Power generator

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12092065-B2
Application number	US-202017782849-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 4, 2020
Priority date	Dec 6, 2019
Publication date	Sep 17, 2024
Grant date	Sep 17, 2024

Abstract

A wave power generator includes a box-shaped body having an inner chamber containing a first gyroscopic device that includes a first frame hinged to the body around a first axis, a first gyroscope being carried by the first frame in a rotatable manner around a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, a first actuator being carried by the first frame to rotate the first gyroscope around the second axis, and a first converter device that converts rotational mechanical energy into electric energy that is mechanically coupled to the first frame. The first converter device is connected to a stabilizing device. A second gyroscopic device includes a second frame hinged to the body around a third axis transversal to the first axis.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A wave power generator configured to convert waves propagating in a liquid into electric power, the wave power generator comprising:
a body that is box-shaped having an inner chamber;
a first gyroscopic device contained in the body, the first gyroscopic device comprising a first frame hinged to the body around a first axis through respective first protrusions coaxial to the first axis, a first gyroscope carried by the first frame in a rotatable manner around a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, a first actuator carried by the first frame and operably configured to rotate the first gyroscope around the second axis, a first converter device being mechanically coupled to the first frame,
wherein the first converter device converts rotational mechanical energy and is connected to a stabilizing device; and
a second gyroscopic device comprising a second frame hinged to the body around a third axis that is transversal to the first axis through respective second protrusions coaxial to the third axis.

2. The wave power generator according to claim 1 , wherein the second gyroscopic device comprises a second gyroscope carried by the second frame rotatable around a fourth axis that is perpendicular to the third axis.

3. The wave power generator according to claim 2 , further comprising:
a second actuator operably configured and associated with the second gyroscope to keep the second gyroscope rotating around the fourth axis in a predetermined way; and
a second mechanical rotation energy converter device coupled to the second frame in an angularly fixed manner,
wherein the second mechanical rotation energy converter device is connected to the stabilizing device.

4. The wave power generator according to claim 3 , further comprising:
an energy storage device connected to the stabilizing device.

5. The wave power generator according to claim 3 , wherein at least one of the first actuator and the second actuator has an adjustable rotation speed.

6. The wave power generator according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first axis and the third axis is fixed to the body.

7. The wave power generator according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first axis and the third axis is rotatable relative to a fifth axis that is transverse to the first axis and the third axis.

8. The wave power generator according to claim 7 , further comprising:
a first support for the first frame that comprises a first base permanently carried by the body and a first fork portion rotatably supported by the first base around the fifth axis,
wherein first fork portion carries the first frame through the first protrusions.

9. The wave power generator according to claim 8 , wherein the first support comprises:
a third actuator operably configured to be electronically controlled and coaxial or parallel to the fifth axis; and
a control unit connected to the third actuator to adjust an orientation of the first fork portion relative to the body.

10. The wave power generator according to claim 9 , further comprising:
a second support for the second frame that comprises a second base permanently carried by the body and a second fork portion rotatably supported by the second base around the fifth axis,
wherein the second fork portion carries the second frame through the second protrusions.

11. The wave power generator according to claim 10 , wherein the second support comprises:
a fourth actuator operably configured to be electronically controlled and coaxial or parallel to the fifth axis,
wherein the control unit is connected to the fourth actuator to adjust an orientation of the second fork portion relative to the body.

12. The wave power generator according to claim 11 , further comprising:
a plurality of motion sensors for the body for six degrees of freedom electronically connected to the control unit configured to evaluate average statistical parameters of a wave climate that is incident to the body.

13. The wave power generator according to claim 12 , wherein the control unit is part of a management system that records information on the wave climate with wave-meter buoys and marine meteorological forecasting systems.

14. The wave power generator according to claim 9 , wherein the control unit is connected with the stabilizing device to the first actuator and to a second actuator.

15. The wave power generator according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second converter devices and the stabilizing device are configured to manage flows of electric, hydraulic or pneumatic energy.

16. The wave power generator according to claim 1 , wherein the body is axially symmetric relative to a fifth axis that is transverse to the first axis and the third axis.

17. The wave power generator according to claim 1 , wherein the body is externally fitted with devices having a circular crown arch shape and being configured to float in a liquid.

18. The wave power generator according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a wing device rigidly connected to the body and configured to float in a gaseous fluid.

19. The wave power generator according to claim 18 , wherein the wing device comprises a kite connected to the body by at least one tie rod.

20. The wave power generator according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a ground reference device coupled to the body.

21. The wave power generator according to claim 20 , wherein the ground reference device is configured to connect the body to the ground with at least one cable.

22. The wave power generator according to claim 21 , wherein the ground reference device comprises a GPS receiver.

Assignees

• Eni Spa

Inventors

• Michetti Vincenzo
• Mattiazzo Giuliana
• Bracco Giovanni
• Carapellese Fabio
• Sirigu Sergej Antonello
• Bonfanti Mauro

Classifications

• F03D5/00

  Other wind motors (controlling thereof F03D7/00) · CPC title

• Y02E10/30

  Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient · CPC title

• F05B2250/313

  the axes being perpendicular to each other · CPC title

• F05B2240/93

  on a structure floating on a liquid surface · CPC title

• F05B2250/44

  one element moving inside another one, e.g. wave-operated member (wom) moving inside another member (rem) · CPC title