A POWER GENERATION SYSTEM

Introduction The invention relates to a power generation system suitable for converting wave and/or wind energy into movement of a drive train. In particular, the invention relates to a power generation vessel suitable for converting wave and/or wind energy into movement of a drive train.

Energy is produced from a variety of sources such as fossil fuels, nuclear energy, solar energy, and water movement. Nowadays, fossil fuels and carbon represent the base of energy resources in terms of dependency. However, depletion and pollution are the biggest financial and environmental concerns for society.

The use of tidal and/or wave movement from the sea provides an energy source that is abundant and does not produce waste products that present pollution problems. Wave energy is a viable environmentally acceptable option since it comes indirectly from the sun via the wind. Wave energy is concentrated at the sea surface and decreases with depth below the surface. Near the surface, there is vigorous movement of water up and down and horizontally, and the pressure of water cyclically increases and decreases as waves move over a location.

Numerous prior art systems have been developed to harness the power of wave and/or wind energy. For example, German patent publication number DE 38 035 70 Al, ZELCK GERD, discloses a system that combines wind and wave driven generators in the same floating structure/device, but with no functional interaction between wind and wave devices. An encircling and connected array of wave overtopping devices is used to create a lagoon. Floating in the lee or shelter of the overtopping devices are a number of standard type horizontal axis wind turbines. However this German system does not generate power by vessel vertical and oscillatory motion.

US Patent Number US 4,993,348 discloses a conceptual design of a vessel for transport and sustainable living at sea. Much of the concept appears to be of doubtful efficacy, particularly the hydro-foil type mechanism. The vessel also incorporates

some type of vertical axis wind vane and it appears that it can be used both for propulsion as a sail and as a power generation system. A wave stream turbine is used to capture wave energy as the vessel moves. The design is not a stationary or moored hull and does not generate power from the vessel's vertical and oscillatory motion as induced by the action of the waves and the wind. It does not make the power generated on the vessel available to systems and end-users external to the vessel

US Patent Publication Number US 2006/261597 discloses a combination of submersible current generators mounted on redundant gas and oil platforms and oscillating buoys with some form of direct drive to submerged generators. It is not a stationary or moored hull, and it does not generate power from a vessel's vertical and oscillatory motion as induced by wave and wind forces on the hull.

PCT patent publication number WO 2007/142338 discloses a design of a catamaran type vessel using a wind energy converter to drive a propeller. Polar diagram are provided to indicate the effectiveness of the drive system. It appears in one embodiment that vertical axis wind turbines can be set, depending on the apparent wind angle to the vessel, either as sails, or allowed to spin and thereby indirectly drive a propeller type propulsion system. In an embodiment a venturi type opening is shown in the vessel's superstructure with the apparent intention of accelerating airflow through the superstructure whose energy can be captured and used. Another embodiment appears to use horizontal axis wind turbines on a catamaran type vessel to either generate power or provide propulsion. Another vessel places horizontal axis wind turbines on a float structure for power generation. While it appears that this design can generate power while stationary, it is not a single integral hull, and it does not generate power by vessel vertical and oscillatory motion as induced by wave and/or wind forces on the hull.

The elusive goal of designing an optimal wave energy capture device continues but with minimal success. Thus, a need still exists for a practical and economical system that will effectively accommodate variations in the wave energy source to provide an efficient wave energy conversion means to supply electrical power.

Statements of Invention

According to the invention, as set out in the appended claims, there is provided system of converting wave and/or wind energy into movement of a drive train comprising: a vessel, having a hull, for example a substantially cylindrical shaped hull, adapted to roll on water in response to wave and/or wind energy; and a mooring system, suitable for connecting the vessel with an anchor, the mooring system adapted to capture the relative movement between the vessel and the anchor in response to the rolling, pitching and/or vertical motion of the vessel on water, and convert the relative movement into movement of a drive train to generate electricity.

The advantage of the invention is that the vessel makes use of the oscillatory wave motion of water to capture the wave power by means of a vessel having a mechanical drive train. In addition the invention can make use of wind as a roll enhancing/amplifying energy input to maximise the rolling or oscillatory motion of the vessel, thereby generating energy by virtue of the rolling of the vessel. The shape of the hull is designed to give the vessel optimal roll characteristics in response to wave and/or wind energy.

Ideally, the vessel may additionally comprise a wind capture system capable of controllably presenting a variable wind heeling load to amplify the hulls rolling motion. In this manner, the hull rolling motion is amplified so as to amplify the relative motion between the vessel and the anchor, which increases the movement of the drive train.

