Underwater permanent magnet-electromechanical power generation device based on wave current driving

Abstract

The invention discloses an underwater permanent magnet-electromechanical power generation device based on wave current driving. The underwater permanent magnet-electromechanical power generation device comprises a closed shell, an elastic supporting piece, an energy excitation assembly, a rotating rod mechanism and a piezoelectric cantilever beam array. The sealing shell is arranged on the seabed or an existing foundation through an elastic supporting piece. The energy excitation assembly comprises an upper track plate and a lower track plate which are transversely arranged, the upper track plate and the lower track plate are erected on the main shaft rod in an up-down spaced mode, an upper annular track groove is formed in the lower side of the upper track plate, and an upper annular track groove is formed in the upper side of the lower track plate. The small ball is arranged in a space surrounded by the lower annular track groove and the upper annular track groove and can roll along the track grooves; the rotating rod is connected to the main shaft rod in a swinging mode and located between the upper track plate and the lower track plate. The piezoelectric cantilever array comprises piezoelectric cantilever beams surrounding the periphery of the circumferential rotation track of the rotating rod, and piezoelectric patches are arranged on the piezoelectric cantilever beams. The device can absorb kinetic energy generated by low-frequency and multi-source vibration and convert the kinetic energy into electric energy through piezoelectricity, so that power is conveniently supplied to underwater equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an underwater permanent magnet-electromechanical power generation device based on wave-current driven. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous development of marine resources, a large number of sensors, monitoring equipment, communication nodes, and intelligent control devices are deployed long-term around seabed or underwater structures. These devices typically require a long-term, stable, and reliable power supply. However, traditional underwater power supply methods mainly rely on two approaches: one is to provide centralized power from shore-based or platform bases via underwater cables; the other is to rely on periodic battery replacements. Both methods have significant shortcomings in practical applications. The laying cost of underwater cables is extremely high, and the maintenance and repair process is complex; while battery power supply is limited by capacity and cannot meet the needs of long-term unattended operation. Frequent battery replacements not only increase maintenance costs but also disrupt the integrity of continuous monitoring.

[0003] To address the challenge of underwater energy supply, academia and engineering have proposed a series of environmental energy harvesting solutions in recent years, such as generating electricity using tidal energy, wave energy, thermal energy conversion, or mechanical vibration energy. These technologies share the common characteristic of achieving energy self-sufficiency in the marine environment, reducing dependence on external power sources, and thus achieving green, clean, and sustainable development goals. Among the various energy capture methods, the capture and conversion of mechanical vibration energy offers advantages such as simple structure, strong environmental adaptability, and ease of distributed deployment, making it an important development direction in the field of long-term underwater monitoring.

[0004] Piezoelectric energy harvesters are highly efficient devices that convert mechanical vibration energy into electrical energy. They directly convert mechanical energy into electrical energy by generating electrical charges when the piezoelectric material is bent and deformed under stress. Traditional piezoelectric power generation devices often use fixed cantilever beams. When the structure is subjected to fluid impact, periodic vibration, or external impact, the cantilever beam undergoes periodic deformation to generate electricity. However, in underwater environments, energy excitation often manifests as low-frequency, small-amplitude, and irregular random vibrations. These vibrations are difficult to effectively drive a single piezoelectric cantilever beam to produce large deformations, resulting in low power generation. Furthermore, the underwater environment presents challenges such as high pressure and strong corrosiveness, placing higher demands on the stability of piezoelectric devices.

[0005] To address the aforementioned issues, recent research has focused on improving vibration amplitude by introducing external excitation and energy coupling mechanisms into piezoelectric cantilever beam structures. For example, methods such as electromagnetic excitation and flow-induced vibration are used to enable piezoelectric structures to generate resonance effects even under relatively small external disturbances. However, most existing structures only focus on the response of a single cantilever beam or use rigid frames to couple multiple cantilever beams. This rigid coupling can easily lead to uneven energy transfer, which in turn inhibits the overall resonance capability of the array.

