GB2550615A - Improved underwater turbine nacelle - Google Patents

Improved underwater turbine nacelle Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2550615A
GB2550615A GB1609259.5A GB201609259A GB2550615A GB 2550615 A GB2550615 A GB 2550615A GB 201609259 A GB201609259 A GB 201609259A GB 2550615 A GB2550615 A GB 2550615A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
turbine nacelle
main body
underwater turbine
body portion
underwater
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB1609259.5A
Other versions
GB201609259D0 (en
Inventor
Love Craig
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Andritz Hydro Hammerfest UK Ltd
Original Assignee
Andritz Hydro Hammerfest UK Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Andritz Hydro Hammerfest UK Ltd filed Critical Andritz Hydro Hammerfest UK Ltd
Priority to GB1609259.5A priority Critical patent/GB2550615A/en
Publication of GB201609259D0 publication Critical patent/GB201609259D0/en
Publication of GB2550615A publication Critical patent/GB2550615A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
    • F03B13/12—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy
    • F03B13/26—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using tide energy
    • F03B13/264—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using tide energy using the horizontal flow of water resulting from tide movement
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B17/00—Other machines or engines
    • F03B17/06—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head"
    • F03B17/061—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head" with rotation axis substantially in flow direction
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2230/00—Manufacture
    • F05B2230/60—Assembly methods
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2230/00—Manufacture
    • F05B2230/70—Disassembly methods
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2230/00—Manufacture
    • F05B2230/80—Repairing, retrofitting or upgrading methods
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2240/00—Components
    • F05B2240/10—Stators
    • F05B2240/14—Casings, housings, nacelles, gondels or the like, protecting or supporting assemblies there within
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2250/00—Geometry
    • F05B2250/20—Geometry three-dimensional
    • F05B2250/23—Geometry three-dimensional prismatic
    • F05B2250/231—Geometry three-dimensional prismatic cylindrical
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/20—Hydro energy
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/30—Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P70/00—Climate change mitigation technologies in the production process for final industrial or consumer products
    • Y02P70/50—Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Oceanography (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Hydraulic Turbines (AREA)

Abstract

An underwater turbine nacelle 41 comprises main body portion 43A and cover portion 43B connected by flanged connection 45. The flanged connection comprises at least one of a horizontal flange or diagonal flange. The flange connection may comprise both a horizontal flange portion 45A and a diagonal flange portion 45B, which may be located towards the forward end of the nacelle. The main body portion may comprise a cylindrical first portion and a segmented cylindrical second portion, which may be a horizontal or diagonal cylindrical segment. The nacelle may be cylindrical when the cover portion is connected to the main body portion, and may comprise strengthening ribs. This provides improved access to the internal components of the turbine. Also claimed is an underwater turbine comprising the aforementioned nacelle, a plurality of blades and a substructure for installing the turbine on the seabed. Also claimed are methods of assembling, repairing and maintaining an underwater turbine comprising the aforementioned nacelle.

