FR3113928A1 - Modular tidal turbine. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a tidal turbine (1), comprising: at least one module (2) arranged to be immersed in a liquid (9), each module comprising:a liquid circulation path (3) in the module comprising an inlet (4) arranged to cause liquid to enter the path and at least one outlet (5) arranged to bring the liquid out of the path, at least one generator (6) in the liquid circulation path, means (8) for injecting gas (10) into the module (2) . Figure for abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Modular tidal turbine.

The present invention relates to a tidal turbine.

The field of the invention is more particularly, but not limited to, that of renewable marine energies (MRE) generated from marine currents but also from rivers.

State of the prior art

We already know marine or fluvial tidal turbine technologies, such as for example:

• Tidal dams: they are designed on the same principles as river hydroelectric dams. They are rare because they are extremely expensive and are therefore only possible for the main tidal current deposits. They completely change the environment. They polderize estuaries by accumulation of sediments and impoverish the biotope in diversity and quantity. They have the following disadvantages: size and landscape impact, few eligible sites, costs & environmental nuisances, disturbance of currents, turbulent regimes, accelerated polderization by sedimentary deposits, significant conflicts of use for fishing and navigation, deep and irreversible alteration biotopes, fauna not protected against collisions, obstruction of access and desertification of spawning grounds, pollution by low-frequency noise harmful in particular to marine mammals, pollution by aluminum from cathodic anti-corrosion systems, installation and maintenance costs and depreciation at very long term.
• Helical tidal turbines, exploiting a flow of liquid parallel to their axis of rotation: they represent the vast majority of solutions currently pre-marketed which have been developed for more than ten years and benefit from significant feedback. in real operation, particularly in the United Kingdom. It is a robust, proven, simple technology (underwater wind turbines). However, it has the following disadvantages: limited yields, environmental nuisances, long-range low-frequency noise, disturbance of currents and turbulent regimes, no protection of fauna against collisions, significant conflicts of use for fishing and navigation, size and installation of equipment limiting eligible sites; significant consumption of raw material with devices of several hundred tons and very expensive. The disadvantages specific to fixed tidal turbines are: modifications of sedimentary deposits and associated biotopes, installation and maintenance costs, submarine means and consequent offshore logistics, expensive and difficult to mobilize in the event of a breakdown in difficult climatic periods, relief and nature of the funds prohibiting their installation on many current deposits; the technology is limited to bottoms without relief for the stability of tidal turbines; their installation in strong currents is difficult given the forces they generate on the bulky support structures; consumption of fossil energy resulting in a significant carbon impact during installation and maintenance.
• The floating hydrokinetic turbines attached to a barge or a boat anchored on the surface, the specific disadvantages are: degradation of landscapes, increased competition with other maritime uses, anchoring systems condemning a large underwater surface, vulnerability to climatic events (storms, cyclones, wind costs and/or exceptional waves limiting the possible installation sites); these floating devices pose a danger to infrastructure, other vessels and coastal residents if their moorings break. The gigantism of current helicoidal solutions is due to the limit of Betz's law and to a poor practical yield of 30 to 35%. They reach several tens of meters and several hundred tons, with necessary depths of 30 to 40 meters. As a result, the costs per MWh announced proved to be prohibitive in the face of the evolution of the costs of other renewable energies.
• Tidal turbines exploiting a flow of liquid perpendicular to its axis of rotation: they appeared more recently and came from a variation of solutions tested in rivers. Simple in design, they allow less turbulence generated in the currents, a better density of implantation possible compared to helicoid systems due to less turbulent regimes. Their drawbacks are as follows: low yields, a lack of protection for wildlife against collisions, conflicts of use for fishing and navigation, size and location of equipment limiting the depths and eligible sites; installation and maintenance costs, submarine and offshore lifting resources that are difficult to mobilize and costly, relief and nature of the funds limiting the eligible sites.
• Undulating tidal turbines: they have the advantages of claimed yields superior to other existing technologies, limited environmental impact, possible installation at shallow depths, possible high density. They have the following drawbacks: low power per m ² occupied, lack of reliability due to the multiplicity of production components located on the joints, sensitivity to breakdowns due to the risk of fouling and blockages by foreign bodies carried by the currents; effects of colonization by the biotope impacting performance over time and reliability must be tested in real conditions.

The object of the present invention is to solve all or part of the drawbacks mentioned above and in particular to propose, compared to the state of the art, a tidal turbine according to the invention:

• eligible on a large number of sites, preferably not dependent on the relief and the nature of the bottom and/or variations due to the tides and/or seasonal variations and/or variations in the depths of the currents and/or offering better compatibility with the diversity of current deposits to be exploited, and/or
• limiting environmental nuisances, including one or more nuisances among current disturbances, accelerated polderization by sedimentary deposits, profound and irreversible alteration of biotopes, collisions with wildlife, obstruction of access and desertification of spawning grounds, pollution by harmful low-frequency noise, in particular for marine mammals, and/or pollution by aluminum from cathodic anti-corrosion systems, and/or
• allowing lower installation and/or maintenance costs and/or shorter amortization times which are competitive with other renewable energy sources, with in particular low costs of submarine means and offshore logistics and easily mobilized in the event of a breakdown, including in difficult weather conditions, and/or
• avoiding significant conflicts of use for fishing and navigation,
• small in size and having a limited impact on the landscape, and/or requiring few raw materials, and/or
• low vulnerability to climatic events (storms, cyclones, wind costs and/or exceptional waves), and/or
• improved efficiency and/or good power in relation to the surface area or volume occupied, and/or
• higher reliability compared to systems comprising a multiplicity of production components located on joints.

