Wave power generating installation based on the principle of the oscillating water column
To increase in particular the level of efficiency in the conversion of sea wave energy into electrical energy there is proposed a wave power generating installation having a chamber for the positive guidance of an oscillating water column, wherein the chamber which is closed in itself below the surface of the water has an opening through which water flows into the chamber and then out again, and a means for taking mechanical energy from the oscillating water column and for converting the mechanical energy into electrical energy. The generating installation according to the invention is distinguished in that the means includes a float body device carried by the water column and a linear generator having a stator and an actuator, wherein the float body device is mechanically operatively connected to the actuator of the linear generator and the actuator for generating electrical energy is reciprocatingly movable by the movement of the float body device relative to the stator of the linear generator.
1. A wave power generating system configured to generate power based on a movement of waves, said wave power generating system comprising:
a chamber having one single opening configured to allow water to flow into and out of the chamber, the chamber defining a water column configured to oscillate based on the movement of the waves;
a float body disposed within the chamber, the float body configured to be carried by the oscillating water column;
a linear generator having a stator and an actuator configured to generate electrical power, wherein the actuator is coupled to the float body device such that the actuator reciprocatingly moves relative the stator based on the movement of the float body device;
a plunger positioned between the float body device and the actuator;
a control device configured to adjust a characteristic frequency of the wave power generating system to a frequency of the waves arriving at the chamber based by causing at least one of actuation of the linear generator for taking off energy, trimming of the float body device by the actuation of at least one valve device, or adjustment of an operating parameter of an actuator-carrier device mechanically operatively connected to the plunger.
2. A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the plunger is coupled to a longitudinal end of the actuator-carrier device, and wherein the plunger is positioned between the float body device and the actuator.
3. A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the plunger is positioned between the float body device and the actuator, and wherein the plunger has an elastic buffer device configured to absorb shock.
4. A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the plunger is pivotably coupled to at least a portion of the actuator-carrier device and at least a portion of the float body device by means of a hinge arrangement.
5. A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a roller mechanism configured to provide linear guidance to the float body device during movement of the float body device, wherein the roller mechanism is fixed to the float body device and supported against an inside wall of the chamber.
6. A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the float body device defines a plurality of float bodies secured to a common carrier device.
7. A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 6 wherein at least one float body of the plurality of float bodies defines a hollow body having at least one opening and the at least one valve device, wherein the at least one valve device is configured to allow air into and out of the hollow body.
8. A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the linear generator is positioned outside the chamber, and wherein the plunger is configured to movably extend through an upper wall of the chamber.
9. A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the actuator-carrier device defines at least a portion of a gas pressure compartment, wherein the gas pressure compartment is configured to operate as a gas pressure spring, and wherein a volume of the gas pressure compartment can be altered by movement of the plunger.
10. A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the actuator-carrier device includes a spring mechanism coupled to the plunger, the spring mechanism configured to be deflectable from a resting position by movement of the plunger.
11. A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the linear generator is cylindrical and the actuator-carrier device comprises a sliding tube configured to carry the actuator at a peripheral surface defined on the sliding tube, wherein the sliding tube is movable within a hollow cylinder, the hollow cylinder being stationary relative to the actuator.
12. A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 11 further comprising a holding mechanism defining a bar portion and a carrier portion, configured to hold the stator in a stationary position within the hollow cylinder, wherein the holding mechanism extends parallel to the axis of the hollow cylinder.
13. A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 12 wherein the bar portion extends through a transverse wall of the sliding tube and is positioned within an interior portion of the sliding tube and radially adjacent to the actuator of the linear generator.
14. A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the linear generator is cylindrical and the actuator-carrier device comprises a cylinder configured to carry the at a peripheral surface defined on the cylinder, wherein the cylinder is movable within a hollow cylinder, the hollow cylinder being stationary relative to the actuator.
15. A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 14 wherein the hollow cylinder defines a transverse wall having an opening through which the plunger movably extends.
16. A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 6 , wherein said a control device is configured to control accommodation of water in at least one float body of the plurality of float bodies of the float body device.
17. A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the linear generator comprises electrically excitable magnets.
18. A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the linear generator comprises superconducting magnets.
19. A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 2 further comprising closable air openings for adjusting and/or regulating the power delivered by means of the plunger to the linear generator.
20. A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a buffer device positioned on at least a portion of the float body device and configured to absorb shock and/or pressure forces, wherein the buffer device is configured to be supported against an inner wall of the chamber and limit and/or dampen the movement of the float body device.
21. A wave power generating system as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a buffer device positioned on at least a portion of an inner wall of the chamber and configured to absorb shock and/or pressure forces, wherein the buffer device is configured to support the float body device and limit and/or dampen movement thereof.
22. A wave power generating system configured to generate power based on a movement of waves, said wave power generating system comprising:
a chamber defining a water column configured to oscillate based on the movement of the waves;
a float body disposed within the chamber, the float body configured to be carried by the oscillating water column;
a linear generator including a stator and an actuator configured to generate electrical power, wherein said actuator is coupled to the float body device by a plunger such that the actuator reciprocatingly moves relative to the stator based on the movement of the float body;
a gas pressure compartment configured to bias the actuator; and
a control device configured to adjust oscillating frequency of the chamber to the frequency of the waves arriving at the chamber based on at least one of actuating the linear generator for taking off energy out of the system, trimming of the float body device by actuating at least one valve device or adjusting an operating parameter of the gas pressure compartment.