Power generation and propulsion system using water pressure difference

Abstract

The present invention relates to a power generation and propulsion system using a water pressure difference, and to a power generation and propulsion system using a water pressure difference, the system comprising: an inlet pipe of which one end is positioned on the outer wall of a ship that can be positioned in the water, and of which the other end is positioned inside the ship such that a fluid flows therein by means of a water pressure difference; a turbine provided inside the ship to be positioned below the other end of the inlet pipe, so as to be rotated by means of the influent fluid; a generator for converting the rotational force of the turbine into electrical energy; a water storage tank provided inside the ship to be positioned below the turbine, so that the fluid that rotates the turbine is stored therein; a discharge pipe of which one end communicates with the water storage tank and of which the other end is positioned at the stern of the ship; and a drain pump by which the fluid stored in the water storage tank moves to the stern through the discharge pipe, and thus electrical energy can be produced through the generator as the fluid flowing in through the inlet pipe rotates the turbine, and the fluid stored in the water storage tank passes through the discharge pipe and is discharged into the water according to the operation of the drain pump, and thus can act as the propulsive force of the ship.

Description

Power generation and propulsion systems using hydraulic turbines

[0001] The present invention relates to a power generation and propulsion system using a hydraulic differential, and more particularly, to a power generation and propulsion system for producing electric energy using a hydraulic differential inside / outside the hull of a sailing ship (a type of ship used or capable of being used for sailing on or under water) and for improving propulsion by discharging fluid introduced into the interior of the ship at high pressure to the outside.

[0002] Typically, ships operate by turning an engine inside the hull, or by connecting the power to a generator to produce electrical energy, which is then used as propulsion power for the ship.

[0003] Ships with this structure require fuel and oxides to generate power, but the capacity of these materials is limited, limiting power production. Submarines, in particular, must surface to replenish their oxygen reserves and undergo a process of inhalation. This exposure exposes them to enemies, compromising their stealth. Furthermore, the limited fuel and oxides deplete rapidly at high speeds, limiting long-term operation.

[0004] Accordingly, in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2018-0124465, a technology is disclosed for propelling by spraying a water jet generated using a Tesla pump and converting the kinetic energy generated as the disk inside the Tesla pump rotates into electrical energy and storing it in a battery.

[0005] However, due to the law of conservation of energy, the energy used to obtain propulsion cannot be greater than the energy produced by the generator, and especially in the case of ships, the efficiency is bound to be further reduced due to the water pressure applied to the propulsion system part below the water surface.

[0006] The present invention is intended to solve the above problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to provide a power generation and propulsion system using a hydraulic differential that can produce electric energy by introducing fluid into a ship using the hydraulic pressure of the fluid applied to the hull of the ship and improve propulsion by discharging the fluid introduced into the ship at high pressure to the outside.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a power generation and propulsion system using a hydraulic differential, including: an inlet pipe having one end positioned on an outer wall of a ship that can be positioned underwater and the other end positioned inside the ship, through which fluid is introduced by the hydraulic differential; a turbine positioned inside the ship below the other end of the inlet pipe and rotated by the introduced fluid; a generator converting the rotational power of the turbine into electrical energy; a storage tank positioned inside the ship below the turbine and storing the fluid that rotates the turbine; a discharge pipe having one end connected to the storage tank and the other end positioned at the stern of the ship; and a drainage pump that moves the fluid stored in the storage tank to the stern through the discharge pipe.

[0008] In addition, the turbines are provided in multiple numbers, and the other end of the inlet pipe can be branched to supply fluid to the multiple turbines, and a valve capable of controlling the fluid supplied to the turbines is provided at each of the other ends of the branched inlet pipes, and the valve can control whether or not to supply the fluid to the turbines or the amount of the fluid to be supplied to the turbines depending on the hydraulic pressure of the fluid flowing in through the inlet pipe.

[0009] In addition, the propeller provided at the stern of the ship includes a hub that is integrally connected to the ship's drive shaft, and blades that are radially fixed to the outer side of the hub, wherein the hub has a tubular shape with both ends open, one end of which is connected to the other end of the exhaust pipe, and a spiral screw may be provided inside.