This objective is achieved with a tidal turbine, including:

• at least one module arranged to be immersed in a liquid, each module comprising:
  • a liquid circulation path in the module comprising an inlet arranged to cause liquid to enter the path and at least one outlet arranged to cause the liquid to exit the path,
  • At least one generator in the liquid circulation path, said or each generator being arranged to transform kinetic energy of the liquid circulating in the path into electrical and/or mechanical energy,
  • means for injecting gas into the module.

According to a first aspect, each module can comprise means for controlling a quantity of gas injected by its gas injection means according to a setpoint for the level of immersion of the at least one module in the liquid.

According to a second aspect, the at least one generator can comprise at least one turbine.

The gas injection means can be arranged to, when the module is completely immersed in the liquid, inject gas at the level of the at least one turbine so that a lower part of the at least one turbine is immersed in the liquid traversing the liquid circulation path and an upper part of the at least one turbine is immersed in the injected gas.

For each module:

• the module or the tidal turbine can include:
  • a first turbine set comprising at least one turbine,
  • a second turbine set comprising at least one turbine,
• the tidal turbine can be arranged so that, depending on a current direction of the liquid surrounding the at least one module:
  • the first turbine set is located above the second turbine set, or
  • the second turbine set is located above the first turbine set,
• the gas injection means can be arranged for, when the module is completely immersed in the liquid:
  • injecting gas at the level of the at least one turbine of the turbine set, called "upper set", located above the other turbine set, so that a lower part of the at least one turbine of the upper clearance is immersed in the liquid traversing the liquid circulation path and an upper part of the at least one turbine of the upper clearance is immersed in the injected gas, and/or
  • not injecting gas at the level of the at least one turbine of the set of turbines, called "lower set", located below the other set of turbines, so that the at least one turbine of the lower set is totally immersed in the liquid traversing the liquid circulation path.

The at least one turbine can be arranged to rotate around an axis (preferably horizontal) perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to a direction of circulation of the liquid in the liquid circulation path.

The tidal turbine may comprise a system for anchoring the at least one module and at least one cable connecting the at least one module to the anchoring system.

The anchoring system can be equipped with a winch arranged to shorten or lengthen the at least one cable connecting the at least one module to the anchoring system.

The tidal turbine may comprise at least one alternator, arranged to transform into electrical energy a rotation of the at least one generator caused by the kinetic energy of the liquid circulating in the path, and means for driving, along the au least one cable connecting the at least one module to the anchoring system, electricity produced by the at least one alternator.

The gas injection means may comprise a compressor located:

• in at least one module, and/or
• in the anchoring system connected to gas sampling means at the surface of the liquid and connected, preferably along the at least one cable connecting the at least one module to the anchoring system, to each module in such a way distributing gas to each module, and/or
• in gas sampling means at the surface of the liquid and connected, preferably along the at least one cable connecting the at least one module to the anchoring system, to each module so as to distribute gas to each module .

The tidal turbine can comprise several modules connected to each other and to the same anchoring system, including a so-called pilot module comprising means for controlling the other so-called slave modules.

The at least one module of the tidal turbine may comprise means for, from the electrical and/or mechanical energy produced by the at least one generator, producing dihydrogen and/or dioxygen from water in which this at least one module is immersed. The at least one module of the tidal turbine may further comprise:

• means for storing this dihydrogen and/or dioxygen, and/or
• means for distributing this dihydrogen and/or dioxygen, for example:
  • by a pipeline, preferably at a port station, and/or
  • by distribution of a bottle or container comprising this dihydrogen and/or dioxygen, and/or
  • by a connector or a distribution socket for this dihydrogen and/or dioxygen

At least one module of the tidal turbine may comprise means for, from the electrical and/or mechanical energy produced by the at least one generator, compressing the oxygen produced by the tidal turbine and/or the air drawn off on the surface by the tidal turbine, and injecting this oxygen or this air into the water in which this at least one module is immersed.

The gas injection means may include:

• a compressor, in at least one of the modules and/or in each module, and connected to gas sampling means at the surface of the liquid.

The gas injection means may include:

• gas storage means in each module.

Description of figures and embodiments

Other advantages and particularities of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description of implementations and non-limiting embodiments, and of the following appended drawings:

there is a schematic profile sectional view of a tidal turbine 1 according to the invention in its version with a single module 2, typically in its marine version,

there is a schematic cross-sectional view from above of the tidal turbine according to the invention of the ,

there is a schematic profile sectional view of a variant of the tidal turbine 1 according to the invention in its version with several modules 2, simultaneously illustrating different possible positions of the tidal turbine 1, and is the preferred embodiment of the invention,

there is a schematic cross-sectional view from above of a type B module 2 (for producing and/or storing dihydrogen H2) for the tidal turbine 1 according to the invention,

there is a schematic profile sectional view of a type B module 2 (for producing and/or storing dihydrogen H2) for the tidal turbine 1 according to the invention,

there is a schematic profile sectional view of different types of modules from among A, B, C or D distributed in different marine turbines 1 according to the invention,

each a) b) or c) is a schematic profile sectional view of different types of modules from among A, B, C or D distributed in different tidal turbines 1 according to the invention,

there is a schematic profile sectional view of the tidal turbine 1 according to the invention in its river version with a single module 2, and

there is a schematic cross-sectional view from above of the tidal turbine according to the invention of the .

