Water wave energy converter

Abstract

A water wave energy converter mechanism that harnesses kinetic energy from ocean / lake waves and tides. A floating object vertically oscillates (pitches) about a horizontal pivot bar positioned above the water level and is attached to a hull through a vertical column or mast, a top end of which is attached to a semi-circle gear, whose circumference is centered at a pivot point along the mast. Rotation or pitching movement of the hull about the pivot point causes the mast to swing left to right making the semi-circle gear rotate along the path of its circumference to turn the gear. A ratchet bearing causes the gear to continuously rotate in the same direction. A flywheel (and gearing ratios) can be used to smooth the spinning speed before transmission to an electricity generator or other loads.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: Water Wave Energy Converter

[0003] A ship's hull like object(l) herein called the hull sits in between two thick parallel concrete walls(2) erected in a sea or other water body with active waves and tides. The walls (2 ) extent significantly high above the maximum level of the water body and significantly longer than the length of the hull (l).The hull is connected to the two parallel walls(2) through a horizontal pivot bar(3) that is supported by the two walls at a position above the maximum water level of the sea. A vertical column (4) herein called the mast connects the hull through the pivot to a semi-circle gear(5) at the top end of the mast(4) forming a vertical seesaw mechanism. The hull , the pivot, the vertical mast, and semi-circle gear form a vertical seesaw mechanism which movement is initiated by the forces of water waves and tides acting on the hull. The mast (4) extends from the hull(l), through the pivot point(3) to the semi-circle gear(5) at the top end act as the seesaw beam. The semi-circle gear(5) at the top end of the mast has its circumference centred at the pivot point(3) of the whole mechanism such that the semi-circle gear forms part of a big wheel whose centre is at the pivot(3). As the waves and tides(6) continue to move the seesaw mechanism also swings left to right continuously thus providing kinetic energy. The kinetic energy is transferred to the power generator through a shaft and gear (8). A ratchet mechanism is used to ensure the shaft and gear(8) keep rotating in the same direction. A flywheel can used to both store energy and make smooth the speed of rotation transferred from the shaft before it is used to turn the electricity generator. The ratio of the distance from the pivot(3) to the semi-circle gear(5) and the distance from the pivot(3) to the hull(l) is high enough such that a slight shift on the hull side of the seesaw triggers a bigger swing on the top end side of the seesaw where the semi-circle gear is attached. The two parallel walls (2) primarily provide support for the pivot bar as well as several other functions. They help control the direction in which the water waves and tides(6) act on the hull (1), which is the direction of the length of the walls. The top of the walls(2) can be used as a platform on which the power generation plant(7)is housed and maintained.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A wave energy converter comprising:2 parallel support walls erected in a water body and extending high above the water level, a pivot bar above the maximum water level supported by the two walls, a floating hull with a mast rotatably mounted on the pivot bar to form a vertical see-saw mechanism such that when the hull is moved by the forces of the waves and tides, the top end of the mast swings back and forth in the air about the pivot point, a semi-circle gear attached to the top end of the mast which circumference is centred at the pivot point such that as the mast swings the semi-circle gear rotates along the path of the circle which centre is the pivot point, a load gear with ratchet bearing in communication with the semi-circle gear which turns in the same direction despite the seesaw motion of the mast and semi-circle gear moving it, a flywheel turned by the load gear via a shaft to smoothen the speed of rotation, a power generator to convert rotational kinetic energy from the flywheel to electricity.

2. The said wave energy converter as in claim 1, wherein the mechanism can be used to harness energy from any other body of water that create waves and tides.

3. The said wave energy converter as in claim 1, wherein the distance from the pivot to the top end of the mast with a semi-circle gear can be adjusted as per desired speed of swing and rotation and power output.

4. The said wave energy converter as in claim 1, wherein the size & mass of the hull can be used to determine the amount of energy harnessed from the waves and tidesThe said wave energy converter as in claiml, wherein the harnessed energy can be used in other applications and forms other than electricity generation. For example water pumping.

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