Hydroelectric power plant

Abstract

A hydroelectric power plant comprising an inlet funnel (1) with a widened inlet and a narrowed outlet opening for the water flow, a turbine section (2) with side walls whose opposing sections are arranged substantially parallel to each other, a turbine arranged in the turbine section (2) in the form of gears (3, 4) connected to each other by roller chains (5) rotatably arranged between the walls of the turbine section, wherein a plurality of frames (8) are arranged on the roller chains (5) perpendicular to them, each frame (8) being provided with a plurality of vanes (9) pivotable at the same angle, the gears (3, 4) being arranged at different heights to the horizontal, for generating an upward section of the water flow as it passes through the turbine, and between the gears (3,4) A barrier (6) is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the turbine section (2) to provide an inclined surface for the water flow, wherein the blades (9) of each frame (8) are simultaneously rotatable by 90 degrees alternately in a first and a second direction as they pass the upper and lower edges of the closed barrier (6).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of energy management and can be used to convert kinetic energy from streams of water reservoirs, sea, ocean waves or river water into electrical energy.

[0002] To reduce the global impact of greenhouse gas emissions, the development of energy generation systems using renewable energy sources is of paramount importance. One such renewable energy source is the kinetic energy of sea and ocean waves. The kinetic energy of a wave is captured by constantly moving or oscillating elements that are mechanically coupled to the rotor of an electric generator.

[0003] The disadvantage of such systems is that their efficiency is low due to changes in wave intensity, direction and height, and thus a large part of the renewable energy is lost.

[0004] For example, a system for converting wave energy is known, described in international patent application WO 2022 / 195595. This system comprises a wave-catching module with multiple inlet openings, a turbine module with a turbine housing, and a water turbine positioned at the level of the water flow. This system cannot optimally utilize the kinetic energy of the water flow because it uses a conventional turbine with limited efficiency.

[0005] The technical result of the proposed invention is to increase the efficiency of the energy conversion of a wave or a water stream.

[0006] The hydropower plant proposed in the invention comprises a wave-catching section in the form of a tapered funnel with an enlarged inlet and a narrowed outlet opening for the water flow; a turbine section in the form of walls having substantially the same profile in the cross-section of the turbine section; a turbine arranged in the turbine section and designed in the form of gears connected to one another by roller chains and rotatably mounted between the walls of the turbine section, wherein a plurality of frames perpendicular to the roller chains are mounted on them, the frames being provided with vanes, the gears being arranged at different heights relative to the walls of the turbine in order to generate an upward flow of water as it passes through the turbine.A barrier is provided between the gears to create an inclined surface for the water flow, the lateral edges of which at least partially abut the inner surfaces of the opposing turbine walls. With the system proposed in this invention, it is thus possible to direct incoming water waves of varying directions, heights, and flow velocities into the turbine section as an accelerated flow, which is then efficiently used to generate electrical energy. Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section of the device of the proposed invention. Figure 2 shows part of a cross-section of the device with a frame having a plurality of wings; Figures 3-5 show a strip with a connecting rod in closed and open wing positions; Figure 6shows a cross-section of a section of the wall of the turbine section with the rib, the end of which is in a position just before contact with the projection that is in Figure 2 shown. Figure 7 shows roles that are in contact with management.

[0007] The in Figure 1The device shown comprises a funnel 1 for collecting a wave-formed water stream, which can be designed, for example, in the form of walls whose imaginary extensions form an angle with each other in projection, thus providing a widened inlet and a narrowed outlet for the water stream, as indicated by arrow 7. In this way, large-amplitude water waves, traveling in different directions, enter the funnel 1 through the widened inlet opening and flow accelerated from the narrowed outlet opening in one direction into the interior of the device. The dimensions of the funnel 1 can be defined such that it can collect waves with different parameters under given conditions.

[0008] The device further comprises a turbine section 2, in the longitudinal direction of which the aforementioned accelerated water flow moves during operation. The turbine section 2 is configured as walls, the opposing sections of which are arranged essentially parallel to each other and to the longitudinal direction of the turbine section 2. These walls are in the form of rectangular plates and form a channel for the water flow. Alternatively, the walls of the turbine section 2 can also be configured in any shape, such that they form, for example, a circle, an oval, a rectangle, a square, or a triangle in the cross-section of the turbine section 2. It is particularly preferred that the turbine section 2 be arranged at an angle of inclination of 5 to 30 degrees in the direction of the water flow 7 entering the turbine section 2.A turbine is arranged in turbine section 2, comprising gears 3 and 4 connected by a roller chain 5. The gears' axes are mounted on the walls of turbine section 2 transversely to the longitudinal direction of the turbine section 2. The turbine is connected to a rotor of an electric generator (not shown in the figure). [The figure shows an example.] Figure 1 An embodiment with two pairs of gears 3 and 4, wherein the gears 3 and 4 are spaced apart longitudinally by less than the length of the turbine section 2 less twice the height of frame 8, and transversely by substantially the width of the turbine section 2. The number of gear pairs arranged along the length and / or width of the turbine section 2 can vary, for example, one, three, or four, depending on the longitudinal and transverse dimensions of the turbine section 2.

