WAVE DRIVEN ELECTRICAL GENERATOR

The invention relates to a wave driven electrical generator having a single panel, or an array of panels that may be triangular in shape or may have another shape. A movable connection is provided between the panels to allow relative movement in two dimension or three dimensions. The movable connection may include at least one panel link has a length that is at least as long as the width of the panels to facilitate stacking of the panels for storage. One or multiple generators may be mounted on each panel and may be housed in a cavity where it is protected from damage and/or exposure to water. The area of coverage of a panel array includes open areas within the array of panels that define less than 20% of the area of coverage thereby facilitating the generation of maximum amount of power with a relatively small footprint.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an electrical generator that produces power from the motion of waves. In particular, the invention relates to a buoyant panel or an array of buoyant panels for producing power from the motion of waves.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The development of renewable energy has become more of a global priority in recent years. Renewable energy includes sources such as sunlight, wind, the movement of water, and geothermal heat. In one aspect, renewable energy provides energy for electricity generation to a grid, for storage in batteries, or to provide power of electrically powered devices. One example of renewable energy is a wave driven electrical generator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A wave driven electrical generator of the invention includes multiple floating panels, such as triangularly shaped panels, that are joined together to form an interconnected sheet or array of panels. Each panel may carry multiple, e.g., three, cavities or channels in which magnetic members, e.g., spheres, cylinders, or other shapes, travel back and forth as the panel is rocked by waves. In one embodiment, the cavity or channel is surrounded by a coil wrapped stator, e.g., wrapped with copper wire, such that repeated back and forth travel of the magnetic member through the coil will produce electricity. In another embodiment, a coil wrapped cylinder travels back and forth over a magnet carrying rod as the panel is rocked by waves. Other generator configurations are possible.

The interconnected panels form a floating sheet or array on the surface of water. As waves pass under the floating sheet of interconnected panels, each panel is tilted back and forth, thereby providing motive force for the movable members in the generator. As can be appreciated, many interconnected panels, each tilting and oscillating in reaction to, e.g., ocean waves, can be used to produce electricity, which can be stored or delivered onshore via a single cable or by other methods.

Each panel is preferably sealed to facilitate flotation and to prevent water from entering the interior and from making contact with the coil or magnetic member.

Other embodiments are possible including the use of alternative panel shapes. In another embodiment, a floating battery may be provided to store the generated electricity rather than transmitting the electricity to shore.

In particular, the invention relates to a wave driven electrical generator having a single panel, or an array of panels that include a first buoyant panel having a first side, a second side and at least three perimeter sides, the perimeter sides having a height that defines a width of the first buoyant panel, said array of panels further including a second buoyant panel having a first side, a second side and at least three perimeter sides, the perimeter sides having a height that defines a width of the second buoyant panel.

The panels may be triangular in shape or may have another shape.

A movable connection is provided between the first buoyant panel and the second buoyant panel to allow relative movement of the panels in two dimension or three dimensions. The movable connection may include at least one panel link has a length that is at least as long as the width of the panels to facilitate stacking of the first buoyant panel and the second buoyant panel, e.g., for storage.

A generator is mounted on at least one of the first buoyant panel and the second buoyant panel. Multiple generators may be mounted on each panel of the array. Each generator may be housed in a cavity where it is protected from damage and may be protected from exposure to water. In one embodiment, e.g., an embodiment wherein the panel has a triangular shape, three cavities, each being elongate in shape and oriented with a first end proximate one of the corner regions and extending towards a center of the first buoyant panel such that a longitudinal axis of the cavity is normal to a side of the triangle shape opposite the corner region.

The array of panels define an area of coverage. The area of coverage includes open areas within the array of panels. The open areas define less than 20% of the area of coverage thereby facilitating the generation of maximum amount of power with a relatively small footprint.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now toFIGS.1-3, shown is first buoyant panel, designated generally20. First buoyant panel20has a first side22, a second side24, and at least three perimeter sides26. Perimeter sides26have a height that defines a width30(FIG.3) of first buoyant panel20. In a preferred embodiment, at least three perimeter sides26forming a shape approximating a triangle. First buoyant panel20having a shape approximating a triangle defines three corner regions32. In one embodiment, corner regions32each define a corner. In one embodiment, corner regions32define a soft corner36. In one embodiment, soft corner36includes a flat surface. In one embodiment (e.g.,FIGS.1-3,5B) soft corner36includes a rounded surface40. Other shapes for first buoyant panel20are contemplated, including square shapes having four sides26with corner regions32, which may be soft corners36with a flat surface (e.g.,FIG.5A) Round shapes (e.g.,FIG.14), pentagon shapes, hexagon shapes (e.g.,FIG.15), octagon shapes, square shapes (e.g.,FIGS.16,17), etc., are also contemplated.

