Underwater flow turbine

Abstract

The invention discloses a flow turbine (1), in particular an underwater flow turbine, comprising a nacelle (2) in which a generator (3) for generating electrical power is housed, and a rotatable hub (4) connected to the nacelle (2), rotor blades (5) being securable to the rotatable hub (4), the rotatable hub (4) is designed to drive the generator (3), and wherein a ventilation system (50) having at least one ventilation device (51) is arranged in the nacelle (2) and / or in the hub (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a flow turbine, in particular an underwater flow turbine, according to the preamble of claim 1. Background Art

[0002] Whether for wind power or underwater use, a flow turbine generally comprises a nacelle (gondola) and a hub, in which the actual generator that generates electricity is housed, to which the hub is rotatably fastened, to which the rotor blades are fastened, and by means of which the hub rotates and drives the generator. Both the hub and the nacelle are hollow spaces that are accessible to maintenance personnel via maintenance hatches and that contain, in addition to the generator, a number of other components necessary for the operation of the flow turbine, which must be regularly maintained.

[0003] Flow turbines, in particular underwater flow turbines, such as tidal turbines, usually operate underwater, so that all spaces filled with air are sealed in a gas-tight manner. However, during the operation of the turbine, in particular in the nacelle and the hub, toxic gases, moisture, oil vapor and salt-laden air are generated, which may have a harmful effect on sensitive components such as electronics, slip rings or the like and may cause unplanned downtimes. Furthermore, before maintenance personnel enter the nacelle or enter the hub to carry out maintenance work, these generated air-gas mixtures must be replaced in order not to endanger the maintenance personnel in terms of health and safety.

[0004] For this purpose, the maintenance hatch is usually opened momentarily and a long time is waited until the toxic vapor evaporates. Sometimes, after the maintenance hatch is opened, a blower is introduced into the nacelle or hub for this purpose to remove the toxic air from the interior of the nacelle or hub.

[0005] While this allows risk-free access for maintenance personnel after a period of time, it does not prevent damage to sensitive components.

[0006] The object of the present invention is therefore to propose a flow turbine, in particular a submerged turbine, in which sensitive components are also protected from toxic gases during operation. At the same time, it is desirable to allow access for maintenance purposes without difficulty and quickly, so that downtime of the turbine is not unnecessarily prolonged. Summary of the invention

[0007] This object is achieved by a flow turbine according to technical solution 1.

[0008] In the following, a flow turbine is presented, in particular an underwater flow turbine for use in a tidal power plant. The flow turbine comprises a gondola, in which a generator for generating electricity is housed, and a rotatable hub connected to the gondola, to which rotor blades can be fastened, and the rotatable hub being designed to drive the generator.

[0009] In order to protect sensitive components from the harmful effects of toxic gases that may be generated during operation, and to ensure that maintenance personnel can enter the interior of the nacelle and / or the hub at any time, it is also proposed to configure a ventilation system having at least one ventilation device in the nacelle and / or the hub (that is, inside the nacelle and / or the hub).

[0010] According to another advantageous exemplary embodiment, at least one ventilation device has at least one inlet opening, and the medium (particularly air) located in the cabin and / or the hub enters the ventilation device via the at least one inlet opening. The medium is usually air, or during the operation of the cabin, the medium may also be air that may include toxic gases, moisture, oil vapor or salt. In the worst case, the entire composition of the air may consist of toxic gases and foreign components. In addition, the ventilation device has an outlet opening, through which the medium that has entered the ventilation device can leave the ventilation device. For example, an air filter can be arranged inside the ventilation device, and the air filter cleans the air-gas mixture with harmful components. As another option, a sensor that determines the condition of the air that has entered the ventilation device can also be arranged inside.

[0011] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the ventilation device has at least one suction element, in particular a fan or a blower, which is designed to suck or blow the medium located in the nacelle and / or the hub through the ventilation device. This makes it possible to ensure that the medium present in the nacelle or the hub is actively guided into the interior of the ventilation device and expelled from the outlet opening.

[0012] Preferably, the outlet opening is arranged near a maintenance hatch so that used air can be exclusively extracted out of the nacelle or the hub and replaced with fresh air, which preferably flows automatically through the maintenance hatch.

[0013] Thus, for example, only one fan may be installed in the interior of the nacelle or hub, which fan purposefully conveys air from the interior of the nacelle or hub through a maintenance opening to the outside of the nacelle. Here, air exchange is also achieved via the inflowing fresh air.