[0010] In addition, the stern of the vessel is further provided with a ring-shaped flow guide formed to surround the propeller, wherein the flow guide is connected at the front end to the other end of the discharge pipe through a propulsion fluid supply pipe, and a propulsion fluid supply passage is formed internally from the front end to the center, and the rear end of the propulsion fluid supply passage is formed to be open toward the adjacent rear of the blade, so that the fluid moved to the stern through the discharge pipe can be discharged into the water through the propulsion fluid supply pipe and the propulsion fluid supply passage.

[0011] Additionally, the propulsion fluid supply pipe and the propulsion fluid supply path can be arranged radially with the hub as the center.

[0012] According to the present invention, by utilizing the hydraulic pressure of the fluid applied to the hull of the ship, the fluid is introduced into the ship, and the hydraulic pressure difference causes the fluid introduced through the inlet pipe to rotate the turbine, thereby generating electrical energy through a generator, and the fluid is discharged through a water storage tank, a discharge pipe, and a drainage pump, thereby continuously producing electrical energy. In addition, the fluid stored in the water storage tank is discharged underwater through the discharge pipe according to the operation of the drainage pump, and can act as propulsion force for the ship, thereby reducing the energy consumed for discharging more fluid during high-speed operation, thereby increasing the energy efficiency consumed for propulsion force of the ship, and enabling the ship to operate for a long period of time.

[0013] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a power generation and propulsion system using a hydraulic differential according to the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of an inlet pipe, turbine, generator, and water tank applied to a power generation and propulsion system using a hydraulic differential according to the present invention.

[0015] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the stern structure of a ship applied to the power generation and propulsion system using a hydraulic differential of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 4 is an example diagram showing a state in which fluid is discharged through the stern structure of the ship illustrated in Figure 3.

[0017] In the present invention, a fluid is introduced into a ship by utilizing the hydraulic pressure of the fluid applied to the hull of the ship to produce electric energy and the fluid introduced into the ship is discharged to the outside at a high pressure to improve propulsion, the fluid being introduced into the ship is discharged to the outside at a high pressure ... using an inlet pipe having one end positioned on the outer wall of the ship that can be located underwater and the other end positioned inside the ship so as to allow the fluid to be introduced by a hydraulic pressure difference; a turbine that is installed inside the ship so as to be located below the other end of the inlet pipe and is rotated by the introduced fluid; a generator that converts the rotational power of the turbine into electric energy; a storage tank that is installed inside the ship so as to be located below the turbine and stores the fluid that rotates the turbine; a discharge pipe having one end connected to the storage tank and the other end positioned at the stern of the ship; And a drainage pump for moving the fluid stored in the water storage tank to the stern through a discharge pipe; The fluid introduced through the inlet pipe can produce electric energy through a generator as it rotates a turbine, and the fluid stored in the water storage tank can be discharged into the water through a discharge pipe according to the operation of the drainage pump and used as propulsion power for the ship. A power generation and propulsion system using a hydraulic differential is proposed.

[0018] The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and includes parts that can be variously modified and implemented by a person having ordinary knowledge in the relevant technical field without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention.

[0019] Hereinafter, the power generation and propulsion system using hydraulic pressure according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings 1 to 4.

[0020]

[0021] The power generation and propulsion system using a hydraulic pressure difference of the present invention includes an inlet pipe (100), a turbine (200), a generator (300), a water tank (400), a discharge pipe (500), and a drainage pump (600) provided in a vessel (10) such as a submarine, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0022] The inlet pipe (100) is provided so that one end is positioned on the outer wall of a vessel (10) that can be positioned underwater, and the other end is positioned inside the vessel (10). For example, one end of the inlet pipe (100) may be positioned on the outer side wall of the vessel (10) that can be positioned underwater, and an opening is provided on the outer wall to allow one end of the inlet pipe (100) to be opened and closed. When electric energy production is required, the opening may be opened to allow fluid to be introduced through the inlet pipe (100) due to the water pressure difference between underwater and inside the vessel (10). The fluid is introduced until the pressures underwater and inside the vessel (10) become equal, and the fluid may be introduced at a high speed due to the inlet pipe (100) and supplied to the turbine (200).

