FR3069031B1 - TURBINE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a turbine comprising, between two supports, webs (26) connected at each end to a transmission member comprising a chain (40) or a belt forming a closed loop. The turbine further comprises wheels driven by the transmission members, at least some of which are mounted free to rotate on the supports. Each web is connected to each transmission member by a pivotal connection (62). The turbine further comprises a first piece (66) fixed to the sail and adapted to abut against an element (60) fixed to the transmission member when the sail pivots with a first deflection angle and a second piece ( 68) fixed to the sail and adapted to abut against said element when the sail pivots with respect to the transmission member with a second deflection angle in the opposite direction.

Description

TURBINE

Field

The present application relates to a kinetic energy converter of a fluid into mechanical energy, in particular a converter that transfers energy between a fluid and unrotor and called a turbine in the following description.Exposed from the prior art

There are turbines, especially for hydropower plants, which use the natural kinetic energy of water courses. Such hydroelectric plants are also called tidal turbines. They require little civil engineering work and produce electricity that varies with the flow of water. They have the advantage of reducing the cost of manufacture and installation compared to a hydroelectric plant associated with a dam. In addition, they do not disturb the life of the watercourse. In addition, the mechano-electric conversion of the tidal turbines can be carried out out of the water. It can be expected that the turbines will float on the watercourse so as not to make foundations and to adapt to the natural variation of the water level.

A turbine, especially for tidal turbines, generally includes sails, also called blades, which rotate a tree when immersed in the stream. The displacement of the sails may be due mainly to lift forces or drag forces. The turbine is said to flow axially when the current is parallel to the axis of rotation of the shaft and transverse flow when the current is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the shaft.

However, the yields of existing turbines, including turbines, may be low. In addition, the structures of existing turbines and turbines can be complex, resulting in high manufacturing, installation and maintenance costs. In addition, for some applications, existing turbines may be too bulky, either in height or width, which is undesirable. summary

An object of an embodiment is to overcome all or some of the disadvantages of turbines, especially hydrolysis, described above.

Another object of an embodiment is to increase the efficiency of the turbine.

Another object of an embodiment is that the laturbine has a simple structure.

Another object of an embodiment is to reduce the size of the turbine.

Thus, an embodiment provides a turbine, intended to be at least partially immersed in a flow of a fluid, comprising two supports, at least one float connected to the supports, and, between the supports, motor sails connected at each end to an organ transmission member comprisinga chain or belt forming a closed loop, the turbine further comprising wheels driven by the transmitting members, at least some of which are mounted free to engage the carriers, each sail comprising an edge of attack and a trailing edge and being connected to each transmission member by a pivoting connection, the turbine further comprising, for at least one of the transmission members and for each sail, a first piece attached to the sail and adapted to abut against an element attached to the member of transmission when the sail pivots with respect to the transmission member of a first deflection angle t to a reference plane in a first direction of rotation and a second part fixed to the sail and adapted to abut against said elementwhen the sail pivots with respect to the transmission membera second deflection angle relative to the reference plane in a second direction of rotation opposite the first direction of rotation.

According to one embodiment, the flow of fluid is a stream.

According to one embodiment, for each sail, the axis of rotation of the sail relative to the transmission members is located in the half of the sail on the leading edge side.

According to one embodiment, each web is mechanically connected to the supports only via the transmission members.

According to one embodiment, the turbine comprises means for modifying the first and second mating angles.

According to one embodiment, the turbine comprises, for each support, first and second wheels mounted free on the support and a third wheel connected to the support by a holding device adapted to change the position of the third wheel relative to the first and second wheels .

According to one embodiment, the maintenance device includes a piston.

According to one embodiment, the turbine comprises at least first, second and third travel zones in which each transmission member extends in a straight manner, the leading edges of the sails being arranged horizontally at least 5 ° in the first and second course zones, the sails being completely submerged at least on part of the first and second course areas.

According to one embodiment, the sails are completely emerged out of the fluid flow in the third zone of course.

According to one embodiment, the turbine further comprises guiding elements adapted to control the inclinaisondes veils during the penetration of the webs in the fluid flow.

According to one embodiment, the sails are adapted, under the action of the hydrodynamic forces, to arch backward relative to the flow of fluid in the first and second run zones.

Another embodiment provides a system for recovering kinetic energy from a stream including at least a first turbine as defined above and a mechanical energy converter provided by the first turbine in another form of energy.

According to one embodiment, the converter comprises a hydraulic circuit comprising a first part carried by float and a second part of the ground out of the watercourse, the first part comprising at least one hydraulic pump adapted to be driven by at least one of the wheels and circulating a hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic circuit, the second part comprising at least one hydraulic motor adapted to be driven by the hydraulic fluid.

According to one embodiment, the converter comprises a regulator of the flow and / or the pressure of the hydraulic fluid reaching the hydraulic motor.

According to one embodiment, the converter comprisesa reservoir of the hydraulic fluid and a first conduiteleliantling the hydraulic pump to the reservoir and whereinthefluide fluid is intended to flow from the hydraulic pump to the reservoir, the hydraulic motor being located on the first conduit, the converter comprising in addition, a second pipe connecting the hydraulic pump to the tank andin which the hydraulic fluid is intended to flow from the hydraulic pump to the tank, the pressure drop of the hydraulic fluid on the second pipe being less than the load of the hydraulic fluid on the first conduct, theconverter further comprising isolation valves with actuator adapted to allow the circulation of hydraulic fluid in the first conduit and simultaneously prohibit the circulation of hydraulic fluid in the second conduit and prohibit the circulation of hydraulic fluid dan s the first run and simultaneously allow the circulation of the hydraulic fluid in the second pipe.

