Device for producing electrical energy from under-ice marine currents

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of power engineering. The present device comprises: a frame attached to a column having a shaft mounted therein, said shaft being connected to a generator; an electronic system for parameter control; and vertical turbine sections which are mounted one above another and are rigidly attached to the shaft. Mounted exteriorly of the turbines are three metal plates: a deflector plate, a stabilizing plate and a compensating plate, which are fastened above the turbines to the column by metal strips and are secured horizontally to the shaft via a disc with a bearing. At the top of the column, a welded rim is formed for attachment to a support of the frame, said rim forming a flange which has a centre opening for passage of the shaft and has a spring mounted therebelow which rests on a rectangular plate having four springs mounted at the corners thereof, said springs resting on the frame. Mounted above the flange is a disc with a centre opening for passage of the shaft, and mounted above said disc is a support part of the shaft. The shaft comprises an upper part which is situated above a supporting lower part and is connected to the latter by a coupling with a ring, said coupling resting on a disc that limits downward movement of the coupling and enables upward movement thereof to stop the transmission of torque. The result is an increase in the generating capacity of the device.

Description

[0001] Device for generating electricity from sea currents under ice

[0002] The invention relates to energy and can be used to generate electrical energy for domestic and industrial needs.

[0003] The development of renewable energy remains one of the main trends in modern energy. This is primarily due to concern for the environment and limiting CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. It is clear that different directions of electricity generation are associated with their different impact on the ecology of the earth. Combustion of coal, hydrocarbons, gas, hydroelectric power plants, nuclear energy, solar power plants, wind energy are the main directions of modern energy. Attempts to develop energy related to the use of marine water resources are extremely limited and have not yet become widespread.

[0004] This application proposes a device for generating electricity from the kinetic energy of sea currents with a relatively low water flow speed of 0.1 m / sec. The energy potential of sea currents is enormous and inexhaustible - as long as the Earth rotates and the Sun shines. Water is 800 times denser than air and carries significantly more energy, and sea currents are stable and continuous. Sea currents are located in all seas and oceans. If coastal currents can be actively used to generate electricity, then using currents located hundreds and thousands of kilometers from the shore is very difficult. It is usually used by shipping.

[0005] At present, the question of the development of the Arctic territory by countries has arisen. This is an interesting and important task, but its solution runs up against the issue of energy supply for the stations (settlements) being built there. The use of hydrocarbon fuel-based electric power generators is associated with enormous costs for fuel delivery (usually by plane), pollution, and disposal of empty barrels. At the same time, it is known that under the ice cover of the Arctic Ocean, as in other oceans, there are a large number of constant currents (see Fig. 21).

[0006] A device for generating electric power is known, comprising a housing and an energy converter, characterized in that the housing is a floating submersible with variable buoyancy and equipped with anchor devices, and the converter is equipped with a working element, made, for example, in the form of a caterpillar, for interaction with the underwater surface of the ice (RU 2154713 C2, F03B 9 / 00, 20.08.2000). A disadvantage of the proposed device for generating electric power is the use of the reverse side of the moving ice. However, in the Arctic, ice moves quite rarely and its underwater structure is extremely nonlinear, i.e. it is almost impossible to find a flat surface on the underside of glaciers. On the contrary, it is characterized by hanging "stalactites". Rather, this device can be used only on freezing freshwater rivers and only for a limited period of time.At the same time, if ice drift begins, it is always accompanied by ice floes breaking apart and running into each other, which will destroy the device and stop its operation.

[0007] A device with blades in one row for extracting energy from a fluid medium is known, comprising a vertical shaft with cylindrical sections mounted thereon, consisting of upper and lower holders and blades secured between them parallel to the shaft, characterized in that all sections have their own upper and lower holders, the sections are unified, mounted on the shaft and removed from it sequentially one after another without violating the integrity of adjacent sections, the sections on the shaft have a total height that does not exceed the depth of the flow, the energy of which is taken, to convert the selected energy into electricity it is connected to a generator using a rotational energy transfer mechanism, to set the energy in the required volumes of the device they are installed next to each other, electricity from the generators is fed through cables to the unit, where it is converted, summed up, synchronized with the current network and then fed into the network to consumers (RU 2094649 Cl, F03B 13 / 10, 10 / 27 / 1997).

[0008] The disadvantage of this technical solution is that it can operate in a river water environment (fresh water). In salty sea water, all its numerous moving parts (bearings, moving angular joints, generating devices will be covered with crystals and growths that will slow down the operation of the device, reduce its efficiency and require extraction and regular maintenance.

