FR3037920A1 - CARRIER STRUCTURE OF A WIND SYSTEM COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF ELEMENTS OF PRODUCTION OF ENERGY, AND / OR COLD AND / OR WATER, AND WIND SYSTEM INCLUDING SUCH A STRUCTURE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a structure carrying a wind system comprising a plurality of energy producing elements, and / or cold and / or water, for example a plurality of turbomachines for the production of electricity. The supporting structure comprises a frame (1) delimiting a tensegrity secondary structure comprising sheaths (3) adapted to receive removable cartridges containing the energy / cold / water production elements, and holding elements (2) scabbards. The holding elements are assembled to ensure a stability of the secondary structure, and all elements is attached to the frame. The invention also relates to a wind system comprising such a support structure fixed on a floating support for application in a marine environment, or on a fixed support for use in a shallow or terrestrial marine environment.

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the field of producing energy, cold and / or water using a wind turbine system comprising a battery of turbines and / or Venturi elements capturing the wind energy. In particular, the present invention relates to a structure carrying such a wind system. General context The exploitation of wind energy to produce mechanical energy, conventionally converted into electricity, is booming in the current global economic context of renewable energy development. The so-called "offshore" wind, that is to say the wind systems installed at sea, has in particular a very significant development potential. Off the coast, the strong, steady winds that blow over the oceans guarantee better performance than "onshore" wind turbines, that is, wind turbines installed on land (islands and continents). Classically, wind farms, onshore or offshore, are installed in areas targeted for their favorable wind conditions, and consist of a multitude of wind turbines. Each wind turbine is typically composed of a mast surmounted by a nacelle accommodating the components necessary for the operation of the machine 20 and to which is fixed a rotor comprising several blades (generally three) allowing the rotor to be driven by the energy of the rotor. wind, and the transformation of this mechanical energy into electricity via an electric generator. In the offshore domain, each wind turbine is fixed to the submarine soil if the medium is shallow, or perhaps fixed on a floating support, as is the case of the deep offshore. These conventional blade wind turbines, widely used, however, have a number of disadvantages. One of the major drawbacks is their efficiency which is both relatively low at the optimum operating point and which decreases abruptly on either side of this optimum. This sudden drop in efficiency beyond the nominal point results from the inability of this type of wind turbine to capture the energy available for wind speeds for which they have not been dimensioned (economic reasons). Other disadvantages, such as the noise nuisance, the need for a very high rotor blade elevation, the instability of the rotor forcing the platform to windward using an orientation system with electric motors , the low speed of rotation of the blades requiring several trains of multipliers having a negative impact on efficiency, reliability, or leading to the choice of expensive and bulky alternators, large foundations difficult to remove, etc., led some to develop wind systems of different configurations, composed of a set of smaller sized turbines that can be assembled on the same support. Such a system is for example described in patent FR 2 954 415, and is schematically illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1C. It comprises a convergent-shaped wind power concentrator device 10 whose output communicates with the input of a machine room 11 comprising a plurality of turbines for capturing wind energy. A divergent air extractor 12 may be placed downstream of the machine room 11 to evacuate air from the system. This type of system has a large wind surface, generally several tens of meters in height and width, and the wind is channeled in the turbines of the machine room 11 by the convergent device 10. Similar systems, including certain adaptations, can They can also be used to produce cold, in addition to mechanical energy, or to produce mechanical energy and water, as described in patents FR 2,954,475 and FR 2,954,268. do not give details on how to implement these wind systems in their environment, including the structure within which the multi-turbine system is mounted. Other multi-turbine wind systems are known for onshore and offshore applications. Thus, US patent application 2010 / 0295314A1 describes a floating wind system incorporating fixed ducted turbines and means for converting and storing wind energy. The system can move in suspension in a fluid medium (air or water). The support structure is a floating frame with rectangular section of light material. Few details are given about the support structure. In the case of a system moving in air, the frame is made from hollow tubes into which hydrogen is injected to create an upward thrust. In the case of a system floating on the water, the frame has openings to lighten the structure and circulate on the water. The US patent application 2011 / 0302879A1 describes the mounting of a large tower-shaped metal structure supporting a multitude of turbines. The turbines are for example arranged in pairs in the form of modules of several tens of meters in diameter and on several floors forming for example a tower of more than 600 meters high. The turbines are wrapped with a structured fairing to facilitate the passage of the wind through. They are also mounted on a pivoting structure so as to orientate themselves with respect to the wind. The metal structure forming the support of the wind system comprises a central tower and outer turns surrounding the turbines, as well as platforms supporting each module and its pivoting structure to form the different stages of the tower. The outer towers are connected two by two between each floor by crossed stays. Such a structure is fixed once mounted, the modules containing the turbines being enclosed in the metal tower. In addition, such a tower-shaped structure is not suitable for certain applications such as deep offshore where the use of a floating support is required. In all the above systems, the turbine (s) and the generator are integral parts of the structure. If one of the turbines breaks down, the intervention time for its replacement is high, or even in the worst case, a complete shutdown of the equipment should be considered. In general, there is a need to provide a carrier structure of a wind turbine multi-element system for capturing light wind energy and allowing adaptation of the system to all wind conditions. OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention aims to provide a support structure for a wind system comprising a plurality of turbines and / or other elements capturing wind energy, which can be placed either on a floating support in deep offshore either on a fixed onshore or offshore stand (shallow offshore where the wind system is laid on foundations anchored to the ground). In general, the present invention aims to meet, at least in part, the shortcomings of the prior art presented above, and aims in particular to provide such a carrier structure and its wind system satisfactory at least to one of the following objectives: to be light; be easy to set up and maintain in good working order; 5 be flexible; be deformable, - be resistant; - possibly be retractable; enhance the reliability of the wind system; simplify the design and construction of a floating support for such a structure in the offshore application framework. Thus, to achieve at least one of the above-mentioned objects, among others, the present invention provides, in a first aspect, a carrier structure of a wind system having a plurality of power generation elements, and and / or cold and / or water, said structure comprising: - a framework delimiting a secondary structure; - said secondary structure comprising: o sheaths adapted to receive removable cartridges, said removable cartridges comprising said energy producing elements, and / or cold and / or water; a set of holding members for holding said sleeves, said holding members being assembled to provide a stability of said secondary structure, said set of holding members being attached to said frame. According to one embodiment of the invention, the secondary structure comprises a stretched fabric filling at least in part the spaces formed between said sleeves on the one hand and between said sleeves and the frame on the other hand, said fabric preferably comprising wicked gills. Preferably, the sheaths are envelopes of cylindrical shape, of parallelepipedal shape or are composed of three successive parts respectively of convergent shape, of cylindrical shape and of divergent shape. The convergent and divergent portions of the sleeves can then be formed by a stretched canvas. According to one embodiment, the removable cartridges comprise turbomachines. According to one embodiment, the removable cartridges comprise elements for producing cold and / or water, each of said cold and / or water production elements including at least one Venturi neck. The secondary structure holding elements may comprise one or more of the following type of elements: cable, rod, spring, cylinder, articulation such as a ball joint, and preferably comprise at least tensioned cables. The sleeves and the holding elements form a mesh, preferably a regular one, each mesh being formed by a subset of holding elements and sleeves, said meshes being of triangular, square, rectangular, or hexagonal shape, and each sheath being placed at least at the ends of said meshes. According to one embodiment, the carrier structure further comprises: a convergent-shaped wind energy concentrator fixed to the framework and placed upstream of the set of energy production elements, and / or cold and / or water; and / or - a divergent air extractor fixed to the framework and placed downstream of all the energy producing elements, and / or cold and / or water; said concentrator and / or said extractor being preferably formed in part by a stretched fabric. The frame may be gantry type rectangular, cylindrical, crescent-shaped, or mast type such as a lattice tower. The frame may comprise an assembly of beams welded together. According to one embodiment, the supporting structure comprises guying means for increasing the stability of the structure, the guying means being anchored to a support of said structure, said support being floating or fixed to the ground. Advantageously, the carrying structure comprises handling means for putting in place or removing the removable cartridges from the sleeves. According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a wind system comprising a plurality of elements for producing energy, and / or cold and / or water, comprising a carrier structure according to the invention, and a floating support on which is fixed the carrier structure for use of said system in the marine environment. According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a wind system comprising a plurality of elements for producing energy, and / or cold and / or water, comprising a carrier structure according to the invention, and a support fixed to the ground on which is fixed the carrier structure for use of said system in a shallow marine environment or terrestrial environment. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of examples of particular embodiments of the invention, given by way of non-limiting examples, the description being made with reference to the appended figures 10 described. below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C are diagrams of a multi-turbine wind turbine system for the production of energy.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are respectively schematic front and side views of a carrier structure according to an embodiment of the invention for a multi-turbine wind turbine system for the production of energy. FIGS. 3A and 3B are respectively schematic front and side views of a carrier structure according to another embodiment of the invention for a multi-turbine wind turbine system for the production of energy. Figure 4 is a schematic front view of a carrier structure according to another embodiment of the invention for a multi-element wind system for the production of energy, and / or cold and / or water. FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D are diagrams illustrating different examples of arrangement of the sleeves of the carrier structure according to the invention. Figures 6A and 6B are schematic sections of two embodiments of a sleeve with its removable cartridge of the carrier structure according to the invention.

