EP4065831A1

EP4065831A1 - System for generating electrical energy using a water flow

Info

Publication number: EP4065831A1
Application number: EP20828688.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Franz NIEDERBRUNNER
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-11-27
Filing date: 2020-11-25
Publication date: 2022-10-05
Also published as: WO2021106023A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for generating electrical energy using a water flow, which system comprises: an electrical generator (1); a water wheel (2), which in turn comprises: a shaft (3), which is mounted in such a way that the shaft can be rotated about an axis of rotation (A-A); a support structure (4), which is fixedly connected to the shaft (3) and rotates together with the shaft (3) about the axis of rotation (A-A); a plurality of buckets (5), which are distributed evenly on the support structure (4); mechanical transmission means, which transfer the rotational energy of the support structure (4) to the electrical generator (1). The mechanical transmission means comprise a plurality of mechanical transmission units (6a, 6b, 7; 8, 9, 6a, 6b, 7), which are arranged one following the other in succession and are designed such that they allow the support structure (4) to rotate about the axis of rotation (A-A) at a rotational velocity that is at most 1.25 revolutions per minute.

Description

PLANT FOR GENERATING ELECTRICAL ENERGY USING A WAS SERS CURRENT.

DESCRIPTION

Technical area

The invention relates to a system for generating electrical energy using a What serströmung, in particular a system that includes a water wheel under its components, ie a device that is able to convert the kinetic energy and / or the potential energy of a water flow into rotational energy walk.

For this purpose, the waterwheel comprises a shaft that is gela Gert that s it is rotatable about an axis of rotation, and a Tragkon structure that is fixedly connected to the shaft and rotates together with this. The water wheel also comprises a plurality of bodies, traditionally S shovels, which are arranged evenly distributed on the supporting structure and on which the water flow acts, whereas the effect exerted by the water flow on the blades reverses the rotational movement of the supporting structure and the shaft the axis of rotation.

The above known system also includes an electrical generator and mechanical translation means. The latter pass on the rotational energy of the supporting structure to the electrical generator while the water wheel rotates around the axis of rotation.

In the case of the above-mentioned system, there is the problem that, in order to generate the electrical energy, the electrical generator must work at a fixed and constant speed, so that the mechanical transmission means must transmit a rotary movement to the electrical generator, which is exactly the same set and is constant. Instead, it happens that the rotational movement of the water wheel around the axis of rotation tends to be irregular. The supporting structure of the water wheel rotates freely so that its speed of rotation depends directly on the speed and the flow rate of the water flow and therefore, as soon as the speed and flow rate of the water flow change, the speed of the water wheel also changes . As a result of this change in the speed of the What serrades also changes the speed, which is transmitted to the electric generator by means of the mechanical transmission means, so that the electric generator cannot work optimally.

State of the art

In each of the documents KR20160014342A, WO2018 / 097544A1, KR100781721B 1 and KR20110004121A, a system for generating electrical energy using a water flow is shown, which includes a water wheel like the one previously described, an electrical generator and mechanical transmission means by means of which the rotational energy generated by the supporting structure during its rotational movement is passed on to the electrical generator. With the above However, four systems are provided instead of the shovels, with which one tries to keep the water as long as possible in order to utilize the water flow as much as possible.

The working principle on which these four systems are based is that of a turbine that is driven to rotate by a fluid flow, and according to this principle, the greater the speed of rotation of the supporting structure, the greater the production of electrical energy. In these known systems it is therefore important that the speed and the flow rate of the water flow are the greatest possible and that the mechanical Transmission means have as little influence as possible on the number of revolutions per minute that the supporting structure of the waterwheel must execute.

Presentation of the invention

Starting from the explained prior art, the object underlying the present invention is to provide a system for generating electrical energy using a What serströmung available, the water wheel around the axis of rotation at a stable and substantially constant speed rotates, which is independent of the speed and the flow rate of the water flow and this enables a fixed and constant rotary movement to be transmitted to the electrical generator.

According to the invention, this object is achieved if a system which has the features specified in the preamble of claim 1 also has the features specified in the characterizing part of claim 1 in addition.