[0009] An efficient offshore energy platform for generating electric power is known, characterized in that it comprises a main floating hull (1), the main floating hull (1) is provided with perforations (12), and the upper part of the main floating hull (1) is provided with a platform (2) through a number of columns (21); a row of support pillars (6), a row of support columns (6) are located vertically on the lower side of the main floating hull (1), and the support column (6) is connected to a heavy block (62) by a cord (61); a bearing seat (631), the bearing seat (631) is fixed between several support columns (6) by means of several support rods (63), and the bearing seat (631) is located directly under the opening (12); the second shaft (3), the upper end of the second shaft (3) rotates and is located on the lower side of the support plate (2), the lower end of the second shaft (3) passes through the perforation (12), and the end rotates and is located on the bearing seat (631);a plurality of rotating mechanisms, the plurality of rotating mechanisms are sequentially arranged along the length direction on the second shaft (3) under the main floating body (1), the rotating mechanism can use current to drive the second shaft (3) to rotate always in one direction; a first generating mechanism, the first generating mechanism is arranged on the main floating body (1), and the first generating mechanism can use the rotation of the second shaft (3) to efficiently generate electricity (CN 113606080 A, F03B 13 / 18, 05.11.2021).;

[0010] The disadvantage of this technical solution is that the use of ocean currents on this device is difficult because:

[0011] - the movement of waves with the device in a fixed position (fixed by blocks 62 and cables 61) will constantly flood the device completely, which will damage the operation of its moving parts together with the generator (build-up, salt deposition, etc.).

[0012] - to obtain a sufficient volume of electricity (more than 100 kW), it will be necessary to use large blades, which is impossible with the design they propose, since the pressure of the water flow will bend them.

[0013] - a large amount of algae (at depths of up to 50 meters) and debris will stop the blades from working.

[0014] - the use of a 631 power bearing loaded with a holding barrel with blades will lead to its rapid abrasion in sea water, since any of its lubricant will be removed by the pressure of the barrel and the penetration of salt crystals, which will act as emery.

[0015] The closest analogue of the claimed invention is a device for generating electric power in an aquatic environment, comprising a floating craft, a barrel with blades, an electric power generator connected to the barrel, a thrust bearing for securing the barrel, located at its upper end, a clutch, wherein the blades are made with the possibility of delaying the flow of water on one side and washing with water on the other side, and the hull of the floating craft is fixed from moving along the flow of the aquatic environment by means of an anchor, characterized in that the hull of the floating craft is made protected from moving along the flow of the aquatic environment additionally by means of cables with tubes and is made with at least one through recess, in which at least one movable flat rectangular support is installed for securing a column, in which a shaft with blades is installed by means of a detachable connection, located inside the column,separating filtered seawater from unfiltered seawater and secured with cables with tubes to the bottom of the aquatic environment, wherein the column and shaft are made of pipes connected via a coupling, wherein the said support bearing is installed on the deck of the floating craft for securing the shaft and supporting its rotation without contact with the column, a seawater filter, a gearbox, an electric power generator and a control unit, as well as a tower or crane with a motor designed to lower / raise the column and shaft and move along the said deck of the floating craft, wherein the electric power generator is connected to the shaft via a gearbox (RU 2800340 Cl, F03B 17 / 06, 20.07.2023).,

[0016] The main disadvantage of this technical solution is that it cannot operate at low current speeds, the low energy capacity of the device, and the impossibility of its use in the icy conditions of the Arctic.

[0017] The technical problem that the claimed device is aimed at solving is the creation of a device for converting the kinetic energy of underwater sea currents into electrical energy, in which all complex technical elements, such as an electrical energy generator, gearbox, power bearings, closed cavities with rubbing parts, electrical connectors, were removed outside the aggressive water environment, as well as improving the energy characteristics of the device.

[0018] The technical result of the claimed invention is an increase in the energy capacity of the device due to the capture of a larger volume of water mass of the current, obtained by using an additional plane deflecting the water flow and directing the water flow to the turbines, which allows the device to operate at low current speeds and in the ice conditions of the Arctic.