[0023] The turbine (200) is installed inside the ship (10) so as to be positioned below the other end of the inlet pipe (100), and is provided to rotate about its axis so that the fluid introduced into the ship (10) due to the hydraulic pressure difference can be rotated as it is discharged through the other end of the inlet pipe (100). That is, the fluid discharged from the other end of the inlet pipe (100) falls toward the turbine (200) and rotates the turbine (200).

[0024] In order to increase the efficiency of electric energy production, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a plurality of turbines (200) may be provided, and the plurality of turbines (200) may be installed laterally adjacent to each other so as to rotate around an axis positioned on the same line. At this time, the other end of the inlet pipe (100) may be branched to supply fluid to each of the plurality of turbines (200), and a valve (110) capable of controlling the fluid supply to the turbines (200) may be provided at each of the other ends of the branched inlet pipes (100).

[0025] The valve (110) can be opened / closed and the degree of opening can be controlled by the control unit. For example, depending on the hydraulic pressure of the fluid flowing in through the inlet pipe (100), it can control whether to supply fluid to the turbine (200) or the amount of fluid to be supplied to the turbine (200). That is, the control unit can receive the value of the hydraulic pressure of the fluid flowing in through the inlet pipe (100) from the hydraulic pressure measuring sensor installed on the inlet pipe (100) and information on the minimum amount of electric energy to be produced, and control the valve (110). As a specific example, when the hydraulic pressure is measured to be insufficient to operate a plurality of turbines (200), some of the valves (110) can be opened and the remaining valves (110) can be closed so that only some of the turbines (200) can be operated.

[0026] The generator (300) converts the rotational power of the turbine (200) generated by the fluid flowing into the vessel (10) into electrical energy, thereby producing electrical energy. At this time, the electrical energy produced can be used to operate devices provided within the vessel (10), such as the vessel's (10) drive motor and drainage pump (600).

[0027] The water storage tank (400) is formed in a tubular shape having a predetermined size as illustrated in FIG. 1 and is installed inside the vessel (10) so as to be positioned below the turbine (200) to store the fluid that rotates the turbine (200) therein. In the case where a plurality of turbines (200) are installed, the water storage tank (400) may be individually installed below each turbine (200). However, in order to easily measure the total amount of fluid that has flowed into the vessel (10), it is preferable that the water storage tank (400) be installed so that the fluid that has passed through a plurality of turbines (200) is stored all at once, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0028] Since the space in which the turbine (200) is installed cannot generate any more power if the fluid is filled, this water tank (400) allows the fluid to be filled in a separate space instead of being filled in the space in which the turbine (200) is installed, thereby increasing the power generation time through the turbine (200).

[0029] A discharge pipe (500) is provided inside the ship (10) so that one end is connected to the water tank (400) and is located at the stern of the ship (10). A propulsion fluid receiving space capable of receiving a certain amount of fluid can be formed at the stern of the ship (10) where the other end of the discharge pipe (500) is located, and the fluid moved to the stern through the discharge pipe (500) can be discharged into the water through the propulsion fluid receiving space.

[0030] The drain pump (600) is configured to enable the fluid stored in the reservoir tank (400) to be used to obtain propulsion power for the ship (10), and moves the fluid stored in the reservoir tank (400) to the stern through the discharge pipe (500). If the amount of fluid discharged is greater than the amount of fluid inflow, the pressure of the reservoir tank (400) decreases, and a pressure difference occurs between the water and the ship (10), so that the amount of fluid inflow through the inflow pipe (100) can naturally increase. In addition, if the amount of fluid discharged is excessively increased, the inside of the reservoir tank (400) can change to a vacuum state, and the control unit can control whether the drain pump (600) is operated and the amount of fluid discharged through the drain pump (600), and can also control the valve (110) of the inflow pipe (100).

