WO2012080749A1 - Wave powered electricity generator - Google Patents

Wave powered electricity generator Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2012080749A1
WO2012080749A1 PCT/GB2011/052502 GB2011052502W WO2012080749A1 WO 2012080749 A1 WO2012080749 A1 WO 2012080749A1 GB 2011052502 W GB2011052502 W GB 2011052502W WO 2012080749 A1 WO2012080749 A1 WO 2012080749A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
lever arm
generating device
electricity generating
main body
body portion
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2011/052502
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
David Foster
Original Assignee
David Foster
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by David Foster filed Critical David Foster
Priority to GB1312719.6A priority Critical patent/GB2508682A/en
Publication of WO2012080749A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012080749A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
    • F03B13/12—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy
    • F03B13/14—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy
    • F03B13/16—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem"
    • F03B13/18—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem" where the other member, i.e. rem is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore
    • F03B13/1805—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem" where the other member, i.e. rem is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore and the wom is hinged to the rem
    • F03B13/181—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem" where the other member, i.e. rem is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore and the wom is hinged to the rem for limited rotation
    • F03B13/1815—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem" where the other member, i.e. rem is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore and the wom is hinged to the rem for limited rotation with an up-and-down movement
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
    • F03B13/12—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy
    • F03B13/14—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy
    • F03B13/16—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem"
    • F03B13/18—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem" where the other member, i.e. rem is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore
    • F03B13/1885—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem" where the other member, i.e. rem is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore and the wom is tied to the rem
    • F03B13/189—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem" where the other member, i.e. rem is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore and the wom is tied to the rem acting directly on the piston of a pump
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
    • F03B13/12—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy
    • F03B13/14—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy
    • F03B13/16—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem"
    • F03B13/18—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem" where the other member, i.e. rem is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore
    • F03B13/1885—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem" where the other member, i.e. rem is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore and the wom is tied to the rem
    • F03B13/1895—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem" where the other member, i.e. rem is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore and the wom is tied to the rem where the tie is a tension/compression member
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
    • F03B13/12—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy
    • F03B13/14—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy
    • F03B13/22—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the flow of water resulting from wave movements to drive a motor or turbine
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/30—Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electricity generator which utilises wave action to generate electrical power.
  • an electricity generating device for converting the power of waves into electricity, comprising: a support member, a main body portion mounted on a support member, a lever arm pivotably connected to the main body portion, said lever arm having a buoyant member secured thereto, a piston being connected to the lever arm, said piston being arranged to reciprocate within a cylinder attached to, or within, the main body portion so that movement of the buoyant member, acting via the lever arm, causes the piston to reciprocate within the cylinder to provide a pumping action to force water through a pipe connected to an outlet of said cylinder to drive an impeller connected via a system of gears to an electrical generator.
  • the main body portion may be displaceably mounted on the support member. In this way it is able to rise and fall with the level of the tide to ensure that the movement of the buoyant member (e.g. float), acting via the lever arm, is optimised for all tide heights.
  • the main body portion may be securable in position on the support member. In this way the main body portion can be prevented from moving relative to the support body when necessary, for example, for maintenance or cleaning.
  • buoyant member may be secured to the distal end of the lever arm.
  • the buoyant member may be secured to the distal end of a secondary arm, which is mounted perpendicular to the lever arm.
  • the secondary arm may be mounted on the lever arm by connecting means that permit the buoyant member, which is mounted on the secondary arm, to move relative to the lever arm in a horizontal direction, a vertical direction or both horizontally and vertically. In this way the position of the buoyant member relative to the lever arm can be varied to optimise the device for all tide heights.
