"OSCILLATING AIR-FILLED BARRIER DEVICE WITH MEANS FOR RECYCLING SEA WAVE ENERGY"

**********

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an oscillating air- filled barrier device with means for using and recycling sea wave energy.

In particular, the present invention refers to an oscillating air-filled barrier device with a structure enabling it to be positioned and operated along the coast in the presence of sea waves.

According to the invention the kinetic energy of the sea waves is transformed into hydraulic pressure that acts on the upstream side of the barrier device, overcoming the buoyancy force of the air chamber and the resistance of the rotary generator or the linear generator.

This causes the rotation of the barrier device in a downstream direction during the passage of the sea wave, and after the sea wave has passed, when there is no longer the hydraulic pressure upstream of the barrier device, a hydraulic backpressure appears downstream of the barrier device due to the undertow or undercurrent of the sea wave, to which the buoyancy force due to the air chamber is added, less the force determined by the resistance of the rotary or linear generator.

The present invention may be applied in the sector for the exploitation of natural energy sources, and in particular in the tidal energy generation sector.

BACKGROUND ART

There are several prior art solutions to obtain energy from tidal motion using devices, generally of a buoyancy type, which carry out a guided movement along a vertical alignment with every passage of a wave and, therefore, with a completely different functional concept to the present invention.

International patent no. W009817911 describes a device to produce tidal energy by using an oscillating barrier solution, in which the constructional and functional features are such that:

- a torsion spring positioned on the barrier' s oscillation fulcrum is used to return the barrier from downstream to upstream and an air chamber is not, therefore, used for this purpose;

- the barrier, thrust by the sea wave, presses in the rod of a single-acting cylinder positioned on the downstream face of the barrier, operated by water to supply, by means of an upwards conduit, a raised storage tank which, in turn, supplies a turbine by means of a downwards conduit;

- the energy supplied to the generator is, therefore, of the hydroelectric type.

The use of this equipment has highlighted certain operational difficulties, the main one being that the single-acting cylinder operates under difficult conditions as it is operated by water, it is always completely immersed in sea water and it is not possible for it to supply the raised storage tank under all the various tidal conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is to provide an oscillating air-filled barrier device with means for recycling sea wave energy. More in detail, the present invention aims to provide an air-filled barrier device in which the kinetic energy of the sea waves is transformed into hydraulic pressure that acts on the upstream side of the barrier, overcomes the buoyancy force of the air chamber and the resistance of the rotary generator or the linear generator and causes the rotation of the barrier in a downstream direction during the passage of the sea wave.

After the sea wave has passed and there is no longer the hydraulic pressure upstream of the barrier, a hydraulic backpressure appears downstream due to the undertow or undercurrent, to which the buoyancy force due to the air chamber is added, less that of the resistance of the rotary or linear generator.

This determines the reverse rotation of the barrier in an upstream direction and therefore results in the repeated oscillation of the barrier on its axis every time a sea wave passes.

The angle of inclination (α) and (β) of the sea bed, either natural or artificial, beneath the barrier, both upstream and downstream, may be established in order to optimise the hydraulic thrust of the wave upstream and that of the undercurrent downstream.

The profile of the sea bed beneath the barrier may be formed as an integral part of the barrier's fixed support structure.

The oscillating air-filled barrier represents a moving mass and therefore: Force x Movement = Work = Energy which may be used to

operate an electric or hydraulic or pneumatic rotary generator or an electric or hydraulic or pneumatic linear generator.

Another aim of the present invention is to provide an oscillating air-filled barrier device, incorporated in a structure, which may be slipped out in an upwards direction to carry out any control or maintenance operations, with a frame fixed in the water close to the sea shore or incorporated in a structure with a frame fixed on dry land enabling the positioning in the water at both the planned height and distance from the sea shore.

•A further aim of the present invention is that the above-mentioned structure and frame may be lifted and rotated to carry the oscillating air-filled barrier to dry land to carry out checks and any maintenance operations .

