A Closed-Type Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Power Generation Device and an Underwater Detector

Abstract

The present invention discloses a closed - cycle ocean thermal energy power generation device and an underwater detector. The underwater detector includes a detector housing. The phase - change mechanism is installed inside the detector housing. The buffer tank is connected to one end of the phase - change mechanism. The telescopic mechanism includes a piston cylinder and a toothed rod. One end surface of the toothed rod is slidably connected to the inner wall of the piston cylinder. One end of the toothed rod is connected to the piston end inside the piston cylinder. The corrugated energy - storage cylinder and the buffer tank are both connected to the other end of the piston cylinder. Two ratchet mechanisms are symmetrically connected to both sides of the toothed rod, and at least one ratchet mechanism is connected to a power generation module. In the present invention, the phase - change material in the flexible phase - change tube starts to absorb heat and melt, and the wall of the flexible phase - change tube is in an expanded state. The hydraulic oil flows into the piston cylinder and drives the piston inside it to move, thereby driving the toothed rod to move. At this time, the ratchet inner ring above the support plate rotates to drive the power generation module to generate electricity and store energy, increasing the endurance of the detector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technology of power generation equipment, and particularly to a closed - cycle ocean thermal energy conversion power generation device and an underwater detector. Background Art

[0002] Ocean thermal energy conversion power generation utilizes the temperature difference between the shallow and deep layers of seawater and their warm and cold heat sources, and generates electricity through a heat exchanger and a turbine. In existing ocean thermal energy conversion power generation systems, the source of heat energy is the warm seawater on the ocean surface. In addition, although many current underwater detectors for monitoring the ocean are equipped with built - in batteries, their endurance is still limited. Moreover, when performing detection tasks, sufficient energy needs to be reserved to return to the base, and the limited energy of the built - in battery will result in the detector having to make multiple round trips to the base for energy storage or replacement of new batteries during the detection task, leading to low detection efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In order to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, one of the purposes of the present invention is to provide a closed - cycle ocean thermal energy conversion power generation device, which can solve the problem of limited endurance of the detector.

[0004] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an underwater detector, which can solve the problem of limited endurance of the detector.

[0005] In order to achieve the above - mentioned purpose, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0006] A closed - cycle ocean thermal energy conversion power generation device includes a phase - change mechanism (2), a corrugated energy storage cylinder (3), a buffer tank (4), a telescopic mechanism (5) and a starting mechanism (7). One end of the buffer tank (4) is connected to the phase - change mechanism (2). The telescopic mechanism (5) includes a piston cylinder (51) and a rack (52). One end of the rack (52) is connected to the piston end in the piston cylinder (51). The corrugated energy storage cylinder (3) and the buffer tank (4) are both connected to the other end of the piston cylinder (51). Two ratchet mechanisms (6) are symmetrically connected to both sides of the rack (52), and at least one ratchet mechanism (6) is connected to a power generation module.

[0007] Preferably, the phase - change mechanism (2) includes a liquid storage cylinder (21) and a plurality of flexible phase - change tubes (22). The plurality of flexible phase - change tubes (22) are all arranged in the liquid storage cylinder (21). The liquid storage cylinder (21) is filled with hydraulic oil. The flexible phase - change tubes (22) are filled and sealed with a phase - change material. The buffer tank (4) is connected to the liquid storage cylinder (21).

[0008] Preferably, it further includes a first conduit (41), a second conduit (42), a third conduit (43) and a fourth conduit (44). The buffer tank (4) is connected to the liquid storage cylinder (21) through the first conduit (41). The corrugated energy storage cylinder (3) is connected to the piston cylinder (51) through the second conduit (42). The middle part of the first conduit (41) is connected to the middle part of the second conduit (42) through the third conduit (43). One side of the buffer tank (4) is connected and communicated with one end of the piston cylinder (51) through the fourth conduit (44).

[0009] Preferably, it further includes a first one-way valve, a second one-way valve, a first solenoid valve and a second solenoid valve. The first one-way valve is arranged on the part of the first conduit (41) between the third conduit (43) and the buffer tank (4). The second one-way valve is arranged on the third conduit (43). The first solenoid valve is arranged on the part of the second conduit (42) between the third conduit (43) and the piston cylinder (51). The second solenoid valve is arranged on the fourth conduit (44).

