Positive buoyancy profile buoy based on wave energy power generation device

Abstract

The invention discloses a positive buoyancy profile buoy based on a wave energy power generation device, and belongs to the technical field of ocean observation equipment. Comprising a flow guide cover, a main sealing cabin, a passive variable buoyancy sealing cabin and a soaking tail cabin, and positive buoyancy is achieved after complete soaking. The flow guide cover is a streamline hollow shell, integrates a communication module and a temperature-salinity-depth sensor, and is connected with the main sealed cabin through a cabin penetrating piece; the main sealed cabin is divided into a wave power generation cabin and a control cabin by a perforated cabin dividing plate, and stable fin plates are uniformly distributed outside the main sealed cabin; a piston, a compression spring and a limiting block are arranged in the passive variable buoyancy sealed cabin, and the piston adjusts buoyancy according to water depth pressure; a water inlet hole is formed in the immersed tail cabin, a corrosion-resistant open water motor and an asymmetric double-blade paddle are arranged in the immersed tail cabin, and vector propulsion is achieved through periodic speed change. During working, the water surface generates electricity and stores energy by means of wave heaving, the motor drives the blades and the piston is compressed to reduce energy consumption during diving, the motor stops and the piston releases buoyancy during rising, and data are collected in the whole process. The device is self-sufficient by wave energy, simple in structure, efficient in ascending and diving and suitable for long-term observation of ocean profile data.

Description

Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to the field of marine observation equipment technology, and in particular to a positive buoyancy profile buoy based on a wave energy power generation device. Background Technology

[0003] Profile buoys are one of the core devices in the ocean observation system. They can autonomously complete the rising and sinking movements from the sea surface to the deep sea, and simultaneously collect profile data such as sea temperature, salinity, and depth (CTD) at different depths, providing key data support for marine environmental research, climate prediction, and marine resource exploration.

[0004] The technological development of profiling buoys began in 1955 with the concept of a neutral buoy proposed by British scholar Swallow. This buoy adjusted buoyancy by dropping a weight, enabling only single-segment profiling observations. In 1970, Rossby et al. designed the SOFAR-type buoy, which optimized the structural scale and is still in use today. In 1992, Doug Webb et al. developed the "ALACE" buoy, which adjusted net buoyancy by changing the volume of the outer bladder, enabling continuous profiling observations. Following the advancement of the ARGO (Arctic Ocean Observing Goals) program in 1998, the technological maturity of profiling buoys further improved, but significant shortcomings still exist in current technology. Insufficient energy self-sufficiency: Current mature profiling buoys rely on their own batteries for power. As observation tasks become more complex and the number of sensors increases, energy consumption surges, highlighting the battery capacity bottleneck. Although some buoys have attempted to utilize ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC), OTEC phase change-driven technology still requires batteries to meet the power consumption needs of its components. OTEC power generation technologies (such as Webb's Lewis and Clark prototypes in 2013 with 1.8Wh of single-profile energy storage, the National Ocean Technology Center's prototype in 2015 with 0.0278Wh of single-profile energy storage, and Tianjin University's prototype in 2018 with 1.86Wh of single-profile energy generation and an efficiency of only 0.369%) have extremely low power generation and efficiency, failing to fundamentally solve the energy self-sufficiency problem.

[0005] Low heat exchange efficiency and high cost: The core heat exchange tube of the thermoelectric power generation buoy has problems such as slow heat exchange speed and low energy capture efficiency; at the same time, the complex structure of the heat exchange tube leads to difficult processing technology, expensive core materials and high integration cost, which is not conducive to large-scale application.

[0006] The buoyancy adjustment system is complex: most existing buoys use a buoyancy adjustment system of "hydraulic pump + oil bladder" to achieve buoyancy adjustment. This system is large and heavy, which not only increases the design complexity and processing cost of the internal structure of the buoy, but also reduces the convenience of later installation and maintenance. In addition, the reliability of the hydraulic system is easily affected in the deep sea environment.

