Oscillating water column type wave energy breakwater integrated system based on superstructure

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of ocean engineering, and particularly discloses an oscillating water column type wave energy breakwater integrated system based on a superstructure. The system comprises a breakwater carrier which is internally provided with a superstructure formed by a plurality of arc-shaped flow guide plates which are coaxially arranged. The superstructure divides the internal cavity of the carrier into a plurality of independent sector-ring-shaped cavities with different radial sizes. The top of each sector-ring-shaped cavity is provided with a cavity top plate and a vent hole, and the vent holes are connected with a turbine generator through pipelines. The breakwater carrier may be designed as a floating structure anchored by a mooring system or as a bottom-seated structure that is directly bottom-seated. Through the superstructure design, a plurality of oscillating water columns with different inherent frequencies can be excited in the system, so that efficient capture and conversion of broadband wave energy are realized. Meanwhile, the wave absorbing performance is effectively improved, and the wave load is remarkably reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of marine engineering technology, specifically to an integrated system for oscillating water column wave energy breakwaters based on a superstructure. Background Technology

[0002] Ocean wave energy reserves are abundant, but its commercial development has long been constrained by three major bottlenecks: conversion efficiency, construction cost, and structural reliability. To improve economic viability, integrating wave energy conversion devices with breakwaters to achieve the dual functions of power generation and shoreline protection has become an important research direction.

[0003] Oscillating water column devices are considered ideal integrated solutions due to their high reliability. However, traditional oscillating water column wave energy breakwater integrated systems have significant drawbacks: Firstly, its hydrodynamic structure is usually designed based on a single resonant frequency, and the effective frequency band for wave energy capture and wave dissipation performance is narrow, making it difficult to adapt to the wide-frequency and variable wave conditions in actual sea areas, resulting in low annual average energy output. Secondly, integrated structures face enormous wave loads under extreme sea conditions. Traditional designs, while enhancing power generation capacity, have not simultaneously optimized their load response, resulting in insufficient survivability.

[0004] Existing technologies improve performance by optimizing chamber shape or control strategies, but these are mostly limited to single-point optimization within the framework of linear wave theory, failing to fundamentally resolve the contradiction between broadband adaptability and structural safety. The root cause lies in the fact that traditional design approaches involve component stacking rather than functional integration, lacking an innovative core design that enables coordinated control of the wave field at the physical level between the wave power generation unit and the main breakwater structure. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention introduces a superstructure that deeply integrates multiple functions such as efficient wave energy conversion, broadband wave dissipation, and structural load control, thus solving the technical problems of traditional integrated systems, such as narrow wave energy capture bandwidth, poor adaptability to extreme sea conditions, and insufficient functional synergy.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: An integrated system of oscillating water column wave energy breakwater based on a superstructure includes a breakwater carrier, a superstructure, and a chamber top plate.

[0007] The breakwater carrier is a hollow box-shaped structure with openings on the sides and top.

[0008] The superstructure is set in the internal cavity of the breakwater carrier. The superstructure is composed of several coaxial and evenly spaced arc-shaped guide plates. The arc-shaped guide plates divide the internal cavity into several independent fan-shaped annular cavities with different radial dimensions, so that oscillating water columns of different lengths are formed in the fan-shaped annular cavities. The chamber top plate is set in the top opening of the breakwater carrier and covers all the fan-shaped annular chambers. Each fan-shaped annular chamber has a ventilation hole on the chamber top plate, and a turbine generator is connected to the ventilation hole through a pipe.

[0009] Under the influence of waves, water enters the system through side openings and is guided by arc-shaped baffles, forming water columns of varying lengths within each annular chamber. Due to the different geometric dimensions of each annular chamber, their inherent oscillation frequencies also differ. This design allows the integrated system to simultaneously generate multiple oscillating water columns of different frequencies, thus achieving efficient capture of broadband wave energy. The oscillation of the water columns compresses the air within the chambers, generating a high-speed reciprocating airflow through vent pipes, which drives a turbine generator to produce electricity.

[0010] Furthermore, the breakwater carrier forms a breakwater front wall above the side opening, and a breakwater rear wall behind the top opening.

[0011] Furthermore, the breakwater carrier has several chamber sidewalls arranged along its length. The chamber sidewalls are respectively connected and fixed to the front wall, rear wall and top plate of the breakwater. The chamber sidewalls divide the internal chamber of the breakwater carrier into several internal chambers of the breakwater. The superstructure is arranged in the internal chamber of the breakwater.

