Method and apparatus for converting ocean wave energy into electricity

• US 8,004,104 B2
• Filed: 10/28/2009
• Issued: 08/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Neptune Wave Power, LLC
• Original Assignee: Neptune Wave Power, LLC
• Inventors: Hench, Steven C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuevas; Pedro J
• Application Number:
  US12/607,878
• Publication Number:
  US 20100102564A1
• Time in Patent Office: 664 Days
• Field of Search: 290/42, 290/43, 290/53, 290/54, 605/01, 605/06, 605/07, 114/230.37
• US Class Current: 290/53
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 13/20 wherein both members , i.e. wom and rem are movable relative to the sea bed or shore
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2250/44 one element moving inside another one, e.g. wave-operated member (wom) moving inside another member (rem)
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/20 Hydro energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/30 Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient

Abstract

A method and apparatus for harnessing power associated with ocean waves and converting that power into electricity. The apparatus is a buoy that houses a vertically oriented central shaft, a pendulum, and a generator. As the buoy tilts from the vertical under the influence of wave motion, the pendulum is accelerated and rotates about the central shaft. A centrally-placed generator is mechanically coupled to, and driven by, the rotating pendulum so that the pendulum'"'"'s kinetic energy is converted into electricity. The electricity may be stored at or near the buoy or transferred to a remote facility. Moreover, a fin array located along the bottom of the buoy serves as an anti-torque mechanism and improves the operational efficiency of the electricity production. The method involves employing use of the centrally located generator and the fin array to efficiently harness wave power.

Claims

1. An apparatus for converting wave energy into electrical energy comprising:

a buoyant member comprising;

a pendulum configured to rotate under the influence of wave motion;

a generator configured to generate electricity by converting energy associated with said rotating pendulum; and

a mooring line extending between said buoyant member and a counterweight; and

a ring of sufficient size to allow said mooring line to move laterally and rotate within said ring and to prevent said counterweight from passing there through.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said generator is centrally aligned with the axis of rotation of said pendulum.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising counter-rotation means configured so as to allow said pendulum to rotate with respect to said buoyant member.

4. The system of claim 1 where said generator is positioned to reduce torsional imbalance exerted upon said buoyant member.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said counterweight is further configured to restore said member to said central point by moving from a top position to a bottom position.

6. An apparatus for converting wave energy into electricity, said apparatus comprising:

a pendulum that rotates with a central shaft under the influence of wave motion;

a generator mechanism that generates electricity in response to the rotation of said pendulum;

a stabilizing mechanism configured to hold said apparatus substantially rotationally stationary with respect to said pendulum;

an electricity transfer mechanism; and

a mooring mechanism, said mooring mechanism comprising;

a mooring line extending between said apparatus and a counterweight; and

a ring of sufficient size to allow said mooring line to move laterally and rotate within said ring and to prevent said counterweight from passing there through.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said ring is one of a plurality of rings, where each ring is located within a grid.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said generator mechanism comprises a generator offset from the central point of said pendulum.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said stabilizing mechanism comprises a plurality of fins reversibly attached to a housing, said housing at least substantially enclosing said generator mechanism.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein each of said fins extends radially from a central ring positioned at a central point of said housing.

11. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said counterweight is further configured to restore said member to said central point by moving from a top position to a bottom position.

12. A device that converts kinetic energy of waves into electricity when said device is placed in motion by said waves in a medium, said device comprising:

a kinetic energy conversion mechanism to convert kinetic energy associated with said wave motion;

a housing at least substantially enclosing said kinetic energy mechanism;

a stabilization mechanism configured to allow said kinetic energy conversion mechanism to rotationally operate with respect to said housing; and

a generator mechanism configured to engage said kinetic energy conversion mechanism and generate electricity in response to operation of said kinetic energy conversion mechanism; and

a mooring mechanism comprising;

a mooring line extending between said housing and a counterweight; and

a ring of sufficient size to allow said mooring line to move laterally and rotate within said ring and to prevent said counterweight from passing there through.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein said medium is water.