Yet another aim of the present invention is to provide an oscillating air-filled barrier device which may be used for applications in which the width, height and the level of the barrier, the dimensions and the positioning of the air chamber on the barrier and the features of the energy generator are defined on the basis of the sea waves. This is achieved by means of an oscillating air- filled barrier device with the features described in the main claim. The dependant claims outline advantageous embodiments of the invention.

The oscillating air-filled barrier device according to the present invention comprises a barrier, with a fulcrum in the lower part to enable oscillation of the barrier, with an air chamber keeping it buoyant with the barycentre high up on the vertical with respect to the

fulcrum.

The aim of the barrier' s fulcrum is also to support the barrier and to act as a lateral spacer for the barrier with respect to the side panels of the fixed frame structure.

The barrier may oscillate by the maximum predefined angle with a stop ledge on the side panel of the support frame's fixed structure.

The oscillating barrier may consist either of a single piece of plastic material with the air chamber incorporated, fixed at the two sides by an oscillating side panel having the lateral seal and the fulcrum on the fixed sides panels of the frame, or a single piece of metallic material, with the air chamber incorporated having the lateral seal and fulcrum directly on the fixed side panels of the frame structure, or an upstream metallic panel on which, downstream, the plastic storage tank is fitted with the air chamber incorporated.

The cogged elements for the rotation of the control gear of the rotary generator or of the control coupling of the linear generator may be installed, for technical or constructional purposes, either at the centre or at the two ends of the barrier.

For the hydraulic operation of an electric generator, one or more linear or rotary hydraulic generators, installed on one or more oscillating air- filled barrier devices, may supply a hydraulic motor that rotates an electric generator at a constant speed with a constant flow regulated by one or more hydropneumatic accumulators fitted at the outlet with the relative proportional valve piloted by the device for control of the rotational speed of the electric generator.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the invention are clearly described below, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention provided merely by way of an example without restricting the inventive concept, in which: figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-section view of the barrier device consisting of a single piece of plastic material, with the air chamber incorporated, fixed at the two sides by a side panel which also oscillates, the latter having the lateral seal and the fulcrum on the fixed side panels of the frame structure; figure 2 is a schematic plan view of the device in figure 1. figure 3 is a transversal cross-section view of the device according to the invention showing the unit formed by the oscillating air-filled barrier complete with side supports and the control mechanism of the rotary generator; figure 4 is a transversal cross-section view of the device according to the invention showing the unit formed by the lifting and rotating cylinder and by the two side supports fixing the central part of the frame on dry land; figure 5 is a transversal cross-section view of the device according to the invention showing the two side supports fixing the end of the frame on dry land; figure 6 is a transversal cross-section view of the

gear unit of the rotary generator in which the two gears, fitted internally with a "free wheel" fitted on each one with active rotation or opposing idle positions, enable rotation of the rotary generator in the same direction during oscillation of the barrier; figures 7 and 8 are longitudinal cross-section views of the oscillating air-filled barrier with stop ledges in the two directions with the relative control mechanism of the rotary generator; figure 9 is a longitudinal cross-section view of the barrier with the variation of having the rotary generator positioned higher up, -operated by an intermediate mechanism and with the variation of having the barrier and its air chamber positioned differently with respect to the fulcrum to obtain an orientation in an upstream direction even under normal buoyancy; figure 10 is a longitudinal cross-section view of the barrier in the vertical buoyancy position with the variation of having a linear generator, rather than a rotary one, installed, merely by way of an example, in a vertical position, showing, with a dotted line, the potential installability in a horizontal or intermediate position, too; figures 11 and 12 are longitudinal and transversal cross-section views of the oscillating barrier device consisting of a single piece of metallic material with the air chamber incorporated, having the lateral seal and fulcrum on the fixed side panels of the frame support and linear generator position on the vertical axis of the barrier;

figure 13 is a longitudinal cross-section view with the variation of having the barrier and its air chamber positioned differently with respect to the fulcrum to obtain an orientation in an upstream direction even under normal buoyancy. figures 14 and 15 are longitudinal cross-section views of the oscillating air-filled barrier with stop ledges in the two directions with the relative control mechanism of the linear generator; - figure 16 is a view like figure 13 in which the air chamber is an independent component fitted downstream of the metallic panel of the barrier; figure 17 is an operational hydraulic diagram in which a linear generator supplies a hydraulic motor that rotates an electric generator at a constant speed with a constant flow regulated by a hydropneumatic accumulator fitted at the outlet with the relative proportional valve piloted by the device for control of the rotational speed of the electric generator; figure 18 is an operational hydraulic diagram in which one or more linear or rotary generators supply a single hydraulic motor that rotates an electric generator at a constant speed with a constant flow, regulated as shown in Figure 17.

