DE102010026584A1 - Electricity generation device for use in wave power plant, has retention system operated by movement of floating elements attached with generators, where movement of floating elements is transferred through connecting rod and rockers - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) has a retention system (2) operated by movement of floating elements (3-5) attached with movable generators (26) on a working platform (6), where the movement of the floating elements is transferred through a connecting rod and rockers (20, 20'). A gear wheel (21') is arranged between the rockers and a drive shaft (22). The retention system comprises multiple concrete columns (14, 14') connected through stiffener tapes. The retention system comprises profiles (29'') on inside guide rails (31) for receiving a carriage mounted on the floating element.

Description

The invention relates to a power generating device for energy production with sea waves.

Wave power plants are well known in the art.

A first technique uses directly the energy of the waves breaking on the coast. The inflowing water drives a turbine, which then generates electricity by means of a connected generator.

Another type of wave energy power plant are the so-called OWC (Oscilating Water Column) systems. These consist of a chamber with two openings, wherein an opening is arranged in the direction of the incoming waves below the water level. If water flows through them, the water level rises and the water level lowers to the beat of the waves. The air flowing out and in through the other opening drives a turbine.

Another form of wave power plants uses floating elements. These can move against each other or relative to the seabed.

In one possible design of this type of wave power plant, hydraulic cylinders damp the vibrations and pump hydraulic fluid through a turbine, which then generates power.

In another embodiment, the movement of the floating element is transmitted to a generator.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved power generating device for energy production with sea waves available.

This object is achieved by a power generating device with a support device on which is movably mounted a floating element with whose movement a generator is operated, the movement of the floating element being transmitted via a connecting rod. By the connecting rod, it is possible to convert the up and down movement of the floating element in a rotary motion to drive the generator. As a result, the movement of the floating element is converted into electrical energy.

While the carrying device may be connected to a seabed and / or land, the floating element is movably mounted to accommodate the waves. By fixing relative to the seabed or mainland the support device remains locally constant, so that a movement of the floating element can be done relative to this.

Advantageously, the movement of the floating element is transmitted via a rocker. Thus, the attached to the floating movable connecting rod can be movably connected to a rocker. The rocker serves as a transmission mechanism between the connecting rod and the generator.

Advantageously, the rocker on different lengths of arms. As a result, a leverage in the power transmission is possible.

Furthermore, the rocker can have a material recess. This will make it easier. It takes less power to move them.

Finally, the movement of the rocker a gear can be transmitted to a drive shaft. This drive shaft then drives the generator. Advantageously, the gears are equipped with a freewheel. Thus, only one of the two movements, ie the upward or downward movement of the floating element is transmitted to the drive shaft. As a result, the rotation of the gear always acts only in one direction.

It is also advantageous if the drive shaft has a flywheel. As a result, a constant speed of the drive shaft is achieved. This creates a continuous movement on the generator.

The floating element may leak out in a wedge shape. As a result, the floating element is well supported by the waves, but provides less impact surface to each other impinging waves.

It can also be provided several floating elements. With each floating element, the force on the shaft increases, which leads to increased power generation.

Finally, it is advantageous if a plurality of generators, preferably four generators, are operated. For example, two drive shafts each, two generators can be driven to achieve a high power gain. The rotation of the two shafts can be transmitted to the generators by a fixedly installed on this gear.

The support means may comprise a plurality of concrete columns, which are interconnected by stiffening bands. This increases the stability.

It is advantageous if the concrete columns have a bearing surface. For example, they can be provided with a plate or foundation to prevent sinking on the seabed.

Also, the concrete columns may have different lengths to compensate for different heights of the seabed.

It is also advantageous if the carrying device has guide columns with toothed racks and a working platform can be moved by means of toothed wheels relative to the carrying device. In particular, a vertical mobility is desired. As a result, the work platform can be moved with a machine room and thus adapted to the water level or the wave height. This movement can also be automatically provided when the water level or the wave height is measured by sensors.

On the work platform, the generator can be arranged. In particular, the work platform can be arranged above the sea level. This has the advantage that the generator and other parts are in the air. This reduces the material load and wear. In addition, these parts are easily accessible for maintenance personnel.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment with reference to the drawing.

Show here

1 a section through a power generating device, so that a longitudinal side view is created,

2 a section through a power generating device, so that creates a transverse view,

3 a section through a power generating device, so that a plan view of the working platform is created,

4 a section through a power generating device, so that a plan view of the floating elements is formed and

5 a further section through a power generating device, so that creates a transverse view.