Unlike what happens in the state of the art, what is rotated as slowly as possible serrad in the system according to the invention. If namely, as provided according to the invention, the me chanical translation means comprise several mechanical translation units, which are arranged in sequence one after the other and are designed such that they allow the Tragbausk tion to rotate about the axis of rotation at a rotational speed that is a maximum of 1.25 revolutions per minute, the rotation of the water wheel around the axis of rotation is very slow and depends solely on the gravity acting on the water that flows into and fills the tubs. In other words, only the weight is used that is exerted by the water collected in the tubs of the waterwheel, and there this Weight force depends on the volume of the tubs, ie on the amount of water that the tubs can accommodate, the dependence of the system according to the invention on the speed and flow rate of the water flow is eliminated and this prevents the effect of the water flow from causing the supporting structure to rotate as if it were a turbine. In this way, the water flow is also optimally used, and in addition, as much as possible, possible water wastage is reduced, which is unavoidable in the case of systems that include water wheels of the known type that work according to the turbine principle. As is known, the electrical generator must rotate at a speed of 1450 per minute in order to be able to generate electrical energy, but in the case of the system according to the invention it is provided that the water wheel rotates at a very lower speed per minute should, which is the order of magnitude of a maximum of 1.25 revolutions per minute. Such a reduced speed ensures that each tub is completely filled during the rotary movement, which usually happens when the flow of water flows into a tub for a period of 3-4 seconds each time. Therefore, unlike the mechanical transmission means provided in the prior art, where any acceleration of the rotational movement of the supporting structure is welcome, the task of the mechanical transmission means is to combat any possible increase in the rotational speed of the supporting structure caused by the water flow, by what serrad is forced to rotate at a very lower speed (as I said 1. 25 revolutions per minute) than the speed (1450 revolutions per minute) that is transmitted to the electric generator. In other words, one can say that the s in an ideal movement from the electric generator to the water wheel mechanical translation means allow the high speed at which the electrical generator works to the minima len speed at which the What rotates serrad, go over.

According to a first embodiment of the system, the mechanical transmission units connect the shaft and the electric generator to one another and they comprise: a plurality of drive pulleys, one of which is fixedly connected to the shaft; a plurality of driven pulleys one of which is fixedly connected to the input shaft of the electric generator; and a plurality of drive belts. In addition, each mechanical transmission unit comprises a drive belt pulley, a driven belt pulley and a drive belt that connects the drive belt pulley and the driven pulley to one another. For example, four drive pulleys, four driven pulleys and four drive belts can be provided in order to form a total of four mechanical transmission units. It goes without saying that drive belts refer to both V-belts and toothed belts and other similar flexible elements.

According to a second embodiment, however, the mechanical transmission means connect the supporting structure and the electrical generator to one another and they include:

. a ring gear which is arranged concentrically and fixedly on the supporting structure;

. a gear that meshes with the ring gear;

. a plurality of drive pulleys, one of which is fixedly connected to the gear;

. a plurality of driven pulleys, one of which is fixedly connected to the input shaft of the electric generator; and

. a plurality of drive belts. In this second embodiment, one of the mechanical transmission units includes the ring gear and the gear, while the other mechanical transmission units include a drive belt pulley, a driven pulley and a drive belt that connects the drive pulley and the driven pulley.

For example, three drive pulleys, three driven pulleys and three drive belts can be provided in order to form a total of three mechanical transmission aggregates with a drive belt.

This second embodiment is particularly suitable for those cases in which it is feared, because of the size of the forces present and / or because of the place in which the water wheel is arranged (there are, for example, leaves), the s in the case the use of the first embodiment could result in a slip in the drive belt of the first mechanical transmission unit, i. e. the mechanical transmission unit that receives the rotary motion from the shaft.

With reference to both embodiments and provided that the water wheel is ideally divided into four quarter circles, each of which is 90 ° and each tub traverses one after the other, for example counterclockwise, during the rotation of the water wheel, the following happens.

With reference to the upper left quarter circle, a tub is empty at the time it is about to move into it. While the tub traverses this quarter circle, the open side of the tub is turned more and more towards the water flow, i. upwards so that the tub is gradually filled with water. At the time when the tub is to move out of the upper left quarter circle and into the next quarter circle, ie in the lower left quarter circle to drive in, it is completely filled with water and the weight that it transfers to the supporting structure is greatest.

In the subsequent crossing of the lower left quarter circle, the open side of the tub is turned more and more downwards, which brings about a progressive emptying of the tub. At the point in time at which the tub is to be moved out of the lower left quarter circle and into the next quarter circle, i.e. into the lower right quarter circle, it is completely empty. The upper left quarter circle and the lower left quarter circle represent the driving section of the rotational movement of the water wheel, during which potential energy is first stored and then this potential energy is transferred to the supporting structure, with this potential energy being converted into rotational energy at the same time is converted.