[0009] As in Figure 1As shown, the gear pairs 3 and 4 are spaced apart longitudinally within the turbine section 2 and mounted on the walls of the turbine section 2 at different heights above sea level, so that the water flow path as it passes through the turbine forms an upward-directed section. A baffle 6 is arranged between the gear pairs 3 and 4 to provide an inclined, flat surface for water drainage, the edges of which at least partially abut the inner surfaces of the opposing walls of the turbine section 2. Depending on the inclination angle of the turbine section 2 and the operating conditions, the baffle 6 can be flat or curved and may have a closed surface or a surface with openings. Due to the converging shape of the inlet funnel and the aforementioned upward-directed water flow, the kinetic energy of the water will be efficiently converted in the turbine.

[0010] The axles of gear pairs 3 and 4 are attached to the walls of the respective turbine section (not shown in the figure). The gears of each pair are spaced apart at a distance smaller than the distance between the walls of the turbine section, and only one gear per pair is shown in the figure.

[0011] The aforementioned gears 3, 4 and roller chains 5 are driven in the direction of arrow 7 by the action of the kinetic energy of the shaft on the wings 9 shown below, which are located above the closed lock 6, i.e., through the gear pair 3 and 4, the pair of closed roller chains 5 moves in parallel planes under the action of the kinetic energy of the shaft on the wings 9 attached to the roller chains 5.

[0012] In the longitudinal direction of the turbine section 2, in the space between the barrier 6 and the walls of the turbine section 2, a plurality of frames 8 are arranged equidistantly on roller chains 5, wherein in each frame rotatably about an axis that runs through opposite sides of the frames 8 in a plane in the transverse direction of the turbine section 2, three Figure 2 The scoop-like wings 9 shown are mounted so that each wing is rotatably mounted around its axis at the points of transition from forward motion to reverse motion and vice versa.

[0013] For this purpose, each wing 9 is provided with two bearings 10, which are attached in the middle section of each of the two opposite sides of the wing 9, so that the axes of rotation of the bearings 10 run parallel to the plane of motion of each of the roller chains 5 and perpendicular to the tangent to the flow path defined by the movement of each of the roller chains 5 at the attachment point of the frame 8 (see Figure 2 Alternatively (not shown) the axes of rotation of the bearings 10 can be arranged parallel to a line defined by the shortest distance between two adjacent roller chains 5 moving in the same direction, i.e. in the transverse direction of the turbine section 2.

[0014] In the cross-section of the turbine section 2, the frames 8 with the vanes 9 arranged therein occupy at least 50%, preferably 70% to 90% of the area between the barrier 6 and the walls of the turbine section 2 on each side of the barrier 6.

[0015] When gears 3 and 4 rotate, the frames 8 move along a continuous path determined by the movement of the roller chains 5. Since the path of motion of all frames 8 is the same, only the movement of one frame is considered.

[0016] The Figures 2 to 5The figures show that a strip 11 is arranged above the top surface of the frame 8, which is movably designed to extend longitudinally along the top surface of the frame 8, i.e., in the transverse direction of the turbine section 2. The strip 11 has a transverse groove 12 in which the central part of a bolt 13 is arranged so that it is movable in this transverse groove 12. The bolt 13 has a first end that is connected to the first head of a connecting rod 14 and a second end that is connected to a bearing element 10 attached to the blade 9. Alternatively, the second end of the bolt 13 can also be attached directly to the blade 9 or transmit the torque from the first head of the connecting rod 14 to the blade 9 in some other way. The axis of the second head of the connecting rod 14 is coaxial with the bearing 10 and is attached to the strip 11.Likewise, in other embodiments of the invention, the groove can be designed in the longitudinal direction instead of in the transverse direction or at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the strip 11 (not shown).

[0017] In the Figure 2 In the position shown, the blades 9 are arranged perpendicular to the water flow path or to the longitudinal direction of the turbine section 2, so that the force exerted on them by the water flow is at its maximum. Under the influence of this force, the frame 8 moves above the barrier 6 in the direction of the water flow, and the gears 3, 4 cause a rotary movement of the corresponding shaft of the electric generator, which is not shown in the figures, via the roller chains 5.