Suitably, the wind capture system is adapted to amplify the hulls rolling motion by increasing the wind heeling load on the hull at a forward point of roll and decreasing the wind heeling load on the hull at an aft point of roll. The term "forward point of roll" should be understood to mean that position when the vessel is heeling to windward. The term "aft point of roll" should be understood to mean that position when the vessel is heeling to leeward. Generally, the variation of the wind loading on the hull is synchronised with the rolling of the hull. Thus, in one embodiment, the wind capture system is operatively connected to the mooring system or the drive train

such that the variation in captured wind heeling load on the hull is synchronised with the rolling of the hull.

In one embodiment, the wind capture system comprises a system of shutters or vanes in which wind heeling load on the hull is varied by opening and closing the shutters or moving the vanes potentially using a system of mechanical linkages or actuators or drives. Typically, the system of shutters/vanes is mounted on a mast(s) or structure(s). Ideally, the vessel comprises a plurality of such shutter/vane systems, each suitably mounted on a separate mast. As such, when a system of shutters or vanes mounted on a mast is employed, the mast (including the shutter/vane system) may be rotatable with respect to the vessel, or the system of shutters may be rotatable on the mast. In either case the shutter or vane can be controllably moved to present either it's full surface to the wind or just it's edge thereby altering the wind heeling load. Either way, the system of shutters may be rotated into a favourable orientation with respect to the wind direction. It will be appreciated that the shutter can be rotated.

In a preferred embodiment, the mooring system includes tensioning means for maintaining a tension on the mooring system as the vessel rises and falls in the water.

In one embodiment, the mooring system comprises a cable system comprising at least one cable operatively connected to the vessel and adapted for being fixed at least one end to the anchor, whereby the motion of the hull with respect to the cable actuates the drive train. Generally, the motion captured will be rolling and vertical movement, however other motion such as pitching will also be captured.

Suitably, at least one cable is directly connected to the vessel and is adapted to be restrained at each end by the anchor. Thus, in this manner the cable loops over the vessel and interacts directly with the drive train. In another embodiment, at least one cable is indirectly connected to the vessel through an intermediate connecting mechanism connecting at least one cable and the drive train. Various types of intermediate connecting mechanisms can be used, for example, a lever linkage and/or a four-bar linkage.

Ideally, the cable system is operatively connected to a cable tensioning means to maintain tension on the pulley as the vessel rises and falls.

In one embodiment, the cable tensioning means comprises a pulley whose axis of rotation is movable and which is biased to take up tension in the cable as a vessel falls, the pulley mounting assembly typically being operatively connected to an energy capture and transmission means to capture and transfer energy released as the pulley mounting assembly moves. Various types of energy capture and transfer means due to the linear movement of the pulley mounting assembly can be used, for example, a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, a mechanical linear drive mechanism and/or the potential energy of masses incorporated in the pulley assembly from which energy can be an output and be used to drive a generator.

In one embodiment, the energy capture and storage means is operatively connected to a drive train, typically the main drive train of the system.

Suitably, the cable tensioning pulley is biased by virtue of a weight or spring system or pressure settings in a pneumatic or hydraulic system.

In a preferred embodiment, the mooring system comprises at least two cable systems. Suitably, the drive train is mounted in the vessel intermediate at least two cable systems.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the system comprises an anchor which is suitably fixed with respect to the vessel. Typically, the anchor comprises a riser fixed to the sea bed and optionally fixed to the mooring system through a swivel adapted to swivel in response to orientation of the vessel in the water. Ideally, the mooring system tethers the vessel to the anchor at four corners of the vessel.

In one embodiment, the mooring system is adapted to bias the hull of the vessel into an orientation where it is beam-on to the wind.

Ideally, a section of a part of the hull intended to be underwater is semi-circular. However, other designs of hull which minimise resistance to rolling and/or which

optimises vessel roll characteristics can be used. Suitably, the profile of the hull is substantially half-cylindrical.

In one embodiment of the invention, the mooring system and/or the drive train comprise overload protection means to prevent an overload of power being transmitted between or along the mooring system and the drive train. Various types of spring or hydraulic dampening systems can be employed to provide power overload protection.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a system for converting wind and wave energy into electricity comprising a system according to the invention, and further comprising an electricity generator operatively connected to the drive train.

Typically, the system includes electrical power transmission means for transmitting electrical power from the vessel. Suitably, the electrical power transmission means comprises a cable and electrical slip ring assembly.

The invention also relates to a vessel suitable for forming part of the power generation system of the invention and comprising a vessel having a hull shaped to roll freely in response to the action of the wind and waves, and a wind capture system capable of controllably presenting a variable wind heeling load to amplify the hulls rolling motion.

