Abstract:
A Self Priming Gravity Wave Water Pump, Double Acting, vertically Self Adjusting incorporating a Submerged Column Platform as shown in FIG.  4 A, the submerged column platform ( 22 ) can be tethered ( 28 ) or secured by a pivot to a weight ( 29 ) or fixed into the water bed ( 31 ). The column ( 22 ) can be incorporated into an additional submerged water filled column chamber ( 23 ), to operate as a hydraulic tidal adjustable column platform. The Gravity Wave Pump ( 9 ) is a wave energy converter using wave energy in the form of wave motion to displace a float ( 2 ), to lift the pumps reciprocating piston ( 12 ) and uses gravity, causing a weight ( 3 ) to push a piston down as the wave passes. The pump could pressurise piped water to a head of up to 100 metres or more and could pump pressures in excess of 150 pounds per square inch when adjusted accordingly.

Description:
[0001]    The invention is a, Self Priming Gravity Wave water Pump incorporating a Submerged Column Platform, the pump is powered by Wave Energy, the column can be tethered or located by a pivot or fixed in the water bed. The submerged column platform can be incorporated into an additional submerged column chamber to operate as a Hydraulically Controlled Tidal and Storm Adjustable Column platform incorporating the Self Priming Self Adjusting Reciprocating Double Acting Gravity Wave Pump. The Gravity Wave Pump is a wave energy converter using wave energy in the form of wave movement to displace a float to lift the pumps piston, and uses gravity causing a weight to push the piston down. The pump could pump water to a Head of up to 100 metres or more and could pump pressures in excess of 150 pounds per square inch when adjusted accordingly. 
         [0002]    The pump is almost fully submerged, it is designed to pump water at pressure using buoyancy displacement to lift the pumps piston as the wave height increases, and using gravity in the form of a heavy weight to push the pumps piston down as the wave passes. The submerged column forming a submerged platform to support the nearly fully submerged self adjusting pump can be rigidly fixed, mounted on a pivot, or tethered. The water can be pumped to a water tower in the water or on land, or can be pumped to a shore based reservoir in the region of 100 metres above the water source, where it could drive water turbines to produce hydro electricity, or to drive machinery, or a reverse osmosis plant before the water is returned to its original source. Pressures are increased by increasing the buoyancy and the weight attached to the same size of pump to obtain higher heads of water. The number of individual pumps can be increased to increase the volume of water at the water requirement, only the buoyant float and impact protection ring and possibly the weight, are visible above the surface, therefore there is only a very minor aesthetic pollution, all the hydraulic action and lubrication in connection with the pump utilises the water source passing through the pump, no oils are used, therefore it is 100% free of oil pollution. 
       ADVANTAGE  
       [0003]    The low profile floats of the pumps are not very conspicuous in the surrounding water. 
         [0004]    The task of laying (manufactured onshore) weighted tethered submerged air captive column platforms and pumps on the water bed, is much easier and more economical than building unsightly expensive fixed structures offshore on the water bed. 
         [0005]    Water craft would probably gain less damage from inadvertantly colliding with tethered pumps than colliding with rigid structures. 
         [0006]    The pumps are lubricated by the water they pump. 
         [0007]    The advantage of very simple similar components of identical pumps, mean they be can be mass produced at much lower cost than wind turbines, there are no gearboxes or hydraulic oils involved in the pumps, and the pumps can be lifted, disconnected, replaced, reconditioned, reconnected and resited individually, or in small groups with little or no interruption to the electricity supply, and no spill pollution from the disconnection of the pumps. 
         [0008]    The similar specification pumps are used as individual pumping units which makes placing them under water easier, they may or may not be linked or group linked, by rigid or flexible pipes weighted on the water bed, which convey the pumped water at pressure to a water tower, or shore based reservoir of up to 100 metres head or more. 
         [0009]    The advantage of pumping water to a head means the stored water becomes an available energy source which has the advantage of being controllable, with an at a glance known stock of potential kilowatt hours available, especially to fulfill an emergency requirement. 
         [0010]    The wave energy source is the sun and the wind, this source of energy is also used to power wind turbines, but the head of stored water supplied by the gravity wave pumps can be used as available clean energy to drive water turbines after the wind drops. 
         [0011]    Hydro produced electricity is a known and proven art, the advantage of a high head of water means a high speed water turbine, directly driving a generator without a gearbox, at an onshore facility greatly reduces generator maintenance costs and there are fewer moving parts. 
         [0012]    Onshore access to build and maintain a generating facility greatly reduces the initial and on going costs. 
