Pile type tidal current energy generator set

Abstract

The invention discloses a pile type tidal current energy generator set which comprises a pile, a yaw structure assembly and a cabin, lift wings and generator sets are arranged on the cabin, the rotating directions of the two generator sets are opposite during operation, and side thrusters composed of motors and propellers are symmetrically arranged on the front side and the rear side of the cabin. An internal cabin of the cabin body is divided into a plurality of soaking areas and dry areas by cross beams; through symmetrical arrangement of the double units, the double lift wings and the double side thrusters and the resistance-reducing lift wing type design of the upstream section, the novel yaw structure is matched, the power of the single-pile unit is improved, the gravity center arrangement and stress distribution of the unit are improved, meanwhile, the design and maintenance difficulty of yaw is reduced, and the stress of the pile is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of ocean energy power generation, and in particular relates to a pile-column type tidal current power generation unit, which generates power by utilizing the reciprocating tidal current kinetic energy driven by the tidal motion of seawater. Background Art

[0002] Tidal energy is a type of ocean energy. It uses the water flow energy formed by the rise and fall of the tide to generate electricity. It is a green and clean energy. The flow rate and direction of the tide change over time during the tidal period. The direction of the tide generally changes in a 180° reverse cycle. Therefore, the unit needs to have a yaw function to capture the energy of the flow in different directions.

[0003] Tidal energy generators are similar to wind power generation. When a pile-fixed solution is adopted, it is necessary to drive piles underwater. The cost of driving piles accounts for a high proportion of the total cost. Therefore, it is hoped that more units can be arranged on the piles.

[0004] The unit is installed on the pile. In order to avoid the influence of the pile wake, the unit needs to extend the blades through the beam to avoid the influence of the pile. The length of the beam is affected by the blade diameter, which is basically about 1.2 to 1.5 times the blade diameter. In addition, the unit needs to be arranged at both ends of the beam, forming a cantilever beam structure with weights hanging at both ends, making the beam structure rigidity design very difficult. If the rigidity is not enough, it is easy to deform excessively, and if the rigidity is too high, it is overweight and easy to fatigue. At the same time, the beam structure will increase the flow area, causing the unit and the pile to be overstressed as a whole.

[0005] The traditional yaw device of tidal energy generator sets is generally arranged at the center of gravity of the pile. The main driving force of the yaw structure comes from two sources, namely an electric motor with a reducer or a hydraulic motor, which requires the provision of hydraulic equipment, joints, and pipelines, making later inspection and maintenance difficult. In addition, the yaw lever arm of this arrangement is too small, and during rotation, due to the cantilever beam structure, the overall shaking and uneven force can easily cause the dynamic sealing surface to leak and fail. Summary of the invention

[0006] In view of the above-mentioned status quo and problems, the present invention proposes a pile-type tidal current energy generator set.

[0007] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve its technical problems is: a pile-type tidal energy generator set, including a pile and a cabin installed on the top of the pile through a yaw structure component. The pile is located at the center of the cabin, which is conducive to the balance of the overall arrangement. The pile is connected to the cabin through the yaw structure component. The yaw structure component is an inner rotor type or outer rotor type structure, which is arranged circumferentially on the top of the pile and consists of a yaw bearing, a brake device and a yaw dynamic seal structure. Lift wings and generator sets are arranged on the left and right sides of the cabin from the inside to the outside in sequence. The cabin is the main carrier of the functional equipment, and the generator set is an energy-taking component. The two sets of generator sets symmetrically arranged on both sides of the cabin have opposite directions when running, and the bending moments generated can offset each other. Except for the pile, other components are arranged in or on the cabin to form a whole. Thrusters consisting of motors and propellers are symmetrically arranged on the front and rear sides of the cabin. The internal cabin of the cabin is divided into multiple flooded areas and dry areas by beams.

[0008] The pile-column type tidal energy generator set has a yaw bearing composed of an inner ring, an outer ring and a ball; the brake device is generally a disc brake, including a brake caliper and a brake piston; the yaw dynamic seal structure includes a sand-proof ring and a sealing lip seal.

[0009] In the pile-column tidal current energy generator set, the cabin is connected to the yaw structure assembly by bolts, or the yaw structure assembly is connected by a latch-type structure formed by a combination of a full-circle pin and a V-shaped semicircular opening. The bolt or latch-type connection means that the two can be separated during hoisting, which is convenient for modular design, installation and disassembly.

