WO2009153802A2

WO2009153802A2 - The system and method for electric power generation using tidal waves

Info

Publication number: WO2009153802A2
Application number: PCT/IN2008/000633
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chhaganlal Patel Shashikantbhai
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-06-19
Filing date: 2008-10-01
Publication date: 2009-12-23
Anticipated expiration: 2010-12-19
Also published as: WO2009153802A3; WO2009153802A4; WO2009153802A9

Abstract

The present invention comprises one tank or more numbers of tanks as per requirement, which are specially made from high grade plastic or any other material, which can withstand force of sea waves. Further the present invention comprises a shaft connected with handle also called rack by means of pinions. Pinions are attached with rack. This rack is joined with tank by means of joining block. Also rack is supported with rack slider. Further the present invention comprises a generator unit connected with shaft.

Description

Field of the invention

This invention relates to a system for producing energy using the sea waves without taking water inside the system. This system can be used for the production of the electrical energy at small scale as well as farge scale for the different electrical appliances in the society as well as industries.

The invention relates to the system which converts sea wave energy to mechanical movement and finally to useful electricity with more efficiency and with considerable low cost as the source of the energy.

Back ground of the invention

Normally any electricity generation plant includes huge boiler, big cooling tower, sky touch chimneys, huge place for storage of raw material like sand, coal or petrol or diesel, water, etc. In case of wind power generation a huge ground for wind plant is required where wind blows almost always and these plants are too costly as well. In case of nuclear plant a huge place out side the city is required as well as the wastage from these plant is very much hazardous to the environment and human beings. All these problems have only one solution which needs the System which can produces electrical energy with the use of less space in terms of land required, low cost, almost 0% wastage and with the unlimited source. This invention resolves all these problems and fulfils all these requirements. In the prior US patent 5374850 describes The System and Method for Tidal and Wave generation of power, where wave energy is converted to electrical energy with the System which takes water into cylinder for movement and which operates somewhat on the basis of air and water pressure in the cylinder. The whole assembly contains cylinders and tubes which are connected top the shaft which runs the turbine. Whereas in the present invention, there is no much critical and complicated mechanical connection, as well as there is no dependability on the proper operation of the cylinder and tubes and other mechanical devises.

US patent 7011501 is for the Energy Generating System, where amount of water inletting from one side and going out from other side acts main role. In this patent water enters from one side through front inlet in rotation body and goes out from rotation body from other side. The amount of entered water converted to the pressurized water by means of concave section directed towards outlet side and bulb shaped tapering portion extending from a substantially cylindrical waist portion towards the inlet side. This pressurized water runs the blades of turbine which in turn runs the generator. Further, in this invention again the complicated mechanical arrangement acts main role for generating energy as well as that depends on the pressure created. US patent 5872406 describes the Tidal Generator, where System with tank acts as mechanical power for turbine. In this invention, water from high tidal enters in the tank and due to that weight high pressure acts as force for movement of high pressure cylinder thus the movement of piston of cylinder which is connected to the turbine acts as force to run the generator. The whole assembly comprises complicated structure of tank with attachment of valves and cylinders. This invention also required a skilled person during the operation of the System for efficient operation.

US patent 6967413 describes the Tidal Energy System, in which water collected in columns and a skilled operator allows water to get passed from turbine which in turn produces mechanical movement in the blades of turbine which finally rotates the generator to produce electricity. This invention required a skilled operator to operate the System as well as the arrangement is such that only skilled persons can only understand as well as can use.

Object of invention

The main object of the present invention is to provide the system for the production of the energy and very easy to operate with low cost compared to other complicated invention.

The next important object of the present invention is to provide a heavy duty production of electricity generation using tidal wave. The further object of the present invention is to provide the System with higher efficiency in terms of operation.

The further object of the present invention is to provide the System with higher capacity in terms of electric power.

Stili another object of the invention is to maintain continuation in the production of electric power.

