Oscillating water column wave energy converter with adjustable damping orifice and air chamber size

Abstract

The application discloses an oscillating water column wave energy power generation device with adjustable damping hole and air chamber size. The power generation device comprises an air chamber module with adjustable damping hole and air chamber size, an air flow channel and a power generation module. The air chamber module floats on the sea surface and is anchored at the bottom of the seabed. The air flow channel is installed at the top of the air chamber module and is communicated with the air chamber module. The power generation module is installed at the top of the air flow channel and is communicated with the air flow channel and the atmosphere. The device can work simultaneously with multiple air chambers, improving the power generation capacity of a single generator. The air flow channel of the device can collect the air flow of all air chambers at the same time, so that the air flow of all air chambers flows into the air flow channel at the same time. The cross-sectional area of the air flow channel is from high to low, so that the flow velocity of the gas in the air flow channel is accelerated, driving the air turbine to rotate at a higher speed. The device can realize the common adjustment of the air chamber size and the damping hole, so as to achieve the ideal best power generation efficiency and improve the power generation efficiency of the power generation device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a wave energy generation device, specifically to an oscillating water column type wave energy generation device with adjustable damping orifice and air chamber size. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasing demand for renewable energy, ocean energy, as an abundant renewable energy source, has attracted global attention. Ocean tidal energy is a renewable energy source with high energy density, offering advantages such as cleanliness, zero pollution, and sustainability, making it one of the important directions for future ocean energy utilization.

[0003] Currently, research on tidal current power generation devices both domestically and internationally mainly focuses on several types, including impeller-type, turbine-type, and oscillating water column-type devices. Among them, the oscillating water column-type tidal current power generation device has received widespread attention due to its advantages such as simple structure, stable operation, and ease of maintenance. However, existing oscillating water column-type tidal current power generation devices have some problems, such as insufficient flexibility in the design of damping orifices and air chamber dimensions, which cannot well adapt to the energy conversion efficiency under different environmental conditions, thus affecting the overall performance of the power generation device. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to solve the problems existing in the background art, the present invention provides an oscillating water column wave energy power generation device with adjustable damping orifice and air chamber size.

[0005] The technical solution adopted in this invention is:

[0006] I. An oscillating water column wave energy generation device with adjustable damping orifice and air chamber size, comprising:

[0007] The air chamber module floats on the sea surface and is anchored to the seabed at its bottom.

[0008] An airflow channel is installed at the top of the air chamber module and connects to the air chamber module.

[0009] The power generation module is installed at the top of the airflow channel and is connected to the airflow channel and the atmosphere.

[0010] The airflow channel is integrally formed by an upper rectangular cavity and a lower trapezoidal cavity. The bottom end of the rectangular cavity is sealed and connected to the top end of the trapezoidal cavity. The bottom surface dimensions of the rectangular cavity and the top surface dimensions of the trapezoidal cavity are the same. The air chamber module is installed at the bottom end of the trapezoidal cavity and is sealed and connected to the trapezoidal cavity. The power generation module is installed on the top surface of the rectangular cavity and is sealed and connected to the rectangular cavity.

[0011] The air chamber module includes a rectangular outer shell, two air chamber fixing partitions, several movable baffles, several motors, and several springs. The rectangular outer shell is arranged horizontally along its length, and its bottom end is anchored to the seabed. The two air chamber fixing partitions are arranged vertically and fixedly installed on the two opposite inner walls of the rectangular outer shell along its length. Several movable baffles are arranged vertically and parallel to the two air chamber fixing partitions, and the two air chamber fixing partitions and each movable baffle forms several air chamber cavities. The body of the first motor is installed in the middle of the side of one of the air chamber fixing partitions. The output shaft of the motor is connected to one end of the first spring, and the other end of the first spring is connected to the middle of one side of the first movable baffle. A motor and a spring are installed between every two adjacent movable baffles. The motor body is installed in the middle of one side of the preceding movable baffle, and the output shaft of the motor is connected to one end of the spring. The other end of the spring is connected to the middle of one side of the following movable baffle. A spring is connected between the last movable baffle and the opposite side of another air chamber fixed partition. The length of each spring is parallel to the length direction of the rectangular shell.

