Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
  • F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
  • F03B13/12—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy
  • F03B13/14—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy
  • F03B13/16—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem"
  • F03B13/20—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem" wherein both members, i.e. wom and rem are movable relative to the sea bed or shore
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
  • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
  • F05B2240/00—Components
  • F05B2240/90—Mounting on supporting structures or systems
  • F05B2240/93—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a structure floating on a liquid surface
  • F05B2240/932—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a structure floating on a liquid surface which is a catamaran-like structure
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
  • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
  • F05B2260/00—Function
  • F05B2260/40—Transmission of power
  • F05B2260/403—Transmission of power through the shape of the drive components
  • F05B2260/4031—Transmission of power through the shape of the drive components as in toothed gearing
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
  • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
  • F05B2260/00—Function
  • F05B2260/42—Storage of energy
  • F05B2260/421—Storage of energy in the form of rotational kinetic energy, e.g. in flywheels
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
  • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
  • Y02E10/30—Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient

Definitions

• the invention relates to the field of energy production, and more specifically to the field of producing electrical energy from wave energy.
• the invention relates to a wave power plant equipped with a platform and a wave machine mounted on this platform and equipped with floats whose upward movement or descent following the swell (which also exerts on the floats a horizontal thrust) is converted into hydraulic energy, this hydraulic energy is in turn converted into electrical energy by means of a transformer: mechanical system, hydraulic motor associated with a generator, or hydroelectric turbine.
• a semi-submersible platform provided with at least one longitudinal box extending from a bow to a stern of the platform; a wave machine mounted on the platform, this machine comprising:
• each float comprising a bow facing the bow of the platform and a stern turned towards the stern of the platform, each float being mounted in rotation relative to at the gantry on a shaft attached to it, located on the side of the bow of the float,
• Such a power plant has fairly large dimensions. Its length is generally of the order of 100 m, and its width of the order of 25 m. Thanks to its architecture, and in particular thanks to the dimensions of the platform, the plant has a good stability in the swell, which makes it possible to maximize the amplitude of the movements of the floats and consequently to optimize the recovery of energy.
• the floats are mounted in pairs between two gantries, on two shafts. separated, the floats of the two pairs being animated oscillating movements of opposite (counter-rotating) directions. These counter-rotating movements make it possible to stabilize the platform facing the home by limiting (or canceling) the effects of torque.
• One objective is to propose a wave power plant offering at least one (and preferably all) of the following advantages: good energy efficiency, relatively easy maintenance, good stability of the platform, in particular facing the list.
• a wave power plant which comprises:
• a semi-submersible platform provided with at least one longitudinal box extending from a bow to a stern of the platform; a wave machine mounted on the platform, this machine comprising:
• each float comprising a bow facing the bow of the platform and a stern facing the stern of the platform , the floats being mounted in rotation relative to the gantry on a shaft integral therewith, the secondary float being offset from the primary float to the bow of the platform; o a transformer.
• the primary float is rotatably mounted relative to the gantry on a primary shaft secured thereto
• the secondary float is rotatably mounted relative to the gantry on a secondary shaft secured thereto and offset longitudinally with respect to the primary tree towards the bow of the platform;
• the platform comprises at least two longitudinal boxes delimiting a central channel in which is disposed at least one primary float, the gantry is mounted transversely between the boxes, and at least one secondary float is mounted outside the central channel;
• the wave machine comprises at least two secondary floats arranged on either side of the central channel;
• the platform comprises, at its bow, a stabilizer fin which extends transversely below a lower edge of the box; - The platform comprises, at its stern, a transverse floating beam secured to the box;
• each float comprises a bottom and flanks, is rotatably mounted relative to the gantry around an equilibrium position to which a float line of water corresponds, and the float is provided with a pair of protruding flaps flanks in the vicinity of his stern, each fin having a sloped intrados, with respect to the waterline, downwards towards its stern.
