Improved Wave Energy Converter

Abstract

A wave energy converter comprises a submerged buoyant vessel (10) that can react directly with the seabed using neutrally buoyant taut tethers (19) at depths that characterize the continental shelf. The vessel (10) is held by a taut vertical mooring line (12) of controllable length and a taut vertical upper line (17) of controllable length connected to a surface float (15). These lines (12, 17) have elastic sections, allowing the vessel (10) to follow an orbital path in response to swell from any direction. By varying the length of these lines (12, 17) the submersion of the vessel (10) can be varied dynamically according to wave height. By varying the tension of these lines (12, 17) the natural oscillation period of the vessel (10) can be varied dynamically in response to the swell period.

Claims

1. A wave energy converter comprising: a. a positively buoyant axi-symmetric vessel (10) fully submerged in the ocean; b. said vessel (10) being moored to a reaction mass by a vertical mooring line (12); c. said reaction mass being selected from the group consisting of: the seabed (11); a submerged floating platform (90), whereby said vessel (10) can react directly with the seabed (11) at depths that characterize the continental shelf and can react with said platform (90) at depths greater then the depths that characterize the continental shelf; d. said vessel (10) being tethered axi-symmetrically to said reaction mass by at least three non-vertical tethers (19); e. said tethers (19) being held under tension by tensioning means and connected to a power take off system (FIGS. 2a, 2b), whereby motion of said vessel (10) under the influence of ocean swell can be converted to useful power; f. a control system (not shown) comprising a radio link and local motion and depth sensors, whereby the submersion level and the natural oscillation period of said vessel (10) can be varied according to wave height and period; g. said mooring line (12) characterized by having at least one elastically extensible section of sufficient elasticity to enable said vessel (10) to follow an orbital path, responding to both heave and surge vectors of swell from any direction; h. said mooring line (12) characterized by being connected to a lower locking winch (14), whereby the depth of submersion of said vessel (10) can be varied dynamically between a near-surface position and a position in quiet water in response to varying wave heights so that high energy conversion rates can be sustained in differing wave climates and so that storm damage can be avoided; i. said vessel (10) characterized by being connected to an upper line (17) that is attached to a surface-piercing float of positive buoyancy (15); j. said upper line (17) characterized by having at least one elastically extensible section of sufficient elasticity to enable said vessel (10) to follow an orbital path responding to both heave and surge vectors of swell from any direction; k. said upper line (17) characterized by being connected to an upper locking winch (18), whereby the depth of submersion of said vessel (10) can be varied and the tension of the upper line (17) and of the mooring line (12) can be varied so that the natural period of oscillation of said vessel (10) can be dynamically varied over the range that characterizes energetic ocean swell; l. said tethers (19) characterized by having means for said tethers to be neutrally buoyant, whereby gravitational flexing can be made insignificant over depths that characterize the continental shelf and so power losses from gravitational flexing can be made insignificant; m. said tethers (19) being made of materials with tensile strength exceeding 0.5 GPa and tensile modulus exceeding 50 GPa and of sufficient cross-section for axial extension of said tethers to be insignificant over depths that characterize the continental shelf, whereby power losses from axial elongation can be made insignificant.

2. A wave energy converter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said vessel (10) is characterized by means for dynamically changing the total mass of said vessel (10), whereby the natural period of oscillation of said vessel (10) can be dynamically varied, said means comprising: a. At least one hollow annular body (70) full of water and surrounding said mooring line (12); b. said annular body (70) having negative buoyancy; c. said annular body (70) being connected to a mass cable (71); d. said mass cable (71) being connected to a locking mass winch (72) inside said vessel (10), whereby said annular body (70) can be pulled tightly to said vessel (10) so that the total mass of said vessel (10) is rapidly increased and said annular body (70) can be released so that the total mass of said vessel (10) is rapidly reduced.

