Energy production system using buoys

Abstract

The invention relates to an innovative system for generating electricity that harnesses the power of waves. The system consists of buoys (4) which, under the influence of the waves, set in motion a system of gears (3) and straight shafts (6). This movement is converted into rotational movement and drives a generator (1), thus producing electricity. Each gear (3) has an inner ring (8) with inclined teeth (9) and the shaft (6) of the gear (3) has a safety device (10) with a corresponding inclination, so that the gear (3) can only rotate in the direction corresponding to energy production. This technology offers a clean and renewable source of energy.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] ENERGY PRODUCTION SYSTEM USING BUOYS

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The invention relates to the field of general identification of new technological developments and, more specifically, to the field of technologies or applications for mitigating or adapting to climate change. In particular, it refers to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions related to the production, transport or distribution of energy. More specifically, it refers to energy production through renewable energy sources and especially to energy from the sea, such as wave energy. Specifically, it refers to an energy production system using buoys.

[0005] HISTORY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The energy production system using buoys disclosed in the present invention has not been disclosed in the prior art.

[0007] The production of energy through buoys in the sea, also known as ocean energy, usually refers to three ways of producing energy, exploiting the water volume and its characteristics. Thus, we have energy production from waves, tides and temperature differences in the water. The most common application involves wave power, which creates kinetic energy, which in turn rotates a turbine that generates electricity. Although, like all renewable energy sources, wave energy production has significant advantages, there are also some disadvantages that must always be taken into account. Firstly, the construction and installation of floating power plants is a complex and costly process. The high initial investment makes this technology less attractive compared to other, more mature energy production technologies. In addition, to date, floating units are suitable for areas with strong sea currents or high waves. This limits the geographical distribution of installations and can increase the cost of transporting the energy produced to remote areas. Furthermore, the installation of floating units can have negative impacts on the marine environment, such as disturbance of marine life, water turbidity and changes in sea currents. In addition, the generation of noise and electromagnetic fields can affect marine species. Furthermore, the large dimensions and deep-water locations of some devices may pose risks, such as collision with objects. Another real and well-known disadvantage concerns the development and operation of floating units, as they face a number of technical challenges, such as resistance to marine conditions, maintenance and repair of facilities in remote areas, and ensuring the safety of sailors. Furthermore, energy production from floating units depends on changing sea conditions, such as currents and waves. This means that energy production is not constant and effective storage systems need to be developed to address this variability.

[0008] The present invention therefore aims to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages and shortcomings of previous technology by proposing a system for generating energy using buoys.

[0009] A further object of the present invention is to provide a buoy-based energy production system that is simple in construction and fully expandable, depending on the requirements of each installation.

[0010] Another goal of this invention is to offer a system for generating energy using buoys that doesn't produce local electricity with a generator on each buoy, but collects the energy produced by the buoys in one spot.

[0011] Another feature of the invention is that it is highly durable and subject to little wear and tear, as the system can be lifted out of the water when not in use, meaning that it is not permanently submerged. This mitigates the effects of extreme weather events such as storms and gales. Given that there are no functional components of the device in the water, the system becomes more durable and its service life is extended.

[0012] Another advantage of this invention is that it offers continuous and permanent energy production, whether there are strong waves or calm surface conditions, due to the waves and currents created below the sea surface. Furthermore, production does not depend on whether it is day or night, nor on weather conditions, such as cloud cover and calm winds, since waves, once created, can travel long distances, even to areas where there are no winds.

[0013] A further advantage of the present invention is also that, due to the higher energy density of water, the efficiency of this system is significantly higher and demonstrably more measurable than known renewable energy sources.

[0014] Moreover, both during installation and operation, the energy production system using buoys has significant advantages over the known technologies used to date for the exploitation of renewable energy sources. Firstly, no roads need to be built, nor are concrete or aluminum structures required, as is the case with wind turbines. In addition, the installation of the system within the water body and away from human presence causes less visual disturbance and therefore fewer reactions. At the same time, it has minimal operating noise and therefore a smaller overall environmental footprint. It also has a zero-carbon footprint, as it can be reused. Finally, it avoids the use of land, which is often valuable and potentially arable, reduces the impact on flora and fauna, and avoids any alteration of the landscape.

[0015] These and other features, characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following detailed description.

[0016] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are illustrative and not limiting.

[0018] Figure 1 shows an indicative application of the energy production system, using buoys, with the gears and corresponding shafts.

[0019] Figure 2 shows part of the energy production system, with the alignment shafts of the buoys.

[0020] Figure 3 shows in detail the gears of the energy production system with the motion prevention device.

[0021] Figure 4 shows in detail the shafts, with the gears and toothed racks for the movement of the gears.

