DEVICE FOR ENERGY GENERATING WITH AN AIRSHIP TOWING AT LEAST ONE HYDRO-TURBINE

Description

[0001] This application relates to an energy production device comprising an air-towed boat towing at least one hydro turbine.

[0002] According to a known embodiment described in document WO2008047963, an electrical energy production device comprises a boat towed by at least one kite and a hydro turbine fixed under the hull of the boat. According to this embodiment, the kite uses high altitude winds which are strong and stable to move the boat, the hydro turbine fixed under the boat producing electrical energy.

[0003] This embodiment makes it possible to produce electrical energy at low cost. However, the amount of energy produced is relatively small.

[0004] Document US868798 describes a power generation device comprising a hydro turbine connected to a boat by an electric cable and a mechanical connecting cable. As before, the amount of power produced is relatively small.

[0005] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to an energy production device comprising an air-towed boat and at least one hydro turbine connected to the boat by at least one electric cable and by at least one mechanical connection cable in order to be towed by the boat, characterized in that the energy production device comprises a system for managing the movements and / or positions of the hydro turbines and / or the supports connecting at least two hydro turbines.

[0007] According to the invention, the hydro turbine is spaced from the boat, which makes it possible to increase its diameter and reduce interactions between the hydro turbine and the boat. In addition, it is possible to provide a multitude of hydro turbines towed by the same boat. Increasing the diameter of the hydro turbines and their number makes it possible to increase the quantity of energy produced.

[0008] According to another characteristic, the energy production device comprises at least one support, connected by a mechanical connection cable to the boat, on which at least two hydro turbines are fixed.

[0009] According to a first embodiment, the support extends in a transverse direction, perpendicular to a direction of movement in operation, the hydro turbines connected to the support being positioned in the same transverse plane, perpendicular to the direction of movement.

[0010] According to a second embodiment, the support extends in a longitudinal direction, parallel to a direction of movement in operation, the hydro turbines connected to the support being distributed into at least two groups, the hydro turbines of a first group being positioned in a first transverse plane, perpendicular to the direction of movement, the hydro turbines of a second group being positioned in a second transverse plane, perpendicular to the direction of movement, the second transverse plane being parallel and spaced from the first plane.

[0011] According to an arrangement, the hydro turbines of the same support have rotation axes positioned around the support.

[0012] According to other characteristics, the energy production device comprises: at least one trim control system for at least one tidal turbine and / or at least one support connecting at least two tidal turbines; at least one ballast, connected to a tidal turbine and / or to a support connecting at least two tidal turbines, making it possible to modify their buoyancy; at least one autonomous movement system, connected to a tidal turbine and / or to a support connecting at least two tidal turbines, configured to control the movements of the tidal turbine and / or of the support; a system for managing the movements and / or the positions of the tidal turbines and / or of the supports connecting at least two tidal turbines; at least one winch configured to wind or unwind at least one mechanical connection cable of at least one tidal turbine and / or of at least one support connecting at least two tidal turbines.

[0013] According to another characteristic, at least one hydro turbine comprises at least two sets of blades, the blades of different sets having counter-rotating rotational movements.

[0014] According to another feature, the boat includes a system for converting the electrical energy produced by each towed hydro turbine into hydrogen and / or synthetic fuel and / or any other energy.

[0015] According to another feature, the boat comprises at least one flexible wing, a flexible wing control system, suspended under the flexible wing, as well as a wind turbine connected to the control system to supply it with electrical energy.

[0016] According to another feature, the boat is configured to move from upstream to downstream and the energy production device comprises at least one wing positioned downstream of the boat, a control system configured to modify at least one characteristic of the wing as well as a system for determining at least one characteristic of the wind upstream of the boat, the control system being configured to modify at least one characteristic of the wing according to the characteristic of the wind determined by the determination system. According to another feature, the energy production device comprises a wing having at least a first semi-rigid or rigid part and at least a second part movable relative to the first part between more or less overlapping positions, each second part being configured to occupy at least: a retracted state, corresponding to a minimal size of the wing, intended for storing the wing on the boat; and a deployed state, intended for use in flight of the wing.

