Abstract:
A seashore wave energy converting facility ( 10 ), comprising: an ascending ramp ( 12 ), being a sloped ramp installed at seashore line such that a lowered end thereof ( 12   a ) is immersed in the sea while an elevated end thereof ( 12   b ) is located above the sea level; a descending ramp ( 14 ), being a sloped ramp having a opposite slope with regard to the ascending ramp ( 12 ), the descending ramp being connected continuously by an elevated end thereof to the elevated end ( 12   b ) of the ascending ramp ( 12 ); a turbine ( 20 ) located under a lower edge of the at least one additional descending ramp ( 14 ); and a construction ( 18 ) for placing the facility ( 10 ) at seashore line; thereby enabling installation of the wave energy converting facility ( 10 ) at a seashore. The sea water may be directed to a spiral ditch, wherein the turbine is disposed, thereby increasing the power generation efficiency.

Description:
[0001]    The current application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/940,434, filed 16 Feb. 2014, incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of hydropower facilities. More particularly, the present invention relates to a seashore facility for generating energy from sea waves. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0003]    “Hydro-power or water power is power derived from the energy of falling water and running water, which may be harnessed for useful purposes. Since ancient times, hydro-power has been used for irrigation and the operation of various mechanical devices, such as watermills, sawmills, textile mills, dock cranes, domestic lifts, power houses and paint making.” 
         [0004]    Since the early  20 th century, the term has been used almost exclusively in conjunction with the modern development of hydro-electric power, which allowed use of distant energy sources.” (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) 
         [0005]    “Wave Dragon”, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wave_Dragon, is considered by the Applicant as closest prior art. It is a floating slack-moored energy converter of the overtopping type, located in the northern Denmark. 
         [0006]    It consists of two wave reflectors that direct the waves towards a ramp. The water that reaches the end of the ramp is directed to a large reservoir that temporarily stores it. The reservoir is maintained above sea level. The water leaves the reservoir through hydro turbines, which generate electricity. 
         [0007]    In order to operate, one end of the ramp must be located at sea level, while the other end thereof must be located above the sea level. However, since the sea level changes during the day as a result of tides, such a facility must deal with the tides phenomena. 
         [0008]    Wave Dragon solves this problem by floating the facility, and mooring it to the seabed. In this way, the ramp is positioned at a constant distance from the sea level. 
         [0009]    However, placing the facility at the sea results in obstacles such as transportation of the generated energy to the mainland, maintenance of the facility, and so on. 
         [0010]    As such, there is a long felt need for a seashore facility for generating energy from sea waves. 
         [0011]    Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The terms “ascending ramp” and “descending ramps” are defined herein with reference to a water movement. More specifically, the term “ascending ramp” refers herein to a sloped ramp in which moving water from the sea to the shore ascends thereon, while the term “descending ramp” refers herein to a sloped ramp in which moving water from the sea to the shore descends therefrom. 
         [0013]    A seashore wave energy converting facility ( 10 ), comprising:
       an ascending ramp ( 12 ), being a sloped ramp installed at seashore line such that a lowered end thereof ( 12   a ) is immersed in the sea while an elevated end thereof ( 12   b ) is located above the sea level;   a descending ramp ( 14 ), being a sloped ramp having a opposite slope with regard to the ascending ramp ( 12 ), the descending ramp being connected continuously by an elevated end thereof to the elevated end ( 12   b ) of the ascending ramp ( 12 );   a turbine ( 20 ) located under a lower edge of the at least one additional descending ramp ( 14 ); and   a construction ( 18 ) for placing the facility ( 10 ) at seashore line;   thereby enabling installation of the wave energy converting facility ( 10 ) at a seashore.       
 
         [0019]    The facility ( 10 ) may further comprise: at least one additional descending ramp ( 14   a ), located lower than of the first descending ramp ( 14 ) and being connected continuously to a corresponding opening ( 36   a ) in the ascending ramp ( 12 ), for allowing sea water ( 30 ) ascending on the ascending ramp ( 12 ) to pass through the opening ( 36   a ) to the at least one additional descending ramp ( 14   a ). 
         [0020]    The facility ( 10 ) may further comprise: a water reservoir ( 22 ) to which each of the descending ramps ( 14 ,  14   a ) leads, for accumulating sea water ( 30 ), thereby allowing generating energy on demand. 
