Soft rigid arm single-point mooring wave power generation device
By using a soft rigid arm single-point mooring system and a wave energy generation device that enhances generator speed by adjusting the stator with a magnetic field, the problems of limited motion freedom and increased load of existing devices are solved. It achieves six-degree-of-freedom energy capture and wind and wave adaptation, has positioning and energy conversion functions, and features high reliability and low loss.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-17
AI Technical Summary
Existing floating wave energy generation devices have limited degrees of freedom of motion, cannot convert wave energy into six degrees of freedom, cannot adapt to the wind vane effect, increase the load on the floating body, and the mooring system does not directly convert wave energy.
A soft rigid arm single-point mooring system is adopted, including a floating structure, mooring support, articulated power generation module, mooring legs, mooring arm and mooring tower. The six degrees of freedom motion of the floating body is converted into electrical energy through the articulated power generation module and column hinge shaft. The magnetic field speed of the generator is enhanced by adjusting the stator using a magnetic field. A direct-drive generator system is adopted.
It achieves energy capture and wave energy conversion for six-degree-of-freedom motion of the floating body, adapts to changes in wind and wave direction, reduces the load on the floating body, and the mooring system has both positioning and energy conversion functions. The generator system has no mutual contact, low vibration, high reliability, and low loss.
Smart Images
Figure CN121676216A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of marine energy development and utilization technology, specifically to a wave energy power generation device with a soft rigid arm single-point mooring. Background Technology
[0002] Wave energy has become a focus of marine energy research and development due to its vast reserves, high energy flux density, strong sustainability, and minimal environmental impact. Wave energy generation devices, with their diverse power generation mechanisms, can be classified in various ways. Based on their working principle, they can be categorized into oscillating water column type, oscillating body type, and overriding type. Based on their distance from the coast, they can be classified into onshore wave energy generation devices (installed on the coast), nearshore wave energy generation devices (usually using the seabed as a fixed point), and offshore wave energy generation devices, which can float in deep water (≈100 m and above).
[0003] For nearshore and offshore wave energy generation devices, almost all employ floating structures to capture wave energy. Floating structures possess six degrees of freedom under wave action; however, many current floating wave energy generation devices only capture energy from a few of these degrees of freedom, failing to convert all six. Secondly, many floating wave energy generation devices are constrained by their mooring methods, limiting the floating body to fewer than six degrees of freedom for wave energy conversion. For example, wave energy generation devices using multi-point mooring systems have limited yaw motion, with only five degrees of freedom available. Furthermore, under changing wind and wave directions, the floating body cannot adapt to the wind vane effect, increasing the load on it. In addition, some wave energy generation devices use mooring systems primarily for device positioning, but the mooring system itself does not directly convert wave energy. Summary of the Invention
[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a wave energy generation device with a soft rigid arm and single-point mooring, in order to solve the problems of existing floating wave energy generation devices having limited degrees of freedom of motion, unable to convert wave energy into six degrees of freedom; the device being unable to adapt to the wind vane effect, resulting in increased load on the floating body; and some wave energy generation devices using mooring systems mainly for positioning the device, but the mooring system itself does not directly convert wave energy.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a wave energy power generation device with a soft rigid arm single-point mooring, comprising a floating structure, a mooring support, a hinged power generation module, a mooring leg, a mooring arm, a column hinge shaft, and a mooring tower. The mooring support is fixedly connected above the floating structure. One end of the mooring leg is connected to the mooring support via a hinged power generation module. The other end of the mooring leg is connected to the lower end of the mooring arm via another set of hinged power generation modules. The upper end of the mooring arm is connected to the mooring tower via a column hinge shaft. The mooring tower is fixedly installed on the seabed.
[0006] Preferably, the floating structure is a structure that floats on the sea or a floating wave energy power generation device.
[0007] Preferably, the wave energy generation device is a backward-curved tube type oscillating water column wave energy generation device, including a hull, a float and an air turbine. The float is fixedly installed above the hull. The hull contains an air chamber connected to seawater. The air turbine is installed at the top of the air chamber of the hull, away from the seawater surface.
