WO2015004333A1

WO2015004333A1 - Device for converting swell movement into energy

Info

Publication number: WO2015004333A1
Application number: PCT/FR2013/000181
Authority: WO
Inventors: PATIN Pierre-Armand
Original assignee: Sa2P
Priority date: 2013-07-11
Filing date: 2013-07-11
Publication date: 2015-01-15

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for converting swell movement into energy, which comprises at least one arm (1) supporting a float and swinging about a horizontal axis (20) when the swell moves, and a reverser mechanism (3) including a main gear (4) for rotating an output shaft and onto which, in two diametrically opposed areas, a pair of conical gears (5, 5') mesh that can be rotatably secured to said arm (1) in two opposite directions, respectively. According to the invention, the device includes at least three arms (1) which each support a float and extend radially along at least three directions (10) distributed about the central vertical axis (30) of the carrier (M), in the shape of a star, wherein said arms (1) are swingably mounted, respectively, about concurrent hinge axes (20) extending through said central axis (30), and the reverser mechanism (3) includes a single main wheel (4) for rotating the output shaft and, for each arm (1), a pair of opposite conical gears (5, 5') each rotatably secured in one direction with said arm (1). The device according to the invention is particularly intended for recovering swell energy for power generation, fluid pumping or gas compression.

Description

Device for converting the motion of the swell into energy

The invention relates to a device for converting into energy a wave motion of a liquid surface, especially the movement of waves or waves, in the marine environment.

The swell is a wave movement of the sea resulting from the action of the wind blowing for a fairly long time in the same direction.

On an ocean, the swell can have a wavelength of a hundred meters or more and a height, between a ridge and a hollow, of several meters. It adds, however, to this movement of great amplitude, waves of variable height, due to the action of the wind, and to which one also applies the term of swell.

Even in the case of an average height, for example of the order of 1 meter, between a ridge and a hollow, this wave motion of a liquid surface represents a significant potential and kinetic energy. For a long time, we have been looking for a way to make this wave energy usable, which has the advantage of being free, indefinitely renewable and relatively regular.

Since, by nature, the movement of the swell is alternative, it was first sought to operate pumps or compressors to recover hydraulic or pneumatic energy.

From 191 1, for example, the document US-988,508 described an installation mounted on a kind of boom and having a series of flaps each rotating, alternately, about a vertical axis, so as to actuate a piston moving at the same time. inside a fixed cylinder and thus forming a pump or a compressor.

Similarly, the document FR-A-547,765 published in 1924, describes a compressor comprising a piston immobilized in the vertical direction, relative to the ground, and sliding inside a cylinder mounted for example, on a pontoon or a boat, so as to oscillate vertically under the effect of the wave movements of the liquid surface.

More recently, in a device called "Salter's Duck" and described, for example, in US-A-3 928 967, the wave energy recovery means comprises a series of rotating rotatable members around of an axis and each having a pointed portion, subjected to the movement of the water and transforming it into an alternating rotation of a rotor-shaped part provided with vanes, which rotates in a stator, in order to function as an alternative pump whose energy can then be converted into usable energy.

Such a hydraulic system, well adapted to high power, is however complex and expensive because it requires pressure control systems and accumulators that increase the cost and reduce yields. Moreover, such hydraulic systems are quite fragile and difficult to maintain in the marine environment and they also have the risk of pollution in case of leakage.

To avoid such drawbacks, it seems preferable to use older provisions, using only mechanical means, to transform the movement of the waves into energy.

US-A-1,385,083, for example, published in 1921, describes an installation of this type, comprising two arms extending in opposite directions on either side of a horizontal axis of articulation and bearing each a float that controls oscillation of its support arm, alternately upwardly and downwardly, under the effect of the upwardly and downward movement of the liquid surface, respectively. This reciprocating oscillation movement of the two arms is converted, by an inverter mechanism, into a one-way rotational driving torque of an output shaft which can control, for example, an electric generator. .

In this arrangement, the output shaft of the reversing mechanism is rotated by a control wheel placed between the ends, opposite the floats, of the two oscillating arms which each form a fork with two spaced branches, mounted articulated around a horizontal swing shaft. On this conically toothed drive wheel mesh two diametrically opposed conical pinions, which can be rotatably fastened, each in one direction, by means of ratchet devices, respectively with the two branches of each of the two arms, whose independent oscillations can thus be controlling the one-way rotation of the gear and, therefore, the output shaft.

However, as each float is attached to the end of an oscillating arm, the energy recovered by it is a function of the amplitude of the vertical movements of the float which themselves depend on the height of the waves. To benefit from a maximum amplitude, it is therefore necessary that the oscillating arms are oriented perpendicularly to the crest of the waves.