[0017] According to another feature, the boat comprises several wings as well as at least one manipulation system configured to grip a wing and lift it so that it can fly, the manipulation system comprising at least one gripper provided to cooperate with a gripping point of a semi-rigid or rigid part of the wing.

[0018] Other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the description of the invention which follows, a description given by way of example only, with reference to the appended drawings, among which: There figure 1 is a side schematic representation of an energy production device illustrating an embodiment of the invention, The figure 2 is a side schematic representation of an energy production device illustrating another embodiment of the invention, The figure 3 is a schematic representation from above of the energy production device visible on the figure 2 , in the energy production phase, The figure 4 is a schematic representation from above of the energy production device visible on the figure 2 , in maintenance phase, The figure 5 is a perspective view of a pair of towed hydro turbines illustrating an embodiment of the invention, The figure 6 is a side view of a group of hydro turbines illustrating a first embodiment of the invention, The figure 7 is a top view of the group of hydro turbines visible on the figure 6 , There figure 8 is a schematic representation from above of a group of hydro turbines illustrating a second embodiment of the invention, The figure 9 is a rear view of a group of hydro turbines illustrating a third embodiment of the invention, The figure 10 is a schematic representation from above of groups of hydro turbines illustrating a fourth embodiment of the invention, The figure 11 is a schematic lateral representation of the groups of hydro turbines visible on the figure 10 , in the energy production phase, The figure 12 is a schematic lateral representation of the groups of hydro turbines visible on the figure 10 , in maintenance phase, The figure 13 is a side schematic representation of an energy production device illustrating another embodiment of the invention, The figure 14 is a side schematic representation of a wind-towed boat equipped with a system for determining at least one characteristic of the wind illustrating an embodiment of the invention, The figure 15 is a schematic representation of a telescopic wing in the retracted state illustrating one embodiment of the invention, The figure 16 is a schematic representation of the telescopic wing visible on the figure 15 currently being deployed, The figure 17 is a schematic representation of the telescopic wing visible on the figure 15 in the deployed state, The figure 18 is a schematic representation of a wind-powered boat equipped with a wing manipulation system during a wing capture stage, The figure 19 is a schematic representation of the air-towed boat visible on the figure 18 during a wing deployment stage, The figure 20 is a schematic representation of the air-towed boat visible on the figure 18 during a step of elevation by the wing manipulation system in the deployed state, The figure 21 is a schematic representation of the air-towed boat visible on the figure 18 during a step of capture by the handling system of a main cable of a wing in flight, The figure 22 is a schematic representation of the air-towed boat visible on the figure 18 during a step of capture by the manipulation system of a guide cable of a wing in flight, and The figure 23 is a schematic representation of the air-towed boat visible on the figure 18 during a capture step by the wing manipulation system in flight.

[0019] According to an embodiment visible on the figures 1 à 4 , 8 , 11 à 13 , an energy production device comprises a wind-powered boat 10. A boat means any mobile structure on or near the surface of the water. A wind-powered boat means a boat 10 towed by at least one wind-powered element.

[0020] A wind-powered boat 10 comprises at least one flexible wing 12, also called a traction wing, as well as at least one cable 14, also called a suspension line, connecting the flexible wing 12 and the boat 10. Generally, several suspension lines 14 are connected to each flexible wing 12. According to a configuration visible on the figure 13 , the air-towed boat 10 comprises a control system 16 configured to control the flexible wing 12, suspended under the flexible wing 12. The control system 16 is connected to the boat 10 by a main cable 14 as well as to the flexible wing 12 by several lines 14'.

[0021] The 12 soft wings are preferred for towing the 10 boat because they use the strong and stable winds present at altitude.

[0022] The flexible wing 12, the cables and lines 14, 14' as well as the control system 16 are not further described because they are known to those skilled in the art and described for example in document WO2019179924.