[0012] The top surface of the rectangular shell has several damping holes along its length, and each damping hole connects one of its air chambers to the trapezoidal cavity at the bottom of the airflow channel.

[0013] The air chamber module also includes several sensors for measuring the meaningful frequency and meaningful wave height of waves, each sensor being mounted on and electrically connected to its respective motor.

[0014] The power generation module includes an air turbine and a generator. The air turbine and generator are mounted on the airflow channel via a mounting bracket. The air turbine is located directly above the rectangular cavity of the airflow channel and is connected to the airflow channel through the rectangular cavity. The air turbine is connected to the atmosphere. The rotating shaft of the air turbine is synchronously connected to the rotating shaft of the generator.

[0015] II. A method for generating electricity using an oscillating water column wave energy power generation device, comprising:

[0016] In the initial state, the generators of the air chamber module of the oscillating water column wave energy generator are not in operation. The interaction of springs divides the rectangular shell into several equally spaced air chambers through the movable baffles. When the oscillating water column wave energy generator floats up and down under the action of sea waves, it first performs an adjustment operation. The sensor on the first motor measures the meaningful frequency and meaningful wave height of the waves in real time as sensing data and transmits it to the first motor. The first motor automatically adjusts the tension to pull the spring and a movable baffle connected to it, so that the air chamber where the first motor is located is adjusted to the ideal air chamber size. At this time, the other motors are not yet working. Through the interaction of springs connected to the other movable baffles, the other movable baffles automatically form equally spaced air chambers. Then the remaining motors perform adjustment operations in sequence until all motors have completed the adjustment operation. At this time, all movable baffles are in the ideal position, forming the optimal power generation response.

[0017] During the adjustment process of the air chamber module, the airflow generated by each air chamber flows through its respective damping orifice to the air turbine of the airflow channel and the power generation module in sequence, and the air turbine drives the generator to generate electricity.

[0018] The damping orifice is located at the upper end of the air chamber, and its total length is the sum of the widths of all air chambers. When the ideal air chamber size is adjusted by adjusting the movable baffle, the damping orifice above the air chamber is also adjusted simultaneously to achieve the ideal damping orifice size.

[0019] When the air chamber module is adjusted, if the ideal air chamber size is larger than the initial equidistant air chamber size, several motors located in front will sequentially pull one of their movable baffles to the position of the fixed baffle of the air chamber where the first motor is located, reducing the number of air chambers until the current equidistant air chamber size increases to be greater than or equal to the current ideal air chamber size. Finally, when the ideal air chamber size reaches the adjustable range, the next adjustment operation will continue.

[0020] This invention utilizes wave data measured by sensors on an electric motor. Further, by controlling the motor's tension and the action of a spring, it adjusts the size of the air chamber and damping orifice to achieve ideal dimensions. This simultaneous adjustment of the air chamber size and damping orifice results in optimal power generation efficiency, improving the overall power generation efficiency of the device. Multiple air chambers operate concurrently, increasing the output of a single generator. When the ideal air chamber size is larger than the initial air chamber size, the initial size can be increased by reducing the number of air chambers, thus expanding the adjustment range. Furthermore, as waves rise and fall, the air inside the air chambers is compressed, and the airflow flows into the airflow channel. This channel simultaneously collects airflow from all air chambers and accelerates the airflow through changes in its cross-sectional area, causing the airflow to rapidly flow towards the air turbine, thereby driving the generator to produce electricity.

[0021] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0022] 1) When the waves on the sea surface rise and fall, the device of the present invention compresses the air in each air chamber, causing the air pressure in the air chamber to change, which drives the gas in the air chamber to flow into the airflow channel. The airflow channel can collect the airflow of all air chambers at the same time, so that the airflow of all air chambers flows into the airflow channel at the same time. Furthermore, the cross-sectional area of ​​the airflow channel decreases from high to low, which increases the flow speed of the gas in the airflow channel and drives the air turbine to achieve a higher speed of rotation.

