Mariculture net cage powered by oscillating water column wave energy

Abstract

A main body structure of the marine culture net cage depends on a traditional marine semi-submersible culture net cage, the head wave side of the marine culture net cage is transformed, structures such as a wave blocking wall, a head wave wall and an oblique angle wave gathering buoyancy chamber are mainly added, an air chamber suitable for oscillating water column wave energy power generation is formed, and an air channel is formed in the side edge of the top of the air chamber; meanwhile, a pneumatic wave energy conversion system is additionally arranged and comprises a fixed guide vane, an impact type air turbine, a coupler, a permanent magnet generator and the like. By means of the arrangement, the semi-submersible type aquaculture net cage is slightly transformed, the main body structure and functions of the semi-submersible type net cage are reserved, the high-power wave energy power generation function is added, and the power supply capacity of the semi-submersible type aquaculture net cage is improved; compared with an existing oscillation floater type wave energy power supply aquaculture net cage, the risk that the oscillation floater and the semi-submersible type base body mechanism move too much relative to each other under the condition of heavy waves to cause collision damage can be reduced, and a wave energy conversion system is simplified in structure and convenient to maintain.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the technical field of marine aquaculture cages and marine renewable energy power generation, specifically relating to a marine aquaculture cage powered by oscillating water column wave energy. Background Technology

[0002] Marine aquaculture is an emerging industry in recent years, developed to meet consumer demand for seafood. It typically utilizes marine aquaculture cages. Traditionally, these cages are powered by diesel generators or offshore solar power. However, diesel generators require regular refueling, which is not only environmentally unfriendly but also incurring high costs for fuel and transportation. Regarding offshore solar power, the limited installation area of ​​marine aquaculture cages restricts the installation space for solar panels, making it impossible to install high-power solar systems. Furthermore, solar power supply stability is poor, and solar panels are susceptible to damage from the harsh marine environment.

[0003] The ocean contains wave energy, which is abundant and widely distributed. Utilizing wave energy to power semi-submersible aquaculture cages can serve as a way to supplement their power supply. This would allow for the local acquisition and consumption of energy from wave energy, greatly improving the power supply capacity of semi-submersible aquaculture cages and supporting the application of equipment such as automatic fish feeding and automatic net cleaning.

[0004] Currently, many teams have proposed the integrated development of wave energy and semi-submersible aquaculture cages. Most of them adopt oscillating float-type wave energy power generation technology, using the semi-submersible aquaculture cage as the base, and adding wave-absorbing floats around the semi-submersible aquaculture cage to absorb wave energy (for example, patent publication number CN 106035143A, patent name is an invention patent for a semi-submersible deep-sea aquaculture cage integrating wave energy and solar power generation), and then converting it into electrical energy through a hydraulic system or mechanical system.

[0005] However, this technology usually has the following disadvantages: (1) Oscillating float wave energy devices are easily damaged in large waves due to the relative movement of the float and the aquaculture cage; (2) Hydraulic or mechanical energy conversion systems are prone to exceeding the travel limit of mechanical parts in large waves, resulting in impact damage; (3) Wave energy conversion systems have complex mechanisms, poor maintenance and repair convenience, and high manufacturing costs. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies, the present invention aims to provide a marine aquaculture cage powered by oscillating water column wave energy. By adding an oscillating water column wave energy capture structure and a pneumatic wave energy conversion system to a semi-submersible aquaculture cage, compared with the existing oscillating float wave energy aquaculture cage device, the probability of the wave energy aquaculture cage being damaged in large waves can be reduced, while simplifying the structure of the wave energy conversion system and making it easier to maintain.

