Tide compensated swell powered generator
The invention comprises a float system having a float connected to a pump line and a reservoir tank. As the float rises and falls with the passing swells, it forces water through the pump line into a reservoir tank. An outflow line connects the reservoir line to a generator system, preferably located on shore, where the flowing water is used to drive a turbine and generate electricity. Preferably, there are a plurality of reservoir tanks, each with its own float and pump line, delivering water to the generator system. The flow of water through the pump line is kept steady by providing each reservoir tank with a pressurized air cushion which provides for constant outflow of water from each tank despite variances in the inflow.
1. A swell powered tide compensated electric generator comprising:
a support structure comprising at least one leg extending from the floor of a water body;
a float frame supported by said support structure containing a float configured to rise and fall with the swells, said float frame configured to guide said float as it rises and falls;
a pump line having an internal volume extending from said float to a tank; said pump line comprising a lower section configured to rise and fall with said float, said lower section having at least one intake aperture configured to open when said float is falling and further configured to close when said float is rising; said intake aperture positioned to be at or below the surface of said water body when said float is falling whereby said intake aperture will provide fluid passage into said pump line when said intake aperture is open;
said pump line further comprising an upper section extending from said tank, said upper section containing at least one outflow aperture configured to open when said float is rising and to close when said float is falling, said outflow aperture providing fluid passage between said pump line and said tank when said outflow aperture is open;
said pump line further comprising a sleeve slidably disposed between said upper section and said lower section, said sleeve configured to create a substantially airtight and watertight seal between said sleeve and said lower section and between said sleeve and said upper section, said sleeve further configured to rise and fall with said tide;
said pump line further configured to decrease in internal volume when said float rises and to increase in internal volume when said float falls, whereby water may be drawn into said pump line as said float falls and expelled from said pump line into said tank as said float rises; and
an outflow line extending from said tank to a turbine, whereby water pumped into said tank may be used to drive said turbine.
2. A swell powered tide compensated electric generator according to claim 1 wherein said float frame further comprises a plurality of generally vertical guide rods.
3. A swell powered tide compensated electric generator according to claim 2 wherein said float is attached to said guide rods by a plurality of guide arms, each guide rod having a guide rod channel positioned to substantially encircle at least one of said guide rods, whereby said float may rise and fall with said swells along a path generally parallel to said guide rods.
4. A swell powered tide compensated electric generator according to claim 3 wherein said guide arms and said guide rods are configured to reduce the friction between said guide arms and said guide rods as said float rises and falls.
5. A swell powered tide compensated electric generator according to claim 4 wherein said guide rod channels and said guide rods are each provided with a plurality of oppositely aligned magnets positioned so that said oppositely aligned magnets face each other, whereby said magnets will minimize the contact between said guide rod channels and said guide rods.
6. A swell powered tide compensated electric generator according to claim 5 further comprising a plurality of nozzles positioned to spray water along said guide rods, whereby the surface between said guide rods channels and said guide rods may be lubricated.
7. A swell powered tide compensated electric generator according to claim 6 further comprising a nozzle tank configured to provide pressurized water to at least one of said nozzles.
8. A swell powered tide compensated electric generator according to claim 7 further comprising a tank line extending from said pump line to said nozzle tank, said tank line configured to only allow water to flow from said pump line to said nozzle tank, whereby water may be diverted from said pump line to said nozzle tank.
9. A swell powered tide compensated electric generator according to claim 8 wherein said tank line further comprises an air valve configured to only allow air to flow into said tank line from the atmosphere, whereby air may be drawn into tank line by the force created as water is pumped past said air valve, pressurizing said nozzle tank.
10. A swell powered tide compensated electric generator according to claim 4 further comprising a plurality of nozzles positioned to spray water along said guide rods, whereby the surface between said guide rods channels and said guide rods may be lubricated.
11. A swell powered tide compensated electric generator according to claim 10 further comprising a nozzle tank configured to provide pressurized water to at least one of said nozzles.
12. A swell powered tide compensated electric generator according to claim 11 further comprising a tank line extending from said pump line to said nozzle tank, said tank line configured to only allow water to flow from said pump line to nozzle tank, whereby water may be diverted from said pump line to said nozzle tank.
13. A swell powered tide compensated electric generator according to claim 12 wherein said tank line further comprises an air valve configured to only allow air to flow into said tank line from the atmosphere, whereby air may be drawn into tank line by the force created as water is pumped past said air valve, pressurizing said nozzle tank.
14. A swell powered tide compensated electric generator according to claim 1 wherein said sleeve is suspended by at least one cable.
