The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for pressurizing fluid using the weight of a tidal body of water, and more particularly relates to using the pressurized fluid to generate electricity.
Much electricity is generated from fossil fuels but these fuels are not renewable and the generation process causes significant environmental pollution, more environmentally friendly ways of generating Electricity include, harnessing the power of the wind, using solar energy, and harnessing the power of the sea.
Wind may be used to drive wind turbines and these turbines have low maintenance and cause low pollution, construction costs though are generally higher per watt generated than with conventional fossil fuel power plants.
The energy of the sun may be captured by solar panels, solar panels generally require small-scale power generators and large numbers of them are required to produce a significant amount of electricity entailing high costs.
Solar energy cells are very unreliable because of night stops and the efficiency drops significantly when the sun is not shining on them, the glass covers of the cells can require continuous cleaning to ensure the efficient collection of solar rays, replacing the panels due to breakage caused by high winds, hail, etc adds to the cost of using solar power.
One way of generating power from the sea is to use the waves to oscillate floating buoys wherein the oscillation of the buoys is used to drive generators another way involves using waves to drive hydraulic rams in floating cylinders, the rams pump oil through hydraulic motors and they drive generators inside the cylinders, further way involves having oscillating seawater in a column wherein as the sea rises it pushes air or another fluid in the column above it and this movement of fluid drives an electrical generator at the top of the column, these systems are small scale and would require a large number of them to produce a significant amount of electricity.
Another way of generating power from the sea uses a wave focusing system wherein waves breaking on the shore are channeled via a plurality of channels into a reservoir and as the water flows back out of the reservoir the water drives generators connected to the channels.
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing energy {Electricity, Water Desalination (potable water) etc} using sea Tidal Body of Water weight (Green Energy Source), by the fast filling and emptying of one or a plurality of containers to pressurize the fluid in the plurality of cylinders, or one to pressurize a turbine or water Desalination or to thereby rotate a crank shaft of engines to generate green energy, and more particularly relates to using the tidal sea water to generate electricity
All the above systems generate power in real-time whilst the sea is moving, and not necessarily when the power is required.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus to produce continues Green Energy 24 hours a day and night and alleviate the above-mentioned problems.
According to one aspect of the present invention
There are two methods of pressurizing fluid using a tidal body of water, described in this patent comprising the steps of (
1) The Floating Tanks Method apparatuses,
Described in this patent comprising the steps of;
(a) providing a main reservoir separated from the tidal body of water;
(b) Providing a floating container floating in the main reservoir;
(c) Siphoning water from the floating container so that the floating container rises as a consequence of buoyancy;
(d) Replenishing the floating container with water from the tidal body of water when a surface of the tidal body of water is higher than a surface of water in the floating container so that the floating container falls as a consequence of its reduced buoyancy; and
(e) Reciprocating a piston and cylinder arrangement by means of a physical connection between the floating container and the piston and cylinder arrangement so as to pressurize fluid by means of the piston and cylinder arrangement ‘or rotate generator shaft this is repeated on continuous bases.
The difference between the low and high tide levels of the tidal body of water varies according to location and where the tidal body of water is a sea the range is between 1 and 4 meters. The method is able to pressurize fluid across this range.
By harnessing the tidal movement of the body of water, the method is able to provide a clean source of pressurized fluid. As the floating container can hold a large weight of water when it is replenished and the cross-sectional area of the cylinder containing the piston is relatively small, high pressure is achieved forming a concentrated source of power.
The pressurized fluid may be water and the method preferably includes supplying the pressurized fluid to a device.
The device may comprise turbine means and the method includes generating electricity with the turbine means. Thus, the method can provide a clean source of electricity.
Alternatively, the device may comprise reverse osmosis equipment and the method includes using the pressurized fluid when it is water to produce potable water, Existing reverse osmosis equipment may require motorized pumps to supply pressurized water but these motors are not required for the above method.
Fluid may be drawn into the cylinder as the floating container rises.
Step (e) of the method may include operating valve means to control entry and exit of fluid to and from the cylinder, this enables pressurized fluid to be supplied when it is required.
The floating container may be connected to one of the piston and the cylinder so as to move up and down therewith or rotate a generator shaft.
Alternatively, the floating container may be connected to one of the piston and the cylinder by a lever and moves up and down in opposition to the floating container.
Step (e) of the method may include drawing water into the cylinder from the floating container as the floating container rises.