         [0021]    The facility ( 10 ) may further comprise: a water reservoir ( 22 ) to which the ascending ramp ( 12 ) leads, for accumulating sea water ( 30 ), thereby allowing generating energy on demand. 
         [0022]    The facility ( 10 ) may further comprise: openings ( 38 ) for allowing returning water from the shore to the sea to pass therethrough. 
         [0023]    According to one embodiment of the invention, the ascending and descending ramps further comprise side walls ( 34 ), thereby diminishing spillage of flowing sea water from the ramps, resulting with increasing an efficiency of the facility ( 10 ). 
         [0024]    According to one embodiment of the invention, the ascending and descending ramps have a wavy profile, thereby diminishing spillage of flowing water therethrough, resulting with increasing an efficiency of the facility ( 10 ). 
         [0025]    According to one embodiment of the invention, the ascending and descending ramps have sectors ( 16 ) divided by side walls ( 34 ), thereby diminishing spillage of flowing water therethrough, resulting with increasing an efficiency of the facility ( 10 ). 
         [0026]    According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the descending ramps ( 14 ,  14   a ) has dedicated turbine(s) ( 20 ), each located under the lower end of its descending ramp ( 14 ,  14   a ). 
         [0027]    The facility ( 10 ) according to claim  1 , may further comprise:
       an elevated sea water reservoir ( 50 );   a pump ( 52 ) for lifting the sea water to the elevated reservoir ( 50 ); and   a spigot (not illustrated), for enabling and disabling the elevated sea water to flow downwards on a turbine,   thereby allowing generating energy from the facility ( 10 ) on demand.       
 
         [0032]    The facility ( 10 ) may further comprise covers for covering the openings ( 36   a,    36   b,  . . . ), thereby allowing diverting waves, for enabling carrying out maintenance of the facility. 
         [0033]    According to one embodiment of the invention, the descending ramps is comprised of at least one pipe, thereby diminishing spillage of flowing sea water from the ramp, resulting with increasing an efficiency of the facility ( 10 ). 
         [0034]    According to one embodiment of the invention, the descending ramps is comprised of at least one pipe, thereby diminishing spillage of flowing sea water from the ramps, resulting with increasing an efficiency of the facility ( 10 ). 
         [0035]    The facility ( 10 ) may further comprise: a spiral ditch ( 54 ) into which sea water entering to the facility are directed, thereby generating a whirlpool; wherein the turbine ( 20 ) is disposed in a center of the whirlpool; thereby applying force of all vanes of the turbine, resulting with increased power generating efficiency. 
         [0036]    According to one embodiment of the invention, the reservoir ( 22 ) is in an upside-down conic form, thereby generating a whirlpool. The turbine ( 20 ) is disposed in a center of the whirlpool, thereby applying force of all vanes of the turbine, resulting with increased power generating efficiency. 
         [0037]    According to one embodiment of the invention, the seashore wave energy converting facility ( 10 ) further comprises: apertures ( 58 ) in said a descending ramp ( 14 ); and corresponding covers ( 60 ); thereby allowing diverting waves, for enabling carrying out maintenance of said turbines. 
         [0038]    The reference numbers have been used to point out elements in the embodiments described and illustrated herein, in order to facilitate the understanding of the invention. They are meant to be merely illustrative, and not limiting. Also, the foregoing embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated in conjunction with systems and methods thereof, which are meant to be merely illustrative, and not limiting. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0039]    Preferred embodiments, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention are described herein in conjunction with the following drawings: 
           [0040]      FIG. 1  is a cross-section which schematically illustrates an offshore facility for generating energy from sea waves, according to the prior art. 
           [0041]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a seashore facility for generating energy from sea waves, according to one embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 2  also defines a cross-section A-A. 
           [0042]      FIG. 3  is a schematic drawing illustrating the result thereof. 
           [0043]      FIG. 4  illustrates the sea water course in the facility. 
           [0044]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a seashore facility for generating energy from sea waves, according to a further embodiment of the invention. 
           [0045]      FIG. 6  is a top view of a segment of the embodiment of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0046]      FIG. 7  pictorially illustrates a further embodiment of the invention. 
           [0047]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , according to a further embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
       [0048]    It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
       DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0049]    The present invention will be understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments (“best mode”), which are meant to be descriptive and not limiting. For the sake of brevity, some well-known features, methods, systems, procedures, components, circuits, and so on, are not described in detail. 
         [0050]      FIG. 1  is a cross-section which schematically illustrates an offshore facility for generating energy from sea waves, according to the prior art, according to the prior art. 