First panel connector50extends from first buoyant panel20. In one embodiment, first panel connector50extends from each corner region32of the first buoyant panel20, see e.g.,FIGS.1-3,5A,5B. In another embodiment, first panel connector50may extend from side26(see, e.g.,FIG.5C) of first buoyant panel20, such as from a mid point of side26.

Referring now toFIGS.5A,5B, shown is wave powered generator10having an array100of panels designated generally110. Panels110include first buoyant panel20and also include a second buoyant panel120.

All of panels110, including second buoyant panel120, are preferably constructed similarly to first buoyant panel20and preferably share the same features and elements as discussed with respect to first buoyant panel20. For purposes of clarity, similar elements will retain first panel numbering.

Second buoyant panel120has second panel connectors150that are similar to first panel connectors50. However, the connectors extending from second buoyant panel120will be referred to as second panel connectors150. In one embodiment, second panel connectors150extend from one of corner regions32of the second buoyant panel120. As will be discussed below, first panel connectors250and second panel connectors150may be movably connected by movable connection500, such as rigid link502(FIG.5A), e.g., a carabiner or other rigid member. In another embodiment, movable connection500may be a flexible link504(FIG.5B), e.g., a cord, a cable, a chain, or other flexible member.

At least one of panels110, e.g., first buoyant panel20or second buoyant panel120, define at least one cavity200. In one embodiment, panels110define three cavities200. Cavities200are preferably elongated in shape and oriented with a first end202proximate to one of corner regions32. Elongate cavity202extends toward a center of a panel, e.g., panel20,120, such that a longitudinal axis of cavity200is normal to a side of triangular panel110opposite to corner region32.

Referring now toFIGS.4A and4B, an electrical generator, designated generally300, is received in cavity200. In one embodiment (e.g., shown inFIG.4A), electrical generator300is comprised of rod310having a plurality of spaced magnets312. In one embodiment, magnets312are spaced apart an equal distance to a width of magnets312. Rod310slidably carries a traveling cylinder320. Traveling cylinder320has conductive windings322. Sliding movement of traveling cylinder320along rod310, e.g., as a result of tilting of buoyant panel20, facilitates interaction between conductive windings322and a magnetic field generated by the plurality of spaced magnets312on rod310for generating electricity.

In another embodiment (e.g., shown inFIG.4B), electrical generator300includes traveling slider330that carries a plurality of spaced magnets312or a single magnet312. Traveling slider330is for traveling within stationary cylinder334that is surrounded by conductive windings322. Sliding movement of traveling slider330within stationary cylinder334, e.g., as a result of tilting buoyant panel20, facilitates interaction between conductive windings322and a magnetic field generated by single or plurality of magnets312in traveling slider330for generating electricity.

Panels110are preferably provided with at least one cover400(FIG.3) for securing electric generator300within cavity200and for keeping water from entering cavity200. In one embodiment, three separate covers402are provided (FIG.3), i.e., one for each of cavities200. In another embodiment, single cover400covers multiple cavities200.

First panel connector50and second panel connector150are for facilitating movable connection500between adjacent panels110of array100, e.g., between first buoyant panel20and second buoyant panel120. In one embodiment, movable connection500facilitates relative movement of adjacent panels110, e.g., first buoyant panel20and second buoyant panel120, in two dimensions, such as may be found in hinged connection510(FIG.5C). In another embodiment, movable connection500facilitates movement of adjacent panels in three dimensions, such as might be found in movable connection500formed by panel connectors50,150and/or links520(see, e.g.,FIG.6), such as rigid link502or flexible link504. As discussed above, flexible link504may be a cord that passes through panel connectors50,150to form a movable connection (FIG.6B).