[0018] When the upward movement of the frames 8 along the lock 6 is completed, the first end of the bar 11, which is in Figure 2shown in the upper right, at the first projection 15, which is attached to the wall of the turbine section at the level of the movement of the bar 11 (see Figure 2 and Figure 6), causing the first end of the strip 11 to be displaced in the opposite direction from this wall of the turbine section, and the strip 11 to move longitudinally towards the opposite wall of the turbine section in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the turbine section 2. During this period, the bolt 13 moves through the groove 12 in the strip 11 under the influence of the connecting rod 14. Since the bolt 13 is connected to the side of the blade 9, the blade 9 rotates 90 degrees about its axis and assumes a position along the water flow, i.e., along the longitudinal direction of the turbine section 2, with the blade 9 assuming a position parallel to the direction of movement and its resistance to the water flow becoming minimal.Thus, during the upward movement along the lock 6, the wings 9 of the frame 8 assume a transverse position which ensures maximum resistance to the water flow, and when the upward movement along the lock 6 is completed, the wings 9 rotate at the pivot point, i.e. at the location of the upper gear pair 4, by 90 degrees in a first direction into the longitudinal position, which is in . Figure 4 through a solid line or in Figure 5 shown by a dashed line, and offer minimal resistance to the water flow, allowing the frame 8 to move with minimal flow resistance when the frame 8 is moved below the barrier 6.

[0019] At the end of the downward movement of the frames 8 along the lower part of the lock 6, the second end of the bar 11, i.e., the end opposite the first end of the bar 11, engages the second projection (not shown in the figure) located on the wall opposite the aforementioned first projection 15 at the same height of movement of the bar 11. This returns the bar 11 to its original position in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the turbine section 2. As a result, the blades 9 rotate 90 degrees in the opposite direction at the pivot point, i.e., at the location of the lower gear pair 3, into a position that provides maximum resistance to the water flow as the frame 8 moves above the lock 6. In this way, each frame 8 moves above the lock 6 as a result of the water flow and below the lock 6 as a result of the movement of the roller chains 5.

[0020] To hold each frame 8 in a raised position, i.e., in the plane of the cross-section of the turbine section 2 or perpendicular to the tangent of the roller chain 5 at its mounting point, its side walls move in guides 16 provided on the walls of the turbine section by means of rollers 17 attached to rods 18, between which a spring 19 is arranged, which holds the rollers 17 in the guides 16 during the movement of the frame 8, as shown in Figure 7 shown.

[0021] In this way, under the influence of the water flow, a large number of equidistantly arranged frames are set in motion simultaneously, thus optimally utilizing the kinetic energy of the water flow.

Claims

1. A hydroelectric power plant comprising an inlet funnel (1) with a widened inlet and a narrowed outlet opening for the water flow; a turbine section (2) with side walls, the opposing sections of which are arranged substantially parallel to each other; a turbine arranged in the turbine section (2), which is designed in the form of gears (3, 4) connected to one another by roller chains (5) and rotatably arranged between the walls of the turbine section, wherein a plurality of frames (8) are arranged on the roller chains (5) perpendicular to them, each frame (8) being provided with a plurality of vanes (9) pivotable at the same angle, the gears (3, 4) being arranged at different heights to the horizontal, to generate an upward section of the water flow as it passes through the turbine, and between the gears (3,4) A barrier (6) is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the turbine section (2) to provide an inclined surface for the water flow, wherein the blades (9) of each frame (8) are simultaneously rotatable by 90 degrees alternately in a first and a second direction as they pass the upper and lower edges of the closed barrier (6).

2. Hydroelectric power plant according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the wings (9) of each frame (8) have a scoop-like profile, wherein each wing (9) is rotatable by 90 degrees between a working transverse position in which the working surface of the wing (9) is arranged substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the wing (9) and a longitudinal idle position in which the wing (9) is arranged substantially parallel to its direction of movement.

3. Hydroelectric power plant according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact thatthe turbine is provided with a device for rotating the vanes (9) of each frame (8), comprising a bar (11) arranged on the frame (8) and movable along the side of the frame (8) having a plurality of grooves (12) therein, each groove (12) having a bolt (13) which is connected at one end to a connecting rod (14) attached to the bar (11) and the other end to the end of each vane (9), thereby converting the longitudinal movement of the bar (11) at the upper and lower edge of the lock (6) into a 90-degree rotational movement in one direction of each of the vanes (9) in a frame (8) passing by that edge of the lock (6).

4. Hydropower plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the turbine section (2) is arranged at an inclination angle of 5 to 30 degrees, preferably 10 to 20 degrees in the direction of the water flow (7) entering the turbine section (2).

5. Hydropower plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the edges of the barrier (6) border at least partially on the inner surfaces of the opposite walls of the turbine section (2).

6. Hydroelectric power plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the barrier (6) is flat or curved in the transverse direction and has a closed surface or a surface with openings.

7. Hydroelectric power plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the distance between the lock (6) and the lower part of the roller chains (5) is greater than the distance between the lock (6) and the upper part of the roller chains (5).

8. Hydroelectric power plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that a large number of the frames (8) are arranged equidistantly to each other on roller chains (5).

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