[go: up one dir, main page]

WO2016055559A1 - Dispositif utilisant l'énergie des vagues - Google Patents

Dispositif utilisant l'énergie des vagues Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2016055559A1
WO2016055559A1 PCT/EP2015/073239 EP2015073239W WO2016055559A1 WO 2016055559 A1 WO2016055559 A1 WO 2016055559A1 EP 2015073239 W EP2015073239 W EP 2015073239W WO 2016055559 A1 WO2016055559 A1 WO 2016055559A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
wave energy
node
nodes
energy device
water
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/EP2015/073239
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Alejandro GONZÁLEZ ANDREU
Alberto PIZÁ SEÑAS
Enrique MUÑOZ ARJONA
Remy Pascal
Ángel MARTÍN-BEJARANO
Cristina RODRÍGUEZ BORDALLO
Alejandro Torres Molina
Antonio CAMPOS MARÍN
Antonio Luis RUIZ MONTERO
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Abengoa Seapower SA
Original Assignee
Abengoa Seapower SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Abengoa Seapower SA filed Critical Abengoa Seapower SA
Priority to EP15775714.7A priority Critical patent/EP3204632A1/fr
Publication of WO2016055559A1 publication Critical patent/WO2016055559A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
    • F03B13/12—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy
    • F03B13/14—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy
    • F03B13/141—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy with a static energy collector
    • F03B13/142—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy with a static energy collector which creates an oscillating water column
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
    • F03B13/12—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy
    • F03B13/14—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy
    • F03B13/24—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy to produce a flow of air, e.g. to drive an air turbine
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2240/00—Components
    • F05B2240/40—Use of a multiplicity of similar components
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2250/00—Geometry
    • F05B2250/10—Geometry two-dimensional
    • F05B2250/13—Geometry two-dimensional trapezial
    • F05B2250/131—Geometry two-dimensional trapezial polygonal
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2270/00—Control
    • F05B2270/10—Purpose of the control system
    • F05B2270/18—Purpose of the control system to control buoyancy
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/30—Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the field of wave energy conversion based on oscillating water columns.
  • renewable energies include solar power, wind power, and also the so-called wave power, where the waves on the surface of water, such as in large seas or oceans, are used to drive different energy conversion devices, such as turbines for producing electrical energy.
  • Some wave energy converters are based on floats that move vertically with the waves, this movement being transmitted, for example, by pumps driving hydraulic fluid, to some kind of generator of electrical energy.
  • Another type of wave energy converters are based on the so-called oscillating water column (OWC) technology.
  • OWC converters comprise at least one enclosure for housing a water column which is in fluid communication with the water outside the enclosure, for example, due to an open bottom portion of the enclosure.
  • the waves in the water outside the enclosure cause the water column inside the enclosure to rise and to sink, that is, to oscillate.
  • This oscillation can be used to drive one or more energy converters, for example, for converting the oscillating movement into electrical energy by driving a turbine.
  • the turbine can be driven by an air flow caused by the variation in the pressure in a fluid, such as air, above the water column in the enclosure, when the water column rises and sinks within the enclosure, due to the waves outside the enclosure. That is, OWC systems can operate based on the cyclical compression of air above the water column, the compressed air being used to drive a generator of electrical energy, for example, via a pneumatically driven turbine.
  • WO-201 1 /162615-A2 teaches an ocean wave energy system based on an array of enclosures, in this case, hollow columns whose respective lower ends are in fluid communication with ocean waves and whose respective upper ends are in air communication with a turbine arrangement such that wave motion occurring at the lower ends causes air movement within the columns for propelling the turbine arrangement to generate power output.
  • the document includes a discussion of the theory of energy production from waves, including a discussion of the need to tune the arrangement to the frequency of the waves, and the difficulties involved therewith.
  • Position-adjustable and/or angle-adjustable submerged structures are used to improve coupling of the waves into the hollow columns in a controllable manner.
  • the hollow columns are arranged in a structure or platform that is supported on the seabed, or in an unspecified floating structure. It appears that a relatively substantial number of hollow tubes are arranged on or within a very substantial frame structure, such as a floating platform that is seabed-supported or coastal- supported.
  • the document teaches the use of an optional sensing arrangement for determining one or more characteristics of ocean waves, and a control arrangement for providing a dynamically responsive control of submerged structures for tuning the arrangement.
  • the control can be based on numerical models or neural networks.
  • the document mentions the option of sensing a prevailing direction of propagation of the waves, and rotating the array of columns accordingly.
  • baffles to stabilize the platform.
  • GB-A-2504682-A discloses an OWC wave energy converter with a plurality of columns in fluid communication with ocean waves via ports, arranged in a specific manner.
  • the system comprises a buoyant platform having a plurality of peripheral outwardly-projecting lobes. This arrangement is said to be robust and difficult to flip over.
