DE102011116711A1 - Renewable energy conversion system with frameless Tesla turbine used as steam turbine in coastal areas, has turbine with fluid outlet and fluid inlet having funnel-shaped attachment, which is located tangentially to disc pack assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The energy conversion system comprises a rotor disc assembly (8) that is rotatably mounted on a common shaft (1) in housing (6). The turbine comprises fluid outlet and fluid inlets (2,4) having funnel-shaped attachment (10), which is located tangentially to the disc pack assembly. The fluid inlets are arranged at specific distance in the housing with respect to rotor disc assembly. The rotor disk assembly is peripherally surrounded by a casing supported with inlet openings.

Description

The present invention relates to a regenerative power generation / conversion plant according to the preamble of claim 1.

In the patents US 1061142 and US 1061206 describes Nikola Tesla a machine which consists essentially of a arranged in a largely round housing number of parallel circular discs, which are mounted on a common shaft. These discs have central (central) openings. Furthermore, an inlet and a drain for a fluid are provided on the housing.

This machine like for example in the 1 can be used both as a pump and as a turbine, so that with her so kinetic energy can be transferred to a fluid or vice versa energy can be withdrawn fluid. If the shaft of the system is driven by a motor (pump operation), the fluid located between the discs is accelerated due to adhesion and viscosity and flows radially outwardly along helical flow lines, leaving the housing in a substantially tangential direction. Here, radial and tangential force components overlap. The expression of the flow lines depends essentially on the geometric shape of the disks, on the properties of the fluid and on the angular velocity. Advantage of such a pump is the fact that even abrasive media are promoted with grollen grain sizes and / or air chambers. The pump so sucks the fluid centrally through the central openings in the discs and pushes it tangentially at the periphery of the discs.

If, on the other hand, the disks are tangentially impinged on their outer circumference (turbine operation), the fluid is braked and likewise flows on helical paths of decreasing diameter to the center of the disks, where it can flow out through the existing recesses / openings. In this case, the machine is used as a turbine, which converts the kinetic energy of the inflowing fluid into a torque on the shaft. This can be converted with suitable measures into another form of energy, for example electric current.

Again, the shape of the streamlines depends on the geometric boundary conditions, the viscosity of the fluid and the angular velocity of the discs.

The main advantage of such a turbine over other turbines is the fact that the energy transfer is not sudden and impulsive, as is the case with other turbine types in the rule, but continuously. In addition, the turbine is very simple and the requirements for manufacturing tolerances are relatively low.

If largely laminar flow conditions are set without great turbulence, then theoretically very high turbine efficiencies are possible. Prerequisite for this z. B., however, are very smooth surfaces of the discs and streamlined edges.

The Tesla turbine was originally intended for use as a steam turbine. Due to the very high speeds required there, however, problems arose with deforming discs due to the high forces occurring. If a denser fluid such as water with low flow rates used, so these effects are eliminated, resulting in a much more robust system.

When operating as a turbine, the largest torque can be tapped at a speed of zero. In this case the flow lines of the fluid are very strongly curved. It may flow more or less directly from the edge to the middle. The torque decreases substantially linearly with increasing speed until it is zero at the idling speed. At the idling speed, the peripheral speed of the discs substantially corresponds to the velocity of the inflowing fluid. In this case, the fluid is almost not braked and performs very pronounced helical flow paths. Based on Tesla's patent, some energy conversion systems have been published in recent years with advantageous developments. In the context of this description, the following documents are described by way of example:
The EP 0537146 B1 is directed to a particular pump application of a Tesla-type turbine with a focus on radially extending lands on the disks to increase delivery and pressure.

In the US 7573148 B2 expressly describes a turbine of the Tesla turbine type with transversely flowed axis restricted to the field of wind energy. Compared to the original Tesla turbine is dispensed here on a closed housing. The wind is redirected by suitable guiding measures in such a way that it flows largely tangentially on the disks arranged parallel to each other. In addition, vanes are attached to the circumference of the disks, which act as resistance runners and contribute to the torque in addition to a deflection of the fluid into the interior of the disks. In addition, structures are applied to the discs, which exercise a guiding function for the fluid.

The US 2003/0053909 A1 refers to discs with buoyancy profiles to increase the torque. Here are arranged on the discs buoyancy profiles, of which at least one must run from the outer edge to the inner of the respective disc.

The WO 2008/134868 discloses a fluid powered force generating device having one or more disc turbines each having an inlet and outlet. The one or more disc turbines are configured to cooperate with moving fluid to generate force by forming a gap between the respective adjacent discs through which the fluid is passed. The apparatus is provided with a fluid collection means adapted to increase the fluid flow rate and which is in fluid communication with the inlet. Finally, the device is provided with a fluid extraction device that is fluidly connected to the spout and that is configured to deliver a second fluid portion. This second fluid portion is delivered at a preferred initial pressure and velocity, thereby acting on one or more outlets due to viscous entrainment, thereby enhancing the extraction / outflow of the fluid portion from the spout.

Finally, the reveals US 2008/0131273 A1 a Tesla turbine for a wind generator consisting of a fixed on a shaft disc package within a closed housing. This well-known turbine construction is augmented by a number of buoyant elements in the periphery of the discs, which redirect the fluid and contribute to the torque. However, these are explicitly limited to the exterior of the discs. Also proposed is a rotatably mounted housing with asymmetry for automatic tracking of the current direction of flow of the energy-carrying fluid. The publication explicitly includes other fluids and is not limited to wind.

As another state of the art is also the US 2001/0019693 A1 called. This document is very concerned with the central openings in the discs and proposes here an alleged improvement with continuous opening and without spokes, to reduce turbulence. Otherwise, a closed housing is also used here. In addition to Tesla her but also adjustable flaps are proposed to influence the fluid flow.

