A seal-free self-suspending deep-sea mooring current energy capturing system and its deployment method

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of no sealing self-suspension type deep sea anchoring ocean current energy capture system and its method of laying, belong to marine renewable energy development field.The core of the present application is to completely abandon traditional underwater dynamic seal paradigm, realize five big subversive innovations: no sealing design-all transmission components are completely exposed to seawater, with seawater as the only lubricating medium, fundamentally eliminate sealing failure source;Mechanical decoupling design-external radial load is isolated from generator by torque transmission mechanism, so that generator bearing only bears its own rotating load, service life is extended from 3-5 years to more than 20 years;Flow collection speed-up effect-adopting funnel-shaped flow collector makes local flow speed increase by 30%-50%, annual utilization hours increase to more than 5000 hours;Self-suspension modularization-each segment independently has micro-positive buoyancy, without any underwater rigid support, installation cost is reduced by 70%, unlimited water depth adaptation;Passive convection orientation-no need for any sensor and actuator, completely rely on fluid power to realize automatic convection direction.The system comprises a fixed base (1), a mounting base (2), a large universal joint (3), a generator cabin (4) and a kinetic energy capture unit (5).The present application can provide clean power for deep-sea mining, submarine computing center, submarine robot charging station and other facilities, and the surplus power can be connected to land and island power grid.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of marine renewable energy development and marine engineering equipment technology, specifically relating to a deep-sea current energy capture system and its deployment method, which can be used to provide clean electricity for large-scale deep-sea marine engineering facilities. Background Technology

[0002] The key to large-scale development of ocean current energy lies in reducing the unit cost of power generation and improving system reliability. Traditional ocean current turbines typically require rigid support structures, complex pitch or yaw control systems, and high-strength main shaft and bearing systems, resulting in high manufacturing costs and complex installation and maintenance.

[0003] Summary of the Invention: The Fundamental Dilemma of the Prior Art: Dynamic Sealing Paradigm The dynamic sealing problem in underwater transmission systems is a fundamental technical bottleneck restricting the long-term reliable operation of marine energy power generation equipment. Whether it's a mechanical seal, a magnetohydrodynamic seal, or a pressure-compensated seal, under the harsh environment of deep-sea pressure, corrosion, microbial adhesion, and alternating pressure, the seals will eventually fail. This is a dead end determined by the laws of physics—as long as a relatively moving component protrudes from the sealing shell, a leakage path exists.

[0004] Traditional technological approaches have been stuck in a vicious cycle of "sealing → more advanced sealing → more complex sealing," never breaking free from this paradigm.

[0005] Other pain points of existing technologies 1. Generator lifespan is limited by external loads: In traditional designs, generator bearings not only have to bear their own rotor load, but also huge water flow thrust, radial force and bending moment generated by impeller imbalance, which leads to premature generator failure.

[0006] 2. The orientation mechanism is complex and expensive: Traditional yaw systems require sensors, controllers and actuators, which are costly and have many points of failure.

[0007] 3. Narrow applicable range of current velocity: The current velocity in many sea areas is lower than the generator start-up velocity, resulting in serious waste of resources.

[0008] 4. High cost of supporting structures: Rigid jackets, pile foundations and other structures account for 30%-50% of the total system cost and are limited by water depth.

[0009] The applicant's previously filed related patent applications The applicant's previous patent application, application number 2026100000451, disclosed a spiral pile group anchoring system based on force decomposition enhancement, which significantly improves the pull-out bearing capacity through multi-pile synergy and tensile force decomposition mechanism, providing a reliable seabed fixed foundation for the present invention.

[0010] The applicant's previous patent application, application number 202512003359.5, disclosed a fully electric unmanned multi-legged double-headed reverse spiral pile driver for low-adhesion environments and its coordinated control method, which can realize the efficient and precise installation of multiple spiral piles, providing key equipment support for the deployment and construction of this invention.

