This invention relates to an installation for harvesting renewable energy. More particularly, this invention relates to an installation that is easy to install and maintain. Still more particularly, this invention relates to a configuration that can be implemented in installations for harvesting wind, wave and/or tidal energy.
Driven by high oil prices and/or increasing government support in incentives for driving the use of renewable energy, those skilled in the art are striving to invent ways of scavenging natural resources such as wind, waves, sunlight and etc which are perpetually available.
One type of installation for harvesting energy of sea waves is provided in US publication number US 2007/0158950 A1 (published on 12 Jul. 2007). In this installation, the energy of sea waves is converted to mechanical power after impacting and moving a special panel. The mechanical power is then converted into electrical energy via a complex hydraulic system which is submerged in the water. This is undesirable as maintenance work would be costly and difficult to be carried out since the critical part of the installation which is the complex hydraulic system is submerged in the water. Further, this installation can only be used for harvesting energy of sea waves.
Another type of installation for harvesting energy of sea waves is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 6,857,266 granted on 22 Feb. 2005. In this installation, a point absorber wave energy converter is implemented which comprises at least two buoys floating which are linked together by one or more suspended bodies. Relative movements between the at least two buoys in response to passing waves effects an energy transfer to the one or more suspended bodies. Similar to US publication number US 2007/0158950 A1, this is a complex system and is costly to build and install. See specifically FIGS. 3-6 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,857,266. Again, this installation can only be used for harvesting energy of sea waves.
A common type of installation for harvesting wind energy is the use of wind turbine. The most common type is a wind turbine as shown in US publication number US 2007/0243063 A1 (published on 18 Oct. 2007). Such installations are typically very large and tall and are hence costly. Further, as shown in FIG. 7 of US publication number US 2007/0243063 A1, a special service vessel is required when doing maintenance work on the installation.
Thus, those skilled in the art are constantly striving to design an improved method and apparatus that can be used for harvesting different types of renewable energy that is cost effective to build and install, and easy to maintain.
The above and other problems are solved and an advance in the art is made by an installation for harvesting energy in accordance with this invention. A first advantage of an installation in accordance with this invention is that the installation can be easily transported and installed. A second advantage of an installation in accordance with this invention is that the installation can be used for harvesting different types of renewable energy. A third advantage of an installation in accordance with this invention is that the installation is easy to maintain which in turn translate to cost savings.
In accordance with embodiments of this invention, an installation for harvesting energy is provided as follows. The installation comprises a first part having a first harvest point, a weight element and a first connecting element, a second part having a second harvest point and a second connecting element, and a harvesting means connectable between the first harvest point and the second harvest point. The first connecting element and second connecting element are freely connectable to each other, thereby allowing the first part and second part to move relative to each other, translating kinetic energy between the first harvest point and second harvest point to the harvesting means. In accordance with some of these embodiments, the weight element is of a certain amount of mass to drive the first connecting element to the second connecting element to maintain connection. Further, the first connecting element has a rounded bottom and the second connecting element is formed of a bowl like structure configured to receive the first connecting element.
In accordance with embodiments with this invention, the first connecting element extends from the weight element and the first harvest point is located at a point of a perimeter defined by the weight element. Preferably, the first connecting element extends out from a central axis of the weight element. In accordance with some of these embodiments, the second part further comprises a floatable platform defining a perimeter and an upright between the floatable platform and the second connecting element. The second harvest point is located at a point of said perimeter. The bowl like structure of the second connecting element is adapted to allow several degrees of freedom of movement for the first connecting element such that, in use, the first part and second part move relative to one another in response to wave movements, translating lateral movement between the first harvest point and the second harvest point. In accordance with some of these embodiments, the installation further comprises N first harvest points distributed along the perimeter of the weight element, N second harvest points distributed along the perimeter of the floatable platform, and N harvesting means, wherein N is equal to or greater than 2. In accordance with some of these embodiments, the N first harvest points is evenly distributed along the perimeter of the weight element and the N second harvest points is evenly distributed along the perimeter of the floatable platform. Preferably, the floatable platform is configured to certain dimension with certain buoyancy to prevent from installation from toppling into the water.
In accordance with embodiments with this invention, the first part may further comprise an upright extending from the first connecting element and a bracket secured to the upright wherein the first harvest point is located on the bracket. Preferably, the bracket is secured proximate a tip of said upright. The second part may further comprise a floatable platform defining a perimeter. The floatable platform has an indentation to receive the bowl like structure of the second connecting element, wherein the second harvest point is located at a point of the perimeter of the floatable platform. In accordance to some of these embodiments, the bowl like structure of the second connecting element is adapted to allow several degrees of freedom movement for the first connecting element such that, in use, the first part and second part are allowed to move relative to one another in response to wave movements, translating lateral movement between the first harvest point and second harvest point. In accordance to some of these embodiments, the installation may include N first harvest points about the bracket, N second harvest points distributed along the perimeter of the floatable platform, and N harvesting means, wherein N is equal to or greater than 2. The N first harvest points are evenly distributed about the bracket and the N second harvest points is evenly distributed along the perimeter of the floatable platform. In accordance to some of these embodiments, the floatable platform is configured to certain dimension with certain buoyancy to prevent the installation from toppling into the water.