[0023] According to an embodiment visible on the figure 13 , a wind turbine 18 is connected to the control system 16 to supply it with electrical energy. This wind turbine 18 may be identical to a backup wind turbine (Ram Air Turbine or RAT in English) present on certain aircraft.

[0024] The control system 16 may include a battery for storing electrical energy in addition to the wind turbine 18. This wind turbine 18 makes it possible to eliminate an electrical connection cable between the boat 10 and the control system 16.

[0025] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments previously described for the air-towed boat 10.

[0026] The boat 10 moves in a direction called the direction of movement DD when it is towed. To produce energy, the air-towed boat 10 is set in motion on a body of water

[0027] The energy production device comprises at least one hydro turbine 20 immersed in the water, towed by the boat 10, connected to the boat 10 by at least one mechanical connection cable 22 ensuring the absorption of mechanical forces between the boat 10 and the hydro turbine 20 as well as by at least one electric cable 24 to transfer the electrical energy produced by the hydro turbine 20 to the boat 10. Unlike the prior art, the hydro turbine 20 is not connected to the boat 10 by a rigid mechanical connection.

[0028] The mechanical connection cable 22 has a length greater than 10 m, or even 100 m, so that the hydro turbine 20 is moved away from the boat 10. The mechanical connection cable 22 may have a length of the order of a hundred meters, or even a kilometer.

[0029] The electrical cable 24 and the mechanical connection cable 22 can be separated or combined into a single bundle.

[0030] According to a first embodiment, the boat 10 comprises an electrical energy storage system.

[0031] According to a second embodiment, the boat 10 comprises a system for converting the electrical energy produced by the hydro turbine(s) into another energy. For example, the electrical energy can be converted into hydrogen, by electrolysis, which can be used to produce a synthetic fuel using a chemical process of catalysis of carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

[0032] The first and second embodiments may be combined. In either embodiment, the energy production device may produce electricity and / or hydrogen and / or synthetic fuel and / or any other energy.

[0033] According to an embodiment visible on the figures 5 et 6 , each hydro turbine 20 has an axis of rotation A20, at least two blades 26.1, 26.2 pivoting around the axis of rotation A20 as well as a generator making it possible to transform the mechanical energy of the axis of rotation A20 into electrical energy. Each hydro turbine 20 has a profile allowing it to reduce its aerodynamic coefficient.

[0034] According to one configuration, at least one hydro turbine 20 comprises at least two sets of blades 26.1, 26.2, a first set of blades positioned in a first plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation A20 and a second set of blades positioned in a second plane parallel and spaced from the first plane, the blades of the first and second sets having counter-rotating rotational movements to limit the occurrence of a disturbing torque. According to one design, each hydro turbine 20 has a diameter greater than or equal to 4 m, the diameter of the hydro turbine being equal to that of the circle described by the end of the blades. According to one configuration, each hydro turbine 20 has a diameter of the order of 8 m, or even 20 m. Such diameters are conceivable because the hydro turbine 20 is distant from the boat 10 and connected to the latter by a mechanical connection cable 22.

[0035] Depending on the variants, the hydro turbines 20 can be isolated from each other or grouped in pairs at least.

[0036] For this purpose, the energy production device comprises at least one support 28, on which at least two hydro turbines 20 are fixed, connected by a mechanical connection cable 22 to the boat 10.

[0037] According to an embodiment visible on the figures 2 à 5 , each support 28 supports two hydro turbines 20. The support 28 and the hydro turbines 20 are configured so that the center distance between the two hydro turbines 20 is greater than or equal to 1.5 times the diameter of the hydro turbines 20. When the hydro turbines 20 have a diameter of the order of 8 m, the center distance is of the order of 12 m. When the hydro turbines 20 have a diameter of the order of 20 m, the center distance is of the order of 30 m.

[0038] According to embodiments visible on the figures 6, 7 And 10, the same support 28 can support more than two hydro turbines 20. According to a first example illustrated on the figure 7 , six hydro turbines 20 are attached to the support 28. According to a second example illustrated on the figure 8 , four hydro turbines are reported on support 28.