[0012] Furthermore, the arc-shaped guide plate is connected and fixed to the side wall and top plate of the chamber, forming a stable overall frame and enhancing the structural rigidity.

[0013] Furthermore, a valve is provided on the pipe connecting the vent, and a safety valve is provided on the top of the annular chamber. In extreme sea conditions or when power generation is not required, the valve is closed to suspend the wave energy conversion function, and the safety valve is opened to allow the system to operate as a traditional breakwater, thus improving its adaptability to operating conditions.

[0014] Furthermore, the breakwater carrier can be designed as a floating structure or a bottom-mounted structure. The floating structure can be anchored by a mooring system and can be equipped with ballast tanks to adjust draft and stability; the bottom-mounted structure is directly fixed to the seabed and is suitable for near-shore shallow water areas.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention provides an integrated system for oscillating water column wave energy breakwaters based on a superstructure, which has the following beneficial effects: This invention utilizes a superstructure composed of several coaxially arranged arc-shaped guide plates to divide the internal chamber of the breakwater carrier into multiple independent fan-shaped annular sub-chambers with different radial dimensions. This design enables the oscillating water column excited within the integrated system to possess a series of different natural frequencies, thereby responding to a wide range of wave energy inputs. This overcomes the inefficiency of traditional single-resonance frequency systems under varying wave conditions in real seas, significantly improving the efficiency and stability of energy capture. The superstructure in this invention not only serves for energy conversion, but its unique arc-shaped guide plate array also exhibits significant scattering, guiding, and vortex dissipation effects on incident waves, effectively consuming wave energy, reducing transmitted wave height, and ensuring excellent wave-damping performance. Simultaneously, it directly reduces the overall wave load acting on the breakwater carrier, enhancing the survivability and reliability of the integrated system under extreme sea conditions. This invention provides two implementation methods: floating and bottom-mounted. It can be equipped with valves to control the opening and closing of the ventilation port connecting pipes, which can be flexibly set according to different marine environments. In extreme weather conditions, it can switch to a pure wave-dissipating mode to suspend power generation to protect the equipment, greatly improving the applicability and maintainability of the system. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the present invention when anchored by the mooring system. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the present invention when it is fixed at the base; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the cylindrical floating structure used in the box-type structure of the present invention.

[0017] Reference numerals: 1. Breakwater carrier; 2. Arc-shaped guide plate; 3. Fan-shaped annular chamber; 4. Breakwater rear wall; 5. Chamber top plate; 6. Ventilation hole; 7. Breakwater front wall; 8. Chamber side wall; 9. Mooring system; 10. Seabed; 11. Free water surface. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Example 1

[0019] like Figure 1 and 2 As shown, the breakwater carrier 1 adopts a rectangular hollow box structure with a side opening facing the incoming wave flow and an open top design. The carrier is made of lightweight, high-strength composite materials such as fiberglass to provide sufficient buoyancy.

[0020] The breakwater carrier 1 forms a front wall 7 above the side opening and a rear wall 4 behind the top opening. Several chamber sidewalls 8 are arranged along the length of the breakwater carrier 1. These sidewalls 8 are connected and fixed to the front wall 7, the rear wall 4, and the top plate 5 of the chambers, respectively. The sidewalls 8 divide the internal chambers of the breakwater carrier 1 into several internal breakwater chambers, and the superstructure is disposed within these internal chambers.

[0021] Each breakwater's internal chamber is equipped with a superstructure consisting of several arc-shaped guide plates 2. Preferably, the arc-shaped guide plates 2 are made of stainless steel. These arc-shaped guide plates 2 are coaxially arranged and evenly spaced, with their upper edges connected and fixed to the chamber top plate 5, and their sides connected and fixed to the chamber sidewalls 8, thereby dividing each breakwater's internal chamber into several independent fan-shaped annular chambers 3.

[0022] This invention utilizes a superstructure to form multiple fan-shaped annular chambers 3 with different geometric dimensions, each possessing a unique inherent oscillation period. This ensures that regardless of the duration of the incident wave's period, the water column oscillation in one or more chambers will resonate with or approach the frequency of the wave, thereby significantly broadening the system's effective energy harvesting bandwidth and achieving efficient energy harvesting from broadband irregular waves.

