Power Generator

Abstract

A power generator comprises a box-shaped body having an inner cavity for accommodating a first gyroscopic device, the first gyroscopic device comprising a first frame hinged to the body around a first axis; a first gyroscope carried by the first frame in a rotatable manner around a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; a first actuator carried by the first frame to rotate the first gyroscope around the second axis; a first converter device for converting rotational mechanical energy into electrical energy, which is mechanically connected to the first frame; the first converter device is connected to a stabilizing device; and a second gyroscopic device comprising a second frame hinged to the body around a third axis transverse to the first axis.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This patent application claims the priority of Italian Patent Application No. 102019000023280 filed on December 6, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a power generator, in particular an electric power generator. In particular, the present invention relates to an electric power generator arranged to convert mechanical energy into electric power. More specifically, the present invention relates to an electric power generator comprising a hull at least partially immersed in a liquid so as to convert the mechanical power of motion associated with waves propagating in said liquid into electric power. Background Art

[0004] The energy balance of reproducible natural phenomena is becoming more and more the object of daily research due to the possible economic impact associated with the development of electric power production. In the following pages, attention is focused on the development of the dynamics of wave motions, or those spontaneous movements of large masses of water, due, for example, to tides, pressure and temperature differences between different regions of the atmosphere, salinity of adjacent areas of the sea and ocean.

[0005] The exploitation of power associated with wave motion is usually carried out using a generator containing a converter designed to convert the mechanical energy associated with the wave into an electric force. There are many types of devices used, but it should be generally noted that they are all suitable for exploiting waves with regular orientation, which are caused by tides or constant winds, such as gales, or periodic winds, such as monsoons or simple breezes, which accompany the movement of the sun every day. Regardless of considerations related to the frequency of wave motion intensity and its economically relevant level, in order to maximize the power output of the generator used and the rapid return on the investment made, one of the ways to obtain electric power from wave motion is to use a floating body moored on the seabed or on a basin usually hit by waves, wherein such a floating body contains a gyroscope in a sealed chamber. The type of mooring must combine tensile strength and allow the floating body to orient itself according to the direction of propagation of the wave train. For this purpose, the floating body usually has an elongated shape or has the form of a ship's bottom; in this way, the floating body tends to tilt or oscillate around its own transverse axis and orients itself more easily in the direction of wave propagation. As for the gyroscope, it is carried freely axially rotatably by a frame which in turn is carried by the buoy in a freely rotatable manner about a fixed axis, which is usually oriented along the longitudinal axis of the buoy. Of course, the frame carries a motor connected to the gyroscope, whose function is to keep it rotating at a sufficient rotation speed and, in particular, to associate a determined angular moment to the gyroscope. A converter is mechanically coupled to the frame, precisely designed to convert the oscillating mechanical energy of the frame into electrical energy. Any oscillation about the transverse axis of the buoy generates a rotation of the frame housing the gyroscope, which, due to its own kinematic inertia, tends to return spontaneously in the shortest possible time to the corresponding centered position it would have in calm sea conditions.

[0006] It will be readily appreciated that the coincidence of the longitudinal axis of the buoy with the axis of rotation of the frame is useful since a buoy moored at the bow tends to lie transverse to the wave train and in doing so induce oscillations in the frame housing the gyroscope which generate regenerative electromotive forces.

[0007] Referring to the prior art, there are many known devices for generating electrical energy by utilizing wave motion, and many of these devices are described in the currently published patent documents. Among them, there is Italian patent 0001394899 and the corresponding European patent EP 2,438,293. Each of these documents describes a device provided with a gyroscope, which has a coupled actuator, which is suitable for generating electrical energy under conditions of waves with random directions, but is not suitable for operating under conditions where the waves occur in different directions at the same time.

[0008] Patent US 7,906,865 describes a floating generator in which the hull carrying the gyroscope is able to oscillate at most along the transverse axis, while having a reduced ability to oscillate along the longitudinal axis for stability requirements.

[0009] Patent application WO2019111040 describes a generator device in which a plurality of gyroscopes are carried in pairs in a distributed manner and along the extension direction of the floating body. The latter have liquid containers inside at the bow and stern, which are put in hydraulic communication through pipes extending in fact between the bow and the stern. These pipes are also provided with valves that regulate the alternating movements of filling and emptying of these liquid containers in order to optimize the oscillations of the floating body relative to the wave movement.

