Modular wave energy device in combination with floating wind turbine and method of controlling the same

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of modular wave energy device combined with floating wind turbine and control method thereof.The wind turbine group of device is installed at the top of tower drum, tower drum is installed on floating platform, wave energy device is hinged on floating platform by flexible cable, floating platform floats on sea surface, and is connected to seabed by mooring cable.The method comprises: wave energy device switches working mode by determining wave height condition, if wave height is lower than maximum wave height, wave energy float rises to water surface and normally operates to generate electricity, if wave height is higher than maximum wave height, wave energy float sinks to underwater and stops generating electricity.The application combines modular wave energy device to floating wind turbine, can dissipate environmental load of wind turbine by the operation of wave energy device, while the sinking mode of wave energy device can improve the survivability of wind turbine in extreme environment, effectively improve the motion response and structural load of floating wind turbine, improve the reliability and economy of wind turbine.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The application relates to a floating wind turbine, in particular to a modular wave energy device combined with the floating wind turbine and a control method thereof. BACKGROUND

[0002] In recent years, offshore wind power has developed rapidly, and various floating wind turbine concepts have emerged in an endless stream. Many have completed prototype tests, and even achieved grid-connected power generation of floating wind farms. The wind energy resources on the sea are better and larger in reserves compared to those on land, especially in the deep sea area, which is of great significance to energy structure adjustment and sustainable development, and can reduce the dependence on traditional fossil energy. Most existing wind farms are installed in near-shore shallow water areas, using single-pile type fixed support structures. As the water depth increases, the economic type of the fixed support structure decreases, and the floating support structure is a more economical and feasible solution.

[0003] The deep sea has more abundant wind resources, but also more extreme and harsh weather conditions, which poses a great challenge to the survival performance of the floating wind turbine. How to improve the stability, safety and economy of the floating wind turbine is a key technical problem in the development of the floating wind turbine. SUMMARY

[0004] In order to solve the problems in the background art, the application provides a modular wave energy device combined with a floating wind turbine and a control method thereof.

[0005] The technical scheme adopted by the application is:

[0006] I. A modular wave energy device combined with a floating wind turbine:

[0007] The modular wave energy device comprises a wind turbine unit, a tower, a floating platform, a plurality of mooring cables and a plurality of wave energy floats. The wind turbine unit is installed at the top end of the tower, the bottom end of the tower is installed on the floating platform, each wave energy float is hinged to the floating platform through a flexible cable, the floating platform floats on the sea surface, and the floating platform is connected to the seabed through the plurality of mooring cables.

[0008] The floating platform comprises a central float, three main floats and a truss. The central float is installed in the middle of the truss, the bottom end of the tower is concentrically installed at the top end of the central float, the three main floats are uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction around the central float through the truss, and the bottom side of each main float is connected to the seabed through a mooring cable. A support is further installed on each of the symmetrically opposite sides of the bottom of each main float, and each wave energy float is hinged to the respective support through a flexible cable.

[0009] The wave energy float body comprises a float body shell and a power generator, the power generator is installed inside the float body shell; the power generator comprises a power generator shell, a control system, a rigid piston rod, a piston structure, a plurality of reset springs and a hydraulic power generation system, the power generator shell is a hollow cylinder, the power generator shell is vertically installed inside the float body shell, the control system, the piston structure, each reset spring and the hydraulic power generation system are installed inside the power generator shell, and the control system and the hydraulic power generation system are electrically connected; the piston structure is horizontally arranged inside the power generator shell, and the side peripheral surface of the piston structure is tightly attached to the inner wall surface of the power generator shell; the cylinder body of the hydraulic cylinder of the hydraulic power generation system is installed on the inner top surface of the power generator shell, the hydraulic rod of the hydraulic power generation system is vertically connected to the top surface center of the piston structure, each reset spring is uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction and takes the hydraulic power generation system as the center, the top end of each reset spring is connected to the inner top surface of the power generator shell, the bottom end of each reset spring is connected to the top surface of the piston structure, and the elastic force direction of each reset spring is a vertical direction, so that the operation damage of the hydraulic power generation system is reduced in the operation process; the rigid piston rod is vertically arranged, the top end of the rigid piston rod is connected to the bottom surface center of the piston structure, and the bottom end of the rigid piston rod is sequentially threaded out of the power generator shell and the float body shell and then hinged to respective supports through a flexible cable; a sealing structure is further arranged between the rigid piston rod and the threading opening of the float body shell.

