AND WAVES

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to devices for capturing kinetic energy from fluids such as ocean, currents of gyres produced by Coriolis effect, tidal, and river currents, the movement of waves in the sea as well as in lakes, so as it can be applied for the conversion into electric energy by means of conventional electrical appliances.

BACKGROUND (PRIOR ART)

Most part of the worldwide electric energy is generated from non-renewable energy sources, such as coal, oil and natural gas, which emit carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), ozone (03) and mercury (Hg) as products of combustion. Renewable sources of alternative energy, such as biomass and fuels of the type of methanol, also emit carbon dioxide (CO2) as combustion products. In order to achieve a clean, sustainable, cost-effective and independent energy future, the development as well as investments in the energy field should be focused on reducing the cost of renewable and clean energy sources, which should be cheaper or have a similar cost in comparison to those generated by means of non-renewable traditional sources.

In the ocean there are three major forms of hydraulic power which can be potentially exploitable, such as the movement of ocean currents, the movements of currents produced by tides (tidal power) and the movement of waves. In recent decades, England, EU, USA, Canada, Australia and Japan have spent huge amounts of money in the development of new sources of renewable and non- polluting energy, particularly in energy converters of waves (Wave Energy Converters "WEC") and ocean currents, based on the current state of the art and using the most promising types of technologies to capture the energy from waves, ocean currents and rivers among which stand out the oscillating water column, Pelamis, the pendulum, Wave Dragon, Archimedes Wave Swing and IPS OWEC buoy as well as different types of tidal turbines. These technologies have failed to reach a stage of development in which these could be used commercially. To capture the energy from waves, the devices of the current state of the art mainly work by means of the exploitation of the vertical and point or multi-point motion of waves, that is transmitted to a hydraulic piston, or the water from the wave can act directly as a piston in an air chamber; and it is also possible to take advantage of the vertical motion of waves to stimulate an electric coil which directly generates electrical energy. The electricity produced by these energy converter devices (WEC) of the current state of the art is essentially pulsing, given the fact that the energy is only produced in the short time while the wave is passing through the converters, which makes compulsory the use of accumulators of energy thereby forcing to enlarge the electric generation system, which obviously affects the cost of the investment. In general, the teams of the current state of the art show both a strong visual and environmental impact since they are placed in the coastline (oscillating column), near the coast (buoys in general) and only a few are in deep sea (Pelamis US 6,476,51 1 ). Considering the low power output of these devices, it is necessary to install several of them in order to obtain a significant amount of captured energy.

The current prior art to convert medium and low power hydraulic current energy, both in rivers as well as in ocean currents resulting from tides, consists of turbines embedded at the bottom of the rivers or sea, where they capture the energy from the section of the flow covering the swept area of turbines, thereby leaving an entire zone without being exploited. In addition, there is the limitation problem with regard to the minimum and maximum depth where they can be installed, which prevents these technologies from being applied in order to take advantage of the movement of the large masses of water moving across the oceans. This implies that the application field of the current state of the art is limited to those places in which these devices can be installed, mainly determined by the speed of the water and depth of the site.

US 5,789,826 (Bogumil) discloses an improved system for harnessing the energy of ocean waves to produce useful energy like electricity wherein a power generating apparatus is attached to a support structure located out of the water and on dry land. The support structure comprises a mechanical boom disposed on a base located on the shore and a moveable mounting structure provided with a plurality of hydraulic cylinders such that the power generating apparatus may be moved in all directions and placed in position in the water flow optimal for the generation of power. The power generating apparatus comprises a selectively moveable turbine device coupled to either a power generating mechanism, such as a generator, or pumping mechanism such that the rotation of the turbine device due to the impact of the ocean waves can be converted into useful energy. Also disclosed are means for restricting and preventing lateral sliding of a wide belt as it moves over a tank or over a two section straight conveyor having rotating drums. The wide belt and either a tank or conveyor comprising two different embodiments of the present invention.

US 6,476,51 1 (Richard et al.) discloses an apparatus for extracting power from ocean waves comprising a number of buoyant cylindrical body members connected together at their ends to form an articulated chain-like structure. Each pair of adjacent cylindrical members is connected to each other by a coupling member which permits relative rotational movement of the cylindrical members about at least one transverse axis. Adjacent coupling members may permit relative rotation about mutually orthogonal transverse axes. Each coupling member is provided with elements such as a set of hydraulic rams which resist and extract power from the relative rotational movement of the body members, and which can provide applied constraints to rotation about one or both of the transverse axes. The transverse axes of rotation are skewed from the horizontal axis and vertical axis by a roll bias angle, selected to optimize the dynamic response of the apparatus to incoming waves. The skewed angle is applied by difference of ballasting of the members of the body (2, 3, 4) and or limitations in the port.