[0011] The applicant's previous patent application, application number 2026202052441, disclosed a homologous water-lubricated composite bearing for marine energy power generation equipment. Its water-lubricated design concept is consistent with the present invention's concept of abandoning dynamic seals and can be used in the rotating support component of the present invention. Summary of the Invention

[0012] This invention aims to provide a deep-sea current energy capture system that fundamentally breaks away from the traditional dynamic sealing paradigm, in order to solve the following problems existing in the prior art: 1. Break out of the "dynamic sealing dead end": The traditional sealing paradigm determines the upper limit of the lifespan of deep-sea equipment, and this paradigm needs to be fundamentally abandoned; 2. Generator lifespan bottleneck: Generator bearings bear external loads and have a lifespan of only 3-5 years, making them the shortest-lived component in the system; 3. The orientation mechanism is complex and expensive: active yaw systems are costly and prone to failure; 4. Waste of flow velocity resources: Large areas of low-flow velocity sea areas cannot be developed; 5. High cost of supporting structure: Rigid structures are limited by water depth and have poor scalability.

[0013] Technical solution The core ideas of this invention are: to completely eliminate dynamic seals and adopt seawater self-lubrication; to decouple the generator from external loads so that it only bears its own rotational load; to use hydrodynamics to achieve passive convection; to broaden the range of usable flow velocity by increasing the flow rate through flow collection; and to adopt a self-suspended modular design that eliminates the need for underwater rigid support.

[0014] A sealless, self-suspended deep-sea mooring current energy capture system includes: (a) Fixed foundation and anchorage unit A fixed foundation (1) is fixed to the seabed and adopts the helical pile group anchoring system based on force decomposition enhancement as described in patent application 2026100000451, including at least two helical piles (11), auxiliary cables (12) connecting the piles and a main cable (13) tied in the middle of the auxiliary cables. An installation base (2) is connected to the main cable (13) of the fixed foundation (1) via a main traction cable (14); (ii) Generator nacelle and passive convection unit A generator compartment (4) contains a generator module (43). The large universal joint (3) connects the mounting base (2) and the generator compartment (4), allowing the generator compartment (4) to swing freely in the horizontal plane without rotating, and can passively adapt to changes in the direction of the ocean current without any active actuator; (III) Sealed Suspension Support Mechanism – One of the Core Innovations of This Invention A suspended support mechanism, completely exposed to seawater, is integrated at the front end of the generator nacelle (4), comprising: - Rotating shaft (41): rigidly connected to the kinetic energy capture unit, completely exposed to seawater, without any dynamic seals; - Support base (42): The rotating shaft (41) is supported by seawater fluid film lubrication, with seawater as the only lubricating medium, requiring no lubricating oil or seals; - The fluid film gap design allows for a small displacement of the rotating shaft (41) in the radial direction to accommodate dynamic load fluctuations and installation errors; (iv) Mechanical decoupling unit – the second core innovation of this invention A torque transmission mechanism (45) has its input end connected to the rotating shaft (41) and its output end connected to the power generation module (43) inside the generator compartment (4). The core feature of the torque transmission mechanism (45) is that it only transmits rotational torque and does not transmit radial pressure or bending moment at all; The effect of mechanical decoupling: all radial loads, axial tensions and bending moments generated by the kinetic energy capture unit (5) are directly borne by the support base (42) and transmitted to the fixed foundation (1) through the generator nacelle (4) shell, large universal joint (3), mounting base (2) and main traction cable (14); the bearings inside the generator only bear the load generated by the rotation of its own rotor. (V) Self-suspended modular kinetic energy capture unit – the third core innovation of this invention A kinetic energy capture unit (5) is composed of multiple standardized segments connected in series, and its head end is rigidly connected to the rotating shaft (41); Each segment has independent micro-positive buoyancy: the segment is filled with closed-cell lightweight buoyancy material, which gives it micro-net buoyancy in water; The tail end is composed of at least one high buoyancy segment (53), whose net buoyancy is greater than that of other segments, so that the entire kinetic energy capture unit (5) naturally extends obliquely upward in the water to balance the horizontal thrust of the ocean current. It requires no underwater rigid support structure or additional floats, and maintains its attitude entirely by its own buoyancy. (vi) Data collection and speed-up unit – the fourth core innovation of this invention The kinetic energy capture unit is composed of several standardized segments (51), a current-enhancing segment (52), and at least one high-buoyancy segment (53) connected in series by a flexible torque transmission coupling (7). The current-enhancing segment (52) includes: - A funnel-shaped rotating shroud, with a frustum-shaped hollow shell that has a large inlet and a small outlet; - Archimedes' helical blades are fixedly installed on the inner wall of the flow collector; Speed-up effect: When fluid flows through a constricted channel, the flow velocity is inversely proportional to the cross-sectional area, which increases the local flow velocity in the impeller area by 30%-50%, thus increasing the ocean current, which was originally lower than the generator start-up velocity, to a range that can generate electricity. (vii) Passive convection directional unit – the fifth core innovation of this invention A passive convection orientation mechanism, through the hydrodynamic stability design of the kinetic energy capture unit (5), can automatically rotate around the head connection point under the action of ocean currents until the longitudinal axis is basically parallel to the direction of the incoming flow; It requires no sensors, no controllers, and no actuators, achieving automatic orientation entirely based on fluid dynamics principles; To raise the height of the generator and avoid seabed debris, a basalt fiber tube (6) can be installed between the rotating main shaft (41) and the first section of the kinetic energy capture unit.

