CN1274045A - Hydroelectric equipment and method for generating power thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses a device for generating power by utilizing waves on the surface of a water body, which comprises a floating device, a device for converting the up-and-down motion of the floating device into the motion of a transmission device in one direction, a water delivery device for delivering water from the water body to a water storage device when the transmission device moves in the direction, and a device for guiding the water from the water storage device downwards and enabling at least one turbine to move to generate power, wherein the floating device moves up and down on the water surface corresponding to the lifting motion of sea waves.

Description

Hydroelectric equipment and method for generating power thereof

The invention relates to a hydroelectric device and a method for generating electricity by utilizing ocean wave energy.

Various methods have been used to generate electricity. The method of burning fossil fuels to generate electricity poses significant pollution problems. As for nuclear power plants, the potential danger of nuclear pollution cannot be ignored. Therefore, people have proposed generating electricity with wind energy and wave energy.

U.S. Patent No. 5,066,867 (Shim) on November 19, 1991 discloses a method by using a floating balloon that is repeatedly raised and lowered by waves as a power source and a gear connected to the floating balloon by a rope. Rotational force to generate electricity.

US Patent 5,461,862 (Ovadia) issued October 31, 1995 discloses a system for converting ocean wave energy comprising a breakwater structure within which an ocean wave energy harvester is integrally formed. The energy harvester collects the incoming waves and directs them to an upwardly extending conduit containing hydraulic oil separated from the seawater by a membrane to convert the energy of the waves into oil pressure. Sea wave energy harvesters have multiple control valves that are electrically connected through a computer control system that adjusts the control valves so that optimal wave pressure is collected and transferred to hydraulic oil. A piping system leads pressurized hydraulic oil to a pressure tank connected to a hydraulic motor, which is mechanically coupled to a generator. The system can be used in conjunction with a solar evaporation unit.

Chinese patent document No. CN1086878A also discloses a method and device for generating electricity by using ocean waves. The device includes a floating part on the water surface, which not only functions as a generator but also as a main body storing wave energy. The swing of the floating parts under the action of sea waves provides energy for power generation.

Japanese Patent Document No. 6-93952 also discloses a device and method for generating electricity using tides. The common problem of the above schemes is that very complex structures and elements are required, which means that the cost of generating electricity from ocean waves using the above methods and devices is too high. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a hydroelectric plant and a method of generating electricity which obviate the above-mentioned disadvantages, or at least provide the public with a useful alternative.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for generating electricity using waves on the surface of a water body, including a floating device that moves up and down on the water surface corresponding to the up-and-down movement of ocean waves; converting the up-and-down motion of the floating device into a transmission device in one direction means for moving upward; said delivery means includes water delivery means for sending water from said body of water into a water storage means when said delivery means moves in said direction; directing water from said water storage means downwards and causing at least one A device that generates electricity through the movement of a turbine.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a method for generating electricity using waves on the surface of a water body, including the following steps: the floating device moves up and down on the water surface corresponding to the lifting motion of the waves; converting the up and down motion of the floating device into transmission The device moves in one direction; conveys water from the body of water to the water storage device when the transfer device moves the water delivery device in said direction; directs water from the water storage device downwards and moves at least one turbine to generate electricity.

Embodiments of the present invention are described below by way of example, wherein:

Fig. 1 is the schematic diagram of equipment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows an experimental setup for determining the preferred relationship between the weight of the float and the weight of the water conveyed by the belt;

Figure 3 shows a detailed view of the float in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a top view of the water delivery device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5A is a front view of a portion of the delivery device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5B is a side view of the delivery device in Figure 5A;

Figure 6A is a top view of the delivery device shown in Figure 1;

FIG. 6B is a front view of the transfer device shown in FIG. 6A viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1 .

As shown in Figure 1, the entire wave power plant can be built along the coast to make use of wave energy more conveniently. Waves 12 in the ocean 14 move the float 16 up and down. The floating member 16 is connected to one end of a steel chain 18 , and the other end of the steel chain 18 is connected to a load 20 . The steel chain 18 is mounted on the shaft 22 by means of a ratchet 24 fixedly mounted on the shaft 22 . The steel chain 18 must be formed in the form of a bicycle chain so that when the float 16 moves downward, the steel chain 18 engages with and drives the ratchet 24 . When the floating member 16 moved upwards, the steel chain 18 would disengage and could not drive the ratchet. With this arrangement, downward movement of the float 16 will cause the shaft 22 to rotate in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 1 , while upward movement of the float 16 will not cause any rotation of the shaft 22 .

The shaft 22 also carries a gear 26 which cooperates with an endless conveyor belt 28 so that rotation of the shaft 22 causes a simultaneous movement of the conveyor belt 28 . Since shaft 22 rotates only in the direction of arrow A, conveyor belt 28 moves only in the direction of arrow B. A plurality of additional gears 26' are provided along the path of the conveyor belt 28 for guiding the movement of the conveyor belt 28 . In order to make the conveyor belt 28 move more smoothly along its path, the gear 26″ cooperates with the gear 26 through the conveyor belt 28″, so that the gears 26 and 26″ rotate synchronously in the same direction. The rotation of the gear 26″ helps the conveyor belt 28 pass through The gear moves down when the gear is 26".

