Wave energy gathering and enhancing device utilizing linearized shallow water wave theory

• US 9,303,617 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2013
• Issued: 04/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: National Taiwan University (Government of The Republic of China)
• Original Assignee: National Taiwan University (Government of The Republic of China)
• Inventors: Chu, Chin-Chou, Chao, Sheng Der, Chiu, Shuo Feng, Huang, Yao Hung, Wang, Chun Chieh, Wang, Ssu Che
• Primary Examiner(s): Bogue, Jesse
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dounis, Laert
• Application Number:
  US13/933,187
• Publication Number:
  US 20140300110A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,008 Days
• Field of Search: 405/21, 405/25, 405 30- 35, 405 76- 79, 60495-507, 290/42, 290/43, 290/53, 290/54
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E02B 3/04 Structures or apparatus for, or methods of, protecting banks, coasts, or harbours E02B1/003 takes precedence; sealing or joints E02B3/16
• CPC Class Codes: E02B 9/08 Tide or wave power plants water-pressure machines, tide or wave motors F03B
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 13/14 using wave energy
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/10 Stators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/30 Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a wave energy gathering and enhancing device disposed in a setting area of the sea-bed. A seawater wave approaches the wave energy gathering and enhancing device with a wave vector. The wave energy gathering and enhancing device comprises a plurality of structures. The plurality of structures are arranged below the sea surface in a two-dimensional symmetric discrete group. Each of the structures has a top surface and the top surface is located below the sea surface with a predetermined depth. A lattice with a definite lattice constant is formed by the plurality of structures. The lattice plane formed by the structures and the wave vector of the seawater wave form an angle. The structures enhance the amplitude of the seawater wave when the seawater wave interacts with and passes through the structures.

Claims

1. A wave energy gathering and enhancing device, disposed in a setting area of the sea-bed, a seawater wave approaches the wave energy gathering and enhancing device with a wave vector, the wave energy gathering and enhancing device comprising:

a plurality of structures, arranged below the sea surface in a two-dimensional symmetric discrete group, each of the structures having a top surface located below the sea surface with a predetermined depth, a lattice with a definite lattice constant formed by the plurality of structures, a lattice plane formed by the structures and the wave vector of the seawater wave forming an angle, wherein the structures enhance the amplitude of the seawater wave above the structures when the seawater wave interacts with and passes through the structures;

wherein the plurality of the structures are arranged in one of a square lattice, a equilateral triangular lattice, or a hexagonal lattice;

when the plurality of the structures are arranged in the square lattice, the ratio (h0/h) of the sea depth and the predetermined depth of the top surface of the structures located below the sea surface is x, the ratio (r/a) of the radius of the cylinder and the lattice constant is y, the product of x and y is between 1 and 1.75, such that 1.00≦

xy≦

1.75;

when the plurality of the structures are arranged in the equilateral triangular lattice, the ratio (h0/h) of the sea depth and the predetermined depth of the top surface of the structures located below the sea surface is x, the ratio (r/a) of the radius of the cylinder and the lattice constant is y, the product of x and y is between 1.25 and 4.2, such that 1.25≦

xy≦

4.2;

when the plurality of the structures are arranged in the hexagonal lattice, the ratio (h0/h) of the sea depth and the predetermined depth of the top surface of the structures located below the sea surface is x, the ratio (r/a) of the radius of the cylinder and the lattice constant is y, the product of x and y is between 2.55 and 4.32, such that 2.55≦

xy≦

4.32.

2. The wave energy gathering and enhancing device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of structures are prisms.

3. The wave energy gathering and enhancing device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of structures are cylinders, rectangular prisms, triangular prisms or hexagonal prisms.

4. The wave energy gathering and enhancing device according to claim 2, wherein each of the prisms has an effective radius.

5. The wave energy gathering and enhancing device according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of structures are cylinders, each of the cylinders has a radius of the cylinder.

6. The wave energy gathering and enhancing device according to claim 1, wherein a wave energy conversion device is placed above each of the structures.