[0015] (viii) Segmental connection structure The segments are connected by a connecting structure, which provides mechanical interlocking during segment assembly to achieve initial axial and circumferential positioning, and forms an integrated connection with the external carbon fiber winding layer after the winding layer is cured.

[0016] (ix) Power output unit The mounting base (2) is equipped with a multi-functional power output interface, including an underwater interface and an interface for connecting to the land and island power grid. It is used to connect one or more deep-sea loads such as seabed mining equipment, seabed computing center, and seabed robot charging station, and to transmit surplus power to offshore islands and the mainland power grid.

[0017] Deployment method A deployment method for the aforementioned ocean current energy capture system, employing the all-electric unmanned multi-legged double-headed reverse spiral pile driver described in patent application 202512003359.5 for fixed foundation installation, includes the following steps: Step 1: Transport the piling machine to the target seabed area; Step 2: Install the fixed foundation (1), including at least two helical ground stakes (11) and related cables (12, 13). Step 3: Lower the installation base (2) and connect it to the main cable (13) of the fixed foundation (1) through the main traction cable (14); Step 4: On the water surface, multiple standardized segments are connected in series through the connecting structure to form a kinetic energy capture unit (5); during assembly, the ends of each segment are aligned with the corresponding parts of the connecting structure and inserted or screwed together, and then carbon fiber is wound and cured on the outside of the connection. Step 5: Connect the front end of the assembled kinetic energy capture unit (5) to the rotating shaft (41) of the suspension support mechanism and then release it; Step 6: The system automatically deploys, aligns, and stabilizes at the working depth under the influence of ocean currents; Step 7: Connect the multi-function output interface of the mounting base (2) to the deep-sea load and / or the land-based power grid.

[0018] Beneficial effects Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following hierarchical and disruptive beneficial effects: Level 1: Fundamental Breakthrough – Breaking Free from the Dynamic Seal Paradigm - Completely eliminate underwater dynamic seals: All transmission components are completely exposed in seawater, with seawater as the sole lubricating medium; - Eliminate the primary source of failure in deep-sea equipment by fundamentally changing the sealing mechanism: not by improving the seal, but by breaking out of the sealing paradigm; - System lifespan increased from 3-5 years to over 20 years: No seals can fail, and lifespan is limited only by the material fatigue limit; Second level: Order of magnitude leap – Extended generator lifespan - Mechanical decoupling design: The generator bearings only bear the rotational load of their own rotor and do not bear any external radial force or bending moment; - The generator's lifespan has been extended from 3-5 years to over 20 years, making it one of the longest-lived components in the system, rather than the shortest-lived one; - Extremely optimized force path: tension / radial force of kinetic energy harvesting unit → rotating shaft → fluid film → support base → generator nacelle shell → large universal joint → mounting base → main traction cable → helical ground pile group; the generator only transmits torque; Third Tier: Resource Expansion – Flow rate application range expanded by 50% - Flow rate increase effect: The funnel-shaped flow hood can increase the local flow velocity by 30%-50%; - Annual utilization hours increased from less than 2,000 hours to more than 5,000 hours; - The total power generation over the entire life cycle doubles, turning previously untapped "waste stream" resources into exploitable resources; Level Four: Engineering Economic Revolution – Installation Costs Reduced by 70% - Self-suspending modular design: Each segment has independent micro-positive buoyancy, eliminating the need for any underwater rigid support structure; - Unlimited water depth adaptability: The cost of traditional jacket structures increases sharply when the water depth exceeds 200 meters, while the present invention is not limited by water depth; - Installation costs reduced by 70%: No need for large floating cranes, underwater welding, or complex alignment; - Highly scalable: Need more power? Simply add more segments in series; no need to redesign the support structure. Level 5: Minimalist Engineering Aesthetics – Zero-Energy Passive Convection - Passive convection orientation: No sensors, controllers, or actuators are required; it relies entirely on the principles of fluid dynamics. - Zero energy consumption, zero failures, zero maintenance: more reliable than any active yaw system; - Large universal joint design: allows the generator nacelle to rotate freely 360°, passively following the convection of the kinetic energy capture unit; Level 6: Advantages of Technological Integration - Integrating mature technologies such as the patented spiral pile anchoring system, fully electric unmanned pile driver, and water-lubricated composite bearing, a complete and reliable engineering solution is formed; Level 7: Wide range of applications - It can provide localized clean power for deep-sea high-energy-consuming facilities such as seabed mining, seabed computing centers, and wireless charging for seabed robots; - Surplus electricity can be connected to offshore islands and the mainland power grid to maximize energy utilization. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of the system of the present invention, which can passively sway 360° with the ocean current without rotating. The helical ground pile (11), auxiliary cable (12), and main cable (13) anchor the entire system base (2) to the seabed; the generator nacelle (4) is fixed to the large universal joint (3), and the generator stator fixed inside the nacelle cannot rotate; the kinetic energy capture unit (5) transmits torque to the generator rotor, cutting magnetic lines of force to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. Due to the upward net buoyancy and the relatively large horizontal pull of the ocean current, the angle between the kinetic energy capture unit and the horizontal line does not exceed 30°, rather than the approximate right angle shown in the diagram. If the bending angle of the large universal joint (3) is insufficient, multiple large universal joints are connected in series to provide a sufficient bending angle.