In the figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to propose a structure carrying a wind energy system comprising a plurality of energy production elements, and / or cold and / or water elements. from the conversion of wind energy.

The carrier structure according to the invention is well suited to recover the wind energy from such a system, the structure being placed either on a floating support in deep offshore, or on a fixed support in onshore or offshore posed. This structure, which is of the tensegrity type, aims to serve as a support for the multitude of turbines or Venturi elements of the wind system.

The carrier structure is similar to a tensegrity structure in that it is designed to be rigid and lightweight, with a minimum of materials. It is recalled that the term tensegrity in architecture is defined as the faculty of a structure to stabilize by the play of the forces of tension and compression which are distributed and balanced there. The structures established by the tensegrity are thus stabilized, not by the strength of each of their constituents, but by the distribution and equilibrium of the mechanical stresses in the whole of the structure. Thus, a mechanical system comprising a discontinuous set of compressed components within a continuum of tense components may be in a stable equilibrium state. This means, for example, that connecting bars by cables, without directly connecting the bars together, is a rigid system and preferably economic because it requires less materials. FIGS. 1A to 1C schematically illustrate a multi-turbine wind turbine system for the production of known energy, described for example in the patent application FR2954415A1. The structure proposed by the inventors is adapted to carry such a wind system. In particular, FIG. 1A is a sectional diagram showing the entire wind system 100. This system comprises, with respect to the wind direction 9, three main elements (the upstream and downstream terms are defined in relation to the wind direction 9). to the wind direction): - upstream, a concentrator energy system 10 in the form of a convergent, for example a cone, or equivalent to a cone. The wind enters this first element 10 through the inlet surface 15 and out through the reduced area of the surface 16. As the converge passes through, the air speed increases inversely with the surface, while the static pressure decreases according to a quasi-isentropic law governing the transformation of the potential energy into kinetic energy 5 on the basis of a quasi conservation of the energy transported by the wind. downstream of the concentrator element 10, the machine element 11, also called the machine room, groups together several turbines capturing part of the kinetic energy of the air and driving various types of machines converting the mechanical energy, available in turbine shaft end, electrical energy (alternators) or potential (pressure or head of a fluid through compressors or pumps). The air enters through the surface 16 and out through the surface 17. - Downstream of the machine element 11, there is optionally a diverging element 12 allowing the evacuation of the air absorbed by the convergent 10 and slowed by the group of machines that have captured some of the kinetic energy of the inlet air. The air is discharged through the enlarged area of the exit surface 18. As the divergent passes through, the velocity decreases inversely with the surface while the static pressure increases according to a quasi-isentropic law governing the transformation of the energies and quasi-conservation of energy between surfaces 17 and 18. The divergent can be surrounded by a converging envelope of larger size than the upstream energy concentrator so as to capture additional kinetic energy not captured by the upstream concentrator and can be used to activate the evacuation of air in the divergent. In the present description, convergent means a conduit-type device in which a fluid (air) circulates and whose shape is convergent, resulting in a smaller output section than the input section and convergent lines of the input to the output, in order to increase the kinetic energy of the fluid flowing through it. Similarly, divergent means a conduit-type device in which a fluid (air) circulates and whose shape is divergent, resulting in an output section larger than the input section and divergent lines of the input to the output, in order to reduce the kinetic energy of the fluid that passes through it. The convergent and the divergent may have a circular, square, rectangular, preferably circular, section such as a conical element.

