Mobile wave power plant with continuous direct extraction of wave energy

Abstract

FIELD: mobile wave power plant.SUBSTANCE: invention designed to convert the energy of waves from seas, oceans and large bodies of water into electrical energy. A mobile wave power plant with continuous direct extraction of wave energy contains shields A and B, electric generators 8 with helical blades installed on shields A and B, and a self-orientation system in the direction of wave propagation. The power plant is equipped with a floating semi-submersible frame made of horizontal longitudinal elements 1, transverse elements 5 and vertical elements 2, 3 and 4, shafts on which shields A and B are attached with the possibility of continuous rotation by 360 degrees under the pressure of waves, and additional electric generators installed on the shafts.EFFECT: increasing the efficiency of a power plant.1 cl, 12 dwg

Description

The invention relates to a mobile wave power plant with continuous direct capture of wave energy, designed to convert the energy of waves from seas, oceans, and large bodies of water into electrical energy. The proposed floating wind farm—the Wave Power Plant—can operate both in coastal waters 5 meters deep or deeper, and offshore in the open ocean.

[0005] Terms and Abbreviations Used: WES - wave power plant. The English equivalent is WEC - wave energy converter. WES+ (WEC+) - a proposed WES with several advantages over already used or patented WES. P(kW / m) - specific wave energy flux (kW / m) transferred over a 1 m width of the incoming wave front. *The wave front is perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. Efficiency = (P) abs / P tot )×100% - the ratio of useful (converted) power "P abs " to the total flow of wave energy "P tot", running onto the wind farm across its entire width. The working element is the moving part of the wind farm+ structure, continuously rotated by the pressure of the moving mass of water within the wave and used to extract wave energy. In-phase rotation means rotation with a period equal to the period of the incoming waves.

[0010] Visually, waves are perceived as the up-and-down movement of the water surface. In fact, the water mass on the surface and within the waves moves in a circle (Figure 1). This is often referred to as "orbital trajectory" (circular or elliptical).

[0015] A converter of energy of incident waves with a swinging screen is known from the prior art (see Fig. 3). A close analogue of the WES+ is the WES described in Patent WO 2006 / 100436 A1, F03B 13 / 18 (2006.01) according to the International Patent Classification, published on September 28, 2006 by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Application PCT / GB2006 / 000906 was filed on March 15, 2006. A WES with a swinging screen has the following disadvantages. (-1-) Low efficiency. The consequence is low economic performance. *For WES, the working bodies of which perform oscillatory (pendulum) motion, the resonance effect is characteristic (shown in Figure 4). If the period of the incident waves does not coincide with the resonant period “R” of the oscillating working elements of the wind power plant installations (floats, screens, links, etc.), the efficiency of wave energy extraction decreases (zone “D” in Figure 4). (-2-) Use of two stages of energy conversion.

[0020] The prototype of the invention is a wave hydroelectric power station containing shields, bladed turbines mounted on the shields with the possibility of rotating the blades of the turbines of the horizontal component of the water flow inside the waves, a system for self-orientation of the axis in the direction of propagation of the waves (see RU 2078988 C1, 10.05.1997, F03B13 / 22).

[0015] .

[0025] The objectives of the invention are (i) - Elimination of intermediate (hydraulic, pneumatic, thermal) stages of energy conversion and the use of direct conversion of wave energy into electrical energy. This increases the efficiency of energy collection, simplifies and reduces the cost of manufacturing (capital costs) and operation of the wind power plant (operating costs). And ultimately, it reduces the cost of one megawatt-hour of energy obtained. (ii) - Ensuring continuous generation. (iii) - Ensuring "survivability" - resistance to storm wave conditions.

[0003] “The objective of the invention is to increase the converted energy of sea waves per one structural unit (energy conversion module), and to improve the stability and reliability of operation in the open sea under all-weather conditions.”

