ES2226522B1 - FLOATING ROTARY SYSTEM, ESPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR USE IN ELECTRICAL GENERATION FACILITIES IN GROUND AND MARINE HYDRAULIC ENVIRONMENT. - Google Patents

Abstract

Floating rotary system, specially designed for use in power generation facilities in land and marine hydraulic means, characterized in that the power developed by the system is captured at the periphery of the rotating and floating part (1) by means of self-absorbing or fixed rotating blades with possibility of being split (2) and that sends the power captured by means of fluid transport pumps (9) or by any other means to the motor (15), which in turn drives an electric generation system (16) enabling the feeding of electrical distribution networks, storage systems or other energy demands with continuous or alternating energy, with buoyancy controlled by the mechanism (11), self-adapting to the surrounding conditions and intrinsically safe sinking and stiffening by means of bearings (12), (13) and (14), and which can be attached to the shaft (4) through the support (3), tied with rigid levers das or telescopic (7) to the sheet (6), attached to the foundation (8) or to another interlocking with support (10), and which can have a shielded protection (5).

Description

Rotating Floating System, especially for use in power generation facilities in hydraulic means Land and sea.

Object of the invention

The present specification refers to a invention patent application relating to a system of electrical generation consisting of a Floating Rotating System, especially for use in power generation facilities in land and marine hydraulic medium.

Field of invention

This invention has its application within the electric power generation field in hydraulic medium Land and sea.

Background of the invention

The use of the energy contained in moving fluids have so far had an irregular development so that:

a) River current energy

They take advantage by turbination, being this type of highly developed systems. They take advantage of the flow and the jump being necessary to do this embalming or tubing the water before energy is given through the turbines, large investments in infrastructure are usually required civil. Environmental aspects are very important due to large reservoir or pipeline infrastructure what conditions the existence of ecological channels and fish scales to try to avoid in part the negative effects in the field of environment.

b) Energy in seas, estuaries, ponds and bays

The use of existing energy in the Sea or by sea effect has been used since ancient times. The first realizations date from the 11th century in the United Kingdom through the so-called tidal mills, embodiments that they have also been used in our country in some rivers of Galicia.

b.1) Tidal energy

Using the technology used for small jump hydroelectric power plants has been possible take advantage of the economy of scale applied to the energy of tides, so that in 1966 the La La Central was built Rance in French Brittany, still being today central Tidal the largest in the world.

The most used scheme is the one of unique reservoir and The following types of operation are performed:

- Generation during reflux by turbination

- Generation during the flow by turbination

- Bi-directional generation by turbination and with a higher utilization factor

- Use of pumping with an increase in generation level increasing the flexibility of the operation. It implies a higher cost.

Environmentally it is more acceptable to limit the generation to the reflux phase.

Typically tubular turbines are used, type bulb, with regulation by orientation of the blades, being able to function as a pump

For this type of use it is necessary analyze the length of the necessary dike, the embalmed surface, the minimum water level and the tide run.

Investments are so important that the economic viability is reached with a run exceeding 5 m, being that, in Spain, the highest values correspond to 4 m.

Criteria positive:

- Protection against extraordinary tides.

- Developed and commercial technologies.

- Low operation and maintenance cost.

Criteria negatives:

- High cost in civil infrastructure.

- Low load factor.

- Strong alteration of hydrodynamic regime.

- Less dispersion of effluents.

- Influence in sediment transport.

- Reduction of the live tide.

b.2) Energy of marine currents

Marine currents are displacements horizontals of immense bodies of water that cover the surface of the seas in both hemispheres. The trajectories are constant and They have only been used for navigation.

The knowledge of its breadth, meaning and Speed is necessary for its use. So far the man has not known how to use the enormous potential of kinetic energy contained in marine currents.

Its origin is linked, among other causes, to differences in temperature or salinity, adding the tidal influence and its effect is amplified when the masses of water cross narrow areas limited by land high.