These embodiments being in no way limiting, variants of the invention may in particular be considered comprising only a selection of characteristics described or illustrated below isolated from the other characteristics described or illustrated (even if this selection is isolated within a sentence including these other features), if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the state of the prior art. This selection includes at least one preferably functional feature without structural details, and/or with only part of the structural details if only this part is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the state of the art anterior.

We will first describe, with reference to Figures 1 to 7, an embodiment of tidal turbine 1 according to the invention.

Hydrokinetic turbine 1 includes:

• at least one module 2, arranged to be immersed in a liquid 9, each module 2 comprising:
  • a path 3 for circulation of liquid 9 in module 2 comprising an inlet 4 arranged to bring liquid 9 into path 3 and at least one outlet 5 arranged to cause liquid 9 to exit from path 3,
  • at least one turbine 6 in the liquid circulation path 3, arranged to be driven in rotation by the liquid 9 circulating in the path 3,
  • at least one alternator 7, arranged to transform rotation of the at least one turbine 6 into electrical energy,
  • means 8 for injecting gas 10 into the module.

Of course, in the single module version 2, the expression “each module” must be understood as “the module”.

On the , the unhatched zone of path 3 represents the zone of path 3 comprising the liquid 9 and the hatched zone represents the zone of module 2 comprising the gas 10 injected.

The box of module 2 is typically made of aluminium, stainless steel, polyethylene and/or composite materials.

Each turbine 6 is, for example, of the non-crossing tangential type to limit losses of efficiency and noise due to drag, and made of aluminium, stainless steel and/or composite materials. The diameter and number of blades are optimized for the most frequent current speed for the site in question, prototyping will allow designing the sizing algorithms. Typically, each turbine 6 has approximately 1 meter in diameter and a few tens of blades, for an average or most frequent liquid velocity in path 3 for the site considered of approximately 2 meters per second.

Each turbine 6 is arranged so that the liquid 9 flows according to a laminar flow in the path 3.

Each alternator 7 is for example of the brushless synchronous permanent magnet type with electronic regulation (25 to 100 kW per stabilized 400V/50hz alternator).

By turbine 6 is meant any rotating device intended to use the force of the fluid 9 and to transmit it by means of a shaft.

Liquid 9 is water, preferably sea water or fresh water.

Each turbine 6 is partially surrounded by a space 176.

The tidal turbine 1 (centrally in a single master module 21) or each module 2 further comprises means 11 for controlling a quantity of gas 10 injected by the injection means 8 of gas into a retention space 176 of the gas 10 (expanded with respect to its storage state in the module 2, more precisely in the storage means 14) according to an immersion level setpoint of the at least one module 2 in the liquid 9.

Thus, by biomimicry, the space 176 has a technical swim bladder function arranged to adjust the depth of the at least one module 2 in the liquid 9 according to the immersion level setpoint.

The space 176 of a turbine 6 is typically an elliptical trunk-shaped space with a volume of at least 10 m ³ (in the preferred embodiment of the invention), surrounding an upper half of its turbine 6. A ballasting of the module allows the adaptation of its buoyancy according to construction options and design variants.

Thus, the tidal turbine 1 is eligible on a large number of sites, since its location is not very dependent on the relief and the nature of the funds and/or variations due to the tides and/or seasonal variations and/or the depths of the currents and/or environmental and usage constraints and offers wide compatibility with the diversity of current deposits to be exploited.

The control means 11 comprise at least one computer, a central or calculation unit, an analog electronic path (preferably dedicated), a digital electronic path (preferably dedicated), and/or a microprocessor (preferably dedicated), and /or software means. An emergency power supply device on batteries of the control system allows the necessary autonomy in the absence of self-power supply. It intervenes in particular for the injection of air and the starting assistance.

The control means 11 are connected (electrically and/or by wired or wireless communication means) to the injection means 8 so as to control them.

The gas 10 is preferably air or 0 ₂ .

The control means 11 further comprise:

- means of communication (or data collection) arranged to receive from outside the module 2 the immersion level instruction (for example on command from an external operator), and/or

- at least one sensor (or measuring means) providing data (for example data for detecting the approach of a ship, and/or data on the strength and/or position of a sea or river current , etc.) and means for calculating or determining the immersion level setpoint according to the data of said at least one sensor.

Typically, the tidal turbine 1 is arranged, by its means 11, to modify its immersion level setpoint so as to:

- go deeper into the liquid 9 for detection data of the approach of a vessel not wishing to interact with the tidal turbine 1, and/or

- go up to the surface of the liquid 9 for detection data of the approach of a vessel wishing to interact with the tidal turbine, and/or

- adjust the depth of at least one module 2 in the liquid 9 according to the tidal range, the height of a current of liquid 9 to be exploited, etc.

We note that tidal turbine 1 avoids major conflicts of use for fishing and navigation.

Each turbine 6 is arranged to rotate around a (horizontal) axis 15 perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to a direction of circulation 16 of the liquid 9 through this turbine 6 in the circulation path 3.

This type of turbine 6, exploiting a current 16 of liquid 9 perpendicular to its axis of rotation 15, allows less turbulence generated in the currents, a better possible density of implantation compared to helical systems due to less turbulent regimes (and therefore a small size and a limited impact on the landscape).

The tidal turbine 1 comprises an anchoring system 17 of the at least one module and at least one cable 18 connecting the at least one module to the anchoring system 17.

Each cable 18 is preferably a waterproof multifunction umbilical, conductor (Umax 3 kV), anchoring (max breaking strength 60 t), and communication (copper and/or fiber optic) cable.