In accordance with embodiments with this invention, the first part may further comprise a sail element and an extension connecting the sail to the first connecting element. The sail element includes a frame having a top bar, a bottom bar and a vertical bar, and a sail secured to the frame, wherein an end of the top bar is connected to the extension. The second part may further comprise an upright having a top end and a bottom end, wherein the second connecting element extends from the top end of the upright. Preferably, the bottom end of the upright is anchored to earth. In accordance to some of these embodiments, the second part may further comprise a weight element of certain mass for said second part to support said first part. Preferably, the first harvest point is located at an end of the bottom bar of the frame and the second harvest point is located proximate bottom end of the upright. In accordance to some of these embodiments, the installation may further comprise a number of frames. Preferably, each of the frames is evenly distributed about the upright to provide a balanced wind turbine.
The above and other features and advantages in accordance with this invention are described in the following detailed description and are shown in the following drawings:
a illustrating a side view of an installation 100 for harvesting renewable energy in accordance with an embodiment of this invention;
b illustrating an exploded view of the installation 100 for harvesting renewable energy in accordance with an embodiment of this invention;
a illustrating a side view another installation 200 for harvesting renewable energy in accordance with an embodiment of this invention;
b illustrating an exploded view of the installation 200 for harvesting renewable energy in accordance with an embodiment of this invention;
a illustrating a side view yet another installation 300 for harvesting renewable energy in accordance with an embodiment of this invention;
b illustrating an exploded view of the installation 300 for harvesting renewable energy in accordance with an embodiment of this invention;
This invention relates to an installation for harvesting renewable energy. More particularly, this invention relates to an installation that is easy to install and maintain. Still more particularly, this invention relates to a configuration that can be implemented in installations for harvesting wind, wave and/or tidal energy.
The invention is hinged on utilizing the confluence points of two gigantic natural forces, namely, Gravity of Earth and Celestial Mechanism to harvest renewable energy. In this invention, the two natural forces meet at two concretized physical points and from there, expands to an installation having a Gravity of Earth Device (i.e. a first part) and a Celestial Mechanism Device (i.e. a second part). Both devices act concertedly in taming the natural forces for harvesting energy.
This invention relates to an installation that includes a first part, a second part and a harvesting means. The first part includes a first connecting element and a first harvest point and a weight element while the second part includes a second connecting element and a second harvest point.
The first part may be defined as a re-active part being affected by earth gravitational pull. Alternatively, the first part may be anchored directly to earth. The second part may be defined as an active part being caused to move by forces of nature such as wind, wave and etc. One skilled in the art will recognize that the first part and second part are interchangeable in their function and hence, the second part may also be defined as the active part while the first part is defined as the re-active part without departing from the invention.
First part and second part are different in mass. The first part and second part will respond concertedly in response to renewable energy such as wind, wave or tidal impacting on the installation. In particular, the first part and the second part are caused to move relative to one another in response to renewable energy impacting on the installation. The harvesting means is connected between the first harvest point and second harvest point to harvest energy produced due to relative movement between the first part and second part in response to renewable energy such as wind or wave impacted on the installation. One such energy produced by the relative movement between the first part and the second part is kinetic energy. The harvesting means is any systems that can be used for converting kinetic energy to electricity such as a hydraulic system, a pneumatic system, a mechanical system, a piezoelectric system or an electrical system. Some exemplary embodiments to this invention will be described below.
a, 1b and 3-4 show an embodiment of an installation 100 for harvesting renewable energy in accordance with an embodiment of this invention. Installation 100 comprises a first part 110, a second part 120 and a harvesting means 130. The first part 110 of installation 100 comprises a first connecting element 112, at least one first harvest point 117 and a weight element 118. The second part 120 of installation 100 includes a second connecting element 122, at least one second harvest point 127, a floatable platform 126 and an upright 124 connecting floatable platform 126 to second connecting element 122.
First connecting element 112 protrudes from a central axis, X, as shown in
As shown in
Harvesting means 130 is any systems that can be used for converting kinetic energy to electricity such as a hydraulic system, a pneumatic system, a mechanical system, a′ piezoelectric system or an electrical system. Although harvesting means 130 is shown as connected to second harvest point 127 by wire 132, one skilled in the art will recognise that harvesting means 130 may also be directly connected to second harvest point 127 without wire 132 and the exact configuration is left as a design choice for the skilled in the art. Further, harvesting means 130 is also configured to control the tension of the wires 131 and 132 in order to secure the first part 110 to second part 120.