The collection systems proposed so far They are as follows:

- Axial flow turbines, similar to those used for wind energy that can be fixed to the bottom from the sea or hanging from floats, the rotor being the closest possible to the sea surface to get a greater speed.

- Underwater tidal power stations overlapping

The expected speeds are between 2 and 3 m / s The experience acquired is summarized in the following:

Prior to 1990:

3m diameter river current turbine on the Nile river (Egypt).

1.5 m diameter model, Darrieus type, located on the seabed in the Kurashima Strait (Japan). Various studies in the United Kingdom, Canada and Japan.

After 1990:

3.5 m diameter rotor, axial flow suspended from floating gate (1994) in Loch Linnhe (Scotland) for a speed of 2.25 m / s.

Obviously the energy results depend Water speed and profitability depend on the cost of necessary infrastructure and distance to the evacuation point of the electric energy produced, distances that will normally be very long, probably forcing the development of networks that carry high voltage continuous energy (CCAT).

Criteria positive:

- Load factors between 40% and 55%

Criteria negatives:

- Small diameter rotors to capture the surface speeds

- Great speed difference between the surface of the fluid and the lowest travel of the blades.

- Need to create parks for large powers

- Much impact on fishing activities and navigation.

- With floating moorings: great destabilization due to variable frequencies of the shock waves of the waves in superstructures.

b.3) Wave and wave energy

The energy of waves and waves is produced mainly due to the winds being very irregular.

Sea waves form in points determined from the planet, usually coinciding with zones cyclonic and from there propagate radially. The waves can be form in any area of the sea by the action of the wind. A higher wind speed influences the formation of greater wave height and in greater displacement of them by the sea surface, dragging large masses of water, which means high potential in kinetic energy. The horizontal speed is considerable and when they collide with some obstacle occurs a great dissipation of energy.

In the deep sea the particles that make up a wave or a wave describes cylindrical paths, but when the depth decreases, the trajectories become elliptical, the horizontal component being more important than the vertical, since the latter decreases rapidly by friction.

The important variations of kinetic energy that carries each wave or wave depend fundamentally on the its height and frequency and, to a greater or lesser degree, the type of sea in which the mechanism is located (deep water or water shallow).

They have raised so far different technological developments that harness the energy of the waves, this being so variable that it conditions a large dispersion of calculation conditions The result of this is that so far none of these mechanisms have offered practical results and many of them have been destroyed by exceeding the conditions of calculation. In general, few prototypes have been tested at sea to natural scale so much operational experience is lacking.

In Europe, the resource estimate It can be placed at the following levels:

NW Coastline of Europe = 75%

North Sea coasts = 1.5%

Mediterranean coastline = 23.5%

Through the Joule program it is intended to elaborate the European Wave Energy Atlas (Weratlas Project) with data for the entire coastline at a depth of 20 m. A second level will consist of calculating the resource in depths minors and in previously defined places.

The greater the distance to the coast the power density is higher, but the risks also, in addition to Energy transport costs increase.

The systems considered so far can be classify in the following:

1) Platform anchored systems continental.

2) Floating systems, installed at sea, anchored in submerged dead work.

Another classification could be the following:

- Oscillating water column (OWC) systems, that work by compressing the air contained in a chamber that is passed through a turbine that can be bidirectional, wells type.

- Stretch pumping systems and recovery of an elongated body, of rubber or similar, through from a float.

- Floating energy collection systems a through deformable elements by waves or by means of cam system

The most prominent projects in the world are the following:

With oscillating water column systems (OWC):

- Japanese plant in Sakata of 60 KW.

- Norwegian plant destroyed by a temporary fort and that had worked some years.

- Vizhinjan (India) 150 KW plant that has A good performance. It is planned to manufacture more units.

- Floating structure developed in Japan (Mighty Whale) with the same principle and a power of 50 KW.

In Europe, through the Joule project they have planned several plants of this type, namely:

- Islay Project (United Kingdom), which incorporates a modular system

- 500 KW project located on the island of Pico, in the Azores, with concrete chamber and located on the coast.

