TIDAL AND WAVE-POWER COLLECTION APPARATUS FOR INSTALLATION ON LARGE BODIES OF WATER

摘要

A tidal and wave-power collection apparatus is adapted to produce hydrogen and/or oxygen gas. The apparatus is particularly well-suited for oceanic installations. In the preferred embodiment, a matrix of gas-producing units (100, 102, 104) is easily assembled at sea, the units being bridged and reinforced by catwalks (200, 202, 204) extending therebetween to form trilateral gas-producing modules having such units at each of the corners thereof. Each gas-producing unit comprises a central tubular pilaster (300, 302, 304) embedded in the ocean floor and around which is disposed a toroidal float (400, 402, 404) which moves up and down with the waves and tide and which acts to drive a DC generator while rising and falling. The output of the generator is utilized electrolytically to produce hydrogen and/or oxygen gas, which is compressed for storage in the float's chamber. The apparatus is efficient, economical and capable of capturing and storing large quantities of gas. In an alternative embodiment, the DC generator drives a high pressure pump which forces sea water through the microporous membrane of a reverse osmosis unit, thereby converting the sea water into potable water. IMAGE