[0023] 2) The motor of the device of this invention contains a sensor. After the sensor measures the wave amplitude and wave frequency, the motor automatically adjusts to the ideal air chamber size based on the data measured by the interaction between the motor and the spring. When the baffle exceeds the adjustment range, the motor can pull the left baffle to coincide with the left fixed partition, reducing the number of air chambers and increasing the adjustment range of the air chamber size. At the same time, multiple air chambers work simultaneously to drive the air turbine to rotate and generate electricity, thus making the device generate more energy.

[0024] 3) The device of the present invention can adjust the size of the air chamber and the size of the damping orifice of a single air chamber at the same time as adjusting the size of the air chamber and the size of the damping orifice according to the sensor measurement data, so as to achieve the purpose of adjusting the size of the air chamber and the size of the damping orifice together. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the power generation device of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a top view of the air chamber section;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a front view of a single air chamber formed by the movable baffle of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] In the diagram: 1. Fixed baffle plate for air chamber, 2. Movable baffle plate, 3. Electric motor, 4. Spring, 5. Damping hole, 6. Airflow channel, 7. Air turbine, 8. Generator. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the specific embodiments described are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0030] like Figure 1As shown, the oscillating water column wave energy generation device with adjustable damping orifice and air chamber size of the present invention includes an air chamber module, an airflow channel 6 and a power generation module. The air chamber module floats on the sea surface and is anchored to the seabed at its bottom end. The airflow channel 6 is installed at the top of the air chamber module and connects to the air chamber module. The power generation module is installed at the top of the airflow channel 6 and connects the airflow channel 6 and the atmosphere.

[0031] The airflow channel 6 is integrally formed by an upper rectangular cavity and a lower trapezoidal cavity. The bottom end of the rectangular cavity is sealed and connected to the top end of the trapezoidal cavity. The bottom surface dimensions of the rectangular cavity and the top surface dimensions of the trapezoidal cavity are the same. The air chamber module is installed at the bottom end of the trapezoidal cavity and is sealed and connected to the trapezoidal cavity. The power generation module is installed on the top surface of the rectangular cavity and is sealed and connected to the rectangular cavity.

[0032] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the air chamber module includes a rectangular shell, two air chamber fixed partitions 1, several movable baffles 2, several motors 3, and several springs 4. The rectangular shell is arranged horizontally along its length, and its bottom end is anchored to the seabed. The two air chamber fixed partitions 1 are arranged vertically and fixedly installed on the two inner walls opposite each other along the length of the rectangular shell. Several movable baffles 2 are arranged vertically and parallel to the two air chamber fixed partitions 1, and are all parallel to the air chamber fixed partitions 1. The two air chamber fixed partitions 1 and each movable baffle 2 form several air chamber cavities. The body of the first motor 3 is installed in the middle of the side of one of the air chamber fixed partitions 1. The output shaft of the motor 3 is connected to one end of the first spring 4, and the other end of the first spring 4 is connected to the middle of one side of the first movable baffle 2. A motor 3 and a spring 4 are installed and connected between every two adjacent movable baffles 2. The motor body of the motor 3 is installed in the middle of one side of the preceding movable baffle 2. The output shaft of the motor 3 is connected to one end of the spring 4, and the other end of the spring 4 is connected to the middle of one side of the following movable baffle 2. A spring 4 is connected between the last movable baffle 2 and the opposite side of another air chamber fixed partition 1. The length of each spring 4 is parallel to the length direction of the rectangular shell.

[0033] The top surface of the rectangular shell has several damping holes 5 along its length. Each damping hole 5 connects one of its air chambers to the trapezoidal cavity at the bottom of the airflow channel 6.

[0034] The air chamber module also includes several sensors for measuring the meaningful frequency and meaningful wave height of the waves, each sensor being mounted on and electrically connected to a motor 3.

