Abstract:
An ocean wave generator includes a buoy for floating on the surface of the ocean. A generator is mounted to the buoy. A pulley is mounted on the generator for turning the generator. An anchor cable has a first end wrapped around the pulley and an anchored second end. Upward movement of the buoy and generator due to a wave causes the cable to unwind from the pulley, which turns the generator. A spring connected to the pulley rewinds the anchor cable when the buoy and generator drop into the trough of a wave.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to generators, and in particular to an ocean wave generator that converts ocean waves into electrical energy. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Society increasingly is more dependent on energy sources as nations become more advanced. As fuels required to generate energy become expended, man looks to more renewable sources with which to produce energy. Among some of the sources are wind power, solar power, and hydroelectric power. However, an untapped source of renewable energy is the power from harnessing ocean waves. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,066,867 discloses a method and device for generating electric power by use of wave force. According to the invention, it is possible to obtain the required power using the floatation bladders rising and falling repeatedly with waves as a power source and the rotation force of gears connected to the floatation bladders through ropes. The invention has advantages in that the construction of the power generating means and its supporting means are simple, execution of work is easy, a kinetic energy is convertible into an electric energy using the floatation bladders regardless of the magnitude of waves, and even in the deep sea, the base frame is not installed on the sea bed, but in a fixed depth under the mean sea level, and thereby the maintenance and repair of device is carried out without any difficulty. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,531,788 discloses a submersible generating plant for producing electricity from ocean currents. The apparatus consists of two counter-rotating, rear-facing turbines with a plurality of rotor blades extending radially outward from two separate horizontal axis that convey the kinetic energy from the two side-by-side turbine rotors through separate gearboxes to separate generators that are housed in two watertight nacelles that are located sufficiently far apart to provide clearance for the turbine rotors. The two generators and their gearboxes serve as ballast and are located below a streamlined buoyancy tank that extends fore and aft above and between them. A leverage system having no moving parts adjusts lifting forces to balance changing downward vector forces that result from changes in drag acting on the downward angled anchor line. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,717,831 discloses an ocean and river water power generator having a plurality of water wheel power generators. Said water wheel power generator includes a common concrete base, a water wheel having a main shaft thereof and a plurality of water wheel impellers fixedly and radially attached to said main shaft for transforming potential energy of water in the ocean or a river to rotational energy thereof, a speed-up gear means having an input shaft thereof connected with one end of said main shaft for increasing the number of RPM of the main shaft for increasing said rotational energy. 
     U.S. Patent No. 4,551,066 discloses a water wheel for operating fully submerged in an ocean current. The water wheel has a rotating frame member supported on the ocean floor for rotation about a vertical axis. The frame member supports a plurality of vertically extending vanes, each vane being rotatably supported on the frame for limited rotation about a vertical axis. It has a hydrofoil shape in cross-section with the axis of rotation parallel to the leading and trailing edges. Rotation of the vanes is limited relative to the frame by a hydraulic piston control system and shock absorbers. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,520,273 discloses a rotor generator including an elongated generally cylindrically shaped framework. An elongated rotor is longitudinally aligned within the framework and is rotatably mounted therein. The rotor has a plurality of curved blades which are capable of causing rotation of the rotor when there is fluid flow, such as water or air current. The rotor has a magnetic characteristic which may be provided by attaching magnets to the rotor blades or magnetizing the blades themselves. A plurality of wires are mounted on the framework about the rotor so that when the rotor is rotated electrical current is induced in the wires. Apparatus is provided for collecting the induced electrical current so that the electrical current can be provided for power purposes, such as charging a battery. With this arrangement the rotor generator can be placed on the bottom of the ocean where there is current flow, and utilized for charging a battery which may in turn power oceanographic equipment. 
     U.S. Patent Application No. 20040061338 is directed towards a reciprocating generator rigidly attached to the underside of an ocean buoy and creates electric power from the surface ocean swells. The generator coil maintains a stable position beneath the ocean surface while the magnetic field housing reciprocates with the vertical motion of the buoy in response to interaction with swell and waves on the surface of the ocean. Damping plates attached to the generator coil inhibit the motion of the generator coil, thus keeping it in a stable position relative to the motion of the magnetic housing. The magnetic housing focuses the magnetic field through the generator coil and the relative motion between the magnetic housing and generator coil creates an electromotive force in the coil. The design of the generator provides a uniform field of single magnetic orientation throughout the entire stroke of the generator. Permanent magnets and electromagnet windings create and enhance the magnetic field of the reciprocating generator. 
