Separable buoy

A separable buoy includes a center float having a top surface that includes an upper peripheral end and an engagement bevel provided on the upper peripheral end that extends below the top surface; a separable float unit detachably disposed at the center float and including a dome wall that is provided in a lower central portion thereof and that has a peripheral edge configured to detachably engage the engagement bevel: and a chamber defined between the dome wall of the separable float unit and the top surface of the center float when the separable float unit engages the center float, wherein the center float has a vertical height that substantially equals or exceeds that of a lower portion of the separable float unit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application also claims priority to Taiwan Patent Application No. 105138941 filed in the Taiwan Patent Office on Nov. 25, 2016 the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The disclosure relates to a separable buoy, and more particularly, to a separable buoy that can mitigate the wave force that is exerted to the wave generator.

2. Related Art

In recent years, environmental issues have gradually been paid much attention by the people and the rate of utilizing the green energy has been gradually increased. The currently existed green energy can roughly be as classified four kinds: solar energy, hydroelectric energy, wind power as well as ocean wave energy.

Limited by the factors such as the land area, sunshine frequency and water resource, ocean energy development has gradually been employed by those states surrounded by vast ocean, for instance, wave power generation by use of wave power generator.

The currently use of wave power generator possesses a floating body and electric generator assemblies. The floating bodies being floated on the sea water surface of partially submerged in the sea water can absorb the sea wave energy to drive the shaft of the electric power generator assembly. The absorbed wave energy, which is transformed into the kinetic energy by letting the wave energy drive the shaft of the generator to rotate, can then be transformed into electric energy or the remaining unused energy can be output in the mode of stored energy output.

Under extreme weather conditions, such as typhoon, hurricane etc., the ocean wave energy can be as huge as 100 times of the energy in normal condition. If one would like to have the electric power generator survive without wrecking its mechanical and electrical structures under these extreme weather conditions, a partially submerged floating body is employed to mitigate the capacity of wave energy that the electric power generator assembly can withstand. A donut-type floating body is also widely used to reduce the cut-water area of the floating body, in floating design, however, the effect is very limited.

SUMMARY

In light of the disadvantages of the prior arts, the disclosure provides a separable buoy that aims to ameliorate at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art or to provide a useful alternative.

The separable buoy of the disclosure employs a design of separable buoy making the wave generator mitigate the wave force that exerts thereon and improve the safety performance thereof. The technical means are as follows:

The disclosure is a separable buoy, comprising:

a center float;a separable float unit detachably furnished at the center float: and a chamber connected to both the center float and the separable float unit.
Another embodiment, the disclosure is a separable buoy, comprising:a center float; anda separable float unit, further comprising:a center plate;at least a connecting module, furnished at the center plate, the at least a connecting module clamps the center float; anda floating body, clamped by the at least a connecting module.
Another embodiment, the disclosure is a separable buoy, comprising:a center float having a deformable connecting ring; anda separable float unit having a containing hole for furnishing the center float, and the deformable connecting ring is leaned against the inner wall of the containing hole.
Another embodiment, the disclosure is a separable buoy, comprising:a center float; anda separable float unit having a multiplicity of floating bodies is circumferentially furnished at the center float.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENT

The following descriptions are embodiments of the disclosure employing some particular concrete examples. Those people skilled in the art are capable of easily realizing the advantages and efficacies of the disclosure through the content disclosed by the patent specification of the disclosure.

FIG. 1is a schematic isometric drawing showing the outward appearance of the separable buoy of the first embodiment of the disclosure. As shown inFIG. 1, the separable buoy of the disclosure includes center float10and a separable float unit12.

The center float10is coupled to a cable101to make it to be floated on the surface of the sea water or partially submerged in the sea water. An engagement bevel100is designed at the edge of the circumference at the top end of the center float10. The generator assembly of the sea wave generator is furnished at the center float10.

The separable float unit12is detachably furnished at the top end of the center float10while the bottom end of the separable float unit12is stuck to the engagement bevel100.

The separable float unit12includes a floating body13, a actuation module14and a sensing module15.

The floating body13being a rigid body possesses an air hole130. A lower recess213, i.e., dome wall12ainFIG. 1, being provided by the floating body13is communicated to the air hole130. A chamber11is formed between the lower recess213, i.e., the dome wall12aand a top surface10aof the center float10when the floating body13is combined with, i.e., engages, the center float10. An air-discharge unit is used to perform air-discharge action with respect to the chamber11through the air hole130to let the chamber11become a low-pressure chamber11so as to make the separable float unit12tightly combine with the floating body13and let them become an integral body.