  • Other embodiments are described in which the columns are arranged around a central cylindrical base with a heavy ballast mass at a lower portion thereof, or within a buoyant framework comprising buoyant cylindrical towers.
  • port channels and air columns can be arranged to operate in a resonant mode, for example by carefully controlling an amount of energy pickoff at the energy pickoff devices, so as to obtain a desired degree of damping, namely resonant Q-factor.
  • the document also teaches that a natural period of resonance of water depends on water mass and thus on water height in the converter, and that the converter can be tuned to a frequency characteristic of ocean waves to be received at the converter by height adjustment, conveniently achieved by a suitable ballasting system onto which the converter is mounted. Also, it is suggested that in the case of very severe storm conditions, the port channels can beneficially be submerged more deeply into the ocean.
  • CA-2785428-A1 relates to a system involving ducts for receiving oscillating water columns.
  • a support structure involving rigid columns or pylons is disclosed, and ballast elements can be provided to stabilize the support structure.
  • GB-2460553-A teaches an OWC system with a plurality of chambers or enclosures, and more than two turbines per chamber. Tension mooring systems and systems requiring heave are discussed. Resonance of the mass of water within the chambers is discussed. It is explained that the turbine acts as a restriction to the entry and exit of water from the surrounding sea into the air chamber, that is, the enclosure in which the oscillating water column is housed, and that the extent of this restriction is known as the damping level. For optimum power transfer from wave to turbine, there exists an optimum damping or restriction level. For an impulse turbine, the damping level the turbine applies increases as the air mass flow rate and the differential air pressure increase.
  • WO-2010/022474- A1 discloses OWC system with a duct having two segments arranged transversally to each other.
  • a buoyancy element can be laterally mounted to the duct.
  • An energy conversion unit preferably includes a turbine being hydraulically driven by the oscillating water column.
  • US-2007/0180823-A1 discloses a system comprising flow paths which can have different lengths so that the flow paths can have different frequencies, in order to allow the system to extract energy from waves of different periodicity in an efficient manner.
  • the system can be based on a heave-resistant vessel.
  • WO-87/03045-A1 discloses an OWC system with an inclined column.
  • GB-2325964-A is a further example of a document discussing tuning of an OWC system to enhance efficiency.
  • Pressure adjustment means are used for controlling the mean pressure of the fluid within the tube.
  • the operation of the energy conversion means may be useful to accommodate for minor changes of the behavior of the waves, such as for short-time adaptation to minor variations, it may not be appropriate or sufficient to accommodate, on its own, for the more substantial variations that often take place over longer periods of time.
  • DE-10200900821 1 -A1 discloses an OWC system with a plurality of tubular members. It is stated that in some embodiments, the level of the system in the water can be adjusted by adding or removing air under pressure from the tubular members.
  • a first aspect of the invention relates to a wave energy device comprising at least three nodes, each one of said nodes being connected to at least another one of said nodes.
  • each node is connected to at least two other nodes.
  • Each node comprises at least one enclosure for housing a water column in an internal space of said enclosure, said enclosure comprising at least one opening, such as an open lower end of the enclosure, for establishing fluid communication between said internal space and a surrounding space, that is, to the sea or ocean water in which the wave energy device is placed, so that when the device is placed in water, the water column in said internal space is in fluid communication with water surrounding the enclosure, so that waves in the water outside the enclosure produce oscillation of said water column.
  • the wave energy device further comprises energy conversion means including, for example, a pneumatically driven turbine and generator.
  • the energy conversion means are arranged to be driven by the oscillation of the water column to produce electrical energy. Due to the oscillation of the level of the water column, the air pressure varies within the enclosure, above the water column, and this variation in the air pressure drives the turbine.
  • nodes Placing the enclosures at nodes makes it possible to implement a nodal system in which major components, including the enclosures for housing the oscillating water columns, are located at specific nodes, which can be substantially spaced from each other, thereby distributing the system over a substantial area and reducing the risk for any overturning of the system.
  • the nodes can be connected to each other using beams or similar, for example, establishing a mesh-like structure or lattice of beams interconnecting nodes. This nodal structure makes it easy to implement a distributed system, with a high diameter or width to height ratio, thereby enhancing stability and reducing the risk for the system being overturned in the case of extreme waves.
  • the device additionally comprises at least one buoyancy chamber or ballast chamber associated with means for controlling an amount of water in the buoyancy chamber by pumping water out of and by admitting water into said buoyancy chamber, respectively, so as to allow for the adaptation of the mass of the wave energy device to the state of the sea, for enhancing efficiency of energy capture.
  • tuning of the device to the characteristics of the sea can be made by letting ballast, namely water, into or out of one or more of the buoyancy chambers, thereby increasing/decreasing the mass of the device.
  • this can be used to adapt the device to substantial and/or long-term variations (for example, in terms of days) of the frequency of the waves, in addition to the fine-tuning or short-term adaptation (for example, in terms of hours or even shorter) that can be achieved by controlling the damping provided by the energy conversion means.
