Wave generator

Abstract

An ocean wave generator utilizes four artificial jetties positioned along an ocean shore line and angled to each other to form three funnel shapes, one facing the incoming ocean waves and defining an outlet opening therebetween for directing incoming ocean waves therethrough and two facing the shoreline and having a pair of outlets returning incoming water to the ocean. A rotating paddle wheel and electric generating turbines are placed in the openings to capture the energy from the incoming ocean waves and from the water returning to the ocean.

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/725,613, filed Oct. 12, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the harnessing and converting of energy from ocean waves to electric power.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A large amount of energy is expended in the ocean surf with the waves causing an oscillating flow of water striking the shoreline. With each wave, water is washed upon a beach or shoreline and then flows back towards the ocean as a result of the gravity of the water. The waves move in and out at a rapid pace and many devices have been developed in the past for harnessing the energy in the waves. These devices typically are located near the coastline for converting the kinetic energy of the waves into electricity. Some types have a jetty having portals or channels disposed on a sea cove so that the normal breaking action of the waves can be used for generating electric power with turbine generators. The efficiency of such devices is affected by the changing tides.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a wave generator which focuses the energy from incoming waves and directs the focused energy into turbines for converting the energy into electrical energy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An ocean wave generator has a pair of artificial jetties positioned along the ocean shoreline and angled to form a generally funnel shape facing incoming ocean waves and defining an outlet opening therebetween for directing incoming waves therethrough. A rotating paddle wheel is positioned in the outlet opening between the pair of jetties. An electric generator is coupled to the rotating paddle wheel for generating electrical energy upon the paddle wheel rotating as ocean waves are directed through the outlet opening between the jetties. The paddle wheel has a plurality of radially extending vanes having an extended length to operate with varying tide levels. The ocean wave generator has a third jetty positioned on one side of the pair of jetties at an angle to form a second generally funnel shape with one of the pair of jetties facing the shoreline and forming a first outlet opening into the ocean. A fourth jetty is positioned on the other side of said pair of jetties at an angle to form a third generally funnel shape with the other of the pair of jetties facing the shoreline and forming a second outlet opening to the ocean whereby ocean water passing through the pair of jetties outlet opening is returned through the second and third generally funnel shape outlet openings. A first electric generating turbine is attached to the first outlet opening into the ocean and a second outlet electric generating turbine is attached in the second outlet opening into the ocean so that electricity is generated by the ocean water passing through the opening through the pair of jetties returning to the ocean.

The process of making an ocean wave generator includes forming a pair of artificial jetties along an ocean shoreline angled to each other to form a generally funnel shape facing incoming ocean waves and defining an outlet opening therebetween for directing incoming waves therethrough. A rotating paddle wheel is mounted into the outlet opening between the pair of jetties and an electric generator is coupled to the rotating paddle wheel for generating electrical energy upon rotation of the paddle wheel as ocean waves are directed through the outlet opening between the jetties. The process may include the step of forming a third jetty positioned on one side of the pair of jetties at an angle to form a second generally funnel shape with one of the pair of jetties facing the shoreline to form a first outlet opening into the ocean and forming a fourth jetty positioned on the other side of the pair of jetties at an angle to form a third generally funnel shape with the other of the pair of jetties facing the shoreline to form an outlet opening into the ocean so that ocean water passing through the pair of jetties outlet opening is returned through the second and third generally funnel shaped outlet openings. A first electric generating turbine is mounted in the first outlet opening into the ocean and a second outlet electric generating turbine is mounted in the second outlet opening into the ocean so that electricity is generated by the ocean water passing through the opening through said pair of jetties and when the ocean water returns to the ocean.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the written description and the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a wave generator in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of a paddle wheel in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the second embodiment of the wave generator of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings show a wave electric generation system which has been positioned adjacent the coastline 10 in FIG. 1 and has a plurality of artificial jetties or sea walls 11 and 12 positioned at angles to form a funnel shape arrangement with an opening 13 between the walls at the narrowest portion. An artificial jetty 14 is placed facing in the opposite direction on one end of the jetty 11 and an artificial jetty 15 is located at an angle from the jetty 12 so that the jetties 11 and 14 form a funnel shape with an opening therebetween facing in the opposite direction from the jetties 11 and 12. Similarly, the artificial jetties 12 and 15 form a funnel shape structure with an opening 16 facing the incoming surf while the artificial jetties 11 and 14 form an opening 17 facing the incoming surf.

A paddle wheel 18 is positioned in the opening 13 and has a shaft 20 and a pair of paddle wheel supports 19 positioned on the jetties 11 and 12 to rotatably support the paddle wheel 18. Shaft 20 is also connected to a pair of electric generators 21 and 22. The incoming water from an ocean wave is concentrated by the jetty walls 11 and 12 as it passes through the funnel shape and impinges on the paddle wheel 18 to rotate the paddle wheel 18 and actuate the electric generators 21 and 22. The water, upon passing through the opening 13 and past the paddle wheel 18, is then directed back into the funnel-shaped areas 23 and 24 formed by the jetties 12 and 15 and the jetties 11 and 14, respectively. The opening 16 between the jetties 12 and 15 has an electric turbine 25 placed therein while the opening 17 between the jetties 11 and 14 has an electric generator 26 placed therein so that the returning water passing through the opening 13 and the paddle wheel 18 is returned through the electric generators 25 and 26 for generating additional power following the initial power generated by the paddle wheel 18 turning the generators 21 and 22.

