Flow power plant

Abstract

The invention relates to a flow power plant (1, 1') for generating power in an aquatic flow field (FS), comprising: two mutually spaced stations (2, 2'), which can preferably be anchored in the ground (G) and which each comprise a cable pulley (25) mounted for rotation about a deflection axis (RG); and a cable loop (4), which is frictionally and / or positively guided around the cable pulleys (25) of the stations (2, 2') and which has a conveying cable (41, 41'), on which conveying cable (41, 41') a plurality of individual drive elements (5) is trimmably suspended, preferably in each case at a head of a hanger (52), particularly preferably a hanger rod (52), of the drive elements (5); wherein the cable pulleys (25) are mounted in the stations (2, 2') for pivoting about an orientation axis (Rax), such that the cable loop (4, 4') with the drive elements (5) is oriented in the flow field and can drive the cable pulleys (25) in the oriented positioned.

Description

[0001] Current power plant

[0002] The invention relates to a current power plant for generating electricity in an aquatic flow field, comprising two spaced-apart stations, each comprising a cable pulley mounted for rotation about a deflection axis, and a cable loop guided frictionally and / or positively around the cable pulleys of the stations. A plurality of individual drive elements are attached to a haulage cable of this cable loop in a trimmable manner.

[0003] Countless water turbines are known from practice. These usually have a system of blades, runners, rotors, or similar devices, which are installed in water at a location with a sufficiently strong current to extract energy from the fluid and transfer power to a wave. Classic examples include constant-pressure or positive-pressure hydroelectric power plants, which utilize natural or artificially created potential energy between two water reservoirs by converting the flow energy generated by the gradient into electrical energy. However, current power plants in which the turbine—similar to a wind turbine—is located directly in a sufficiently fast stream or a strong tidal current are rare.

[0004] The particular advantage of all hydroelectric power plants over other types of power plants, such as nuclear, gas, or coal-fired power plants, is that they produce environmentally friendly, climate-neutral electricity and do not require fuels that are only available in limited quantities on earth. CO2 is only emitted during the production of the power plant components. Once the hydroelectric power plants are in operation at their site, they produce no pollutants at all and thus generate very clean electricity.

[0005] Unfortunately, the geographical conditions for the expansion of traditional hydropower, especially in Europe, have virtually exhausted themselves. There may be some developments in the construction of current turbines in the coming years, but the high flow velocities necessary for economic exploitation are only achieved in a few inland and offshore areas. For hydropower to make a decisive contribution to the energy transition, the globally gigantic resource of moderate river and ocean currents must be exploited through suitable arrangements for large-scale use. While there is already considerable state-of-the-art technology for concentrating the energy of a multitude of drive elements via cables, it is foreseeable that, due to their design, current designs will withstand the prevailing conditions only for a very short time or not at all, as they are usually not sufficiently robust or stable.They are therefore often only useful in theory, but are not suitable for actual use, as they simply cannot withstand or defy real-life conditions for a sufficiently long period of time.

[0006] For example, EP 2 459 869 B1 describes a design in which several blades are to be held as drive elements between two parallel cable loops. In practice, however, it is difficult or even impossible to maintain two cable loops of exactly the same length running synchronously in the long term. The consequences are extreme tension, disruptive twisting, increased wear, and inevitable damage, thus resulting in uneconomical maintenance costs.

[0007] From US 9,777,709 B2, a design with controllable vanes as drive elements along a cable loop that runs around several cable pulleys is known. In this design, a group of such vanes attached to a section of the cable loop oscillates back and forth between two of the cable pulleys. Shortly before the group of vanes reaches one of the cable pulleys, the cable loop must be braked in each case and the vanes are controlled from a first angle of attack to a second angle of attack, so that the cable loop is driven in the opposite direction until the group of vanes reaches another cable pulley. This design is therefore only potentially profitable for extremely long systems and is therefore very limited to local conditions or circumstances, such as, for example,Two steep mountain slopes above water, separated by a wide valley, between which a strong current prevails, in order to then be able to use this. In addition, the structure is relatively unstable and is actually only designed for operation using wind power, i.e. with an air current. At a length at which the structure could potentially be profitable, however, its length makes it all the more vulnerable and unstable and thus no longer sufficiently safe in a maritime environment. It is therefore an object of the present invention, among other things, to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art and to provide an improved current power plant for moderate currents that is robust enough to be operated economically and profitably with the lowest possible maintenance effort.

[0008] This problem is solved by a flow power plant according to patent claim 1.

[0009] As mentioned at the beginning, the current power plant for generating electricity by converting the flow energy or kinetic energy of the flow into electrical current in an aquatic flow field comprises two stations spaced apart from each other.

[0010] The stations can be "reversing stations", i.e. stations that have neither a gear nor brakes nor drives. This is where a reversal of a cable loop, which is explained below, essentially takes place. In the simplest case there are at least two of these. In addition, the current power plant can also include "deflection stations", i.e. so-called "intermediate stations". At these, the cable loop is at least slightly deflected and supported or guided. The cable loop can be supported upwards or downwards. In which case an upward or downward support makes sense is explained further below. The stations can also be, for example,These could be "tensioning stations," where the cable loop is pre-tensioned, or "generator stations," where generators for power generation and / or energy conversion are located (as explained in more detail below). Unless otherwise stated, the term "stations" encompasses all of these variants. It should also be noted that, for example, a station can be used for both pre-tensioning and reversing, or for generating or converting energy.

[0011] The “aquatic flow field” can be a current in continental or maritime waters, i.e. rivers, canals, seas, etc. The current power plant can - as explained below - be aligned or arranged essentially perpendicular to the expected main flow directions of the flow field in order to optimize the potential energy generation, i.e. in a river or body of water, for example, perpendicular to the river or body of water current. In flowing waters, installation, e.g. in the inlet and outlet channels of run-of-river power plants, is particularly advantageous because the necessary framework conditions with regard to safety, approval and service as well as with regard to grid connection or grid supply, i.e. the feed-in of the generated electricity, have already been created there. Installation there has only an imperceptible impact on the output of the existing run-of-river power plants, if at all.This would allow the hydrokinetic energy of the current to be harnessed, which has so far largely been unused, since run-of-river power plants usually only utilize the potential energy of the water due to the difference in height between the upstream water at the inlet channel and the downstream water at the outlet channel of the run-of-river power plant to generate power via a turbine. Typically, the water is additionally dammed to increase the head. This would not be necessary with the proposed design.

[0012] Furthermore, this orientation and arrangement can also be particularly advantageous for the stability of a potential structure in the ocean, where the main current directions, namely the tidal currents, are essentially opposite. This means that the current power plant can, for example, be aligned or arranged perpendicular to the tidal currents in order to optimally utilize both currents for energy generation. At low tide, the water flows in a first direction when the water retreats, i.e., "runs down," and at high tide, it flows in a second, opposite direction when the water returns, i.e., "runs up."

[0013] The stations each comprise a cable pulley, which is mounted in the respective station so that it can rotate about a deflection axis. A "deflection axis" is generally understood here (unless stated otherwise) to be a (virtual) axis in the mathematical sense or axis of rotation, i.e. a straight line that describes a rotation. The deflection axis can be implemented mechanically, for example, by a stationary axle on which the cable pulley is mounted, or by a rotating shaft that is, for example, firmly coupled to the cable pulley, or by the cable pulley being mounted radially on the outside in a corresponding bearing. If the cable pulley is connected directly or indirectly to generators (explanation below) in order to drive them, as explained below, the deflection axis is a "drive axis".

[0014] The cable sheaves of the two stations of the current power plant should preferably be of identical construction, i.e., for example, be of the same size. Furthermore, an endless cable loop runs between the stations, usually spliced, and is guided around the cable sheaves of the stations in a force- or friction-locked manner. “Guided around the cable sheaves of the stations in a force- or friction-locked manner” means that the cable loop - when driven or moved during operation as indicated and explained below - transfers its kinetic energy to the cable sheaves via friction or a force connection, thereby driving them. Endlessly spliced ​​means that the cable ends of the cable loop are formed into a continuous cable loop without an end or are continuously interwoven, e.g. by means of a longitudinal splice, connecting splice, or wire splice, so that the cable loop can be driven continuously in a circle.

[0015] Alternatively, or in combination with a force- or friction-locked coupling to the cable pulleys of the stations, the cable loop could also be guided in a form-fitting manner around the cable pulleys of the stations.

[0016] The rope loop, in turn, comprises or can be formed by a haulage rope to which a plurality of individual drive elements are attached in a trimmable manner.

[0017] The term “haulage rope” is understood to mean, for example, a strong cord made of fibers or wires, which is designed to withstand tensile loads in the longitudinal direction of the haulage rope, but in particular also tensile loads obliquely, preferably transversely, to the haulage rope in the direction of flow.

[0018] The drive elements are elements with wings or similar features that, when subjected to an incoming flow in an aquatic current field, generate or cause a force at their attachment point on the haul rope. This force can then be transferred via the haul rope, to which the drive elements are fixedly attached, to the pulleys and ultimately to coupled generators, thus starting the generators and keeping them moving to generate electricity. The generated electricity can in turn be fed into a power grid, for example, via power lines, or stored in batteries to be transferred or fed into the power grid at a more suitable time later. "Trimmable attachment" means that the drive elements are attached to the haul rope in such a way that they can be trimmed to the prevailing current or their angle of attack can be adjusted.

[0019] In order to distribute the tensile force on the conveyor rope as evenly as possible over the entire conveyor rope at a certain flow, the drive elements can preferably be arranged at regular intervals over the entire conveyor rope.

[0020] As an example, the drive elements can be distributed along the haulage cable—as preferred—like the stirrups of a drag lift, for example, without limiting the invention to this. This has the advantage that the same number of drive elements are always positioned in the flow, thus keeping the haulage cable constantly moving or driven.

