Apparatus and methods for energy conversion in an ocean environment

• US 20020145288A1
• Filed: 04/05/2002
• Published: 10/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Martinus Van Breems
• Original Assignee: Martinus Van Breems
• Inventors: Van Breems, Martinus
• Granted Patent: US 6,833,631 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/42
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 13/1845 and the wom slides relative to the rem
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 13/188 and the wom is flexible or deformable
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 13/24 to produce a flow of air, e.g. to drive an air turbine F03B13/142 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2210/18 Air and water being simultaneously used as working fluid
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/30 Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient

Abstract

A wave power generator comprises an air bellows that is longitudinally expandible and contractible in response to the rise and fall of a flotation member subjected to wave action and to which the air bellows is attached. Expansion and contraction of the air bellows causes air to flow into and out of the air bellows, and the flow of air rotates a turbine generator to generate electrical power. Other wave power generators utilize wave action to effect relative linear movement between a coil and magnet to generate electrical power. The wave power generators may be used to supply electrical power to deep water hydrogen generators in which water is electrolyzed at great depths underwater to generate compressed hydrogen gas.

Claims

1. A wave power generator for being deployed in a body of water presenting wave action comprising

an elongate air bellows for being disposed vertically in the water and comprising a central longitudinal axis, a closed lower end, an open upper end, and a longitudinal internal channel between said lower and upper ends, said lower end being constrained against vertical movement beneath a surface of the water, said air bellows being expandible and contractible along said central longitudinal axis;

a flotation member comprising an interior, a bottom attached to said upper end of said air bellows with said interior in communication with said channel, and a top having an opening disposed above the surface of the water, said opening establishing communication between said interior and the atmosphere, said opening, said interior and said channel cooperating to define an airflow passage, said flotation member being buoyant to rise and fall in response to the wave action, said air bellows being expanded along said central longitudinal axis in response to said flotation member rising in response to the wave action such that atmospheric air flows into said airflow passage through said opening, said air bellows being contracted along said central longitudinal axis in response to said flotation member falling in response to the wave action such that air flows out of said airflow passage through said opening; and

a turbine generator disposed in said airflow passage and comprising a plurality of turbine blades rotated by air flowing in said airflow passage, said turbine generator converting mechanical rotation of said turbine blades into electrical power.

2. The wave power generator as recited in claim 1 wherein said airflow passage is air and water-tight.

3. The wave power generator as recited in claim 2 wherein said air bellows is formed by a plurality of tires interconnected to one another in side to side relationship.

4. The wave power generator as recited in claim 1 and further including a baffle at said lower end of said air bellows for constraining said lower end against vertical movement.

5. The wave power generator as recited in claim 1 and further including ballast at said bottom of said flotation member to increase the distance that said flotation member falls in response to the wave action.

6. The wave power generator as recited in claim 1 wherein said bottom of said flotation member has an inward taper to increase the distance that said flotation member falls in response to the wave action.

7. The wave power generator as recited in claim 1 and further including an external water deflector at said opening for deflecting water away from said opening.

8. The wave power generator as recited in claim 1 and further including an internal water deflector within said flotation member to prevent water from entering said air bellows.

9. The wave power generator as recited in claim 8 wherein said flotation member comprises an external wall and said internal water deflector comprises a skirt having an aperture forming part of said airflow passage and a cap disposed over said aperture, said cap being aligned with said opening such that water which enters said opening exerts a force on said cap, said skirt extending downwardly from said aperture with an outward blare to an edge continuously joined to said external wall, said cap being biased to an inoperative position in which said cap is spaced from said aperture, said cap being movable to an operative position in response to water which enters said opening exerting a force on said cap, said cap in said operative position being seated on said aperture, said cap being movable from said operative position to said inoperative position in response to removal of the force on said cap, said skirt deflecting the water that enters said opening toward said external wall, and further including a plurality of drain holes in said external wall for draining the deflected water from said flotation member.

10. The wave power generator as recited in claim 1 and further including an electrical transmission cable for transmitting the electrical power to a remote location.

11. The wave power generator as recited in claim 1 wherein said turbine blades rotate in the same rotational direction when air is flowing into and out of said airflow passage.

