Buoyant Wave Pump With Constricted Tube for Low-Complexity Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in efficiently extracting energy from ocean waves due to their slow movement and long periods, and existing systems are often complex and costly.
Innovation Solution
A buoyant hydrodynamic pump and wave engine system that utilizes a tapered or constricted water tube to oscillate water within a reservoir, converting wave motion into pressurized water for energy generation, using a turbine or magnetohydrodynamic generator to produce electricity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional wave energy extraction systems are used, then energy can be extracted from ocean waves, but the systems become complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of wave energy conversion by removing complex mechanical components. The system uses a simple oscillating water column in a tube with a flexible membrane, eliminating the need for complex turbines, generators, and mechanical linkages found in conventional systems. Energy is extracted through the oscillation of water itself against a flexible closure, directly converting wave motion to usable energy form.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the wave energy itself to drive the oscillation and energy conversion process without external mechanical intervention. The water column oscillates naturally in response to wave action, and the flexible membrane automatically responds to pressure changes, creating a self-regulating system that adapts to varying wave conditions without complex control mechanisms.
2Ease of manufacture
If wave energy extraction systems are designed to be robust and inexpensive, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but energy extraction efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the tube geometry with specific parameters including a length-to-diameter ratio between 2:1 and 10:1, and positioning the flexible closure at 20-80% of the tube length from the bottom. These parameter optimizations ensure efficient energy extraction while maintaining a simple, manufacturable design using conventional materials and construction methods.
3Loss of energy
If the tube is made longer to increase water volume for energy extraction, then energy capture is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts to wave conditions through the oscillating water column and flexible membrane response. The tube length is optimized within the 2:1 to 10:1 ratio range to resonate with typical wave periods, allowing efficient energy capture without requiring excessive length. The dynamic oscillation ensures that the water column effectively utilizes the available tube volume across varying wave conditions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system efficiently extracts energy from ocean waves with a robust and inexpensive design, capable of generating electricity and facilitating self-propulsion, while maintaining a controlled pressurization of the reservoir and optimizing energy capture across varying wave conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a tube that partially encloses a substantial volume of water that tends to be excited and oscillate within the tube in response to wave action
Implementation Method 2
Wave-driven oscillations of embodiments and their attached tapered or constricted tube result in the periodic ejections of portions of the water inside the tube
Implementation Method 3
a turbine or another power-capture mechanism such as a magnetohydrodynamic generator, thereby permitting the generation of electrical power
Implementation Method 4
Wave-driven oscillations of embodiments and their attached tapered or constricted tube result in the periodic ejections of portions of the water inside the tube
Data Source
AI summary
A buoyant hydrodynamic pump is disclosed that can float on a surface of a body of water. Wave-driven oscillations result in periodic upward ejections of water inside a downwardly projecting tube that can be collected in a reservoir. Water within such a reservoir may return to the body of water via a turbine, thereby generating electrical power, or the device's pumping action can be used for other purposes such as water circulation, propulsion, dissolved minerals extraction, or cloud seeding.