3. A wave energy converter as claimed in claims 1 and 2 wherein said vessel (10) is characterized by means for dynamically changing the total mass of said vessel (10), whereby the natural period of oscillation of said vessel (10) can be dynamically varied, said means comprising: a. said vessel (10) being attached to a chamber (50, 100) full of water (55, 108); b. said chamber connected by at least one open port (53, 104) to the surrounding ocean; c. the geometry of said chamber (50, 100) being capable of variation, whereby the volume of water contained (55, 108) in said chamber can be varied; d. at least one linear actuator (54, 106 in part only) being attached to said vessel (10) and said linear actuator (54, 106 in part only) being arranged to vary said geometry.

4. A wave energy converter as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein said vessel (10) has means for dynamically changing the total mass and buoyancy of said vessel (10), whereby the natural period of oscillation of said vessel (10) can be dynamically varied, said means comprising: a. within said vessel (10) a pumpable chamber (80); b. connected to said pumpable chamber (80) an air pump (83); c. a flexible hose (84) connecting said pump (83) to a floating snorkel (85); d. valves (81, 82) that allow water to be admitted to said pumpable chamber or blown out of said pumpable chamber, whereby the relative volumes of air and water in said vessel (10) can be varied.

5. A wave energy converter as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein said vessel (10) is characterized by means for dynamically changing the radius of oscillation of said vessel (10), whereby the natural period of oscillation of said vessel (10) can be dynamically varied, said means comprising: a. a rigid collar (60) slidably attached to said mooring line (12); b. fixed to said collar (60) at least three flexible axi-symmetric cables (61); c. said cables (61) passing round pulleys (62) attached to anchors (13); d. said cables (61) terminating in submerged floats (63), whereby said cables are kept under tension; e. said collar (60) being attached to a locking collar winch (65) inside said vessel (10), whereby said collar (6) can be raised or lowered so that the oscillation radius of said vessel (10) can be varied; f. said cables (61) running through remotely controlled locking devices (66), whereby said cables can be locked in position.

6. A wave energy converter as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 wherein said tensioning means is counterweights (111) attached to the ends of flexible sections of said tethers (19) that run over pulleys (110).

7. A wave energy converter as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 wherein said means for said tethers to be neutrally buoyant is characterized by a hybrid construction of tether (40) comprising: a. a lower rigid section (41) selected from the group consisting of: sealed hollow steel (35); sealed hollow steel (35) filled with closed cell rigid plastic foam (36), whereby the average density of said lower section is substantially equal to the density of surrounding seawater; b. an upper flexible section (42) comprising a mixture of high modulus flexible polymer fibers (311, 312), whereby the average density of said upper section is substantially equal to the density of surrounding seawater; c. said lower section (41) being connected to an anchor (13) by a swiveling linkage (43) and said lower section being connected to said upper section by a swiveling linkage (43), whereby twisting stress is avoided.

8. A method of operating a wave energy converter by: a. submerging a buoyant vessel (10) in the ocean; b. a characterizing step being mooring said submerged vessel (10) with a vertical mooring line (12) of controllable length and of sufficient elasticity to allow said submerged vessel (10) to follow the orbital motion of swell; c. a characterizing step being connecting said submerged vessel (10) to a surface float (15) with an upper line (17) of controllable length and of sufficient elasticity to allow said submerged vessel (10) to follow said orbital motion; d. a characterizing step being dynamically varying the depth of submersion of said submerged vessel (10) by varying the length of said mooring line (12), whereby said depth can be adjusted according to wave height; e. a characterizing step being dynamically varying the natural period of oscillation of said submerged vessel (10) by varying the tension on said upper line (17); f. extracting power from the omnidirectional motion of swell by means of at least three axi-symmetric tethers (19) connecting said submerged vessel (10) to a reaction mass (11, 90);

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGS.

[0205] Figures are schematic and not to scale.

[0206] FIG. 1. Side cross-section of WEC with four axi-symmetric tethers, counterweights and tuning float.

[0207] FIG. 2a. Plan showing actuator with pulleys

[0208] FIG. 2b. Plan cut-away showing connection of pulley shaft to actuator interior

[0209] FIG. 3a. Side cross-section of tube with spiral sheath

[0210] FIG. 3b. End cross-section of tube with rigid foam core

[0211] FIG. 3c. End cross-section of polymer braid round flexible foam core

[0212] FIG. 3d. End cross-section of polymer braid round parallel fibre core

[0213] FIG. 4. Side view of hybrid tether

[0214] FIG. 5a. Side cross-section of actuator showing variable capacity inertial trap with trap almost empty.