[0023] The chamber top plate 5, made of steel plate, covers the top of all the annular chambers 3. A vent 6 is opened on the top plate corresponding to each annular chamber 3. Each vent 6 is connected to a miniature turbine generator via a pipe. The miniature turbine generator is mounted on the rear wall 4 of the breakwater. The turbine generator can be a symmetrical airfoil turbine generator or a Wells turbine generator. For safety, a safety valve is also installed on the chamber top plate 5 at the top of each annular chamber 3. This valve automatically opens to release pressure when the air pressure inside the chamber exceeds 150% of the working pressure.

[0024] The breakwater carrier 1 floats in the water via an anchoring system 9. The bottom of the breakwater front wall 7 is below the free water surface 11, while the top of the breakwater front wall 7 and the chamber top plate 5 are above the free water surface 11. Preferably, the anchoring system 9 includes four anchor blocks and ropes connecting the anchor blocks to the breakwater carrier 1. One end of each of the four ropes is connected to the bottom perimeter of the breakwater carrier 1. To adapt the breakwater carrier 1 to different water levels, four electric winches can be installed around the bottom perimeter of the breakwater carrier 1. The length of the ropes is controlled by the electric winches to keep the breakwater carrier 1 relatively stable.

[0025] In addition, to adjust the draft and attitude stability, the cavity inside the rear wall 4 of the breakwater is designed as a ballast water tank, and a pipe connected to the external seawater is installed on the tank wall. The pipe is equipped with valves, and a submersible pump is installed in the ballast water tank to pump seawater into or out of the ballast water tank. At the same time, a water level sensor is also installed in the ballast water tank to monitor the liquid level in each compartment in real time. The submersible pump and valves are controlled by the controller on the breakwater carrier 1 to adjust the draft and attitude.

[0026] It should be noted that the mooring system 9 for positioning the floating structure, as well as the ballast tanks and their water supply and drainage control systems for adjusting the draft and stability of the floating structure, are all common existing technologies in the field of marine engineering. Their specific components (such as anchor blocks, winches, ropes, submersible pumps, valves, controllers, etc.) and working mechanisms are common knowledge to those skilled in the art, and there are many mature and commercially available products to choose from. Therefore, this invention will not elaborate further. Example 2

[0027] like Figure 1 and 3 As shown, the core internal structure of this embodiment is completely identical to that of Embodiment 1, including the superstructure, the fan-shaped annular chamber 3, the chamber top plate 5, and the ventilation holes 6. The main difference lies in that the breakwater carrier 1 is integrally cast with reinforced concrete, resulting in a large weight. It is directly sunk and fixed to the seabed 10, eliminating the need for an anchoring system. The bottom of the breakwater carrier 1 extends below the seabed, ensuring structural stability. This structural form exhibits high overall rigidity and strong resistance to wind and waves, making it particularly suitable for locations such as port breakwaters where stability requirements are extremely high.

[0028] At the same time, it ensures that the bottom of the breakwater front wall 7 is below the free water surface 11, and the top of the breakwater front wall 7 and the chamber top plate 5 are above the free water surface 11. Therefore, this embodiment is suitable for near-shore areas with shallow water and geological conditions that allow for fixed construction. Example 3

[0029] like Figure 4 As shown, the breakwater carrier 1 has a quarter-circle cross-section, with its vertical surface serving as the wave-facing front wall 7 and its horizontal and curved surfaces serving as the rear wall 4. This design allows waves to more smoothly diffract and pass through the structure, reducing the impact load of waves on the structure itself and minimizing the violent swaying caused by wave impact, thus improving stability and survivability in harsh sea conditions.

[0030] Because the internal space of the rear wall 4 of this breakwater structure is small, ballast water tanks are usually not installed, which reduces the size of the breakwater carrier 1 and saves manufacturing costs. Its stability is mainly ensured by its own center of gravity design and anchoring system. The arrangement and connection of the superstructure and other components are similar to those in Embodiment 1.

