Liquid metal fluid wave energy power generation device

Abstract

The present invention discloses a liquid metal fluid wave energy power generation device, which has a liquid metal pressure cylinder and a piston, and a mechanism for converting the wave energy of seawater into the mechanical energy of piston reciprocating motion is connected to the piston through a piston rod; the upper chamber of the pressure cylinder is connected to a pipeline for circulating liquid metal, and the pipeline passes through a magnetic channel formed by a strong permanent magnet, and electrodes in contact with the liquid metal are arranged on the two sides corresponding to the pipeline and the magnetic channel, and the other end of the pipeline is connected to the lower chamber of the pressure cylinder; a reset device composed of a spiral spring is arranged on the piston; an isolation gear for isolating the piston from lateral forces is arranged on the top of the pressure cylinder, and the isolation gear is composed of an extended section at the top of the upper chamber of the pressure cylinder and at least one additional sealed bearing therein. This device is used to generate electricity using wave energy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of ocean wave energy utilization, and in particular relates to a liquid metal fluid wave energy power generation device. Background Art

[0002] With the continuous development of economy and society, the demand for energy is increasing. However, since traditional main energy sources such as coal and oil are not renewable, this will lead to energy crises of varying degrees.

[0003] The largest area on the earth's surface is the ocean, which contains a large amount of energy, such as tidal energy, current energy, wave energy and so on.

[0004] As a sustainable, renewable and reusable clean energy, wave energy has been one of the focuses of ocean energy research in various countries in recent years. Since the world oil crisis in the 1970s, countries have continuously invested a lot of money and a lot of manpower and material resources to develop the utilization of wave energy. According to estimates in UNESCO publications, the total theoretical renewable power of ocean energy in the world is 76.6 billion kw, and the technically allowed power is 6.4 billion kw, which is twice the total installed capacity of power generation in the world. Therefore, the development and utilization of ocean energy is a very meaningful scientific and technological industry.

[0005] Wave energy is the kinetic and potential energy generated by the fluctuation of sea water, including surface waves generated by wind, tidal waves caused by the gravity of the moon and the sun, internal waves caused by the steep density gradient layer that is invisible on the surface, and long waves caused by storm surges.

[0006] The existing technology mainly uses wave energy for power generation. The key is to collect wave energy and convert it into mechanical energy, which then drives the generator to generate electricity. Generating electricity with a generator is indeed a traditional power generation mode, but its large size and complex structure are also objectively disadvantageous. Summary of the invention

[0007] The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the many shortcomings of the existing wave energy power generation technology, such as large size and complex structure, and to provide a simple, effective, small and low-cost wave energy power generation device that uses wave energy to convert and drive liquid metal fluid to flow through a strong magnetic field to generate electricity.

[0008] The objectives of the present invention are achieved through the following technical solutions.

[0009] A liquid metal fluid wave energy power generation device, characterized in that it has a liquid metal pressure cylinder and a piston, and a mechanism for converting the wave energy of seawater into the mechanical energy of the piston reciprocating motion is connected to the piston through a piston rod; the upper chamber of the liquid metal pressure cylinder is connected to a pipeline for circulating liquid metal, and the pipeline passes through a magnetic channel formed by a strong permanent magnet, and electrodes in contact with the liquid metal are arranged on the two sides corresponding to the pipeline and the magnetic channel, and the other end of the pipeline is connected to the lower chamber of the pressure cylinder; a reset device composed of a spiral spring is arranged on the piston; an isolation gear for isolating the piston from lateral forces is arranged on the top of the pressure cylinder, and the isolation gear is composed of an extended section at the top of the upper chamber of the pressure cylinder and at least one additional sealed bearing therein.

[0010] The device collects the mechanical energy of ocean waves through a floating ball, converts it and drives the piston rod to reciprocate. Driven by the piston, the liquid metal flows in the channel, flows through the magnetic channel and cuts the magnetic lines of force to generate an induced electromotive force, and transmits electrical energy through the electrodes.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the mechanism for converting the wave energy of seawater into the mechanical energy of the reciprocating motion of the piston is composed of a floating ball connected to the top extension section of the piston rod.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the mechanism for converting the wave energy of seawater into the mechanical energy of piston reciprocating motion is composed of a piston rod with a top end hinged to a connecting rod which is then connected to a buoy.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the mechanism for converting the wave energy of seawater into the mechanical energy of piston reciprocating motion is formed by connecting the top end of the piston rod to the floating ball via a universal joint.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic channel is composed of symmetrically arranged flat permanent magnetic poles.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic channel is formed by a circular Halbach permanent magnet array.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the magnet units constituting the permanent magnet array adopt a uniform cubic structure, with a total of 12 cubic permanent magnets, and the angle between each adjacent magnet is 60 degrees.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic channel is composed of multiple layers of circular Halbach permanent magnet arrays stacked together.

