CA2420998C - Tidal power generation - Google Patents
Tidal power generation Download PDFInfo
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- CA2420998C CA2420998C CA2420998A CA2420998A CA2420998C CA 2420998 C CA2420998 C CA 2420998C CA 2420998 A CA2420998 A CA 2420998A CA 2420998 A CA2420998 A CA 2420998A CA 2420998 C CA2420998 C CA 2420998C
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- Prior art keywords
- container
- drive shaft
- hollow
- containers
- rotatably
- Prior art date
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- Expired - Fee Related
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
- F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
- F03B13/12—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy
- F03B13/26—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using tide energy
- F03B13/262—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using tide energy using the relative movement between a tide-operated member and another member
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/30—Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Oceanography (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)
Abstract
A method and apparatus is provided for obtaining energy from vertical tidal motion, comprising hollow containers which rise and fall with the tide. The containers axe rotatably connected to a drive shaft such that the rising or falling motion of the containers causes rotation of the drive shaft. The containers can be empty or filled with water, so that the buoyancy force can be maximized as the empty containers are raised by the tide and the weight of the filled containers maximizes the force as the containers are lowered with the receding tide. The motion of the containers are preferably caused to lag the vertical tidal motion, with the extent of the lag timed to coincide with the "slack tide" period of the tidal cycle, thereby always providing at least one container to be in motion in the up or down direction.
Description
Tidal Power Generation Field of the Invention This invention relates to electrical power generation by exploiting vertical tidal movements. More particularly, the invention relates to electrical power generation of this kind which relies on the use of buoyancy effects.
Background of the Invention Renewable sources of electrical power generation which have been explored in the past include solar energy, wind energy and hydro-electric power generation.
Solar and wind energy sources are weather and season dependant and have not yet been proven to provide substantial quantities of continuous power. Hydro-electric power generation entails large infrastructure requirements and the damming required to contain sufficient water pressure leads to flooding and ecological concerns upstream.
Previous explorations of the use of tidal motion of seas as a power source have also involved damming water bodies and using the ebb and flow of the tide to drive a turbine located within the dam. As with hydro-electric facilities these tidal systems are large and expensive and there is a great deal of energy lost in the conversion from tidal energy to turbine energy. Moreover, there may be ecological consequences of such approaches as well as disruption to shipping.
The use of buoyancy effects to exploit tidal energy are also known. For example, US Patent No. 5,872,406 relates to a power generating apparatus that is generally submerged in the water body and uses tanks, bellows and a water reservoir to capture and convert tidal energy.
US Patent 4,544,849 teaches a buoy connected to a rack and pinion system for transmitting buoyant energy to a power transmission apparatus located in a framework in the water.
US Patent 5,701,740 uses the rise and fall of the tides to operate an underwater piston cylinder device which, in turn, powers a linear induction generator.
US Patent 5,929,531 relates to a tide powered hydroelectric plant in which a concrete barge, floating in a reservoir open to the ocean, rises and falls with the tide and sets in motion a rack and pinion system connected to a power generator.
Background of the Invention Renewable sources of electrical power generation which have been explored in the past include solar energy, wind energy and hydro-electric power generation.
Solar and wind energy sources are weather and season dependant and have not yet been proven to provide substantial quantities of continuous power. Hydro-electric power generation entails large infrastructure requirements and the damming required to contain sufficient water pressure leads to flooding and ecological concerns upstream.
Previous explorations of the use of tidal motion of seas as a power source have also involved damming water bodies and using the ebb and flow of the tide to drive a turbine located within the dam. As with hydro-electric facilities these tidal systems are large and expensive and there is a great deal of energy lost in the conversion from tidal energy to turbine energy. Moreover, there may be ecological consequences of such approaches as well as disruption to shipping.
The use of buoyancy effects to exploit tidal energy are also known. For example, US Patent No. 5,872,406 relates to a power generating apparatus that is generally submerged in the water body and uses tanks, bellows and a water reservoir to capture and convert tidal energy.
US Patent 4,544,849 teaches a buoy connected to a rack and pinion system for transmitting buoyant energy to a power transmission apparatus located in a framework in the water.