- Project of four turbines, type Well, of 500 KW each, metal construction, located on land, in Dounreay, Scotland

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distinto a los anteriores y que ha funcionado durante 6 años, permite convertir la energía de las olas en energía potencial aportando un salto de 3 m al verter el agua del mar, recogida a través de un canal de 170 m y ensanchado en el extremo del mar, en un embalse, situando esos tres metros por encima del nivel del mar. La potencia es de 350 KW.Another system, called "Pass Channel"

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different from the previous ones and that has worked for 6 years, it allows converting the energy of the waves into potential energy by providing a 3 m jump by pouring the sea water, collected through a 170 m channel and widened at the end of the sea , in a reservoir, placing those three meters above sea level. The power is 350 KW.

In Spain the so-called Resonator was proposed Hydropneumatic Fixed Collector (RHFC), in the case of a breakwater Hydropneumatic with air flows in high and low ducts pressure through check valves.

Also in Spain, Unión FENOSA developed a oscillating column system that differs from the previous ones in that the oscillating element is a buoy located within the camera.

From all this follows a state of development incipient and at the level of pre-demonstration.

Criteria positive:

- Load factor from 35% to 40%.

- Significant savings of civil works are achieved taking advantage of the works of dikes made in defense of the waves.

- No great works and times are necessary Construction are relatively short.

Criteria negatives:

- Relatively high energy costs in coastal facilities and higher in facilities located at a distance from the coast.

- The swell itself makes difficult buildings.

European forecasts until 2010 they suppose the possibility of construction of 100 "passage channels" and 500 "oscillating water column" systems.

As a summary it can be noted that among the proposed technologies the only one that has reached a sufficient level development is corresponding to the tides that, however, Its development is limited due to the shortage and remote situation of the usable sites, in addition to the important environmental problems that conditions.

The energy of the currents is still incipient and great efforts are still needed in R&D. The model proposed for use by tidal power plants superimposed submarines have the same problems as conventional tidal power plants.

The technologies of energy capture waves seem to be more developed than currents marine even when they lack a long road in R&D until reach commercial maturity.

The main problems to solve are the following:

- Survival of systems due to problems of overloads

- Control of converters to reduce problems that derive from the pulsating character of power generated.

- Study of appropriate materials for use in saline waters and long service life

- Transport over long distances of energy generated in remote places

- Problems of transport, assembly and maintenance in remote areas away from the coast.

- Funding problems.

- Affectation to the marine environment, to the industry fishing and navigation in general.

Description of the invention

The generation installation consists of a rotating and floating mechanism (1), the rotation of this system is produced by the horizontal speed of the hydraulic medium (rivers, pipes, tides, waves and sea waves), acting on the pickup blades installed on its periphery, which can be swivel or fixed and be lined with rubber or Teflon (2) to Avoid noises being split along the cylinder for a better adaptation to the different speeds of passage of the medium fluid

To maintain the position of the Rotary System Floating, this is subject to an articulated support and with possibility from being telescopic (3) which in turn is fixed, also articulated, to a rigid or telescopic shaft (s) or shaft (s) (4), attached (s) to the bottom of the hydraulic bed (ground or marine) through a support plate or box, foundation or embedding (8).

The harmful effect of wind or the fluid itself on the Floating Rotating System (1) is solved by screen (5), rigidly fixed to the articulated support (3).

The affected fluid of its speed of origin passes between the Floating Rotating System (1) and a step plate articulated (6), increasing the horizontal velocity of the fluid due to a narrowing of the passage sheet itself articulated (6) which in turn is anchored in an articulated way to the articulated support (3) through the articulated arm and with possibility of telescopic (7) and support plate, foundation or anchor (8), through the anchors (10).