WO 2007/045853 (Fraenkel) discloses an energy conversion system comprising a support structure upstanding within a volume of water subject to the occurrence of both wave motion and tidal flow, means mounted from the support for deriving usable power from the tidal flow, and means operationally supported relative to the support structure for deriving usable power from the occurrence of wave motion independently from that derived from tidal flows and means for facilitating the transfer of such usable powers to a land based location, or for making some alternative use of such power elsewhere.

CN 201025227 (Fang) discloses a device for capturing rivers or surface ocean water currents which comprises a plurality of articulated floating platforms, which have a core drain upon which are located two pairs of wheels connected by a shaft, each one of them located at the ends of each platform on the core drain. Each pair of wheels has a pinion that allows them to be connected along said drain, thereby generating a string that moves on each side of the drain. This string (or chain) having a lower portion under the water surface and an upper one on the water surface. Between the chains, plurality of vanes is arranged, so that those located under water push the chain in the direction of the current flow, and those located on the water surface are left without thrust, in order to obtain the horizontal movement of the chain as well as the rotation of the wheels.

GR 20060100574 (Dimitrios) discloses a device for capturing surface ocean currents which comprises an elongated structure resting on the seabed. At each end of said structure is located a sprocket wheel wherein each wheel at each end are connected by a string (chain) that moves along the structure. The chain has a lower portion under the water surface and an upper portion on water surface. The entire length of the chain has a plurality of V-shaped angled vanes", such that those located under the water push the chain in the direction of the current flow, and those located on the water, are left without thrust, so as to take advantage of the horizontal movement of the chain and the turning of the wheels.

KR 20100128056 (Taek) discloses a device for capturing wave energy, which comprises a long horizontal tube having attached at each end floating tanks that have a counterweight to keep them at a desired depth. One of these floating tanks is attached to the seabed by means of a cable, which prevents the device from moving from the place of energy capture. The elongated tube has a horizontal central axis (shaft) that rotates inside due to a plurality of rotary blades having a vertical axis, wherein such vertical axes are connected to this horizontal central axis, by means of gears. The up and down movement of the waves spins the rotary blades thereby transmitting said movement to the horizontal central axis, which is connected to an electric power generation system located on one of the floating tanks.

US 20100000197 (Gorlov) discloses a device to capture the energy from waves and ocean currents, which comprises a rotor having a plurality of blades with an aerodynamic profile. Each rotor has a cylindrical plate connected to an axis. From the edge of this cylindrical plate emerges the plurality of vanes. When the rotor with vanes is in a horizontal position, said vanes move due to the up and down movement effect of the waves. When the rotor with vanes is in vertical position, they move by the effect of ocean currents. In the latter case, the rotor can be located on the seabed, or else, suspended from a floating device or a boat.

WO 2008/014624 (Hudec) discloses a device for obtaining energy from water of rivers, canals, and also the high potential of sea waves which comprises a continuous belt that moves by means of end sprocket wheels that are connected by a chain. On the outer surface of the belt is provided a plurality of blades such that those located under the water push the belt in the current flow direction and those located above the water are left without thrust so as to obtain the horizontal movement of the belt, as well as the turning of the sprocket wheel. According to this document, this device is mounted on a structure supported on the river o channel bed.

Although it is true that in the prior art there are several devices and installations that allow the capture of energy from tides, waves and currents, they result extremely complex and demand high maintenance costs.

In the case of the device comprising impellers with vertical axes moving a horizontal axis locked in a pipe, these vertical axes must have a proper seal on the tube, to prevent water from entering into it, which could result in an excess of weight thereby sinking the system. This greatly increases the cost of the implementation and maintenance of such device.

In the case of the devices comprising separate wheels being connected by chains or belts, where the latter have a plurality of vanes attached to them, said devices are only useful with regard to surface currents whether in the sea, rivers or channels. In addition, half of the energy that can be harvested is wasted, since the vanes that are on the surface of the water do not provide any kind of horizontal movement on the chain or belt. Also, in this type of devices, since the vanes that are under the surface of the water are fixed to the chain or belt, the first vane facing the current is also the one that provides the largest amount of horizontal movement on the chain or belt and then the movement being provided decreases in the subsequent vanes until the movement contribution to the last vane being under water is almost inexistent.

On the other hand, in devices comprising hydrodynamic vanes for capturing energy from the waves, said vanes are connected to cylindrical rotors that allow a point capture and not along the passage of the wave on the surface of the sea.

Therefore, an objective of the present invention is providing a device that allows the capture of energy along the passage of the wave on the surface of the sea on an ongoing basis, through energy harvesting modules conformed by pivotable vanes or deflectors on a chain or pulley and also being a simple and low- cost maintenance module.

A second objective of the present invention is providing a generic module that allows capturing kinetic energy from the ocean, whether from waves, surface or deep currents as well as from tides, wherein this module functions in a perpendicular way with regard to the water flow.