[0021] This prevents unwanted speed fluctuations, which could occur, for example, if drive elements were located more in the area of ​​the turning loops or sheaves and less in the flow field between them, as is the case, for example, with the design of US 9,777,709 B2. In addition, this design also prevents uneven loading of the haulage rope along its entire length, which would occur at least temporarily with only a few isolated, particularly unevenly distributed drive elements along the length of the haulage rope, as is also the case with US 9,777,709 B2. With the aforementioned design of US 9,777,709 B2, local increases in tension in the rope can temporarily occur in the rope sections around the blades, which may result in the rope being tightened or loaded very heavily locally.Particularly if the rope is frequently re-started (i.e. a constant rebuilding of tension) - which is intended for this design - this has a very stressful effect on the longevity of the rope.

[0022] For weight and cost reasons, both for manufacturing and for assembly, operation, and potential repairs, it is also advantageous to use a larger number of smaller drive elements rather than a fewer number of larger drive elements to achieve the same drive power. The drive elements can preferably be profile-shaped, i.e., with an airfoil, as mentioned. Their shape can be designed such that they pull the haulage rope in exactly one rope drive direction in a specific flow direction, e.g., in a river or, if applicable, a flow directed downstream or into the sea (or out onto the open sea). This means that the drive elements are designed such that, for a certain flow direction, they drive the haulage rope in a predetermined direction of rotation, i.e., they have an asymmetrical profile or a curved skeleton line, as explained further below.

[0023] At this point it should be noted that relative directional terms such as "downstream", "upstream", "facing out to sea", "facing inland", "above", "below", "above", "below", "top", "below", "sideways or left / right", "horizontal", "vertical", "front", "back", etc., here, as well as throughout the document, refer arbitrarily to the representation in the figures. Later on, Figure 1 shows a typical state of an exemplary embodiment of a current power plant in use at a flow-free moment, i.e. during a so-called "capsizing", i.e. a time when the incoming and outgoing water alternates, so that the tidal current comes to a standstill for a short time and the cable loop with the haulage cable sags downwards in a catenary curve or catenary line between the stations due to the lower buoyancy relative to the water with the force of gravity.In contrast, Figure 2 shows the exemplary embodiment of the current power plant with an existing current. As already mentioned above, the current power plant can additionally comprise one or more intermediate stations between the two outer stations. These are suitable, for example, when very long cable loops are used, but the "chain curve" or the "sag" of the haulage cable of the cable loop cannot be increased indefinitely, i.e. the haulage cable cannot sag arbitrarily upwards or downwards, which can be the case, for example, in relatively shallow bodies of water. Metaphorically speaking, the cable loop then does not sag in a deep "fundamental oscillation", but, for example, at an intermediate station in the first "harmonic oscillation", i.e. in two flatter, less strongly curved arcs.

[0024] In contrast to the prior art mentioned at the beginning, the drive elements can also preferably each be suspended from the haulage rope of the rope loop in a trimmable manner at a head of a suspension device, particularly preferably at a head of a suspension rod, of the drive elements. According to the invention, the rope sheaves are pivotally mounted in the stations in such a way that the rope loop can be aligned with the drive elements in the flow field and thus the rope sheaves can be effectively driven in the aligned position. The "pivotable mounting" is thus implemented in such a way that the rope loop can be pivoted to a corresponding roll angle or angle of attack to the flow direction and then oscillates, for example, in the event of a change in the flow strength or a change in the flow direction, to a different roll angle or angle of attack.The cable sheaves with the cable loop and the haulage cable are generally mounted in the stations so they can pivot through 360° around a horizontally aligned alignment or pivot axis, which will be explained further below (in the theoretical case that such a flow direction would exist). In practice, they essentially move within a range of 200° or, when adjusted, can be moved within a range of approximately 200°, since flows do not always run horizontally and thus a pivot angle of just over 180° can occur. The cable loop aligns itself, for example, in a parabolic shape based on the prevailing flow strength or flow velocity, essentially perpendicular to the flow direction if the flow flows against the cable loop with the drive elements with sufficient strength and an essentially perpendicular flow direction, as desired.Due to the nature of a cable structure, in this case the cable loop, which always aligns itself more or less in an arc in a rectilinear force field or flow field over its entire length (depending on the cable tension), it is not possible to align the flow power plant, especially the cable loop, perpendicular to the flow throughout its entire length. In fact, the flow only impinges perpendicularly on the flow power plant in the central region of the cable loop. However, in the direction toward the stations, this is at least still approximately the case, so that the longitudinal direction of the flow power plant is essentially oriented perpendicular to the respective main flow direction.

[0025] During a tidal change in a flow-free state, in which the cable loop, as mentioned above, sags downwards in a straight line between the two stations under the influence of gravity, the cable loop temporarily extends, at least from a bird's eye view from above, in a straight line along the shortest connecting axis between the two stations. Therefore, this direction of extension of the current power plant in this momentary flow-free state of capsizing or during a tidal change is hereinafter referred to as the "longitudinal direction of the current power plant." This longitudinal direction is in fact perpendicular to the subsequently reestablished main flow direction.

[0026] The pivoting or rolling bearing according to the invention has the advantage that the cable sheaves with the cable loop guided around them and the drive elements can always be aligned in the direction of the highest flow velocity, so that the flow power plant according to the invention always operates with the best possible efficiency (that is just achievable with the existing flow) and thus always converts the maximum amount of flow energy into mechanical and / or electrical energy. The design according to the invention also has the advantage that it preloads itself in the flow-free state, as explained further below.

[0027] An additional advantage is that the design requires only a single cable loop with a single haulage cable. This not only saves material and costs, but also eliminates the extremely complex, almost impossible production of two cables of exactly the same length. Furthermore, the design according to the invention does not fight against existing forces by attempting, for example, as described in EP 2 459 869 B1, to keep the blades or cables somehow parallel over time. Instead, it is designed and arranged in the aquatic flow field in such a way that it can optimally align itself with the existing forces in the most favorable position for its performance.

[0028] Another advantage is that the construction according to the invention also requires only a single cable pulley per station, since the drive elements are not stretched between two parallel conveyor cables.

[0029] A further advantage of the design according to the invention is that the current power plant can be positioned very flexibly within the aquatic flow field. When used in a flowing water body, possibly a flowing inland water body such as a canal, river, stream, or the like, it can be anchored relatively easily at both stations at essentially the same water depth or on the respective bank, since the structure is then positioned perpendicular to the downstream flow direction of the flowing water body.

[0030] When used in tidal waters, it can be flexibly adjusted to one or two opposing measured current directions prior to installation or anchoring on site, and can then be operated with a current direction deviating from the main current direction. Because its longitudinal direction (which is essentially defined by the longitudinal extent of the cable loop in the "capsize situation" described above) is essentially perpendicular to the main current directions or tidal current directions, i.e., in simple terms, an inland current at high tide and an outward current at low tide, it is generally positioned essentially along the coast or parallel to the coastline, meaning it can be anchored in the bottom at virtually the same water depth at both stations.This means that it does not have to be anchored at one end further out at sea, away from the coast and thus usually much deeper in the ground with exponentially more installation effort or at a deeper water depth.

[0031] In a method according to the invention for generating electricity in an aquatic flow field, in particular with a current power plant as described above, a cable loop, which essentially consists of a haulage cable with a plurality of individual drive elements attached thereto in a trimmable manner, is guided around two cable pulleys, each of which is rotatably mounted about a deflection axis at two spaced-apart stations. "Essentially consisting of a haulage cable with a plurality of individual drive elements attached thereto in a trimmable manner" means that the cable loop can additionally comprise additional parts or accessories known to those skilled in the art, such as a splice as a cable connection.

[0032] The cable pulleys are also mounted in the stations so that they can pivot around an alignment axis, so that the cable loop is aligned with the drive elements attached to the haulage cable in the flow field and the cable pulleys are each driven by the drive elements in the aligned position.

[0033] Preferably, the stations can be anchored in the ground, e.g. on the bottom of a river or, in the case of maritime use, on the seabed.

[0034] Alternatively or additionally, the stations can be anchored, for example, to the existing infrastructure when used in inland waterways in the inlet and outlet channels of run-of-river power plants, or when used in tidal areas at various offshore installations, preferably offshore wind turbines. Through the inventive use or installation of a current power plant according to the invention in inland waterways in the inlet and outlet channels of run-of-river power plants or between the anchorages of planned or existing offshore installations, in particular offshore wind turbines, the transition to renewable energies and sustainable energy generation away from fossil fuels can be significantly accelerated through the installation of current power plants in large numbers. This is because massive cost and time savings can be achieved by utilizing the synergies in approval, installation, grid connection or grid supply, and service.

[0035] Further, particularly advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims and the following description, wherein the independent claims of a claim category can also be developed analogously to the dependent claims and embodiments or description parts of another claim category and, in particular, individual features of different embodiments or variants can be combined to form new embodiments or variants.

[0036] In principle, at least one of the sheaves or both sheaves could be pivotally mounted, e.g., mechanically, in the stations in an adjustable manner in order to deliberately or controlledly align the rope loop with the drive elements in the flow field.

[0037] Preferably, however, at least one of the cable pulleys, and particularly preferably both cable pulleys, can be freely and automatically pivoted in the stations about the alignment axis or pivot axis to the flow, so that the cable loop with the drive elements aligns itself with the flow in the flow field and can therefore drive the cable pulleys even more effectively in the aligned position. “Freely” means that the cable loop with the drive elements automatically aligns or shifts itself in the flow direction, for example parabolically (in the form of a strongly compressed parabola), when the flow approaches the cable loop with the drive elements from a substantially perpendicular flow direction. “Pivotally mounted” means that the cable loop swings freely, forming an equilibrium of forces, into a corresponding pivot angle or angle of attack to the flow direction and then, for example,When the flow strength changes or, for example, the flow direction changes, the blade freely swings into a different angle of rotation or angle of attack.