Variations in height of the fluid sheet With respect to the natural bed, it will mean that the Floating Rotating System (1) adapt instantly and without the need for control to the new situation due to its high level of buoyancy, turning through of the support (12) and dragging with it to the articulated passageway (6) through the articulated arm and with the possibility of being telescopic (7) and by turning on the support (10).

The irregularities of position between Floating Rotating System ends will be compensated through of the bearing (13) and speed direction variations horizontal will be compensated through the bearing (14).

The power communicated by the fluid through The picking blades (2) are transmitted to the System axis Floating Rotary that connects at both ends or at only one two hydraulic or pneumatic systems (9) which, in turn, so jointly or individually, by closed or open system and to through high pressure conduits transmit the power to another hydraulic or pneumatic receiver group (15) that will communicate the power received, through other conventional systems, at a synchronous or asynchronous generator (16) generating electric power that after being controlled and measured could be poured into a network electric general distribution or any type of utilization.

The hydraulic mechanism (11), rotating in its extremes, it is used for maintenance work by elevation of the entire pickup system, separating the Rotary System Floating fluid. Said sensor system may be stopped by fluid separation or by closing the hydraulic system or tire or by both actions. Additionally the cylinder hydraulic (11) may be used as a control element of the sensor system increasing or decreasing the surface of pickup if horizontal speed conditions vary and at in order to maintain the nominal power of the mechanism.

The Floating Rotating System (1) may modify, through controlled action, its relative position with respect to the Articulated passage sheet (6) in order to have different horizontal velocity conditions of the hydraulic flow and even to take advantage of hydraulic jump conditions once located the Floating Rotating System (11) downstream of the blade of articulated passage (6).

The Floating Rotating System (1) may be Built as a closed and unsinkable container or as open and submersible construction as a strong armor, being that in this second case it will be provided with an internal cylinder of a product of very low density and high level of buoyancy that allows the buoyancy of the set. In installation conditions in which the existence of a high level of risk is presumed, the System will incorporate the possibility, as intrinsic safety, of can be completely submerged being armed in a rigid position and triangular.

The separation between the turning ends of the picker blades (2) will be such that they allow them to stick to the periphery of the Floating Rotary System (1) in order to eliminate resistance once they have passed through the maximum zone catchment.

The side plates of the step plate articulated (6) may adapt their geometry to the different flow conditions in order to avoid spills.

The Floating Rotating System (1) may incorporate on its periphery rigid stops, in variable number arranged longitudinally, that serve as resistant supports to support rotating pickup blades (2) that will be coated with rubber, Teflon or other similar product in order to avoid noise by shock. The existence of longitudinal deformations of the Floating Rotating System surface will allow the seat of the blades to not need another type of stops.

All actions through mechanism hydraulic or other telescopic shall be covered with covers of elastic and resistant protection.

When it comes to adaptations to conditions of horizontal sea currents (tides, waves, waves), the shaft (4) You can have a platform near the sea surface Adjustable boarding in the case of tides and at the top of a cabin reserved for engine room, generation, transformation and maneuver The submarine cable will communicate the energy generated by the System with earth connecting to the power line of transport, distribution or other uses, being able have a control station and ground maneuver through union with communications cable. The electric power cables will be Underwater type

The shaft or tower (4) can be placed upstream or downstream of the Floating Rotary System (1). In the case where is located upstream may be provided with a floating system that prevent the presence of unwanted floating objects (branches, trees, boards, containers, dead animals, etc.), diverting them of the area occupied by the Floating Rotating System.

Description of the drawings

To complete the description that is being performing, and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, is accompanied herein descriptive, as an integral part thereof, two sheets of figures, in which with an illustrative and non-limiting nature, They have represented the following main components:

one.

Rotating floating system with possibility of being rubberized or teflonado

2.

Swivel or fixed pickup blades rubberized or teflon

3.

Articulated support with the possibility of be telescopic

Four.

Shank or rigid or telescopic tower (s)

5.

screen

6.

Articulated pass sheet or fixed

7.

Arm articulated and with the possibility of telescopic

8.

License plate support, foundation or anchor

9.