According to one embodiment, the system further comprises a second turbine as defined above and in whichthe converter is adapted to convert the mechanical energyprovided by the second turbine into said other form of energy. Brief description of the drawings

These and other features and advantages will be set forth in detail in the following description of particular embodiments made in a nonlimiting manner in relation to the appended figures in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partial and schematic, of an embodiment of a tidal turbine; FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partial and schematic, of the turbine of the hydroline of FIG. 1; Figure 3 is a top view, partial schematic, of a sail and turbine chains shown in Figure 2; Figures 4 and 5 are perspective views, partial and schematic, of embodiments of a voilede the turbine shown in Figure 2; Figures 6 and 7 are respectively a top view and a side view, partial and schematic, of a embodiment of a chain of the turbine shown in Figure 2; Figures 8, 9 and 10 are side views, partial and schematic, of an embodiment of the connection between unvoile and a chain of the turbine shown in Figure 2; Figures 11 and 12 are respectively a perspective view and a side view, partial and schematic, laturbine shown in Figure 2 illustrating its operation; Figure 13 is a side view of a laturbine sail of Figure 2 in operation; Figure 14 is a perspective view, partial and schematic, of another embodiment of a tidal turbine; Figures 15 and 16 are side views, partial and schematic, other embodiments of a turbine; Figures 17 and 18 are side views, partial and schematic, of another embodiment of a turbine with two different use configurations; Fig. 19 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the mechanical-electrical hydride converter shown in Fig. 1; Figures 20 and 21 are schematic top views of embodiments of a tidal turbine comprising several turbines; and Fig. 22 is a more detailed view of the mechanical-electrical converter illustrated in Fig. 19.

detailed description

In the following description, when reference is made to absolute position qualifiers, such as "before", "back", "up", "down", "left", "right", etc., or relative , such as the terms "above", "below", "upper", "lower", etc., or with qualifiers for orientation, such as the terms "horizontal", "vertical", etc., reference is made to to the orientation of the figures or a turbine in a normal position of use. Unless otherwise specified, the expressions "approximately", "substantially", "about" and "of the order of" mean within 10%, preferably within 5%. In relation to directions or angles, the expressions " approximately "," substantially "," about "and" of the order of "mean within 10 degrees, preferably within 5 degrees. In addition, only the elements necessary for understanding the invention are described and shown in the figures. In the following description, the adjectives "upstream" and "downstream" are used to distinguish elements of a turbine, in particular for tidal turbine, immersed at least partially in a fluid relative to the flow direction of the fluid.

In the remainder of the description, embodiments of a turbine will be described in the case of unhydrolienne. However, the turbine according to the embodiments described below can be used for otherapplications, in particular for making a wind turbine, a liquid air manufacturing unit, an irrigation device, a dc generator and generally any device requiring mechanical energy.

Figure 1 is a perspective view, partial and schematic, of an embodiment of a water turbine 10 for water, also called flow of water or flow thereafter. The tidal turbine 10 is adapted to provide an electrical power which can vary from 1 kW to 100 kW. The tidal turbine 10 comprises a flotation device 12, intended to float on the stream and supporting a turbine 14 and a power converter 16 driven by the turbine 14. The converter 16 may be an electromechanical converter adapted to transform the mechanical energy supplied by the turbine14 in electrical energy. The electromechanical converter 16 can then be connected to the electrical network. The electromechanical converter 16 may be wholly carried by the flotation member 12. Alternatively, the converter 16 may sedivate into a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being carried by the flotation member 12 and being connected to the second part which is located on the bank of the stream.La first part of the converter 16 can be adapted to transform the mechanical energy provided by the turbine 14 enénergie hydraulic. The first part of the converter 16 then provides a hydraulic fluid supplying the second part of the converter which comprises a hydraulic motor driving an electric generator, the hydraulic motor and thehydraulic generator being located on the bank of the watercourse.

According to one embodiment, the flotation member 12comprends two floats 20 disposed on either side of the laturbine 14. Alternatively, more than one float is provided on the other side of the turbine 14. The floats 20 are schematically represented by parallelepipeds in FIG. 1. However, the floats 20 may have other shapes. In particular, each float 20 may have a horizontal section in the form of a wing profile.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the turbine 14.The turbine 14 comprises a frame 22 which, according to one embodiment, comprises two supports 24, corresponding for example to flat plates, connected by crosspieces 25. The turbine 14 includes, between the two supports 24, N motor sails 26, where Nest an integer which varies, for example, from 8 to 64. According to one embodiment, each motor sail 26 comprises an attacking edge 28, a trailing edge 30, for example a tapered trailing edge, and two opposite lateral ends 32.

The turbine 14 comprises wheels mounted free on the brackets 24. In the present embodiment, for each support 24, the turbine 14 comprises three wheels 34,36, 38 mounted free to rotate on the support 24, more specifically an upper wheel upstream 34 located at the upstream, a downstream upper wheel 36 located the most downstream and a lower lower wheel 38. The axes of rotation of the wheels 34, 36, 38 are substantially parallel. According to one embodiment, the axes of rotation of the wheels 34, 36, 38 are substantially horizontal. For each support 24, the wheels 34,36, 38 connected to the support 24 are substantially located in the same plane. According to one embodiment, the axes of rotation of the upper upstream wheels 34 are merged, the axes of rotation of the upper downstream wheels 36 are merged and the axes of rotation of the lower wheels 38 are merged. The turbine 14 may comprise a shaft connecting the two upper upstream wheels 34, the two upper downstream wheels 36 and / or the two lower wheels 38. At least one of the wheels 34, 36, 38, preferably one of the upper upstream wheels 34 or one of the upper downstream wheels 36, is connected to the converter 16 by a not shown transmission system and drives the electromechanical converter 16 when it is rotated. Deferreferences, the two upper upstream wheels 34 and / or the two upper downstream wheels 36 drive the converter 16 by a transmission system.

