New construction material

I wan to log this because, others may otherwise claim first reporting privilege. My FIL has suggested that buidings can be constructed using GI metal sheets and thermacol. The idea ia as follows:

1. Layer 1- GI sheet of appropriate thickness
2. Layers 2-4- thermacol sheets of appropriate thickness
3. Layer 5 - Undulating GI sheet of specified thickness.


The above sheets of uniform dimensions are held together by nuts and bolts. The thermacol sheets are prevented from compression by using a sleeve between the GI sheets.

This is the basic building block - much like a Lego building block. These can be screwed onto to a framework of MS iron pipes or poles. The same building block can be used for the walls, floor and the roof.

Appropriate finishing can be done for the floors - concrete/tiles/linoleum, roof and walls (wall paper/paint).

The GI sheets give the structure strength and the thermacol sheets give insulation to temperature.

I will soon upload a picture of the block and also the cost per unit / per unit construction area.

Ocean Wave Energy

Synopsis:

Ocean wave is an ever available, inexhaustible source of energy. This energy is tapped in more than one fashion. One more method is described here. This is by means of a bobbing float, basically a shallow one.

Theory:

The float bobs up and down, let us assume, two feet at a time. The float should be shallow and more of a flat bottomed one. A flat bottomed shallow float will move up and down with the swing of the waves with ease, with minimum interference by its own inertia.

It should be of such design and fabrication that its average self-weight per unit area of (we shall take) one square foot equals at least weight of one cubic foot of water. The wave frequency, let us assume again for purpose of explanation, is one every twenty seconds. In this hypothetical wave frequency, the theoretical power generation with, say, an acre spread of float will be something like 0.75 MW.

When the float bobs up, the wave energy is made to turn a shaft, which in turn turns an alternator. When the wave drops back, the float drops too, thus turning the shaft in continuity and in the same direction as the surge did. This is equivalent to 20 second wave frequency becoming a ten second one.

This up and down power motion can be made to turn the shaft in the same direction by suitable free-wheeling arrangement. A pair of free-wheeling devices mounted on the horizontal shaft will so function that the upward motion and therefore the energy of the wave will engage one free-wheel on load, while the second free-wheel will be really free-wheeling with the rise. When the wave falls back, the free-wheels will do the reverse operation but in the same direction of shaft rotation in continuity.

Description of the device:

The float carries more than one vertical mast. The mast is not a single piece one. It has to be in split parts, more like the two limbs of tuning fork, one limb on each side of the horizontal shaft. Each limb will carry detachable toothed strip mounted on the inner face of the limb. The teeth will mesh with the toothed free-wheels on one-to-one basis. (Model studies are required to be made to ascertain impact, if any, caused by the eccentricity of thrust made by the free-wheel movement under load). This impact will be on the masts and through them on the float itself. If there is any significant impact, it can be overcome by means of a series of small idle spur wheels fixed to the limb, which will mesh with the main spur wheel on the shaft.

The horizontal shaft carrying the free-wheels should be anchored at its power generation end on the shore. The free end of the shaft jutting into the sea should be suitably fixed to a mast rising from the sea bed, independent of the float. This mast or masts are fixed to rise from the sea bed through suitable holes in the float to facilitate smooth yet ridged enough up and down free slide. These fixtures have to be strong enough to kill or still the lateral thrust caused by the waves on the float.

The height of the fixing mast and the split masts in particular along with the toothed strips should be of such dimensions that diurnal and seasonal variations of wave levels are taken care of adequately.

Please refer to the accompanying sketch for a clear understanding of the subject matter.