Description

Improved Underwater Turbine Nacelle
The present invention relates to the field of underwater turbines such as tidal turbines installed in areas of tidal flow. More specifically, the present invention concerns improvements in the maintenance, repair and assembly of underwater turbine nacelles. In a particular embodiment of the invention there is provided an underwater turbine nacelle with a removable portion configured for ease of maintenance, repair and assembly of internal components.
Background to the invention
In a body of sea water, the changing tides result in oscillating currents. Underwater turbines are deployed on the seabed to capture energy from the resulting tidal streams. However, despite the reliable and predictable source of kinetic energy which the tidal streams provide, the operating environments in which the turbines are deployed are harsh and periodic maintenance of the devices is required to ensure operational effectiveness.
Typically, such turbines are assembled onshore, transported to an installation site, installed on the seabed and remain in place until maintenance is required, whether as part of a routine maintenance cycle or in response to identification of a problem or reduced performance. To maintain or repair the turbines they are retrieved from the seabed -which is in itself a difficult, costly and time-consuming process - then maintained or repaired either on-shore or on a maintenance barge or the like.
Maintenance will require access to the internal components of the turbine. Figure 1 illustrates a conventional underwater turbine nacelle 11 which comprises a housing 13 formed of two cylindrical portions 13A,13B. The two cylindrical portions 13A, 13B are joined at a flange 15 which divides the housing 13 along a vertical plane. To access the internal components of the turbine the portions 13A,13B need to be separated. The typical internal arrangements of the turbine nacelle require that the portion 13B be moved horizontally away from opposite portion 13A until the internal components of the turbine are cleared, thus enabling unrestricted access for maintenance and repair.
This is a non-trivial task and requires heavy lifting equipment and also a large footprint (onsite or on-deck) to accommodate the portion 13B being fully drawn away from the opposite and stationary portion 13A. Furthermore, to avoid damage of the internal components the portion 13B must be carefully removed to avoid impact or otherwise contact with key components so care and an appropriate degree of precision is required when manoeuvring the nacelle portion 13B.
The Applicant has identified that there is an outstanding requirement for a solution that permits easy and safe access to the internal components of an underwater turbine to reduce assembly and maintenance difficulty and time. Corresponding difficulties arise in the initial assembly phase as a similar footprint is required for assembly, and so there is a corresponding and similar requirement for a solution that assists in the assembly phase.
Accordingly, it is an object of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide an underwater turbine nacelle which enables a reduction in maintenance, repair and assembly difficulty and time. Embodiments of at least one aspect of the present invention reduce the required footprint for such maintenance, repair and assembly operations. Further aims and objects of the invention will become apparent from reading the following description.
Summary of the invention
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an underwater turbine nacelle, the nacelle comprising a main body portion and a cover portion connected to the main body portion via a flanged connection, wherein the flanged connection comprises a horizontal and/or diagonal flange.
Providing a horizontal and/or diagonal flanged connection permits several advantages over conventional turbine nacelles which employ a vertical flanged connection. While a flanged connection according to the present invention may also comprise a vertical flange, a horizontal and/or diagonal flange enables a lower portion of the underwater turbine nacelle to provide support to the internal components along the length of the turbine even when the cover is removed, and also improves access and reduces risk of damage to internal components and risk of injury to personnel.
Most preferably, the flanged connection comprises a substantially horizontal flange portion and a diagonal flange portion. The diagonal flange portion is preferably and advantageously located towards a forward end of the turbine nacelle.
Alternatively, the flanged connection comprises a substantially horizontal flange portion and a substantially vertical flange portion. Further alternatively, the flanged connection comprises a diagonal flange portion.
Preferably, the main body portion comprises a cylindrical first portion and a second portion of segmented cylindrical form.
In geometrical terms, a cylindrical segment is a solid cut from a horizontal cylinder by at least a single plane therethrough. A single plane may be oriented horizontally so as to provide a substantially horizontal cylindrical segment. Alternatively, a single plane may be oriented diagonally. Further alternatively a first plane may be oriented substantially horizontally and a second plane may be oriented diagonally.
Optionally, the main body portion comprises a unitary construction comprising the first portion and the second portion. Alternatively, the first portion of the main body portion and the second portion of the main body portion are joined together, for example by a second flanged connection.
Most preferably, the cover portion is shaped to cooperate and/or correspond with the main body portion, and particularly the second portion of the main body portion, such that nacelle is substantially cylindrical when the cover portion is connected to the main body portion.
Accordingly, the cover portion preferably comprises a segmented cylindrical form.
In geometrical terms, the cylindrical segment of the cover portion is defined by the opposite solid cut from a horizontal cylinder by the at least a single plane which defines the cylindrical segment of the second portion of the main body portion. Accordingly, the single plane may be oriented horizontally so as to provide a substantially horizontal cylindrical segment. Alternatively, a single plane may be oriented diagonally. Further alternatively a first plane may be oriented substantially horizontally and a second plane may be oriented diagonally.
Optionally, the horizontal plane which defines cylindrical segments of the second portion of the main body portion and/or the cover portion coincides with a central axis through the turbine nacelle, equally dividing the corresponding cylinder. Alternatively, the horizontal plane is vertically displaced from the central axis through the turbine nacelle, and preferably in an upwards direction (i.e. towards the top of the turbine nacelle).
Preferably, the main body portion houses internal components of the underwater turbine nacelle. Optionally, the main body portion supports the internal components. Advantageously, a second portion of the main body portion supports one or more of the internal components.
Optionally, the main body portion comprises one or more strengthening ribs. The strengthening ribs may be located on an inner surface of the main body portion, an outer surface of the main body portion, or on both an inner and an outer surface of the main body portion.
The cover portion may comprise one or more strengthening ribs. Similarly, the strengthening ribs may be located on an inner surface of the cover portion, an outer surface of the cover portion, or on both an inner and an outer surface of the cover portion.
Optionally, internal components of the turbine nacelle are mounted independently within the main body portion. Optionally, the internal components of the turbine nacelle are arranged in a modular structure.