[0008] Preferably, the articulated power generation module is a universal joint structure equipped with a power generation device, including a first mounting base, a first pivot hinge, a transition member, a second pivot hinge, a second mounting base, a generator, and a shaft end retaining ring. The first mounting base is fixedly connected to the mooring support. The mounting hole of the first mounting base is hinged to the transition member under the connection of the first pivot hinge. The mounting hole of the first mounting base and the first pivot hinge are press-fitted with each other using a spacer. The second mounting base is fixedly connected to the mooring leg. The mounting hole of the second mounting base is hinged to the transition member under the connection of the second pivot hinge. The mounting hole of the second mounting base and the second pivot hinge are also press-fitted with each other using a spacer. Generators are installed at both ends of the first and second pivot hinges, so that the kinetic energy of the first and second pivot hinges can be converted into electrical energy of the generator during the reciprocating rotation of the first and second pivot hinges.
[0009] Preferably, the generator includes a low-speed rotor, a first permanent magnet, a second permanent magnet, a first shaft, a second shaft, several bearings, a magnetic field modulation stator, a composite rotor, a motor stator, and a cover. The low-speed rotor is connected to the first shaft via bearings. Another bearing is connected to the other end of the first shaft. The outer ring of the bearing is interference-fitted with the composite rotor. A magnetic field modulation stator is fixedly installed in the middle of the first shaft. Several first permanent magnets are fixed in the mounting slots of the low-speed rotor, and several second permanent magnets are fixedly installed in the mounting slots of the composite rotor. The magnetic field modulation stator modulates the magnetic field harmonics.
[0010] Preferably, one end of the second rotating shaft is fixedly connected to the composite rotor, and two bearings are installed at the other end of the second rotating shaft. The outer ring of the middle bearing is fixedly connected to the motor stator, and the cover is connected to the outer ring of the rightmost bearing. The cover is fixedly installed on the second mounting base.
[0011] Preferably, the bearing is a unidirectional rotary bearing. When waves act on the floating structure, the floating structure will move in six degrees of freedom, thereby causing the first and second column hinges in the articulated power generation module to rotate. When the first and second column hinges rotate in one direction, they drive the generator on one side to rotate and generate electricity. When the first and second column hinges rotate in the opposite direction, they drive the generator on the other side to rotate and generate electricity.
[0012] Preferably, the upper end of the mooring arm is connected to the rotating frame on the mooring tower via a column hinge, the rotating frame is fixedly connected to the outer ring of the rolling bearing by bolts, and the inner ring of the rolling bearing is fixedly connected to the base by bolts.
[0013] Preferably, the base and the tube frame are integrally welded structures.
[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: (1) This invention can capture the energy of all six degrees of freedom of the floating body and convert it into wave energy; (2) The present invention, through a soft rigid arm single-point mooring system, can adapt to changes in wind and wave direction and conform to the weather vane effect; (3) The soft rigid arm single-point mooring system can not only locate the wave energy power generation device, but also convert wave energy. That is, the soft rigid arm single-point mooring system also has the function of wave energy conversion. Attached Figure Description
[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a wave energy generation device with a soft rigid arm single-point mooring according to the present invention. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the wave energy generation device of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the articulated power generation module of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the generator structure of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the mooring tower connection structure of the present invention.