Ideally, the wind capture system comprises wind heeling load variation means to amplify the hulls rolling motion by increasing wind heeling load on the hull at a forward point of roll and decreasing wind heeling load on the hull at a leeward point of roll.

Typically, the wind capture system is operatively connected to the mooring system or the drive train such that the changes in wind heeling load on the hull are synchronised with the rolling of the hull.

In one embodiment, the wind capture system comprises a system of shutters/vanes in which wind heeling load on the hull is varied by opening and closing the shutters/vanes. Suitably, system of shutters or vanes is mounted on a mast, wherein the vessel ideally comprises a plurality of shutter or vane systems, each mounted on a mast or structure.

In one embodiment, the wind capture system is rotatable with respect to the vessel.

Suitably, the vessel further includes a mooring system adapted for connecting the vessel with a fixed anchor, the mooring system adapted to capture the relative movement between the vessel and the anchor in response to the rolling, pitching and/or vertical motion of the vessel in the water and convert the relative movement into movement of a drive train.

In a further embodiment there is provided a drive train comprising a mechanical drive or a hydraulic system to capture the rolling motion of said vessel. In a further embodiment a hydraulic system can additionally be provided to also capture the vertical motion, with respect to the mooring system of said vessel. All mooring loads are transmitted to the vessel via a hinged frame restrained by a hydraulic or mechanical system. The frame is retained but free to pivot about the hinge such that as the vessel rises and falls vertically due to wave action mooring load variation is transmitted via the hinged frame to provide a reciprocating pumping type action to the hydraulic and/or mechanical system.

The invention also relates to a method of generating electricity comprising a step of positioning an electricity generation system according to the invention in a body of water exposed to wind and wave motion, and converting the wind and wave energy into electricity.

Brief Description of the Figures

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric projection of a power generation system according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric projection of the power generation system of

Figure 1; FIG. 3 illustrates a simplified two-view projection the power generation system of Figure 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a longitudinal axis cut down section-view of the power generation system of Figure 1 ;

FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric projection of a power generation system according to an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a simplified three-view projection of the power generation system of Figure 5;

FIG. 7 illustrates a power generation system according to another embodiment of the invention; FIG. 8 illustrates another power generation system of Figure 7;

FIG. 9 illustrates a power generation system according to a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates another power generation system of Figure 9; and

FIG. 11 illustrates a further embodiment of the power generation system of Figure 10.

Detailed Description of the Invention

A system for the conversion of wave and wind energy to electrical power is now described according to the invention. According to a first aspect in Fig 1 , the system comprises a vessel having a hull (1) of shape optimised for rolling motion under wave action. Optionally mounted on this hull are one or more masts or structures (2) on which in turn is mounted a rotational wind capture element or sail (3) capable of rotating about the vertical axis on the mast (2), or is mounted on the mast a wind capture device consisting of multiple slats, shutters or vanes (mounted either horizontally or vertically) capable of being opened or closed (4) so as to enable or impede air flow (as in Fig. 2, Fig 3 and Fig. 4).

In operation the vessel floats on water such that the hull is designed to lie abeam of the sea and at right angles to the prevailing direction of the wind. The vessel is

designed such that internal and external masses (5) act as: ballast to ensure the vessel does not invert; to provide a righting moment when the vessel rolls, to act as counterweights to the rigs heeling influence in the event of a wind capture system being mounted on the hull as described. The wind capture system is optionally used to maximise the hulls rolling motion by maximising wind heeling load at the forward or windward point of roll of the vessel (into the wind/waves) and maintaining that wind loading as the vessel rolls away from the wind. The wind capture system minimises wind heeling load at the leeward or aft point of roll (vessel is rolled away from the wind) and maintains that minimised wind loading as the vessel rolls to windward.

By operating the wind capture system in phase with rolling motion caused by wave action on the hull of the vessel, the vessel's angle of roll is thereby amplified by the dual action of wave energy and wind energy. The energy released by the waves, and potentially wind also, causing the rolling motion of the vessel and also its vertical motion, rise and fall, are captured by the vessel's mooring system and an associated onboard drive train. The anchoring system comprises a single riser (6) running from a seabed anchor to a swivel (7) above which point a system of multiple cables (8) runs up towards the vessel.

A first embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig 1, two cables are looped and held at the swivel (7) but in other embodiments more than two cables may be used. The cables (8) come inboard by running first over an outboard pulley (9) at each corner of the vessel and then over an inboard pulley (10) before looping under a pulley (11) attached via bearings to a weight (12) that can slide vertically in a linear slide (13) under the influence of varying cable tension. In the embodiment shown the cables motion relative to the vessels as it rolls, rises and falls causes the inboard pulleys (10) to rotate and the weight (12) to move. The rotational motion of the pulleys (10) is used to drive a generator via a drive train consisting of shafts, clutches, flywheels, gearboxes, and bearings (not shown). In the embodiment shown this drive train is shown schematically in its most basic form and additional complexity could be included in additional embodiments.