The further object of the present invention is to provide the System with big volume tanks made out from high grade plastic or any material which can withstand a high pressure of waves.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system that can be used in multiple number as per the requirement of the production of the energy.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention comprises one tank or more numbers of tanks as per requirement, which are specially made from high grade plastic or any other material, which ca^'n withstand force of sea waves, Further the present invention comprises a shaft connected with handle also called rack by means of pinions. Pinions are attached with rack. This rack is joined with tank by means of joining block. Also rack is supported with rack slider.

Further the present invention comprises a generator unit connected with shaft. Description of the Invention

The present invention relates to a system easy to operate without entry of water inside the tank for heavy duty production of electricity generation using tidal waves. As the pressure of tides is a tremendous high, the structure should be a much efficient for the production of electric power. For efficient electric power production, we require high pressurised and continuous tides in the sea. To establish the project of the present invention, the part of sea should be much far from sea coast so that the depth of lend level will be more and so heavy strong mechanical as well as RCC structure is established. Different parts as listed below are used to prepare a whole structure called unit project. Multiple number of units can be used together to produce heavy duty electric power. Here described is a single unit called unit project using three RCC piles.

This system as a unit project comprises following parts:

• RCC piles

• Steel column

• Structure

• Guide channel

• Platform

• Tank

• Joining block (Between rack & tank)

• Rack • Tank slider (Connecting arm & roller)

• Rack slider (Roller inside hollow block)

• Pinion

• Flywheels

• Shaft

• Generator unit

Brief description of the figure

Fig. 1 shows the proposed mechanical arrangement of the present invention wherein \ indicates the sea water in which present invented system to be placed for energy generation from rises and fall of sea waves, 2 indicates the tank, which floats on the sea water and makes movement according to sea waves. The tank is made from high grade plastic or any material which can withstand maximum pressure of the sea waves. 3 indicates rack, which is connected to the tank. This rack is made from metal which has strength to withstand force due to movement of tank. 4 indicates base of the system on which whole arrangement is placed. 5 indicates rotating shaft, which rotates due to rotation of the pinions, placed on it. 6 indicates pinions, which rotates in unidirectional pattern. Total two numbers of pinions required per unit to get maximum generation. One of these pinion rotate in clock wise direction to produce clock wise movement of shaft and other of these pinion rotate in anticlockwise direction which continue the movement of the shaft in the original direction. 7 indicates RCC column, 8 indicates steel column. 9 indicates generator unit, which generates electrical etϊergy and 10 indicates flywheel. One generator unit can be used per 5 to 6 units together.

Fig 2 indicates the working system wherein 1 is sea water, 2 is tank and 7 is RCC column on which steal column 3 is fitted.

Fig. 3 is elevation view of tank.

Fig.4 is top view of the tank.

Fig. 5 shows rack 3, pinion 6, rack slider 11 and the shaft 5.

Fig.6 shows plan of unit cell wherein 7 is RCC with steel column 8

Fig. 7 shows roller 12, guide channel 13 and connecting arm 14.

Fig. 8 shows arrangement of multiple units on a, b and c shaft.

The function and working of the each part is as shown below.

RCC piles

As the structure is very heavy, to mounting the structure a heavy duty RCC piles erected at project side in side the sea. The function of the piles is for the mounting of the structure. At least three piles are required for single unit for sufficient with standing the structure. The RCC pile is big enough in diameters, therefore the pile prevent the very heavy and higher tide. Thus pile is supporting to keep evenness of the tide if even¹ tide form is uneven. More numbers of piles can also be used to get mostly very good evenness of tide pressure through for all tanks. Steel column Steel column

A steel column erected on RCC piles as the structure level is very much high from sea level. Steel column is used to mountain platform and structure.

Structure

As in the system there is very big size round tank to generate a heavy duty electric power, the structure should be strong and efficient. So that framing of strong iron structure between RCC piles is prepared. The function of structure is to provide the mounting support all the parts connected to it.