[0007] In summary, existing profiling buoys have significant shortcomings in terms of energy supply, structural simplification, and diving efficiency, and there is an urgent need for a new type of profiling buoy technology that can achieve energy self-sufficiency, simple structure, and high diving efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide a positive buoyancy profile buoy based on a wave energy power generation device, which solves the problems of insufficient energy self-sufficiency, low heat exchange efficiency, and complex ascent and descent systems of existing profile buoys.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a positive buoyancy profile buoy based on a wave energy power generation device, comprising: The fairing has a streamlined shape and is equipped with a satellite communication module, a wireless communication module, and sensors. The main sealed chamber is internally divided into a wave power generation chamber and a control chamber by a perforated partition plate. The wave power generation chamber is equipped with a wave energy generation device and an energy storage unit, while the control chamber is equipped with a power generation management unit and a main control unit. The passive variable buoyancy sealed chamber is equipped with a reciprocating piston and elastic elements to adaptively adjust buoyancy according to water depth and pressure. The submerged tail section is equipped with a vector thruster to drive the buoy's descent. The wave energy generator produces electricity through the relative motion of the buoy's heaving motion and the internal moving part, and supplies power to the entire system.

[0010] Preferably, the satellite communication module, wireless communication module, and temperature, salinity, and depth sensor on the fairing are connected to the main sealed cabin via a through-cabin component.

[0011] Preferably, stabilizing fins are evenly distributed around the outer periphery of the main sealing chamber.

[0012] Preferably, the wave energy generation device includes: The stator permanent magnet of the linear generator is vertically fixed to the perforated compartment plate and the upper cover of the main sealing compartment. The linear generator mover coil is a hollow cylindrical structure, which is sleeved outside the stator permanent magnet; Linear guide rails are used to guide the movement of the mover coil along the vertical direction; Auxiliary spring connects the perforated compartment plate to the mover coil.

[0013] Preferably, the energy storage unit is a battery pack, which is fixed outside the mover coil and moves together with it.

[0014] Preferably, the passive variable buoyancy sealed chamber includes: The piston is dynamically sealed to the inner wall of the cabin, with its lower end exposed to seawater. A compression spring connects the piston to the lower end cover of the main sealing chamber; Piston compression limit block, fixed to the lower end cover of the main sealing chamber; The piston releases the limiting block and is fixed to the submerged stern compartment.

[0015] Preferably, the vector thruster includes: Open-air water-powered motor, featuring a corrosion-resistant and waterproof design; The asymmetric two-bladed propeller achieves vector propulsion by generating thrust difference through periodic speed changes.

[0016] Preferably, the immersion stern has a circumferential water inlet for transmitting seawater pressure to the lower end face of the piston.

[0017] Preferably, the power generation management unit rectifies the AC power generated by the moving coil into DC power and stores it in the battery pack, and adjusts the anti-electromagnetic force by controlling the quadrature axis current to optimize wave energy capture.

[0018] Preferably, the asymmetric blades achieve the thrust difference between the large and small blades through the periodic speed regulation of the open-water motor, thereby realizing omnidirectional vector propulsion.

[0019] Therefore, the positive buoyancy profile buoy based on a wave energy power generation device with the above-described structure of the present invention has the following beneficial effects: (1) The profiling buoy described in this invention supplies its own energy through wave energy in the marine environment. According to relevant wave energy power generation theory, the power-to-volume ratio of wave energy power generation devices can reach an upper limit of 2.0 kW / m3, which is higher than that of profiling buoys that utilize other marine environmental energy sources. With reasonable control methods, the wave energy capture power can be greatly improved. Therefore, the profiling buoy described in this invention has a greater possibility of achieving complete energy self-sufficiency.

[0020] (2) The profile buoy of the present invention has a streamlined overall shape and no external attachment structures such as heat exchange tubes, which reduces the resistance when the profile buoy dives and rises. The rising and falling scheme that combines positive buoyancy design and propeller propulsion replaces the complex structure of the buoyancy adjustment system used in existing profile buoys. The main internal structure of the profile buoy is only a linear motor and corresponding control unit, which reduces the difficulty of processing technology and the overall cost, and improves the reliability and applicability of the profile buoy.

[0021] (3) The profile buoy described in this invention can automatically adjust its volume according to seawater pressure. When diving, it compresses the piston to reduce buoyancy and save propulsion energy. When surfacing, it releases the piston to increase buoyancy and accelerate the buoy's ascent. No additional control unit is required, thus achieving efficient and energy-saving diving and ascent movements.

[0022] (4) When the profile buoy described in this invention moves with the waves, it sways under the action of wave excitation force. During this process, the primary coil mover of the linear generator will move relative to the secondary coil of the motor due to its own inertia and the elastic force of the auxiliary spring. The primary mover cuts the magnetic field lines to generate alternating current, which is then rectified, controlled and converted into direct current by the power generation management unit to charge the battery pack. This wave energy power generation device adopts a direct drive method, and the mechanical energy generated by wave excitation is directly converted into electrical energy through the linear generator, thereby avoiding the loss caused by multi-stage energy conversion links. In addition, the magnitude of the current during power generation can be controlled to change the anti-electromagnetic force of the generator, thereby changing the motion state of the profile buoy and thus better capturing wave energy.