  • the connecting means may comprise drive means that are operable to move the buoyant member relative to the lever arm.
  • the buoyant member position can controlled remotely and/or automatically in response to changes in the wave conditions/tide heights.
  • the lever arm may be telescopic, so as to be adjustable for different wave heights, since generally, the higher the waves, the longer the lever-arm would need to be, and vice versa. This feature is considered particularly useful when the buoyant member is secured to the distal end of the lever arm.
  • lever arm could be set at an average wave height.
  • buoyant member e.g. float
  • piston arrangements could be provided on a single main body portion, each operating in parallel.
  • FIG. 1 in which an example of a wave powered electricity generator according to the invention is shown to comprise a support member 1 , which may be secured to the seabed or to some other structure already in position e.g., a support member of a wind tower, or a leg of a pontoon or pier, or an oil rig or other such structure.
  • a main body portion 2 Releasably mounted on the support member 1 is a main body portion 2, which is generally able to follow the height of the tide, when the generator is used in coastal or tidal areas.
  • the main body portion 2 can also be secured in position on the support member 1 , for example, to enable cleaning or maintenance of the device, or to secure such in extreme sea conditions.
  • a lever-arm 4 which is pivotally connected to the main body 2, and which has at its distal end a float 5, which rises and falls with wave motion.
  • a piston 3a is attached to lever arm 4 and is arranged so as to reciprocate within cylinder 3 under the action of wave motion acting on the float 5.
  • the piston 3a forces water through an outlet opening in the cylinder 3 to force water through a flexible hose 6 to drive an impeller 7.
  • the piston and cylinder arrangement 3a, 3 will include appropriate nonreturn valves (not shown).
  • at least a portion of the cylinder 3 is located under the water line so that the cylinder can refill with water as the piston 3a returns.
  • the impeller 7 is connected via a system of gears 8a and 8b to drive a generator 9, which generates electricity, which can then be taken off to drive electrical equipment or devices or feed into a power grid.
  • the lever-arm 4 is preferably adjustable in length, e.g., by providing such as a telescopic arm to allow the length of such to be adapted to the wave height, and further, alternative types of linkages other than shown could be utilised, subject only to the requirement that such can accommodate a piston which can be reciprocated by the lever arm attached to the float 5.
  • Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a wave powered electricity generator according to the invention.
  • the main body portion of the device 11 is mounted on to a support member 10.
  • a lever arm 12 is pivotably connected to the main body portion .
  • the float 15 is mounted on a secondary arm 13, which is in turn mounted on the lever arm 12.
  • the float 15 is shown in Figure 2 as being mounted at the top end of the secondary arm 13 it is envisaged that the float 15 might alternatively be mounted on the bottom end of the secondary arm 12.
  • the second arm 13 is slideably mounted on the lever arm 12 by suitable connecting means 14.
  • the connecting means 14 ensures that the orientation of the lever arm 12 and secondary arm 13 is maintained so that they stay at a right angle to one another.
  • the connecting means are also operable to facilitate the sliding movement of the secondary arm 13 in both a vertical plane and a horizontal plane of movement relative to the lever arm 12.
  • this arrangement enables the position of the buoyant member (e.g. the float) 15 to be varied to suit different tide heights. This is important as the present embodiment as the main body portion 1 is fixed in position on the support member 10. However it is appreciated that the arrangement could also be usefully implemented when the main body portion is displaceably mounted on a support member to give additional control over the positioning of the float 15 relative to the lever arm 12.
  • the buoyant member e.g. the float
  • the connecting means 14 may comprise locking means, to lock the relative positions of the lever arm 12 and the secondary arm 13, and drive means (not shown) to move the secondary arm 13 relative to the lever arm 12.
  • the drive means could take the form of a rack and pinion arrangement or the like. It is also envisaged the drive means would be operable by electric motors, which could be controlled remotely or automatically to adjust the positioning of the float 15 relative to the lever arm 12.
  • a piston 16a is attached to lever arm 12 and is arranged so as to reciprocate within cylinder 16 under the action of wave motion acting on the float 15.
  • the piston 16a forces water through an outlet opening (not shown) in the cylinder 16 to force water through a flexible hose to drive an impeller, neither of which are shown in Figure 2.
  • a plurality of lever-arms and piston cylinder arrangements could be mounted to a single main body portion 2, 11 or support member to seek to achieve a smooth supply of electricity.
  • the electricity generating devices of the present invention could be incorporated into sea-based wind farms to augment the supply of electricity, even in reduced wind conditions, or could be provided as free-standing devices possibly along a shoreline, feeding electricity to a shore- based station. Such devices could also be mounted on to oil-rigs and decommissioned oil-rigs.
  • an electricity generating device capable of converting wave action into electrical energy.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)

