WAVE ENERGY IMPROVEMENT UNIT TO BE CONVERTED INTO ELECTRIC POWER

Abstract: The invention relates to a unit for production of electric power using the energy of the sea waves (13). This unit can work coupled with the already existing maritime infra-structures (7), such as moles, pontoon bridges, ports, docks, etc. The innovation of the system results from the improvement of the energy exploring the different condition of the sea between the two sides (4, 5) of the infra-structure (7) (mole, port, etc.): the open sea on one side with all its potential and kinetic available energy: on the other side a stabilised surface and with potential and kinetic energy practically dissipated. Improvement unit to convert sea waves energy into electric energy, changing the kinetic and potential enenergy of waves into energy of position, being based on the difference of heights of the free surfaces of the two tanks (1, 3) set in the mole (7), one located on the seaside (4), tank of reception (1) and the other one (3) located under the sheltered area (5), inside a port on the land side, where a hydraulic turbine (8) will be installed, passing the water from one tank to another through a tubing system (2) with draining pressure, which will feed a hydraulic turbine (8) that will produce electric energy. The system is modelling being possible to install in several units functioning in parallel alongside the mole.

Description: DESCRIPTION WAVE ENERGY IMPROVEMENT UNIT TO BE CONVERTED INTO ELECTRIC POWER The invention relates to an unit for production of electric power using the energy of sea waves. This unit con work coupled with the already existing maritime infra-structures, such as moles, pontoon bridges, ports, docks, etc. The innovation of the system results from the improvement of the energy exploring the different conditions of the sea between the two sides of the infra-structure (mole, port, etc.): the open sea on one side with all its potential and kinetic available energy, an the other side a stabilized surface and with potencial and kinetic energy practically dissipated. The functionning of the process is based on the working principle of a siphon, that is, if there exists a difference of height between two surfaces and if conditions of water Circulation ore created, the draining is made from one side of the infra-structure to the other till the levels of the free levels of the surface between the two sides ore balanced. In this unit the difference of heights between the free surfaces is secured by two tanks conceived to achieve the finest performance of those functions: • Tank of reception (1 ) which is located an the seaside and therefore it is fed by the seawaves utilizing and converting the potential and kinetic energies into potential energy of position. • Tank of the turbine (3) which is located on the other side of the mole, that is, inside the dock to receive and convert the energy accumulated inside the reception tank into electric power. So. If the average ondulation (wave mation) will reach the 3 meters, the theoretical difference between the free surfaces of the tanks will be at least 3 meters, without considering the kinetic energy of the waves. Therefore, the unit (Drawing 1) is mainlv composed bv the following operational means (Drawing 2) Tank of reception (1). Siphon (2) and Tank of the Turbine (3) TANK OF RECEPTION (1), (Drawing 3, 4 and 5) This tank will be composed bv a mixed structure of concrete (6) and πgid metallic structure, m order to support the impact and the strength of the sea waves since the front side of this tank will be m direct contact with the sea (4) (13) The reception tank (1) is composed bv several elements which m the whole allow the water of sea waves to enter the tank and do not leave it So we have a first tank of concrete (2), which we cool enchasing tank (2) whose front side will be slighly inclined, in order to help lifting the wave up This first tank (20) will be located alongside the mole, upright the forward movement of the wave Port of the tank is covered by a slab of concrete (19) under which it is installed a feed svstem (9) of the reception tank (1) which will be dulv protected from the impact of the waves and of the remams as well bv means of a system of protections and gridirons The feed svstem (9) of the tank of reception (1) is composed by a metallic structure shutter type (9 2 to 9 7), whose opening and closing functions are automatically regulated bv the water level inside the tank (9 9). which is direct function of the height of the waves (13) The shutters (92) are made of clinched stainless steel sheet with an insidecoupled floating opp ance (9 6) which shut them when the water level inside the tank goes higher (9 9) The shutters work independently from one another with an axis of rotation (9 3) under the plate to be fixed to the structure (9 4). allowing the clinch till the metallic profile of pause (9 7), according to drawing 5 The estimate and the size of the shutter (9 2) will be based on the characteristics of the sea where the unit will be located The shutters (9 2) con have a complementary set of flood-gates (9 5) whose going up and down will be controlled b the opening and closing of the shutters (9 2) and therefore, by the level of the water inside the tank (9 9) This feed svstem (9) is just a functional example which can be replaced bv another type of svstem better adjusted to the local conditions The second tank wall be covered (15 and 19) and will store the water which will feed the siphon and for that reason its size, function of the pipe section (2) (14) and its peculiarities (which define the stream), and the charactenstics of the waves where the unit will be built (average frequency and average height of the waves) The covering of this tank will be inclined (17). composed bv innumerable gutters (15) spread in parallel along the mole, that is in a perpendicular position to the wave movement and they end in a reception box (16) These gutters (15) which gather the water of the sea waves work independently among them and m several levels having a steady inclination, m order to quide the water to the