[0007] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0008] A marine aquaculture cage powered by oscillating water column wave energy includes a semi-submersible aquaculture cage and a pneumatic wave energy conversion system;

[0009] The semi-submersible aquaculture cage includes a frame-shaped ballast tank and an upper compartment. The upper compartment is located above the ballast tank. Several box-shaped columns are arranged between the ballast tank and the upper compartment. Side fishing nets are arranged between adjacent box-shaped columns. A bottom fishing net is arranged in the square hollow area of ​​the ballast tank. Between two box-shaped columns on one side of the semi-submersible aquaculture cage, there are wave-facing walls and wave-blocking walls arranged side by side. The wave-facing walls are located on the outer side. The bottom of the wave-facing walls has a hollow part. The wall surface extends to about 3-4 meters below the sea level. The bottom of the wave-blocking walls is connected to the ballast tank. The wave-facing walls, wave-blocking walls, two adjacent box-shaped columns, and the upper compartment at the top form an air chamber.

[0010] The pneumatic wave energy conversion system includes an air duct, a fixed guide vane, a coupling, an impingement air turbine, and a permanent magnet generator. The air duct is located at the top of the wave-facing wall, the fixed guide vane is fixedly installed at the end of the air duct, the impingement air turbine is located in the middle of the fixed guide vane, and the impingement air turbine is connected to the shaft of the permanent magnet generator through the coupling.

[0011] Furthermore, both sides of the ballast tank are provided with outwardly extending lower decks, and the box-type pillars on both sides of the air chamber are provided with angled wave-gathering floats. The angled wave-gathering floats have inclined surfaces at a 30-degree angle, and the inclined surfaces of the two angled wave-gathering floats face each other.

[0012] Furthermore, a partition is provided in the air chamber, the partition is connected to the upper compartment, and the air chamber is divided into two independent chambers by the partition; the pneumatic wave energy conversion system consists of two systems corresponding to the two air chambers respectively.

[0013] Furthermore, the wave-facing wall is equipped with two maintenance platforms, each corresponding to one of the two aerodynamic wave energy conversion systems. The bottom surface of each maintenance platform is provided with diagonal bracing rods, the bottom ends of which are connected to the wave-facing wall. The permanent magnet generator is mounted on the maintenance platform via a bracket.

[0014] Furthermore, the maintenance platform is equipped with a ladder and guardrails.

[0015] Furthermore, the upper deck is provided on the top surface of the upper cabin, and photovoltaic panels are installed on the upper deck.

[0016] Furthermore, it also includes a power conversion system and a battery installed in the upper compartment. The permanent magnet generator is connected to the power conversion system via a cable, and the power conversion system is connected to the battery via a cable.

[0017] Furthermore, the center of gravity of the semi-submersible aquaculture cage is located in the middle.

[0018] The present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0019] (1) The present invention provides a marine aquaculture cage powered by oscillating water column wave energy. It is modified based on the traditional semi-submersible aquaculture cage by adding a wave-blocking wall and a wave-facing wall to form an air chamber. The air chamber is used as an oscillating water column wave energy capture mechanism. A pneumatic wave energy conversion system is set on the upper part of the air chamber. Therefore, when the wave propagates into the air chamber, the wave crests and troughs alternately change, thereby compressing the air in the air chamber and generating an outward or inward reciprocating airflow. When the reciprocating airflow passes through the fixed guide vanes and the impact air turbine, the impact turbine always rotates in the same direction under the drive of the reciprocating inflow and outflow airflow, thereby driving the permanent magnet generator to rotate and generate electricity. This increases the high-power wave energy generation function, improves the power supply capacity of the semi-submersible aquaculture cage, and provides support for the installation of automated, intelligent and information-based aquaculture equipment in the semi-submersible aquaculture cage.

[0020] (2) The oscillating water column wave energy power supply system of the present invention greatly reduces the risk of collision between the wave energy capture system and the substrate due to the absence of relative motion of the steel structure. This improves the safety of the wave energy power generation system and the semi-submersible aquaculture cage.

[0021] (3) The pneumatic wave energy conversion system of the present invention has a simple structure, is easy to maintain, and is inexpensive.