  • long-term variations for example, in terms of days
  • short-term adaptation for example, in terms of hours or even shorter
  • the wave energy device can float in the water, partly submerged to an extent that is determined, at least to a certain extent, by the amount of water that has been admitted into the buoyancy chambers.
  • the wave energy device comprises a plurality of said buoyancy chambers, at least one of said buoyancy chambers being associated to each one of a plurality of the nodes. Distributing the buoyancy chambers between a plurality of nodes makes it possible to further enhance the nodal character of the system.
  • At least one of said enclosures for housing a water column comprises a double wall, with a space between an inner wall and an outer wall making up one of said buoyancy chambers.
  • the double wall serves a double purpose: it enhances rigidity with a limited use of material (that is, it provides for an advantageous rigidity/cost ratio), and at the same time it serves to establish a space that makes up a buoyancy chamber that can be used to adapt the mass of the wave energy device to the state of the sea.
  • the enclosures will feature a substantial resistance against the forces exerted by the waves, and at the same time serve as buoyancy chambers.
  • one or more buoyancy chambers are not associated directly to any node, but are placed elsewhere in the wave energy device.
  • the nodes are spaced from each other and interconnected by beams, for example, by a lattice structure comprising some kind of beams, and at least one of the buoyancy chambers is associated to one of the beams.
  • one or more of the buoyancy chambers are arranged within the corresponding beam or beams.
  • at least one of the beams is subdivided into a plurality of compartments, each of said compartments forming a buoyancy chamber. This kind of arrangement has been found practical and economical, as it uses part of the structure used to interconnect the nodes to implement the buoyancy chambers, thus making efficient use of the material used for manufacturing the device.
  • the wave energy device further comprises a plurality of heave plates, at least some of said heave plates being mounted in correspondence with at least some of the enclosures.
  • the heave plates serve to increase stability of the device, reducing a balancing movement of the device that can reduce the efficiency with which energy is extracted from the waves. They can also serve to enhance the rigidity of the enclosures.
  • at least one of the heave plates is attached to one of the enclosures. It has been found that for example the walls of the enclosures can be an appropriate place for attaching the heave plates. For example, heave plates can be attached in correspondence to a lower portion of said walls.
  • the heave plates can for example be placed to surround all or a substantial portion of the enclosure.
  • the heave plates have a polygonal shape when viewed from above, such as an octagonal shape.
  • one or more of the heave plates, such as all of the heave plates surround the entire enclosure.
  • one or more of the heave plates, such as all of the heave plates only partially surround the corresponding enclosure, for example, extending around less than 290° of the enclosure, such as around 90 ° of the enclosure.
  • the nodes are spaced from each other and interconnected by beams, such as by a lattice structure of beams.
  • each node can be placed several meters from the adjacent notes, and each node can be connected by beams to other nodes.
  • a substantial separation, such as a spacing by 5, 10, 15 or 20 meters or more between nodes reduces the extent to which nodes affect the waves reaching other nodes, such as shadowing effects.
  • a very extensive and stable structure can be achieved, with distributed but interconnected nodes, wherein the stability does not depend on the mooring lines but on the substantial width to height ratio of the device.
  • each node has a maximum width, and the distance between adjacent nodes is at least 50%, more preferably at least 100%, of said maximum width. As indicated above, this distribution reduces the risk for shadow effects and enhances stability of the system.
  • the wave energy device comprises at least four nodes, said at least four nodes comprising at least three nodes forming the corners of a polygon, each of said at least three nodes being connected to two adjacent nodes forming corners of said polygon, and at least one node not forming a corner of the polygon and being connected to at least three other nodes.
  • This nodal or reticular arrangement provides for a distributed system, with stability in different directions.
  • the wave energy device may comprise at least five nodes, at least four nodes forming the corners of a polygon, and at least one node not forming a corner of the polygon and being connected to at least some of the nodes forming the corners of the polygon.
  • the wave energy device has exactly three nodes, so that the wave energy device has a substantially triangular shape when viewed from above.
  • Each node can be placed in correspondence with an apex of a triangle.
  • the wave energy device is substantially shaped as an isosceles triangle when viewed from above, that is, with two identically long sides and one side having a different length. For example, one of the sides can be longer than the other sides.
  • the use of a triangular layout, with three nodes, has been found to enhance efficiency in terms of produced power in relation to the weight of the system.
  • the amount of energy produced by the nodes at the downstream end (considering the direction in which the waves travel) of the device was rather low. It is believed that the reason for this may be that these downstream nodes follow the movement of the waves, thereby reducing the amplitude of oscillation of the water column. It has been found that a triangular layout can provide for enhanced efficiency in terms of energy production versus weight.
  • the device can be arranged with one of the sides facing the waves, for example, in the case of an isosceles triangle having two shorter sides and one longer side, the larger side can be chosen to face the waves.