Preferably two cables 18 connect two opposite sides of each module 2 to the anchoring system 17.

The anchoring system 17 includes concrete weights if the bottom is sedimentary or mechanical fixings if the bottom is rocky.

Apart from the anchorages 17, the maritime surface remains accessible to alternative fishing to the ebb and flow. Hydrokinetic turbine 1 can be submerged and rendered inert on the bottom (position 104, ) to protect against exceptional climatic events and/or to allow the passage of boats with exceptional drafts.

Each module 2 is retained by at least one cable 18.

Each module 2 comprises at least one jack 180 (preferably one jack 180 per cable 18), controlled by means 11 of this same module, connecting this module 2 to at least one cable 18 so as to adapt the attitude of the module 2.

The means 11 are arranged to control each actuator 180.

Each cylinder 180 can for example be of the double-acting pneumatic type.

Entrance 4 includes a grid 41 (preferably self-cleaning) anti fauna and foreign bodies. This avoids the deep and irreversible alteration of biotopes, and collisions with fauna, and reduces the risk of breakdowns by blockage or deterioration of the turbines.

The grid 41 is for example of the type with automatic screening by combs operated by pneumatic cylinders.

Entry 4 comprises a convergent 42 arranged to accelerate the speed of fluid 9 in path 3.

The convergent 42 is for example arranged to reduce the section of the inlet 4 by at least 15% before the at least one turbine 6.

The injection means 8 of a module 2 are arranged to, when the module 2 is completely immersed in the liquid 9, inject the gas 10 at the level of the at least one turbine 6 so that a lower part 66 of the at least one turbine is immersed in the liquid 9 traversing the path 3 and an upper part 76 of the at least one turbine 6 is immersed in the injected gas 10 or in contact at least partially with the injected gas 10.

The retention space 176 of the gas 10 surrounds the upper part 76 of the at least one turbine 6.

Thus, each module 2 exploits the difference in density between air 10 and water 9 (×800) by partial immersion, and considerably improves its overall annual operating efficiency with better sensitivity to variations in the speed of the currents allowing in particular to exploit the most frequent less than 2 meters per second. Air injection facilitates self-starting, which is a weak point of tangential turbines compared to helicoids.

Module 2 includes:

• a first turbine set 61 comprising at least one turbine 6,
• a second turbine set 62 comprising at least one turbine 6,

This second turbine set 62 may not be present in certain variants of the invention.

The at least one output 5 comprises one output 5 per set 61, 62 of turbine 6.

Entry 4 is common to the two sets 61, 62 of turbines 6.

Each outlet 5 comprises at least one adjustable flap 51 arranged to adapt the flow rate and the attitude of the module 2.

The means 11 are arranged to control each flap 51.

Each flap 51 can for example be made of aluminium, stainless steel, polyethylene and/or composite materials.

Depending on the variants considered, the tidal turbine 1 can include:

• a variable number of modules 2:
  • a single module (as shown in figures 1 and 2) or
  • several modules interconnected by at least one cable 18 and to the same anchoring system 17 (as illustrated in particular in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7), including a module 2 called the pilot module 21 comprising means 22 for controlling the other 2 so-called slave modules, and/or
• a variable number of turbines 6 per set of turbines 61 or 62 (for example one turbine 6 per set of turbines 61, 62 as illustrated in FIG. 2 or two turbines 6 with axes of rotation aligned per set of turbines 61, 62 as shown in Figure 4).

The means 22 comprise at least one computer, a central or computing unit, an analog electronic path (preferably dedicated), a digital electronic path (preferably dedicated), and/or a microprocessor (preferably dedicated), and/or software means. An emergency power supply device on batteries of the control system allows the necessary autonomy in the absence of self-power supply. It intervenes in particular for the injection of air and the starting assistance.

For all these variants, the tidal turbine 1 can have several positions in the liquid 9, depending on a direction of the flow of the liquid 9 around the tidal turbine 1 (for example for positions 101 and 102 of the ) and/or according to the immersion level setpoint (for example for positions 103 and 104 of the ).

The floating design allows it to be towed around the installation area with minimal resistance to currents.

It makes it possible to exploit currents at shallow depths such as lagoon passes and shipping lanes because it can "go away" to allow boats to pass. It occupies a minimal and temporary place on the seabed while preserving the accessibility of fishing areas.

The modules 2 float between two waters according to the exploitable depth linked to the fluctuations of the tidal range and taking into account the minimum draft necessary for navigation.

According to need, modules 2 can be cast ( , position 104) to rest on the bottom (ht ~ 3m) on detection of a boat. The bottom is located under the liquid 9.

At the slack ( , position 103) the modules 2 are on the surface or easily accessible, facilitating maintenance without heavy or significant offshore means.

The tidal turbine 1 can be multiplied and arranged in "banks" both in width and in height to fully exploit the currents. It can be installed at great depths to exploit currents such as the gulf stream.

Its very low environmental impact lies in its design which, on the one hand, favors the maintenance of a laminar flow of water and the reduced dimensions of the turbines in order to avoid acoustic pollution harmful to the biosphere. On the other hand the bottoms are preserved because the anchorage 17 creates little disturbance of the currents likely to modify the sedimentary distribution. The risks of collisions for marine animals are extremely reduced compared to the solutions known to date.