[0010] The float body shell is a hollow sphere, the inside of the float body shell is divided into a wet cabin and a dry cabin from the outside to the inside through a concentric hollow inner sphere, the wet cabin and the dry cabin are not connected, the hollow sphere and the float body shell are not in contact, and the power generator is installed inside the hollow inner sphere; a plurality of water inlets and water outlets connected to the wet cabin are further opened on the outer wall of the float body shell, an electric control valve is arranged on each water inlet, and a water pump is arranged on each water outlet, and each electric control valve and water pump is electrically connected to the control system.

[0011] The wet cabin is used for containing ballast seawater to realize the sinking and floating of the wave energy device, and the dry cabin is used for containing related mechanical and electrical equipment and fixed ballast.

[0012] The wind turbine unit is further provided with a wave height instrument, the wave height instrument is electrically connected to each control system, and the wave height instrument sends wave height data to the control system in real time.

[0013] II. A control method of a modular wave energy device combined with a floating wind turbine:

[0014] The method comprises the following steps:

[0015] Step 1: The wave energy device is subjected to wind and wave action at sea, the wind turbine unit of the wave energy device rotates under the action of wind, and mechanical energy is converted into electric energy to generate electricity in real time.

[0016] Step 2: The wave height meter on the wind turbine monitors the effective wave height h in real time and transmits the effective wave height h to the control system of each wave energy floating body, setting the operating wave height range of the wave energy device to h∈[0, h max ].

[0017] Step 3: Each control system calculates the effective wave height h and the preset maximum wave height h based on the real-time monitoring of the wave height meter. max Real-time control of each wave energy float of the wave energy device enables continuous control of the wave energy device.

[0018] In step 3, each control system calculates the effective wave height h and the preset maximum wave height h based on the real-time monitoring of the wave height meter. max Real-time control of each wave energy buoy of the wave energy device enables continuous control of the wave energy device, as detailed below:

[0019] When the control system determines that the effective wave height h ≤ h max h max To preset the maximum wave height, each wave energy float floats on the sea surface. The wet compartments of each wave energy float are not filled with seawater. Each control system controls the electrical valves of each inlet and the water pumps of each outlet to close. Each wave energy float moves relative to the floating platform as the waves rise and fall. Each flexible cable drives the rigid piston rod and piston structure to reciprocate, creating relative displacement with the floating shell of the wave energy float. At the same time, the piston structure drives the piston rod and cylinder in the hydraulic cylinder of the hydraulic power generation system to move relative to each other, driving the hydraulic power generation system to operate and generate electricity. The wave energy device is in power generation mode.

[0020] When the control system determines h>h max The control system opens the electrically controlled valves at the inlets of each wave energy float, shuts down the pumps at each outlet, stops the hydraulic power generation systems, locks each piston structure to its respective wave energy float, and fills the wet chambers of each wave energy float with water, causing each float to sink until the flexible cables are taut, pulling the wave energy device down to improve the survivability of the wind turbine in extreme environments. The wave energy device is in sinking mode. When the control system determines that the effective wave height h ≤ h max At this time, the electrically controlled valves of each inlet are closed, the pumps of each outlet are turned on, the wet chambers of each wave energy float are pumped out, and each wave energy device rises until it floats on the sea surface. The wave energy device changes from sinking mode to power generation mode.

[0021] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0022] The modular wave energy device combined with the floating wind turbine can comprehensively utilize the offshore wind energy and wave energy, dissipate the environmental load of the wind turbine, i.e. the wave and wind load, through the operation of the wave energy device, effectively improve the motion response of the floating wind turbine and reduce the structural load of the semi-submersible floating wind turbine, and the sinking mode of the wave energy device can effectively improve the survivability of the wind turbine in extreme environments, effectively improve the motion response and structural load of the floating wind turbine, improve the reliability and economy of the wind turbine, and effectively promote the industrialization application of the wind turbine. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of the modular wave energy device combined with the floating wind turbine of the present application;