As a low-pressure chamber11, it has a pressure lower that that of the atmosphere, for example, if the pressure in the low-pressure chamber11is 0.5 atm with 2.5 meter in diameter of the chamber11, then an experimentally result shows that at least a 250 KN of force is required to separate the integral body of the combination of the separable float unit12and the center float10.

The actuation module14being furnished at the air hole130is an explosive, an air-discharge valve, a electromagnetic valve, an actuator, an active air-discharge valve or a passive air-discharge valve. The sensing module15being furnished in the chamber11or at the top end of the center float10and being signally connected to the actuation module14is a pressure sensor or an accelerometer.

The actuation module14can close the air hole130to make the external air unable to enter the chamber11so as to make the chamber11in a low-pressure state.

Referring again toFIG. 1, if the drag force exerted by the wave force exceeds the combination force between the separable float unit12and the center float10, the separable float unit12and the center float10will be separated each other automatically. Similarly, if the wave energy or wave velocity stored in the wave, that is sensed by the sensing module15, exceeds that of the tolerated limit of electric generator, the actuation module14will make the chamber11to be communicated with the atmosphere to balance the low-pressure chamber11with the atmospheric causing the separable float unit12and the center float10separate automatically from each other. The pressure of a normal pressure chamber as depicted here is equal to or greater than one atmospheric pressure.

FIG. 2is a schematic isometric drawing showing the outward appearance of the separable buoy of the second embodiment of the disclosure;FIG. 3is a schematic isometric drawing showing the developed view of the separable buoy of the second embodiment of the disclosure. As shown inFIG. 2andFIG. 3, the separable buoy of the disclosure includes center float20and a separable float unit21.

The center float20having a multiplicity of air hole200which is coupled to a actuation module22is coupled to a cable201to let the center float20float on the surface of the sea water or partially submerge in the sea water.

The separable float unit21possesses at least a floating body210which are connected in series by at least a connecting body211to form a long-chain structure which is also called as floating body chain.

FIG. 4is a schematic drawing showing the partial cross-sectional view of both the center float and the floating body of the separable buoy of the disclosure. The floating body210possesses three engagement bevels100which are inclined one another with each engagement bevel surface having a recess213. The separable float units21are circumferentially furnished at the center float20, The above-mentioned recess213is formed as a chamber23which being communicated to the air hole200is a closed space.

The actuation module22being coupled to the air-discharge unit in order to make the chamber23become a low-pressure chamber can close the air hole200to make the external air unable to enter the chamber23so as to make the chamber23maintain in a low-pressure state.

The separable float unit21is connected to the center float20by the use of a connecting body212. The connecting body211,212are a cable. a metal chain connecting plate.

A sensing module24being furnished at the center float20is signally connected to the actuation module22.

FIG. 3is a schematic isometric drawing showing the developed view of the separable buoy of the second embodiment of the disclosure whileFIG. 5is another schematic drawing showing the partial cross-sectional view of both the center float and the floating body of the separable buoy of the disclosure. As shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 5, if the wave energy or wave velocity stored in the wave, that is sensed by the sensing module24, exceeds that of the tolerated limit of electric generator, the actuation module22will make the chamber23to be communicated with the atmosphere to balance the low-pressure chamber23with the atmospheric causing the separable float unit21and the center float20separate automatically from each other.

Referring again toFIG. 6, the separable buoy of the disclosure includes center float32and a separable float unit30.

The separable float unit30includes at least a connecting module31, a center plate33, a floating body34, an actuation module36and a sensing module35.

FIG. 6is a schematic isometric drawing showing the outward appearance of the separable buoy of the third embodiment of the disclosure whileFIG. 7is a schematic drawing of the connecting module of the separable buoy of the disclosure As shown inFIG. 6andFIG. 7, at least a connecting module31is a toggle mechanism having one end secure to the periphery of the center plate33and the other end connected to both a center float32and a floating body34. The connecting module31has an upper jaw portion310, a lower jaw portion311, a connecting rod312and a leaning rod313. The upper jaw portion310is pivotally connected to an end of the connecting rod312while the lower jaw portion311is pivotally connected to the other end of the connecting rod312. Both ends of the leaning rod313are pivotally connected to the upper jaw portion310and the lower jaw portion311respectively.

The leaning rod313has a leaning surface314. When the upper jaw portion310and the lower jaw portion311are propped to open, the leaning rod313is interlocked by the lower jaw portion311making the leaning rod313move in the direction that is away from the lower jaw portion311, thereby, the leaning surface314will push to lean the article.