[0031] As described above, the present invention can produce electric energy through a generator (300) by rotating a turbine (200) as a fluid introduced through an inlet pipe (100) due to a hydraulic pressure difference, and can increase the production time of electric energy through a water storage tank (400), a discharge pipe (500), and a drainage pump (600), and the fluid stored in the water storage tank (400) can be discharged into the water through a discharge pipe (500) according to the operation of the drainage pump (600) and can be used as propulsion power for a ship (10).

[0032] Meanwhile, it is desirable that the fluid discharged into the water through the discharge pipe (500) can have a synergistic effect by influencing the configuration for obtaining propulsion force from the original ship (10), such as the propeller (20).

[0033] For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, a propeller (20), which is originally a component for propulsion of the ship (10), may be provided at the stern of the ship (10), and the propeller (20) may include a hub (21) that is integrally connected to a drive shaft, one end of which is connected to a drive motor or engine, and blades (22) that are radially fixed to the outer side of the hub (21). Specifically, the hub (21) has a tubular shape with both ends open, and one end is connected to the other end of a discharge pipe (500), that is, a propulsion fluid receiving space, so that fluid moved to the stern of the ship (10) through the discharge pipe (500) can be discharged into the water through the inner side of the hub (21).

[0034] At this time, a screw (21a) forming a spiral surface along the longitudinal direction may be provided inside the hub (21). Accordingly, as illustrated in Fig. 4, the fluid passing through the inside of the hub (21) moves backward along the screw (21a) and is discharged into the water.

[0035] In addition, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, a ring-shaped flow guide (30) may be further provided at the stern of the ship (10) to surround the propeller (20). The flow guide (30) may be formed in a ring shape with a width longer than that of the hub (21), and the front end may be connected to the stern of the ship (10) by a support. The front end of the flow guide (30) may be connected to the other end of the exhaust pipe (500) through a propulsion fluid supply pipe (31), and a propulsion fluid supply path (32) may be formed internally from the front end to the center. In addition, the rear end of the propulsion fluid supply path (32) may be formed to be open toward the adjacent rear of the blade (22).

[0036] Accordingly, the fluid moved to the stern through the discharge pipe (500) is discharged into the water from the rear adjacent to the blade (22) through the propulsion fluid supply pipe (31) and the propulsion fluid supply path (32), as illustrated in Fig. 4. At this time, it is preferable that the propulsion fluid supply pipe (31) and the propulsion fluid supply path (32) be arranged radially with the hub (21) as the center, so that the fluid is discharged evenly toward the inside of the path guide (30) to obtain stable propulsion force.

[0037] As described above, the present invention can produce electric energy in addition to the power source of the ship (10) by using the hydraulic pressure of the fluid applied to the hull of the ship (10) to drive the turbine (200) by introducing the fluid into the ship (10), and after driving the turbine (200), the fluid collected in the water tank (400) is discharged at high pressure to the outside of the ship (10) by driving the drainage pump (600), thereby obtaining the same propulsive force as the water jet effect, which can be used as additional propulsive force together with the existing power during high-speed operation, thereby reducing fuel consumption.

[0038] In addition, the energy for driving the drain pump (600) can utilize the energy produced as the turbine (200) is driven, and when the ship is operating, the pressure of the fluid is lowered below the vapor pressure due to the cavitation phenomenon generated around the propeller (20) by the rotation of the propeller (20), and as the other end of the discharge pipe (500) is located at that point, the water pressure near the other end of the discharge pipe (500) is lower than the water pressure inside the water tank (400), so that even if the drain pump (600) is not operated, the fluid (10) can be discharged outside the ship, and even if the drain pump (600) is operated, the pressure applied to the drain pump (600) is reduced, so that the energy consumed is reduced.

[0039] Meanwhile, the present invention may further include a fluid diversion valve (700) and a diversion inlet pipe (800) so as to improve propulsion even when power generation by the turbine (200) is not achieved. The fluid diversion valve (700) may be provided on the discharge pipe (500) and may be operated to block the inflow of fluid into the reservoir tank (400) while allowing the fluid to move to the outlet pipe (500) or to block the inflow of fluid through the diversion inlet pipe (800) while allowing the fluid to move from one end of the discharge pipe (500) to the other end. In addition, the diversion inlet pipe (800) may have one end positioned on the outer wall of a ship (10) that may be located underwater and the other end connected to the fluid diversion valve (700).