In view of this state of the art, the object of the present invention is to further develop an energy conversion system equipped with the Tesla turbine known per se in such a way that its field of application is expanded, in particular in the current alternative energy technology. An object of the invention is to increase the efficiency of such a power conversion plant in principle.

This object is achieved by a regenerative energy conversion plant with the features of claim 1, 2 or 3. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The basic idea of the invention is therefore to provide the Tesla turbine with specially designed fluid inlets. In the event that the Tesla turbine is equipped with a housing, at least one fluid inlet having a funnel shape (i.e., tapered / tapered towards the turbine) or having a corresponding funnel attachment is recessed thereon. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of fluid inlets are excluded / formed in the housing, which are preferably evenly distributed in the circumferential direction. Advantageously, two or four inlets may be provided.

In the case of a housing-less Tesla turbine according to another aspect of the invention, the rotor disk package, which may optionally be formed with inner baffles between the rotor disks, circumferentially provided with a fixed thereto and thus co-rotating mantle of plate-like or scale-like flow, provided in the circumferential direction preferably uniformly spaced, such that between each two adjacent flow guide a preferably funnel-shaped fluid inlet is formed. The flow guide elements thus protrude beyond the outer circumference of the rotor disk package to form an attack surface for an oncoming fluid. At the same time they prevent leakage of the introduced fluid between each two adjacent inlets.

The invention is fundamentally based on the assumption that a Tesla turbine can be used particularly advantageously in the area of ocean energy conversion (wave energy and / or tidal range), with the Tesla turbine in principle also being able to be operated with wind. As with the so-called "Wave Harrow" known per se, a largely continuous energy conversion can be achieved with such a turbine. This applies in particular to coastal areas for which the "Wave Harrow" is less suitable because of the rather elliptical pronounced orbital movements of the water molecules. This results in the present invention, the possibility of portfolio expansion of the energy conversion plant according to the invention.

Of course, the invention is not necessarily limited to the field of ocean energy conversion, but may be used in other flowing fluids. In particular, here may be mentioned ocean currents, rivers, wind, etc. In addition, especially in the superposition of wave motion with flow advantages in the use of the invention, since the inventively constructed turbine can be flowed as a coupling body from different directions at the same time. Furthermore, the invention provides, for example, compared to the Wave Harrow a fundamentally improved flow direction independence.

Compared with other types of turbines, such as Savonius, Darrieus or Gorlov turbines, a significantly improved conversion efficiency is expected, since there is no counterrotation of rotor parts. In addition, the system can be scaled relatively easily. It is comparatively compact and there are no complex and complex geometries to manufacture. This makes it cost-effective to manufacture. In contrast to the prior art, in addition, the previously existing restriction to flat discs is repealed. This has been complied with so far, as the turbines were often operated at very high speeds, whereby very high centrifugal forces were induced in the discs. However, in the intended application of the present invention in the field of ocean energy, water / wind flow or Tidenhub occur on average relatively low flow velocities, which thus also lead to low rotational speeds and low centrifugal forces. This makes even complex disc geometries feasible.

The invention will be explained below with reference to preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures.

1 shows a Tesla turbine according to the prior art;

2 shows the flow conditions in the near and offshore area;

3 shows a first preferred embodiment of the invention for the near shore area;

4 shows a second preferred embodiment of the invention for the offshore area (or alternatively for the wind propulsion);

5 shows a third embodiment of the invention without housing for the near shore area and / or rivers;

6 shows a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention without housing for the near shore area and / or rivers with a canalization;

7 shows a fifth preferred embodiment of the invention without (closed) housing for the offshore area;

8th shows a shows a sixth preferred embodiment of the invention without (closed) housing and with baffles for the offshore area;

9 shows a flow field of the fluid surrounding the system according to the invention;

10 shows different arrangements of a Tesla turbine according to the invention in a flow field according to the 9 ;

11 shows a seventh preferred embodiment of the invention without (closed) housing with radial, axially spaced circular discs upstream of the rotor Strömungsleitelemente with axis of rotation (possibly also fixed) as the central axis;

12 shows the schematic diagram of an eighth preferred embodiment of the invention with jacket-shaped arranged on the rotor flow guide elements;

13 - 15 show constructive modifications of the eighth embodiment of the invention;

16 shows the variant of a rotor with attached scoop-shaped flow guide elements;

17 shows the preferred construction of a rotor disk according to the invention in dish form;

18 shows a further preferred construction of a rotor disc according to the invention as a non-flat / flat disc;

19 - 20 show different embodiments of a rotor disk according to 18 ;

21 - 23 show brackets for the inventive system in the offshore area;

24 shows the arrangement of two rotor disk packages with mutually opposite opening orientation;

25 shows a mounting variant of a rotor with mooring chain and buoyancy body;

26 shows the combination of Tesla turbine lever arm and lift rotor as the coupling body of the plant and

27 shows one too 26 alternative / complementary construction of the plant.

First, on arrangements with largely closed housing for nearshore use according to the 2 and 3 entered more specifically.

In the coastal area is in contrast to remote coastal areas according to the 2 The orbital motion of the water particles is strongly elliptical pronounced in waves, so that two main flow directions are formed parallel to the seabed, namely an up-and-down flow (this gelt especially near the ground). This results in a particularly interesting case in so far as that prevail for much of the time essentially only two flow directions. These can with Tesla turbines according to a preferred embodiment of the invention according to the 3 be converted into usable energy whose axis of rotation 1 is oriented substantially horizontally and parallel to the coastline (ie, substantially perpendicular to the wave). Here are also systems with only one fluid inlet 2 as well as with multiple fluid inlets (for example, two diametrically opposed inlets) possible. Particularly preferred are according to the 3 , right Fig. Two preferably funnel-shaped openings 2 . 4 proposed to bundle the streams from the two main directions and largely tangential in a housing 6 The Tesla turbine where the currents lead to a rotation of disks of a rotor disk package 8th and thus lead to a torque. Alternatively, a vertical arrangement or an angular arrangement of the rotor axis 1 with corresponding inlet funnels 2 . 4 possible.