Thus, for all these variants the tidal turbine 1 is arranged so that, depending on a direction of flow of the liquid 9 surrounding the at least one module:

• the first turbine set 61 is located above the second turbine set 62 (case of position 101 in Figure 2), or
• the second turbine set is located above the first turbine set (case of position 102 in figure 2),

For each module 2, the gas injection means 8 of this module 2 are arranged for, when this module 2 is completely immersed in the liquid 9:

• injecting gas 10 at the level of at least one turbine 6 of the turbine set (clearance 61 in Figure 1 and in position 101 in Figure 2, or clearance 62 in position 102 in Figure 2)), said "upper clearance", located above the other impeller clearance (clearance 62 in Figure 1 and in position 101 in Figure 2, or clearance 61 in position 102 in Figure 2)), so that a lower part 66 of the at least one turbine 6 of the upper set is immersed in the liquid 9 traversing the path 3 and an upper part 76 of the at least one turbine 6 of the upper set is immersed in the gas 10 injected or in contact at least partially with the injected gas 10, and
• do not inject gas 10 at the level of at least one turbine 6 of the turbine set (set 62 in Figure 1 and in position 101 of Figure 2, or set 61 in position 102 of Figure 2)) , called "lower game", located below the other turbine game, so that the at least one turbine 6 of the lower game is completely immersed in the liquid 9 traversing the circulation path 3 of liquid. The at least one turbine 6 of the lower set can turn, or not according to the variable speed of the current; its performance is interesting for the highest current speeds and its operating point complementary to that of the turbine 6 targeting the lower current regimes. This complementarity improves the overall annual production yield.

The gas injection means 8 include:

• a compressor 12 in at least one of the modules 2 or in each module 2 connected (preferably at least partly along the at least one cable 18 connecting the at least one module 2 to the anchoring system 17) to means 13 for sampling gas 10 at the surface of the liquid, and/or
• a compressor 12 located in gas sampling means 13 at the surface of the liquid and connected (preferably at least partly along the at least one cable 18 connecting the at least one module 2 to the anchoring system 17) to each module 2 so as to distribute the gas 10 to each module 2; in particular for great depths, the compression means can be placed in a buoy or a floating module on the surface which can be equipped with additional renewable energy sources (photovoltaic wind turbines, wave power, etc.).

The sampling means 13 typically comprise a surface buoy (for example made of steel, aluminum, stainless steel, polyethylene or composite materials following design, signaling and telecommunications standards in force) or means positioned on at least one module 2, 21 arranged to take the gas 10 at slack from the module 2, 21 when the latter has emerged at least in part from the liquid 9.

The means 8 for injecting gas 10 comprise means 14 for storing gas in each module 2, in a compressed form relative to the gas 10 when it is withdrawn by the means 13 and/or when injected into each module. 2.

In a detailed exemplary embodiment, the injection means 8 typically comprise:

- the storage means 14 (type of bottle or other), for example bottles made of composite materials

- the compressor 12, such as a marinized industrial compressor,

- an injector which opens into the volume 176, connected to the compressor 12 and/or storage means 14 by pipes and/or compressed air ducts made of steel, copper, stainless steel or polyethylene.

Thus, the tidal turbine 1 comprises means for drawing air from:

- a buoy 13 on the surface or a specific floating module allowing distribution over several groups of modules and for great depths requiring higher air pressures

- at the slack from the emerged master module 21 (for shallow depths).

The air 10 is compressed, stored (in the means 14), then used to expel the liquid 9 from the upper chamber 176 of the active turbine(s) 6 of the "upper" turbine set 6. The modules 2 are thus maintained at in the current by biomimicry (swimming bladder of fish).

The anchoring system 17 or the module 2 is equipped with a winch 19 arranged to shorten or lengthen the at least one cable 17 connecting the at least one module 2 to the anchoring system 17. The winch 19 allows the release the entire depth by extending the cable 18 of one of the anchors 17. The module 2 then disappears naturally by positioning itself on the side of the current stream, occupying only 3 m wide. Preferably, only the river version of Figures 8 and 9 is equipped with winches 19.

The winch 19 is for example of the electric or pneumatic type, and waterproof.

Each module 2 is equipped with a removable waterproof technical box which includes:

• The control means 11 and/or command 22 and/or electric power regulation management of this module 2, and/or
• The management means 8, 12, 14 of the compressed gas 10, which also supply the trimming cylinders 180, and/or
• all or part of at least one sensor, the means of calculation, the means of communication, the means of measurement, command control, and/or data collection, and/or
• an autonomous power supply, and/or
• optionally depending on the variant, one or more cylinders of compressed hydrogen or compressed oxygen or compressed air.

Depending on the type A, B, C or D considered below, each module 2 can produce and/or store different elements:

A) Each module 2 can produce and/or store electricity in order to distribute it outside of module 2, in type A of module 2.

In this case, the tidal turbine 1 comprises means 20 for conducting, along the at least one cable 18 connecting the at least one module 2 to the anchoring system 17, electricity produced by the at least an alternator 7.

These means 20 typically comprise underwater cables for connecting the turbines to the control means 11 (also called TCC cabinet (for "Turbine Control Center" or Turbine Control Center)) of the master module 21 connected via the anchoring base to the micro network 181 for interconnecting all the tidal turbines to the injection transformer on the terrestrial network.

As illustrated in , this electricity can then be conducted by other cables 181 from the anchor 17 to an earth transformer 182.

Thus, each turbine 6 is coupled to an alternator regulator 7 (or directly), itself connected to a micro-grid (or micro-grid) 181 sized according to the number of modules 2 and/or tidal turbines 1 installed. This micro-grid is coupled to the local terrestrial electrical distribution network 182.