[0022] (4) The width of the semi-submersible aquaculture cage is used as the wave-facing side, and an angled wave-gathering floating pod is set up so that the wave energy capture mechanism has the wave-gathering function, which improves the installed power and power generation efficiency of the wave energy power generation system. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a side view of the overall structure of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a front view of the overall structure of the present invention from the wave-facing side.

[0026] Figure 4 This is a side view of the wave-facing side of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 5 for Figure 1 A magnified view of the central area.

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the enclosure platform and the pneumatic wave energy conversion system of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing the wave crests within the air chamber and the direction of airflow.

[0030] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing the troughs of waves within an air chamber and the direction of airflow.

[0031] In the diagram: 1. Semi-submersible aquaculture cage; 10. Waterline; 11. Ballast tank; 111. Square perforated area; 112. Lower deck; 12. Upper compartment; 121. Upper deck; 122. Photovoltaic panel; 13. Box-type column; 131. Side fishing net; 132. Bottom fishing net; 14. Wave-facing wall; 141. Perforated section; 15. Wave-breaking wall; 16. Air chamber; 17. Bulkhead; 18. Angled wave-gathering float; 19. Maintenance platform; 191. Diagonal brace; 192. Guardrail; 193. Straight ladder; 2. Pneumatic wave energy conversion system; 21. Air duct; 22. Fixed guide vane; 23. Impact air turbine; 24. Coupling; 25. Permanent magnet generator. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Terms such as “upper,” “inner,” “middle,” “left,” “right,” and “one” used in this specification are merely for clarity of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Changes or adjustments to their relative relationships, without substantially altering the technical content, should also be considered within the scope of the invention.

[0033] This invention addresses the problems of existing technologies that combine oscillating float-type wave energy generation with semi-submersible aquaculture cages, which are often susceptible to damage in large waves and have complex wave energy conversion systems with poor maintenance and repair convenience. Therefore, this invention designs an oscillating water column wave energy powered aquaculture cage. Based on a semi-submersible aquaculture cage, it adds an oscillating water column wave energy capture mechanism and a pneumatic wave energy conversion system to replace the existing oscillating float-type wave energy powered aquaculture cage. This reduces the probability of damage to the wave energy aquaculture cage in large waves and simplifies the structure of the wave energy conversion system, making maintenance easier.

[0034] The following provides a detailed description of the structure and working principle of the marine aquaculture cage powered by oscillating water column wave energy of the present invention:

[0035] A new type of marine aquaculture cage powered by oscillating water column waves is an improvement and optimization based on the existing traditional semi-submersible aquaculture cage 1. Figures 1 to 8 As shown, it mainly includes a semi-submersible aquaculture cage 1 and a pneumatic wave energy conversion system 2. When the semi-submersible aquaculture cage 1 is set at sea, its lower part is submerged underwater while its upper part is exposed above the water, and it is used to cultivate seafood. The pneumatic wave energy conversion system 2 is used to convert the wave energy at sea into electrical energy to provide power for the semi-submersible aquaculture cage 1 during normal aquaculture operations.

[0036] Regarding the structure of the semi-submersible aquaculture cage 1, as follows: Figures 1 to 3 As shown:

[0037] The semi-submersible aquaculture cage 1 includes a rectangular ballast tank 11 and an upper chamber 12. The ballast tank 11 and the upper chamber 12 are roughly the same shape. Both the ballast tank 11 and the upper chamber 12 have several corresponding square perforated areas 111, which are arranged at equal intervals along the same direction. The upper chamber 12 is located directly above the ballast tank 11. Several box-shaped columns 13 are set between the ballast tank 11 and the upper chamber 12. The box-shaped columns 13 are mainly distributed at the top corners of the square perforated areas 111. Side fishing nets 131 are set between adjacent box-shaped columns 13. Bottom fishing nets 132 are set in the square perforated areas 111 of the ballast tank 11. Thus, the side fishing nets 131 and the bottom fishing nets 132 form multiple independent aquaculture areas in the square perforated areas 111 of the ballast tank 11. Users can design a specific number of aquaculture areas according to their needs.

