be
necessary. A more efficient less expensive structure would assure
the continuous functioning of the already described water turbine
generator group.
[0028] The proposed invention solves these problems. The invention
assures the conversion of the kinetic and potential wave energy in
potential energy of water feeding a water turbine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0029] To minimize the limitations of the prior art, and to
minimize other limitations that will become apparent upon reading
and understanding the present specification, the present invention
is a method and apparatus for converting the kinetic and potential
energy of waves in potential energy of water with higher head,
capable to actuate a hydro turbine which in turn actuates an
electrical power generator.
[0030] One embodiment of the invention is to accumulate water in a
reservoir by using the potential energy of the passing wave in
raising the water level in the reservoir by allowing the water to
enter through the bottom and the side walls of the reservoir
through pipes that have their free end raised above the water level
by floating means. Preferably there is a plurality of pipes feeding
the reservoir.
[0031] The apparatus may further comprise one or more side wall
openings oriented towards the incoming wave such that the wave's
kinetic energy will contribute to raising the water level in the
reservoir, beyond the level generated by the wave's potential
energy.
[0032] These openings can be either one way valves or flexible
pipes having their free ends floating slightly higher than the
level of water inside the reservoir, such that the water can flow
in, but not flow out of the reservoir.
[0033] Since the water can get in the reservoir through both the
bottom as well as side walls instead of over the top, there is no
need for the reservoir to constantly raise and lower its level in
order to capture the waves which don't have equal amplitudes.
[0034] The raised level of water in the reservoir constitutes the
head of one or preferably a plurality of hydro turbines, similar to
any low head hydro power plant, thus using well verified and
optimized in time technology. Since the power of a turbine is
direct proportional with the head and the debit of water, a high
volume of water is needed for a significant amount of power.
Furthermore, the head of the turbine can be increased by
discharging its water not directly into the sea which momentarily
is on high levels, but in a secondary reservoir which keeps a
constant low level due to the fact that it discharges its water
through various pipes, always having some of them on a through.
[0035] For this, the reservoir needs to cover as big of a surface
of water in a good energy wave environment as possible. To achieve
this, preferably more floating reservoirs are coupled together, in
a horseshoe configuration sharing electrical, logistical and
infrastructure facilities. They also can be designed as moored
floating structures, such that can host offshore wind turbines and
recreational facilities, thus offsetting the construction price.
Having electrical power generated on board, desalination, hydrogen
generating, and modular locative spaces can be tugged and easily
connected to the structure. The horseshoe shape will provide a
smooth portion of water inside, capable of accommodating berthing,
aquaculture, sports and vacationing facilities.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a reservoir of one embodiment
of the invention, wherein the reservoir is filled by wave through
one way valves.
[0037] FIG. 2 is a frontal view of a removable frame with valves of
one embodiment of the invention.
[0038] FIG. 3 is a top view of a configuration with valve frames of
one embodiment of the invention.
[0039] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a reservoir with flexible
valves of one embodiment of the invention.
[0040] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a reservoir filled with water
through bottom pipes with distal ends held by floaters using
potential wave energy of one embodiment of the invention.
[0041] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a reservoir filled with water
through side wall pipes with distal ends held by floaters using
potential and kinetic wave energy of one embodiment of the
invention.
[0042] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a reservoir with a pipe using
Venturi effect to lubricate the water with air bubbles of one
embodiment of the invention.
[0043] FIG. 8 is a side view of an apparatus with discharge
reservoir for higher head of one embodiment of the invention.
[0044] FIG. 9 is a side view of an apparatus with pump and
secondary turbines of one embodiment of the invention.
[0045] FIG. 10 is a top view of interconnected apparatuses of one
embodiment of the invention sharing facilities.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0046] In the following detailed description of various embodiments
of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order
to provide a thorough understanding of various aspects of one or
more embodiments of the invention. However, one or more embodiments
of the invention may be practiced without some or all of these
specific details. In other instances, well-known methods,
procedures, and/or components have not been described in detail so
as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of embodiments of the
invention.
