Wave power generator

Abstract

The invention relates to a wave power generator which comprises a concrete casing (2), which is installed partly submerged in the water, has a vertical space (3) that is open at the top and bottom and has an approximately semicircular cross-section, and defines a longitudinal front opening (4) that allows water to enter and exit the space (3); a hollow buoy (6) located in the centre of the vertical space (3), floating or submerged under the water, such that same rises and falls inside the space (3), pushed by the waves; and at least one filiform element (8, 8'), which connects the buoy (6) to a transmission system (9, 9'). The transmission system (9, 9'), which is installed on the top of the casing (2), converts the linear movement of the filiform element (8, 8'), caused by the rise and fall of the buoy (6), into rotary movement of a rod (13) connected to an electric generator (12).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] WAVE POWER GENERATOR

[0003] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The invention, as stated in the present descriptive report, refers to a wave energy generator that provides advantages and characteristics, which are described in detail below, that represent an improvement over the current state of the art.

[0005] The object of the present invention is a wave energy generating equipment, of the type that takes advantage of the movement of sea waves caused by wind or ocean currents to drive a mechanism linked to an electric generator and produce electrical energy, which is essentially based on a concrete frame with a buoy, associated through a threaded element to a transmission system of pulleys or gears and shafts connected to a generator, which rises and falls in a vertical shaft moved by the waves, forming a system that offers the advantage of being very simple and requiring little maintenance.

[0006] FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The field of application of the present invention falls within the sector of the industry dedicated to the manufacture of energy generating equipment, particularly those intended to produce electrical energy from the use of clean and renewable energy sources, focusing specifically on wave energy.

[0008] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In the current state of the art, numerous devices, equipment, and mechanisms are known that can harness the movement of ocean waves, generated by wind and currents, and transform it into mechanical motion suitable for performing useful work, such as generating electricity using a conventional electric generator based on electromagnetic induction. However, most of these systems involve complex installations that often require constant maintenance to operate at optimal performance, especially since the marine environment causes rapid and significant deterioration and damage to materials due to humidity, salt spray, and the climatic conditions typically found in locations suitable for these types of generators—that is, where there is frequent swell.

[0010] The objective of the present invention is, therefore, the development of a new wave generator specially designed to work with little or no maintenance, or at least with the minimum possible maintenance, thanks to a very simplified configuration, as well as the installation of the essential mechanical elements outside the water.

[0011] EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The wave energy generator proposed by the invention is configured as an optimal solution to the objectives mentioned above, with the characterizing details that make it possible and that distinguish it being conveniently included in the final claims that accompany this description.

[0013] Specifically, what the invention proposes, as previously mentioned, is a wave energy generating device, of the type that harnesses the movement of sea waves caused by wind or ocean currents to drive a mechanism linked to an electric generator and produce electrical energy. This device is essentially based on a concrete frame with a semicircular vertical opening and a buoy that, associated with a transmission system linked to the generator through a thread-like element, rises and falls in said opening moved by the waves, causing the movement of said transmission system which the generator, in turn, converts into electricity.

[0014] More specifically, the wave generator that is the subject of the invention basically comprises the following elements:

[0015] - A concrete frame that is installed partially submerged and has a vertical opening that has an approximately semicircular configuration section, such that said opening is open longitudinally from top to bottom on one front side, to allow the passage of water into its interior.

[0016] - A buoy that is installed either floating on the surface of the water or submerged below it, in the center of the described vertical hollow of the concrete frame, so that all the energy is concentrated in it, since it takes advantage of the energy of the waves to rise and fall within the vertical hollow.

[0017] - One or more thread-like elements, which can be flexible, such as chains, cables or straps, or rigid, such as a bar, that link the buoy to a transmission system.

[0018] - And, a transmission system that, installed on the top of the frame, converts the linear movement of the thread-like element caused by the ascent and descent of the buoy into the rotational movement of a shaft associated with a conventional electric generator.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, where at least one filament element is flexible, such as one or more chains, cables, or belts, the transmission system is a pulley system comprising one or two pulleys installed on the top of the frame, which rotate about their axes guided by the displacement of said chains (cables or belts) that connect the buoy to a counterweight installed in an additional cavity of the frame provided for this purpose, said counterweight being dimensioned with the weight necessary to make the buoy recover its position by counteracting the up-and-down movement caused by the movement of the waves.

[0020] Preferably, in this embodiment, the aforementioned pulley shafts each have a freewheel associated with a third shaft which, in turn, transmits the force in one direction to the electric generator linked to it.

[0021] In an alternative embodiment, where at least one threaded element is rigid, preferably a rack and pinion, the transmission system is a gear system comprising a set of gears, pinions, and a flywheel connected to the generator. Furthermore, the concrete frame preferably features side skirts on both sides of its longitudinal opening, designed to facilitate the entry of waves into the interior cavity and thereby promote the buoy's upward and downward movement, optimizing the equipment's performance.

[0022] Preferably, the frame is made of prefabricated fiber cement concrete.

[0023] Preferably, the upper part of the frame should include a support structure to incorporate the transmission system, whether pulleys or sprockets and a transmission shaft to the electric generator, so that they are located outside the water.