But the direction of wave displacement depends on many factors, in particular the direction of the winds and currents, and even the profile of the coast. It is therefore necessary to adjust the orientation of the arms according to a dominant direction of the swell on the site and, when it comes from another direction, the conversion efficiency of the wave energy can be considerably decreased and even canceled.

This type of disadvantage can be avoided by means of an original arrangement, described in document US Pat. No. 2,757,899. In this case, in fact, the installation comprises a large number of floats distributed in a circle around a vertical axis and fixed at the ends of multiple oscillating arms arranged in a star so that at any time some of the oscillating arms are oriented perpendicular to the direction of the swell and thus benefit from the maximum amplitude of the movement of the water, which allows to recover most of the wave energy, whatever its orientation .

Such an arrangement is, however, very complex, because of the large number of arms that oscillate independently of each other and must converge to the inverter mechanism placed in a small space in the center of the installation. This is why, in the arrangement of document US Pat. No. 2,757,899, each oscillating arm operates two racks in the form of circular sectors, centered on the axis of articulation of the arm and between which are placed two superposed pairs, respectively upper and lower , of contiguous gears which meshes with the two racks and, by means of freewheels, drive a control shaft directed radially in a single direction of rotation, due to the upward or downward reciprocating movements of the two racks. At their other end, the two superimposed trees, respectively upper and lower, each carry a conical pinion meshing with a conical circular toothing arranged on a face, respectively upper and lower, of a control wheel, centered on a vertical output shaft of the mechanism.

Moreover, because of the large number of arms converging towards the inverter mechanism, it must comprise two superimposed control wheels of the output shaft, in order to distribute the gears and the control shafts on two levels.

Such a mechanism for transforming the oscillating movement of the arms is, therefore, particularly complex and expensive and could hardly be applied to an arrangement of the type described in document US Pat. No. 1,385,083 cited above, comprising two aligned arms, articulated on the same axis. horizontal oscillation intersecting the vertical axis of the output shaft, in the center of the mechanism.

In addition, such a heavy and bulky device must necessarily be carried by a fixed structure resting on the bottom. However, in the most frequent case of a sea subjected to the tides, it is preferable to use a floating installation and, consequently, relatively light, in order to follow important variations of the average level of the water.

The object of the invention is to solve all these problems by means of a new device for converting wave energy which, while remaining very simple and inexpensive, makes it possible to use a relatively large number of actuating floats. oscillating arms arranged in a star shape around the axis of the reversing mechanism, in order to recover the energy of the undulating wave or wave movement with a good efficiency, whatever the direction of movement of the waves. The invention therefore generally relates to a device for converting into energy a wave motion of a liquid surface, comprising at least one arm carrying a float at one end and oscillating, at its opposite end, on a oscillation shaft centered on a substantially horizontal axis of articulation and carried by a support structure, said arm being animated by an oscillating movement about said hinge axis, alternately upwards and downwards under the effect of the movement, respectively upward and downward, of the liquid surface, and means for transforming this reciprocating oscillation motion into a driving torque in rotation, about its axis, of an output shaft, said means for transformation comprising an inverter mechanism comprising a main gearwheel driving in rotation of the output shaft, rotatably mounted about an axis and having a conical circular toothing, on lacquer they mesh, in two diametrically opposed zones, a pair of two conical gears centered on the same axis orthogonal to the axis of the main gear, and means for securing said arm in rotation, respectively, with a first of the two bevel gears in a first direction of rotation about its axis and with the second bevel gear in the opposite direction of rotation, the two bevel gears thus being rotated, each in one direction, by the oscillation movement of the arm, so as to controlling the one-way rotation of the main gear and the output shaft.

According to the invention, this device comprises at least three arms each carrying a float and extending radially in at least three directions distributed in a star around a vertical central axis of the support structure, said arms being mounted oscillating, respectively , about intersecting axes of articulation passing through said central axis, and the inverter mechanism comprises a main gear, driving in rotation of the output shaft and, for each of the oscillating arms, a pair of two bevel gears opposed rotationally secured, each in one direction, with said arm, said pairs of bevel gears overlapping so that their axes of rotation are arranged in a star around the axis of the main gear and all the gears are evenly distributed along its circular conical teeth.

In a preferred embodiment, the reversing mechanism is housed in a hollow housing fixed to the support structure, so that the main drive gear of the output shaft is rotatably mounted about the vertical central axis of said support, and the hinge end of each of the arms carrying the floats form a fork with two branches extending on either side of said housing and mounted articulated, respectively, on two parts of an oscillation shaft s extending respectively, in opposite directions, on either side of said housing and centered on the same horizontal axis of articulation passing through the central vertical axis of rotation of the main gear wheel. In this case, the two bevel gears driven by each of the arms are advantageously locked in rotation, respectively, on two tubular shafts in the form of sockets, threaded and rotatably mounted, respectively, on the two parts of the fixed oscillation shaft of the each arm extending outwardly from the corresponding conical pinion, said tubular shafts being rotationally secured, each in one direction, with the corresponding branch of the arm.