PROBLEMS SOLVED BY THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention simultaneously solves the main problems of the current state of the art which are as follows:

Regarding the capture and conversion from the energy of the waves into continued electric power. It optimizes the capture of the energy contained in the waves, with a significant increase in the functional factor of the electric generation system in relation to prior art, where the capture is essentially pulsing. It promotes the design of large capacity plants being separated from each other, thereby obtaining a low environmental impact which represents both a low cost of investment as well as in operation, and also making possible the installations nearby to the points of consumption thus minimizing the losses related to the conduction of electricity. In terms of water currents, it increases the capture of water flows, rivers tidal power as well as deep ocean currents. The current state of the art solves only the energy capture problem from surface water flows and ocean currents of the seabed. There is no technology for the capture of the intermediate power current, which represents the largest hydraulic energy potential of the planet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES.

Figure 1 shows a rigid fluid deflector with the movement across boundaries to capture the kinetic energy contained in fluids.

Figure 2-A illustrates how a rigid or flexible fluid deflector works in order to capture the kinetic energy contained in a perpendicular ascending fluid with respect to the fluid deflector.

Figure 2-B illustrates how a rigid or flexible fluid deflector works in order to capture the kinetic energy contained in a perpendicular descending fluid with respect to the fluid deflector.

Figure 3-A illustrates a fluid deflector that can move freely between a lower limit and an upper limit without the existence of horizontal displacement of the shaft.

Figure 3-B illustrates a rigid fluid deflector that moves freely between a lower limit and an upper limit with horizontal displacement of the shaft.

Figure 3-C illustrates a rigid fluid deflector with guided displacement between a lower limit and an upper limit with horizontal displacement of the shaft.

Figure 4-A shows a side view of a generic kinetic energy converter module, including fluid deflectors, external and internal adjustable amplitude limits.

Figure 4-B Illustrates a front view of a generic kinetic energy converter module.

Figure 5-A shows a side view of a generic kinetic energy converter module implemented for extracting kinetic energy from waves, including a horizontal reactive compensator.

Figure 5-B: illustrates a front view of generic kinetic energy converter module implemented for extracting kinetic energy from waves, including a horizontal reactive compensator. Figure 6-A illustrates a side view of a generic kinetic energy converter module which has been simplified for extracting kinetic energy contained in water currents.

Figure 6-B shows a front view of a generic kinetic energy converter module, simplified for extracting kinetic energy contained in water currents.

Figure 7-A illustrates a sectional view of an device for converting energy contained in waves, formed by a generic kinetic energy converter module implemented for extracting kinetic energy from waves.

Figure 7-B illustrates an electric energy generating plant comprising at least one generic kinetic energy converter implemented for extracting kinetic energy from waves.

Figure 8-A illustrates an electric energy generating plant which converts energy contained in channeled water flows comprising at least one generic kinetic energy converter module, simplified for extracting kinetic energy contained in water currents.

Figure 8-B illustrates an electric energy generating plant, which converts energy contained in shallow water currents comprising at least one generic kinetic energy converter module simplified for extracting kinetic energy contained in water currents, said module being mounted on floats.

Figure 9 illustrates a kinetic energy converter device which converts energy contained in deep water currents, comprising at least one generic kinetic energy converter module, simplified for extracting kinetic energy contained in deep-water currents.

Figure 10 illustrates an electric energy generating plant which converts kinetic energy contained in deep water currents comprising at least one kinetic energy converter device for converting deep water currents, said device being mounted on floats.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION.

Figure 1 illustrates a sectional view of a fluid deflector (1 ) with adjustable travel limits, which comprises at least one plate made of a rigid or flexible material, wherein said material is simple or composite having internal or external reinforcements, with or without cavities, with internal or external, structural counterweight or without counterweight, having a flat or hydrodynamic profile and/or a profile having structural reinforcement. It also has at least one pivot shaft (3) built in which provides freedom of movement between an upper limit (1 .1 ) and a lower limit (1 .2).

Figure 2-A, illustrates how a rigid or flexible fluid deflector (1 ) works when being subjected to a flow having an upstream component (7), which lifts the fluid deflector (1 ) up to the predetermined upper limit (1 .1 ). The raising of the fluid deflector (1 ) causes the deviation of the direction of the ascending flow (7) in opposite direction to the support element of fluid deflector (1 ) on its pivot shaft (3), generating a horizontal force reaction (9) onto the shaft (3) in the opposite direction to the ascending fluid exit (7), causing also a force (10) as a reaction in the support element of the upper limit (1 .1 ). The position of the pivot shaft (3) must be an adequate one to keep the fluid deflector (1 ) in static equilibrium and also concentrating the main reactive forces on the pivot shaft (3), in order to minimize the effort (10) that takes place on the upper limit (1 .1 ).

Figure 2-B illustrates how a rigid or flexile fluid deflector (1 ) works when being subjected to a flow having a downward component (8). Said component lowers the fluid deflector (1 ) to the lower predetermined limit (1 .2). When lowering the fluid deflector (1 ) the deviation of the downward flow (8) direction takes place on the opposite direction with respect to the support element of fluid deflector (1 ) on its pivot shaft (3), causing a horizontal force (9) as a reaction onto the shaft (3) in the opposite direction to the downward flow exit (8), also causing a force (1 1 ) as a reaction on the support element of the lower limit (1 .2).

