FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to wave energy and more particularly to turbines and power modules for use in oscillating water column based wave energy plants.

PRIOR ART

In the field of power generation an oscillating water column (OWC) based wave energy plant uses a three stage energy conversion process. Variations in the sea surface elevation are converted into pneumatic energy in the OWC, a turbine is used to convert the pneumatic energy into mechanical shaft power and an electrical generator coupled to the turbine produces electrical power. As of now bidirectional turbines such as the Well's turbine or an impulse turbine are used in the mechanical conversion stage. The Well's turbine suffers from stalling which implies that the efficiency is good over a narrow range. The impulse turbine can handle a much broader range of incident energy as from waves but the absolute value of efficiency is low. Occasionally a unidirectional turbine is used but it has the drawback of requiring valves for operation. Since the valves operate with every incoming wave, the life and reliability is poor. The problem is to design a turbine or turbines or an arrangement which does not have any mechanical valves, is very efficient, and is capable of operating over a very wide range of incident power from the OWC.

OBJECTS OF INVENTION

The principal object of this invention is to disclose a method and an oscillating water column based energy plant system with unidirectional turbines and associated fluidic diodes.

Another object of the invention is to ensures that atleast one turbine works for one half cycle and the other turbine works in the other half cycle. The major technical improvements are that the efficiency is very high in each half cycle, there are no valves and the range of input powers that can be accommodated is very large.
Another object of the invention is to utilize associated blowers to aid the fluidic diodes to force air into the desired turbine.

Another object of the invention is to drive a single turbine associated with more than one oscillating water columns of the oncoming water waves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, through out which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:

Fig 1 illustrates the convention bidirectional turbine in OWC plant,

Fig 2 illustrates the twin turbine arrangement as per the invention.

Fig 3 illustrates the multiple OWC column arrangement as per the invention.

Fig 4 illustrates the blower arrangement in the air flow path.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

There is substantial research on the commercial feasibility of near shore OWC plants. In recent years, the power take off mechanism in the OWC based wave energy plant has generally comprised of a bidirectional turbine and an electrical machine. Experience exists with both Wells' and impulse turbines. An alternative to the use of a bidirectional turbine is an approach utilizing a unidirectional turbine with two or four valves that act to force air into the turbine in the same direction during exhalation and inhalation. Despite enjoying considerable success in navigational buoys for over 30 years, the principle has not yet been adopted in larger plants. A newtopology with twin turbines was proposed with a promise of yielding 50% wave to wire efficiency in an OWC configuration.

A fundamentally new approach was needed in improving the efficiency even further. This was achieved with the twin unidirectional impulse turbine.

The solution is to use a topology with two efficient unidirectional turbines and suitably designed fluidic diodes. This ensures that one turbine works for one half cycle and the other turbine works in the other half cycle. The major technical improvements are that the efficiency is very high in each half cycle, there are no valves and the range of input powers that can be accommodated is very large.

Accordingly, the invention provides a method and system for conversion of pneumatic energy with oscillating flow from an OWC into electrical power via mechanical shaft power, said system comprising of two unidirectional turbines, two fluidic diodes and two electrical generators.

These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein.
Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

The embodiments herein achieve a method and system for conversion of pneumatic energy from oscillating flow into electrical power using twin unidirectional turbines and fluidic diodes.

