System for conversion of wave energy into electrical energy

Abstract

The disclosure provides a device for converting wave motion into electricity, and methods of using the devices for generating electricity. The disclosure also provides a power generation device that includes a water blanket having a plurality of pods arranged in a grid for floating on the surface of a body of water. In one example, ball joints and hydraulic cylinders couple each of the pods to adjacent pods. Motors are coupled to the hydraulic cylinders such that a flow of hydraulic fluid created by expansion and compression of the cylinders due to movement of the pods causes rotational motion in the motor. Generators are coupled to respective motors to generate electricity from the rotational motion of the motors. Power from the ocean blanket can be supplemental with wind turbines, water paddles, water turbines, and solar cells.

1 . A power generation device, comprising:
 a plurality of pods arranged in a grid for floating on the surface of a body of water;   hydraulic cylinders coupling each of the pods to adjacent pods;   a motor coupled to the hydraulic cylinders, such that a flow of hydraulic fluid created by expansion and compression of the cylinders due to movement of the pods causes rotational motion in the motor; and,   generators coupled to respective motors to generate electricity from the rotational motion of the motors.   
     
     
         2 . The power generation device of  claim 1  Wherein said pods further include a paddle wheel for contact with the body of water, such that currents in the body of water rotate the paddle wheel for further production of electrical energy from ocean energy. 
     
     
         3 . power generation device of  claim 1  wherein the pods are attached to a platform, and the device further comprises at least one of; wind turbines disposed on the platform for generating electricity from wind movement; water turbines assemblies coupled to the platform and extending into the body of water, wherein each water turbine assembly comprises: i) a plurality of turbines, each coupled to a respective shaft; and, ii) a plurality of generators, each coupled to one of the shafts; or solar cells disposed on the pods. 
     
     
         4 . The power generation device of  claim 1 , wherein each pod is attached to 16 hydraulic cylinders and the device further comprises bail joints coupling each of the pods to adjacent pods. 
     
     
         5 . A power generation unit, comprising: an integrated first system and at least one second system, each of the first and at least one second systems are configured to convert a source of renewable energy to electricity, the first system comprising a plurality of movably interconnected buoyant pods forming a water blanket having a top side and a bottom side, wherein the water blanket generates electricity when the pods move in response to wave action, and the at least one second system is chosen from a system for converting solar energy to electricity, a system for converting wind energy to electricity, and a system for converting water energy such as ocean current energy or river flow energy into electricity. 
     
     
         6 . A power generation unit according to  claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of pods is connected to at least one other of the plurality of pods by at least one coupling apparatus that converts wave motion into electricity. 
     
     
         7 . A power generation unit according to  claim 6 , wherein the unit further comprises one or more generators for producing electricity, and one or more hydraulic motors, and the plurality of coupling apparatus is a plurality of hydraulic cylinders that converts wave motion into mechanical motion and that are operatively connected to the one or more hydraulic motors which are in turn operatively connected to the one or more generators. 
     
     
         8 . A power generation unit according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least one system for converting solar energy to electricity comprises one or more solar cells disposed on the top side of the water blanket, the at least one system for converting wind energy to electricity comprises one or more windmills disposed on the top side of the water blanket, and the at least one system for converting water energy to electricity is chosen from a system comprising a water paddle connected to the water blanket, a system comprising water turbines disposed on the bottom side of the water blanket, or both. 
     
     
         9 . A power generation unit according to  claim 8 , comprising each of the solar energy system, wind energy system, water paddle system, and water turbine system. 
     
     
         10 . A device for generating power from one or more sources of renewable energy, comprising a floating platform configured to generate electricity in response to wave movement, and one or more subsystems connected to the platform for converting one or more of wind, solar, or water energy to electricity. 
     
     
         11 . A device according to  claim 10 , wherein the floating platform is comprised of a plurality of movably interconnected pods, wherein movement of the pods in response to wave action generates electricity. 
     
     
         12 . A device according to  claim 10 , wherein the device further comprises a plurality of coupling apparatus and each of the plurality of pods is connected to at least one other of the plurality of pods by at least one of the plurality of coupling apparatus, wherein the coupling apparatus converts pod movement directly or indirectly into electricity. 
     
     
         13 . A device according to  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of coupling apparatus is a plurality of hydraulic cylinders and the device further comprises one or more hydraulic motors operatively connected to one or more generators for producing electricity, wherein pod movement causes the plurality of hydraulic cylinders to compress and expand producing rotational motion in the one or more hydraulic motors. 
     
     
         14 . A method for generating electricity from a renewable source of energy, the method comprising deploying a device according to  claim 5  for converting wave motion into electricity in the ocean. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein the device is freely floating in the ocean, and the method further comprises periodically moving the device to a location with a desired ocean current strength. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein the device further comprises a plurality of coupling apparatus, and each of the plurality of pods is connected to at least one other of the plurality of pods by a coupling apparatus, wherein movement of the pods induces the coupling apparatus to convert wave motion into electricity.