The turbine 14 comprises, for each support 24, a chain 40, shown schematically in the figures, forming a closed loop extending around the three wheels 34, 36, 38 and adapted to drive the wheels 34, 36, 38 in rotation when 'she is moved. Alternatively, each chain 40 can be replaced by any type of transmission member, for example a belt including a flat belt, a toothed belt, a V-belt, a striated belt or a round belt (also called cable). support 24 may comprise a fairing 41 which protects the chains 40, the wheels 34, 36, 38 and possibly the lateral ends 32 of the webs 26.

FIG. 3 represents a view from above of one of the boats 26 and chains 40 located on either side of the sail. E is the span of the sail 26 and Co the star rope 26. Each sail 26 is connected to the chains 40 at its lateral extremities 32. According to one embodiment, a shaft 42 extends through the sail 26 and projecting from each other of the sail 26 from each lateral end 32 of the star 26. The shaft 42 is connected to each chain 40 by a connecting element 44. The connecting elements 44 allow a rotation of the sail 26 by relative to the chains 40 about a P-axis that can correspond to the axis of each shaft 42. According to one embodiment, the axis of rotation P is substantially horizontal. According to one embodiment, the axis of rotation P is located in half of the sail 26 on the leading edge 28 side, preferably in the quarter of the sail 26 containing the attacking edge 28.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, partial and schematic, of an embodiment of a sail 26 in which the sail 26 has a rigid structure and has, in a vertical plane parallel to the supports 24, a straight section in the form of a symmetrical biconvex wing. Alternatively, the sail may have an asymmetrical biconvex wing profile, a plankous profile, or a double curvature profile. Preferably, the relative thickness of the profile is less than or equal to 18%. Preferably, for each sail 26, the profile of the sail 26 is substantially constant over most of the span E of the sail 26.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, partial and schematic, of another embodiment of a sail 26 in which the sail 26 comprises a frame 46 on which is disposed a thin and flexible member 48, for example a fabric. The frame may be composed of the shaft 42, a rear upright 50 extending parallel to the shaft 42 and lateral uprights 52 connecting the shaft 42 to the rear upright 50. According to one embodiment, the fabric 48 is wrapped around of the shaft 42 and is wound around the rear pillar 50.

Figures 6 and 7 are respectively a side view and a top view of an embodiment of a part of the chain 40 in which the chain 40 comprises links 54, deuxaillons 54 being shown in Figures 6 and 7. Chaquemaillon 54 is articulated at each of its ends relative to the adjacent link of the chain 40 about an axis 56. Chaquemaillon 54 may comprise a plurality of flat elements 58 andparallèles articulated at each end on the axis 56. At least some of the wheels 34, 36, 38 may then correspond to toothed wheels whose teeth mesh in the links 54 of the chain 40. According to one embodiment, the links of the chain40 are self-locking. This means that when first and second links 54 of the chain 40, adjacent and articulated with respect to each other, are substantially aligned, a derotation movement of the first link with respect to the second link is only possible in one direction of rotation. When each chain 40 is a self-locking link chain, the lower wheels 38 may not be present.

Figures 8, 9 and 10 are side views, partial and schematic, of an embodiment of the connecting element44 between the sail 26 and the chain 40. The connecting element 44 is attached to the chain 40. When the chain 40 has the structure shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the connecting element 44 can be fixed to one of the links 54 or to one of the axes 56 of the chain 40.

According to one embodiment, the connecting element 44 comprises a base 60 fixed to the chain 40. The shaft 42 of the sail26 is connected to the base 60 by a pivoting connection 62, for example a plain bearing. The pivoting connection 62 allows a rotation of the shaft 42, and thus the sail 26, relative to the base 60 around the axis P as illustrated by the double-arrow arc 64 in FIG. link 44 further comprises a first abutment member 66 integral with the shaft 42 and adapted to abut against the base 60 when the sail 26 pivots relative to the base 60 in a first direction of rotation to reach a first angle of maximum displacement as shown in Figure 9. The connecting element 44 comprises, in addition, a second abutment member 68 integral with the shaft 42 andadapted to abut against the base 60 when the sail 26pivot relative to the base 60 in a second direction of rotation, opposite to the first direction of rotation, until reaching a second maximum travel angle as shown in FIG.

According to one embodiment, the first and second maximum travel rules are adjustable. According to one embodiment, the first abutment element 66 comprises a part 70 which is common with the second abutment element 68 and which is integral with the shaft 42. The first abutment element 66 further comprises a threaded rod 72 mounted in an opening The end of the rod 72 comes into contact with the base 60 when the first maximum deflection angle is reached. The relative position of the rod 72 with respect to the workpiece 70 can be modified to modify the first angle of maximum travel. Similarly, the second start member 68 further comprises a threaded rod 74 mounted in a threaded opening provided in the workpiece 70. An end of the spine 74 engages the pedestal 60 when the second maximum deflection angle is reached. The relative position of the rod 74 relative to the workpiece 70 can be modified to alter the second maximum travel angle.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, the adjustment of the first and second maximum stroke angles are manually adjustable. As an alternative, the turbine 14 comprises actuators adapted to modify the first and second maximum deflection angles with control signals. This allows a modification of the first and second maximum deflection angles during operation of the turbine 14.

In operation, the turbine 14 is submerged at least partially in a stream. According to one embodiment, the leading edges 28 of the webs are maintained substantially horizontal. The sails 26 immersed in the watercourse are, under the action of lift forces, adapted to cause the displacement of the chains 40.

Figures 11 and 12 are respectively a perspective view and a schematic side view of the turbine 14 illustrating its operation. In FIGS. 11 and 12, the only elements of the turbine 14 that are shown schematically are certain sails 26 (three in FIG. 11 and six in FIG. 12), the wheels 32, 34 and 36, the chains 40 and, in FIG. the axes of rotation A, B and C, respectively, of the upper upstream wheels 34, of the upper downstream wheels 36 and of the lower wheels 38. In addition, in FIG. 12, there is shown by a line 76 the free surface of the stream 78 in which partial energy turbine 14.