[0010] The pile-column tidal energy generator set has two groups of four lift wings, two groups of lift wings are symmetrically installed on the left and right sides of the cabin, and two sets in each group are symmetrically installed on the upper and lower sides of the cabin. The main function of the lift wing is to provide lift and improve the downward pull on the cabin beam.

[0011] In the pile-column type tidal current energy generator set, two sets of thrusters are embedded in the front and rear sides of the cabin. The above equipment is symmetrically arranged in an even number to maintain the best balance.

[0012] The pile-column type tidal energy generator set is composed of blades, a main shaft, a main shaft seal, a gear box and a generator. The main shaft seal is used for rotational dynamic sealing between the blades and the main shaft, and O-rings or gaskets are used for static sealing between the remaining structures.

[0013] The pile column of the pile column tidal energy generator set has an elliptical or airfoil cross-section. Compared with the traditional cylindrical shape, it avoids the flow separation caused by the flow around the cylinder and greatly reduces the stress and vibration of the pile column. The cabin is an airfoil structure, and the lift wing is made of composite materials and is fixed to the cabin by bolts, and has an airfoil cross-section.

[0014] The described pile-column type tidal current energy generator set has a cabin airfoil surface that can be extended left and right to the outside of the generator set, and lift wings can continue to be arranged on the extended cabin surface.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: The present invention adopts the symmetrical arrangement of two units in the overall structure, so that two units can be placed on a single pile, and at the same time, the overall center of gravity is centered and the force is evenly distributed. The rotation directions of the generator sets on both sides are opposite, and the generated rotational torques cancel each other out.

[0016] When the generator set of the present invention is in operation, the cabin cross beam aerofoil section structure provides lift, the lift wing structure provides lift, and the dry area in the cabin provides buoyancy, which greatly reduces the force in the vertical gravity direction on the cabin cross beam and piles; The unit as a whole and the piles are designed with a drag-reducing shape, which reduces the longitudinal force parallel to the water flow direction, thereby reducing the size of the piles and the depth of insertion into the foundation, reducing costs; the unit's yaw structure has a simple internal structure and a large yaw lever arm, which reduces inspection and maintenance costs; the cabin and piles can adopt a plug-in structure of the pin type, both of which are very convenient to assemble and disassemble, and can adapt to both inner and outer rotor structures, with greater design flexibility. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is the overall structural diagram of the present invention; Figure 2 , 3 This is a schematic diagram of the pin structure diagram of the present invention; Figure 4 A top view of the present invention; Figure 5 for Figure 4 Sectional view in the mid-PP direction; Figure 6 It is a general layout diagram of the yaw structure assembly of the present invention; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of an inner rotor type yaw structure assembly; Figure 8 It is a cross-sectional view of the outer rotor yaw structure assembly.

[0018] The reference numerals of the figures are: 1—pile, 2—yaw structure assembly, 21—yaw bearing, 22—brake device, 23—yaw dynamic seal structure, 3—cabin, 4—lift wing, 5—generator set, 51—blade, 52—main shaft, 53—main shaft seal, 54—gear box, 55—generator, 6—thruster. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that these embodiments are only used to explain the technical principles of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. For example, although the various components in the accompanying drawings are drawn in specific proportions, these proportional relationships are only exemplary, and those skilled in the art can make adjustments to them as needed to adapt to specific application scenarios.

[0020] It should be noted that, in the description of the present invention, terms such as "center", "up", "down", "left", "right", "inside" and "outside" indicating directions or positional relationships are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed or operate in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the invention.

[0021] In addition, it should be noted that in the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be a connection between two components. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances. Example 1

[0022] According to an example of the present invention, Figure 1 As shown, a pile-column type tidal energy generator set disclosed in the present invention includes a pile 1, a yaw structure assembly 2, a cabin 3, a lift wing 4, a generator set 5 and a thruster 6. The pile 1 is located at the center of the cabin 3, which is conducive to the balance of the overall layout. The pile 1 is connected to the cabin 3 through the yaw structure assembly 2, and the cabin 3 is connected to the yaw structure assembly 2 by bolts, or connected to the yaw structure assembly 2 by a pin-type structure formed by a combination of a full-circle pin and a V-shaped semicircular mouth. Except for the pile 1, other components are arranged in or on the cabin 3 to form a whole. In actual operation, other equipment can be installed on the cabin 3 first, and then the cabin 3 can be installed on the pile 1, which is convenient for modular design, reduces the difficulty of installation and improves convenience.

