Energy storage valve-controlled oscillating water column wave power generation device

Abstract

An oscillating water column type wave energy power generation device with energy storage and valve control, the power generation device comprising: an air chamber, the lower end of the air chamber is completely open, and the upper end of the air chamber is provided with an opening; the air chamber is placed on the sea surface as a whole, when waves enter the air chamber, the water surface in the air chamber oscillates up and down, and the air in the air chamber reciprocates; a plurality of pneumatic check valves are arranged at the upper end of the air chamber, and are used for controlling the one-way flow of air flow in the air chamber; an energy accumulator comprising a positive pressure accumulator and a negative pressure accumulator is used for storing pneumatic energy; a pneumatic proportional valve is controlled by a controller to adjust the size of the opening of the air chamber; an air turbine is a one-way impact type air turbine, and when the one-way air flow passes through the turbine, the turbine rotates in one direction; and a generator is connected to the air turbine through a shaft coupling, so that the generator generates electricity when the air turbine rotates.

Description

Technical fields:

[0001] This invention relates to a valve-controlled oscillating water column wave energy generation device. Background technology:

[0002] In recent years, with the development of the world economy, the demand for various types of energy has been increasing. Traditional fossil energy reserves are limited and cause irreversible pollution to the environment. Therefore, the development and utilization of wave energy, which has abundant reserves, wide distribution, and is clean and pollution-free, can effectively improve the above problems.

[0003] Generally, oscillating water column wave energy devices can be used to generate electricity from wave energy. The working principle of oscillating water column wave energy devices is to use the up and down motion of waves to drive the air in the air chamber to reciprocate, so that the airflow direction changes periodically, driving the aerodynamic turbine to rotate, and the aerodynamic turbine in turn drives the generator to work and generate electricity. With its relatively few moving parts and the fact that the moving parts do not come into direct contact with the ocean, it has become the most widely used and relatively mature power generation device.

[0004] Traditional oscillating water column devices mostly use self-rectifying bidirectional turbines such as Wells turbines for air turbines. Compared with unidirectional turbines, they are less efficient and generate significant noise. At the same time, due to the strong uncertainty of waves, the resulting airflow is unstable, which also greatly affects the operating capability of the air turbine, reduces the power generation efficiency and quality of the wave energy device, increases the later operation and control costs, and causes great difficulties for grid connection. Summary of the Invention:

[0005] This invention provides a valve-controlled oscillating water column wave energy power generation device with a reasonable structural design. Based on the coordinated action of multiple functional components, a combination of one-way valves is used to rectify the periodically reciprocating airflow into a unidirectional flow. A traditional unidirectional turbine is then used for operation. Simultaneously, an energy storage valve control mechanism is combined to store high-pressure and low-pressure gas through an energy accumulator. Subsequently, the gas in the energy accumulator is released stably by controlling the valve, driving the air turbine to rotate smoothly. In turn, the air turbine drives the generator to generate electricity smoothly. This improves the overall power generation efficiency and quality of the oscillating water column wave energy power generation device, saves control and maintenance costs as well as grid connection costs, and solves the problems existing in the prior art.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows:

[0007] A valve-controlled oscillating water column wave energy generation device, the power generation device comprising:

[0008] An air chamber, the lower end of which is completely open and the upper end has an opening; the whole structure is placed on the sea surface. When waves enter the air chamber, they cause the water surface inside the air chamber to oscillate up and down, which drives the air inside the air chamber to move back and forth.

[0009] A pneumatic check valve, wherein there are multiple pneumatic check valves, which are located at the upper end of the air chamber and are used to control the unidirectional flow of air in the air chamber;

[0010] An energy storage device, comprising a positive pressure energy storage device and a negative pressure energy storage device, for storing pneumatic energy;

[0011] A pneumatic proportional valve, wherein the pneumatic proportional valve is controlled by a controller to adjust the opening size of the air chamber;

[0012] An air turbine, wherein the air turbine is a one-way impact air turbine, which causes the turbine to rotate in one direction when a one-way airflow passes through the turbine.

