Multi-stage adjustable vertical axis water turbine

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of water turbines, and particularly relates to a multi-stage adjustable vertical axis water turbine. The water turbine comprises two layers of water wheels which are arranged in a vertically stacked mode in the vertical direction, each layer of water wheel is provided with a plurality of resistance type blades, the two ends, in the length direction of the blades, of the blades are connected with end plates, and the water turbine further comprises a first adjusting unit and a second adjusting unit; the first adjusting unit is used for driving the two layers of blades to be separated or close to each other in the length direction of the blades so as to achieve interval adjustment of the two-stage structure. And the second adjusting unit is used for driving the two layers of water wheels to rotate relatively and circumferentially and realizing coaxial and synchronous rotation of the upper-layer blades and the lower-layer blades. Through ordered cooperation of the first adjusting unit and the second adjusting unit, flexible and reliable switching of the stage number of the water turbine between a single layer and two layers is achieved, water energy can be efficiently captured in a wide flow speed range, the problems of blade collision and clamping stagnation in stage number switching can be avoided, the operation integrity of equipment is guaranteed, and the service life is prolonged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of drag turbine technology, specifically relating to a multi-stage adjustable vertical shaft turbine. Background Technology

[0002] Hydropower turbines are the core equipment for the development and utilization of hydropower resources. Their core working principle is to convert water energy into mechanical energy, which is then further converted into electrical energy by a generator, thus achieving the effective conversion of water energy into electrical energy. Among them, vertical axis hydropower turbines have become a research focus in the fields of small and medium-sized hydropower development and unconventional hydropower utilization due to their advantages such as compact structure, strong adaptability to water flow direction, and convenient installation and maintenance.

[0003] In existing technologies, the research and development of drag-type vertical axis turbines mainly focuses on two directions: one is to optimize the design of turbine structures with fixed geometric parameters, and the other is to develop vertical axis turbines with combined lift and drag structures. However, both of these technical solutions have significant limitations—their drag characteristics remain fixed during operation and cannot be dynamically adjusted according to actual water flow conditions.

[0004] This inherent defect directly results in existing drag-type vertical shaft turbines being only adaptable to a relatively narrow range of water flow velocities. Under different flow velocity conditions, it is difficult to simultaneously achieve both start-up performance and power generation efficiency: starting is difficult at low flow velocities, power generation efficiency is limited at high flow velocities, and they cannot cope with sudden changes in flow velocity. Especially in natural water bodies or industrial circulating water systems where the flow velocity fluctuates significantly over a short period, fixed-stage drag-type vertical shaft turbines lack the technical adjustment capability for a wide flow velocity range. This not only leads to a significant reduction in water energy capture efficiency but also makes them prone to fatigue damage to core components such as turbine blades and main shafts due to water flow impact overload, potentially even causing complete unit failure and severely affecting the stability and integrity of the equipment operation.

[0005] In summary, the shortcomings of existing drag-type vertical axis turbines in terms of wide flow velocity adaptability, operational reliability, and equipment safety have become key bottlenecks restricting their widespread application. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a multi-stage adjustable vertical axis turbine to achieve efficient energy capture over a wide flow velocity range, while ensuring the integrity and service life of the equipment, thus addressing the pain points of existing technologies. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this application is to provide a multi-stage adjustable vertical shaft turbine to achieve efficient energy capture over a wide flow velocity range, while ensuring the integrity and service life of the equipment, thus solving the pain points of the prior art.

[0007] The embodiments of this application can be implemented through the following technical solutions: A multi-stage adjustable vertical shaft turbine includes two layers of turbines stacked vertically, each layer of turbines is equipped with multiple drag-type blades, and the blades are connected to end plates at both ends along their length direction. It also includes a first adjustment unit and a second adjustment unit. The first adjustment unit is used to drive the two layers of blades to separate or move closer together along the blade length direction to adjust the spacing between the two-stage structure; the second adjustment unit is used to drive the two layers of water turbines to rotate relative to each other in the circumferential direction and to achieve coaxial synchronous rotation of the upper and lower blades.

[0008] Furthermore, the first adjustment unit includes a lifting screw and a lifting shaft. The lifting screw is movably connected to the shaft cavity of the upper water turbine, and the lifting shaft is fixedly connected to the shaft cavity of the lower water turbine. The lifting screw and the lifting shaft are rotatably connected.

[0009] Furthermore, the first adjustment unit also includes a first drive unit, which can drive the lifting screw to rotate relative to the lifting shaft.

[0010] Furthermore, the first drive unit includes a first transmission device and a first power device. The first transmission device is connected to the lifting screw in a transmission manner. The first power device can drive the first transmission device to rotate and drive the lifting screw to rotate through the first transmission device.

[0011] Furthermore, the second adjustment unit includes at least one set of rotating fixing structures, each set of rotating fixing structures including two alignable rotating fixing structures, one of which is located at the bottom end of the upper blade, and the other is located on the end plate between the two water turbines; When the two rotating fixed structures in each group are aligned and engaged, the upper blade, the lower blade, and the corresponding end plate can rotate synchronously on the same axis.