[0023] The bolt-type structure is shown in Figure 2, generally a full-circle pin and a V-shaped semicircular hole structure, or a V-structure or similar structure is used, which are evenly arranged on the circumference. Considering the difficulty and cost of manufacturing, the number is generally 3-4. The two can be installed separately during hoisting to facilitate assembly and disassembly. For example, during installation, the pile column 1 can be installed on the seabed first, and then the cabin 3 can be hoisted on the sea surface installation ship and directly lowered underwater to the position of the pin hole of the pile column 1. The V-shaped opening plays a guiding role, and the cabin 3 will automatically clamp and fix in the semicircle along the V-shaped opening. There is no need to tighten the screws underwater. When the cabin 3 is to be lifted to the surface installation ship, it can be directly lifted vertically out of the water without disassembly.

[0024] Figure 3 Shown is a latch-type construction using a V-shaped pin and V-shaped hole.

[0025] Cabin 3 is the main body of the functional equipment. Figure 4 and Figure 5 There are two sets of generator sets 5 installed on the cabin 3, symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides. The generator sets 5 are energy-taking components. When the two sets are running, they turn in opposite directions, and the bending moments generated can offset each other; there are four sets of lift wings 4 installed on the cross beam of the cabin 3, symmetrically arranged on the upper, lower, left and right sides. The main function of the lift wings 4 is to provide lift and improve the downward force on the cross beam of the cabin 3; there are two sets of thrusters 6 installed on the cabin 3, symmetrically embedded and arranged on the front and rear sides.

[0026] Furthermore, the number and distribution distance of the lift wings 4 can be designed according to the needs and are not limited by the present invention. Figure 4 and Figure 5 Quantities shown are limited.

[0027] The cross beam of the cabin 3 is partially an airfoil structure, and its interior is divided into multiple cabin areas, namely the flooded area and the dry area. The buoyancy of the airfoil structure and the dry area can both bring upward lift and improve the force on the cross beam of the cabin 3. The lift wings 4 are all airfoil sections, made of composite materials, and fixed to the cabin 3 by bolts to reduce weight.

[0028] The generator set 5 is composed of blades 51, a main shaft 52, a main shaft seal 53, a gear box 54 and a generator 55. The main shaft seal 53 is used to perform rotational dynamic sealing between the blades 51 and the main shaft 52, and O-rings or gaskets are used to perform static sealing between the remaining structures.

[0029] Furthermore, the airfoil surface of the cabin 3 can be extended leftward and rightward to the outside of the generator set 5, and the lift wing 4 can continue to be arranged on the extended surface of the cabin 3.

[0030] The cross-section of the pile column 1 is an ellipse or an airfoil, which avoids the flow separation caused by the flow around the cylinder compared to the traditional cylindrical shape, and greatly reduces the force and vibration of the pile column 1. Furthermore, the pile column 1 can also be a split structure, most of which is an ellipse or airfoil structure, but a small part of the structure can be changed to a cylindrical shape for easy docking and installation with the cabin 3, and then each section is welded or bolted.

[0031] The yaw structure assembly 2 is arranged on the pile 1 at its circumference, see Figure 6 and Figure 7 , which consists of a yaw bearing 21, a brake device 22 and a yaw dynamic seal structure 23. When the unit is running, the brake device 22 fixes the pile-column tidal current energy generator set. When the unit is in a flat tide period and needs to yaw, the brake is released, and the pile-column tidal current energy generator set can yaw under the action of the thruster 6. When the yaw action is completed, the patented unit is fixed again by the brake device 22.

[0032] The yaw bearing 21 is divided into three parts: an inner ring, an outer ring and a ball. The brake device 22 is generally a disc brake, including a brake caliper and a brake piston, which achieves the braking function through friction with the brake disc. Figure 7 The structure is an inner rotor type, the stationary part is on the outer ring of the bearing, which is connected to the pile body, and the two are statically sealed with O-rings, and the rotating part is on the inner ring of the bearing, which is connected to the cabin body, and the two are statically sealed with O-rings. The brake device 22 is fixed on the stationary part, and the brake disc is fixed on the rotating part. The two can also be fixed in interchangeable positions as needed, for example, the brake device 22 is fixed on the rotating part, and the brake disc is fixed on the stationary part.