[0014] According to another advantageous exemplary embodiment, a line can be laid between the air intake point (inlet opening) and the outlet opening, so that air from locations that are particularly susceptible to contamination can be directed to a maintenance hatch or an air cleaning element. The ventilation device can also have a plurality of inlet openings, which are connected via lines to a centrally operated suction element, which in turn discharges air at a specific outlet opening via a central outlet line.

[0015] Furthermore, provision can be made that during maintenance of the line, a sensor device which checks the condition of the air can be connected, in particular to the outlet opening. Furthermore, further line elements can be fastened to the outlet opening in order to specifically convey the air not only in the area of ​​the maintenance hatch, but also to release the air at other points remote from the maintenance hatch. This is particularly advantageous in the case of unhealthy air components.

[0016] In order not to cause unacceptable pollution of the environment, during maintenance procedures the air cleaning device can of course also be connected to the line or the outlet opening, or the air from the outlet opening can be guided towards the air purification system by means of a suitable line.

[0017] In order to connect the various components, corresponding connecting elements may be provided at the outlet openings.

[0018] In order to ensure a non-toxic environment even when the maintenance hatch is closed and during continuous operation, so that sensitive components such as slip rings are not damaged (e.g. oxidized), it is further proposed that the ventilation system comprises an air filter. As mentioned above, such air filtration can be arranged inside the ventilation device. However, it is also possible for a passively operated air filter to be present inside the nacelle and / or the hub, so that a separate suction or blower element can be omitted.

[0019] However, in order to increase the efficiency of the air cleaning, a combination of air cleaning and active air delivery is also preferred in this case, so that the air present in the nacelle or the hub during operation is also cleaned of pollutants, such as oil vapor or high salt content. This prolongs the service life of sensitive components and allows longer maintenance intervals, especially in underwater use, which would lead to non-negligible problems and downtimes.

[0020] The filter device may be a chemically and / or mechanically operating air filter, such as a particle filter.

[0021] According to a further advantageous exemplary embodiment, the ventilation system also has at least one sensor device. As already mentioned above, the sensor device can be integrated directly in the ventilation device, but it is also possible to position the sensor device at strategically important locations within the nacelle or the hub. Thus, in particular at locations that are subject to high levels of contamination, measurements can be performed that can provide information about the condition of the medium, in particular the air, present in the nacelle or the hub.

[0022] The sensor device is preferably designed to determine at least one condition or condition variable of a medium present in the nacelle and / or the hub. In particular, the sensor device is designed to detect one or more components of a medium present in the nacelle and / or the hub, or to analyze the components of the medium in general. In addition, the sensor device can be equipped with a transmitting and receiving unit, with which information about the condition of the medium in the hub or the nacelle can be output. An external maintenance person or a control device for the ventilation device can serve as a recipient of this information. Then, based on the condition of the medium detected by the sensor device, the maintenance person or the control device can determine whether air cleaning is necessary and / or whether air cleaning has been fully performed.

[0023] It is further particularly advantageous if the ventilation system also comprises a control unit, such as a control device, and / or a transmitting / receiving unit, wherein the transmitting / receiving unit is designed to transmit and / or receive signals, and the control unit is designed to activate and deactivate the ventilation device based on the received signals. The received signals can be output directly by the sensor device, but it is also possible for the received signals to be sent to the control device by an external operator. It is also possible that the sensor device sends a signal to an external maintenance person, who then activates the ventilation device. Furthermore, it is also possible that a signal that enables the measurement or analysis of the medium is sent from the outside to the sensor unit. It is also possible that, for example, in the case of maintenance, the ventilation device is first activated and the sensor device is only activated after a certain period of time in order to detect whether the maintenance person can enter without risk.

[0024] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the sensor device is designed to output a signal to the control device or an external operator only when the analysis of the condition of the air / medium results in the necessity for cleaning or ventilation. Of course, this analysis can also be performed by other control elements and only raw data about the air condition is sent via the signal.

[0025] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments are specified in the description, the drawings and the claims. In particular, the combinations of features specified in the description and the drawings are merely exemplary, so that the features may also exist alone or in other combinations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The present invention is described in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. The exemplary embodiments and the combinations shown in the exemplary embodiments are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is limited only by the appended claims.