[0024] Figure 2 is a layout top view schematic diagram of the modular wave energy device of the present application;

[0025] Figure 3 is a structural schematic diagram of the wave energy device of the present application;

[0026] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the hydraulic power generation system of the present application;

[0027] Figure 5 is a flow chart of the control method of the modular wave energy device of the present application;

[0028] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the floating (operation) state of the wave energy device of the present application;

[0029] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the sinking (shutdown) state of the wave energy device of the present application;

[0030] In the figure: 1, wind turbine unit, 2, tower, 3, main float, 3a, center float, 4, truss, 5, wave energy float, 6, bracket, 7, mooring cable, 8, wet cabin, 9, dry cabin, 10, water inlet, 11, sealing structure, 12, rigid piston rod, 13, flexible cable, 14, water pump, 15, piston structure, 16, reset spring, 17, hydraulic power generation system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The present application will be further described in detail below in combination with the drawings and specific embodiments.

[0032] As Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the modular wave energy device of the present application comprises a wind turbine unit 1, a tower 2, a floating platform, a plurality of mooring cables 7 and a plurality of wave energy floats 5, the wind turbine unit 1 is installed at the top end of the tower 2, the bottom end of the tower 2 is installed on the floating platform, each wave energy float 5 is hinged on the floating platform through a flexible cable 13, the floating platform floats on the sea surface, and the floating platform is connected to the seabed through the plurality of mooring cables 7.

[0033] The floating platform comprises a central buoy 3a, three main buoys 3 and a truss 4, the central buoy 3a is installed in the middle of the truss 4, the bottom end of the tower 2 is concentrically installed at the top end of the central buoy 3a, the three main buoys 3 are uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction around the central buoy 3a through the truss 4, and the bottom side of each main buoy 3 is connected to the seabed through a mooring cable 7; the symmetrically opposite sides of the bottom of each main buoy 3 are also respectively provided with a support 6, and each wave energy float 5 is hinged on the respective support 6 through a flexible cable 13.

[0034] As shown, Figure 3 The wave energy float 5 comprises a float shell and a power generator, and the power generator is installed inside the float shell; the power generator comprises a generator shell, a control system, a rigid piston rod 12, a piston structure 15, a plurality of return springs 16 and a hydraulic power generation system 17, as shown, Figure 4 The generator shell is a hollow cylindrical shape, the generator shell is vertically installed inside the float shell, the control system, the piston structure 15, each return spring 16 and the hydraulic power generation system 17 are installed inside the generator shell, and the control system and the hydraulic power generation system 17 are electrically connected; the piston structure 15 is horizontally arranged inside the generator shell, and the side circumferential surface of the piston structure 15 is tightly attached to the inner wall surface of the generator shell; the cylinder body of the hydraulic cylinder of the hydraulic power generation system 17 is installed on the inner top surface of the generator shell, the hydraulic rod of the hydraulic power generation system 17 is vertically connected to the top surface center of the piston structure 15, each return spring 16 is uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction around the hydraulic power generation system 17, the top end of each return spring 16 is connected to the inner top surface of the generator shell, the bottom end of each return spring 16 is connected to the top surface of the piston structure 15, and the elastic force direction of each return spring 16 is a vertical direction, which reduces the operation damage of the hydraulic power generation system 17 in the running process; the rigid piston rod 12 is vertically arranged, the top end of the rigid piston rod 12 is connected to the bottom surface center of the piston structure 15, the bottom end of the rigid piston rod 12 is sequentially arranged out of the generator shell and the float shell and then hinged on the respective support 6 through the flexible cable 13; a sealing structure 11 is further arranged between the rigid piston rod 12 and the penetration opening of the float shell.

[0035] The floating body shell is a hollow sphere, the inside of the floating body shell is divided into a wet cabin 8 and a dry cabin 9 from outside to inside by a concentric hollow inner sphere, the wet cabin 8 and the dry cabin 9 are not communicated, the hollow sphere and the floating body shell are not in contact, and the power generator is installed inside the hollow inner sphere; a plurality of water inlets 10 and water outlets communicating with the wet cabin 8 are also opened on the outer wall of the floating body shell, an electric control valve is arranged on each water inlet 10, a water pump 14 is arranged on each water outlet, and each electric control valve and water pump 14 are electrically connected to the control system. The wet cabin 8 is used for containing ballast seawater, so as to realize the sinking and floating of the wave energy device; and the dry cabin 9 is used for containing related mechanical and electrical equipment and fixed ballast

[0036] The wind turbine set 1 is also provided with a wave height instrument, the wave height instrument is electrically connected to each control system, and the wave height instrument sends wave height data to the control system in real time.