[0033] When the unit is generating electricity in a certain tidal direction, the brake device 22 of the yaw structure assembly 2 is in a brake state, fixing the pile-column tidal energy generator set; when the pile-column tidal energy generator set is shut down during the flat tide period and needs to yaw, the brake device 22 is released to release the brake, and the pile-column tidal energy generator set can carry out yaw rotation under the action of the thruster 6. When the yaw action is completed, the brake device 22 is engaged to fix the pile-column tidal energy generator set to meet the next tidal direction for power generation; the yaw structure assembly 2 and the thruster 6 complete the yaw action of the cabin 3 together. When the tide is in the flat tide period, the unit can be yawed 180° to adapt to the next tidal direction.

[0034] The sealing of the yaw bearing 21 is achieved through a yaw dynamic sealing structure 23. The dynamic sealing structure generally includes a sand-proof ring and a sealing lip seal to prevent water from entering the interior of the yaw bearing 21. The sand-proof ring can reduce the wear of impurities on the lip seal during rotation. Example 2

[0035] The yaw structure assembly 2 of this embodiment is an outer rotor structure. Figure 8As shown, the stationary part is on the inner ring of the bearing, which is connected to the pile body 1, and the two are statically sealed with O-rings. The rotating part is on the outer ring of the bearing, which is connected to the cabin body 3, and the two are statically sealed with O-rings. The brake device body is fixed on the rotating part, and the brake disc is fixed on the stationary part. The two can also be interchanged as needed. The operation and yaw control strategy of the unit are the same as those of the inner rotor structure.

[0036] The pile-column type tidal current energy generator set of the present invention can solve or greatly improve the problems of eccentric loading of the underwater unit structure center arrangement, complex yaw structure and excessive stress on the pile column.

[0037] The above embodiments are only illustrative of the principles and effects of the present invention, as well as some embodiments of its application. For those skilled in the art, several modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the creative concept of the present invention, and all of these belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A pile-type tidal current energy generator set, characterized in that: The invention comprises a pile column (1) and a cabin (3) installed on the top of the pile column (1) via a yaw structure component (2), wherein the pile column (1) is located at the center of the cabin (3), the yaw structure component (2) is an inner rotor type or outer rotor type structure, and is composed of a yaw bearing (21), a brake device (22) and a yaw dynamic seal structure (23), and lift wings (4) and generator sets (5) are sequentially arranged on the left and right sides of the cabin (3), and the two sets of generator sets (5) symmetrically arranged on the two sides of the cabin (3) rotate in opposite directions during operation, and thrusters (6) composed of motors and propellers are symmetrically arranged on the front and rear sides of the cabin (3), and the internal cabin of the cabin (3) is divided into a plurality of flooded areas and dry areas by a crossbeam.

2. A pile-type tidal current energy generator set according to claim 1, characterized in that: The yaw bearing (21) is composed of an inner ring, an outer ring and balls; the brake device (22) includes a brake caliper and a brake piston; and the yaw dynamic seal structure (23) includes a sand-proof ring and a sealing lip seal.

3. A pile-type tidal current energy generator set according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The cabin (3) is connected to the yaw structure component (2) via bolts, or is connected to the yaw structure component (2) via a latch-type structure formed by a combination of a full-circle pin and a V-shaped semicircular opening.

4. A pile-type tidal current energy generator set according to claim 3, characterized in that: The lifting wings (4) have two groups and four sets in total. The two groups of lifting wings (4) are symmetrically installed on the left and right sides of the cabin (3), and the two sets in each group are symmetrically installed on the upper and lower sides of the cabin (3).

5. A pile-type tidal current energy generator set according to claim 4, characterized in that: The two sets of thrusters (6) are embedded in the front and rear sides of the cabin (3).

6. A pile-type tidal current energy generator set according to claim 5, characterized in that: The generator set (5) is composed of blades (51), a main shaft (52), a main shaft seal (53), a gear box (54) and a generator (55). The main shaft seal (53) is used to perform a rotational dynamic seal between the blades (51) and the main shaft (52), and O-rings or gaskets are used to perform static seals between the remaining structures.

7. A pile-type tidal current energy generator set according to claim 6, characterized in that: The pile column (1) has an elliptical or airfoil cross-section, the cabin (3) has an airfoil structure, and the lift wing (4) is made of composite material and is fixed to the cabin (3) by bolts, and has an airfoil cross-section.

8. A pile-type tidal current energy generator set according to claim 7, characterized in that: The airfoil surface of the cabin (3) extends to the outside of the generator set (5).

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