[0027] In the attached picture:

[0028] Figure 1 : A schematic diagram showing an underwater turbine;

[0029] Figure 2a and Figure 2b :shows the cabin ( Figure 2a ) and wheel hub ( Figure 2b ) is a schematic illustration of a first exemplary embodiment of a ventilation system for an underwater turbine;

[0030] Figure 3a and Figure 3b :shows the cabin ( Figure 3a ) and wheel hub ( Figure 3b) is a schematic illustration of a second exemplary embodiment of a ventilation system for an underwater turbine;

[0031] Figure 4a and Figure 4b :shows the cabin ( Figure 4a ) and wheel hub ( Figure 4b ) is a schematic illustration of a third exemplary embodiment of a ventilation system for an underwater turbine.

[0032] Reference numerals list

[0033] 1 Flow turbine

[0034] 2. Cabin

[0035] 3. Generator

[0036] 4 Hubs

[0037] 5 Rotor blades

[0038] 6.8 axis

[0039] 7 Gearbox

[0040] 9. 9' maintenance hatch

[0041] 20, 40 internal

[0042] 50 Ventilation system

[0043] 51 Ventilation

[0044] 52 Entrance opening

[0045] 53 Exit opening

[0046] 54 Internal

[0047] 55, 56 fan

[0048] 57 Pipeline

[0049] 58 Air cleaning device

[0050] 59 Filter device, air filter unit

[0051] 60 Control device

[0052] 62 Send and receive units

[0053] 64 lines

[0054] 66 Signal

[0055] 68 External operating elements

[0056] 70 Sensor device

[0057] 72 lines DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] In the following, identical or functionally identical elements are identified by the same reference numerals.

[0059] Figure 1 An underwater turbine is schematically shown in partial cross-section, and FIGS. 2 to 4 show various exemplary embodiments of various ventilation systems in the gondola (partial view a) and in the hub (partial view b). Figure 2a , Figure 3a , Figure 4a A corresponding exemplary embodiment for a nacelle is shown, and the exemplary embodiment Figure 2b , Figure 3b , Figure 4b A corresponding exemplary embodiment is shown for a wheel hub.

[0060] As from Figure 1 As can be gathered, a flow turbine 1 or underwater turbine, in particular for tidal power plants, generally comprises a nacelle 2, in the interior 20 of the nacelle 2 a generator 3 for generating electricity is housed, the hub 4 being rotatably fastened to the nacelle 2, the hub 4 in turn carrying rotor blades 5. The hub 4 itself is also hollow and has an interior 40. The rotor blades 5 are driven by a flow, so that the hub 4 is set in rotation. The rotation of the hub 4 generated by the rotor blades 5 is fed into the nacelle 2 via a shaft 6, from where it is transformed in a gearbox 7 and transmitted to the generator 3 via a shaft 8. The gearbox 7 serves to convert the slow rotation of the rotor blades 5 into a fast rotation of the generator shaft 8, which is suitable for sufficiently generating electricity in the generator 3. Also arranged in the turbine 1 are, among others, an extensive range of bearings and brake systems (not shown) which are capable of reducing the rotation of the shafts 6, 8 to a standstill, as well as components not further shown. Furthermore, the rotor blades 5 are designed to be rotatably mounted by means of bearings and can thus be adapted to the flow direction and can be rotated such that the flow does not induce any rotation.

[0061] The bearings themselves as well as the generator 3 and the gearbox 7 are usually lubricated with oil. In order to monitor the operation of the turbine, in particular the rotation of the shafts 6, 8, the rotation of the gearbox 7 and the generator 3 and the setting of the rotor blades 5, relatively sensitive electronic components (not shown) are also provided.

[0062] In order to monitor and maintain all these components, maintenance hatches 9, 9' are also provided on the nacelle 2 and the hub 4, allowing access to the interior 20 of the nacelle and the interior 40 of the hub 4. The interiors 20 and 40 are hermetically sealed to prevent water penetration during underwater operation.

[0063] During operation of the turbine 1, toxic gases, moisture, oil vapor and salt-laden air, which have an adverse effect on sensitive components such as electronics, slip rings or the like, accumulate in the interiors 20; 40 of the nacelle 2 and the hub 4, since these interiors are sealed from the external environment. This can lead to unplanned downtimes and maintenance intervals that have to be shortened. The air components generated in the interiors 20; 40 during operation also have the result that maintenance personnel cannot enter the interiors 20; 40 of the nacelle 2 or the hub 4 at all times, but must first ensure that the air components are suitable for risk-free entry and, if this is not suitable, must ensure ventilation and ventilation of the nacelle 2 or the hub 4, which in turn is time-consuming.

