Ocean aircraft using EAP for power generation, wave power generation module and manufacturing process

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of wave power generation ships, in particular to an ocean vehicle utilizing EAP for power generation, a wave power generation module and a manufacturing technology.The ocean vehicle comprises a water surface mother ship, a flexible cable and an underwater fluctuation machine, the two ends of the flexible cable are connected with the water surface mother ship and the underwater fluctuation machine correspondingly, and a plurality of equipment cabins are arranged in the water surface mother ship; wave power generation modules are respectively arranged at the equipment cabins; the wave power generation module comprises a mounting top plate, a mounting bottom plate, a first EAP layer, a second EAP layer and an intermediate oscillation assembly. According to the wave power generation module, the multi-mode resonance characteristic of the EAP is effectively utilized, wave energy is directly converted into electric energy, and the prominent and remarkable technical effect is achieved; the wave power generation module is used for providing enough power for the marine vehicle, the cruising ability of the marine vehicle is improved, and the problems that an existing solar power generation panel is large in occupied area and high in cost, the power generation amount is reduced after corrosion, and the operation position is exposed through light reflection are solved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The application relates to the technical field of wave power generation buoys, in particular to a marine vehicle utilizing EAP power generation, a wave power generation module and a manufacturing process. BACKGROUND

[0002] At present, a wave glider, also known as a wave marine vehicle, is a water surface unmanned vehicle capable of converting wave energy into forward kinetic energy, has the advantages of long working time, autonomous controllable position and the like, and can be widely applied to the fields of hydro-meteorological observation, water quality ecological investigation, satellite remote sensing verification and water surface communication relay. The wave marine vehicle generally comprises a water surface mother ship, an underwater wave motor and a rope cable for connecting the water surface mother ship and the underwater wave motor, wherein the water surface mother ship is provided with an equipment carrying cabin capable of carrying electronic modules, adjustable load boxes, lithium batteries and the like; in addition, the water surface mother ship is provided with a receiver, a signal lamp, a hoisting ring and a solar cell panel and the like. The marine vehicle utilizes the solar cell panel carried by the mother ship to supply power to the sensors, signal receivers and other related communication, positioning and navigation equipment.

[0003] In order to achieve a certain endurance, the area of the solar panel needs to be very large, the displacement of the mother ship is greatly affected, and the cost of the device is also increased. With the erosion of the harsh marine environment, the power generation of the solar panel will gradually decrease. As a marine vehicle for military use, the reflection of the solar panel can easily expose the position of the marine vehicle, and then be intercepted by the enemy.

[0004] An electro-active polymer (EAP) is a new type of intelligent polymer material, which has a mechanical-electrical coupling performance, i.e. a piezoelectric material has a positive and inverse piezoelectric effect. A flexible electrode is coated on the upper and lower surfaces of the EAP elastic material to form a new type of piezoelectric material with a Maxwell piezoelectric effect, so as to realize the mutual conversion of electrical energy and mechanical energy. The essence of EAP power generation is variable capacitance power generation. As shown in the drawing, a mechanical force is applied to the EAP film to stretch it, i.e. the thickness is reduced and the area is increased. At this time, a certain voltage is applied to the EAP, and the electrical energy is stored in the polymer in the form of electric charge. When the mechanical force gradually decreases, the EAP will freely shrink and gradually recover to its original state due to the elastic force of the EAP material itself, i.e. the EAP film thickness increases and the area decreases. At this time, the electric charge stored in the polymer is pushed to the electrode direction, and the change of the electric charge position increases the voltage difference between the two ends of the polymer, thereby increasing the electrostatic energy, and thus completing the conversion of mechanical energy into electrical energy. Figure 1

[0005] ​EAP material is elastic, light in weight, large in deformation, high in driving efficiency and good in anti-vibration performance, and its performance is similar to natural muscle, so it is also called artificial muscle, so its initial idea is to make a driver instead of a generator. The driver made of EAP can directly work externally without the need of a transmission mechanism, and it is convenient to make, small in quality and volume, low in cost, high in efficiency and noiseless in work. At present, the practical application of EAP material is more in the field of driver, and the application in the field of power generation, especially in the field of wave power generation, is relatively less. SUMMARY

[0006] In view of the deficiencies of the prior art, the technical problem to be solved by the present application is to provide a marine vehicle utilizing EAP power generation and a manufacturing process of a wave power generation module thereof.