[0038] A free pivoting or rolling bearing has the advantage that the cable sheaves with the cable loop guided around them and the drive elements are automatically aligned in the direction of the flow velocity, i.e. with their largest possible effective area to the flow field, so that the flow power plant according to the invention always works with the best possible efficiency (that is just achievable with the existing flow) and thus always converts the maximum amount of flow energy into mechanical energy and / or electrical energy. This is because the free pivoting or rolling bearing allows the drive elements to be freely flowed against, which at the same time prevents the drive elements from shading each other or being exposed to turbulence. At the same time, such a pivoting or rolling bearing ensures that the flow power plant is exposed to fewer unfavorable loads and can therefore operate without maintenance for significantly longer than is the case, for example, with aas is the case with constructions with parallel double rope loops.

[0039] Furthermore, the preferred design does not require any mechanisms on the drive elements, which would otherwise be necessary to mechanically or control-wise adapt the drive elements to a changed or changing flow direction.

[0040] There are various options for the design of the conveyor rope.

[0041] Preferably, the hoist rope of the rope loop can be guided around the two rope sheaves, forming two load strands. Endless has the advantage that the hoist rope can be driven continuously or endlessly in a circle. As is common in mechanical engineering, the term “strand” here refers to a part or strand of rope of a rotating component that exerts tensile force, in this case the flow power plant. This is simply the part of the endless or non-ending hoist rope of the rope loop that is not currently resting on the rope sheaves, i.e. is not supported, and runs freely or loosely in the flow. In contrast to the term “slack strand,” “load strand” refers to the pulling rope strand of a conveyor device or system. Since both rope strands pull in the design according to the invention, the flow power plant has two load strands but no slack strand.Exactly two sheaves (one per deflection station) have proven to be particularly material- and cost-efficient, as they also minimize the number of required stations, their anchoring, generators, etc. With this number, the inventive flow force can likely be operated particularly economically and with high efficiency. Since the drive elements are also advantageously designed to align themselves with the flow direction, just two sheaves are readily sufficient to "stretch" the cable loop with its two load strands between the two sheaves essentially perpendicular to the aquatic flow field.

[0042] In principle, it would be possible to manufacture the hoist rope with the drive elements in such a way that it extends between the sheaves in a kind of "floating position" without any significant flow. For this purpose, the sheaves could, if necessary, be equipped with suitable securing devices to ensure that the hoist rope always remains guided around the sheaves.

[0043] Preferably, the construction of the haulage rope with the drive elements is such that the haulage rope essentially always remains in a certain pre-tension between the stations, even without current (e.g. during a change in the tide).

[0044] If the haulage rope, together with the drive elements, has a higher (total or average) density than water—which is usually the case—it can align itself between stations in a flow-free flow field, guided by an external gravity field in an arcuate catenary around the cable sheaves. As usual, a catenary is understood to mean a curved cable path, although this is not exclusively limited to a curve (possibly similar to a "sag" in cable car construction) with gravity pointing downwards. Therefore, in the following, the curvature of the cable path, regardless of the direction in which it is curved, can also be referred to as sag.

[0045] Preferably, the hoist rope can then be a wire rope consisting of several strands or strands, particularly preferably with a core or "core". For this purpose, the wire rope is laid, twisted, or braided from several strands or strands around the core to form a finished rope. For example, it can be a wire rope with or entirely made of normally unalloyed steel, i.e. a steel rope. As a steel rope, for example, it sags concavely between the stations due to gravity (as a vectorial component) when guided in a catenary around the rope sheaves. Steel ropes also have the advantage that they are easily scalable in terms of thickness or strength.On the other hand, they have the advantage that, compared to chains, paddle wheel constructions or the like, as used, for example, in CN 106089555 A, DE 101 62 516 B4 and US 407,123 A, they are relatively light in weight, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and break-proof.

[0046] The hoist rope may preferably be a closed wire rope comprising outer layers of profiled wires that interlock so that the hoist rope has a substantially smooth surface and is largely protected against the penetration of moisture, water and dirt.

[0047] As already mentioned above, the construction is preferably designed in such a way that it is pre-tensioned by the hoisting rope of the rope loop, which hangs freely downwards in the form of a chain curve, through the weight of the hoisting rope and the drive elements and therefore does not necessarily require a tensioning system, unlike, for example, all state-of-the-art constructions with two "parallel" rope loops between which the drive elements are clamped.

[0048] As the flow velocity increases, the rope loop aligns itself from the resting position hanging convexly downwards in the chain curve into an increasingly horizontal working position with the rope loop tensioned convexly in the direction of the flow velocity and begins to drive the rope sheaves by itself through the frictional connection of the haulage rope to the rope sheaves.

[0049] Alternatively, the haulage rope with the drive elements can be designed in such a way that, in the flow-free flow field, it is oriented by the external gravity field in a convex, upwardly curved catenary line counter to gravity, i.e. it floats in an upwardly curved “sag”. For this arrangement, the haulage rope with the drive elements attached to it is manufactured in such a way that, by design, it floats relative to the surrounding water and / or is made of a suitably selected material that floats relative to the surrounding water. Likewise, the haulage rope of the rope loop could be a nylon fiber rope or high-tech rope with carbon or carbon fibers or the like, which, with the appropriate design, floats in the water. The drive elements could then also be designed as hollow bodies or the like, e.g. made of or with (preferably recycled) plastic or synthetic material (which is sealed orcoated so that it does not dissolve in water).

[0050] The construction is designed in such a way that the rope loop, which floats freely upwards in the water in the form of a chain curve, is pre-tensioned by the drive elements due to the greater buoyancy force of the haulage rope compared to the water and does not require any additional or further pre-tensioning.

[0051] At this point, it should be emphasized again that the aforementioned embodiments essentially differ only slightly structurally, not in terms of the desired effect or result. In the first-mentioned embodiment, a gravitational component predominates over a buoyancy component. In the subsequent embodiment, it is exactly the other way around. Simply put, the two embodiments behave physically similarly.

[0052] Fundamentally independent of this, the stations, with the rope loop guided around the sheaves, can float above (on the water surface) or be submerged at the bottom of the body of water. It is even conceivable to have one or more stations above and one or more below. For this purpose, the sheaves of all stations could be designed accordingly or mounted on a boom so that they are positioned approximately horizontally in the water. For example, in a relatively shallow body of water, the two outer stations could float on the water surface, with an intermediate station submerged between them.

[0053] As the flow velocity increases, the rope loop then pivots from the rest position, which is convexly buoyant in the chain curve or catenary line, into an increasingly horizontal working position with the rope loop tensioned convexly in the direction of the flow velocity and begins to drive the rope sheaves by itself through the frictional and / or positive connection of the haulage rope to the rope sheaves.

[0054] For optimal alignment in the flow, the sheaves can preferably be pivotally mounted with the haul rope of the rope loop relative to the stations about a substantially horizontal connecting axis between the two stations. This means that the strands or load strands, which in the flowless state, for example, essentially run one above the other, are pivotally mounted about the substantially horizontal pivot axis in such a way that, when flow is present, they pivot or are displaced by the flow into a position in the flow direction essentially one behind the other. The sheaves pivot simultaneously from a substantially vertical position to an increasingly horizontal position around the connecting axis.

[0055] Alternatively or additionally, the cable pulleys can be pivotally mounted with the conveyor cable of the cable loop relative to the stations about an alignment axis or pivot axis running at right angles to the respective deflection axis of the cable pulleys.

[0056] Preferably, during operation (i.e., when the hoist rope is driven), the flow direction is essentially perpendicular to a center point of a (virtual) surface spanned between the rope strands of the rope loop. "Essentially perpendicular" means that, apart from the gravity components, the flow direction is perpendicular to the center point of said surface. Due to the slight deviation caused by the influence of gravity and the tensile forces in the rope, the flow direction is not exactly perpendicular, but rather slightly offset on this surface.

[0057] There are also various options for the attachment and design, especially the shape, of the drive elements:

[0058] Preferably, as mentioned, a drive element can comprise an airfoil which preferably has a curved skeleton line between a profile nose and a profile trailing edge. This means that the airfoil is asymmetrical, i.e. not mirror-symmetrical, along its longitudinal axis from the front profile nose to the rear profile trailing edge. Such asymmetry has the advantage that it specifies a specific cable drive direction of the haulage cable for a particular flow direction. Furthermore, a drive element can align itself at an ideal, slightly oblique angle of attack to the flow direction. Particularly preferably, an airfoil can have a semi-symmetrical profile or a lobed profile. Such a drive element is very course-stable and ensures effective guidance of the cable loop in the flow.

[0059] Preferably, the suspension device or suspension rod of a drive element can be attached or suspended from the haulage rope at specific positions, preferably uniformly (i.e., at a fixed pitch), by means of a rotatable, simple rope clamp, relative to which rope clamp on the haulage rope the drive elements can be trimmed to adjust an angle of attack to the flow. A simple rope clamp is understood to mean the coupling of a drive element to essentially only one point, e.g., one location or a relatively small section along the haulage rope. This could therefore be referred to as a "single-point" rope clamp or simply a simple rope clamp.

[0060] At this point, however, it should be noted that these could also be two suspension points located in close proximity to each other on the (same) hoist rope, but acting like a single suspension point or a simple rope clamp. This refers, for example, to a double rope clamp or two-point rope clamp.