Along the conveyor belt 28 are disposed a plurality of water tanks 30 which move with the conveyor belt 28 . As the water tank 30 is moved into and subsequently out of the sea 14, the water tank 30 is filled with seawater. When the water tank 30 is moved to position 30', the water is poured (in a manner to be described below) into a reservoir 32 which is situated higher than the power plant 34. The empty water tank 30 is sent back to the sea by the conveyor belt 28, so that the water tank 30 is filled with water again and the water delivery operation starts again.

For best results, the reservoir 32 holds sufficient water before the water flows down through the water pipe 36 to the power plant 34 . As the water flows down to the power plant 34 , the water is directed to one or more turbines (not shown) which turn the turbines to generate electrical energy, which is transmitted via electrical lines 38 to end users. The potential energy of the water in the reservoir 32 is converted into kinetic energy of the water when flowing through the water pipe 36 . The kinetic energy of the water is in turn converted into the kinetic energy of the turbine, which is then converted in the conventional manner into electrical energy which is transmitted to the end user.

The float 16 can be made of wood, metal, plastic, fiberglass and can be of any shape. As shown in FIG. 3, the floater 16 may be formed as a square prism with an upper layer 40 and a lower layer 42 of equal thickness, wherein the lower layer 42 is filled with water or other suitable liquid, and the upper layer 40 is filled with air. The ratio of width (w) to length (l) to height (h) of the float, ie w:l:h, is preferably 1:2:1. Preferably, approximately 1/3 of the height of the floater 16 is above sea level.

Tests were carried out regarding the relationship between the weight of the float and the weight of water that can be transported. As shown in FIG. 2, the size of the ratchet 24 and the gear 26 are the same, and the weight M cooperates with the shaft 22 through the conveyor belt 28'. The test results are shown in Table 1.

Table 1 Floater 16 Heavy (M) Weight (lbs) Displacement (x) (inch) Weight (lbs) Displacement (y) (inch) 5 6 1 5 5 8 0.5 7 5 7 0.75 6

It has been found that the most preferred ratio between the weight of the floater 16 and the weight (M) is 10:1.5, ie 20:3. This means that the weight of the floating member 16 is 1000 kg, and it can lift a weight (M) of 150 kg, ie water. Assuming that the frequency of the wave's up and down movement is 15 times per minute, a resultant force of 2,250kg (15×150kg) can be obtained to transport the water.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5A and 5B, the pole 50 carries two water tanks 30, one near one end of the pole 50. As shown in FIG. There are two recesses (not shown) on the rod 50 , each for receiving a hook 52 attached to each jug 30 . A safety lock (not shown) is also provided for securing the hook 52 to the rod 50 . With this arrangement, the pitcher is free to swing about the rod 50 while being securely fastened thereto. Generally, the water tank 30 assumes the orientation shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B so that when the water tank 30 is filled with water, the water does not spill out. It can be seen that the rod 50 is secured to the conveyor belt 28 so that the rod 50 (and pitcher 30 ) moves with the conveyor belt 28 .

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B , two stops 54 are provided in the path of the water tank 30 above the reservoir 32 . As can be clearly seen from FIG. 6B , the upper edge of the stopper 54 is located above the bottom of the pitcher 30 . When the pitcher 30 comes into contact with the stop 54 and moves further due to the forward movement of the conveyor belt 28 , the pitcher 30 tips to pour its contents into the reservoir 32 . Further forward movement of the conveyor belt 28 will pull the jug over the stop 54 .

Since most parts of the present invention are in contact with seawater, these parts are required to be made of materials that are not easily corroded by seawater, such as stainless steel.

The present invention can, of course, be variously modified. For example, more than one floater could be used and different gear configurations could be used to increase the efficiency and water delivery capacity of the device.

Claims (12)

1. an equipment that utilizes the wave-activated power generation of water surface comprises flotation device, moves up and down at the water surface corresponding to the elevating movement of wave; Moving up and down of described flotation device is converted to the device that conveying means moves in one direction; Described conveying means comprises the water supply device of water being sent into water storing device when described conveying means when described direction is moved from described water body; To guide downwards and make at least one turbine motion and the device of generating from the water of water storing device.

2. equipment as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described conversion equipment comprises the shaft device that at least one cooperates with flotation device and conveying means.

3. equipment as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described conveying means comprises at least one endless belt part.

4. equipment as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that, described flotation device cooperates with described shaft device by ratchet.

5. equipment as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that guide device comprises at least one water pipe.

6. equipment as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that described water storing device comprises wet pit.

7. method of utilizing the wave-activated power generation of water surface may further comprise the steps:

Flotation device moves up and down at the water surface corresponding to the elevating movement of wave;

Moving up and down of described flotation device is converted to conveying means moves in one direction;

When conveying means is sent into water storing device with water from water body when described direction moves water supply device;

Will be downwards and make at least one turbine motion and generate electricity from the guiding of the water of water storing device.

8. method as claimed in claim 7 is characterized in that, a shaft device cooperates with flotation device and conveying means.

9. method as claimed in claim 7 is characterized in that, described conveying means comprises at least one endless belt part.

10. method as claimed in claim 8 is characterized in that, described flotation device cooperates with described shaft device by ratchet.

11. method as claimed in claim 7 is characterized in that, water is directed downwardly to described turbine by at least one water pipe from described water storing device.

12. method as claimed in claim 7 is characterized in that, described water storing device comprises wet pit.

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