  • a first node is connected to a second node by at least one first beam
  • the first node is connected to a third node by at least one second beam
  • the second node is connected to the third node by at least a third beam.
  • the beams can form part of a lattice structure.
  • a first node is connected to a second node by at least one first beam, and the first node is connected to a third node by at least one second beam, but the second node is not directly connected to the third node by any beam.
  • the side comprising the second and the third node can, for example, be arranged to face the waves, whereby the absence of beams or lattice structure minimizes the influence of the structure on the incoming waves. This may serve to further enhance efficiency.
  • the distance between the second node and the third node is larger than the distance between the first node and the second node, and also larger than the distance between the first node and the third node.
  • the first node is connected to the second node by a first lattice structure
  • the first node is connected to the third node by a second lattice structure
  • the second node is connected to the third node by a third lattice structure
  • the third lattice structure being different (such as by having a different structure as such, and/or by being placed differently, for example, on a different height) from the first lattice structure and the second lattice structure, to minimize interference of the third lattice structure with waves when the wave energy device is arranged with the third lattice structure facing the waves.
  • the third lattice structure can be less bulky and/or be positioned lower than the first and second lattice structures.
  • the most substantial part of the resistance of the structure interconnecting the nodes can be provided by the first and second lattice structures, whereas the third lattice structure can simply be there to provide some additional support, for example, so as to maintain the separation between the second and third nodes.
  • the internal space in at least one of the enclosures includes a water column division means extending through part of the internal space and arranged so that when the device is in use, the water column division means will separate at least one part of the water column from another part of the water column at least in correspondence with an upper surface of the water column.
  • the water column division means can include at least one panel extending vertically within the internal space, preferably without reaching the top of the internal space.
  • the water column division means can serve to divide the surface of the water column into several smaller surface portions, thereby reducing the waves or swell on the surface of the oscillating water column. These waves or swell consume energy and thus reduce the efficiency of the system.
  • One easy way of implementing this is by using one or more separating walls or panels extending vertically within the internal space. Preferably, they do not reach the top of the internal space, so that the fluid air communication between the internal space and the energy conversion means (such as the turbine) can be established via one single outlet, for example, in a top closure of the enclosure.
  • This solution allows for the use of rather large enclosures, such as enclosures having an inner space with a major dimension in the horizontal direction, such as a diameter, of five meters or more.
  • the panels or other division means can be used to reinforce the structure of the enclosures, for example, acting as reinforcing structures or beams that prevent the walls of the enclosure from being deformed by the waves, for example, from bulging inwards due to the impacts produced by waves when the device is used in rough conditions.
  • the wave energy device further comprises a control system arranged for modifying the characteristics of the device depending on the frequency of the waves, by adapting the damping provided by the energy conversion means and by adapting the amount of water in the buoyancy chambers.
  • a control system arranged for modifying the characteristics of the device depending on the frequency of the waves, by adapting the damping provided by the energy conversion means and by adapting the amount of water in the buoyancy chambers.
  • major and long-term variations are preferably accommodated by adapting the amount of water in the buoyancy chambers, and short-term variations by adapting the damping provided by the energy conversion means, such as pneumatic turbines.
  • the energy conversion means comprise at least one turbine, preferably a pneumatically driven turbine arranged to be driven by air movement or air pressure oscillations caused by the oscillating water column.
  • at least one of the turbines is mounted in each node. Although it may sometimes be preferred to have one turbine being feed by several nodes, or all of the turbines grouped together in one portion of the device, due to the often preferred substantial separation of the nodes, it can be preferred to have at least one turbine mounted on each node.
  • Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of adapting or tuning a wave energy device as the one described above to the state of the sea.
  • the adaptation or tuning is carried out by adapting the damping provided by the energy conversion means and by adapting the mass of the device by adapting the amount of water in the at least one buoyancy chamber.
  • the adaptation of the damping provided by the energy conversion means can be used for rapid fine-tuning of the device to the state of the see, whereas larger variations in the state of the sea that take place over longer time periods are accommodated by the adaptation of the amount of water in one or more of the buoyancy chambers.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a wave energy device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a schematic cross sectional side view of one of the nodes of the wave energy device of figure 1 .
  • Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of this node.
  • Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a wave energy device in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