In the other two quarter circles, i.e. the ones on the right, each tub is empty and it also remains empty, so that these quarter circles are only crossed so that one can return to the upper left quarter circle.

The open side of each tub is not open across its entire width. This feature significantly increases the efficiency of the system because it prevents the water flowing into it from flowing out of it when a tub is filled, and it ensures that the tubs are completely filled.

Each tub is arranged in such a way that a possible sectional plane of the tub provided at half the height of the tub coincides with a radial plane of the water bath. This arrangement ensures perfect structural symmetry, thanks to which the water wheel can turn evenly. According to the invention are optimal Results achieved when eight pans are provided, the width of each pan being a quarter of the diameter of the water wheel.

Brief description of the drawings

Further advantages and features of the invention emerge from the following description of an exemplary embodiment of the system according to the invention, which is explained purely by way of example but not in a restrictive manner with the aid of the accompanying drawings. The figures show schematically: FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional representation of a first embodiment of a system according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a side view of the system of FIG. 1 ; FIG. 3 is a front view of the system of FIG. 1 ; FIG. 4 shows a sectional illustration along the section line S l -S l of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is one of FIGS. 4 is a similar representation in which the water flow is also shown; FIG. 6 is one of FIGS. 2 is a similar side view, but in the case of a second embodiment of the plant according to the invention; FIG. 7 is a plan view of the installation of FIG. 6th

Best way to carry out the invention

In the figures, a system for generating electrical energy using a water flow has been shown.

The system comprises an electric generator 1 and a waterwheel 2. The latter 2 in turn comprises a shaft 3, a supporting structure 4 and a plurality of troughs 5, which are evenly distributed on the supporting structure 4.

In the figures, a possible embodiment for such a support structure 4 was shown, according to which it has a cylindri's body 4a, a pair of first round side walls 4b and a A pair of second round side walls 4c, which have a larger diameter than that of the first round side walls 4b. The diameter of the second round side walls 4c determines the diameter of the entire waterwheel 2. One of the first round side walls 4b is attached coaxially to each base of the cylindrical body 4a and one of the second is attached to each first round side wall 4b round side walls 4c attached coaxially. The diameter of the cylindrical body 4a is approximately a quarter of the diameter of the second round side walls 4c.

The supporting structure 4 is firmly connected to the shaft 3 and the latter 3 is mounted in such a way that it can be rotated about an axis of rotation A-A, see e.g. the fig. 1, so that s the supporting structure 4, so the What serrad 2, together with the shaft 3 about the axis of rotation A-A is rotatable. For the rotary movement of the supporting structure 4 and the shaft

3 around the axis of rotation A-A, the effect exerted by the water flow is responsible, which flows over the water wheel 2 and in particular acts on the tubs 5, see e.g. the fig. 4 and 5.

Such as . in Fig. 2 can be seen, the system also includes mechanical transmission means that, during the rotational movement of the What serades 2 around the axis of rotation A-A, the rotational energy of the supporting structure

4 to the electrical generator 1.

As can be seen particularly well in FIG. 4, each tub 5 is arranged between the two second round side walls 4c in such a way that a possible sectional plane of the tub 5 provided halfway up the tub coincides with a radial plane of the water wheel 2 . In addition, the open side of each trough 5 is not open over its entire width. The What serrad 2 has eight tubs

5 and the width of each tub 5 is a quarter of the diameter of the water wheel 2.

With reference to the mechanical above Transmission means, they comprise several mechanical transmission units 6a, 6b, 7; 8, 9, 6a, 6b, 7, which are arranged in order one after the other, such as one. in fig. 2 and 6 can see. Each of these mechanical transmission units 6a, 6b, 7; 8, 9, 6a, 6b, 7 has a transmission ratio that is less than one, and they are also designed in such a way that they allow the support structure 4 to rotate about the axis of rotation AA at a rotational speed that is a maximum of 1, 25 revolutions per minute is.

In the case of the What serrades 2 of the system according to the invention, a rotational movement in free running is not provided, which, as in the case of the known What serräder, depends directly on the speed and the flow rate of the What serströmung.