15. A swell powered tide compensated electric generator according to claim 14 wherein said cable connects said sleeve to a first counter weight, said cable passing over a pulley between said first counter weight and said sleeve, whereby the gravitational pull on said sleeve will oppose the gravitational pull on said first counter weight.
16. A swell powered tide compensated electric generator according to claim 15 wherein said first counter weight is at least partially buoyant, said sleeve having a weight sufficient to balance the pull of said first counter weight when said first counter weight is at least partially submerged, said sleeve having a weight that is insufficient to balance the pull of said first counter weight when said first counter weight is not at least partially submerged.
17. A swell powered tide compensated electric generator according to claim 16 wherein said first counter weight is positioned within a substantially hollow guide tube, said guide tube having a first end positioned above the surface of said water body and a second end positioned below the surface of said water body, wherein said first end of said tube is in fluid communication with the atmosphere whereby ambient pressure may be maintained within said guide tube and wherein said second end of said guide tube is in fluid communication with said body of water, whereby said guide tube will contain water having a water level, and wherein said fluid communication between said guide tube and said water body is provided via an aperture sized to prevent the water level in said guide tube from changing more than about six inches in about five seconds.
18. A swell powered tide compensated electric generator according to claim 17 wherein said aperture is sized to prevent the water level in said guide tube from changing more than about one inch in about five seconds.
19. A swell powered tide compensated electric generator according to claim 17 wherein said aperture is provided with an adjustable valve whereby the size of said aperture may be varied.
20. A swell powered tide compensated electric generator according to claim 15 further comprising a second counterweight, said second counterweight connected to said first counter weight by a cable passing over a pulley so that the gravitational pull on said second counterweight opposes the gravitational pull on said first counter weight, said second counter weight being at least partially buoyant such that the gravitational force exerted by said second counter weight on said first counter weight will diminish as said second counter weight is submerged.
21. A swell powered tide compensated electric generator according to claim 20 wherein said first counter weight has a weight sufficient to balance the pull of said sleeve and said second counter weight when said second counter weight is at least partially submerged and wherein said first counter weight has a weight that is insufficient to balance the pull of said sleeve and said second counter weight when said second counter weight is not at least partially submerged.
22. A swell powered tide compensated electric generator according to claim 21 wherein said second counter weight is positioned within a substantially hollow guide tube, said guide tube having a first end positioned above the surface of said water body and a second end positioned below the surface of said water body, wherein said first end of said tube is in fluid communication with the atmosphere whereby ambient pressure may be maintained within said guide tube and wherein said second end of said guide tube is in fluid communication with said body of water, whereby said guide tube will contain water having a water level, and wherein said fluid communication between said guide tube and said water body is provided via an aperture sized to prevent the water level in said guide tube from changing more than about six inches in about five seconds.
23. A swell powered tide compensated electric generator according to claim 22 wherein said aperture is sized to prevent the water level in said guide tube from changing more than about one inch in about five seconds.
24. A swell powered tide compensated electric generator according to claim 22 wherein said aperture is provided with an adjustable valve whereby the size of said aperture may be varied.
25. A swell powered tide compensated electric generator according to claim 1 wherein said turbine is located on land.
26. A swell powered tide compensated electric generator comprising:
a support structure comprising at least one leg extending from the floor of a water body;
a float frame supported by said support structure containing a float configured to rise and fall with the swells, said float frame configured to guide said float as it rises and falls;
a pump line having an internal volume extending from said float to a tank; said pump line comprising a lower section configured to rise and fall with said float, said lower section having at least one intake aperture positioned to be at or below the surface of said water body when said float is falling, said intake aperture configured to only allow fluid to flow through said intake aperture from said water body into said pump line;
said pump line further comprising an upper section extending from said tank, said upper section containing at least one outflow aperture, said outflow aperture configured to only allow fluid to flow through said outflow aperture from said pump line into said tank;
said pump line further comprising a sleeve slidably disposed between said upper section and said lower section, said sleeve configured to create a substantially airtight and watertight seal between said sleeve and said lower section and between said sleeve and said upper section, said sleeve further configured to rise and fall with said tide;
said pump line further configured to decrease in internal volume when said float rises and to increase in internal volume when said float falls, whereby water may be drawn into said pump line as said float falls and expelled from said pump line into said tank as said float rises; and
an outflow line extending from said tank to a turbine, whereby water pumped into said tank may be used to drive said turbine.