[0023] (5) The asymmetric blade propeller of the present invention can achieve vector propulsion of the profile buoy by using a periodic speed regulation method, that is, the speed changes continuously during the rotation of the blade. By utilizing the thrust difference between the large and small blades, the vector propulsion of the profile buoy can be achieved. This vector propulsion scheme has a simple structure and only requires a single motor to achieve omnidirectional propulsion of the profile buoy.

[0024] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a half-section structure of a positive buoyancy profile buoy based on a wave energy power generation device according to the present invention. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the full cross-sectional structure of a positive buoyancy profile buoy based on a wave energy power generation device according to the present invention; Figure Labels Ⅰ-Diffuser, Ⅱ-Main Sealing Chamber, Ⅲ-Passive Variable Buoyancy Sealing Chamber, Ⅳ-Submerged Tail Chamber; 1-Satellite Communication Module, 2-Wireless Communication Module, 3-Stabilizing Fin, 4-Linear Generator Mover Coil, 5-Linear Generator Stator Permanent Magnet, 6-Linear Guide Rail, 7-Auxiliary Spring, 8-Power Generation Management Unit, 9-Lower End Cover of Main Sealing Chamber, 10-Piston Compression Limit Block, 11-Piston, 12-Water Inlet, 13-Open Water Motor, 14-Asymmetric Blade, 15-Temperature, Salinity and Depth Sensor, 16-Upper End Cover of Main Sealing Chamber, 17-Battery Pack, 18-Perforated Subcompartment Plate, 19-Profiling Buoy Main Control Unit, 20-Compression Spring, 21-Piston Release Limit Block, 22-Profiling Buoy Support Frame. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0027] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this invention shall have the ordinary meaning understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terms "first," "second," and similar terms used in this invention do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Terms such as "comprising" or "including" mean that the element or object preceding the word encompasses the elements or objects listed following the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Terms such as "connected" or "linked" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but can include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. Terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" are used only to indicate relative positional relationships; when the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0028] Example This invention provides a positive buoyancy profile buoy based on a wave energy power generation device. When fully submerged, the buoy exhibits positive buoyancy and achieves its sinking and rising motion through the activation and deactivation of a vector thruster. Simultaneously, it can absorb the energy contained in the heaving motion of waves to provide its own electrical energy. Figure 1 As shown, the buoy's overall structure can be divided into a fairing I, a main sealed chamber II, a passive variable buoyancy sealed chamber III, and a submerged tail section IV. A more detailed structure is shown below. Figure 2 As shown.

[0029] The aforementioned fairing I is a hollow shell with a streamlined shape. The satellite communication module 1, the wireless communication module 2, and the temperature, salinity, and depth sensor 15 are installed on the fairing I and connected to the main sealed chamber II through the chamber penetration component.

[0030] The main sealed chamber II is divided into two parts by a perforated partition plate 18: the upper part is the wave power generation chamber, and the lower part is the control chamber. The wave power generation chamber includes a linear generator mover coil 4, a linear generator stator permanent magnet 5, a linear guide rail 6, an auxiliary spring 7, and a battery pack 17. The linear generator stator permanent magnet 5 and the linear guide rail 6 are perpendicular to the end face of the partition plate 18, and their ends are fixedly connected to the perforated partition plate 18 and the upper end cover 16 of the main sealed chamber, respectively. The linear generator mover coil 6 is a hollow cylindrical structure, housing the linear generator stator permanent magnet 5. The hollow cylindrical battery pack 17 is installed outside and fixedly connected to the linear generator mover coil 6, and passes through the linear guide rail 6. The linear guide rail 6 serves two purposes: firstly, it positions the linear generator rotor coil 4, ensuring a uniform air gap between the linear generator stator permanent magnet 5; secondly, it guides the assembly formed by the linear generator rotor coil 4 and the battery pack 17, allowing vertical movement. The auxiliary spring 7 is fitted over the linear generator stator permanent magnet 5, with one end fixedly connected to the perforated compartment plate 18 and the other end fixedly connected to the linear generator rotor coil 4. The control compartment includes the power generation management unit 8 and the profile buoy main control unit 19, both fixed to the lower surface of the perforated compartment plate 18. The three-phase wires of the linear generator rotor coil 4 pass through the perforated compartment plate 18 and are connected to the power generation management unit 8. The power generation management unit 8 is connected to the battery pack 17. Stabilizing fins 3 are installed outside the main sealed compartment II and are evenly distributed around its circumference.