• the transformer comprises at least one ratchet wheel
• the transformer comprises a main gear integral with the shaft in direct gear engagement with the ratchet wheel;
• the transformer comprises a secondary gear integral with the shaft, in gear engagement with a ratchet wheel via a reversing gear;
• the transformer comprises at least one flywheel
• the wave machine comprises at least one additional float, mounted in rotation relative to the gantry on the shaft, on the stern side of the additional float.
• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wave power plant
• Figure 2 is a partial top view of the central of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a sectional view of the central of Figure 2, according to the sectional plane III-III;
• Figure 4 is a perspective view of a float equipping the plant, according to a first embodiment
• Figure 5 is a partial side view of the float of Figure 4;
• - Figure 6 is a partial front view of the float of Figures 4 and 5;
• Figure 7 is a perspective view of a float equipping the plant, according to a second embodiment
• Figure 8 is a side view of the float of Figure 7;
• FIG. 9 is a partial front view of the float of Figures 7 and 8;
• Figure 10 is a perspective view of a float equipping the plant, according to a third embodiment
• Figure 11 is a side view of the float of Figure 10;
• FIG. 12 is a partial front view of the float of Figures 10 and 11;
• Figure 13 is a partial schematic view showing a power converter equipping the plant, including a ratchet wheel and a gear wheel in direct gear engagement with the ratchet wheel;
• Figure 14 is a detail view of the energy converter of Figure 13, according to inset XIV;
• Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 13, showing a power converter including a ratchet wheel and a gear wheel in indirect gear engagement with the ratchet wheel, through a reversing gear;
• Figure 16 is a view similar to Figure 2, showing a central according to an alternative embodiment
• Figure 17 is a sectional view of the central of Figure 16, according to the sectional plane XVI-XVI I;
• Figure 18 is a view similar to Figures 2 and 16, showing a central according to another embodiment.
• a central 1 wave In Figure 1 is shown a central 1 wave.
• the semi-submersible platform 2 is equipped with at least one elongated floating box 4.
• the platform 2 is equipped with several elongate floating caissons 4 arranged substantially parallel in a longitudinal direction which, when the central 1 is at sea, corresponds to the main direction of propagation of the swell (represented by the arrows located on the left in Figure 2).
• the boxes 4 are two in number and have a parallelepipedal shape, rectangular section, a height preferably greater than their width.
• the caissons 4 have solid or perforated lateral walls 5 which jointly delimit a central channel 6 which extends from a bow 7 (on the left in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) to a stern 8 (on the right in FIGS. , 2 and 3) of platform 2.
• the seawater is channeled in the channel 6 along the main direction of propagation of the swell, which limits the roll movements (or heel) of the platform 2.
• Each box 4 has an opposite upper longitudinal edge 9 and an opposite lower longitudinal edge 10 which are respectively emerged and immersed in calm (although hearable) sea to moderately agitated.
• Each box 4 is preferably hollow, and made by assembling metal plates (for example anti-corrosion treated steel), composite material or any other material sufficiently rigid and resistant to bending forces as corrosion.
• Each box 4 can be stiffened by means of internal ribs, in order to better withstand the bending stresses both in the longitudinal plane (especially when the box extends cantilevered at the top of a ridge, or when is carried at both ends by two successive ridges) only in the transverse plane (especially in case of local vortex).
• Each box 4 may also be compartmentalized to form ballasts that can be at least partially filled with seawater or drained to adjust the waterline.
• the filling and emptying of the ballasts can be carried out by means of pumps, preferably actuated automatically. This adjustment is preferably made so that the waterline is substantially median on the caissons 4 - in other words so that the draft and the freeboard of the caissons 4 are substantially identical.
• each box 4 has, at the stern 8, an enlarged end and / or raised (as is more particularly visible in Figure 3). In this way, the volume of air trapped in the caissons 4 is higher, and the buoyancy of the platform 2 is locally increased at its stern 8.
• the platform 2 comprises, at its stern 8, a flotation beam 11 secured to the caissons 4, and which extends transversely connecting them.
• the beam 11 performs a float function to keep the stern 8 permanently at sea level.