Guide channel

A guide channel is used to support the tank for the linear upward motion. Guide channel framed with the structure. As the tank goes up and down it moves in a guide channel with the help of tank sliders. Thus guide channel provide the supports to tank for the vertical linear up-down motion.

Platform

Platform is an upper top portion of a project. It provides a standing support for a generator unit. Also the platform is fixed on a structure it helps very good levelling to stand the whole structure. Tank

(a) Internal structure

As a tank is heavy and round, the internal structure of the tank should be a strong enough. Internal structure of tank is frame work, which provides a better support to the external plate of the tank. Also it helps to convert the forces to the rack. It is made of ISMC. ISMC is a short form of Indian standard medium channel. Using ISMC in proper framed structure best support to tank's plate is achieved because tank's plate needs support against thrust of heavy tide.

(b) External structure

The external structure of tank is a very thick plate as the pressure of tide is a very high. The thickness of plate, which is framed & soldered with internal structure, supports the tank goes up and down. Also the volume of the tank is very high; it converts the very high upward force to the rack mounted on the joining block which is mounted on the tank. As tank is working up-down and the weight of tank is very heavy it generates the electric power during the upward motion and downward motion of the tank with using different pinions. The bottom surface of the tank is concave; it supports the motion of the tank properly linear vertical. As the tank is rounded by side, the uneven tide force will be spread out. Thus the round shape of the tank prevents damage to the tank. The tank is slanted from middle to bottom that prevent the uneven tidal waves by spreading out. Joining block

Joining block is used to join the tank and rack. It is a heavy female block type joint between tank and rack. Also it is soldered and framed with the tank internal structure.

Rack

Rack is very essential part of the structure. It converts the force of the tank to the pinion. The rack comprises linear vertical teeth both side as shown in fig. Also the pinion is teeth type unidirectional. Therefore the rack converts the linear torque to rotating torque while going up and down both the times.

The teeth on the rack are extended up to 2 to 3 mtr. Also the teeth are accommodated as shown in the figure. By using such type of design of teeth we can accommodate both pinions on a single shaft. Thus by using such type of teeth design, we can use single shaft. Here the teeth assembly is sliding type. The height of this assembly can be selected by the average sea level of the project area.

Tank slider and roller

Tank slider is mounted on tank with connecting aπτι and roller. Roller is fitted in connecting arm and the slider moves in guide channel up and down. Tank slider helps tank to move it in linear vertical motion with the help of guide channel framed on the structure. Tank slider also supports the tank to convert the horizontal force of tide to vertical force. Rack slider

Rack slider is mounted in rack. It supports the rack to stand perpendicular. It also supports the rack to go up and down linearly vertical, as the tank force is uneven some time. Thus the rack slider is important part of the structure. As the length of the rack is very long multi rack sliders are used to prevent the rack against bend.

Pinions

Pinions function as the gear as well as freewheel. Two pinions are attached on one shaft in opposite direction to each other. It rotates freely in one direction and converts upward force to rotating force. In other direction, when tank goes up, the rack moves up and first pinion rotate and converts the heavy duty force to generator shaft, at that time second pinion rotate freely. When heavy weight tank goes down the second pinion rotates and converts the kinetic energy of flywheels to the same shaft and at that time first pinion rotates freely. Two pinions are connected to one rack and a single shaft thus pinions are very much important part of the structure. Pinions converts the vertical up-down force to rotating force.

Flywheels

Generally flywheel is used to get continuous rotating of the shaft even if shaft does not get any external rotating power for a few times. In such condition the flywheels helps a shaft to rotate continuously with a very heavy rotating force because flywheels are very heavy in weight and big in diameter. More numbers of flywheels can be attached on a single shaft.

Shaft

Shaft is the most important part of the project. Shaft transfer the rotating force from pinions to the gear box of the generator. Shaft is also useful for the mounting of all flywheels and all pinions.

