Wave-Energized Diode Pump for Low-Maintenance Power Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wave-energy conversion technologies are complex, fragile, and require frequent maintenance, making them expensive and inefficient for generating electrical power.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism that utilizes the tilting motion of a floating object due to ocean waves to raise fluid above the water surface, converting gravitational potential energy into electrical power or performing other useful tasks, with minimal moving parts and reduced maintenance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If complex wave-energy conversion devices are used, then energy extraction capability is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates articulating elements and moving parts from the wave-energy conversion device. The invention uses a fixed, simple structure that converts wave energy through buoyancy and gravitational potential energy changes, rather than through complex mechanical articulations. This removes the need for maintenance-prone moving components while retaining energy extraction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical articulating systems with a hydrostatic system based on buoyancy and gravitational potential energy. Instead of using mechanical linkages and moving parts to convert wave motion, the system uses the natural buoyant forces and water level changes to drive the energy conversion process, eliminating complex mechanical systems.
2Power
If devices with articulating elements are used, then energy conversion efficiency is improved, but reliability and resistance to storm damage decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes articulating elements from the device design. The invention employs a fixed structure with no moving parts that could fail or require maintenance. The energy conversion is achieved through the buoyant element's response to wave-induced water level changes, eliminating reliability issues associated with mechanical articulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simple, robust structure that can be easily replaced if needed, rather than a complex durable system. The fixed design with no moving parts creates a device that is inherently resistant to storm damage and requires minimal maintenance over its operational life.
3Power
If devices with moving parts are used, then energy extraction capability is improved, but maintenance requirements and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts all moving parts from the device design. The invention uses a fixed structure where energy extraction is achieved through hydrostatic principles rather than mechanical motion. This eliminates maintenance requirements entirely, as there are no moving parts to wear, fail, or require servicing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a system that requires no maintenance or human intervention. The fixed structure automatically converts wave energy through buoyancy and gravitational potential energy changes, with no components requiring servicing, lubrication, or replacement throughout its operational lifetime.
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
Efficiently harnesses renewable marine energy with minimal maintenance, producing electrical power at a lower cost than fossil fuels and enabling tasks like desalination and mineral extraction.
Implementation Method 1
converting gravitational potential energy into electrical power
Implementation Method 2
passing that fluid through a water turbine
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an apparatus that floats at the surface of a body of water over which waves pass. Passing waves cause a nominally vertical axis of the apparatus to tilt away from an axis normal to the resting surface of the body of water. Tilting of sufficient magnitude and duration allows a fluid to flow through a channel that in an un-tilted apparatus would require the gravitational potential energy of the fluid to increase (i.e., to flow uphill), but, because of the tilt allows the fluid to flow through the channel in a downhill direction. Flowing water is trapped at a plurality of levels which in an un-tilted apparatus are higher than the respective levels from which the fluid has flowed. A subsequent tilt of the apparatus in a sufficiently different direction, and of a sufficient magnitude and duration, causes the trapped water to flow to new, yet higher levels. Successive wave-driven tilts of the apparatus incrementally raise water to a height and/or head from which a portion of its gravitational potential energy can be released, and/or converted to electrical power, by causing the water to return to a lower level by flowing through a water turbine thereby energizing an operationally connected generator, or through some other apparatus that performs a useful function when supplied with a flow of high-pressure water.