[0010] On the other hand, even if the above-mentioned generators allow the floating body to adjust its orientation to the direction of the wave train that occurs, this can only happen gradually. On the other hand, when the waves propagate in different directions and follow each other with a non-periodic frequency, there is little benefit to the generation of electrical energy, not to mention the wear caused by the non-productive oscillations of the frame that subject the gyroscope to such conditions. In short, it may be useful to point out that these are typical "cross-sea" conditions that easily develop in seas confined between parallel and almost not far coasts, such as the Adriatic Sea.

[0011] As mentioned above, the problem of optimizing the production of electropower in cases where the wave motion is generally of the "spanning" type is not currently solved by known solutions and therefore presents an interesting challenge for the applicant, who wishes to construct a device that produces electrical energy from ocean waves in a beneficial manner in cases where the average wave motion has a substantially constant direction and in cases where the wave motion is predominantly of the "spanning" type.

[0012] In view of the above, it is desirable to have a generator of electric power from ocean waves or the like which, besides limiting and being able to overcome the typical drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above, defines new standards for these types of devices. Summary of the invention

[0013] The present invention relates to a power generator. In particular, the present invention relates to an energy generator arranged to convert mechanical energy. More specifically, the present invention relates to an energy generator comprising a hull at least partially immersed in a liquid so as to convert into mechanical power motion associated with waves propagating in said liquid.

[0014] The above mentioned problems are solved by the invention according to at least one of the following claims.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a power generator is made to include a box-shaped body, which is provided with a hook member designed to be connected to the ground by at least one cable; the body has an inner cavity for accommodating a first gyroscope device, which includes a first frame, which is hinged to the body around a first axis; a first gyroscope, which is carried by the first frame in a rotatable manner around a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; a first actuator, which is carried by the first frame to rotate the first gyroscope around the second axis; a first converter device of rotational mechanical power, which is mechanically connected to the first frame; the first converter device is electrically connected to a stabilization device; a second gyroscope device, which includes a second frame, which is hinged to the body around a third axis transverse to the first axis.

[0016] Effectively, the second gyroscope is carried by the second frame in a rotatable manner about a fourth axis perpendicular to the third axis.

[0017] In some embodiments of the present invention, the generator includes a second actuator associated with the second gyroscope to keep the second gyroscope rotating around the fourth axis in a determined manner; a second device for converting rotational mechanical power into electrical power, which is connected to the second frame in an angularly fixed manner; and the second converter device is electrically connected to the stabilizing device.

[0018] According to a possible construction variant of the invention, an electrical energy storage device is electrically connected to the stabilizing device.

[0019] In some cases, the body is axially symmetric about a fifth axis that is transverse to the first and third axes.

[0020] In other cases, the body is externally mated to devices that are shaped like a dome in top view and are designed to float in a liquid.

[0021] Alternatively, the generator may comprise wing means rigidly connected to said body so as to float in the gaseous fluid.

[0022] Advantageously, said wing means may comprise a kite connected to said body by at least one tethering rod. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Other characteristics and advantages of the generator according to the invention will become more apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings showing at least one non-limiting embodiment, in which identical or corresponding parts of the generator itself are indicated by the same reference numerals. In particular:

[0024] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a generator according to the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A top view of a generator of FIG. 1 , with the upper portion omitted and some parts removed for clarity;

[0026] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 an enlarged side view of a central portion of the apparatus with some components removed for clarity;

[0027] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 An axial cross-sectional side view on an enlarged scale;

[0028] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 An axial cross-sectional side view on an enlarged scale of a variation of the embodiment of; and

[0029] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a variation of . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] exist Figure 1 1 is a block diagram of an example of an electromotive force generator 1 according to the present invention. The generator 1 comprises a box-shaped body 10 provided with a ground reference device 12, the reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 The ground reference device comprises a hook member 12' designed to be connected to the ground by at least one cable 14. The body 10 has an inner cavity 18 for accommodating a first gyroscopic device 20. Figure 3, the device 20 comprises a first frame 22 having a substantially rhombus shape, which is provided with respective first identical protrusions 22' extending outwardly along respective diagonals. The first frame 22 is hinged to the body 10 by means of the first protrusions 22' around a first axis AX1 fixed to the body 10, wherein the axis AX1 is radial relative to the body 10 and is therefore transverse to the axis AX0, which is central and vertical in the attached drawings, along which the box-shaped body 10 extends, without thereby limiting the scope of the invention. The device 20 also comprises a first gyroscope 24, which is carried by the first frame 22 in a rotatable manner around an axis AX2 perpendicular to the first axis AX1. The generator 1 also comprises a first actuator 26 carried by the first frame 22 according to a further diagonal to control the rotation of the first gyroscope 24 around a second axis AX2. In addition, the generator 1 comprises a first converter device 30 for converting a rotary mechanical power into an electric power, which is mechanically coupled to the frame 22 in an angularly rigid and axially fixed manner. The first converter means 30 are electrically connected to a stabilizing device 40 which allows the generation of electric power by exploiting clockwise and counterclockwise oscillations. On the other hand, the stabilizing device 40 is electrically connected to a battery 60 or any other electrical energy storage device or to a current distribution network directly or through a converter.