[0010] Preferably, the ratchet mechanism (6) includes a ratchet outer ring (61) and a ratchet inner ring (62). A gear is sleeved on the surface of the ratchet outer ring (61). Ratchets are arranged on the inner side of the ratchet outer ring (61). The ratchet inner ring (62) is rotatably connected to the inner wall of the ratchet outer ring (61). A one-way ratchet buckle (63) is rotatably connected to the ratchet inner ring (62). One end of the one-way ratchet buckle (63) abuts against the ratchets on the inner side of the ratchet outer ring (61). The gear of the ratchet outer ring (61) meshes with the toothed rod (52). The power generation module is connected to the ratchet inner ring (62).

[0011] Preferably, the power generation module includes an electric energy conversion unit and an energy storage unit. A support plate is connected to the lower end of the electric energy conversion unit. The energy storage unit is connected to the ratchet inner ring (62) through the electric energy conversion unit.

[0012] To achieve the second above-mentioned object, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0013] An underwater detector includes a detector housing (1). An accommodation cavity is arranged inside the detector housing (1). The closed - type ocean thermal energy power generation device as described in any one of claims 1 - 6 is arranged in the accommodation cavity.

[0014] Preferably, it further includes a starting mechanism (7). The starting mechanism (7) includes a starting shaft (71). The ratchet inner ring (62) is sleeved on the starting shaft (71). Both ends of the starting shaft (71) penetrate through the detector housing (1) and are rotatably connected to the inner wall of the detector housing (1). Driving paddles (72) are fixedly connected to both ends of the starting shaft (71).

[0015] Preferably, a power propeller (8) is fixedly installed on the inner wall of one side of the detector housing (1), a detection head (9) is fixedly installed at one end of the detector housing (1), and both the power propeller (8) and the detection head (9) are connected to the power generation module.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0017] 1. When the phase change material in the flexible phase change tube starts to absorb heat and melt, the wall of the flexible phase change tube is in an expanded state, and the hydraulic oil therein flows through the first conduit, the second conduit and the check valve II thereon into the corrugated energy storage cylinder. After energy storage is completed, by opening the solenoid valve on the second conduit, the hydraulic oil flows into the piston cylinder and drives the piston therein to move, thereby driving the rack to move. At this time, the inner ring of the ratchet teeth located below the support plate does not rotate, and the inner ring of the ratchet teeth located above the support plate rotates to drive the electric energy conversion unit to store energy for the energy storage unit, thereby improving the energy of the energy storage unit and increasing the endurance of the detector.

[0018] 2. The flexible phase change tube is filled and sealed with a phase change material, and the corrugated energy storage cylinder is installed on one side of the phase change mechanism. Affected by the seawater temperature, the phase change material will solidify when the underwater temperature is relatively low, and it will undergo phase changes as the detector rises and falls, so that the hydraulic oil in the liquid storage cylinder overflows outward and is recycled inward, so that the phase change material undergoes alternating phase changes due to the ocean temperature difference, and then the phase change is used to utilize the ocean thermal energy difference, improving the endurance of the detector when performing detection tasks.

[0019] 3. When the hydraulic oil in the piston cylinder flows away, it will drive the piston therein to move and drive the rack to move. The movement of the rack will drive the outer ring of the ratchet teeth located below to rotate, and drive the inner ring of the ratchet teeth to rotate through the limit of the ratchet buckle left and right. The rotation of the inner ring of the ratchet teeth drives the starting shaft to rotate and drives the drive paddles at both ends to rotate, thereby driving the detector to move underwater and providing direct power for the initial movement of the detector. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the underwater detector described in the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 It is a schematic internal structural diagram of the underwater detector described in the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural diagram of the closed-type ocean thermal energy power generation device described in the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 It is a schematic structural diagram of the phase change mechanism described in the present invention.

[0024] Figure 5 is Figure 4 an enlarged schematic diagram of area A in

[0025] In the figure: 1 - detector housing; 2 - phase change mechanism; 21 - liquid storage cylinder; 22 - flexible phase change tube; 3 - corrugated energy storage cylinder; 4 - buffer tank; 41 - conduit one; 42 - conduit two; 43 - conduit three; 44 - conduit four; 5 - telescopic mechanism; 51 - piston cylinder; 52 - rack; 53 - support plate; 6 - ratchet mechanism; 61 - ratchet outer ring; 62 - ratchet inner ring; 63 - one-way ratchet buckle; 7 - starting mechanism; 71 - starting shaft; 72 - drive paddle; 8 - power propeller; 9 - detection head. Specific embodiments

[0026] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments described herein are only for the purpose of illustrating and explaining the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0027] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0028] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific situations.