Abstract

An electricity generating device for converting the power of waves into electricity is provided. The device has a support member (1) and a main body portion (2) mounted on the support member (1). The device also has a lever arm (4) pivotably connected to the main body portion (2), said lever arm having a buoyant member (5) secured thereto. The device also having a piston (3a) being connected to the lever arm (4), said piston being arranged to reciprocate within a cylinder (3) attached to, or within, the main body portion (B). The movement of the buoyant member (5), acting via the lever arm (4), causes the piston (3a) to reciprocate within the cylinder (3) to provide a pumping action to force water through a pipe (6) connected to an outlet of said cylinder (3) to drive an impeller (7) connected via a system of gears (8a, 8b) to an electrical generator (9).

Description

WAVE POWERED ELECTRICITY GENERATOR
The present invention relates to an electricity generator which utilises wave action to generate electrical power.
Various attempts have been made over the years to seek to obtain power from renewable sources such as wind, solar and wave energy, resulting in the production of wind farms and solar panels for such purpose. Of the various attempts to generate electricity from wave action, one of the most famous of these is the "Salter duck", patented in the 1970's by Stephen Salter which utilised a plurality of moveable members, the surfaces of which engage an oncoming wave and are caused to rotate about a substantially horizontal axis before returning to their original position after the wave has passed. The upward and downward rotation of the moveable members is then converted into mechanical or electrical energy. However, there have been many attempts over the past 100 or more years to extract energy from wave power.
It is the object of the present invention to seek to provide an improved wave powered electricity generator.
According to the present invention there is provided an electricity generating device for converting the power of waves into electricity, comprising: a support member, a main body portion mounted on a support member, a lever arm pivotably connected to the main body portion, said lever arm having a buoyant member secured thereto, a piston being connected to the lever arm, said piston being arranged to reciprocate within a cylinder attached to, or within, the main body portion so that movement of the buoyant member, acting via the lever arm, causes the piston to reciprocate within the cylinder to provide a pumping action to force water through a pipe connected to an outlet of said cylinder to drive an impeller connected via a system of gears to an electrical generator.
Preferably the main body portion may be displaceably mounted on the support member. In this way it is able to rise and fall with the level of the tide to ensure that the movement of the buoyant member (e.g. float), acting via the lever arm, is optimised for all tide heights. Further preferably the main body portion may be securable in position on the support member. In this way the main body portion can be prevented from moving relative to the support body when necessary, for example, for maintenance or cleaning.
Preferably the buoyant member may be secured to the distal end of the lever arm.
Alternatively the buoyant member may be secured to the distal end of a secondary arm, which is mounted perpendicular to the lever arm. Further preferably the secondary arm may be mounted on the lever arm by connecting means that permit the buoyant member, which is mounted on the secondary arm, to move relative to the lever arm in a horizontal direction, a vertical direction or both horizontally and vertically. In this way the position of the buoyant member relative to the lever arm can be varied to optimise the device for all tide heights.
Advantageously the connecting means may comprise drive means that are operable to move the buoyant member relative to the lever arm. In this way the buoyant member position can controlled remotely and/or automatically in response to changes in the wave conditions/tide heights.
Preferably the lever arm may be telescopic, so as to be adjustable for different wave heights, since generally, the higher the waves, the longer the lever-arm would need to be, and vice versa. This feature is considered particularly useful when the buoyant member is secured to the distal end of the lever arm.
Alternatively, the lever arm could be set at an average wave height. Further, it will be appreciated that a number of the lever-arm, buoyant member (e.g. float), piston arrangements could be provided on a single main body portion, each operating in parallel.
The present invention will now be described further with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 show a first preferred embodiment of the wave powered electricity generator of the present invention and Figure 2 shows a second preferred embodiment.
