Integrated spiral oscillating water column wave energy device floating breakwater

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of renewable energy and coastal engineering technology, and discloses a floating breakwater integrated with a spiral oscillating water column wave energy device, comprising a plurality of parallel arranged breakwater units, each of which is internally provided with a spiral chamber, and the starting end of the chamber is connected to the wave-approaching side through a gradually narrowed chamber inlet; the spiral chamber is provided with a plurality of independent energy output ports in the height direction, each of which is provided with an air turbine and a gas valve capable of being independently opened and closed. The spiral chamber of the present application prolongs the oscillating water column path in a limited space, reduces the self-vibration frequency, and thus improves the long-wave reduction effect; meanwhile, by opening and closing the valves at different heights, the effective working length of the oscillating water column can be actively adjusted, so that the natural frequency of the device matches the wideband wave, and the dual functions of efficient and wideband wave energy capture and wave absorption are realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the fields of renewable energy and coastal engineering technology, specifically to a floating breakwater with an integrated helical oscillating water column wave energy device. Background Technology

[0002] Floating breakwaters are marine engineering structures placed around the coast or outside ports to reduce wave energy and provide a stable environment for the inland waters. Oscillating water column wave energy devices are among the most mature wave energy generation devices currently available due to their simple and efficient structure, low cost, and ease of maintenance.

[0003] The oscillating water column device utilizes the interaction between waves and an air chamber to generate an oscillating water column. This oscillating water column compresses and draws air into the air chamber, creating an air turbine that drives a wind turbine at the top of the air chamber to generate electricity. During operation, the oscillating water column wave energy device undergoes three energy conversions from wave energy to electrical energy: waves entering the air chamber form an oscillating water column, forcing changes in air pressure within the chamber. Air flows back and forth at the air vents, converting wave energy into air kinetic energy, completing the first energy conversion; the reciprocating airflow drives the air turbine to rotate, converting air kinetic energy into the turbine's mechanical energy, completing the second energy conversion; the turbine drives the generator, converting mechanical energy into electrical energy, completing the third energy conversion.

[0004] Integrating oscillating water column wave energy devices with floating breakwaters allows for infrastructure sharing, saves marine space and construction costs, and achieves dual benefits of disaster prevention and power generation, making it a preferred solution for the multi-objective coordinated development of coastal engineering. However, existing integrated systems have the following problems: First, the air chambers of traditional oscillating water column wave energy devices are mostly simple vertical or inclined cavities. Within the limited structural space, the natural oscillation frequency of the water column inside is relatively fixed, making it difficult to efficiently couple with longer wavelength waves. This results in unsatisfactory wave energy capture efficiency of the device and wave dissipation performance of the breakwater under long-wave conditions. Second, traditional designs are mostly optimized for single-frequency waves, making it difficult to adapt to the wide-frequency and variable wave conditions in actual sea areas, thus limiting applicability. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a floating breakwater with an integrated helical oscillating water column wave energy device, thereby solving the technical problems of insufficient protection against long-period waves by existing floating breakwaters and the narrow energy capture bandwidth of traditional oscillating water column wave energy devices, which are difficult to adapt to wide-frequency real sea conditions.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] A floating breakwater with an integrated helical oscillating water column wave energy device includes several breakwater units arranged in parallel. Each breakwater unit has a helical chamber extending in a vertical or approximately vertical direction. The helical chamber has multiple energy output ports communicating with the outside along its extension path. Each energy output port has an air turbine for converting airflow energy into mechanical energy.

[0008] Preferably, the breakwater unit is a floating hollow box structure with an open front facade, providing buoyancy to the breakwater unit.

[0009] Preferably, the starting end of the spiral chamber is connected to a chamber inlet, which is located on the wave-facing side of the breakwater unit. The flow cross-section of the chamber inlet gradually narrows from the wave-facing side towards the starting end of the spiral chamber to guide waves to flow in smoothly.

[0010] More preferably, the wave-facing opening of the chamber inlet is oval, and it is connected to the circular inlet at the beginning of the spiral chamber through a smooth transition surface to optimize hydrodynamic performance and reduce energy loss.

[0011] Preferably, the energy output ports are arranged in layers along the height direction of the spiral chamber, and each energy output port is independently connected to the spiral chamber. Furthermore, the connection between each energy output port and the spiral chamber is led out along the tangential direction of the fluid movement within the spiral chamber to ensure smooth airflow.