As it can be seen in the illustration of Figure 2-A and 2-B, both directions of fluids drive the pivot shaft (3) in the same direction. It also can be seen that the reactive forces (10) (1 1 ) may be annulled one with respect to the other" in the case of cyclic flows such as waves.

Figure 3-A illustrates a fluid deflector (1 ) that moves freely between an upper limit (1 .1 ) and a lower limit (1 .2), wherein the fluid deflector (1 ) rests without sliding on the the limits of the displaced distance in both directions. This setting can be applied when the horizontal movement of fluid deflector (1 ) is equal to the horizontal movement of the upper limit (1 .1 ) and/or (1 .2) of the lower limit. This happens when it is desired to exert a force on the supporting structure of the shaft (3) or when the upper travel limit (1 .1 ) and/or the lower travel limit (1 .2) move with respect to a structure equal to the pivot shaft (3).

Figure 3-B shows a rigid fluid deflector (1 ) mounted with an upper travel limit (1 .1 ) and a lower travel limit (1 .2), wherein the fluid deflector (1 ) rests with displacement on the travel limits in both directions. This configuration includes at least a second shaft (4) with at least two guide rollers (5) which are supported by the upper travel limit (1 .1 ) or the lower travel limit (1 .2) to prevent loss of energy due to friction. This setting can be applied to capture the kinetic energy from both unidirectional and bi-directional flows. In the case of bi-directional flows, when the wave takes the direction of the upstream flow (7), the second shaft (4) with at least two guide rollers (5) of the fluid deflector (1 ) rests on the upper limit (1 .1 ). When the wave takes the direction of the downward flow (8), said second shaft (4) with at least two guide rollers (5) of the fluid deflector (1 ) rests on the lower limit (1 .2). ), The fluid deflector (1 ) displaces horizontally both in the upward flow (7) direction and in the downward flow (8) direction. This setting can also be applied to capture the kinetic energy from unidirectional flows, such as surface currents or ocean currents being at different depths. In this case, when the current of the water flow has a single horizontal direction, the at least one second shaft (4) with at least two guide rollers (5) of the fluid deflector (1 ), during the travel of the fluid deflector (1 ) in a direction is supported only in one of the travel limits, (1 .1 ) or (1 .2), wherein said fluid deflector (1 ) is displaced perpendicularly to the flow.

Figure 3-C illustrates a fluid deflector (1 ) with at least a second shaft (4) and with at least two guide rollers (5), without freedom of movement between the upper limit (1 .1 ) and (1 .2) the lower limit. This simplified configuration is only applied for capturing the kinetic energy of unidirectional flows, wherein the freedom of movement of the plurality of fluid deflectors (1 ) is not required.

In figures 3-A and 3-B and 3-C the travel limits of fluid deflector (1 ) can be adjustable, in order to control the energy capture variables of the system. Figure 4-A shows a side view of an assembly of a generic kinetic energy converter module (30) (for waves and water currents) comprising a plurality of fluid deflector (1 ) on at least one endless belt (20) (forming an endless band with fluid deflector (1 )) (see Figure 4-B), which could also be at least one chain of links (not shown) mounted on at least one drive wheel (23) and on the other end being mounted at least on one idler wheel (24). Depending on the length of the at least one endless belt (20), the set can contain at least one intermediate wheel (not shown) and at least two external wheels (not shown) in order to support flexions that take place in the at least one endless belt (20), by means of the reactive forces (10) (1 1 ) of incident workflows. In at least one shaft (22) where the at least one drive wheel (23) is mounted, may be mounted at least one drive pulley (16) actuating by means of at least one belt (17), chain, gear or direct coupling, which replaces the at least one drive pulley (16) and the at least one belt (17), the at least one electrical generator or hydraulic pump (18). It is also illustrated the at least one amplitude regulator (31 ) which control by means of at least one amplitude distributor (32) the at least one rail limit support (33) and finally the at least one amplitude rail limit: at least one top rail for the upper limit (34), at least one top rail for the lower limit (35) at least one lower rail for the upper limit (36), and at least one lower rail for the lower limit (37), wherein such rails (34, 35, 36 and 37) regulate the freedom of movement of the plurality of fluid deflectors(1 ) between the upper limit (1 .1 ) and the lower limit (1 .2).

This setting corresponds to a design of a generic kinetic energy converter module (30) of double effect, applicable in the capture of energy from the waves and, for capturing the kinetic energy of unidirectional water streams, where both lengths (upper and lower ones) of the endless belt (20) may also be operative. This generic kinetic energy converter module (30) can function with a single side of the endless belt (20) and also can function with both sides of the endless belt (20) in operation. In addition, each functional side of the endless belt (20) can operate in an ascending (7) and/or descending (8) direction. In the case of a complete operation of both sides of the endless belt (20) and of ascending (7) and descending (8) flows, it is necessary that the amplitude rail limit (34) engages with the amplitude rail limit (36) by means of an extensible rail (38), which allows controlling the amplitude of both rails (34) (36) separately.

