An energy harvesting device

Abstract

An oscillating water column device 99 for harvesting energy from tidal movement has an external wall 2 surrounding an internal volume for the receipt of seawater. The wall has a large entrance for receipt of seawater, and a smaller fluid (air) exit 4 for driving one or more turbines. The air exit may be in a roof 1, and the volume may narrow towards the exit. The exit may comprise a venturi pipe to accelerate flow over the turbine. The wall may be a continuous circular wall, and may be mounted on pillars spaced around the wall. The roof may support solar photovoltaic or solar thermal panels 3.

Description

Field of the Invention ■ I 5 The present invention relates to an energy harvesting device, in particular a device ■' for harvesting tidal-flow. . Background 1G Many places in many societies are increasingly concerned with environmental factors as a consensus builds that human actions are leading to climate change. ;• A large part of the needs of humans is the need .for energy, particulariy electrical energy. Such electrical energy can be effectively harvested from motion. 15 ' ■ ‘ ‘ ' ' A constant source of motion is the tidal flow across the world’s seawater mass. This is consistent and powerful enough to displace significant amounts of fluids the movement of which can be harvested with minimal disruption to other systems. • 20 ■ Prior Art ' . GB 2018 15 562 (ARCHIBALD) discloses a tidal energy-harvesting unit comprises a chamber,' eg built into the face of a sea cliff, having aperture(s) along the lower edge 25' of its seaward side to tel sea water enter and exit the chamber'and at least one opening in the upper part of the chamber for trapped air to exit or enter depending upon whether the tide is rising or falling. A housing is mounted on the chamber and contains the exit of the openihg(s): rotors) or tufbine(s) driven by air displaced or drawn in through the opening(s); a generator powered by the totals) or turbine(s) to 30 provide electricity to an external eteGtricity consumption system. EP 2 333 311 (MUTE) discloses s water powered turbine assembly to generate a constant and controltebis supply of- atectosify by the use of a coastal sea defence structure utilizing' the motive power contained within ths rising and the dropping of 35 tidal flows. The structure able-to aBcw eawater during a rising fide to enter vfa baffie / fiiter box through fo-feVouyst duct into gene-rating chambers and driving water turbines before entering via connecting duct into an extremely large containing tank' wherein the air is compressed, driving air turbines before being exhausted to the atmosphere. 5 US 3 925 986 (BARWICK) discloses an air engine for utilizing power generated by . 1 the rise and fall of ocean tides, having a tidal chamber with art interior space in which । pressure is created during the rise of the tide and in which <a; partial vacuum is . created during the fall of the tide, a turbine connected to a .power output and <disposed in an inlet which is in communication with the interior space,; and a valve 10 disposed in the inlet between the turbine and the tidal chamber, the .improvement comprising :a valve control;mechanism having an inlet, conduit in communication with the tidal chamber upstream from the turbine, an air tight chamber in communication with the conduit and having a diaphragm member forming at least a portion of a wall-of the chamber,. • ; \ ,- is ~ . -■. ■. / '.7... ■; 7 ‘ . 7 The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing ■ devices. ' . : Summary of the Invention ; V." ( 20 . / : . 7 / ..7 7! 7’ / 7. / ■ According to the present invention there is provided an energy harvesting device with ’ an external wall and roof, the wall surrounding a volume for receipt of seawater with a liquid entrance,- the volume having exit; wherein3theTiquid entrance is larger ‘ than the fluid exit, and the fluid exit comprises one or more turbines / '. OK ' ' ■- - ' , ■ , • ■ '; ~’ - - - . i. In some embodiments of the device the reof provides the fluidekit In this way the- J rising and- lowering tidal flow of seawater within the volume is arranged to push air trapped below the roof towards and away from the fluid exit. \ 30 In some embodiments of the device the volume narrows towards the fluid exit,, for J i example having an iriverted fodhical internal form, or othervvise- decreasing in . diameter or sectional volume hearing foe exit. ' In some embodiments of the device the fluid exit comprises a Venturi pipe. This pipe 35 may be located at the exit, or may be within the volume. In some embodiments of the device there is provided a circular wdll. Such circular wall may be envisaged to define a volume that is arranged to narrow towards the fluid exit. 5 In some embodiments of the device the wall is supported on pillars spaced around the Wall. Some or all of such pillars may be secured to a seabed, forexample some support pillars may be secured to the seabed, and other pillars may comprise support of the structure integrally, 10 In some embodiments of the device there is provided photovoltaic cells; which may be located about the wall or roof, or connected to the device, for example on a floating raft. In some embodiments of the device there is provided solar thermal panels, which 15 may be located about the wall or roof, or connected to the device, for example on a floating raft. In some embodiments of the device such solar panels or cells may be located on the roof, being well placed to harvest solar energy; Further ehrtbodiments may include 20 wind turbines in addition or the alternative. / In some embodiments the device may be arranged with a heating means, to apply heat to water within-thewolume; so as to create a source of steam. 25 In some embodiments;the device may cbmprise an aircompression< means, arranged to provide compression of air in the volume drat thd.fluid exit. In some embodiments the device may comprise one or more hon-teturn valves, for example at or before the fluid exit. 30 ■ A preferred embodiment of the. invention will dbw be described by way df example only arid with referenceto the Figures irl which* ? 35 Brief Description of Figures ' ' - ' ' ' .= - ' .. - ' . / Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown 5 in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; 1 o Figure 4 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 5a shows a side view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; 15 Figure 5b shows a sectional detail view of the fluid exit of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 shows a plan view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; o and 18 Q2 25 Figures 7 to 8 show sketch views of further embodiments of the device according to the present invention. 25 Detailed Description of Figures With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of an energy harvesting device 99 with an external wall 2 and roof 1, the wall surrounding a volume B for receipt of seawater with a liquid entrance A, the volume having a fluid exit 4, wherein the liquid 30 entrance is larger than the fluid exit, and the fluid exit comprises turbines 44. In particular reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises a cylindrical external wall 2. The wall is capped by a roof 1, which roof is circular and rises to a peak at its centrepoint. ' . The wall and roof are separated into four segments, so* as to aid in transport and 5 construction, whereby the segments may be constructed in location. The roof further includes ladders 6 on the joints between the segments, which ladders extend up the walls, and along the roof to the central peak. The roof further comprises a plurality of beacons 7, which may be powered by turbines or 10 photovoltaic means. This wall encircles an internal volume which is open below the wall. The wall is supported on a plurality of pillars 5, which are spaced apart around the 15 circumference to the wall and which extend beloW’the wall. The pillars are secured into the seabed, for example on concrete piles,.and it may be envisaged that the device will not: move, during regular usage or may be envisaged to sway. ■ . ' ' : 20 . The fluid exit 4 comprises a vertically extending cylindrical column, with a cover so as to prevent entrance of rain. The fluid exit 4 provides an exit pipe for gases, fluid or air from the internal volume. 2& . T ; ; >■' This exit includes two turbines at an intermediate location, and may comprise an exit of reducing diameter which extends away from the internal volume. The pipe may be envisaged to reduce .in diameter along its length. In further 30 embodiments the internal volume may narrow towards the pipe in addition or the alternative. In the pictured embodiment the fluid exit comprises a straight sided cylindrical pipe 45, extending vertically from an inverted conical collar 46. 35 Two turbines 44 are located centrally Within the pipe and arranged vertically. 1$ 02 25 The top end of the pipe is provided with an exit screen 43, comprising a perforated mesh, such that the exit of air is forced through the perforations, so as to slow exit, and / or prevent entrance of fluid or animals. The screen splays upwards to a cowl 42. 5 The conical cowl 42 extends to a wider diameter than the pipe. A beacon 41 is located on top of the cowl. In this way the rising water in the internal volume will act to create a Venturi action and impel air displaced from the internal volume through the turbine at an increased 10 speed driven by the compression of the air in the internal volume. Two of the segments of the pictured embodiment each comprise 23 photovoltaic cells, spaced apart on the roof, so as to be directed in use towards a South-facing 15 aspect. With reference to the further embodiments shown in the further Figures 7 to 8, further embodiments of the device according to the present invention may be contemplated, for example including steam generation, driving a piston and flywheel, 0 for example such steam generated by an electric element heating a volume of water. And / or use of a bank of batteries and associated dynamo generators. The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing 25 from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. An energy harvesting device with an external wall and roof, the wall surrounding a volume for receipt of seawater with a liquid entrance, the 5 volume having a fluid exit, wherein the liquid entrance is larger, than the fluidexit, and the fluid exit comprises one or more turbines.