Movable connection500is a connection between first panel connector50and second panel connector150. In one embodiment, movable connection500further includes at least one panel link520between first panel connector50and second panel connector150. In one embodiment, panel link520is a single link520. In another embodiment, panel link520is comprised of multiple links. In one embodiment, panel link520is at least as long as width30of first buoyant panel20to facilitate sufficient movement of first buoyant panel20and second buoyant panel120such that stacking of panels110is made possible, as can be seen inFIGS.6-8.

Referring now toFIGS.5A,5C, and6-10, multiple panels110are shown interconnected with other panels110to form a sheet or array of panels100.

In an embodiment where panels are triangular in shape, array of panels100form at least one unit having a shape approximating a hexagon600(e.g. as visible inFIGS.5A,5B). In one embodiment, panel connectors50,150of six adjacent panels100are located in close proximity to one another wherein each of the panel connectors50,150are connected to panel connectors of adjacent panels, either directly or via panel links520as can best be seen inFIG.6.

Referring toFIG.15, shown is a sheet or array of panels100that are interconnected with wires700such that the plurality of electrical generators300are connected in series.

It can be seen inFIG.15that each wire700communicates either with a single electrical generator300in a first panel110and/or communicates with two electrical generators300in an adjacent one of panels110. In one embodiment, wire700is 20 gage magnet wire. In one embodiment, wires that communicate adjacent panels110are divided by plug connectors702that facilitate removable connection between adjacent panels110.

One advantage associated with triangular shaped panels110is that the resulting array110is tightly spaced, thereby promoting a high density of panels110as compared to the overall size or array110. Further, tight packing minimizes lengths of wires700required to connect generators300. Tight packing minimizes water surface coverage, which could be an issue when deploying array100adjacent a city or harbor. Utilizing tightly packed array100can result in open or unoccupied areas within array100of 0% to 20%, 3% to 18%, 5% to 15%, 8% to 12%, or approximately 10% of the total area covered by array 100. In a preferred embodiment, spacing between adjacent panels is between 1 to 3 times, 1.5 to 2.5 times, or 1.7 to 2.5 times thickness30of panels110to facilitate tight packing and to facilitate the folding of array100for storage.

In use, array100may be used to power cities and coastal communities. Additionally, array100of the invention may be used to provide power to ships and to power offshore platforms such as oil rigs, or may be mounted to structures of an offshore wind farm.

In an example embodiment, a line normal to a first side26and extending to an opposite corner has a dimension of 12″. An example thickness or width30of panels110is 2″.

In a preferred embodiment, electric generators300are placed at a midline of width30of panels110to facilitate ease of handling and folding for storage as shown inFIGS.6-8.

Referring now toFIG.11, shown is a power flow diagram that depicts steps for wave power generator10during a power cycle. Block710represents an instance of a given wave approaching a singular panel110. Once a wave interacts with panel110, a displacement of panel110from horizontal takes place as indicated in block712, as the surface-floating panel110is tilted from horizontal by the oncoming wave. As panel110is tilted by the wave, traveling cylinder320or traveling slider330will travel down a path as indicated in block714, e.g., traveling cylinder320will travel over rod310or traveling slider330will pass through cylinder334and will pass coiled copper wire322. Through the electromagnetic interaction of magnets312with a changing magnetic field relative to coiled copper wire322, i.e., conductors, an electromotive force is induced within copper coils322as indicated in block716.

To effectively charge a battery, the power output of electrical generator300must first undergo an alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) conversion as indicated in block718.

Next, the DC power must travel through a control system, as indicated by block720, to combine outputs for each of, e.g., three generators300, and to safely charge the battery as indicated by block722. The control system may operate differently depending on the characteristics of the battery as is known in the art. Finally, the battery charged with the wave powered generator10of the invention will supply power to a load of the consumer, as indicated in block724, via a transmission line, where power is received by a consumer as indicated by block726. The, “end” block represents the completion of one cycle of this process. This cycle will ideally repeat twice for a given oncoming wave, as panel110will be tilted by the both the front and back sides of the wave.