[0064] In order to actively allow air exchange and ensure that people can enter the interior 20; 40 without risk, in the context of the present application, it is proposed to install a ventilation system 50 in the interior 20; 40. For this purpose, as in Figure 1 In an exemplary embodiment, it can be gathered that a ventilation device 51 can be arranged in the interior 20 or 40 of the nacelle 2 or the hub 4, the ventilation device 51 being designed to convey air from the interior 20 or 40 through the maintenance hatch 9 or 9' to the outside. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the ventilation device 51 is tubular and has an inlet opening 52 and an outlet opening 53 and an interior 54, in which a first fan 55 and a second fan 56 are arranged. The fans 55, 56 ensure that air is sucked out of the interior 20 of the nacelle (see arrows) into the ventilation device 51 and is discharged to the outside of the nacelle via the outlet opening 53 and through the maintenance hatch 9 (see arrows). As a result of the negative pressure thus generated in the interior 20 of the nacelle 2, fresh air from the outside then flows into the interior 20 (see arrows). As from Figure 1 It may further be gathered that, for this purpose, the inlet opening 52 faces the interior 20 , whereas the outlet opening 53 is oriented in such a way that air from the interior 20 can flow through the maintenance hatches 9 , 9 ′ into the surroundings.

[0065] In order to activate the ventilation device 51, the ventilation system 50 also has a control device 60, which has a control unit and a sending and receiving unit 62, for example, via which a signal 66 output by an external operating element 68 can be received. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the control device 60 is also connected to the ventilation device 50 via a line 64, so as to send a corresponding activation signal to the ventilation device 51 and activate the ventilation device 51 when receiving the signal 66. In order to ensure that the air present in the interior 20 is suitable for the operator to enter, a sensor device 70 is also provided, which is designed to determine the condition ( / condition) or condition variable ( / condition variable) of the medium (especially air) present in the interior 20, or the sensor device 70 is designed to analyze the composition of the whole. The analysis value can then be sent to the control device 60 via the line 72, but a cable-free conversion can also be performed. The sensor device 70 preferably also has a sending and receiving unit (not shown). The sensor device 70 can also include a control unit.

[0066] With the help of the values ​​from the sensor device, it can be determined in the sensor device 70, the control device 60 or an external evaluation unit whether those values ​​have fallen above or below limiting values ​​for a specific component of the air, the limiting values ​​preferably being determined in advance. On this basis, the sensor device 70 can send a corresponding signal. Of course, this evaluation of the sensor signals can also be performed alternatively in the control device 60 or externally by an operator (not shown), who then activates or deactivates the ventilation device 51 accordingly with the help of the control device 60 via the external interface 68. If the sensor unit 70 or the control device 60 or the operator determines that access is possible without risk, the valve device 51 can also be deactivated with the help of the control panel 68 and the control device 60.

[0067] In order to achieve a more targeted air extraction and also to treat the air directly at highly polluted locations, it is also possible to provide and Figure 3a , Figure 3bAs shown, one or more pipelines 57 are provided specifically for removing air from the interior 20; 40. For example, the ventilation device 51 can be arranged at a point away from the maintenance hatch 9, 9' and draw air into the ventilation inlet opening 52 at this point. The inhaled air is then conveyed toward the maintenance hatch 9, 9' via the pipeline 57 and blown to the outside of the cabin deliberately at the maintenance hatch. The pipeline 57 has the following additional advantage: the pipeline 57 can make the re-contamination caused by the mixing between the inflow air and the outflow air less. In addition, other devices can be connected at the end of the pipeline 57, such as another pipeline that further takes away the used air, or one or more air cleaning devices to ensure that the used air does not pollute the environment. Of course, one or more pipelines (not shown) can also be arranged at the inlet opening 52, and the one or more pipelines are deliberately laid in the interior 20; 40 to ventilate particularly highly polluted points. In this exemplary embodiment, a sensor device 70 and a control device 60 are also provided, which ensure activation and deactivation and check the condition of the air.

[0068] Figure 4a , Figure 4b Then an exemplary embodiment of a ventilation system for the nacelle 2 and the hub 4 is shown, but there is no air exchange with the external environment, instead, the ventilation system 50 is equipped with an air cleaning device 58, the air cleaning device 58 includes one or more filter devices 59, one or more filter devices 59 ensure the intake of polluted air and the discharge of clean air. This is particularly advantageous in underwater use where fresh air cannot be supplied. With the help of chemical and / or mechanical filters, the air filter unit 59 ensures that pollutants, toxic gases and particles are filtered out of the air and the clean air is discharged into the interior 20; 40. In this case, sensors 70 and control devices 60 are also advantageous, which check whether the air must be cleaned and to what extent, or whether the cleaning is successful. For this purpose, for example, the sensor device and the control device 70 can then communicate with each other to appropriately actuate the air cleaning device 58 as required. Of course, the air cleaning device 58 can also be activated and deactivated via an external control system and / or the sensor data can be read out.