[0007] To solve the above technical problems, the technical scheme adopted by the present application is: a marine vehicle utilizing EAP power generation, comprising a water surface mother ship, a flexible cable and an underwater wave machine, both ends of the flexible cable are connected with the water surface mother ship and the underwater wave machine respectively, a plurality of equipment cabins are arranged in the water surface mother ship, and a wave power generation module is arranged at each equipment cabin. The wave power generation module comprises a mounting top plate, a mounting bottom plate, a first EAP layer, a second EAP layer and an intermediate oscillation assembly, the intermediate oscillation assembly is located between the mounting top plate and the mounting bottom plate, the first EAP layer is located between the mounting top plate and the intermediate oscillation assembly, the second EAP layer is located between the mounting bottom plate and the intermediate oscillation assembly, a through hole is formed in the middle of the mounting top plate and the mounting bottom plate, and a counterweight extending downward through the through hole is arranged in the middle of the intermediate oscillation assembly.

[0008] Preferably, both ends of the flexible cable are connected with the water surface mother ship and the underwater wave machine respectively through universal joints.

[0009] Preferably, the first EAP layer and the second EAP layer each comprise a plurality of annularly distributed EAP assemblies, each EAP assembly comprises two mounting plates, two first flexible pipes and a first EAP ring, and the top and bottom of the first EAP ring are connected with the mounting plates through the first flexible pipes respectively.

[0010] Preferably, the first EAP ring comprises an EAP film layer, a wrapping layer and a silica gel layer from inside to outside.

[0011] Preferably, the upper and lower surfaces of the EAP film layer are coated with a flexible electrode layer.

[0012] Preferably, the first flexible pipe is filled with gas or liquid.

[0013] Preferably, the intermediate oscillation assembly includes a mounting base and a base, the base being disposed between the first EAP layer and the second EAP layer, the mounting base being mounted on the bottom center of the base, and the counterweight being mounted on the bottom center of the mounting base.

[0014] Preferably, the counterweight integrates a communication module and a lithium battery.

[0015] Preferably, the flexible cable is made of a control cable layer, a second flexible tube layer and a second EAP ring from the inside out.

[0016] This application also employs a wave power generation module manufacturing process, including the following steps: (1) Coat flexible electrodes on the upper and lower surfaces of the EAP film; (2) The EAP film and related wire accessories are wrapped in the corn kernel layer using a wrapping layer; (3) The encapsulation layer is cast using liquid silicone; (4) The silicone layer is fixed to the outer surface of the flexible tube with a super strong adhesive; (5) A certain amount of gas or seawater is sealed inside the flexible tube; (6) Fix both ends of the flexible tube between the two mounting plates.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: (1) It avoids the problems of large area occupied by solar panels, high device cost, reduced power generation after corrosion, and exposure of the operation position due to reflection in existing marine vehicles.

[0018] (2) The wave power generation module in the hull of the surface vessel and the wave power generation module in the flexible cable will provide sufficient power for the marine vehicle and improve the endurance of the marine vehicle.

[0019] (3) The wave power generation module in the floating body can absorb wave energy in various degrees of freedom of the floating body. The energy in different degrees of freedom is generated by wave energy generation through the EAP component, which can continuously and uninterruptedly generate smooth electricity. (4) Making full use of the equipment carried by the ocean vehicle as the inertial counterweight of the EAP wave power generation module is beneficial to reducing the size of the wave ocean vehicle.

[0020] (5) The flexible cable between the surface mother ship and the underwater wave machine is better able to transmit motion than the rigid rod. That is, when the waves change, the flexible cable can quickly change the speed of the wave-powered ocean vehicle. Furthermore, the use of the EAP with excellent elasticity effectively utilizes the stretching and contraction characteristics of the flexible cable during motion transmission, which not only achieves motion transmission but also helps the ocean vehicle replenish its energy.