[0006] Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a power generation device suitable for complex underwater operating conditions, capable of efficiently capturing kinetic energy in environments with small vibrations and low frequencies, to provide a long-term, stable energy supply for low-power devices such as underwater sensors and smart nodes. Especially for devices that are exposed to the risk of submarine landslides or turbulent ocean currents for extended periods, achieving efficient energy capture from multi-source environmental kinetic energy has become crucial for the development of energy self-sufficiency technologies.

[0007] Against the backdrop of the aforementioned needs, an innovative design of piezoelectric cantilever beam structures, utilizing flexible multi-beam connections and the principle of resonant amplification, has emerged as a feasible new approach to efficiently convert environmental kinetic energy into electrical energy. This approach involves placing flexible connectors at the free ends of adjacent cantilever beams, enabling multiple cantilever beams to form a coupling effect when disturbed, resulting in overall vibration enhancement. This flexible connection differs from the restrictive effect of a rigid frame; it allows the cantilever beams to maintain independent vibrational degrees of freedom while transmitting vibrational energy elastically through the flexible material, causing adjacent beams to vibrate synchronously or alternately, thus creating a resonant-like effect. In this way, even with limited external excitation energy, the array can achieve an amplification effect through multiple transmissions of internal vibrational energy, significantly improving power generation efficiency.

[0008] Therefore, those skilled in the art urgently need a novel underwater energy harvesting device that is simple in structure, highly efficient in energy capture, and suitable for low-frequency and multi-source excitation environments. This device should have an efficient vibration response mechanism and be able to work stably for a long time in complex underwater environments, thereby providing reliable green energy support for underwater equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0009] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an underwater permanent magnet-electromechanical power generation device based on wave current drive. The device has a simple structure and low cost, but has a more efficient vibration response mechanism and higher energy capture efficiency.

[0010] Therefore, the present invention is implemented using the following technical solution:

[0011] An underwater permanent magnet-electromechanical power generation device based on wave current drive is characterized by comprising a sealed shell, an elastic support component, an energy excitation component, a rotating rod mechanism, a piezoelectric cantilever beam array, a power management module, and an energy storage module.

[0012] The sealed shell is supported by an elastic support and installed on the seabed or an existing foundation.

[0013] The energy excitation component includes an upper track plate and a lower track plate arranged horizontally. The upper track plate and the lower track plate are mounted on the main shaft at intervals. The lower side of the upper track plate has an upper annular track groove, and the upper side of the lower track plate has an upper annular track groove. The ball is set in the space surrounded by the lower annular track groove and the upper annular track groove and can roll along the track groove.

[0014] The rotating rod mechanism includes at least one rotating rod, which is oscillatingly connected to the main shaft and positioned between the upper and lower track plates;

[0015] The piezoelectric cantilever array includes multiple piezoelectric cantilever beams surrounding the circumferential rotation trajectory of a rotating rod. Piezoelectric plates are mounted on the piezoelectric cantilever beams, and permanent magnets are attached to the ends of the piezoelectric cantilever beams facing the rotating rod. The ends of the rotating rods are also attached to permanent magnets. During rotation, the rotating rods and the permanent magnets at the free ends of the piezoelectric cantilever beams generate magnetic repulsion or attraction. The piezoelectric plates generate a piezoelectric effect during the vibration and deformation of the cantilever beams and output alternating current.

[0016] The piezoelectric cantilever beams are all connected to the power management module and the energy storage unit. The current rectification module includes a rectifier module. The electrical energy output by the piezoelectric element is rectified and stored in the capacitor or lithium battery of the energy storage unit, providing stable and long-lasting power support for underwater electrical equipment.

[0017] Preferably, the piezoelectric cantilever beam is connected to a connecting rope at the top, and the upper end of the connecting rope is connected to a resonant disk. All connecting ropes and the resonant disk are kept in a balanced state of elastic tension, and the resonant disk is supported or suspended on a sealed shell at the center.

[0018] Preferably, a support rod is laterally supported inside the sealed housing, and a support shaft extends upward from the center of the support rod, with the resonant disk oscillatingly supported on the support shaft.