[0035] The power generation module includes an air turbine 7 and a generator 8. The bodies of the air turbine 7 and the generator 8 are mounted on the airflow channel 6 via a mounting bracket. The air turbine 7 is located directly above the rectangular cavity of the airflow channel 6 and is connected to the airflow channel 6 through the rectangular cavity. The air turbine 7 is connected to the atmosphere. The rotating shaft of the air turbine 7 is synchronously connected to the rotating shaft of the generator 8.

[0036] The power generation method of the oscillating water column wave energy power generation device of the present invention is as follows:

[0037] In the initial state, the generators 8 of the air chamber module of the oscillating water column wave energy generator are not in operation. The interaction of the springs 4 divides the rectangular shell into several equally spaced air chambers by the movable baffles 2. When the oscillating water column wave energy generator floats up and down under the action of the waves, it first performs an adjustment operation. The sensor on the first motor 3 measures the meaningful frequency and meaningful wave height of the waves in real time as sensing data and transmits it to the first motor 3. The first motor 3 automatically adjusts the tension to pull the spring 4 and a movable baffle 2 connected to it, so that the air chamber where the first motor 3 is located is adjusted to the ideal air chamber size. At this time, the other motors 3 are not yet working. Through the interaction of the springs 4 connected to the other movable baffles 2, the other movable baffles 2 automatically form equally spaced air chambers. Then the remaining motors 3 perform adjustment operations in sequence until all motors 3 have completed the adjustment operation. At this time, all movable baffles 2 are in the ideal position, forming the optimal power generation response.

[0038] During the adjustment process of the air chamber module, the airflow generated by each air chamber flows through its respective damping hole 5 to the airflow channel 6 and the air turbine 7 of the power generation module in sequence. The air turbine 7 drives the generator 8 to generate electricity.

[0039] The damping orifice 5 is located at the upper end of the air chamber, and its total length is the sum of the widths of all air chambers. When the ideal air chamber size is adjusted by adjusting the movable baffle 2, the damping orifice above the air chamber is also adjusted simultaneously to achieve the ideal damping orifice size.

[0040] When the air chamber module is being adjusted, if the ideal air chamber size is larger than the initial equidistant air chamber size, then each of the several motors 3 located in front will pull one of their movable baffles 2 to the position of the air chamber fixed partition 1 where the first motor 3 is located, thereby reducing the number of air chambers until the current equidistant air chamber size increases to be greater than or equal to the current ideal air chamber size. Finally, when the ideal air chamber size reaches the adjustable range, the next adjustment operation will continue.

[0041] like Figure 1As shown, when the waves on the sea surface rise and fall, the air pressure in the air chambers of each air chamber changes, and the air in the air chambers is compressed. The compressed air flows into the airflow channel 6 through the damping hole 5. The airflow channel 6 can collect the airflow from all the air chambers at the same time, so that the airflow from all the air chambers flows into the airflow channel 6 at the same time. Furthermore, by changing the cross-sectional area of ​​the airflow channel 6, the gas velocity in the airflow channel 6 is changed. The airflow flows rapidly through the airflow channel 6 to the air turbine 7, causing the air turbine 7 to rotate. At this moment, the air turbine 7 will drive the generator 8 to generate electricity.