[0061] Preferably, the suspension device or suspension rod of a drive element can be clamped to the hoist rope using the rope clamp at the position mentioned above. This clamping holds the suspension device securely to the hoist rope, but can be detached and replaced if necessary, e.g. for repair purposes. Clamping it in one position using the rope clamp also has the advantage that a drive element can reliably transfer its power to the hoist rope. It is natural that every rope clamp will always slip slightly under load despite being clamped, for example, it will rotate slightly around the rope or slowly "wander" in the longitudinal direction of the rope. However, since this generally applies to all rope clamps equally, this effect is not particularly problematic.

[0062] For example, the cable clamp can be used to clamp the cable to the haulage cable in such a way that at least half of the haulage cable, in particular approximately two-thirds of it, is enclosed or encompassed by the cable clamp, as is known in principle, particularly from the field of cable car technology. Preferably, the drive element, in particular the wing, can be connected to the haulage cable, advantageously to the cable clamp on the haulage cable, via a trimming mechanism, particularly preferably a freely automatic one, to adjust an angle of incidence to the flow. The trimming mechanism can include, among other things, the aforementioned suspension rod, a trimming arm, pivot bearing, pivot pin, etc., as explained further below.

[0063] Preferably, the trimming mechanism can comprise a multi-link joint arrangement, particularly preferably a kinematic chain with at least four links, via which it or the drive element is connected to the hoist cable.

[0064] Preferably, a wing, e.g., on the underside, can be hingedly connected to the cable clamp on the hoist cable of the cable loop via at least one suspension device at two coupling points spaced apart substantially along the skeleton line. One of the coupling points can be located closer to a profile leading edge and the other closer to a profile trailing edge of the wing.

[0065] In the case of a particularly elongated wing, the coupling point which is closer to the trailing edge of the profile than the other can advantageously be located closer to a center of gravity of the wing than to the trailing edge of the profile.

[0066] Preferably, tension and / or compression means can extend between the support surface and its rope clamp in order to adjust an angle of attack of the support surface to the flow and / or a curvature and / or depth of a support surface relative to a hoist rope speed of the hoist rope on the hanger.

[0067] This prevents potential overloading, e.g. during the aforementioned braking of the haulage rope of the rope loop, by automatically tilting the wings of the drive elements into a forward vane position in the direction of the haulage rope drive, beyond a propulsion window of the wings, when the haulage rope is braking. In this vane position, the wings are then at a so-called yaw angle of approximately 0° to the flow, i.e. they are aligned with almost no load and therefore no longer generate any significant propulsion since they no longer offer any significant flow resistance. Preferably, the hanger can comprise a hanger rod as part of the trimming mechanism, which is rotatably mounted at one end on the wing and at an opposite end in the rope clamp of a drive element.

[0068] Particularly preferably, the rotatable bearing can be realized by means of a pivot pin mounted in a respective pivot bearing.

[0069] In this case, the trimming mechanism can additionally comprise a trimming arm, which is shorter, for example, relative to the suspension rod, e.g., like a type of "knee lever", which is coupled at one end to the rope clamp in a rotationally fixed manner at a fixed angle to the haul rope and at the other end, away from the rope clamp, is articulated to the wing via a trimming rod or a trimming cable at a point spaced from the wing's center of gravity.

[0070] For the rotatable mounting of the suspension rod around the trim arm, which is non-rotatably coupled to the cable clamp, it is structurally advantageous, for example, to firmly couple the trim arm to a bolt or pivot pin attached to the haul rope, e.g., via the cable clamp, but with the suspension rod rotatably coupled relative to it. With such a design, the angle of attack of the wing relative to the airflow can be adjusted or trimmed particularly easily. Furthermore, it is particularly stable and automatically trims itself to a suitable working trim range.

[0071] Preferably, all of the previously described advantageous developments or embodiments of a drive element, in particular a support surface, can be realized or implemented on a majority of the drive elements, particularly preferably on each drive element or at least almost each drive element, ie more than 90% of all drive elements, thus for example being connected to the hoist cable as described above.

[0072] To protect the current power plant from damage, the trimming mechanism of the drive elements can preferably each have at least one rotation stop on the cable clamp on the haulage cable, against which the suspension rod inevitably strikes the front and / or rear when the suspension rod is rotated when the angle reaches a certain limit angle. In a preferred embodiment, the certain or critical limit angle between the suspension rod and the trimming arm can be approximately 45°. This means that the critical angle is reached when the suspension rod is rotated backwards by 45° relative to the fixed or rotationally fixed trimming arm, or when the suspension rod is rotated forwards by 45° in the direction of the cable drive.

[0073] At this point, it should be noted that the invention is not limited to this embodiment alone. For example, the angle does not have to be the same, meaning angles of varying sizes are possible. Likewise, the angles do not necessarily have to be 45°. It is particularly important that, in the "front" rope drive direction, the drive elements do not collide with the hoist rope, the inlet rollers or inlet guides, or the rope sheaves, and that, in the "rear" rope drive direction, the drive elements do not kick back during an "empty hoist rope run."

[0074] To further protect the current power plant against overload, the stations can preferably be equipped with speed-controlled generators that operate or run the rope loop, in particular the haul rope of the rope loop, at a controllable haul rope speed depending on the flow velocity. Especially in the case of an exceptionally strong current, i.e., in the event of an impending overload in which the structure could potentially sustain damage, they can operate the haul rope of the rope loop, for example, by gradually reducing the torque on the generator and thus accelerating it to a specific haul rope speed ("haul rope empty run") in order to reduce the load on the drive elements or the haul rope with the drive elements of the rope loop.Alternatively, the drive elements can be switched or aligned to the flow with almost no load, initiated by regenerative braking of the conveyor rope (“conveyor rope stop”), as will be explained in more detail below.

[0075] There are various options for further designing the stations.

[0076] If desired, the stations can preferably comprise an electric motor in order to be able to additionally drive the cable loop with the drive elements as needed, e.g. for an empty run for testing purposes, to consume excess energy and / or to prevent overloading of the current power plant, as just mentioned. Alternatively, the haulage cable can also simply be driven by the generators for an empty run, e.g. for assembly or testing purposes. The stations can preferably be designed to be buoyant. “Buoyant” means that the stations have sufficient buoyancy that they do not sink in the water. For example, they can be designed to float on the water surface or at least close to the water surface below the water surface, maintaining an essentially constant water depth.Designing the stations to float while maintaining a designated water depth has the advantage that the water surface remains largely clear for watercraft, such as ships, etc., except for a few buoys marking the position of the current power station. For watercraft, such as submarines, the current power station can periodically emit acoustic or other signals, allowing the current power station to be located.

[0077] Particularly preferably, the stations can each be mounted on a floating platform that floats in the water. Such a floating platform could, for example, be constructed from buoyant, lightweight materials, such as plastics, and / or as hollow spaces.

[0078] The floating platforms can be anchored, preferably at the site of use, to the bottom or in the ground below the aquatic current field using maritime technology. For this purpose, they can, for example, comprise cables with anchors or anchor cables or lines with anchors or mooring lines, which can be lowered to the seabed via a winch for anchoring. As known to those skilled in the art, cables are large-diameter ropes made of steel cable, plant fibers, or synthetic material, e.g., wire cables, steel cables, rope cables, Manila cables, or similar.

[0079] In order to conveniently lower the cable sheaves with the cable loop as well as the generators for power generation into a position underwater - e.g. several meters below the water surface - the stations can preferably be equipped with a lowering device. In this position, the cable sheaves and the cable loop guided around them are then very well protected against near-surface waves or surface waves, e.g. in heavy or rough seas, and floating debris. A further advantage is that normal shipping traffic is hardly disrupted, since all ships can sail over or pass the marked floating platforms without hindrance. For example, the lowering device can be designed in such a way that it lowers the cable loop only far enough.swings downwards so that the rope loop hangs low enough with the existing slack of the haulage rope that it does not block watercraft (with the exception of submarines).

[0080] In addition, the entire system is very flexible in its design, thanks to its anchoring using maritime technology, the lowering device, the pivot bearings and the flexible haulage rope of the cable sheaves, which in particular dampens the rolling, i.e. pitching, yawing and rolling of the floating platforms in the structure.

[0081] In order to be able to position the current power plant, in particular the stations and the cable loop, at any water depth, e.g. near the coast on the seabed, the stations can preferably comprise variably fillable or emptied hollow bodies (trim or ballast tanks) to generate uplift or downlift depending on the filling level or the filled quantity. In the simplest case, for example, air or compressed air can be pumped into the hollow bodies, or water can be pumped out so that they float on the water surface. At the site of use, air can then be released and water, for example, can be let in in a controlled manner in order to bring the stations to a designated operating position underwater, e.g. on the seabed.If the stations need to be brought to the surface later for maintenance, compressed air can be used to remove some water from the ballast tanks, giving them just enough buoyancy to ascend to the surface in a controlled manner. Alternatively, a gas could be used, for example. This gas would then be collected during the discharge for reuse.

[0082] Under certain operating conditions, the stations can also comprise hollow bodies that sink when empty. This means that the hollow bodies have such a heavy casing that they are not buoyant without sufficient air or gas filling, i.e. they sink in the water. For example, the hollow bodies can be designed or cast as concrete hollow foundations. Concrete as a building material has the advantage of being sufficiently heavy to hold the stations permanently in position or in place on the seabed even without anchoring. It is also very robust in the long term and easily available. Concrete is understood here to be a mixture of cement, water, sand or similar and, if necessary, other additional components. Such additional components can include iron, plastic granulate, carbon fibers, etc., which are known to those skilled in the art.To improve the stability of the concrete or to increase or reduce the specific gravity.