[0013] A generator, which is connected to an air turbine via a coupling, so as to drive the generator to generate electricity when the air turbine rotates.

[0014] The accumulator includes a bottle body, inside which a matching spring and piston are provided. Openings are provided at the front end and side end of the bottle body, and the openings are used to connect a pneumatic proportional valve or a pneumatic check valve.

[0015] The spring is located at the bottom of the bottle and has the same diameter as the hole in the inner wall of the bottle to form an accumulator chamber inside the bottle. The piston can be moved back and forth by the extension and contraction of the spring, so that the volume of the accumulator chamber can be increased or decreased.

[0016] The controller includes a pneumatic controller and a motor controller. The pneumatic controller is used to control the opening size of the pneumatic proportional valve; the motor controller is used to control the real-time speed of the air turbine and the generator.

[0017] A pneumatic pipeline leading to two directions is connected to the opening above the air chamber. A pneumatic check valve is connected to each pneumatic pipeline, and the pneumatic check valve is connected to the accumulator.

[0018] The opening of the accumulator is connected to a pneumatic proportional valve via a pipeline, and the pneumatic proportional valves are connected to each other via a turbine pipeline.

[0019] The turbine pipeline is used in conjunction with an air turbine and a generator, so that the air turbine drives the generator to generate electricity.

[0020] The turbine pipeline has an opening on each side of the air turbine, and the opening is connected to a pneumatic check valve. The other side of the pneumatic check valve is open to the atmosphere.

[0021] When the wave surface rises, the air in the air chamber is pushed by the seawater and flows into the positive pressure accumulator through the pneumatic one-way valve. At this time, the pneumatic proportional valve is closed, and the air continuously enters the positive pressure accumulator, and the pressure in the chamber continues to rise, thereby pushing the accumulator piston to move and compressing the accumulator spring.

[0022] When the pressure in the accumulator reaches a certain level, the pneumatic proportional valve opens according to the control command of the pneumatic controller, and the gas in the positive pressure accumulator chamber can be released at the ideal speed and flow rate. The pneumatic check valve closes, so that the gas flows through the air turbine, which drives the air turbine to rotate the generator. At the same time, the motor controller issues a command to accurately control the speed of the air turbine and the generator, so as to achieve stable and efficient operation of the generator.

[0023] As the wave surface descends, the volume inside the air chamber increases and the pressure decreases. The pressure inside the negative pressure accumulator chamber is greater than the pressure inside the air chamber, so the pneumatic check valve opens, while the pneumatic check valve on the opposite side closes, allowing air to flow from the negative pressure accumulator into the air chamber.

[0024] When the internal pressure of the negative pressure accumulator decreases, a negative pressure is formed, the accumulator spring extends, and pushes the accumulator piston to move.

[0025] When the negative pressure in the accumulator reaches the required level, the pneumatic proportional valve opens according to the control command of the pneumatic controller. At this time, the pneumatic check valve on one side opens and the pneumatic check valve on the other side closes. Outside air can enter the negative pressure accumulator at the ideal speed and flow rate through the air turbine, thereby driving the air turbine to rotate the generator. At the same time, the motor controller issues commands to control the speed of the air turbine and the generator, so as to achieve stable and efficient operation of the generator.

[0026] This invention employs the aforementioned structure, using an air chamber placed entirely on the sea surface to allow waves to enter and cause the water surface inside the air chamber to oscillate up and down, driving the air inside the air chamber to reciprocate. Multiple pneumatic one-way valves control the unidirectional flow of air inside the air chamber. Positive and negative pressure accumulators store pneumatic energy, and a pneumatic proportional valve, in conjunction with a controller, adjusts the opening size of the air chamber. An air turbine drives the unidirectional airflow to rotate in one direction, thereby driving a generator to generate electricity, completing the entire wave energy power generation process. The combination of one-way valves and the energy storage valve control structure ensures a stable airflow in the pipeline, promoting stable rotation of the unidirectional turbine and driving the generator to operate stably. This design offers advantages such as stability, high efficiency, practicality, reliability, and low cost. Attached image description:

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the energy storage device of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the air turbine structure of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the wavefront rising stage of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the wavefront descent phase of the present invention.