[0019] Preferably, the support shaft is made of a strong spring, and the upper end of the connecting rope is connected to and tensioned by the connecting resonant disc.

[0020] Preferably, the cross-sections of both the upper and lower annular track grooves are arc-shaped.

[0021] Preferably, the elastic support is a spring support base, the upper end of which is connected to and supported on the lower track plate, and the lower end of which is supported and connected to the bottom wall of the sealed housing.

[0022] Preferably, there are four spring support bases, which are respectively supported at the four corners of the upper track plate.

[0023] Preferably, the rotating rod is mounted on the main shaft using a precision bearing sleeve.

[0024] Preferably, the piezoelectric cantilever beam is in the shape of an inverted L.

[0025] Preferably, the rotating rod includes at least three or more mutually branched rods, each rod having a permanent magnet at its outward-facing end, and small balls are arranged between the upper and lower annular track grooves between multiple adjacent rods.

[0026] The beneficial effects of adopting the above technical solution are as follows:

[0027] 1. Multi-stage energy excitation mechanism significantly improves energy capture efficiency: When the device is affected by external wave current, the metal ball inside the device will randomly roll and impact within the cavity, causing the central rotating rod to rotate periodically. Then, by utilizing the magnetic coupling between the permanent magnet at the end of the rotating rod and the magnet on the piezoelectric cantilever beam, a multi-stage drive link from inertial impact to magnetic excitation to mechanical vibration is realized, which enhances the ability to capture kinetic energy in low-frequency, micro-disturbance environments.

[0028] 2. The piezoelectric cantilever beam is connected to a connecting rope at the top, and the upper end of the connecting rope is connected to a resonant disk. All connecting ropes and the resonant disk are kept in a balanced state of elastic tension. When a piezoelectric cantilever beam is vibrated, its connecting rope will pull the resonant disk, thereby causing other piezoelectric cantilever beams to resonate, producing a synchronous / alternating resonance effect, expanding the vibration frequency band, increasing the amplitude, thereby significantly improving the piezoelectric energy conversion efficiency per unit volume and increasing the energy output density.

[0029] 3. Spring support base enhances disturbance response and transmission sensitivity: A spring support base is provided below the sealed housing, which can provide a compliant response such as slight deflection and rebound after being excited, expand the excitation tolerance of the rotating rod, effectively amplify the disturbance effect after the small ball is excited, and improve the overall response efficiency of the system.

[0030] 4. Integrated multiple flexible structures enhance system stability and service life: The synergistic effect of the connecting rope, resonant disk and flexible spring base not only improves the coupling performance of vibration excitation, but also has good buffering and vibration absorption capabilities, effectively reducing impact loss and extending the working life of piezoelectric sheets and structural components.

[0031] 5. Modular design with strong adaptability, suitable for various marine structures and platforms: This invention adopts a highly modular design concept, with core components (such as the rotating rod assembly, piezoelectric array, flexible spring base, and energy storage module) integrated into a sealed acrylic shell, resulting in a compact structure that facilitates standardized manufacturing and maintenance. The device possesses excellent corrosion resistance and pressure resistance, allowing for independent deployment on the seabed, fixed platforms, and other environments, as well as flexible integration into various marine engineering equipment such as ships, submersibles, and underwater robots, achieving long-term stable passive operation in complex deep-sea environments. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1This is a top view of the layout of the sealed housing and internal components in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the underwater permanent magnet-electromechanical power generation device based on wave-current drive provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the underwater permanent magnet-electromechanical power generation device based on wave-current drive provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0035] Reference numerals: 1. Sealed housing; 2. Piezoelectric cantilever beam; 3. Connecting rope; 4. Rotating rod; 5. Precision bearing; 6. Small ball; 7. Permanent magnet; 8. Elastic support component; 9. Energy storage module; 11. Upper track plate; 12. Lower track plate; 13. Upper annular track groove; 14. Lower annular track groove; 15. Main shaft; 16. Resonance disk; 17. Frame rod; 18. Support shaft. Detailed Implementation

[0036] To further illustrate the technical means and effects of the present invention in achieving its intended purpose, the following detailed description of the specific implementation methods, structures, features, and effects of the present invention, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments, is provided below.