[0019] The technical result of the claimed device is achieved in that the device for obtaining electric power from sea currents under ice, containing a frame with an electric power generator, a mount with a column, inside which a barrel is installed, connected to the electric power generator by means of a reducer, and a gearbox, according to the invention contains an electronic system for monitoring the parameters and sections of vertical turbines installed on the frame, which is made stationary, mounted one above the other and rigidly fixed to the barrel, the blades of which are rigidly connected at the top and bottom with strength circles, while three metal plates are installed on the outside of the turbines: a deflection plate, a stabilizing plate and a balancing plate, attached above the turbines to the column with metal strips, wherein the column is made with thickenings at the places of fastening of the metal strips, and fastened horizontally to the barrel by means of a disk with a bearing, while rods are welded to the disk,attached to metal plates to ensure fixation of their position and elimination of contact with the turbines, the bearing is attached on the inside to the barrel, and on the outside to the disk with rods with the possibility of ensuring rotation of the barrel, wherein the mentioned horizontal fastenings are located between the strength circles of adjacent sections of the turbines, wherein the fastening is made in the upper part of the column for its fastening to the support of the stationary frame in the form of a welded rim forming a flange with a central opening for the passage of the barrel, under which a spring is installed, resting on a rectangular plate, which contains four springs installed at its corners and resting on the stationary frame, and above the mentioned flange a disk with a central opening for the passage of the barrel is installed, above which a supporting part of the barrel is installed, wherein a thrust bearing is located between the supporting part and the disk, in addition, the barrel contains an upper part of the barrel,located above the supporting lower part of the barrel and connected to the latter by a coupling with a ring resting on the said disk, limiting its downward movement and ensuring its upward movement to stop the transmission of torque, wherein the barrel with sections of vertical turbines is designed with the possibility of being attached to the bottom by means of a cable passing inside it, one end of which contains an anchor, and the other end is wound on a reel for winding the cable, located on a stationary frame, and the column in its upper part contains insulation, coming to the surface before the column is attached and going under water 30% deeper than the thickness of the ice, wherein a heating system is installed between the insulation and the column.

[0020] In addition, the electronic parameter control system is designed with the ability to monitor air temperature, water temperature, turbine rotation speed, torque, barrel and column vibrations, and ice floe conditions.

[0021] In addition, the heating system is made in the form of an electric wire wound between the insulation and the column.

[0022] In addition, it contains an additional cable for attaching the column to a plate located on the ice surface.

[0023] In addition, it contains an emergency cube placed inside the frame, located next to the column and connected to the upper part of the column by a cable laid in rings under the cube, while above the cube in the frame there is a space 1.5-2 times larger than its diameter.

[0024] The invention is illustrated by drawings, where:

[0025] Fig. 1 shows a general view of a device for generating electricity from sea currents under ice, where an enlarged view of the turbine is highlighted by a dotted circular line.

[0026] Fig. 2 shows a top view of the turbine and auxiliary plates.

[0027] Fig. 3 shows section A - A with horizontal fastening of auxiliary plates from Fig. 1.

[0028] Fig. 4 shows an example (top view) of a turbine with three blades.

[0029] Fig. 5 shows an example (top view) of a turbine with six blades.

[0030] Fig. 6 shows a section with six turbine blades assembled.

[0031] Fig. 7 shows a view of the turbines from the side of counterweight 5.

[0032] Fig. 8 shows the above-water part of the device.

[0033] Fig. 9 shows fragments of the column fastening.

[0034] Fig. 10 shows the column flange.

[0035] Fig. 11 shows a fragment of the attachment of the column and the barrel to the supports.

[0036] Fig. 12 shows the solid upper part of the barrel with a thrust bearing and supports for attaching the barrel to the flange of the column.

[0037] Fig. 13 shows the upper part of the barrel and column assembled.

[0038] Fig. 14 shows a section of the barrel B - B with teeth 33 for engaging the barrel 2 with the coupling 28.

[0039] Fig. 15 shows a general view of the turbine fixation.

[0040] Fig. 16 shows the output of the barrel into the gearbox with a bevel gear and a circular tooth for transmitting torque from the barrel (the larger the diameter of the drive wheel, the greater the gear ratio).

[0041] Fig. 17 shows an example of the anchor cable outlet.

[0042] Fig. 18 shows a side view of the conical wheel 38 with the barrel 27.

[0043] Fig. 19 shows a view of the conical wheel 38 with the barrel 27 from above.

[0044] Fig. 20 shows the deflection of the column under the influence of the flow.

[0045] Fig. 21 shows a cardan shaft (an example of a flexible transmission).

[0046] Fig. 22 shows the relief of the Lomonosov Ridge: a) bathymetric map of the Lomonosov Ridge and location of profiles, b) bathymetric profiles across the Lomonosov Ridge.

[0047] Fig. 23 shows a map of the currents of the Arctic Ocean.

