System for generating energy from the waves of the sea

• US 6,956,299 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2001
• Issued: 10/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Arlas Invest, S.L.
• Original Assignee: Arlas Invest, S.L.
• Inventors: Garcia-Calvillo Miralles, Manuel Antonio, Puerta Sardo, Ferran Josep, Serrano Molina, José Antonio, Lopez Huete, José Doroteo, Arcos Montes, Juan Manuel, Serrano Cabello, José Antonio
• Primary Examiner(s): Schuberg, Darren
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cuevas, Pedro J.
• Application Number:
  US10/450,089
• Publication Number:
  US 20040046396A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,411 Days
• Field of Search: 290/42, 290/53, 60495-507
• US Class Current: 290/42
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 13/16 using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem"
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 13/1885 and the wom is tied to the rem
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/30 Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient

Abstract

Includes at least one floating body (1), and is characterised in that includes a device (2) fitted inside said body (1) for transforming the movement of the floating body (1) into pneumatic or hydraulic energy and means for transmitting the energy to dry land or to a fixed structure. An energy-generation system is obtained thereby with a manufacturing time and cost lower than the systems currently known. Moreover, the fact that the transforming device (2) is fitted inside the floating body (1) means that it is protected against corrosion caused by the water, against sharp movements caused by marine currents and against other possible outside agents which might harm or damage any of the components which make up the device.

Claims

1. System for generating energy from the waves of the sea, which includes at least one floating body (1,18), a submerged ballast and a chain or cable (6,4) connecting said submerged ballast and said floating body (1,18), and which further comprises a device (2) fitted inside said floating body (1,18) for transforming the movement of the floating body (1,18) into pneumatic or hydraulic energy and means for transmitting the energy to dry land or to a fixed structure, wherein said device (2) for transforming the movement comprises a recovery device (9,21) which permits the recovery of the chain or cable (6,4) to its initial coiled position, during the movement of descent of the wave, being said recovery device (9,21) fitted inside said floating body (1,18).

2. System as claimed in claim 1, wherein the recovery device (9) includes at least one pair of drums (11,12) mounted one on top of the other, around which the chain (6) winds and unwinds.

3. System as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transforming device (2) of the floating body (1) includes a mechanism which transmits the movement of the floating body to a piston (5) which compresses air at pressure.

4. System as claimed in claim 3, wherein the device (2) for transforming the movement comprises a pressurized-air accumulator connected to at least one pneumatic motor which drives an alternator.

5. System as claimed in claim 3, wherein the means of transmission include a duct (10) for the circulation of air at pressure towards a pressurised-air accumulator (15).

6. System as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pressurised-air accumulation device (15) is connected to at least one pneumatic motor which drives an alternator (17).

7. System as claimed in claim 3, wherein the mechanism is a chain (6) attached to a piston (5) which is in mesh with the spindle of the aforesaid piston (5).

8. System as claimed in claim 1, wherein the floating body (1) is a buoy (3).

9. System as claimed in claim 2, wherein the drums (11,12) have a grooved surface (13).

10. System as claimed in claim 1, wherein the recovery device (9) has a protective housing (14) on its upper part.

11. System as claimed in claim 1, wherein the floating body includes means for being seen.

12. System as claimed in claim 11, wherein signalling means are powered by at least one battery which is rechargeable by photovoltaic cells.

13. System as claimed in claim 1, wherein it includes a counterweight (26) that provides the torque necessary to maintain guided the chain or cable (6,4) in the movement of descent of the wave.

14. System as claimed in claim 3, wherein the mechanism is a chain attached to at least two pistons which meshes with the spindles of both pistons.

15. System as claimed in claim 3, wherein the piston includes an automatic sequential change device, adjustable in function of the thrust force of the wave.