The wave power machine according to the invention can be mounted on the seabed (via buttresses 9 ) or held by a clever combination of Mooringketten / -seilen and buoyancy bodies in position (will be described in more detail below). Alternatively, it is also possible to mount several turbines arranged one behind the other, for example, in a common frame or dipping platform, in which the turbines are held in the vicinity below the water surface (see also the description below). The common frame (submersible platform) can be firmly anchored in the seabed or alternatively held in position via mooring chains / ropes and buoyancy bodies. As shafts near the coast align with their corrugations parallel to the coast, it is not necessary to adjust the orientation of the turbine.

Contrary to the state of the art, which provides rather compact designs of turbines, here also large axial longitudinal extents (rotation wavelengths) can be realized and advantageous because the torque generated is directly proportional to the rotor length. Contrary to the prior art can be inventively provided to guide the fluid on both sides of the turbine. This is particularly advantageous in the case of large axis or rotation wavelengths in order to be able to dissipate the fluid stream increasing with axis length as far as possible with a low friction loss. Alternatively, it can also be provided to couple a plurality of axially aligned systems to a common shaft. The inlet 2 . 4 can also be equipped with vertical, not shown guide ribs (for a horizontal axle assembly) to an oblique flow of the discs 8th and to avoid an associated oblique load.

To get into the case 6 purged solid components, which, despite the flow around possibly in the lower part of the housing 6 deposit, out of the housing 6 To remove this may be partially open at its lower end or temporarily opened by means of a flap, not shown, so that solid sediments within the housing 6 are floatable.

Furthermore, in order to prevent outflow from the inlet funnel, which is arranged in the direction of flow towards the rear (or at least partially backwards), in the case of a multiple inlet construction, non-illustrated non-return seals can be arranged in or in front of the funnels, which prevent such outflow. The same can apply to the outflow opening to prevent an influx of fluid.

In the 3 are the inlet funnels 10 represented such that the inlet direction tangential to the illustrated rotor disk package 8th is aligned. Other angular arrangements of several inlet funnels 10 than those in the 3 however, they are possible. However, by appropriate measures (for example, internal Umlenkstutzen) but to ensure that the discs 8th continue to be flowed largely tangentially and that the direction of flow to a rotation of the rotor disk package 8th leads in the same orientation. The generated torque is converted by means of suitable measures in another form of energy, for example electric current.

In addition to an arrangement in the above-described near shore area for the conversion of energy from wave motion is a Arrangement of the described embodiment of the invention also in rivers or in areas with currents and / or Tidenhub conceivable.

The following description of 4 refers to an inventive arrangements with largely closed housing preferably for offshore use for the conversion of energy from Weilen and / or currents:
Various arrangements according to the invention with a largely closed housing are proposed for the offshore sector. These are in the 4 shown schematically (dimension not scaled correctly):
In a first embodiment ( 4 , left Fig.) is a Tesla turbine with an opening 2 so under the undulating water surface arranged that the axis 1 essentially horizontally and flows largely vertically. The housing 6 has an inlet 2 on, the orientation of the inlet 2 is maintained, so that only over part of the orbital motion, a flow of the rotor 8th results. In order to achieve an improved efficiency of the turbine, in a further embodiment according to the invention ( 4 , middle Fig.) A variant with n inlets 2 . 4 proposed, which are distributed substantially uniformly over the circumference of the turbine housing. Illustrated here are examples 4 Inlets. In order to avoid an undesired outflow, the inlets can be equipped with a non-return flap (not shown).

However, since this arrangement is quite complex, another arrangement ( 4 , right figure) with a rotating housing 6 proposed, the inlet opening 2 through suitable measures such as a weather vane wing 12 always aligned so that it flows in the correct position. This means that the case 6 per shaft period performs a complete revolution about its own longitudinal axis. According to the invention also (additionally or alternatively) the outlet can be used as weather vane, but it is also possible a separate weather vane.

The above-described embodiments for the offshore area are supported by appropriate measures below the water surface. The first two variants provide that the housing 6 is largely stationary and not rotated. The third variant is explicitly with a rotation of the housing 6 intended. Suitable means of support are a direct connection to the seabed via suitable pillars, anchors on the seabed by means of suitable Mooringmitteln possibly in combination with buoyancy bodies. Alternatively, an arrangement of several turbines in a common frame or dive platform is possible, which is supported by mooring and buoyancy means under the water surface.

The other points mentioned in the previous section for near-shore turbines can also be applied analogously to off-shore turbines. This applies in particular to the possibility of the fluid on both sides (at the end portions of the axis of rotation 1 ) to flow out axially.

The illustrated housing 6 are drawn only schematically. Alternatively, also housing 6 With a modified inlet according to the prior art possible.

In these cases, however, the housing narrows in a spiral shape or, alternatively, the fluid is applied to the rotor via corresponding optionally adjustable flaps 8th directed. Largely closed housing have the advantage that an increased pressure builds up in the housing, resulting in an improved efficiency due to a larger fluid input into the actual rotor 8th leads.

Below are embodiments of the invention for energy conversion systems with baffles (and without (closed) housing) for the near shore area according to the 5 describe.

As has already been explained in the introduction to the description, arrangements without a closed housing are known in the prior art, which work with baffles in order to achieve a largely tangential flow to the rotor. Ideally, this is also achieved independently of the direction of flow. If the direction of flow does not change, or only slightly, a few baffles, which concentrate the flow on the upstream side onto one side of the rotor, are sufficient. If the direction of flow changes and the turbine flows radially from all sides, baffles are advantageous on all sides of the housing, which lead to a uniform flow of the rotor independently of the flow direction.