[0037] As shown in Figure 5 , the specific implementation of the wave energy device is as follows:

[0038] Step 1: The wave energy device is subjected to wind and wave action at sea, the wind turbine set 1 of the wave energy device rotates under the action of wind, and mechanical energy is converted into electric energy to generate electricity in real time.

[0039] Step 2: The wave height instrument on the wind turbine set 1 monitors the effective wave height h in real time, and transmits the effective wave height h to the control system of each wave energy float 5, and sets the wave energy device running wave height range h [0, h max ].

[0040] Step 3: Each control system controls each wave energy float 5 of the wave energy device in real time according to the effective wave height h monitored by the wave height instrument and the preset maximum wave height h max , so as to realize continuous control of the wave energy device.

[0041] In step 3, each control system controls each wave energy float 5 of the wave energy device in real time according to the effective wave height h monitored by the wave height instrument and the preset maximum wave height h max , so as to realize continuous control of the wave energy device, and the specific implementation is as follows:

[0042] When the control system determines that the effective wave height h is less than or equal to the preset maximum wave height h max , the control system controls each wave energy float 5 of the wave energy device to sink to the bottom of the sea, and the wave energy device is in a sinking state. maxAs shown in FIG. 1, the wave energy device is in the power generation mode. When the control system determines that h > h Figure 6 , as shown in FIG. 2, the wave energy device is in the sinking mode.

[0043] When the control system determines that h > h max , as shown in FIG. 2, the wave energy device is in the sinking mode. Figure 7 When the control system determines that h > h max , as shown in FIG. 1, the wave energy device is in the power generation mode.

[0044] The wave energy device is combined with the floating wind turbine, and the offshore wind energy and wave energy can be comprehensively utilized. The wave energy device dissipates the wave and wind load, effectively improves the motion response of the floating wind turbine, and reduces the structural load of the semi-submersible floating wind turbine. Meanwhile, the sinking mode of the wave energy device can effectively improve the ability of the floating wind turbine to resist typhoon and other extreme weather, improve the reliability and safety of the wind turbine, and effectively promote the industrial application thereof.

Claims

1. A modular wave energy device in combination with a floating wind turbine, characterised in that: The wind turbine unit (1) is installed at the top end of the tower drum (2), the bottom end of the tower drum (2) is installed on the floating platform, each wave energy float (5) is hinged on the floating platform through a flexible cable (13), the floating platform floats on the sea surface, and the floating platform is connected to the seabed through a plurality of mooring cables (7); The wave energy float (5) comprises a float shell and a power generator, the power generator is installed inside the float shell; the power generator comprises a power generator shell, a control system, a rigid piston rod (12), a piston structure (15), a plurality of reset springs (16) and a hydraulic power generation system (17), the power generator shell is a hollow cylinder, the power generator shell is vertically installed inside the float shell, the control system, the piston structure (15), each reset spring (16) and the hydraulic power generation system (17) are installed inside the power generator shell, and the control system and the hydraulic power generation system (17) are electrically connected; the piston structure (15) is horizontally arranged inside the power generator shell, and the side peripheral surface of the piston structure (15) is tightly attached to the inner wall surface of the power generator shell; the cylinder body of the hydraulic cylinder of the hydraulic power generation system (17) is installed on the inner top surface of the power generator shell, the hydraulic rod of the hydraulic power generation system (17) is vertically connected to the top surface center of the piston structure (15), each reset spring (16) is uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction and takes the hydraulic power generation system (17) as the center, the top end of each reset spring (16) is connected to the inner top surface of the power generator shell, and the bottom end of each reset spring (16) is connected to the top surface of the piston structure (15); the rigid piston rod (12) is vertically arranged, the top end of the rigid piston rod (12) is connected to the bottom surface center of the piston structure (15), and the bottom end of the rigid piston rod (12) is sequentially arranged out of the power generator shell and the float shell and then hinged on the respective support (6) through the flexible cable (13); The float shell is a hollow sphere, the inside of the float shell is divided into a wet cabin (8) and a dry cabin (9) from the outside to the inside through a concentric hollow inner sphere, the wet cabin (8) and the dry cabin (9) are not communicated, the hollow sphere and the float shell are not in contact, and the power generator is installed inside the hollow inner sphere; a plurality of water inlets (10) and water outlets communicating with the wet cabin (8) are also opened on the outer wall of the float shell, each water inlet (10) is provided with an electric control valve, and each water outlet is provided with a water pump (14), and each electric control valve and water pump (14) are electrically connected to the control system; The sinking mode and the power generation mode of the wave energy device are realized through the wave energy float (5) and the flexible cable (13).