[0012] Preferably, each of the energy output ports is equipped with an independently openable and closeable gas valve. By selectively opening or closing gas valves of different heights, the working length of the effective oscillating water column in the spiral chamber can be changed, thereby adjusting the natural frequency of the entire device to match incident waves of different periods (long wave, medium-long wave, short wave).

[0013] Preferably, the helical radius and / or cross-sectional dimensions of the helical chamber can be constant along its extension path, forming a cylindrical helix, or they can be variable, forming a conical helix.

[0014] Preferably, several breakwater units can be connected together by detachable means such as bolts, which facilitates transportation, installation and maintenance.

[0015] Preferably, the bottom of the floating breakwater is equipped with an anchoring system, which floats and anchors the entire breakwater in a predetermined water area.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention provides a floating breakwater with an integrated spiral oscillating water column wave energy device, which has the following beneficial effects:

[0017] 1. The present invention designs the main structure of the breakwater unit as a spiral chamber, which greatly extends the effective gas-liquid interaction path of the oscillating water column within the same floor area and vertical space, reduces the natural frequency of the water column, and makes it closer to the frequency of long-period waves in actual sea conditions. This significantly improves the ability of floating breakwaters to reduce and protect against long waves, and solves the problem of high transmittance of traditional floating breakwaters under long-wave conditions.

[0018] 2. This invention sets up multiple independent energy output ports with valves in layers along the spiral chamber. The operator can flexibly select the chamber section to participate in the work by opening and closing valves at different heights according to the real-time sea conditions. This enables the device to maintain a high energy capture efficiency under a wide range of wave conditions (long wave, medium long wave, and short wave), which greatly expands the applicability and adaptability of the device.

[0019] 3. The present invention adopts a gradually narrowing oval chamber inlet and tangential energy output port design, which makes the wave inflow and airflow outflow process smoother, reduces eddy current and impact loss, and improves the conversion efficiency from wave energy to air kinetic energy. In addition, the combination of breakwater and oscillating water column wave energy device realizes structural sharing and functional integration, saving marine space and construction costs. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the breakwater unit in this invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a front view of the breakwater unit in this invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a left view of the breakwater unit in this invention;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a top view of the breakwater unit in this invention;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the floating breakwater in this invention.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the cylindrical spiral chamber with a vertical central axis in this invention;

[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the conical spiral chamber with a vertical central axis in this invention;

[0027] In the diagram: 1. Breakwater assembly; 2. Spiral chamber; 3. Chamber inlet; 4. Lower branch pipe; 5. Middle branch pipe; 6. Upper branch pipe; 7. Air turbine; 8. Mooring system. Detailed Implementation

[0028] 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.

[0029] Example 1

[0030] This embodiment provides a floating breakwater with an integrated helical oscillating water column wave energy device, such as... Figure 5 As shown, the breakwater includes multiple breakwater units 1 arranged in parallel. Each breakwater unit 1 has fixed lugs extending around its perimeter. The fixed lugs of two adjacent breakwater units 1 are detachably connected together by bolts to form a straight breakwater body.

[0031] To ensure the floating breakwater maintains a stable position and design draft in the designated water area, an anchoring system 8 is installed at the bottom of the floating breakwater. The anchoring system 8 can be a conventional existing mooring system suitable for floating marine structures. It typically employs the following structure: multiple anchors, such as high-holding-power anchors, positioned on the seabed; flexible components, such as anchor chains, steel cables, or synthetic fiber cables, connecting the bottom of the breakwater unit 1 to the seabed anchors; and multiple mooring points, such as mooring lugs, pre-set at the bottom of the breakwater unit 1, with the upper end of the mooring cable connected to these mooring points via standard components such as shackles and swivels.

[0032] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, each breakwater unit 1 is a floating hollow box-shaped structure with an opening on the wave-facing side facade, and its internal hollow space forms a spiral chamber 2.

[0033] In this embodiment, the spiral chamber 2 is a cylindrical spiral with a vertical central axis, such as... Figure 6 As shown. Its specific geometric parameters can be designed as follows: initial radius R b With termination radius R t The diameters are equal, both being 3 m, with a pitch P of 3 m and a total of 3 helical turns. The radius R of the circular cross-section of the helical chamber 2 is also equal. c It is 0.3 m and remains constant along its extension path.

[0034] The starting end of the spiral chamber 2 is connected to the chamber inlet 3. The chamber inlet 3 is located at the lower part of the wave-facing facade of the breakwater unit 1. It is funnel-shaped with a large opening at the front end (wave-facing side) and a small opening at the rear end (connecting to the spiral chamber side).