     
    
     
         [0013]    Examples of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1A  shows a rigidly fixed gravity wave pump used in lower wave locations. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2A  shows a pivoting gravity wave pump secured to a weight. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3A  shows a tethered gravity wave pump secured to a weight. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4A  shows a tethered adjustable column wave pump. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5A  shows a pivoted gravity wave pump secured to the water bed. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6A  shows the air and flood valves in the float. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7A  shows the spherical valves and valve seats of the pump. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION  
       [0021]    The Gravity Wave Pump in it&#39;s simplest form is shown in  FIG. 1A , the non buoyant non adjustable near vertical column platform  22  constructed of wood, metal, concrete, or composite materials or other materials, is secured rigidly into or piled into the sea bed, river bed lake bed or reservoir bed  31  at a predetermined fixed height which is below mean height of the available water surface height  01 . At the top of this column is a fixed flange  16 , attached to the flange by means of bolts through a matching flange  15 , is fixed a submerged, self adjusting to the surrounding water level, gravity wave pump  9 . 
         [0022]    The pump  9  in  FIGS. 1A   2 A  3 A  4 A  5 A  6 A can be constructed of metal or composite materials. The float  2  with impact protection  1  in  FIGS. 1A   2 A  3 A  4 A  5 A  6 A can be constructed of metal or composite materials or concrete or other materials, the float  2  can be secured by a pivot or can be rigidly secured to the reciprocating connecting member  5 , which is approximately half the diameter of the piston, this connecting member  5  passes through a special scraper water seal  6  at the top of the cylinder  9  and is connected to the piston  12 , it self adjusts to the surrounding water level by means of the buoyancy displacement of the float  2 , the travel of it&#39;s designated self adjustment is decided by the hydrography data of a chosen site combined with design parameter&#39;s which govern the length of the cylinder  9 , and it&#39;s corresponding connecting member  5 , the limit of the pistons travel is protected by impact protection buffer&#39;s  4  and  11 . The pump is a self priming double acting reciprocating pump, and consist&#39;s of a connecting member  5  connected to a double acting piston  12  in a cylinder  9 , with self activating hydraulic inlet valves  7  and  14 , as shown in ( FIG. 7A ) which close on to weed and debris cutting, narrow edged valve seats  07  and  014  and self activating hydraulic outlet valves  8  and  13 , which also close on to weed and debris cutting narrow edged valve seats  08  and  013 , into a common manifold  10 . 
         [0023]    The weight  3  in  FIGS. 1A   2 A  3 A  4 A  5 A  6 A which can be water ballasted, or constructed from concrete or composite materials or metal or other materials, or a container containing a heavy aggregate. The weight  3  can be secured to the reciprocating member  5  by a pivot, or rigidly secured, to the reciprocating connecting member  5 , the weight  3  is raised near vertically by the energy of a wave meeting the buoyant float  2 , which lift&#39;s the piston  12  which draws water in through inlet valve  14 , it forces at pressure water through outlet valve  8 . As the wave passes, the weight  3  returns the piston  12  down, drawing water through inlet valve  7 , and forces at pressure water through outlet valve  13 , this once up stroke and once down stroke of the piston  12  is one complete cycle, and keeps the cylinder charged with water at any time whilst the pump is in its intended submerged state. From outlet valve  8  and outlet valve  13  the water passes at a pre determined maximum pressure through the manifold  10 , controlled by a pressure relief valve  101  into outlet pipe  17 , where it continues at pressure to the water requirement. A 100 metre head from the pump is possible. 
         [0024]    The distance the piston  12  travels up the cylinder  9  is the distance the buoyant float  2  and weight  3  rise near vertically in a wave, the distance the piston  12  travels down the cylinder is the distance the buoyant float  2  and weight  3  fall near vertically in the trough after the wave passes. The pump  9  designed length would be matched to the wave height hydrographical records of its intended geographical siting, a pump on a fixed column  22  as shown in  FIG. 1A  would only be sited in a geographical location of lower wave heights than pumps of  FIG. 4A  siting. Protection buffer  11  limits upward travel of the piston at which point the float  2  and weight  3  lie submerged until an excessive wave passes by, protection buffer  4  limits downward travel upon which the weight  3  and float  2  would rest if the trough exceeded in depth beyond the stroke of the piston  12 . Immediately after excessive waves or excessive troughs pass, the self priming submerged pump self activates and re-commences pumping water. 