[0018] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0019] 1. The seawater wave energy is converted into piston reciprocating motion through a conversion mechanism to push liquid metal through a magnetic channel to generate electricity, and electrodes are provided to derive current;

[0020] 2. The magnetic channel is composed of a circular Halbach permanent magnetic array, which has a strong magnetic force and a regular shape, and has a good effect;

[0021] 3. Use the buoy to collect seawater wave energy, with a simple structure and direct energy absorption;

[0022] 4. Use a connecting rod or universal joint to connect the buoy. First, part of the lateral impact force of the wave can be converted into a vertical driving force, which becomes the upward force of the piston rod and the piston, thereby improving the absorption and utilization efficiency of wave energy. It is possible to consider optimizing the float structure so that the effect of the wave on the float is mainly vertical driving force, thereby increasing the efficiency of the float in capturing wave energy.

[0023] 5. An isolation gear is set up, and an extended section is set up at the top of the upper chamber of the pressure cylinder. Two bearings with appropriate distance are used to basically bear and eliminate the lateral force and torque of the lateral impact force on the piston. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the principle of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a single-layer circular Halbach permanent magnet array;

[0027] Figure 4 It is a plan view of a circular Halbach permanent magnet array;

[0028] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the magnetic flux distribution of the circular Halbach permanent magnet array;

[0029] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of electrodes arranged on both sides of the pipeline corresponding to the magnetic channel;

[0030] Figure 7 It is a partial schematic diagram of the isolation gear structure;

[0031] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of the flat-plate permanent magnetic pole structure;

[0032] Fig. 9 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment in which a connecting rod is used to connect a floating ball;

[0033] Fig.10 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment in which a float is connected by a universal joint.

[0034] In the figure: pressure cylinder 1; piston 2; piston rod 3; float 4; pipeline 5; magnetic channel 6; annular Halbach permanent magnetic array 7; permanent magnet 8; aluminum round plate 9; electrode 10; spiral spring 11; isolation gear 12; bearing 13; flat permanent magnetic pole 14; connecting rod 15; universal joint 16. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The following is a detailed description of an embodiment of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings: This embodiment is implemented on the premise of the technical solution of the present invention, and a detailed implementation method and a specific operation process are given, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0036] Embodiment 1: A liquid metal fluid wave energy power generation device, the principle of which is as follows Figure 1 As shown, it includes a liquid metal pressure cylinder 1, which is equipped with a piston 2. The piston 2 is connected to a mechanism for converting the wave energy of seawater into the mechanical energy of the piston reciprocating motion through a piston rod 3. The mechanism is composed of a floating ball 4 connected to the top extension section of the piston rod 3, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 The upper chamber of the pressure cylinder 1 is connected to a pipe 5 for circulating liquid metal, and the pipe 5 passes through a magnetic channel 6 composed of strong permanent magnets. The magnetic channel 6 is composed of multiple layers of annular Halbach permanent magnetic arrays 7. The annular Halbach permanent magnetic arrays 7 are stacked up, so that it not only has a magnetic field in a plane, but also generates a stable unidirectional magnetic field in a three-dimensional space, so that the device can operate stably and effectively. Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a single-layer circular Halbach permanent magnet array 7; Figure 4 is a plan view of a circular Halbach permanent magnet array 7;

[0037] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the magnetic flux distribution of the circular Halbach permanent magnet array 7. The circular Halbach permanent magnet array 7 has a cylindrical space, and the permanent magnet 8 unit adopts a uniform cubic shape structure. The material is the third-generation rare earth permanent magnet material neodymium iron boron alloy. 12 cubic permanent magnets 8 are arranged and fixed on the aluminum circular plate 9. The angle between each adjacent magnet is 60 degrees, and the angle direction is staggered. In this way, the angle of adjacent magnetic flux lines in the permanent magnet 8 ring can be 60 degrees. The 12 permanent magnets 8 just form a complete circle of 360 degrees, and the total magnetic flux line change angle is 720 degrees, which can just ensure that the direction of the magnetic field in this circular space is a straight line direction. Figure 4 , Figure 5 The arrows in the figure indicate the direction of the magnetic field.

[0038] The two sides of the pipe 5 corresponding to the magnetic channel 6 are provided with electrodes 10 in contact with the liquid metal. The electrodes 10 are made of conductive and magnetic materials. Figure 6 .

[0039] The upper chamber of the pressure cylinder 1 has a reset device composed of a coil spring 11; the top of the pressure cylinder 1 is provided with an isolation stop 12 for isolating the piston 2 from lateral forces. The isolation stop 12 is formed by an extended section at the top of the upper chamber of the pressure cylinder 1 and a sealed bearing 13. If two bearings 13 are added, the effect of reducing the lateral force on the piston 2 will be better. Because the piston rod is constantly reciprocating, the waterproof performance of the sealed bearing needs to be considered. If seawater penetrates into the upper part of the piston, it will hinder the restoring force of the spring and mix with the metal fluid, reducing the power generation efficiency. Figure 7 .