[0021] (6) It effectively utilizes the multimodal resonance characteristics of EAP, avoiding the problems of most current wave energy power generation devices absorbing energy from a few degrees of freedom in waves through a limited number of rotations or linear motions, requiring special devices to control the discontinuous energy output, and mechanical fatigue caused by concentrated loads on the structure.

[0022] (7) The EAP module directly converts wave energy into electrical energy. It has a simple, flexible, and environmentally friendly structure, and its use for wave energy power generation is more cost-effective than traditional wave energy power generation devices. Attached Figure Description

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

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the wave power generation module according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the EAP component in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the EAP ring in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the intermediate oscillation component in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the flexible cable according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the manufacturing process of the EAP power generation module according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the EAP power generation principle in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the wave power generation module according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the EAP component in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0033] The diagram is labeled as follows: 1. Surface mother ship; 2. Underwater wave generator; 3. Flexible cable; 301. Control cable layer; 302. Second flexible tube layer; 303c1. Second EAP film layer; 303c2. Second wrapping layer; 303c3. Second silicone layer; 4. Wave power generation module; 401. Mounting top plate; 402. Mounting bottom plate; 403. EAP component; 404. Intermediate oscillation component; 404a. Counterweight; 403a. Mounting plate; 403b. First flexible tube; 403c. First EAP ring; 403c1. EAP film layer; 403c2. Wrapping layer; 403c3. Silicone layer; 404b. Mounting base; 404c. Base; 409. EAP ring component. Detailed Implementation

[0034] To make the above features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings for detailed explanation.

[0035] Example 1: As Figures 1 to 8 As shown, a marine vehicle that uses EAP (Electronic Power Generation) to generate electricity includes a surface mother ship 1, a flexible cable 3, and an underwater wave generator 2. The two ends of the flexible cable 3 are connected to the surface mother ship 1 and the underwater wave generator 2, respectively. The surface mother ship 1 is equipped with several equipment compartments, and wave power generation modules 4 are installed in each of the equipment compartments.

[0036] In this embodiment, the two ends of the flexible cable 3 are respectively connected to the surface mother ship 1 and the underwater wave machine 2 through universal joints, and the universal joints are cross universal joint structures.

[0037] In this embodiment, the wave power generation module 4 includes a mounting top plate 401, a mounting bottom plate 402, a first EAP layer, a second EAP layer, and an intermediate oscillation component 404. The intermediate oscillation component 404 is located between the mounting top plate 401 and the mounting bottom plate 402. The first EAP layer is located between the mounting top plate 401 and the intermediate oscillation component 404. The second EAP layer 403 is located between the mounting bottom plate 402 and the intermediate oscillation component 404. The mounting top plate 401 and the mounting bottom plate 402 have through holes in their middle portions. The intermediate oscillation component 404 has a counterweight 404a extending downward from the through hole in its middle portion.

[0038] The material for the two mounting plates 403a can be acrylic sheets.

[0039] In this embodiment, both the first EAP layer and the second EAP layer are composed of multiple ring-shaped EAP components 403. Each EAP component 403 consists of two mounting plates 403a, two first flexible tubes 403b, and a first EAP ring 403c. The top and bottom of the first EAP ring 403c are connected to the mounting plates 403a through the first flexible tubes 403b, respectively.

[0040] In this embodiment, the first EAP ring 403c includes, from the inside out, an EAP film layer 403c1, an encapsulation layer 403c2, and a silicone layer 403c3.

[0041] In this embodiment, both the upper and lower surfaces of the EAP thin film layer 403c1 are coated with flexible electrode layers. The flexible electrodes, connecting wires, and other accessories are encapsulated and protected by a wrapping layer 403c2, and are located within the silicone layer 403c3.

[0042] In this embodiment, the first flexible tube 403b is filled with gas or liquid. The gas is air, and the liquid is seawater. The interior of the first flexible tube 403b is sealed. The first flexible tube 403b and the mounting plate 403a are connected by a super strong adhesive, or they can be connected by sewing with corrosion-resistant metal wire. The sewing connection must ensure that the sealing of the first flexible tube 403b is not compromised.