A module 2 has a power of approximately 100 Kw (for a current speed Vcrt = 2 m/s) for a higher annual yield than current solutions due to better sensitivity to current speed variations. The laminar regime downstream of the tidal turbine 1 allows a better density of implantation and therefore a greater efficiency of exploitation of the deposits relative to their sea or river surface.

B) Each module 2 can produce and/or store dihydrogen H ₂ in order to distribute it outside module 2, in type B of module 2.

In this case, the at least one module 2 of the tidal turbine 1 comprises means 23 for, from the electrical energy produced by the at least one alternator 7, to produce dihydrogen from water in which this at least one module is submerged.

These means 23 typically comprise a desalinator by reverse osmosis (powered electrically by the means 11 themselves powered by the alternator(s) 7 of the module considered) for the production of pure water and an electrolysis system (powered electrically by the means 11 themselves powered by the alternator(s) 7 of the module considered) which transforms the pure water into H ₂ and O ₂ . This production typically serves an _H2 network with a fuel cell to produce electricity 24 hours a day for isolated sites and/or an _H2 compression system and storage (composite bottles 700 Bars) with delivery station for carbon-free mobility.

Thus, the tidal turbine 1 can also be used for the local production of hydrogen in short circuits to meet the electrical needs of unconnected isolated sites (islands) and/or for the needs of new mobility, in particular ports, boats and coastal towns. .

This invention is therefore a basic brick of effective solutions to get out of fossil fuels. The oceans are the biggest collector of solar energy on 70% of the earth's surface. This renewable solar energy is returned in the form of swell winds and currents. They also transmit the kinetic energy of the stars through the tides. By using this tidal turbine, men can "fish" these MREs in the form of renewable hydrogen to meet their mobility needs on the sea, on land, in the air and this without emitting carbon or particles or risking ecological disasters such as oil spills. .

According to different variants of type B:

• the module 2 can be directly connected in micro grid (or micro network) by a pipe 282 of H ₂ immersed in a port station for the delivery of green hydrogen for boats. This short circuit model has 6 times greater environmental efficiency as a substitute for diesel (330 gCO2e/kWh) than connection to the RTE electricity network (53 gCO2e/kWh). It is more competitive and less impacting on biodiversity than submarine cable infrastructure (€1 million/km). It avoids the difficulties of landing and connecting to the nearest delivery station, which are often uncertain (technically and legally) and prohibitive. This cost should be compared with that of an H ₂ station (€1 million, desalinator, electrolyser and compression system). These costs will moreover become more and more competitive with the ongoing democratization of the hydrogen vector.
• the hydrogen production module 2 automatically rises to the surface on demand (signal emitted by the buoy 13) for the replacement of the full bottles of H ₂ recovered by boats. The frequency is variable according to the currents, the installation and the consumptions. Additional production/storage modules 2 can be provided. The periodicity can be adjusted in the first months of operation thanks to a predictive algorithm and the data collected. It incorporates currents and tidal ranges and any weather constraints in order to optimize costs. These H ₂ cylinders are distributed to H ₂ stations in the territory in ports for supplying ships, directly to maritime professionals for specific needs (maritime shuttles, oyster farmers, fishermen), to logistics carriers (large carriers roads) or for other mobility uses (cars, pleasure craft, H2 bicycles) or even industrial processes (fertilizer production, steel industry, etc.).
• as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the module 2 is directly equipped with a filling socket housed by a sealed automatic hatch, access to which is granted in contactless payment mode and/or radio recognition (RFID). Boats can then dock directly at module 2 to refuel. A communicating algorithm makes it possible to guide boats by GPS to reach the nearest delivery point, taking into account technical conditions (available and forecast stocks, boat needs and...) and/or meteorological conditions (fog, night, etc.) .

In this type B, module 2 is equipped with two separate boxes. The first contains the H ₂ production part and the second the H ₂ storage part. The storage box is equipped with a removable rack with quick connectors which allows you to replace full bottles with empty ones during the stall. The oxygen by-product of electrolysis can also be recovered in cylinders (for example medical grade oxygen or for the needs of professional diving) or released into the water, thus boosting the production of phytoplankton and the entire chain of biodiversity. As an option, an automatic hatch with contactless access and payment protects a delivery pick-up which, when the module is emerging at the slack, allows boats to be refueled by docking at module 2. This solution makes it possible to make the coasts autonomous in renewable energy. , fishing or pleasure fleets anywhere on the planet in short circuits and to fight against malnutrition and the decline of biodiversity.

C) Each module 2 can produce and/or store dioxygen O ₂ in order to distribute it outside of module 2, in type C of module 2.

In this case, the at least one module 2 of the tidal turbine 1 comprises means 24 for, from the electrical energy produced by the at least one alternator, to produce oxygen from water 9 in which this at least one module 2 is submerged.

These means 24 are in practice identical to the means 23 of the type B module), the O2 and the H2 being both products of the desalinator and of the electrolysis system.

Oxygen by-product of electrolysis can thus be recovered in cylinders (for example of medical quality oxygen or for the needs of professional diving).

Therefore, a module 2 of type B) will normally also be of type C) and a module 2 of type C) will normally also be of type B).

The description given for type B is applicable to type C for the production and storage of O ₂ , replacing H ₂ by O ₂ .

D) Each module 2 can produce and/or store dioxygen O ₂ or air or another element (necessary for the restoration of environments degraded by global warming or coastal anthropogenic pressure) in order to release into the liquid 9 this dioxygen O ₂ or this air or this other element, preferably in order to re-oxygenate the water or the liquid 9 in which the module 2 is immersed, in the type D of module 2.