[0031] The passive variable buoyancy sealed compartment III is a volume-variable compartment, involving components including the lower end cover 9 of the main sealed compartment, a piston compression limiting block 10, a piston 11, a compression spring 20, and a piston release limiting block 21. The piston 11 is dynamically sealed to the inner wall of the compartment. Its upper end is connected to the compression spring 20, and its lower end is in contact with seawater. Under the influence of the pressure difference between the seawater and the spring, which varies with depth, it can reciprocate along the compartment axis to change the overall buoyancy. The other end of the compression spring 20 is fixed to the lower end cover 9 of the main sealed compartment, and its stiffness is calculated based on the required buoyancy change. The piston compression limiting block 10 is tightly attached to the inner wall of the compartment and fixed to the lower end cover 9 of the main sealed compartment, preventing the piston 11 from being over-compressed, which would cause the overall buoyancy to be less than the design value. The piston release limiting block 21 is fixedly connected to the submerged stern compartment, preventing the piston 11 from being over-released, which would cause the overall buoyancy to be greater than the design value.

[0032] The aforementioned submerged stern compartment IV mainly includes an open-water motor 13 and an asymmetric propeller blade 14. The stern compartment has evenly distributed water inlets 12 around its circumference to ensure that seawater pressure acts on the lower end face of the piston 11. The profile buoy support frame 22 is installed on the stern compartment shell, facilitating overall machine debugging and transportation. The open-water motor is made of corrosion-resistant materials and has a waterproof coating, allowing it to be completely exposed to the seawater environment. The asymmetric propeller blade 14 is a double-bladed propeller with one large and one small blade, which can achieve vector propulsion of the profile buoy by utilizing the thrust difference between the large and small blades through a periodic speed-changing method.

[0033] Workflow The workflow of the profile buoy described in this invention consists of three stages: surface power generation, submersion, and ascent.

[0034] During the surface power generation phase: the profiling buoy receives instructions from the terminal via satellite communication module 1 or wireless communication module 2 to determine the diving depth and waits to dive; the open-water motor 13 is in the off state; the piston 11 is in the extreme release position under the force of the compression spring 20, the passive variable buoyancy chamber III is at its maximum volume, and the overall buoyancy is at its maximum. At this time, half of the profiling buoy is exposed outside the water, which is conducive to the wave energy power generation device capturing wave energy; the profiling buoy oscillates and moves under the action of vertical wave force. Under the inertia of the linear generator mover coil 4 and the lag of the auxiliary spring 7, the linear generator mover coil 4 and the linear generator stator permanent magnet 5 generate reciprocating relative motion. The linear generator mover coil 4 cuts the magnetic field lines to generate electrical energy. The generated AC power is rectified and controlled by the power generation management unit 8 and converted into DC power and stored in the battery pack 17.

[0035] During the descent phase: When the captured waves can meet the energy consumption requirements of single-profile motion, the profile buoy begins to descend. At this time, the open-water motor 13 rotates at a constant speed, and the buoy moves downward under the pull generated by the asymmetric propeller 14. During the descent, the piston 11 is gradually compressed under the increasing seawater pressure, the volume of the passive variable buoyancy chamber III decreases, and the buoyancy force that needs to be overcome during descent gradually decreases, which helps to reduce the energy consumption of the open-water motor 13. At the same time, the marine observation equipment such as the temperature, salinity, and depth sensor 15 carried by the buoy is in working condition.

[0036] During the ascent phase: Upon reaching the designated diving depth, the profiling buoy begins to rise. At this time, the open-water motor 13 stops operating; the piston 11 is compressed to its limit position, and the entire unit remains under positive buoyancy. The profiling buoy moves upward under the action of positive buoyancy. During the ascent, the seawater pressure gradually decreases, and the piston 11 gradually releases under the force of the compression spring 20. The volume of the passive variable buoyancy chamber III increases, and the overall buoyancy gradually increases, which is conducive to the accelerated ascent of the profiling buoy. At the same time, the marine observation equipment carried by the buoy, such as the temperature, salinity, and depth sensor 15, is in working condition.

[0037] Furthermore, during the process of generating electricity on the water surface, the current induced in the mover coil generates an anti-electromagnetic force, and this anti-electromagnetic force is linearly and positively correlated with the quadrature-axis current of the linear motor. By rationally controlling the quadrature-axis current and thus the anti-electromagnetic force, the dynamic characteristics of the wave energy generation device can be adjusted, and the power generation can be significantly increased.

