DE102009033204A1 - Sea surf wave energy utilizing device, has floats, which are in effective connection with shaft over long lever arms, where lever arms are directly connected with shaft using bearings rotatable in direction - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has bearing blocks (4), and a shaft (7) rotatably connected with the bearing blocks using bearings (3). Floats (1) are in effective connection with the shaft over long lever arms (2). The lever arms are directly connected with the shaft using the bearings rotatable in a direction. The floats are formed as air-tight hollow bodies, or consist of a polystyrene foam material. The floats are connected reciprocally with an end of the arms. The floats are formed as wedge-shaped. The arms are pivoted around 180 degrees on a land side. An independent claim is also included for a method for using wave energy.

Description

Here a device is presented which reflects the energy ocean surf waves converted into usable mechanical energy.

1. Introduction.

The Energy supply and the associated global warming is one of the largest of the current problems of humanity. The fossil energy suppliers (Oil, coal, Gas) are finite and must thus sooner or later be replaced by other sources. The earth's climate warming, mainly caused by burning fossil fuels, but is now forcing us already on a larger scale develop new methods of generating energy that are little or do not release any CO2. The regenerative energy sources play here a significant role. These are mainly wind-water and solar energy. The techniques and the application in the fields of wind energy (wind turbines) and Solar energy (photovoltaic) are very well developed and located in a steady growth. Other areas are at the beginning of foreseeable growth such as geothermal, geothermal or renewable energy suppliers (oilseed rape). There is also Energy forms that are present in nature in large quantities but Hardly be used. To you belongs z. B. the energy in the seas, be it hydrostatic in the form of the tides or hydrodynamically in the form of surface waves.

The Energy production by the sea waves are mainly used in the application Experimental stage. There are various reasons for the stepmotherly Treatment of this idea. On the one hand, it is the time-consuming and fault-prone mechanics which is subject to high loads, the low energy yield or the landscape dependence (only in suitable coastal regions used). These are factors that contradict a broad application. There where it makes sense, it should be used as an adjunct to other systems. One of the big problems the list here Procedure is that the energy is not continuous or needs-based can be generated. The more it combines with different systems the safer is a steady generation of energy.

2. Problem of energy production from surface waves

The Energy source is subject (as in wind and solar energy) climatic Fluctuations. A special feature is that only the Wave mountains contain usable energy. Thus there is always one always pulsating form of energy. The wave strength can vary a lot and in the worst case destructive Act. These and other problems are described in the following Method or device solved solved wide.

3. Description and operation

at This device is the tapping of the wave energy over swimmers which absorb the wave movements.

construction

The floats ( 1 ) which consist of air-tight hollow body or styrofoam on different length steel arms ( 2 ) attached. This is about unilaterally rotatable (ratchet system) bearings ( 3 ) on a common shaft or pipe ( 7 ) attached. The wave ( 7 ) is rotatably mounted at the ends ( 6 ), The whole construction stands with bearing blocks ( 4 ) at the level of the shaft center. The energy can be supplied via a connection ( 5 ) are tapped at the end of the shaft for further use.

function

The floats ( 1 ) are wedge-shaped at the front (bow). This has the advantage that they do not dip into the incoming waves and then emerge with friction losses upwards. The swimmers remain due to this design largely on the water surface. The floats ( 1 ) are on the steel arms ( 2 ) which serve as lever arms and are referred to as follows. With each movement of the float "up" is via the lever arms an angular momentum to the shaft ( 7 ) transfer. The downward movement occurs without adhesion (idle). Camps ( 3 ) which the lever arms ( 2 ) with the wave ( 7 ) are non-positively "acting" in one direction of rotation (see ratchet system) and freely rotatable in the other. The lever arms are designed differently long to ensure a uniform rotational movement of the shaft ( 7 ) to obtain. With equally long lever arms, the floats would synchronously move up and down and cause a non-uniform rotational movement of the shaft. The more floats with different lever arms to the shaft ( 7 ) Are even more even the movement and torque curve. Thus, one of the problems listed in paragraph 2 is resolved. To the wave ( 7 ) can now be a power generator (of course, with a gear to reach the appropriate speed) and is symbolic with a gear ( 5 ) shown in the figures. But more units can be connected via spherical plain bearings. The thus coupled units can follow the course of the coast and is therefore flexible.

Around the movable float lever arms To protect against excessive swell, they can be swung by a corresponding construction by 180 ° on the land side and lying on the ground.

4. Summary

The Use of ocean waves is by the described device without much effort realizable. It does not require special manufacturing technologies still requires complicated components and is thus everywhere in the world can be produced. The whole plant can, without permanent changes (Construction) on the coast be made up and dismantled again.

Claims (11)

Device for using wave energy with at least two bearing blocks ( 4 ), one with the help of bearings ( 6 ) rotatable with the bearing blocks ( 4 ) connected shaft ( 7 ) and floats ( 1 ), which have different lengths of lever arms ( 2 ) with the wave ( 7 ) are in operative connection, wherein the lever arms in turn directly by means of rotatable only in one direction bearings ( 3 ) with the wave ( 7 ) are connected. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the floats ( 1 ) are formed as an air-tight hollow body or consist of a polystyrene foam. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that in each case a floating body ( 1 ) on both sides with one end of a lever arm ( 2 ) connected is. Device according to one or more of the previous ones Claims, characterized in that the lever arms are parallel. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floats ( 1 ) have a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at the end of the shaft ( 7 ) a connection ( 5 ) is arranged for picking up the rotational energy of the shaft ( 7 ), Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at the end of the shaft ( 7 ) A power generator, in particular with a transmission, is arranged. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floats ( 1 ) are wedge-shaped on its side facing away from the shaft. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lever arms ( 2 ) with respect to the shaft ( 7 ) are rotatably mounted by 180 °. Arrangement for the use of wave energy, wherein the Arrangement of a plurality of devices according to one or more of the preceding claims, which are connected by means of joint bearings with each other. Method for using wave energy, in which floats ( 1 ), with the help of different lengths of lever arms ( 2 ) with one on at least two bearing blocks ( 4 ) shaft ( 7 ) are moved by wave movements in an up and down movement, the up and down movement via the lever arms ( 2 ) and with the help of warehouses ( 3 ), which are rotatable only in one direction, in a rotation of the shaft ( 7 ) and the rotational movement of the shaft ( 7 ) is passed to a power generator, the lever arms directly by means of bearings ( 3 ) with the wave ( 7 ) are connected.

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