Referring now toFIG.12, shown is a basic control system (referred to in blocks718and720ofFIG.11) for safely delivering the power produced from two linear generators300to a battery. The “start” block represents an instance from which power is generated (as referenced in block716ofFIG.11) from a singular Panel110containing two linear generators300(represented as “GENERATOR1” and “GENERATOR2” in boxes810aand810bin the block diagram). As previously mentioned, the power outputs from each linear generator300must first individually undergo an AC/DC conversion (see, e.g., block718ofFIG.11). The AC/DC conversion can be obtained by means of full wave bridge rectifier812a,812b,which generally consists of four diodes to change negative pulse cycles of sinusoidal output of generators810aand810bto positive pulse cycles. Next, the waveform travels through smoothing capacitor814a,814bto effectively “flatten” the full wave bridge rectifier output to a stable DC voltage level. Next, buck converter816a,816bis used to step down the output voltage of generators810a,810bto a suitable level for efficient charging of the battery in use. Finally, the signal passes through an N-Channel MOSFET818a,818bcombined with an ideal diode controller to ensure that the battery is safely being charged, as well as preventing current from travelling back into the circuit components within the control system from the battery. The outputs from generators810a,810bare combined and supplied to the battery in a parallel connection. The specific parts for each individual component will vary depending on the output range of each generator810a,810band the battery being used.

FIG.13represents an example of a basic control system (referred to in block720ofFIG.11) for safely delivering the power produced from linear generator300to a given battery912, e.g., a lead acid battery. Source902represents the induced AC voltage delivered from linear generator300. “Source_Impedance”904represents the impedance from generator300itself. Impedance will be directly dependent on the specific wire configuration of copper coils322, such as the wire gauge and number of turns, within linear generator300. Following these components, the signal travels through FWBR (full wave bridge rectifier)905, consisting of four 1N4007G diodes (906a,906b,906c,906d), which will effectively convert all negative cycles of the signal to positive values. Capacitor908is placed in parallel from the output of FWBR905for smoothing out the signal to approach a DC voltage value. The capacitance value and voltage rating of capacitor908is chosen based on the voltage/current levels of the output of generator300. Following capacitor908, the positive voltage is connected to a “LINE VOLTAGE” input of linear regulator910, and negative (GND) voltage is connected to a “COMMON” input of linear regulator910. “LM7815CT” indicates that linear regulator910is a 15V linear regulator. This component value may vary depending on the voltage value of the battery912, e.g., of a lead acid battery that is in use. Next, a positive output of linear regulator910is connected to switching diode914to ensure that current does not flow back into generator300while charging battery912. Switching diode914is labeled as “D1 1N4148”, but the specific value of switch diode914will vary depending on the specifications of generator300that is in use. After the signal has travelled through switching diode914, the output of switching diode914is connected to positive terminal (1V+) of battery charging regulator918, and the output of the “Common” gate of linear regulator910is connected to negative terminal (1V−) of battery charging regulator918. Following this connection, positive terminal (3V+) of a battery912, e.g., a lead acid battery, is connected to the positive “Battery” terminal (2V+) of the battery charger regulator918, while negative terminal (3V−) of battery912is connected to negative “Battery” terminal (2V−) of battery charge regulator918. The final connection to be made is from battery charge regulator918to a user specified load920to be provided to load power. Power delivery will be achieved by connecting “Vout+” and “Vout−” terminals of battery charge regulator918to corresponding terminals of load920(represented as “Vin+” and “Vin−”) through means of a transmission line. This circuit can be applied to each of linear generators300contained within a Panel110.

It will be appreciated that a system operating in accordance with the above description can readily be adapted by one of skill in the art to utilize other battery chemistries (e.g.,. lithium, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride, etc.).

Although particular embodiments have been described herein, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto and that many modifications and additions thereto may be made within the scope of the invention. For example, various combinations of the features of the following dependent claims can be made with the features of the independent claims without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The term “at least” followed by a number is used herein to denote the start of a range beginning with that number (which may be a ranger having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example, “at least 1” means 1 or more than 1. The term “at most” followed by a number is used herein to denote the end of a range ending with that number (which may be a range having 1 or 0 as its lower limit, or a range having no lower limit, depending upon the variable being defined). For example, “at most 4” means 4 or less than 4, and “at most 40%” means 40% or less than 40%.