[0037] See attached document Figure 1-2 As shown, Embodiment 1 of the present invention provides an underwater permanent magnet-electromechanical power generation device based on wave-current driven, including a sealed shell 1, an elastic support 8, an energy excitation component, a rotating rod mechanism, a piezoelectric cantilever beam array, a power management module and an energy storage module 9;

[0038] The sealing shell 1 is set on the seabed or an existing foundation using elastic support members 8. The sealing shell 1 is usually made of acrylic shell. The elastic support member 8 is a spring support base. The upper end of the spring support base is connected to and supported on the lower track plate 12, and the lower end of the spring support base is supported and connected to the bottom wall of the sealing shell 1. There are 4 spring support bases, which are respectively supported at the four corners of the upper track plate 11.

[0039] The energy excitation component includes an upper track plate 11 and a lower track plate 12 arranged horizontally. The upper track plate 11 and the lower track plate 12 are mounted on the main shaft 15 with a gap between them. The lower side of the upper track plate 11 has an upper annular track groove 13. The cross-sections of the upper annular track groove 13 and the lower annular track groove 14 are both arc-shaped. The upper side of the lower track plate 12 has an upper annular track groove 13. The small ball 6 is set in the space surrounded by the lower annular track groove 14 and the upper annular track groove 13 and can roll along the track groove.

[0040] The rotating rod mechanism includes at least one rotating rod 4, which is oscillatingly connected to the main shaft 15 and located between the upper track plate 11 and the lower track plate 12. The rotating rod 4 is mounted on the main shaft 15 using a precision bearing 5.

[0041] The piezoelectric cantilever array includes multiple piezoelectric cantilever beams 2 surrounding the circumferential rotation trajectory of a rotating rod 4. Piezoelectric plates are provided on the piezoelectric cantilever beams 2. The end of the piezoelectric cantilever beam 2 facing the rotating rod has a permanent magnet 7. The end of the rotating rod 4 also has a permanent magnet 7. During the rotation, the rotating rod 4 generates magnetic repulsion or attraction with the permanent magnet 7 at the free end of the piezoelectric cantilever beam 2. The piezoelectric plates generate a piezoelectric effect during the vibration and deformation of the piezoelectric cantilever beam 2 and output AC power.

[0042] Both the piezoelectric cantilever beam 2 and the energy management module and the energy storage unit 9 are connected. The current rectification module includes a rectifier module. The electrical energy output by the piezoelectric element is rectified and stored in the capacitor or lithium battery of the energy storage unit 9, providing stable and long-lasting power support for underwater sensors, monitoring nodes and other electrical equipment.

[0043] Reference Figure 1 As shown, in order to achieve resonance between each piezoelectric cantilever beam 2 and improve the kinetic energy conversion efficiency, the piezoelectric cantilever beam 2 is connected to a connecting rope 3 at the top. The connecting rope 3 is an elastic rope, and the upper end of the connecting rope 3 is connected to the resonance disk 16. All connecting ropes and the resonance disk 16 are kept in a balanced state of elastic tension. The resonance disk 16 is centrally supported or suspended on the sealed housing 1. The sealed housing 1 is laterally supported by a support rod 17. The support rod 17 extends upward from the center of the support shaft 18. The resonance disk 16 is swayably supported on the support shaft 18, which is made of a strong spring.

[0044] Reference Figure 1-2 As shown, in order to increase the collision frequency of the small ball 6, the rotating rod 4 includes at least three or more mutually branched rods, each rod having a permanent magnet 7 at its outward-facing end. The small ball 6 is arranged between the upper annular track groove 13 and the lower annular track groove 14 between multiple adjacent rods. In this embodiment, there are two small balls 6 in total, and the rotating rod 4 has three branched rods, with the small ball 6 arranged between two different rods.