reception box (16) The reception box (16) will be covered by a slab made of concrete (19) In one of the walls of the box. it is located the feed system (9) of the reception tank which will be of the same type of the one above described, that is with shutters (92) and it is duly protected This energy improvement unit of sea waves con be composed by innumerable parallel tanks (1) whose pipe svstems (2) (14) will feed the some turbme (8) or several turbines (8) The first tank or enchasing tank (20). the gutters (15) with their reception boxes (16) and the feed svstem (9) will be constmcted in a size to allow a permanent feeding action of the tank of reception (1). being the functioning of this svstem m the whole of enchasing type and dosage of stream, since the waves are cyclical and with certain regularity they change their frequence according to the location of the unit the tides, the height of the waves and the peπod of the vear SIPHON OR CONNECTING PIPE SYSTEM (2) This argon will be made of concrete or in metallic pipe, according to the needs of load and stream The drawing of pipe system will be made a wav to reduce the losses of load, the execution costs, self-cleaning conditions and future maintenance To protect the entry of the siphon (2) or connecting pipe system (14) two nets will be mstalled (18) the first one with mean mesh and the second with tight mesh, m order to prevent seaweed, remams. fishes, etc to enter the siphon, avoiding the stoppage or the bad functioning of the siphon or piping The valves waste clearing devices, cuppιng-9 losses, etc will also be made taking mto consideration the purposes and needs for which thev are needed in each unit to be built TANK OF THE TURBINE (3) The tank of the turbine (3) will be built m a mixed structure of concrete and metal (6) (10) and it will be adapted to the existmg mole (7) and it will be located inside the shelter port (5) In this tank (3) where the siphon ends (2) it is mstalled the turbme (8) for hydroelectric uulisauon The turbme (8) moves by the water flow coming from the siphon (2) whose energy will be proportional to the difference of heights between tanks This tank (3) will have the suitable size for the functioning of both the siphon (2) and the turbme (8). in order not to cause anv turbulence, refluxes, which will originate load losses or output failures The side walls will be made of concrete (6) for better adapting to the existmg mole (7) being the lock of the tank on the side of the dock (5) m metallic structure (10) panelled m gridiron with protection net to avoid seaweed's, remams. fishes, etc to enter the tank. The tank will be covered bv a concrete and metallic structure and there will be access to the turbme and workmg equipment through a trop-door, stairs and platforms The engme roam (technical area) con be located on the tank of the turbme In case the planned unit works with several turbines the tanks will be mstalled m parallel alongside the mole The turbme (8) * ιs of reception type since it is crossed over by the draining under pressure which comes out of the siphon and it is located at a fixed lme under the minimum level of the high tide The turbme (8) will have a distributor whose function is converting port of the energy of pressure mto kinetic energy and guding the entering of water to the wheel, and the diffusor composed by a conductor of section developing in a growing way, in order to recover partially the kinetic energy when the wheel comes out The turbme (8) will have the size taking mto consideration the stream and the useful fall, which will be quite variable as thev will depend from the height of the waves directly, height of the free surface of the reception tank and from the tide (Drawing 3) NEW UNITS TO BE CONSTRUCTED WITHOUT USING THE EXISTING INFRA-STRUCTURES The new units to be built may not use the siphon (2). whose output reduces the use of available energy replacmg it by a pipe (14) of communication between the two tanks (1) and (3) In these cases the energy obtamed is directly the some of the difference of heights between the free surfaces of the two tanks, less the lasses of load due to the pipe material, pipe outlme and its singularities, density and temperature of the sea water and others but always superior to the system with siphon In these cases the tank of reception (1) and the one of the turbme (8) will be m everything similar to those of the above described umt as the functioning of the umt in general as well The outline of the pipe (1 4) must be always very goad in order to lose as less load as possible LEGEND CD Tank of reception (19) Concrete covering slab of the reception box © Sffhon (20) Enchasing tank © Tank of the turbine Sec (5Ϊ) Second tank © Sea inside the dock A) Functionniπg plan of the Wails of the tanks in concrete pontoons to be built © Existing mole Qj) Functionning plan of the existing pontoons © Turbine a < (10,33m — Cargo tosses) © Feed system of the reception tank h Height of the wave Pipe in solid iron © Stainless steel sheet with floating appiience Axis of rotation © Angle iron Gate in stainless steel sheet Rail in square mesh Support in stainless steel angle iron © Stream proceeding from sea wave © Level of the reception tank Metallic stuctrure wall with bar © Maximum level during high— tide ® Minimum level during low-tide ® Waves ® Feed pipe of the turbine Gutters of concrete (or metal) © Reception box ® Covering of reception tank (IB Roil of protection