     Canada Patent No. 2,160,756 is directed towards an Ocean Current Power Generator. The abstract for this document was not provided by the issuing authority at the time it was entered into the ICO patent database. Also the image (PDF) file was not available for this document. 
     U.S. Patent No. 20040103658 is directed towards a system for conversion of wave energy in a body of a fluid using electromagnetic coupling (by moving a magnetic device inside a coil, or a coil inside magnetic field) driven by the linear motion due to either a buoy on a liquid or a linear movement induced by any mechanical means driven by a fluid, including: (a) a stationary support element mounted to the floor or to the floor of the body of the fluid in the form of a magnet or a coil; (b) a moving or buoyancy apparatus, for liquid fluids, including a buoy portion having formed therewith wave energy collection apparatus in the form of a floating device containing a magnet, or a coil; (c) coupling apparatus for connecting the moving or buoyancy apparatus to the stationary support element so as to be pivotal in a generally vertical plane with respect to the stationary support element; (d) at least a set a cables to allow for the flow of the electric current to a control/regulator/storage device, correspondingly, the piston apparatus being guided by a stationary support, in association with a predetermined element operative to move in response to movement of the moving or buoyancy apparatus, or running fluid such as air or running water. 
     None of the above inventions, however, provide for an ocean wave generator that can be easily inspected, maintained, replaced, and installed, while not reducing the efficiency of the generator. There is therefore a need for an ocean wave generator that can meet these needs and will produce reliable energy. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an aspect of the present invention to provide an ocean wave generator. 
     It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide an ocean wave generator that has a case having a chamber; a shaft rotatably mounted within the chamber of the case; a stator disposed within the chamber of the case substantially about the periphery of the chamber; a rotor mounted to the shaft, wherein the stator and rotor comprise a generator; a pulley mounted to the shaft whereby when the pulley rotates in a first direction, the pulley rotates the shaft in the first direction, and when the pulley rotates in a second direction, the pulley rotates about the shaft without turning the shaft; an anchor cable mounted to the pulley at one end and anchored to support frame at the other end; a current generator mounted to the support frame; a mooring line connected to the support frame at one end and moored to a mooring anchor on the seabed at another end; a coil spring mounted to the pulley, which rotates the pulley in the second direction and winds the one end of the anchor cable around the pulley; a flywheel mounted on the shaft; and power cables in electrical communication with the generator. 
     It is yet a further aspect of the present invention to provide an ocean wave generator having a case having a chamber; a shaft rotatably mounted within the chamber of the case; a stator disposed within the chamber of the case substantially about the periphery of the chamber; a rotor mounted to the shaft, wherein the stator and rotor comprise a generator; a pulley mounted to the shaft whereby when the pulley rotates in a first direction, the pulley rotates the shaft in the first direction, and when the pulley rotates in a second direction, the pulley rotates about the shaft without turning the shaft; an anchor cable mounted to the pulley at one end and anchored to support frame at the other end; a current generator mounted to the support frame; a mooring line connected to the support frame at one end and moored to a mooring anchor on the seabed at another end; a coil spring mounted to the pulley, which rotates the pulley in the second direction and winds the one end of the anchor cable around the pulley; a flywheel mounted on the shaft; and power cables in electrical communication with the generator. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an ocean wave generator is provided. The ocean wave generator includes a buoy, floating on the surface of the ocean; a generator; a pulley mounted on the generator for turning the generator; an anchor cable having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the anchor cable is connected to the underside of the buoy and the second end is mounted to the pulley; and a power cable, in electrical communication with the generator. 