  • FIGS 5A-5H schematically illustrate the general layouts of the wave energy device in accordance with different embodiments of the invention.
  • Figures 6A and 6B are a top view and a side view, respectively, of a wave energy device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 6C is a top view of a variant of the embodiment of figures 6A and 6B.
  • Figure 7 is an exploded view showing some of the components of a node in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figures 8A and 8B schematically illustrate how a heave plate can be attached to the cylinder forming the outer wall of the enclosure.
  • Figure 9A and 9B schematically illustrate how a support for components can be attached to the top portion of the enclosure.
  • Figure 10 schematically illustrates a portion of a lattice structure for interconnection of nodes in an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 1 1 shows the result of a comparative analysis of efficiency of a wave energy device with five nodes and a wave energy device with three nodes.
  • Figure 12 is a schematic perspective view of a wave energy device according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of the device, comprising five nodes, namely, four nodes (1 B, 1 C, 1 D, 1 E) placed in correspondence with the four corners of a polygon -in this case a square- corresponding to the general outline of the device, and one node (1 A) placed at the center of the device.
  • the nodes are interconnected by a lattice structure comprising beams 2.
  • the nodes are separated from each other by these beams, and the shortest distance d between two adjacent nodes is preferably substantial, for example, similar to or larger than the width of each node.
  • the spacing between adjacent nodes amounts to several meters, such as more than 10 meters, and provides for a distributed system, wherein the nodes are spread over a substantial area, thereby increasing the general stability of the system and reducing the risk for the device being overturned in the case of bad weather or rough conditions of the sea.
  • the spacing between the nodes (1 B, 1 C, 1 D, 1 E) placed in correspondence with the corners of the polygon is larger than the width of each node.
  • Each node comprises an enclosure 1 1 for housing a water column 100, as schematically illustrated in figure 2.
  • the enclosure is open 13 at its bottom, thereby establishing fluid communication with the water surrounding the enclosure, so that the water can enter the internal space 12 of the enclosure.
  • the waves outside the enclosure 1 1 will give rise to an oscillation of the water column.
  • the enclosure has an upper end which is closed except for one or more openings communicating with a pneumatic turbine 14.
  • the oscillation of the water column produces corresponding changes in the air pressure above the water column 100 in the enclosure, and these pressure changes are used to drive the pneumatic turbine, as known per se in the art.
  • FIGS 2 and 3 show how the enclosure 1 1 comprises a double wall comprising an outer wall (1 1 a) and an inner wall (1 1 b), these two walls delimiting (together with closures at the top and at the bottom) a buoyancy chamber 15.
  • Water can enter and exit the buoyancy chamber 15 through an inlet/outlet system including pumps 16 and valves (not illustrated in the drawings).
  • the pumps 16 allow for an active control of the amount and level of water in the buoyancy chamber 15, and thereby of the total mass of the wave energy device.
  • the mass of the system can be adapted or tuned to the state of the sea, thereby enhancing efficiency of the system.
  • the double wall of the enclosure 1 1 additionally provides for rigidity and resistance.
  • this embodiment allows for a stable and distributed nodal system, with a double wall structure that provides for rigidity and at the same time serves to establish buoyancy chambers that contribute to the floatability of the device and to the adaptability of the mass of the device to the state of the sea. Additional rigidity and stability of the device can be provided by the use of horizontal heave plates 17, as schematically illustrated in figure 3. The heave plates serve to reduce the movement up and down of the nodes, thereby enhancing the efficiency.
  • Figure 2 schematically illustrates how the device includes a control system 20 that controls operation of the pneumatic turbine 14 and operation of the pumps 16, whereby the control system 20 can control the adaptation of the device to the state of the sea, by controlling and adapting the damping of the pneumatic turbines of the device and by controlling the mass of the device by controlling the amount of water in the ballast chambers, that is, the amount of water within the double walls of the enclosure 1 1 .
  • the adaptation of the damping of the turbines can be carried out rapidly, that is, it allows for a rapid fine-tuning to rapid and minor changes in the state of the sea, whereas larger long-term changes are accommodated by adapting the mass of the device by pumping water out of or into the ballast chambers of the enclosures 1 1 .
  • Figure 3 schematically shows how the enclosure 1 1 includes a panel 18 extending vertically within said internal space, but without reaching the top of the internal space.
  • This panel 18 divides the surface of the water column into two smaller surface portions, thereby reducing the waves or swell on the surface of the oscillating water column. This enhances the efficiency of the device, as this kind of waves or swell consumes energy and thus reduces the efficiency of the system.
  • As the panel 18 does not reach the top of the internal space full air communication between the internal space at the top of the enclosure and the pneumatic turbine or turbines can be established via one single outlet, for example, in the top closure of the enclosure.
  • This solution allows for the use of rather large enclosures, such as enclosures having an inner space with a major dimension in the horizontal direction, such as a diameter, of five meters or more, without losing too much efficiency due to waves or swell at the top of the oscillating water columns.
  • the panel 18 can further enhance the rigidity of the system.