[0012] Furthermore, the second adjustment unit also includes a second drive unit, which can drive the two layers of waterwheels to rotate relative to each other in a circumferential direction.

[0013] Optionally, the second drive unit includes a second transmission device and a second power device. The second transmission device is connected to the end plate of the upper blade. The second power device can drive the second transmission device to rotate and drive the upper blade and the end plate of the upper blade to rotate through the second transmission device.

[0014] Optionally, the second drive unit includes a second transmission device and a transmission switching device. The second transmission device is connected to the end plate of the upper blade, and the transmission switching device can switch the output power of the first power device between the first transmission device and the second transmission device.

[0015] Preferably, the first transmission device is connected to the lifting screw via a magnetic coupling.

[0016] Furthermore, the cross-sectional profiles and dimensions of the upper and lower blades are consistent, and the upper blade and / or the lower blade is a hollow structure closed at one end along the vertical direction.

[0017] The embodiments of this application provide a multi-stage adjustable vertical axis water turbine that has at least the following beneficial effects: This application achieves flexible and reliable switching between single-stage and two-stage turbine stages through the orderly cooperation of the first and second regulating units. This not only maintains high water energy capture efficiency over a wide flow velocity range—maximizing water energy utilization with two stages at high flow velocities and ensuring start-up performance and operational stability with a single stage at low flow velocities—but also avoids problems such as blade collisions and structural jamming during stage switching, effectively ensuring the integrity of equipment operation and extending the service life of the turbine. The first transmission device in this application is connected to the lifting screw via a magnetic coupling. The magnetic coupling achieves power transmission based on the non-contact transmission principle of magnetic coupling. There is no need to set a transmission shaft that runs through the sealed chamber of the turbine. The rotational power of the first transmission device can be synchronously transmitted to the lifting screw by means of the attraction or repulsion of the magnetic field, which further ensures the watertightness of the turbine during underwater operation. The first and second transmission devices in this application are both equipped with matching sprockets and chains, and the power is efficiently transmitted through the meshing of the chains. Correspondingly, the transmission switching device adopts a chain derailleur structure. The chain derailleur can reciprocate under the drive of the control system, and the power path is switched by changing the meshing state of the chain with different sprockets, which optimizes the transmission efficiency and switching reliability, and saves a power source. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is an overall structural diagram of a multi-stage adjustable vertical shaft turbine according to this application; Figure 2 This is a structural diagram showing the overall structure of the first and second adjustment units in this application being connected in conjunction. Figure 3 for Figure 2 A magnified view of a portion of region A in the middle.

[0019] Reference numerals: blade 1, end plate 2, lifting screw 31, lifting shaft 32, first drive unit 33, first transmission device 331, first power device 332, magnetic coupling 34, rotating fixed structure 41, second drive unit 42, second transmission device 421, transmission switching device 423. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The present application will now be further described based on preferred embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] The vocabulary used in this specification is for illustrative purposes and is not intended to limit the scope of this application. Unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "set," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection, a direct connection, or an indirect connection via an intermediate medium; or they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meaning of these terms in this application.

[0022] Furthermore, in the description of the embodiments of this application, various components on the drawings have been enlarged or reduced for ease of understanding, but this is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application.

[0023] Figure 1 This application shows an overall structural diagram of a multi-stage adjustable vertical axis water turbine (hereinafter referred to as: water turbine). The water turbine adopts a two-layer water turbine layout stacked vertically, which is the basic framework for realizing the "multi-stage adjustable" function. Multiple blades 1 are evenly arranged on each layer of water turbine. Specifically, Figure 1 The blades 1 of the drag-type turbine are plate-shaped structures with a more significant drag effect, suitable for starting and performing work by water flow thrust in low-flow-velocity scenarios. Both ends of the blades 1 along their length (i.e., the vertical axis of the turbine) are firmly connected to end plates 2. These end plates 2 not only suppress eddy current losses at the tips of the blades 1 and optimize hydrodynamic performance, but also provide a reliable mounting platform for the subsequent regulating mechanism, ensuring that the two turbine layers maintain structural stability during regulation.

[0024] To achieve flexible adjustment of the number of turbine stages to adapt to different flow velocity conditions, such as Figure 2 As shown, the turbine of this application is further configured with a first regulating unit and a second regulating unit. The two units work together closely to complete the switching between single-stage and two-stage turbine stages and ensure the stability of turbine operation before and after the switching.

[0025] The first regulating unit drives the two layers of blades 1 to move in a straight line along their length, either separating or approaching each other. This action adjusts the spacing between the two stages of the turbine. When the two layers of blades 1 approach each other to complete overlap, the turbine operates in a single-stage state. When the two layers of blades 1 separate to a preset distance, the turbine switches to a two-stage operation state, thus completing the basic stage transformation. The second regulating unit focuses on the rotational coordination control of the turbines. It drives the two turbines to rotate relative to each other in the circumferential direction, ultimately achieving coaxial synchronous rotation of the upper and lower blades 1. Simultaneously, this unit can also de-synchronize the upper and lower blades, creating conditions for subsequent overlap actions. It is a key auxiliary unit ensuring the efficient and stable operation of the turbines after the stage transformation.