In this invention single shaft is used and even then getting the enough force when tank goes down. Both the pinions on same shaft in such a way, that there is no need of second shaft. As the one shaft is reduced the project cost as well as the losses of friction and gear losses due to that shaft can be neglected, which increase the power production. Also as shaft is reduced, one generator unit is also reduced, so that the project cost is reduced.

Generator unit

It generates electric power by the rotating force received from shaft. We can use different capacity generators, as per requirement of electric power. Generator units are readily available in market as per requirement. As we use a single shaft for all the tanks which are in line, so generator unit require is also single for all those tanks which are all in line. Generator unit is having gear box in built inside it. We are having low rpm on the shaft. By using gear box technology we can increase rpm as per requirement of the generator unit. According to the present invention the high volume tank floats on the sea water connected to the rack. The rack is connected to the rotating shaft by means of pinions. The one end of the shaft is connected to the generator unit which rotates only in one direction.

Now as the waves rises and settle down which makes floating tank to move up or down. This up and down movement of tank makes vertical movement of vertical rack. This vertical movement of rack makes rotating movement of pinions. The arrangements of the pinions are such that it rotates in unidirectional pattern. This rotation of pinions rotates the whole shaft and due to this generator unit connected to one end of the shaft starts producing electricity.

The same arrangement can be provided for second pinion as it also attached on the same shaft. So that by using single shaft and single generator we can utilise both the force of tank while going up and down. The system can be set up with multiple numbers of this unit project depending on the requirement.

Unit project on-off mechanism:-

For any reason if one wants to stop the movement of tank, the tank should be hang on guide channel above the sea level so that the bottom of the tank can not touch the sea level. While going upward we should take up the tank by crane and lock rt on guide channel, to hang the tank on guide channel. This both work should be done at a same time. Thus now the tank is hanging on guide channel. At this time the part of without teeth portion of rack is in contact with pinions. As there are no teeth on rack right now, perpendicular work of this pinions stops. But al! other pinion flywheel and tank are working properly. For maintenance and to overcome risk due to high tide the teeth on rack should be design properly. The teeth portion of rack can be made sliding mechanism. So that the only sliding mechanism of teeth portion can make slide up and down manually on the rack as per requirement because sea level is variable.

In the unit project a rack and pinions are used to convert the up-down force to rotating force. Also the hydraulic mechanism and crank slider mechanism can be used to convert up-down force to rotating force.

Iron material except RCC piles; the material is processed to prevent the corrosion due to sea water and air

For heavy duty electric power generation the system can be expanded by the RCC piles and other whole structure both the side of unit protect as shown in figure 9. And thus very heavy duty electric power using tidal wave can be produced.

Example:

Following is the example to illustrate the production of electric power; however this does not limit the scope of the present invention. Several variants of these examples would be evident to person's skill in the art.

Equitation used for production of electric power

The equitation used for electric power is as follow.

Torque x distance x gravitational force

Power in watt =

Time

Where torque is an upward force of tank received from tidal up motion. Accordingly science law tank will swim on the sea surface of water till the weight equivalent to tank inside volume is put on the tank. In the present case tank size is 8 meter round in bottom, 10 meter round in middle, 5 meter round in top and 5 meter height so that the total volume is 256.8252 mtr³. Thus 1 mtr³ tank takes up maximum 1000 kilogram weight to swim easily on water surface. Here our tank will swim easily with the weight of 256825.2 kilogram. As the tank does not go down the sea level, the equivalent weight force transfer to the rack. As rack is connected to pinion flywheel and pinion flywheel is connected to shaft of generator and a torque of 256825.2 on the shaft of generator is achieved. In the present case it is called torque. Thus 256825.2 torques is received from tank due to tidai.

H Here distance is a deviation length of rack, when rack goes up and down. In the present project tidal up-down is 1 mtr. To 3 mtr. as per seasons. But we consider it 2.0 mtr. as an average.