[0038] The center of gravity of the semi-submersible aquaculture cage 1 is located in the middle. When the semi-submersible aquaculture cage 1 is working normally at sea, ballast water needs to be injected into the ballast tank to make the entire cage submerge. The box-type column 13 is a hollow structure with a certain buoyancy. Therefore, the upper part of the semi-submersible aquaculture cage 1 will be exposed above the water surface, while the lower part will be submerged in the water. The water surface forms the waterline 10 on the surface of the semi-submersible aquaculture cage 1.

[0039] The upper deck 121 is provided on the top surface of the upper cabin 12. Photovoltaic panels 122 are provided on the upper deck 121 to absorb solar energy and convert it into electrical energy for subsequent storage.

[0040] Regarding the wave energy power supply technology of this invention:

[0041] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, a wave-facing wall 14 and a wave-blocking wall 15 are arranged side by side between two box-shaped columns 13 on one side of the semi-submersible aquaculture cage 1, with the wave-facing wall 14 located on the outer side. The top of the wave-facing wall 14 is connected to the upper compartment 12, and the bottom of the wave-facing wall 14 is provided with a hollow section 141, with the wall extending about 3-4 meters below the sea level. The top of the wave-blocking wall 15 is connected to the upper compartment 12, and the bottom of the wave-blocking wall 15 is connected to the ballast tank 11. The wave-facing wall 14, the wave-blocking wall 15, the two adjacent box-shaped columns 13, and the upper compartment 12 at the top form an air chamber 16. Water can enter the air chamber 16 through the hollow section 141 at the bottom of the wave-facing wall 14, and the waterline 10 is located near the middle of the air chamber 16. Therefore, the seawater in the air chamber 16 will repeatedly compress the gas space in the air chamber 16 due to the wave crests and troughs formed by the waves, thus giving the air in the air chamber 16 a certain amount of energy.

[0042] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the aerodynamic wave energy conversion system 2 includes an air duct 21, fixed guide vanes 22, an impinging air turbine 23, and a permanent magnet generator 25. The air duct 21 is installed on the side of the top of the wave-facing wall 14 and faces outwards, and is connected to the interior of the air chamber 16. There is a pair of fixed guide vanes 22, which are fixedly installed at the ends of the inner surface of the air duct 21. The impinging air turbine 23 is installed in the middle of the fixed guide vanes 22, and the shaft of the impinging air turbine 23 is connected to the shaft of the permanent magnet generator 25 through a coupling 24. Therefore, when the air in the air chamber 16 is reciprocated and compressed under the action of waves, it will drive the impinging air turbine 23 to rotate, which in turn drives the permanent magnet generator 25 to rotate synchronously, thereby generating electricity.

[0043] In this embodiment, as Figure 3As shown, a partition 17 is installed inside the air chamber 16. The top of the partition 17 is connected to the upper compartment 12, and the bottom of the partition 17 is connected to the ballast tank 11, so that the air chamber 16 is divided into two independent sections by the partition 17. Two aerodynamic wave energy conversion systems 2 are respectively located in the two air chambers 16. Meanwhile, both sides of the ballast tank 11 are provided with outwardly extending lower decks 112, and the box-shaped pillars 13 on both sides of the air chamber 16 are each equipped with an angled wave-gathering float 18. The angled wave-gathering float 18 has a 30-degree inclined surface, and the inclined surfaces of the two angled wave-gathering floats 18 face each other.