2. A modular wave energy device incorporating floating wind turbines according to claim 1 characterised in that: The floating platform comprises a central float (3a), three main floats (3) and a truss (4), the central float (3a) is installed in the middle of the truss (4), a tower (2) is concentrically installed at the top of the central float (3a), the three main floats (3) are uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction with the central float (3a) as the center through the truss (4), the bottom side of each main float (3) is connected to the seabed through a mooring cable (7); the symmetrically opposite sides of the bottom of each main float (3) are also respectively provided with a support (6), and each wave energy float (5) is hinged to the respective support (6) through a flexible cable (13).

3. A modular wave energy device in combination with a floating wind turbine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wind turbine unit (1) is also provided with a wave height instrument, and the wave height instrument is electrically connected to each control system.

4. A method of controlling a wave energy device according to any of claims 1-3, characterized in that: The method comprises the following steps: Step 1: The wave energy device is subjected to wind and wave action at sea, and the wind turbine unit (1) of the wave energy device rotates under the action of wind to convert mechanical energy into electric energy and generate electricity in real time; Step 2: The wave height instrument on the wind turbine unit (1) monitors the effective wave height h in real time and transmits the effective wave height h to the control system of each wave energy float (5). Step 3: Each control system controls the wave energy device according to the effective wave height h monitored by the wave height meter in real time and the preset maximum wave height h max Real-time control of each wave energy body (5) of the wave energy device to achieve continuous control of the wave energy device.

5. A method of controlling a wave energy device according to claim 4, characterised in that: In step 3, each control system controls the wave height h monitored by the wave height monitor in real time and the preset maximum wave height h max Real-time control of each wave energy body (5) of the wave energy device realizes continuous control of the wave energy device, and the specific implementation is as follows: When the control system determines that the effective wave height h ≤ h max , h max is the preset maximum wave height, each wave energy float (5) floats on the sea surface, the wet chamber (8) of each wave energy float (5) is not loaded with seawater, each control system controls the electric control valve of each water inlet (10) and the water pump (14) of the water outlet to be closed, each wave energy float (5) generates relative displacement with the floating platform with the fluctuation of the wave, each flexible cable (13) drives the reciprocating motion of the rigid piston rod (12) and the piston structure (15) to generate relative displacement with the float shell of the wave energy float (5), at the same time, the piston structure (15) drives the relative motion of the piston rod and the cylinder body in the hydraulic cylinder of the hydraulic power generation system (17), and drives the hydraulic power generation system (17) to operate to generate electricity, and the wave energy device is in the power generation mode. When the control system determines that h > h max Then the control system controls the electric valve of the water inlet (10) of each wave energy float (5) to open, the water pump (14) of each water outlet to close, each hydraulic power generation system (17) to stop running, each piston structure (15) to lock with the respective wave energy float (5), and the wet chamber (8) of each wave energy float (5) to fill with water to make each wave energy float (5) sink until each flexible cable (13) is taut, pulls the wave energy device to sink, and the wave energy device is in the sinking mode; when the control system determines that the effective wave height h ≤ h max , the electric valve of each water inlet (10) is closed, the water pump (14) of each water outlet is opened, the wet chamber (8) of each wave energy float (5) is pumped, each wave energy float (5) is floated until it floats on the sea surface, and the wave energy device is changed from the sinking mode to the power generation mode.

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