[0035] Specifically, the front opening is oval-shaped, consisting of two opposing semicircular arcs connected by parallel lines of equal length. The rear opening is circular, with a radius equal to the radius of the circular inlet at the beginning of the spiral chamber 2. The oval front opening and the circular rear opening are connected by a smooth transition surface, allowing the flow cross-section of the entire chamber inlet 3 to gradually narrow smoothly from the wave-facing side towards the beginning of the spiral chamber 2, thus guiding waves to flow in smoothly and reducing eddy current generation.

[0036] The spiral chamber 2 is independently connected to multiple energy output ports at different heights along its height direction.

[0037] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, this embodiment has three energy output ports: a lower branch pipe 4, a middle branch pipe 5, and an upper branch pipe 6. These three branch pipes are respectively connected to the lower, middle, and upper parts of the spiral chamber 2.

[0038] The specific connection points are, for example, located at approximately 1 / 6, 3 / 6, and 5 / 6 of the total spiral height, respectively. Each branch pipe connects to the spiral chamber 2 along the tangential direction of the spiral line at that point, ensuring that the rotating and rising airflow within the chamber can be smoothly and evenly discharged, with a smooth transition at the connection point.

[0039] Each branch pipe is equipped with an independently operable gas valve at its outlet end near the top of the breakwater unit 1. Preferably, the gas valve is an electric butterfly valve. Each branch pipe is equipped with an air turbine 7. Preferably, the turbine generator is a symmetrical airfoil turbine generator or a Wells turbine generator, used to convert airflow energy into mechanical energy, thereby driving the generator to generate electricity.

[0040] In operation, waves surge in from the oval-shaped inlet 3, enter the spiral chamber 2, and form an oscillating water column. The reciprocating motion of the water column drives the air to flow back and forth within the chamber, with the airflow rising along the spiral channel. By controlling the opening and closing of the valves in the lower branch pipe 4, the middle branch pipe 5, and the upper branch pipe 6, the airflow can be selectively discharged from outlets at different heights, thereby driving the air turbine 7 at the corresponding location to generate electricity. For example, opening the valve in the upper branch pipe 6 while closing the lower and middle valves results in the longest effective working length of the oscillating water column, suitable for long-period waves.

[0041] Example 2

[0042] The floating breakwater structure in this embodiment is exactly the same as that in Embodiment 1. The innovation lies in the coordinated control method of the gas valves on the lower branch pipe 4, the middle branch pipe 5 and the upper branch pipe 6. This method makes the inherent frequency of the device adjustable, thereby adapting to different sea conditions.

[0043] The specific control method is as follows: The control system can adopt a PLC or an intelligent control system based on wave prediction, and control the valve status according to the real-time monitored wave dominance period or preset strategy:

[0044] Long-wave operating mode: When the incident wave is detected to be predominantly a long-period wave, the control system issues a command to close the gas valves on the lower branch pipe 4 and the middle branch pipe 5, while simultaneously opening the gas valve on the upper branch pipe 6. At this time, the effective water column length participating in the oscillation within the spiral chamber 2 is the entire spiral path from the bottom of the chamber inlet 3 to the connection point with the upper branch pipe 6. This path is the longest, resulting in the largest water column mass and the lowest resonant frequency of the system, thus achieving good coupling with the long-period wave frequency and providing optimal long-wave attenuation.

[0045] Medium-to-long wave operating mode: When the incident wave is detected to be predominantly a medium-to-long period wave, the control system closes the gas valves of the lower branch pipe 4 and the upper branch pipe 6, while simultaneously opening the gas valve of the middle branch pipe 5. At this time, the effective oscillating water column length is shortened to the path to the middle connection point. This medium length corresponds to a medium water column mass and system resonant frequency, which is efficiently matched with the medium-to-long period wave.

[0046] Shortwave operating mode: When the incident wave is detected to be predominantly short-period waves, the control system closes the gas valves of the middle branch pipe 5 and the upper branch pipe 6, while simultaneously opening the gas valve of the lower branch pipe 4. At this time, the effective oscillating water column length is the shortest, and the system resonant frequency is the highest, thus achieving efficient coupling with short-period waves.

[0047] Through the above-mentioned valve combination control, the present invention achieves active adjustment to adapt to the changing sea conditions in the actual sea area without changing the physical structure, while optimizing the wave energy capture efficiency and wave energy dissipation effect, and solving the problem of narrow energy capture bandwidth of traditional devices.