[0039] The hydro turbines 20 of the same support 28 have axes of rotation A20 parallel to each other. According to a first configuration, the axes of rotation A20 of the hydro turbines 20 of the same support 28 are positioned in the same plane, substantially horizontal when the hydro turbines 20 are towed by the boat 10. According to another configuration visible on the figure 9 , the rotation axes A20 of the hydro turbines 20 of the same support 28 are positioned around the support 28. For example, they can be regularly distributed on a circle surrounding the support 28.

[0040] The energy production device may comprise a single support 28 or several supports 28 towed by the same boat 10.

[0041] According to a first configuration visible on the figure 7 for example, the support 28 extends in a transverse direction, perpendicular to the direction of movement DD in operation, and the hydro turbines 20 connected to the support 28 are positioned in the same transverse plane, perpendicular to the direction of movement DD. It is considered that hydro turbines 20 are positioned in the same transverse plane when the blades 26.1, 26.2 of the hydro turbines 20 pivot in the same transverse plane P.

[0042] According to this first configuration, the support 28 has a cross section S28 with a wing profile having a low hydrodynamic coefficient, a cross section corresponding to a section in a plane containing the vertical and displacement directions. This configuration makes it possible to reduce the losses generated by the drag of the support 28.

[0043] According to a second configuration visible on the figure 8 , the support 28 extends in a longitudinal direction, parallel to the direction of movement DD in operation, and the hydro turbines 20 connected to the support 28 are distributed into at least two groups 32.1, 32.2, the hydro turbines 20 of a first group 32.1 being positioned in a first transverse plane P1, perpendicular to the direction of movement DD, the hydro turbines 20 of a second group 32.2 being positioned in a second transverse plane P2, perpendicular to the direction of movement DD, the second transverse plane P2 being parallel and spaced from the first plane P1.

[0044] According to this second configuration, the support 28 comprises an approximately tubular body 28.1 which extends in the longitudinal direction and, for each hydro turbine 20, an arm 28.2 which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, connecting the body 28.1 and the hydro turbine 20, having a cross section with a wing profile.

[0045] According to an embodiment visible on the figure 8 , the energy production device comprises at least one attitude control system for at least one hydro turbine 20 and / or at least one support 28 connecting at least two hydro turbines 20. According to one configuration, at least one support 28 comprises at least one mobile part 30 whose position can be modified by the attitude control system in order to be able to control the descent or rise of the support 28. Modifying the position of the mobile part 30 also makes it possible to modify the aerodynamic coefficient of the support 28, in particular its drag.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the energy production device comprises at least one ballast 34 connected to a hydro turbine 20 and / or to a support 28 making it possible to modify their buoyancy. According to a first configuration visible on the figure 8 , the ballast 34 is integrated into the support 28, for example in its body 28.1. According to a second configuration visible on the figures 6 et 7 , the ballast 34 is a separate element from the support 28, fixed on the support 28. According to one design, all the supports 28 comprise at least one ballast 34.

[0047] According to an embodiment visible on the figures 11 et 12 , the energy production device comprises at least one autonomous movement system 36 connected to a hydro turbine 20 and / or to a support 28 configured to control the movements of the hydro turbine 20 and / or of the support 28 in an approximately horizontal plane, such as a propeller motor for example.

[0048] According to an embodiment visible on the figures 2 à 4 , each hydro turbine 20 is configured to occupy a position remote from the boat 10, as illustrated in the figures 2 et 3 , corresponding in particular to a phase of energy production, and a position close to the boat 10, as illustrated in the figure 4 , corresponding in particular to a maintenance phase.