• the stern 8 follows the swell (shown in phantom in this figure).
• the beam 11 may have, in longitudinal section ( Figure 3) any form, but it is preferable, to optimize its float function, it has a circular shape.
• the beam 11 is tubular, hollow, circular section.
• the vertical positioning of the beam 11 is adapted to the architecture of the platform 2 and in particular to the shape of the caissons 4; in the example illustrated, the beam 11 extends about halfway up the caissons 4.
• the platform 2 further comprises at least one stabilizing fin 12 which, at sea, is normally immersed permanently, this fin 12 extending transversely below the lower edges of the caissons 4, at the bow 7 of the platform 2.
• the bow 12 extends only a portion of the length of the platform 2 (typically between 1/5 and 1/10 of this length).
• the fin 12 has a surface 13 upper or extrados substantially flat, parallel to and facing the lower longitudinal edges 10 of the caissons 4, and a lower face or intrados 14 by which the platform 2 can be anchored to the seabed by means a catenary 15 secured to the platform 2.
• the anchoring of the catenary 15 on the fin 12 can automatically orient the platform 2 to the swell, the forces being applied in the axis thereof and ensuring a continuous voltage of the catenary 15.
• the fin 12 has a U-shape in cross-section and comprises two lateral sides 16 extending from the lower edges of the caissons 4, in the vertical extension thereof, so that the upper surface 13 extends away from the lower edges of the caissons 4 so that the fin 12, located below the caissons 4, is always immersed to a depth sufficient to be protected from the effects of the swell.
• the stern 8 follows the swell thanks to the floatation of the stern ends of the caissons 4 combined with that of the beam 11.
• the swell induces on the platform 2 a swinging movement of the stern 8, centered on a axis substantially coincident with a median transverse line at the fin 12.
• the wave machine 3 is mounted on the platform 2 at its bow 7.
• the machine 3 comprises, in the first place, a gantry 17 mounted on the caissons 4 extending transversely between them vertically above the fin 12, and which couples them on the side of their upper edges.
• the wave machine 3 comprises, secondly, floats 18, 19 movable in rotation relative to the platform 2, arranged to allow the transformation of the wave energy into mechanical energy, namely:
• Each float 18, 19 comprises a bow 22 turned towards the bow 7 of the platform 2, and a stern 23 turned towards the stern 8 of the platform 2.
• the primary shaft is located on the side of the bow 22 (i.e., upstream) of the primary float.
• the secondary shaft 21 is located on the side of the bow 22 (i.e. upstream) of the secondary float 19.
• the floats 18, 19 are driven, in operation, oscillating rotary movements in the same direction of rotation.
• the secondary float 19 is shifted longitudinally with respect to the primary float 18, towards the bow 7 of the platform 2.
• D1 is noted as the offset, measured longitudinally, between the floats 18 19. This shift D1 can be measured between the proues 22 floats 18, 19, between their dolls 23, or between their respective centers of gravity.
• the secondary shaft 21 is offset longitudinally relative to the primary shaft.
• D2 is the offset, measured longitudinally between the shafts 20, 21.
• the offsets D1 and D2 may be identical, especially when the floats 18, 19 are identical. But the offsets D1 and D2 can be different. According to one embodiment, the offsets D1 and D2 are between 5 m and 20 m.
• the wave machine 3 comprises at least one primary float 18 disposed in the channel 6, and at least one secondary float 19 mounted outside the channel 6.
• the secondary shaft 21 extends transversely protruding from the side wall 5 to allow articulated mounting of the secondary float 19.
• the wave machine 3 comprises at least two secondary floats 19 disposed on either side of the channel 6. Each secondary float 19 is thus mounted hinged on a projecting portion of the secondary shaft 21.
• the wave machine 3 comprises two primary floats 18 arranged in the channel 6.
• the number of floats 18 or 19 could be greater.
• the primary floats 18 and the secondary floats 19 may be similar or identical (as in the illustrated example), or different.