     In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a novel ocean wave generator is provided. The novel ocean wave generator includes a case having a chamber; a shaft rotatably mounted within the chamber of the case; a stator disposed within the chamber of the case substantially about the periphery of the chamber; a rotor mounted to the shaft, wherein the stator and rotor comprise a generator; a pulley mounted to the shaft whereby when the pulley rotates in a first direction, the pulley rotates the shaft in the first direction, and when the pulley rotates in a second direction, the pulley rotates about the shaft without turning the shaft; an anchor cable mounted to the pulley at one end and anchored to support frame at the other end; a current generator mounted to the support frame; a mooring line connected to the support frame at one end and moored to a mooring anchor on the seabed at another end; a coil spring mounted to the pulley, which rotates the pulley in the second direction and winds the one end of the anchor cable around the pulley; a flywheel mounted on the shaft; and power cables in electrical communication with the generator. 
     In accordance with yet a further aspect of the present invention, a novel ocean wave generator is provided. The novel ocean wave generator includes a case having a chamber; a shaft rotatably mounted within the chamber of the case; a stator disposed within the chamber of the case substantially about the periphery of the chamber; a rotor mounted to the shaft, wherein the stator and rotor comprise a generator; a pulley mounted to the shaft whereby when the pulley rotates in a first direction, the pulley rotates the shaft in the first direction, and when the pulley rotates in a second direction, the pulley rotates about the shaft without turning the shaft; an anchor cable mounted to the pulley at one end and anchored to support frame at the other end; a current generator mounted to the support frame; a mooring line connected to the support frame at one end and moored to a mooring anchor on the seabed at another end; a coil spring mounted to the pulley, which rotates the pulley in the second direction and winds the one end of the anchor cable around the pulley; a flywheel mounted on the shaft; and power cables in electrical communication with the generator. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be better understood when read with reference to the appended drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of an ocean wave generator in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional view of a generator component of the ocean wave generator of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment of an ocean wave generator in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic representation of the ocean wave generator of  FIG. 3  depicting a current catcher section. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic representation of an ocean wave generator having a generator mounted inside a surface buoy. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial cross-section view of the ocean wave generator buoy of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic representation of an alternative arrangement of an ocean wave generator having a generator mounted inside a surface buoy. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same components across the several views and in particular to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is shown an ocean wave generator  10 . The ocean wave generator  10  includes a buoy  20 , an anchor cable  30 , a generator  40 , a pulley  50 , and power cables  60 . 
     The buoy  20  floats on the surface of the ocean and rises and falls as the waves rise and fall. The anchor cable  30  is connected to the underside of the buoy  20  at a first end  31 . A second end  32  is connected to the pulley  50 , which is mounted on the generator  40 . 
     The generator  40  includes an outer case  41  and an inner chamber  45 . The inner chamber  45  of the generator  40  houses a rotor  42  which turns to generate electricity. The rotor  42  is connected to a shaft  46 . Disposed at one end of the shaft  46  is the pulley  50 . The second end  32  of the anchor cable  30  is wrapped around the pulley  50 . As the buoy  20  rises and falls, the anchor cable  30  rotates the pulley  50 , and the shaft  46 , which in turn rotates the rotor  42  within a stator  47 , thereby generating electricity. 
     The operation of the pulley  50  is more fully described as follows. The pulley  50  is mounted on the shaft  46  such that when the pulley  50  rotates in a first direction, the pulley  50  rotates the shaft  46 , and thereby rotates the rotor  42 . When the pulley  50  rotates in a second, and opposite direction of rotation from the first direction, the pulley  50  rotates freely about the shaft  46 , without turning the shaft  46  in the second direction. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pulley  50  rotates in the first direction during the rising of the buoy  20  during an ocean wave crest, which pulls the anchor cable  30  in an upward direction. As the buoy  20  falls during an ocean wave trough, a coil spring  55  winds the second end  32  of the anchor cable  30  back around the pulley  50  preparing it for the next pull. The generator  40  has a set of power cables  60  connected to it to transfer the energy generated in the generator  40  for consumption. 
