Self-adaptive flow direction energy supply device for underwater vehicle

Abstract

The invention provides a self-adaptive flow direction energy supply device for an underwater vehicle, and relates to an underwater energy capture and self-energy supply technology. The device comprises an underwater vehicle main body, a lifting supporting platform, an environment energy harvesting module, a fixed telescopic bracket and a propeller, the environment energy harvesting module comprises an energy harvesting bluff body, an elastic structure, a fixed guide rail, a transmission device, an electromagnetic energy harvesting device and a self-adaptive rotating platform. The environment energy harvesting module utilizes an energy harvesting bluff body to generate flow-induced vibration under the effect of incoming flow, and fluid kinetic energy is converted into reciprocating mechanical energy. The transmission device is meshed with the gear through the rack, converts reciprocating motion into rotating motion and drives the electromagnetic energy harvesting device to cut magnetic induction lines to generate electric energy for output. The self-adaptive rotating platform drives a rotating shaft and a supporting platform through a flow guide plate, automatic incident flow adjustment of the energy capturing module is achieved, and therefore the self-adaptive rotating platform adapts to water flows in different directions, and efficient capturing of energy is guaranteed. The underwater energy harvesting device can solve the problems that an existing underwater energy harvesting device is single in flow direction, low in efficiency and insufficient in adaptability, has the advantages of being compact in structure, high in energy conversion efficiency, high in environment adaptability and the like, and can be widely applied to underwater vehicles and other underwater equipment self-energy-supply systems running for a long time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of underwater power supply technology, and more specifically, to an adaptive flow direction power supply device for underwater vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] With the deepening development of marine resources, underwater vehicles, including remotely operated or automated submersibles (AUVs), are playing an increasingly important role in marine exploration, environmental monitoring, and military applications. However, their continuous operational capability is always constrained by energy supply. Existing power supply methods mainly include batteries, external cables, and underwater docking charging stations, but all suffer from limited endurance, complex deployment and recovery, and limited operational range. Therefore, developing new and efficient underwater self-powered devices is of great significance. Currently, environmental energy harvesting technology, which captures energy from the environment and converts it into electrical energy, is considered a highly promising solution. The marine environment contains abundant fluid kinetic energy; if this energy can be efficiently captured and converted into electrical energy, it will provide a long-lasting and stable energy supply for submersibles. Existing research shows that fluids acting on blunt bodies easily induce flow-induced vibrations, which can convert fluid kinetic energy into mechanical energy, and then output electrical energy through electromechanical conversion. However, existing devices generally suffer from insufficient adaptability; when the direction of the incoming flow or the flow field conditions change, their energy harvesting efficiency decreases significantly, limiting their application in complex marine environments. Therefore, there is an urgent need for an underwater self-powered device that can adapt to the direction of incoming flow and obtain energy stably and efficiently under different operating conditions, so as to improve the endurance and operational autonomy of underwater vehicles. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies by providing an adaptive flow-direction power supply device based on electromagnetic energy harvesting, which fully utilizes the fluid kinetic energy in the environment to achieve continuous self-powering for underwater vehicles.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: an adaptive flow direction power supply device for underwater vehicles, comprising a vehicle body, a lifting support platform, an environmental energy harvesting module, a fixed telescopic support and a propeller.

[0005] The lifting support platform is installed on the top of the submersible body. The lifting support platform is used to connect the environmental energy harvesting module. Its top is provided with a groove to fix the environmental energy harvesting device module. When the submersible is working, the lifting support platform retracts the energy harvesting module into the cabin to protect the device. When in standby, it is raised to the top of the submersible to harvest environmental energy.

[0006] The environmental energy harvesting module includes an energy harvesting blunt body, an elastic structure, a fixed guide rail, a transmission device, an electromagnetic energy harvesting device, and an adaptive rotating platform. The energy harvesting blunt body is placed horizontally and connected to the fixed guide rail through the elastic structures on both sides. The energy harvesting blunt body has protruding structures and rollers on both sides, which can roll within the fixed guide rail. One end of the elastic structure is connected to the top of the fixed guide rail, and the other end is connected to the energy harvesting blunt body, thereby restricting its up-and-down vibration along a single degree of freedom to form a flow-induced vibration response. At the same time, the rollers reduce frictional losses.