         [0051]    The facility, which is marked herein by reference numeral  10 ′, comprises a reservoir  22  for temporary storing sea water. The bottom thereof is marked by numeral  24 . The bottom  24  of the reservoir is located above the sea level  32 . 
         [0052]    The facility also comprises an ascending ramp  12  in which the upper end thereof is located at the top of the walls of reservoir  22 , and the lower end thereof is immersed in the sea. 
         [0053]    Reference numeral  30  denotes sea waves, and reference numeral  28  denotes the moving direction of the sea waves. As the waves&#39; motion  28  is horizontal, the sea water ascends the sloped ramp  12  as a result of the inertia of the waves, and then falls into reservoir  22 , where it is temporarily stored. 
         [0054]    At the bottom  24  of the reservoir is located an outlet  26 , through which the water of the reservoir exits the reservoir. 
         [0055]    In the water path from the outlet  26  of the reservoir is located a turbine  20 , which is rotated by the passing water, thereby generating electric power. 
         [0056]    The facility floats on floats  48 , and is moored to the seabed by anchors  44  and mooring cable  46 . 
         [0057]    As mentioned above, placing the facility in the high seas results in obstacles such as transportation of the generated energy to the mainland, maintenance of the facility, and so on. 
         [0058]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a seashore facility for generating energy from sea waves, according to one embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 2  also defines a cross-section A-A. 
         [0059]      FIG. 3  is a schematic drawing illustrating the result thereof. 
         [0060]      FIG. 4  illustrates the sea water course in the facility. 
         [0061]    It should be noted that  FIGS. 3 and 4  are not true results of cross-section A-A defined in  FIG. 2 , but schematic drawings thereof. 
         [0062]    The seashore facility for generating energy from sea waves, which is marked herein by reference numeral  10 , stands on pillars  18  located at a shore. 
         [0063]    The facility comprises an ascending ramp  12 . The top thereof,  12   b  of ramp  12 , is connected to a descending ramp  14 . 
         [0064]    One end  12   a  of the ramp is located at the shore, while the other end  12   b  is located above the sea level. Thus, water flow (waves)  30  from the sea ascends on ramp  12 , and after reaching to its peak  12   b,  it descends along ramp  14 . 
         [0065]    Under the upper end of the descending ramp  14  is located a reservoir  22 , comprising an outlet  26  at the bottom thereof. 
         [0066]    In the water path from the reservoir towards its outlet  26  is located a turbine  20 . As the water falls, it rotates turbine  20 , thereby generating electric power. 
         [0067]    The facility comprises additional descending ramps  14   a  and  14   b,  connected to the ascending ramp  12 . In order to allow the water from ramp  12  to reach the additional descending ramps  14   a  and  14   b,  ramp  12  comprises openings  36   a  and  36   b.    
         [0068]    The additional ramps allow utilizing water of different height levels. When the water level is “low”, only the lower descending ramps are utilized, and when the water level is “high”, the upper descending ramps are utilized as well. 
         [0069]    This solution allows utilizing waves&#39; energy seashore, thereby overcoming the obstacles of facilities such as Wave Dragon. Thus, as facility  10  is installed seashore, it does not face the obstacle of transporting the generated energy to the mainland. In addition, as facility  10  resides on the shore, its maintenance is easier in comparison to that of Wave Dragon and the like. 
         [0070]    As per  FIG. 2 , when sectioning the facility as defined by cross-section B-B, the form is wavy. This structure allows diminishing the water spillage while the water is being directed towards the opening of the reservoir  22 . 
         [0071]    Furthermore, the ramp is divided by walls  34 , thereby generating sectors  16  for the same purpose (diminishing spillage). 
         [0072]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a seashore facility for generating energy from sea waves, according to a further embodiment of the invention. 
         [0073]    In the examples of  FIGS. 2 to 4 , the returning water from the shore to the sea meets facility  10 , which blocks the water passage. The solution presented in  FIG. 5  solves this obstacle. 
         [0074]    The figure describes a plurality of ascending ramps  12 , each in a trapezoid form. The trapezoid form generates openings  38  through which the returning water can pass from the shore back to the sea. 
         [0075]    In  FIG. 5 , the facility  10  comprises six independent segments. It should be noted the number of segments is arbitrary. The segments may be connected to each other in order to generate a massive structure. 