DESCRIPTION OF ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the figures, numeral 20 indicates an air-filled barrier device to produce Energy = Work = Force x Movement, by its oscillation caused by the movement of sea waves.

The oscillating barrier device 20 according to the

invention comprises a barrier 21, with a fulcrum 22 in the lower part to enable its oscillation, having an air chamber 23 which keeps it buoyant with the barycentre high up on the vertical with respect to the fulcrum. The fulcrum 22 of the barrier 21 also supports the barrier itself and acts as a lateral spacer for the barrier with respect to the side panels 24 of the fixed structure 25 of the frame 26.

The barrier may oscillate by the maximum predefined angle with a stop ledge 27 on the side panel 24 of the fixed structure 25 of the support frame 26.

The oscillating barrier may consist either of a single piece of plastic material 21 with, the air chamber 23 incorporated, fixed at the two sides by an oscillating side panel 28 having the lateral seal and the fulcrum on the fixed side panels 24 of the frame 25, or a single piece of metallic material 29, with the air chamber 23 incorporated, having the lateral seal and fulcrum directly on the fixed side panels 24 of the structure 30 of the frame 31, or a metallic panel 32 upstream 50 on which, downstream 51, the plastic storage tank 33 is fitted with the air chamber 23 incorporated.

The application of the cogged elements 34 for the rotation of the control gear 35 of the rotary generator or of the control coupling of the linear generator may be, for technical or constructional purposes, either at the centre or at the two ends of the barrier.

The hydraulic operation of an electric generator 36 is shown in Figures 17 and 18, in which one or more linear or rotary hydraulic generators, installed on one or more oscillating air-filled barrier devices, supply a hydraulic motor 37 that rotates an electric generator 36 at a constant speed with a constant flow regulated by one

or more hydropneumatic accumulators 38 fitted at the outlet with the relative proportional valve 39 piloted by the device 40 for control of the rotational speed of the electric generator 36. Many more linear or rotary hydraulic generators may be used and installed on several barriers providing they are hydraulically connected as shown in Figure 18. By adjusting the pressure of the compressed air in the accumulator 38 the resistance of the barrier to oscillation and the torque on the shaft of the hydraulic motor 37 are adjusted.

In order to maintain the rotation of the shaft of the hydraulic motor 37 constant with variations in the supply pressure, use may be made of a fixed. displacement or variable displacement motor 37 and an electric generator 36 with a variable output. The accumulators 38 are designed and pre-loaded with compressed air based on the flow and pressure produced by the rotary 42 or linear 43 hydraulic generators installed on the oscillating air- filled barrier devices 20. The opening and closing of the valve 39 is controlled in order to rotate the shaft on the electric generator 36 at the planned speed and if the speed remains low even with the complete opening of the valve 39 the power absorbed by the electric generator 36 is reduced proportionally. The aim of the check valves at the outlet from the accumulators 38 is to release oil and send it to the hydraulic motor 37, through valve 39, at a gradually decreasing pressure.

With reference, mainly, to Figures 1, 2, 3, 7, 8 and 9 it may be seen that the barrier 21 of the device 20 is formed, for its entire length, with a tubular shape with an almost rectangular cross-section to house an air chamber 23. It is constructed from a lightweight material

^

resistant to a marine environment (e.g. plastic material) and it is fixed at its two sides by an oscillating side panel 28 having the lateral seal and fulcrum on the fixed side panels 24 of the structure 25 of the frame 26. The fulcrum 22 lies in the lower part in order to position the barrier when buoyant in a vertical or sub- vertical position (ref. Figure 9) with a tendency towards the upstream side 50 (side of origin of the sea waves) .