[0215] FIG. 5b. Side cross-section of actuator showing variable capacity inertial trap with trap full.

[0216] FIG. 6. Side cross-section of WEC showing arrangement for varying the effective radius of oscillation of the actuator

[0217] FIG. 7. Side cross-section of WEC showing locking mass

[0218] FIG. 8. Side cross-section of actuator showing arrangement for varying mass and net buoyancy.

[0219] FIG. 9. Side cross-section of WEC showing connection to submerged floating platform

[0220] FIG. 10a. Side cross-section of variable capacity inertial trap using bowing struts: low contained volume

[0221] FIG. 10a. Side cross-section of variable capacity inertial trap using bowing struts: high contained volume

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0222] FIG. 1. Side cross-section of WEC with four axi-symmetric tethers, counterweights and tuning float.

[0223] The actuator (10) is a sealed, rigid, hollow, positively buoyant submerged vessel of preferably spheroidal shape. The actuator (10) is moored to the seabed (11) by a substantially vertical taut mooring line (12) that at the lower end is connected by a swiveling link (not shown) to an anchor (13) and at the upper end is connected to a lower locking winch (14) inside the lower part of the actuator (10). The connection of the mooring line (12) to the lower locking winch (14) is via a shaft (not shown) projecting through the exterior wall of the actuator (10), the method of connection being indicated in FIG. 2b. The mooring line (12) is elastically extensible to a degree sufficient to allow the actuator (10) to follow the orbital motion of energetic swell, the actuator (10) having at least one elastic section (not shown) that can be, for example, a length of elastomer, a length of elastomeric rope or a spring arranged to be under variable compression.

[0224] The actuator (10) is connected to a conical tuning float (15) floating on the sea surface (16) by a substantially vertical taut upper line (17) that is connected at the lower end to an upper locking winch (18) inside the upper part of the actuator (10). The connection of the upper line (17) to the upper locking winch (18) is via a shaft (not shown) projecting through the exterior wall of the actuator (10), the method of connection being indicated in FIG. 2b. The upper line (17) is elastically extensible to a degree sufficient to allow the actuator (10) to follow the orbital motion of energetic swell, the upper line (17) having at least one elastic section (not shown).

[0225] Four axi-symmetric tethers (19) (two are shown) are held taut at an angle between 30 and 60 degrees to the horizontal and preferably at 45 degrees to the horizontal so that each tether (19) is at 90 degrees angle to the tether (19) on the opposite side of the actuator (10) when the actuator (10) is at rest. Each tether (19) is constructed to combine low elastic elongation with neutral buoyancy so that percentage of available power lost from stretching and flexing of the tether (19) is made very small: preferably less than 5%. The lower part of each tether is fixed to an anchor (13) on the seabed (11). The upper part of each tether is flexible and passes round a pulley (110) that is fixed to and rotates on a shaft (not shown). The shaft (not shown) passes through the wall of the actuator (10) and drives a power system (not shown) inside the actuator (10). The upper part of each tether terminates in a streamlined counterweight (111)

[0226] By operating the lower locking winch (14), the level of submersion of the actuator (10) can be dynamically varied from a surface-piercing position to a position in quiet water: at least 20 m deep.

[0227] By operating the upper locking winch (18) the water-plane area of the conical float (15) can be dynamically varied, changing the tension on both the upper line (17) and the mooring line (12) and therefore changing the natural oscillation period of the actuator (10).

[0228] The orbital motion of the actuator (10) is damped by the tethers (19), which transmit power to the power system (not shown) inside the actuator (10).

[0229] FIG. 2a Plan view showing actuator with pulleys

[0230] This view shows only the arrangement of the pulleys (20) in the actuator (10). Four pulleys (20) are arranged axi-symmetrically around the vertical axis of the actuator (10). Each pulley (20) is fixed in a recess (21) in the exterior wall of the actuator (10). Running round each pulley (20) is a tether (19). Any number of pulleys greater than three arranged axi-symmetrically can be used. Variants differing from four pulleys are not shown.

