A floating oscillating water column wave energy power generation device

Abstract

The application discloses a floating oscillating water column type wave power generation device, which comprises a runner chamber I and a protective cap, a nozzle is arranged in the runner chamber I, a flow guide cone is arranged below the nozzle and has the same central axis with the nozzle, the flow guide cone is conical and has a downward pointed end, an impeller is arranged above the nozzle and has the same central axis with the nozzle, a generator is arranged above the impeller and has the same central axis with the impeller, the protective cap is arranged on the top of the runner chamber I, and gaps for air circulation are arranged at the edges of the runner chamber I and the protective cap. The nozzle with the flow guide cone structure is adopted in the application, the flow guide cone can guide the flowing direction of air flow, accelerate the flowing speed of the air flow in the device, and slow down the wave upwelling phenomenon in the runner chamber, thereby protecting the internal components of the device. The protective cap can effectively protect the generator and the controller in the device from the erosion of rainwater and sea air, thereby prolonging the service life of the device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of marine renewable energy utilization technology, and specifically to a floating oscillating water column wave energy power generation device that utilizes wave energy to generate electricity. Background Technology

[0002] Oceans cover approximately 71% of the Earth's surface and contain abundant wave energy. While wave energy is the most unstable energy source in the ocean, it is a clean and renewable energy source with wide distribution and ease of large-scale exploitation. The development and utilization of wave energy mainly involves wave power generation, seawater desalination, and providing power to other marine equipment. The development and utilization of wave energy is an important direction in the field of renewable energy research in various countries, especially coastal nations that have invested heavily in researching various wave energy conversion and utilization devices, making significant contributions to the development of wave energy utilization technology.

[0003] Wave energy utilization technologies are diverse and can be classified in various ways. Based on their working principles, wave energy utilization technologies are mainly divided into oscillating float technology, wave-crossing technology, and oscillating water column technology. Oscillating float technology primarily utilizes the relative motion of two or more structures under the influence of waves to convert wave energy into the mechanical energy of the structures. This energy is then connected to a hydraulic system or mechanical structure to drive a power generation device, or a linear motor can be used to directly convert wave energy into electrical energy. This type of device suffers from low material utilization (due to dual or multiple floats), unavoidable collisions between floats, long deployment time (float adjustment requires time and equipment), complex structure, large and non-disassembleable device base, and its cost-effectiveness is limited by technology. Wave-crossing technology mainly utilizes the climbing characteristics of waves, using the narrowing of waterways to guide them into a high-level reservoir, converting wave energy into potential energy for power generation via a turbine. The power generation of this type of device depends on the weight of the conversion carrier; therefore, it has a robust and large-scale structure, complex mooring system design, significant impact from marine organism attachment, high cost, and inconvenient maintenance. Oscillating water column technology uses air as the working medium. A reciprocating water column acts like a piston, pushing air within an air chamber through a nozzle. This reciprocating airflow drives an air turbine to rotate, which in turn powers a generator to produce electricity. This type of device is characterized by its single floating body, high material utilization, and absence of collision issues. The turbine and generator are located on the water surface, unaffected by marine life. However, this type of device currently suffers from complex structure, large size, and inconvenient disassembly and replacement, resulting in poor compatibility with smaller marine devices such as buoys. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a floating oscillating water column wave energy power generation device that is simple in structure, low in manufacturing cost, highly maintainable, has little impact from marine organism attachment, high reliability, and high conversion efficiency.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0006] A floating oscillating water column wave energy power generation device includes a turbine chamber and a protective cap. A nozzle is installed inside the turbine chamber. A guide cone is installed below the nozzle and on the same central axis. The guide cone is conical with its tip pointing downwards. An impeller is installed above the nozzle and on the same central axis. A generator is installed above the impeller and on the same central axis. The protective cap is installed on the top of the turbine chamber. The edges of the two have gaps for air circulation.

[0007] As an improvement of the present invention, the impeller chamber is a cylindrical structure with a hollow interior, and its hub structure is provided with a plurality of inwardly opening and closing circular air valves.

[0008] As an improvement of the present invention, the protective cap is a hemispherical shell structure, with the spherical surface facing upwards and fastened to the outer circumference of the first rotating chamber.

[0009] As an improvement of the present invention, the protective cap has multiple ventilation holes evenly distributed on its spherical surface.

[0010] As an improvement of the present invention, a color marking layer is sprayed on the spherical surface of the protective cap.