[0049] For this purpose, the energy production device comprises at least one winch 38 configured to wind or unwind at least one mechanical connection cable 22 from at least one hydro turbine 20 and / or from at least one support 28.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the boat 10 comprises several arms 40, one for each hydro turbine 20, which extend in a transverse direction (perpendicular to the direction of movement DD), on either side of the boat 10. The arms 40 are arranged symmetrically on either side of the boat 10. Each of them supports a winch 38 on which a mechanical connection cable 22 is wound and unwound. In the energy production phase, as illustrated in the figure 3 , the mechanical connection cables 22 are unwound and the hydro turbines 20 are moved away from the boat 10. In the maintenance phase, as illustrated in the figure 4 , the mechanical connection cables 22 are wound and the hydro turbines 20 are positioned under the arms 40 near the boat 10, which helps to improve their accessibility.

[0051] In the presence of several isolated hydro turbines 20 and / or several supports 28, the energy production device comprises a system for managing the movements and / or positions of the isolated hydro turbines 20 and / or the supports 28, to avoid collisions between them or with the boat 10, by acting on the ballast control systems 34, the autonomous movement systems 36, the winches 38 and / or the trim control systems.

[0052] During the production phase, the depth of the hydro turbines 20 or the supports 28 is adjusted according to the tractive effort of the boat 10, their drag and their weight. It is possible to individually modify the depth of each isolated hydro turbine 20 and / or each support 28 by controlling their ballast 34 and / or their trim.

[0053] The presence of a plurality of hydro turbines 20 makes it possible to increase the quantity of energy produced.

[0054] The fact that the hydro turbines 20 are spaced from the boat 10 and from each other makes it possible to increase their diameter and to limit the interactions between them or with the boat 10.

[0055] Since the tidal turbines 20 are not fixed to the boat 10, they can be submerged to significant depths during the production phase, which makes it possible to operate in areas where the impact of the swell is reduced and where there is less floating debris. Since the tidal turbines are not attached to the hull of the boat, the draft of the boat can be reduced, which facilitates access to shallow ports.

[0056] According to an embodiment visible on the figure 14 , the boat 10 moves from upstream to downstream, according to the direction of movement DD. This boat 10 is air-towed by at least one wing 12, positioned downstream of the boat 10, connected by lines 14' to a control system 16 itself connected to the boat 10 by a main cable 14. This control system 16 is configured to modify at least one characteristic of the wing 12, such as its orientation and / or the inclination of its main cable 14 for example.

[0057] The boat 10 comprises a system 42 for determining at least one characteristic of the wind upstream of the boat 10, the control system 16 being configured to modify at least one characteristic of the wing 12 as a function of the characteristic of the wind determined by the determination system 42.

[0058] According to one configuration, the determination system 42 is a laser or lidar remote sensing system oriented upstream of the boat 10.

[0059] In the absence of detection of a gust of wind by the determination system 42, the wing 12 is controlled by the control system 16 in such a way that the main cable 14 forms an angle α relative to the horizontal. The wing 12 then exerts a traction force F1 on the boat 10 via the main cable 14.

[0060] When a gust of wind is detected by the determination system 42, the wing 12 is controlled by the control system 16 in such a way that the main cable 14 forms an angle α' with respect to the horizontal, greater than α. The wing 12 then exerts a traction force F2 on the boat 10 via the main cable 14. Given that the angle α' is greater than the angle α, the force F2 is less than the force F1, which makes it possible to stress the wing 12 and the main cable 14 less when a gust of wind arrives at the level of the wing 12 and consequently to reduce the risk of damage to the wing 12 and the main cable 14.

[0061] According to an embodiment visible on the figures 15 à 17 , the wing 12 is semi-rigid or rigid. This solution makes it possible to obtain a wing 12 which has a higher finesse compared to a flexible wing 12. A semi-rigid or rigid wing 12 can provide a power of 25 kW / m 2< for a wind speed of 10m / s (compared to only around 8 kW / m2 for a conventional flexible wing).

