WAVE MOTION ENERGY GENERATOR

The present invention relates to a wave motion energy of the type specified in the preamble of the first claim. Currently various energy generators are known, in particular of electric energy, from wave motion.

For example, there are generators based on the water leap of sea water during the wave motion, systems based on Archimedes principle, Pelamis generators, hollow buoy generators joined to the seabed, “surface attenuator” generators that exploit their internal deformation due to the wave motion, oscillating water column generators, which exploit the volume variation caused by the wave motion in a semi-closed space and many other systems.

The wave motion oscillating converters is also known, by the acronym OWSC

(Oscillating Wave Surge Converter). Said devices typically have a portion connected to the seabed or to a fixed structure and collect the energy from the relative movement of the wave motion with respect to the fixed structure. They therefore include systems that can be moved by waves such as floaters, fins or membranes.

A typical OWSC system consists of a hinged rectangular plate, along one of the four main sides, on the seabed or on a fixed structure.

The said plate moved alternatively clockwise and counter clockwise, around the said hinge, by the wave motion. An alternator is connected to the plate and receives energy from said rotation.

The known technique described comprises some important drawbacks. In particular, the said wave energy generators are very voluminous and problematic to install. In fact, they generally consist of very bulky structures which must be installed on the seabed.

In addition, the wave energy generators can be harmful to the natural environment and to water transport. In fact, their volume and their movement can constitute an im portant obstacle to them .

A further drawback is given by the fact that the wave motion energy generators do not have a high efficiency.

In this situation, the technical task at the base of the present invention is to devise a wave energy generator capable of substantially obviating at least part of the aforementioned drawbacks.

Within the scope of said technical task it is an important purpose of the invention to obtain a wave motion energy generator which is simple to install and also economical.

Another important purpose of the invention is to create a wave motion energy generator which is not harmful or hindering the natural marina environment and vessels.

Not the least purpose of the invention is to obtain a wave motion energy generator that has a high efficiency.

The technical task and the specified purposes are achieved by a wave motion energy generator as claimed in the annexed claim 1.

Preferred technical solutions are highlighted in the dependent claims.

The features and advantages of the invention are clarified below by the detailed description of preferred executions of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: The Fig. 1 schematizes a wave motion energy generator according to the invention in a first configuration;

The Fig. 2 schematizes a wave motion energy generator according to the invention in a second configuration;

The Fig. 3 is a wave motion energy generator according to the invention in a first configuration;

The Fig. 4 is a wave motion energy generator according to the invention in a second configuration; and

The Fig. 5 shows a portion of an example of construction of a wave motion energy generator according to the invention. In the present document, the measurements, values, shapes and geometric references (such as perpendicularity and parallelism), when associated with words like “about” or other similar terms such as “approximately” or “substantially”, are to be considered as except for measurement errors or inaccuracies due to production and/or manufacturing errors, and, above all, except for a slight divergence from the value, measurements, shape, or geometric reference with which it is associated. For instance, these terms, if associated with a value, preferably indicate a divergence of not more than 10% of the value.

Moreover, when used, terms such as “first”, “second'', “higher”, “lower”, “main” and

“secondary” do not necessarily identify an order, a priority of relationship or a relative position, but can simply be used to clearly distinguish between their different components.

Unless otherwise specified, as results in the following discussions, terms such as

“treatment”, “computing”, “determination”, “calculation”, or similar, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or similar electronic calculation device that manipulates and/or transforms data represented as physical, such as electronic quantities of registers of a computer system and/or memories in, other data similarly represented as physical quantities within computer systems, registers or other storage, transmission or information displaying devices.

The measurements and data reported in this text are to be considered, unless otherwise indicated, as performed in the International Standard Atmosphere ICAO

(ISO 2533:1975).

With reference to the drawings, the energy generator according to the invention is globally indicated with the number 1.

The generator 1 is subsequently described in structural terms considering its constituent parts following the modelling of construction science. With which it is intended that, for example, when there are references to hinges and rods, they allude the physical elements that have similar behavior to a rod and/or a hinge, in particular in a two-dimensional plane, but without any limitation regarding to the actual physical components used. For example, a hinge can be made of a plurality of joints, just like a rod, in terms of modelling, can refer to a bar, a beam or other elements suitable for, in this case, connecting hinges or others that have a its stiffness.

The generator 1 is in particular suitable for generating energy, preferably electrical, from the water wave motion, for example from the sea or the lakes. The energy generator 1 comprises, briefly, preferably, at least one floater 3, suitable for moving, in particular vertically, together with the water wave motion, energy transformation means 10, in particular suitable for transforming the mechanical energy into electric energy, and a transmission mechanism 2 from motion from said floaters 3 to said energy transformation means 10. The floater 3 comprises at least a body suitable for moving, in particular in the vertical direction, with the wave motion. Preferably, the floater 3 is suitable for floating on the surface of the water. It can therefore be composed of one or more elements in a low weight specific material or hollow elements similar to the buoys. The floaters 3 are preferably present in number of two, as detailed better subsequently.