The fulcrum 22 of the barrier 21 also forms the support 41 of the barrier itself and acts as a lateral spacer for the barrier with respect to the side panels 24 of the fixed structure 25 of the frame 26.

The .oscillating side panels 28 of the barrier rest on the supports 27 of the fixed side panels 24 of the frame when the maximum predefined angle is reached.

The upper part of the oscillating side panels is fitted, with the same fulcrum, with either a single or double crown wheel 34 to mate with either a single or double gear 35 operating the rotary generator 42 or the coupling pin of the operating rod of the linear generator 43.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention (ref. Figure 6) the rotary generator 42 is operated in the same direction of rotation despite the continuous reversal in direction of the oscillation of the barrier due to the fact that a "free wheel" operates inside each of the two gears with active rotation or opposing idle positions.

Another advantageous embodiment of the invention (ref. Figures 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16) is that in which the linear generator 43 produces, by means of an appropriate set of check valves 44 and 45, a one-way flow even in the presence of alternating movement due to the

oscillation of the barrier. In particular, with the set of check valves 45 the cylinder operates in differential areas during the entry of the rod.

According to the invention, the dimensions such as width and height of the barrier, the dimensions and the position of the air chamber in the barrier are proportional to the expected characteristics of the sea wave. With reference to Figure 13, it may be seen that the angles of inclination (α) and (β) of the sea bed beneath the barrier, upstream 50 and downstream 51 of the barrier, may be established in order to optimize the hydraulic thrust of the wave upstream 50 and that of the undercurrent downstream 51. The profile of the sea bed beneath the barrier may be formed as an integral part of the barrier's fixed support structure.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention (ref. Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5) the framework structure 26 on the ends of which the barrier device 20 is incorporated is able, by means of a hydraulic cylinder 46, to position the device 20 in the water at the planned height, and to lift and rotate the frame 26 to move the barrier device 20 to dry land to carry out checks and any maintenance.

According to an alternative and advantageous embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15, which is particularly useful in applications where the dimensions and stresses are greater, the barrier device 20 is constructed from a single tubular piece 29 with an almost rectangular cross-section to house an air chamber 23, having directly on the two sides the lateral seal and the fulcrum 22 on the fixed side panels 24 of the structure 30 of the frame 31.

The metallic material, with a low specific weight,

enables an easier application of the linear generator (and the rotary generator, too) on the centre line of the width of the barrier (ref . Figure 12) .

The complete support 30 of the barrier device 20 with the air chamber 23 is positioned in the water at the planned height and distance from the sea shore and it may ^¬ be slipped upwards to carry out any control or maintenance operations, whilst the four uprights of the frame 31 are fixed on the sea bed. In Figures 13, 14 and 15 the barrier 20 and its air chamber 23 are positioned differently with respect to the fulcrum 22 to obtain, under normal buoyancy, a sub- vertical- position of the barrier with a tendency towards, the upstream side 50 (side of origin of the sea waves) with the advantage of a greater angle of rotation of the barrier in a downstream direction 51 and a greater buoyancy force in the rotation from downstream 51 to upstream 50.

The same result of Figure 13 is obtained with the construction of the barrier 20 shown in Figure 16 in which the air chamber 23 is an independent component 33 fitted downstream 51 of the metallic panel 32 of the barrier 20.

Figure 4 shows a transversal cross-section of the device according to the invention formed by the lifting and rotating cylinder 46 and by the two side supports 47 fixing the central part of the frame 26 on dry land.

Figure 5 shows a transversal cross-section view of the device according to the invention formed by the two side supports 48 fixing the end of the frame 26 on dry land.

Figure 9 shows the barrier 20 with the variation of having the rotary generator 42 positioned higher up,

operated by an intermediate mechanism 49 and with the variation of having the barrier and its air chamber positioned differently with respect to the fulcrum to obtain an orientation in the upstream direction 50 even during buoyancy.

It will be understood that the invention described may be modified and adapted in several ways without departing from the scope of the inventive concept.

Moreover, all the details of the inventions may be substituted by technically equivalent elements.