Method and device for converting wave motion to usable energy
View Patent ↗The present disclosure provides a method and a device for converting the alternating motion produced by at least one float ( 202, 222 ) resting atop surface of a water body into unidirectional motion and converting that motion into usable energy. The method and device may be provided on a structure/vessel ( 206 ) or as the interface between the vessel and the water body surface. The vessel incorporating the device as such experiences a reduced effect of vertical perturbations from waves generated on the water body.
1. A method of converting wave motion to usable energy, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a first float ( 202 ) that is connected with a second float;
providing a common pivot ( 204 ) that is connected with the first float and the second float;
wherein the connection between the first float and second float is such that an upward displacement of the first float relative to the common pivot causes a downward displacement of the second float relative to said pivot;
wherein an upward displacement of the second float relative to said pivot causes a downward displacement of the first float relative to said pivot;
wherein at least one of said upward displacements is caused by wave motion; and
providing a system to convert a multidirectional form of kinetic energy to a unidirectional form of kinetic energy.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said multidirectional to unidirectional conversion system is an Alternating to Direct Motion Converter, ADMC ( 208 ), and further comprising the step of transmitting the converted unidirectional motion to any of a storage apparatus and a conversion apparatus for re-use.
3. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing an adjustable length arm ( 210 ) that forms a connection between the common pivot and at least one of the first float and the second float.
4. The method according to claim 3 , further comprising the steps of:
determining, using at least one sensor, wave conditions;
calculating a float separation between the first float and the second float; and
adjusting the adjustable arm to correspond to the calculated float separation.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the common pivot ( 204 ) is connected to a structure ( 206 ) by at least one compressible element ( 212 ) to harvest translational motion of the common pivot ( 204 ) relative to the structure ( 206 ) due to wave motion.
6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the at least one compressible element ( 212 ) comprises any of a spring mechanism and a hydraulic mechanism storing potential energy created by each compression in order to extend and return the common pivot ( 204 ) to an original vertical position once the vertical perturbation of the surface of the water body is passed.
7. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the at least one compressible element ( 212 ) is oriented with respect to the structure ( 206 ) to vary the motion of the common pivot ( 204 ) based on one or more environmental conditions.
8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of said pivots, each pivot connected with two corresponding floats, is connected with a common structure.
9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein all the floats connected with said plurality of pivots, in combination, contributes buoyancy to keep the structure afloat.
10. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the structure is a vessel.
11. The method according to claim 8 , wherein plurality of pivots is provided on the structure ( 206 ) is fitted on a frame ( 306 ) having a set of connections of adjustable length between an adjacent pivot for controlling separation between the pivots.
12. The method according to claim 8 , wherein at least one pivot and its corresponding two floats, in combination, is detachable from a frame ( 306 ) to facilitate adaptation of the structure ( 206 ) to different weights and conditions.
13. A device for converting wave motion to usable energy, the device comprising:
a first float ( 202 ) that is connected with a second float;
a common pivot ( 204 ) that is connected with the first float and the second float;
wherein the connection between the first float and second float is such that an upward displacement of the first float relative to the common pivot causes a downward displacement of the second float relative to said pivot;
wherein an upward displacement of the second float relative to the pivot causes a downward displacement of the first float relative to said pivot;
wherein at least one of said upward displacements is caused by wave motion; and
a system to convert a multidirectional form of kinetic energy to a unidirectional form of kinetic energy.
14. The device according to claim 13 , wherein the multidirectional to unidirectional conversion system is an Alternating to Direct Motion Converter, ADMC ( 208 ) to convert alternating motion to unidirectional motion, and further comprising a power transmitting unit that transmits the converted unidirectional motion to any of a storage apparatus and a conversion apparatus for re-use.
15. The device according to claim 13 , further comprising an adjustable length arm ( 210 ) that forms a connection between the common pivot and at least one of the first float and the second float.
16. The device according to claim 15 , further comprising:
a sensor, to measure wave conditions;
a means to calculate a float separation between the first and second floats; and
a means to adjust the adjustable arm to correspond to the calculated float separation.
17. The device according to claim 13 , wherein the common pivot ( 204 ) is connected to a structure ( 206 ) by at least one compressible element ( 212 ) to harvest translational motion of the common pivot ( 204 ) relative to the structure ( 206 ) due to wave motion.
18. The device according to claim 17 , wherein the at least one compressible element ( 212 ) comprises any of a spring mechanism and a hydraulic mechanism storing potential energy created by each compression in order to extend and return the common pivot ( 204 ) to an original vertical position once the vertical perturbation of the surface of the water body is passed.
19. The device according to claim 17 , wherein each of the at least one compressible element ( 212 ) is oriented with respect to the structure ( 206 ) to vary motion of the common pivot ( 204 ), with respect to the structure ( 206 ), based on one or more environmental conditions.
20. The device according to claim 13 , wherein a plurality of said pivots, each connected with two corresponding floats, is connected with a common structure.
21. The device according to claim 20 , wherein all the floats connected with said plurality of pivots, in combination, contributes buoyancy to keep the structure afloat.
22. The device according to claim 21 , wherein the structure's predominant source of buoyancy force is said floats.
23. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the structure's predominant source of buoyancy force is said floats.
24. The device according to claim 20 , wherein the structure is a vessel.
25. The device according to claim 20 , wherein plurality of pivots is provided on the structure ( 206 ) is fitted on a frame ( 306 ) having a set of connections of adjustable length between an adjacent pivot for controlling separation between the pivots.
26. The device according to claim 20 , wherein at least one pivot and its corresponding two float connections, in combination, is detachable from a frame ( 306 ) to facilitate adaptation of the structure ( 206 ) to different weights and conditions.