Such arrangements can be used according to the invention in the field of wave energy near the coast and be mounted either on the seabed or between seabed and water surface, as already stated above.

In the 5 is an arrangement with baffles 14 shown, which is sufficient for a preferred direction of flow, such as exists in rivers. Dashed line shown baffle 14 ' is not absolutely necessary, but increases the flow and thus the efficiency. If flows from essentially two directions are expected, as is the case near the coast in the area of wave energy, then so can correspondingly more baffles 14 be attached. In addition, the upper and the lower area between the left and right baffles 14 be closed by appropriate measures to prevent a non-directional flow here.

Through an additional channeling 17 according to 6 with possibly even curved (not shown) "channel" walls, the efficiency can be increased even more. Such systems can also be used in particular in the region of flows with both vertical and horizontal axis alignment.

The following are based on 7 inventive arrangements described with baffles for offshore area.

In changing flow direction are in this embodiment according to the 7 baffles 16 provided along the circumference, as is known in the prior art in the use of Tesla turbines per se. Through this UmfangsLeitbleche 16 becomes a uniform tangential flow of the rotor 8th achieved regardless of the direction of flow. Such arrangements are particularly interesting for the offshore area, in which the direction of flow changes continuously. For the arrangement of the turbine and for holding the same points apply, which were also described in the above section on largely closed housing. By such an arrangement can be drawn from the orbital motion of a sea wave largely continuously energy. In principle, a combination of housing with baffles for improved flow guidance is possible.

In the following, arrangements according to the invention without a separate housing or separate baffles will be described.

According to the invention Tesla turbines are also arranged without a separate housing and / or baffles in the energy conversion plant, as in 8th is shown schematically. According to the prior art, it has always been envisaged that the actual rotor 8th relative to a housing 6 and / or relative to the baffles 14 emotional. According to the invention, however, can on housing 8th and / or baffles 14 completely omitted, or in spec. Embodiments of the invention are housing parts and / or baffles 18 largely rigid with the rotor 8th connected and rotate at the same angular velocity around the rotor axis 1 ,

In preferred embodiments of the invention as described below, Tesla rotors are provided which orbit on a lever arm about a horizontal axis of rotation located below the water surface. Due to the superimposition of flow and rotation results in a flow field that looks approximately like in the 9 is shown:
This is based on a momentary flow through the surface from left to right and a suspension of the lever arm in the middle of the image. The result is an area with a static flow, around which the flow vectors are largely circular. The distance of this "eye" (center of the resulting flow) from the (rotation) center depends on the ratio of rotational and flow velocity. At very low flow velocities, the eye moves at constant rotational speed in the direction of the center, with increasing flow velocities according to the 9 up. The center of the eye is located on the radius of the flow orbital with center in the center of the image and is thus dependent on the current wave height and the depth. Shown here is just a snapshot. Due to the orbital motion, the eye moves at a constant flow and rotation speed on a circular orbit around the center of the image.

In the following, first rotors are discussed, which manage without a housing / baffles. An exemplary construction of such a rotor 8th is in 7 or 8th shown, in particular in the 8th schematically only the rotor disks - in this case rotationally symmetrical - are shown. On the representation of the rotor shaft and other details has been omitted for the sake of simplicity.

In the 10 various arrangements of a arranged on a lever arm according to the invention Tesla turbine are shown schematically, in which case the representation of the lever arm of the holder, etc. has been omitted. Instead, the outline of the rotor in the current flow position is shown instead.

It is initially assumed that a rotor of a Tesla turbine with a plurality of parallel disks 8th does not affect the flow, so results for a round rotor whose axis of rotation coincides with the center of the eye, a pure flow around. In all points such a Tesla rotor would flow around, the flow direction corresponds at all rotor edge points of the direction of the rotation vector of the rotor. This is a very special flow case, which otherwise does not occur frequently. If the rotor is now freely rotatably mounted, then due to viscous friction effects on the rotor circumference, the rotational speed is set such that the peripheral speed of the rotor largely coincides the flow velocity of the particles coincides. Thus the flow around should hardly be influenced.

If, however, a torque is tapped at the rotor, that is, its rotational speed is reduced, then the directly adjacent water particles are decelerated and forced into the rotor by the helical path described by Tesla. This transfers energy from the fluid to the rotor.

The normally existing housing is replaced here in principle by the expression of the fluid flow. According to the invention can be ensured by suitable - preferably adjustable - means such as a resistance body and / or a buoyancy rotor which act on the lever arm, that the rotational speed of the turbine approximately coincides with that of the eye. Since, due to changes in the flow in irregular wave conditions, the radial distance of the eye from the pivot point of the lever arm can change, the length of the lever arm can be changed according to the invention. About appropriate sensors, the necessary control is possible.

In addition to the saving of the housing or baffles results with this configuration, an arrangement on which no resulting forces act, since the forces acting on the circumference cancel each other substantially. As a result, the holder of such a rotor is particularly simple.

In operation, it will probably not be possible, despite appropriate monitoring and control, always to position the fulcrum of the rotor exactly in the eye - here, a certain offset is often set. However, this does not have to be a problem, as it results in an incident flow on the side of the rotor furthest away from the eye, which tends to lead to a direct flow of this edge region, thereby achieving improved efficiency. On the opposite side, there is a corresponding reduction in efficiency, so that the overall efficiency should remain largely constant. Disadvantage are resulting forces on the structure that need to be supported.

In order to be able to dispense with an elaborate control of the lever arm length during operation, it is probably well possible due to the small changes in the conversion efficiency to adjust the lever arm of the rotor to an average wave height, so that the eye position oscillates quasi through the rotor axis. According to the invention, however, it may also be provided in this embodiment that the rotor is always operated in a position deflected slightly out of the eye, if this should increase the efficiency during operation.