[0024] Preferably, at the top of the frame, for example, on both sides of the central opening, drainage openings are provided to avoid damaging the buoy if its upward travel exceeds the height of said opening.

[0025] Ideally, the buoy is hollow, drum-like, and made of high-density polyethylene, stainless steel, or other non-corrosive materials.

[0026] Ideally, the buoy has several small wheels, three or four, on its outer surface, for example, on the top and back, so that it does not rub against the inner walls of the frame cavity through which it moves with the movement of the waves, thus facilitating this movement and avoiding friction that could cause deterioration of the material.

[0027] With all this in mind, the advantages provided by the undimothz energy generator that is the subject of the invention, in addition to providing electricity from a clean and renewable source, are especially the following:

[0028] - Its robustness, due to the prefabricated concrete frame, since, although it could also be a metal structure, that would entail greater maintenance.

[0029] - It is therefore an installation that requires little maintenance and is mechanically very simple compared to other known systems, so the cost of manufacturing, construction and installation is reduced and any repairs or replacement of parts due to breakdown or deterioration will also be minimal compared to other known more complex and sophisticated systems.

[0030] - Furthermore, the fact that the mechanical part is located at the top of the frame, and therefore remains dry, allows electricity to be generated without the need for a high degree of watertightness because it is not submerged, which, in turn, also means less maintenance.

[0031] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] To complement the description being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a drawing is attached to this descriptive document as an integral part thereof, in which the following has been represented for illustrative and non-limiting purposes:

[0033] Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective representation of a first embodiment of the undimothz energy generator of the invention, specifically an example with two chains and a counterweight and a transmission system using pulleys, showing the main parts and elements it comprises, as well as the configuration and arrangement of said parts and elements; Figure 2 shows a schematic sectional plan view of the example of the generator of the invention shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective representation of another example of the pulley, buoy and counterweight system comprising the example of the generator of the invention shown in the preceding figures, in this case an example with only one chain and two pulleys, showing their connection to the shaft of the electric generator; Figure 4.- Shows a schematic perspective view of another example of the undimothz generator of the invention, in this case an example with a toothed bar and gear transmission system; Figure 5 shows a schematic view of the buoy and the gear transmission system shown in Figure 4; and Figure 6 shows a schematic side elevation view of the gear system shown in Figure 5.

[0034] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0035] In view of the aforementioned figures, and in accordance with the numbering adopted, one can observe in them two non-limiting examples of the wave energy generator of the invention, which comprises what is described in detail below.

[0036] Thus, as can be seen in the figures, the generator (1) of the invention essentially comprises the following elements:

[0037] - a concrete frame (2), which is installed partially submerged in water, which has a vertical opening (3) open at the top and inside, with an approximately semicircular cross-section and which defines a longitudinal front opening (4) that allows water to enter and exit in said opening (3),

[0038] - a buoy (6) located in the center of the vertical hole (3), floating or submerged underwater, such that it rises and falls within the hole (3) pushed by the movement of the waves;

[0039] - at least one thread-like element (8, 8'), which links the buoy (6) to a transmission system (9, 9'); and

[0040] - a transmission system (9, 9'), installed on the top of the frame (2), which converts the linear movement of the threaded element (8, 8') caused by the ascent and descent of the buoy (6) into a rotational movement of a rod (13) which, in turn, is associated with an electric generator (12).

[0041] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the wave generator (1) comprises:

[0042] - such as at least one thread-like element, a flexible element (8), such as a chain, cable or strap, which at one end is attached to the buoy (6) and at the opposite end is attached to a counterweight (7), preferably located in a dry cavity (5) of the frame (2) which is parallel and independent of the vertical opening (3) where water does not penetrate and is also open at the top, which counterweight (7) is dimensioned and provided with the necessary weight to counteract the upward and downward movement of the buoy (6) caused by the movement of the waves and to ensure that it recovers its initial position; and

[0043] - as a transmission system, a pulley system (9), with two or more pulleys (9) through which the flexible filiform element (8) runs, connecting the counterweight (7) and the buoy (6), rotating in one direction and the other on its axes with the displacement of the same as the buoy (6) rises and falls by the force of the waves, each of the axes of said pulleys (9) having a free pinion (10) which is respectively associated with an external shaft (11) which, in turn, transmits the rotational force in one direction to an electric generator (12) through a rod (13) to which they are coupled.

[0044] In the example of the generator (1) represented in figures 1 and 2, the buoy (6) and the counterweight (7) are joined by two chains (8), so that the pulley system has four pulleys (9), two for each chain (8), whereas in the example of figure 3 the buoy (6) and the counterweight (7) are joined by a single chain (8), so that the pulley system only has two pulleys (9).