The oscillating flow emerging from the wave energy plant is made to flow into the twin turbine system. In an embodiment herein, the flow divides itself so that one turbine converts energy in the intake stroke while the other turbine converts energy in the exhaust stroke.
The principal object of this invention is to disclose a method and system for conversion of pneumatic energy from an oscillating flow from a wave energy device into mechanical shaft power and electrical power. Accordingly, the invention provides a system for energy conversion from oscillating flow, the system comprising of two unidirectional turbines, two fluidic diodes in a specified configuration, and two electrical generators. Embodiments disclosed herein may be used for energy conversion and enable efficient energy conversion from oscillating flows.
The embodiments herein achieve a method and system for conversion of pneumatic energy from oscillating flow into electrical power using twin unidirectional turbines and fluidic diodes. Referring now to the figures, and more particularly to FIGS. 2,3&4. where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments.
Fig 3 depicts the one of the embodiment of the invention includes a plurality of owe water column are arranged to allow the on coming waves to the intake part of the wave power generating system, each owe column arranged with each diode in the flow path for providing unidirection flow to the wave power generating system.
Fig 4 depicts the further embodiment of the invention includes the blower arrangement arranged in the flow path for providing the air into the flow path.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
One of the preferred embodiment of the invention includes a wave power generation system using a pair of oscillating water column based turbines comprising of a first uni-directional turbine with inlet in the path of air arising from an oscillating water column of incoming water waves, a second uni-directional turbine located adjacent to first turbine with inlet in the path of air flowing towards the receding waves, a first fluidic diode arranged in driving relation to first turbine, a second fluidic diode arranged in driving relation to second turbine, a first electric power generator connected in driving relation to the first turbine; a second electric power generator connected in driving relation to the second turbine; the arrangement of the fluidic diodes with the first fluidic diode arranged to allow the air arising from the oscillating water column of oncoming water wave to drive the first turbine in the intake stroke to generate energy and the second fluidic diode arranged to prevent the air from the same oncoming water wave driving the second turbine and also in the arrangement of the two turbines with respect to each other such that the exhaust side of the first turbine and intake side of the second turbine are so arranged allowing the portion of air flowing towards receding wave to drive the second turbine to convert further energy in the exhaust stroke thereby generating two loads of power from the two turbines for every complete wave cycle. During the power generation the system is allowing the water flow into the waver power generating system as long as there is sufficient water flow to generate power. The wave power generating system further includes a blower arranged in driving relation with first fluidic diode to aid the flow of air arising from the oscillating water column of oncoming water wave to drive the first turbine, and second fluid diode to aid the flow of air towards the receding wave to drive the second turbine.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention includes a wave power generation system using a pair of oscillating water column (OWC) based turbines comprising of a first uni-directional turbine with inlet in the paths of air arising from a plurality of oscillating water columns of incoming water waves, a second uni-directional turbine located adjacent to first turbine with inlet in the path of air flowing towards the receding waves, a first set of fluidic diodes arranged in driving relation to first turbine, a second fluidic diode arranged in driving relation to second turbine, a first electric power generator connected in driving relation to the first turbine; a second electric power generator connected in driving relation to the second turbine. The arrangement of the fluidic diodes with the first set of fluidic diodes arranged to allow the air arising from plurality of oscillating water columns of oncoming water waves to drive the first turbine in the intake stroke to generate energy and the second fluidic diode arranged to prevent the air from the same oncoming water wave driving the second turbine and also in the arrangement of the two turbines with respect to each other such that the exhaust side of the first turbine and intake side of the second turbine are so arranged allowing the air flowing towards receding wave to drive the second turbine to convert further energy in the exhaust stroke thereby generating two loads of power from the two turbines for every complete wave cycle. During the power generation the system is allowing the water flow into the waver power generating system as long as there is sufficient water flow to generate power.
The system further includes a blower arranged in driving relation with first set of fluidic diodes to aid the flow of air arising from plurality of oscillating water columns of the oncoming water wave to drive the first turbine, and second fluidic diode to aid the flow of air towards the receding wave to drive the second turbine.

Further preferred embodiment of the invention includes a wave power generation system using a pair of oscillating water column (OWC) based turbines comprising of a first uni-directional turbine with inlet in the paths of air arising from a plurality of oscillating water columns of incoming water waves, a second uni-directional turbine located adjacent to first turbine with inlet in the path of air flowing towards the receding waves, a first set of fluidic diodes arranged in driving relation to first turbine, a second set of fluidic diodes arranged in driving relation to second turbine, a first electric power generator connected in driving relation to the first turbine, a second electric power generator connected in driving relation to the second turbine. The arrangement of the sets of fluidic diodes with the first set of fluidic diodes arranged to allow the air arising from plurality of oscillating water columns of oncoming water waves to drive the first turbine in the intake stroke to generate energy and the second set of fluidic diodes arranged to prevent the air from the same oncoming water wave driving the second turbine and also in the arrangement of the two turbines with respect to each other such that the exhaust side of the first turbine and intake side of the second turbine are so arranged allowing the portion of air flowing towards receding wave to drive the second turbine to convert further energy in the exhaust stroke thereby generating two loads of power from the two turbines for every complete wave cycle. During the power generation the system is allowing the water flow into the waver power generating system as long as there is sufficient water flow to generate power. The wave power generating system further includes a blower arranged in driving relation with the first set of fluidic diodes to aid the flow of air arising from plurality of oscillating water columns of the oncoming water waves to drive the first turbine, and the second set of fluidic diodes to aid the flow of air towards the receding wave to drive the second turbine.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