Referring first to Figure 1 , in which an example of a wave powered electricity generator according to the invention is shown to comprise a support member 1 , which may be secured to the seabed or to some other structure already in position e.g., a support member of a wind tower, or a leg of a pontoon or pier, or an oil rig or other such structure. Releasably mounted on the support member 1 is a main body portion 2, which is generally able to follow the height of the tide, when the generator is used in coastal or tidal areas. The main body portion 2 can also be secured in position on the support member 1 , for example, to enable cleaning or maintenance of the device, or to secure such in extreme sea conditions.
Attached to the main body 2 is a lever-arm 4, which is pivotally connected to the main body 2, and which has at its distal end a float 5, which rises and falls with wave motion. A piston 3a is attached to lever arm 4 and is arranged so as to reciprocate within cylinder 3 under the action of wave motion acting on the float 5. The piston 3a forces water through an outlet opening in the cylinder 3 to force water through a flexible hose 6 to drive an impeller 7. The piston and cylinder arrangement 3a, 3 will include appropriate nonreturn valves (not shown). Preferably at least a portion of the cylinder 3 is located under the water line so that the cylinder can refill with water as the piston 3a returns.
The impeller 7 is connected via a system of gears 8a and 8b to drive a generator 9, which generates electricity, which can then be taken off to drive electrical equipment or devices or feed into a power grid.
The lever-arm 4 is preferably adjustable in length, e.g., by providing such as a telescopic arm to allow the length of such to be adapted to the wave height, and further, alternative types of linkages other than shown could be utilised, subject only to the requirement that such can accommodate a piston which can be reciprocated by the lever arm attached to the float 5.
Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a wave powered electricity generator according to the invention. The main body portion of the device 11 is mounted on to a support member 10. A lever arm 12 is pivotably connected to the main body portion .
Rather than having a float mounted on the lever arm 2 itself, the float 15 is mounted on a secondary arm 13, which is in turn mounted on the lever arm 12. Although the float 15 is shown in Figure 2 as being mounted at the top end of the secondary arm 13 it is envisaged that the float 15 might alternatively be mounted on the bottom end of the secondary arm 12.
The second arm 13 is slideably mounted on the lever arm 12 by suitable connecting means 14. The connecting means 14 ensures that the orientation of the lever arm 12 and secondary arm 13 is maintained so that they stay at a right angle to one another. The connecting means are also operable to facilitate the sliding movement of the secondary arm 13 in both a vertical plane and a horizontal plane of movement relative to the lever arm 12.
It will be appreciated that this arrangement enables the position of the buoyant member (e.g. the float) 15 to be varied to suit different tide heights. This is important as the present embodiment as the main body portion 1 is fixed in position on the support member 10. However it is appreciated that the arrangement could also be usefully implemented when the main body portion is displaceably mounted on a support member to give additional control over the positioning of the float 15 relative to the lever arm 12.
It is envisaged that the connecting means 14 may comprise locking means, to lock the relative positions of the lever arm 12 and the secondary arm 13, and drive means (not shown) to move the secondary arm 13 relative to the lever arm 12.
The drive means could take the form of a rack and pinion arrangement or the like. It is also envisaged the drive means would be operable by electric motors, which could be controlled remotely or automatically to adjust the positioning of the float 15 relative to the lever arm 12.
As described in connection the embodiment shown in Figure 1 a piston 16a is attached to lever arm 12 and is arranged so as to reciprocate within cylinder 16 under the action of wave motion acting on the float 15. The piston 16a forces water through an outlet opening (not shown) in the cylinder 16 to force water through a flexible hose to drive an impeller, neither of which are shown in Figure 2.
A plurality of lever-arms and piston cylinder arrangements could be mounted to a single main body portion 2, 11 or support member to seek to achieve a smooth supply of electricity. W
It is envisaged that the electricity generating devices of the present invention could be incorporated into sea-based wind farms to augment the supply of electricity, even in reduced wind conditions, or could be provided as free-standing devices possibly along a shoreline, feeding electricity to a shore- based station. Such devices could also be mounted on to oil-rigs and decommissioned oil-rigs.
Thus, there is provided an electricity generating device capable of converting wave action into electrical energy.

