Power plants – Pressure fluid source and motor – Utilizing natural energy or having a geographic feature
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-02
2001-04-17
Ryznic, John E. (Department: 3745)
Power plants
Pressure fluid source and motor
Utilizing natural energy or having a geographic feature
C290S053000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06216455
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an apparatus for conversion of energy from the vertical movement of seawater comprising a hollow body being applied substantially upright on the sea bottom provided with at least one aperture in the wall thereof in such a way that water is free to move into and out of the hollow body.
The motion of seawater caused by waves, swell and tide is being used in many known proposals for the conversion of its energy.
The object of this invention is to improve this apparatus.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This is achieved according to the invention by an apparatus for conversion of energy from the vertical movement of seawater comprising a floating body being movable with respect to said hollow body in vertical direction caused by the movement of the seawater level and being in communication with the space in said hollow body in order to change the volume thereof.
Upon increasing and decreasing the volume of the hollow body a fluid flow is introduced inside the hollow body. This fluid flow is used to drive a propeller being connected to energy generating means directly or indirectly.
The hollow body has preferably parallel side walls, whereas the floating body comprises a cap-like member for closing the top or bottom opening thereof. The cap-like member shifts along the side walls of the hollow body up and down along with the vertical movement of the seawater.
According to an embodiment of the invention the cap is provided with valve means being in communication with the open air, an outlet is arranged in the cap, the outlet being provided with valve means and being in communication with an air reservoir, whereas the air reservoir is in communication with a propeller being connected to energy generating means. In this embodiment the fluid flow introduced inside the hollow body comprises a liquid flow as well as an air flow, whereas the air flow is used to drive the propeller.
In an preferred embodiment the reservoir is located in said cap.
An acceleration of the fluid flow is obtained when the hollow body is provided with a narrowed passage between said side walls.
In another embodiment of the invention a propeller being connected to energy generating means is provided in the passage. In this embodiment fluid flow drives a propeller directly. As a result of the acceleration of the fluid in the passage optimal use has been made of the drive possibilities of the propeller.
When the cap is located above the seawater level, it is provided with at least one aperture. In this way the trapped air under the cap can be vented to the atmosphere. The cap can be provided with a lid fitting to said or each aperture, whereas the lid is actuated by pneumatic means. When it is desired the lid can be lifted from the aperture in order to vent the trapped air.
Preferably the floating body comprises the cap and at least one floating member being connected to the cap. The cap moves up and down by the action of the floating members.
The effect of the sea movements being transmitted to the cap by floating members may be amplified by a hydraulic amplifier comprising two pistons/cylinders of different diameter, one piston being connected to the floating member and the other piston being connected to the cap.
In order to obtain in some embodiments a one way rotation of the propeller the blades of the propeller are feathered in accordance with the direction of the fluid flow inside the hollow body.
In a preferred embodiment the blades are inserted on shafts which are attached to pinions which mate with racks, whereas said racks are attached to actuating means. In this way the blades are able to pivot into the right angle position in order to rotate the propeller one way independent of the direction of fluid flow.
In a preferred embodiment the actuating means are formed by plates being placed perpendicularly to the fluid flow within the hollow body at the top and/or bottom of the propeller. The force of the fluid flow within the passage pushes the blades of the propeller into the correct orientation.
In another embodiment of the invention the floating body comprises a membrane separating the fluid in the hollow body from the seawater and the fluid itself having a lower density than seawater. According to this embodiment no movable members are applied which require a guidance.
In this embodiment the type and volume of the fluid and the shape of the hollow body are selected such that upon a predetermined frequency of the vertical movement of the seawater level, the fluid is oscillated with its own natural frequency (resonance). The amplitude of oscillation of the fluid inside the hollow body will be maximized when the frequency of oscillation of the sea level coincides with the natural frequency of the fluid.
According to the invention it is possible to connect the outputs of a number of parallel positioned apparatus to a common shaft.
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Doleh Rany Zakaria
Doleh Zakaria Khalil
Lock John Douglas
Ryznic John E.
Webb Ziesenheim & Logsdon Orkin & Hanson, P.C.
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