Figure 4-B shows a section view of an assembly of a generic kinetic energy converter module (30), comprising at least one endless belt (20) which have a plurality of inserts (21 ) to house the plurality of shafts (3), which support the plurality of fluid deflectors (1 ). At the ends of the plurality of shafts (3), can be mounted at least one guide roller (27) which slide and roll inside a "U" shaped guide channel (28), in order to maintain the linearity of at least two endless belts (20) facing the reaction effort generated by the incidence of fluids (7) (8).

Figure 5-A shows a sectional view of a generic kinetic energy converter module (30) arranged to capture the kinetic energy from waves and converting it into electrical energy, said device (40) being comprised by at least one generic kinetic energy converter module (30) and a set of elements (41 ) having the purpose of resisting the horizontal force generated by the energy capture from the waves of the generic kinetic energy converter module (30) wherein said set of elements (41 ) may be located and connected under the generic kinetic energy converter module (30). This set of elements (41 ) is formed by a plurality of fluid deflectors (1 ), mounted on at least one bar (43), which transmits the reaction force by means of the at least two bars (42) which in turn transmit the reaction force to the structure (29) (see Figure 5-B) of the at least one generic kinetic energy converter module (30). The at least one amplitude regulator (31 ) controlling by means of such at least one amplitude distributor (32), has at least one upper rail limit support (44) to support at least one upper amplitude rail (45), and at least one lower amplitude rail limit support (46) to support at least one lower amplitude rail (47) which determines the freedom of movement of the plurality of fluid deflectors (1 ) of the set of elements (41 ) aimed to resist the horizontal force of at least one generic kinetic energy converter module (30).

Figure 5-B shows a sectional view of kinetic energy converter module (40), implemented to capture the kinetic energy from waves and converting it into electrical energy, including the set of elements (41 ) to resist the horizontal force generated by the capture of energy from the waves of the generic kinetic energy converter module (30).

Figure 6-A shows a simplified alternative of the generic kinetic energy converter module (30) for capturing kinetic energy from unidirectional fluids (50), where the freedom of movement of the plurality of fluid deflectors (1 ) of a generic kinetic energy converter module (30) is eliminated, replacing the top travel limit (1 .1 ) and the lower travel limit (1 .2) by a guide rail (51 ) that sets the amplitude of the fluid deflector (1 ) in each travel direction. The fluid deflector (1 ) incorporates a shaft (4) with at least one guide roller (5), which moves inside the guide rails (51 ) or they can also be at least two guide rollers being displaced outside of the guide rail (51 ). The adjustment (31 ) of the plurality of fluid deflectors (1 ) allows to arrange said fluid deflectors (1 ) in the same direction as the fluid to stop the operation of energy capture. It also allows to reverse the capture position and of course to adjust the angle of incidence of the water flow on the plurality of fluid deflectors (1 ). The guide rail (51 ) is located in such a way, that is overlapping with the at least one endless belt (20). This module, as well as the waves energy converter module, has at least one amplitude regulator (31 ) that controls at least one rail limit support (33) through at least one amplitude distributor (32) to support said at least one guide rail (51 ).

Figure 6-B illustrates a sectional view of the simplified alternative of the generic kinetic energy converter module (30) to capture the kinetic energy from unidirectional flows (50). In this figure, it can also be seen that at the ends of said plurality of shafts (3), is mounted at least one guide roller (27) which slide and roll inside a U shaped guide channel (28), in order to maintain the linearity of said at least one endless belt (20) when facing the reaction effort generated by the incidence of the water current.

Figure 7-A illustrates an device for capturing the kinetic energy from waves comprising at least one energy converter device (40) implemented to extract the kinetic energy from waves which incorporates at least one ballast (61 ) and at least one float (62) which can be rigid, flexible or elastic. Moreover, it may have also at least one security float (not shown). These elements are mounted on a structure (64), wherein at least one level controller (68) and at least one stem (67) are incorporated to adjust the height of the at least one generic kinetic energy converter module (40) implemented to extract the kinetic energy from waves. On the structure (64) is located a converter which converts the mechanical energy into an energy flow that can be a hydraulic or electric flow (18).

The design of the device (60) for extracting the kinetic energy from waves may consider the plurality of fluid deflectors (1 ), both the ones that are at the upper part and lower part as the ones in operation when facing the movement of the waves, or it may consider only the plurality of fluid deflectors (1 ) located in the lower part as the ones in operation. The design of the generic kinetic energy converter module (40) implemented to extract the kinetic energy from waves may consider that one or both sides of the at least one endless belt (20) operate when being submerged in water, or that only one side operates when submerged in the water, o that one side operates nearby the water surface and the other side operates away from the water surface.