[0026] Specifically, the turbine stage adjustment process must strictly follow the logic of "unit coordination": When switching from a single stage to a two-stage turbine, the first regulating unit first drives the two layers of blades 1, which were originally in a nested state, to a separated state, giving each turbine an independent workspace; then, the second regulating unit is activated to drive the two turbines to rotate relative to each other in the circumferential direction until the positions of the upper and lower blades 1 are precisely aligned and meet the condition of coaxial synchronous rotation. At this point, the turbine can operate stably in a two-stage mode, fully capturing water energy. Conversely, when switching from a two-stage turbine to a single stage turbine, the second regulating unit must first release the coaxial synchronous rotation state of the upper and lower blades 1, giving the two turbines relative rotational freedom; then, the first regulating unit drives the two layers of blades 1 closer together until they are completely nested. At this point, the turbine returns to a single-stage mode, adapting to the operating requirements under low flow velocity conditions.

[0027] This application achieves flexible and reliable switching between single-stage and two-stage turbine stages through the orderly cooperation of the first and second regulating units. This not only maintains high water energy capture efficiency over a wide flow velocity range—maximizing water energy utilization with two stages at high flow velocities and ensuring start-up performance and operational stability with a single stage at low flow velocities—but also avoids problems such as blade collisions and structural jamming during stage switching, effectively ensuring the integrity of equipment operation and extending the service life of the turbine.

[0028] In some specific embodiments of this application, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the first adjustment unit adopts a screw-shaft linkage transmission design, including a lifting screw 31 and a lifting shaft 32. The lifting screw 31 is movably connected to the shaft cavity of the upper water turbine, and the lifting shaft 32 is fixedly connected to the shaft cavity of the lower water turbine. The lifting screw 31 and the lifting shaft 32 are rotatably connected.

[0029] Specifically, the lifting screw 31 is movably connected to the shaft cavity of the upper water turbine, meaning that the lifting screw 31 can rotate freely around its own axis, and its radial displacement is limited by the inner wall of the shaft cavity, retaining only the circumferential rotational freedom, and will not deviate due to rotation; the lifting shaft 32 is fixedly connected to the shaft cavity of the lower water turbine, forming a rigid connection with the lower water turbine through key connection or welding process, so that it cannot rotate circumferentially relative to the lower water turbine, nor will it produce axial displacement, providing a stable force foundation for the entire regulating mechanism.

[0030] The lifting screw 31 and the lifting shaft 32 are connected by a rotating structure, specifically through threaded engagement (e.g., an external thread is provided at the end of the lifting screw 31, and an internal thread hole is provided at the corresponding end of the lifting shaft 32), forming a helical transmission pair. This connection method is the core of realizing the conversion of circumferential rotation into axial motion. When the lifting screw 31 rotates around its own axis under external force, since the lifting shaft 32 is rigidly fixed to the lower water wheel and cannot rotate synchronously with the screw, the engagement of the helical transmission pair will convert the circumferential rotation of the lifting screw 31 into linear motion of the lifting shaft 32 along its own axis. The axial motion of the lifting shaft 32 will directly drive the lower water wheel, which is fixed to it, to move synchronously, ultimately realizing the movement of the lower water wheel relative to the upper water wheel—when the lifting screw 31 rotates forward, the lower water wheel moves towards the upper water wheel, and the two layers of blades gradually approach each other until they overlap; when the lifting screw 31 rotates in reverse, the lower water wheel moves away from the upper water wheel, so that the two layers of blades complete separation and maintain a preset distance.

[0031] To ensure the smoothness and accuracy of the adjustment process, the threaded connection between the lifting screw 31 and the lifting shaft 32 is typically a trapezoidal thread or a ball screw structure. The trapezoidal thread has good self-locking performance and can maintain the current spacing state by relying on the friction between the threads after adjustment, avoiding positional deviation caused by water flow impact or equipment vibration. The ball screw reduces transmission friction through the rolling of steel balls, which can improve both adjustment efficiency and displacement control accuracy, making it suitable for application scenarios with higher requirements for spacing adjustment accuracy. Both thread structures can realize the core function of the first adjustment unit and are optional implementation methods of this application.

[0032] It is conceivable that the transmission method by which the first adjustment unit in this application achieves separation or proximity of the two water turbines is not limited to the aforementioned screw-shaft threaded rotation connection. The lifting screw 31 and the lifting shaft 32 can also adopt a non-rotational linear movement combined with a self-locking structure design, which can also achieve the goal of adjusting the distance between the upper and lower water turbines.