[0032] In the diagram, 1 is the air chamber; 21-24 are pneumatic check valves; 31 is the positive pressure accumulator; 32 is the negative pressure accumulator; 41-42 are pneumatic proportional valves; 5 is the turbine pipeline; 61 is the pneumatic controller; 62 is the motor controller; 301 is the accumulator body; 302 is the spring; 303 is the piston; 51 is the air turbine; and 52 is the generator. Detailed implementation method:

[0033] To clearly illustrate the technical features of this solution, the invention will be described in detail below through specific implementation methods and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0034] like Figure 1-5 As shown, a valve-controlled oscillating water column wave energy generation device is provided, the device comprising:

[0035] An air chamber, the lower end of which is completely open and the upper end has an opening; the whole structure is placed on the sea surface. When waves enter the air chamber, they cause the water surface inside the air chamber to oscillate up and down, which drives the air inside the air chamber to move back and forth.

[0036] A pneumatic check valve, wherein there are multiple pneumatic check valves, which are located at the upper end of the air chamber and are used to control the unidirectional flow of air in the air chamber;

[0037] An energy storage device, comprising a positive pressure energy storage device and a negative pressure energy storage device, for storing pneumatic energy;

[0038] A pneumatic proportional valve, wherein the pneumatic proportional valve is controlled by a controller to adjust the opening size of the air chamber;

[0039] An air turbine, wherein the air turbine is a one-way impact air turbine, which causes the turbine to rotate in one direction when a one-way airflow passes through the turbine.

[0040] A generator, which is connected to an air turbine via a coupling, so as to drive the generator to generate electricity when the air turbine rotates.

[0041] The accumulator includes a bottle body, inside which a matching spring and piston are provided. Openings are provided at the front end and side end of the bottle body, and the openings are used to connect a pneumatic proportional valve or a pneumatic check valve.

[0042] The spring is located at the bottom of the bottle and has the same diameter as the hole in the inner wall of the bottle to form an accumulator chamber inside the bottle. The piston can be moved back and forth by the extension and contraction of the spring, so that the volume of the accumulator chamber can be increased or decreased.

[0043] The controller includes a pneumatic controller and a motor controller. The pneumatic controller is used to control the opening size of the pneumatic proportional valve; the motor controller is used to control the real-time speed of the air turbine and the generator.

[0044] A pneumatic pipeline leading to two directions is connected to the opening above the air chamber. A pneumatic check valve is connected to each pneumatic pipeline, and the pneumatic check valve is connected to the accumulator.

[0045] The opening of the accumulator is connected to a pneumatic proportional valve via a pipeline, and the pneumatic proportional valves are connected to each other via a turbine pipeline.

[0046] The turbine pipeline is used in conjunction with an air turbine and a generator, so that the air turbine drives the generator to generate electricity.

[0047] The turbine pipeline has an opening on each side of the air turbine, and the opening is connected to a pneumatic check valve. The other side of the pneumatic check valve is open to the atmosphere.

[0048] When the wave surface rises, the air in the air chamber is pushed by the seawater and flows into the positive pressure accumulator through the pneumatic one-way valve. At this time, the pneumatic proportional valve is closed, and the air continuously enters the positive pressure accumulator, and the pressure in the chamber continues to rise, thereby pushing the accumulator piston to move and compressing the accumulator spring.

[0049] When the pressure in the accumulator reaches a certain level, the pneumatic proportional valve opens according to the control command of the pneumatic controller, and the gas in the positive pressure accumulator chamber can be released at the ideal speed and flow rate. The pneumatic check valve closes, so that the gas flows through the air turbine, which drives the air turbine to rotate the generator. At the same time, the motor controller issues a command to accurately control the speed of the air turbine and the generator, so as to achieve stable and efficient operation of the generator.