Gravitational force is 9.81 kg/sec. Here time factor is considered for the continuous electric power generation. When the tide is on its pick height the tank will at top height. The time we consider is 3 second, to get the next tide to its pick height. Thus, now what ever electric power achieved is continuous, even if force is available only when the tank goes up.

But in addition to achieve a more electric power when tank goes down we have attached a very heavy weight and big in diameter flywheel on the shaft which is connected to the pinions and generator. Flywheel can be connected anywhere on the shaft as per convenience and requirement. But here we use at least one flywheel for a single tank. Here we use number of flywheels for single shaft which covers 5 or 6 Nos. of tanks as shown in design. So that 5 or 6 tanks together can be called as unit project again for the calculation of electric power generated by single generator.

Two different pjnions are for up and down force for the movement of the shaft. At the time of down force also heavy electric power is generated due to flywheels. This power is as same as the power due to upward force because once the flywheels start rotates, it rotates continues with the same force. As now unit project is of 5 or 6 tanks, flywheels gets force alternately from all the tanks and so that the force on the shaft never become low even if tank goes down, same force is available on the shaft when tank goes down which will give the same power production, when tank goes down the shaft will not move in reverse direction but it's movement is maintained in the same direct it was with the same force and hence power will be generated even during the down movement of the tank.

Torque x distance x gravitational force

P r ϋnuWfoWr i Inl I \ WA#aotlΦl — _"■Z — __ —_— —___ -_ _«_-- — __ _ — _™ ___-_ _ ,___ -._-.-___ _-.- _—____«.._ __■._ _____•_ ____

Time

Total power = power due to upward force + power due to flywheels and weight of tank, rack, tank Slider and joining block when tank goes down

Torque x distance x gravitational force power when tank goes down Time

= 256825.2 X 2.0 X 9.81 + power when tank goes down 3

= 1679636.81 + 1679636.81

= 3359273.62 Watts

= 3359.27 K Watts

= 3.359 M Watts

= 3.36 M Watts

Thus total 3.36 M Watts power is achieved by using single tank. Therefore 3.36 X 5 = 16.8 M Watts electric power is achieved by unit project using 5 tanks on a single shaft.

Claims

I Claim,

1. The system producing electrical energy by using sea waves.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1 comprises a Tank, RCC piles, Steel column, Structure, Guide channel, Platform, Joining block (Between rack & tank), Rack, Shaft, Tank slider (Connecting arm & roller), Rack slider (Roller inside hollow block), Pinions and Generator unit.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tank moves with the rises and fall of sea waves without taking water inside.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the tank is connected to the vertically arranged teethed rack by joining block and the two pinions which are finally connected to generator units with the help of shaft.

5. The System claimed in claim 1, wherein two numbers of pinions placed on the same rotating shaft, among which one rotates in clockwise direction and other rotates in anti-clockwise direction, which are attached to vertical rack.

6. The System claimed in claim 2, wherein the high volume tank made up of high grade plastic or other material, which can withstand high pressure of sea waves, to float on the sea water and moves up or down according to the sea waves.

7. The System claimed in claim 1 includes rotating shaft in multiple arrangements.

8. The system claimed in claim 1, wherein a guide channel is used to support the tank for the linear upward motion.

9. The System claimed in claim 1 includes generator unit to generate electrical energy due to rotating movement of the shafts.

10. The System claimed in claim 1, wherein generator unit is attached to the shaft to generate electrical energy due to rotating movement of the shafts.

11. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein power is generated and calculated in the following equation

Torque x distance x gravitational force

D rUΛVπAIΌCΓi i Ini i \ wΛ/fienΦit m -. _-..... —..— •«— ..«..———— —.-» _ — —_ _ _^.«-«— -.«« —•.——————— — —._———-«_—■-...--• _*—-,—.—.—.-.__-»—.

Time

12. The System claimed in claim 1, wherein total power generation is

13. The system that produce electrical energy with the use of movement of tanks due to the rises and fall of sea waves without taking water inside described in the foregoing description, drawings and example.