Method and apparatus for converting ocean wave energy into electricity

• US 20100102564A1
• Filed: 10/28/2009
• Published: 04/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Neptune Wave Power, LLC
• Original Assignee: Seadyne Energy Systems, LLC
• Inventors: Hench, Steven C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,004,104 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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. A system for converting wave energy into electrical energy comprising:

a buoyant member comprising;

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

a generating means for generating electricity by converting energy associated with said rotating pendulum; and

a transfer means for transferring said generated electricity, said means allowing said buoyant member to rotate freely about a vertical axis; and

a processing facility for processing said transferred electricity.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said generating means 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 generating means is positioned to reduce torsional imbalance exerted upon said buoyant member.

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

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

a generator aligned with said central shaft to centralize torsional force exerted upon said apparatus;

a plurality of fins extending from said apparatus, said plurality of fins configured to hold said apparatus substantially rotationally stationary with respect to said pendulum; and

a power transfer mechanism, said power transfer mechanism configured to transfer power from said apparatus to a remote location, said power transfer mechanism comprising;

a conductor; and

a slip-ring seal thereby allowing said apparatus to rotate freely with respect to said conductor.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising 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 5 wherein said generator mechanism comprises a plurality of generators, each generator positioned to at least partially offset torsional loads exerted upon said apparatus.

9. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said fins are reversibly attached to said housing.

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. A device that converts wave energy into electrical power when said device is placed in motion by waves in a medium, said device comprising:

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

a stabilization mechanism configured to allow said kinetic energy conversion mechanism to operate in opposition to torsional loads placed upon said kinetic energy conversion mechanism; and

a generator mechanism adapted to engage said kinetic energy conversion mechanism, and to offset said torsional loads placed upon said kinetic energy conversion mechanism.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein said medium is water.

13. The device of claim 11 wherein said kinetic energy conversion mechanism is a rotating pendulum.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein said pendulum operates when the plane of rotation of said pendulum deviates from a horizontal plane.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein said generator mechanism is driven by a shaft rotated by said pendulum.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein said shaft is vertically centrally aligned through the device.

17. The device of claim 11 wherein said generator mechanism comprises a plurality of generators, cooperating with other of said generators to partially offset torsional loads exerted upon said kinetic energy conversion mechanism.

18. The device of claim 11 further comprising:

a mooring mechanism, said mooring mechanism confining said device within a defined vicinity in said medium, and restoring said device against lateral motion of said waves to a central position, said central position substantially defined by a vertical orientation between an anchor point and said device.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein said kinetic energy conversion mechanism is further adapted to convert kinetic energy from said restoring.

20. The device of claim 18 wherein said mooring mechanism comprises:

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

a fixed 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.

21. The device of claim 11 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.

22. The device of claim 11 further comprising:

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

23. The device of claim 22 wherein said power transfer apparatus comprises a conductor configured to transfer power from said device to a remote location.

24. The device of claim 23 wherein said power transfer apparatus further comprises a slip-ring seal thereby allowing said device to rotate freely with respect to said conductor.

25. A method for converting wave motion energy into electrical power 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 electrical power from the kinetic energy imparted to said kinetic energy conversion mechanism, and

transferring said electrical power from said generators to a remote location, said transferring further comprising;

transmitting electrical power via an electrical conductor; and

allowing said kinetic energy conversion mechanism to rotate freely with respect to said electrical conductor.

26. The method of claim 25 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, and said central location substantially defined by a vertical orientation between an anchor point and said kinetic energy conversion mechanism.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein said stabilizing allows for said wave motion to impart a tilt with respect to a horizontal plane upon said kinetic energy conversion mechanism.

28. The method of claim 27 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.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein said generating further comprises aligning a plurality of electrical generators about said central shaft, such that said generators are driven by said central shaft, and partially offset torsional loads upon said central shaft.

30. The method of claim 25 wherein said stabilizing further comprises engaging a mass of said medium with sufficient resistance to allow said waves to impart said kinetic energy.

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

tilting a pendulum 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; and

applying a restoring force to said pendulum when said pendulum deviates from a central point.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein said central point is defined by vertical alignment of said pendulum and a counterweight.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein said restoring force results from by the vertical movement of said counterweight.