[0020] Figure 2 Diagram showing the relationship between the generator nacelle and the seawater suspension bearing. As shown in the figure, the rotating main shaft of the seawater suspension bearing passes through the base, using the pressure of the water film to resist the tension of the kinetic energy capture unit.

[0021] Figure 3 The three segments of the kinetic energy capture unit, from left to right, are the standardized segment (51), the flow enhancement segment (52), and the high buoyancy segment (53).

[0022] Figure 4 The diagram shows the buoyancy material filling structure inside the shaft of each segment of the kinetic energy capture unit (5), with the helical blades ignored.

[0023] Figure 5 It is a flexible torque transmission coupling made of carbon fiber tube and titanium alloy material (7). Detailed Implementation

[0024] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0025] Example 1: Overall System Structure and Core Innovative Principles like Figure 1 As shown, the unsealed self-suspended deep-sea mooring current energy capture system of the present invention includes a fixed foundation (1), a mounting base (2), a large universal joint (3), a generator compartment (4), and a kinetic energy capture unit (5).

[0026] The fixed foundation (1) is fixed to the seabed and adopts the helical pile group anchoring system based on force decomposition efficiency as described in patent application 2026100000451, including at least two helical piles (11), auxiliary cables (12) connecting the piles and a main cable (13) tied in the middle of the auxiliary cables.

[0027] The mounting base (2) is connected to the main cable (13) of the fixed foundation (1) via the main traction cable (14), and is the system's force transfer station and power output interface.

[0028] The generator nacelle (4) is connected to the mounting base (2) via a large universal joint (3). This large universal joint (3) allows the generator nacelle (4) to rotate freely 360° in the horizontal plane. Its function is to enable the entire power generation system (including the kinetic energy capture unit at the rear) to passively follow the changes in the direction of the ocean current and always remain facing the current. This is the core component of passive convection orientation and has no active actuators.

[0029] The sealless suspension support mechanism, integrated at the front end of the generator nacelle (4), is one of the core innovations of this invention. It includes a rotating shaft (41) and a support base (42). The rotating shaft (41) is completely exposed to seawater without any dynamic seals. The support base (42) is part of the generator nacelle (4) shell, and its interior supports the rotating shaft (41) through seawater fluid film lubrication. The fluid film gap design allows for a slight displacement of 0.5-5 mm in the radial direction of the rotating shaft (41) to accommodate dynamic fluctuations and installation errors of the kinetic energy capture unit. Using seawater as the sole lubricating medium, no lubricating oil, seals, or pressure compensation system are required.