In addition, the two branches of each support arm are rotatably mounted on two bearings centered, respectively, on the two parts of the oscillation shaft of the arm on which are threaded, respectively, the tubular shafts of the two bevel gears associated with said arm, and each of said bearings comprises an outer member integral in rotation with the corresponding branch of the arm, an inner member integral in rotation with the tubular shaft of the corresponding conical pinion, and a means, of freewheel type, for rotationally securing, in one direction, of the two elements of the bearing.

According to another preferred feature, the conversion device comprises at least two pairs of support arms aligned along at least two directions passing through the vertical axis of the main gear of the inverter mechanism, and the two arms of each pair extending in opposite directions are rotatably mounted, each on two bearings carried respectively by the two parts of the same oscillation shaft extending respectively on either side of the housing and centered on the same axis of articulation of the two opposed arms, the latter being associated with the same pair of two conical gears fixed respectively to the inner ends of two tubular shafts rotatably mounted respectively on the two parts of the common oscillation shaft.

Particularly advantageously, the bearings of the two arms placed on the same side of the housing are arranged side by side and are threaded onto the tubular shaft of the corresponding conical pinion, which extends over a sufficient length along the corresponding part of the common oscillation shaft and is secured in rotation with the internal elements of said bearings placed side by side.

According to another particularly advantageous characteristic, the hollow case containing the reversing mechanism comprises a fixed central piece forming a support nut, by an inner end, of each of the two outwardly extending portions of each oscillation shaft, said central piece providing, inside said housing, a flat lower space in which is housed the main gear wheel, rotatably mounted about a vertical central axis of the housing, and an annular space in which are housed the bevel gears meshing with said main gear wheel.

Preferably, the two parts of each of the oscillation shafts of the different arms carrying the floats, are mounted recessed, by their internal ends, on the fixed support nut and extend cantilever outwardly in directions extending radially in a star around the vertical central axis of the housing.

Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the hollow housing containing the reversing mechanism comprises a side wall provided with passage bores, respectively, of the shafts of each of the bevel gears and a bottom applied and fixed on the support structure 'and having a bore centered on a vertical axis, in which is rotatably mounted about said axis, a rotational shaft of the main gear, the latter having a tubular shape and itself being threaded and rotatably mounted about said vertical axis of the housing, on a centering rod fixed on the support, said rod having an upper part on which is embedded, by a central bore, the fixed support nut of the oscillation shafts, and a lower part on which is threaded and rotatably mounted a shaft tubular integral in rotation with the tubular shaft of the main gear and constituting the output shaft of the inverter mechanism.

In addition, to allow independent oscillation movements of two adjacent arms, without interference between their branches articulated on oscillation shafts having different orientations, the two branches of the articulation fork of each of the support arms, s extending respectively on a first and a second side of the housing, are bent, one upwardly on the first side and the other downward on the second side, so that the corresponding branches of two adjacent arms can cross over one over the other.

Such arrangements allow to drive, for example an alternator, via a gear multiplier mechanism, the inverter mechanism, the multiplier mechanism and the generator being centered on the same vertical axis and fixed one below on the other side of the upper part of the support.

It should be noted, on the other hand, that the support structure on which the oscillating arms are articulated mounted, may be a simple foundation set on the bottom, particularly in sites with very low tidal range. However, it is more advantageous to mount the articulated arms on a solid floating object, the mooring type, anchored on the bottom and able to follow the large amplitude variations of the water level.

But the invention will be better understood by the detailed description of some particular embodiments, given by way of example and shown in the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows schematically the entire device mounted on a floating object.

FIG. 2 is a general perspective view of a conversion device according to the invention with three floats. FIG. 3 is a schematic view from above of the three-float device of FIG. 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a six-float conversion device.

Figure 5 is a detail view of the device of Figure 4, in section through a vertical plane passing through a hinge axis.

FIG. 6 is a detail view, in perspective, of the device of FIG. 5.

Figure 1 shows schematically the assembly of a conversion device according to the invention, placed on a moving liquid surface S, generally in a marine environment.

FIG. 2 shows, in perspective, a device comprising three floats A, B, C, each carried at one end of an oscillating arm 1, extending along a longitudinal axis and articulated at its opposite end, around a transverse axis 20 substantially horizontal, on a fixed support structure M. Likewise, each float A, B, C, is connected to the end of the corresponding arm 1, by a hinge about a horizontal axis 10 '.