  • the enclosure 1 1 can house a structure with two or more panels connected (such as welded) together forming a vertical and reinforcing X beam.
  • a structure interconnecting the four inner side walls 1 1 b can be used.
  • Figure 4 schematically illustrates a variant using enclosures having a circular cross section, instead of the substantially square cross sections of the enclosures of the embodiment of figures 1 -3.
  • Figures 5A-5H show the general layout of some embodiments of the invention.
  • Figures 5A and 5B illustrate two embodiments with five enclosures for establishing water columns
  • figures 5C and 5D illustrate two embodiments with six enclosures
  • figure 5E illustrates an embodiment with seven enclosures
  • figure 5F illustrates an embodiment with eight enclosures
  • figures 5G and 5H illustrate two embodiments with nine enclosures.
  • Figures 6A and 6B show a wave energy device with three nodes, featuring a triangular layout and, more specifically, a layout where the nodes 1 A, 1 B and 1 C are arranged at the apices of an isosceles triangle, that is, a triangle with two identically long sides and one side of different length.
  • nodes 1 A and 1 B are placed at the ends of the longer side, and both are connected to node 1 C.
  • the enclosures 1 1 are cylindrical and provided with polygonal -in this case, octagonal- heave plates 17 to improve stability.
  • the nodes 1 A, 1 B and 1 C are interconnected by beams 2 and 2', forming a lattice structure.
  • the nodes have diameters in the order of 0.7-1 .2 meters, and the centers of the enclosures are separated from each other by a distance at least 30% larger than the diameter of each enclosure.
  • some of the beams can, in some embodiments, incorporate one or more buoyancy chambers.
  • the side corresponding to the longest beam 2' can be arranged facing the waves; in figure 6A, the arrow shows the direction of the waves in relation to the wave energy device, when the wave energy device has been placed in this way.
  • the lattice structure comprising the beam 2' can be different, such as placed differently, compared to the other lattice structures. For example, it can be placed at a level minimizing the impact it will have on the waves, thereby allowing the waves to reach also the downstream node 1 C with full power.
  • Figure 6C shows a similar embodiment, but with the lattice structure joining node 1 A and 1 B removed, thereby preventing any interaction between such a lattice structure and the incoming waves.
  • Figure 7 schematically illustrates some of the components of one of the nodes.
  • the main component is the enclosure, with an outer cylindrical wall 104.
  • a truncated cone shaped closure element 103 is placed on top of the cylinder 104, and a circular support 101 for attaching components, such as for example a valve or a generator, is attached to the closure element 103, with the use of a plurality of triangular intermediate elements 102.
  • a heave plate is provided at the bottom of the cylinder 104, and comprises an upper portion 105 and a bottom portion 109, as well as some additional elements 106-108. These elements are shown more in detail in figures 8A and 8B.
  • Figure 8A shows how the bottom portion 109 of the heave plate is attached to the cylinder 104 by an interconnection member 107 having cross section in the vertical place featuring a curvature. This kind of partly toroidal surface at the interface between heave plate and cylinder is considered to provide for enhanced stability.
  • a further component 106 in the shape of a truncated cone is provided covering the external surface of the interconnection member 107, and the beams 108A of the rib structure 108 can be welded to this further component.
  • the upper portion 105 can then be placed on top of these beams 108A.
  • Figures 9A and 9B show how the support 101 can be attached to the cover 103 using simple triangular attachment members 102.
  • Figure 10 schematically illustrates how, in an embodiment of the invention, the nodes can be interconnected using a lattice structure made up of beams 2A, 2B of different sizes, welded to each other.
  • Figure 1 1 illustrates the result of a simulation comparing the efficiency, in terms of kW/tonnes, between a device with three nodes and a device with five nodes, during different conditions in terms of power on site expressed as kW/m 2 .
  • FIG 12 illustrates an embodiment in which a plurality of buoyancy chambers 25 have been arranged within at least some of the beams 2, 2' used for interconnecting the nodes.
  • all of the lowermost beams are arranged to house such buoyancy chambers 25, which are enclosed within the beams and separated from each other by walls 27.
  • Means 26 for controlling the amount of water in the buoyancy chambers include conduits 26A extending out of the corresponding beam so as to interconnect the space within the beam with the water outside the beam, main valves 26B, manifolds 26C and valves 26D placed in the individual buoyancy chambers. Pumps (not shown) are connected to the conduits 26A.
  • this embodiment makes use of the beams or lattice structure interconnecting the nodes to implement the buoyancy chambers.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif utilisant l'énergie des vagues, comprenant au moins trois nœuds (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E), chaque nœud étant relié à au moins un autre nœud, chaque nœud comprenant au moins une enceinte (11) servant à loger une colonne d'eau (100) dans un espace interne (12) de l'enceinte (11). Le dispositif utilisant l'énergie des vagues comprend au moins une chambre de flottabilité (15, 25) associée à des moyens (16, 26) servant à réguler une quantité d'eau dans la chambre de flottabilité (15) par pompage de l'eau vers l'extérieur et par admission de l'eau vers l'intérieur de la chambre de flottabilité (15, 25), respectivement, permettant ainsi l'adaptation de la masse du dispositif utilisant l'énergie des vagues à l'état de la mer, afin d'augmenter l'efficacité de captage d'énergie.
PCT/EP2015/073239 2014-10-09 2015-10-08 Dispositif utilisant l'énergie des vagues Ceased WO2016055559A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP15775714.7A EP3204632A1 (fr) 2014-10-09 2015-10-08 Dispositif utilisant l'énergie des vagues