Step (c) may include siphoning water from the floating container into a siphoned water reservoir. The method may include a further step of transferring water from the siphoned water reservoir to the tidal body of water when a surface of the water in the siphoned water reservoir is higher than the surface of the tidal body of water, water leaving a said device supplied with pressurized water may be supplied to the siphoned water reservoir.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for pressurizing fluid using a tidal body of water, comprising:
A main reservoir arranged to be separated from the tidal body of water;
A floating container floating in the main reservoir,
Siphoning means to siphon water from the floating container so that the floating container rises as a consequence of buoyancy;
Replenishing means for replenishing the floating container with water from the tidal body of water when a surface of the tidal body of water is higher than a surface of water in the floating container so that the floating container falls as a consequence of its reduced buoyancy; and a piston and cylinder arrangement with a physical connection to the floating container, wherein the piston and cylinder arrangement is reciprocated via the physical connection so as to pressurize fluid by means of the piston and cylinder arrangement.
After construction costs, the apparatus can provide pressurized fluid at very low cost.
The apparatus may include a plurality of piston and cylinder arrangements.
The apparatus may include a plurality of fluid pressurizing systems connectable to a device wherein each system comprises the main reservoir, the floating container and the piston and cylinder arrangement, and the pressurized fluid from at least one of the systems is arranged to be supplied to the device.
Controlling means may be provided to control the flow of pressurized fluid from any of the fluid pressurizing systems to provide a regular flow of pressurized fluid to the device, the device may comprise turbine means for generating electricity from the supplied pressurized fluid, the device may comprise reverse osmosis equipment for producing potable water from the supplied pressurized fluid when the supplied pressurized fluid is water.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of generating electricity from a tidal body of water, comprising the steps of
(a) providing a main reservoir separated from the tidal body of water;
(b) Providing a floating container floating in the main reservoir, the floating container connected to a first part of a lever;
(c) Siphoning water from the floating container so that the floating container rises as a consequence of buoyancy;
(d) replenishing the floating container with water from the tidal body of water when a surface of the tidal body of water is higher than a surface of water in the floating container so that the floating container falls as a consequence of its reduced buoyancy; and
(e) moving a second part of the lever up and down in opposition to the floating container so as to drive a dynamo means to produce electricity.
According to a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for generating electricity from a tidal body of water, comprising:
Replenishing means for replenishing the floating container with water from the tidal body of water when a surface of the tidal body of water is higher than a surface of water in the floating container so that the floating container falls as a consequence of its reduced buoyancy; and dynamo means connected to a second part of the lever, wherein the second part is arranged to be moved up and down in opposition to the floating container so as to drive the dynamo means to produce electricity.
Another aspect of the patent is to use another apparatus design but with the same patent principals and ideas (
An alternative to the present invention provides system for generating green energy from a tidal body of water, the system comprises a tank located at approximately a high tide level and configured to receive and be filled with sea water when the tide is high; first and second normally-closed tank valves (
After construction costs, the apparatus can provide Electricity and fresh water and Energy at very low cost.
Elements in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale in order to enhance their clarity and improve understanding of these various elements and embodiments of the invention.
Furthermore, elements that are known to be common and well understood to those in the industry may not be depicted in order to provide a clear view of the various embodiments of the invention; thus the drawings are generalized in form in the interest of clarity and conciseness
(
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings (SHORT DRAWINGS DESCRIPTION AND FULL DESCRIPTION FURTHER DOWN), in which:
Referring to
The floating container 5 is connected to a piston 10 in a cylinder 11 via a lever 12 that is pivoted about a pivot 13. The lever 12 has first and second lever portions 14, 15 on respective sides of the pivot 13. The floating container 5 is connected to the distal end of the first lever portion 14 by a joint 16. The piston 10 has a piston shaft 17 that extends out of the cylinder 11 and the distal end of 25 the piston shaft 17 is connected by a joint 18 to the distal end of the second lever portion 15. There is a first port 19 on one side of the cylinder 11 and a second port 20 on the opposite side of the cylinder 11 with both ports 19, 20 being proximate the top of the cylinder 11. A piston cylinder floating container conduit 21 extends from the first port 19 into the floating container 5. A piston cylinder turbine conduit 22 connects the second port 20 to an entrance to a turbine means 23. A turbine exit conduit 24 extends from an exit from the turbine means 23 to the top of the siphoned water reservoir 7.