The energy transformation means 10 preferably consist of an electric alternator, suitable for transforming mechanical energy into electric energy, preferably an alternator 11, preferably linear type, for example with permanent magnets. The alternator 11 preferably comprising a mobile portion 11a and a fixed portion 11b.

The fixed portion 11 b is preferably fixed with respect to the ground or seabed.

Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 5, the alternator is of the rotational type and the energy transformation means 10 include a second mechanism 12 to transform the motion from rectilinear to rotary. Such means are for example a toothed bar and a gear, connected to the mobile portion 11a of the alternator 11 in this rotational case. Or even, the means may consist of pulleys with reduction ratio of choice or more besides.

The transmission mechanism 2 preferably comprises a first support 4, a second support 5 and a third support 6. The first support 4, the second support 5 and the third support 6 preferably define similar shapes.

Preferably, the first support 4 extends mainly along a first support plane 4a.

The first support 4 is preferably connected to the energy transformation means 10, in particular, the first support 4 can be integral with the mobile portion 11a of the alternator 11. In correspondence with the energy transformation means 10 in addition preferably there is a sleeve 14, suitable for substantially exclusively allowing the translation, preferably in a horizontal direction, of the first support 4 with respect to the ground.

Furthermore, the first support 4 comprises at least two first hinges 40. The hinges 40 are preferably made of mechanical joints which allow other elements to connect in a complaint way. These mechanical joints may be bolting tools suitable for allowing preferably exclusively a degree of lability, in particular rotation around the hinge, to other elements.

Such first hinges 40 are, moreover, preferably reciprocally distanced, defining a first distance d'.

The first distance d’ is preferably defined along the first support plane 4a.

Furthermore, it is preferably constant, so the first support 4 defines a rigid rod.

Preferably, the third support 6 extends mainly along a third support plane 6a.

The third support 6 is preferably connectable to the lower portion, for example to the ground or to the seabed or to a similar structure.

The term lower, just like the term upper previously used, is defined in reference to the ground or seabed along the vertical direction defined, for example, by the acceleration of gravity.

Therefore, the third support plane 6a can be constituted by the interaction or by constraint plane between the third support 6 and the ground 3.

Furthermore, the third support 6 comprises at least two third hinges 60.

Also the third hinges 60, preferably, are made of mechanical joints which allow other elements to be connected in a compliant way. Such mechanical joints can be bolting tools suitable for allowing preferably exclusively a degree of lability, in particular the rotation around the hinge, to other elements. Such third hinges 60 are, moreover, preferably reciprocally spaced, defining a third distance d'''.

The third distance d''' is preferably defined along the third support plane 6a.

Furthermore, it is preferably constant, so the third support 6 defines a rigid rod. In addition, preferably, the distance d’ is congruent with respect to the first distance d''.

The second support 5 preferably extends along a second support plane 5a.

The second support 5 is preferably connected to the first support 4 and to the third support 6. Therefore, the second support plane 5a is comprised between the first support plane 4a and the third support plane 6a.

Furthermore, the second support 5 comprises at least two second hinges 50.

The second hinges 50, preferably, are made, like the others, of mechanical joints which allow other elements to be connected in a complaint way. Such mechanical joints can be bolting tools suitable for allowing preferably exclusively a degree of lability, in particular the rotation around the hinge, and other elements.

These second hinges 50 are, moreover, preferably reciprocally spaced defining a second distance d''.

The second distance d” is preferably defined along the second support plane 5a. Furthermore, it is preferably constant, therefore the second support 5 defines a rigid rod.

Preferably, the second distance d'' is not congruent to the first and third distance d’ and d''', but is lower compared to them.

For example, the second distance d” can be reduced, compared to the third distance d''' by at least 3%, more appropriately 5%. Furthermore, the second support 5 extends preferably beyond the second hinges

50 defining two connection points 52 external to said hinges 50 and preferably arranged along the second support plane 5a. In correspondence of the connection points 52, the second support 5 is preferably connected to rigid rods 3a, at the same time, connected to said floaters 30. The connection between the second support 5 and the rigid rods 3a is preferably rigid and without degrees of freedom.

The device 1 comprises the connection means 7.

The connection means 7 are preferably suitable for connecting the support 4, 5, 6.

They preferably define a connection plane 7a. The connection plane 7a is perpendicular to the third support plane 6a. It is therefore substantially perpendicular with respect to the ground 3 and vertically, with respect to the same ground, unite the supports 4, 5, 6.