[0231] Motion of the actuator (10) caused by the orbital motion of energetic swell results in movement of the tethers (19) over the pulleys (20). Power is transmitted to a power system (not shown) inside the actuator (10).

[0232] FIG. 2b. Plan cut away view showing detail of connection of pulley shaft to actuator interior

[0233] Each pulley (20) is fixed to and rotates with a pulley shaft (22) that is held in water-proof bearings (23) fixed in a recess (21) in the exterior wall (24: cut away) of the actuator (10). Inside the actuator (10), each end of the pulley shaft (22) is fixed to a gear wheel (25) that rotates with the shaft (22). The gear wheels (25) transmit power to the power system (not shown).

[0234] FIG. 3a. Side cross-section of steel wire rope with spiral sheath

[0235] A neutrally buoyant tether (30) comprises steel wire rope (31) with a closely wound spiral sheath of tubing (32) shown here with a rigid closed-cell foam core (33) that reinforces the tube (32) and ensures that it is fluid-tight. The spiral sheath (32) has sufficient strength to resist compression at anchor depth. The outer diameter of the sheathed tether (30) exceeds 3x the diameter of the rope (31).

[0236] FIG. 3b. End cross-section of steel tube with rigid foam core

[0237] A neutrally buoyant solid tether (34) comprises a hollow steel tube (35) filled with a rigid closed-cell foam (36) that reinforces the tube (35) and ensures the tube (35) is fluid-tight. The tube (35) has sufficient strength to resist compression at anchor depth. The outer diameter of the tube (35) exceeds 30× the thickness of the wall of the tube.

[0238] FIG. 3c. End cross-section of braid round flexible tubular core

[0239] A neutrally buoyant flexible tether (36) comprises a braid (37) of wire or fibre with density greater than seawater surrounding a reinforced flexible tube (38) filled with closed-cell flexible foam (39). The tube (38) has sufficient strength to resist compression at anchor depth.

[0240] FIG. 3d. End cross-section of polymer braid round parallel fibre core

[0241] A neutrally buoyant flexible tether (310) comprises a polymer braid (311) over a core of parallel twisted fibres (312) and the mixture of fibres of different densities in the braid (311) and in the core (312) provides neutral buoyancy.

[0242] FIG. 4. Side view of hybrid tether.

[0243] A hybrid tether (40) comprises a lower section made of hollow steel tube (41) and an upper section made of flexible rope (42) made of high modulus polymer fibre. The sections (41, 42) are connected by a swiveling link (43) that can be easily connected and disconnected, allowing easy inspection and replacement of the upper section. Both the lower section (41) and the upper section (42) are arranged to be neutrally buoyant and to have very low total elongation (preferably less than 0.2 m absolute extension) under the operating tension of the tether (40). The hollow tube (41) is made neutrally buoyant by, for example, selecting the inner and outer diameters of the tube (41). The upper section (42) is made neutrally buoyant by, for example, combining polymer fibres that are more and less dense than seawater. The lower section (41) is connected to an anchor (13) by a swiveling link (43). The flexible upper section (42) runs over a pulley (110: the actuator and so on are omitted) and is terminated in a streamlined counterweight (111).

[0244] FIG. 5a Side cross-section of actuator showing variable capacity inertial trap with trap almost empty.

[0245] The actuator (10) has an upper geometry that is a cylindrical (tethers (19), mooring line (12) and other detail are omitted). A rigid cap (50) fits over this upper geometry so that it can slide up and down the actuator (10). To provide strength to the trap, the cap (50) can slide on a rigid exterior frame (not shown). The cap (50) also fits inside a telescoping rigid outer cylindrical section (51) that has a seal (52) against the actuator wall. The cap (50) has an axial port (53) through which passes the upper line (17). Water can flow freely through the port (53). The upper line (17) is connected to the upper locking winch (18: not shown), which in this instance is inside the conical tuning float (15: not shown) and the upper line (17) is also connected to the top of the actuator (10). At least three axi-symmetric telescoping rams (54: two out of a set of four are shown) connect the cap (50) to the outer wall of the actuator (10). The cap (50) is shown pulled towards the main body of the actuator (10), so that water trapped (55, shown hatched) by the cap (50) is small. The volume of trapped water (55) is reduced by mounting the telescoping rams (54) in recesses (56) in the wall of the actuator (10). The maximum extension of the cap (50) is set by stops (57) in the wall of the actuator (10).