WE CLAIM :-

1. A wave power generation system using a pair of oscillating water column (OWC) based turbines comprising of:

a. a first uni-directional turbine with inlet in the path of air arising from an oscillating water column of incoming water waves,

b. a second uni-directional turbine located adjacent to first turbine with inlet in the path of air flowing towards the receding waves,

c. a first fluidic diode arranged in driving relation to first turbine,

d. a second fluidic diode arranged in driving relation to second turbine,

e. a first electric power generator connected in driving relation to the first turbine;

f. a second electric power generator connected in driving relation to the second turbine;

g. characterized in the arrangement of said fluidic diodes with the first fluidic diode arranged to allow the air arising from the oscillating water column of oncoming water wave to drive the first turbine in the intake stroke to generate energy and the second fluidic diode arranged to prevent the air from the same oncoming water wave driving the second turbine and also in the arrangement of the two turbines with respect to each other such that the exhaust side of the first turbine and intake side of the second turbine are so arranged allowing atleast a portion of the air flowing towards receding wave to drive the second turbine to convert further energy in the exhaust stroke thereby generating two loads of power from the two turbines for every complete wave cycle.

2. A wave power generation system using a pair of oscillating water column (OWC) based turbines comprising of:

a. a first uni-directional turbine with inlet in the paths of air arising from a plurality of oscillating water columns of incoming water waves,

b. a second uni-directional turbine located adjacent to first turbine with inlet in the path of air flowing towards the receding waves,

c. a first set of fluidic diodes arranged in driving relation to first turbine,

d. a second fluidic diode arranged in driving relation to second turbine,

e. a first electric power generator connected in driving relation to the first turbine;

f. a second electric power generator connected in driving relation to the second turbine;

g. characterized in the arrangement of said fluidic diodes with the first set of fluidic diodes arranged to allow the air arising from plurality of oscillating water columns of oncoming water waves to drive the first turbine in the intake stroke to generate energy and the second fluidic diode arranged to prevent the air from the same oncoming water wave driving the second turbine and also in the arrangement of the two turbines with respect to each other such that the exhaust side of the first turbine and intake side of the second turbine are so arranged allowing atleast a portion of the air flowing towards receding wave to drive the second turbine to convert further energy in the exhaust stroke thereby generating two loads of power from the two turbines for every complete wave cycle.

3. A wave power generation system using a pair of oscillating water column (OWC) based turbines comprising of:

a. a first uni-directional turbine with inlet in the paths of air arising from a plurality of oscillating water columns of incoming water waves,

b. a second uni-directional turbine located adjacent to first turbine with inlet in the path of air flowing towards the receding waves,

c. a first set of fluidic diodes arranged in driving relation to first turbine,

d. a second set of fluidic diodes arranged in driving relation to second turbine,

e. a first electric power generator connected in driving relation to the first turbine;

f. a second electric power generator connected in driving relation to the second turbine;
g. characterized in the arrangement of said sets of fluidic diodes with the first set of fluidic diodes arranged to allow the air arising from plurality of oscillating water columns of oncoming water waves to drive the first turbine in the intake stroke to generate energy and the second set of fluidic diodes arranged to prevent the air from the same oncoming water wave driving the second turbine and also in the arrangement of the two turbines with respect to each other such that the exhaust side of the first turbine and intake side of the second turbine are so arranged allowing atleast a portion of the air flowing towards receding wave to drive the second turbine to convert further energy in the exhaust stroke thereby generating two loads of power from the two turbines for every complete wave cycle.

4. A method of generating power from the wave using a pair of oscillating water column (OWC) based turbines comprising the following steps:

a. providing a first uni-direction turbine with inlet in the path of air arising from an oscillating water column of oncoming water waves,

b. providing a second uni-direction turbine located adjacent to first turbine but with inlet arranged in the path of air flowing towards the receding waves,

c. arranging a first fluidic diode in driving relation to first turbine,

d. arranging a second fluidic diode in driving relation to second turbine,

e. connecting a first generator to the first turbine in driving relation,

f. connecting a second generator to the second turbine in driving relation,

g. arranging the driving relation of said fluidic diodes which comprises arranging the first fluidic diode to allow the air arising from the oscillating water column of oncoming water wave to drive the first turbine in the intake stroke to generate energy and arranging the second fluidic diode to prevent the air from the oncoming water wave entering the second turbine and further including arranging the two turbines with the exhaust side of the first turbine and intake side of the second turbine to allow atleast a portion of the air flowing towards the receding wave to drive the second turbine for generating further energy in the exhaust stroke, thereby generating continuously two loads of power from the two turbines for every complete water wave cycle.

h. repeating step (g) with the on come of a further wave generating two further loads of power from the two turbines, and

i. continuing step (h) as long as there is sufficient water flow to generate power.

