ES1275514U - DEVICE FOR GENERATING ELECTRIC ENERGY FROM THE WAVES (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (1) for generating electrical energy from the waves characterized in that it comprises: -a first floating body (2), -sanching lines (3) that are anchoring the first floating body (2) to the bottom (4 ), -a second floating body (5) that is mounted on the first floating body through sets of racks (6) and pinions (7), and -at least, a first generator (8) connected to the sets of racks (6) and pinions (7) to transform the relative movement between the first floating body (2) and the second floating body (5) into electrical energy.

Description

DESCRIPTION

DEVICE FOR GENERATING ELECTRIC ENERGY FROM THE WAVES

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for generating electrical energy from waves.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Today, many different embodiments of devices are known that can take advantage of wind and tidal energy, transforming the energy of the wind and waves or tides. For example, the swell has energy at the crest of the waves capable of driving various driving wheels / gears coupled to electrical generators.

However, previous attempts to generate tidal power from waves have not been widely accepted for several reasons, for example low competitiveness, since commercial viability depends on the competitive level cost (LCOE) of the energy obtained, and only it is competitive when the total life cycle cost of power generation is low. This total cost includes capital and maintenance costs, parts replacement, and electrical power supply costs, relative to electrical power generated, and is currently unprofitable.

Other embodiments for harnessing tidal energy to generate electrical power have an unacceptable ecological impact at present. For example, the La Rance power station (France), which implemented a tidal dam in the estuary of the Rance river to take advantage of the incoming and emptying tides, generated a very serious environmental impact, such as the river seizing, changes in salinity in the estuary and its vicinity, and ecosystem change, before and after installations. This has meant that other similar projects in areas with high tides, such as in the area of Mount Sant Michel or on the estuary of the River Severn (GB).

For this reason, an energy with enormous potential and magnitude, renewable as it comes from the tides, is not spreading, a drawback that is solved with the device of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The device for generating electrical energy from the waves of the invention comprises:

-a first floating body,

-some anchoring lines that are found anchoring the first floating body to the bottom, to fix the position of the device,

-a second floating body, which is mounted on the first floating body through sets of racks and pinions, which enables relative movement between the first floating body and the second floating body as both move out of phase by the waves, and

-at least, a first generator connected to the rack and pinion assemblies, to transform the relative movement between the first floating body and the second floating body into electrical energy.

In this way, the movement lag between the first floating body and the second floating body translates into movements of the pinions along the racks, and in electricity generation by the generators, with minimal environmental impact since it is about disposing Some fields of anchored devices, conveniently marked, in a similar way to marine fish farms, even with less affectation since they are elements with smaller size in general, that do not generate pollution, that are cheaper than other marine generation systems such as offshore wind turbines, which can be located close to the coast, and which have a simple and low-maintenance configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1.- Shows an elevation view of the device of the invention.

Figure 2.- Shows a side view of the device of the invention.

Figure 3.- Shows a plan view of the device of the invention.

Figures 4 and 5 show respective elevations of the device of the invention in different relative positions of the first body and the second body during the movement generated by the waves.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The device (1) for generating electrical energy from the waves of the invention comprises:

-a first floating body (2),

-some anchoring lines (3) that are found anchoring the first floating body (2) to the bottom (4),

-a second floating body (5) that is mounted on the first floating body (2) through sets of racks (6) and pinions (7), and

-at least, a first generator (8) connected to the racks (6) and pinions (7) assemblies to transform the relative movement between the first floating body (2) and the second floating body (5) into electrical energy.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the first floating body (2) comprises a structure (20) supported on floating elements (21), so that the floating elements (21) are replaceable in the event of failure or breakage that affect buoyancy. Ideally, said structure (20) of the first floating body (2) has the shape of a quadrangular frame, as seen in fig. 3, the second floating body (5) being arranged in its inner part. This simplifies the construction of the structure (20) based on commercial straight metal profiles, making the construction of the device cheaper and simplifying the necessary structural calculations. This configuration also allows the provision of four anchoring lines (3) in the corners of the structure (20) in the form of a quadrangular frame, thereby achieving better position maintenance, which results in a higher generation of energy since the lags due to the movement of the waves are greater than with long single anchor lines, where the floating elements are they would let the waves beat. Said anchoring lines (3) (chains preferably caught dead) ideally comprise mooring shock absorbers (30) to on the one hand avoid breakage due to excessive stresses, and also the interposition of these mooring shock absorbers (30) accentuates the movement lags of the device with the waves and ultimately increases the generation.

For their part, the sets of racks (6) and pinions (7) preferably comprise vertical racks (6) fixed to the second floating body (5), and pinions (7) mechanically coupled to the first generators (8), which They are fixed to the first floating body (2). In this way, the double effect of guiding the movement of the second floating body (5) is achieved, in addition to the movement of the pinions, which is ultimately what drives the generators and produces electrical energy. The provision of stops (60) (see in fig. 1) has also been provided at the ends of the racks (6) to limit the upper and lower travel of the pinions (7), and therefore the relative movement of the second floating body (5) with respect to the first floating body (2).