[0246] FIG. 5b Side cross-section of actuator showing variable capacity inertial trap with trap full.

[0247] The cap (50) and the telescoping section (51) are shown pushed away from the main body of the actuator (10) by the extended rams (54). Water has flowed into the cap (50) through the axial port (53) and the water trapped (55, shown hatched) by the cap (50) is increased.

[0248] By operating the rams (54), the total mass of the actuator (10) can be varied rapidly, so that the natural oscillation period of the actuator can be varied dynamically. Energy is expended moving a volume of water over almost zero pressure gradient and against a small resistance. Compared with the energy required to compress air and blow water out at depth, the energy required is small.

[0249] Access to the top of the actuator (10) for servicing is not impeded by the cap (50), which has a lockable access hatch (not shown) that is positioned over a similar access hatch (not shown) in the upper part of the actuator (10).

[0250] FIG. 6 Side cross-section of WEC showing arrangement for varying the effective radius of oscillation of the actuator

[0251] A rigid collar (60) is fixed slidably to the mooring line (12). Fixed to the collar are axi-symmetric cables (61: two are shown) that are aligned with the actuator tethers (19: not shown) and pass round pulleys (62) attached to the anchors (13). The cables (61) terminate in submerged floats (63) that keep the cables (61) under tension. The collar (60) is fixed to a collar line (64) that is connected to a locking collar winch (65) inside the lower part of the actuator (10). By operating the collar winch (65) the collar is raised or lowered, so changing the effective radius of oscillation of the actuator (10). In order to lock the collar (60) in a selected position, the cables (61) run through remotely controlled locking devices (66) mounted on the anchors (13). These devices (66) can be lockable cam cleats controlled by solenoids (detail not shown). This arrangement enables rapid adjustment of the period of oscillation of the actuator (10) with small consumption of energy. This tuning method is compatible with the tuning methods described under FIGS. 5, 8 and 9 but not the method described under FIG. 7.

[0252] FIG. 7. Side cross-section of WEC showing locking mass

[0253] (Tethers (19), tuning float (15), lower winch and other detail is omitted). An annular body (70) of slightly negative buoyancy is constructed of a light rigid shell full of water and surrounds the mooring line (12). The annular body (70) is able to move freely up and down the mooring line (12). The annular body (70) is connected by a cable (71) to a small locking mass winch (72) in the lower part of the actuator (10). The mass winch (72) can release the annular body (70) to a depth where it has negligible influence on the motion of the actuator (10) or it can raise the annular body until it is pulled tightly against the lower exterior of the actuator (10), at which point the mass of the annular body (70) is added to the mass of the actuator (10) and so raises the natural oscillation period of the actuator (10).

[0254] FIG. 8. Side cross-section of actuator showing arrangement for varying mass and net buoyancy.

[0255] (Tethers (19), mooring line (12), tuning float (15) and other detail is omitted). The actuator (10) has an interior fluid-tight annular volume (80). An upper valve (81) and a lower valve (82) connect this volume (80) to the sea. An electric air pump (83) is located inside the actuator (10). The pump (83) draws in air through a flexible hose (84) from a floating snorkel (85). The outlet of the pump (83) is connected to the annular volume (80) by a duct (86).

[0256] The ratio of water to air in the annular volume (80) can be reduced by closing the upper valve (81) and opening the lower valve (82) and by using the air pump (83) to blow water out of the lower valve (82). The ratio of water to air in in the annular volume (80) can be increased by stopping the pump (83) and opening both the upper valve (81) and the lower valve (82). In this case, air exhausts through the upper valve (81) and water flows into the annular volume (80) through the lower valve (82). By changing the water/air ratio in the annular volume (80), the buoyancy and mass of the actuator (10) are changed and so the natural oscillation period of the actuator (10) is changed. By selecting a sufficiently powerful pump (83) and valves (81, 82) of sufficient capacity, the oscillation period can be changed dynamically.

