US 11,448,181 B2Granted

Method and apparatus of extracting energy from water waves to generate electric power

OwnerMisheck Harris Kumwendainventor

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Abstract

(EN) This invention relates to method and apparatus for extracting energy from water waves to generate electric power. The wave energy converter uses sea wave oscillations, from a land-based position. It understood a land-based power take off apparatus (3) that is oscillated by waves conveyed to it by canal or tunnel. The canal has a funnel shaped intake (1) at the coastline, a wave control gate (9) positioned near the intake and a power take off apparatus (3) positioned inland across the canal with a float (8) that works pumping cylinders (7) that pump hydraulic fluid to turn an impulse turbine (5) coupled to an electricity generator to generate electricity. The canal depth is predetermined to float the float, of the power take off apparatus (3), at all tide levels.

Claims57

Dependent claims

A method of extracting energy from water waves in a large open water body to generate electric power from a predetermined excavated depths of three connected stages of land based channels;

a funnel shaped channel (1), a parallel sided channel (2), and a loop-back channel (4), forming a continuous vertical walled channel on the land leading away from said large open water body whereby the water from said large open water body flows into said continuous vertical walled parallel sided channel (2), by the following steps:
a. capturing a substantial amount of water from such water waves from said large open water body towards a shoreline into said parallel sided channel (2), wherein said funnel shaped channel (1) is connected to said parallel sided channel (2);
b. concentrating said water waves into funnel shaped channel (1) to said large open water body and narrowing in the direction away from said open water body;
c. controlling said waves action and kinetic energy exiting said funnel shaped channel (1) entering said parallel sided channel (2) by regulating or shutting off water wave activity, wherein the said parallel sided channel (2) is relatively narrow than said funnel shaped channel (1);
d. channeling said waves motion into said parallel sided channel (2), wherein said parallel sided channel (2) is situated with a buoyant vessel (8) for transferring wave motion energy to a power take off apparatus (3);
e. transferring said waves motion energy from said water waves in said parallel sided channel (2) by said buoyant vessel (8) connected to said power take off apparatus (3) for drawing and forcing hydraulic fluid through a cyclic network of hydraulic conduits assisted by al least one pressurizable hydraulic storage vessel (15), whereby said forced hydraulic fluid impinges on and turns an impulse turbine (5) for rotating an electricity generator (6) to generate electric power;
and
f. routing said parallel sided channel (2) beyond position of said buoyant vessel (8) in a more or less circular path making said loop-back channel (4) leading back to said buoyant vessel (8) to extract residual wave motion energy.

5 more elements

An apparatus for containing water waves kinetic energy from a large open water body passing through a parallel sided channel (2) system excavated on land adjacent to said large open water body and converting the contained wave kinetic energy into electric energy, the apparatus comprising:

a funnel shaped channel (1) adapted to be excavated over land to trap and concentrate the waves kinetic energy;
at least two dyke walls (21), two barrier doors (9) with apertures (39) closed by sliding a flat plate shutter (40) operated by an associated powering and control system, wherein the control system controls the water wave movement and kinetic energy, said flat plate shutter (40) having a hydraulic cylinder actuator (41);
at least two hydraulic cylinder actuators (32) with the associated powering and control system, wherein the control system opens and closes said two barrier doors (9);
the land based parallel sided channel (2) comprises
a circular, spiral or an eight-shaped path,
a buoyant vessel (8),
a power take off apparatus (3),
a working hydraulic fluid,
a plurality of two-way pumping hydraulic cylinders (7),
at least one hydraulic conduits,
at least one pressurizable hydraulic storage vessels (15),
at least one hydraulic non-return valve (16),
at least one hydraulic fluid filter (42),
at least one hydraulic fluid supply reservoir (23),
an impulse turbine (5),
fluid flow governing sensors and controls (29) for said impulse turbine (5),
an electricity generator (6),
a voltage step-up transformer (27) with an associated generator output control apparatus (28),
a structurally stable and stiff framework assembly,
a hydraulic drain pump (30) with requisite power and controls, fasteners, brackets, bearings, electrical gauges, conductors and switches.

17 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/633,193Filed 30 Jul 2018
Priority: ZM 13/201728 Jul 2017
Published: US 2021/0156355 A127 May 2021
Granted: 20 Sep 2022
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

F03B 17/005
Other machines or engines: installations wherein the liquid circulates in a closed loop ; Alleged perpetua mobilia of this or similar kind
F03B 13/22
Using wave energy: using the flow of water resulting from wave movements to drive a motor or turbine
F03B 13/1815
For limited rotation: with an up-and-down movement
F05B 2220/706
In combination with: an electrical generator