In this case, the at least one module 2 of the tidal turbine 1 comprises means 25 for, from the electrical energy produced by the at least one alternator 7, compressing the oxygen produced by the tidal turbine 1 (according to the means 23 or 24 of the module of type B) or C) above) and/or air taken from the surface by the tidal turbine 1 (by the means 13 and/or the compressor 12), and injecting this dioxygen or this air in water 9 in which this at least one module 2 is immersed.

The main function of this type D is the re-oxygenation of waters eutrophicated by global warming and anthropogenic pollution. The tidal turbine will then not have the sole function of producing energy but will be designed to use currents to compress atmospheric air to inject it into the water. In fact, more and more bays and semi-enclosed marine or river environments are faced with episodes of proliferation of algae (or "algal bloom"), the first consequence of which is eutrophication and then the appearance of cyanobacteria that are dangerous for the biotope, benthic fauna and humans. The re-oxygenation of the water makes it possible to combat these effects by restoring a balanced population of phytophagous with the proliferation of algae. The positive effect on the food chain would allow the increase in fishing volumes by improving the condition of fishermen and the fight against malnutrition.

Thus, the tidal turbine 1 can generate indirect benefits by being used to oxygenate the water and promote the prevention of algae proliferation or even diffuse other elements necessary for the restoration of environments degraded by global warming or coastal anthropogenic pressure .

The fact that the tidal turbine 1 was designed from the outset to allow modules 2 to be associated with each other makes it possible to benefit from all the functions to varying degrees according to the specific needs of the territory concerned by mixing these variants.

Thus, all the modules of type A, B, C or D can be combined with each other within the same tidal turbine 1 and/or can also be distributed in several tidal turbines 1 according to the invention, according to an almost infinite number of combinations which depend the number of modules 2 per tidal turbine 1, and the choice of module types from A, B, C or D. For example, in Figures 6 and 7:

• each unhatched module 2 is of type A, to produce and/or store electricity in order to distribute it to the outside of this module 2,
• each simply hatched module 2 is of type B, to produce and/or store dihydrogen H ₂ in order to distribute it to the outside of this module 2,
• each doubly hatched module 2 is of type C and/or D, to produce and/or store dioxygen O ₂ (if associated with type B modules) or air in order to re-oxygenate the water or the liquid 9 in which module 2 is immersed,

In the case of the tidal turbine 1 on the right in Figure 7c) comprising three type B modules, these modules 2 comprise from top to bottom:

• a type B module having the functions of filling station and stock of H ₂ ,
• a type B module having the compression and stock functions of H ₂ ,
• a type B module having the functions of production and stock of H ₂ ,

these three modules 2 communicating with each other by H ₂ transport means (preferably along the at least one cable 18), so that the H ₂ produced by the bottom module 2 can be compressed by the module 2 of the middle, and that the H ₂ compressed by the module 2 of the middle can be distributed towards the outside by the module 2 of the top.

In view of the previous description, it is therefore understood that the tidal turbine 1, by its new, totally original design, makes it possible to cover the needs of all the deposits by minimizing the impacts of uses or the environment and the costs in an unprecedented way.

Due to its small size and its underwater floating modular design, the tidal turbine 1 deploys a variable collection surface by following the evolution of the tidal range. Each module 2 has the size of a standard ISO 668:2020 and ISO 1496-3:2019 container (Length=1218 cm, width=244 cm, Height=290 cm for a weight of 3.7 t) easily transportable and producible in large series for a catchment area of around 20 m ² /u.

Deposits too shallow for helicoidal solutions become accessible to this invention, or lagoon passages that have strong currents, unsuitable topography and too high a density of biodiversity. Many islands suffer from high diesel costs for their electricity and mobility with a critical carbon impact. This solution preserves the future and the autonomy of these territories which are highly exposed to natural disasters and rising sea levels resulting from greenhouse gas emissions linked to oil dependence.

The tidal turbine 1 is called "hybrid" by its dual capacity to produce renewable electricity and renewable H ₂ from two distinct elements, water and air.

We will now describe, but only for its differences with respect to FIGS. 1 to 7 (the reference numbers already described will not be described again) the tidal turbine 1 in its fluvial variant.

This variant can be with a single module 2, as illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, or with several modules 2 as previously illustrated, depending on the depth of the river.

Note that each module 2 of the tidal turbine of the comprises only one upper set 61 of turbines 6. Indeed, in a river, the direction of the water current does not change.

In addition, it is noted that the means 13 for sampling the gas 10 at the surface of the liquid 9 are located directly in the module 2 (or in at least one of the modules 2, preferably the one located the highest in the case of several modules 2): the gas is sampled and stored in module 2 each time module 2 rises to the surface of liquid 9.

Finally, with reference to the , it is noted that the two winches 19 are arranged to extend the two cables 18, 20 of substantially identical lengths (in position 111 of module 2) or of different lengths (in position 112 of module 2), so as to be able to position the or each module 2:

• in its position 111 so that the or each module 2 is elongated perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow 16 of the liquid 9 in the river (ie so that the axis 15 is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow 16 of liquid 9 in the river); this position is the position in which module 2 is used to generate an electric current or H ₂ or O ₂ , or
• in its position 112 so that the or each module 2 is elongated parallel or substantially parallel to the direction of flow 16 of the liquid 9 in the river (i.e. so that the axis 15 is parallel or substantially parallel to the direction of flow 16 of liquid 9 in the river); this position is the position of module 2 allowing certain ships to pass on the river without touching module 2.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and many adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention.