[0062] To reduce its bulk when not in use, the boat 10 comprises at least one wing 12 having at least one first semi-rigid or rigid part 44 and at least one second part 46 movable relative to the first part 44 between more or less overlapping positions. According to one configuration, the semi-rigid or rigid wing 12 comprises a first central semi-rigid or rigid part 44 and two second movable parts 46, 46' arranged on either side of the first central part 44, each of the second parts 46, 46' being configured to occupy a retracted state, visible on the figure 15 , wherein the second part 46, 46' is partially housed in the first part 44 or superimposed on the first part 44 and a deployed state, visible on the figure 17 , wherein the second portion 46, 46' is positioned outside the first portion 44 or offset relative to the first portion 44. The retracted state corresponds to a minimal bulk of the wing. Thus, the second portions are positioned in the retracted state for storage of the wing on the boat, which makes it easier to store the wing and minimizes the space required for its storage. The deployed state is intended for use in flight of the wing.

[0063] According to one embodiment, each second part 46, 46' comprises two telescopic arms 48, 50 which each have a first end 48.1, 50.1 secured to the first part 44 and a second end 48.2, 50.2 configured to move in a deployment direction 52 between a position close to the first end 48.1, 50.1, corresponding to the retracted state, and a second position separated from the first end 48.1, 50.1, corresponding to the deployed state. According to a first configuration, the telescopic arms 48, 50 are positioned partially inside the semi-rigid or rigid first part 44. According to a second configuration, the telescopic arms 48, 50 are partially pressed against an outer face of the semi-rigid or rigid first part 44.

[0064] Each second part 46, 46' comprises a canvas 54, connected to the telescopic arms 48, 50, folded in the retracted state and stretched in the deployed state.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the canvas 54 is connected to the telescopic arms 48, 50 by means of rods 56 perpendicular to the telescopic arms 48, 50 which may be metallic or made of composite material.

[0066] According to one configuration, the first semi-rigid or rigid part 44 and the second parts 46, 46' are connected to a control system by several hangers.

[0067] To give an order of magnitude, the wing 12 has a width (dimension taken perpendicular to the deployment direction 52) of the order of 20 m as well as a length (dimension taken parallel to the deployment direction 52) of the order of 35 m in the retracted state and 100 m in the deployed state in the presence of two second parts 46, 46' arranged on either side of a first part 44.

[0068] According to an embodiment visible on the figures 18 à 23 , the air-towed boat 10 includes a plurality of wings 12 and at least one manipulation system 58 configured to grip a wing 12 and lift it so that it can fly. According to one design, the manipulation system 58 is also configured to grip the wing 12 in flight and rest it on the boat 10

[0069] According to one configuration, the handling system 58 comprises a robotic arm having a base 60 connected to the boat 10 by a first articulation 62, a segment 64 of which a first end 64.1 is connected to the base 60, a head 66 configured to be temporarily secured to at least one wing 12 as well as a second articulation 68 connecting the head 66 to the second end 64.2 of the segment 64.

[0070] According to one configuration, the first joint 62 comprises a vertical pivot axis and a horizontal pivot axis. The second joint 68 comprises at least two pivot axes orthogonal to each other. The segment 64 is telescopic.

[0071] For each wing 12, the boat 10 comprises a winch 70 fixed on the boat 10, a main cable 14, a control system 16 connected to the winch 70 by the main cable 14 and to the wing 12 by lines 14'.

[0072] As illustrated on the figure 17 , each wing 12 comprises at least one gripping point 72 to which the head 16 can be temporarily connected. This gripping point 72 is preferably arranged on a semi-rigid or rigid part 44 of the wing. According to one configuration, the head 66 comprises two grippers 74 provided to cooperate with two gripping points 72 positioned on the fixed part 44 of the semi-rigid or rigid wing 12. Each wing 12 may comprise a telescopic part or not.

[0073] According to one method of operation, the wings 12 are stored vertically on the boat 10, as illustrated in the figure 18 . During a capture step, the head 66 of the manipulation system 58 is connected to the wing 12. Prior to a deployment step, visible on the figure 19 , the wing 12 is lifted and oriented by the manipulation system 58. After the wing deployment step, the manipulation system 58 raises the wing 12 so that it can be caught by the wind during a lifting step, as illustrated in the figure 20 . Next, wing 12 is detached from the manipulation system 58 and flies.

