초록 ▼

The present invention relates to a wave energy conversion device (1), for use in relatively shallow water, which has a base portion (2) for anchoring to the bed of a body of water (6) and an upstanding flap portion (8) pivotally connected (12) to the base portion. The flap portion is biased to the v

The present invention relates to a wave energy conversion device (1), for use in relatively shallow water, which has a base portion (2) for anchoring to the bed of a body of water (6) and an upstanding flap portion (8) pivotally connected (12) to the base portion. The flap portion is biased to the vertical and oscillates, backwards and forwards about the vertical in response to wave motion acting on its faces. Power extraction means extract energy from the movement of the flap portion. When the base portion (2) is anchored to the bed of a body of water (6) with the flap portion (8) facing the wave motion, the base portion (2) and the flap portion (8) extend vertically through at least the entire depth of the water, to present a substantially continuous surface to the wave motion throughout the full depth of water from the wave crest to the sea bed. A plurality of devices can be interconnected to form one system. The distance between the plurality of flaps is dependent on the wavelength.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A wave energy conversion device, for use in relatively shallow water, comprising: a base portion formed and arranged for anchoring to the bed of a body of water in use of the device; an upstanding flap portion pivotally connected to said base portion, said flap portion

The invention claimed is: 1. A wave energy conversion device, for use in relatively shallow water, comprising: a base portion formed and arranged for anchoring to the bed of a body of water in use of the device; an upstanding flap portion pivotally connected to said base portion, said flap portion being formed and arranged to oscillate, in use, backwards and forwards about the vertical in response to wave motion acting on faces of the flap portion; and power extraction means for extracting energy from the movement of the flap portion; characterised in that said device is formed and arranged so that when the base portion is anchored to the bed of a body of water with the flap portion facing the wave motion, the base portion and the flap portion extend vertically through at least the entire depth of the water, to present a substantially continuous surface to the wave motion throughout the full depth of water from the wave crest to the sea bed, and said flap portion is sufficiently buoyant in water so as to be biased to the vertical in use, said flap portion also provided with chambers which contain at least one of air, gas or a foam, the buoyancy of said flap portion adjustable by flooding with water at least one of an air or other gas chamber. 2. A wave energy conversion device according to claim 1 wherein the flap portion and the base portion are sized so that the flap portion will pierce the water surface at all expected tide levels and sea states. 3. A wave energy conversion device according to claim 1 wherein the pivotal connection of the flap portion is moveable up and down with respect to the base portion. 4. A wave energy conversion device according to claim 1 wherein the flap portion has a generally rectangular form. 5. A wave energy conversion device according to claim 1 wherein the flap portion is of modular construction. 6. A wave energy conversion device according to claim 5 wherein the modular components are selected from the group consisting of flat plates, composite reinforced flat plates and tubing. 7. A wave energy conversion device according to claim 1 wherein the flap portion comprises tubing sections arranged in a plane parallel and adjacent to each other to give a generally rectangular form to the flap. 8. A wave energy conversion device according to claim 7 wherein the tubing sections are arranged horizontally with larger diameter sections of tubing towards the top edge of the flap portion. 9. A wave energy conversion device according to claim 1 wherein at least the upper part of the flap portion is provided with a resilient surface. 10. A wave energy conversion device according to claim 1 wherein the base portion comprises a deflector plate formed and arranged to direct the wave motion towards the flap portion. 11. A wave energy conversion device according to claim 1 wherein the flap portion has a width at least equal to its height. 12. A wave energy conversion device according to claim 1 wherein the width of the flap portion is between one and three times the height of the flap portion. 13. A wave energy conversion device according to claim 1 wherein the flap portion has a rounded top or side edge. 14. A wave energy conversion device according to claim 13 wherein the edge is rounded in a radius of from 0.5 to 2 m. 15. A wave energy conversion device according to claim 1 wherein the top edge of the flap portion has a shape in cross section selected from the group consisting of cylindrical, a ‘T’, a closed ‘Y’ and an inverted ‘L’ shape. 16. A wave energy conversion device according to claim 1 wherein the top edge of the flap portion has a generally cylindrical form in cross section and is of a diameter substantially greater than the general thickness of the flap portion. 17. A wave energy conversion device according to claim 1 wherein the buoyancy is adjustable by flooding with water an air filled chamber. 18. A wave energy conversion device according to claim 1 wherein the flap portion has a high centre of buoyancy and a low centre of mass. 19. A wave energy conversion device according to claim 1 wherein additional biasing means selected from the group consisting of torsion bars, elastomeric springs and compressed gas springs, are provided. 20. A wave energy conversion device according to claim 1 wherein the flap portion is formed and arranged to change its natural period of oscillation by means selected from the group consisting of: altering the centre of buoyancy of said flap portion by moving a height of an internal mass of said flap portion; altering the buoyancy force by adding or removing ballast from said flap portion; moving the centre of mass of the flap portion with respect to said base portion by moving a height of an internal mass of said flap portion; altering the centre of mass of said flap portion by adding or removing ballast from said flap portion; and altering the characteristics of said biasing means by adjusting a stiffness thereof. 21. A wave energy conversion device according to claim 1 wherein the flap portion is formed and arranged so that it may be laid horizontal, in use, by means selected from the group consisting of: flooding the flap portion with water so that it sinks to the seabed; and, driving the flap portion to the seabed and latching it into a fixed position. 22. A wave energy conversion device according to claim 1 wherein the surface area of the flap portion is reduced by means selected from the group consisting of: a flap portion that is inflatable and deflatable so as to increase or reduce its size; a frangible flap portion; and a flap portion with a retractable upper portion. 23. A wave energy conversion device according to claim 1 wherein the power extraction means comprises: a hydraulic motor driven by high pressure hydraulic fluid, a flywheel energy store connected to said hydraulic motor; and a variable speed electrical generator driven by said flywheel. 24. An energy generating system comprising a plurality of wave energy conversion devices interconnected with each other, each said device comprising: a base portion formed and arranged for anchoring to the bed of a body of water in use of the device; an upstanding flap portion pivotally connected to said base portion, said flap portion being formed and arranged to oscillate, in use, backwards and forwards about the vertical in response to wave motion acting on faces of the flap portion; and power extraction means for extracting energy from the movement of the flap portion; characterized in that said device is formed and arranged so that when the base portion is anchored to the bed of a body of water with the flap portion facing the wave motion, the base portion and the flap portion extend vertically through at least the entire depth of the water, to present a substantially continuous surface to the wave motion throughout the full depth of water from the wave crest to the sea bed, and said flap portion is sufficiently buoyant in water so as to be biased to the vertical in use; wherein the flap portions of the plurality of devices are in an array with the flap portion of adjacent devices cascaded at an angle to a predominant wave direction and a distance between a flap portion of a first device and a flap portion of a last device is at least a quarter of a wave wavelength in the direction of wave propagation for the purpose of providing smooth energy output from the plurality of devices.