DK178830B1 - Reversible duoprop tidal generator - Google Patents

Abstract

It is described a reversible Duoprop tidal generator of a type used where flowing water is present, where the flowing water, via one or more propeller blades / turbine sets, rotates the generator housing / stator one way while the generator shaft / anchor via one or more propeller blades / turbine sets rotate the other way. The tidal generator comprises a cavity which is pressurized with air in excess pressure relative to the surroundings.

Description

REVERSIBLE DUOPROP TIDE WATER GENERATOR

Description of the Invention

The present invention relates to a tidal generator of the type set forth in claim 1.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

To keep the focus on green energy, this idea with a tidal generator has been fostered. Unlike wind power, wave energy, as well as solar energy, which all requires, the wind blows, the waves are present or the sun is shining, tides are a predictable, constant force that operates around the clock, except for the two times a day the current turns.

The benefits of utilizing tidal flows to and from fjords, belts, straits and wherever flowing water is present can be briefly summarized: Large amounts of energy, relatively low construction costs, no visibility as the plant works below the surface (if desired) can be placed close to land where the depth of water permits, is not exposed to the major influences from storms, as the plant typically acts so far below the sea surface that it is not exposed to waves, can be placed sufficiently deep to sail over the plant and existing pylons can be used relatively easily to installation of the plant. For example, offshore wind turbines (where cables have already been routed), bridges etc.

Tidal plants are known from several different places in the world, including from Northern Norway, where the electricity company '' Hammerfest Strøm 'has made a prototype of an' 'underwater wind turbine' '. This is a three-bladed tidal turbine that is based on a regular wind turbine, waterproof, shrunk in size and mounted on a fixed pylon. '' Marine Current Turbines '' have also created a plant called '' Seagen ''. This is a tidal system where two rotors are designed as a two-blade, shrunken wind turbine blade, mounted on a horizontal arm and seated on a molded pylon that protrudes above the water surface. The arm can then be raised or lowered in a water column as well as over this for inspection / rep.

Another method of exploiting the tide is to create dams in which a number of turbines are installed, which utilize the tide both on the way in and out. This method is, for example, on the drawing board for a project in Severn, England.

The disadvantages common to these methods are that they all have rather high construction costs and that they are solely aimed at being able to be used where the tidal flow is high. Plants where dams are involved also have a not insignificant impact on the local flora and fauna.

To be able to utilize the energy optimally in the tidal currents several factors must be met. Among other things, a generator / turbine that can turn around where the power comes from and at the same time utilize the energy in the water several times, so that the utilization becomes as optimal as possible. This allows for the utilization of the currents where these are not powerful enough to operate a turbine according to the traditional methods. In addition, a firm anchor, typically an anchor or pylon cast into the seabed, to withstand the forces of the tide the generator / turbine expose. A combined grating / blade system that prevents large pieces of propellant from interfering with the operation, an optimized exchange between the drive shaft and the generator in relation to the currents present at the operating site, and power cable to land. W02007017629A1 describes a tidal generator comprising at least two sets of coaxially mounted rotatable rotor blades arranged so that one set does not shade the other set. The two sets of rotor blades rotate each way. WO2008093037A1 discloses a tidal generator comprising a main body to which rotor blades are coupled to impart rotation of the main body in response to the flow of the water so that momentum momentum is maintained by directional change of the water flow.

The known solutions include complicated and expensive sealing solutions adapted to prevent water penetration to the electrical components. Thus, it is desirable to provide a tidal generator which does not require complicated and expensive sealing solutions.

The object of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a tidal generator which does not require complicated and expensive sealing solutions.

The object of the present invention is achieved with a tidal generator as defined in claim 1. Preferred embodiments are defined in the subclaims and are explained in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying figures.

Figure Description

FIG. 1

Here is seen a complete tidal generator consisting of swivel systems 1 - 2 with sliding power transition 9, adjustable / fixed buoyancy 13, front wing / wing set 11, generator 14, front buoyancy ring 12, combined bearing / gearbox for generator shaft 15, wing shaft housing 17, rear buoyancy ring 20. The combined self-cleaning grate / blade system is permanently mounted on the generator housing, via the housing for the adjustable / fixed buoyancy and via an appropriate gearing (million gears), on the rear buoyancy housing. The axle housing, together with the gear housing, is also part of the buoyancy. This is because all parts of the application are supplied with compressed air via hollow shafts. The generator blades in the turbine wheels 11,12 are slanted backwards, so that any propellant which may hit the blades is passed past the system. As the generator is an integral part of the system, the generator housing 14 is in direct communication with the surrounding water, which means that there is maximum cooling at all times on the generator. This allows for maximum utilization of capacity continuously.

FIG. 2 -3 -4

Here the tide generator is unfolded. 5-6 -7-8-9-10-11-12

Here you see the tide generator when the application is used for pylon mounting. In this case, each application consists of two tidal generators mounted on each of their half slides 23, which are then assembled around the pylon 26. To ensure that the tidal generator is free in flowing water, a grating unit 22. Each half shell is designed for it. specific pylon. Rollers 21 are mounted on the carriage for the purpose of raising the carriage with the application mounted. This may be possible. is done by wire hoisting so that inspection and repair can be easily done. The same wire lift can be used in connection with optimizing the location of the tidal generator in the water column.

