Wave driven propulsion system and method of operation thereof

Abstract

This invention discloses a wave-driven propulsion system and its operating method, belonging to the field of underwater robots. It includes a wave-driven piston assembly, a first one-way valve, a hydraulic accumulator, an electromagnetic switching valve, a hydraulic motor, and a second one-way valve, all connected in a circulating oil circuit. The output shaft of the hydraulic motor is connected to a propeller. The first one-way valve is unidirectionally open towards the hydraulic accumulator, and the second one-way valve is unidirectionally open towards the wave-driven piston assembly. This invention employs the aforementioned wave-driven propulsion system and its operating method, utilizing the wave-driven piston assembly to compress hydraulic oil, which is then used to drive the propeller rotation via the hydraulic motor, thus achieving underwater propulsion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of underwater robot technology, and in particular to a wave-driven propulsion system and its working method. Background Technology

[0002] Wave phenomena are a common water movement phenomenon, and the ocean covers two-thirds of the Earth's surface, making ocean wave resources very abundant. Meanwhile, traditional underwater robots typically use purely mechanical or electromagnetically driven propellers for propulsion. These devices are complex to manufacture, expensive, often require a power source, thus occupying a large space. Furthermore, due to their singular drive method, they are prone to malfunctions and difficulty moving forward.

[0003] To address the aforementioned issues, existing technologies have further developed the following wave-driven propulsion devices:

[0004] CN202010871406.2 discloses a wave propulsion system for water, comprising: a water bladder, which is a deformable thin-shell structure with a pressure plate at the top to assist in compressing the water bladder, an inlet valve at the front end, and an outlet valve at the rear end; an underwater auxiliary propulsion mechanism disposed vertically below the water bladder; and a connecting rod, one end of which is connected to the pressure plate of the water bladder, and the other end of which is connected to the underwater auxiliary propulsion mechanism. The novel wave propulsion system provided by this invention continuously performs water intake and ejection actions in the waves, enabling the system to continuously propel itself using the abundant wave energy available at sea.

[0005] It is known that it can only operate on the water surface and is not suitable for underwater movement. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides a wave-driven propulsion system and its operating method. By utilizing a wave-driven piston assembly, hydraulic oil is compressed by waves, which in turn drives a propeller to rotate via a hydraulic motor, thereby achieving underwater propulsion.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a wave-driven propulsion system, comprising a wave-driven piston assembly, a first check valve, a hydraulic accumulator, an electromagnetic switching valve, a hydraulic motor, and a second check valve, all connected in a circulating manner along an oil circuit, wherein the output shaft of the hydraulic motor is connected to a propeller.

[0008] The first check valve is open in one direction towards the hydraulic accumulator, and the second check valve is open in one direction towards the wave-driven piston assembly.

[0009] Preferably, the wave-driven piston assembly includes a housing and a piston slidably disposed inside the housing. The piston divides the interior of the housing into a drive chamber and an oil storage chamber. The oil outlet of the oil storage chamber is connected to a first check valve, and the oil inlet of the oil storage chamber is connected to a second check valve. Hydraulic oil is stored in the oil storage chamber.

[0010] A through hole is provided on the side of the drive chamber away from the oil storage chamber, and an elastic element is provided on the through hole. The inner side of the elastic element is connected to the piston via the drive rod.

[0011] Preferably, the elastic element includes a protective outer membrane and a diaphragm spring arranged sequentially from the outside to the inside, and the edge of the protective outer membrane is sealed and bonded to the inner wall of the through hole;

[0012] The edge of the diaphragm spring is hinged to the inner wall of the through hole, and one end of the drive rod is rotatably connected to the center of the inner side of the diaphragm spring. The other end of the drive rod is fixedly connected to the piston.

[0013] Preferably, the housing has a boss structure, and the housing includes a first cylinder and a second cylinder arranged coaxially. The inner diameter of the first cylinder is smaller than the inner diameter of the second cylinder. An oil storage cavity is opened on the inner side of the first cylinder, and a piston is axially slidably arranged on the inner side of the first cylinder.

[0014] A drive cavity is provided on the inner side of the second cylinder.

[0015] Preferably, the material of the protective outer membrane is rubber.

[0016] Preferably, a throttle valve is also installed in the oil line between the hydraulic accumulator and the solenoid switch valve.

[0017] Preferably, a buffer oil chamber is also provided in the oil line between the hydraulic motor and the second check valve.

[0018] A method for operating a wave-driven propulsion system includes the following steps:

[0019] S1. The wave pushes the protective outer membrane and diaphragm spring inward, which in turn drives the piston to move inward via the drive rod, forcing the hydraulic oil out of the oil outlet of the oil reservoir.