[0033] Specifically, under this design concept, the rotational transmission relationship between the lifting screw 31 and the lifting shaft 32 is eliminated by threaded engagement, and a linear sliding fit structure is adopted instead. For example, a linear groove extending along its own axis is opened on the lifting shaft 32, and a slider adapted to the groove is set at the end of the lifting screw 31, so that the lifting screw 31 can only perform pure linear reciprocating motion relative to the lifting shaft 32, completely restricting the circumferential rotational freedom. In order to prevent the two water turbines from shifting position due to water flow impact, equipment vibration and other factors after adjustment, this structure needs to be equipped with a self-locking component. The self-locking component can be selected as a pin lock according to the actual working conditions. Common and mature structures such as locking mechanisms, electromagnetic locking devices, or ratchet and pawl mechanisms: When it is necessary to adjust the distance between two water wheels, the locking state of the self-locking component is first released by the control component, and then the lifting screw 31 is driven to move axially along the linear slide groove of the lifting shaft 32 with the help of external force (such as hydraulic cylinder thrust, air cylinder pull, etc.), thereby driving the upper water wheel connected to the lifting screw 31 (or the lower water wheel fixed to the lifting shaft 32) to move closer to or away from the other water wheel; after the two water wheels move to the target distance position, the self-locking component is immediately activated to rigidly fix the relative position of the lifting screw 31 and the lifting shaft 32, ensuring that the distance is kept stable.

[0034] This non-rotational linear movement + self-locking design eliminates the need for the conversion process from circumferential rotation to axial movement, resulting in more direct adjustment and faster response. It is particularly suitable for applications requiring high timeliness in spacing adjustment. Furthermore, the independent setting of the self-locking component allows for flexible matching of locking strength requirements under different working conditions. Compared to the self-locking characteristics of the aforementioned threaded structure, the reliability and environmental adaptability of the first adjustment unit can be further optimized by changing the type of self-locking component (e.g., using a stainless steel pin locking mechanism in corrosive water environments, and using a more durable ratchet and pawl mechanism in frequent adjustment conditions).

[0035] Therefore, as long as the linear spacing adjustment function of the two water turbines can be realized and the position locking capability is reliable, the specific cooperation form of the lifting screw 31 and the lifting shaft 32 can be flexibly adjusted according to actual needs. The above different design schemes have not deviated from the core inventive concept of this application and all fall within the protection scope of this application.

[0036] Furthermore, to ensure that the lifting screw 31 can stably output circumferential rotation to drive the spacing adjustment, the first adjustment unit also includes a first drive unit 33. The first drive unit 33, as the power core, can directly drive the lifting screw 31 to rotate controllably relative to the lifting shaft 32, and then complete the subsequent adjustment action through the transmission cooperation between the screw and the shaft. This design is particularly suitable for the special working conditions of underwater power generation of water turbines, and can ensure the high efficiency and reliability of the driving process.

[0037] From a functional adaptability perspective, the design of the first drive unit 33 fully considers the operating environment of the turbine. Underwater conditions not only involve the impact of water pressure and water flow, but also place extremely high demands on the sealing and corrosion resistance of components. Therefore, the first drive unit 33 typically adopts a modular structure of "power source + transmission components": the power source can be selected from waterproof servo motors or hydraulic motors according to actual needs. The former can provide precise speed control, which is convenient for fine adjustment of the turbine spacing, while the latter has stronger output torque and is suitable for heavy-load adjustment scenarios of large-size turbines; the transmission components mostly adopt structures such as sprockets and chains, gear sets or synchronous belts. On the one hand, the transmission components are isolated from the water body by the sealing cover to avoid the impact of silt and corrosive media on transmission accuracy. On the other hand, rigid transmission ensures efficient power transmission and reduces energy loss.

[0038] Its specific workflow is closely linked to the adjustment needs of the turbine: when the control system issues a spacing adjustment command, the power source of the first drive unit 33 starts first, and transmits the power to the lifting screw 31 through the transmission component, driving the screw to rotate forward or backward around its own axis; since the lifting shaft 32 is rigidly connected to the lower turbine and cannot rotate synchronously with the screw, the circumferential rotation of the screw is converted into the axial linear motion of the lifting shaft 32 through the thread engagement, causing the lower turbine to move closer to or away from the upper turbine; throughout the driving process, the first drive unit 33 can receive real-time feedback of speed and torque information through the control system, so as to achieve precise control of the adjustment speed and position and avoid problems such as over-adjustment or action jamming.

[0039] Compared to manual drive or passive adjustment methods, the advantages of this active first drive unit 33 are particularly obvious: in complex underwater environments, it does not rely on manual intervention and can automatically respond to adjustment needs according to changes in water flow velocity. For example, when the water flow velocity increases sharply, it can quickly drive the two layers of water turbines to separate to expand the working area, and when the flow velocity decreases, it drives the water turbines to stack to improve start-up efficiency. At the same time, its stable power output can effectively resist the interference of water flow on the adjustment mechanism, ensuring that the driving action of the lifting shaft 32 is smooth and controllable, avoiding adjustment interruption due to insufficient power, and providing a solid power guarantee for the continuous and stable operation of the turbine in a wide flow velocity range.