Typically, the turbomachines (turbine + machine assembly) are of metric size and distributed uniformly over a surface corresponding to the surface swept by a conventional wind turbine. An example of the machine element 11 comprising the plurality of turbines, is illustrated in a front view in FIG. 1B, and FIG. 1C is a sectional view of an example of the machine element 11 with upstream the convergent element 10. The machine element 11 consists of a set of elementary blocks, for example of substantially square section. The square section may comprise upstream a cone 21 feeding a cylindrical section 22 in which are the blades (or blades) of the turbines. The blades of the turbines drive by a shaft a machine absorbing the energy supplied by the blades (not shown). The machines driven by the turbines may be, for example, alternators for the supply of electrical energy, compressors for compressing a gas (air or other) or pumps for raising the hydrostatic height of a turbine. liquid. The rotors may optionally be uncoupled individually for the maintenance of an element of rotating machines. In the present invention, energy generating element 20 will be understood to mean an element comprising a unitary turbine / machine unit. The power generating element 20 comprises at least the cylindrical section 22 containing the turbine / machine assembly. It may also include cone 21, which is a convergent element that will be referred to as elementary convergent, as opposed to the main convergent element 10 of the global multi-turbine wind system. The energy producing element 20 may also comprise a diffusing element 23 having a divergent shape, placed downstream of the cylindrical section 22, so as to limit the losses by diffusion. This divergent 23, 25 which will be designated as the elementary divergent, as opposed to the main divergent element 12 of the global multi-turbine wind turbine system, moreover makes it possible to limit the losses by mixing between several adjacent elements. Upstream of the machine room, the main convergent 10 may comprise opening means 110 as shown in FIG. 1C, arranged in the wall of the cone and actuated so as to deflect a part of the air (hence of its energy) to the outside of the cone and thus maintain an optimum speed at the inlet of each turbine in the case where the wind speed exceeds that corresponding to the commissioning of all the turbines. These air bypass means can be actuated naturally, for example, under the effect of the wind pressure (force greater than the force of 3037920 reminder of a spring) or in a controlled manner (motorized system), in order to maintain an optimum speed at the turbines. In order to facilitate the flow of air upstream of each turbine, the energy generating elements 20 can be mounted in the machine room 11 relative to each other in the form of a cone, or in a substantially conical form, in the extension of the main convergent 10. Thus the turbines in a plane passing through the axis of the cone are mounted as shown in Figure 1C. According to this configuration, the turbines at the peripheral portions of the machine room 11 would be shown in section vertically aligned.

The present invention relates to the structure forming the support of at least the machine element 11 comprising the plurality of turbomachines. The structure according to the invention can also serve to support a concentrator element 10 and / or a diverging element 12.

The invention is not limited to the type of geometric configuration described above and the power generation elements 20 may be distributed according to other types of geometrical configuration without departing from the scope of the invention. According to the invention, the multi-turbine wind turbine system illustrated in FIG. 1 may also include additional equipment for producing cold and / or water in addition to energy production. Such equipment for producing cold and / or water are for example described in patent applications FR2954475A1 and FR2954258A1. A description of these known equipment is carried out later. This is what is referred to herein as cold and / or water generating elements which include Venturi elements with reference to the Venturi effect operated to produce cold and / or the water. The wind system carried by the structure according to the invention may also include such elements for the production of cold and / or water without comprising turbomachines. In this case, the machine room 11 is replaced by a room for producing cold and / or water comprising a set of elements for producing cold and / or water as described below, which can be arranged from the same way as the turbines.

3037920 11 Elements for the production of cold and / or water The element of production of cold or water production comprises a Venturi element. A Venturi element is formed by an essentially straight neck.

It may alternatively be formed by a curved neck in certain particular configurations suitable for the production of water, as described below. It may also be formed by a set of substantially straight elementary collars mounted in parallel, and arranged for example in a rectangle or in a circle. In the case of a rectangular assembly of several necks, the Venturi element is formed for example by substantially parallelepipedic elementary necks and having a substantially square section. An elementary collar may be preceded by an adaptation cone to facilitate the distribution of the flow of fluid (air) between the convergent inlet cone 10 and the Venturi element. This matching cone is similar to the cone 21 shown in FIG. 1C for the power generation element. During the crossing of the convergent inlet cone 10, the speed increases inversely proportionally to the surface while the static pressure and the temperature decrease according to a quasi-isentropic law based on a quasi conservation of the energy transported by the wind. The temperature drop in the element 10 depends essentially on the wind speed at the inlet 15 of the inlet element 10 and the ratio of the surfaces between the outlet 16 and the inlet 15 of the convergent 10. at the entrance of the Venturi element is given by the ratio of the surfaces between the area formed by the inlet of the Venturi elements and the turbines if any (case of a wind system includes Venturi elements and turbines), and the inlet 15 of the convergent 10. Given the conditions required for the production of cold and / or the condensation of the water, the temperature in the Venturi elements is, for example, adjusted according to the speed of the wind and temperature at the inlet of the main convergent 10 via the ratio of the surfaces.

Thus, for a temperature inside the Venturi element that is too high, corresponding to either a too low wind speed or an excessively high inlet temperature, the area formed by the inlet of the Venturi element (s) can be diminished by closing one or more elementary collars. Conversely, for a temperature inside the Venturi that is too low, corresponding to either a too high wind speed or a too low inlet temperature, the area formed by the entry of the element (s) of Venturi can be increased by opening one or more elemental collars. Other means of regulating the temperature in the Venturi neck can be used: 5 - the elementary necks have different passage sections: large, medium and small for coarse, medium and fine temperature adjustment, and can be opened or closed independently of each other; one or more elementary necks may comprise adjustment valves so as to adjust the passage area.