[0074] To facilitate the attachment of the grippers 74 of the head 66 to the gripping points 72, the wing 12 comprises a guide cable 76 for each gripping point 72, connecting the control system 16 and the wing 12, connected to the wing 12 near the gripping point 72.

[0075] To recover the wing 12 and place it back on the boat 10, the winch 70 is actuated so that the wing 12 is within reach of the head 66 of the handling system 58, as illustrated in the figure 21 . Next, the head 66 is guided to the gripping points 72. First, the head 66 grips the main cable 14 near the winch 70, as illustrated in the figure 21 . Next, the head 66 is moved until it reaches the control system 16 and then until it simultaneously grips the main cable 14 and a first guide cable 76, as illustrated in the figure 22 . The head 66 then releases the main cable 14 and grasps the second guide cable 76 and is then moved along the guide cables 76 until it comes into contact with the wing 12 so that the grippers 74 can grasp the gripping points 72, as illustrated in the figure 23Alternatively, the wing 12 is moved by the winch 70 until the head 66 is in contact with the wing 12 and the grippers 74 can grasp the gripping points 72. The wing 12 is then moved by the handling system 58 to its storage area on the boat 10.

[0076] According to a particular embodiment not shown in the figures, the air-towed boat 10 comprises an inflatable wing. This inflatable wing comprises an envelope intended to be filled with a gas lighter than air, such as helium for example. It also comprises a filling device provided to allow the filling (or purging) of the envelope with this gas. When the inflatable wing is not used for towing the boat, the envelope can be folded and stored in a suitable space provided on the boat. Deployment of the wing for use in towing the boat is made easier compared to a non-inflatable wing. Indeed, during such deployment, the envelope previously connected to the boat by a traction cable, is inflated with the lighter-than-air gas, via the filling device. The traction cable is preferably wound on a winch.The cable includes a free length between the winch and the inflatable wing so as to allow the inflatable wing to be inflated, the inflatable wing being thus kept close to the boat. Once the inflatable wing has been inflated, the inflatable wing remains in the air close to the boat, autonomously, since its envelope is filled with a gas lighter than air. No handling system is required for deploying the wing: it is sufficient to unwind the cable wound on the winch. Similarly, for retrieving the wing for storage on the boat, it is sufficient to rewind the cable on the winch, then empty the gas contained in the envelope when the wing is sufficiently close to the boat. The fact of not requiring a wing handling system is very advantageous, since such a system is expensive and bulky.This is all the more advantageous in the case of a boat forming part of an energy production system because the deployment and recovery maneuvers of a wing are then infrequent compared to the time taken to tow the boat by this wing. Once inflated, due to the pressure of the gas contained in the envelope, the wing has a higher rigidity than that of a flexible wing, close to the rigidity of a rigid or semi-rigid wing, which gives the inflatable wing high aerodynamic performance. Such an inflatable wing can be controlled by means of a control system such as the aforementioned control system 16 (acting on suspension cables of the wing to modify its shape), or by means of movable control surfaces (for example semi-rigid control surfaces).

[0077] In a variant of the aforementioned particular embodiment, a hydro turbine (or a set of hydro turbines) is towed directly by the inflatable wing (or by a set of inflatable wings), without requiring the use of a boat. This is made possible by the fact that this type of wing does not require a handling system for its deployment and recovery. Advantageously, the hydro turbine (or the set of hydro turbines) then comprises a body in which is installed the system for converting the electrical energy produced by the hydro turbine into hydrogen and / or synthetic fuel and / or any other energy. A system for controlling the inflatable wing (or the set of inflatable wings) can also be installed in said body of the hydro turbine. In particular, this body is submerged when the hydro turbine is submerged during its operation.