[0022] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED APPLICATION

[0023] Referring now to the accompanying drawings, we will describe indicative applications of the energy production system using buoys, in order to clarify both its innovative technical characteristics and its comparative advantages.

[0024] The energy production system of the invention consists of a generator (1), Fig. 1, mounted on a platform (2). The generator (1) transfers the energy produced directly to the grid. The gear system (3) and buoys (4) used for energy production are placed inside at least four pillars (5), Fig. 2, on which the straight shafts (6) of the gears (3) and buoys (4) are supported.

[0025] The basic structure of the system consists of a straight shaft (6), Fig. 3, with at least one gear (3), which is turned by a vertical toothed rack (7) that moves up and down under the influence of a buoy (4) located at its end. It is desirable for the size and weight of the buoy (4) to be small, so that any wave or general movement of the water allows it to respond immediately. The vertical movement of the buoy (4} consequently moves the vertical toothed rack (7), which is engaged with the gear (3), causing it to rotate. The gear (3) has a ring (8) with inclined teeth (9) inside it, all pointing in the same direction. Similarly, the straight shaft (6), which passes through the inner ring (8), has a safety device (10) inside it, which is at a corresponding angle to the inclined teeth (9) of the inner ring (8) of the gear (3). The existence of the angles, both in the inclined teeth (9) and in the safety device (10) allow the gear (3) to rotate freely around the straight shaft (6) when the rotation is counterclockwise, while, conversely, they cause the safety device (10) to engage with the Inclined teeth (9) when rotation is clockwise.

[0026] In order to exploit the wave energy, the free rotation of the gear (3) must, only take place during the vertical downward movement of the buoy (4), which causes the gear (3) to rotate counterclockwise. However, when the buoy (4) moves upwards, it also pulls the vertical toothed rack (7) with it, which, as it rises, rotates the gear (3) in a clockwise direction. In this case, however, the safety device (10) on the straight shaft (6) engages with one of the inclined teeth (9) of the gear (3), with the result that the rotation of the gear (3) also causes the straight shaft (6) to rotate.

[0027] Each straight shaft (6) of the energy production system via buoys (4) ends in a conical gear (11) located at one end. The conical gear (11) of each straight shaft (6) is engaged with a corresponding conical gear (12), at an angle of 90°, located on the generator shaft (13), which rotates to produce the necessary electrical energy in the generator (1). Each conical gear (12) of the generator shaft (13) has a corresponding safety device (10) so that when one of the conical gears (12) rotates slowly and another rotates faster, the generator shaft (13) rotates at the speed it receives from the faster conical gear (12).

[0028] To ensure the vertical, up-and-down movement of the toothed rack (7) and the buoy (4), the power generation system may have an alignment rod (14), Fig. 4, which passes through a ring (15) on the buoy (4). The alignment rod (14) is suspended from support beams (16), which are parallel and perpendicular to the straight shafts (6), parallel to the water level, depending on the size of the installation and the number of buoys (4) used. If support beams (16) are used, the straight shafts (6) pass through perforated supports (17) on the support beams (16) in order to remain in place, while the corresponding vertical toothed racks (7) are also suspended from the support beams (16). The energy production system via buoys can lift the buoys (4) by moving the straight shafts (6) and support beams (16) up and down the pillars (5) so that they are not in contact with the water when the system is out of operation for maintenance or other reasons. This reduces damage to the system and its components and makes repairs easier. Movement on the straight shafts (6) and support beams (16) can be provided by a motor that the system has.

[0029] It should be noted that the description of the invention was made with reference to indicative examples of application, to which it is not limited. Therefore, any change or modification in terms of shape, dimensions, morphology, materials used and construction and assembly components, provided that they do not constitute a new inventive step and do not contribute to the technical development of what is already known, are considered to be included in the purposes and aims of the present invention as summarised in the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1, Energy production system using buoys., comprising a generator (1) mounted on a platform (2 ), at ieast four pillars (5) supporting straight shafts (6) with gears (3) each rotated by a vertical toothed rack (7) under the action of a buoy (4), located at the lower end of the rack (7) and conical gears (11) on the straight shafts (6) and conical gears (12) on the shaft (13) of the generator (1), at an angle of 90°to each other, characterized by the fact that each gear (3) has an inner ring (8) with inclined teeth (9) and the shaft (6) of the gear (3) has a safety device (10) with a corresponding inclination, so that the gear (3) can only rotate in the direction corresponding to energy production, 2. Energy production system using buoys, according to claim 1, characterized in that it has alignment rods (14) that pass through a ring (15) on the buoy (4) and are suspended from support beams (16), which are parallel and perpendicular to the straight shafts (6), parallel to the water level3. Energy production system using buoys, according to claim 1, characterised in that the straight shafts (6) and support beams (16) are moved by a motor up and down the pillars (5), lifting the buoys (4) above the water surface.

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