Cold Generation The cold producing element also includes means for transferring the frigories to the outside. These means of transferring the frigories to the outside of the Venturi element can be formed by heat exchangers, which can be mounted in variable amounts around the Venturi neck according to the needs of the processes. Indeed, the lowering of the temperature of the air inside the Venturi communicates a lowering of temperature on the walls of the Venturi and the possibility of transferring the frigories produced inside the Venturi towards the outside by the use of heat exchangers.

The transfer of the frigories from the inside of a Venturi to the outside corresponds to a heat input through the walls of the Venturi and then to the air circulating inside this Venturi. The air heating up in the direction of flow as a result of the heat input from the heat exchangers, a temperature hold along the Venturi neck or further lowering of the temperature can be obtained by a further decrease in the Venturi pass area. This decrease in the passage area may correspond to a convergent shape of the Venturi Pass, where the area outside the Venturi Pass is smaller than the area at the entrance to the Venturi Pass. The heat transfer at the heat exchanger can be carried out in several passes in order to improve its efficiency and with a change of direction between each pass so as to obtain temperatures as homogeneous as possible. This method of transferring frigories to the outside has the advantage of not being intrusive and, consequently, of not generating pressure drop inside the Venturi necks to the detriment of a less effective heat transfer.

The means for transferring the frigories to the outside of the Venturi element may comprise inserts in the Venturi neck connected to the walls of the neck. The heat transfer can thus be improved by the use of inserts for example consisting of flat plates of very small thickness mounted parallel to the flow and parallel / perpendicular to the walls of the neck. The heat transfer is carried out from the cold air to the inserts by convection then inserts to the walls of the neck by conduction. This semi-intrusive method of transferring frigories to the outside makes it possible to facilitate the transfer of heat compared with the use of heat exchangers alone, taking into account a greater exchange surface, but at the expense of an increase in pressure losses inside the neck (increase of the friction surface). The means for transferring the frigories to the outside of the Venturi element may also comprise tubes mounted inside the Venturi necks parallel to the flow and in which circulates a fluid to be cooled. The heat transfer can thus be further improved. The heat transfer is carried out from the cold air to the tubes and then tubes to the fluid to be cooled flowing inside the tubes, in both cases by convection. Heat transfer is facilitated by the relatively large exchange surface offered by the tubes and less resistance to heat transfer. On the other hand, the efficiency of the heat transfer is obtained to the detriment of an increase in pressure drops inside the neck compared to the semi-intrusive case. This increase in pressure drops results both from an increase in the friction surface and a reduction of the passage section. If it is difficult to reduce the friction surface without counteracting the heat transfer, the effect of reducing the passage area in the Venturi neck resulting from insertion of tubes into this neck can easily be solved by an increase in the passage section of the neck leading to the same speed of passage of air through the neck. Water production The water production element comprises means for condensing and collecting water.

For example, the means for condensing and collecting water together with the Venturi element form an essentially straight water production system (as for example represented in FIGS. 18, 19 and 20 of FR 2 954 268). . In this case, the Venturi neck is substantially rectilinear, and the means for condensing and collecting water comprise a diverging channel downstream of the Venturi neck, said diverging channel 3037920 comprising internal elements 115 serving for the deposition of the droplets as well as the collection of water. The function of the Venturi element is to create a favorable condition for the condensation of water. However, since the condensation of the water is not instantaneous, it occurs only in a very small amount in this element. Furthermore, it is undesirable for the condensation of water to occur in a channel with a small area section where the air flow rate is very high and not very favorable for the deposition of the water droplets. on the walls as to their growth. The length of the Venturi element is dimensioned so that the kinetics of the condensation (condensation delay) allow the condensation in the downstream part of the Venturi element. This length is, of course, dependent on a large quantity of parameters known to those skilled in the art: the temperature and relative humidity at the inlet of the convergent element 10 as well as the temperature at the inlet of the neck of Venturi. The elementary necks may be convergent so as to enhance the lowering of the temperature along the flow promoting the condensation of the water. A strongly divergent channel for the collection of water is located downstream of the Venturi Pass, in continuity with it. Although the increase of the passage section results in a rise in the temperature corresponding to a situation of evaporation of water itself conditioned by the kinetics of evaporation (retardation to evaporation), the length of the channel divergent is dimensioned so that water can not evaporate significantly in this section. The length of the diverging channel is determined similarly to that of the Venturi neck upstream so that evaporation occurs only in the downstream part, or even downstream of the diverging channel.

As mentioned above, the Venturi neck is dimensioned so that the condensation of water (nucleation and droplet growth) occurs downstream of the Venturi neck and, therefore, in the front diverging channel. that the realization of evaporation becomes predominant on the condensation downstream of the diverging channel. For this purpose, the diverging channel includes internal elements for droplet deposition as well as for collecting water. The water vapor leaving the Venturi neck being in an effective condensation phase and the air being strongly slowed by the increase of the passage section, the conditions are then met for the deposition and the growth of the droplets on the walls. diverging channel, in particular, on the walls of the internal elements.

The internal elements are slightly inclined relative to the axis of the Venturi neck and the diverging channel so that the air and the droplets transported by the air impact the internal elements. The internal elements may be parallelepipedic tanks comprising an upper face inclined relative to the axis 5 of the Venturi neck and the diverging channel and having openings in the form of grooves in which water accumulates from the dripping droplets. on the surface of the upper face. The water is collected inside the internal elements and discharged from these internal elements in a conventional manner via ducts positioned at the bottom of the internal elements, then discharged to the outside of the diverging channel. Alternatively, the means for condensing and collecting water together with the Venturi element form an essentially curved water production system (as for example represented in FIGS. 21a and 21b of FR 2 954 268). In this case the venturi neck is curved, and the water condensing and collecting means comprise a diverging channel downstream of the venturi neck. The Venturi neck can be converged in order to accentuate the lowering of the temperature along the flow favoring the condensation of the water. As in the previous case, the length of the Venturi element is dimensioned so that the kinetics of the condensation (condensation delay) allow the effective condensation in its downstream part. Although the amount of water forming is relatively low in this first element, it is curved so as to create a centrifugal force well upstream of the diverging channel allowing the separation of fluids of different density, air and circulating water preferentially on the parts, respectively, internal and external of the curved conduit.