[0047] While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other
embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those
skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which
shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. As
will be realized, the invention is capable of modifications in
various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the screen shot
figures, and the detailed descriptions thereof, are to be regarded
as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, the reference
or non-reference to a particular embodiment of the invention shall
not be interpreted to limit the scope of the invention. It is the
goal of this invention to provide a method of maximizing the
conversion of wave's energy in potential energy of water that
actuates a water turbine.
[0048] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a reservoir of one embodiment
of the invention, wherein the reservoir is filled by wave through
one way valves. FIG. 1 shows a water tank where water accumulates
due to the fact that the pressure of the incoming wave 10 being
higher than the static pressure of the water inside 15 forces its
way through the one way swing valves 20 in the wall 18. After the
wave has passed, the static pressure will close the valves 20,
retaining the water inside. The swing valves 20 are prone to
fouling and after a while need to be cleaned or replaced.
[0049] FIG. 2 is a frontal view of a removable frame with swing
valves of one embodiment of the invention. For this they will be
built preferably of injected plastic in a frame like configuration
40 FIG. 2 ready for exchange during a service routine.
[0050] FIG. 3 is a top view of a configuration with valve frames of
one embodiment of the invention, where the wave approaches from the
left, and the water will be retained in the reservoir to the right
part of the drawing. This frame 40 can easily slide along rails 50
in a frame, part of side wall 18, where concentrating rising walls
60 gather the wave raising its level. Swinging gate 70 is provided
to prevent the wave interference while changing or servicing the
valves frame 40.
[0051] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a reservoir with diaphragm
check valves of another embodiment of the invention. An alternate
way is shown in FIG. 4 where the valves 80 are made of a flexible,
rubbery type of material. They are opened by the pressure of the
incoming wave 10 and closed by the static pressure, shown with
interrupted line, after the wave has passed.
[0052] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a reservoir filled with water
through bottom pipes with distal ends held by floaters using
potential wave energy of one embodiment of the invention. If the
use of mechanical valves is not desired, the wave can enter the
water tank through flexible pipes 100, accordion type 110 or
telescoping type 120 held by floating means at their ends 130 such
that always their free ends are above the water level as shown in
FIG. 5. The pressure exercised on the bottom of the reservoir will
cause a stream of water to rise through these pipes, raising the
water level inside and raising the distal ends of the pipes, such
that the water cannot return into the sea through the same bottom
openings thus raising the head of the water inside.
[0053] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a reservoir filled with water
through side wall pipes with distal ends held by floaters using
potential and kinetic wave energy of one embodiment of the
invention. The entrance to pipes 100 is preferably made through
narrowing chambers 190, FIG. 6 such that the water will gain speed
as in a Venturi configuration. The accelerated stream of water due
to its kinetic energy will give an additional head to the water
inside the reservoir. The floating ends will insure again that the
water inside the reservoir cannot return to the sea through the
same pipes.
[0054] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a reservoir with a pipe using
Venturi effect to lubricate the water with air bubbles of one
embodiment of the invention. In order to stimulate the travelling
water, these pipes can be coated inside with anti repellant
substances or air bubble lubrication be employed as shown in FIG.
7. The air is being drawn through smaller diameter pipe 101 by the
depression created due to the Venturi effect, and a mixture of
water with lubricating air bubbles will emerge through the floating
end of pipe 100. The lubrication will lower the drag in the pipe
and allow the stream to move with higher speed, giving a surplus of
head to the water inside the reservoir. These walls 18 can have a
90 degree angle of incidence with a horizontal plane, less than 90
or more than 90 degrees or a combination of angles as deemed
desirable. These walls 18 and bottoms through which water can enter
but cannot exit will be part of a primary accumulation reservoir
211 that collects water and retains it at a higher level depending
on the height of the waves, than the sea level actuating a primary
water turbine 200. The circuit of water in this situation is
between the primary reservoir 211, through the primary turbine 200
and back into the sea. Preferably there are more smaller primary
turbines 200 and they will be temporarily opened or closed
depending on the volume and head of water in the primary
accumulation reservoir 211.
[0055] FIG. 8 is a side view of an apparatus with a primary
discharge reservoir for higher head of one embodiment of the
invention. This water gets back into the sea through one or
preferably a plurality of water turbines 200 as shown in FIG. 8.