[0050] As the wave surface descends, the volume inside the air chamber increases and the pressure decreases. The pressure inside the negative pressure accumulator chamber is greater than the pressure inside the air chamber, so the pneumatic check valve opens, while the pneumatic check valve on the opposite side closes, allowing air to flow from the negative pressure accumulator into the air chamber.

[0051] When the internal pressure of the negative pressure accumulator decreases, a negative pressure is formed, the accumulator spring extends, and pushes the accumulator piston to move.

[0052] When the negative pressure in the accumulator reaches the required level, the pneumatic proportional valve opens according to the control command of the pneumatic controller. At this time, the pneumatic check valve on one side opens and the pneumatic check valve on the other side closes. Outside air can enter the negative pressure accumulator at the ideal speed and flow rate through the air turbine, thereby driving the air turbine to rotate the generator. At the same time, the motor controller issues commands to control the speed of the air turbine and the generator, so as to achieve stable and efficient operation of the generator.

[0053] The working principle of an energy storage valve-controlled oscillating water column wave energy power generation device in this embodiment of the invention is as follows: Based on the cooperation of multiple functional components, the periodic reciprocating airflow is rectified into unidirectional flow by a combination of one-way valves, and then a traditional unidirectional turbine is used for operation. At the same time, combined with the energy storage valve control mechanism, high-pressure gas and low-pressure gas are stored in the energy storage device. Then, the gas in the energy storage device is stably released by the valve control, which drives the air turbine to rotate smoothly. Thus, the air turbine drives the generator to generate electricity smoothly, which improves the overall power generation efficiency and power generation quality of the oscillating water column wave energy power generation device and saves control and maintenance costs as well as grid connection costs.

[0054] Wave energy is a marine renewable energy source with large reserves, wide distribution, high energy density, and long duration. Developing and utilizing wave energy resources can help solve problems such as environmental pollution and the greenhouse effect, and is also conducive to improving the energy structure and ensuring a safe and stable energy supply.

[0055] In order to make full use of wave energy, it is necessary to set up wave energy power generation devices to convert wave energy into usable electrical energy; and the energy storage valve-controlled oscillating water column wave energy power generation device of this application can effectively improve the overall power generation efficiency and power generation quality.

[0056] The overall design mainly includes an air chamber 1, which is completely open at the bottom and has an opening at the top. The whole structure is placed on the sea surface. When waves enter the air chamber, they cause the water surface inside the air chamber to oscillate up and down, which drives the air inside the air chamber to move back and forth.

[0057] A pneumatic check valve, wherein there are multiple pneumatic check valves, which are disposed at the upper end of the air chamber 1, and are used to control the unidirectional flow of air in the air chamber;

[0058] An energy storage device, comprising a positive pressure energy storage device 31 and a negative pressure energy storage device 32, for storing pneumatic energy;

[0059] A pneumatic proportional valve, wherein the pneumatic proportional valve is controlled by a controller to adjust the opening size of the air chamber;

[0060] Air turbine 51, wherein the air turbine is a one-way impact air turbine, and when a one-way airflow passes through the turbine, it drives the turbine to rotate in one direction.

[0061] A generator 52 is connected to an air turbine 51 via a coupling so that the generator 52 generates electricity when the air turbine 51 rotates.

[0062] The accumulator consists of an accumulator body 301, a spring 302, and a piston 303. The accumulator body 301 has an opening at the front and a side, which can be connected to other components. The spring 302 is located at the bottom of the accumulator body 301, and the other end of the spring 302 is connected to the piston 303. The piston 303 has the same diameter as the inner wall hole of the accumulator body 301, thus forming an accumulator chamber. The extension and retraction of the spring 302 drives the piston 303 to move back and forth, thereby increasing or decreasing the volume of the accumulator chamber.

[0063] The accumulator can be configured as a positive pressure accumulator or a negative pressure accumulator, and symmetrically arranged above the air chamber to achieve a more balanced storage and utilization of pneumatic energy.