[0007] The transmission device includes a rack, a drive gear, an intermediate gear, a driven gear, and a gear shaft fixing structure. The top of the rack is connected to an energy-harvesting blunt body and slides in a guide rail via rollers. The energy-harvesting blunt body vibrates up and down, driving the rack to move. This motion is converted into rotational motion through gear meshing. The drive gear meshes with the rack, the intermediate gear rotates coaxially with the drive gear, and the driven gear meshes with the intermediate gear, thereby increasing the speed of the driven gear.

[0008] The electromagnetic energy harvesting device includes a housing, a coil, a magnet, a support beam, a fixed shaft, and a boss. The housing is fixed to the boss, and the coil is fixed to the inner wall of the housing via the support beam. The magnet is arranged coaxially with the coil and maintains a gap. The fixed shaft passes through the magnet and is connected to the transmission device. The gear movement drives the magnet to rotate, cutting the magnetic field lines of the coil and generating an induced current according to Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction.

[0009] The adaptive rotating platform includes a guide plate, a support platform, a rotating shaft, and a base. The guide plate is connected to the support platform by bolts. The bottom of the support platform is fixed to the rotating shaft. The rotating shaft is mounted on the base by rolling bearings. The base is fixed to the surface of the lifting support platform.

[0010] The fixed telescopic support is installed at the bottom of the submersible. It retracts into the cabin during operation and extends out of the cabin to stabilize the main body of the submersible when capturing energy. The propeller is installed at the tail of the submersible.

[0011] Based on the above, in the operating state of the submersible, the lifting support platform and the fixed telescopic bracket are retracted into the cabin; in the energy harvesting state, the lifting support platform and the fixed telescopic bracket are extended outside the cabin, and the environmental energy harvesting module comes into contact with the fluid.

[0012] Based on the above, when the environmental energy harvesting module comes into contact with the fluid, the energy harvesting blunt body vibrates up and down under the action of the fluid, the elastic structure provides restoring force, and the fixed guide rail restricts its single degree of freedom motion.

[0013] Based on the above, the rack converts the reciprocating vibration of the energy-harvesting blunt body into gear rotation. After the speed is increased by the gear set, the magnet is driven to rotate, thereby generating current in the coil and realizing the conversion of fluid kinetic energy into electrical energy.

[0014] Based on the above, the adaptive rotating platform senses the direction of the incoming flow through the guide plate and automatically adjusts the orientation of the energy harvesting module to achieve all-round energy harvesting and ensure efficient self-powering in complex water flow environments.

[0015] This invention possesses significant substantive features and substantial advancements compared to existing technologies. Specifically, it utilizes the phenomenon of underwater flow-induced vibration to design an adaptive flow-direction energy harvesting device. This device converts the kinetic energy of the fluid into the mechanical energy of the energy-harvesting blunt body. Furthermore, by using gear-driven speed-increasing transmission, the rotational speed of the magnet is increased, enhancing the magnetic induction effect and thus improving the output voltage and power generation efficiency. Simultaneously, the device can automatically adjust according to the incoming flow direction, achieving adaptive power supply. This overcomes the shortcomings of existing devices that rely on a fixed flow direction, improving environmental energy harvesting efficiency. The design of the lifting support platform and telescopic bracket takes into account both power supply mode and the normal operation mode of the submersible, ensuring the system's reliability and scalability. Flow-induced vibration is a widespread phenomenon in marine environments and can be widely applied to different types of underwater vehicles and related equipment, showing promising prospects for widespread application. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structural principle of the adaptive flow direction power supply device for underwater vehicles in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 This is one of the schematic diagrams of the adaptive flow-to-environment energy capture device structure in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 This is the second schematic diagram of the adaptive flow-to-environment energy harvesting device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the energy-harvesting blunt body device in this invention.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the rack structure in this invention.

[0021] Figure 6 This is one of the schematic diagrams illustrating the structural principle of the electromagnetic energy harvesting device in this invention.

[0022] Figure 7 This is the second schematic diagram of the structural principle of the electromagnetic energy harvesting device in this invention.