[0043] In this embodiment, the intermediate oscillation component 404 includes a mounting base 404b and a base 404c. The base 404c is disposed between the first EAP layer and the second EAP layer. The mounting base 404b is mounted on the bottom center of the base 404c, and the counterweight 404a is mounted on the bottom center of the mounting base 404b.

[0044] The counterweight 404a and the mounting base 404b are preferably welded together, and the mounting base 404b and the base 404c are preferably bolted together.

[0045] In this embodiment, the counterweight 404a integrates a communication module and a lithium battery.

[0046] In this embodiment, the flexible cable 3 is made of a control cable layer 301, a second flexible tube layer 302, and a second EAP ring from the inside out. The structure of the second EAP ring is similar to that of the first EAP ring, both of which include a second EAP film layer 303c1, a second wrapping layer 303c2, and a second silicone layer 303c3 from the inside out.

[0047] In wave-powered ocean vehicles, the cable connecting the surface mother ship 1 and the underwater wave generator 2 is generally made of a flexible cable 3, which is better at transmitting motion than a rigid rod. That is, when the waves change, the flexible cable 3 can quickly change the speed of the wave-powered ocean vehicle. Therefore, in this invention, a flexible cable 3 is used to connect the surface mother ship 1 and the underwater wave generator 2. The flexible cable 3 is effectively used to generate electricity by stretching and contracting during the transmission of motion. The use of EAP with excellent elasticity realizes both motion transmission and wave power generation, which is the best choice for connecting the surface mother ship 1 and the underwater wave generator 2.

[0048] The control cable inside the flexible cable 3 is spirally arranged inside the flexible cable 3; the outside of the flexible cable 3 is the second flexible tube 302 and the second EAP ring 303. Unlike the EAP component 403, the power generation of the second EAP ring 303 here is mainly achieved through axial stretching and contraction. There is no medium injection in the second flexible tube 302 inside the flexible cable 3, only the spirally arranged control cable; while the first flexible tube 403b in the EAP component 403 is filled with a medium under slight pressure, and the power generation of the first EAP ring 403c is mainly achieved through radial expansion and contraction.

[0049] Working Principle: The undulating waves cause the entire surface mothership 1 to move up and down. This movement of the mothership 1 causes the wingplates on the underwater wave glider 2 to rotate along the axis of rotation. The forward force generated during the rotation of the wingplates propels the wave glider forward, which in turn propels the entire surface mothership forward via the flexible cable 3. The biggest advantage of the wave glider is that regardless of the direction of the waves, the wingplates of the underwater wave glider 2 can generate forward thrust, ensuring that the entire wave-driven ocean vehicle always has forward propulsion. The wingplates on the underwater wave glider 2 are existing technology and will not be described in detail here.

[0050] As the surface mother ship 1 operates amidst the undulating waves, the inertial counterweight 404a within its equipment compartment oscillates, continuously compressing or stretching the EAP (Electronic Power Assist) components, thus directly converting wave energy into kinetic energy. Simultaneously, the flexible cable connecting the surface mother ship 1 and the underwater wave generator 2 continuously stretches and contracts the EAP components 403 as it transmits the forward motion of the underwater wave generator to the surface mother ship 1, or as the surface mother ship 1 transmits wave undulation motion to the underwater wave generator 2, thereby further generating electricity to replenish the marine vehicle.

[0051] like Figure 7 As shown, a manufacturing process for an EAP power generation module includes the following steps: (1) coating flexible electrodes on the upper and lower surfaces of the EAP film; (2) wrapping the EAP film and related wire accessories in a corn layer using a wrapping layer; (3) casting the wrapping layer with liquid silicone; (4) fixing the silicone layer to the outer surface of the flexible tube 403b using a super strong adhesive; (5) sealing a certain amount of gas or seawater inside the flexible tube 403b; (6) fixing both ends of the flexible tube 403b between two mounting plates 403a.