Unlike the curved Venturi neck, the downstream channel is strongly divergent for water collection in this section, and its dimensioning and operation is identical to that described above in the case of rectilinear channels. .

According to the invention, the supporting structure can accommodate energy producing elements, or elements for producing cold, or water production elements, or a combination of said elements. Thus, in the case of a combination, the structure may comprise some sleeves including cartridges comprising a type of element, for example cartridges each containing a turbomachine for the production of energy, and other sleeves with coils. cartridges containing another type of element, for example cartridges each containing a cold-producing element. A cold generating member may also include means for condensing and collecting water, just as a water producing member may include means for transferring frigories outwardly as previously described. The carrier structure according to the invention comprises a framework delimiting a secondary structure. The secondary structure comprises: - sleeves adapted to receive removable cartridges, each cartridge comprising a power generation element, or a cooling element or a water production element; a set of holding elements for holding the sleeves, the holding elements being assembled so as to ensure a stability of the secondary structure, and all the holding elements being fixed to the framework. Non-limiting exemplary embodiments are shown in FIGS. 2 to 6 and detailed later in the description.

According to one embodiment, the removable cartridges comprise turbomachines for producing energy. In this case the structure according to the invention carries a wind system intended in the first place to produce energy, preferably electricity. According to another embodiment, the removable cartridges comprise cold and / or water production elements, each of the cold and / or water production elements comprising at least one Venturi neck. In this case, the wind power system carried by the structure according to the invention may be intended to produce first of all energy, preferably electricity, and in addition to the cold and / or the water if the the majority of the cartridges comprise turbomachines, the other cartridges 30 comprising the elements for producing cold and / or water, or be intended to produce only cold and / or water if no turbomachine is integrated into the cartridges removable. The supporting structure may further comprise: a convergent-shaped wind energy concentrator fixed to the framework and placed upstream of the assembly of the energy production elements, and / or cold and / or or water; and / or - a divergent air extractor 12 attached to the framework and placed downstream of all the energy producing elements, and / or cold and / or water. The purpose of the rigid framework is to support the secondary structure whose stability is ensured by the particular assembly of the sleeves and the holding elements and its attachment to the framework. The framework delimits the secondary structure in space. It may completely encompass the secondary structure, as shown in FIGS. 2A or 3A, or in a partial manner, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The framework may be, without being limiting, a gantry type of cylindrical, rectangular or polygonal shape. crescent-shaped, or mast-type, for example a lattice tower having rigid additional connection means to the secondary structure. Depending on the application, the base of the framework may rest on a floating support or on a fixed support (support fixed on the ground, at the bottom of the sea or on firm ground). The frame may or may not be careened by an outer sheet shaped convergent so as to best channel the wind to the production elements 20 energy / cold / water or divergent form to facilitate the evacuation of the downstream of said elements. Thus, a concentrator 10 and / or extractor 12, respectively upstream and downstream of the secondary structure, can be formed by a stretched fabric. The frame is a set that can be relatively large. The framework is formed from, for example, galvanized steel, stainless steel, aluminum or composite material pipes with the possibility of obtaining complex shapes of low weight and at a lower cost, by assembling profiles. The frame preferably comprises a beam assembly mechanically welded together. The framework may include guying means to increase the stability of the supporting structure. The bracing means are anchored to a support of the support structure, such support being floating or fixed to the ground. The elements of energy production and / or cold and / or water are located inside the removable cartridges themselves located inside the sleeves, for example metal or composite material.

The sheaths are envelopes of preferentially cylindrical shape. They may also have a parallelepipedal shape, or be shaped in the form of convergent and local divergent specific to each element of production 5 energy / cold / water, for example specific to each turbomachine. In this case they are composed of three successive parts respectively of convergent shape, of cylindrical shape and of divergent shape. The convergent and divergent parts of the sleeves can be formed by a stretched fabric to lighten the structure. The sleeves are fixed in the secondary structure, in the sense that once mounted they constitute in association with the holding elements the secondary structure, and are not intended to be removed from the structure, unlike the removable cartridges containing the elements of the structure. energy production / cold / water, which can then be detached from the sleeves so that they can be replaced quickly using a suitable handling device. Such a handling device, for setting up or removing a cartridge, may be a manipulator arm located above the framework or an elevator integrated in the structure having access to the energy / cooling / water production elements at the structure. level of the sleeves. The use of removable cartridges therefore makes it possible, in the event of failure of the energy / cold / water production elements, to be able to quickly extract the damaged elements from the structure without stopping or significantly disturbing the operation of the wind system. The removable cartridges are envelopes formed of a strong and lightweight material, for example metal or a composite material, may also have different shapes, preferably adapted to that of the sheath that receives them.

Exemplary embodiments of the cartridges and sheaths are illustrated in Figures 6A and 6B and described below. The holding elements, rigid, and / or semi-rigid, are for example of the following type: cable, rod, spring, cylinder, articulation, for example of the ball joint type. These elements serve to hold and bind the sheaths together and are assembled to form a stable and rigid secondary structure. Preferably, the secondary structure comprises at least tensioned cables. The use of cables makes it possible to pull the weight of the turbines in a flexible manner. Similarly, thanks to adjustable curvatures in tension of the cables, it is possible to better adapt the axis of the turbines with respect to the axis of wind flow to obtain a better performance.

Advantageously, the holding elements can be connected to the sheaths or to the framework by means of articulated devices, so as to give some flexibility to the secondary structure, and to prevent for example that the links break under the action. wind or allowing the secondary structure to deform under the action of wind.