[0030] Due to the proposed design differences, the WPP+ has the following advantages over the WPPs given in paragraphs

[15] and

[20] . (a) - increased efficiency of the unit due to an increase in the wave utilization factor. The efficiency of the WPP+ does not depend on resonance (compare Figures 4 and 5). (b) - removal of restrictions (independence) on the bottom relief at the location of the WPP+ and no need for bottom preparation work at the location of the WPP+. (c) - the possibility of using the WPP+ as a wave and as a flow power plant due to the fact that the screw blades "8" are always turned perpendicular to the oncoming flow. (d) - automatic orientation of the WPP+ along the direction of wave propagation, due to the presence of a self-orientation unit.(e) - the ability to independently move the WPP+ (using wave energy) in the desired direction (on the desired course) for (e1) - changing the location of the WPP+; (e2) - compensating for the effects of wind or current - so that the WPP+ remains in the desired location if it is not anchored (for example, in a place with a depth of more than 1000 m). (f) - simplifying and reducing the cost of manufacturing, installation (assembly) and operation of the WPP+, thereby improving all economic indicators of the WPP+. (g) - the ability to protect the WPP+ from overloads and possible breakdowns during a strong storm (P(kW / m)>100 kW / m) by immersing it to greater depth or - see (e1) - moving the WPP+ into the "wave shadow".

[0035] The technical result is achieved in a mobile wave power plant with continuous direct extraction of wave energy, containing shields, electric generators with screw blades installed on the shields, a system of self-orientation in the direction of wave propagation, characterized in that the power plant is equipped with a floating semi-submersible frame made of horizontal longitudinal, transverse and vertical elements, shafts on which shields are attached with the possibility of continuous rotation by 360 degrees under the pressure of waves, and additional electric generators installed on the shafts.

[0040] The invention is illustrated by drawings. Figure 1 illustrates that wave energy is transferred by rotational, rather than oscillatory, motion of water masses. A continuous change in direction of the circular motion of water during one wave period is shown. Figure 2 shows the curve for the extraction of one of the wave energy components. Figure 3 illustrates the general structure and operating principle of a wind turbine with a swinging screen. Figure 4 illustrates the dependence of energy extraction efficiency on the resonant period for a wind turbine whose working elements oscillate. Figure 5 illustrates the absence of a dependence of energy extraction efficiency on the resonant period for a wind turbine+ whose working elements continuously rotate. Point "S" corresponds to the start of continuous rotation of the WES+ shields by 360 degrees. Figure 6 shows the elements of the WES+ frame. Figure 7 depicts a single-row version of the WES+. Figure 8 depicts a version of the WES+. Figure 9 shows a variant of the kinematic connection between shaft "6" and electric generator "9".Figure 10 shows one of the options for combining two types of working elements. Figure 11 shows a top view of an option for protecting offshore structures with several wind power plants+. Figure 12 shows a side view of an option for protecting offshore structures with several wind power plants+.

[0045] The frame can be single-row (see Figures 6 and 7), double-row ("catamaran" in Figs. 8 and 9), three-row ("trimaran") and multi-row - depending on the conditions and purposes of operating the WPP+. The WPP+ "catamaran" frame consists of horizontal longitudinal "1" and transverse "5" elements and vertical elements "2", "3" and "4". Functions of the Frame (*) ensures the buoyancy of the WPP+ with the immersion of the working elements to the optimal depth. (**) is a supporting structure for all other units. (***) contains all the devices and units inside that ensure the functioning of the floating semi-submersible WPP (including electric generators "9" rotated by shafts "6" and "7").

[0050] The design of the WES+ is shown in Figures 6; 7; 8; 9; 10. The working elements will be of two types: 1 - propeller blades rotated by the oncoming flow and rotating shafts of electric generators "8"; 2 - shields attached to shafts "6" and "7", rotated by the pressure of the water flow inside the wave. Electric generator "9" (see Fig. 9) is located inside the vertical element "3" of the frame. The upper part of the vertical element of the frame "3" is not shown conditionally.

[0055] Implementation of the invention: The WES+ is submerged to an optimal depth (for harvesting wave energy). The working elements, in the form of shields, constantly rotate in phase with the flow within the wave, experiencing continuous flow pressure on their lateral surfaces. This pressure on shields "A" and "B" creates torque on shafts "6" and "7", which is converted into electrical energy by electric generators "9", which are rotated by shafts "6" and "7". The planes of rotation of the helical blades rotating electric generators "8" (see Figs. 7, 8, 9) are constantly oriented perpendicular to the flow of water within the wave.

Claims

A mobile wave power plant with continuous direct extraction of wave energy, comprising shields, electric generators with screw blades mounted on the shields, a system of self-orientation in the direction of wave propagation, characterized in that the power plant is equipped with a floating semi-submersible frame made of horizontal longitudinal, transverse and vertical elements, shafts on which shields are attached with the ability to continuously rotate 360 ​​degrees under the pressure of waves, and additional electric generators mounted on the shafts.

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