[0045] And, in another example of an alternative embodiment, shown in Figures 4 to 6, the undimothz generator (1) comprises:

[0046] - such as at least one threaded element, a rigid threaded element (8'), such as a toothed rack; and

[0047] - as a transmission system, a gear system (9') which in turn essentially comprises two primary gears or pinions (19) that are divided by the toothed bar or rigid filament element (8') to which they are coupled, two secondary pinions (20) with fixed bearing, linked to the primary ones (19), a drive pinion (21) linked to the secondary pinions (20) and a flywheel (22) joined to the drive pinion (21) through a rotating rod (13) which, at its opposite end, is associated with the electric generator (12), as can be seen in figures 5 and 6.

[0048] In any case, preferably, the concrete frame (2) has, on both sides of the longitudinal opening (4), side skirts (14) whose configuration favors the entry of the waves into the interior of the vertical opening (3).

[0049] Preferably, the frame (2) is made of prefabricated fiber cement concrete.

[0050] Preferably, on the upper part of the frame (2), where the vertical opening (3) with the buoy (6) and, if applicable, the cavity (5) with the counterweight (7) are located, a support structure (15) is provided where the transmission system (9, 9') is incorporated, with the transmission rod (13) to the electric generator (12), so that its components are located outside the water. In Figure 1 and Figure 4, the water surface line, referenced as (a), is schematically represented.

[0051] Preferably, at the top of the frame (2) there is provision for drainage openings (16) so as not to damage the buoy (6) if its upward travel is greater than the height of the vertical opening (3).

[0052] For its part, preferably the buoy (6) is hollow and made of high-density polyethylene or stainless steel or other non-corrosive materials.

[0053] Preferably, the buoy (6) has a shape and dimension adjusted to the shape and dimension of the vertical hole (3) and has several small wheels (17), three or four, incorporated into its outer surface so that it does not rub against the inner walls of said vertical hole (3).

[0054] Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the manner of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to make its explanation more extensive so that any expert in the field can understand its scope and the advantages that derive from it.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Wave energy generator, characterized by comprising: - a concrete frame (2), which is installed partially submerged in water, which has a vertical opening (3) open at the top and inside, with an approximately semicircular cross-section and which defines a longitudinal front opening (4) that allows water to enter and exit in said opening (3), - a buoy (6) located in the center of the vertical hole (3), floating or submerged underwater, such that it rises and falls within the hole (3) pushed by the waves; - at least one thread-like element (8, 8'), which links the buoy (6) to a transmission system (9, 9'); and - a transmission system (9, 9'), installed on the top of the frame (2), which converts the linear movement of the threaded element (8, 8') caused by the ascent and descent of the buoy (6) into a rotational movement of a rod (13) which, in turn, is associated with an electric generator (12).

2. Wave energy generator, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one flexible filiform element (8), of the chain, cable or belt type, which at one end is attached to the buoy (6) and at the opposite end is attached to a counterweight (7) dimensioned and provided with a weight that counteracts the upward and downward movement of the buoy (6) caused by the movement of the waves to recover its initial position.

3. Wave energy generator, according to claim 2, characterized in that the counterweight (7) is located in a dry cavity (5) of the frame (2), parallel and independent of the vertical opening (3) where water does not penetrate, also being open at the top, 4.- Wave energy generator, according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that it comprises a transmission system consisting of a pulley system (9).

5. Wave energy generator, according to claim 4, characterized in that the pulley system (9) has two or more pulleys (9) through which the flexible filiform element (8) runs, which joins the counterweight (7) and the buoy (6), rotating in one direction and the other on its axes with the displacement of the same as the buoy (6) rises and falls by the force of the waves, each of the axes of said pulleys (9) having a free pinion (10) which is respectively associated with an external shaft (11) which, in turn, transmits the rotational force in one direction to an electric generator (12) through a rod (13) to which they are coupled. 6.- Wave energy generator, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one rigid filiform element (8'), of the toothed bar or rack type. 7.- Wave energy generator, according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a transmission system consisting of a gear system (9). 8.- Wave energy generator, according to claim 7, characterized in that the gear system (9') comprises two primary pinions (19), divided by the rigid threaded element (8') to which they are coupled, two secondary pinions (20) with fixed bearing, linked to the primary pinions (19), a drive pinion (21) linked to the secondary pinions (20) and a flywheel (22) connected to the drive pinion (21) through a rotating rod (13) which, at its opposite end, is associated with the electric generator (12). 9.- Wave energy generator, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame (2) has, on both sides of the longitudinal opening (4), side skirts (14) configured to favor the entry of the waves into the interior of the vertical cavity (3). 10.- Wave energy generator, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame (2) is made of prefabricated fiber cement concrete.

11. Wave energy generator, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the upper part of the frame (2), where the A vertical hollow (3) with the buoy (6) and, where applicable, a cavity (5) with a counterweight (7), a support structure (15) is provided where the transmission system (9, 9') is incorporated with the transmission rod (13) to the electric generator (12), so that they are located outside the water. 12.- Wave energy generator, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper part of the frame (2) provides for the existence of drainage openings (16). 13.- Wave energy generator, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the buoy (6) is hollow and is made of high-density polyethylene or stainless steel or other non-corrosive materials. 14.- Wave energy generator, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the buoy (6) has wheels (17) incorporated on its external surface so that it does not rub against the internal walls of the vertical cavity (3).

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