In a first embodiment, which is shown in Figs. 1-5 is shown, the mechanical transmission units 6a, 6b, 7 connect the shaft 3 and the electrical generator 1 to each other and they include: a plurality of drive pulleys 6a, one of which is fixedly connected to the shaft 3; a plurality of driven pulleys 6b, one of which is fixedly connected to the input shaft of the electric generator 1; and a plurality of drive belts 7. Each mechanical transmission unit therefore comprises a drive pulley 6a, a driven pulley 6b and a drive belt 7 which connects the drive pulley 6a and the driven pulley 6b to one another. In the figures, four drive pulleys 6a, four driven belt pulleys 6b and four drive belts 7 were shown to form a total of four mechanical transmission units.

In a second embodiment, which is shown in particular in FIGS. 6-7 is shown, connect the mechanical translation sag units 8, 9, 6a, 6b, 7, however, the support structure 4 and the electrical Generator 1 with each other, so that in this embodiment the shaft

3 only serves as a bearing shaft.

These mechanical transmission units 8, 9, 6a, 6b, 7 include a ring gear 8, which is concentric and fixed on the supporting structure

4 is arranged and therefore receives the rotary movement from this 4, and a gear 9 which meshes with the ring gear 8. The ring gear 8 and the gear 9 together form a gears having mechanical translation unit which, as can be seen from the figures, is the first of the sequence of translation units.

The mechanical transmission units 8, 9, 6a, 6b, 7 also include: a plurality of drive pulleys 6a, one of which is fixedly connected to the gear wheel 9; a plurality of driven pulleys 6b, one of which is fixedly connected to the input shaft of the electric generator 1; and a plurality of drive belts 7. As can be seen in the figures, form a drive pulley 6a, a driven pulley 6b and a drive belt 7 which connects the drive pulley 6a and the driven pulley 6b to each other, a respective mechanical transmission unit and it can e.g. three drive belt pulleys 6a, three driven pulleys 6b and three Treibrie men 7 be provided to form a total of three mechanical transmission units with a drive belt aufwei send, which are added to the gearwheels already described having mechanical translation unit.

In the following, the operation of the system is illustrated using an exemplary embodiment and, in the case of a water bath 2 of the “superficial water wheel” type, which is shown in FIG. 5 is illustrated, explained in which the What serströmung falls from above and thereby the What serrad 2 counterclockwise, as indicated by the arrow PI, rotates, but it is specified that s this mode of operation for both Embodiments is the same.

As can be seen in Figs. 4 and 5, the waterwheel 2 can ideally be divided into four quarter circles, in each of which there are three tubs 5, because the two tubs 5 that are shown horizontally and the two tubs that are shown vertically are at the same time both at the end of one Quarter circle as well as at the beginning of the next quarter circle.

In the upper left quadrant, the tubs 5, from the half of this quadrant, are progressively filled by the falling water flow. In this upper left quarter circle, potential energy is stored thanks to the increasing weight of the water. The water collects in the tubs 5 by the fact that the open side of each tub 5 is not open over its entire width, so that the water cannot flow out of the tub 5. At the time when a tub 5 is at the end of this quarter circle, it 5 is completely filled with water and it is in a horizontal position.

In the next quarter circle, i.e. in the lower left quarter circle, the trays 5 are progressively emptied. In this lower left quadrant, the potential energy is transformed into rotational energy and the water wheel 2 is stimulated to rotate around the axis of rotation A-A. At the point in time when a tub 5 is at the end of this quarter circle, it is completely empty and it is in a vertical position.

In the following two quarter circles, the lower right and the upper right, the trays 5, which are empty, complete their rotation. Two possible structural examples for the first embodiment of a system according to the invention are described below. In both examples it is assumed that the water flow has a flow rate of 0.125 m3 per second, ie it is acting is a mediocre water flow, while the tubs 5 are preferably eight, as has already been claimed.

In the first example, each tub is 250 cm long, 50 cm wide and 30 cm high, so the volume of each tub is 0.375 m3 and each tub is filled in three seconds (0.375 m3 divided by 0, 125 m3 per second). If the diameter of the wheel is 200 cm (small water wheel), since the water wheel rotates at a speed of only one revolution, it is sufficient to provide the mechanical transmission means (disks 6a, 6b and drive belt 7) as follows The transmission ratio has I x5x7x7x6 = 1470, i.e. a speed is reached that is very close to the optimal value for the electric generator, which is 1450.