The sleeves are supported between them by the holding elements (cables, rod, cylinders, etc.) fixed to the supporting framework. The sleeves are located in the center of the frame that includes the secondary structure, and are also positioned at the intersections of the secondary structure holding elements. The attachment to the framework is carried out with a portion of the holding members, preferably those located at the periphery of the secondary structure. The sleeves may be positioned offset in the wind direction as shown in Figure 1C. Thus, depending on the choice of the holding elements and their assembly, the secondary structure can take different forms in space, for example a conical shape, which would be adapted to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1C. Non-exhaustively, the secondary structure may have an architecture of assembly of the sleeves between them by the holding means arranged in different geometric patterns, for example, cross, honeycomb, etc. The sleeves and the holding elements thus form a mesh, preferably regular, each mesh being formed by a subset of holding elements and sleeves. The meshes may be of triangular, square, rectangular, or hexagonal shape, and each sheath is placed at least at the ends of the stitches. Examples of geometric configurations are illustrated in Figures 5A to 5D described below. The choice of pattern will be made by the skilled person. It will depend on the size of the device, the degree of ergonomics requested, etc. Advantageously, the space that is not occupied by the sleeves in the secondary structure, that is to say the space formed by the surfaces between the sleeves and the surfaces between the sleeves and the frame, can be closed by a flexible material and very light so that the wind does not pass through the structure 30 but is channeled into the sleeves where the energy producing elements and / or cold and / or water. The secondary structure may thus comprise a stretched fabric filling at least in part the spaces formed between the sleeves on the one hand and between the sleeves and the frame on the other hand. This stretched canvas may include tared openings, that is to say, openings in the fabric to let the wind in the event of strong gusts. These tared holes are for example cutouts in the fabric whose edges of the slot are sewn together by a flexible wire of known elasticity. The fabric can be hooked to the secondary structure, including the sleeves, and the frame, for example, with inserts, which can be hinged, and held taut by springs, jacks, winches or tensioners. The fabric is for example pierced with holes to receive the upstream portion of the sleeves and may include in the remaining portion of the calibrated gills as described. The structure according to the invention has advantages of several kinds.

Advantageously, the support structure according to the invention comprises a secondary structure of tensegrity type, made from cables, rods, cylinders, springs, joints, canvas, etc., as well as light and resistant materials, leading to the lightening of the secondary structure, which has the effect of significantly reducing the weight of the entire supporting structure and the wind system. Indeed, the material is present only where the forces act. Compared to a conventional wind turbine, the machine room of our device recovers for example the same annual energy (1.44.1010 Wh) as a conventional wind turbine but with a lighter structure. The architecture of the supporting structure gives it a lower center of gravity as well as a larger support polygon than a conventional wind turbine for a field of equivalent power, which makes the assembly more stable, especially in the presence of strong variations in wind speed. The wind system and its supporting structure according to the invention imply lower load recoveries at the support of the carrier structure, for example the floating support. Therefore, the floating support may be of standard design, and therefore inexpensive.

The various embodiments proposed are easy to implement and the carrier structure can for example be mounted, with the wind system, on a floating support in a seaport and then be towed fixed on its support to its operating site. , unlike some conventional wind turbines that must be mounted directly on their operating site.

The carrier structure comprising a multitude of sleeves in which are placed removable cartridges containing the energy producing elements, and / or cold, and / or water, for example turbomachines, and the ergonomic aspect allow a quick and easy replacement of these elements during the operation of the wind system. The carrier structure according to the invention allows operation in "degraded" mode of the multi-element wind energy production system, and / or cold, and / or water, even if one or more elements are in operation. default. The yield is then degraded but will not be totally zero as in the case of a conventional wind turbine. The load factor is therefore higher than a conventional wind turbine. Furthermore, the structure according to the invention brings significant advantages in terms of reliability of operation due to the multiplicity of the elements of energy production, and / or cold, and / or water involved and ease of maintenance. Mechanical reliability is increased by the simplicity of design well mastered by those skilled in the art. The relatively low height of the support structure according to the invention, its ergonomics as well as its modular architectural character has an advantage for maintenance. Unlike the conventional wind turbine, there is no need for large lifting means, floating crane type, for standard exchanges of equipment such as for example the turbine-generator set. Indeed for a multi turbine of 5MW, the weight of the assembly of the turbines is estimated at 80 tons. A handling device, for example elevator type or manipulator arm, integrated into the carrier structure of the wind system, facilitates the maintenance of the wind system. These advantages are important, especially for use at sea.

All these advantages also have a direct impact on the cost of the kilowatt hour provided on the electricity grid, in the case of a multi-turbine wind turbine system for the production of electricity. Various embodiments of the carrier structure and the wind system 25 are shown in Figures 2 to 6 and described below, by way of non-limiting examples of the invention. A first embodiment of the carrier structure according to the invention is shown in Figures 2A and 2B. According to this embodiment, the frame 1 is of gantry type of rectangular shape, and delimits a secondary structure comprising sleeves 3, holding elements 2 of the sleeves, and a fabric 4 filling the spaces formed between the sleeves 3 and between the sleeves 3 and the frame 1. The frame 1 can be made using welded mesh girders forming the gantry. On this framework can be anchored, via suitable fasteners, a concentrator wind energy convergent form upstream of the gantry, and a divergent air extractor downstream of the gantry (not shown). The convergent concentrator and the divergent extractor are for example formed by a canvas tarpaulin type. The holding elements 2 hold in place the sheaths 3 5 and the fabric 4 filling the free space between the sleeves. The sleeves 3 comprise removable cartridges containing elements for producing energy and / or cold and / or water, for example turbomachines as illustrated. For reasons of stability of the wind system and its supporting structure, for example during rough sea conditions in the case of an offshore application, the frame 1 can be braced in such a way as to increase its support polygon by tending cables 5 between a portion of the frame and a floating support 6 for an offshore application or a ground anchor for an offshore or onshore application. These bracing means 5 may be, without limitation, rigid metal rods, cables stretched between the body of the sheaths and the various anchoring points on the framework, tensioners, etc. The possible dimensioning of the elements supporting the sheet constituting respectively the convergent and the divergent depends solely on the weight of the sheet. The dimensioning of the holding elements of the sleeves depends on the load that must support each sleeve. According to this first embodiment, the sleeves 3 and the fabric 4 filling the free space between the sleeves can be held together or separately by holding elements 2 such as cables, rods, springs, jacks or cylinders. joints, etc. or a mixture of these different elements according to the flexibility that one wants to give to the secondary structure with respect to the force of the wind. For example, for a better understanding of the invention, if the sheaths 3 25 and the fabric 4 are held by cables, the tension of the cables can be made from jacks or tensioners hung on one side to the frame 1 and on the other side to the cable. The tension of these cables, according to the flexibility and the shape that one wishes to give to the secondary structure, can be enslaved to force sensors placed at strategic locations of the fabric 4.