[0020] S2. The hydraulic oil flowing out of the oil storage chamber flows along the oil circuit and flows into the hydraulic accumulator for energy storage after passing through the first check valve.

[0021] S3. Open the solenoid valve. The hydraulic oil in the hydraulic accumulator passes through the throttle valve and the solenoid valve in sequence to drive the hydraulic motor to rotate. The hydraulic motor drives the propeller to rotate, thus achieving propulsion.

[0022] S4. The hydraulic oil flowing out of the hydraulic motor passes through the buffer oil chamber, the second check valve and the oil inlet and then flows back into the oil storage chamber, pushing the piston to move outward, causing the protective outer diaphragm and diaphragm spring to bulge outward, thus achieving circulation.

[0023] The present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0024] 1. By using a wave-driven piston assembly, the hydraulic oil is compressed by the waves. The hydraulic oil is pumped into an accumulator through the piston movement to store the kinetic energy of the waves, ensuring stable power input. Then, the propeller is driven by a hydraulic motor to achieve underwater propulsion. This wave-driven propulsion has the advantages of energy saving and environmental protection.

[0025] 2. The structure is simple, the components are inexpensive and easy to install, and the increased number of driving methods for the underwater robot makes the drive more stable.

[0026] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the oil circuit when the elastic element of a wave-driven propulsion system of the present invention is pressed in.

[0028] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the oil circuit when the elastic element of a wave-driven propulsion system of the present invention bulges out;

[0029] Figure 3 A perspective view of a wave-driven propulsion system according to the present invention;

[0030] Figure 4 Another perspective view of a wave-driven propulsion system according to the present invention;

[0031] Figure 5 A top view of a wave-driven propulsion system according to the present invention.

[0032] The components are: 1. Drive chamber; 2. Protective outer membrane; 3. Diaphragm spring; 4. Drive rod; 5. Piston; 6. Oil reservoir; 7. First check valve; 8. Accumulator; 9. Throttle valve; 10. Solenoid switch valve; 11. Hydraulic motor; 12. Buffer oil chamber; 13. Second check valve. Detailed Implementation

[0033] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the embodiments of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments in this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout.

[0034] It should be noted that the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or server that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units that are explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not explicitly listed or that are inherent to such process, method, product, or device.

[0035] Similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0036] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship in which the product of this invention is usually placed when in use. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting this invention.

[0037] In the description of this invention, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set," "install," and "connect" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0038] like Figures 1-5 As shown, a wave-driven propulsion system includes a wave-driven piston 5 assembly, a first check valve 7, a hydraulic accumulator 8, an electromagnetic switch valve 10, a hydraulic motor 11, and a second check valve 13, all connected in a circulating oil circuit. The output shaft of the hydraulic motor 11 is connected to a propeller. The first check valve 7 is open unidirectionally toward the hydraulic accumulator 8, and the second check valve 13 is open unidirectionally toward the wave-driven piston 5 assembly.

[0039] Specifically, the wave-driven piston 5 assembly includes a housing and a piston 5 slidably disposed inside the housing. The piston 5 divides the interior of the housing into a drive chamber 1 and an oil storage chamber 6. The oil outlet of the oil storage chamber 6 is connected to a first one-way valve 7, and the oil inlet of the oil storage chamber 6 is connected to a second one-way valve 13. The oil storage chamber 6 stores hydraulic oil. A through hole is opened on the side of the drive chamber 1 opposite to the oil storage chamber 6. An elastic element is disposed on the through hole. The inner side of the elastic element is connected to the piston 5 via a drive rod 4. The elastic element includes a protective outer membrane 2 and a diaphragm spring 3 arranged sequentially from the outside to the inside. The edge of the protective outer membrane 2 is sealed and bonded to the inner wall of the through hole. The material of the protective outer membrane 2 is rubber. The edge of the diaphragm spring 3 is hinged to the inner wall of the through hole, and one end of the drive rod 4 is rotatably connected to the center position of the inner side of the diaphragm spring 3. The other end of the drive rod 4 is fixedly connected to the piston 5. It should be noted that, under normal circumstances, the elastic element protrudes from the drive chamber 1 to facilitate being impacted by waves from all directions, thereby improving the utilization rate of waves.

[0040] The housing has a boss structure and includes a first cylinder and a second cylinder arranged coaxially. The inner diameter of the first cylinder is smaller than the inner diameter of the second cylinder. An oil storage cavity 6 is provided on the inner side of the first cylinder. A piston 5 is axially slidably arranged on the inner side of the first cylinder. A drive cavity 1 is provided on the inner side of the second cylinder.

[0041] A throttle valve 9 is also installed in the oil circuit between the hydraulic accumulator 8 and the solenoid switch valve 10. The output pressure is adjusted by the throttle valve 9 to ensure the smooth speed of the hydraulic motor 11.