• Each float 18, 19 comprises a bottom 24 and flanks 25 which extend both vertically from the bottom 24, and longitudinally from the bow 22 to the stern 23.
• Each float 18 (respectively 19) is integral with a rigid arm 26, rotatably mounted on the primary shaft (respectively the secondary shaft 21) and extending towards the stern 8 from the shaft 20, 21.
• Each float 18, 19 is mounted in oscillating rotation on its shaft 20, 21 around a position of equilibrium (in the absence of waves) to which corresponds a float line 27 of the float 18, 19 (in dashed line on Figures 5, 8 and 11).
• Each float 18, 19 is preferably provided with a pair of fins 28 which protrude from the flanks 25 in the vicinity of the stern 23.
• Each fin 28 has an intrados 29 inclined, with respect to the line 26 of flotation, towards the bottom towards the stern 23 of the float 18, 19. It is noted A the angle of inclination between the lower surface 29 of the fin 28 and the line 27 of flotation. This angle A is preferably between 10 ° and 45 °.
• the fins 28 increase the lift force exerted by the swell on the float 18, 19 and recover energy from the horizontal forces exerted on the floats 18, 19 in case of low or medium amplitude waves, which improves the energy efficiency of the plant.
• the fins 28 will adopt on the ridge a substantially horizontal orientation, thus canceling the lift (and therefore the forces generated on the shaft 20, 21, for the benefit of the safety of the plant 1.
• the inclination of the float 18, 19 varies with the swell, it is understood that the lift generated on the fins 28 is not constant. In practice, the greater the swell, the less the fins 28 are useful. On the contrary, the fins 28 offer their maximum action in case of low to medium waves. .
• the fin 28 is formed by an inclined plate 30 mounted at the stern 23, and which extends transversely of the flanks 25, on either side.
• the bottom 24 is substantially flat and parallel to the flotation line 27, up to the plate 30 which forms an inclined deflector 31 extending in the extension of the fins 28.
• the arm 26 extends from the bow 22 of the float 18, 19; the bottom 24 is inclined relative to the line 27 of flotation, from a vicinity of the arm 26 to the stern 8.
• the float 18, 19 comprises two flanges 32 which are extend longitudinally projecting from either side of the bottom 24, in the extension of the sidewalls 25. These flanges 32 serve to partially channel the water flowing under the float 18, 19. This results in a minimization of the risks of turbulence of the flow at the bottom 24 and the fins 28, and therefore a better performance of the float 18, 19.
• the float 18, 19 is more profiled than in the second embodiment.
• the fins 28 extend in the extension of an upper face 33 (which may be slightly curved) of the float 18, 19, opposite to the bottom 24.
• the intrados 29 may be concave ( concavity turned towards the bow of the float 18, 19).
• the float 18, 19 may comprise a deflector 31 which extends to the stern 23, in the extension of the upper face 33 and inclined relative to the line 27 of flotation, while the bottom 24 is substantially flat and parallel to it.
• the gantry 17 is preferably dimensioned sufficiently generously to form a welcoming technical room and housing the equipment of the plant 1, in particular for the conversion of the mechanical energy of the swell into electrical energy.
• the machine 3 comprises for this purpose, thirdly, for each shaft 20, 21, at least one transformer 34 for transforming the oscillation movements of the floats 18, 19 in a continuous rotational movement, the latter making it possible to produce electricity via a generator (not shown).
• This transformer 34 comprises, for each shaft 20, 21, a pair of ratchet wheels mounted on a motor shaft 36 parallel to the shaft 20, 21.
• the 35 comprises a ring gear 37 provided with a unidirectional internal gearing 38 and an external (not shown) bidirectional toothing.
• the wheel 35 comprises a wheel 39 carried integral with the motor shaft 36 and on which is mounted in rotation a pawl 40 in unidirectional engagement with the toothing 38.
• the pawl 40 is urged towards the toothing 38 by a spring 41.
• the transformer 34 furthermore comprises, for each shaft 20, 21, a main gear wheel 42 integral in rotation with the shaft 20, 21 and in direct gear engagement with a first ratchet wheel, and more specifically with the gearing outer ring 37, as illustrated in Figures 13 and 14.