When the average level of the liquid surface S is substantially constant, for example on the Mediterranean Sea, the support structure M can be fixed on a foundation base bearing on the seabed. However, as schematically shown in FIG. 1, it is preferable, in particular when the average level of the surface S can vary over a certain amplitude, that the support structure M is arranged on a floating object of the mooring box type or beacon, maintained by chains anchored on the bottom. Thus, the support structure M is itself subject to the oscillatory movement of the waves, which increases the amplitude of the relative movements of the floats relative to their support. In this way, as shown in FIG. 2, when the liquid surface S is subjected to a periodic wave movement due to the swell and the waves formed by the wind, the floats A, B, C move vertically with respect to the support structure M, independently of each other, and determine an oscillation movement of each arm 1a, 1b, 1c about its horizontal hinge axis (20a, 20b, 20c).

It should be noted, moreover, that the wavelength of the waves depends on the site but varies little. It is therefore advantageous to give the arms a length of the order of one-half wavelength in order to benefit from a maximum oscillation amplitude.

According to the invention, these oscillating movements of the arms (1) control the rotational drive of an output shaft by means of a transformation means I which, in the preferred embodiments shown in the figures, comprises a mechanism inverter (3) fixed on the upper part of the support structure M, on level of articulation axes (20a, 20b, 20c), which intersect on a vertical central axis (30) of said inverter mechanism (3).

As shown in detail in Figure 5 which relates to a device with six arms and is a sectional view through a vertical plane passing through the central axis (30), the inverter mechanism. (3) is advantageously housed in a hollow housing (31) forming a housing having a bottom applied and fixed, either directly on the support structure (M) or, in the case of FIG. (5), on a multiplier mechanism which will be described later.

Each of the arms (1) carrying a float then has the shape of a fork having two spaced branches (11, 1 1 ') rotatably mounted on two bearings (12, 12'), placed on either side of the housing ( 31) and carried by a horizontal oscillation shaft (2), centered on the articulation axis (20) of the arm (1) and passing through said housing (31). However, because the device comprises at least three arms (1a, 1b, 1c) (Fig.1) which are articulated, respectively, around at least three intersecting axes (20a, 20b, 20c) intersecting on the vertical central axis (30), each of the oscillation shafts (2) consists of two coaxial parts forming half-shafts (21, 21) ', which extend respectively outwards, from and another of the central axis (30), between a central piece forming a fixed support nut (32) placed inside the housing (31) and the centering bearing of the corresponding branch of the oscillating arm.

As shown in FIG. 3, which is a diagrammatic view from above of a device with three arms (1a, 1b, 1c), each half-shaft (21, 21 ') can be mounted, at an internal end, on the support nut (32) and, at its other end, a support piece (24,24 ') carried by the fixed support structure M.

Preferably, however, as has been shown in detail in FIG. 5, in the case of a six-armed device which will be described later, to facilitate assembly of the assembly and to clear the space around the mechanism inverter, the two parts (21, 21 ') of the oscillation shafts (2) are embedded, at their inner end (22, 22'), in a corresponding bore of the support nut (32) and extend radially outwards in a star pattern for the cantilevered holding, on their outer portions (23, 23 '), respectively, bearings (12, 12') of the two branches (1 1, 11 ') of each arm (1).

Similarly, to allow the independent oscillation of the arm without interfering branches that intersect around the inverter mechanism (3), the hinge end of the branch (1 1) placed on the left of each arm (1), in facing the central axis (30), is bent upwards, while the end of the right branch (1 l ') is bent downwards. Thus, as shown in Figure 2, the left arm (1 1b) of the arm (1b) passes above the right arm (1 a) of the adjacent arm (1a).

Furthermore, in the case shown in FIG. 4, of a six-armed device for which the space is more congested, the upward deflection of the left-hand limb (11a) of the arm (1a), allows the passage of the oscillation shaft of the adjacent arm (1b) and the mounting of the bearing (12b) of the left arm (11b) thereof.

In general, the inverter mechanism (3) diagrammatically shown in plan view in FIG. (3) comprises a main wheel (4) rotatably mounted around the vertical central axis (30) and having a toothing. conical circular member (41) on which a pair of two diametrically opposed conical pinions (5,5 ') are engaged for each arm which can be rotated in opposite directions, one by the upward movement of the arm and the other by by the downward movement, so as to apply a torque in one direction to the main wheel (4) which itself drives an output shaft centered on the vertical axis (30).

In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, the conversion device comprises three floats A, B, C, respectively carried by three arms (1a, 1b, 1c) angularly spaced 120 °, which are mounted articulated on three shafts in two parts respectively centered on the hinge pins (20a, 20b, 20c) and forming a star with six branches around the vertical central axis (30). In addition, the three pairs of bevel gears associated respectively with the three arms (1a, 1b, 1c) overlap so that the six gears, respectively (5a, 5'b, 5c, 5'a, 5b, c), associated alternately with each of the arms, are regularly distributed, at the vertices of a hexagon, along the conical circular toothing (41) of the main wheel (4). Thus, the energy resulting from the independent oscillations of the three arms can be converted into three torques applied at each moment on the toothed wheel (4) by three bevel gears distributed along its circular toothing (41).