[0031] Special References Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the generator 1 also comprises a second gyroscopic device 50, comprising a second frame 52, which in the present embodiment is considered to be substantially identical to the first frame 22, without thereby limiting the scope of the invention. In particular, the second frame 52 has a substantially rhombic shape, is provided with respective first identical protrusions 52' extending outwards along respective diagonals, and is coaxial with a third axis AX3, which is radial and fixed to the body 10, transverse to the first axis AX1 and transverse to the axis AX0. The second frame 52 is hinged to the body 10 about the third axis AX3 and carries a second gyroscope 54 in a rotatable manner about a fourth axis AX4 perpendicular to the third axis AX3.

[0032] In association with the second device 50, similarly to the first device 20, the generator 1 comprises a second actuator 56 carried by the second frame 52 according to a further diagonal to keep the gyroscope 54 rotating in a determined manner about the fourth axis AX4. The generator 1 also comprises a second converter device 32 for converting the rotary mechanical power into electric power, which is coupled to the second frame 54 in an angularly rigid and axially fixed manner. The second converter device 32 is also electrically connected to the stabilizing device 40 to supply the battery 60 with electric power.

[0033] Special References Figure 1 and Figure 2 The body 10 is externally fitted with means 100 which, in a top view, are shaped like a dome and are made of buoyant material in order to increase the external volume of the generator 1 and thus its ability to float in the liquid even in particularly severe marine conditions, in order to absorb more energy from the wave motion and reduce its resistance to oscillations under the thrust of the wave disturbances.

[0034] According to the above, the use of the generator 1 can be easily understood and does not require further explanation. On the other hand, the following provisions are useful, considering that the body 10 of the generator 1 is connected to the seabed by mooring cables 14, the wave motion "across the sea" will cause the body 10 to produce motions around two axes AX1 and AX3, without taking into account the vertical component of the motion associated with the wave motion, which will cause the first gyroscopic device 20 and the second gyroscopic device 50 to oscillate relative to these axes, affecting their operation and thus activating the corresponding first converter device 30 and the second converter device 32, as a result of which they will generate electric power, which the stabilizing device 40 will convert so that it is supplied to the battery 60 or directly to the grid according to the design specifications of the generator 1.

[0035] In addition, the following additional description is considered to be useful. Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the figure, the first and second gyroscopic devices 20 and 50 are shown in a stationary state, wherein the axes AX2 and AX4 coincide with the axis AX0 fixed relative to the body 10. It is easy to understand that this operating condition is almost impossible, given that the water body is never stationary, so that the frames 22 and 52 of the generator 1 will actually always oscillate to generate electromotive force in a substantially continuous manner, regardless of the direction of the waves that occur.

[0036] On the other hand, the following provision is useful, the first actuator 26 and the second actuator 56 can be of the type with a fixed rotation speed or with an adjustable rotation speed. In this second case, the respective speeds can be instantaneously adjusted so as to help change the angular momentum of the respective first gyroscope 24 and the second gyroscope 54 so as to participate in the conversion and / or stabilization of the electromotive force flow of the stabilizing device 40.

[0037] Finally, it is obvious that modifications and variations may be made to the generator 1 described and illustrated herein without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0038] For example, it is conceivable to have at least one of the two gyroscopic devices 20 and 50 with a respective first or second frame 22 / 52 freely rotatable relative to the body 10. This type of construction will allow the coordination of at least one gyroscopic device with wave components having different directional and / or spectral characteristics, as long as at least one of the axes of rotation AX1 and AX3 of the first frame 22 and the second frame 52, respectively, is itself freely oriented around the axis AX0. In particular, in the case of a unidirectional dominant climate, being able to have at least one of the gyroscopic devices 20 and 50 rotatable relative to the axis AX0 will allow orienting at least one of the axes AX1 and AX3 to concentrate all the wave extraction capabilities of the generator 1 on a single wave. Figure 5 An example of such an embodiment is shown in , where the gyroscopic devices 20 and 50 are carried by the body 10 via a support body which is rotatable around the axis AX0 or parallel to this axis.