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP14382384.7 2014-10-09
EP14382384 2014-10-09

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2016055559A1 true WO2016055559A1 (fr) 2016-04-14

Family

ID=51790656

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2015/073239 Ceased WO2016055559A1 (fr) 2014-10-09 2015-10-08 Dispositif utilisant l'énergie des vagues

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3204632A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2016055559A1 (fr)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NO344784B1 (en) * 2018-10-04 2020-04-27 Hydroelectric Corp Hydroelectric Powerplant
CN111456885A (zh) * 2020-05-13 2020-07-28 杭州巨浪能源科技有限公司 一种外置式气液舱及波浪能发电装置
CN111550355A (zh) * 2020-05-13 2020-08-18 杭州巨浪能源科技有限公司 一种漂浮式波浪能发电设备
CN112983725A (zh) * 2021-04-16 2021-06-18 贵州航天天马机电科技有限公司 一种阻尼盘结构
CN114370367A (zh) * 2022-01-20 2022-04-19 海南大学 多浮体型波浪能发电装置
WO2023275666A1 (fr) * 2021-06-29 2023-01-05 Havkraft As Convertisseur d'énergie pour vagues océaniques et son procédé d'utilisation
CN116104675A (zh) * 2022-03-29 2023-05-12 南京工程学院 一种带有双竖直管道的振荡单浮体的发电装置
WO2023133650A1 (fr) * 2022-01-11 2023-07-20 大连理工大学 Chambre de flottabilité de production d'énergie indépendante de l'énergie houlomotrice basée sur un principe de ballottement de réservoir de liquide

Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1987003045A1 (fr) 1985-11-14 1987-05-21 Boenke Knut Appareil transformant l'energie des vagues oceaniques en energie utile
JPH01102483U (fr) 1987-12-26 1989-07-11
GB2325964A (en) 1997-06-05 1998-12-09 Rodney Graham Youlton Wave energy device
US20070180823A1 (en) 2004-03-08 2007-08-09 Orecon Limited Wave energy device
GB2460553A (en) 2008-06-06 2009-12-09 Orecon Ltd Wave energy generator with multiple turbines
WO2010022474A1 (fr) 2008-09-01 2010-03-04 Oceanlinx Ltd Améliorations dans l’extraction d’énergie des vagues océaniques
DE102009008211A1 (de) 2009-02-10 2010-08-12 Philipp Sinn Energiegewinnung aus Wellen oder Impulsen
CA2785428A1 (fr) 2009-12-24 2011-06-30 Oceanlinx Ltd. Systeme d'extraction d'energie des vagues utilisant une colonne d'eau oscillante fixee aux colonnes d'une plateforme marine
US20110308244A1 (en) 2009-01-16 2011-12-22 Albatern Limited Modular array type energy converter
WO2011162615A2 (fr) 2010-06-23 2011-12-29 Havkraft As Système de récupération d'énergie de vagues océaniques
GB2504682A (en) 2012-08-04 2014-02-12 Havkraft As Plural OWC system with angled ports

