Novel modularized raft type wave energy converter

Abstract

The utility model discloses a novel modular raft wave energy converter which comprises a main floating structure, four raft bodies and floating modular flaps, and the four raft bodies are connected to the center of the main floating structure through hinges; the floating modular flap is composed of five cylindrical modules which are all installed in the center of the main floating structure, and the top of each cylindrical module is provided with a power take-off (PTO) system. Each power output PTO system comprises a gear rack mechanism, a single-rod single-action hydraulic cylinder, four check valves, an overflow valve, a high-pressure energy accumulator, a flow control valve, a permanent magnet synchronous generator, a hydraulic motor, a resistive load and an oil tank; the convex tooth structure at the top of the cylindrical module is meshed with the gear rack mechanism; the wave energy converter integrates the advantages of an existing raft type wave energy converter and an existing pendulum type wave energy converter, wave potential energy and wave kinetic energy can be converted at the same time, and the wave energy converter has higher energy conversion efficiency and higher survivability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of energy conversion devices, and in particular relates to a novel modular raft-type wave energy converter. Background Art

[0002] The ocean has a large amount of clean renewable energy and has great potential for power generation. Over the years, various wave energy converters have been invented, developed and tested. Among the various devices proposed, the raft wave energy converter has high conversion efficiency and good survivability. It consists of multiple floating bodies and uses wave potential energy as a source of reaction and absorption energy; the pendulum wave energy converter consists of a pendulum that converts wave kinetic energy into useful energy. It has the advantages of wide frequency response and high energy conversion rate.

[0003] However, in the actual development and utilization of these two types of wave energy, there are reasons such as low wave energy conversion efficiency, high device installation and maintenance costs, poor universality, and unstable stable output of wave energy devices. As a result, they have not yet been put into practice on a large scale and need further improvement. Utility Model Content

[0004] The utility model provides a novel modular raft wave energy converter, which combines the advantages of a raft wave energy converter and a pendulum wave energy converter and proposes a unique modular raft wave energy converter, which integrates the pitching motion of a raft and a floating module to convert wave potential energy and wave kinetic energy into useful energy.

[0005] To solve the above problems, the technical solutions provided by the present invention are as follows:

[0006] The utility model provides a novel modular raft wave energy converter, which comprises a main floating structure (12), four rafts (14) and floating modular flaps (13), wherein the four rafts (14) are connected to the center of the main floating structure (12) through hinges; the floating modular flaps (13) are composed of five cylindrical modules, all of which are installed at the center of the main floating structure (12), and each cylindrical module is equipped with a power output (PTO) system (15) on the top;

[0007] Each power take-off (PTO) system (15) comprises a gear rack mechanism (2), a single-rod single-acting hydraulic cylinder (3), four check valves (4), a relief valve (5), a high-pressure accumulator (6), a flow control valve (7), a permanent magnet synchronous generator (8), a hydraulic motor (9), a resistance load (10) and an oil tank (11); the top convex tooth structure (13-1) of the cylindrical module is meshed with the gear rack mechanism (2);

[0008] The floating modular flap (13) moves around the fulcrum during the floating swing process, converting wave energy into mechanical energy; the gear rack mechanism (2) is then used to transfer the mechanical energy of the floating swing to the single-rod single-acting hydraulic cylinder (3), and then the piston rod drives the piston to reciprocate, performs work on the hydraulic oil, and completes the conversion of mechanical energy into hydraulic energy; the four check valves (4) integrate the two-way flow of hydraulic oil at the rodless chamber oil port of the single-rod single-acting hydraulic cylinder (3) into a one-way flow of the main oil circuit through rectification, and the variable displacement hydraulic motor (9) converts the hydraulic energy into rotational mechanical energy, and then converts it into electrical energy, which is output by the permanent magnet synchronous generator (8); the high-pressure accumulator (6) is used to store energy, stabilize pressure, eliminate the periodic fluctuations of system pressure and flow generated when the cylinder is switched, and enhance the consistency of the system; the overflow valve (5) is used to avoid high pressure in the pipeline, and the flow control valve (7) is used to control the flow and participate in the control of power; the oil tank (11) is used to compensate for possible leakage and short-term negative pressure in the system, and to replenish the oil pressure in time;

[0009] The four raft bodies (14) use wave potential energy as a reaction source and use relative rotation around the hinges to drive the gear rack mechanism (2) of the power output (PTO) system (15) to rotate, so that the wave energy is converted into electrical energy.

[0010] According to an optional embodiment of the utility model, the floating modular flap (13) is equipped with a ballast water system, and the ballast water system is used to change the mass of the floating modular flap (13) by injecting water into the hollow structure of the floating modular flap (13), thereby optimizing the floating modular flap (13) and the raft (14) to capture more energy.