To assemble installation 100, a first open end of wire 131 is connected to first part 110. Specifically, the first end of each of the N wires 131 is connected to one of the first harvest points 117. First part 110 is then raised and adjusted to a location such that the rounded bottom 114 of the first connecting element 112 is over bowl like structure of the second connecting element 122. First part 110 is lowered so that first connecting element 112 rest on second connecting element 122. The second end of each of the N wires 131 is then connected to a first end 133 of one of the N harvesting means 130 while a second end 134 of the harvesting means 130 is connected directly to one of the second harvest points 127 or via wire 132. As shown in
Floatable platform is configured to certain dimension with certain buoyancy such that, in use, movement of floatable platform in response to wave movements is able to prevent the installation 100 from toppling into the water.
a, 5b and 6-8 show an embodiment of an installation 200 for harvesting renewable energy in accordance with another embodiment of this invention. Installation 200 comprises a first part 210, a second part 220 and a harvesting means 230. The first part 210 of installation 200 includes a first connecting element 212, at least one first harvest point 217 and an upright 215. The second part 220 of installation 200 includes a second connecting element 222, at least one second harvest point 237 and a floatable platform 226.
Each of the N harvesting means 230 is connected between each pair of first and second harvest points 217 and 237 by wires 231 and 232. As shown in
Harvesting means 230 is any systems that can be used for converting kinetic energy to electricity such as a hydraulic system, a pneumatic system, a mechanical system, a piezoelectric system or an electrical system. Although harvesting means 230 is shown as connected to second harvest point 237 by wire 232, one skilled in the art will recognise that harvesting means 230 may also be directly connected to second harvest point 237 without wire 232 and the exact configuration is left as a design choice for the skilled in the art.
Second connecting element 222 is in a shape of a bowl, configured to receive first connecting element 212 as shown in
To assemble installation 200, a first open end of wire 231 is connected to first part 210. Specifically, a first open end of each of the N wire 231 is connected to one of the mounting members 241. First part 210 is then raised and adjusted to a location such that first connecting element 212 is over second connecting element 222. First part 210 is lowered so that first connecting element 212 rest on the inner surface of second connecting element 222. The second end of each of N wire 231 is then connected to a first end 233 of one of N harvesting means 230 while a second end 234 of the harvesting means is connected directly to one of the second harvest points 237 or via wire 232.
Floatable platform is configured to certain dimension with certain buoyancy such that, in use, movement of floatable platform in response to wave movements is able to prevent the installation 200 from toppling into the water.
In installations 100 and 200, the harvesting means are located near the floatable platform. This allows maintenance works on the harvesting means to be safely carried out.
a, 9b and 10-11 show another embodiment of an installation 300 for harvesting renewable energy in accordance with an embodiment of this invention. Installation 300 comprises a first part 310, a second part 320 and a harvesting means 330. The first part 310 of installation 300 includes a first connecting element 312 and at least one sail element 313. The second part 320 of installation 300 includes a second connecting element 322, at least one first harvest point 327 and an upright 324.
Second connecting element 322 extends from a top end of upright 324. Upright 324 is connected to a plate 325. One skilled in the art will recognize that plate 325 may be any geometric shape as long as plate 325 contains enough mass in order for second part 320 to support first part 310. Alternatively, upright 324 may be anchored directly to earth.
Sail element 313 includes N frames having a top bar 314, a vertical bar 316 and a bottom bar 317. Vertical bar 316 extends between top bar 314 and bottom bar 317. Each of the frames holds a sail 319. An extension 311 is provided between first connecting element 312 and an end 329 of top bar 314. As shown in
Harvesting means 330 is any systems that can be used for converting kinetic energy to electricity such as a hydraulic system, a pneumatic system, a mechanical system, a piezoelectric system or an electrical system.
To assemble installation 300, first part 310 is raised and adjusted to a position such that first connecting element 312 is over second connecting element 322. First part 310 is then lowered so that first connecting element 312 rests on second connecting element 322. The harvesting means 330 is connected to the second harvest point 327. Each of the first harvest points 318 is then connected to the harvesting means 330.
In installation 300, the harvesting means 330 is located near ground level. This allows maintenance works on the harvesting means to be safely carried out.
The above is a description of exemplary embodiments of an installation for harvesting renewable energy in accordance with this invention. It is foreseeable that those skilled in the art can and will design alternative systems based on this disclosure that infringe upon this invention as set forth in the following claims.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/SG2012/000198 | 6/1/2012 | WO | 00 | 11/26/2014 |