In particular, in all the embodiments previously described:

• the term "turbine" can be replaced generally by "generator 6", said generator being arranged to convert kinetic energy of the liquid flowing in path 3 into electrical and/or mechanical energy. This generator can for example be a (“helical”) turbine exploiting a flow of liquid parallel to its axis of rotation, a turbine exploiting a flow of liquid perpendicular to its axis of rotation, or an energy conversion system by undulating membrane , etc., and/or
• each alternator 7 can be accompanied or replaced by means for transforming kinetic energy of the liquid flowing in path 3 into mechanical energy. For example, in a type D module, without necessarily producing electrical energy, a module 2 can comprise means for transforming a rotation of the at least one generator or turbine into mechanical pumping energy (piston pump , peristaltic or other type of pump), for example so that the means 25 are arranged to, from the mechanical energy produced by the at least one generator or turbine, compress air or oxygen coming from the atmosphere or compress the dioxygen or dihydrogen produced by tidal turbine 1.

Of course, the different characteristics, forms, variants and embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other in various combinations insofar as they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described above can be combined with each other.

Claims (15)

Tidal turbine (1), comprising:

• at least one module (2) arranged to be immersed in a liquid (9), each module comprising:
  • a liquid circulation path (3) in the module comprising an inlet (4) arranged to bring liquid into the path and at least one outlet (5) arranged to let the liquid exit the path,
  • At least one generator (6) in the liquid circulation path, said generator being arranged to transform kinetic energy of the liquid circulating in the path (3) into electrical and/or mechanical energy,
  • means (8) for injecting gas (10) into the module (2),
  • means (11) for controlling a quantity of gas injected by the gas injection means as a function of an immersion level setpoint of the at least one module in the liquid.

Tidal turbine according to Claim 1, characterized in that the at least one generator (6) comprises at least one turbine (6). Tidal turbine according to Claim 2, characterized in that the gas injection means are arranged to, when the module is completely immersed in the liquid (9), inject gas (10) at the level of the at least one such that a lower part (66) of the at least one turbine is immersed in the liquid traversing the liquid circulation path and an upper part (76) of the at least one turbine is immersed in the injected gas. Tidal turbine according to Claim 3, characterized in that, for each module:

• this module includes:
  • a first turbine set (61) comprising at least one turbine,
  • a second turbine set (62) comprising at least one turbine,
• the tidal turbine being arranged so that, depending on a direction of flow of the liquid (9) surrounding the at least one module:
  • the first turbine set is located above the second turbine set, or
  • the second turbine set is located above the first turbine set,
• the gas injection means being arranged for, when the module is completely immersed in the liquid:
  • injecting gas at the level of the at least one turbine of the set of turbines, called "upper set", located above the other set of turbines, so that a lower part of the at least one turbine of the set upper is immersed in the liquid traversing the liquid circulation path and an upper part of the at least one turbine of the upper set is immersed in the injected gas, and
  • not to inject gas at the level of the at least one turbine of the turbine set, called "lower clearance", located below the other turbine clearance, so that the at least one turbine of the lower clearance is completely immersed in the liquid traversing the liquid circulation path.

Tidal turbine according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the at least one turbine is arranged to rotate around a horizontal axis (15) perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to a direction of circulation (16) of the liquid in the liquid circulation path. Tidal turbine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an anchoring system (17) of the at least one module and at least one cable (18) connecting the at least one module to the system of 'anchoring. Tidal turbine according to Claim 6, characterized in that the anchoring system is equipped with a winch (19) arranged to shorten or lengthen the at least one cable connecting the at least one module to the anchoring system. Tidal turbine according to Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that it comprises at least one alternator (7), arranged to transform rotation of the at least one generator into electrical energy, and means (20) for conducting, along of the at least one cable connecting the at least one module to the anchoring system, of the electricity produced by the at least one alternator. Tidal turbine according to any one of Claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the gas injection means comprise a compressor (12) located:

• in the anchoring system connected to gas sampling means (13) at the surface of the liquid and connected, preferably along the at least one cable connecting the at least one module to the anchoring system, to each module so as to distribute gas to each module, and/or
• in gas sampling means (13) at the surface of the liquid and connected, preferably along the at least one cable connecting the at least one module to the anchoring system, to each module so as to distribute gas to each module.

Tidal turbine according to any one of Claims 6 to 9, characterized in that it comprises several modules connected to one another and to the same anchoring system, including one module called the pilot module (21) comprising means (22) for controlling the other so-called slave modules. Tidal turbine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one module of the tidal turbine comprises means (23) for, from the electrical and/or mechanical energy produced by the at least one generator , producing dihydrogen from water in which this at least one module is immersed. Tidal turbine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one module of the tidal turbine comprises means (24) for, from the electrical and/or mechanical energy produced by the at least one generator , producing oxygen from water in which this at least one module is immersed. Tidal turbine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one module of the tidal turbine comprises means (25) for, from the electrical and/or mechanical energy produced by the at least one generator , compressing oxygen produced by the marine turbine and/or air taken from the surface by the marine turbine, and injecting this oxygen or this air into water in which this at least one module is immersed. Tidal turbine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gas injection means comprise:

• a compressor (12) in each module connected to means (13) for sampling gas at the surface of the liquid.

Tidal turbine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gas injection means comprise:

• gas storage means (14) in each module.