[0045] Reference Figure 3 As shown, Embodiment 2 of the present invention is basically the same as Embodiment 1, except that: in order to improve the resonance effect, the piezoelectric cantilever beam 2 is connected to the upward with a connecting rope 3. The connecting rope is inelastic, the support shaft 18 is made of a strong spring, and the upper end of the connecting rope 3 is connected to and tensioned with the connecting resonance disk 16.

[0046] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. The above preferred embodiments of the present invention are not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-disclosed technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A wave-current driven underwater permanent magnet-electromechanical power generation device, characterized in that: It includes a sealed shell, elastic support components, energy excitation components, a rotating rod mechanism, a piezoelectric cantilever beam array, a power management module, and an energy storage module; The sealed shell is supported by an elastic support and installed on the seabed or an existing foundation. The energy excitation component includes an upper track plate and a lower track plate arranged horizontally. The upper track plate and the lower track plate are mounted on the main shaft at intervals. The lower side of the upper track plate has an upper annular track groove, and the upper side of the lower track plate has an upper annular track groove. The ball is set in the space surrounded by the lower annular track groove and the upper annular track groove and can roll along the track groove. The rotating rod mechanism includes at least one rotating rod, which is oscillatingly connected to the main shaft and positioned between the upper and lower track plates; The piezoelectric cantilever array includes multiple piezoelectric cantilever beams surrounding the circumferential rotation trajectory of a rotating rod. Piezoelectric plates are mounted on the piezoelectric cantilever beams, and permanent magnets are attached to the ends of the piezoelectric cantilever beams facing the rotating rod. The ends of the rotating rods are also attached to permanent magnets. During rotation, the rotating rods and the permanent magnets at the free ends of the piezoelectric cantilever beams generate magnetic repulsion or attraction. The piezoelectric plates generate a piezoelectric effect during the vibration and deformation of the cantilever beams and output alternating current. The piezoelectric cantilever beams are all connected to the power management module and the energy storage unit. The current rectification module includes a rectifier module. The electrical energy output by the piezoelectric element is rectified and stored in the capacitor or lithium battery of the energy storage unit, providing stable and long-lasting power support for underwater electrical equipment.

2. The underwater permanent magnet-electromechanical power generation device based on wave-current driven according to claim 1, characterized in that: The piezoelectric cantilever beam is connected to a connecting rope at the top, and the upper end of the connecting rope is connected to a resonant disk. All connecting ropes and the resonant disk are kept in a balanced state of elastic tension. The resonant disk is supported or suspended on a sealed shell at the center.

3. The underwater permanent magnet-electromechanical power generation device based on wave-current driven according to claim 2, characterized in that: The sealed housing is laterally supported by a support rod, and a support shaft extends upward from the center of the support rod. The resonant disk is oscillatingly supported on the support shaft.

4. The underwater permanent magnet-electromechanical power generation device based on wave-current driven according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support shaft is made of a strong spring, and the upper end of the connecting rope is connected to and tensioned by the connecting resonant disc.

5. The underwater permanent magnet-electromechanical power generation device based on wave-current driven according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, characterized in that: Both the upper and lower annular track grooves have arc-shaped cross sections.

6. The underwater permanent magnet-electromechanical power generation device based on wave-current driven according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, characterized in that: The elastic support is a spring support base, the upper end of which is connected to and supported on the lower track plate, and the lower end of which is supported and connected to the bottom wall of the sealed housing.

7. The underwater permanent magnet-electromechanical power generation device based on wave-current driven according to claim 6, characterized in that: There are four spring support bases, which are respectively supported at the four corners of the upper track plate.

8. The underwater permanent magnet-electromechanical power generation device based on wave-current driven according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, characterized in that: The rotating rod is mounted on the main shaft using a precision bearing sleeve.

9. The underwater permanent magnet-electromechanical power generation device based on wave-current driven according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, characterized in that: The piezoelectric cantilever beam is inverted L-shape.

10. The underwater permanent magnet-electromechanical power generation device based on wave-current driven according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, characterized in that: The rotating rod includes at least three or more mutually branched rods, each rod having a permanent magnet at its outward-facing end, and small balls are arranged between the upper and lower annular track grooves between multiple adjacent rods.

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