[0029] Next, with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, the present invention will be further described:

[0030] As Figures 1-5As shown in the figure, the underwater detector includes a detector housing 1. An accommodation cavity is arranged inside the detector housing (1). A phase change mechanism 2 is installed in the accommodation cavity of the detector housing. The phase change mechanism 2 includes a liquid storage cylinder 21 and a number of flexible phase change tubes 22. The number of flexible phase change tubes 22 are all fixedly installed on the inner wall of one side of the liquid storage cylinder 21. The liquid storage cylinder 21 is filled with hydraulic oil. The flexible phase change tubes 22 are filled and sealed with a phase change material. Preferably, a corrugated energy storage cylinder 3 is installed on one side of the phase change mechanism 2. Affected by the seawater temperature, the phase change material will solidify when the underwater temperature is relatively low. As the detector rises and falls, the seawater temperature around the underwater detector changes, driving the phase change material in the flexible phase change tubes 22 to undergo a phase change, so that the hydraulic oil in the liquid storage cylinder 21 overflows outward and is recovered inward.

[0031] Preferably, a buffer tank 4 is arranged on one side of the phase change mechanism 2. The buffer tank 4 is connected to the liquid storage cylinder 21 through a first conduit 41. One side of the corrugated energy storage cylinder 3 is fixedly connected to one side of the liquid storage cylinder 21. The corrugated energy storage cylinder 3 is connected to a piston cylinder 51 through a second conduit 42. The middle part of the first conduit 41 and the middle part of the second conduit 42 are connected through a third conduit 43. One side of the buffer tank 4 is connected to one end of the piston cylinder 51 through a fourth conduit 44. The first one-way valve is arranged on the part of the first conduit 41 located between the third conduit 43 and the buffer tank 4. The second one-way valve is arranged on the third conduit 43. The first electromagnetic valve is arranged on the part of the second conduit 42 located between the third conduit 43 and the piston cylinder 51. The second electromagnetic valve is arranged on the fourth conduit 44. When the detector dives to the phase change temperature of the phase change material, the phase change material in the flexible phase change tubes 22 begins to solidify and shrink, causing the hydraulic oil in the liquid storage cylinder 21 to fill the volume difference brought about by the shrinkage of each flexible phase change tube 22. Thus, the hydraulic oil in the piston cylinder 51 flows into the buffer tank 4 through the fourth conduit 44 and flows into the liquid storage cylinder 21 through the first conduit 41 on one side of the buffer tank 4 and the first one-way valve thereon.

[0032] Preferably, both the corrugated energy storage cylinder 3 and the buffer tank 4 are connected to a telescopic mechanism 5. The telescopic mechanism 5 includes a piston cylinder 51 and a toothed rod 52. One end of the toothed rod 52 is connected to the piston end in the piston cylinder 51, so that the toothed rod 52 moves with the piston in the piston cylinder 51. Both the corrugated energy storage cylinder (3) and the buffer tank (4) are connected to the other end of the piston cylinder (51). The two sides of the toothed rod 52 in the vertical direction are respectively meshed and connected with the gears on the outer ring 61 of the ratchet teeth in two ratchet mechanisms 6. The two sides of the toothed rod 52 in the horizontal direction are respectively slidably connected with support plates 53. One side of each of the two support plates 53 is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the detector housing 1. An electric energy conversion unit is fixedly installed on one of the support plates 53. The input end of the electric energy conversion unit is fixedly connected to one side of the inner ring 62 of the ratchet teeth in one of the ratchet mechanisms 6. An energy storage unit is fixedly installed on the other support plate 53 on the same side as the electric energy conversion unit. The energy storage units are electrically connected to each other.

[0033] Preferably, two ratchet mechanisms 6 are symmetrically installed on the upper and lower sides of the telescopic mechanism 5. The ratchet mechanism 6 includes a ratchet outer ring 61 and a ratchet inner ring 62. A gear is sleeved on the surface of the ratchet outer ring 61. Ratchets are arranged on the inner side of the ratchet outer ring 61. The ratchet inner ring 62 is rotatably connected to the inner wall of the ratchet outer ring 61. A one-way ratchet buckle 63 is rotatably connected to the ratchet inner ring 62 through a rotating shaft. Preferably, a torsion spring is fixedly installed on the rotating shaft, which enables the one-way ratchet buckle 63 to abut against the ratchet inner ring 62 while rotating. One end of the one-way ratchet buckle 63 abuts against the ratchet on the inner side of the ratchet outer ring 61, so that the one-way ratchet buckle 63 forms a one-way interlock between the ratchet inner ring 62 and the ratchet outer ring 61.