[0048] The general appearance of the proposed device is shown in Fig. 1. The device consists of the following main elements:

[0049] - columns 1;

[0050] - shaft 2, located inside column 1 (the process of lowering / raising the columns and shaft, the device of the auxiliary tower and additional engine with a winch are not considered in detail, since it is close to similar procedures in drilling rigs, and the pipes, their connections are similar to drill pipes, only the main elements of these processes are considered below);

[0051] - several sections of vertical turbines 6 rigidly fixed to the shaft 2;

[0052] - electric power generator 10;

[0053] - gearbox 8, connecting the barrel with the rotor of the electric power generator 10;

[0054] - frame 9, designed for fastening the entire external structure of the device above the ice surface I, the frame is separated from the ice floe by a wooden flooring with heat insulator 16, classic installation is possible - on piles;

[0055] - circular insulation of column 7;

[0056] - three metal plates mutually and rigidly connected: deflecting 4, stabilizing 3 and balancing 5.

[0057] The device consists of a hollow metal tube of the shaft 2 (see Fig. 1), on which several tiers of vertical turbines 6 are rigidly fixed. The coupling of the turbines with the shaft ensures the transmission of torque from the turbines 6 to the shaft 2. The torque is given to the turbines by the pressure of the water flow caused by the sea current and pressing on the turbine blades, which have curvatures, a convexity and an inclination such that it increases the difference in the resistance to the movement of the water flow from different sides of the turbine blade (Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, 5). The number of tiers (sections) of the turbines 6 is not limited. On each tier, the blades are clamped and rigidly connected at the top and bottom with strength circles 12 (Fig. 6), which allows the blades to withstand high loads associated with the pressure of the water flow. The barrel 2 in its upper part is located inside the column 1, which together with the barrel 2 comes to the surface (above the ice floe) and is attached to the surface supports of the frame 9. The length of the barrel 2 can be hundreds of meters.Column 2 is covered in its upper part with insulation 7, which comes to the surface before the column is fastened, and under water separates ice 11 from column 1. The insulation separates the entire ice part of the surface from the column and goes into the water approximately 30% deeper than the ice thickness. This is due to the possible future thickening of the ice cover, since the insulation must completely separate the column from the ice floe. Then, shaft 2 transmits torque through gearbox transmission 8 to electric power generator 10, which generates electric power. The direction of water flow is shown by dotted horizontal lines (here from left to right). On the outside, the turbines are tied with three metal plates 3, 4 and 5 (a top view of a section of a turbine with planes is shown in Fig. 2), which are suspended above turbines 6 to column 1 with metal strips (Fig. 1) by the upper parts of the planes.The attachment points of the planes to the column are reinforced by thickenings of the column itself, which ensures the strength of the entire suspended structure with plates 3, 4 and 5. In the shown sections A - A (in Fig. 1, 5 sections are marked) horizontal fastenings of all three plates 3, 4 and 5 are installed (see Fig. 3). The fastenings are located between the strength circles of adjacent tiers of turbines, their appearance is shown in Fig. 3. Above each strength circle 12 of turbine 6, an independent disk 14 is located, which is connected to barrel 2 through a bearing (in Fig. 3, it is highlighted by a dark circle around the barrel) in the center of disk 14. The bearing is rigidly connected to barrel 2 on the inside, and is also rigidly connected to disk 14 on the outside. This allows the barrel with the turbine to rotate freely relative to disk 14, which remains stationary.Rods 13 are welded to disk 14, which are attached to metal plates 3, 4 and 5 at the level of the shown sections A - A and fix the position of plates 3, 4 and 5 at each horizon of section A - A relative to turbines 6, preventing the planes from touching the turbines. A possible, but not mandatory, solution, for example, is to use a metal-polymer bearing in this case. The entire described design of the mutual connection of three plates 3, 4 and 5 allows fixing the position of the deflecting plate 4 relative to the water flow. If necessary (higher water pressure with a strong current), plates 4 and 5 can be reinforced at the level of sections A - A with additional rods. Plane 5 is designed to balance the pressure of the water flow on the deflecting plate 4 and prevent rotation of plates 3, 4 and 5. And plate 3 additionally stabilizes the position of the planes relative to the direction of the water flow, i.e.plate 3 will always be located along the water flow due to the water pressure of the water flow itself.

[0058] Fig. 2 shows an example of the arrangement of the blades of a vertical turbine and auxiliary plates, top view. The dotted line shows the directions of the water flow, the main flow and the water flows reflected from the plates. A great many variants of the arrangement of blades, their number and configuration for use in wind generators have been developed; they are well known and tested on wind turbines [V. S. Krivtsov, A. M. Oleynikov, A. I. Yakovlev. Inexhaustible Energy. Book 2. Wind Power Engineering. Kharkov. "KHAI", 2004, 512 pp.]. The main types include Savonius, Darrieus, Gorlov screw turbines, etc. All of them can be used in a device for their application in an aquatic environment, taking into account their features - flow density and loads. The energy calculations of air and water flows are the same, the difference is only in their density.