In a further embodiment of the invention according to the 10 the rotor without housing or the like is suspended on a lever arm so that the center of the eye and the rotor axis are clearly separated from each other (see circle on the right lower edge of fig 10 ). In this case, it is evident from the illustrated flow field that the flow through the rotor surface is non-uniform, that is to say that the rotor is flown more strongly on its side remote from the center than on the opposite side. This leads to a rotation of the rotor counterclockwise. Certainly, the flow is influenced by the rotor, here could also play the Magnus effect, but it is assumed that on such a rotor mounted a usable torque can be tapped.

In a further embodiment without a housing with a mounting of the rotor axis on a lever arm such that the rotor fulcrum coincides approximately with the eye center, a non-circular rotor is proposed. This can for example be elliptical and be largely stored in its center (see central ellipse according to 10 ). It may have n-lobes that deviate from a circular rotor, where n may also explicitly be equal to 1. At n equal to 0, the embodiment described first results also in 10 is shown.

Due to the non-circular configuration, the rotor areas projecting beyond the circle radius now project into a flow which is no longer directed in the circumferential direction, but flows directly to this area. Thereby, an improved efficiency of the rotor is achieved with a higher rotor torque.

In addition, a round or a non-circular rotor can also be mounted off-center (see decentralized ellipse according to 10 ). In such an arrangement, however, resulting forces again, which are to be supported accordingly. Alternatively, however, it is also possible to combine a plurality of such non-round rotors with non-central bearings on a common shaft. If these angles are arranged offset, the resulting forces acting on the shaft can be compensated for each other, so that again a substantially force-free system is formed.

In the embodiments of the invention described last, a rotor has been proposed which consists of a plurality of disks arranged in parallel on a shaft, but which contains no housing parts and / or baffles. In order to achieve a sufficient strength of the rotor blades, especially in relation to a cross-flow in such rotors, they can be made correspondingly strong and / or be supported against each other, for example with corresponding spacers.

Alternatively, radial baffles 18 conceivable that around the rotor 8th are arranged around (co-rotating or stationary), which may be correspondingly stiff and deflect the inflowing fluid so that it meets largely perpendicular to the rotor axis on the outer rotor circumference (see 11 ). Such baffles 18 can also be used in the following configurations with housing and / or baffles. Such baffles 18 to prevent a transverse or oblique flow can also be used in particular in the side region of the rotors. Such baffles 18 Due to their very unsymmetrical flow resistance, they also have the property of aligning the system with the flow so that it is largely perpendicular to the axis of rotation 1 is flown. This is a cross-flow of the rotor disks 8th relatively reliably avoided (openings for the discharge of fluid are not shown here for the sake of simplicity).

In further embodiments of this section according to the invention, the rotor 8th now around jacket-shaped guide elements and / or housing parts 20 extended, but which is part of the rotor 8th are, as in the 12 - 15 is shown.

The efficiency of the rotor according to the invention can be further increased if the rear side of the regions of the rotor, which protrude beyond a circular geometry and are thus flowed through more directly, with a jacket 22 provided (see schematic diagram according to 12 ), so that the fluid can not escape here again, but at the latest is deflected at the inside of the shell, so that even here forces are still transferred by the fluid to the rotor. It is inventively provided that the jacket 22 either directly on the ends of the rotor disks 8th may be applied or materially and / or positively connected with these and / or is formed by these. Alternatively, a mitrotierendes housing is possible, the fixed with, for example, the rotor shaft 1 is connected, but at the periphery but may well have a gap between the housing and the circumference of the rotor disks.

In the case shown, there are two openings 2 . 4 along the rotor circumference, through which a fluid can flow. In the other areas, no fluid can enter. According to the invention, however, it is provided that n shell openings 2 . 4 distributed along the circumference, advantageously evenly distributed. In combination with such a jacket-like housing 22 can the rotor discs 8th For example, have a round geometry, wherein the housing then according to the invention has a deviating from the rotor discs geometry. Alternatively, however, not round rotor discs are possible, which correspond approximately to the housing geometry.

In the 13 The versions shown are only examples and are not realistic in particular in terms of dimensions. The opening design of the inlets is just an example. Especially with rotor discs that do not protrude to the front edge of the inlets, baffles or the like are conceivable to avoid an oblique flow. In addition, even with a combination of a rotor with a housing is quite possible that rotor parts protrude from the housing.

• • Die Innenfläche des Mantels 22 führt zu einer verbesserten Umlenkung des Fluids, das dadurch in besserem Kontakt zu den Rotorscheiben 8 steht.
• • Die Außenfläche des Mantels 22 stellt zusammen mit den Einlässen sicher, dass die Rotorscheiben 8 unabhängig von der Anströmungsrichtung an ihrem Umfang im Wesentlichen tangential angeströmt werden.

In the 13 shown housing / guide elements 24 assume at least one double function:

• • The inner surface of the jacket 22 leads to an improved deflection of the fluid, which thereby in better contact with the rotor discs 8th stands.
• • The outer surface of the jacket 22 Together with the inlets, make sure the rotor discs 8th be impinged on its periphery substantially tangentially regardless of the direction of flow.

This is such a rotor 8th can be used particularly advantageously in the flow configuration described above. However, such a configuration also allows for cross-flow or non-rotary flow deployment.

In a cross-flow through the distributed openings only a correct direction of flow of the rotor disks 8th allows. In the areas where the flow is opposite to the direction of rotation of the rotor 8th she is turned off the mantle 22 diverted. The coat 22 can be designed so that it provides the flow as low as possible flow resistance, as exemplified in is shown. This results with the described rotor 8th a similar effect as in known resistance rotors such as the Savonius rotor, which always rotates in the same direction regardless of the direction of flow.

Behind the illustrated inlets 2 can baffles 26 be provided, which hold the inflowing fluid at least for a while on a tangential path. These are schematic in 15 shown.