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1987003045A1 (fr) 1985-11-14 1987-05-21 Boenke Knut Appareil transformant l'energie des vagues oceaniques en energie utile
JPH01102483U (fr) 1987-12-26 1989-07-11
GB2325964A (en) 1997-06-05 1998-12-09 Rodney Graham Youlton Wave energy device
US20070180823A1 (en) 2004-03-08 2007-08-09 Orecon Limited Wave energy device
GB2460553A (en) 2008-06-06 2009-12-09 Orecon Ltd Wave energy generator with multiple turbines
WO2010022474A1 (fr) 2008-09-01 2010-03-04 Oceanlinx Ltd Améliorations dans l’extraction d’énergie des vagues océaniques
US20110308244A1 (en) 2009-01-16 2011-12-22 Albatern Limited Modular array type energy converter
DE102009008211A1 (de) 2009-02-10 2010-08-12 Philipp Sinn Energiegewinnung aus Wellen oder Impulsen
CA2785428A1 (fr) 2009-12-24 2011-06-30 Oceanlinx Ltd. Systeme d'extraction d'energie des vagues utilisant une colonne d'eau oscillante fixee aux colonnes d'une plateforme marine
WO2011162615A2 (fr) 2010-06-23 2011-12-29 Havkraft As Système de récupération d'énergie de vagues océaniques
GB2504682A (en) 2012-08-04 2014-02-12 Havkraft As Plural OWC system with angled ports

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NO344784B1 (en) * 2018-10-04 2020-04-27 Hydroelectric Corp Hydroelectric Powerplant
CN111456885A (zh) * 2020-05-13 2020-07-28 杭州巨浪能源科技有限公司 一种外置式气液舱及波浪能发电装置
CN111550355A (zh) * 2020-05-13 2020-08-18 杭州巨浪能源科技有限公司 一种漂浮式波浪能发电设备
CN112983725A (zh) * 2021-04-16 2021-06-18 贵州航天天马机电科技有限公司 一种阻尼盘结构
WO2023275666A1 (fr) * 2021-06-29 2023-01-05 Havkraft As Convertisseur d'énergie pour vagues océaniques et son procédé d'utilisation
GB2608387B (en) * 2021-06-29 2024-07-31 Havkraft As Energy converter for ocean waves and method for using thereof
WO2023133650A1 (fr) * 2022-01-11 2023-07-20 大连理工大学 Chambre de flottabilité de production d'énergie indépendante de l'énergie houlomotrice basée sur un principe de ballottement de réservoir de liquide
CN114370367A (zh) * 2022-01-20 2022-04-19 海南大学 多浮体型波浪能发电装置
CN116104675A (zh) * 2022-03-29 2023-05-12 南京工程学院 一种带有双竖直管道的振荡单浮体的发电装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3204632A1 (fr) 2017-08-16

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
WO2016055559A1 (fr) Dispositif utilisant l'énergie des vagues
US9523346B2 (en) Modular array type energy converter
JP5118138B2 (ja) ベンチュリ・ポンプとして作用するパイプを用いた波又は流れの流動からエネルギーを変換する装置
RU2611917C2 (ru) Волнолом и блок кессонного волнолома
US4594853A (en) Wave powered generator
US20120248776A1 (en) Wave energy extraction system using an oscillating water column attached to the columns of an offshore platform
US11261839B2 (en) Device for collecting energy from broad wave spectra
EP4134541B1 (fr) Unité de production d'énergie houlomotrice et dispositif de production d'énergie houlomotrice le comprenant, et procédé de production d'énergie houlomotrice d'un dispositif de production d'énergie houlomotrice
US20110061377A1 (en) Wave energy collecting device
WO2007131289A1 (fr) Générateur d'énergie marémotrice
CN111550355A (zh) 一种漂浮式波浪能发电设备
EP1802814B1 (fr) Convertisseur d'energie d'ondes brise-lames
US11441532B2 (en) Submerged oscillating water column energy harvester
Sundar et al. Wave Energy Convertors
WO2025127951A1 (fr) Plateforme permettant de supporter des activités marines
JPS5844277A (ja) 全方向波力変換装置
JPS60190680A (ja) 重力・浮力差による揚水装置
CN116163878A (zh) 一种具有非线性多稳态机构的振荡浮子式波浪能发电装置
GB2440945A (en) Oscillating water column
NO334769B1 (no) Bølgeenergikonverter
JP2002266745A (ja) 発電方法

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 15775714

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

REEP Request for entry into the european phase

Ref document number: 2015775714

Country of ref document: EP