• the transformer 34 further comprises, for each shaft 20, 21, a secondary gear wheel 43 integral in rotation with the shaft 20, 21 and in gear engagement with the second ratchet wheel (and more specifically with the external toothing of the crown 37) via a gear 44 inverter.
• the secondary gear wheel 43 drives, via the gear 44 inverter, the ring 37 of the second ratchet wheel 35 clockwise, the ring 37 then rotating freely around the motor shaft 36.
• the float 18, 19, via the arm 26, drives, with the shaft 20, 21, the main toothed wheel 42 in the counterclockwise direction, it causes the ring 37 of the first ratchet wheel 35 in the clockwise, the ring 37 then rotating freely around the motor shaft 36.
• the secondary toothed wheel 43 drives (counterclockwise in the figures, see arrow F4, FIG. 15), via the inverter pinion 44 (clockwise, arrow F5), the ring gear 37 of the second ratchet wheel 35. counterclockwise (arrow F6).
• the pawl 40 in engagement with the internal gearing 38, then drives the driven wheel 39 (and thus the motor shaft 36) in the same direction (counterclockwise) as the toothing.
• the transformer 34 may include one (or more) wheel (s) 45 of inertia mounted (s) for example on each shaft 20, 21 (or on the motor shaft 36), so as to limit the- strokes and thus regulate the speed of rotation of the motor shaft 36 (and therefore the operating speed of the central unit 1). This results in a smoothing of the production of electric current.
• the longitudinal offset of the secondary floats with respect to the primary floats makes it possible to limit the heel of the platform 2 and thus to stabilize it, in favor of the energy efficiency of the plant 1.
• the uniqueness of the gantry 17 facilitates the maintenance of the central 1, the maintenance operations can all be performed from this single room.
• the central comprises one (or more) float (s) 46, arranged upstream of the gantry 17 and mounted on the secondary shaft 21.
• each float 46 has a bow 22 and a stern 23 and is mounted on the shaft 21 on the side of the stern 23 by one or more arms 26 (two in the example shown, which frame the float 46 in the manner of flanges).
• each float 46 has a profiled section in longitudinal section so as to offer a low coefficient of drag and thus oppose only a low frontal resistance to the swell.
• the float 46 has an elliptical profile.
• the float (s) 46 is (are) free (s) in rotation relative to (s) float (s) 19 secondary (s) and is (are) coupled to a transformer 34 in the manner described below above.
• float (s) 46 improve the efficiency of the plant 1 by contributing to the production of electrical energy. Given its (their) orientation, opposite that of the floats 18, 19, the) float (s) 46 oscillates in the opposite direction thereto and therefore provides a counter-rotating effect which tends to stabilize the platform 2.
• the primary shaft 20 and the secondary shaft 21 are coaxial, the secondary shaft 21 projecting from a side wall.
• the shaft 21 comprises two coaxial portions which extend on either side of the boxes 4.
• the floats 18 primary and secondary floats do not however extend at the same distance from their shaft 20, 21, so that the offset D1 persists between them. In practice, this offset can be provided by a difference in length of the arms 26.
• the oscillations of the primary floats 18 and the secondary floats 19 are not synchronous, it is understood that the floats 18, 19 are not integral in rotation and cause separately dedicated transformers 34.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)

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• 2014
  • 2014-02-26 FR FR1451557A patent/FR3017906A1/fr not_active Withdrawn
• 2015
  • 2015-02-26 WO PCT/FR2015/050461 patent/WO2015128586A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2015-02-26 JP JP2016571481A patent/JP2017509829A/ja active Pending
  • 2015-02-26 CN CN201580014986.0A patent/CN106133306A/zh active Pending
  • 2015-02-26 EP EP15714859.4A patent/EP3111082A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2015-02-26 US US15/121,911 patent/US20170009733A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2015-02-26 CA CA2940724A patent/CA2940724A1/fr not_active Abandoned

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