[0011] As an improvement of the present invention, the nozzle is located above the circular air valve, with a disc structure in the middle and a ring structure on the outside, and guide vanes are evenly distributed in a radial pattern between the two structures with the axis as the center.

[0012] As an improvement of the present invention, a controller is installed above the generator, and its size is the same as that of the generator.

[0013] As an improvement of the present invention, a second rotating chamber is also installed directly below the first rotating chamber, and the two are connected vertically.

[0014] As an improvement of the present invention, the second rotating chamber is a cuboid or cube structure with a hollow interior, and each side is provided with an inwardly opening rectangular air valve.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0016] 1. A nozzle design with a guide cone structure is adopted. The guide cone design can guide the airflow direction, accelerate the airflow speed inside the device, and at the same time reduce the wave surge phenomenon in the rotor chamber, protecting the internal components of the device.

[0017] 2. The design includes a protective cap to effectively protect internal components such as the generator and controller from rain and sea air corrosion, extending their service life. The protective cap can also be coated with warning colors for identification purposes.

[0018] 3. Integrated design of generator and controller. The generator and controller are installed together. This integrated design saves internal space as much as possible, reduces cable layout, achieves sealing, and utilizes the airflow from the impeller to cool the generator and nozzles.

[0019] 4. The multi-chamber design allows for the use of different chambers to achieve varying output power depending on sea conditions. Cylindrical and square chambers can be used individually or stacked. For low-power output, a cylindrical chamber is used. For high-power output, a combination of cylindrical and square chambers is used. Between power levels, a square chamber is used. When using both types of chambers stacked, the valve on the cylindrical chamber is closed, leaving only the valve on the square chamber as a make-up air port. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0022] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1-Spindle chamber one; 2-Circular air valve; 3-Nozzle; 4-Guide cone; 5-Impeller; 6-Generator; 7-Controller 7; 8-Protective cap; 9-Spindle chamber two; 10-Rectangular air valve. Detailed Implementation

[0023] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0024] Example 1

[0025] like Figure 1 As shown, a floating oscillating water column wave energy power generation device includes a turbine chamber 1, a nozzle 3, a guide cone 4, an impeller 5, a generator 6, a controller 7, and a protective cap 8.

[0026] The impeller chamber 1 is a cylindrical structure with a hollow interior. Multiple circular air valves 2 are mounted on its hub structure. Each circular air valve 2 consists of a valve frame and a valve. The valve can be made of a soft material, such as rubber, and is mounted on the top of the valve frame. The valve can only open and close inwards, and is used to replenish air when negative pressure occurs in the impeller chamber 1. The specific opening and closing structure can use a conventional hinge method, which will not be described in detail here.

[0027] Nozzle 3 is installed in the upper part of the rotor chamber 1, above the circular air valve 2, and is used to accelerate and propel the air squeezed into the rotor chamber 1 to the impeller 5. Nozzle 3 has a disc structure in the middle and a ring structure on the outside. Guide vanes are evenly distributed in a radial pattern between the two structures with the axis as the center. The guide vanes are irregularly shaped with special design to accelerate the air flow speed and direction.

[0028] Below nozzle 3, at the same central axis, is a guide cone 4. The guide cone 4 consists of a cylinder and a cone, which are coaxial, with the tip of the cone pointing downwards during installation. The guide cone 4 can guide the direction of airflow, accelerate the airflow speed within the device, and simultaneously reduce wave surge within the impeller chamber, protecting the internal components of the device.

[0029] An impeller 5 is mounted above the nozzle 3, aligned with its central axis. The blades of the impeller 5 are evenly distributed in a radial pattern around the central axis, and the blades have a specially designed shape to allow for rapid airflow and reduce air resistance. A cylindrical generator 6 is mounted above the impeller 5, aligned with its central axis. The diameter of the generator 6 is smaller than that of the impeller chamber 1, and it contains the generator stator and rotor. The controller 7 is the same size as the generator 6 and is directly mounted above it. The generator 6 and controller 7 are integrated into one unit. This integrated design saves internal space as much as possible, reduces cable routing, achieves sealing, and utilizes the airflow from the impeller to cool the generator and controller 7.

[0030] The protective cap 8, resembling a hemispherical shape, is fitted onto the outer circumference of the rotor chamber 1 with its spherical surface facing upwards. Specifically, multiple mounting bosses extend radially from the outer circumference of the rotor chamber 1, and the protective cap 8 is fixed to these bosses with bolts. This creates a gap between the protective cap 8 and the outer circumference of the rotor chamber 1, allowing for airflow. To further accelerate airflow, vent holes can be provided on the spherical surface of the protective cap 8, and these holes can be covered with rubber sleeves or plugs. When not in use, the vent holes can be plugged. The design of the protective cap 8 effectively protects the internal components, such as the generator 6 and controller 7, from the corrosion of rainwater and sea air, extending their service life. The surface of the protective cap 8 can also be painted with a warning color, preferably red, for identification purposes.