[0064] The controller in this application is specifically divided into a pneumatic controller 61 and a motor controller 62. The pneumatic controller 61 can accurately adjust the opening size of the pneumatic proportional valves 41-42, and the motor controller 62 can accurately control the specific speed of the air turbine 51 and the generator 52 to suit a variety of different application scenarios.

[0065] Furthermore, pneumatic pipelines leading to two directions are connected to the opening above the air chamber 1. Two pneumatic check valves 21-22 are connected to the other side of the two pipelines respectively. The other end of the pneumatic check valve is connected to an accumulator. The opening at one end of the accumulator is connected to a pneumatic proportional valve via a pipeline. The two pneumatic proportional valves are connected by a turbine pipeline 5.

[0066] An air turbine 51 and a generator 52 are installed in the turbine pipeline 5, so that the air turbine 51 drives the generator 52 to generate electricity.

[0067] The turbine pipeline 5 has an opening on each side of the air turbine 51, and the opening is connected to a pneumatic check valve. The other side of the pneumatic check valve is connected to the atmosphere.

[0068] The specific working process can be divided into two stages. When the wave surface rises, the air in the air chamber 1 is pushed by the seawater and flows into the positive pressure accumulator 31 through the pneumatic one-way valve 21. At this time, the pneumatic proportional valve 22 is in the closed state, and the air continuously enters the positive pressure accumulator 31. The pressure inside the chamber continuously increases, thereby pushing the accumulator piston 303 to move and compressing the accumulator spring 302. When the pressure in the accumulator reaches a certain level, the pneumatic proportional valve 41 opens according to the control command of the pneumatic controller 61, and the gas in the positive pressure accumulator 31 chamber can be released at the ideal speed and flow rate. The pneumatic one-way valve 23 closes, so that the gas flows through the pneumatic turbine 51, which drives the turbine 51 to drive the generator 52 to rotate. At the same time, the motor controller 62 issues a command to control the speed of the turbine 51 and the generator 52, so as to realize the stable and efficient operation of the generator 52.

[0069] As the wave surface descends, the volume inside air chamber 1 increases and the pressure decreases. The pressure inside the negative pressure accumulator 32 is greater than the pressure inside air chamber 1, so the pneumatic check valve 22 opens and the pneumatic check valve 21 closes, and air continuously flows from the negative pressure accumulator 32 into air chamber 1. The internal pressure of the negative pressure accumulator 32 decreases, forming a negative pressure. The accumulator spring 302 extends, pushing the accumulator piston 303 to move.

[0070] When the negative pressure in the accumulator reaches the required level, the pneumatic proportional valve 42 opens according to the control command of the pneumatic controller 61. At this time, the pneumatic check valve 23 opens and the pneumatic check valve 24 closes. Outside air can enter the negative pressure accumulator 32 through the pneumatic turbine 51 at the ideal speed and flow rate, thereby driving the turbine 51 to drive the generator 52 to rotate. At the same time, the motor controller 62 issues a command to control the speed of the turbine 51 and the generator 52, so as to achieve the stable and efficient operation of the generator 52.

[0071] In summary, the energy storage valve-controlled oscillating water column wave energy generation device in this embodiment of the invention is based on the coordinated action of multiple functional components. It uses a combination of one-way valves to rectify the periodically reciprocating airflow into a one-way flow, and then uses a traditional one-way turbine for operation. At the same time, combined with the energy storage valve control mechanism, high-pressure gas and low-pressure gas are stored in the energy storage device. Then, the gas in the energy storage device is stably released by the valve control, which drives the air turbine to rotate smoothly. In this way, the air turbine drives the generator to generate electricity smoothly, which improves the overall power generation efficiency and power generation quality of the oscillating water column wave energy generation device, and saves control and maintenance costs as well as grid connection costs.