[0083] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures using exemplary embodiments. In the various figures, identical components are provided with identical reference numerals. The figures are generally not to scale and are to be understood merely as schematic representations. They show:

[0084] Figure 1 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a flow power plant according to the invention in a body of water, in the flow-free state,

[0085] Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the embodiment of Figure 1, now with existing cross flow transverse to the longitudinal direction of a rope loop of the flow power plant,

[0086] Figure 3 is a schematic view of the embodiment of Figure 2 from above,

[0087] Figure 4 is a schematic side view of an alternative embodiment of the flow power plant according to the invention according to Figure 1, this time in a floating lightweight construction of the cable loop, on the left half of the figure in the flow-free state and on the right half with existing cross flow,

[0088] Figure 5 is a detailed view of a part of Figure 1, with a view of one of the two stations, here with (e.g. for maintenance) raised sheave including rope loop and lifted anchor,

[0089] Figure 6 is a detailed view of a part of Figure 1, with a view of one of the two stations (with the cable sheave and cable loop lowered for operation) in the flow-free state with the anchor set,

[0090] Figure 7 shows a detailed view of one of the stations from Figure 2 (with existing cross flow),

[0091] Figure 8 is a view of Figure 7 from above, Figure 9 is a further detailed view of a part of the current power plant according to Figure 2, shown in perspective from above, with a view of one of the cable pulleys driven by the current (here upwards) with the aid of drive elements on a circulating conveyor cable of the cable loop,

[0092] Figure 10 is a side view of Figure 9,

[0093] Figure 11 is an even more detailed view of a drive element on the conveyor rope of the rope loop from Figure 1, to show different angles of attack to the conveyor rope,

[0094] Figure 12 is a more detailed side view of a drive element on the hoist rope of the rope loop from Figure 1, showing the adjustment of a trim mechanism during an empty hoist rope run,

[0095] Figure 13 is a sectional view of Figure 12, partly in section along the section line AA of Figure 12, namely in an extension direction of the hoist rope,

[0096] Figure 14 is a schematic side view of a section of a flow power plant according to Figure 4 with a rope loop guided through an intermediate station, on the left half of the figure in the flow-free state and on the right half with existing cross flow.

[0097] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a current power plant 1 according to the invention in the assembled state in a simplified aquatic flow field Fs in the sea determined by the tides, whereby here the currentless or flow-free state, i.e. the so-called “capsizing” with no or only low (true) current V c = 0, i.e. the time of change from incoming to outgoing water or vice versa.

[0098] As preferred, the current power plant 1 is arranged, for example, close to the coast in a maritime current field Fs, in which the water level periodically rises and falls again due to the tidal forces or the gravitational forces of the moon (distance between the Earth and the moon), particularly in the middle latitudes. The direction of flow regularly changes particularly strongly between an inland-directed flow direction at high tide (i.e. "incoming" water) and a flow direction in the opposite direction out to sea at low tide (i.e. "outgoing" water). In between, during the so-called capsizing of the tide, there is a brief "standstill" of the (true) tidal current (Vc « 0 m / s) within a certain time window. This state is, as already mentioned, shown here in Figure 1 and again enlarged in Figure 6. Figure 6 also shows the position of the cable loop 4 or cable section 4 as well as the drive elements 5 or kites 5 on the haul rope 41 orThe traction cable 41 of the cable loop 4 can be seen, which sags downwards towards the bottom G or ground G (here the seabed G or seabed G) with the force of gravity without any significant current (Vc « 0 m / s).

[0099] In addition to two individual, spaced-apart stations 2, the main components of the current power plant 1 include two circular, rotatable and tiltable cable pulleys 25 mounted in the stations 2 (as part of the stations 2), as well as a cable loop 4, which comprises an endless hoisting cable 41 that is guided in a ring around the two cable pulleys 25 of the stations 2 in order to drive them, for example, frictionally, for energy consumption and power generation by means of speed-controlled generators 21 on the cable pulleys 25. For this purpose, the hoisting cable 41 is guided in U-shaped, radially outwardly open grooves 26 of the cable pulleys 25 to prevent it from derailing or slipping off the cable pulleys 25. In addition, inlet rollers or inlet guides can be arranged shortly before or shortly after the cable pulleys 25, as indicated, for example, in Figure 10.These guide the hoist rope 41 into the grooves 26 of the rope pulleys and can additionally prevent “derailment”.

[0100] The hoisting rope 41 itself, as the contact surface for the true flow or flow Vc, in turn comprises the drive elements 5 or kites 5 already mentioned several times, arranged at equal intervals along the hoisting rope 41, which, when the flow Vc is present, as shown in Figure 2 and in increasing detail in Figures 7 to 13, set or drive the hoisting rope 41 in a ring-shaped movement in a rope drive direction VR essentially perpendicular to the flow direction of the flow Vc. The rope drive direction VR is independent of the currently existing flow direction, as will be explained in more detail below in the context of the shape and design of the drive elements 5.

[0101] In order for the drive elements 5 set in motion by the current Vc to move with the haulage cable 41 relative to the stations 2, the stations 2 are anchored outwards (i.e. directed away from the haulage cable 41) in the seabed G by means of maritime technology 24 on sides facing away from one another, e.g. by means of lines, hawsers or chains with anchors 24 or the like, as shown schematically in Figure 1. In order to simplify the anchoring in the seabed G, i.e. to make it more cost-effective and simpler, the current power plant 1 can be fastened preferably near the coast and / or between existing offshore wind turbines to their existing foundations, for example by means of relatively short lines or chains.

[0102] To ensure that the flow power plant 1 is as robust and resilient as possible in the long term and remains so over its entire operating life, the cable sheaves 25 and the cable loop 4 are mounted in the flow field Fs in such a way that they always align themselves at an ideal angle to the flow Vc. Ideal not only means the best possible efficiency, but also a favorable alignment in which the acting forces are distributed as evenly as possible across all components. For this purpose, the cable sheaves 25 are mounted in the stations 2 so that they can be tilted using a special tilting technology so that the cable loop 4 can align itself in force equilibrium at any time. In the flow-free rest state (see Figure 1), the cable loop 4 or section, i.e. the hoisting cable 41 with the drive elements 5, sags in a chain curve Ko or weight-chain curve Ko.The force of gravity acting when the tidal current is at a standstill (when capsizing) as well as the weight of the cable loop 4 itself generate sufficient pre-tension on the system consisting of the two cable pulleys 25 of the stations 2 and the cable loop 4 running between them due to the influence of gravity. The pre-tension keeps the system or the current power plant 1 stable in a defined position in the flow field Fs. In particular, it also holds the haulage cable 41 securely in the grooves 26 of the cable pulleys 25, so that additional securing on the cable pulleys 25 for the haulage cable 41 can be dispensed with.

[0103] If flow Vc then builds up, the drive elements 5 shift the cable loop 4 to the "side", i.e. into an off-center position with respect to a straight connecting axis V between the stations 2, in which position the cable loop 4 is curved slightly convexly or arc-shaped into a "parabola" with the flow direction of the flow Vc (from the sagging catenary Ko into a more horizontal sag Ki). At this point, for the sake of completeness, it should be pointed out that the schematic representations of the figures are of an "ideal fair" in which, without limiting the invention thereto, a longitudinal direction of the flow power plant 1 (which, as mentioned, is essentially defined by the longitudinal extent of the cable loop in the "capsizing situation" described above) is aligned essentially perpendicular to the expected flow direction of the flow Vc. The cable pulleys 25 of the stations 2 therefore pivot or tilt with it.In the haulage rope 41, a superposition of the weight-chain curve Ko and the curved or convex parabola is created by the dynamic pressure of the current Vc on the drive elements (comparable to a "downwind course" in sailing, since the drive elements are initially aligned as in a square-rigged sail) and the pulling effect of the drive elements (comparable to a "reaching wind course"). The stronger the current Vc becomes during the tide, the more or further the system tilts; more precisely, the rope loop 4 with the drive elements 5 and the rope sheaves 25 tilt into a horizontal position or sag Ki. An associated alignment axis, pivot or roll axis R. axis selected in such a way that when tilting, a swivel angle (p of the chain curve Ko increasingly changes to the horizontal or horizontal in the sag Ki (whereby an exactly horizontally aligned sag is logically never fully achieved due to the force of gravity, which acts vectorially vertically downwards).

[0104] The initially low preload increases considerably due to the dynamic pressure on the drive elements 5 in the flow Vc. The dynamic pressure corresponds to the dynamic pressure, as it corresponds to the increase in pressure at the stagnation point of a body around which the flow passes, in this case the haulage rope 41 with the drive elements 5, compared to the static pressure of the fluid. The "stagnation point of a body around which the flow passes" is by definition the point on the surface of the body or profile around which the flowing fluid, in this case water, theoretically hits vertically. The flow velocity disappears at the stagnation point, so that the kinetic energy (in the idealized case completely) is converted into pressure energy. A necessary contact pressure is created between the haulage rope 41 and the pulleys 25 so that the haulage rope 41 can transfer the resulting tensile forces to the pulleys 25, here via friction, in order to drive the generators 21 of stations 2 or generator stations.If necessary in the event of an overload, the hoisting rope 41 can be braked, i.e. negatively accelerated, or (positively) accelerated by running, i.e. by reducing the torque takeoff at the generators, in order to protect the current power plant 1 from an accident by easing the drive elements so that they generate virtually no more propulsive forces, by using a trimming mechanism 58 to specifically move or adjust the angle of attack of the drive elements 5 to the flow Vc beyond a respective dead center from the working trim range ß to an angle of attack y - "hoisting rope stop" or to an angle of attack a - "hoisting rope empty run". A more detailed explanation of this and of the drive elements 5 will follow below.

