Submerged oscillating water column energy harvester
AssigneeIdaho State University
InventorsBruce Savage, Mohammadamin Torabi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Wave energy conversion (WEC) systems and methods for harvesting wave energy by use of the systems are described. WEC systems incorporate a plurality of submerged oscillating water columns (SOWC) that encourage oscillating water motion within each submerged column to mimic the motion of waves passing the SOWC system. A WEC system includes multiple SOWC connected to one another via air pockets within each submerged column. Each SOWC includes a float connected to a power take-off. The oscillations of the floats are converted to useful energy by the power take-off of the system.
Claims17
A wave energy converter system comprising:
- a first submerged oscillating water column (SOWC) comprising a first end attached to a sea floor, a second end at a distance above the sea floor, and a wall extending from the first end to the second end, at least one opening being defined in the first SOWC, the at least one opening allowing water flow between an exterior of the first SOWC and an interior of the first SOWC, the first SOWC comprising a first air pocket at the second end of the first SOWC and within the interior of the first SOWC, the first SOWC retaining a first float within the interior of the first SOWC;
- a second SOWC comprising a first end attached to a sea floor, a second end at a distance above the sea floor, and a wall extending from the first end to the second end, at least one opening being defined in the second SOWC, the at least one opening allowing water flow between an exterior of the second SOWC and an interior of the second SOWC, the second SOWC comprising a second air pocket at the second end of the second SOWC and within the interior of the second SOWC, the second SOWC retaining a second float within the interior of the second SOWC;
- an air line connecting the first air pocket to the second air pocket;
- and
- a power take-off in mechanical communication with the first float via a first shaft and in mechanical communication with the second float via a second shaft.
A method for harvesting wave energy, the method comprising:
- forming a first air pocket at a second end of a first SOWC, the first SOWC comprising a first end attached to a sea floor, the second end being at a distance above the sea floor, with a wall extending from the first end to the second end, at least one opening being defined in the wall, the at least one opening allowing water flow between an exterior of the first SOWC and an interior of the first SOWC;
- forming a second air pocket at a second end of a second SOWC, the second SOWC comprising a first end attached to a sea floor, the second end being at a distance above the sea floor, with a wall extending from the first end to the second end, at least one opening being defined in the wall, the at least one opening allowing water flow between an exterior of the second SOWC and an interior of the second SOWC;
- and
- connecting the first air pocket to the second air pocket via an air line;
- wherein as a wave passes the first SOWC and the second SOWC, a first water level within the first SOWC and a second water level within the second SOWC mimic the vertical motion of the water of the passing wave, causing air to move between the first air pocket and the second air pocket and causing a first float retained within the first SOWC and a second float retained within the second SOWC to oscillate;
- wherein
- the first float and the second float are connected to a power take-off, the power take-off comprising a first pump in mechanical communication with the first float and a second pump in mechanical communication with the second float, the oscillating motion of the first and second floats being translated to energy of a pump fluid that is pumped by the first and second pumps.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.