[0257] FIG. 9. Side cross-section of WEC showing connection to submerged floating platform

[0258] The actuator (10) is connected by an upper line (17) to a tuning float (15) and by a mooring line (12) to a submerged floating platform (90). The upper line (17) is sufficiently elastic to allow the actuator (10) and the tuning float (15) to move at different amplitudes. An upper locking winch (18) inside the tuning float (15) controls the length and tension of the upper line (17). The mooring line (12) is sufficiently elastic to allow the actuator (10) to follow the orbital motion of energetic swell. A locking winch (91) fixed to the submerged platform (90) controls the length and tension of the mooring line (12). Four axi-symmetric tethers (19) (two are shown) connect the actuator (10) to pulleys (92) fixed to the platform (90). The tethers (19) loop over the pulleys (92), pass through channels in the platform (90) and terminate in counterweights (111). The submerged platform (90) is held in quiet water by a combination of positive buoyancy and taut, spread mooring lines (93). The mooring lines (93) can use the hybrid construction described in FIG. 4. The platform (90) does not need to be moved to tune either to wave height or to swell period. The actuator (10) is positively buoyant and tuning to wave height is by controlling the length of the mooring line (12) and the upper line (17). Tuning to swell period is by controlling the tension on the upper line (17) and the mooring line (12) and by controlling the mass of the actuator (10), using the methods described in FIGS. 5,7 and 8. The entire actuator vessel can be an inertial trap as described in FIGS. 5 and 10.

[0259] FIG. 10a. Side cross-section of variable capacity inertial trap using bowing struts: low contained volume

[0260] A variable capacity inertial trap (100) comprises an axi-symmetric sheaf (101) of identical flexible struts (102: only two struts are shown), hinged at the ends to a rigid upper ring (103) and to a rigid lower ring (104). Adjacent struts (102) are linked by pleated elastic material (not shown). A rigid vertical rod (105) extends along the vertical axis of the sheaf (101) and is fixed to the lower ring 1350 (104). The lower ring (104) is arranged as an open port allowing water to flow in and out of the interior of the sheaf (101). The rod (105) has a rack (106) fixed to it and arranged to grip the rod (105) and slide on the rod (105) and move on the rack (106) is a rigid block (107) that is fixed to the upper ring (103). The block (107) contains a geared electric motor driving a toothed wheel that engages the rack (106) (This detail is not shown). The block (107) is at the upper end of the rod (105) so that the struts (102) are unbowed and the sheaf (101) has a cylindrical shape. The sheaf (101) is submerged and the water trapped inside the sheaf (101) is at a minimum (108, shown hatched).

[0261] FIG. 10b. Side cross-section of variable capacity inertial trap using bowing struts: high contained volume

[0262] Compared with FIG. 10a, the block (107) has moved along the rack (106) down the rod (105) pulling the ends of the struts (102) together so that the struts (102) bow out and the elastic pleats (not shown) unfold and stretch. The sheaf (101) has a spheroidal shape and the water trapped inside the sheaf (101) is at a maximum (108, shown hatched).

[0263] FIG. 10c. Plan of variable capacity inertial trap using bowing struts: high contained volume

[0264] This is the spheroidal bowed sheaf (101) seen in plan view from below. Adjacent struts (102: 8 struts are shown; the number of struts could be higher) are linked by elastic pleats (106). The lower ring (104) is fixed to the rod (105) by rigid spokes (108: four spokes are shown) with gaps between, allowing water to flow round the spokes (108).

[0265] By moving the block (107), the mass of the trap (100) can be varied rapidly, avoiding the high energy consumption associated with the known alternative mass variation method method of blowing water out of a submerged vessel. (See FIG. 8).

[0266] The trap (100) can be attached rigidly to an actuator (10: not shown) using the rod (105). In the WEC example shown in FIG. 9, the trap (100) can itself be the actuator (10).

CITATION LIST

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