[0069] Of course, it is also possible to combine the air cleaning device 58 with the ventilation device 51 and, in closed operation, only the circulation of the air and the cleaning of the air can be ensured, while the interior is additionally ventilated with fresh air shortly before entry for maintenance.

[0070] In general, the proposed ventilation system for the nacelle and the hub can be envisaged for continuous operation ( / work) or for maintenance mode. The ventilation concept is preferably based on air cleaning, ventilation with pipelines and / or suction / blower ventilation. Preferably, all ventilation systems are equipped with sensor units, control devices and wireless controls for remote access, monitoring and condition monitoring, and make the ventilation systems additionally introduced into the nacelle and the hub redundant during maintenance, and also make active air content measurement no longer necessary during maintenance. In addition, with the help of the sensor device, safe access for maintenance personnel can be ensured. Also with the help of the sensor device, condition monitoring ( / condition monitoring) can also be performed during operation ( / work) and if necessary during the activation of the air filter unit to ensure the most pollution-free operation (operation) and therefore ensure low-emission operation.

Claims

1. A flow turbine (1), in particular an underwater flow turbine, comprising a nacelle (2) and a rotatable hub (4), wherein the nacelle (2) accommodates a generator (3) for generating electricity, the rotatable hub (4) being connected to the nacelle (2), to which rotor blades (5) can be fastened and which is designed to drive the generator (3), characterized in that A ventilation system (50) having at least one ventilation device (51) is arranged in the nacelle (2) and / or the hub (4).

2. The flow turbine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The at least one ventilation device (51) has at least one inlet opening (52) and at least one outlet opening (53), a medium located in the nacelle (2) and / or the hub (4) enters the ventilation device (51) via the at least one inlet opening (52), and the medium that has entered the ventilation device (51) leaves the ventilation device (51) through the at least one outlet opening (53).

3. The flow turbine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that A pipeline (57) is arranged between the inlet opening (52) and the outlet opening (53).

4. A flow turbine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The ventilation device (51) has at least one suction element, in particular a fan (55, 56), which is designed to suck a medium located in the nacelle (2) and / or the hub (4) through the ventilation device (51).

5. A flow turbine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The ventilation system (50) has an air cleaning device (58), which has at least one filter device (59), which is designed to filter a medium located in the cabin (2) and / or the hub (4), wherein the filter device (59) is preferably a chemically and / or mechanically operated air filter, in particular a particle filter.

6. A flow turbine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The ventilation device (51) is arranged near a maintenance hatch (9, 9') provided in the nacelle (2) and / or the hub (4), wherein, in particular, the outlet opening (53) is arranged near the maintenance hatch (9; 9') provided in the nacelle (2) and / or the hub (4).

7. A flow turbine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The ventilation system (50) also has at least one sensor device (70), wherein the sensor device (70) is designed to determine at least one condition or condition variable of a medium present in the cabin (2) and / or the hub (4), in particular, the sensor device (70) is designed to detect the composition of the medium present in the cabin (2) and / or the hub (4) and / or to analyze the composition of the medium present in the cabin (2) and / or the hub (4).

8. The flow turbine (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that The sensor device (70) also has a transmitting / receiving unit (62) designed to send and / or receive signals (66), wherein the sent signals preferably include information about the conditions of a medium detected to be present in the nacelle (2) and / or in the hub (4), and / or the received signals are designed to activate and / or deactivate the sensor device (70).

9. A flow turbine (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that The ventilation system (50) also has a control unit (60) and a transmitting / receiving unit (62), wherein the transmitting / receiving unit (62) is designed to transmit and / or receive signals (66), and the control unit (60) is designed to activate and / or deactivate the ventilation device (51) based on the received signals.

10. The flow turbine (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that The received signal (66) is an external signal, in particular an external communication signal.

11. The flow turbine (1) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that The control device (60) is designed to activate and / or deactivate the ventilation device (51) based on the detected condition of the medium.

12. The flow turbine (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that The control unit (60) is also designed to evaluate information about at least one condition variable of the medium contained in the signal (66) from the sensor device (70) and to activate and / or deactivate the ventilation device (51) when the condition variable falls above or below a predetermined value.

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