         [0025]    The submerged air captive columns  22  in  FIGS. 2A   3 A  4 A  5 A  6 A and adjustable flooded column  23  in  FIG. 4A  can be constructed of metal or composite materials or other materials. The Gravity Wave Pump  9  in  FIG. 2A  is attached to the submerged air captive column platform  22 , the submerged air captive column platform is vertically controlled by a pivot or fulcrum or shackle  30  at the columns base fitted to a: weight  29 , which must be heavy enough and the pivot or fulcrum or shackle strong enough to restrain the total upward lift of all the buoyant components  2   21   22 , and pivot or fulcrum or shackle  30  must likewise be strong enough when secured to the sea bed or river bed or lake bed or reservoir bed  31 , (as in  FIG. 5A ). Shown in  FIG. 2A  at the upper end below the flange  16 , the submerged air captive column platform  22  is supported nearly vertical in the water by a constantly submerged air captive collar  21 , attached equally around the submerged air captive column platform  22 , this air captive collar  21  must be of a volume to displace a weight of water greater than the submerged weight, (if any) of the air captive column platform  22 , plus the combined submerged weight of the pump  9  and its entire components  1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   101   11   12   13   14   15   16   17 . 
         [0026]    The Gravity Wave Pump  9  in  FIG. 3A  is attached to the submerged air captive column platform  22  the submerged air captive column platform  22  is vertically controlled by a tether  28  attached at the upper end to the columns base and tether  28  at its lower end secured to a concrete or metal weight  29  resting on the sea bed or river bed or lake bed or reservoir bed  31 , or tether  28  secured to the sea bed or river bed or lake bed or reservoir bed  31 , the tether can be chain  28 , or steel cable or rope or other tether, the chain  28  or steel cable or rope or other tether can be adjusted to suit the geographical siting depth of the mean water level, this means a site of a greater depth can be practical and economical to site the wave pump assembly. At its upper end below the flange  16  the submerged air captive column  22  is supported nearly vertical in the water by a constantly submerged air captive collar  21 , attached equally around the submerged air captive column platform  22 , this air captive collar  21  must be of a sufficient volume to displace a weight of water greater than the submerged weight (if any) of the submerged air captive column platform  22 , plus the combined submerged weight of the pump  9  and its entire components  1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   101   11   12   13   14   15   16   17   28 . The tether  28  must be strong enough and weight  29  must be heavy enough to restrain the total upward lift of all of the buoyant components  2   21   22 . 
         [0027]    The Gravity Wave Pump  9  in  FIG. 4A  is attached to the submerged Adjustable air captive column platform  22 . The submerged flooded column  23  is vertically controlled by a pivot or fulcrum or shackle (as the pivot on column  22  in  FIGS. 2A and 5A ), or a tether  28  as in  FIG. 4A , attached to the column  23  base, and tether  28  secured to a concrete or metal weight  29 , resting on the sea bed or river bed or lake bed or reservoir bed  31 , or tether  28  secured to the sea bed or river bed or lake bed or reservoir bed  31 , the tether can be chain  28  or steel cable or rope or other tether, the chain  28  or steel cable or rope or other tether can be adjusted to suit the geographical siting depth of the mean water level, this means a site of a greater depth can be practical and economical to site the wave pump assembly. 
         [0028]      FIG. 4A  shows at the upper end below flange  16  that the submerged flooded column platform  23  is supported nearly vertical in the water by a constantly submerged air captive collar  21 , attached equally around the submerged flooded column  23 , the air captive collar  21  must be of a sufficient volume to displace a weight of water greater than the submerged weight of the submerged flooded column platform  23 , plus the submerged weight (if any) of the submerged adjustable air captive column platform  22 , plus the combined submerged weight of the pump  9  and its entire components,  1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   101   11   12   13   14   15   16   17   18   19   20   24   25   26   27   28 . The tether  28  must be strong enough and weight  29  must be heavy enough to restrain the total upward lift of all of the buoyant components  2   21   22  in a fully submerged situation. 