[0031] The above embodiments all operate in the following manner: when the waves propagate to the device, the highest point of the wave crest reaches the front wall 7 of the breakwater first. Under the action of the wave crest, the sea level rises, and water flows into the interior of the breakwater carrier 1 from the side opening under pressure. Guided by the superstructure formed by the arc-shaped guide plates 2, the inflowing water enters each annular chamber 3, causing the water level in all chambers to rise synchronously. This rise in water level compresses the air in the top chamber of each annular chamber 3, rapidly increasing its pressure and forming a high-pressure air mass higher than the external atmospheric pressure. Under the influence of this pressure difference, the high-pressure air is ejected at high speed through the vent pipes 6 on the top plate 5 of the chamber, forming an outward exhaust airflow. This airflow drives a turbine generator connected to the pipe to rotate, converting wave energy into mechanical energy, and then into electrical energy. This is the first half-cycle of energy conversion. Following the wave crest is the wave trough, the lowest point of the wave. Under the influence of the trough, the sea level around the breakwater carrier 1 drops, causing the water in the annular chamber 3 inside the breakwater to flow out rapidly under the combined effects of gravity and the lower external water level, resulting in a drop in the water level inside the chamber. This increases the volume of the top air chamber, causing the internal air to expand and the pressure to drop below the external atmospheric pressure, forming a local low-pressure zone. Under the influence of external atmospheric pressure, air is drawn into the chamber through the vent 6, creating a reverse airflow that draws air inward. This reverse airflow also drives the turbine generator to continue rotating in the same direction, continuing to generate electricity. This is the second half-cycle of energy conversion. As the crests and troughs of the waves propagate alternately, the aforementioned process of water column oscillation and air reciprocating flow is repeated continuously, thereby achieving continuous energy conversion.

[0032] Furthermore, in extreme weather conditions, by closing the valve on the vent pipe and opening the safety valve on the top plate 5 of the chamber, the airflow is discharged upwards through the safety valve, suspending the power generation function and allowing the system to be used purely as a breakwater. This invention achieves a deep synergy between broadband wave energy capture and efficient wave dissipation through a superstructure, resulting in a compact structure, multiple functions, and significant practical value and economic efficiency.

Claims

1. An integrated system for oscillating water column wave energy breakwaters based on a superstructure, characterized in that: Includes a breakwater carrier (1), wherein the breakwater carrier (1) is a hollow box-shaped structure with openings on the sides and top; The superstructure is set in the internal cavity of the breakwater carrier (1). The superstructure is composed of several arc-shaped guide plates (2), which divide the internal cavity into several independent fan-shaped annular cavities (3). The top plate (5) of the chamber is set in the top opening of the breakwater carrier (1) and covers all the fan-shaped annular chambers (3). The top plate (5) of the chamber is provided with ventilation holes (6) that are connected to each fan-shaped annular chamber (3).

2. The integrated system of oscillating water column wave energy breakwater based on superstructure according to claim 1, characterized in that: Several of the aforementioned arc-shaped guide plates (2) are coaxially arranged and evenly spaced, so that oscillating water columns of different lengths are formed in several fan-shaped annular chambers (3).

3. The integrated system of oscillating water column wave energy breakwater based on superstructure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vent (6) is connected to a turbine generator via a pipe.

4. The integrated system of oscillating water column wave energy breakwater based on superstructure according to claim 3, characterized in that: A valve is provided on the pipe connecting the vent (6), and a safety valve is provided on the top of the annular chamber (3).

5. The integrated system of oscillating water column wave energy breakwater based on superstructure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The breakwater carrier (1) forms a breakwater front wall (7) above the side opening, and the breakwater carrier (1) forms a breakwater rear wall (4) behind the top opening.

6. The integrated system of oscillating water column wave energy breakwater based on superstructure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The breakwater carrier (1) has several chamber sidewalls (8) arranged along its length. The chamber sidewalls (8) are connected and fixed to the front wall (7), the rear wall (4) and the top plate (5) of the breakwater, respectively. The chamber sidewalls (8) divide the internal chamber of the breakwater carrier (1) into several internal chambers of the breakwater. The superstructure is arranged in the internal chamber of the breakwater.

7. The integrated system of oscillating water column wave energy breakwater based on superstructure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The arc-shaped guide plate (2) is connected and fixed to the side wall (8) and the top plate (5) of the chamber.

8. The integrated system of oscillating water column wave energy breakwater based on superstructure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The breakwater carrier (1) is a floating structure, which is anchored in the water by an anchoring system (9).

9. The integrated system of oscillating water column wave energy breakwater based on superstructure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The breakwater carrier (1) is made of lightweight material and / or has a ballast water tank inside for adjusting the draft.

10. The integrated system of oscillating water column wave energy breakwater based on superstructure according to claim 9, characterized in that: The breakwater carrier (1) is a bottom-mounted structure, with its bottom fixed to the seabed (10).

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