[0040] In some specific embodiments of this application, the first drive unit 33 includes a first transmission device 331 and a first power device 332. The first transmission device 331 is connected to the lifting screw 31, and the first power device 332 can drive the first transmission device 331 to rotate, and drive the lifting screw 31 to rotate through the first transmission device 331. The first transmission device 331, as an intermediate component for power transmission, achieves a reliable transmission connection with the lifting screw 31. The output end of the first power device 332 is directly connected to the power input end of the first transmission device 331, enabling it to drive the first transmission device 331 to rotate according to a preset speed and direction.

[0041] In some specific embodiments of this application, the transmission connection between the first transmission device 331 and the lifting screw 31 can be in the form of chain drive (i.e., the first transmission device 331 is a sprocket and chain assembly, with the sprocket and the end of the lifting screw 31 coaxially fixed), gear drive (the first transmission device 331 is a meshing driving gear and driven gear, with the driven gear sleeved and fixed on the lifting screw 31), or synchronous belt drive (the first transmission device 331 is a combination of synchronous pulley and synchronous belt, with the synchronous pulley and the lifting screw 31 rigidly connected), etc., to ensure that there is no obvious lag in the power transmission process and the transmission efficiency is stable.

[0042] In some preferred embodiments of this application, such as Figure 3 As shown, the first transmission device 331 and the lifting screw 31 are connected by a magnetic coupling 34. This arrangement eliminates the rigid shaft connection method of transmission and further ensures the watertightness of the turbine during underwater operation.

[0043] Specifically, the magnetic coupling 34 achieves power transmission based on the non-contact transmission principle of magnetic coupling. Its core consists of two parts: an active magnet assembly and a driven magnet assembly. The active magnet assembly is stably connected to the power output end of the first transmission device 331, while the driven magnet assembly is assembled with the end of the lifting screw 31. The two sets of magnet assemblies are separated by a sealed isolation cover. Without the need for a transmission shaft that penetrates the sealed chamber of the turbine, the rotational power of the first transmission device 331 can be synchronously transmitted to the lifting screw 31 by means of the attraction or repulsion of the magnetic field.

[0044] This design solves the sealing hazards caused by the traditional shaft drive's requirement to "penetrate through the hull" (i.e., the drive shaft penetrates the turbine's sealed cavity): Traditional through-hull structures rely on easily damaged seals such as sealing rings and stuffing boxes for waterproofing. Under long-term underwater high pressure and silt scouring conditions, these seals are prone to wear and aging, leading to leakage problems. This can cause water to enter the transmission mechanism, causing corrosion and jamming of components, and may also cause short circuits in electrical components, seriously threatening the turbine's operational safety. The non-contact transmission mode of the magnetic coupling 34 completely eliminates the need for a through-hull drive shaft. The sealing isolation cover can be seamlessly connected with the turbine's hull structure to form an integrated static sealing system, eliminating the risk of leakage at the source and significantly improving the watertightness and structural reliability of the turbine during long-term underwater operation.

[0045] In addition, the non-contact characteristics of the magnetic coupling 34 bring additional technical benefits: there is no mechanical contact wear during transmission, which can effectively reduce component wear, extend service life, and reduce the frequency and difficulty of underwater maintenance; at the same time, it has a natural overload protection function—when the lifting screw 31 is overloaded due to foreign object jamming, sudden load change, etc., the magnetic coupling of the magnetic coupling 34 will automatically slip, avoiding damage to the first power unit 332 or the first transmission unit 331 due to forced transmission, further enhancing the operational safety of the first adjustment unit.

[0046] In some specific embodiments of this application, such as Figure 1 As shown, the second adjustment unit includes at least one set of rotating fixed structures 41. This structure is the key carrier for realizing the coaxial and synchronous rotation of the two water turbines. It determines the rotational coordination of the two water turbines and ensures that the water turbine has stable power output performance in multi-stage motion modes.

[0047] Specifically, each set of rotating fixing structures 41 includes two rotating fixing structures 41 that can be matched with each other. One rotating fixing structure 41 is located at the bottom end of the upper blade 1 (specifically, the end face of the upper blade 1 near the lower water turbine can be selected), and the other rotating fixing structure 41 is located on the end plate 2 between the two water turbines (the side surface of the end plate 2 facing the upper blade). This symmetrical and corresponding layout provides a reliable spatial basis for the alignment and matching of each set of rotating fixing structures 41.