In the remainder of the description, it is called upstream travel zone 80, the space traveled by the sails 26 when they are located on the parts of the chains 40 between the upper upstream wheels 34 and the lower wheels 38. In addition, it is called downstream travel zone. 82 is the space traveled by the sails 26 when they are located on the parts of the chains 40 between the lower wheels 38 and the uppervalley wheels 36 and is called upper course area 84 the spaceparcouru by the sails 26 when they are located on the parts chains 40 between the upper downstream wheels 36 and the upper upstream wheels 34.

As shown in FIG. 12, in the present embodiment, the upper travel zone 84 of the laturbine 14 is not immersed in the stream 78. The sails 26 are arranged so that for each sail 26, when Lavoile 26 is located in the upstream travel zone 80, the attacking edge 28 of the sail 26 is lower than the trailing edge 30 and that, when the sail 26 is located in the backwater travel zone 82, the edge of the sail Attack 28 of the sail 26 is higher than the trailing edge 30. The lift forces due to the flow 78 which are exerted on the sails 26 in the upstream travel zone 80 tend to lower the sails 26 towards the bottom of the course. water 78 in the direction indicated by the arrow 86. The lift forces due to the flow 78 which are exerted on the sails 26 in the downstream travel zone 82 tend to raise the boats 26 to the surface of the stream 78 in the direction indicated by the arrow 88.

The course of the sails 26 comprises in particular three "critical" zones corresponding to the passages of the wheels 34, 36, 38. The use of the connecting elements 44 described above causes the sails to be free in rotation with respect to the chains passing the wheels 34, 36 38. This avoids the application of excessive braking force on the chains 40.

An overall displacement of each chain 40 is thus obtained in a counter-clockwise direction in FIG. 12. According to one embodiment, the movement of the chains 40 causes the wheels 32, 34, 36 to rotate and drive the converter 16. According to one embodiment, the speed of displacement of each chain 40 is greater than the average speed of the flow 78 in the upstream travel zone 80, preferably between 1 and 2 times the average speed of the flow 78 in the zone. upstream journey 80.

The power coefficient K, which corresponds to the ratio between the mechanical power recovered by the chain (without taking into account the mechanical efficiency of transmission veils-chain) and the kinetic energy that can be recovered by the master-coupling of the turbine 14, is given by the relation (1) next: K = Pm / (0.5 * p * S * V3) (1) where Pm is the mechanical power recovered by the chain 40, S is the master torque of the tidal turbine 10, p is the mass V is the average velocity of the flow 78 reaching the upstream travel zone 80. The torque master S of the turbine 14 is substantially equal to twice the area of the vertical rectangle whose width is substantially equal to wingspan E 6 and whose height, measured vertically, is equal to the submerged depth of the hydrolysis 10. The inventors have shown by simulation that a power factor Kvariant of 0.43 to 0.51 is obtained when the chain speed varies from 1 to 2 times the speed of upstream flow 88.

Advantageously, the leading edge 28 of each sail 26 in the upstream travel zone 80 and in the downstream travel zone 82 is substantially horizontal. Since in the watercourse the velocity gradient of the flow is essentially vertical, the horizontal disposition of the seaming edges 28 allows that for each sail 26 in the upstream travel zone 80 and in the travel zone downstream 82, the flow seen by the sail 26 has a substantially constant speed over the entire span E of the sail 26, which increases its hydrodynamic performance. The forces applied on the wing 26 are therefore substantially constant over the entire spanE of the sail 26.

Advantageously, the displacement of the webs 26 on the upper travel zone 84, illustrated by the arrow 89 enfigure 11, is made out of the water. The sails 26 are then only subject to the aerodynamic drag which is significantly lower than the hydrodynamic drag. There is then, advantageously, substantially no loss of power due to the course of the sails 26 in the upper travel zone 84. In addition, advantageously, there is no need to provide fairingsprotégant against the flow 78 the sails 26 located in the upper course zone 84. The structure of the hydro-lane 10 is thus simplified.

The free surface 76 of the flow 78 creates a natural deconfinement effect which reduces the development of vertical velocity components of the flow 78 downstream of the sails 26situated in the upstream travel zone 80, which is illustrated in FIG. Arrows 90 and 92. As a result, the velocity of the flow 78 reaching the sails 26 in the runway 82 is substantially horizontal.

The dimensions of the hydrolytic are suitable for the intended application. According to one embodiment, the angle formed by each chain 40 between the upstream travel zone 80 and the downstream travel zone 82 is between 60 ° and 120 °. According to an embodiment, the span E of each web 26 is between 0.2 m and 3 m. According to one embodiment, the edge Co of each sail 26 is between E / 5 and E / 10. According to one embodiment, the diameter of each wheel 34, 36, 38 is comprised between Co and 4 * Co. According to one embodiment, the submerged depth of the turbine 14 is between 0.5 m and 3 m, the limitation to 3 m from the scarcity of water veins permitting larger depths of immersion.

According to another embodiment, the upper gap zone 84 is immersed in the flow 78 near the free surface 76 of the flow 78, the chains 40 being oriented substantially horizontally in the upper travel zone 84. In this embodiment, case, in the upper course zone 84, the sails 26 upstream the current. The deconfinement effect due to the free surface 76 of the water causes the flow seen by the webs 26 in the upper travel zone 84 to be substantially horizontal. To reduce the hydrodynamic drag of the flow 78 on the sails 26 in the upper travel zone 84, the sails 26 are substantially horizontally maintained in the upper travel zone 84. This self-confinement effect makes it possible to dispense with fairing to protect the lifting of sail current 26.