[0044] Therefore, the inclined plane increases the wave-facing width between the two inclined wave-gathering floats 18 to achieve the effect of gathering ocean waves; at the same time, the partition 17 divides the air chamber 16 into two independent ones, so that the space of the independent air chamber 16 is smaller; therefore, after the ocean waves gather from the wave-facing side, the wave crests and troughs generated in the air chamber 16 will be more intense, thereby increasing the degree of compression and expansion of the gas space in the air chamber 16, and thus increasing the installed power and power generation efficiency of the wave energy power generation system.

[0045] The invention also includes a power conversion system and a battery installed in the upper compartment 12. There are multiple power conversion systems; the permanent magnet generator 25 and the photovoltaic panel 122 are each connected to their respective independent power conversion systems via cables, and the power conversion systems are connected to the battery via cables. Therefore, the power conversion system can convert the solar energy absorbed by the photovoltaic panel 122 into electrical energy and store it in the battery; simultaneously, the power conversion system can also convert the electrical energy generated by the permanent magnet generator 25 into electrical energy and store it in the battery.

[0046] In this embodiment, as Figure 5 and Figure 6 The wave-facing wall 14 shown has two maintenance platforms 19, each corresponding to one of the two pneumatic wave energy conversion systems 2, installed by welding or screwing. Diagonal bracing rods 191 are welded to the bottom of each maintenance platform 19, with the bottom ends of the bracing rods 191 connected to the wave-facing wall 14. A permanent magnet generator 25 is mounted on the maintenance platform 19 via a bracket. A straight ladder 193 is provided on the side of each maintenance platform 19, and guardrails 192 are installed along the edges of each platform. This facilitates workers climbing onto the maintenance platform 19 for routine repairs, maintenance, and upkeep.

[0047] Based on the above description of the overall structure of the marine aquaculture cage powered by oscillating water column wave energy of the present invention, the following is a detailed description of the working method of the pneumatic wave energy conversion system 2 for energy conversion when the gas in the air chamber 16 is compressed or expanded:

[0048] like Figure 7As shown, when the wave propagates into the air chamber 16, and the liquid level in the air chamber 16 is at the wave crest, the liquid level in the air chamber 16 rises, causing the volume of air in the upper part of the air chamber 16 to decrease, thereby compressing the air and forming a compressed air flow. At this time, the air pressure in the air chamber 16 is greater than the external air pressure. The compressed air flow flows through the air passage 21, through the fixed guide vane 22 and the impact air turbine 23, and drives the impact air turbine 23 to rotate, thereby driving the permanent magnet generator 25 to rotate synchronously and generate electricity.

[0049] like Figure 8 As shown, when the wave propagates into the air chamber 16, and the liquid level in the air chamber 16 is at the trough of the wave, the liquid level in the air chamber 16 decreases, causing the volume of air in the upper part of the air chamber 16 to increase. At this time, the air pressure in the air chamber 16 is less than the external air pressure. The external airflow flows through the air passage 21, through the fixed guide vane 22 and the air turbine, and drives the air turbine to rotate, thereby driving the permanent magnet generator 25 to rotate and generate electricity.

[0050] As the waves propagate into the air chamber 16, the liquid level inside the air chamber 16 constantly changes between crests and troughs. The air inside the air chamber 16 is continuously compressed, causing a reciprocating airflow to continuously form inside the air chamber 16 and circulate in the air passage 21. Due to the use of a symmetrical wing impact air turbine 23, whether the airflow flows from the outside to the air chamber 16 or from the air chamber 16 to the outside, the rotation direction of the air turbine is always in the same direction, thus converting the kinetic energy of the reciprocating airflow into the mechanical energy of the unidirectional rotation of the air turbine, completing the wave power generation process.