As depicted above, the floating body34is clamped by the connecting module31, i.e. the floating body34is furnished between the upper jaw portion310and the lower jaw portion311making the upper jaw portion310and the lower jaw portion311prop to open and letting the leaning rod313move in the direction that is away from the lower jaw portion311. At this time, at least a leaning surface314of a connecting module31is leaned against the side surface furnished at the center float10, in this way, the center float32is secured in the separable float unit30. Here, the floating body34can be an air bag or a deformable floating body.

Both the sensing module35and the actuation module36are furnished at the floating body34and the sensing module35are signally connected to the actuation module36.

Referring again toFIG. 6andFIG. 7, if the floating body34is a air bag or a deformable floating body and is in inflated state to make the connecting module31clamp the center float32, holding by a connecting cable, the center float32and the separable float unit30can either float on the surface of the sea water or partially submerge in the sea water.

When the wave energy or wave velocity stored in the wave, that is sensed by the sensing module35, exceeds that of the tolerated limit of electric generator, the actuation module36will release the air in the floating body34to the atmosphere to let the floating body34deform. Under the influence of the deformation of the floating body34, the lower jaw portion311moves in the direction toward the upper jaw portion310making the leaning rate become lower, of the leaning surface314that leans against the center float32, thereby, making the connecting module31unable to clamp the center float32and thus making the center float32and the separable float unit30separate each other.

As depicted above, the mode that the actuation module36has the air in the floating body34release to the atmosphere is either a pop-open floating body34or valve bleeding.

FIG. 8is a schematic cross-sectional drawing of the deformable connecting ring of the separable buoy of the fourth embodiment of the disclosure;FIG. 9is a schematic cross-sectional drawing of the deformable connecting ring showing the action of the separable buoy of the fourth embodiment of the disclosure;FIG. 10is a schematic cross-sectional drawing of the deformable connecting ring showing another action of the separable buoy of the fourth embodiment of the disclosure. As shown inFIG. 8,FIG. 9, andFIG. 10, the separable buoy of the disclosure includes center float40and a separable float unit41.

The center float40includes a deformable connecting ring400, a sensing module401and a actuation module402where the deformable connecting ring400is furnished at the periphery side of the center float40. The sensing module401being furnished at the center float40is signally connected to actuation module402which is furnished at the deformable connecting ring400. The actuation module402is an actuator, an air-discharge valve or an electromagnetic valve.

The separable float unit41has a containing hole410. An end of the deformable connecting ring400is connected to center float40and the other end thereof is connected to is leaned against the inner wall of the containing hole410making the center float40secure in separable float unit41.

Referring again to As shown inFIG. 9andFIG. 10, if the wave energy or wave velocity stored in the wave, that is sensed by the sensing module401, exceeds that of the tolerated limit of electric generator, the actuation module402will make the deformable connecting ring400deform to so as to make the deformable connecting ring400unable to lean against the inner wall of the containing hole410and let the center float40and the separable float unit41separate from each other.

If the deformable connecting ring400is an air-filling ring or an air-filling float, the actuation module402will make the deformable connecting ring400bleed so as to make the deformable connecting ring400deform, thereby, make the separable float unit41and the center float40separate from each other.

FIG. 11is a schematic cross-sectional drawing of the floating bodies of the separable buoy of the fifth embodiment of the disclosure whileFIG. 12is a schematic cross-sectional drawing showing the separating action of the floating bodies of the separable buoy of the fifth embodiment of the disclosure. As shown inFIG. 11, andFIG. 12, the separable buoy of the disclosure includes center float50and a separable float unit51.

The separable float unit51possesses a multiplicity of floating bodies510. The floating bodies510are circumferentially furnished at the periphery side of the center float50so as to make the separable float unit51secure at the center float50. The floating bodies510is an air bag or a deformable floating body.

A sensing module52being furnished at the center float50is signally connected to the actuation module53.

If the wave energy or wave velocity stored in the wave, that is sensed by the sensing module52, exceeds that of the tolerated limit of electric generator, the actuation module53will make the floating body510bleed so as to make the floating body510deform, thereby, make the hoop ring511separate from the floating body510and again make the center float50and the separable float unit51separate each other.

In summary, the separable buoy of the disclosure is a combination of a separable float unit and center float. When the wave energy or wave velocity stored in the wave exceeds that of the tolerated limit of electric generator, the separable float unit and the center float will be separated each other. By the use of this separation mode, the separable buoy of the disclosure can mitigate the wave force that is exerted to the wave generator and improve the safety performance.

It will become apparent to those people skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. In view of the foregoing description, it is intended that all the modifications and variation fall within the scope of the following appended claims and their equivalents.