Furthermore, it is preferred that the second floating body (5) comprises several watertight hulls (50) (which float by themselves and navigate vertically with respect to the first floating body) rigidly attached to each other, where said hulls (50) are pyramid-shaped. inverted since in this way it receives the same push from the waves regardless of its direction. With this configuration, a chamber (55) is generated (continue in fig. 1) in the intermediate zone of the helmets (50), where air can be bagged, which may affect operation. For this reason, the provision of a pressure relief duct (9) has been provided, which is communicating said intermediate zone between the pyramidal hulls (50) with an open zone (for example, above said intermediate zone). Additionally, provision has been made for a turbine (90) in the pressure spillway (9), and connected to a second electric generator (91). This turbine will be driven by the pressure relief air flow thereby increasing the performance of the device.

For a better operation of the device, it is preferred that the buoyancy of the floating elements (21) on which the structure (20) of the first floating body (2) and of the hulls (50) of the second floating body (5) is supported ) be different. This produces a greater mismatch between the movements of both bodies (2, 5), which is desirable.

Normally, the device also comprises at least one electrical distribution line (10), which will be found connecting the generators (8, 91) with a point of use, not represented (a connection to the general electrical network or to an electrical installation ).

Also, preferably, the device will comprise a protection cover (11) (for example made of alloy steel) arranged on the generators (8, 91), sets of racks (6) and pinions (7) and on a control electronics and regulation (12) arranged in the first floating body (2) or in the second floating body (5).

In the event of storms that generate waves that are too large for the operation of the device, provision has been made for brakes, not shown, to lock the pinions (7) to secure the first floating body and the second floating body, for example controlled by the control and regulation electronics (12) of the device.

Indicate that, in the preferred example shown in the figures, a device configuration has been devised comprising eight first generators (8) connected in parallel, where each first generator (8) is driven by two rack assemblies (6) and side pinion (7).

Having sufficiently described the nature of the invention, it is indicated that the description of the invention and its preferred embodiment should be interpreted in a non-limiting manner, and that it encompasses all of the possible embodiment variants that may be deduced from the content of this report. and claims.

Claims (15)

1. -Device (1) for generating electrical energy from waves characterized by comprising: -a first floating body (2), -some anchoring lines (3) that are found anchoring the first floating body (2) to the bottom (4), -a second floating body (5) that is mounted on the first floating body through sets of racks (6) and pinions (7), and -at least, a first generator (8) connected to the racks (6) and pinions (7) assemblies to transform the relative movement between the first floating body (2) and the second floating body (5) into electrical energy. 2. -Device (1) for generating electrical energy from the waves according to claim 1, wherein the first floating body (2) comprises a structure (20) supported on floating elements (21). 3. -Device (1) for generating electrical energy from the waves according to claim 2, where the structure (20) of the first floating body (2) has the shape of a quadrangular frame, the second floating body ( 5). 4. The device (1) for generating electric energy from waves according to claim 3, comprising four anchoring lines (3) arranged at the corners of the structure (20) as quadrangular frame. 5. -Device (1) for generating electrical energy from the waves according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the mooring lines (3) comprise mooring shock absorbers (30). 6. -Device (1) for generating electrical energy from the waves according to any of the preceding claims, where the sets of racks (6) and pinions (7) comprise vertical racks (6) fixed to the second floating body (5 ), and some pinions (7) mechanically coupled to the first generators (8), which are fixed to the first floating body (2). 7. The device (1) for generating electric energy from waves according to any of the preceding claims, comprising stops (60) arranged at the ends of the racks (6) to limit the upper and lower pinions race (7). 8. -Device (1) for generating electrical energy from the waves according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second floating body (5) comprises several watertight hulls (50) joined rigidly, where said hulls (50) are shaped like inverted pyramid. 9. The device (1) for generating electric energy from waves according to claim 8, comprising a spillway pressure line (9), which is communicating the intermediate area between the hulls (50) with an open area pyramidal. 10. The device (1) for generating electric energy from waves according to claim 9, comprising a turbine (90) arranged on the overflow pressure (9) and connected to a second electric generator (91). 11.-Device (1) for generating electrical energy from the waves according to any of claims 8 to 10 in relation to claim 2, wherein the buoyancy of the floating elements (21) on which the structure is supported ( 20) of the first floating body (2) and the hulls (50) of the second floating body (5) is different. 12. The device (1) for generating electric energy from waves according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a power distribution line (10) is connecting the generators (8, 91) with a point of use. 13. The device (1) for generating electric energy from waves according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a cover (11) protection. 14. The device (1) for generating electric energy from waves according to any of the preceding claims, comprising locking brakes pinions (7). 15. -Device (1) for generating electrical energy from the waves according to any of the preceding claims, comprising first eight generators (8) connected in parallel, wherein each first generator (8) is powered by two rack assemblies (6) and pinion (7).