[0048] In some specific embodiments of this application, the two substructures of each set of rotating fixed structures 41 can adopt mature rigid matching forms such as mortise and tenon joints, magnetic positioning, or toothed meshing to ensure the structural stability after connection. When the two layers of water turbines are driven to rotate relative to each other in the circumferential direction to the preset system position, the two substructures of each set of rotating fixed structures 41 are precisely aligned and connected. Once the alignment is completed, the upper blade 1 forms an integrated transmission unit with the middle end plate 2 and the lower blade 1 through the rotating fixed structure 41. At this time, the driving force generated by the external water flow acting on the blades will be synchronously transmitted to the entire water turbine system, so that the upper blade 1 and the lower blade 1 can maintain a completely consistent rotation speed and phase around the same rotation axis, that is, achieve coaxial synchronous rotation. This design can effectively avoid water flow disturbance and energy loss caused by asynchronous rotation of the two layers of water turbines, and can even prevent collisions between blades due to relative displacement, ensuring the operational safety and water energy utilization efficiency of the water turbine in the two-stage mode.

[0049] It is worth noting that the number of rotating fixed structures 41 can be flexibly adjusted according to the size of the turbine, the number of blades, and the actual load requirements: for small turbines or applications under low flow conditions, setting 1-2 sets of rotating fixed structures 41 is sufficient to meet the transmission stability requirements; for large turbines or high load and high flow conditions, multiple sets of rotating fixed structures 41 can be evenly arranged along the circumference of the end plate 2 and the bottom of the upper blades to further improve the structural strength and transmission reliability after the connection of the two turbine layers. The above design schemes with different numbers of sets do not deviate from the core inventive concept of this application and are all within the protection scope of this application.

[0050] In some preferred embodiments of this application, the rotating fixing structure 41 uses a magnetic sensor to achieve the alignment and synchronous rotation locking of the two water turbines. This design takes into account both positioning accuracy and adaptability to underwater working conditions, and greatly improves the operational reliability of the second adjustment unit.

[0051] Specifically, each set of rotating fixed structures 41 has two substructures that integrate magnetic attraction components and sensing components. The substructure installed at the bottom of the upper blade 1 has a built-in permanent magnet (magnetic attraction component), while the substructure installed on the end plate 2 between the two water wheels is equipped with a Hall sensor or a magnetoresistor (sensing component). The two form a coordinated system of "magnetic attraction + sensing". When the two water wheels rotate relative to each other in the circumferential direction under the drive of the second adjustment unit, the sensing component will detect the magnetic field signal strength and position of the permanent magnet in real time. Once the two water wheels rotate to the preset coordinated position, the permanent magnet and the sensing component are precisely aligned. At this time, the sensing component captures the strongest magnetic field signal and immediately feeds back an electrical signal of "positioning completed" to the control system. At the same time, the magnetic force generated by the magnetic attraction component will attract and stick the two substructures together, forming a physical pre-fixation, which provides a stable foundation for subsequent rigid locking (if required) or direct synchronous rotation.

[0052] Compared to traditional mechanical tenon and mortise joints and snap-fit ​​structures, the magnetic sensor-type rotating fixing structure 41 has significant advantages: First, the non-contact magnetic field positioning and magnetic attraction method eliminates mechanical wear, effectively resisting the effects of harsh working conditions such as underwater silt erosion and high-pressure corrosion, significantly extending the service life of components and reducing the frequency of underwater maintenance; Second, the detection accuracy of the magnetic field signal can reach the micrometer level, enabling precise alignment of the two water turbine layers, ensuring that the upper blade 1, lower blade 1, and end plate 2 fully meet the conditions for coaxial synchronous rotation, avoiding energy loss or component collisions caused by positioning deviations; Third, the magnetic pre-fixing design can buffer the impact of the two water turbine layers at the moment of alignment, reducing the risk of damage caused by mechanical collisions, while providing additional connection stability during synchronous rotation, preventing positional displacement caused by water flow impact, and ensuring the safety of water turbine operation.

[0053] Through the dual functions of positioning, sensing, and magnetic attraction of the magnetic sensor, the second adjustment unit can quickly and accurately complete the coordinated positioning of the two water turbines, ensuring that the upper blade 1, the lower blade 1, and the end plate 2 achieve stable coaxial synchronous rotation, and the overall structure is adapted to the technical requirements of long-term underwater operation.

[0054] Furthermore, in order to drive the two waterwheels to complete relative circumferential rotation to achieve precise alignment, the second adjustment unit also includes a second drive unit 42. As the power core of the second adjustment unit, the second drive unit 42 can provide controllable and stable driving force for the relative rotation of the two waterwheels. It is a key prerequisite to ensure that the rotating fixed structure 41 can successfully complete the alignment and finally achieve the coaxial synchronous rotation of the two waterwheels.

[0055] The design of the second drive unit 42 is fully adapted to the underwater operating conditions of the turbine and the rotation adjustment requirements of the two turbine layers: its power source can be flexibly selected to share the same first power unit 332 with the first drive unit 33 (power is distributed through the transmission switching device mentioned later), or it can be independently configured with a dedicated waterproof servo motor or hydraulic motor. The shared power source design simplifies the overall power layout of the turbine and reduces equipment complexity; the independent power source configuration allows the second adjustment unit to operate more independently, avoiding conflicts with the power requirements of the first adjustment unit. The specific configuration can be determined based on the turbine's power requirements, installation space, and other actual conditions. In terms of transmission methods, the second drive unit 42 can be matched with gear meshing transmission, chain transmission, or worm gear transmission. Among them, the worm gear transmission can also utilize its self-locking characteristics to temporarily lock the position after the two turbine layers rotate to the target position, preventing position deviation caused by water flow impact, equipment vibration, and other factors, further improving adjustment accuracy.

