Patent GB-336209-A (GB)
Title: An apparatus for utilizing energy produced by the movements of the sea
IPC: F03B13/18
Filed: 1929-07-05
Abstract: 336,209. Jouy, J. July 5, 1929. Tidal energy, utilizing.-In apparatus of the kind described in Specification 292,314, eddy barriers formed of open-work plates are provided for the protection of the float a, the barriers being automatically lowered when the level of the sea falls below the normal level. The float a is supported by cables e passing over pulleys f and carrying weights e<1>, the pulleys being mounted on shafts e<2> which actuate by connecting rods g pumps h, the latter forming part of a circuit provided with turbines and valves. The float a is also provided with one or more lifting cables 9 which pass over pulleys 10, 11 and are kept in tension by a weight 12 supported by a pulley 13. The cables are atached to a winch drum 15 provided with a helicoidal wheel 16 engaging a screw 17 fixed to a pulley 18 driven by an electric motor 19 or hydraulically. When the float a falls below normal level, a stop 20 on the cable 9 causes a lever 21 to swivel and thus to establish three circuits. The first makes contact on the interrupter 31 which operates a cable 22 passing over pulleys 23, 24 and 25 and carrying at its end a counterweight 26. The cable 22 is also attached to a lever 27 carrying a jointed movable flap 28 capable of retaining a stop 29 fixed to the vertical rod 30 of the interrupter 31. When the lever 21 is struck by the stop 20 which falls with the float, the cable 22 oscillates the lever 27 by causing its left end to fall. The rod 30 falls and the plate 31 connects the contacts 32 thus closing the circuit 33 of the motor 19 which then through the pulley 18 and screw 17 operates the winches 19 which raise the float a. The movement of the latter stops when the stop 20 contacts with the lever 34 causing it to swivel and raise a stirrup 35 which raises the rod 30 from the interrupter 31 and open the circuit of the motor 19. At the same time, the second circuit is closed by a switch 36 which is operated by a lever 37 to which is attached a cable 38 attached to the cable 22 and which closes the circuit 39 of the motors 40. By means of winches 55, one for each motor 40, the eddy barriers 60 are lowered to protect the float a. This movement of the barriers ends when a stop 41 on the cables supporting the barriers contacts with and moves a lever 42 connected by a cable 44 of the switch 36. The third circuit 46 is controlled by a switch 47 the rod of which is suspended from a cable 48 attached to the lever 37 and provided with a counterweight 49 which when it rises rotates a rod 50 connected with the rod 51 of the switch 47, the rod 51 carrying a supporting roller 52 on a rotatable lever 53. When the weight 49 rises and causes the rod 51 to turn, the roller 52 loses its support and the rod 51 with its weight 54 falls, closing the switch 47 which closes an alarm bell circuit 46. If the float acquires an excess of speed owing to the drop in the sea level, a centrifugal speed indicator 56 actuated by a multiplying gear from a connecting rod shaft actuates the alarm and lowers the barriers. The indicator 56 is provided with a stop 58 the end of which is sloped in such a manner that when, in rising, it meets the lever 53 and causes it to turn; the roller 52 escapes and the rod 51 drops again, thereby actuating the alarm. The weight of the rod together with the weights 49, 54 cause the disengagement of the stop closing the contact of the motor 40 which lowers the barriers until the stop 41 contacts' with the lever 59. The disengagement of the alarm contact is ejected by raising the rod 51 by hand, thus replacing the roller 52 on its support 53. Specification 297,288 also is referred to.