[0105] As with a typical chairlift, the cable loop 4 guides the drive elements 5 in a desired, predetermined "trajectory" or circular path from one (first) station 2 to the other (second) station 2 and back to the (first) station 2 in a continuous cycle. At this point, it should be mentioned that, in the case of a particularly long cable loop, at least one intermediate station can be integrated between the first and second stations, at which the haulage cable of the cable loop is supported and guided in between. Such an intermediate station is shown as an example in Figure 14. In the form shown there, it is suitable for use in another alternative embodiment of a current power plant T, which will be explained later. However, it is not limited to this. For example, in the current power plant 1, it could just as easily be anchored "upside down", e.g., floating on the water surface W.In both cases, it reduces a “deep” sag (upward or downward) on a long rope loop 4.4'.

[0106] In this case, the drive elements 5, after each curve around the cable pulleys 25, automatically realign themselves at an angle of attack ß to the flow Vc. For the "return path" from one cable pulley 25 to the other, they do not have to be rotated separately, as is usually the case in the prior art, but due to their design, thanks to the advantageous cable clamp 51 already mentioned, they automatically rotate by 180° compared to the previous "outward path" to this cable pulley 25. The cable clamp 51, or single-point clamp 51, represents a particularly robust fastening or suspension of the drive elements 5 on the hoisting cable 41, by means of which the hoisting cable 41 can be safely driven and guided around the stations 2 without any problems. The construction can preferably be designed such that a slight, continuous movement of the clamps along the hoisting cable 41 prevents any displacement of the clamps ora regular clamp offset is necessary, since the clamped points are subjected to greater stress during rope deflections, as is known to experts.

[0107] The following briefly describes the shape and design of the drive elements 5 or kites 5, which can be seen particularly well in Figures 11 and 12 and partly in section along the section line AA in Figure 13. The features described below also apply equally to the drive element 5' mentioned further below in the embodiment according to Figure 4. The drive elements 5 each comprise a wing 50 with an asymmetric skeleton line 53 or with an asymmetric profile 53 with a rounded profile nose 50a at the front (in Figure 11 on the right) and a tapered profile trailing edge 50b at the rear (in Figure 11 on the left). The wing 50 is attached or fastened to an elongated hanger 52, as a type of "arm", by means of a trimming mechanism 58 or joint arrangement so that it can be trimmed.

[0108] The suspension 52 or the elongated arm, here designed in the form of a suspension rod 52 as part of the trimming mechanism 58, is pivotally suspended and clamped in a pivot plane at an end section of the suspension 52 remote from the wing by means of the cable clamp 51 on the hoist cable 41. The end section of the arm or suspension 52 can also be referred to as the head of the suspension 52. At an end section of the suspension 52 on the wing side (i.e., opposite the head), the suspension rod 52 is pivotally connected to the wing 50 at a coupling point 56a, here designed as a pivot pin 56a. The coupling point 56a was chosen here, as preferred, so that it corresponds to a wing center of gravity of the wing 50, which favors a rotation or trimming of the wing 50 around this wing center of gravity for setting an angle of attack ß of the wing 50 to the flow Vc by means of the trimming mechanism 58.

[0109] The trim mechanism 58 also includes a trim arm 54 (see Figure 12 and again in Figure 13 in the longitudinal direction of the hoist cable 41), which is coupled at one end section in a rotationally fixed manner to the cable clamp 51 and from which, in Figure 12, the suspension rod 52, which is rotatably mounted about a pivot pin 56b of the cable clamp 51, projects at an angle. At the other, opposite end section, the trim arm 54 is articulated by means of a pivot pin 56d via a trim rod 55 or a trim cable 55 to a further coupling point 56c, here also designed as a pivot pin 56c, to the wing 50 (spaced from the wing center of gravity in the direction of the profile leading edge 50a).

[0110] Due to the length-stable components (hanging rod 52, trim arm 54, and trim rod or pull 55) of the trim mechanism 58, the wing 50 (here in Figure 11, for example, diagonally upwards to the right) automatically aligns itself ideally to the apparent flow away from the hauling cable 41 within a designated working trim range (angular range) ß, since the apparent flow here in Figure 11, for example, "flows" diagonally upwards to the left. In particular, a favorable angle of attack ßi, ß2 of the wing 50 to the apparent flow is automatically established (the true flow Vc flows here in Figure 11, for example, from bottom to top along the plane of the drawing). Depending on the exact angle of attack ßi , ß2, a tensile force FLI , FL2 is generated, which is transferred to the hoist rope 41 as propulsion via the suspension rod 52 and the rope clamp 51 on the hoist rope 41.

[0111] As a result, the illustrated section of the hoist rope 41 is pulled in the aforementioned rope drive direction VR (here to the right in Figure 11), thus driving the rope sheaves 25 at stations 2 via friction, i.e., rotating them in a rotational direction around the deflection axis RG, so that a moment MG or generator moment MG can be transferred to the generators 21 by means of the connected generators 21 (see Figures 9 and 10), thus generating electricity. In this respect, the deflection axis RG of the rope sheaves 25 can also be referred to as a drive axis RG of the generators 21. At a rather “hard” angle of attack ßi to the apparent flow, the wing 50 of a kite 5 is pulled relatively “tight” and a tensile force FL1 acts on the hauling cable 41. At a relatively “broad” angle of attack ß2 to the apparent flow, the wing 50 of a kite 5 is “leached” and a tensile force FL2 acts on the hauling cable 41.

[0112] If necessary, the speed-controllable generators 21, as already mentioned several times above, can also "run" the haul rope 41 faster, for example when the flow Vc is too strong, in order to be able to react immediately to a possible overload in a very easily controllable manner without delay and to prevent it. The angle of attack ß of the wings 50 of the drive elements 5 to the flow Vc can, moreover, remain more or less constant within the working trim range ß, whereby a complex and costly externally controlled control mechanism on each of the drive elements, for example in order to be able to react to flow fluctuations, etc., can simply be dispensed with, which is nowhere the case with the prior art designs mentioned above.

[0113] At this point, we should also point out a phenomenon that occurs periodically in the ocean, during which conventional turbines typically have to be shut down for safety reasons. Particularly during a spring tide, i.e., shortly after a full or new moon, when the moon, Earth, and sun are essentially on the same line, when the turbine or current power plant 1 is "overpowered," i.e., overloaded, a slight increase in the conveyor rope speed can, if necessary, simply reduce the forces in the system to zero. This means that current power plant 1 is particularly reliably protected against overload, preventing overloading and accidents, etc.

[0114] If the plant or the current power plant 1 needs to be stopped or halted, e.g. for maintenance, etc., this is not a problem because when the haulage rope 41 is stopped or braked, the drive elements 5 or kites 5, or more precisely the wings 50, are “overtaken” relative to the respective cable clamp 51 of the drive elements 5 on the haulage rope 41. Consequently, when the front dead center is reached outside the working trim range ß, namely at an angle of attack y, the drive elements 5 simply adopt a feathered position. The forces on the system immediately drop sharply. This position is schematically shown in Figure 13 on the right for the four-bar linkage, consisting of points 56a, 56b, 56c, 56d. The above-mentioned braking can, for example, be initiated by a generator, with the cable pulleys being braked accordingly. Finally, i.e. at the end of the braking process, brakes can be applied to the generator string orgenerator or directly on the rope sheaves to completely stop the propulsion movement of the hoist rope 41.

[0115] To ensure even greater safety, as already mentioned, an overload protection device for the drive elements 5 is integrated or installed in the cable clamp 51 of each drive element 5 on the conveyor cable 41. The overload protection device 57 is designed here as a two-leg anti-rotation stop 57. The suspension rod 52 strikes at a critical limit angle Q cr it of 45° between suspension rod 52 and trim arm 54 at the torsion stop 57. In the event of an impending overload, the torsion stop 57 thus forces the drive elements 5 to pivot from a working trim range ß to a respective dead center at an angle of attack α or an angle of attack γ, which in turn immediately significantly reduces the forces on the system.

[0116] As can be seen particularly clearly in Figures 5 to 8, among others, the stations 2 comprise a floating platform 23, which here consists, for example, of two supports 23 arranged at an angle to one another, each of which has hollow bodies 27 (e.g., fillable with air) at its end. It should be noted at this point that the floating platform is not limited to this precise design, for example, to supports arranged at an angle to one another. Alternatively, the floating platform could, for example, also have two parallel supports, which are connected to further struts, e.g., in a Y-shape or V-shape. The floating platform could equally well comprise buoyant supports 23.As can be seen in Figure 8, the supports 23 converge at one end section 27b at a hollow body 27 and are connected or coupled to one another at another, opposite end section 27a via a tapered bipod 28 located centrally between two further hollow bodies 27, diagonally upwards towards the sky. The bipod 28 carries a lowering device 22 and centers it above the water surface W, centrally between the two hollow bodies 27 at the end section 27a of the struts 23. The lowering devices 22 of station 2 serve to lower the cable pulleys 25 to a suitable water depth below the water surface W or the surface waves W, so that the cable pulleys 25 and the cable loop 4 running around them are protected from the rough surface waves W.

[0117] As can be seen in Figure 6, as part of this lowering device 22, there is a cable winch 29 with a lowering cable 30 at the upper converging end of the bipod 28. The lowering cable 30 has a hook 30h. The hook 30h holds an eye plate or an eyelet 31e of a lowerable support 31. The lowerable support 31 is mounted near the end section 27b in a pivot bearing 32 so as to be rotatable or pivotable relative to the struts 23 and comprises, at the other end remote from the bearing and lower in Figure 6, the said eyelet 31e for the hook 30h of the lowering rope 30, so that the support 31 of the lowering device 22 can be lowered in height on one side from an initial mounting position above the water surface W (see Figure 5) into an operating position below the water surface W (see Figure 6).