FIG. 13 is a side view of a sail 26 of laturbine 14 of FIG. 2 in the upstream travel zone 80. Laflèche 94 designates the direction in which the chain 40 extends in the upstream travel zone 80. the action of the flow78, the sail 26 is maintained with respect to the chains 40 with the first maximum deflection angle a. The inclination β of the chains 40 in the upstream travel zone 80 with respect to a reference vertical plate Ref is fixed by construction.The inclination y of the sail 26 with respect to the vertical plane Ref, which is equal to a constant, at the incidence of the flows on the sail 26, can be controlled. Similarly, in the downstream travel zone 82, under the action of the flow 78, the star 26 is maintained with respect to the chains 40 with the second maximum travel angle. This controls the incidence of the flow on the sail 26 in the downstream travel zone 82. According to one embodiment, the incidence of the flow on the boats 26 in the upstream travel zone 80 is different from the incidence. of the flow 78 on the webs 26 in the downstream zone 82, for example greater than the incidence of the flow 78 on the sails 26 in the downstream travel zone82.

According to one embodiment, when the sail 26 is located in the upper travel zone 84, it is maintained relative to the chains 40, under the action of its own weight, with the second maximum deflection angle. According to another embodiment, additional wheels or rollers, not represented, are arranged in the upper travel zone 84 so that the webs 26 move, in the upper travel zone 84, on these wheels or rollers and are substantially horizontal.

Advantageously, the change in the inclination of each sail 26 between the upstream travel zone 80 and the downstream travel zone 82, between the downstream travel zone 82 and the upper travel zone 84 and between the upper travel zone 84 and the The upstream path 80 is obtained by the action of the flow 78 or the gravity on the sail 26, the sail 26 pivoting freely with respect to the chains 40 at the swivel connections 62, so that the friction during this pivoting is reduced.

FIG. 14 is a partial schematic perspective view of another embodiment of a tidal turbine 100. The hydro-lane 100 comprises all of the elements of the hydro- line 10 shown in FIG. 1 and further comprises guide elements 102 attached to the crossbar 25 located upstream. During the pivoting of the webs 26 between the upper travel zone 84 and the upstream travel zone 80, the sails 26 under the action of the centrifugal force bear against the guide elements 102. This makes it possible to control the inclination of the sails 26 to the penetration of the webs 26 into the stream 78 is done with the least possible disturbance of the flow 78. The guide elements 102 may be made of a rigid material or be of a flexible material. Similarly, the hydrostane 100 may comprise means for controlling the inclination of the webs 26 as they exit the flow at the end of the downstream travel zone 82. This inclination may be chosen to minimize the phenomenon of the sail's success by the flow at the outlet of the sail out of the flow.

FIG. 15 is a partial schematic side view of another embodiment of a turbine 105 in which, relative to the turbine 14 described above, the turbine 105 comprises only the upper upstream wheel 34 and the upper downstream wheel 36 The space traveled by the webs 26 when they are located on the parts of the chains 40 extending from the upper wheels 34 to the upper downstream wheels 36 is then called the lower travel zone 106. The sails 26 are at least partly immersed in the water. flow 78 in the lower circumferential zone 106 while they are preferably emerged in the upper travel zone 84. The connecting elements44 make it possible to set the angle of inclination between each sail26 and the chains 40 in the lower travel zone 106 and the angle of inclination between each web 26 and the chains 40 in the upper travel zone 84. If the lower travel zone 106 is sufficiently On the other hand, the speed of movement of the webs 26 can approach the speed of the flow. The longitudinal coupling of the turbine 105 is then obtained with the flow. This allows in particular to obtain a high mechanical torque.

FIG. 16 is a partial schematic side view of another embodiment of a turbine 110 in which the turbine 110 comprises two lower wheels, an inferior downstream wheel 38 and a downstream lower wheel 38 '. The upstream travel zone 80 then extends between the upper upstream wheel 34 and the lower upstream wheel 38 and the downstream travel zone 82 extends between the lower downstream wheel 38 'and the upper wheel 36. The tidal turbine further comprises a lower path zone 112 between the lower upstream wheel 38 and the lower downstream wheel 38 '.

Figures 17 and 18 are side views, partial and schematic, of another embodiment of a turbine 115 to two different configurations of use. The turbine 115 comprises all the elements of the turbine 14, with the difference that each lower wheel 38 is connected to the corresponding support 24 by means of a holding device 116 adapted to modify the position of the lower wheel 38 relative to the corresponding support 24 . The holding device 116 may comprise a piston 118 comprising a body 120 and a rod 122 capable of sliding in the body 120. The body 120 is connected to the support 24 by a pivoting connection 124, for example of axisparallel to the axes of rotation of the upper wheels 34 and 36. Larua inferior 38 is connected by a pivoting connection 126, for example an axis parallel to the axes of rotation of the upper wheels 34 and 36, at the end of the rod 122 opposite the body 120.

The relative position of each lower wheel 38 relative to the support 24 to which it is connected by the tomorrow device 116 can be modified by modifying the inclination of the piston 118 relative to the support 24 and / or by modifying the length of the rod 122 outside the body 120. According to one embodiment, the control of the orientation of each piston 118 relative to the support 24 and / or the control of the length of the disc 122 outside the body 120 can be achieved by sensors. The length of the rod 122 outside the body 120 is adjusted in particular to obtain the desired tensioning of the chain 40. According to one embodiment, the devices tomorrowtien 116 are controlled so that the axes of rotation of the lower wheels 38 are permanently substantially According to one embodiment, in operation, the maximum excursion angle of each piston 118 relative to the corresponding support 24 may be of the order of 25 ° C. According to one embodiment, the maximum deflection of each lower wheel 38 measured in a horizontal plane is equal to the spacing between the upper wheels 34 and 36. The displacement of each lower wheel 38 makes it possible to modify the angles of inclination of the chains 40 with respect to the plane vertical reference Ref in the upstream and downstream travel zones 80 and 82.