The siphoning conduit 6, the siphoned water reservoir exit conduit 8, the replenishing conduit 9, the piston cylinder floating container conduit 21 and the piston cylinder turbine conduit 22, each have a respective control valve 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d, 25e and these are controlled by a control system 29 (shown in
In use, the floating container 5 is filled with water and floats in the main reservoir 3. This may be by opening the replenishing conduit valve 25c when the tidal body of water 2 is towards or at high tide level. The siphoned water reservoir 7 contains enough water so that either end of the siphoning conduit 6 is in water and the surface of the water in the siphoned water reservoir 7 is at a lower level than the surface of the water in the floating container 5. The end of the piston cylinder floating container conduit 21 distal from the cylinder 11 is in the water in the floating container 5. All the control valves 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d, 25e are closed (see
The siphoning conduit and the piston cylinder floating container conduit valves 25a, 25d are then both opened (see
The siphoning conduit and the piston cylinder floating container conduit valves 25a, 25d are both then closed and the replenishing conduit valve 25c opened when the tidal body of water 2 is towards or at high tide level which is higher than the surface of water in the floating container 5 (see
The floating container 5 is replenished with water from the tidal body of water 2 so that the floating container 5 falls as a consequence of its reduced buoyancy as does the siphoning conduit 6. The water in the cylinder 11 above the piston 10 is compressed as the floating container 5 falls and the piston cylinder turbine conduit valve 25e is opened so that pressurized water is forced through the piston cylinder turbine conduit 22 to drive the turbine means 23 and generate electricity.
Thus, the apparatus 1 produces pressurized water from a tidal body of water 2. As the weight of water in the floating container 5 may be thousands of tones and the cylinder 11 has a relatively small cross-sectional area, high pressure is achieved. Water exiting from the turbine means 23 enters the siphoned water reservoir 7 via the turbine exit conduit 24.
When the tidal body of water 2 subsequently lowers to a low tide level, the surface of the water in the siphoned water reservoir 7 is higher than the surface of the tidal body of water 2 (
The siphoned water reservoir exit conduit valve 25b is opened so that water in the siphoned water reservoir 7 drains into the tidal body of water 2.
A modified apparatus is illustrated in
Referring to
When water is siphoned from the floating container 42, the piston 44 is raised in the cylinder 45 sucking water into the cylinder 45 from the floating container 42 (
A water pressurizing system 50 is illustrated in
Referring to
The apparatus 60 is arranged to provide a regular flow of pressurized 15 water to the turbine means 23. This may be done by siphoning water from the floating container in the water pressurizing system 50 so that the floating container rises causing the system 50 to provide pressurized water. Water is then siphoned from the floating container in the water pressurizing system 50′ so that the floating container rises causing that system 50′ to provide 20 pressurized water. Thus, where there are a plurality of water pressurizing systems, each system is operated sequentially so that a regular flow of pressurized water is supplied to the turbine means 23.
Any suitable arrangement of conduits may be used to connect the floating containers to the turbine means 23, to siphon water from the floating containers 25 and to replenish the floating containers.
Referring to
Each water pressurizing system 72 has four piston cylinders 76 and the outlet from each system 72 is connected to the turbine means 23. The turbine exit conduit 24 extends from the turbine means 23 to the siphoned water reservoir 7 and water stored therein can be returned to the tidal body of water 2 at low tide. The control system, siphoning and replenishing conduits, and conduits between the water pressurizing systems 72 and the turbine means 23 are omitted for clarity. Each water pressurizing system 72 is operated sequentially to provide a regular flow of pressurized water to the turbine means 23.
In a specific example, the high tide storage reservoir 27 has a length of 50 m and a width of 30 m, the enclosure 73 has a diameter of 30 m, the floating Container 74 and main reservoir 75 of each water pressurizing system 72 have respective diameters of 4.5 m and 5 m. The siphoned water reservoir 7 has a 15 length of 30 m and a width of 20 m.
Whilst particular embodiments have been described, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
Elements in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale in order to enhance their clarity and improve understanding of these various elements and embodiments of the invention.
Furthermore, elements that are known to be common and well understood to those in the industry may not be depicted in order to provide a clear view of the various embodiments of the invention; thus the drawings are generalized in form in the interest of clarity and conciseness.