[0052] The device of this invention avoids the problems of large area occupation, high cost, reduced power generation after corrosion, and exposure of the working position due to reflection in existing marine vehicles. The wave power generation module in the hull of the ship and the power generation module in the flexible cable will provide sufficient power for the marine vehicle, improve the endurance of the marine vehicle, and have outstanding technical effects.

[0053] Example 2, as Figures 9-10 As shown, the difference between Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 1 is that: several EAP components 403 in the original embodiment are replaced by a flexible EAP ring component 409. A schematic diagram of the EAP ring component 409 is shown below. Figure 9 As shown, its main components are the same as those of EAP component 403, namely two mounting plates, a flexible tube and an EAP ring. However, the shape has changed to a ring shape. The original cylindrical flexible tube 403b has become a ring, and the EAP ring 403c is fixed to the inner and outer surfaces of the flexible tube 403b. In contrast, the original cylindrical flexible tube 403b was only fixed to the outer surface of the flexible tube 403b.

[0054] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made by those skilled in the art to the above embodiments without departing from the technical solution of the present invention, based on the technical essence of the present invention, should be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A marine vehicle that utilizes EAP (Electronic Power Assistance) for power generation, characterized in that: It includes a surface mother ship, a flexible cable, and an underwater wave generator. The two ends of the flexible cable are connected to the surface mother ship and the underwater wave generator, respectively. The surface mother ship is equipped with several equipment compartments, and wave power generation modules are installed in each of the equipment compartments. The wave power generation module includes a top mounting plate, a bottom mounting plate, a first EAP layer, a second EAP layer, and an intermediate oscillation component. The intermediate oscillation component is located between the top mounting plate and the bottom mounting plate. The first EAP layer is located between the top mounting plate and the intermediate oscillation component. The second EAP layer is located between the bottom mounting plate and the intermediate oscillation component. A through hole is provided in the middle of the top mounting plate and the bottom mounting plate. A counterweight block extending downward from the through hole is provided in the middle of the intermediate oscillation component.

2. The marine vehicle utilizing EAP power generation according to claim 1, characterized in that: The two ends of the flexible cable are respectively connected to the surface mother ship and the underwater wave machine via universal joints.

3. The marine vehicle utilizing EAP power generation according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both the first EAP layer and the second EAP layer are composed of multiple ring-shaped EAP components. Each EAP component consists of two mounting plates, two first flexible tubes, and a first EAP ring. The top and bottom of the first EAP ring are connected to the mounting plates through the first flexible tubes, respectively.

4. The marine vehicle utilizing EAP power generation according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first EAP ring comprises, from the inside out, an EAP film layer, a wrapping layer, and a silicone layer.

5. The marine vehicle utilizing EAP power generation according to claim 4, characterized in that: The upper and lower surfaces of the EAP thin film layer are coated with flexible electrode layers.

6. The marine vehicle utilizing EAP power generation according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first flexible tube is filled with gas or liquid.

7. The marine vehicle utilizing EAP power generation according to claim 2, characterized in that: The intermediate oscillation assembly includes a mounting base and a base. The base is disposed between the first EAP layer and the second EAP layer. The mounting base is installed on the bottom center of the base, and the counterweight is installed on the bottom center of the mounting base.

8. The marine vehicle utilizing EAP power generation according to claim 2, characterized in that: The counterweight integrates a communication module and a lithium battery.

9. The marine vehicle utilizing EAP power generation according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flexible cable is made of a control cable layer, a second flexible tube layer and a second EAP ring from the inside out.

10. A manufacturing process for a wave power generation module, wherein the wave power generation module is used in a marine vehicle utilizing EAP power generation as described in claim 1, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: (1) Coat flexible electrodes on the upper and lower surfaces of the EAP film; (2) The EAP film and related wire accessories are wrapped in the corn kernel layer using a wrapping layer; (3) The encapsulation layer is cast using liquid silicone; (4) The silicone layer is fixed to the outer surface of the flexible tube with a super strong adhesive; (5) A certain amount of gas or seawater is sealed inside the flexible tube; (6) Fix both ends of the flexible tube between the two mounting plates.

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