Under bottom dam wave energy converter

Abstract

Disclosed is a double wall dam with a reservoir between the walls with opening doors mounted on the front wall to allow oncoming waves to open the doors and fill the reservoir. A hole with a turbine and generator is mounted in the bottom of the front wall to allow the water in the reservoir to flow out and spin the turbine and generator to create electricity. The dam can collect the entire wave and stack the water in a column that can be higher than the wave. This dam can produce many times the power than other over the top wave energy converters.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 465,242FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH[0002]None.SEQUENCE LISTING[0003]None.BACKGROUND[0004]This invention relates to a device to convert waves into electricity. With the cost of oil becoming higher every day, the problems caused by global warming and the ever growing need for power, a means of extracting energy from solar power is needed. When the sun hits the earth it warms the earth creating wind. This wind creates waves which is concentrated solar power.[0005]There have been many devices made to convert the waves into electricity; however, few can compete with the cost of coal. Most if not all ocean wave energy converters have a major problem. Energy equals mass times velocity. The energy in large waves is massive however; the mass of today's wave energy converters is limited to the size of the device or the amount of water flowing unto the device. My other five wave energy converters including the F...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]Another unique advantage of the Under Bottom Dam, if built with many units placed side by side to form a wall, would become a sea wall to protect the shore from large waves during storms. If the wall described above was built a distance off shore with a opening somewhere in the wall to act as an inlet—outlet into the ocean, a bay would be formed between the back wall and the shore. The bay could be less than 10 meters or several miles wide. The man made bay would enhance wildlife and create breeding grounds for many fish and other plants and animals. The benefits could greatly overcome any problems caused by the dam.

Problems solved by technology

There have been many devices made to convert the waves into electricity; however, few can compete with the cost of coal.

Most if not all ocean wave energy converters have a major problem.

The energy in large waves is massive however; the mass of today's wave energy converters is limited to the size of the device or the amount of water flowing unto the device.

There are three major problems with overtopping dams.

Second, the water flowing over the dam drops to the water level in the reservoir behind the dam.

This wastes much of the power as the power of the falling water is not being captured.

Third, the water level and head pressure of the water in the reservoir is always lower than wave.

Second, there is a double wall on the dam creating a reservoir between the two walls.

This greatly increases head pressure and power output at the generator.

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