These turbines actuate electrical generators 201. The walls 18 will
be oriented towards the incoming waves by the mooring systems
employed. The central part, not shown, assures the flotation and
preferably has air cavities underneath which can be flooded in
stormy situations for offering a low profile and also assure a more
amortized heaving motion. To amplify the head of the turbine, the
primary turbine 200 can be mounted lower than normally would have
been, by discharging its water not in the sea, but in a lower
primary water reservoir 212 therefore the primary circuit of water
is between the higher primary accumulation reservoir 211 through
the primary turbines 200 into the primary discharge reservoir 212.
This primary discharge reservoir 212 gets emptied into the
surrounding sea at a through by employing the same one way flow of
water technique previously described, but in a reversed direction,
from the primary discharge reservoir 212 reservoir in to the sea.
Since the length of these pipes can be adjusted, some of them can
have their far ends, the ones with the floating means at a through
at all times, thus assuring a continuous discharge of water from
the reservoir into the sea and therefore a continuous higher head
for the turbine at all times as shown in FIG. 8
[0056] The bridge 210 on top of the reservoir, preferably made of
perforated material to allow the water of a possible big incoming
wave to wash into the upper reservoir, will hold any structures
deemed necessary, like warehousing for spare parts and supplies,
walk ways and bungalows.
[0057] FIG. 9 is a side view of an apparatus with a primary circuit
where the primary turbine actuates a pump which raises the fluid
level of a secondary fluid circuit of another embodiment of the
invention. An alternate option is shown in FIG. 9 where the primary
water turbine 200 described in FIG. 8, instead of an electrical
generator actuates a pump 230 of a secondary circuit which in turn
pumps a fluid, like desalinated water, from the lower secondary
reservoir 240 to the higher secondary reservoir 250 from which the
fluid falls with a high predictable head through columns 260
actuating secondary turbines 270 which are connected to electrical
generators not shown, generating continuous electrical power ready
for the grid. The structure is kept afloat by floating means 280
equipped preferably with air cavities, while the lower secondary
reservoir 240 has also the function of dampening the heaving motion
due to the fact that it has a large surface under the water,
offering high resistance to up and down motion. Since the energy
packed in waves is measured in KW/m, the more wave crest is
captured, the more energy can be used, therefore the structures
either fixed or floating should cover as much sea surface as
possible. Preferably they would be made of reinforced concrete
which is inexpensive, resilient to the sea salt water environment,
and feasible for building massive structures. They can be prebuilt
in modules in shipyards and tugged to the mooring places away from
sight in conveniently rich energetic wavy deep waters. For capital
repairs they also can be tugged back to the shipyards.
[0058] FIG. 10 is a top view of interconnected apparatuses of one
embodiment of the invention sharing facilities. A horseshoe
configuration as shown in FIG. 10, with modular connected units
having whose bridges 211 are seen from top, as depicted in FIG. 8
and FIG. 9 is desirable, such that always the waves feed the
outside of the horseshoe, while the inside has calm waters where
watercraft 300 can be moored and also additional units like
desalination 310, hydrogen making 320 and living spaces with
underwater view 330 can be simply tugged and attached any time to
form maritime communities. Being big floating modules, they can
serve as hosts for wind turbines 340 sharing the electrical and
other facilities, offsetting the building costs. Since the majority
of the floating wind turbine costs are allocated for floating and
mooring, their location out of site and in open sea with higher
energy winds is very desirable. The creation close to shore of such
self sufficient floating islands with water sports and recreation
facilities is desirable for decongesting the shore resorts. Their
destination as green energy providers would facilitate the
permitting process, while their multiple ways of returning the
capital investment would make them attractive targets for the
financial community. Clustering together such horseshoe
configurations with enough clearance to fully exploit the waves
energy, can form the communities of the future, decongesting the
shores.
[0059] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the
invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and
description. While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other
embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those
skilled in the art from the above detailed description, which shows
and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be
realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various
obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of
the present invention. Accordingly, the detailed description is to
be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also,
although not explicitly recited, one or more embodiments of the
invention may be practiced in combination or conjunction with one
another. Furthermore, the reference or non-reference to a
particular embodiment of the invention shall not be interpreted to
limit the scope the invention. It is intended that the scope of the
invention not be limited by this detailed description, but by the
claims and the equivalents to the claims that are appended
hereto.
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