US Patent 5,701,740 uses the rise and fall of the tides to operate an underwater piston cylinder device which, in turn, powers a linear induction generator.
US Patent 5,929,531 relates to a tide powered hydroelectric plant in which a concrete barge, floating in a reservoir open to the ocean, rises and falls with the tide and sets in motion a rack and pinion system connected to a power generator.
-2-However, equipment of this kind has not met with much acceptance.
Summary of the Invention The present invention provides an apparatus for obtaining energy from vertical tidal motion. The apparatus comprises several hollow containers capable of rising and falling with the tidal motion and a drive shaft rotatably and disengagably connected to the hollow containers, such that rising or falling of the hollow containers causes rotation of the drive shaft. Valve means and a vent on each hollow container, allow water to fill or drain from the hollow container. The rise and fall movement of each hollow container is offset relative to one another and also offset relative to the rising and falling tidal motion, to impart a continuous rotation of the drive shaft, even when there is no tidal motion, for example in the periods known as slack tides.
In another embodiment, the present invention provides resisting means on the drive shaft for imparting a resistance between the rising and falling motion of the hollow container and rotation of the drive shaft and conversion means for converting said resistance to mechanical energy.
In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a first and second hollow container for rising and falling with the tidal motion, with the second hollow container being dimensioned to be smaller in size than the first hollow container. A
drive shaft is rotatably connected to the second hollow container and disengagable connecting means are provided for disengagably connecting the first hollow container to the second hollow container. Valve means and a vent on each of the first and second hollow containers allow water to fill or drain from the hollow containers, such that falling motion of the second hollow container causes rotation of the drive shaft.
This final embodiment can be used either in conjunction with the first embodiment system, to enhance the falling motion of the hollow containers, or as an independent system.
Brief Description of the Drawings FIG. I is a partial side elevation view of one preferred embodiment of the present invention showing, in particular, one container;
Summary of the Invention The present invention provides an apparatus for obtaining energy from vertical tidal motion. The apparatus comprises several hollow containers capable of rising and falling with the tidal motion and a drive shaft rotatably and disengagably connected to the hollow containers, such that rising or falling of the hollow containers causes rotation of the drive shaft. Valve means and a vent on each hollow container, allow water to fill or drain from the hollow container. The rise and fall movement of each hollow container is offset relative to one another and also offset relative to the rising and falling tidal motion, to impart a continuous rotation of the drive shaft, even when there is no tidal motion, for example in the periods known as slack tides.
In another embodiment, the present invention provides resisting means on the drive shaft for imparting a resistance between the rising and falling motion of the hollow container and rotation of the drive shaft and conversion means for converting said resistance to mechanical energy.
In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a first and second hollow container for rising and falling with the tidal motion, with the second hollow container being dimensioned to be smaller in size than the first hollow container. A
drive shaft is rotatably connected to the second hollow container and disengagable connecting means are provided for disengagably connecting the first hollow container to the second hollow container. Valve means and a vent on each of the first and second hollow containers allow water to fill or drain from the hollow containers, such that falling motion of the second hollow container causes rotation of the drive shaft.
This final embodiment can be used either in conjunction with the first embodiment system, to enhance the falling motion of the hollow containers, or as an independent system.
Brief Description of the Drawings FIG. I is a partial side elevation view of one preferred embodiment of the present invention showing, in particular, one container;
-3-FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, depicting empty containers at various stages during the rising tide;
FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, depicting water filled containers at various stages during the receding tide.
FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the rise/fall and empty/full cycle of a first hollow container of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of an alternate fall/rise and full/empty cycle of a second hollow container of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7. is a side elevation view, detailing the cable arrangement of the present invention; and FIG. 8 is the direction of forces acting in the arrangement of FIG. 7.
Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention FIG. 1 is an elevation of a part of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a simplified form of one of the containers. A hollow container 10 is connected at its bottom surface to one or more cables 12 which are guided through guide means 14a and 14b to rotatably and disengagably connect with a drive shaft 16.
The container 10 is connected at its top surface to another cable 18, which is also rotatably and disengagably connected to the drive shaft 16. A remotely-operable valve means 20 on the bottom surface of the container 10 allows for filling and emptying of the container with water, when desired. A vent 22 allows air to enter or leave the container during emptying or filling, respectively.
FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment having a plurality of hollow containers I Oas they may be found during rising tide. On the rising tide, the empty containers 10 are forced up by buoyancy. Cable 12 connected to the bottom surface of the container 10 passes through two guide means 14a and 14b and is rotatably connected to the drive shaft 16 to turn the drive shaft in the direction indicated by the arrows.
During rising tide, the cable 18 attached to the top surface of the container 10 is slack.
FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, depicting water filled containers at various stages during the receding tide.
FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the rise/fall and empty/full cycle of a first hollow container of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of an alternate fall/rise and full/empty cycle of a second hollow container of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7. is a side elevation view, detailing the cable arrangement of the present invention; and FIG. 8 is the direction of forces acting in the arrangement of FIG. 7.
Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention FIG. 1 is an elevation of a part of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a simplified form of one of the containers. A hollow container 10 is connected at its bottom surface to one or more cables 12 which are guided through guide means 14a and 14b to rotatably and disengagably connect with a drive shaft 16.
The container 10 is connected at its top surface to another cable 18, which is also rotatably and disengagably connected to the drive shaft 16. A remotely-operable valve means 20 on the bottom surface of the container 10 allows for filling and emptying of the container with water, when desired. A vent 22 allows air to enter or leave the container during emptying or filling, respectively.
FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment having a plurality of hollow containers I Oas they may be found during rising tide. On the rising tide, the empty containers 10 are forced up by buoyancy. Cable 12 connected to the bottom surface of the container 10 passes through two guide means 14a and 14b and is rotatably connected to the drive shaft 16 to turn the drive shaft in the direction indicated by the arrows.
During rising tide, the cable 18 attached to the top surface of the container 10 is slack.
-4-As can be seen in FIG. 2, different containers are allowed to empty to different levels, so that the rising motion of one container is offset from that of another, thereby providing that at least one container is always rising. This ensures continuous rotation of the drive shaft.
For illustrative purposes, FIG. 2 also shows a possible generator system that can be used with the present invention. The system includes a gear train 19 connected at one end to the rotatable shaft 16 and connected at the other end to an electrical generator 21.
FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention having a plurality of hollow containers as they would be position during receding tide. At high tide, the air is released from each container 10 by the vent 22 and the valve 20 located on the bottom surface of the container 10 is opened to allow water to enter the container 10.
When the container 10 is filled, vent 22 and valve 20 are closed to keep the water in.
Cables 12 connected to the bottom surface of the container are disconnected from the drive shaft 16. The slack from cable 18 is removed until the receding tide leaves the container 10 suspended above the water level 24. Cable 18 is then engaged to turn the drive shaft 16 as the container falls due to its weight. At low tide, the valve 20 and vent 22 are opened to let the water out, then both valve 20 and vent 22 are closed to await the rising tide. Cable 18 is disconnected from the drive shaft 16 and cable 12 is re-connected to the drive shaft 16. As can be seen in the illustration, different containers are allowed to fill to different levels, so that the falling motion of one container is offset from that of another, thereby providing that at least one container is always falling. This ensures continuous rotation of the drive shaft.
FIGs. 4 and 5 each show side elevation views of the cycle of rising and falling (empty and full) of a single hollow container 10 of the present invention, to illustrate how the drive shaft is kept in motion during periods of no tidal motion (slack tides).
The rise/fall cycle of each hollow container 10 is offset from the other hollow containers 10, to maintain continuous rotation of the drive shaft 16.
FIG. 6 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a larger hollow container
For illustrative purposes, FIG. 2 also shows a possible generator system that can be used with the present invention. The system includes a gear train 19 connected at one end to the rotatable shaft 16 and connected at the other end to an electrical generator 21.
FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention having a plurality of hollow containers as they would be position during receding tide. At high tide, the air is released from each container 10 by the vent 22 and the valve 20 located on the bottom surface of the container 10 is opened to allow water to enter the container 10.
When the container 10 is filled, vent 22 and valve 20 are closed to keep the water in.