[0030] The mechanical decoupling unit is another core innovation of this invention. The input end of the torque transmission mechanism (45) is connected to the rotating shaft (41), and the output end is connected to the power generation module (43) inside the generator compartment (4). This mechanism, for example, uses a gear coupling or a diaphragm coupling, and its core feature is that it only transmits rotational torque and does not transmit radial pressure or bending moment at all.

[0031] The effect of mechanical decoupling: All radial loads, axial tensile forces, and bending moments generated by the kinetic energy capture unit (5) are directly borne by the support base (42) and transmitted to the fixed foundation (1) through the generator nacelle (4) shell, the large universal joint (3), the mounting base (2), and the main traction cable (14). The bearings inside the generator only bear the load generated by the rotation of its own rotor. This means that the generator's lifespan is extended from the traditional 3-5 years to more than 20 years, making it one of the longest-lived components in the system, rather than the shortest-lived component.

[0032] The force path can be clearly described as follows: Tensile / radial force of kinetic energy capture unit (5) → Rotation axis (41) → Fluid membrane → Support (42) → Generator nacelle (4) shell → Large universal joint (3) → Mounting base (2) → Main traction cable (14) → Spiral pile group (1) The generator rotor only bears its own rotational load. The kinetic energy capture unit (5) is composed of multiple standardized segments connected in series, including a standard energy capture segment (51), a current-enhancing segment (52), and a high-buoyancy segment (53). Each segment is filled with a closed-cell lightweight buoyancy material, giving it independent micro-positive buoyancy. The high-buoyancy segment (53) at the tail end provides greater net buoyancy, allowing the entire kinetic energy capture unit (5) to naturally extend upwards in the water to balance the horizontal thrust of the ocean current. No underwater rigid support structure or additional buoys are required.

[0033] Passive convection orientation is achieved through the hydrodynamic stability design of the kinetic energy capture unit (5). Under the action of the ocean current, the kinetic energy capture unit (5) automatically rotates around the head connection point until its longitudinal axis is parallel to the direction of the incoming flow. This rotational motion is transmitted to the power generation module (43) in the generator compartment (4) through the rotating shaft (41) and the torque transmission mechanism (45). At the same time, the entire generator compartment (4) passively follows under the action of the large universal joint (3). No sensors, controllers, or actuators are required.

[0034] Example 2: The Acceleration Effect of Data Collection – Turning “Waste Flow” into “Golden Resource” like Figure 3 As shown, the flow enhancement section (52) includes a funnel-shaped rotating flow collector, which is a frustum-shaped hollow shell with an inlet diameter D1 larger than an outlet diameter D2, and Archimedes' helical blades are fixedly installed on the inner wall of the flow collector.

[0035] The velocity multiplication principle: According to the continuity equation, the velocity of an incompressible fluid in a closed channel is inversely proportional to its cross-sectional area. A large inlet and small outlet in the flow hood increases the local velocity in the impeller region. Theoretical calculations and experiments show that the velocity multiplication effect can reach 30%-50%.

[0036] Engineering significance: - The original 0.8 m / s "waste flow" can be increased to 1.2 m / s and enter the power generation range; - The system can utilize a wider range of flow velocities, from 1.5-3 m / s in traditional solutions to 0.8-3 m / s. - Annual utilization hours increased from less than 2,000 hours to more than 5,000 hours; - The total power generation over the entire life cycle will double.

[0037] Example 3: Segmental Connection Structure Reliable connections are achieved between adjacent standardized segments via a connecting structure. This connecting structure comprises two core components: a mechanical interlocking mechanism and an external carbon fiber winding layer. The mechanical interlocking mechanism provides temporary positioning and torque transmission before the carbon fiber winding cures, ensuring that the segments remain aligned during assembly. The external carbon fiber winding layer provides axial tensile force and overall reinforcement after curing, and together with the mechanical interlocking mechanism, forms a permanent, integrated connection.

[0038] As a specific implementation, the mechanical interlocking mechanism can adopt a threaded connection or a convex-groove plug-in structure.

[0039] Example 4: Sealed Bearing Design According to the design of the homogeneous water-lubricated composite bearing disclosed in patent application 2026202052441, the fluid film support structure of the suspension support mechanism (42) adopts a water-lubricated composite bearing material with seawater as the lubricating medium. This material has excellent water lubrication performance, corrosion resistance and wear resistance, and can operate stably for a long time in a seawater environment.