[0118] At the front end of the individual support 31, the already mentioned cable pulley 25 of station 2 is pivotable about a pivot angle (p about an alignment axis R ax or swivel axis R ax As can be seen in Figure 6, the pivot axis R ax for the cable pulley 25 together with the cable loop 4 in the axial direction of the support 31, so that the cable pulley 25 is theoretically pivotable or tiltable on a circular path, practically on a lower semicircular path around the support 31. This means that the cable pulley 25 "rolls" so to speak under the influence of a flow Vc together with the cable loop 4 around the alignment axis R ax or roll axis R axaround into a swivel angle cp, which essentially depends on the flow velocity. The swivel angle (p) is defined such that in the rest position in the flow-free state according to Figure 6, in which the cable loop 4 sags vertically downwards in a catenary curve Ko due to gravity, it is exactly 0°. In the position according to Figure 7, in which the cable loop 4 is swung or tilted upwards in a curved, almost horizontal sag Ki by a correspondingly strong flow Vc, the swivel angle (p) is thus almost 90°.

[0119] The pulley 25 comprises a rotating shaft (which is radially aligned with the aforementioned circular path) with a turntable coupled to the shaft at one end and a generator 21 at the other end of the shaft. The generator 21 (see Figures 9 and 10) generates electricity through the relative movement of the shaft relative to the generator 21. More precisely, the pulley 25, the shaft, and the generator 21 are, as mentioned, pivoted about the pivot axis R. ax pivotable or tiltable on the said circular path around the carrier 31.

[0120] During assembly, each station 2 is first pre-assembled on a floating or buoyant floating platform 23, as close as possible to the desired location. The floating platforms 23, together with the hollow bodies 27, are then towed or transported to the location. A prefabricated rope loop 4 with drive elements 5 is laid over two stations 2, or more precisely, their rope sheaves 25. The floating platforms 23 are then anchored and moored in the seabed G using the maritime technology 24 mentioned above. This creates the necessary pre-tension to permanently hold the rope loop 4 in the rope sheaves 25 and make it ready for operation. Finally, the rope sheaves 25, together with the generators 21 for operating the current power plant 1, are lowered below the water surface by the described lowering device 22. For inspection and maintenance, these can be raised or lowered to dry ground above the water surface.be swiveled, as already mentioned above.

[0121] As already mentioned, lowering the structure below the water surface to a suitable depth of a few meters, e.g. 20 m, prevents the cable sheaves 25 with the generators 21 as well as the cable loop 4 or cable section 4 from being exposed to the rougher near-surface waves W in stormy seas and any floating debris. This is because even in heavy seas, the tidal velocity of the current Vc below the water surface W only increases moderately, i.e., at a certain water depth below the water surface W, disproportionately increasing currents no longer occur. This means that the structure is generally well protected even in storms or heavy seas, so that the risk of damage in this regard can be minimized.Furthermore, the system is very flexible overall thanks to its anchoring using maritime technology 24, the lowering device 22, the tiltable mounting relative to the current Vc, and the cable loop 4 with a steel cable 41, making it highly resistant to the required continuous loads to which it is increasingly exposed, especially in the ocean. Furthermore, the rolling, i.e., "pitching, yawing, and rolling" of the floating platforms 23 is significantly dampened when the cable sheaves 25 with the generators 21 and the cable loop 4 are lowered for operation.

[0122] In addition, the lowering and curvature of the cable section 4 in a catenary line Ko also ensures that watercraft such as ships can easily pass between the stations 2 of the current power plant 1, ie passing is not impeded, which is particularly advantageous when installed in delta areas at river mouths, between the anchorages of offshore installations or in artificial canal mouths into the sea, since the desired currents or flow speeds are usually present there, but at the same time there is often also heavy shipping traffic.

[0123] Particularly between the moorings of offshore installations, such as offshore wind turbines, a current power plant 1 according to the invention can be installed or assembled in a particularly cost-efficient and resource-saving manner. This keeps the required investment costs relatively low, especially in the initial phases when the technology, like any other, still needs to mature. This could therefore be particularly beneficial from an economic perspective. Furthermore, synergies in permitting, assembly, grid connection, infrastructure, and service could be utilized to further promote this fundamentally particularly clean, sustainable, and endlessly available technology for power generation. In particular, this could also significantly accelerate and simplify the assembly of demonstration plants.

[0124] Thanks to the design according to the invention, such a current power plant 1 can be exposed to high forces or currents and, moreover, can be repaired or maintained relatively inexpensively even in the event of a possible breakage of the haulage cable 41 of the cable loop 4, since the stations 2 cannot be lost in the process, as they are arranged on buoyant floating platforms 23 that do not sink. In this way, the relatively expensive components are always preserved, as they do not, for example, sink to the seabed without being found or float away or be carried away into the vastness of the sea.As already announced, Figure 4 now shows yet another embodiment of a flow power plant 1' according to the invention - on the left half of Figure 4 in the flow-free moment, on the right half of Figure 4 with the flow Vc present, which, apart from a few design differences described below, has essentially the same components as the previously described embodiment in detail.

[0125] This embodiment of the current power plant 1' differs structurally essentially in that it is designed partly with a hollow body construction and partly with a lightweight construction. This means that, like the previously described embodiment, it initially floats on the water surface W (not shown) (e.g. during assembly and transport to the site of use), but can then be positioned and operated on the bottom G of the body of water, for example also in the sea, in a river or the like, in a designated operating position. During operation, this ensures that the shipping traffic above it is no longer impeded at all, since the stations 2' also no longer float on the water surface W.A further advantage of this arrangement at the base G is that it also allows a large distance to be created from the (relatively rough) surface waves W, which means that the current power plant 1' is exposed to considerably lower loads overall.

[0126] In order to enable the stations 2' of the current power plant 1' to be brought into the aforementioned intended operating position on the bottom G at the site of use, the stations 2' are each mounted on two hollow bodies 27' with air chambers, here designed as heavy concrete hollow foundations 27'. This assembly process can, for example, be carried out beforehand in a shipyard or on-site on a ship or in the water. To prevent the stations 2' with the heavy concrete hollow foundations 27' from sinking directly (if they are not yet at the site of use and to ensure controlled lowering to the bottom G), the air chambers of the concrete hollow foundations 27' are first filled with sufficient air, e.g. using compressed air, so that the stations 2' initially float stably on the water surface W. If the stations 2' are not yet at the site of use, they can, incidentally, be easily moved in this floating state, e.g.from a shipyard to the site of operation.

[0127] Once at the site, the air chambers of the hollow concrete foundations 27' are then flooded with water in a controlled manner, allowing the hollow concrete foundations 27' to sink under their own weight and finally be lowered into a designated operating position on the seabed G. There, the stations 2' with the hollow concrete foundations 27' are then permanently and very stable (the seabed can be examined accordingly in advance). This condition is shown in Figure 4.

[0128] For major repairs - if necessary - the air chambers of the concrete hollow foundations 27' of stations 2' can be refilled with compressed air and / or pumped out, allowing stations 2' to float back to the water surface W and be easily and cost-effectively serviced there. Return transport or towing back to a shipyard is then also possible without any problems. However, smaller inspections and maintenance could also be carried out underwater by divers or submarines, for example, to minimize the long-term interruption of the operation of the current power plant T.

[0129] To ensure that the cable loop 4' between the stations 2' does not rest on the bottom or collide with the bottom G, i.e., for example, scrape along it, but floats freely in the water volume above it, i.e., between the bottom and the water surface, the haulage cable 4T of this exemplary embodiment also differs structurally from the haulage cable 41 of the previously described exemplary embodiment in that it has a lightweight and hollow construction. Just as the haulage cable 4T does, the drive elements 5' also differ structurally from the drive elements 5, at least in that they are designed to float or aim to float in the water, i.e., at least in a flow-free state. For example, the drive elements 5' can comprise chambers or pores filled with air or the like for this purpose, so that a situation in which the drive elements 5' unintentionally come into contact with the seabed G normally never arises.As already mentioned above, the drive elements 5 could also be used in combination with the hoist rope 4T if desired, if the hoist rope 4T is light enough that the rope loop 4' still floats in total.

[0130] This structural design ensures that the haulage cable 41' and the drive elements 5' thereon float in the water in an arched or curved arc upwards towards the water surface W and thus does not come into contact with the bottom G. Depending on the water volume, the length can be selected such that the curved arc does not come too close to the water surface W, but rather tends to run close to the bottom G, so that, depending on local conditions and requirements, there is still sufficient space for watercraft to pass above.

[0131] For this purpose, at least one intermediate station 2z' can be integrated between the first and second stations 2' - e.g., in the case of a particularly long cable loop 4' and / or in comparatively shallow waters - at which intermediate station 2z' the haulage cable 41' of the cable loop 4' is supported and guided by means of several rollers (e.g., as in a cable car support), as can be seen in Figure 14 (on the left half in the flow-free state and on the right half with existing cross flow). This reduces a strongly curved or "deep" catenary Ko or a corresponding "sag" Ki towards the water surface W.

[0132] In principle, it is also conceivable to fill the hollow bodies, such as the concrete hollow foundations of the stations, with water to the exact level, i.e. to leave just enough air in them so that the current power plant is kept suspended or floats in the water at a certain, desired depth above the seabed, without actually touching the seabed. This would largely protect the seabed itself; the current power plant could be positioned in a water layer with strong currents, and it could at least be kept deep enough that shipping traffic is not obstructed. For security, it could then advantageously be anchored to the seabed using maritime technology, such as cables with anchors or anchor cables, so that it holds its position and does not drift away, and the distance between the stations otherwise remains essentially constant during operation.

[0133] At this point, it should be emphasized again that the current power plant is not limited to tidal power plant operation, even though it has been described primarily in this context above. As already briefly mentioned, it can be used, for example, in inland waters such as lakes, rivers, canals, etc.