The inboard pulleys (10) are integral with and provide a torque to the upper drive shafts (14). Clutches, sprag clutches or ratchet elements (15) split the drive shaft (14)

so as to convert intermittent reciprocating rotary motion at the inboard pulleys (10) to unidirectional, but intermittent rotational motion at the upper drive shaft gears (16). In the embodiment depicted the upper shaft gears and lower shaft gear (17) combine to form a simple gear train driving the lower or main drive shaft (18) which in turn drives a flywheel (19) and generator (20).

Additional power is captured from the moving weight system (1 1) and is transferred to the main drive shaft (18) for transmission to the generator by means of a hydraulic system. In Figs 1 to 6 the variation in cable tension caused by the vessels rise and fall is taken up by a moving weight (12) as it slides in the linear slide system (13). As the vessels drops into a trough between the waves cable tension is reduced and the weight is lowered. As the vessel rises on a wave the cable tension is increased and the weight rises. The energy released by the movement of the weight is captured by a hydraulic cylinder (21). The cylinder is connected to a hydraulic motor (22) via a hydraulic pressure storage and hydraulic power transmission system. The hydraulic motor (22) is used to drive the main shaft (18) as required. A ratchet or clutch mechanism (23) between hydraulic motor (22) and shaft (18) is used to engage/disengage the hydraulic drive as required.

Electrical power is fed from the vessel via a heavy duty electrical slip ring with the electrical cable running through the centre of the swivel (7) as per existing rotary unions used in offshore oil sector technology.

Figs 5 and 6 illustrate another embodiment of the vessel according to the present invention. The mooring system cables are not brought on board via roller drive system but instead the cables are connected to linkage elements (24) and the motion of the vessel is transmitted to the power generation drive trains via these linkages. Suitable linkages such as lever type or four-bar linkages can be used to connect each cable to the onboard drive train and thence to convert vessel roll, rise and fall to rotational motion in the generator drive shaft. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 a lever type linkage (24) is used eliminate the requirement to bring the cables onboard as in shown in Figs 1 to 4. The lever is integral with the upper shaft (25) and causes it to rotate in a reciprocal manner as the upper shaft (14) in Embodiment 1. The drive train is similar to the previous embodiment in that clutches, sprag clutches or ratchet elements (15) in

the drive shaft (25) convert intermittent reciprocating rotary to unidirectional but intermittent rotational motion. A chain or belt drive (28) is used to connect the external shaft (25) with the inner upper shaft (26) (see Fig. 6). The inner upper shaft gears are similar to gears (16) described above and combine with each other and lower shaft gear (17) to form a simple gear train driving the lower or main drive shaft (18) which in turn drives a flywheel (19) and generator (20). As described above the inboard end of the lever element is connected to a chain or cable (27) that is used to raise or lower the weight (12) and thereby transfer power via the hydraulic system to the generator.

Fig. 7 shows another embodiment of the present invention. A vessel comprises a hull (30) of substantially cylindrical shape, or another suitable shape, designed to give the vessel optimal roll characteristics. Rigid mooring elements (31) at both ends of the vessel connect to the vessel anchor chain and combine to hold the vessel beam on to the waves. Part of the anchor chain or cable is rigid and acts as a lever to increase torque and conversion of relative movement into movement of the drive train to generate electricity. The reciprocating rotational motion of the hull generates a torsional load in the main shaft (35). This reciprocating torque and rotational motion is transmitted from the mooring element via the main shaft (35) to a uni-directional rotational coupling (32). The resultant cyclical but uni-directional rotation and associated torque is transmitted from the coupling (32) to a gearbox (33) and hence to a flywheel and generator (34) as the hull rolls in response to the wave action. Shaft supports including bearings and mountings, gearbox and generator mounting frames, known in the art, are not shown in the functional schematic Fig 7. The shaft (35) and its mounting system are designed to be of adequate strength to hold the vessel and simultaneously transmit the design output torque the hull generates as it rolls. One of the main advantages of this embodiment is the simplicity in the design as very few moving parts are required, thus increasing the robustness of the design, especially in harsh sea environments. This embodiment can be used with or without a wind energy capture system as described above.