[0039] At this point, Figure 5 In the embodiment, the first frame 22 and the second frame 52 are rotatably carried by the body 10 around the respective axis AX0 through the respective first supports 23 and the second supports 53, which are engaged with the respective first protrusions 22' and the second protrusions 52'. Each of these supports 23 and 53 comprises a first base 25 and a second base 55 permanently carried by the body 10 and a first fork 27 and a second fork 57 rotatably coupled to the first base 25 and the second base 55, respectively, so that the first gyro device 20 and the second gyro device 50 freely orient themselves according to different and independent directions without other stresses according to the direction of movement of the main waves in the body 10. If, on the other hand, it is desired to regulate the rotation of the gyroscopic devices 20 and 50, it is conceivable to equip them with respective third and fourth actuators 29, 59 coaxial with the axis AX0 or at least parallel thereto, with an electronic controller, wherein said actuators 29 and 59 can be operated electronically by signals of the control unit 111, precisely for orienting the first gyroscopic device 20 and the second gyroscopic device 50 as desired relative to the body 10, so as to concentrate by this device all the wave extraction capabilities of the generator 1 on a single wave in the case of a unidirectionally dominant climate.

[0040] In a known and not shown manner, the control unit 111 will be able to integrate a series of motion sensors for the six degrees of freedom of the body 10, so as to be able to evaluate the statistical average parameters of the wave climate occurring and to make predictions of the waves, for example by means of neural networks and AR algorithms, so as to adapt the movements to the conditions without the need for external tools, thus increasing the reliability of the system. Of course, the control unit 111 can in turn be part of a management system that records information on the wave climate, for example but not limited to, with the help of wave sounder buoys and marine meteorological forecasting systems, and receives this information to adjust the positioning of at least one of the gyroscopic devices 20 and 50.

[0041] On the other hand, the control unit 111 may be operatively designed to act on the stabilizing device 40, the first actuator 26 and the second actuator 56 and the third and fourth actuators 29 and 59 through a corresponding management system known and not shown, so as to achieve a reference target. As non-limiting examples, the target may be to maximize the power generated by the generator 1, to stabilize the electrical network to which the generator 1 is connected, to stabilize the body 10, to maximize the working life of the generator 1.

[0042] Furthermore, according to another possible construction variant, the following provision is useful, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention, allowing the possibility of increasing the number of gyroscopic devices 20 and 50 within the body 10 by positioning the gyroscopic devices side by side, for example by placing the pairs of gyroscopic devices in a radial pattern (with their axes orthogonal to the axis AX0).

[0043] In addition, reference Figure 6 , the generator 1 can be disassembled and the member 100 can be removed to connect the body 10 to the wing device 70 in a rigid manner so as to make it suitable for floating in the gaseous fluid 64.

[0044] Still according to Figure 6 The wing device 70 can advantageously fly freely in the air and, for this purpose, comprises a kite 72 connected to the body 10 by at least one tethering rod 74. The deployment of the kite 72 will produce on the body 10 the same Figure 1-Figure 4 The stresses are similar to the stresses produced on the body 10 by any type of wave motion.

[0045] The following provisions may be useful, in relation to which the description has already referred to the conversion of energy whose effect is the generation of electrodynamic forces. On the other hand, the generator 1 may be used to generate mechanical work in the form of a flow of hydraulic energy or a flow of pneumatic energy, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. For this purpose, it is easy to understand that the first 26 and second 56 actuators, the third 29 and fourth 59 actuators, the first 30 and second 32 converter devices, the stabilizing device 40 and the battery 60 must be replaced by equivalent devices capable of managing energy flows of a fluid dynamic or hydraulic nature.

[0046] Finally, in addition to or in lieu of the hook member 12' and the corresponding cable 14, the reference device 12 may include a GPS receiver 120 (in Figure 4 1 ) which allows to geographically identify the instantaneous location of the generator 1 in a manner that allows its continuous geographical availability. This type of solution allows the generator 1 to be of free-floating type, similar to a buoy used to measure data on the conditions of the sea in free circulation on a route specifically defined by the wind and the current.

[0047] According to the above, the generator 1 in either of the above two forms solves the above technical problems in a simple and economical way and can be effectively used in harsh seas or especially turbulent winds.