[0059] Fig. 6 shows a diagram of the turbine assembly with rigid fixation of the edges of the blades to the strength circles 12 - one tier.

[0060] Fig. 7 shows a view of the assembled turbines from the side of the counterweight 5, which prevents the rotation of the planes, and the additional plane 3 stabilizes the position of all planes in the water flow.

[0061] Fig. 8 shows the above-water part of the device. The main units are highlighted by dotted circles, which are shown in more detail in Fig. 11 and Fig. 14. The device is logically divided into two parts. The underwater part and a fragment of the above-water part are highlighted by rectangular dotted lines, and the rest of the device is not highlighted. The purpose of dividing the device into two parts will be discussed below.

[0062] Fig. 9 shows a fragment of the fastening of column 1 in its upper part to support 9. In the upper part, a rim is rigidly welded to the column, forming a flange 20 (Fig. 10) with an opening in the middle (shown on the right). On the left is a fragment assembled using shock absorber springs 21 and 23. At the top, immediately under flange 20, spring 21 is installed, which rests on plate 24 and holds the entire column 1 with its entire suspension Fig. 1. Spring 21 softens the vertical vibrations of column 1. Rectangular plate 24 rests on four springs 23 installed at its corners. These springs 23 make it possible to cushion angular deviations of column 1 with barrel 2. Springs 23 rest on stationary frame 9, which holds the entire device on the surface.

[0063] Fig. 11 shows the same fragment of Fig. 9 with disk 22 installed on top. Flange 20 and disk 22 have openings in the center for the through passage of barrel 2. Disk 22 is attached to flange 20 by a detachable rigid connection, for example, by metal posts 31, inside which there is a hole for the bolts for attaching disk 22 to the upper disk of flange 20.

[0064] Fig. 12 shows the upper part of the barrel 2, which passes through the disk 22, the thrust bearing 25 and the support part of the barrel 26. The reinforced support part of the barrel 26 is a monolithic part of the barrel and has an additional expansion that increases its strength qualities. The purpose of the support part 26 is to hold the entire barrel with turbines in the air. Between the support part 26 and the disk 22, the thrust bearing 25 is located. The bearing 25 is fixed with its upper plane to the support part 26 of the barrel 2, and with its lower plane it is fixed to the disk 22. The bearing 25 performs two functions simultaneously - it supports the barrel with turbines and ensures rotation of the barrel 2 relative to the disk 22. Subsequently, the disk 22 is rigidly fixed above the flange 20 with bolts on metal posts (Fig. 11) and transfers the vertical load to the flange 20.

[0065] In Fig. 13 the entire upper part 27 of the barrel 2 is shown in assembly, highlighted by the dotted oval in Fig. 8. The rotating lower part of the barrel 2, which rests on the thrust bearing 25, is shown, already secured to the flange 20 and the disk 22. Above the support part 26, the barrel is divided into two independent parts - the lower part of the barrel 2 and the upper part of the barrel 27. The division occurs in the middle of the coupling 28 along its height. These two separate parts of the barrel 2 and 27 are connected by the coupling 28. The lower part of the barrel 2 and the upper part of the barrel 27 are of the same diameter and are located strictly above each other. A horizontal section of the coupling along the line B - B is shown in Fig. 12, along the barrel 2. On both parts of the barrels 2 and 27 (the upper part of the barrel 2 and the lower part of the barrel 27) there are identical projections (teeth) 33, which are made identically in both parts of the barrel. And in the coupling 28 there are vertical grooves for these projections. The coupling 28 rests with its lower edge on the disk 32, which limits its movement down the barrel 2. This is done in order to:

[0066] - the lower part of the barrel could move vertically, independently of its upper part, within the limits of vertical oscillations of spring 21;

[0067] - the clutch 28 ensures the transmission of torque from the lower part of the barrel 2 to its upper part 27 due to the engagement of the teeth 33 of both parts of the barrels with the grooves of the clutch 28;

[0068] - coupling 28 allows the upper part of barrel 27 to deviate from the axis of barrel 2 within the angle allowed by the gap between the inner wall of coupling 28 and the walls of the lower part of barrel 2 and the upper part of barrel 27 (Fig. 14) smaller than the size of teeth 33. The total angle of deviation is formed by adding the angles of deviation of coupling 28 from barrel 2 and the exit of barrel 27 from coupling 28.

[0069] The upward movement of the coupling 28 allows stopping the transmission of torque from the lower part of the barrel 2 to the upper part of the barrel 27 and further to the gearbox. The upward movement of the coupling is carried out by the ring 29, which protrudes above the surface of the coupling 28 along the entire circle.