The operation of the device (40) for converting wave energy requires the installation in the sea to maintain a height as fix as possible with respect to the height of the water. The aforementioned can be achieved in several ways, the first alternative is to install the generic kinetic energy converter module (30) on pillars embedded in the seabed being adjusted by height so as to compensate for variations in the tides, and thus annulling vertical and horizontal efforts (see Figure 2 -A (10), 2-B (1 1 )). This solution absorbs the forces of the reaction (10, 1 1 ) as well as the horizontal reactions (9) as a result of the action of the incident waves, without requiring that the set of elements (41 ) resist the horizontal force generated by the capture of energy. This solution has as a disadvantage that is not suitable for installations in deep sea, high sea, offshore and open sea or similar, where depths are very significant so as to consider pillars. The second alternative is to install the converter module (40) of wave energy on floats by fixing the height by means of adjustable cables anchored to the seabed. The third alternative is to install the wave energy converter device (40) on floats combined with ballasts which stabilize the height of floating with respect to the sea-level, making the height imperceptible to the wave passage. This generates an device for capturing energy from waves (60), as shown in Figure 7-A. In order to make the combination of floats with ballast more effective, it is necessary to have a horizontal structure which distributes the force exerted by the passage of the waves in an even way on the waves energy converter module (40). It is also possible to improve the stability of the leveling of the wave energy converter module (40) with regard to the sea- level by means of at least one collapsible or elastic, flexible float collapsing when being subject to pressure exerted by the passage of the wave, decreasing its volume, thus displacing less water, and decreasing the local force of the wave onto the structure.

Figure 7-B shows a waves energy converter plant (70) into electrical energy, formed by at least one anchor (71 ), at least one buoy (72) or floating tower (not shown), at least one power room (73), at least one joint (74) attaching the buoy (72) to the first device (60) to capture the kinetic energy from waves, and knuckle joints to join the successive plurality of kinetic energy converter devices (50) from waves. The energy converter plant (70) from waves must be oriented in the same direction and sense as the significant waves of the site (76), adjusting the direction and sense with regard to the remaining tension generated by the energy capture of incident waves.

Figure 8-A illustrates a simplified alternative of the generic kinetic energy converter module (30) for extracting kinetic energy from unidirectional fluids (50), mounted on a structure (81 ) built-in between walls (83) and a canalized rivebed (84) or equivalent. The energy captured by the at least one module (30, 50) is extracted by at least one axle (22) directly connecting the driven wheel axle (22) of the module (see Figure 6-B) to the hydraulic pump, or DC generator or directly connecting it to an AC generator. The module device (30, 50) is inserted into the structure (81 ) where it can be vertically displaced driven by the at least one height regulator (85) through at least one strut (82).

Figure 8-B shows an electric energy converter plant (90) which converts energy from the energy contained in shallow water currents comprising at least one generic kinetic energy converter module (30) simplified for extracting the kinetic energy contained in water currents (50). The set comprises at least one structure (91 ) floating through at least one float (94), where one or more of them are attached to the bottom by means of at least one anchor (96). The electric energy converter plant (90) which converts energy from the energy contained in shallow water currents is provided with at least one counterweight (98) installed on an adjustable arm (95) on its base, or at least one float on the incidence side of the water current (not shown), in order to maintain the energy converter module (50) which converts energy from water currents (50) in a vertical position according to different water speeds. It also comprises at least one position stabilizer (99) installed above the at least one arm (95) located on the base of the energy converter module (50) which converts energy from water currents in order to maintain the perpendicularity of the energy converter module (50) with respect to the direction of the water current. On the upper crossbeam of the structure (91 ) is installed at least one DC generator or hydraulic pump or is directly connected to an AC current generator (18), driven by the shaft (22) , which is connected to the underwater electrical network.

Figure 9 illustrates an device (100) to capture kinetic energy from unidirectional fluids comprising at least one convert module (50) to capture kinetic energy from unidirectional fluids and a hydraulic pump or electric generator (18) suitable to work submerged under saline water, directly coupled to the shaft (22) of a simplified module (50) to capture kinetic energy from unidirectional fluids.

Figure 10 illustrates a plant (1 10) for capturing kinetic energy from unidirectional fluids and transforming said energy into electrical energy. This plant comprises at least one anchor (1 1 1 ) connected to at least one buoy (1 12) which in turn is connected to at least one cable (1 13) to the at least one platform (1 15). Also from the at least one buoy (1 12), by means of at least one cable (121 ) is connected as a tensor to the at least one device (100) for capturing kinetic energy from unidirectional fluids. The at least one platform (1 15) is supported by at least one float (1 14) upon which it is arranged at least one engine room (1 16), which contains the devices for converting the hydraulic energy into electrical energy, the transformer to adjust the voltage required by the submarine transmission cable with regard to the electrical energy being produced and the control process device. At the center of the platform is hung at least one device (100) for capturing the kinetic energy from unidirectional fluids, which incorporate at least one counterweight (1 18), at least one directional guide (1 19) and at least one tension cable (1 17). At least one counterweight (1 18) and the at least one tension cable (1 17) are aimed to maintain the perpendicularity of the simplified module (50) for capturing the kinetic energy from unidirectional fluids and the at least one directional guide (1 19) which is aimed to maintain the perpendicularity of the module (100) with regard to the current water flow.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