Such inner baffles 26 are especially interesting when the number of openings 2 in the coat 22 gets big. Through these baffles can 26 Reliably prevents fluid from a downstream opening 2 exits again.

In another embodiment of the invention with jacket 22 are the inlet pockets, ie the plate-like flow guide 24 according to the 14 , right fig. hinged (with or without inner baffles).

In For example, a variant without inner baffles is shown, wherein also here the geometric configuration is given by way of example only. According to the invention, it can be provided that, in the case of a directionally incident flow, the respective flap 24 opens, while in a wrong position flow the flap 24 is closed. This can be caused passively only by the flow. This results in a particularly high efficiency of a turbine according to the invention, in particular in the range of Queranströmungen.

In the 12 - 15 are largely closed housing variants shown. Between rotors according to the invention with such casings and rotors according to the invention without housing, according to the present invention, rotors with blade-like guide vanes are also used 28 Suggested as they are in 16 are shown. These can be advantageously used, in particular in the case of rotating flows, to improve the flow of the rotor. With appropriate design of the baffles 28 However, with adequate shielding of the wrongly flowed rotor areas, use in stationary flows is also possible. Here are the baffles 28 be more curved and / or be designed hinged.

In the housing / Leitblechdarstellungen shown in each case only a section of the overall assembly is shown. The shaft and suspension was not shown in each case. It is assumed that the assembly can be continued axially accordingly.

The illustrated housing parts may be materially and / or positively connected to the rotor disks and / or be supported only on the rotor shaft. In addition, it is also possible to design the rotor disks in such a way that, by a clever expression, parts of the housing and / or the baffles result from extensions of the rotor disks, ie these are in one piece. Alternatively, the housing and / or guide elements can also be attached only to the rotor disks, without being additionally fastened to the rotor shaft.

The in the 13 - 15 illustrated embodiments may be rotatably mounted on a lever arm. However, due to the characteristic of a direction-independent functioning according to the invention by means of housings and / or baffles, such turbine configurations according to the invention can be used in particular without a lever arm in laminar flow and / or exposed to a constantly changing flow field as in the case of orbital flow of sea waves. As a result, the suspension is simplified accordingly, wherein the forces resulting from the flow resistance of the rotor are to be supported by a corresponding holder.

In advantageous developments, the rotors described ideally have a largely neutral buoyancy.

In all illustrated variants with co-rotating housing and / or guide elements, these are designed in the illustrations shown in such a way that the openings extend substantially in the axial direction. In order to compensate for non-uniform flow along the rotor is provided in further embodiments, that the elements extend helically around the rotor, so that non-uniform flow of the rotor can be compensated. In particular hinged openings may be designed segmented for this purpose along the rotor axis.

In the prior art many variants are proposed, which relate to the attachment of the rotor disks to the central shaft. Here, an attempt is made to modify the spokes described in the original application of Tesla and / or cleverly relocate in order to achieve the lowest possible flow influencing. Such approaches can also be used in the rotor variants described in this document.

According to the invention, however, it is proposed to completely dispense with a central shaft. For torque transmissions guide elements could be used, which are arranged between the rotor disks and connect them firmly together. In an alternative and particularly preferred embodiment, it is proposed to use the housing and / or baffle parts arranged on the circumference of the rotor for torque transmission. For this purpose, it is necessary to connect the discs correspondingly frictionally with the housing and / or the baffles. At the end faces of the rotor, the torque can then be tapped, for example via face plates and shaft journals attached thereto. Alternatively, it is also possible to convert the torque via ring generators, which tap the rotation directly on the circumference.

Contrary to the state of the art, in which rather compact rotor arrangements are described, it is provided according to the invention to build rotors with great longitudinal extent in order to achieve the highest possible torques. A length restriction does not exist if the generated torque can be tapped and the rotor also has sufficient bending stiffness over its length.

In order to dissipate the water introduced into the rotor, the rotor can be divided into segments along its axial extent. From these shorter areas, the water could be removed relatively easily. In addition, such segments offer the possibility of module production, in which the entire rotor is made of axially assembled individual modules.

In the following, special rotor configurations will be described on the basis of 17 described.

In the prior art, the rotor disks are typically made flat. Various guide elements are proposed on the disc surfaces and or on the outer surfaces. Alternatively, annealing is suggested to create channels. In addition, coatings are proposed, in particular of a catalytic nature.

In principle, surfaces that are as smooth as possible and rounded faces are named as advantageous. Furthermore, several applications are concerned with the design of the central opening for the discharge of the fluid. Again, a whole series of advantageous embodiments is proposed.

Due to the high speeds in the prior art, especially in the pump range of often several 1000 rpm, the rotor disks are exposed during operation to high loads. Therefore, here is a flat design without imbalance advantage.

However, in particular with a turbine insert in flowing fluids, significantly lower flow velocities are to be expected, which lead to significantly lower rotor loads. Therefore, in the context of the present invention, a number of non-flat (plate-shaped) rotor disks 8th proposed. Already in the previous section presented non-circular rotor configurations lead to imbalances in operation, which would be problematic at high speeds, but are classified as uncritical due to the targeted applications.

In the context of this invention, all materials named in the state of the art are to be claimed as disc materials. These include in particular metals, sintered metals, ceramics, plastics, fiber composites, glasses, rubbers, materials from the field of rapid prototyping, etc. The rotor disks can be coated in particular to protect against corrosion.

Some of these materials, such as metals and plastics, can be transformed into complex three-dimensional geometries by deep-drawing processes. Alternatively, such geometries can also be created particularly easily by casting processes such as injection molding.

In order to achieve particularly high surface finishes, known grinding and polishing processes can be used, which include, for example, vibratory finishing and electropolishing. Both methods have the advantage that even complex geometries can be processed with them.