To enable this conversion of the oscillating movement of each arm into a rotational torque applied, in opposite directions on the two associated pinions, placed face to face, each of said pinions (5,5 ') is mounted at an inner end of a sleeve-shaped tubular shaft (51, 51 '), which is threaded and rotatably mounted about the axis (20), on the outer portion (23, 23'), of the corresponding half shaft (21, 21 ') . In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, each of the centering bearings (12, 12 ') of an arm (1) comprises two ring-shaped elements threaded into one another and which can be secured together. rotation, in a single direction, by a freewheel, said rings forming, respectively, an outer member rotatably connected to the corresponding arm (1 1, 11 ') of the arm (1) and an inner element centered and rotated on the tubular shaft (51) of the bevel gear (5, 5 '). For example, FIG. 5 shows, in axial section, the mounting of the bearings (12a, 12'a) of the two branches (1 1 a, 11 'a) of the arm (1a) and bearings (12'd, 12d). two branches (11 'd, 1 1d) of the arm (1 d).

Thus, during an upward movement of a float, for example (A), one of the branches (1 1 a) of the arm (1a) can control the rotation in a first direction of the pinion (5a) and, during the downward movement, the other leg (11 'a) controls the rotation, in the opposite direction, of the pinion (5'a) diametrically opposite. The two pinions (5a, 5'a) facing each other thus apply to the main wheel 4, a torque in the same direction about its axis (30).

In the case of FIGS. 2 and 3, the distribution, around the central axis (30), of the floats (A, B, C) and the star arrangement of the three arms (1 a, 1 b, 1c), which oscillate simultaneously under the effect of the swell, whatever its orientation, allows, at every moment, to recover a maximum energy.

But the efficiency of the device can be further improved by increasing the number of floats and oscillating arms distributed in a star around the central axis (30). Indeed, increasing the number of actuators associated with a single mechanism has multiple advantages:

• The power supplied by the system is proportional to the number of actuators, at a substantially equal price of the mechanism, resulting in a better ratio of transformed power to manufacturing cost.

• The more actuators, the more the output movement is smoothed in rotation speed

• The limitation to one or two actuators imposes a determined positioning of the system with respect to a dominant direction of the swell. The star arrangement with several branches of the actuators allows, on the contrary, a continuous operation of the device irrespective of the direction of the waves or the swell.

Moreover, it is particularly advantageous to use an even number of floats and carrying arms which can then be aligned in pairs and articulated in pairs on the same oscillation shaft, extending in diametrically opposite directions the installation thus comprising at least two pairs of arms aligned in at least two directions, for example, four arms forming a cross and carrying four floats.

However, in the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 4,5,6, the installation comprises six floats (A, B, C, D, E, F) mounted at the ends of six arms (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f), articulated, respectively, on three shafts centered on three oscillation axes (20a, 20b, 20c), which intersect on the vertical central axis (30) of the inverter mechanism (3 ). As before, this inverter (3) is housed in a hollow housing (31) having a bottom (33) fixed on a support structure (M).

However, in the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 5, which is a sectional view through a vertical plane passing through the common articulation axis (20a) of two aligned arms (1a) and (1d), the mechanism inverter (3) is attached to a speed multiplier mechanism (6) which drives an electric generator (G), and the assembly is mounted in a housing (7) applied and fixed on an upper face (71) of the support M. These three superposed members, respectively the inverter (3), the speed multiplier (6) and the generator (G), are centered on a vertical securing rod (70) extending along the central axis (30) of the device.

On the other hand, for each pair of aligned arms, the branches, for example (11a,

1 1 'a) and (1 1' d, 1 1d) of two aligned arms (1 a, 1d), are nested so that their bearings (12'd, 12a, 12d, 12'a) can be threaded rib side by side on two parts of a shaft centered on the axis of oscillation (20a) and extending on either side of the housing (31) of the inverter mechanism (3). For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the bearings (12a) and (12'd) placed to the left of the housing (31) are carried by an outer portion (23a) of the half shaft (21a) and the bearings ( 12'a) and (12d) placed on the right, are carried by the outer portion (23'a) of the half-shaft (21 'a).