[0038] Therefore, this invention employs a positive buoyancy profile buoy based on a wave energy power generation device. When on the surface, it can capture wave energy by generating relative motion with its internal linear generator under the action of wave excitation force. In profile operation, this buoy uses a propulsion scheme combining positive buoyancy design and thruster propulsion, replacing the complex structure of existing profile buoys with buoyancy adjustment systems. Furthermore, the structure of this invention only includes a piston, spring, and limiting device, making it simple. When the profile buoy descends, the external pressure increases with increasing depth, causing the piston to compress and reduce buoyancy, saving propulsion energy. When the profile buoy ascends, the external pressure decreases with decreasing depth, causing the piston to release and increase buoyancy, accelerating the buoy's ascent. No additional control unit is required, achieving efficient and energy-saving ascent and descent. This invention also employs a vector thruster utilizing an open-water motor and asymmetric blades, a structure used for the buoy's descending mission. The rotating motor is an open-water type made of corrosion-resistant materials and has a waterproof coating, which can be fully exposed to the seawater environment; the asymmetric blades are two blades of different sizes, which can achieve vector propulsion of the profile buoy by using the thrust difference between the large and small blades through periodic speed change. This vector propulsion scheme has a simple structure and only requires a single motor to achieve omnidirectional propulsion of the profile buoy.

[0039] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and not to limit them. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can still be made to the technical solutions of the present invention, and these modifications or equivalent substitutions cannot cause the modified technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention.

Claims

1. A positive buoyancy profile buoy based on a wave energy power generation device, characterized in that, include: The fairing has a streamlined shape and is equipped with a satellite communication module, a wireless communication module, and sensors. The main sealed chamber is internally divided into a wave power generation chamber and a control chamber by a perforated partition plate. The wave power generation chamber is equipped with a wave energy generation device and an energy storage unit, while the control chamber is equipped with a power generation management unit and a main control unit. The passive variable buoyancy sealed chamber is equipped with a reciprocating piston and elastic elements to adaptively adjust buoyancy according to water depth and pressure. The submerged tail section is equipped with a vector thruster to drive the buoy's descent. The wave energy generator produces electricity through the relative motion of the buoy's heaving motion and the internal moving part, and supplies power to the entire system.

2. The profile buoy according to claim 1, characterized in that, The satellite communication module, wireless communication module, and temperature, salinity, and depth sensor on the fairing are connected to the main sealed cabin via a perforation device.

3. The profile buoy according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main sealing chamber is uniformly distributed with stabilizing fins on its outer circumference.

4. The profile buoy according to claim 1, characterized in that, The wave energy generation device includes: The stator permanent magnet of the linear generator is vertically fixed to the perforated compartment plate and the upper cover of the main sealing compartment. The linear generator mover coil is a hollow cylindrical structure, which is sleeved outside the stator permanent magnet; Linear guide rails are used to guide the vertical movement of the mover coil; Auxiliary spring connects the perforated compartment plate to the mover coil.

5. The profile buoy according to claim 4, characterized in that, The energy storage unit is a battery pack, which is fixed outside the mover coil and moves together with it.

6. The profile buoy according to claim 1, characterized in that, The passive variable buoyancy sealed chamber includes: The piston is dynamically sealed to the inner wall of the cabin, with its lower end exposed to seawater. A compression spring connects the piston to the lower end cover of the main sealing chamber; Piston compression limit block, fixed to the lower end cover of the main sealing chamber; The piston releases the limiting block and is fixed to the submerged stern compartment.

7. The profile buoy according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vector thruster includes: Open-air water-powered motor, featuring a corrosion-resistant and waterproof design; The asymmetric two-bladed propeller achieves vector propulsion by generating thrust difference through periodic speed changes.

8. The profile buoy according to claim 1, characterized in that, The submerged stern chamber has a circumferential water inlet for transmitting seawater pressure to the lower end face of the piston.

9. The profile buoy according to claim 1, characterized in that, The power generation management unit rectifies the AC power generated by the moving coil into DC power and stores it in the battery pack, and adjusts the anti-electromagnetic force by controlling the quadrature axis current to optimize wave energy capture.

10. The profile buoy according to claim 6, characterized in that, The asymmetric blades achieve omnidirectional vector propulsion by periodically adjusting the speed of the open-water motor to realize the thrust difference between the large and small blades.

Images