14. The device of claim 12 wherein said kinetic energy conversion mechanism is a rotating pendulum.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein said pendulum operates when the plane of rotation of said pendulum deviates from a horizontal plane.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein said generator mechanism is driven by a shaft rotated by said pendulum.

17. The device of claim 16 wherein said shaft is vertically centrally aligned through the device.

18. The device of claim 12 wherein said generator mechanism comprises a generator centrally offset from the central point of said pendulum.

19. The device of claim 12 wherein said mooring mechanism further comprises a plurality of lines, substantially equally spaced from one another about said housing.

20. The device of claim 19 wherein said kinetic energy conversion mechanism is further adapted to convert kinetic energy from restoring of said device to a central position against lateral motion of said waves by said mooring mechanism.

21. The device of claim 19 wherein said plurality of lines extend in substantially radial fashion from said device and inhibit the rotation of said housing with respect to said medium.

22. The device of claim 12 wherein said stabilization mechanism comprises a plurality of fins extending radially from the center of said device, said plurality of fins configured to hold said device substantially rotationally stationary with respect to the kinetic energy conversion mechanism.

23. The device of claim 12 further comprising:

a power transfer apparatus configured to transfer electrical power produced by said generator mechanism from said device.

24. The device of claim 23 wherein said power transfer apparatus comprises a conductor configured to transfer power from said device to a remote location.

25. The device of claim 24 wherein said power transfer apparatus further comprises a slip-ring seal thereby allowing said device to rotate freely with respect to said conductor.

26. A method for converting wave motion energy into electricity comprising:

suspending a kinetic energy conversion mechanism in a medium;

stabilizing said kinetic energy conversion mechanism such that said wave motion imparts kinetic energy to said kinetic conversion mechanism;

generating electricity from the kinetic energy imparted to said kinetic energy conversion mechanism, and

; and

applying a restoring force to said kinetic energy conversion mechanism , said applying comprising;

placing a mooring line between said kinetic energy conversion mechanism and a counterweight; and

allowing said mooring line to move within a ring of sufficient size to prevent said counterweight from passing there through.

27. The method of claim 26 further comprising:

applying a restoring force to position said kinetic energy conversion mechanism about a central location, said restoring force effective to operate against lateral wave forces acting upon said kinetic energy conversion mechanism.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein said stabilizing allows for said wave motion to impart a tilt with respect to a horizontal plane upon said kinetic energy conversion mechanism.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein imparting kinetic energy to said kinetic energy conversion mechanism comprises:

tilting a pendulum with respect to said horizontal plane;

allowing said pendulum to rotate around a vertical pivot point; and

driving a central shaft with the rotation of said pendulum.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein said generating further comprises offsetting a generator from said central shaft, said generator driven, at least indirectly, by said central shaft.

31. The method of claim 26 wherein said stabilizing further comprises engaging a mass of said medium with sufficient resistance to allow said waves to impart said kinetic energy.

32. The method of claim 26 wherein said applying a restoring force comprises moving said counterweight from a top position to a bottom position.

33. A method for generating electrical power, said method comprising:

tilting a pendulum within a housing with respect to the horizontal plane, said tilting resulting in rotation of said pendulum;

offsetting a torsional load placed upon said pendulum, said torsional load resulting from said rotation;

allowing said housing to move within a defined area of said medium, said allowing accomplished, at least in part, by a plurality of lines, substantially equally spaced from one another about said housing, each line extending from said housing in radial fashion; and

applying a restoring force to said housing, wherein said applying accomplished, at least in part, by a mooring line extending between said housing and a counterweight;

said mooring line moving within a ring of sufficient size to prevent said counterweight from passing there through.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein said restoring force results from the vertical movement of said counterweight.

35. The method of claim 33 wherein said applying a restoring force comprises moving said counterweight from a top position to a bottom position.