A power generating device ( 1 ) in 1 consists essentially of a carrying device ( 2 ), three floating elements ( 3 ) 4 ) and ( 5 ) as well as a work platform ( 6 ) on which the moving parts are built. The carrying device consists of four columns ( 7 ) 7 ' ) 7 '' ) and ( 7 ''' ), which are arranged in pairs. Of these are in the side view in 1 two columns ( 7 ) and ( 7 ' ) visible, noticeable. These are used on reinforced concrete foundations ( 8th ) 8th' ), possibly with balancing columns such as ( 9 ) for equalizing different heights of the seabed by means of stainless steel flanges such as ( 10 ) or ( 11 ) and ( 11 ' ) screwed. For lateral and horizontal bracing steel straps ( 12 ) 12 ' ) and ( 13 ) 13 ' ) or in 2 ( 14 ) and ( 14 ' ) attached.

Guide columns ( 15 ) and ( 15 ' ) with the racks ( 16 ) and ( 16 ' ) lead through the ground ( 17 ) of the work platform ( 6 ) through. Thus, depending on the water level, for example, at low tide and high tide or very high waves, the working platform ( 6 ) by means of a sensor-controlled drive ( 18 ) are raised or lowered. So there is a vertical tide adjustment.

Between every two guide columns ( 15 ) and ( 15 ' ) are the floating elements ( 3 ) 4 ) and ( 5 ), which are moved up and down by the wave motion. On the floating elements ( 3 ) 4 ) and ( 5 ) is in each case a connecting rod ( 19 ) 19 ' ) and ( 19 '' ), which go up through the floor of the work platform ( 17 ) into the machine room on the work platform ( 6 ). There are the connecting rods ( 19 ) 19 ' ) and ( 19 '' ) with rockers ( 20 ) 20 ' ) and ( 20 '' ), which gears ( 21 ) 21 ' ) and ( 21 '' ) on a drive shaft ( 22 ) in motion. The connecting rods ( 19 ) 19 ' ) and ( 19 '' ) bring the rockers (due to the up and down movement) 20 ) 20 ' ) and ( 20 '' ) in motion, which in turn via the gears ( 21 ) 21 ' ) and ( 21 '' ), which have a one-way freewheel, the drive shaft ( 22 ) rotate.

To ensure a constant rotation of the drive shaft ( 22 ), is located at each of its ends a flywheel ( 23 ) and ( 23 ' ). The rockers ( 20 ) 20 ' ) and ( 20 '' ) are on trestles ( 24 ) 24 ' ) and ( 24 '' ) attached. The drive shaft ( 22 ) is about the gears ( 25 ) and ( 25 ' ) with the generators ( 26 ) 26 ' ) 26 '' ) and ( 26 ''' ) connected.

The entire work platform has a structure ( 27 ) protected against weather and unauthorized entry. This has a roof construction ( 28 ) in lightweight construction.

Between the guiding columns ( 15 ) 15 ' ) 15 '' ) and ( 15 ''' ) profiles ( 29 ) 29 ' ) 29 '' ) and ( 29 ''' ) and an overlying second profile row ( 30 ) 30 ' ) 30 '' ) and ( 30 ''' ) attached. These take up the lateral stiffening bands. On the profiles ( 29 ) 29 ' ) 29 '' ) and ( 29 ''' ) such as ( 30 ) 30 ' ) 30 '' ) and ( 30 ''' ) are on the long sides of the inside guide rails ( 31 ) 31 ' ) 31 '' ) 31 ''' ) 31 '''' ) and ( 31 ''''' ), in which the floating elements ( 3 ) 4 ) and ( 5 ) are mounted.

The distance between the center of the guide rails may be approximately 3 m in depth and approximately 3.50 m in width. The distance between the center of the floating elements may be approximately 1.10 m. The length of the guide column can be approximately 1.50 m. The reinforced concrete columns ( 14 ) 14 ' ) 14 '' ) and ( 14 ''' ) have a length of about 1.60 m. The foundation ( 8th ) 8th' ) 8th'' ) and ( 8th''' ) with a balance column ( 9 ) can have a length of 1 m. The floating elements ( 3 ) 4 ) and ( 5 ) may have a width of about 1 m. The entire work platform can be about 7 meters long and 4 meters wide. However, other size ratios are conceivable. The relative dimensions can be maintained or varied.

Claims (10)

Power generating device with a support device on which a floating floating element is mounted, with the movement of a generator is operated, characterized in that the movement of the floating element is transmitted via a connecting rod. Power generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the movement of the floating element is transmitted via a rocker. Power generating device according to claim 2, characterized in that the rocker has arms of different lengths. Power generating device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the rocker has a material recess. Power generating device according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that between the rocker and drive shaft, a gear is arranged. Power generating device according to claim 5, characterized in that the gear has a freewheel. Power generating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of generators, preferably four generators. Power generating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrying device comprises a plurality of concrete supports which are interconnected by stiffening belts. Power generating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrying device comprises guide columns with racks on which a working platform with gear wheels can be moved relative to the carrying device. Power generating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrying device has profiles, on the inside of guide rails for receiving a carriage are mounted on the floating element.

Images