12. The wave power generator as recited in claim 11 wherein said turbine generator is a Wells turbine generator.

13. The wave power generator as recited in claim 11 wherein said turbine generator comprises a plurality of pairs of said turbine blades, said turbine blades of each of said pairs being pivotally connected to one another to assume a first position in response to air flowing into said airflow passage and to assume a second position in response to air flowing out of said airflow passage such that said turbine blades rotate in the same rotational direction when air is flowing into and out of said airflow passage.

14. The wave power generator as recited in claim 1 wherein said tires are previously discarded tires.

15. The wave power generator as recited in claim 1 and further including a wind generator mounted to said wave power generator, said wind generator comprising a plurality of wind turbine blades, external to said wave power generator, for being rotated by atmospheric wind and said turbine generator converts mechanical rotation of said wind turbine blades into electrical power.

16. The wave power generator as recited in claim 1 and further including a wind generator mounted to said wave power generator, said wind generator comprising a plurality of wind turbine blades, external to said wave power generator, for being rotated by atmospheric wind and a generator unit, separate from said turbine generator, for converting mechanical rotation of said wind turbine blades into electrical power.

18. The cushioning structure as recited in claim 17 wherein said compressible material is air.

19. The cushioning structure as recited in claim 17 wherein said grommet comprises a lip disposed between said inner side edges of said adjacent ones of said tires and a pair of wings connected with said lip, said wings being bent over interior surfaces of said inner side edges, respectively, of adjacent ones of said tires.

20. The cushioning structure as recited in claim 19 wherein each of said inner side edges comprises a bead, said lip has a cross-sectional configuration conforming to exterior surfaces of said beads of said adjacent ones of said tires and said wings conform to interior surfaces of said beads of said adjacent ones of said tires.

17. A cushioning structure comprising

a plurality of rubber tires arranged in side to side relation, each of said tires comprising a circumferential wall and a pair of side walls extending radially inwardly from said circumferential wall to terminate at circumferential inner side edges, respectively;

a grommet continuously connecting said inner side edges of adjacent ones of said tires to form an elongate structure having an internal longitudinal channel, said elongate structure being longitudinally extendible and contractible; and

a compressible material within said channel.

21. A wave power generator for being deployed in a body of water presenting wave action comprising

an elongate inner member for being disposed vertically in the water and comprising a lower end constrained against vertical movement beneath a surface of the water and an upper end disposed above the surface of the water;

an outer flotation member mounted for linear movement relative to and along said inner member, said flotation member being buoyant to move linearly upwardly and downwardly along said inner member in response to the wave action;

a coil disposed on one of said inner member or said flotation member; and

a magnet disposed on the other of said inner member or said flotation member adjacent said coil such that relative linear movement between said coil and said magnet is effected in response to linear movement of said flotation member along said inner member, said coil and said magnet producing electrical power from said relative linear movement between said coil and said magnet.

22. The wave power generator as recited in claim 21 and further including a baffle at said lower end of said inner member for constraining said inner member against vertical movement.

23. The wave power generator as recited in claim 21 and further including ballast at a bottom of said flotation member to increase the distance that said flotation member moves linearly downwardly in response to the wave action.

24. The wave power generator as recited in claim 21 wherein said flotation member has a bottom with an inward taper to increase the distance that said flotation member moves linearly downwardly in response to the wave action.

25. The wave power generator as recited in claim 21 and further including an electrical transmission cable for transmitting the electrical power to a remote location.

26. The wave power generator as recited in claim 21 wherein said flotation member has a longitudinal passage therethrough slidably receiving said inner member.

27. The wave power generator as recited in claim 26 wherein said coil is disposed on said inner member and said magnet includes a plurality of ring magnets circumscribing said passage.

29. The wave power generator as recited in claim 28 wherein said flotation member comprises a spar buoy.

30. The wave power generator as recited in claim 28 and further including a baffle for constraining said first one of said inner member or said outer member against vertical movement.

31. The wave power generator as recited in claim 28 and further including a tensioning device for said connecting line, said tensioning device being disposed beneath the surface of the water between said flotation member and said linear electric generator.