The access to the energy production elements and / or cold and / or water located within the removable cartridges, themselves located inside the sleeves 3, can be achieved using the device 7 shown briefly in Figures 2A and 2B. The device 7 may be for example a nacelle, an elevator, a manipulator arm, etc.

A second embodiment of the carrier structure according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. According to this second embodiment, the carrier structure comprises a crescent-shaped master frame 1. The central part of the frame, in the shape of a circle, is hollowed out to receive the secondary structure, like a spider's web, comprising sheaths 3 receiving the removable cartridges containing the elements of energy production. and / or cold and / or water, for example turbomachines as shown, and holding elements 2. These sleeves 3 and the fabric 4 filling the free space between the sleeves are maintained at the part of the likewise described in the first embodiment. The frame is also made using light and resistant mechanized beams, in order to minimize its weight. The shape of the frame 1 crescent (arc) and its vertical symmetry make the carrier structure a strong and resistant structure vis-à-vis the strength of the wind and the load applied to the structure. For reasons of stability, the carrier structure may be guyed as described in the first embodiment. The support structure is fixed on a support 6 which can be floating or fixed to the ground according to the applications. The carrier structure may comprise a convergent upstream and / or divergent downstream, for example stretched fabric, as described for the first embodiment. Any other type of frame can be considered as for example those now large fairground wheels.

A third embodiment of the carrier structure according to the invention is shown in FIG. 4. According to a third embodiment, the carrier structure comprises a mast-like framework 1, for example a lattice tower well known to the skilled person. The sleeves 3 supporting the elements for producing energy and / or cold and / or water, for example turbomachines as shown, integrated in removable cartridges are distributed on both sides of the tower and connected between them using the holding elements 2 similar to those described in the previous embodiment, to form the secondary structure.

The upper part of the pylon comprises two horizontal arms aligned on the same axis and positioned on either side of the pylon. These arms are held and reinforced with rods or cables 8 connected to the upper part of the tower so as to support the load of the secondary structure comprising the sleeves, the removable cartridges 5 with the turbomachines and their accessories. In the vertical direction, the holding elements 2 connecting the sleeves 3 to each other are fixed on the upper part of the frame 1, for example the arms positioned perpendicularly to the axis of the pylon, and in the lower part, the elements of 2 can be fixed either to a beam 6 forming for example part of a floating support in the context of a floating application 1 0 floating, or the ground for an offshore application placed or onshore, for example by means of cables 9. Optionally, the holding elements 2 can be fixed in the lower part of the pylon to arms 1 'similar to those of the upper part of the pylon, and forming an integral part of the frame. In this case, it is these lower arms 1 'which are either connected to the beam 6, as shown in FIG. 4, or to a support fixed to the ground, for example by means of cables 9. The holding elements 2 used at the ends of the arms are preferably rigid rods making it possible to partially recover the forces of the elements of the secondary structure in the horizontal direction. Controlled tension of these holding members 2 in the vertical direction is necessary to ensure the rigidity of the system. In the horizontal direction, the elements 2 of the ends are fixed on the one hand to the pylon and on the other hand to the sleeves 3 at the ends of the arms which are interconnected by rigid elements. As in the previous embodiments the free space between the sleeves can be closed by a fabric 4 fixed on the holding elements 2 holding the sleeves 3 and on the ends of the frame 1. In this case, the elements 2 connecting the sleeves 3 to the outside of the arms must also take up the forces exerted by the wind on the canvas. As for the other embodiments, it can be envisaged to guy the carrier structure: the ends of the arms of the frame 1 can be guyed on the floating support (offshore application) or on a support fixed to the ground (onshore application or offshore laid). A maintenance device 7, for example a manipulator arm, makes it possible to replace the energy producing elements, and / or cold and / or defective water elements, by removing the removable cartridges from the sheaths 3, without stopping the complete multi-turbine wind system. According to an alternative configuration, and in a nonlimiting manner, the carrying structure comprises a pylon 1 mounted on the support 6, and the base of the pylon rests on a pivoting plate allowing an angular rotation between 0 ° and 360 ° and comprising a device blocking the rotation of the plate. The cables 9, instead of being connected to the support 6, are connected to the base of the pylon to allow the entire structure to orient easily with respect to the direction of the prevailing wind. As in the other embodiments described, the tension of the cables can be effected by means of jacks or tensioners. In the space reserved for wind capture, the sleeves 3 receiving the energy producing elements, and / or cold and / or water, can be spatially distributed according to different configurations, as represented in a non-conventional way. in FIGS. 5A to 5D. A combination of these configurations is also possible. The sleeves and the holding elements form a mesh, preferably regular, each mesh being formed by a subset of holding elements and sleeves. The meshes may be of triangular, square, rectangular, or hexagonal shape, and each sheath being placed at least at the ends of the stitches. In the configuration of Figure 5A, the sleeves 3 are positioned on the vertices of a square and are interconnected by the holding elements 2 described above, comprising for example by cables or rods. In the configuration of Figure 5B the sleeves 3 are in contact and interconnected by a hinge system, for example, ball joints, or any other device having at least one degree of freedom that gives them a certain mobility. In the configuration of Figure 5C, the sleeves 3 occupy the vertices of a square and its center and are interconnected by holding elements 2, for example comprising cables or rods.

In the configuration of FIG. 5D, the sleeves 3 are situated on the tops of a honeycomb-shaped structure and are interconnected by articulations, for example ball joints, or by holding elements 2 such as described above, comprising for example by cables or rods, if the sleeves spaced from each other.