27. A swell powered tide compensated pump:
a support structure comprising at least one leg extending from the floor of a water body;
a float frame supported by said support structure containing a float configured to rise and fall with the swells, said float frame configured to guide said float as it rises and falls; and
a pump line having an internal volume extending from said float to a receptacle configured to receive fluid; said pump line comprising a lower section configured to rise and fall with said float, said lower section having at least one intake aperture positioned to be at or below the surface of said fluid when said float is falling, said intake aperture configured to only allow fluid to flow through said intake aperture from said fluid into said pump line;
said pump line further comprising an upper section extending from said receptacle, said upper section containing at least one outflow aperture, said outflow aperture configured to only allow fluid to flow through said outflow aperture from said pump line into said receptacle;
said pump line further comprising a sleeve slidably disposed between said upper section and said lower section, said sleeve configured to create a substantially airtight and fluid tight seal between said sleeve and said lower section and between said sleeve and said upper section, said sleeve further configured to rise and fall with said tide; and
said pump line further configured to decrease in internal volume when said float rises and to increase in internal volume when said float falls, whereby fluid may be drawn into said pump line as said float falls and expelled from said pump line into said receptacle as said float rises.
28. An electric generator comprising
A) a plurality of swell powered tide compensated pumps, said pumps comprising
1) a support structure having at least one leg extending from the floor of a water body;
2) a float frame supported by said support structure containing a float configured to rise and fall with the swells, said float frame configured to guide said float as it rises and falls;
3) a pump line having an internal volume extending from said float to a tank; said pump line comprising a lower section configured to rise and fall with said float, said lower section having at least one intake aperture positioned to be at or below the surface of said water body when said float is falling, said intake aperture configured to only allow fluid to flow through said intake aperture from said water body into said pump line; said pump line further comprising an upper section extending from said tank, said upper section containing at least one outflow aperture, said outflow aperture configured to only allow fluid to flow through said outflow aperture from said pump line into said tank; said pump line further comprising a sleeve slidably disposed between said upper section and said lower section, said sleeve configured to create a substantially airtight and watertight seal between said sleeve and said lower section and between said sleeve and said upper section, said sleeve further configured to rise and fall with said tide; said pump line further configured to decrease in internal volume when said float rises and to increase in internal volume when said float falls, whereby water may be drawn into said pump line as said float falls and expelled from said pump line into said tank as said float rises; and
B) at least one outflow line extending from said tank to a turbine, whereby water pumped into said tank may be used to drive said generator.
29. A swell powered tide compensated electric generator comprising:
a support structure comprising at least one leg configured to support a platform above a water body;
a float frame depending from said support structure and containing a float configured to rise and fall with the swells, said float frame configured to guide said float as it rises and falls;
a pump line having an internal volume extending from said float to a tank positioned on said platform; said pump line comprising a lower section configured to rise and fall with said float, said lower section having at least one intake aperture configured to open when said float is falling and further configured to close when said float is rising; said intake aperture positioned to be at or below the surface of said water body when said float is falling whereby said intake aperture will provide fluid passage into said pump line when said intake aperture is open;
said pump line further comprising an upper section extending from said tank, said upper section containing at least one outflow aperture configured to open when said float is rising and to close when said float is falling, said outflow aperture providing fluid passage between said pump line and said tank when said outflow aperture is open;
said pump line further configured to decrease in internal volume when said float rises and to increase in internal volume when said float falls, whereby water may be drawn into said pump line as said float falls and expelled from said pump line into said tank as said float rises; and
an outflow line extending from said tank to a turbine, whereby water pumped into said tank may be used to drive said turbine.
30. A swell powered tide compensated electric generator according to claim 29 wherein said leg contains a threaded member extending substantially vertically therefrom in a direction away from said water body.
31. A swell powered tide compensated electric generator according to claim 30 further comprising a gear house positioned on said platform, said gear house containing a plurality of gears, wherein said gears are configured to operatively engage said threaded member, whereby rotation of said gears will raise and lower said platform.
32. A swell powered tide compensated electric generator according to claim 31 further comprising a motor, said motor configured to rotate said gears in said gear house.
33. A swell powered tide compensated electric generator according to claim 32 further comprising an antennae configured to receive broadcast signals containing short term sea level variation predictions.
34. A swell powered tide compensated electric generator according to claim 33 further comprising a microprocessor operatively connected to said antennae and said motor, wherein said microprocessor is configured to receive and process said signals from said antennae and to output appropriate instructions to said motor to cause said motor to turn said gears in said gear house, whereby said platform may be raised or lowered to maintain the distance between said platform and said water body.
35. A swell powered tide compensated electric generator according to claim 29 further comprising at least one buoy attached to said support structure.
36. A swell powered tide compensated electric generator according to claim 35 further comprising an anchor attached to the floor of said water body and a cable extending from said support structure to said anchor.
37. A swell powered tide compensated electric generator according to claim 36 wherein said buoy is configured to provide sufficient buoyancy to render said cable substantially taught.