[0051] In summary, this invention modifies a traditional semi-submersible aquaculture cage 1 by adding a wave-blocking wall 15 and a wave-facing wall 14 to form an air chamber 16. The air chamber 16 serves as an oscillating water column wave energy capture structure, and a pneumatic wave energy conversion system 2 is installed on the surface of this air chamber 16. Therefore, when waves propagate into the air chamber 16, the wave crests and troughs repeatedly compress and expand the air space within the air chamber 16, generating outward or inward airflow. As the airflow passes through the fixed guide vanes 22 and the impact air turbine 23, the impact air turbine 23 rotates in the same direction, thereby driving the permanent magnet generator 25 to rotate and generate electricity. Compared to existing oscillating float-type wave energy devices, the oscillating water column wave energy capture structure and pneumatic wave energy conversion system 2 of this invention avoid the relative movement between the float and the aquaculture cage body and the damage caused by large waves. Furthermore, the structure of the pneumatic wave energy conversion system 2 of this invention is relatively simple and easy to maintain.

[0052] The embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. Based on the above description of the present invention, and using common technical knowledge and conventional means in the field, the present invention can be modified, replaced or combined in various other forms without departing from the basic technical idea of ​​the present invention, and all such modifications, replacements or combinations fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A marine aquaculture cage powered by oscillating water column wave energy, comprising a semi-submersible aquaculture cage, the semi-submersible aquaculture cage comprising a frame-shaped ballast tank and an upper compartment, the upper compartment being located above the ballast tank, a plurality of box-shaped columns being arranged between the ballast tank and the upper compartment, side fishing nets being arranged between adjacent box-shaped columns, and bottom fishing nets being arranged in the square hollow area of ​​the ballast tank; Its features are, Between the two box-type columns on one side of the semi-submersible aquaculture cage, there are wave-facing walls and wave-blocking walls arranged side by side. The wave-facing walls are located on the outside, and the bottom of the wave-facing walls is provided with a hollow part. The wall surface extends 3-4 meters below the sea level. The bottom of the wave-blocking walls is connected to the ballast tank. The wave-facing walls, wave-blocking walls, the two adjacent box-type columns, and the upper compartment at the top form an air chamber. It also includes a pneumatic wave energy conversion system, which includes an air duct, a fixed guide vane, a coupling, an impingement air turbine, and a permanent magnet generator. The air duct is located at the top of the wave-facing wall, the fixed guide vane is fixedly installed at the end of the air duct, the impingement air turbine is located in the middle of the fixed guide vane, and the impingement air turbine is connected to the shaft of the permanent magnet generator through the coupling.

2. The marine aquaculture cage powered by oscillating water column wave energy as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Both sides of the ballast tank are provided with outward-extending lower decks, and both sides of the air chamber are provided with angled wave-gathering floats. The angled wave-gathering floats have inclined surfaces at a 30-degree angle, and the inclined surfaces of the two angled wave-gathering floats face each other.

3. The marine aquaculture cage powered by oscillating water column wave energy as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The air chamber is equipped with a partition, which is connected to the upper compartment. The air chamber is divided into two independent chambers by the partition. The pneumatic wave energy conversion system consists of two systems corresponding to the two air chambers.

4. The marine aquaculture cage powered by oscillating water column wave energy as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The wave-facing wall is equipped with two maintenance platforms, each corresponding to one of the two aerodynamic wave energy conversion systems. The bottom surface of each maintenance platform is provided with diagonal bracing rods, the bottom ends of which are connected to the wave-facing wall. The permanent magnet generator is mounted on the maintenance platform via a bracket.

5. The marine aquaculture cage powered by oscillating water column wave energy as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The upper deck is provided on the top surface of the upper cabin, and photovoltaic panels are installed on the upper deck.

6. The marine aquaculture cage powered by oscillating water column wave energy as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a power conversion system and a battery installed in the upper compartment. The permanent magnet generator is connected to the power conversion system via a cable, and the power conversion system is connected to the battery via a cable.

7. The marine aquaculture cage powered by oscillating water column wave energy as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The center of gravity of the semi-submersible aquaculture cage is located in the middle.

8. The marine aquaculture cage powered by oscillating water column wave energy as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The maintenance platform is equipped with a ladder and guardrails.

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