Claims

1. A power generator (1) comprising a box-shaped body (10) having an inner cavity (18) for accommodating a first gyroscopic device (20), the first gyroscopic device comprising a first frame (22) hinged to the body (10) about a first axis (AX1) by means of a corresponding first protrusion (22') coaxial with the first axis (AX1); a first gyroscope (24) carried by the first frame (22) in a rotatable manner about a second axis (AX2) perpendicular to the first axis (AX1); a first actuator (26) carried by the first frame (22) to rotate the first gyroscope (24) about the second axis (AX2); a first converter device (30) of rotational mechanical energy mechanically coupled to the first frame (22); the first converter device (30) being connected to a stabilizing device (40); characterized in that A second gyroscopic device (50) is included, comprising a second frame (52) hinged to the body (10) about a third axis (AX3) transverse to the first axis (AX1) via a respective second protrusion (52') coaxial with the third axis (AX3).

2. The generator according to claim 1, characterized in that The second gyroscopic device (50) comprises a second gyroscope (54) which is carried by the second frame (52) in a rotatable manner about a fourth axis (AX4) perpendicular to the third axis (AX3).

3. The generator according to claim 2, characterized in that It comprises a second actuator (56) associated with the second gyroscope (54) to keep the second gyroscope rotating around the fourth axis (AX4) in a determined manner; a second converter device (32) for rotational mechanical energy, which is connected to the second frame (52) in an angularly fixed manner; the second converter device (32) is connected to the stabilizing device (40).

4. The generator according to claim 3, characterized in that An energy storage device (60) is included which is connected to the stabilizing device (40).

5. The generator according to claim 3, characterized in that At least one of the first actuator (26) and the second actuator (56) is of a type having an adjustable rotational speed.

6. The generator according to claim 1, characterized in that At least one of the first axis (AX1) and the third axis (AX3) is fixed to the body (10).

7. The generator according to claim 3, characterized in that At least one of the first axis (AX1) and the third axis (AX3) is rotatable relative to a fifth axis (AX0) that is transverse to the first axis (AX1) and the third axis (AX3).

8. The generator according to claim 7, characterized in that It comprises a first support body (23) for the first frame (22), wherein the first support body (23) comprises a first base (25) permanently supported by the body (10) and a first fork (27) rotatably supported by the first base (25) around the fifth axis (AX0); the first fork (27) carries the first frame (22) via the first protrusion (22').

9. The generator according to claim 8, characterized in that The first support (23) comprises an electronically controlled third actuator (29) coaxial or parallel to the fifth axis (AX0); a control unit (111) is connected to the third actuator (29) to adjust the orientation of the first fork (27) relative to the body (10) as desired.

10. The generator according to claim 9, characterized in that It comprises a second support body (53) for the second frame (52), wherein the second support body (53) comprises a second base (55) permanently supported by the body (10) and a second fork (57) rotatably supported by the second base (55) around the fifth axis (AX0); the second fork (57) carries the second frame (52) via the second protrusion (52').

11. The generator according to claim 10, characterized in that The second support (53) comprises an electronically controlled fourth actuator (59) coaxial or parallel to the fifth axis (AX0); the control unit (111) is connected to the fourth actuator (59) to adjust the orientation of the second fork (57) relative to the body (10) as desired.

12. The generator according to claim 9, characterized in that It comprises a plurality of motion sensors of the body (10) for six degrees of freedom, the plurality of motion sensors being electronically connected to the control unit (111) to evaluate average statistical parameters of the wave climate incident to the body (10).

13. The generator according to claim 12, characterized in that The control unit (111) is part of a management system designed to record information about the wave climate with the aid of wave sounder buoys and a marine meteorological forecasting system.

14. The generator according to claim 9, characterized in that The control unit (111) is connected to the stabilizing device (40), to the first actuator (26) and to the second actuator (56).

15. The generator according to claim 3, characterized in that The first converter device (30) and the second converter device (32) and the stabilizing device (40) are configured to manage the flow of electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic energy.

16. The generator according to claim 1, characterized in that The body (10) is axially symmetrical with respect to a fifth axis (AX0) that is transverse to the first axis (AX1) and the third axis (AX3).

17. The generator according to claim 1, characterized in that The body (10) is externally fitted with a device (100) which is shaped like a dome in a top view and is designed to float in a liquid.

18. The generator according to claim 1, characterized in that It includes wing means (70) rigidly connected to the body (10) so as to float in a gaseous fluid.

19. The generator according to claim 18, characterized in that The wing assembly (70) comprises a kite (72) connected to the body (10) by at least one tethering rod (74).

20. The generator according to claim 1, characterized in that A ground reference means (12) is included which is coupled to the body (10).

21. The generator according to claim 20, characterized in that The ground reference means (12) is designed to connect the body (10) to the ground via at least one cable (14).

22. The generator according to claim 20, characterized in that The ground reference means (12) comprises a GPS receiver device (120) brought by the body (10) for corresponding geographical availability.

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