The displacement of the lower wheels 38 relative to the upper wheels 34, 36 may depend on at least one parameter, for example the speed of the flow 78 in which the turbine 115 is arranged. According to one embodiment, each lower wheel 38 is displaced. upstream from the position in which the lower wheel 38 is equidistant from the upper wheels 34, 36, when the speed of the flow 78 increases relative to the speed of the flow 78 for which the lower wheel 38 is equal distance of the upper wheels 34, 36.

In FIG. 17, each lower wheel 38 is substantially equidistant from the upper upstream and downstream wheels 34, 36 connected to the same support 24.

In FIG. 18, the lower wheel 38 is closer to the upstream upper wheel 34 than to the downstream upper wheel 36 connected to the same support 24.

FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of the mechanical-electrical converter 16 of the hydraulic machine 10 shown in FIG. 1. In the present embodiment, the converter 16 comprises a mechanical transmission system 130, a hydraulic circuit 132 in which circulates hydraulic fluid and an electric generator 134. The transmission system 130 is connected to at least one of the wheels 34, 36, 38 of the tidal turbine 10. The electric generator 134 is for example connected to the electrical network 136 or feeds a load arbitrarily.

The hydraulic circuit 132 is divided into a first portion 138 located on the floating structure of the hydro-electric turbine 10 and a second portion 140 located on the ground out of the stream 78. The first portion 138 of the hydraulic circuit 132 comprises at least one hydraulic pump 142 of circulation of the hydraulic fluid, whose input shaft is connected to the mechanical transmission system 130 and the second part 140 of the hydraulic circuit 132 comprises at least one hydraulic motor 144, driven by the hydraulic fluid, whose output shaft istrailed to the input shaft of the electric generator 134. The hydraulic circuit 132 further comprises a regulator 146 of the flow rate and / or the pressure of the hydraulic fluid supplying the hydraulic motor 144 preferably provided at the second portion 140 of the hydraulic circuit 132 The first part 138 of the hydraulic circuit 132 is connected to the second part 140 of the hydraulic circuit 132 at least by a line HP circulation of high pressure hydraulic fluid and a BP line decirculation of low pressure hydraulic fluid.

The mechanical-electrical converter 16 furthermore comprises a processing module 148 receiving signals S supplied by sensors 150 and providing control signals COMau regulator 146. The processing module 148 may correspond to a dedicated circuit or may comprise a processor, for example A microprocessor or microcontroller, adapted to perform instructions of a computer program stored in a memory. The regulator 146 is adapted to change the flow rate and / or the pressure of the hydraulic fluid reaching the hydraulic motor 144 in the control signals COM.

The sensors 150 may comprise in particular: a temperature sensor of the hydraulic pump 142; a temperature sensor of the hydraulic motor 144; a temperature sensor of the electric generator134; a speed sensor of the input shaft of the hydraulic pump 142; a speed sensor of the input shaft of the electric generator 134; a sensor for the pressure of the hydraulic fluid on the HP line; a sensor for the pressure of the hydraulic fluid on the BP line; a voltage sensor provided by the electric generator 134; a current intensity sensor provided by the electric generator 134; and a current frequency sensor provided by the electric generator 134.

In operation, the input shaft of the hydraulic pump 142 is rotated through the transmission system 130 by at least one of the wheels 34, 36, 38 of the turbine 14. in circulation, the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic circuit 132 which surrounds the hydraulic motor 144. The rotational speed of the output shaft of the hydraulic motor 144 is controlled by the regulator 146 as a function of the control signals COM. The output shaft of the hydraulic motor 144 rotates the input shaft of the electric generator 134 which produces electrical energy that can be supplied to the power grid 136.

An advantage of the present embodiment of the converter 16 is that the second portion 140 of the hydraulic circuit 132 and the electric generator 134 are located ausol and can therefore be designed independently of the turbine 14 flotation.

Another advantage of the present embodiment of the converter 16 is that the characteristics, in particular the average voltage and the frequency, of the electrical energy produced by the electric generator 134 can be precisely controlled in part independently of the mechanical energy supplied by the wheel 34, 36 38 In particular, the electrical energy produced by the electric generator 134 can be adapted according to the intended application. According to one embodiment, when the electric generator 134 is connected to the electrical network 136, the load presented to the electrical network 136 by the electric generator 134 can be adapted to the needs envisaged. According to one example, the electric generator 134 can be used to participate in a frequency regulation of the electrical network 136. In another example, in the case where the electric generator 134 comprises an induction rotor asynchronous machine and its regulation, the electric generator 134 can be used for participate in a regulation of the reactive power of the electrical network 136.

According to one embodiment, the tidal turbine can comprise a plurality of turbines 14 which are used simultaneously and arranged at the same location of a watercourse to form a turbine farm 14. In this case, the mechanical / electrical converter 16 of the hydro-turbine is advantageously adapted to convert into electrical energy the mechanical energy provided by all the turbines of the turbine farm. For example, the turbines 14 may be arranged one behind the other in the direction of flow. Indeed, each turbine 14 advantageously disturbs little flow that reaches the next turbine.

Figures 20 and 21 are schematic top views illustrating embodiments of the mechanical / electrical converter of a tidal turbine including a turbo farm.

FIG. 20 shows a tidal turbine 151comprising two floating turbines 14 each carrying the linkage mechanical system 130 and the first part 138 of the hydraulic circuit 132 shown in FIG. 19. The lines HP and BP of the first parts 138 of the hydraulic circuit 132 are connected in parallel to only one second part 140 of the hydraulic circuit132.

In FIG. 21, there is shown a tidal turbine 152 comprising two turbines 14 each comprising the linkage mechanical system 130, the mechanical linkage systems 130 each driving the input shaft of the hydraulic pump 142 of a single first portion 138 of the hydraulic circuit 132.