Claims

1. Device for producing energy having an air-towed vessel (10) and at least one water current turbine (20) linked to the vessel (20) by at least one electric cable (24), the water current turbine (20) being further linked to the vessel (10) by at least one mechanical linking cable (22) in order to be towed by the vessel (10), characterized in that the device for producing energy comprises a system for managing the movements and / or positions of the water current turbines (20) and / or a system for managing the movements and / or positions of the supports (28) connecting at least two water current turbines (20).

2. Device for producing energy as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the device for producing energy comprises at least one support (28), linked to the vessel (10) by the mechanical linking cable (22), to which at least two water current turbines (20) are secured.

3. Device for producing energy as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that the support (28) extends along a transverse direction, perpendicular to a direction of movement (DD) in operation, the water current turbines (20) connected to the support (28) being positioned in one and the same transverse plane, perpendicular to the direction of movement (DD).

4. Device for producing energy as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the support (28) extends along a longitudinal direction, parallel to a direction of movement (DD) in operation, the water current turbines (20) connected to the support (28) being distributed in at least two groups (32.1, 32.2), the water current turbines (20) of a first group (32.1) being positioned in a first transverse plane (P1), perpendicular to the direction of movement (DD), the water current turbines (20) of a second group (32.2) being positioned in a second transverse plane (P2), perpendicular to the direction of movement (DD), the second transverse plane (P2) being parallel to and at a distance from the first plane (P1).

5. Device for producing energy as claimed in one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the water current turbines (20) of one and the same support (28) have axes of rotation (A20) positioned around the support (28).

6. Device for producing energy as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device for producing energy comprises at least one system for controlling the pitch of at least one water current turbine (20) and / or of at least one support (28) connecting at least two water current turbines (20).

7. Device for producing energy as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device for producing energy comprises at least one ballast (34), connected to the water current turbine (20) and / or to a support (28) connecting at least two water current turbines (20), making it possible to modify their buoyancy.

8. Device for producing energy as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device for producing energy comprises at least one autonomous movement system (36), connected to a water current turbine (20) and / or to a support (28) connecting at least two water current turbines (20), which is configured to control the movements of the water current turbine (20) and / or of the support (28).

9. Device for producing energy as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device for producing energy comprises at least one winch (38) configured to wind up or unwind at least one mechanical linking cable (22) of at least one water current turbine (20) and / or of at least one support (28) connecting at least two water current turbines (20).

10. Device for producing energy as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in hat at least one water current turbine (20) comprises at least two sets of blades (26.1, 26.2), the blades (26.1, 26.2) of different sets having counter-rotating rotational movements.

11. Device for producing energy as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vessel (10) comprises a system for converting the electrical energy produced by each towed water current turbine (20) into hydrogen and / or synthetic fuel and / or any other energy.

12. Device for producing energy as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vessel (10) comprises at least one flexible wing (12), a system (16) for controlling the flexible wing (12), suspended under the flexible wing (12), and a wind turbine (18) connected to the control system (16) to supply it with electrical energy.

13. Device for producing energy as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vessel (10) is configured to move from upstream to downstream, and in that the device for producing energy comprises at least one wing (12) positioned downstream of the vessel (10), a control system (16) configured to modify at least one characteristic of the wing (12), and a system (42) for determining at least one characteristic of the wind upstream of the vessel (10), the control system (16) being configured to modify at least one characteristic of the wing (12) depending on the characteristic of the wind determined by the determining system (42).

14. Device for producing energy as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device for producing energy comprises a wing (12) having at least one semi-rigid or rigid first part (44) and at least one second part (46, 46') that is movable with respect to the first part (44) between more or less overlapping positions, each second part (46, 46') being configured to take up at least: - a retracted state, corresponding to a minimum size of the wing (12), intended for stowing the wing on the vessel (10); and - a deployed state, intended for using the wing (12) in flight.

15. Device for producing energy as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vessel (10) comprises a plurality of wings (12) and at least one handling system (58) configured to grasp a wing (12) and raise it so that it can fly, the manipulating system comprising at least one gripper (74) intended to cooperate with a gripping point (72) of a semi-rigid or rigid part (44) of the wing (12).