[0016] In the diagram, 1. Floating structure; 101. Hull; 102. Floating body; 103. Air turbine; 2. Mooring support; 3. Articulated power generation module; 301. First mounting base; 305. Second mounting base; 302. First column hinge shaft; 304. Second column hinge shaft; 303. Transition component; 306. Generator; 306a. Low-speed rotor; 306b. First permanent magnet; 306i. Second permanent magnet; 306c. First rotating shaft; 306j. Second rotating shaft; 306d. Bearing; 306e. Magnetic field regulating stator; 306f. Composite rotor; 306g. Motor stator; 306h. Engine cover; 307. Shaft end retaining ring; 4. Mooring leg; 5. Mooring arm; 6. Column hinge shaft; 7. Mooring tower; 701. Rotating frame; 702. Rolling bearing; 703. Base; 704. Pipe rack. Detailed Implementation
[0017] 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 only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. In addition, the terms "first," "second," "third," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. At the same time, in the description of the present invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0018] This embodiment provides a wave energy generation device with a soft rigid arm single-point mooring, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the structure consists of a floating structure 1, a mooring support 2, a hinged power generation module 3, a mooring leg 4, a mooring arm 5, a column hinge shaft 6, and a mooring tower 7. The mooring support 2 is fixedly connected above the floating structure 1. One end of the mooring leg 4 is connected to the mooring support 2 via the hinged power generation module 3, and the other end of the mooring leg 4 is connected to the lower end of the mooring arm 5 via another set of hinged power generation modules 3. The upper end of the mooring arm 5 is connected to the mooring tower 7 via the column hinge shaft 6. The mooring tower 7 is fixedly installed on the seabed.
[0019] The floating structure 1 can be any structure floating on the sea, or it can be a floating wave energy generation device. This invention will be described using a backward-curved tube type oscillating water column wave energy generation device. For example... Figure 2As shown, the device mainly consists of a hull 101, a float 102, and an air turbine 103. The float 102 is fixedly installed above the hull 101. Inside the hull 101 is an air chamber connected to seawater. The air turbine 103 is installed at the top of the air chamber of the hull 101, away from the seawater surface. The air turbine 103 can be a bidirectional pulse turbine, so that the air turbine 103 can generate electricity when waves rise or fall in the air chamber.
[0020] Floating structure 1 adopts Figure 1 The soft rigid arm mooring system shown allows the hull 101 to move in six degrees of freedom in the waves without any restrictions, thus maximizing the conversion of wave energy.
[0021] like Figure 3 As shown, the articulated power generation module 3 is a universal joint structure equipped with a power generation device. It mainly consists of a first mounting base 301, a first pivot hinge 302, a transition member 303, a second pivot hinge 304, a second mounting base 305, a generator 306, and a shaft end retaining ring 307. The first mounting base 301 is fixedly connected to the mooring support 2. The mounting hole of the first mounting base 301 is hinged to the transition member 303 under the connection of the first pivot hinge 302. The mounting hole of the first mounting base 301 and the first pivot hinge 302 are fitted with an interference fit using a spacer. The second mounting base 305 is fixedly connected to the mooring leg 4. The mounting hole of the second mounting base 305 is hinged to the transition member 303 under the connection of the second pivot hinge 304. The mounting hole of the second mounting base 305 and the second pivot hinge 304 are also fitted with an interference fit using a spacer. Generators 306 are installed at both ends of the first hinge shaft 302 and the second hinge shaft 304, so that the kinetic energy of the first hinge shaft 302 and the second hinge shaft 304 can be converted into electrical energy of the generator 306 during the back-and-forth rotation.
[0022] like Figure 4As shown, the generator 306 mainly consists of a low-speed rotor 306a, a first permanent magnet 306b, a second permanent magnet 306i, a first shaft 306c, a second shaft 306j, several bearings 306d, a magnetic field regulating stator 306e, a composite rotor 306f, a motor stator 306g, and a cover 306h. The low-speed rotor 306a is connected to the first shaft 306c via bearings 306d. Another bearing 306d is connected to the other end of the first shaft 306c. The outer ring of this bearing 306d is interference-fitted with the composite rotor 306f. A magnetic field regulating stator 306e is fixedly installed in the middle of the first shaft 306c. Several first permanent magnets 306b are fixed in the mounting slots of the low-speed rotor 306a, and several second permanent magnets 306i are fixedly installed in the mounting slots of the composite rotor 306f. The 306e magnetic field modulation stator modulates the magnetic field harmonics. This magnetic gear effect increases the generator's magnetic field speed during magnetic transmission. Given the low speed and high energy density characteristics of the conversion structure under wave energy influence, the magnetic field modulation generator increases the magnetic field speed during magnetic transmission, meeting the requirements of high-speed rotation and direct drive. As a direct-drive generator system, it features no contact during magnetic transmission, low vibration, high reliability, low loss, and easy maintenance.