The connection means 7 comprise at least two first rods 70 and two second rods

71. The first rods 70 are preferably substantially rigid. Furthermore, they each define a first connection direction 70a.

The first connection direction 70a corresponds with the dimension development of the rod 70 and therefore corresponds to its the axial direction.

Furthermore, the first connection direction 70a is not deformable. Preferably, the first rods 70 are suitable for constraining the first support 4 and the second support 5.

More in detail, the two first rods 70 are each constrained in a compliant way to a hinge 40 and to a second hinge 50 in such a way that the first connection directions 70a of the first rods 70 intersect in the connection plane 7a. In the same way, preferably, the second rods 71 are also rigid. Furthermore, they each define a second connection direction 71a.

The second connection direction 71a corresponds to the main development dimension of the rod 71 and therefore corresponds to its the axial direction. Furthermore, the second connection direction 71a is not deformable.

Preferably, the second rods 71 are suitable for constraining the second support 5 and the third support 6.

More in detail, the two second rods 71 are each constrained in a compliant way to a second hinge 50 and to a third hinge 60 in such a way that the second connection directions 71a of the second rods 71 intersect in the connection plane

7a.

The first rods 70 and the second rods 71 are preferably congruent to each other, but they could also be different.

The device 1 therefore defines, substantially, preferably overlapping, consequential and specular two similar object, at least in a free condition with respect to the second support plane 5a.

Such structures are given by first support 4, first rods 70 and second support 5 and by second support 5, second rods 71 and third support 6.

Such structures are, also, substantially similar to articulated quadrilaterals or “Chebyshev guides” that are used in the “rectilinear" portion when the lateral rods are crossed.

Furthermore, the supports 4, 5, 6 can be constituted or comprise a plurality of different structural elements. For example, the first support 4 can comprise a first support bar 41, the second support 5 can comprise a second support bar 51 and the third support can comprise a third support bar 61.

The support bars 41 , 51 , 61 preferably connect, in this configuration, rigidly respectively the hinges 40, 50, 60.

This configuration, can be used for mechanisms 2 that extend vertically in twodimensional manner, or rather mainly along the connection plane 7a and with two first rods 70 and two second rods 71.

In particular, the mechanism 2 can comprise side-by-side pairs of first rods 71 and second rods 71 connected to side-by-side pairs of support bar 41 , 51 , 61.

In this case the hinges 40, 50, 60 comprise the spacers suitable for connecting the pairs of support bars 41 , 51 , 61 and rods 70, 71 and the mechanism 2 is substantially made of two structures, as described in the previous configuration, side-by-side and constrained mirror-like. Alternatively, the mechanism 2 can comprise a first support plate, a second support plate and third support plate.

In detail, the first support 4 can comprise the first support plate, the second support 5 can comprise the second support plate and the third support can comprise the third support plate. The support plates are preferably coplanar with respect to the support planes 4a,

5a, 6a respectively and are suitable for connecting respectively the hinges 40, 50,

60. These support plates can also be connected by two first rods 70 and two second rods 71 , or by plurality of pairs of rods 70, 71.

The operation of the energy generator 1 previously described in structural terms is as follows. This operation defines a new energy generation process. The floaters 3 are arranged on the surface of the water and are connected, through the rods 3a to the transmission mechanism 2, in particular to the second support 5, along the connection points 52.

The transmission mechanism 2 is, at the same time, fixed to the ground. In particular, the third support 6 is constrained to a platform, to the seabed or similar.

The energy transformation means 10, in particular the alternator 11 , are connected to the mechanism 2, as previously described.

When the mechanism 2 is free from external stresses, if not its own force weight, it is in a centered configuration (Fig.1). In this configuration, the first support plane 4a, the second support plane 5a and the third support plane 6a are parallel to each other.

In the non-centered configurations, the mechanism 2 is, on the other hand, stressed, through the floaters 3 and the rods 3a, by the motion of the aquatic waves, in particular marine, and defines at least one shift, in particular in the vertical direction, of the connection points 52.

This displacement causes an inclination of the second support 5 which, at the same time, causes a translational shift, in particular horizontal, of the first support

4. Consequently, the mobile portion 11a of the alternator 11 is moved with respect to the fixed portion 11b, creating an electric current. The continuous shift and inclination, in different directions, of the second support

5, causes an alternating translational displacement of the first support 4 and a continuous activation of the alternator 11 and generation of electricity.

The energy generator 1 according to the invention achieves important advantages.

In fact, it is very simple and small in size. Furthermore, the energy generator 1 does not interfere the natural marine environment or the ships, being preferably arranged on the surface and being small in size.

Finally, the energy generator 1 has very advantageous levers which translate into considerable efficiency.

The invention is susceptible of variants falling within the scope of the inventive concept defined by the claim.

In this context, all the details can be replaced by equivalent elements and the materials, shapes and dimensions can be any.