[0011] According to an optional embodiment of the utility model, the main floating structure (12) is connected to the seabed through a single-point mooring system, the single-point mooring system is composed of a mooring line and an anchor block, and the mooring line is a plastic protected steel wire.

[0012] According to an optional embodiment of the utility model, a horizontal hinge shaft is fixedly arranged below the main floating structure (12), and the floating modular flap (13) is movably connected to the horizontal hinge shaft to capture energy through pitching movement.

[0013] Beneficial effects: The embodiment of the utility model provides a novel modular raft type wave energy converter, comprising a main floating structure, four raft bodies and floating modular flaps, wherein the four raft bodies are connected to the center of the main floating structure by hinges; the floating modular flaps are composed of five cylindrical modules, all of which are installed at the center of the main floating structure, and each cylindrical module is equipped with a power output PTO system on the top; each power output PTO system comprises a gear rack mechanism, a single-rod single-acting hydraulic cylinder, 4 check valves, a relief valve, a high-pressure accumulator, a flow control valve, a permanent magnet synchronous generator, a hydraulic motor, a resistance load and an oil tank; the top convex tooth structure of the cylindrical module is meshed with the gear rack mechanism; the utility model integrates the pitching motion of the raft and the floating module, converts wave potential energy and wave kinetic energy into useful energy, and improves the wave energy conversion efficiency. The raft type wave energy converter has a simple structure, is easy to install and maintain, and has stable power output. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments or the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the utility model. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0015] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a novel modular raft wave energy converter provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a left view of a novel modular raft wave energy converter provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0017] Figure 3 A top view of a novel modular raft wave energy converter provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0018] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a module of a power output (PTO) system of a novel modular raft-type wave energy converter provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0020] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a novel modular raft wave energy converter, comprising a main floating structure 12, four rafts 14 and floating modular flaps 13, wherein the four rafts 14 are connected to the center of the main floating structure 12 by hinges; the floating modular flaps 13 are composed of five cylindrical modules, all of which are installed at the center of the main floating structure 12, and each cylindrical module is equipped with a power output PTO system 15 on the top.

[0021] Preferably, the main floating structure 12 is connected to the seabed through a single-point mooring system, which consists of a mooring line and an anchor block, and the mooring line is a plastic-protected steel wire. By adopting a single-point mooring system, the raft-type wave energy converter can make full use of wave energy in all directions and achieve an optimal operating state. A horizontal hinge shaft is fixedly arranged below the main floating structure 12, and the floating modular flap 13 is movably connected to the horizontal hinge shaft to capture energy through pitching motion. The horizontal hinge shaft is set at a preset distance above the seabed.

[0022] like Figure 4 As shown, each power take-off (PTO) system 15 includes a rack and pinion mechanism 2, a single-rod single-acting hydraulic cylinder 3, four check valves 4, a relief valve 5, a high-pressure accumulator 6, a flow control valve 7, a permanent magnet synchronous generator 8, a hydraulic motor 9, a resistive load 10 and an oil tank 11; the top convex tooth structure 13-1 of the cylindrical module is meshed with the rack and pinion mechanism 2.

[0023] Among them, the floating modular flap moves around the fulcrum during the floating swing process, converting wave energy into mechanical energy; the gear rack mechanism 2 is then used to transfer the mechanical energy of the floating swing to the single-rod single-acting hydraulic cylinder 3, and then the piston rod drives the piston to reciprocate, doing work on the hydraulic oil, completing the conversion of mechanical energy into hydraulic energy; the four check valves 4 integrate the two-way flow of hydraulic oil at the oil port of the rodless chamber of the single-rod single-acting hydraulic cylinder 3 into a one-way flow of the main oil circuit through rectification, and the variable displacement hydraulic motor 9 converts the hydraulic energy into rotational mechanical energy, and then converts it into electrical energy, which is output by the permanent magnet synchronous generator 8; the function of the high-pressure accumulator 6 is to store energy, stabilize the pressure, eliminate the periodic fluctuations of the system pressure and flow generated when the cylinder is reversing, and enhance the consistency of the system; the overflow valve 5 is used to avoid high pressure in the pipeline, and the function of the flow control valve 7 is to control the flow and participate in the control of power; the oil tank 11 is used to compensate for possible leakage and short-term negative pressure in the system, and to replenish the oil pressure in time.

[0024] The four rafts utilize wave potential energy as a reaction source and utilize relative rotation around the hinges to drive the rack and pinion mechanism 2 of the power output (PTO) system 15 to rotate, thereby converting wave energy into electrical energy.

[0025] The five cylindrical modules of the floating modular flap 13 are water-filled cylinders. The floating modular flap 13 is equipped with a ballast water system inside. The ballast water system is used to change its mass by injecting water into the hollow structure of the floating modular flap 13, thereby optimizing the floating modular flap 13 and the raft 14 to capture more energy.