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the six half-shafts (21, 21 ') carrying the bearings (12, 12') of the arms (1) are distributed in a star around the central axis (30) and extend advantageously cantilevered from the housing (31), to facilitate the mounting of the arms and clear the space around the inverter mechanism. For this purpose, the fixed support nut (32) which is placed, as indicated above, inside the housing (31), is held by fitting on the upper end (72) of the centering rod (70). ), in order to constitute a fixed support, and it is provided, on its sides, with a plurality of horizontal bores extending radially in a star, and in which are embedded the internal ends (22, 22 ') of each of the half-shafts (21, 21 ') whose external parts (23,23') can thus support, in cantilever, the bearings (12,12 ') of articulation of the arms (1). Moreover, this support nut (32) is dimensioned so as to provide, inside the housing (31), a flat bottom space (33 ') in which the main gear wheel (4) extends horizontally. inverter (3), centered on the vertical axis (30), and an annular space (34 ') in which are placed vertically, one beside the other, the six bevel gears (5a, 5'a 5b, 5'b, 5c, 5'c) which are centered, in pairs, on the three oscillation axes (20a, 20b, 20c).

The main wheel (4) is carried by a downwardly extending tubular shaft (42) which extends through the bottom (33) of the housing (31) and is rotatably mounted and rotated about the axis (30). on the centering rod (70), this tubular shaft (42) constituting, therefore, the output shaft of the inverter mechanism (3).

Likewise, as in the case of the three-arm device of FIG. 3, each of the bevel gears (5, 5 ') is mounted at an inner end of a tubular shaft (51, 51') centered in a bearing (36). ) mounted in a bore (35) formed radially in the side wall (34) of the housing (31) and extended by a rotatablely shaped bushing portion (52, 52 ') about the axis (20), on the outer part (23,23 ') of the half-shaft corresponding (21, 21 ') and extending radially over the length necessary to carry the two bearings placed side by side such that, in Figures 5 and 6, the bearings (12a, 12'd) and (12'a, 12d), oscillating arms (1a, 1d).

As indicated above, each of said bearings (12) comprises an outer member (121) rotatably mounted on the corresponding branch (11) of the arm (1), an inner member (122) and a freewheel (123) for securing rotation, in one direction, of the two elements (121, 122). The ring-shaped inner member (122) is threaded onto the outer portion (52) of the tubular shaft (51) which is provided with a securing groove (53) in which a corresponding projecting portion slides. of the ring (122).

In the preferred embodiment shown in Figure (6), the freewheels (123) of each pair of bearings placed side by side on the same half-shaft, drive it in the same direction, so that the arms corresponding ones act, one during an upward movement and the other in the downward direction, and vice versa for the half-shaft extending on the other side of the housing (32). In the figure (6), for example, the bearings (12'd) and (12a) threaded on the left half-shaft (21a), exert one and the other, on the pinion (5a), a torque in the direction of the arrow (F1), during an upward movement of the arm (1a) and a downward movement of the opposite arm (1d), while the bearings (12d) and (12'a) exert on the pinion (5'a), a torque in the opposite direction (F2), respectively, during a downward movement of the arm (1a) and an upward movement of the arm (1d). As the two pinions (5a, 5'a) are mounted face to face, they both drive the horizontal wheel (4) in the direction of the arrow (F3). Each pair of aligned arms ascending and descending during the passage of a wave, therefore permanently applies a torque to the main wheel (4) driving the output shaft.

For a given height of the waves; the applied torque depends on the oscillation amplitude of the arms and, consequently, their orientation with respect to the direction of movement of the wave. However, it results from the star arrangement of all the oscillating arms around the central axis (30), that at each moment, at least one of the pairs of aligned arms is well oriented and has the maximum amplitude. waves, while the other two pairs of arms receive a lesser but not insignificant energy. The three pairs of pinions (5,5 ') are therefore actuated simultaneously, each by the pair of corresponding aligned arms, and their effects are added at each moment because of their distribution along the circular toothing (41) of the main wheel (4). The invention thus makes it possible to optimally recover the potential energy of the waves, whatever their orientation.

As indicated above, to recover this energy with maximum efficiency, the gear wheel (4) drives an electric generator (G) via a speed multiplier (6). These two superposed members are centered on the securing rod (70) and placed directly below the inverter (3), in a housing (7) applied and fixed on an upper face (71) of the support (M).

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the speed multiplier (6) can be of a conventional type comprising a fixed ring gear provided with a large diameter internal toothing (61) on which two diametrically opposed planet gears (62) mesh with each other. , rotatably mounted at the ends of an arm (63) set in rotation on a tubular shaft (60) centered on the rod (70), which is threaded into the tubular shaft (42) of the main wheel (4) and secured with it by grooves. These two tubular shafts (42, 60) aligned and integral in rotation, thus constitute the output shaft of the inverter mechanism (3), driven in rotation by the toothed wheel (4).

A smaller diameter central pinion (64) is located below the arm (63) between the planet gears (62) and meshes therewith, the central pinion (64) being wedged on a tubular shaft (65) mounted rotating on the rod (70) and extending downwards, so as to drive, at a multiplied speed, a second arm (66) carrying two planet gears (67) meshing with the toothing (61) of the fixed crown and in turn, at a multiplied speed, drive a second smaller diameter central gear.

