An underwater semi-submersible horizontal axis ocean current power generation device

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of marine energy power generation technology, and particularly to an underwater semi-submersible horizontal-axis ocean current energy power generation device. The power generation device includes: two floating bodies; a turbine connected between the two floating bodies via a horizontal connecting rod; and a mooring assembly including a horizontal cable section, a vertical cable section, and an inclined anchor chain. The head end of the horizontal cable section is connected to the floating body, and the ends of the horizontal cable section are connected to the heads of the vertical cable section and the inclined anchor chain, respectively. A buoy is connected to the end of the vertical cable section, located at the waterline. The axes of the floating bodies, the horizontal cable section, and the turbine are all below the waterline. The end of the inclined anchor chain is fixed to the seabed. The horizontal and vertical cables are arranged vertically. This design, by using a mooring assembly including the horizontal cable section, the vertical cable section, and the inclined anchor chain, can significantly reduce the overturning moment of the floating bodies caused by the turbine's working load, lower the stability requirements of the floating bodies, and improve the economic efficiency of the device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of marine energy power generation technology, and in particular to an underwater semi-submersible horizontal axis ocean current energy power generation device. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, global warming, caused by fossil fuels, the primary source of global energy supply, is becoming increasingly severe. Therefore, the development and utilization of clean and renewable energy have become a research hotspot in the global energy sector. The ocean is a vast resource reservoir, inherently rich in energy. Ocean energy, as a clean and renewable energy form, holds significant application potential in powering underwater production systems.

[0003] Traditional horizontal-axis turbine power generation units generate a significant overturning moment during operation due to their structure and mooring characteristics. To balance this moment and ensure overall stability, a floating structure with a large waterline is required. However, under the influence of ocean waves, the large waterline floating structure itself is more susceptible to wave action, which can exacerbate system instability, thus placing higher demands on the stability performance of the unit.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for an underwater semi-submersible horizontal axis ocean current power generation device to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides an underwater semi-submersible horizontal axis ocean current power generation device, which can effectively ensure the stability of the device.

[0006] This invention provides an underwater semi-submersible horizontal axis ocean current power generation device, comprising:

[0007] Two floating bodies;

[0008] The water turbine is connected between the two floating bodies via a horizontal connecting rod;

[0009] The mooring assembly includes a horizontal section cable, a vertical section cable, and an inclined anchor chain. The head end of the horizontal section cable is connected to the float, and the ends of the horizontal section cable are connected to the heads of the vertical section cable and the inclined anchor chain, respectively. A buoy is connected to the end of the vertical section cable, and the buoy is located at the waterline. The axes of the float, the horizontal section cable, and the turbine are all below the waterline. The end of the inclined anchor chain is fixed to the seabed, and the horizontal section cable and the vertical section cable are arranged vertically.

[0010] This invention provides an underwater semi-submersible horizontal-axis ocean current power generation device. By setting up a mooring assembly including a horizontal section of cable, a vertical section of cable, and an oblique anchor chain, the overturning moment of the floating body caused by the working load of the turbine can be significantly reduced, the stability requirements of the floating body can be lowered, and the economic efficiency of the device can be improved. Attached Figure Description

[0011] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the underwater semi-submersible horizontal axis ocean current power generation device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The power generation unit shown is a front view of the turbine when it is in operation.

[0014] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The power generation unit shown is illustrated in a side view of the maintenance access route;

[0015] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 The power generation unit shown is illustrated in a top view of the maintenance access route.

[0016] Figure label:

[0017] 1-Float; 11-Transverse connecting rod; 12-Longitudinal connecting rod; 13-Deck; 14-Independent compartment; 15-Maintenance access; 2-Water turbine; 21-Internal compartment; 3-Mooring assembly; 31-Horizontal section cable; 32-Vertical section cable; 33-Angled anchor chain; 34-Float. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are some embodiments of the present invention, but not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0019] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides an underwater semi-submersible horizontal axis ocean current power generation device, comprising:

[0020] Two floating bodies 1;

[0021] The water turbine 2 is connected between the two floats 1 via a horizontal connecting rod 11;

[0022] The mooring assembly 3 includes a horizontal section cable 31, a vertical section cable 32, and an inclined anchor chain 33. The head end of the horizontal section cable 31 is connected to the float 1, and the ends of the horizontal section cable 31 are connected to the heads of the vertical section cable 32 and the inclined anchor chain 33, respectively. The end of the vertical section cable 32 is connected to a buoy 34, which is located at the waterline. The axes of the float 1, the horizontal section cable 31, and the turbine 2 are all below the waterline. The end of the inclined anchor chain 33 is fixed to the seabed. The horizontal section cable 31 and the vertical section cable 32 are set vertically.

[0023] In this embodiment of the invention, by setting up a mooring assembly 3 including a horizontal section cable 31, a vertical section cable 32 and an inclined anchor chain 33, the overturning moment can be converted into a mooring horizontal force. This reduces the inherent requirements for the stability of the float 1, thereby improving the economy of the device while ensuring stability.

[0024] Understandably, float 1 plays the main role in floating, while float 34 plays an auxiliary role in floating. The greater design purpose of float 34 is to achieve a three-force balance at the connection point of the horizontal section cable 31, the vertical section cable 32, and the inclined anchor chain 33, so as to ensure the stability of the power generation device.

[0025] In one embodiment of the present invention, the lower part of the float 1 is designed to be streamlined along the direction of water flow, which can reduce the resistance encountered by the power generation device when it floats.

[0026] In one embodiment of the present invention, the cross-sectional area of ​​the transverse connecting rod 11 is elliptical, and the major axis of the ellipse is in the same direction as the water flow, which can reduce the resistance encountered by the power generation device when it floats.