[0072] The above specific embodiments should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, any alternative improvements or modifications made to the embodiments of the present invention shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0073] Any aspects of this invention not described in detail are well-known to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A valve-controlled oscillating water column wave energy generation device, characterized in that, The power generation device includes: An air chamber, the lower end of which is completely open and the upper end has an opening; the air chamber is placed on the sea surface, and when waves enter the air chamber and cause the water surface inside the air chamber to oscillate up and down, it drives the air inside the air chamber to move back and forth. A pneumatic check valve, wherein there are multiple pneumatic check valves, which are located at the upper end of the air chamber and are used to control the unidirectional flow of air in the air chamber; An energy storage device, comprising a positive pressure energy storage device and a negative pressure energy storage device, for storing pneumatic energy; A pneumatic proportional valve, wherein the pneumatic proportional valve is controlled by a controller to adjust the opening size of the air chamber; An air turbine, wherein the air turbine is a one-way impact air turbine, which causes the air turbine to rotate in one direction when a one-way airflow passes through the air turbine. A generator, which is connected to an air turbine via a coupling, so as to drive the generator to generate electricity when the air turbine rotates; The accumulator includes a bottle body, inside which a matching spring and piston are provided. Openings are provided at the front end and side end of the bottle body, and the openings are used to connect a pneumatic proportional valve or a pneumatic check valve. The spring is located at the bottom of the bottle body and has the same diameter as the inner wall of the bottle body to form an accumulator chamber inside the bottle body. The piston can be moved back and forth by the extension and contraction of the spring, so that the volume of the accumulator chamber can be increased or decreased. A pneumatic pipeline leading to two directions is connected to the opening above the air chamber. A pneumatic check valve is connected to each pneumatic pipeline, and the pneumatic check valve is connected to the accumulator. The opening of the accumulator is connected to a pneumatic proportional valve via a pipeline, and the pneumatic proportional valves are connected to each other via a turbine pipeline. The turbine pipeline has an opening on each side of the air turbine, and the opening is connected to a pneumatic check valve. The other side of the pneumatic check valve is open to the atmosphere.

2. The energy storage valve-controlled oscillating water column wave energy generation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The controller includes a pneumatic controller and a motor controller. The pneumatic controller is used to control the opening size of the pneumatic proportional valve; the motor controller is used to control the real-time speed of the air turbine and the generator.

3. The energy storage valve-controlled oscillating water column wave energy generation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The turbine pipeline is used in conjunction with an air turbine and a generator to enable the air turbine to drive the generator to generate electricity.

4. The energy storage valve-controlled oscillating water column wave energy generation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the wave surface rises, the air in the air chamber is pushed by the seawater and flows into the positive pressure accumulator through the pneumatic one-way valve. At this time, the pneumatic proportional valve is closed, and the air continuously enters the positive pressure accumulator, and the pressure in the chamber continues to rise, thereby pushing the accumulator piston to move and compressing the accumulator spring. When the pressure in the accumulator reaches a certain level, the pneumatic proportional valve opens according to the control command of the pneumatic controller, and the gas in the positive pressure accumulator chamber can be released at the ideal speed and flow rate. The pneumatic check valve closes, so that the gas flows through the air turbine, which drives the air turbine to rotate the generator. At the same time, the motor controller issues a command to accurately control the speed of the air turbine and the generator, so as to achieve stable and efficient operation of the generator.

5. A valve-controlled oscillating water column wave energy generation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: As the wave surface descends, the volume inside the air chamber increases and the pressure decreases. The pressure inside the negative pressure accumulator chamber is greater than the pressure inside the air chamber, so the pneumatic check valve opens, while the pneumatic check valve on the opposite side closes, allowing air to flow from the negative pressure accumulator into the air chamber. When the internal pressure of the negative pressure accumulator decreases, a negative pressure is formed, the accumulator spring extends, and pushes the accumulator piston to move. When the negative pressure in the accumulator reaches a certain level, the pneumatic proportional valve opens according to the control command of the pneumatic controller. At this time, the pneumatic check valve on one side opens and the pneumatic check valve on the other side closes. Outside air can enter the negative pressure accumulator at the ideal speed and flow rate through the air turbine, thereby driving the air turbine to drive the generator to rotate. At the same time, the motor controller issues commands to control the speed of the air turbine and the generator, so as to achieve stable and efficient operation of the generator.

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