[0026] In order to reduce the destructiveness under extreme wave conditions, this embodiment will design a floating modular flap divided into five equal parts in the experiment. Each cylindrical module independently performs oscillating motion around the horizontal hinge located above it, which can reduce the impact of single module failure on the system and capture more energy due to multiple resonances. A hydraulic cylinder is installed on the top of each module installed in the center of the main floating structure for easy installation, inspection and maintenance. The wave motion of the joint is suppressed by a hydraulic cylinder, which pumps high-pressure oil into the power output PTO system. The raft wave energy converter has a hydraulic motor coupled to a generator for power generation. This design enables the modular raft wave energy converter to generate electricity smoothly and has low manufacturing and installation costs.

[0027] Four rafts installed around the center of the main floating structure are connected to the main floating structure through hinges. The rafts use wave potential energy as a reaction source and use the relative rotation around the hinges to drive the hydraulic system of the power output PTO system to convert wave energy into electrical energy; the ballast water system changes the mass by injecting water into the hollow structure, thereby optimizing the energy capture coefficient of the floating modular flaps and raft. In addition, the modular raft wave energy converter can still work normally under harsh conditions. This is because the floating modular flaps provide the possibility of fully filling the air ballast tank, allowing the equipment to float to a horizontal position parallel to the wave surface. Once the wave conditions are stable, pumping water back into the compartment will return the equipment to the working position. At the same time, the mooring system enables the wave energy converter to adjust the floating module flaps and raft according to changes in wave direction, so that the device can still maintain its original position under harsh conditions.

[0028] In summary, although the present invention has been disclosed as above in terms of preferred embodiments, the above preferred embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention. A person skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be based on the scope defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A novel modular raft wave energy converter, characterized in that: It comprises a main floating structure (12), four rafts (14) and floating modular flaps (13), wherein the four rafts (14) are connected to the center of the main floating structure (12) through hinges; the floating modular flaps (13) are composed of five cylindrical modules, all of which are installed at the center of the main floating structure (12), and each cylindrical module is equipped with a power output (PTO) system (15) on the top; Each power take-off (PTO) system (15) comprises a gear rack mechanism (2), a single-rod single-acting hydraulic cylinder (3), four check valves (4), a relief valve (5), a high-pressure accumulator (6), a flow control valve (7), a permanent magnet synchronous generator (8), a hydraulic motor (9), a resistance load (10) and an oil tank (11); the top convex tooth structure (13-1) of the cylindrical module is meshed with the gear rack mechanism (2); The floating modular flap (13) moves around the fulcrum during the floating swing process, converting wave energy into mechanical energy; the gear rack mechanism (2) is then used to transfer the mechanical energy of the floating swing to the single-rod single-acting hydraulic cylinder (3), and then the piston rod drives the piston to reciprocate, performs work on the hydraulic oil, and completes the conversion of mechanical energy into hydraulic energy; the four check valves (4) integrate the two-way flow of hydraulic oil at the rodless chamber oil port of the single-rod single-acting hydraulic cylinder (3) into a one-way flow of the main oil circuit through rectification, and the variable displacement hydraulic motor (9) converts the hydraulic energy into rotational mechanical energy, and then converts it into electrical energy, which is output by the permanent magnet synchronous generator (8); the high-pressure accumulator (6) is used to store energy, stabilize pressure, eliminate the periodic fluctuations of system pressure and flow generated when the cylinder is switched, and enhance the consistency of the system; the overflow valve (5) is used to avoid high pressure in the pipeline, and the flow control valve (7) is used to control the flow and participate in the control of power; the oil tank (11) is used to compensate for possible leakage and short-term negative pressure in the system, and to replenish the oil pressure in time; The four raft bodies (14) use wave potential energy as a reaction source and use relative rotation around the hinges to drive the gear rack mechanism (2) of the power output (PTO) system (15) to rotate, so that the wave energy is converted into electrical energy.

2. A novel modular raft wave energy converter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The floating modular flap (13) is equipped with a ballast water system, which is used to change the mass of the hollow structure of the floating modular flap (13) by injecting water into it, thereby optimizing the floating modular flap (13) and the raft (14) to capture more energy.

3. A novel modular raft wave energy converter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main floating structure (12) is connected to the seabed via a single-point mooring system, wherein the single-point mooring system is composed of a mooring line and an anchor block, and the mooring line is a plastic-protected steel wire.

4. A novel modular raft wave energy converter according to claim 1, characterized in that: A horizontal hinge shaft is fixedly arranged below the main floating structure (12), and the floating modular flap (13) is movably connected to the horizontal hinge shaft to capture energy through pitching motion.

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