     A flywheel  43  mounted inside the case  41  and to the shaft  46  continues to rotate the rotor  42  during the ocean wave troughs. In this manner, the rotor  42  is able to rotate during both ocean wave crests and troughs, and thereby generate a more constant power output. The case  41  in a preferred embodiment is sealed to avoid corrosion and degradation of the components within the chamber  45 , and is filled with an inert gas such as nitrogen. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an alternative arrangement of the ocean wave generator  10  is depicted. In this arrangement, the generators  40  of the ocean wave generator  10  do not sit on the seabed S, but on a support frame  70 . The support frame  70  is moored to the seabed S via a mooring line  75 , which is moored to the seabed S at a mooring anchor  77 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the alternative arrangement of the ocean wave generator  10  is depicted with a current generator portion  76 . The current generator portion  76  has a plurality of current generators  78 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the current generators  78  are operatively attached to the shafts  46  to turn the rotors  42  of their respective generators  40  as the ocean current turns the current generators  78 . However, it can be seen by one of ordinary skill in the art that the current generators  78  can generate electricity separate from the wave generators. The support frame  70  is, in a preferred embodiment a buoyant anti-heave support frame. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , an alternative embodiment of an ocean wave generator  100  is depicted. An anchor cable  130  is attached to the underside of the ocean wave generator  100  at one end, and is connected to an anchor  170  on the other end of the anchor cable  130 . The anchor  170  rests on the seabed S. Power cables  160  run from the anchor  170  to carry energy generated by the ocean wave generator  100  for consumption. 
     The ocean wave generator  100  includes a case  141 , which houses the majority of the operative components of the generator. Disposed within the case  141  is a rotor  142  which is connected to a shaft  146 . The shaft  146  runs generally along the central axis of the case  141 . Located generally centrally along the shaft  146  is a pulley  150 . The pulley  150  has an end of the anchor cable  130  wrapped around it and rotates as the anchor cable  130  pulls the pulley  150 . 
     The operation of the pulley  150  is more fully described as follows. The pulley  150  is mounted on the shaft  146  such that when the pulley  150  rotates in a first direction, the pulley  150  rotates the shaft  146 , and thereby rotates the rotor  142  within a stator  147 , thereby generating electricity. When the pulley  150  rotates in a second, and opposite direction of rotation from the first direction, the pulley  150  rotates freely about the shaft  146 , without turning the shaft  146  in the second direction. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pulley  150  rotates in the first direction during the rising of the ocean wave generator  100  during an ocean wave crest, which pulls the anchor cable  130  in an upward direction in relation to the anchor  170 . As the ocean wave generator  100  falls during an ocean wave trough, a coil spring  155  winds the anchor cable  130  back around the pulley  150  preparing it for the next pull. In this embodiment of the present invention, power is transmitted along the anchor cable  130  to the power cables  160 . 
     A flywheel  143  mounted inside the case  141  and to the shaft  146  continues to rotate the rotor  142  during the ocean wave troughs. In this manner, the rotor  142  is able to rotate during both ocean wave crests and troughs, and thereby generate a more constant power output. The case  141  in a preferred embodiment is sealed to avoid corrosion and degradation of the components within, and is filled with an inert gas such as nitrogen. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , an alternate arrangement of ocean wave generators  100  is depicted with a current generator portion  176 . An anchor cable  130  is attached to the underside of the ocean wave generator  100  at one end, and is connected to an anchor support frame  170  on the other end of the anchor cable  130 . The anchor support frame  170 , in a preferred embodiment, is a buoyant anti-heave support frame similar to the support frame  70  as described in  FIG. 4 . The anchor support frame  170  is moored to the seabed S via a morring line  175 , which is moored to the seabed S at a mooring anchor  177 . 
     The current generator portion  176  has a plurality of current generators  178  which, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are operatively attached to the shafts  146  to turn the rotors  142  of their respective generators  140  as the ocean current turns the current generators  178 . However, the current generators  178  can also independently generate electricity from the ocean&#39;s current. Power cables from both the wave  100  and current generators  178  can be supported by the support frame  170  and by the mooring lines  175  prior to being connected to the set of power cables  160  to transfer the energy generated for consumption. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the current generators are described in U.S. patent application “Current Power Generator”, filed on May 19, 2005 by Donald H. Gehring, and is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. 
     In view of the foregoing disclosure, some advantages of the present invention can be seen. For example, a novel ocean wave generator is disclosed. The novel ocean wave generator allows for the utilization of the crests and troughs of an ocean wave to generate electricity. 
     While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described and illustrated, modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a unidirectional pulley is used to turn the shaft of the rotor. However, any means known to one of ordinary skill in the art may be employed, such as a series of gears. Additionally, the flywheel is described as being disposed within the chamber of the generator, but one of ordinary skill in the art can readily see that the flywheel could be placed on the outside of the chamber.