Figure 8 illustrates a further embodiment of Figure 7 having a single generator (34). The twin upper shafts (35) are connected to a lower shaft (35a) via the gearboxes 33 and hence to the unidirectional couplings (32). The unidirectional shafts (35a) drive

the generator (34) via a further gearbox (33a) and flywheel (41). The advantage of this system is that a single generator can be used. Bearings (36) are shown on the main shaft (35).

Figure 9 illustrates a further aspect of the invention wherein the drive system shown in the embodiment in Fig 7 is mounted on a hinged frame (37), that is retained but free to pivot about a hinge (38), as shown. As the vessel rises and falls vertically due to wave action the mooring load variation on the main drive shaft (35) is transmitted via the frame (37) to provide a reciprocating pumping type action to the hydraulic piston (36). The main shaft (35) can be seen to be able to move in the slot in the hull in response to vessel vertical motion. This enables the device convert the vertical motion of the vessel into a hydraulic pressure and flow. The energy of the rolling motion of the vessel is converted to electrical energy as described above. As the vessel (30) rises and falls the hydraulic piston (36) translates the vertical movement into electrical energy via a hydraulic motor (42), flywheel (41a), and generator (34). In addition the apparatus of the invention is placed on a moving floor or base (37) that can pivot about a point (38) in response to the vertical motion. It will be appreciated the mooring loads will vary under different sea and wind conditions. Hydraulic circuit operational pressures can be adjusted to the mooring system mean load and amplitude to ensure optimal use of the mooring load differential in generating maximum displacement of the piston (36) and thereby optimal power generation. Springs, dampers, linear bearings and other restraining elements can be incorporated in the design as necessary to ensure the drive and mooring system is adequately stiff and robust to survive sea and wind conditions.

Figure 10 illustrates yet a further aspect of the invention wherein the vessel rolling motion is transmitted via the main shaft (35) for capture by a hydraulic pump (39) in combination with bearings (40). A hydraulic piston (36) captures the energy of the vessel moving in a vertical direction with respect to the water as in Fig. 9. Both hydraulic systems (39) and (36) feed via hydraulic circuits featuring reservoirs, unidirectional valves, pressure relief valves, accumulators and flow control valves to a hydraulic motor (42). The mechanical output from the hydraulic motor feeds drives the generator (34) via a flywheel to generate electricity. The embodiment shown in Fig. 11 shows a hydraulic system (39) to only capture energy of the rolling motion of

the vessel, as described above. It will be appreciated that the wind capture system used to increase the rolling motion of the vessel described with respect to Figures 1 to 6 can be incorporated in the vessel shown in Figures 7 to 11.

In other embodiments of the invention a rack and pinion, power screw, ballscrew, or some other form of linear drive may be used to convert linear movement of weights directly to rotational motion and thence provide rotational drive to an electrical generator without using a hydraulic system of power transmission.

In other embodiments springs are used in conjunction with weights, or on their own, as the energy storage medium for vertical displacement of the vessel. A spring and hydraulic system and/or spring and linear drive system are used in place of, or in conjunction with, a system of weights to capture energy associated with rise and fall motion of the hull.

Other embodiments may use multiple generators with the power captured from vessel vertical motion being used to drive generators other than the generator(s) used to capture power from the vessel's rolling motion.

Item No.

Hull 1

Mast 2

Vertical Axis Rotational Wind Capture Element 3

Horizontal Axis Rotational Wind Capture Element 4 External counterweight/keel 5

Single riser mooring component 6

Mooring System Swivel 7

Cables above swivel 8

Outboard pulley 9 Inboard pulley 10

Weight pulley 1 1

Weight 12

Weight linear slide 13

Upper drive shaft 14

Upper drive shaft clutch, sprag clutch or ratchet mechanism 15

Upper drive shaft gears 16

Lower drive shaft gear 17

Lower/main drive shaft 18

Flywheel 19

Generator 20

Hydraulic cylinder for weight movement energy capture 21

Hydraulic motor 22

Ratchet/clutch between hydraulic motor & main shaft 23

Lever linkage 2 ^nd embodiment 24

Upper outer shaft 2 ^nd embodiment 25

Upper inner shaft 2 ⁿ embodiment 26

Weight cable or chain 2 ^nd embodiment 27

Chain/belt drive connecting outer to inner upper shafts 2 ⁿ embodiment 28

Vessel 30

Mooring elements 31

Coupling 32

Gearbox 33 & 33a

First Flywheel 34

Shaft 35 & 35a

Hydraulic piston 36

Pivoting Frame/floor 37

Pivot point 38

Hydraulic pumping system 39

Bearings 40

Second Flywheel 41 & 41a

Hydraulic motor 42

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in construction and detail without departing from the spirit of the invention.