[0070] The main important factor for stabilizing the position of the turbines underwater in a vertical position is the weight of the turbines 6, column 1, barrel 2 and metal sheets 3, 4 and 5. In case of a strong current, the column can be additionally attached to plate 37 (Fig. 15), located on the surface of ice floe I, by cable 36, and barrel 2 with turbines 6 is attached to the bottom by cable 34 with anchor 35. Cable 34 can be made of durable carbon fiber and pass inside barrel 2 with an outlet to the surface, from where anchor 35 is controlled, its ascent and descent. The reel for winding cable 34 is located on the surface and is not shown in the drawing.

[0071] Fig. 16 shows an example of transmission of torque from the outlet of the barrel 27 to the gearbox 8 (Fig. 1). The gearbox is understood to mean the entire transmission designed to transmit torque from the outlet of the barrel 27 to the electric power generator 10, including the angular transmission reducers, an example of which is shown in Fig. 14. Shown here is the upper part of the barrel 27 with a bevel gear 38 rigidly fixed to it, which, when it rotates, transmits torque to a circular tooth 39, which, rotating, increases the rotation frequency and transmits torque further through the flexible part of the transmission and the hydraulic transformer (not shown) to the electric power generator 10. By increasing the diameter of the drive wheel, the gear ratio increases; with increased power, chevron teeth can be used. The transmission makes it possible to increase the gear ratio by tens and hundreds of times without large power losses.A cardan shaft with two or three nodes (angular velocity joints) for transmitting rotation can be used as a key element of a flexible transmission (Fig. 21).

[0072] In the upper part of Fig. 17 an example of the exit of the cable 34 of the anchor 35 is shown. The cable is laid from the anchor 35 inside the barrel 2 and through the tube 40 exits to the anchor raising / lowering reel (not shown).

[0073] Within the bevel gear 38 it is laid inside the tube 40. Due to the huge variety of transmission design options, as well as the power and geometric parameters of the device, there is always the possibility of optimal selection of a technical solution for transmitting torque to the electric power generator 10.

[0074] Fig. 18 shows a side view of the bevel gear 38 with the upper part of the barrel 27. The bevel gear is secured to the upper part of the thrust bearing 41 and rests on it. And the lower plane of the bearing 41 is rigidly connected to the support plane 42. The support 42 lies on the frame 9, 43 and is not secured to it. This ensures the movement of the upper part of the barrel 27, the bevel gear 38, the bearing 41 and the support 42 relative to the stationary frame 9, 43 within the limits of predetermined deviations 44. Shown is a tube 40 secured inside the bevel gear 38 and intended to prevent the cable 34 from getting on the teeth of the wheel. The reel winding mechanism allows the cable 34 to always be kept taut.

[0075] Fig. 19 shows a view of this unit from above. The circular strip 44 shows the potential width of the deviation of the conical wheel 38 together with the plate 42 in all directions. Inside the upper part of the barrel 27, the tube 40 of the cable 34 is shown, fixed inside the conical wheel 39 by jumpers.

[0076] Fig. 20 shows a view of the deflection of the column and the shaft with turbines under the influence of the flow.

[0077] Fig. 21 shows an example of a flexible transmission - a cardan shaft with two torque transmission units. There may be three or more such units with shafts.

[0078] Fig. 22 shows a bathymetric map of part of the Arctic Ocean bottom - the relief of the Lomonosov Ridge and the location of relief profiles [U.P. Dubinin, A.V. Kokhan, A.N. Filaretova. Relief of the Arctic Ocean bottom. "Life of the Earth" 40 (3), 2018, 262-282 pp]. The uneven relief with its slopes, depressions and gorges is visible, which, in combination with the rotation of the Earth and currents from neighboring seas, contributes to the uneven distribution of sea currents, which suggests finding optimal places for placing devices in currents with the highest speed and kinetic energy.

[0079] Fig. 23 shows a map of the permanent currents of the Arctic Ocean. It is evident that there are good prospects for obtaining energy from existing sea currents and there are prospects for developing the proposed direction of obtaining electricity from sea currents.

[0080] An example of the operation of the declared device.

[0081] The water flow of the sea current, moving under the surface of the water (depth up to 2000 m) will exert pressure on the turbines of the device located in its flow Fig. 1. The geometric dimensions of the water flow are enormous and can be thousands of kilometers long, and in cross-section from several tens of kilometers to hundreds of meters. Therefore, the installation can have tens of tiers of turbines, a width of 2 meters or more, depending on the speed of the current and go down to almost any depth. In this case, the rotation frequency of the turbines 6 will not be high and will be approximately 0.5-8 revolutions / min.