[0056] In actual operation, the action of the second drive unit 42 is closely linked to the position feedback of the rotating fixed structure 41: when the control system issues an alignment command for the two water turbines, the second drive unit 42 receives the signal and starts the power source, transmitting power to the upper water turbine (the lower water turbine usually remains fixed) through the transmission component, causing the upper water turbine to rotate circumferentially relative to the lower water turbine; during this process, the rotating fixed structure 41 will provide real-time position feedback signals. When it detects that the two substructures are about to be precisely aligned, the control system will instruct the second drive unit 42 to reduce the rotation speed to ensure that the alignment action is smooth and without impact; after the rotating fixed structure 41 completes the alignment and provides a position feedback signal, the second drive unit 42 immediately stops power output, completing the position adjustment of the two water turbines, laying the foundation for subsequent coaxial synchronous rotation.

[0057] In some specific embodiments of this application, the second drive unit 42 adopts an independent power source design, specifically including a second transmission device 421 and a second power device. The power output end of the second transmission device 421 is reliably connected to the end plate 2 of the upper blade 1 (through gear meshing, chain drive, or synchronous belt drive, ensuring the stability of power transmission). The second power device is preferably a waterproof servo motor or hydraulic motor (suitable for underwater operation), and its power output end is connected to the power input end of the second transmission device 421. During operation, the second power device receives a command from the control system and starts, converting electrical or hydraulic energy into mechanical energy to drive the second transmission device 421 to rotate. Through its transmission connection with the end plate 2, the second transmission device 421 synchronously transmits power to the upper blade 1 and its end plate 2, ultimately driving the upper blade 1 to complete circumferential rotation relative to the lower turbine, providing power support for the alignment and engagement of the rotating fixed structure 41. The advantage of this embodiment is that the second drive unit 42 has independent power output capability, does not need to share power with other adjustment units, has a more independent action response, and is suitable for scenarios with high adjustment efficiency requirements.

[0058] In other specific embodiments of this application, to simplify the overall power layout of the turbine and reduce equipment complexity, the second drive unit 42 adopts a power sharing design, specifically including a second transmission device 421 and a transmission switching device 423. The second transmission device 421 still maintains a transmission connection with the end plate 2 of the upper blade 1. The core difference is that the independent second power device is eliminated, and power sharing with the first power device 332 of the first drive unit 33 is achieved through the transmission switching device 423. The input end of the transmission switching device 423 is connected to the output end of the first power device 332, and the output end establishes power connection paths with the first transmission device 331 and the second transmission device 421 respectively. Its core function is to selectively switch the output power of the first power device 332 between the first transmission device 331 (driving the lifting screw 31 to rotate) and the second transmission device 421 (driving the upper blade 1 to rotate) according to the instructions of the control system. When it is necessary to adjust the distance between the two water turbines, the transmission switching device 423 directs the power to the first transmission device 331; when it is necessary to drive the two water turbines to rotate relative to each other in a circumferential direction, the transmission switching device 423 switches the power to the second transmission device 421, thereby realizing the drive control of two adjustment units by a single power source, effectively simplifying the power system structure, reducing the number of underwater sealing components, and improving the overall reliability of the equipment.

[0059] In some specific embodiments of this application, to further optimize transmission efficiency and switching reliability, both the first drive unit 33 and the second drive unit 42 adopt chain and sprocket transmission: the first transmission device 331 and the second transmission device 421 are equipped with matching sprockets and chains, and the efficient transmission of power is achieved through the meshing transmission of the chain (the chain and sprocket transmission has the characteristics of strong load-bearing capacity, stable transmission ratio, and suitability for harsh underwater working conditions); correspondingly, the transmission switching device 423 adopts a chain derailleur structure. The chain derailleur can reciprocate under the drive of the control system, and the power path is switched by changing the meshing state of the chain with different sprockets. When the chain derailleur moves the chain to mesh with the sprocket of the first transmission device 331, the power is transmitted to the lifting screw 31; when the chain derailleur moves the chain to mesh with the sprocket of the second transmission device 421, the power is transmitted to the upper blade end plate 2. The entire switching process is fast and accurate, and the structure is simple and easy to maintain. It is well adapted to the chain and sprocket transmission system, further ensuring the stability and reliability of power switching.