FIG. 13

Exploded view Fig. 14

Here is a combined drawing with anchor 30, anchor chain 29, wire hoist 28 as well as supply buoy 27 and tidal generator. On tidal generators anchored to the seabed and held in chain, the wire hoist 28 is used between the buoy and the tidal generator to maintain the set depth, and optionally adjust itself to the flow rates in the water masses. In addition, this hoist is also used for inspection / repair.

FIG. 15-16-17-18

The air connection to the tidal generator from the surface of anchored models comes from a supply buoy. This buoy may contain: Compressor, water separator, fog lubricator and pressure tank for supply of compressed air (the pressure tank could advantageously constitute the bottom of the buoy), air snorkel, level control, hoisting and backup battery etc. On the connection from anchoring to the surface one can may advantageously, periodically, place pressure sensors combined with flow sensors so that the tide generator can at any time place in the water column where the current is strongest.

FIG. 19

Here is the swirling system with the sliding power transmission. The swivel system is made with thrust bearing 4, 5, 35 and bronze slide bearing 6. On the back of the thrust bearing housing 5 the carbon holder housing 9 is bolted on. This non-electrically conductive housing is used to direct the generated energy from the generator through the copper rings 8, which sit on the front rotating shaft 10, to the coals in the coal holders 39 and from there ashore for further processing.

The shaft 10, which is hollow so that the cables can come from the generator to the copper webs, is also intended for compressed air to come from the valves 34 in the cup flange 2, through the lock nut 3 and further through the bore 33 to the front air reservoir 13, generator 14, gearbox 15 and rear air reservoir 18. This causes the only places the overpressure to prevent access for moisture is at the lip seal 42 on the carbon holder and at the rear axle outlet. The air seeping out of the lip seal 42 causes the thrust bearing and the front bronze bush to be fog lubricated and the air seeping at the rear axle seeking lubrication of bearings in the generator as well as bronze bush and gears in the gearbox.

FIG. 20-21

Here is shown the linkage 1) which is the mechanical connection between the tide generator and the mounting arms 22, 32 on the carriage 23 or anchor chain 29 / wire hoist 28. The linkage link 1 which allows the tide generator to move freely around that part of the horizontal and vertical plane which may be desired consists of:

The cup flange 2, which is bolted together with the pressure bearing housing 5, protects the front shaft end and holds airtight. The flange is at the same time one part of the horizontal sliding bearing together with the link joint 1, which also, in combination with the vertical sliding bearing for chain / pylon mounting 21, forms the vertical sliding bearing plane.

FIG. 22 - 23

Here, the generator bottom 14 is seen together with the gearbox 15 and rear drive shaft 16. As can be seen, the individual main parts of the entire tidal generator are bolted together with flanges and seals. This means that in the event of a breakdown or wear, a main part can be replaced relatively easily, so that any standby time is minimized and the service life is extended.

Reference number 1 Link joint 2 Cup flange 3 Lock nut 4 Pressure bearing 5 Pressure housing 6 Bronze bushing for main shaft 7 Electrical insulation 8 Copper webs for shaft 9 Sliding power transfer / carbon housing 10 Main shaft 11 buoyancy tank 19 Triangular mounting bracket 20 Rear buoyancy ring 21 Vertical sliding bearing for pylon mounting 22 Mounting frame 23 Sled for pylon mounting 24 Sled roller 25 Mounting bracket for sledge 26 Pylon 27 Bending with air compressor 28 Wire hoist 29 Anchor chain 30 Anchor 31 Air hole for one way valve 32 shaft 34 One-way valve air hole 35 T washer 39 Carbon holders 41 Electrical shaft insulation 42 Lip seal

Claims (9)

1. Reversible Duoprop tidal generator of a type used where flowing water is present, where the flowing water, through one or more propeller blades (11,17) / turbine set, rotates the generator housing / stator one way while the generator shaft (10) / the anchor (30) via one or more propeller blades (11,17) / turbine sets rotates the other way, characterized in that the tidal generator comprises a cavity pressurized with air in excess pressure relative to the surroundings. Reversible Duoprop tide generator according to claim 1, characterized in that the tide generator comprises air / water tanks which, by supplying air or intake of water, can adjust in the water column where appropriate or float on the surface. Reversible duoprop tidal generator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that control currents and the generated energy are fed from the rotating part of the tidal generator and on to the stationary part of the tidal generator via a sliding power transmission. Reversible Duoprop tide generator according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the tide generator comprises a generator housing located in direct connection to the surrounding water with optimum cooling as a result. Reversible duoprop tide generator according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the tide generator comprises a self-cleaning propeller system which is provided with propeller blades which are inclined backwards so that foreign bodies of a certain size are passed past the system. Reversible duoprop tide generator according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the tide generator comprises a receiving unit (the carriage) (23) for pylons (26), is made as two half-parts with built-in rollers (24), the tidal generator and the sled can be easily moved vertically in the water along the pylon (26). Reversible duoprop tide generator according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the tide generator comprises a longitudinal link (1), wherein the tide generator is suspended, so that the tide generator can move freely in the water, both horizontally and vertically. Reversible duoprop tide generator according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the tide generator comprises propeller blades / turbine sets supported by one or more rings (12, 20) which simultaneously, if air-filled, can contribute to buoyancy. Reversible duoprop tide generator according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the tide generator is made up of bolted sections, linkage (1), a sliding power transition (9), a front buoyancy tank (13) with a wing / turbine set, a generator (14), a gearbox (15), a rear buoyancy tank (18) with wing / turbine set arranged to allow quick / easy replacement, maintenance and optimization.