An advantage of the previously described embodiments is that the number of turbines 14 of the same farm can easily be increased or reduced without modification of the ground elements of the converter 16.

FIG. 22 is a diagram of a more detailed embodiment of the hydraulic circuit 132 of FIG. 19. In FIG. 22, the dotted line 153 represents the separation between the first portion 138 of the hydraulic circuit 132 and the second portion 140 of the hydraulic circuit. 132. The hydraulic fluid flows in the line HP of the first portion 138 to the second portion 140 of the hydraulic circuit 132 and the hydraulic fluid flows in the BP line of the second portion 140 to the first portion 138 of the hydraulic circuit 132.

In the present embodiment, the first part 132 of the hydraulic circuit 132 comprises two hydraulic pumps 142 driven via the transmission system 130 by the two upper upstream wheels 34 or the two upper downstream wheels 36 of the hydrolysis machine 10. Each hydraulic pump 142 is connected to HP high pressure line, to which it represses the hydraulic fluid, through a pipe 154 and the low-pressure lineBP, from which it draws hydraulic fluid, by aeconduite 156.

An isolation valve with a two-way actuator 158 and a two-way manual isolation valve 160 are disposed on each conduit 154, the isolating valve with actuator 158 being closer to the hydraulic pump 142 than the manual isolation valve 160. An isolation valve with a two-way actuator 159 and a two-way manual isolation valve 161 are disposed on each conduit 156, the isolation valve with actuator 159 being closer to the hydraulic pump 142 than the manual isolation valve 161.

The second portion 140 of the hydraulic circuit 132 includes a line 162 which connects the HP line to a reservoir 164 of the hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic motor 144 driving the electric generator 134 is disposed on the line 162. The hydraulic fluid flows through the hydraulic motor 144 of the HP line to the reservoir 164.

On the BP line on the side of the second portion 140 of the hydraulic circuit 132 are provided a heat exchanger 166, a filter 167 and a manual isolation valve 168 two-way, the manual isolation valve 168 being closer to the first part 138 that the heat exchanger 166 and the filter 167.The heat exchanger 166 is used to cool the hydraulic fluid and is, for example, an exchanger in which the cooling fluid is air. The filter 167 is adapted to filter the hydraulic fluid. A pipe 170 connects the pipe BP to the tank 164. A hydraulic pump 172 driven by an electric motor, not shown, and a manual isolation valve 174 with two lanes are provided on the pipe 170, the hydraulic pump 172 being closer to the tank 164 that lavanne Another pipe 176 connects the pipeline 68 to the tank 164. A hydraulic pump 178 driven by the hydraulic motor 144 and two-way manual isolation valves 180 on either side of the hydraulic motor 144 are provided. on driving 176.

The first part 138 of the hydraulic circuit 132 is also connected to the second part 140 of the hydraulic circuit 132 by a pipe 182 which opens into the tank 134, the hydraulic fluid flowing in the pipe 182 of the first part 138 to the second part 140 132. For each hydraulic pump 142, a pipe 184 connects the outlet of the hydraulic pump 142 to the pipe 182.An isolation valve with a two-way actuator 186 and a calibrated orifice 188 are provided on each pipe 184, the valve isolation with actuator 186 being closer to the hydraulic pump 142 than the calibrated orifice 188.

The second portion 140 of the hydraulic circuit 132comprends, in addition, a line 190 connected in parallel on the duct 162 on either side of the hydraulic motor 144. A control valve with actuator 192 two-way and a orificecalibré 194, between two valves d Two-way manual isolation 196 is provided on line 190. The control valve with actuator 192 is a step-adjustable valve which is adjustable between a fully closed position and a fully open position. A line 198 connects the conduit 162 enamont of the hydraulic motor 144 in the direction of circulation of the hydraulic fluid to the pipe 190 downstream of the second manual isolation valve 196 in the direction of circulation of the hydraulic fluid. A pressure relief valve 200 is provided on the line 198.

According to the present embodiment, the hydraulic circuit 132 further comprises: a sensor 202 of the temperature of the hydraulic fluid at the outlet of each hydraulic pump 142; a sensor 204 for the temperature of the hydraulic fluid on the HP line; a sensor 206 for the temperature of the hydraulic fluid on the BP line; a sensor 208 of the rotational speed of the input shaft of the hydraulic pumps 142; a sensor 210 of the rotational speed of the input shaft of the electric generator 134; a sensor 212 of the hydraulic fluid pressure on the HP line; a sensor 214 of the hydraulic fluid pressure on the BP line; a sensor 216 of the temperature of the hydraulic fluid downstream of the calibrated orifice 194; and a sensor 218 of the level of the hydraulic fluid in the tank 164.

The processing module 148 may in particular receive the signals supplied by all the sensors 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 214, 216, 218 or some of them. The processor module 148 can control the opening or closing of all isolating valves with actuator and the regulating valve with actuator 192 or at least some of them.

The hydraulic circuit 132 further comprises a pressure accumulator 220 connected to the conduit 162 by a manual isolation valve 222.

In operation, the manual isolation valves 160, 161, 174, 180, 196 and 222 are open. They are closed only for installation and / or maintenance operations, particularly for the repair of hydraulic pumps 142.