[0082] The design of a turbine with a curved surface (example in Fig. 2) allows to catch part of the flow on the active half of the turbine (left side in Fig. 2) and to ensure its rotation around the barrel 2. Installation of a deflection plate 4 on the flow path in the passive half of the turbine (right side in Fig. 2) leads to the direction of additional water flow to the active side of the turbine. All turbines rotate synchronously and in one direction. The deflection plate usually looks like a solid metal sheet, but there may be options with a partial deflection on part of the turbines. This is due to the features of the flow, the size of the turbines (they can have different heights at different tiers), the turbulence of the flow at different depths, etc. The installed metal plate 5 plays a balancing role, i.e. the direct pressure of the water flow on it creates a reverse torque with respect to the plate 4, sinceplate 4 maintains a stable position relative to the direction of the water flow, and the position of plate 5 - at an angle to the water flow allows for additional water flow to be directed to the side of the turbine and increases its torque. Additionally, there is a stabilizing plate 3, which is located along the flow and holds both plates 4 and 5 in a given position. The dimensions of all plates and their position depend on the speed of the water flow and are calculated for each specific application.

[0083] Then the torque received by the shaft 2 from the turbines 6 is transmitted to the surface on the support part 26 of the shaft 2 (Fig. 13). The support part 26 is fastened to the upper plane of the thrust bearing 25, on which the shaft 2 rests. The bearing 25 ensures free rotation of the shaft 2 relative to the frame 9. The disk 22, on which the lower surface of the bearing 25 rests and is fastened, is fastened to the flange 20 of the column 2. The disk 22 rests on the flange of the column 20 and the spring 21, which cushions the vertical vibrations of the shaft 2 and the column 1. Then the torque from the lower part of the shaft 2 is transmitted upward through the couplings 28 to the upper part of the shaft 27.After which the torque is transmitted from the upper part of the barrel 27 to the bevel wheel 38, which, when it rotates, transmits it to the circular tooth 39, which, when rotating, increases the rotation frequency and transmits the torque further through the flexible part of the transmission and the hydraulic transformer (not shown) to the electric power generator 10, which in turn generates electric power.

[0084] Possible oscillations of the shaft 2 with the column 1 caused by the turbulence of the sea current can lead to both vertical and angular deviations 45 Fig. 18 of the column with the shaft relative to the vertical. These deviations are damped by the system of springs 21 and 23 Fig. 9, as well as by the thickened insulation 7 Fig. 8, which also, when compressed, dampens all deviations of the column 1. Additionally, a system for stabilizing the position of the column and the shaft with cables 36 and 34, connecting the column to the surface and the shaft with an anchor to the bottom, can be used.

[0085] Since it is assumed that the device can be used in the conditions of the Far North, an additional heating system is provided (Fig. 8) - in the upper part of column 1, between the insulation 7 and column 1, an electric wire is wound, which, if necessary, can heat the column and prevent the water inside the column and the shaft from freezing. In addition, "antifreeze" is poured inside the column and the shaft (to the depth of the ice floe thickness) - a liquid with a low freezing point and a density lower than the density of sea water. In this case, the electronic control system continuously monitors the water temperature, air temperature and other technical parameters of the device, such as the rotation speed of the turbines, torque, oscillation parameters of the shaft and column, the state of the ice floe, the outside air temperature and the air temperature inside the technical room, etc.The entire upper part of the device, together with the electric power generator and associated equipment, is located indoors to protect the device from exposure to wind, snow and animals.

[0086] Since the external operating conditions of the device may change and, in addition to frost and wind, the operation of the device is also affected by the ice conditions - the ice may crack and there is a risk of the installation collapsing into the water under the ice, therefore an emergency shutdown mode of the device is provided. It includes dividing the device into two parts. In Fig. 8, the entire underwater part of the device and part of the upper frame are highlighted with a dotted square. It is assumed that it can go under water. In the event of a risk of such an accident (ice monitoring services will warn about the occurrence of such a risk based on signs of the appearance of primary small cracks and the weather forecast), the technician servicing the device switches the device to an emergency state. To do this, he divides the frame (in Fig. 8, these are two horizontal beams separating the electric power generator from the column and two vertical beams for attaching the gearbox) into two parts.One part goes under water, and the second part remains on land. In Fig. 8, the separating part is highlighted by rectangular dotted lines 15. At the intersection of the dotted line of rectangle 15 with the frame, it is separated. The separation points are secured with emergency bolts. When separating the frame, control rings are torn out of the emergency bolts and they are easily knocked out of the frames with a hammer weighing about 4 kg. The hammer should always hang next to the frame. The emergency separation of the turbine barrel 2 from the part of the barrel 27 (the unit is shown in Fig. 13), going to the gearbox, is carried out automatically, since these parts are connected to each other by an easily detachable connection - coupling 28. The lower part of the barrel 2 is inserted into coupling 28 without internal fastening and freely disengages when the selected part of the device is immersed.