[0034] Preferably, the starting mechanism 7 includes a starting shaft 71. The ratchet inner ring 62 is sleeved on the starting shaft (71). Both ends of the starting shaft 71 penetrate through the detector housing 1 and are rotatably connected to the inner wall of the detector housing 1. Driving paddles 72 are fixedly connected to both ends of the starting shaft 71. A power propeller 8 is fixedly installed on one inner wall of the detector housing 1. A detection head 9 is fixedly installed at one end of the detector housing 1. The power propeller 8 and the detection head 9 are electrically connected to the energy storage unit. When the hydraulic oil in the piston cylinder 51 flows away, it will drive the piston therein to move and drive the toothed rod 52 to move. The movement of the toothed rod 52 will drive the ratchet outer ring 61 located below the toothed rod 52 to rotate forward, and at the same time, the ratchet outer ring 61 located above the toothed rod 52 will rotate reversely. The ratchet outer ring 61 located below the toothed rod 52 drives the ratchet inner ring 62 to rotate through the limitation of the one-way ratchet buckle 63. The rotation of the ratchet inner ring 62 drives the starting shaft 71 to rotate and drives the driving paddles 72 at both ends to rotate, thereby driving the detector to move underwater and providing direct power for the initial movement of the detector.

[0035] Since the one-way ratchet buckle 63 forms a one-way interlock between the ratchet inner ring 62 and the ratchet outer ring 61, at this time, the one-way ratchet buckle 63 in the upper ratchet mechanism 6 does not limit the ratchet outer ring 61. Therefore, the ratchet outer ring 61 located above the toothed rod 52 cannot drive the ratchet inner ring 62 through the one-way ratchet buckle 63, that is, its ratchet inner ring 62 does not rotate. After the detector obtains the power to start moving, it drives the power propeller 8 to move through the energy storage device therein and completes the underwater detection task through the detection head 9 thereon.

[0036] Working principle: When in use, first place the detector on the sea surface. At this time, the phase change material in the flexible phase change tube 22 inside the detector housing 1 is in a liquid state, and the wall of the flexible phase change tube 22 is in an expanded state. Then, the buoy on the detector controls the detector to dive. When the detector dives to the phase change temperature of the phase change material, the phase change material in the flexible phase change tube 22 begins to solidify and shrink, causing the hydraulic oil in the liquid storage cylinder 21 to fill the volume difference brought about by the shrinkage of each flexible phase change tube 22. As a result, the hydraulic oil in the piston cylinder 51 flows into the buffer tank 4 through the conduit four 44, and flows into the liquid storage cylinder 21 through the conduit one 41 on one side of the buffer tank 4 and the one-way valve one thereon. At the same time, when the hydraulic oil in the piston cylinder 51 flows away, it will drive the piston inside to move and drive the rack 52 to move. The movement of the rack 52 will drive the outer ring of ratchet teeth 61 located below to rotate, and drive the inner ring of ratchet teeth 62 to rotate through the limit of the one-way ratchet buckle 63. The rotation of the inner ring of ratchet teeth 62 drives the starting shaft 71 to rotate and drives the driving paddles 72 at both ends to rotate, thereby driving the detector to move underwater and providing direct power for the initial movement of the detector. At this time, the one-way ratchet buckle 63 in the ratchet mechanism 6 located above does not limit the outer ring of ratchet teeth 61, and the inner ring of ratchet teeth 62 thereon does not rotate. After the detector obtains the power to start moving, it is driven by the energy storage device inside to drive the power propeller 8 to move, and completes the underwater detection task through the detection head 9 thereon; when the detector rises, the phase change material in the flexible phase change tube 22 begins to absorb heat and melt, and the wall of the flexible phase change tube 22 is in an expanded state. The hydraulic oil inside flows into the corrugated energy storage cylinder 3 through the conduit one 41, the conduit two 42 and the one-way valve two thereon. After energy storage is completed, by opening the solenoid valve on the conduit two 42, the hydraulic oil flows into the piston cylinder 51 and drives the piston inside to move to drive the rack 52 to move. At this time, the inner ring of ratchet teeth 62 located below the support plate 53 does not rotate, and the inner ring of ratchet teeth 62 located above the support plate 53 rotates to drive the electric energy conversion device to store energy for the energy storage device, thereby increasing the energy of the energy storage device and enhancing the endurance of the detector.