Claims

Claims
1. An electricity generating device for converting the power of waves into electricity, comprising:
a support member, a main body portion mounted on a support member, a lever arm pivotably connected to the main body portion, said lever arm having a buoyant member secured thereto, a piston being connected to the lever arm, said piston being arranged to reciprocate within a cylinder attached to, or within, the main body portion so that movement of the buoyant member, acting via the lever arm, causes the piston to reciprocate within the cylinder to provide a pumping action to force water through a pipe connected to an outlet of said cylinder to drive an impeller connected via a system of gears to an electrical generator.
2. The electricity generating device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the main body is displaceably mounted on the support member.
3. The electricity generating device of claim 3, wherein the main body portion is securable in position on the support member.
4. The electricity generating device of claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein the buoyant member is secured to the distal end of the lever arm.
5. The electricity generating device of claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein the buoyant member is secured to the distal end of a secondary arm, which is mounted perpendicular to the lever arm.
6. The electricity generating device of claim 5, wherein the secondary arm is mounted on the lever arm by connecting means that permit the buoyant member, which is mounted on the secondary arm, to move relative to the lever arm in a horizontal direction, a vertical direction or both horizontally and vertically.
7. The electricity generating device of claim 6, wherein the connecting means comprise drive means that are operable to move the buoyant member relative to the lever arm.
8. The electricity generating device of any of the preceding claims, wherein the lever arm is telescopic.
9. The electricity generating device of any of the preceding claims, wherein the main body portion comprises a plurality of lever arm, float, piston arrangements operating in parallel.
10. The electricity generating device of any of the preceding claims, wherein the support member is securabie to the seabed.
11. The electricity generating device of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the support member is securable to or part of an existing structure that is preferably selected from the group consisting of: a wind tower; a pontoon or pier; and an oil rig.
12. An electricity generating device for converting the power of waves into electricity substantially as described, with reference to the drawing, hereinbefore.
PCT/GB2011/052502 2010-12-17 2011-12-16 Wave powered electricity generator WO2012080749A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1312719.6A GB2508682A (en) 2010-12-17 2011-12-16 Wave powered electricity generator

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1021471.6 2010-12-17
GBGB1021471.6A GB201021471D0 (en) 2010-12-17 2010-12-17 Wave powered electricity generator

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2012080749A1 true WO2012080749A1 (en) 2012-06-21

Family

ID=43598583

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2011/052502 WO2012080749A1 (en) 2010-12-17 2011-12-16 Wave powered electricity generator

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (2) GB201021471D0 (en)
WO (1) WO2012080749A1 (en)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2014056049A1 (en) * 2012-10-11 2014-04-17 Bilić Josip Device using multiple renewable energy sources (dumres)
WO2015063667A1 (en) * 2013-11-04 2015-05-07 Xhabija Blerina An energy generator exploiting tidal/ wave movements
CN105569906A (en) * 2015-12-23 2016-05-11 浙江海洋学院 Water turbine
WO2016070886A1 (en) * 2014-11-04 2016-05-12 Elzeiny Salah Elzeiny Mostafa Units push the air to generate electric power
WO2018081840A1 (en) * 2016-10-27 2018-05-03 Нариман КАДЫРОВ Wave hydroelectric power station
FR3126456A1 (en) * 2021-08-31 2023-03-03 Michel Bourriaud Purpose Wave energy device with float and active lever for maritime sites with large tidal ranges.
EP4328445A1 (en) * 2022-08-26 2024-02-28 Kamil PODHOLA Offshore floater system
US12037971B1 (en) 2022-12-22 2024-07-16 Rene Moreno Wave powered hydraulic piston generator assembly
GB2627464A (en) * 2023-02-22 2024-08-28 Oakes Ltd A hydroelectric power harvesting apparatus

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
RU2597342C1 (en) * 2015-04-17 2016-09-10 Савин Евгений Александрович Wave pump for use in small water turbines

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3970415A (en) * 1975-04-10 1976-07-20 Kaj Widecrantz One way valve pressure pump turbine generator station
US4092828A (en) * 1976-05-10 1978-06-06 Garza Roberto M Hydroelectric plant
DE202008011580U1 (en) * 2008-08-28 2008-10-30 Harrand, Kurt Hydropower plant
WO2009093988A2 (en) * 2008-01-23 2009-07-30 Mehmet Terziakin Energy generating system from sea waves
GB2467229A (en) * 2009-01-22 2010-07-28 Green Ocean Energy Ltd Vertically and rotationally adjustable wave energy mounting arrangement