Claims

1. An oscillating water column wave energy generation device with adjustable damping orifice and air chamber size, characterized in that, include: The air chamber module floats on the sea surface and is anchored to the seabed at its bottom. Airflow channel (6) is installed at the top of the air chamber module and connected to the air chamber module; The power generation module is installed at the top of the airflow channel (6) and connects the airflow channel (6) to the atmosphere; The airflow channel (6) is integrally formed by an upper rectangular cavity and a lower trapezoidal cavity. The bottom end of the rectangular cavity is sealed and connected to the top end of the trapezoidal cavity. The bottom surface dimensions of the rectangular cavity and the top surface dimensions of the trapezoidal cavity are the same. The air chamber module is installed at the bottom end of the trapezoidal cavity and is sealed and connected to the trapezoidal cavity. The power generation module is installed on the top surface of the rectangular cavity and is sealed and connected to the rectangular cavity. The air chamber module includes a rectangular shell, two air chamber fixed partitions (1), several movable baffles (2), several motors (3), and several springs (4). The rectangular shell is arranged horizontally along its length, and its bottom end is anchored to the seabed. The two air chamber fixed partitions (1) are arranged vertically and fixedly installed on the two inner walls opposite each other along the length of the rectangular shell. Several movable baffles (2) are arranged vertically and parallel between the two air chamber fixed partitions (1) and are all parallel to the air chamber fixed partitions (1). The two air chamber fixed partitions (1) and each movable baffle (2) form several air chamber cavities. The body of the first motor (3) is installed in the middle of the side of one of the air chamber fixed partitions (1). The output shaft is connected to one end of the first spring (4), and the other end of the first spring (4) is connected to the middle of one side of the first movable baffle (2). A motor (3) and a spring (4) are installed between every two adjacent movable baffles (2). The motor (3) is installed in the middle of one side of the previous movable baffle (2). The output shaft of the motor (3) is connected to one end of the spring (4), and the other end of the spring (4) is connected to the middle of one side of the next movable baffle (2). A spring (4) is connected between the last movable baffle (2) and the opposite side of another air chamber fixed partition (1). The length of each spring (4) is parallel to the length direction of the rectangular shell. The top surface of the rectangular shell has several damping holes (5) along its length. Each damping hole (5) connects one of its air chambers to the trapezoidal cavity at the bottom of the airflow channel (6).

2. The oscillating water column wave energy generation device with adjustable damping orifice and air chamber size according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air chamber module also includes several sensors for measuring the meaningful frequency and meaningful wave height of the waves, each sensor being mounted on and electrically connected to a motor (3).

3. The oscillating water column wave energy generation device with adjustable damping orifice and air chamber size according to claim 2, characterized in that: The power generation module includes an air turbine (7) and a generator (8). The bodies of the air turbine (7) and the generator (8) are mounted on the airflow channel (6) by a mounting bracket. The air turbine (7) is located directly above the rectangular cavity of the airflow channel (6) and is connected to the airflow channel (6) through the rectangular cavity. The air turbine (7) is connected to the atmosphere. The rotating shaft of the air turbine (7) is synchronously connected to the rotating shaft of the generator (8).

4. The power generation method of the oscillating water column wave energy power generation device according to claim 3, characterized in that, include: In the initial state, the motors (3) of the air chamber module of the oscillating water column wave energy generator are in a non-working state, and each movable baffle (2) divides the rectangular shell into several equally spaced air chambers. When the oscillating water column wave energy generator floats up and down under the action of the sea waves, the adjustment operation is performed first. The sensor on the first motor (3) measures the meaningful frequency and meaningful wave height of the wave in real time as sensing data and transmits it to the first motor (3). The first motor (3) automatically adjusts the tension to pull the spring (4) and a movable baffle (2) connected to it, so that the air chamber where the first motor (3) is located is adjusted to the ideal air chamber size. Then the remaining motors (3) perform adjustment operations in sequence until all motors (3) have completed the adjustment operation. During the adjustment process of the air chamber module, the airflow generated by each air chamber flows through its respective damping hole (5) to the airflow channel (6) and the air turbine (7) of the power generation module in sequence. The air turbine (7) drives the generator (8) to generate electricity.

5. The power generation method of the oscillating water column wave energy power generation device according to claim 4, characterized in that, include: When the air chamber module is adjusted, if the ideal air chamber size is larger than the equidistant air chamber size in the initial state, the movable baffle (2) of each of the several motors (3) located in front will be pulled to the position of the air chamber fixed partition (1) where the first motor (3) is located, thereby reducing the number of air chambers until the current equidistant air chamber size increases to be greater than or equal to the current ideal air chamber size, and then the next adjustment operation will continue.

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