Cables 12 connected to the bottom surface of the container are disconnected from the drive shaft 16. The slack from cable 18 is removed until the receding tide leaves the container 10 suspended above the water level 24. Cable 18 is then engaged to turn the drive shaft 16 as the container falls due to its weight. At low tide, the valve 20 and vent 22 are opened to let the water out, then both valve 20 and vent 22 are closed to await the rising tide. Cable 18 is disconnected from the drive shaft 16 and cable 12 is re-connected to the drive shaft 16. As can be seen in the illustration, different containers are allowed to fill to different levels, so that the falling motion of one container is offset from that of another, thereby providing that at least one container is always falling. This ensures continuous rotation of the drive shaft.
FIGs. 4 and 5 each show side elevation views of the cycle of rising and falling (empty and full) of a single hollow container 10 of the present invention, to illustrate how the drive shaft is kept in motion during periods of no tidal motion (slack tides).
The rise/fall cycle of each hollow container 10 is offset from the other hollow containers 10, to maintain continuous rotation of the drive shaft 16.
FIG. 6 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a larger hollow container
-5-30 and a smaller hollow container 32 are disengagably joined by a chain 34 and the smaller hollow container 32 is rotatably connected to the drive shaft, 16. In stage 1 of the preferred operation, both hollow containers 30,32 are connected by chain 34, filled with water and resting at the high tide water level 36. The drive shaft 16 is not connected to the smaller hollow container 32 at this time. In stage 2, the tide level starts to recede and the weight difference between the larger hollow container 30 and the smaller hollow container 32 causes smaller hollow container 32 to rise above the high tide water level 36. In stage 3, the water reaches a low tide water level 38. At the low tide water level 38, the chain 34 joining the two hollow containers is disconnected. The smaller hollow container 32 is connected to the drive shaft 16 and kept stationary and while water drains through a valve 20 from the larger hollow container 30. In the fourth stage of the operation, the now empty larger hollow container 30 rises with the rising tide. The smaller hollow container 32 begins to fall due to its weight and thereby turns the drive shaft. This preferred embodiment can be used to enhance the main system in times of slack tide, or as a back up if the main system is inoperable due to malfunction or repair.
FIG. 7 shows a side elevation view detailing the cable arrangement of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. During rising tide, the hollow containers 10 exert a tremendous upwards force on guide means 14a, making it difficult to anchor it solidly to the floor of the water body. In a preferred embodiment, an I-beam 40 is used to overcome the upwards pull on the guide means 14a. In this way, the upwards pull on guide means 14a is counteracted by a downwards pull on guide means 14b, which is located at the other end of the I-Beam 40. The direction of forces acting on the arrangement of FIG. 7 is shown in FIG. 8.
In a further preferred embodiment, the heights and speed of ascent or descent of all containers are computer controlled.
FIG. 7 shows a side elevation view detailing the cable arrangement of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. During rising tide, the hollow containers 10 exert a tremendous upwards force on guide means 14a, making it difficult to anchor it solidly to the floor of the water body. In a preferred embodiment, an I-beam 40 is used to overcome the upwards pull on the guide means 14a. In this way, the upwards pull on guide means 14a is counteracted by a downwards pull on guide means 14b, which is located at the other end of the I-Beam 40. The direction of forces acting on the arrangement of FIG. 7 is shown in FIG. 8.
In a further preferred embodiment, the heights and speed of ascent or descent of all containers are computer controlled.
Claims (12)
1. A device for obtaining energy from vertical tidal motion of a sea, comprising:
a) at least two hollow containers adapted for rising and falling with the tidal motion;
b) a drive shaft rotatably and disengagably connected to the hollow containers, such that rising or falling of the hollow containers causes rotation of the drive shaft;
c) valve means on each hollow container to allow water to fill or drain from the hollow container; and d) a vent on each hollow container to allow water to fill or drain from the hollow container, wherein the rise and fall movement of each hollow containers is offset relative to one another and also offset relative to the rising and falling tidal motion, to impart a continuous rotation of the drive shaft.