By way of example, some non-level cases will be discussed below. In 17 is a rotor disk and a rotor derived therefrom, which is bulged in the region of the inner opening in the axial direction. As a result, a continuous deflection of the fluid in the axial direction is achieved, which means a significant improvement over the prior art, in which the fluid is suddenly deflected. A sudden deflection leads rather to a turbulent flow training, which leads to a reduced overall efficiency.

The deflection region should be small in the radial direction in order to obtain a large area of the disk in which the flow is purely radial, whereby a particularly high proportion of the fluid flow is converted into a torque.

In 17 In addition, it is shown that, in particular in the case of axial axial extensions of the rotor, a bilateral outflow of the fluid is advantageous in order not to allow the volume flow to increase too much. For this purpose, the orientation of the deflection of the disc can be changed approximately in the rotor center. In addition, the central opening can be adapted in its diameter to the axial position.

As an alternative to such a funnel-shaped design of the rotor disks, which, moreover, can also be combined with non-rotationally symmetrical disk geometries, other non-flat disk forms are also possible according to the invention. For this purpose, a formation in the radial direction or a formation in the circumferential direction can be realized.

In addition to a fundamental non-flatness of the rotor disks should be provided according to the invention in particular that guide elements are provided on or on the discs, which can positively influence the flow behavior and thus the torque transmission. These may be elevations, which act either as a resistance body and / or as a lift rotor.

It is interesting, however, that either corresponding guide elements are provided, which are either provided only on the circumference of the rotor, or extending from the circumference to the middle. Therefore, in the context of this invention, in particular guide elements are provided which are arranged not only in the outer rotor region, but also do not extend from the outermost edge to the middle.

Likewise, the prior art is to be understood in that the known guide elements are applied to the panes, or are produced by an etching process. According to the invention, however, it is preferably provided that the guide elements and discs are produced in one piece by appropriate shaping (eg deep drawing) and / or primary shaping methods (eg injection molding).

In addition, it is claimed according to the invention that the guide elements 30 can be achieved by a different nature of the rotor surface. For example, regions with increased roughness lead to a different flow behavior than regions with low roughness. The roughness can be set site-specifically for example via embossing processes.

In 18 is exemplified such a disc. On this run guiding elements from the disk edge to the center of the disk. The guiding elements 30 However, they can also have a different course and, in particular, do not have to run from the very outside to the very inside.

Rotor disks with the guide elements according to the invention 30 can be combined in different ways. In the 19 - 20 different combinations of corresponding rotor disks are shown, wherein the guide elements are not limited to the variants shown.

in 19 it is assumed that the guiding elements 30 only in one direction on the rotor discs 8th are formed. In the left illustration are the guiding elements 30 arranged congruently, the guide elements 30 However, the lower disc do not protrude into the vanes 30 the upper disc, ie the distance of the discs is greater than the survey of the guide elements.

In the middle illustration, the guide elements protrude 30 into the recesses of the next disc, the discs are here at a slight angle relative to each other employed. Such entanglement of the disks is only possible with an illustrated "deep-drawn" version of the guide elements 30 possible.

In the right illustrations, the rotor disks are arranged rotated against each other, so that the guide elements 30 appear offset.

In principle, the guide elements 30 be so large that they fill the entire distance between the rotor discs. Furthermore, of course, further guide elements can be applied or to achieve a higher stability of the overall rotor, support disks can be used between the rotor blades, which can also be formed as guide elements. This is well known in the art.

In the 19 discs were combined with each other, whose guiding elements are all unilaterally pronounced. In 20 in contrast, slices 8th combined with each other, the two-sided with guide elements 30 are provided. Other possible combinations are readily derivable for the skilled practitioner based on this document.

In principle, the described and baffle configurations are also suitable for use in combination with pure resistance rotors and / or lift rotors. As far as this is possible on the basis of the prior art, such arrangements should also be claimed in particular in the field of wave energy or covered with a separate application. The invention is not limited to water as fluid, but can also be used advantageously in the wind range. In addition, the holder of rotors in the offshore area on the basis of 21 described.

As already mentioned, the rotor configurations according to the invention with integrated housing and / or baffles can also be used near the coast, since a clear direction of rotation is predetermined independently of the direction of flow through the bypass functions according to the invention. Near the coast, such rotors can be relatively easily fixed to the seabed, so that the rotor axis is aligned substantially parallel to the coast.

In the offshore area, however, the requirements for anchoring are much greater. For the "Wave Harrow" known from the prior art, a number of anchoring options has already been proposed. These include the arrangement of several coupling bodies ( Buoyancy and / or resistance rotor) in a common frame with a large longitudinal extent (see 21 ), an arrangement of a coupling body in a largely vertically oriented frame (see 22 ) or the combination of a large horizontal frame with several vertically oriented frames (see 23 ). Such housing systems are also feasible for the present invention, wherein one or more of the rotors described can be used as the coupling body in each case. Especially in combination with a largely force-free solution of a arranged on a lever arm in the "eye" rotor, the requirements for the holder are low.

In contrast to buoyancy and resistance rotors, in which only one direction of rotation can be realized as a matter of principle, in some embodiments described in this document, the direction of rotation can be decoupled from the orbital motion. In principle, these rotors also work like a Savonius rotor with a longitudinal overflow.

In these solutions, it seems possible to combine a plurality of each counter-rotating rotors with each other, so that the torque between these rotors can be tapped. This eliminates the need to tap the torque on the frame and support it. This is a simplification compared to other machine concepts.

In 24 the rotor ends of two counter-rotating rotors are shown. If the means for torque conversion between these two rotors arranged so no external torque support on the frame is needed. The presentation is very schematic, but for the skilled person the possibilities for a generator installation are immediately obvious. As already described, more than two counter-rotating rotors can be combined with each other axially.