[0048] Example 3

[0049] The floating breakwater in this embodiment is basically the same as that in Embodiment 1 in terms of overall structure, connection method, chamber inlet 3, lower branch pipe 4, middle branch pipe 5, upper branch pipe 6, and valve settings. The main difference lies in the specific geometric shape of the spiral chamber 2.

[0050] In this embodiment, the spiral chamber 2 is designed as a conical spiral. Specifically, its spiral radius decreases linearly along the vertical direction (from bottom to top), such as... Figure 7 As shown. That is, the initial radius R of the spiral chamber 2 at the bottom. b The radius of the terminal at the top is 3 m. t The radius R of the circular cross-section of the spiral chamber 2 is 1.5 m.c The pitch P can be kept constant at 0.3 m.

[0051] Because the helix radius varies, the connection points of the lower branch pipe 4, the middle branch pipe 5, and the upper branch pipe 6 need to be precisely designed according to the changing helix. Assuming the branch pipes are still planned to connect at approximately 1 / 6, 3 / 6, and 5 / 6 of the total height, calculate the corresponding helix radius values ​​at these different heights. The calculation formula is: ,in, Let h be the helix radius at height h. The helical radius of the helical chamber at the bottom starting end. The spiral radius at the top end of the spiral chamber, h is the vertical height calculated from the bottom of the spiral chamber, and H is the total vertical height of the spiral chamber.

[0052] When h=0 (at the bottom), When h = H (at the top), At any height h in the middle, the radius All and They change linearly in proportion to each other.

[0053] Each branch pipe connection point must be located on a helix at the corresponding height and radius, and the connection direction must strictly follow the tangent of the helix at that point. For example, the middle branch pipe 5 connects to the helix at 3 / 6 of its height with a radius of... The spirals are tangentially connected.

[0054] Preferably, the cross-sectional radius of the spiral chamber 2 can also vary along the height. For example, it can be designed with the cross-sectional radius gradually increasing from top to bottom to provide a larger air chamber volume at the bottom, which may help enhance the initial wave capture capability.

[0055] The device employs a conical spiral design with a gradually decreasing radius from top to bottom. The larger space at the bottom is conducive to the collection and initial acceleration of the incoming wave water, while the smaller space at the top may enhance the compression effect of the airflow, thereby optimizing the overall performance (power generation and wave damping) of the device under the target sea state.

Claims

1. A floating breakwater with an integrated helical oscillating water column wave energy device, characterized in that, It includes several breakwater units (1) arranged in parallel. Each breakwater unit (1) is provided with a spiral chamber (2). The spiral chamber (2) is provided with multiple energy output ports connected to the outside along its extension path. Each energy output port is provided with an air turbine (7) that converts airflow energy into mechanical energy.

2. The floating breakwater with the integrated spiral oscillating water column wave energy device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The breakwater unit (1) is a floating hollow box structure with an opening on the wave-facing side facade.

3. The floating breakwater with the integrated spiral oscillating water column wave energy device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The spiral chamber (2) extends vertically, and its starting end is connected to the chamber inlet (3). The chamber inlet (3) is located on the wave-facing side of the breakwater unit (1), and its flow cross section gradually narrows from the wave-facing side to the starting end of the spiral chamber (2).

4. The floating breakwater with the integrated spiral oscillating water column wave energy device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The opening on the wave-facing side of the chamber inlet (3) is oval, and the chamber inlet (3) is connected to the circular inlet at the starting end of the spiral chamber (2) by a smooth transition surface.

5. The floating breakwater with the integrated spiral oscillating water column wave energy device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The energy output ports are arranged in layers along the height direction of the spiral chamber (2), and each energy output port is independently connected to the spiral chamber (2).

6. The floating breakwater with the integrated spiral oscillating water column wave energy device according to claim 5, characterized in that, At the connection point between each energy output port and the spiral chamber (2), the energy output port is led out along the tangential direction of the fluid movement within the spiral chamber (2).

7. The floating breakwater with the integrated spiral oscillating water column wave energy device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, Each of the energy output ports is equipped with an independently operable gas valve.

8. The floating breakwater with the integrated spiral oscillating water column wave energy device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The helical radius and / or cross-sectional dimensions of the helical chamber (2) are constant or vary along its extension path.

9. The floating breakwater with the integrated spiral oscillating water column wave energy device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Several of the breakwater units (1) are detachably connected together by bolts.

10. The floating breakwater with the integrated spiral oscillating water column wave energy device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the floating breakwater is equipped with an anchoring system (8).

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