[0134] It is particularly advisable to install a current power plant upstream of existing hydroelectric power plants, such as storage power plants or run-of-river power plants, since storage power plants in particular only use the water flow and the head to generate electricity, and not the naturally occurring flow velocity of the water. With a current power plant according to the invention, installed upstream of an existing hydroelectric power plant, the naturally occurring flow velocity could also be used to generate electricity without significantly reducing the output of the hydroelectric power plant. Here, too (as already mentioned above when attaching to existing offshore wind turbines), synergies can be used in terms of approval, assembly, grid connection or grid supply and servicing in order to save massive costs and time. For this reason, the use and / orthe use of a current power plant according to the invention in rivers, in particular upstream of (and II. already existing) conventional hydroelectric power plants, is particularly preferred.

[0135] Finally, it should be noted once again that the devices described in detail above are merely exemplary embodiments which can be modified in a variety of ways by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the trim arm for trimming the drive elements could alternatively be controlled via a mechanical rotating link or link control. Likewise, stations floating on the water surface could be combined with stations sunk into the seabed, which could be particularly useful if the bottom of the body of water slopes downwards or is steep in one direction essentially perpendicular to the current being used, so that it may then be easier, for example, to sink one station in the comparatively shallow section of water and to anchor the other floating in the comparatively deep section.Furthermore, the use of the indefinite articles “ein” or “eine” does not exclude the possibility that the characteristics in question may also be present multiple times.

[0136] List of reference symbols

[0137] 1 , 1' current power plant

[0138] 2, 2' stations

[0139] 2z' intermediate station

[0140] 4, 4' rope loop / rope section

[0141] 5.5' drive elements / kites

[0142] 21 Generator

[0143] 22 lowering device

[0144] 23 Floating platform / carrier

[0145] 24 maritime technology / anchoring

[0146] 25 pulley

[0147] 26 grooves

[0148] 27 hollow bodies

[0149] 27' hollow bodies / concrete hollow foundations

[0150] 27a End sections of the hollow bodies

[0151] 28 Bipod

[0152] 29 cable winch

[0153] 30 lowering rope

[0154] 30h hook

[0155] 31 Support structure

[0156] 31st eyelet

[0157] 32 drop bearings

[0158] 41, 4T hoist rope

[0159] 50 wing area

[0160] 50a Nose of the wing

[0161] 50b Trailing edge of the wing

[0162] 51 rope clamp

[0163] 52 hangers / hanger rod

[0164] 53 Skeleton line / profile of the wing

[0165] 54 Trim arm

[0166] 55 Trim rod / pulley

[0167] 56a Coupling point / pivot pin on the wing

[0168] 56b Swivel bolt on the rope clamp

[0169] 56c Coupling point / pivot pin at the wing trim point of the wing

[0170] 56d Pivot pin on trim arm 57 Twist stop

[0171] 58 Trim mechanism a Angle of attack - empty run of the haul rope ß Working trim range ßi Angle of attack - "Hard" on the apparent current, kite "tight" ß2 Angle of attack - "Spacious" apparent current, kite "eased"

[0172] Y angle of attack - hoist rope stop

[0173] (p Swivel angle of the rope loop from the rest position to the flow

[0174] FLI first traction at angle of attack “Hard”

[0175] FL2 second traction force at angle of attack “Raume”

[0176] Fs aquatic flow field

[0177] G Ground / Soil / Seabed

[0178] Ko catenary / curvature without flow

[0179] Ki sag from weight, dynamic pressure and tension in flow

[0180] MG generator torque

[0181] Rax alignment axis / swivel axis

[0182] RG Deflection axis of the rope sheaves / drive axis of the generators c True current R Rope drive directions

[0183] V horizontal connecting axis between the stations

[0184] W Water surface / surface waves

Claims

Patent claims 1. Flow power plant (1 , 1 ') for generating electricity in an aquatic flow field (Fs) with - two stations (2, 2') spaced apart from each other, preferably anchorable in the ground (G), each comprising a pulley (25) rotatably mounted about a deflection axis (RG), - and with a rope loop (4) guided frictionally and / or positively around the pulleys (25) of the stations (2, 2') with a haul rope (41, 41') to which haul rope (41, 41') a plurality of individual drive elements (5), preferably each at a head of a suspension (52), particularly preferably a suspension rod (52), of the drive elements (5) are attached in a trimable manner, wherein the pulleys (25) are pivotable in the stations (2, 2') about an alignment axis (R) ax) are mounted so that the rope loop (4, 4') aligns itself with the drive elements (5) in the flow field (Fs) and can drive the rope pulleys (25) in the aligned position.

2. Flow power plant according to claim 1, wherein the pulleys (25) are freely and automatically pivotable in the stations (2, 2') about the alignment axis (R ax ) are mounted so that the rope loop (4, 4') with the drive elements (5) in the flow field (Fs) automatically aligns itself with the flow (Vc) and can drive the rope pulleys (25) in the aligned position.

3. Flow power plant according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the haul rope (41 , 41 '), preferably a haul rope (41 , 4T) consisting of several strands or cords, preferably with a core, preferably a wire rope, in particular a steel rope (41), or a nylon fiber rope (4T), is formed in the rope loop (4, 4') around the two rope pulleys (25) between the stations (2, 2') and is oriented by gravity in the flow-free flow field (Fs) by an external gravitational field in an arc-shaped catenary (Ko).

4. Flow power plant according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pulleys (25) are connected with the haul rope (41 , 41 ') of the rope loop (4, 4') relative to the stations (2, 2') - to create an essentially horizontal connecting axis between the two stations (2, 2'), and / or - to create an alignment axis (R) running at a right angle to the respective deflection axis (RG) of the pulleys (25). ax) are mounted in a pivotable manner.

5. Flow power plant according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the drive elements (5) comprises a wing (50), wherein preferably each wing (50) has a curved skeleton line (53) between a profile leading edge (50a) and a profile trailing edge (50b) of the wing (50), particularly preferably a semi-symmetrical profile (53) or a lobe profile.

6. Flow power plant according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the suspension (52) of a drive element (5) is attached and preferably clamped at a specific position on the conveyor rope (41 , 4T) by means of a rope clamp (51), relative to which rope clamp (51) on the conveyor rope (41 , 4T) the drive elements (5) are trimmable to adjust an angle of attack to the flow (Vc).

7. Flow power plant according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive element (5), preferably the airfoil (50), is connected to the conveyor rope (41 , 4T) via a trimming mechanism (58), preferably a freely automatic one, for setting an angle of attack to the flow (Vc), preferably with a multi-jointed joint arrangement.

8. Flow power plant according to claim 5 and one of claims 6 or 7, wherein a wing (50) is pivotally connected at two coupling points (56a, 56c) spaced apart substantially along the skeleton line (53) to the rope clamp (51) on the haul rope (41, 4T) of the rope loop (4, 4') via at least one suspension (52), of which coupling points (56a, 56c) one is located closer to a profile leading edge (50a) and the other closer to a profile trailing edge (50b) of the wing (50), wherein tension and / or compression means (54, 55) preferably extend between the wing (50) and its rope clamp (51) in order to impart an angle of attack of the wing (50) to the flow (Vc) and / or a camber and / or depth of a wing (50) relative to a haul rope speed of the to adjust the conveyor rope (41, 4T).

9. Flow power plant according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the suspension (52) as part of the trim mechanism (58) comprises a suspension rod (52) which is attached at one end to the wing (50) and at an opposite end to the rope clamp (51) of a The drive element (5) is rotatably mounted, preferably by means of a pivot bolt (56a, 56b) mounted in a respective rotary bearing, wherein the trimming mechanism (58) additionally comprises a trimming arm (54) which is rotatably coupled at one end to the rope clamp (51) at a fixed angle to the haul rope (41, 4T) and at the other end is pivotally connected to the wing (50) at a point spaced away from the wing clamp (51) via a trim rod (55) or a trim pull (55).

10. Flow power plant according to claim 9, wherein the trimming mechanism (58) has a twisting stop (57) on the rope clamp (51) on the haul rope (41, 4T), against which the suspension rod (52) inevitably abuts when the suspension rod (52) is twisted, if an angle between suspension rod (52) and trim arm (54) exceeds a certain limit angle (Q). C nt) reached.

11. Flow power plant according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the stations (2, 2') have speed-controllable generators (21) which allow the rope loop (4, 4'), in particular the haul rope (41 , 4T) of the rope loop (4, 4'), to operate with a controllable haul rope speed depending on a flow velocity of the flow (Vc).

12. Flow power plant according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the stations (2) are designed to be buoyant, preferably each being mounted on a floating platform (23), wherein the floating platforms (23) are preferably anchorable at the place of use with maritime technology (24).

13. Flow power plant according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the stations (2) have a lowering device (22) to lower the pulleys (25) with the rope loop (4) and optionally the generators (21) for power generation into a position below the water surface (W) for operation.

14. Flow power plant according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the stations (2') comprise variably fillable, preferably sinking, hollow bodies (27'), particularly preferably concrete hollow foundations (27'), for generating buoyancy or downward pressure depending on the degree of filling and / or wherein the rope loop (4'), in particular the haul rope (41') and / or the drive elements (5) are designed such that they have sufficient buoyancy to float upwards in the water.

15. Method for generating electricity in an aquatic flow field (Fs), in particular with a tidal power plant (1, 1') according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 14, in which a rope loop (4), which essentially consists of a haul rope (41, 41') with a plurality of individually adjustable drive elements (5) attached thereto, is guided around two pulleys (25), each of which is rotatably mounted about a deflection axis (RG) at two spaced-apart stations (2, 2') and is also pivotable in the stations (2, 2') about an alignment axis (R). ax ) are mounted so that the rope loop (4, 4') is connected to the drive elements attached to the conveyor rope (41, 4T). (5) is aligned in the flow field (Fs) and the pulleys (25) are driven in the aligned position by the drive elements (5), wherein the stations (2, 2') are preferably anchored to different offshore installations, preferably offshore wind turbines.

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