[0040] The essential difference from traditional bearings: Traditional water-lubricated bearings still require seals to prevent seawater from entering the oil tank; - This invention requires no sealing at all; the entire system freely exchanges pressure with seawater, achieving complete pressure balance without any pressure compensation.

[0041] Example 5: Self-Suspension Principle and Water Depth Adaptability Each segment is filled with a closed-cell lightweight buoyancy material, the density of which is much less than that of seawater. By accurately calculating the volume of the buoyancy material and the weight of the segment's metal structure, the net weight of each segment can be made negative, i.e., it has a slight positive buoyancy.

[0042] The higher buoyancy of the tail section (53) provides greater buoyancy, enabling the entire kinetic energy capture unit (5) to achieve a stable upward-sloping attitude. This attitude balances the thrust of the ocean current, stabilizing the system at the predetermined operating depth.

[0043] Unlimited water depth adaptability: The cost of traditional rigid support structures increases linearly with water depth, rising sharply beyond 200 meters. This invention requires no underwater rigid support, maintaining its attitude entirely through its own buoyancy, and is not limited by water depth, making it applicable to kilometer-deep seas.

[0044] Example 6: Deployment Method First, a fixed foundation (1) is installed on the seabed using the fully electric unmanned multi-legged double-headed reverse helical pile driver as described in patent application 202512003359.5, which includes at least two helical piles (11). Then, the installation base (2) is lowered and connected to the main cable (13) of the fixed foundation (1) via the main traction cable (14).

[0045] On the surface support vessel (15), multiple standardized segments are assembled in series through a connecting structure to form a kinetic energy capture unit (5). During assembly, the ends of each segment are aligned and plugged or screwed into the corresponding parts of the connecting structure, and then carbon fiber is wound and cured on the outside of the connection. After curing, the head end of the kinetic energy capture unit (5) is connected to the rotation shaft (41) of the suspension support mechanism to release the system. The system automatically deploys, aligns, and stabilizes at the working depth under the action of ocean currents.

[0046] The entire deployment process requires no large floating cranes, no underwater welding, and no complex alignment, reducing installation costs by more than 70% compared to traditional solutions.

[0047] Example 7: Power Supply Application in Deep-Sea Scenarios The mounting base (2) is equipped with a multi-functional power output interface, which can be connected to various deep-sea loads via submarine cables: Applications in seabed mining: It provides continuous power to seabed mining vehicles to support the mining of deep-sea mineral resources such as polymetallic nodules and cobalt-rich crusts; at the same time, it can provide power to mineral mixing pump stations to ensure the operation of mineral transportation systems.

[0048] Applications of the subsea computing center: It powers the servers within the subsea data cabin, supporting high-computing demands such as large-scale artificial intelligence model training, industrial simulation, and marine scientific research. Utilizing the natural cooling properties of seawater, combined with the clean power supply of this invention, the subsea computing center can achieve extremely low PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) operation.

[0049] Applications of underwater robot charging stations: Powering underwater robot charging stations and providing wireless or wired charging services for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs), solving the endurance bottleneck of deep-sea robots and enabling long-term unattended operation.

[0050] When the power generation exceeds the load demand in the deep sea, the surplus power is stepped up and converted before being connected to the distribution network of offshore islands or the mainland power grid via submarine cables, thereby maximizing energy utilization.

[0051] It should be noted that the above embodiments are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made based on the core principles of the present invention—namely, the use of passive convection orientation, the elimination of underwater dynamic seals, the extension of generator life through mechanical decoupling, and modular self-suspending design—such as using ordinary bearings instead of seawater-lubricated bearings, using other types of couplings instead of carbon fiber wound torque transmission couplings, or replacing Archimedes' helical blades with conventional turbines, all fall within the scope of the principles of the present invention and should be included within its protection scope.