With such a combination of several counter-rotating rotors, which function independently of the direction of flow and need no external torque support, can be achieved in addition to the frame arrangements described above, a particularly simple anchoring to the seabed as in 25 is shown. Here is provided, the rotor with appropriate Mooring 32 and buoyancy bodies 34 to brace against the seabed, so that the axis is largely stationary (the rotor dimensions to wave dimension are not necessarily correctly scaled). Other mooring principles than the illustrated Taunt Mooring and in particular the use of so-called Heave Plates to stabilize the system are possible.

If no combination of counter-rotating rotors is used whose torques cancel each other out, the generator can, for example, be supported on the mooring chains in order to convert the torque.

All rotor variants described above can according to the invention on a rotating lever arm 36 to be ordered. In 26 this is not shown to scale schematically.

Also in 26 shown is a buoyancy rotor 38 which is meant to carry the center of the rotor with the center of the eye. This is shown only as an example. Under certain circumstances, can be dispensed with such a body, and / or this may be a buoyancy runner / resistance rotor. The lever arm 36 of the rotor 8th can also be adjustable, which is also not shown. Also the mooring system 32 is to be understood only as an example. Other mooring systems, in particular mooring systems, which allow the system to be aligned in such a way that the wave propagation direction runs essentially perpendicular to the rotor axis are particularly preferably usable. Also, a combination with a heave plate or other stabilizing agents should be mentioned.

Since in this case (with lever arm) no rotor combination of opposing rotors is possible, the rotor torque must be supported elsewhere. According to the invention, a solution is accordingly 27 proposed in which the counter torque by at a rotatably mounted on the rotor / on the rotor shaft lever arm (balance lever) 40 attacking buoyancy and / or weight forces is generated.

The invention relates to a regenerative energy system with a turbine of the Tesla turbine type, consisting of a rotor disk package which is rotatably mounted about a common axis preferably in a housing, wherein the turbine has at least one fluid inlet tangent to the disk package and at least one fluid outlet, the at least one Fluid inlet is designed funnel-shaped or has a funnel-shaped attachment. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of fluid inlets is provided, which are excluded in the same circumferential distance with respect to the rotor disk package in the housing. As an alternative or in addition, the rotor disk package is surrounded on the circumference by a jacket held thereon with a number of inlet openings.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

axis of rotation

2, 4

fluid inlets

6

casing

8th

Disk package / rotor

9

buttress

10

feed hopper

12

Weathervanes wings

14

baffles

16

Umfangsleitbleche

17

canalization

18

Radial baffles spaced in the axial direction

20

Sheath-shaped co-rotating guide elements

22

coat

24

Sheath-side guide elements / plates

26

Inner radial baffles held on shell side plates

28

Shovel-shaped guide elements on the rotor

30

Rotor disc guide elements (integrated)

32

Mooring chain

34

buoyancy

36

Lever arm with central output shaft

38

buoyancy runner

40

compensating lever

42

Weight

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 1061142 [0002]
• US 1061206 [0002]
• EP 0537146 B1 [0009]
• US 7573148 B2 [0010]
• US 2003/0053909 A1 [0011]
• WO 2008/134868 [0012]
• US 2008/0131273 A1 [0013]
• US 2001/0019693 A1 [0014]

Claims (12)

Regenerative energy conversion plant with a turbine of the Tesla turbine type, consisting of a rotor disk package ( 8th ) around a common axis ( 1 ) rotatably preferably in a housing ( 6 ), wherein the turbine has at least one fluid inlet ( 2 . 4 ) tangential to the disc package ( 8th ) and at least one fluid outlet, characterized in that the at least one fluid inlet ( 2 . 4 ) funnel-shaped or a funnel-shaped attachment ( 10 ) Has. Regenerative energy conversion plant according to the preamble of claim 1 and in particular according to claim 1, characterized in that when a housing ( 6 ) a plurality of fluid inlets ( 2 . 4 ) is provided which preferably at the same circumferential distance with respect to the rotor disk package ( 8th ) in the housing ( 6 ) with exception of. Regenerative energy conversion plant according to the preamble of claim 1 and in particular according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotor disk package ( 8th ) Is circumferentially surrounded by a thus held and thus co-rotating jacket with a number of inlet openings is. Regenerative energy conversion plant according to claim 3, characterized in that the jacket consists of a number of plate-shaped flow guide elements which are arranged tangentially or in a radially outwardly opening angle to the tangent aligned in the circumferential direction to each other, so that between two respectively adjacent elements one of the inlet openings formed. Regenerative energy conversion plant according to claim 4, characterized in that the plate-shaped flow guide elements radially over the outer circumference of the rotor disk package ( 8th ) protrude. Regenerative energy conversion plant according to one of claims 3-5, characterized in that the turbine is without housing. Regenerative energy conversion plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one fluid inlet ( 2 . 4 ) or the entire housing ( 8th ) and preferably with a flag wing ( 12 ) or the like flow direction adaptation device is provided. Regenerative energy conversion plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one fluid inlet ( 2 . 4 ) upstream of a flow guide or in at least one fluid inlet ( 2 . 4 ) is integrated. Regenerative energy conversion plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two fluid outlets are provided, which are located at the two opposite end sections of the rotor disc pack axis ( 1 ) open to the outside. Regenerative energy conversion plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the turbine forms a coupling body of a wave energy plant in off-shore or near-shore use, which in the case of an off-shore use on the frame frame of a submerged in a predetermined water depth plant Platform is mounted. Regenerative energy conversion plant according to claim 10, characterized in that the turbine is mounted on the free end portion of a Hebelamis, which is mounted on an output shaft of the power plant. Regenerative energy conversion plant according to claim 11, characterized in that the turbine is combined with further coupling bodies, in particular a drag and / or a lift rotor of the hydrofoil type, all of which are mounted via lever arms on a common output shaft of the system.

Images