In normal operation, while the wheels 34, 36, 38 of the turbine 14 are rotated by the chains 40 under the action of the flow on the webs 26, the isolation valves with actuator 186 are closed and the valves are closed. isolation with actuator 158 and 159 are open. The hydraulic fluid is circulated in the line HP by the hydraulic pumps 142 and drives the hydraulic motor 144, which in turn drives the electric generator 134. The hydraulic fluid is sucked from the tank 164 into the pipeline PB and passes through the filter 167 and the device cooling166. The coupled hydraulic pump 178 driven by the hydraulic motor 144 also ensures the circulation of the hydraulic fluid in the BP line. The electrical energy supplied by the electric generator 134 is regulated by the control of the flow of the hydraulic fluid driving the hydraulic motor 144. In fact, an increase in the opening of the control valve with actuator 192 causes a decrease in the flow of the hydraulic fluid passing through the hydraulic motor 144, the flowtraversant the hydraulic motor 144 is minimal, or even zero, when the control valve with actuator 192 is completely open. Decreasing the opening of the control valve with actuator 192 causes an increase in the flow rate of the hydraulic fluid passing through the hydraulic motor 144, the flow rate through the hydraulic motor 144 being maximum when the regulator valve with actuator 192 is completely closed.

To facilitate the rotation of the wheels 34, 36, 38, especially during the establishment of the tidal turbine in the flow, during a startup phase, the valves 158 are at least partially closed and the valves 159 and 18 6 are open. The hydraulic fluid can then circulate in part in the pipe 182 which has a lower pressure drop than the line HP on which the hydraulic motor is disposed144, which allows the wheels 34, 36 to actuate the hydraulic pumps 142 with a low back pressure. When the wheels 34, 36, 38 turn normally, the valves 186 are closed progressively and the valves 158 are opened progressively.

Particular embodiments have been described. In addition, various variations and modifications occur to those skilled in the art. In particular, the embodiments of the mechanical-electrical converter 16 previously described in connection with FIGS. 19 to 22 can be implemented with the embodiments of the turbine previously described in connection with FIGS. 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18.

Claims (3)

A turbine (14; 105; 110; 115), intended to be at least partially immersed in a flow of a fluid, comprising two supports (24), at least one float (20) connected to the supports, and, between the supports ( 24), motor sails (26) connected at each end to a transmission member comprising a chain (40) or a belt forming a closed loop, the turbine further comprising wheels (32, 34, 36) driven by the transmission members , at least some of which are mounted free to rotate on the supports, eachveile (26) comprising a leading edge (28) and a trailing edge (30) and being connected to each transmission member by a pivoting coupling (62), the turbine further comprising, for at least one of the transmission members and for each sail, a first piece (66) fixed to the sail and adapted to abut against a member (60) fixed to the transmission member when the star pivots by report to the transmitting body ion of a first deflection angle relative to a reference plane (Ref) in a first direction of rotation and a second part (68) fixed to the star and adapted to abut against said element when the star pivots relative to the organ for transmitting a second angle of travel relative to the reference plane (Ref) in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation. 2. Turbine according to claim 1, in whichthe flow of fluid is a stream. 3. Turbine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein for each sail (26), the axis of rotation (P) of the sail relative to the transmission members (40) is located in the half of the sail side of the edge attacking (28). Turbine according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein each web (26) is mechanically connected to the supports (24) only via the transmitting members (40). 5. Turbine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising means (72, 74) for modifying the first second and second deflection angles. 6. Turbine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising, for each support (24), first and second wheels (34, 36) rotatably mounted on the support and a third wheel (38) connected to the support by a device futurtien (116) adapted to change the position of the third wheel relative to the first and second wheels. The turbine according to claim 6, wherein the holding device (116) comprises a piston (118). 8. Turbine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising at least first, second and third path zones (80, 82, 84) in which each transmission member (40) extends rectilinearly, the edges of attack (28) of the sails (26) being disposed horizontally at least 5 ° in the first and second course areas (80, 82), the sails being completely immersed at least on a portion of the first and second course areas. 9. A turbine according to claim 8, wherein the boats (26) are entirely out of the fluid flow (78) in the third travel zone (84). 10. A turbine according to claim 9, further comprising guiding elements (102) adapted to control the inclination of the webs (26) upon penetration of the webs (26) into the fluid flow (78). 11. Turbine according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the webs (26) are adapted, under the action of hydrodynamic forces, arching downstream relative to the flow of fluid (78) in the first and second course zones (80, 82). 12. A stream kinetic energy recovery system (10; 151; 152) comprising at least a first stream (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and a converter (16) of the mechanical energy supplied by the first turbine to another form of energy. The system of claim 12, wherein the converter (16) comprises a hydraulic circuit (132) comprising a first portion (138) carried by the float (20) and a second portion (140) on the ground out of the watercourse. (78), the first part comprising at least one hydraulic pump (172) adapted to be driven by at least one of the wheels (32, 34,36) and circulating a hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic circuit, the second part comprising at least one hydraulic motor (144) adapted to be driven by the hydraulic fluid. The system of claim 13, wherein the converter (16) comprises a regulator (146) for the flow and / or pressure of the hydraulic fluid reaching the hydraulic motor (144). The system of claim 14, wherein the converter (16) comprises a reservoir (164) of the hydraulic fluid and a first conduit (HP, 162) connecting the hydraulic pump (142) to the reservoir and wherein the hydraulic fluid is intended to flow from the hydraulic pump to the tank, the hydraulic motor (144) being located on the first pipe, the converter further comprisinga second pipe (182, 184) connecting the hydraulic pump to the tank and in which the hydraulic fluid is forcirculating from the hydraulic pump to the reservoir, the loss of discharge of the hydraulic fluid on the second pipe being lower than the pressure drop of the hydraulic fluid on the first pipe, the converter (16) further comprising valves (158, 159, 186) isolation with actuator adapted to allow the circulation of the hydraulic fluid in the first run and simultaneously prohibiting the circulation of the hydraulic fluid in the second conduit and to prohibit the circulation of the hydraulic fluid in the first conduit and simultaneously allow the flow of hydraulic fluid in the second conduit. 16. System (151; 152) according to any one of claims 12 to 15, further comprising a second turbine (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and whereinthe converter (16) is adapted to convert the mechanical energy provided by the second turbine to said other energy form.