In the second example, the volume of each tub is again 0.375 m3, so it also fills in three seconds, but in this example the dimensions of the tub are different from those of the first example. This is because it has a length of 100 cm, a width of 70 cm and a height of 50 cm; so it is shorter, wider and higher than that of the first example. The diameter of the water wheel is also different and in this second example it is 300 cm instead of 200 cm, i.e. the water wheel is larger.

So, in spite of these structural differences and with the same mechanical transmission means (pulleys 6a, 6b and drive belt 7) of the first example (transmission ratio I x5x7x7x6 = 1470), this example also results in the waterwheel with one turn rotation per minute and a speed of 1470 revolutions per minute is transmitted to the electric generator, which is suitable for it to work.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Plant for generating electrical energy using a water flow, comprising:

. an electric generator (1);

. a water wheel (2), which in turn comprises:

. a shaft (3) which is supported so that it is rotatable about an axis of rotation (A-A);

. a support structure (4) which is fixedly connected to the shaft (3) and rotates together with this (3) about the axis of rotation (A-A);

. a plurality of troughs (5), which are evenly distributed on the support structure (4) and on which the Wasserströ acts, the effect exerted by the What serströmung on the tubs (5) the rotational movement of the support structure (4) and the Shaft (3) caused around the axis of rotation (AA);

. mechanical transmission means which, during the rotation of the water bath (2) around the axis of rotation (AA), pass on the rotational energy of the supporting structure (4) to the electrical generator (1), characterized in that the mechanical transmission means have several mechanical transmission units (6a, 6b , 7; 8, 9, 6a, 6b, 7), which are arranged in sequence one after the other and are designed in such a way that they allow the supporting structure (4) to rotate at a rotational speed about the axis of rotation (AA) , which is a maximum of 1.25 revolutions per minute.

2. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the mechanical transmission units (6a, 6b, 7) connect the shaft (3) and the electrical generator (1) to each other and a plurality of drive pulleys (6a), one of which is fixed with the shaft (3) is connected, a plurality of driven pulleys (6b), one of which is fixedly connected to the input shaft of the electrical generator (1), and a plurality of drive belts (7) each mechanical transmission unit comprising a drive belt pulley (6a), a driven belt pulley (6b) and a drive belt (7) which connects (7) the drive belt pulley (6a) and the driven belt pulley (6b) to one another.

3. Installation according to claim 2, characterized in that four drive belt pulleys (6a), four driven pulleys (6b) and four drive belts (7) are provided in order to form a total of four mechanical transmission units.

4. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the mechanical translation units (8, 9, 6a, 6b, 7) connect the Tragbausk tion (4) and the electrical generator (1) to each other and include:

. a ring gear (8) which is arranged concentrically and firmly on the Tragkon structure (4);

. a gear (9) meshing with the ring gear (8);

. a plurality of drive pulleys (6a), one of which is fixedly connected to the gear (9);

. a plurality of driven pulleys (6b), one of which is fixedly connected to the input shaft of the electric generator (1) a related party; and

. a plurality of drive belts (7); wherein one of the mechanical transmission units the ring gear (8) and the gear (9) includes st and the other mechanical transmission units a drive pulley (6a), a driven pulley (6b) and a drive belt (7) include the (7) the The drive belt pulley (6a) and the driven belt pulley (6b) are connected to one another.

5. Plant according to claim 4, characterized in that three drive pulleys (6a), three driven pulleys (6b) and three drive belts (7) to a total of three drive belts to form having mechanical translation units are provided.

6. Installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the open side of each tub (5) is not open over its entire width.

7. Plant according to claim 6, characterized in that s each trough (5) is arranged in such a way that a possible section plane of the trough (5) provided at half the height of the trough coincides with a radial plane of the water wheel (2).

8. Plant according to claim 7, characterized in that the s what serrad (2) has eight trays (5).

9. Plant according to claim 8, characterized in that the width of each trough (5) is a quarter of the diameter of the What serrades (2).

10. Plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support structure (4) comprises a cylindrical body (4a), a pair of first round side walls (4b) and a pair of second round side walls (4c), which is a larger Diameter than that of the first round side walls (4b), one of the first round side walls (4b) being fastened coaxially to each base of the cylindrical body (4a) and one of the second round side walls to each first round side wall (4b) (4c) is attached coaxially and each trough (5) is arranged between the two second round side walls (4c).

11. Plant according to claim 10, characterized in that the diameter of the cylindrical body (4a) is approximately a quarter of the diameter of the second round side walls (4c).