5. A method of generating power from the wave using a pair of oscillating water column (OWC) based turbines comprising the following steps :

a. providing a first uni-direction turbine with inlet in the paths of air arising from plurality of oscillating water columns of oncoming water waves,

b. providing a second uni-direction turbine located adjacent to first turbine but with inlet arranged in the path of air flowing towards the receding waves,

c. arranging a first set of fluidic diodes in driving relation to first turbine,

d. arranging a second fluidic diode in driving relation to second turbine,

e. connecting a first generator to the first turbine in driving relation,

f. connecting a second generator to the second turbine in driving relation,

g. arranging the driving relation of said fluidic diodes which comprises arranging the first set of fluidic diodes to allow the air arising from plurality of oscillating water columns of oncoming water waves to drive the first turbine in the intake stroke to generate energy and arranging the second fluidic diode to prevent the air from the oncoming water wave entering the second turbine and further including arranging the two turbines with the exhaust side of the first turbine and intake side of the second turbine to allow atleast a portion of the air flowing towards the receding wave to drive the second turbine for generating further energy in the exhaust stroke, thereby generating continuously two loads of power from the two turbines for every complete water wave cycle.

h. repeating step (g) with the on come of a further wave generating two further loads of power from the two turbines, and

i. continuing step (h) as long as there is sufficient water flow to generate power.

A method of generating power from the wave using a pair of oscillating water column (OWC) based turbines comprising the following steps :

a. providing a first uni-direction turbine with inlet in the paths of air arising from plurality of oscillating water columns of oncoming water waves,

b. providing a second uni-direction turbine located adjacent to first turbine but with inlet arranged in the path of air flowing towards the receding waves,

c. arranging a first set of fluidic diodes in driving relation to first turbine,

d. arranging a second set of fluidic diodes in driving relation to second turbine,

e. connecting a first generator to the first turbine in driving relation,

f. connecting a second generator to the second turbine in driving relation,

g. arranging the driving relation of said sets of fluidic diodes which comprises arranging the first set of fluidic diodes to allow the air arising from plurality of oscillating water columns of oncoming water wave to drive the first turbine in the intake stroke to generate energy and arranging the second set of fluidic diodes to prevent the air from the oncoming water wave entering the second turbine and further including arranging the two turbines with the exhaust side of the first turbine and intake side of the second turbine to allow atleast a portion of the air flowing towards the receding wave to drive the second turbine for generating further energy in the exhaust stroke, thereby generating continuously two loads of power from the two turbines for every complete water wave cycle.

h. repeating step (g) with the on come of a further wave generating two further loads of power from the two turbines, and

i. continuing step (h) as long as there is sufficient water flow to generate power.

7. The wave power generating system as claimed in claim 1, 2 and 3 further comprising a blower arranged in driving relation with first fluidic diode to aid the flow of air arising from the oscillating water column of oncoming water wave to drive the first turbine.

8. The wave power generating system as claimed in claim 2 and 3 further comprising a blower arranged in driving relation with first set of fluidic diodes to aid the flow of air arising from plurality of oscillating water columns of the oncoming water wave to drive the first turbine.

9. The wave power generating system as claimed in claim 1, 2 and 3 further comprising a blower arranged in driving relation with second fluidic diode to aid the flow of air towards the receding wave to drive the second turbine.

10. The wave power generating system as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a blower arranged in driving relation with the second set of fluidic diodes to aid the flow of atleast a portion of air towards the receding wave to drive the second turbine.

11. The method of wave power generating system as claimed in claim 4, 5 and 6 further comprising a blower arranged in driving relation with first fluidic diode to aid the flow of atleast a portion of air arising from the oscillating water column of oncoming water wave to drive the first turbine.

12. The method of wave power generating system as claimed in claim 5 and 6 further comprising a blower arranged in driving relation with first set of fluidic diodes to aid the flow of atleast a portion of air arising from plurality of oscillating water columns of the oncoming water wave to drive the first turbine.

13. The method of wave power generating system as claimed in claim 4, 5 and 6 further comprising a blower arranged in driving relation with second fluidic diode to aid the flow of atleast a portion of air towards the receding wave to drive the second turbine.

14. The method of wave power generating system as claimed in claim 6 further comprising a blower arranged in driving relation with the second set of fluidic diodes to aid the flow of atleast a portion of air towards the receding wave to drive the second turbine.