It is thus possible, in successive stages, to multiply the rotation speed of the output shaft (42, 60) several times in order to drive, at a sufficient speed, the rotor of an alternator (G).

Of course, the invention is not limited to the details of the embodiments that have been described only as a preferred example, equivalent arrangements that can be used without departing from the scope of protection of the invention. .

In particular, the six-armed device seems to be the most advantageous for optimally recovering all the potential energy of the waves, regardless of their direction of travel, while retaining a fairly simple and relatively inexpensive layout, given the recovered energy. However, a device with three arms, simpler and more economical, could also be interesting. Moreover, a cross arrangement, with four arms, could also be used.

On the other hand, mechanical devices such as swing arms, their bearings, the inverter or the speed multiplier, could be made differently.

Moreover, as indicated above, in the tidal seas, the support structure M must consist of a trunk or a kind of beacon capable of following the variations in the water level. On the other hand, in seas without tides, the support M could be a simple foundation mass placed on the bottom.

It should be noted, however, that even in non-tidal seas, a floating installation has the advantage of following the vertical movements of the water and, thus, to increase the amplitude of oscillation by adding the variation of level of the support to that of the floats, which makes it possible, with equal power, to use relatively short oscillating arms and, consequently, less fragile. In addition, a floating installation is less likely to be submerged and deteriorated by large waves in the event of a storm.

Furthermore, it should be noted that the device according to the invention is provided essentially to recover the overall energy of the swell without depending on the direction thereof, which may vary over time, for example, depending on the dominant direction of the winds, but that such a device could also be advantageously implanted in places where the direction of the waves changes permanently, for example in case of return in another direction, near a dike or a cliff .

Claims

1) Device for converting into energy a wave motion of a liquid surface (S), comprising at least one arm (1) carrying a float at one end and oscillating, at its opposite end, on an oscillation shaft (2) centered on an axis of articulation (20) substantially horizontal and carried by a fixed support (M), said arm (1) being animated by an oscillating movement about said hinge axis (20), alternatively upwardly and downwardly by the upwardly and downwardly moving movement of the liquid surface (S), and means (I) of converting this reciprocating oscillation motion into a rotational driving torque , about its axis, an output shaft, said transformation means (I) comprising an inverter mechanism (3) comprising a main gear (4) rotational drive of the output shaft, rotatably mounted around of an axis and having a conical toothing (41) on which meshes, in two diametrically opposed zones, a pair of two bevel gears (5,5 ') centered on the same axis orthogonal to the axis of the toothed wheel (4), and means for securing in rotation said arm (1), respectively , with a first (5) of the two bevel gears in a first direction of rotation and with the second bevel gear (5 ') in the opposite direction, the two bevel gears (5,5') being thus rotated, each in one direction, by the oscillation movement of the arm (1), so as to control the one-way rotation of the main gear (4) and the output shaft,

characterized in that it comprises at least three arms (1a, 1b, 1c) each carrying a float (A, B, C) and extending radially in at least three directions (10a, 10b, 10c) distributed in a star around a vertical central axis (30) of the support (M), said arms (1a, 1b, 1c) being mounted oscillating, respectively, about intersecting axes of articulation (20a, 20b, 20c) passing through said central axis (30), and that the inverter mechanism (3) comprises a single main wheel (4) for rotating the output shaft and for each of the arms (1a, 1b, 1c ), a pair of two opposite conical gears (5a, 5'a) (5b, 5'b) (5c, 5'c) rotationally fixed, each in one direction, with said arm (1a, 1b, 1c), said pairs of pinions (5,5 ') overlapping so that their axes of rotation (20a, 20b, 20c) are arranged in a star around the axis of the main wheel (4) and that all the pinions (5, 5 ') are regularly distributed along its conical toothing ( 41).

2) Conversion device according to claim 1, characterized in that the inverter mechanism (3) is housed in a hollow housing (31) fixed on the support (M), so that the main gear (4) of drive of the output shaft is rotatably mounted about the vertical central axis (30) of said support (M), and that the hinge end of each of the arms (1) carrying the floats form a fork with two branches (11, 11 ') extending on either side of said housing (31) and articulated, respectively, on two parts (21, 21') of an oscillating shaft (2) respectively extending , in opposite directions, on either side of said housing (31) and centered on the same horizontal axis of articulation (20) passing through the vertical central axis (30) of rotation of the main gear (4) .

3) Conversion device according to claim 2, characterized in that the two bevel gears (5,5 ') driven by each of the arms (1) are wedged in rotation, respectively, on two tubular shafts (51, 51') in the form of sockets, threaded and rotatably mounted, respectively, on the two parts (21, 21 ') of the fixed oscillation shaft (2) of the arm (1) and which each extend outwards, from the corresponding bevel gear (5,5 '), said tubular shafts (51, 51') being rotationally secured, each in one direction, with the corresponding branch (11, 1 1 ') of the arm (1).