[0027] like Figure 4 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the transverse connecting rod 11 has a hollow structure, and the internal chamber 21 of the turbine 2 is connected to the inner cavity of the transverse connecting rod 11. The internal chamber 21 is equipped with a gearbox and a motor. This arrangement can better protect the core components of the turbine 2, such as the gearbox and the motor.

[0028] In one embodiment of the present invention, a longitudinal connecting rod 12 is connected to the float 1, and a deck 13 is connected to the top of the longitudinal connecting rod 12. When the turbine 2 is operating, the height of the deck 13 is higher than the waterline. This configuration, compared to the deck 13 floating directly on the sea surface, significantly reduces the waterline area of ​​the power generation device, thereby greatly improving its seakeeping performance. Furthermore, while the deck 13 floating directly on the sea surface provides a larger anti-overturning moment, its seakeeping performance is poor. The technical solution of the present invention prevents the power generation device from generating an additional overturning moment; therefore, the present invention can improve seakeeping performance by using a smaller waterline area.

[0029] like Figure 3As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the longitudinal connecting rod 12 is a hollow structure, and each float 1 is provided with multiple independent compartments 14. The multiple independent compartments 14 are provided with a through maintenance channel 15. The inner cavity of the longitudinal connecting rod 12, the maintenance channel 15, the inner cavity of the transverse connecting rod 11 and the inner compartment 21 are connected in sequence.

[0030] In this embodiment, each float 1 is equipped with multiple independent compartments 14 to prevent the float 1 from sinking due to leakage in a single compartment. That is, even if a single independent compartment 14 leaks, the other independent compartments 14 can still provide sufficient buoyancy, without affecting the overall buoyancy of the float 1, thereby improving the anti-sinking tolerance of the power generation device. The inner cavity of the longitudinal connecting rod 12, the maintenance passage 15, the inner cavity of the transverse connecting rod 11, and the internal compartment 21 are sequentially connected, allowing personnel to directly access the internal compartment 21 of the turbine 2 to inspect and maintain core components such as the gearbox and motor.

[0031] In one embodiment of the present invention, each independent compartment 14 is equipped with an air-water replacement valve (not shown in the figure), which is used to change the amount of seawater filled in each independent compartment 14. With this configuration, the buoy 1 can be raised by discharging ballast water, thereby raising the core of the turbine 2 out of the water for inspection and maintenance.

[0032] In one embodiment of the present invention, the horizontal section of the cable 31 is made of an elastic material, while the vertical section of the cable 32 is made of a non-elastic material. This arrangement allows the horizontal section of the cable 31 to absorb the drag force generated by the ocean current, while the vertical section of the cable 32 better ensures that the length from the buoy 34 to the horizontal section of the cable 31 remains constant, thus achieving a state of equilibrium of the three forces.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, the horizontal section of the cable 31 and the shaft of the turbine 2 are at the same depth so that the drag force of the ocean current on the power generation device is horizontally opposite to the mooring reaction force. This prevents the power generation device from generating an additional overturning moment, thereby effectively ensuring overall stability.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present invention, the horizontal cable 31, the vertical cable 32, and the inclined anchor chain 33 reach a state of three-force balance at their connection point to ensure the overall stability of the power generation device.

[0035] It should be noted that, in this invention, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0036] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is only used to illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention are included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A semi-submersible horizontal-axis ocean current power generation device, characterized in that, include: Two floating bodies; The water turbine is connected between the two floating bodies via a horizontal connecting rod; The mooring assembly includes a horizontal section cable, a vertical section cable, and an inclined anchor chain. The head of the horizontal section cable is connected to the float, and the ends of the horizontal section cable are connected to the heads of the vertical section cable and the inclined anchor chain, respectively. A buoy is connected to the end of the vertical section cable. The buoy is located at the waterline. The axes of the float, the horizontal section cable, and the turbine are all below the waterline. The end of the inclined anchor chain is fixed to the seabed. The horizontal section cable and the vertical section cable are arranged vertically. The horizontal section of the cable is made of elastic material, and the vertical section of the cable is made of non-elastic material; The horizontal section of the cable and the turbine shaft are at the same depth so that the drag force of the ocean current on the power generation device is horizontally opposite to the mooring reaction force. The horizontal cable section, the vertical cable section, and the inclined anchor chain reach a state of equilibrium at their connection point.

2. The underwater semi-submersible horizontal axis ocean current power generation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower part of the float is designed to be streamlined along the direction of water flow.

3. The underwater semi-submersible horizontal axis ocean current power generation device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cross-section of the transverse connecting rod is elliptical, and the major axis of the ellipse is in the same direction as the water flow.

4. The underwater semi-submersible horizontal axis ocean current power generation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transverse connecting rod is a hollow structure, and the internal chamber of the turbine is connected to the inner cavity of the transverse connecting rod. The internal chamber is equipped with a gearbox and a motor.

5. The underwater semi-submersible horizontal axis ocean current power generation device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The float is connected to a longitudinal connecting rod, and a deck is connected to the top of the longitudinal connecting rod. When the turbine is working, the height of the deck is higher than the waterline.

6. The underwater semi-submersible horizontal axis ocean current power generation device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The longitudinal connecting rod is a hollow structure, and each of the floats has multiple independent compartments inside. The multiple independent compartments are provided with a through maintenance passage. The inner cavity of the longitudinal connecting rod, the maintenance passage, the inner cavity of the transverse connecting rod, and the internal compartments are connected in sequence.

7. The underwater semi-submersible horizontal axis ocean current power generation device according to claim 6, characterized in that, Each of the independent compartments is equipped with a gas-water replacement valve, which is used to change the amount of seawater filled in each of the independent compartments.

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