[0042] A buffer oil chamber 12 is also provided in the oil line between the hydraulic motor 11 and the second check valve 13.

[0043] A method for operating a wave-driven propulsion system includes the following steps:

[0044] S1. The wave pushes the protective outer membrane 2 and diaphragm spring 3 inward, and then drives the piston 5 to move inward via the drive rod 4, forcing the hydraulic oil out of the oil outlet of the oil storage chamber 6;

[0045] S2. The hydraulic oil flowing out of the oil storage chamber 6 flows along the oil circuit and flows into the hydraulic accumulator 8 for energy storage after passing through the first check valve 7.

[0046] S3. Open the solenoid valve 10. The hydraulic oil in the hydraulic accumulator 8 passes through the throttle valve 9 and the solenoid valve 10 in sequence and drives the hydraulic motor 11 to rotate. The hydraulic motor 11 drives the propeller to rotate, thus achieving propulsion.

[0047] S4. The hydraulic oil flowing out of the hydraulic motor 11 passes through the buffer oil chamber 12, the second check valve 13 and the oil inlet and then flows back into the oil storage chamber 6, pushing the piston 5 to move outward, causing the protective outer diaphragm 2 and the diaphragm spring 3 to bulge outward, thus achieving circulation.

[0048] Therefore, the present invention employs the aforementioned wave-driven propulsion system and its working method, which utilizes a wave-driven piston assembly to compress hydraulic oil using waves, and then drives a propeller to rotate via a hydraulic motor, thereby achieving underwater propulsion.

[0049] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and not to limit them. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can still be made to the technical solutions of the present invention, and these modifications or equivalent substitutions cannot cause the modified technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention.

Claims

1. A wave-driven propulsion system, characterized in that: It includes a wave-driven piston assembly, a first check valve, a hydraulic accumulator, a solenoid valve, a hydraulic motor, and a second check valve, all connected in a circulating oil circuit. The output shaft of the hydraulic motor is connected to the propeller. The first check valve is open in one direction toward the hydraulic accumulator, and the second check valve is open in one direction toward the wave-driven piston assembly. The wave-driven piston assembly includes a housing and a piston slidably disposed inside the housing. The piston divides the interior of the housing into a drive chamber and an oil reservoir. The oil outlet of the oil reservoir is connected to a first check valve, and the oil inlet of the oil reservoir is connected to a second check valve. Hydraulic oil is stored in the oil reservoir. A through hole is provided on the side of the drive chamber away from the oil storage chamber, and an elastic element is provided on the through hole. The inner side of the elastic element is connected to the piston via the drive rod. The elastic element includes a protective outer membrane and a diaphragm spring arranged sequentially from the outside to the inside, with the edge of the protective outer membrane sealed and bonded to the inner wall of the through hole; The edge of the diaphragm spring is hinged to the inner wall of the through hole, and one end of the drive rod is rotatably connected to the center of the inner side of the diaphragm spring. The other end of the drive rod is fixedly connected to the piston.

2. The wave-driven propulsion system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing has a boss structure and includes a first cylinder and a second cylinder arranged coaxially. The inner diameter of the first cylinder is smaller than the inner diameter of the second cylinder. An oil storage cavity is opened on the inner side of the first cylinder, and a piston is axially slidably arranged on the inner side of the first cylinder. A drive cavity is provided on the inner side of the second cylinder.

3. The wave-driven propulsion system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The protective outer membrane is made of rubber.

4. The wave-driven propulsion system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A throttle valve is also installed in the oil line between the hydraulic accumulator and the solenoid switch valve.

5. A wave-driven propulsion system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A buffer oil chamber is also provided in the oil line between the hydraulic motor and the second check valve.

6. A method for operating a wave-driven propulsion system as described in any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: S1. The wave pushes the protective outer membrane and diaphragm spring inward, which in turn drives the piston to move inward via the drive rod, forcing the hydraulic oil out of the oil outlet of the oil reservoir. S2. The hydraulic oil flowing out of the oil storage chamber flows along the oil circuit and flows into the hydraulic accumulator for energy storage after passing through the first check valve. S3. Open the solenoid valve. The hydraulic oil in the hydraulic accumulator passes through the throttle valve and the solenoid valve in sequence to drive the hydraulic motor to rotate. The hydraulic motor drives the propeller to rotate, thus achieving propulsion. S4. The hydraulic oil flowing out of the hydraulic motor passes through the buffer oil chamber, the second check valve and the oil inlet and then flows back into the oil storage chamber, pushing the piston to move outward, causing the protective outer diaphragm and diaphragm spring to bulge outward, thus achieving circulation.

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