[0023] One end of the second shaft 306j is fixedly connected to the composite rotor 306f, and the other end of the second shaft 306j is equipped with two bearings. The outer ring of the middle bearing is fixedly connected to the motor stator 306g, and the cover 306h is connected to the outer ring of the rightmost bearing. The cover 306h is fixedly mounted on the second mounting base 305. When the low-speed rotor 306a rotates, the rotational speed of the composite rotor 306f is increased under the action of the magnetic field regulating the stator 306e. The composite rotor 306f rotates relative to the motor stator 306g, thereby generating electrical energy output and realizing the conversion of wave energy into power generation.
[0024] It should be noted that bearing 306d is a unidirectional rotary bearing. When waves act on the floating structure 1, the floating structure 1 will move with six degrees of freedom, thereby causing the first pivot shaft 302 and the second pivot shaft 304 in the articulated power generation module 3 to rotate. When the first pivot shaft 302 and the second pivot shaft 304 rotate in one direction, they drive the generator 306 on one side to rotate and generate electricity. When the first pivot shaft 302 and the second pivot shaft 304 rotate in the opposite direction, they drive the generator 306 on the other side to rotate and generate electricity.
[0025] like Figure 5As shown, the upper end of the mooring arm 5 is connected to the rotating frame 701 on the mooring tower 7 via a column hinge shaft 6. The rotating frame 701 is fixedly connected to the outer ring of the rolling bearing 702 by bolts, while the inner ring of the rolling bearing 702 is fixedly connected to the base 703 by bolts. The base 703 and the pipe frame 704 are integrally welded structures. A generator 306 is installed between the base 703 and the rotating frame 701 to convert the energy of the bow-rolling degree of freedom of the floating structure 1.
[0026] This embodiment of a wave energy generation device with a flexible rigid arm single-point mooring system can capture energy from the six degrees of freedom of the floating body and convert it into wave energy. The flexible rigid arm single-point mooring system can adapt to changes in wind and wave direction and follow the wind vane effect. The flexible rigid arm single-point mooring system not only positions the wave energy generation device but also converts wave energy; that is, the flexible rigid arm single-point mooring system also has wave energy conversion capabilities. The magnetic field modulation stator modulates the magnetic field harmonics. This magnetic gear effect increases the magnetic field speed of the generator during magnetic transmission. Given the low speed and high energy density characteristics of the conversion structure under wave energy, the magnetic field modulation generator increases the magnetic field speed during magnetic transmission, meeting the requirements of high-speed rotation and direct drive. The direct-drive generator system features no mutual contact, low vibration, high reliability, low loss, and easy maintenance during magnetic transmission.
[0027] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that the invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered in all respects as exemplary and non-limiting, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims are intended to be included within the present invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. A wave energy power plant of the soft yoke single point mooring type, characterized in that, The utility model relates to a kind of wave energy power generation device, including floating structure (1), mooring support (2), articulated power generation module (3), mooring leg (4), mooring arm (5), column hinge shaft (6) and mooring tower (7), the mooring support (2) is fixedly connected above floating structure (1), one end of the mooring leg (4) is connected to mooring support (2) by articulated power generation module (3), the other end of the mooring leg (4) is connected to the lower end of mooring arm (5) by another articulated power generation module (3), the upper end of the mooring arm (5) is connected to mooring tower (7) by column hinge shaft (6), and the mooring tower (7) is fixedly installed on seabed.
2. A wave energy converter of the type defined above, characterised in that: The floating structure (1) is a structure floating on the sea or a floating wave energy power generation device.