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3970415A (en) * 1975-04-10 1976-07-20 Kaj Widecrantz One way valve pressure pump turbine generator station
US4092828A (en) * 1976-05-10 1978-06-06 Garza Roberto M Hydroelectric plant
WO2009093988A2 (en) * 2008-01-23 2009-07-30 Mehmet Terziakin Energy generating system from sea waves
DE202008011580U1 (en) * 2008-08-28 2008-10-30 Harrand, Kurt Hydropower plant
GB2467229A (en) * 2009-01-22 2010-07-28 Green Ocean Energy Ltd Vertically and rotationally adjustable wave energy mounting arrangement

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2014056049A1 (en) * 2012-10-11 2014-04-17 Bilić Josip Device using multiple renewable energy sources (dumres)
WO2015063667A1 (en) * 2013-11-04 2015-05-07 Xhabija Blerina An energy generator exploiting tidal/ wave movements
WO2016070886A1 (en) * 2014-11-04 2016-05-12 Elzeiny Salah Elzeiny Mostafa Units push the air to generate electric power
CN105569906A (en) * 2015-12-23 2016-05-11 浙江海洋学院 Water turbine
WO2018081840A1 (en) * 2016-10-27 2018-05-03 Нариман КАДЫРОВ Wave hydroelectric power station
FR3126456A1 (en) * 2021-08-31 2023-03-03 Michel Bourriaud Purpose Wave energy device with float and active lever for maritime sites with large tidal ranges.
EP4328445A1 (en) * 2022-08-26 2024-02-28 Kamil PODHOLA Offshore floater system
US12037971B1 (en) 2022-12-22 2024-07-16 Rene Moreno Wave powered hydraulic piston generator assembly
GB2627464A (en) * 2023-02-22 2024-08-28 Oakes Ltd A hydroelectric power harvesting apparatus
WO2024175665A1 (en) * 2023-02-22 2024-08-29 Oakes Ltd A hydroelectric power harvesting apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2508682A (en) 2014-06-11
GB201021471D0 (en) 2011-02-02
GB201312719D0 (en) 2013-08-28

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
WO2012080749A1 (en) Wave powered electricity generator
AU2011202488B2 (en) Apparatus for Converting Wave Energy
US9074577B2 (en) Wave energy converter system
US7994651B2 (en) Apparatus for converting the energy of waves on a body of water
US7930885B2 (en) Water wave-based energy transfer system
US20140367969A1 (en) System and method for generating electricity using grid of wind and water energy capture devices
JP2011522169A (en) Wave energy conversion equipment
KR20090091359A (en) Lever operated pivoting float with generator
US7821150B2 (en) Ocean energy harvesting system
GB2425154A (en) Wave powered turbine
WO2009109701A1 (en) Wave power plant
KR100989594B1 (en) Wave force generation system using floating structure
KR101050304B1 (en) Wave power generator
US8350395B2 (en) Maritime device for producing electric power
CN104696150A (en) Floating type wave energy extraction device based on original overwater structures
EP2113658A1 (en) Installation for producing electrical energy from sea waves using the basic impulse method
KR101280522B1 (en) Hydroplane type tidal current generator using a resonance
DE102012005137A1 (en) Offshore wave energy converter for converting ocean wave energy into electricity, uses specific swing gear of wave heights and wave frequency for independent operation to convert wave energy into electricity
WO2014174346A1 (en) Wave power system
JP2004176621A (en) Method and equipment for wave power generation
WO2024057002A1 (en) A power generator for generating power from a water flow
EP2546510B1 (en) Wave energy absorber unit
WO2015152843A1 (en) A wave energy generator
CZ23994U1 (en) Plant for using kinetic and hydrostatic energy of waves for producing electric power

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 11807976

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 1312719

Country of ref document: GB

Kind code of ref document: A

Free format text: PCT FILING DATE = 20111216

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 1312719.6

Country of ref document: GB

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 11807976

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1