First preferred embodiment

In order to capture the kinetic energy contained in the waves, the preferred embodiment is an installation in deep-sea where the site is located at a distance from the coast in the order of seven kilometers, which prevents the visual impact and interference with other marine activities from happening. At this distance the sea is deep enough to prevent the clash of the wave with the seabed, resulting in significant loss of energy to the waves. In addition, this location allows to design the waves kinetic energy converter plant (70) (see Figure 7-B) of large capacity and at significant distances between them, which is compatible with the larger ships traffic among the plants (70).

When having large spaces in the ocean, it is possible to take advantage of the property of diffusion or diffraction of waves so as they migrate towards lower energy areas, i.e., to capture wave energy areas, and naturally also towards the coasts. In these large spaces plants of great length can be installed where it is possible to capture the wave energy that affect directly on the devices and also the waves that initially pass between the devices and progressively migrate to the devices installed in these areas.

The preferred configuration for the waves kinetic energy converter plant (70) involves the use of the following elements: plurality of rigid fluid deflectors (1 ) (see Figure 3-B) flat, balanced, mounted on a shaft (3) which provides it with freedom of movement between the limits (1 .1 and 1 .2) and additionally a shaft (4) with at least two guide rollers (5) with freedom of movement between the adjustable limits (1 .1 ) and (1 .2); at least one generic kinetic energy converter module (30), (see Figure 4- A, B) implemented to extract the kinetic energy of waves, including the set of elements (41 ) aimed to resist the horizontal force generated by the capture of wave energy (see Figure 5-A, 5-B); at least one wave kinetic energy converter device (60); a waves kinetic energy converter plant (70) which converts kinetic energy into electrical energy (see Figure 7-B), comprising at least one buoy (72) anchored to the seabed by means of at least one anchor, ballast or anchor located at the seabed (71 ), connected by means of at least one tension cable (77) of sufficient length that allows free movement of at least one buoy (72) when facing tides change and the passage of the waves. At least one power room (73) containing the electrical device for conversion into electrical power, transmission and process control for the capture of wave kinetic energy converter device (60), all these device duly protected from the environment are installed on at least one buoy (72). From the power room (73) the submarine electrical cable is fed which in turn is connected to an electrical substation located on the coast, from where the electric distribution network is fed. From the at least one buoy (72) is set by means of at least one rigid articulated arm (74) the at least first wave energy device converter (60), which is aimed to convey the tension produced in the plurality of wave energy device converters (60), keeping the distance between the at least one buoy (72) and the first wave kinetic energy converter device (60), so as to avoid impacts caused by the movement of the sea. Also the at least one rigid articulated arm (74) acts as a bridge to carry the energetic fluid (electric or hydraulic) from the plurality of wave energy device converters (60), to at least one room of force (73). The plurality of wave energy device converters (60), must be oriented in the same direction as the waves (76), this is accomplished by designing the plurality of wave energy device converters (60), so that the resultant force of the wave energy capture is oriented from the at least one buoy (72) towards the last wave kinetic energy converter device (60). From the first wave kinetic energy converter device (60) through the elbow joint (75) successive wave kinetic energy converter devices (60) are coupled wherein the converter plant (70) transforms the wave energy into electrical energy.

The maximum kinetic energy of a wave is found just at the basal level, for this reason it is appropriate that the plurality of fluid deflectors (1 ) when in operation are located just above this level, preventing these from displacing under the sea level without providing energy capture but instead producing energy loss due to friction with the water. The plurality of fluid deflectors (1 ) returning by the upper part of the wave energy converter device (60) could be active if they have their respective limits of movement (1 .1 ), (1 .2), on the contrary they would be inactive since they would have total freedom of movement. In the preferred embodiment this plurality of returning fluid deflectors (1 ) are inactive.

Each wave kinetic energy converter device (60) comprises at least one wave kinetic energy converter module (40), wherein it is possible to install more than one wave kinetic energy converter module (40) in series within the same structure or in parallel. The installation in parallel is aimed to increase the width of the energy capture of the wave beyond the maximum calculated for a module. It also aims to vary the width of energy capture of the waves according to the dominant power in them. When using a combination in parallel of the generic kinetic energy converter modules (40) for extracting the kinetic energy from waves it is possible to control the direction of the plurality of wave kinetic energy converter device (60).