Hydraulic motor (s) 0 tires) high pressure

10.

Plate holders articulated

eleven.

Mechanism (s) hydraulic (s)

12.

Swivel stand

13.

Support bearing

14.

Shaft bearing

fifteen.

Hydraulic receiver motor or tire

16.

Synchronous generator or asynchronous

Figure number 1.- Corresponds to a view side of the object of the invention.

Figure number 2.- Similar to the previous figure but seen in plan.

Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

The Floating Rotating System has been developed in order to take advantage of the kinetic energy contained in any body of water with horizontal or rotational movement. This system can be installed in very diverse locations, such how:

Natural river courses of very diverse flows

Irrigation channels, central discharge or Hydraulic mini-plants, dam spillways, etc. In any sea and ocean, estuaries, bays, estuaries, etc.

The use is made through the forced or not lamination of horizontal currents in the area closer to the surface of the water, so that they can be used the highest speeds and installed in a lot of locations.

System regulation is simple, not being requires the implementation of complex control algorithms, allowing the generation of electrical energy, maintaining power regardless of the natural and instantaneous conditions of the site. This regulation allows the system to not support extreme load situations, resulting in a longer life useful and a production and supply of electricity very stable.

The construction is very simple and great robustness, using low-cost and easy-to-use materials Acquire anywhere on the planet.

System installation is simple and fast, even when it is at sea since marine transport can be performed under buoyancy conditions of the complete set.

Technological developments consist of next:

The mechanism of energy capture is a system floating rolling, consisting of a high level body of buoyancy, which revolves around its axis pushed by a mass of horizontally moving water, so that the thrust exerted by water moving on a retention surface print a tangential speed at the periphery of the system, providing a torque sufficient motor for its subsequent transformation into energy electric

Its total or partial buoyancy character will allows to adapt automatically to extreme conditions that, in any other mechanism would condition the destruction or breakdowns important. These extreme conditions are:

Floods in the river or canal

Elevations or decreases in the level of seas due to the tides.

Existence of waves and waves of higher heights to those specified as significant wave height in each concrete location.

The possibility of being able to easily control the catchment area through the hydraulic system, allows to work if it is convenient, with power levels in generation very stable, which allows to transform the mechanical energy into electric power through synchronous generators and create network in remote areas where necessary, in addition to eliminating the problem of having to install generation equipment with nominal power far superior to the one that will be used most frequently throughout all year.

In terms of equivalent hours of very different locations, this system suppresses power in recruitment in favor of raising the number of equivalent hours, thereby allowing less investment in the entire train of power and transformation and greater profitability.

The rotating pick-up blades allow a large reception of horizontal water thrust in motion by a constructive solution of very low cost. All these parts mobile phones will be covered with a material that avoids shock, noise, vibrations (rubber, elastic fibers, teflon, etc.).

The tangential speed of the system is always higher than the speed of the water, downstream of the mechanism, reason whereby the blades fold over the system surface floating rotary, opposing the minimum water resistance in your travel to surface above the surface level of the fluid. The chosen constructive solution, creating deformations Longitudinal surface, allows both blades as your turn system is hidden opposing a minor resistance when folded.

The planned anchorage allows a great rigidity of the system in terms of supporting axial loads in any condition of operation, while a great elasticity of mobile elements fixed to it, such as the Rotary System Floating through its supports.

In marine conditions, the anchor is configured by steel tower and box of the same material, foundation solution of the steel + gravity type that allows its flotation transport and installation by immersion controlled and subsequent filling of the foundation area with Olivine type products or similar. Occasionally and for depths greater than 10 meters are expected use of tripod type anchors.

For large installations, fundamentally marine, but not exclusively, the upper area of the tower support will have a platform on which it will be (n) installed (s) a cabin (s) that will contain mechanical and electrical power equipment, equipment transformation and command and maneuver, in addition to the compartments that they consider necessary as a warehouse, toilet and break.