[0040] Accordingly, when power generation by the turbine (200) is not achieved, the valve (110) can be closed and the fluid diversion valve (700) can be opened to allow fluid from outside the ship to flow in through the diversion inlet pipe (800) and be discharged into the water through the discharge pipe (500).

[0041] [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 10: Ship

[0043] 20: Propeller 21: Hub

[0044] 21a: Screw 22: Blade

[0045] 30: Euro guide 31: Propulsion fluid supply pipe

[0046] 32: Propulsion fluid supply path

[0047] 100: Inlet pipe 110: Valve

[0048] 200: Turbine

[0049] 300: Generator

[0050] 400: Water tank

[0051] 500: exhaust pipe

[0052] 600: Drainage pump

[0053] 700: Fluid diverter valve

[0054] 800: Conversion inlet pipe

Claims

1. An inlet pipe (100) having one end positioned on the outer wall of a vessel (10) that can be positioned underwater and the other end positioned inside the vessel (10) so that fluid is introduced by a hydraulic pressure difference; a turbine (200) provided inside the vessel (10) so as to be positioned below the other end of the inlet pipe (100) and rotated by the introduced fluid; a generator (300) that converts the rotational power of the turbine (200) into electrical energy; a storage tank (400) provided inside the vessel (10) so as to be positioned below the turbine (200) so that the fluid that rotates the turbine (200) is stored; and a discharge pipe (500) having one end connected to the storage tank (400) and the other end positioned at the stern of the vessel (10). A power generation and propulsion system using a hydraulic differential, characterized in that the fluid stored in the water storage tank (400) is moved to the stern through a discharge pipe (500), and the fluid introduced through the inlet pipe (100) rotates the turbine (200), thereby producing electric energy through a generator (300), and the fluid stored in the water storage tank (400) is discharged into the water through the discharge pipe (500) according to the operation of the drainage pump (600) and can be used as propulsion power for the ship (10).

2. In paragraph 1, A power generation and propulsion system using a hydraulic differential, characterized in that a plurality of turbines (200) are provided, and the other end of the inlet pipe (100) is branched to supply fluid to a plurality of turbines (200), and a valve (110) capable of controlling the fluid supplied to the turbines (200) is provided at each of the other ends of the branched inlet pipes (100), and the valve (110) can control whether to supply fluid to the turbines (200) or the amount of fluid to be supplied to the turbines (200) according to the hydraulic pressure of the fluid flowing in through the inlet pipe (100).

3. In paragraph 1, A power generation and propulsion system using a hydraulic differential, characterized in that the propeller (20) provided on the stern of the vessel (10) includes a hub (21) that is integrally connected to the drive shaft of the vessel (10) and blades (22) that are radially fixed to the outer side of the hub (21), wherein the hub (21) has a tube shape with both ends open, one end of which is connected to the other end of a discharge pipe (500), and a spiral screw (21a) is provided inside.

4. In paragraph 3, A power generation and propulsion system using a hydraulic differential, characterized in that the stern of the vessel (10) is further provided with a flow guide (30) formed in a ring shape to surround the propeller (20), wherein the flow guide (30) is connected at the front end to the other end of a discharge pipe (500) through a propulsion fluid supply pipe (31), and a propulsion fluid supply path (32) is formed internally from the front end to the center, and the rear end of the propulsion fluid supply path (32) is formed to be open toward the adjacent rear of the blade (22), so that the fluid moved to the stern through the discharge pipe (500) is discharged into the water through the propulsion fluid supply pipe (31) and the propulsion fluid supply path (32).

5. In paragraph 4, A power generation and propulsion system using a hydraulic differential, characterized in that the above propulsion fluid supply pipe (31) and the propulsion fluid supply path (32) are arranged radially with the hub (21) as the center.

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