Water pressurized & bicycle Dynamo operated using Prototype apparatus above with upper tank as High Tide Reservoir and the Floor as the Low tide Reservoir 1sT trial tests
In the following discussion that addresses a number of embodiments and applications of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. However, any single inventive feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or only address one of the problems discussed above. Further, one or more of the problems discussed above may not be fully addressed by any of the features described below. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. While particular embodiments have been described, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
A) The Floating Tank Apparatuses See (
In another modification illustrated in
Storage reservoir 27 may have a length of between 1000 m-2000 m, a width of Between 250 m-500 m, and the wall of the reservoir 27 may be at a height of between 1 m-2 m above the maximum high tide level.
In a further modification, the siphoned water reservoir exit is connected to a second reservoir, similar to the high tide storage reservoir 27 and of a similar size to the second specific example of the reservoir 27. The second reservoir is connected to the tidal body of water by at least a single one way valve that prevents water from entering the second reservoir when the level of the tidal body of water is above the valve and the level of water in the second reservoir is approximately the same as the tidal body of water at a low tide level. Water may drain from the second reservoir to the tidal body of water via the one way valve when the tidal body of water at a low tide level. The second reservoir may replace the siphoned water reservoir 7.
The system comprises a tank located at approximately a high tide level and configured to receive and be filled with sea water when the tide is high (
All of the above Green Energy apparatuses and methods and systems can be placed miles away from the sea front where a cheaper land can be used for the green energy stations buy making two channels connected to the sea using sliding doors (DIGITAL CONTROL DOORS OR ONE WAY VALES as described above), between the channels and the sea
Both of the above channel depths are independent of the sea level.
In-between these two channels the green energy station will be placed at depth of its floor is deeper (say one meter lower level than the sea low tide level) than the SEA LOW TIDE LEVEL and that's what will make all the water collected after the lower tank open its valves on the low tide level and empty its water level of tank (7)
Using ONE way valves or sliding digital control doors) on both storage tanks INN & OUT and Digitally controlled valves with all other controls of the Station & its controllers it should be noted that the ground level above high tide level at least 1 m or more
In the following discussion that addresses a number of embodiments and applications of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. However, any single inventive feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or only address, one of the problems discussed above. Further, one or more of the problems discussed above may not be fully addressed by any of the features described below. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. While particular embodiments have been described, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
In operation
In addition to installing the system to take advantage of the rising and falling tides of the sea, the system may be installed to take advantage of rising and falling of any other body of water or fluid. As the cantilever arms 14A, 14B rise and fall as their corresponding containers 16A, 16B empty and fill, the attached crankshaft 22 is turned and is available to power any device connected to the crankshaft 22, such as an electrical generator used to directly provide power or to charge batteries, pump, desalination, and other mechanically or electrically powered device. In one embodiment, the cantilever arms 14A, 14B and crankshaft 22 are configured such that one complete cycle rising and falling of the right and left cantilever arms 14A, 14B causes the crankshaft 22 to make one complete rotation or more turns depending on the crankshaft designs or using gears or pulleys to change the rotation of the crankshaft.
It will be appreciated that the cantilever arms 14A, 14B may be connected using means other than, or in addition to, the illustrated crankshaft 22. For example, gears or pulleys and chains/ropes may be used to reduce the amount of water needed by providing a mechanical advantage. The cantilever arms 14A, 14B may also be on opposite sides of the vertical section 8A of the frame 8. The cantilever arms 14A,14B may also be connected to hydraulic pistons which may use fluid, such as oil, to pressurize other pistons and, using the resulting mechanical advantage, drive other devices such as, for example, reverse osmosis desalinations, rotary engines, impulse turbines, hydrogen liquefiers, petroleum gas liquefiers, to name a few. Among other uses, the liquefied gas may be used in an air conditioning unit for cooling or heating of buildings and houses. It will also be appreciated that, although only a single set of cantilever arms 14A, 14B, containers 16A, 16B, and associated valves, the system may be expanded to include more than one set connected through linkages to the crankshaft 22 for a greater mechanical power output. the same element numbers will be used as were used in the description above of the individual components.
For advanced control of the components, a computer controller may be integrated into the system to coordinate and monitor the operation of the valves 18A, 18B, 24, 26, 28A, 28B, and other components
The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
{All of the Successful Prototype Electricity stations were built& tested on the Inventor Expense and no financial help were asked for at all}.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62601694 | Mar 2017 | US |