4) Conversion device according to claim 3, characterized in that the two legs (11, 1 ') of each support arm (1) are rotatably mounted on two bearings (12, 12') centered respectively on the two parts of the oscillation shaft of the arm on which are threaded the tubular shafts (51, 51 ') of the two bevel gears (5, 5') associated with said arm (1), and that each of said bearings (12, 12 ') comprises an outer member (121) integral in rotation with the corresponding leg (11, 11') of the arm (1), an inner member (122) integral in rotation with the tubular shaft (51, 51 ') of the corresponding conical pinion (5,5 ') and a means (123) of the freewheel type, for fixing in one-direction rotation of the two elements (121, 122) of the bearing (12).

5) Conversion device according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises at least two pairs (1a, 1d) (1b, 1c) of support arms aligned along at least two directions passing through the axis vertically (30) of the main wheel (4) of the inverter mechanism (3), that the two arms (1a, 1d) of each pair extending in opposite directions are rotatably mounted, each on two bearings (12, 12 ') carried respectively by two parts (21, 21') of the same oscillation shaft (2) forming, respectively, two half-shafts (21, 21 ') respectively extending on either side of the housing (31) and centered on the same axis (20) of articulation of the two opposite arms (1a, 1d), the latter being associated with the same pair of two bevel gears (5,5 ') fixed respectively at the ends internal of two tubular shafts (51, 51 ') rotatably mounted, respectively, on the two parts (21, 21') of the common oscillation shaft (2).

6) Conversion device according to claim 5, characterized in that the bearings (12a, 12'd) (12d, 12) a) of two aligned arms (1a, 1d) placed on the same side of the housing (31). ) are arranged side by side and are threaded onto the tubular shaft of the corresponding bevel gear (5,5 '), and that said tubular shaft (51,51') has a portion (52,52 ') extending over a sufficient length, along the corresponding part of the common oscillation shaft (2), for carrying the bearings placed side by side, and secured in rotation with the internal elements (122) of said bearings (12a, 12'd) (12d, 12'a) placed side by side side..

7) Conversion device according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the hollow housing (31) containing the inverter mechanism (3) comprises a fixed central piece (32) forming a support nut, at one end internal portion (22,22 '), of each of the two outwardly extending portions (21, 21') of each oscillation shaft (2), said central piece (32) forming, within said housing, an annular space (34 ') in which are housed the bevel gears (5,5') meshing with the main gear (4) rotatably mounted about a vertical central axis (30) of the housing (31), and a lower flat space (33 ') in which is housed said main gear (4).

8) Conversion device according to claim 7, characterized in that the two parts (21, 21 ') of each of the oscillation shafts (2) of the various arms (1) carrying the floats, are mounted recessed, by their internal ends (22,22 ') on the fixed support nut (32) and extend cantilevered outwardly in directions radially arranged in a star around the vertical central axis (30) of the housing (31).

9) Conversion device according to one of claims 7 and 8 _,; characterized in that the hollow housing (31) containing the inverter mechanism (3) comprises a side wall (34) provided with bores (35) for the passage, respectively, of the shafts (51) of each of the bevel gears (5) and a bottom (33) applied and fixed on the support (M) and having a bore centered on a vertical axis (30), in which is rotatably mounted about said axis, a shaft (42) for rotation of the main gear ( 4), the latter having a tubular shape and being itself threaded and rotatably mounted about said vertical axis (30) of the housing (31), on a centering rod (70) fixed on the support (M), said rod ( 70) having an upper portion (72) which engages in a central bore of the fixed support nut (32) of the oscillation shafts (2), and a lower portion on which is threaded and rotatably mounted a tubular shaft (40) secured in rotation with the tubular shaft (42) of the main gear (4) and constituting the arbr e output of the inverter mechanism (3).

10) Conversion device according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the two branches (1 1, 11 ') of the hinge fork of each of the support arms (1) extend respectively on a first and a second side of the housing (31), and are bent, one (1 1) upwardly on the first side and the other (11 ') downwardly on the second side, so to allow independent oscillation movements of two adjacent arms, without interference between their branches articulated on oscillation shafts of different orientations.

1 1) Conversion device according to one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the output shaft (60) of the inverter mechanism (3) drives a generator electric motor (G) via a speed multiplier mechanism (6), the inverter mechanism (3), the multiplier mechanism (6) and the generator (G) being centered on the same vertical axis (30) and mounted one below the other in a housing (7) fixed on the upper part (71) of the support (M).

12) Conversion device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (M) is a floating object of the mooring type, capable of following variations of large amplitude of the water level.