[0037] For those skilled in the art, according to the technical solutions and concepts described above, various corresponding changes and deformations can be made, and all these changes and deformations should fall within the protection scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A closed - cycle ocean thermal energy conversion power generation device, characterized in that: It includes a phase change mechanism (2), a corrugated energy storage cylinder (3), a buffer tank (4), a telescopic mechanism (5) and a starting mechanism (7). One end of the buffer tank (4) is connected to the phase change mechanism (2). The telescopic mechanism (5) includes a piston cylinder (51) and a rack (52). One end of the rack (52) is connected to the piston end in the piston cylinder (51). The corrugated energy storage cylinder (3) and the buffer tank (4) are both connected to the other end of the piston cylinder (51). Two ratchet mechanisms (6) are symmetrically connected to both sides of the rack (52), and at least one ratchet mechanism (6) is connected to a power generation module. The ratchet mechanism (6) includes a ratchet outer ring (61) and a ratchet inner ring (62). A gear is sleeved on the surface of the ratchet outer ring (61). Ratchets are arranged on the inner side of the ratchet outer ring (61). The ratchet inner ring (62) is rotatably connected to the inner wall of the ratchet outer ring (61). A one-way ratchet buckle (63) is rotatably connected to the ratchet inner ring (62). One end of the one-way ratchet buckle (63) abuts against the ratchet on the inner side of the ratchet outer ring (61). The gear of the ratchet outer ring (61) meshes with the rack (52). The power generation module is connected to the ratchet inner ring (62). The starting mechanism (7) includes a starting shaft (71). The ratchet inner ring (62) is sleeved on the starting shaft (71). Both ends of the starting shaft (71) penetrate through the detector housing (1) and are rotatably connected to the inner wall of the detector housing (1). Driving paddles (72) are fixedly connected to both ends of the starting shaft (71).

2. The closed - cycle ocean thermal energy conversion power generation device according to claim 1, wherein: The phase change mechanism (2) includes a liquid storage cylinder (21) and a number of flexible phase change tubes (22). The number of flexible phase change tubes (22) are all arranged in the liquid storage cylinder (21). The liquid storage cylinder (21) is filled with hydraulic oil. The flexible phase change tubes (22) are filled and sealed with phase change materials. The buffer tank (4) is connected to the liquid storage cylinder (21).

3. The closed - cycle ocean thermal energy conversion power generation device according to claim 2, wherein: It also includes a first conduit (41), a second conduit (42), a third conduit (43) and a fourth conduit (44). The buffer tank (4) and the liquid storage cylinder (21) are connected through the first conduit (41). The corrugated energy storage cylinder (3) and the piston cylinder (51) are connected through the second conduit (42). The middle of the first conduit (41) and the middle of the second conduit (42) are connected through the third conduit (43). One side of the buffer tank (4) and one end of the piston cylinder (51) are connected and communicated through the fourth conduit (44).

4. The closed - cycle ocean thermal energy conversion power generation device according to claim 3, wherein: It also includes a first check valve, a second check valve, a first solenoid valve and a second solenoid valve. The first check valve is arranged on the part of the first conduit (41) between the third conduit (43) and the buffer tank (4). The second check valve is arranged on the third conduit (43). The first solenoid valve is arranged on the part of the second conduit (42) between the third conduit (43) and the piston cylinder (51). The second solenoid valve is arranged on the fourth conduit (44).

5. The closed - cycle ocean thermal energy conversion power generation device according to claim 1, wherein: The power generation module includes an electric energy conversion unit and an energy storage unit. A support plate is connected to the lower end of the electric energy conversion unit. The energy storage unit is connected to the ratchet inner ring (62) through the electric energy conversion unit.

6. An underwater detector, characterized in that: It includes a detector housing (1), an accommodation cavity is arranged inside the detector housing (1), and a closed - cycle ocean thermal energy conversion power generation device as described in any one of claims 1 - 5 is arranged in the accommodation cavity.

7. The underwater detector according to claim 6, characterized in that: A power propeller (8) is fixedly installed on one inner wall of the detector housing (1), a detection head (9) is fixedly installed at one end of the detector housing (1), and both the power propeller (8) and the detection head (9) are connected to the power generation module.

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