[0040] The device collects the mechanical energy of waves through the float 4, converts it and drives the piston rod 3 to reciprocate. Driven by the piston 2, the liquid metal flows in the only channel. When it flows through the liquid metal electromagnetic force channel 6 and passes through the magnetic field of the magnetic array, it cuts the magnetic flux lines and generates an induced electromotive force on the electrode 10. The electrode 10 is connected to an external load to transmit and store electrical energy. When the sea wave turns from the crest to the trough, the float 4 is difficult to fall back by its own weight. The reset coil spring 11 is used to push the piston 2 back to its original position, so that the device can operate continuously and normally.

[0041] Embodiment 2: The magnetic channel 6 is composed of symmetrically arranged flat permanent magnet poles 14, and the rest of the structure is the same as that of Embodiment 1, see Figure 8 .

[0042] Embodiment 3: The mechanism for converting the wave energy of seawater into the mechanical energy of the reciprocating motion of the piston 2 is composed of a connecting rod 15 hinged at the top of the piston rod 3 and then connected to the buoy 4. The significance of using the connecting rod 15 to connect the buoy 4 is that since the buoy 4, connecting rod 15, piston rod 3 and piston 2 are connected as an integral structure, they are a subsystem relative to the overall structure. The subsystem obeys the law of conservation of energy, momentum and angular momentum. When the buoy 4 and the connecting rod 15 are subjected to impact force and are bent downward, there must be a turning torque in the opposite direction for the subsystem. This turning torque in the opposite direction can convert part of the lateral force of the wave energy into an upward force on the piston rod 3, thereby improving the absorption and utilization efficiency of the wave energy; at the same time, the relative height between the comprehensive action point of the lateral force on the buoy 4 and the pressure cylinder 1 is reduced, thereby reducing the lateral torque on the piston 2, which is beneficial to the normal operation of the piston 2 and reduces wear. The remaining structure is the same as embodiment 1 or embodiment 2, see Fig. 9 .

[0043] Embodiment 4: The mechanism for converting the wave energy of seawater into the mechanical energy of the reciprocating motion of the piston 2 is formed by connecting the top of the piston rod 3 with the float 4 through a universal joint 16. The universal joint 16 is more conducive to adapting to and eliminating the non-positive force generated by sea waves in any direction on the piston 2. The rest of the structure is the same as that of Embodiment 1, 2 or 3; see Fig.10 .

[0044] The above shows and describes the basic principles and main features of the present invention and the advantages of the present invention. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The above embodiments and descriptions are only for explaining the principles of the present invention. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, the present invention may have various changes and improvements, which fall within the scope of the present invention to be protected. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the attached claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A liquid metal fluid wave energy power generation device, characterized in that: A liquid metal pressure cylinder is provided with a piston, and a mechanism for converting wave energy of seawater into mechanical energy of piston reciprocating motion is connected to the piston through a piston rod; the upper chamber of the pressure cylinder is connected to a pipeline for circulating liquid metal, and the pipeline passes through a magnetic channel formed by a strong permanent magnet, and electrodes in contact with the liquid metal are arranged on the two sides corresponding to the pipeline and the magnetic channel, and the other end of the pipeline is connected to the lower chamber of the pressure cylinder; a reset device composed of a spiral spring is arranged on the piston; an isolation gear for isolating the piston from lateral forces is arranged on the top of the pressure cylinder, and the isolation gear is composed of an extended section at the top of the upper chamber of the pressure cylinder and at least one additional sealed bearing therein, and the magnetic channel is composed of a circular Halbach permanent magnet array, and the magnet units constituting the permanent magnet array adopt a uniform cubic shape structure, and a total of 12 cubic permanent magnets have an angle of 60 degrees between each adjacent magnet.

2. The liquid metal fluid wave energy power generation device according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The mechanism for converting the wave energy of seawater into the mechanical energy of piston reciprocating motion is composed of a floating ball connected to the top extension section of the piston rod.

3. The liquid metal fluid wave energy power generation device according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The mechanism for converting the wave energy of seawater into the mechanical energy of piston reciprocating motion is composed of a piston rod top end hinged with a connecting rod which is then connected to a floating ball.

4. The liquid metal fluid wave energy power generation device according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The mechanism for converting the wave energy of seawater into the mechanical energy of piston reciprocating motion is composed of the top end of the piston rod connected to the floating ball through a universal joint.

5. The liquid metal fluid wave energy power generation device according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The magnetic channel is composed of multiple layers of circular Halbach permanent magnet arrays.

Images