Wave action generating system

#The present invention relates as indicated to a wave action generating system, and relates more particularly to a system for generating electric power through the utilization of wave forces in bodies of water such as oceans, seas, and lakes appropriate in size.

#Wave action generators for producing electric energy are well known in the art. All electric generating systems of this general type operate on the principal of using the vertical motion inherent in the formation and movement of the waves to effect vertical movement of a component of the generating system. A typical prior art system translates such vertical movement to rotary movement to directly or indirectly drive a generator shaft or the like by means of which the electric power is generated. Other systems use such vertical wave motion to operate pumps for pumping the water to a storage vessel or reservoir, with the hydrostatic pressure of the stored water subsequently driving a turbine generator or the like by means of which electric power is directly produced. This latter type of system is disclosed in our pending application referred to above, and examples of the vertical-to-rotary systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 870,706 to H. P. Woodard, U.S. Pat. No. 3,894,241 to S. Kaplan, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,959,663 to J. V. Rusby. It will be understood that these patents are simply exemplary of systems of that type, and are by no means exhaustive of the extensive body of art operating on that general principal.

#A major problem with wave action generating systems known in the prior art is their relatively complex and consequently costly construction. This results in relatively high manufacturing and installation costs, with the consequent capital investment of systems of this type being a substantial detriment to the commercial employment of the systems, particularly where the energy output does not justify the capital expenditures. In this regard, the art is replete with systems of a more simplified construction, but the energy derived is not commercially significant.

#FIG. 1 is a top plan view, partially schematic, illustrating one form of the invention in which pump and associated float assemblies are mounted on and circumferentially around a silo having an open top;

#FIG. 2 is a perspective, fragmentary view showing a silo modification in which the silo is closed at the top, and showing a plurality of pump assemblies and associated floats mounted around the periphery of the silo;

#FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a single pump housing mounted on the exterior wall of the silo, guide structure similarly mounted on the silo wall, and a frame containing floating members vertically movable within the guide structure;

#Referring now in more detail to the application drawings, wherein like parts are indicated by like reference numerals, and initially to FIG. 1, there is illustrated therein one form of the invention in which a silo generally indicated at 10 is installed on the floor of a body of water, and a series of pump assemblies commonly designated at 12 are mounted on the exterior walls of the silo. For sake of simplicity, the float assembly and associated guide frame structure are not shown in FIG. 1, but will be described in more detail when particular reference is made to FIGS. 2, 3 and 5. Confined within the silo 10 is a shallow reservoir 20, with the water level in the reservoir being substantially below the water level of the open body of water surrounding the silo. Each pump assembly includes a pipe section commonly shown at 14 for withdrawing water from the reservoir into the lower pump chamber, and an outlet pipe commonly designated at 16 through which water is discharged from the pump to the open body of water surrounding the silo.

#Two turbine generators are diagrammatically and commonly designated at 18 in FIG. 1, which are driven by water under hydrostatic pressure. Water under head pressure enters the turbine generators at the exterior of the silo, with the water discharged by the generators entering the reservoir 20 formed within the silo. Both the turbine generators 18 and water withdrawal pipes 14 are submerged in the reservoir, with the generators being mounted relatively adjacent the bottom of the silo so as to take maximum advantage of the hydrostatic head developed exterior to the silo. The turbine generators per se are conventional and have accordingly been illustrated only diagrammatically in the application drawings. It will be understood that the generators are suitably housed and that electrical energy produced by the turbine generators is taken off in any suitable, known manner forming no part of the present invention. Such energy can be used directly or can be used, for example, in conjunction with a hydrogen conversion installation on shore which could permit the energy produced to be stored and utilized as needed.

#Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is illustrated therein a silo 10 which is formed with a closed top 22 as contrasted with the open top silo of FIG. 1. The closed silo provides protection from ambient conditions and can, if desired, be entirely submerged in the water. A fresh air intake pipe 24 extends through the top of the silo for admitting ambient air to the interior of the silo so that ambient pressure exists with the silo. As in FIG. 1, the interior of the silo serves to confine a relatively shallow water reservoir the level of which is substantially below the water level of the open body of water surrounding the silo.