[0031] The working principle of the floating oscillating water column wave energy power generation device of the present invention is as follows:

[0032] A floating oscillating water column wave energy generator is installed on a buoy with an air passage, for example, referring to the inventor's prior application (CN110406635A A multi-stage power supply buoy with a central tube). The floating oscillating water column wave energy generator is connected to the central tube via a flange. Under the action of waves, the buoy as a whole undergoes repeated up-and-down motion, causing the water column inside the central tube to oscillate relative to each other within the tube. The oscillating water column surface acts as a piston, pushing the air inside the central tube to reciprocate, thereby giving the air in the air chamber kinetic energy. The moving air drives the impeller 5 to rotate through the nozzle 3 inside the floating oscillating water column wave energy generator, thereby driving the generator 6 to generate electricity. The generated electricity is supplied to the electrical equipment on the buoy via the controller 7, and is also stored in a battery.

[0033] Example 2

[0034] Based on Example 1, a second rotating chamber 9 is added. Specifically, the second rotating chamber 9 is installed directly below the first rotating chamber 1, and the two are sealed with rubber. The second rotating chamber 9 has a cuboid or cube structure with a hollow interior. Each vertical face of the cuboid rotating chamber 9 has a rectangular air valve 10 at its center. The rectangular air valve 10 consists of a valve frame and a valve. The valve is made of a soft material and is installed on the top of the valve frame. The valve can only open and close inwards, and its specific structure is the same as that of the circular air valve 2.

[0035] It should be noted that although Embodiment 1 uses a cylindrical rotor chamber, it can be easily replaced with the square rotor chamber of Embodiment 2 through simple design. Thus, the floating oscillating water column wave energy generator of the present invention can use different rotor chambers to achieve different output power depending on different sea conditions. Rotor chamber 1 and rotor chamber 9 can be used individually or stacked. For low power output, a cylindrical rotor chamber is used. For high power output, a combination of a cylindrical rotor chamber and a square rotor chamber is used. For power output between these two, a square rotor chamber is used. When using both rotor chambers stacked, the circular air valve 2 of rotor chamber 1 is closed, leaving only the rectangular air valve 10 of rotor chamber 9 as an air supply port.

[0036] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the technical concept and features of the present invention, and are intended to enable those skilled in the art to understand the content of the present invention and implement it accordingly. They should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. All equivalent changes or modifications made based on the essence of the content of the present invention should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A floating oscillating water column wave energy generation device, characterized in that: The device includes a rotor chamber (1) and a protective cap (8). The rotor chamber (1) is a cylindrical structure with a hollow interior. A nozzle (3) is installed inside the rotor chamber (1). A guide cone (4) is installed below the nozzle (3) at the same central axis as it. The guide cone (4) is conical with its tip pointing downwards. An impeller (5) is installed above the nozzle (3) at the same central axis as it. A generator (6) is installed above the impeller (5) at the same central axis as it. The protective cap (8) is installed on the top of the rotor chamber (1). The edges of the two components have a gap for air circulation. The nozzle (3) is located above the circular air valve (2), with a disc structure in the middle and a ring structure on the outside. The two structures are arranged with guide vanes at equal intervals in a radial pattern with the axis as the center. The hub structure of the first rotor chamber (1) is provided with multiple circular air valves (2) that open and close inward. The second rotor chamber (9) is also installed directly below the first rotor chamber (1), and the two are connected vertically. The second rotor chamber (9) is a cuboid or cube structure with a hollow interior. Each side is provided with a rectangular air valve (10) that opens and closes inward.

2. The floating oscillating water column wave energy generation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The protective cap (8) is a hemispherical shell structure, with the spherical surface facing upwards and fastened to the outer circumference of the rotating chamber (1).

3. The floating oscillating water column wave energy generation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The protective cap (8) has multiple ventilation holes evenly distributed on its spherical surface.

4. The floating oscillating water column wave energy generation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The protective cap (8) has a colored marking layer sprayed on its spherical surface.

5. A floating oscillating water column wave energy generation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A controller (7) is installed on top of the generator (6), and its size is the same as that of the generator (6).

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