3. A wave energy converter of the type defined above, characterised in that: The wave energy power generation device is an oscillating water column wave energy power generation device of back-bent pipe type, including a hull (101), a floating body (102) and an air turbine (103), the floating body (102) is fixedly installed above the hull (101), the hull (101) is a gas chamber communicating with seawater, and the air turbine (103) is installed at the uppermost end of the gas chamber of the hull (101) away from the sea surface.
4. A wave energy converter of the type defined above, characterised in that: The articulated power generation module (3) is a cross universal joint structure provided with a power generation device, including a first mounting seat (301), a first column hinge shaft (302), an overpiece (303), a second column hinge shaft (304), a second mounting seat (305), a generator (306) and a shaft end check ring (307), the first mounting seat (301) is fixedly connected with the mooring support (2), the mounting hole of the first mounting seat (301) is hinged with the overpiece (303) under the connection of the first column hinge shaft (302), the mounting hole of the first mounting seat (301) and the first column hinge shaft (302) adopt a spacer to realize interference fit, the second mounting seat (305) is fixedly connected with the mooring leg (4), the mounting hole of the second mounting seat (305) is hinged with the overpiece (303) under the connection of the second column hinge shaft (304), the mounting hole of the second mounting seat (305) and the second column hinge shaft (304) also adopt a spacer to realize interference fit, and the two ends of the first column hinge shaft (302) and the second column hinge shaft (304) are provided with the generator (306), so that the kinetic energy can be converted into the electric energy of the generator (306) in the process of rotating back and forth.
5. A wave energy converter of the type defined above, characterised in that: The generator (306) comprises a low-speed rotor (306a), a first permanent magnet (306b), a second permanent magnet (306i), a first rotating shaft (306c), a second rotating shaft (306j), a plurality of bearings (306d), a magnetic field modulation stator (306e), a composite rotor (306f), a motor stator (306g), a cover (306h), the low-speed rotor (306a) is connected together with the first rotating shaft (306c) through the bearing (306d), the other end of the first rotating shaft (306c) is connected with another bearing (306d), the outer ring of the bearing (306d) is connected together with the composite rotor (306f) in interference fit, the magnetic field modulation stator (306e) is fixedly installed in the middle of the first rotating shaft (306c), a plurality of the first permanent magnets (306b) are fixed in the installation groove of the low-speed rotor (306a), a plurality of the second permanent magnets (306i) are fixedly installed in the installation groove of the composite rotor (306f), the magnetic field modulation stator (306e) modulates the magnetic field harmonic.
6. A wave energy converter of the type defined above, characterised in that: One end of the second rotating shaft (306j) is fixedly connected with the composite rotor (306f), the other end of the second rotating shaft (306j) is installed with two bearings, the outer ring of the middle bearing is fixedly connected with the motor stator (306g), the cover (306h) is connected together with the outer ring of the bearing at the rightmost end, and the cover (306h) is fixedly installed on the second mounting seat (305).
7. A wave energy converter of the type defined above, characterised in that: The type of the bearing (306d) adopts a one-way rotating bearing, when waves act on the floating structure (1), the floating structure (1) will make six-degree-of-freedom motion, thereby driving the first column hinge shaft (302) and the second column hinge shaft (304) in the articulated power generation module (3) to rotate, the first column hinge shaft (302) and the second column hinge shaft (304) drive the generator (306) on one side to rotate and generate power when rotating in one direction, and the first column hinge shaft (302) and the second column hinge shaft (304) drive the generator (306) on the other side to rotate and generate power when rotating in the other direction.
8. A wave energy converter of the type defined above, characterised in that: The upper end of the mooring arm (5) is connected to the rotating frame (701) on the mooring tower (7) through the column hinge shaft (6), the rotating frame (701) and the outer ring of the rolling bearing (702) are fixedly connected through bolts, and the inner ring of the rolling bearing (702) and the base (703) are fixedly connected together through bolts.
9. A wave energy converter of the type defined above, characterised in that: The base (703) and the pipe frame (704) are integrally welded structures.