[0087] The remaining part of the installation together with the electric power generator 10 and the gearbox 8 is pulled out and towed horizontally by the rings 18 towards the prepared bends of the frames (like on skis). An emergency cube 17 Fig. 8 with hermetically sealed gas is located next to the column. Cube 17 is made of a dense synthetic material (e.g. polycarbonate, low-pressure polyethylene, frost-resistant plastic) or metal (e.g. aluminum) and is placed inside the frame 9 and is located next to the column. There should be free space above the cube 1.5-2 times larger than its diameter. This is necessary for its free movement upward in the event of an emergency immersion of the column. Cube 17 is connected to the upper part of the column by a cable, which is laid in rings under the cube. When turbines 6 with column 1 and barrel 2 (the entire allocated part 15 of the device) are immersed to the bottom, the cable unwinds and remains in a taut state, connecting the floating cube and the device lying on the bottom.The bottom of the cube - at the point of connection of the cube with the cable has a metal plate, which provides sufficient strength when lifting the sunken part by the cable and protects the cube from damage when lifting the sunken part of the device. In addition, the cube has a radio tag, which is activated when the cube 17 gets into the water and indicates its location under water. This is necessary for a quick search and lifting of the sunken part. In the final position, the submerged part of the device sinks to the bottom, and the cube "hangs" in the water at a depth specified by the length of the cable - convenient for lifting the sunken part (usually 10-20 meters remain from the cube to the surface).

Claims

Invention formula 1. A device for obtaining electric power from sea currents under ice, comprising a frame with an electric power generator, a mount with a column, inside which a barrel is installed, connected to the electric power generator by means of a reducer, and a gearbox, characterized in that it contains an electronic system for monitoring parameters and sections of vertical turbines mounted on the frame, which is made stationary, mounted one above the other and rigidly fixed to the barrel, the blades of which are rigidly connected at the top and bottom with strength circles, while three metal plates are installed on the outside of the turbines: a deflection plate, a stabilizing plate and a balancing plate, attached above the turbines to the column with metal strips, wherein the column is made with thickenings at the places where the metal strips are attached, and fastened horizontally to the barrel by means of a disk with a bearing, while rods are welded to the disk,attached to metal plates to ensure fixation of their position and elimination of contact with the turbines, the bearing is attached on the inside to the barrel, and on the outside to the disk with rods with the possibility of ensuring rotation of the barrel, wherein the mentioned horizontal fastenings are located between the strength circles of adjacent sections of the turbines, wherein the fastening is made in the upper part of the column for its fastening to the support of the stationary frame in the form of a welded rim forming a flange with a central opening for the passage of the barrel, under which a spring is installed, resting on a rectangular plate, which contains four springs installed at its corners and resting on the stationary frame, and above the mentioned flange a disk with a central opening for the passage of the barrel is installed, above which a supporting part of the barrel is installed, wherein a thrust bearing is located between the supporting part and the disk, in addition, the barrel contains an upper part of the barrel,located above the supporting lower part of the barrel and connected to the latter by a coupling with a ring resting on the said disk, limiting its downward movement and ensuring its upward movement to stop the transmission of torque, wherein the barrel with sections of vertical turbines is designed with the possibility of being attached to the bottom by means of a cable passing inside it, one end of which contains an anchor, and the other end is wound on a reel for winding the cable, located on a stationary frame, and the column in its upper part contains insulation, coming to the surface before the column is attached and going under water 30% deeper than the thickness of the ice, wherein a heating system is installed between the insulation and the column. 16 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) 2. The device according to item 1, characterized in that the electronic parameter control system is designed with the ability to control the air temperature, water temperature, turbine rotation speed, torque, barrel and column vibrations, and the state of the ice floes.

3. The device according to item 1, characterized in that the heating system is made in the form of an electric wire wound between the insulation and the column.

4. The device according to item 1, characterized in that it contains an additional cable for attaching the column to a plate located on the surface of the ice.

5. The device according to item 1, characterized in that it contains an emergency cube placed inside the frame, located next to the column and connected to the upper part of the column by a cable laid in rings under the cube, while above the cube in the frame there is a space 1.5-2 times larger than its diameter. 17 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

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