Claims

1. A sealless, self-suspended deep-sea mooring current energy capture system, characterized in that, include: A fixed foundation (1) is fixed to the seabed; An installation base (2) is connected to the fixed foundation (1) via a main traction cable (14); A generator compartment (4) contains a power generation module (43). A large universal joint (3) connects the mounting base (2) to the generator compartment (4), allowing the generator compartment (4) to rotate freely in the horizontal plane; An unsealed suspension support mechanism is integrated at the front end of the generator nacelle (4), including a rotating shaft (41) and a support base (42); the rotating shaft (41) is completely exposed in seawater without any dynamic seals; the support base (42) supports the rotating shaft (41) through seawater fluid film lubrication, with seawater as the only lubricating medium, and allows the rotating shaft (41) to have displacement in the radial direction; A mechanical decoupling unit includes a torque transmission mechanism (45), the input end of which is connected to the rotating shaft (41), and the output end of which is connected to the power generation module (43); the torque transmission mechanism (45) only transmits rotational torque and does not transmit radial pressure and bending moment; A self-suspended modular kinetic energy capture unit (5) is composed of multiple standardized segments connected in series, with its head end rigidly connected to the rotating shaft (41); each segment has independent micro-positive buoyancy; at least one segment located at the tail end has a greater net buoyancy than other segments, forming a high-buoyancy segment (53). A passive convection orientation unit, through the hydrodynamic stability design of the kinetic energy capture unit (5), can automatically rotate around the head connection point under the action of ocean currents until the longitudinal axis is parallel to the direction of the incoming flow, without the need for any active actuator.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The standardized segment includes a flow enhancement segment (52), which includes a funnel-shaped rotating flow collector. The flow collector is a frustum-shaped hollow shell with a large inlet and a small outlet. Archimedes spiral blades are fixedly installed on the inner wall of the flow collector. The flow collector increases the local flow velocity in the impeller area by 30%-50% by narrowing the flow channel.

3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each segment is filled with closed-cell lightweight buoyancy material, so that each segment has independent micro-positive buoyancy; the buoyancy material filling rate of the high buoyancy segment (53) is higher than that of other segments, so that the entire kinetic energy capture unit (5) naturally extends obliquely upward in the water without any underwater rigid support structure.

4. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fluid membrane gap of the suspension support mechanism allows the rotating shaft (41) to have a displacement of 0.5-5 mm in the radial direction to accommodate the dynamic fluctuations and installation errors of the kinetic energy capture unit; the torque transmission mechanism (45) is a gear coupling or a diaphragm coupling.

5. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The force path is as follows: the radial load and axial tension generated by the kinetic energy capture unit (5) are transmitted to the fixed foundation (1) in sequence through the rotating shaft (41), fluid membrane, support seat (42), generator nacelle (4) shell, large universal joint (3), mounting base (2), and main traction cable (14); the bearing of the power generation module (43) only bears the load generated by its own rotor rotation.

6. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixed foundation (1) adopts the helical pile group anchoring system based on force decomposition efficiency as described in patent application 2026100000451, including at least two helical piles (11), auxiliary cables (12) connecting the piles, and a main cable (13) tied in the middle of the auxiliary cables.

7. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting base (2) is equipped with a multi-functional power output interface, including an underwater interface and an interface for connecting to the land and island power grid. It is used to connect one or more deep-sea loads such as seabed mining equipment, seabed computing center, and seabed robot charging station, and to transmit surplus power to offshore islands and the mainland power grid.

8. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The segments are connected by a connecting structure, which includes a mechanical interlocking mechanism and an external carbon fiber winding layer. The mechanical interlocking mechanism provides initial axial and circumferential positioning during segment assembly and forms an integrated connection with the winding layer after the external carbon fiber winding layer is cured.

9. A method for deploying the ocean current energy capture system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The installation of a fixed foundation using the fully electric, unmanned, multi-legged, double-headed, reverse-spiral ground pile driver as described in patent application 202512003359.5 includes the following steps: Step 1: Transport the piling machine to the target seabed area; Step 2: Install the fixed foundation (1), including at least two helical ground piles (11). Step 3: Lower the mounting base (2) and connect it to the fixed foundation (1) via the main traction cable (14); Step 4: On the water surface, multiple standardized segments are connected in series to form a kinetic energy capture unit (5) through a flexible coupling (7); during assembly, the ends of each segment are aligned with the corresponding parts of the connecting structure and inserted or screwed in, and then carbon fiber is wound and cured on the outside of the connection. Step 5: Connect the front end of the assembled kinetic energy capture unit (5) to the rotating shaft (41) of the suspension support mechanism and then release it; Step 6: The system automatically deploys, aligns, and stabilizes at the working depth under the influence of ocean currents; Step 7: Connect the multi-function output interface of the mounting base (2) to the deep-sea load and / or the land-based power grid.

10. The deployment method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The deployment process requires no underwater welding, no large floating cranes, and no complex alignment; once the system is deployed, no underwater maintenance is required.

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