[0023] In the diagram: 1. Submarine body; 2. Lifting support platform; 3. Environmental energy harvesting module; 4. Fixed telescopic support; 5. Propeller; 6. Energy harvesting blunt body; 7. Elastic structure; 8. Fixed guide rail; 9. Rack; 10. Drive gear; 11. Intermediate gear; 12. Driven gear; 13. Gear shaft; 14. Gear shaft fixing structure; 15. Electromagnetic energy harvesting device; 16. Boss; 17. Deflector; 18. Support platform; 19. Bolted structure; 20. Rotating shaft; 21. Base; 22. Roller; 23. Outer shell; 24. Coil; 25. Magnet; 26. Support beam; 27. Fixed shaft; Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below through specific embodiments.

[0025] An adaptive flow-direction power supply device for underwater vehicles includes the vehicle body, a lifting support platform, an environmental energy harvesting module, a fixed telescopic support, and a propeller.

[0026] The energy-harvesting blunt body in the environmental energy-harvesting module converts fluid kinetic energy into mechanical energy, and then converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy through the transmission device and the electromagnetic energy-harvesting device.

[0027] Example 1

[0028] like Figures 1-7 As shown, the lifting support platform 2 is located on the top of the submersible body 1 and is used to connect the environmental energy harvesting module 3. The top of the platform has a groove to fix the bottom of the environmental energy harvesting module 3. When the submersible is in normal operation, the lifting support platform 2 is retracted into the cabin to protect the energy harvesting module. When the submersible is in standby or needs power, the lifting support platform 2 is raised to the outside, and the energy harvesting module 3 comes into contact with the external fluid to achieve energy harvesting.

[0029] The environmental energy harvesting module 3 includes an energy harvesting blunt body 6, an elastic structure 7, and a fixed guide rail 8. The energy harvesting blunt body 6 is arranged horizontally and connected to the elastic structure 7 at both ends. The energy harvesting blunt body 6 has protruding structures on both sides and the rollers 22 are installed so that it can slide up and down in the fixed guide rail 8. One end of the elastic structure 7 is fixed to the top of the fixed guide rail 8, and the other end is connected to the energy harvesting blunt body 6 to provide restoring force and constrain the energy harvesting blunt body 6 to vibrate in a single degree of freedom direction.

[0030] The transmission device includes a rack 9, a drive gear 10, an intermediate gear 11, a driven gear 12, a gear shaft 13, and a gear shaft fixing structure 14. The top of the rack 9 is connected to the energy-harvesting blunt body 6, and its end face has the roller 22 to slide in the guide rail. The up-and-down vibration of the energy-harvesting blunt body 6 drives the rack 9 to reciprocate. The drive gear 10 meshes with the rack 9 to convert linear motion into rotational motion. The intermediate gear 11 is coaxially connected with the drive gear 10 and meshes with the driven gear 12, thereby increasing the speed of the driven gear 12. The gear shaft fixing structure 14 is connected to the gear shaft 13 through a keyway and fixed to the support platform 18 by bolt structure 19.

[0031] The electromagnetic energy harvesting device 15 includes a housing 23, a coil 24, a magnet 25, a support beam 26, a fixed shaft 27, and a boss 16. The housing 23 is fixed to the boss 16, and the boss 16 is fixed to the support platform 18. The coil 24 is fixed to the inner wall of the housing 23 through the support beam 26. The magnet 25 is placed coaxially with the coil 24 but with a gap. The fixed shaft 27 passes through the magnet 25 and is connected to the gear shaft of the transmission device. The driven gear 12 drives the magnet 25 to rotate, thereby cutting the coil 24 and generating an induced current.

[0032] The adaptive rotating platform includes a guide plate 17, a support platform 18, a rotating shaft 20, and a base 21. The guide plate 17 is fixed to the support platform 18 by bolts 19. The bottom of the support platform 18 is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft 20. A rolling bearing is installed at the lower end of the rotating shaft 20 and connected to the base 21. The base 21 is fixed to the lifting support platform 2. When the incoming flow acts on the guide plate 17, it drives the support platform 18 and the environmental energy harvesting module 3 to rotate, so that the energy harvesting blunt body 6 automatically adjusts the direction of the incoming flow to achieve adaptive energy harvesting.

[0033] The fixed telescopic bracket 4 is installed at the bottom of the submersible body 1. When the submersible is working, it is retracted into the cabin and extended outside the cabin to stabilize the submersible when capturing energy. The propeller 5 is installed at the tail of the submersible body 1.