[0060] Furthermore, in order to achieve a smooth stage switching from two stages to one stage in the turbine, this application has made targeted designs on the structural form and supporting components of the upper blade 1 and the lower blade 1: the upper blade 1 and the lower blade 1 adopt completely identical cross-sectional profiles and dimensional parameters, which is the core premise for the two to achieve precise fitting, and can avoid the problem of fitting jamming or loose fit due to dimensional deviation; at the same time, the upper blade 1 and / or the lower blade 1 are designed as hollow structures with one end closed in the vertical direction - the hollow structure provides the necessary space for the fitting between the blades, while the design with one end closed can prevent water flow and silt from entering the blade interior and causing siltation or corrosion, thus taking into account both the fitting function and the structural protection requirements.

[0061] When the turbine needs to switch from two-stage to single-stage operation, the first regulating unit drives the two layers of blades to move closer to each other in the vertical direction. With the help of the uniform cross-sectional profile and size matching, the upper blade 1 can be smoothly fitted into the hollow cavity of the lower blade 1 (or the lower blade 1 can be fitted into the upper blade 1), so that the two layers of blades are combined into a compact whole. This not only effectively reduces the water flow resistance, but also ensures the structural stability of the blade system under a single-stage configuration, and avoids additional eddy current losses caused by the layered arrangement.

[0062] To accommodate the nesting action of the hollow structure, a through hole is also provided on the end plate 2 between the two blades. The position, shape and size of the through hole are precisely matched with the blade with the hollow structure. When the blade moves to nest, the non-closed end of the blade can pass smoothly through the through hole on the end plate, completely eliminating the space obstruction of the end plate to the nesting process and ensuring that the two blades can fit together completely. At the same time, the opening of the through hole has been checked for structural strength and will not affect the original supporting and fixing function and fluid guiding function of the end plate. Under the premise of meeting the nesting requirements, the structural support value of the end plate for the turbine system is maintained.

[0063] This combination design of uniform cross-sectional dimensions, hollow closed structure, and matching through holes in the end plate not only achieves efficient stage switching from two stages to one stage, but also ensures the overall hydrodynamic characteristics of the blades after switching through structural adaptability optimization, avoiding additional energy loss caused by the nested structure. At the same time, the protective characteristics of the closed hollow structure combined with the functional adaptability of the two through holes in the end plate further improves the operational reliability and service life of the turbine under complex underwater conditions.

[0064] The specific embodiments of this application have been described in detail above. For those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made to this application without departing from the principle of this application, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A multi-stage adjustable vertical-axis water turbine, comprising two layers of water turbines stacked vertically, each layer of water turbines being equipped with multiple drag-type blades, and each blade having end plates connected to both ends along its length, characterized in that: It also includes a first adjustment unit and a second adjustment unit; The first adjustment unit is used to drive the two layers of blades to separate or move closer together along the blade length direction to adjust the spacing between the two-stage structure; the second adjustment unit is used to drive the two layers of water turbines to rotate relative to each other in the circumferential direction and to achieve coaxial synchronous rotation of the upper and lower blades.

2. The multi-stage adjustable vertical axis turbine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first adjustment unit includes a lifting screw and a lifting shaft. The lifting screw is movably connected to the shaft cavity of the upper water turbine, and the lifting shaft is fixedly connected to the shaft cavity of the lower water turbine. The lifting screw and the lifting shaft are rotatably connected.

3. A multi-stage adjustable vertical axis turbine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first adjustment unit further includes a first drive unit, which can drive the lifting screw to rotate relative to the lifting shaft.

4. A multi-stage adjustable vertical axis turbine according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first drive unit includes a first transmission device and a first power device. The first transmission device is connected to the lifting screw. The first power device can drive the first transmission device to rotate and drive the lifting screw to rotate through the first transmission device.

5. A multi-stage adjustable vertical axis turbine according to claim 4, characterized in that: The second adjustment unit includes at least one set of rotating fixing structures. Each set of rotating fixing structures includes two alignable rotating fixing structures, one of which is located at the bottom end of the upper blade and the other is located on the end plate between the two water turbines. When the two rotating fixed structures in each group are aligned and engaged, the upper blade, the lower blade, and the corresponding end plate can rotate synchronously on the same axis.

6. A multi-stage adjustable vertical axis turbine according to claim 5, characterized in that: The second adjustment unit also includes a second drive unit, which can drive the two layers of waterwheels to rotate relative to each other in a circumferential direction.

7. A multi-stage adjustable vertical axis turbine according to claim 6, characterized in that: The second drive unit includes a second transmission device and a second power device. The second transmission device is connected to the end plate of the upper blade. The second power device can drive the second transmission device to rotate, and drive the upper blade and the end plate of the upper blade to rotate through the second transmission device.

8. A multi-stage adjustable vertical axis turbine according to claim 6, characterized in that: The second drive unit includes a second transmission device and a transmission switching device. The second transmission device is connected to the end plate of the upper blade. The transmission switching device can switch the output power of the first power unit between the first transmission device and the second transmission device.

9. A multi-stage adjustable vertical axis turbine according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first transmission device is connected to the lifting screw via a magnetic coupling.

10. A multi-stage adjustable vertical axis turbine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper and lower blades have the same cross-sectional profile and dimensions, and the upper and / or lower blades are hollow structures closed at one end along the vertical direction.

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