         [0029]      FIG. 4A  shows the adjustable air captive column platform  22  which can rise up from the secured submerged flooded column platform  23  as an extending near vertical column platform supporting the gravity wave pump  9 . The vertically extending column platform  22  allows the pump  9  to continually self position vertically by means of the buoyancy displacement of the float  2  positioning its self at the surface level of the surrounding water or height of the tide, this enables the pump to gain maximum use of the available waves at any height of the tide  01 .  FIG. 4A  shows how the captive air column platform  22 , can move up or down through guide bearing  20  which is fixed to the upper inner wall of flooded column chamber  23  and scraper water seal  19  which is located at the top of column chamber  23 , fixed around and to the base of column  22  there is a guide bearing  24  which travels up and down the internal walls of the flooded chamber of column  23 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 4A  shows how the vertical movement of the captive air column  22  is governed by a pressure relief outlet valve  26 , and a suction relief inlet valve  25 , at the base of the submerged flooded column platform  23 , these valves control the resistance of water being drawn in to the flooded chamber of column  23  and the pressure of water being expelled from the flooded chamber of column  23 , this situation creates a hydraulic lock to hold column  22  in the required position at a load value corresponding to a predetermined setting of the valves which will be greater than the force required by the pump  9  working at its highest pressure but at a setting that allows the float  2  or weight  3  to adjust the column  22  position without the float  2  being pulled completely under the water before it sucks inlet valve  25  open allowing water to enter chamber  23 , and at a setting that does not hold the weight  3  air bourne above the water  01  before it pressurises outlet valve  26  allowing some water to expel from chamber  23 . The valve governed hydraulic lock holds column  22  in a position that allows the gravity wave pump  9  to operate within its normal self adjusting stroke, however if the piston in the pump  9  hits buffer  11  due to tidal increase or a higher wave, the extreme lifting force of the greater water displacement imposed on float  2  will open inlet valve  25  allowing more water to enter chamber  23  allowing column  22  to rise until the valve  25  closes due to less suction because the float  2  has reached normal displacement, similarly if the weight  3  forces buffer  4  on to the top of pump  9  the additional load will cause pressure relief outlet valve  26  to open allowing water to evacuate chamber  23  allowing column  22  to fall vertically until the float  2  displacement returns to normal and outlet valve  26  closes, (there is also a protection buffer  27 ) the gravity wave pump  9  is then in the correct position to operate normally up to its highest pressure, but can always fine tune its position vertically if a higher wave or a deeper trough passes through. 
         [0031]      FIG. 4A  shows the vertical positioning of captive air column  22  could also be controlled by connecting a pressure water pipe to inlet valve  25 , which could be controlled from a land based control room or floating control room automatically or manually controlled by forcing water, at a controllable pressure in to the flooded column chamber  23  to hydraulically raise column platform  22 , and by connecting a small bore high pressure pipe carrying a controllable air or water pressure to pneumatically or hydraulically operate valve  26 , to release water from column chamber  23  to lower column platform  22 , or lock column platform  22  down on buffer  27  in the event of a storm, assisted by flooding the weighted float  2  utilising the valves  02  and  002  and dual air pressure line in  FIG. 6A . 
         [0032]    In  FIG. 4A  the float  2  must have a displacement capability of lifting the piston  12  at a water pressure necessary to achieve the required head of water, plus lifting the submerged air captive column  22  hydraulically through the preset inlet limiting valve  25  in chamber  23 , and all the following components  1   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   101   11   12   13   14   15   16   17   18   24 , the float  2  must be of little greater displacement than necessary to achieve the above lifting force, as it is necessary for the float  2  in  FIG. 4A  to submerge by being held under the surface by the fully extended components of the pump  9 , and column  22  in the event of very high waves. 
         [0033]    In  FIGS. 2A   3 A  4 A  5 A  6 A the submerged air captive collar  21  acts as a lateral shock absorber to the submerged column platform, absorbing side impacts to the pumps float  2  and weight  3  from the waves or water craft, by allowing the submerged columns  22  and  23  to tilt at various angles, before the collar  21  self uprights the columns again to near vertical. The vertical damping, absorbing vertical shock loadings to the pump  9  and its components, happens naturally in pumping a fluid such as water through the hydraulic valves via a wave energised float. 
         [0034]    The float  2  in  FIGS. 1A   2 A  3 A SA  6 A must have a displacement capability of lifting the pumps piston  12  at a water pressure necessary to achieve the required head of water plus the following components  1   3   4   5   11   12 , the float  2  must be of little greater displacement to achieve the above as it is necessary for the float  2  in  FIGS. 1A   2 A  3 A  5 A  6 A to submerge by being held under the surface by the fully extended components of the pump  9  in the event of very high waves. 
         [0035]    In certain situations when required, the float  2  in  FIGS. 1A   2 A  3 A SA  6 A can be flooded with water and submerged to ride out a storm in the closed down position, if fitted with the flood valve  02  drain valve  002  and dual air pressure line  34  as shown in  FIG. 6A , which could be controlled manually or automatically from a control room on shore in the event of a storm.