[0034] When the submersible is in standby mode, the lifting support platform 2 and the fixed telescopic bracket 4 extend outside the cabin, and the environmental energy harvesting module 3 comes into contact with the fluid. Under the action of the incoming flow, the energy harvesting blunt body 6 vibrates up and down, driving the rack 9 to reciprocate. The drive transmission device converts the vibration energy into gear rotation energy. After the gear set speeds up the speed, the magnet 25 rotates and cuts the magnetic field lines of the coil 24, generating electrical energy and transmitting it to the energy conversion module through the wire to power the submersible.

[0035] Example 2

[0036] In this embodiment, the adaptive flow direction power supply device is installed on a sea surface buoy. Due to the variable wind direction at sea, the energy harvesting module adjusts its direction of attack against the flow through an adaptive rotating platform. When air flows through the energy harvesting device, it induces flow-induced vibration. The vibration is converted into electrical energy through a transmission device and an electromagnetic energy harvesting device, and powers the sensors on the buoy, thereby enabling real-time monitoring of environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, and wind speed.

[0037] 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 can still be made to the specific implementation of the present invention or equivalent substitutions can be made to some technical features without departing from the spirit of the technical solutions of the present invention, and all such modifications and substitutions should be covered within the scope of the technical solutions claimed in the present invention.

Claims

1. An adaptive flow-oriented power supply device for an underwater submersible, characterized by: The device comprises a submarine body, a lifting support platform, an environmental energy capturing module, a fixed telescopic support and a propeller. The lifting support platform is installed on the top of the submarine body and used to connect the environmental energy capturing module. The environmental energy capturing module comprises an energy capturing body, an elastic structure, a fixed guide rail, a transmission device, an electromagnetic energy capturing device and a self-adaptive rotating platform. The energy capturing body is horizontally placed and connected with the fixed guide rail through the elastic structure on both sides. The energy capturing body is provided with a convex structure and a roller on both sides and can roll in the fixed guide rail. The elastic structure is connected with the top of the fixed guide rail at one end and with the energy capturing body at the other end to limit the single degree of freedom vibration of the energy capturing body. The transmission device comprises a rack, a driving gear, an intermediate gear, a driven gear and a gear shaft fixing structure.

2. The underwater vehicle facing adaptive flow direction power and energy device of claim 1, wherein: The rack is connected with the energy capturing body at the top and slides in the guide rail through the roller.

3. The adaptive flow-directional power and propulsion apparatus for an underwater vehicle of claim 1, wherein: The electromagnetic energy capturing device comprises a shell, a coil, a magnet, a support beam, a fixed shaft and a boss.

4. The underwater vehicle facing adaptive flow direction power and propulsion device of claim 1, wherein: The shell is fixed on the boss, the coil is fixed to the inner wall of the shell through the support beam, the magnet is coaxially arranged with the coil and kept with a gap, the fixed shaft penetrates the magnet and is connected with the transmission device. The self-adaptive rotating platform comprises a guide plate, a support platform, a rotating shaft and a base. The guide plate is connected with the support platform through a bolt structure. The support platform is fixed at the bottom of the rotating shaft. The base is fixed on the surface of the lifting support platform. The fixed telescopic support is installed at the bottom of the submarine and is retracted into the cabin when working and extended out of the cabin to stabilize the submarine body when capturing energy. The propeller is installed at the tail of the submarine. When the submarine is working, the lifting support platform and the fixed telescopic support are retracted into the cabin. When the submarine is capturing energy, the lifting support platform and the fixed telescopic support are extended out of the cabin. When the environmental energy capturing module is in contact with the fluid, the energy capturing body vibrates up and down under the action of the fluid. The elastic structure provides a restoring force and the fixed guide rail limits the single degree of freedom movement. The rack converts the reciprocating vibration of the energy capturing body into the rotation of the gear, drives the magnet to rotate after speed increasing through the gear set, and then generates current in the coil to realize the conversion of fluid kinetic energy into electric energy.

5. The underwater vehicle facing adaptive flow direction power and propulsion device of claim 1, wherein: The adaptive rotating platform senses the flow direction through a guide vane, automatically adjusts the orientation of the energy capturing module, realizes omnidirectional energy capturing, and ensures efficient self-power supply in a complex water flow environment.

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