2. An energy harvesting device according to claim 1 wherein the roof provides the fluid exit.10 ■'3. An energy harvesting device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the volume narrows towards the fluid exit.

4. An energy harvesting device according to any preceding claim wherein the 15 fluid exit comprises a Venturi pipe, • • ’ v .

5. An energy harvesting device according to any preceding claim comprising a continuous wall.20 6. An energy harvesting device according to any preceding claim comprising acircular wall.

7. An energy harvesting device according to any preceding claim wherein the wall is supported oh pillars spaced around the wail.25 .

8. An energy harvesting device according to any preceding claim, comprising one or more photovoltaic cells.

9. An energy harvesting device according to any preceding claim comprising 30 one or more solar thermal panels.

10. An energy harvesting device according to any preceding claim. comprising one or more solar panels on the roof.Application No: GB2314654.1Examiner:Mr Peter MiddletonClaims searched: 1-10Date of search: 17 January 2025Patents Act 1977: Search Report under Section 17Documents considered to be relevant:Category Relevant to claims Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance X 1-10 IP S53129428 A (KATSUHARA KENTAROU) see abstract and figures: wall 25 supported on columns has water inlet larger than air exit X 1-10 US 2004 / 0163387 Al (PINEDA) see abstract and figures: wall 25 may be supported on columns (15, figure 4) and have water inlet larger than air exit X 1-10 US 8286425 B2 (MAIER) see abstract and figures: wall 24 surrounds volume of seawater and has water inlet larger than air exit X 1-10 US 8974184 B2 (BECKER et al.) see abstract and figures: wall surrounds volume of seawater and has water inlet larger than venturi air exit X 1-10 CN 110056470 A (WANG JIAJING) see abstract and figures: wall surrounds volume of seawater and has water inlet larger than venturi air exit X 1-10 CN 106948998 A (UNIV TSINGHUA) see abstract and figures: wall surrounds volume of seawater which narrows towards air exit X 1-10 CN 108397339 A (UNIV ZHEJIANG) see abstract and figures: wall surrounds volume of seawater which narrows towards air exit which is smaller than air inletCategories:X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive step A Document indicating technological background and / or state of the art. Y Document indicating lack of inventive step if P Document published on or after the declared priority date but combined with one or more other documents of same category. before the filing date of this invention. & Member of the same patent family E Patent document published on or after, but with priority date earlier than, the filing date of this application.Field of Search:Search of GB. EP, WO &US patent documents classified in the following areas of the UKCX :Worldwide search of patent documents classified in the following areas of the IPC_____________F03B_______________________________________________________The following online and other databases have been used in the preparation of this search reportSEARCH - PATENTInternational Classification:Subclass Subgroup Valid From F03B 0013 / 26 01 / 01 / 2006 F03B 0013 / 14 01 / 01 / 2006

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