System for Converting Tidal Wave Energy Into Electric Energy

• US 20130049369A1
• Filed: 10/25/2012
• Published: 02/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Juan Andujar
• Original Assignee: Juan Andujar
• Inventors: Andujar, Juan
• Application Number:
  US13/660,266
• Publication Number:
  US 20130049369A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/53
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 13/182 with a to-and-fro movement
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2220/706 an electrical generator
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2220/707 of the linear type
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2260/4031 as in toothed gearing
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2260/406 through hydraulic systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1876 with reciprocating, linearly oscillating or vibrating parts
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/30 Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient

Abstract

A system for converting marine surface wave energy into electric energy includes a barrier disposed generally vertically and having at least a portion thereof disposed above a surface of a body of water. The portion has a substantially planar surface disposed generally transverse to direction of marine surface waves. Bottom edge of the barrier is pivotally connected to one of a floor bed, a rigid formation and a rigid structure. At least one linear electric generator is coupled to storage of electric energy and is operable by a pivotal movement of the barrier. One type of electric generator is disposed external to the barrier while another type is mounted within a barrier chamber.

Claims

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16. An electric generator comprising:

(a) a housing having a hollow tubular cross section in a plane transverse to a length thereof, said housing having a helical thread formed on each end portion of an inner peripheral surface;

(b) a first end member closing one end of said housing and having a helical thread formed on an outer surface thereof and operatively engaging a helical thread formed on one end of said housing;

(c) a second end member closing an axially opposed end of said housing and having a helical thread formed on an outer surface thereof and operatively engaging a helical thread formed on an opposed end of said housing;

(d) a center aperture formed through a thickness of said first end member;

(e) an annular coil stack mounted within a hollow interior of said housing mediate said first and second end members;

(f) a shaft centrally disposed within said housing, said shaft having a threaded end portion thereof extending outwardly from outer surface of said first end member through said center aperture;

(g) a seal seated on said shaft in abutting engagement with said outer surface of said first end member and covering said aperture thereof;

(h) nut fastener operatively engaging said threaded end portion of said shaft and biasing said seal against said outer surface of said first end member;

(i) a pair of bearings, each of said pair of bearings bearing secured inwardly of a respective end member;

(j) a pair of collars, each of said pair of collars secured to said outer surface of said shaft in operative alignment with a respective bearing;

(k) a first annular gap formed between an inner peripheral surface of said each bearing and an outer peripheral surface of a respective collar;

(l) a plurality of annular permanent magnets secured in series on an outer surface of said shaft;

(m) a second annular gap formed between an inner peripheral surface of said coil stack and an outer peripheral surface of said magnets; and

(n) a bearing mounted within a center cavity formed in said second end member and operatively receiving a lower end of said shaft.

17. The electric generator, according to claim 16, wherein said each bearing is two bearings axially spaced therebetween, wherein one of said two bearings is mounted within a center bore formed within a respective end member and wherein a second one of said two bearings is mounted within a bearing housing disposed in spaced relationship with said respective end member.

18. The electric generator, according to claim 16, wherein said electric generator includes cooling means for removing heat generated by said electric generator during generation of electric energy.

19. The electric generator, according to claim 18, wherein said cooling means includes:

(a) a first passage formed through a thickness of said first member in fluid communication with supply of compressed air;

(b) a second passage provided between an outer peripheral surface of said coil stack and an inner peripheral surface of said housing in fluid communication with said first passage;

(c) a third passage formed through a thickness of said second member in fluid communication with said second passage; and

(d) a flap mounted on an outer surface of said second end member, said flap normally biased for closing said third passage and opening said third passage upon supply of said air pressure through said first passage.

20. The electric generator, according to claim 19, wherein said cooling means further includes each of an air reservoir, an air compressor operatively connected to said air reservoir, a hydraulic pump motor operatively connected to said air reservoir and a manifold connecting said pump with said first passage.

21. The electric generator, according to claim 16, wherein said electric generator includes at least one gear sprocket secured on said end portion of said shaft extending outwardly from said outer surface of said first end member.

22. The electric generator, according to claim 16, wherein said electric generator includes each of a flange detachably attached to said second member in spaced relationship with said outer surface thereof, a forth passage formed through a thickness of said flange and a flange flap mounted on an outer surface of said flange, said flange flap normally biased for closing said forth passage and opening said forth passage upon supply of said air pressure through said first passage.

26. The electric generator of claim 16, further comprising a body having an elongated chamber configured to receive said electric generator therewithin.

27. The electric generator of claim 26, wherein said body includes a barrier disposed generally vertically and having at least a portion thereof disposed above a surface of a body of water, said portion having a substantially planar surface disposed generally transverse to direction of marine surface waves;

28. The electric generator of claim 16, further comprising a connection to storage of electric energy.

29. The electric generator of claim 21, further comprising means for rotating said at least one gear sprocket.

30. The electric generator of claim 29, wherein said means for rotating said at least one gear sprocket includes a toothed gear rack.

31. The electric generator of claim 21, wherein said at least one gear sprocket is a pair of sprockets secured in series with each other on said end portion.

32. The electric generator of claim 16, further comprising:

(a) a flange disposed in a spaced apart relationship with a bottom end of said housing and having an axial aperture;

(b) an elongated member configured to connect said flange to said bottom end of said housing, said elongated member disposed axially with said shaft and having a portion thereof passed through said axial aperture of said flange so that a bottom end of said elongated member is spaced from one surface of said flange; and

(c) a retaining member configured to retain said flange on said elongated member.

33. The electric generator of claim 16, further comprising one or more air passages formed through a thickness of said flange and one or more valves positioned and operable to selectively open and close a respective air passage formed through said thickness of said flange.

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