a) at least two hollow containers adapted for rising and falling with the tidal motion;
b) a drive shaft rotatably and disengagably connected to the hollow containers, such that rising or falling of the hollow containers causes rotation of the drive shaft;
c) valve means on each hollow container to allow water to fill or drain from the hollow container; and d) a vent on each hollow container to allow water to fill or drain from the hollow container, wherein the rise and fall movement of each hollow containers is offset relative to one another and also offset relative to the rising and falling tidal motion, to impart a continuous rotation of the drive shaft.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the drive shaft is rotatably and disengagably connected to each hollow container by means of a cable system comprising:
a) at least one lower cable connected at a first end to a bottom of the container and guided through a series of guide means to rotatably and disengagably connect at a second end to the drive shaft, to rotate the drive shaft as the container rises; and b) an upper cable, connected at a first end to a top of the filled container and rotatably and disengagably connected at a second end to the drive shaft to rotate the drive shaft as the container falls.
a) at least one lower cable connected at a first end to a bottom of the container and guided through a series of guide means to rotatably and disengagably connect at a second end to the drive shaft, to rotate the drive shaft as the container rises; and b) an upper cable, connected at a first end to a top of the filled container and rotatably and disengagably connected at a second end to the drive shaft to rotate the drive shaft as the container falls.
3. A device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising computerized control means adapted for controlling filling and draining of the hollow containers and, subsequently, the rising and falling movement caused by such filling and draining.
4. A device for obtaining energy from vertical tidal motion, comprising:
a) at least two containers adapted for rising and falling with the tidal motion;
b) a drive shaft rotatably and disengagably connected to the hollow containers, such that rising or falling of the hollow containers causes rotation of the drive shaft;
c) valve means on each hollow container to allow water to fill or drain from the hollow container;
d) a vent on each hollow container to allow water to fill or drain from the hollow container;
e) resisting means on the drive shaft for imparting a resistance between the rising and falling motion of the hollow containers and rotation of the drive shaft; and f) conversion means for converting said resistance to mechanical energy.
a) at least two containers adapted for rising and falling with the tidal motion;
b) a drive shaft rotatably and disengagably connected to the hollow containers, such that rising or falling of the hollow containers causes rotation of the drive shaft;
c) valve means on each hollow container to allow water to fill or drain from the hollow container;
d) a vent on each hollow container to allow water to fill or drain from the hollow container;
e) resisting means on the drive shaft for imparting a resistance between the rising and falling motion of the hollow containers and rotation of the drive shaft; and f) conversion means for converting said resistance to mechanical energy.
5. A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the drive shaft is rotatably and disengagably connected to the hollow container by means of a cable system comprising:
a) at least one lower cable connected at a first end to a bottom of the container and guided through a series of guide means to rotatably and disengagably connect at a second end to the drive shaft, to rotate the drive shaft as the container rises; and b) an upper cable, connected at a first end to a top of the container and rotatably and disengagably connected at a second end to the drive shaft to rotate the drive shaft as the container falls.
a) at least one lower cable connected at a first end to a bottom of the container and guided through a series of guide means to rotatably and disengagably connect at a second end to the drive shaft, to rotate the drive shaft as the container rises; and b) an upper cable, connected at a first end to a top of the container and rotatably and disengagably connected at a second end to the drive shaft to rotate the drive shaft as the container falls.
6. A device as claimed in claim 4 or 5 further comprising computerized control means adapted for controlling filling and draining of the hollow container and, subsequently, the rising and falling movement caused by such filling and draining.
7. A device for obtaining energy from vertical tidal motion, comprising:
a) a first hollow container for rising and falling with the tidal motion;
b) a second hollow container for rising and falling with the tidal motion, and dimensioned to be smaller in size than the first hollow container;
c) a drive shaft rotatably connected to the second hollow container;
d) disengagable connecting means for disengagably connecting the first hollow container to the second hollow container;
e) valve means on each of the first and second hollow containers to allow water to fill or drain from the hollow containers; and f) a vent on each of the first and second hollow containers to allow water to fill or drain from the hollow containers, wherein such that falling motion of the second filled hollow container causes rotation of the drive shaft.
a) a first hollow container for rising and falling with the tidal motion;
b) a second hollow container for rising and falling with the tidal motion, and dimensioned to be smaller in size than the first hollow container;
c) a drive shaft rotatably connected to the second hollow container;
d) disengagable connecting means for disengagably connecting the first hollow container to the second hollow container;
e) valve means on each of the first and second hollow containers to allow water to fill or drain from the hollow containers; and f) a vent on each of the first and second hollow containers to allow water to fill or drain from the hollow containers, wherein such that falling motion of the second filled hollow container causes rotation of the drive shaft.
8. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the drive shaft is rotatably and disengagably connected to the hollow container by means of a cable system comprising:
a) at least one lower cable connected at a first end to a bottom of the container and guided through a series of guide means to rotatably and disengagably connect at a second end to the drive shaft, to rotate the drive shaft as the container rises; and b) an upper cable, connected at a first end to a top of the container and rotatably and disengagably connected at a second end to the drive shaft to rotate the drive shaft as the filled container falls.
a) at least one lower cable connected at a first end to a bottom of the container and guided through a series of guide means to rotatably and disengagably connect at a second end to the drive shaft, to rotate the drive shaft as the container rises; and b) an upper cable, connected at a first end to a top of the container and rotatably and disengagably connected at a second end to the drive shaft to rotate the drive shaft as the filled container falls.
9. A device as claimed in claim 7 or 8 further comprising computerized control means adapted for controlling filling and draining of the hollow containers and, subsequently, the rising and falling movement caused by such filling and draining.
10. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 4, wherein:
a) said at least two containers include a first hollow container and a second hollow container; and b) said second hollow container is dimensioned to be smaller in size than the first hollow container;
and further comprising c) disengagable connecting means for disengagably connecting the first hollow container to the second hollow container.
a) said at least two containers include a first hollow container and a second hollow container; and b) said second hollow container is dimensioned to be smaller in size than the first hollow container;
and further comprising c) disengagable connecting means for disengagably connecting the first hollow container to the second hollow container.
11. A device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the drive shaft is rotatably and disengagably connected to the hollow container by means of a cable system comprising:
a) at least one lower cable connected at a first end to a bottom of the container and guided through a series of guide means to rotatably and disengagably connect at a second end to the drive shaft, to rotate the drive shaft as the container rises; and b) an upper cable, connected at a first end to a top of the container and rotatably and disengagably connected at a second end to the drive shaft to rotate the drive shaft as the container falls.
a) at least one lower cable connected at a first end to a bottom of the container and guided through a series of guide means to rotatably and disengagably connect at a second end to the drive shaft, to rotate the drive shaft as the container rises; and b) an upper cable, connected at a first end to a top of the container and rotatably and disengagably connected at a second end to the drive shaft to rotate the drive shaft as the container falls.
12. A device as claimed in claim 10 or 11 further comprising computerized control means adapted for controlling filling and draining of the hollow containers and, subsequently, the rising and falling movement caused by such filling and draining.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2420998A CA2420998C (en) | 2003-03-06 | 2003-03-06 | Tidal power generation |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2420998A CA2420998C (en) | 2003-03-06 | 2003-03-06 | Tidal power generation |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2420998A1 CA2420998A1 (en) | 2004-09-06 |
| CA2420998C true CA2420998C (en) | 2012-05-01 |
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Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2420998A Expired - Fee Related CA2420998C (en) | 2003-03-06 | 2003-03-06 | Tidal power generation |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2420998C (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2430470A (en) * | 2005-09-22 | 2007-03-28 | John Philip Cooper | A method of harnessing tidal power to generate electricity |
| US7498685B2 (en) | 2005-11-09 | 2009-03-03 | Timothy John Emmanuel Turner | Electrical generator |
| CN103133233A (en) * | 2011-11-23 | 2013-06-05 | 青岛天力建筑加固工程有限公司 | Layering multilevel energy absorption wave removing device |
| CZ2012172A3 (en) * | 2012-03-12 | 2013-01-16 | Kocar@Jirí | Apparatus for employing kinetic and buoyancy energy of waves for generation of electric power |
| JP5815171B2 (en) * | 2013-01-01 | 2015-11-17 | 有限会社西部内燃機 | Tidal power generator |
-
2003
- 2003-03-06 CA CA2420998A patent/CA2420998C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2420998A1 (en) | 2004-09-06 |
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