         [0076]    For the sake of brevity, the descending ramps are not illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0077]      FIG. 6  is a top view of a segment of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0078]    The segment comprises a spiral ditch  50 , which causes the water that enters into the ditch to spin, resulting in creating a water whirlpool. The turbine  20  is disposed in the center of the whirlpool, thereby rotating. 
         [0079]    As the turbine is disposed at the center of the whirlpool, the spinning water applies force on all the vanes  56  of turbine  20  simultaneously, thereby increasing the efficiency of the system. For comparison, water that falls on a turbine such as in  FIG. 4  applies force simultaneously only on a part of the vanes of the turbine, but not all the vanes as in this embodiment. 
         [0080]    The arrows of  FIG. 6  describe the water movement on the segment facility. 
         [0081]    Arrow “a” demonstrates the movement of the water that ascends on ramp  12  due to the inertia thereof; arrow “b” demonstrates the entrance of the water into the spiral ditch  54 ; arrow “c” demonstrates the spinning of the water in the spiral ditch; and arrow “d” demonstrates the exiting of the water from the facility through outlet  26 . 
         [0082]    It should be noted that in  FIG. 5  the water reservoir  22  may be in an upside-down conic form. As a result of this form, the water path converges, thereby increasing the spinning speed of the water, thereby increasing the efficiency of the system. 
         [0083]      FIG. 7  pictorially illustrates a further embodiment of the invention. 
         [0084]    The figure shows a seashore wave energy converting facility  10 , an elevated sea water reservoir  50  and a pump  52 . 
         [0085]    The energy generated by facility  10  is used for pumping sea water from the sea, and putting the pumped water into the elevated reservoir  50 . As such, the elevated sea water can be poured out of the lifted reservoir, and operating a turbine for generating energy. Thus, the stored energy can be used on demand, i.e., not necessarily upon generating of the energy from sea water. 
         [0086]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , according to a further embodiment of the invention. 
         [0087]    In this embodiment numeral  58  denotes an aperture  58 , and numeral  60  denotes a closure of aperture  58 . 
         [0088]    When the turbines need maintenance, the reservoirs  22  must first to be emptied. Additionally, it must be ensured that they do not refill. This can be carried out by opening covers  60  in order to enable the water to flow down through aperture  58  rather than reaching the reservoir. 
         [0089]    In the figures and/or description herein, the following reference numerals (Reference Signs List) have been mentioned:
       numeral  10  denotes a seashore facility for generating energy from sea waves, according to one embodiment of the invention;   numeral  10 ′ denotes an offshore facility for generating energy from sea waves, according to the prior art;   numeral  12  denotes an ascending ramp (which may be embodied also as pipes and the like);   numeral  12   a  denotes an end of the ascending ramp  12  which is located at the shore;   numeral  12   b  denotes an end of the ascending ramp  12  which is located above the sea level;   each of numerals  14 ,  14   a  and  14   b  denotes a descending ramp;   numeral  16  denotes a sector of said ascending ramp;   numeral  18  denotes a pillar;   numeral  20  denotes a turbine;   numeral  22  denotes a water reservoir;   numeral  24  denotes a bottom of reservoir  22 ;   numeral  26  denotes an outlet from reservoir  22 ;   numeral  28  denotes the moving direction of the sea waves;   numeral  30  denotes sea waves/water;   numeral  32  denotes the sea level;   numeral  34  denotes walls/side walls of an ascending or descending ramp;   each of numerals  36   a  and  36   b  denotes an opening in ascending ramp  12  through which sea water reaches a descending ramp  14   a  and  14   b,  respectively;   numeral  38  denotes openings between adjacent ascending ramps through which returning sea water can pass;   numeral  40  denotes a shore;   numeral  42  denotes the seabed;   numeral  44  denotes an anchor;   numeral  46  denotes a mooring cable;   numeral  48  denotes a float that floats facility  10 ′;   numeral  50  denotes a lifted water reservoir;   numeral  52  denotes a pump;   numeral  54  denotes a spiral ditch;   numeral  56  denotes the vanes of turbine  20 ;   numeral  58  denotes an aperture  58 ; and   numeral  60  denotes a closure of aperture  58 .       
 
         [0119]    The foregoing description and illustrations of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the above description in any form. 
         [0120]    Any term that has been defined above and used in the claims, should to be interpreted according to this definition. 
         [0121]    The reference numbers in the claims are not a part of the claims, but rather used for facilitating the reading thereof. These reference numbers should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any form.