Claims: CLAIMS 1ST Improvement unit to convert sea waves energy into electric energy, changing the kinetic and potential energy of waves into energy of position, being based on the difference of heights of the free surfaces of the two tanks (1) (3) set in the mole (7), one located on the seaside (4), tank of reception (1) and the other one (3) located under the sheltered area (5), inside a port on the land side, where an hydraulic turbine (8) will be installed, passing the water from one tank to another through a tubing system (2) with draining pressure, which will feed an hydraulic turbine (8) that will produce electric energy. 2ND Improvement unit to convert sea waves energy into electric energy according to the first claim, transforming the kinetic and potential energy of the sea waves into energy of position through a tank of reception (1) whose size will fit the functions for which it was conceived, namely its 1st and 2nd tank (20) (21) with an integrated system of gutters (15) and relative reception boxes (16). 3RD Improvement unit to transform sea waves energy into electric energy accordance with the 1st and 2nd claims, consisting of a catching and reception system of the sea wave water (9), that allows to transform the energy of waves in meters of column of water, being this system (9) installed in the sheltered area (19) of the 1st tank (20) and reception boxes (16) and which allows the entry of the water waves, but prevents their outgoing, storing the water in height in the 2nd tank (21). 4TH Improvement unit to transform sea waves energy into electric energy accordance with the 1st. 2nd and 3rd claims, utilising the difference of heights of the free surfaces of two tanks (1) (3), located in the mole (7). one in the open zone of the sea, reception tanks (1) composed by two tanks, being the second tanks covered (17) by a set of gutters (15), whose display is perpendicular to the forward movement of the sea waves, and which end in a reception box (16) covered by a stone slab (19), having installed in one of its walls the system of catching and retaining of the water of the sea waves (9), composed by a metallic structure window shutter type (9.2), whose opening and closing will be automatically regulated by the floating devices installed on the backing of the shutters independent from each other, and complementanly can have a set of floodgates (9 5). whose going up and down functions will be controlled by the opening and closing of the shutters (9 2) 5TH Improvement umt to transform sea waves energy mto electric energy accordance with the 1st claim, consisting of the utilisation of the already existmg infra-structures (7), such as docks, pontoon bπdges, marines plants, bars, platforms, etc . for the installation of the umt, adjusting to the conditions of the same in order to secure an entire stable shape thus reducing the costs of the umt 6TH Improvement umt to transform sea waves energy into electπc energy accordance with the 1st claim, consisting of the utilisation of the already existmg infra-structures (7), such as docks, pontoon bπdges. maπnes plants, bars, platforms, etc . for the installation of the umt, exploring the different existmg conditions on one side (4) and on the other (5) of the infra-structure, having on one side the open sea (4) exposed to the impact and intensity of the sea waves (13) and on the other (5) calm and stabilised surface 7TH Improvement umt to transform sea waves energy mto electπc energy accordance with the 1st claim, consisting of the utilisation of the already existing infra-structures (7), such as decks, pontoon bπdges. maπnes plants, bars, platforms, etc . for the installation of the unit, exploring the different existing conditions on one side (4) and on the other (5) of the infra-structure, having on one side the open sea (4) exposed to the impact and intensity of the sea waves (13), it is located the tank (1) or tanks of reception (1) functioning m parallel, on the other, calm and stabilised surface, it is located the tank (3) or the tanks of the turbine (3), passing the water from one tank (1) to another (3) through a turbine svstem (2) being the draining made m pressure 8TH Improvement unit to transform sea waves energy into electπc energy accordance w th the 1st claim, consisting of the utilisation of the already existing infra-structures (7). such as docks, pontoon bndges. maπnes plants bars, platforms, etc . for the uistallaϋon of the umt exploring the different existmg conditions on one side (4) and on the other (5) of the infra-structure, having on one side the open sea (4) exposed to the impact and intensity of the sea waves (13). it is located the tank (1) or tanks of reception (1) functioning parallel, on the other., calm and stabilised surface, it is located the tank (3) or the tanks of the turbme (3). passing the water from ono tank ( 1 ) to another (3) through a turbing system (2) being the draining made in pressure, for an easier adjustment to the existing infra-structures the connecting pipe to be installed will be of the siphon type (2). depending its functioning from the own conditions of this type of pipe 9TH improvement umt to transform sea waves energy mto electπc energy accordance with the 1st claun. consisting of an hydroelectπc utilisation through a turbme (8) which works through the water flowing, oπgmated by the connecting pipe (2) between tanks, whose energy will be to the same proportion of the waterfall and to the difference of heights between the free surfaces of the tanks (1) (39, being the system of conversion of the energy of the mini- hydπc type 10 TH Improvement umt to transform sea waves energy into electπc energy accordance with the 1st claim, consisting of the utilisation of an installation of infra-structure to be built or m construction (7), such as docks, pontoon bπdges, maπnes plants, bars, platforms, etc , for the installation of the umt, exploring the different existmg conditions on one side (4) and on the other (5) of the infra-structure, having on one side the open sea (4) exposed to the impact and intensity of the sea waves (13), it is located the tank (1) or tanks of reception (1) functioning in parallel, on the other,, calm and stabilised surface, it is located the tank (3) or the tanks of the turbine (3), the passage of the water from one tank (1) to the other (3) be g made through a turbing system (14) the draining bemg made m pressure, or several indecent pipes (14) which go from a tank of reception (1) or vaπous tanks of reception (1) being possible to install in several units functioning m parallel alongside the mole

Inventors: MARQUES CRAVEIRO LOPES PRETO V, MARQUES CRAVEIRO LOPES PRETO, VIRGILIO
Applicants: MARQUES CRAVEIRO LOPES PRETO V, MARQUES CRAVEIRO LOPES PRETO, VIRGILIO
Application year: 1999
Main classification: F03B13
IPC codes: F03B13