32. The wave power generator as recited in claim 28 and further including an electrical transmission cable for transmitting the electrical power from said linear electric generator to a remote location.

28. A wave power generator for being deployed in a body of water presenting wave action comprising

an underwater linear electric generator for being submerged below the surface of the body of water, said linear electric generator comprising an elongate inner member for being disposed vertically in the water, an outer member disposed alongside said inner member, a coil disposed on one of said inner member or said outer member, and a magnet disposed on the other of said inner member or said outer member, a first one of said inner member or said outer member being constrained against vertical movement in the water and a second one of said inner member or said outer member being linearly moveable upwardly and downwardly relative to and along said first one of said inner member or said outer member;

a buoyant surface flotation member that rises and falls vertically with the surface of the water in response to the wave action; and

a connecting line connecting said flotation member with said second one of said inner member or said outer member, said connecting line transmitting vertical movements of said flotation member to said second one of said inner member or said outer member to effect relative linear movement between said magnet and said coil to produce electrical power.

33. A deep water hydrogen generation system comprising

a deep water hydrogen generator comprising a transfer chamber having a collection point for being submerged underwater at great depths, and an electrolysis unit disposed adjacent said collection point for electrolyzing the water to generate compressed hydrogen gas directed into said transfer chamber;

and

a source of electrical power coupled with said hydrogen generator for supplying electricity to electrolyze the water.

34. The deep water hydrogen generation system as recited in claim 33 wherein said source of electrical power comprises a wave power generator.

35. The deep water hydrogen generation system as recited in claim 33 wherein said source of electrical power comprises a linear electric generator.

36. The deep water hydrogen generation system as recited in claim 35 wherein said linear electric generator is an underwater linear electric generator forming part of said hydrogen generator.

37. The deep water hydrogen generation system as recited in claim 33 wherein said transfer chamber comprises a tank and further including a transport line for withdrawing the compressed hydrogen gas from said tank.

38. The deep water hydrogen generation system as recited in claim 37 wherein said collection point includes an inlet at a lower end of said tank and said hydrogen generator further includes a valve for automatically closing said inlet when said tank becomes filled with compressed hydrogen gas and for automatically opening said inlet for entry of water into said tank when the compressed hydrogen gas is thereafter withdrawn.

39. The deep water hydrogen generation system as recited in claim 33 wherein said hydrogen generator further includes means for heating the water to be electrolyzed.

40. A method of producing electrical power from wave action comprising the steps of

expanding and contracting an air bellows longitudinally in response to upward and downward movements of a flotation member subjected to wave action at a surface of a body of water;

causing atmospheric air to flow into the air bellows in response to said expanding;

causing air to flow out of the air bellows in response to said contracting;

rotating the turbine blades of a turbine generator in the same rotational direction with the air flowing into and out of the air bellows; and

converting mechanical rotation of the turbine blades into electrical power.

41. A method of producing electrical power from wave action comprising the steps of

moving an outer flotation member vertically upwardly and downwardly relative to and along an inner member in response to wave action to which the flotation member is subjected at a surface of a body of water;

effecting relative linear movement between a coil and a magnet in response to said moving; and

generating electrical power from the relative linear movement between the coil and the magnet.

42. A method of producing electrical power from wave action comprising the steps of

moving a flotation member vertically upwardly and downwardly in response to wave action to which the flotation member is subjected at a surface of a body of water;

transferring the upward and downward vertical movements of the flotation member to an underwater linear electric generator;

moving a first member of the linear electric generator linearly upwardly and downwardly relative to and along a stationary second member of the linear electric generator in response to the upward and downward vertical movements of the flotation member;

effecting relative linear movement between a coil and a magnet in response to moving the first member linearly relative to and along the second member; and

generating electrical power from the relative linear movement between the coil and the magnet.

43. A method of producing compressed hydrogen gas at great underwater depths comprising the steps of

deploying a collection point of a transfer chamber under water at a great depth;

supplying electrical power to an electrolysis unit adjacent the collection point;

electrolyzing the water to generate compressed hydrogen gas; and

directing the compressed hydrogen gas into the transfer chamber.