The choice of the spatial configuration of the sleeves depends in particular on: the dimensions of the energy production elements, and / or cold and / or water, for example the dimensions of the turbomachines to be positioned in the predefined capture zone wind (constant surface). The greater the number of turbomachines (small size), the more the sheaths will have to be brought together to fit all the turbomachines in the wind catching surface, the aerodynamic influence of an element of energy production, and / or cold and / or water compared to the other, - the frequency of intervention vis-à-vis maintenance. For example, the higher the number of turbomachines, the greater the probability of failure and the choice of an ergonomic arrangement will be made to facilitate maintenance. In this case, the arrangements according to Figures 5A and 5C, for maintaining a space between the sleeves and take into account the aerodynamic influence of the elements together, are preferred.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate two embodiments of a sheath with its removable cartridge. The sleeves 3 may be cylindrical in shape, parallelepipedal shape, for example square or rectangular section. The sleeves preferably have a cylindrical shape. The sleeves 3 may also each be equipped with a convergent upstream and / or a divergent downstream, preferably made of canvas, tarpaulin type, to lighten the weight of the sleeve 3. Alternatively, the sleeve 3 can also be in one piece and shaped so as to act as convergent-divergent. In both cases, the sheath 3 comprises three successive portions respectively of convergent shape, of preferentially cylindrical shape and of divergent shape. The role of the convergent and divergent is to facilitate the flow of air through the sheath. The sleeves are made of lightweight material (s) and resistant (s). They are equipped on the outer surface of the fastening system envelope that can receive the holding elements 2 mentioned above. One of the major advantages of the invention is that it makes it possible to easily change the elements of energy production, and / or cold and / or defective water, for example turbomachines, without having to stop the entire wind system as in the case of a conventional wind turbine. For this, the elements for producing energy, and / or cold and / or water are mounted inside a cartridge that can be introduced or removed easily from the sleeves, for example using a manipulator arm or other cartridge access and maintenance device. For example, turbomachines with their control and control equipment are mounted inside such a cartridge. The mobility of the cartridge in the sleeve can be carried out in a nonlimiting manner from slides positioned on the four generators of the cartridge or any other system performing the same function. According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 6A, the metal or composite material cartridge 3 'follows the inner shape of the neck of the sheath 3. In this example, the cartridge contains a turbomachine 22 comprising blades 22a driving by a shaft 22c a machine 22b absorbing energy provided by the blades 22a. These means for converting the kinetic energy of the wind into electrical energy are fixed on the inner wall of the cartridge by means and techniques well known to those skilled in the art. The internal diameter of the cartridge is directly related to the design of the turbine. The turbine is positioned in the neck of the sheath 3 which has a convergent-divergent shape. The convergent and divergent portion of the sheath is made of canvas in order to lighten the sheath and ultimately the supporting structure. A clip device located downstream of the cartridge makes it possible, using the manipulator arm or any other system, to easily extract the cartridge from the sleeve.

According to another exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 6B, the cartridge 3'b is made of welded sheet metal or any other resistant and light material which may take the form of a convergent-divergent one to facilitate the flow of air. The outer portion of the cartridge is introduced into the inner portion of the sheath 3 in this case shaped straight tube.

The present invention relates to the wind system comprising the carrier structure as described above, and a floating support on which is fixed the carrier structure for use of the wind system in a marine environment. Alternatively, the wind system according to the invention comprises the carrier structure and a support anchored to the ground on which said structure is fixed, for use of said system in a shallow marine environment or in a terrestrial environment.

Claims (15)

REVENDICATIONS1. Structure carrying a wind system comprising a plurality of energy producing elements, and / or cold and / or water, said structure comprising: - a frame (1) delimiting a secondary structure; - said secondary structure comprising: o ducts (3) adapted to receive removable cartridges, said removable cartridges comprising said energy producing elements, and / or cold and / or water; a set of holding elements (2) for holding said sleeves (3), said holding elements (2) being assembled so as to ensure stability of said secondary structure, said set of holding elements (2) being attached to said frame (1). 2. Structure according to claim 1, wherein the secondary structure comprises a stretched fabric (4) filling at least partly the spaces formed between said sleeves (3) on the one hand and between said sleeves (3) and the frame ( 1) on the other hand, said web (4) preferably comprising calibrated ears. 3. Structure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said sleeves (3) are envelopes of cylindrical shape, of parallelepiped shape or are composed of three successive parts (3a, 3b, 3c) respectively of convergent shape, of cylindrical shape and of divergent form. 4. Structure according to claim 3, wherein the convergent portion (3a) and divergent portions (3c) of said sleeves (3) are formed by a stretched canvas. 5. Structure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said removable cartridges (3'a, 3'b) comprise turbomachines (22). 6. Structure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said removable cartridges comprise elements for producing cold and / or water, each of said elements for producing cold and / or water comprising at least one neck 35 of Venturi. 3037920 29 7. Structure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said holding elements (2) of the secondary structure comprise one or more elements of the following type: cable, rod, spring, cylinder, joint such as a ball joint, and 5 preferably comprise at least tensioned cables. 8. Structure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeves (3) and the holding elements (2) form a mesh, preferably regular, each mesh being formed by a subset of holding elements and said sleeves being of triangular, square, rectangular, or hexagonal shape, and each sheath (3) being placed at least at the ends of said meshes. 9. Structure according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: - a cone-shaped wind power concentrator (10) fixed to the framework (1) and placed upstream of the set of production elements energy, and / or cold and / or water; and / or - a divergent-shaped air extractor (12) fixed to the framework (1) and placed downstream of all the energy production elements, and / or cold and / or water; said concentrator (10) and / or said extractor (12) being preferably formed in part by a stretched fabric. 10. Structure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame (1) is gantry type of rectangular shape, polygonal shape, cylindrical shape, crescent-shaped, or mast-type such as a pylon. mesh. 25 11. Structure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame (1) comprises an assembly of beams welded together. 12. Structure according to one of the preceding claims, comprising guying means (5) for increasing the stability of said structure, said guying means (5) being anchored to a support (6) of said structure, said support (6) being floating or fixed to the ground. 3037920 13. Structure according to one of the preceding claims, comprising handling means (7) for putting in place or removing the removable cartridges ducts (3). 5 14. A wind system comprising a plurality of energy producing elements, and / or cold and / or water, comprising a support structure according to any one of the preceding claims, and a floating support (6) on which is fixed said carrier structure for use of said system in a marine environment. 10 15. A wind system comprising a plurality of elements for producing energy, and / or cold and / or water, comprising a support structure according to any one of claims 1 to 13, and a support fixed to the ground (6) on which is fixed said carrier structure for use of said system in shallow marine environment or terrestrial environment. 15