The paddle wheel 18 is illustrated in FIG. 2 and has a center shaft 20 along with radiating frame members 27 each having an angled blade 28 extending a substantial distance past the circular frame 30. As the water 31 passes under the paddle wheel 18, the blades extend to a position that they will be rotated by the wave action 31 but, as the ocean tide shifts the water level, the blades are still maintained in the water at a direction for obtaining maximum power from the paddle wheel.

In operation, the incoming wave is received in the funnel-shaped area 32 formed by the jetties 11 and 12 and directed through the paddle wheel 18 to rotate the shaft 20 and turn the turbines 21 and 22 to generate electricity. The water having passed through the paddle wheel area is then directed into the funnel areas 23 and 24 where the water returns to the ocean as the wave has receded and is forced by the jetty 11 and 14 to be directed through the turbine 26 and through the jetties 12 and 15 through the turbine 25 creating additional energy from the incoming wave.

FIG. 3 illustrates a second embodiment of a wave generating system 35 formed on the shoreline 36 and having a pair of artificial jetties 37 and 38 forming a funnel-shaped area 40 and a pair of jetties 41 and 42 forming a funnel-shaped area 43 angled to accept an incoming wave towards the shoreline 35 and to concentrate the energy of the wave with the funnel-shaped areas 40 and 43 which direct the waves through an electric generator paddle wheel 44 located in an opening 45 formed by the jetties 37 and 38. The paddle wheel 44 runs a pair of generators 46. Similarly, the jetties 41 and 42 direct and concentrate the wave energy coming into the funnel 43 directing it through an opening 47 where it drives a paddle wheel 48 to turn a pair of turbines 50. A sea wall 51 has been shaped between the jetties 41 and 42 to carry the incoming water through a channel 52 while the sea wall portion 53 directs the water passing through the opening 45 back along the back of the jetty 38 through a channel 54. The water passing through the channels 52 and 54 is directed through the opening 55 formed with a pair of jetties 56 and 57. The returning water is directed through the opening 58 and through the paddle wheel 60 to turn a pair of generators 61 supported on the jetties 57 and 56. The water is then directed through an opening 62 between the artificial jetties 38 and 42. A gate can be placed in front of paddle wheels 18, 60, 44 and 48 for cutting off the flow of water while the paddles and generators are being repaired or overhauled.

As can be seen, the present wave generating system captures the energy from incoming waves as well as from the returning water as the wave recedes back into the ocean while at the same time concentrating the energy of each wave by forming a funnel-shaped opening to create a venturi to increase the velocity of the wave and to remove energy therefrom with the paddle wheel generators or with the electric turbines. It should also be clear that the invention can be installed in a river or in other flowing water without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. However, the present invention should not be considered as limited to the forms shown which are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.

Claims

1. An ocean wave generator comprising:

a pair of artificial jetties positioned along an ocean shoreline and angled to form a generally funnel shape facing incoming ocean waves and defining an outlet opening therebetween for directing incoming waves therethrough;

a rotating paddle wheel positioned in said outlet opening between said pair of jetties; and

an electric generator coupled to said rotating paddle wheel for generating electrical energy upon said paddle wheel rotating as ocean waves are directed through said outlet opening between said jetties.

2. The ocean wave generator in accordance with claim 1 in which said paddle wheel has a plurality of radially extending vanes having an extended length to operate with varying tide levels.

3. The ocean wave generator in accordance with claim 2 having a third jetty positioned on one side of said pair of jetties at an angle to form a second generally funnel shape with one of said pair of jetties facing the shoreline and forming an first outlet opening into the ocean and having a fourth jetty positioned on the other side of said pair of jetties at an angle to form a third generally funnel shape with the other of said pair of jetties facing the shoreline and forming an second outlet opening into the ocean whereby ocean water passing through said pair of jetties outlet opening is returned through said second and third generally funnel shape outlet openings.

4. The ocean wave generator in accordance with claim 3 having a first electric generating turbine attached in said first outlet opening into the ocean and having a second outlet electric generating turbine attached in said second outlet opening into the ocean whereby electricity is generated by the ocean water passing through said opening through said pair of jetties returning to the ocean.

5. A process of making an ocean wave generator comprising the steps of:

forming a pair of artificial jetties along an ocean shoreline angled to each other to form a generally funnel shape facing incoming ocean waves and defining an outlet opening therebetween for directing incoming waves therethrough;

mounting a rotating paddle wheel into said outlet opening between said pair of jetties; and

coupling an electric generator to said rotating paddle wheel for generating electrical energy upon said paddle wheel rotating as ocean waves are directed through said outlet opening between said jetties.

6. The process of making an ocean wave generator in accordance with claim 5 including the step of forming a third jetty positioned on one side of said pair of jetties at an angle to form a second generally funnel shape with one of said pair of jetties facing the shoreline to form a first outlet opening into the ocean and forming a fourth jetty positioned on the other side of said pair of jetties at an angle to form a third generally funnel shape with the other of said pair of jetties facing the shoreline to form a second outlet opening into the ocean whereby ocean water passing through said pair of jetties outlet opening is returned through said second and third generally funnel shape outlet openings.

7. The process of making an ocean wave generator in accordance with claim 6 including the step of mounting a first electric generating turbine in said first outlet opening into the ocean and mounting a second outlet electric generating turbine in said second outlet opening into the ocean whereby electricity is generated by the ocean water passing through said opening through said pair of jetties returning to the ocean.