The buoyancy of each wave kinetic energy converter device (60) is set first with respect to a static condition, balancing the weight of at least one generic kinetic energy converter module for extracting the kinetic energy from waves (40), plus wave energy converter device structures (64) (65), plus the total ballast (61 ) of the wave energy converter device (60) with regard to the volume of water displaced by the floats (62). It is important that each wave energy converter device (60) rises as little as possible when facing the passage of one or more waves, which is obtained by designing at least one float (62) with a large horizontal surface, so that when facing a small rising of the float (62) a fast decrease in the volume of water displaced by at least one float (62) occurs. In addition, at least one float (62) can be collapsible, so that with the passage of the waves the object will collapse which reduces the volume of water displaced in the area of impact of the wave, thus decreasing the force of at least one float (62). The length and rigidity of the structure of the wave kinetic energy converter device (60) help to maintain the device (60) stable. Considering that the plurality of fluid deflectors (1 ) are of double-action and having independent adjustment of the upper and lower amplitude limits (1 .1 ) (1 .2), the vertical efforts (10) (1 1 ) should be annulled along the plurality of wave kinetic energy converter devices (60). There is the additional tool to control the float level consisting of the independent adjustment of the higher and lower amplitude limits (1 .1 ) and (1 .2) of the plurality of fluid deflectors (1 ). The aforementioned is not very valid at the ends of wave energy converters devices (60), given the ends facing the ascending or descending area of the wave, where there is no an adjacent compensation in the device in order to resist such an effect Second preferred embodiment.

The second preferred embodiment comprises a current kinetic converter plant (90) for converting the energy contained in shallow water currents (see Figure 8-B (90)) and having constant and significant variations of water level, such as currents generated by tides in both directions. (Tidal Energy)

The preferred configuration for the converter plant (90) which converts electric energy from the energy contained in shallow water currents, involves the use of the following elements: a plurality of rigid fluid deflectors (1 ) (see Figure 3- C), rigid or mounted on a shaft (3) that allows it to move between the limits (1 .1 and 1 .2) and additionally a shaft (4) with its respective guide rollers (5) without freedom of movement between the adjustable limits (1 .1 ) and (1 .2); at least one kinetic energy converter module (see Figure 6-A, B) (50), for extracting the kinetic energy contained in water currents, with fluid deflectors (1 ) placed perpendicularly with respect to the level and in the direction of the water current; at least one floating structure anchored to the seabed (see Figure 8-B); at least one adjustable counterweight (98) to maintain the perpendicularity of the energy converter module (50) with respect to the sea level and at least one guide or position stabilizer (99) to maintain the perpendicularity to the direction of the water current. The conversion into electrical energy (18) or into captured energy can be directly converted into a primary energy to be then converted into energy for consumption.

Third preferred embodiment.

The third preferred application comprises a kinetic energy generating plant in deep sea or off-shore ocean currents (see Figure 10 (1 10)), with water flow in only one direction. The preferred configuration for the plant (1 10) comprises at least one kinetic energy converter device (100) for capturing kinetic energy from unidirectional fluids (see Figure 9), provided with a plurality of fluid deflectors (1 ) with restricted amplitude (see Figure 6-A), in a vertical position, so that water current has a perpendicular impact against the active face of the device (100). The converter device (100) for capturing kinetic energy from unidirectional fluids is designed so that it can operate in a submerged way, therefore the captured kinetic energy that is converted into mechanical energy by means of the at least one endless belt (20) is then converted into hydraulic energy (or electric) through at least two pulleys (23, 24) and finally through the shaft (22) or by means of the hydraulic pump (18) (or electric generator).

The generating plant (1 10) for converting the kinetic energy contained in ocean water currents comprises at least one anchored cable (1 1 1 ) at the seabed, which must maintain the position of the plant and must resist the tension generated by the ocean current on the at least one converter device (100) for converting kinetic energy from unidirectional fluids. In addition to maintain the buoyancy of the plant, there is a buoy (1 12) attached to at least one anchored cable (1 1 1 ), where the buoy (1 12) is aimed to absorb the vertical component of the tension generated in at least one anchored cable (1 1 1 ). In this way, said buoy (1 12) is connected by means of at least one cable (1 13) to the platform (1 15) of a plant (1 10), said cable exerts a horizontal force between said buoy (1 12) and said the platform (1 15). The platform (1 15) maintains its buoyancy by means of at least one float (1 14), which must support the weight of the engine room (1 16), the weight of the platform itself (1 15), the at least one device for capturing the kinetic energy (100) from unidirectional fluids including counterweights and structures, and the components of vertical forces that originate in the process of capturing the kinetic energy from the ocean current. At the same time the buoy (1 12) is connected by means of at least one cable (121 ) to the device for capturing the kinetic energy (100) of unidirectional fluids, in order to keep it in operation when in upright position. The at least one device for capturing the kinetic energy (100) from unidirectional fluids must have at least one tension cable (1 17) connected to a structure (120) that supports a counterweight (1 18) to resist the force horizontal component generated by the impact of the ocean current, and also to absorb the horizontal force of converter devices (100) for capturing kinetic energy from unidirectional fluids, said device being hung from the immediate upper one. In the same way, the plant comprises at least one guide (1 19) to follow the direction of the unidirectional flow.