Access to each marine equipment is They will normally carry out with small boats allowing a mooring, embarkation and disembarkation in conditions of maximum security to through the floating platform that will surround each tower or in its defect of a non-floating area and adjustable in position to be adapted to tidal situations.

When the installation is composed of several Systems, as a marine park, access between towers may be also carried out by means of cable between towers in conditions of maximum security. A single tower may have several concatenated mechanisms as a train of systems, mediating between they the appropriate distances and being linked by non rigid supports.

In large equipment, the supports that unite the Rotating System Floating to its tower, or mooring in general, that will always surface above the surface of the liquid, they will allow secure access between all parts of the system.

The hydraulic mechanism or mechanisms allow the following operating or stopping conditions of the system:

Normal buoyancy level of the Rotary System Floating with non-energized or free systems.

Elevation of the mechanism, reducing the area wet and the power generated by decreased area of catchment. The elevation can be maximized, fully emerging the system above the water level, for situations of maintenance, failure in braking systems, unexpected avenues or Waves higher than the design considered.

The controlled decline in the career of mechanism will allow the increase of wet area and power generated by increased catchment area. In situations of extreme risk and as implicit security, large facilities they will have devices that will allow total submergence or Partial of the Floating Rotating System, by flood, in order to minimize the loads on it and on the supports and anchors A transformation of the Floating Rotating System consisting of an inflated rubber flotation chamber, located internally to metal bodies, will allow in conditions extreme deflation of it by various means, including that of destruction, in order to achieve with maximum speed a total sinking of the collection system while Get the highest level of intrinsic security.

The transmission of the contained mechanical power in the axis of the Floating Rotating System it will be done by means hydraulic or pneumatic using a double system, one for each end of the shaft, and communicating said power to a single system central receiver, located in the tower, from which it will perform the transformation of mechanical power into power electric

The submerged sheet allows the following Actions:

In case of water continental:

Increase fluid flow rate to through the Floating Rotating System acting on the flow rates of He passed.

Reduce fluid resistance.

Regulate system load conditions.

In marine waters or mixed:

Allow partial breakage of waves and waves simulating an approach to the bottom, as an artificial reef or from the beach

Decrease the vertical component of particles, thereby achieving the artificial formation of elliptical orbits when the horizontal component predominates over the vertical and partly giving up the energy lost in the rupture of the wave or wave that would be taken partially and additionally by the system of catchment.

Increase fluid flow rate to through the Floating Rotating System acting on the flow rates of He passed.

Promote return currents close to background, which could be used through other systems partially developed.

To favor the null affectation to the marine environment, allowing the safe passage of fish and the existence of crops sailors in the background.

To favor the erosion reduction by decrease in the destructive effect of waves on coasts, beaches, dikes and in general in any marine structure (ports, cages of marine cultures, etc.).

It is not considered necessary to extend this description, so that any subject matter expert understands the reach the invention and the advantages that derive from it.

The materials, shape, size and layout of the installed elements and equipment will be subject to variation, provided that this does not imply an alteration to the essentiality of the invention.

The terms in which this report has been described they should always be taken broadly and not limitative.

Claims (1)

1. Floating Rotary System, specially designed for use in power generation facilities in terrestrial and marine hydraulic means, characterized in that the power developed by the system is captured at the periphery of the rotating and floating part (1) by means of self-absorbing or fixed rotating blades with the possibility of being split (2) and that sends the captured power by means of fluid transport pumps (9) or by any other means to the motor (15), which in turn drives an electrical generation system (16) enabling the supply of electricity distribution networks, storage systems or other energy demands with continuous or alternating energy, with buoyancy controlled by the mechanism (11), self-adapting to the surrounding conditions and intrinsically safe sinking and stiffening by means of bearings (12 ), (13) and (14), and which can be attached to the shaft (4) through the support (3), tied with levers rí gidas or telescopic (7) to the sheet (6), attached to the foundation (8) or another interlocking with supports (10), and which can have a shielded protection (5).