Advantageously, the cover portion comprises a thinner material than that of the main body portion. Preferably, or alternatively, the cover portion comprises a lighter material than that of the main body portion. In foreseen embodiments of the invention the cover portion may be provided with one or more windows.
Preferably, the flanged connection comprises a plurality of bolt holes to permit the main body portion and the cover portion to be bolted together.
Preferably, the underwater turbine nacelle comprises one or more seals. Preferably one or more seals are located at or otherwise provide a water-tight seal at or near the flanged connection.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an underwater turbine comprising an underwater turbine nacelle according to the first aspect, a plurality of blades mounted on the turbine nacelle for rotation in a moving body of water, and a substructure for installing the underwater turbine on the seabed.
Embodiments of the second aspect of the invention may comprise features corresponding to the preferred or optional features of the first aspect of the invention or vice versa.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of assembling an underwater turbine comprising providing an underwater turbine nacelle according to the first aspect.
Optionally, the method comprises opening the underwater turbine nacelle by removing the cover portion from the main body portion. The cover portion may be removed from the main body portion by lifting substantially vertically, diagonally, or substantially horizontally.
Preferably, the method comprises closing the underwater turbine nacelle by connecting the cover portion to the main body portion using the flanged connection. Preferably, the main body portion and the cover portion are bolted together.
Optionally, the method comprises assembling the main body portion by joining together a first portion of the main body portion and a second portion of the main body portion, for example using a second flanged connection.
Preferably, the method comprises installing one or more internal components of the underwater turbine nacelle within the main body portion. Optionally, the main body portion supports the internal components. Advantageously, a second portion of the main body portion supports one or more of the internal components.
Optionally, the method comprises mounting internal components of the turbine nacelle independently within the main body portion. Optionally, the method comprises arranging internal components of the turbine nacelle in a modular structure.
The method may also comprise performing a visual inspection of at least one of the internal components if the cover portion comprises one or more windows.
Preferably, the method comprises sealing the underwater turbine nacelle. Preferably a water-tight seal is provided at or near the flanged connection.
Embodiments of the third aspect of the invention may comprise features corresponding to the preferred or optional features of the first or second aspects of the invention or vice versa.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of repairing or maintaining an underwater turbine comprising an underwater turbine nacelle according to the first aspect.
Optionally, the method comprises retrieving the underwater turbine nacelle. The underwater turbine nacelle may be retrieved to a maintenance or repair vessel, and maintained or repaired on-deck. Alternatively, the underwater turbine nacelle is transported to a dockside or other on-shore maintenance or repair facility.
Alternatively, the underwater turbine nacelle may be repaired or maintained in situ, i.e. without having to retrieve the underwater turbine nacelle, by removing the cover portion from the main body portion underwater. This is of course particularly applicable to underwater turbines where the nacelles are flooded.
Embodiments of the fourth aspect of the invention may comprise features corresponding to the preferred or optional features of the first to third aspects of the invention or vice versa.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an underwater turbine nacelle, a main body portion of an underwater turbine nacelle or a cover portion of an underwater turbine nacelle, substantially as described herein with reference to the appended drawings.
Brief description of the drawings
Aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the following drawings (like reference numerals referring to like features) in which:
Figure 1 illustrates in side elevation a typical turbine nacelle according to the prior art;
Figure 2 illustrates in side elevation a turbine nacelle according to an aspect of the invention;
Figure 3 illustrates in side elevation an alternative turbine nacelle according to an aspect of the invention;
Figure 4 illustrates in side elevation another alternative turbine nacelle according to an aspect of the invention; and
Figure 5 illustrates in perspective view a turbine similar to the turbine nacelle illustrated in Figure 4 in an open configuration.
Detailed description of preferred embodiments
As discussed in the background to the invention above, Figure 1 illustrates a conventional underwater turbine nacelle 11 with two cylindrical portions 13A, 13B joined at a vertical flange 15. To access the internal components of the turbine the portions 13A,13B need to be separated horizontally and spaced apart sufficiently to enable unrestricted access for maintenance and repair.
Figure 2 illustrates an underwater turbine nacelle 21 comprising a cylindrical body which instead of being separated into two cylindrical portions by a vertical flange is separated into a main body portion 23A which houses the internal components and a relatively smaller removable cover portion 23B which cooperates with the main body portion 23A to provide an overall cylindrical turbine nacelle 21. The cover portion 23B in this example is of a semicylindrical shape and the main body portion 23A is of a cylindrical shape with a semicylindrical protrusion. The main body portion 23A is of a unitary construction but may be formed by flanging a semicylindrical portion onto a cylindrical portion (as indicated by reference numeral 25A).
The cover portion 23A can be unbolted and removed vertically, horizontally, or vertically and horizontally to provide access to the internal components of the nacelle 21. This is extremely advantageous and provides a significantly easier way of accessing the nacelle internal components of the nacelle 21 without requiring the same footprint as the conventional arrangement shown in Figure 1.
This results in a reduction in space requirements in a workshop or indeed on a vessel when maintenance is to be performed. Furthermore, the relative size of the removable cover portion 23B compared to the cylindrical portion 13B of the conventional arrangement shown in Figure 1 results in a reduction in the work effort for disassembly and assembly of the underwater turbine nacelle 21, for example during preventative maintenance operations. The crane capacity required for maintenance and assembly is also reduced.
Furthermore, there are advantages in that the semicylindrical protrusion of the main body portion 23A is able to provide mechanical support to the internal components of the turbine nacelle 21 even when the cover portion 23B has been removed. This exposes a further drawback of the conventional arrangement shown in Figure 1 wherein the internal components exposed when the cover portion 13B is removed must be supported by a structure which extends from the main body 13A; and in fact must be continually supported by said structure as the cover portion 13B will by design not contact the internal components. A degree of impact protection is also provided and this may be particularly beneficial for on-site maintenance where the exposure of the internal components can be significantly reduced.
The main body portion 23A can be strengthened, for example by provision of one or more internal and/or external ribs, to enable the main body portion 23A to accommodate heavier internal components along the entire length of the nacelle, or a reorganisation, restructuring or redistribution of internal components, that could not be achieved using the conventional arrangement shown in Figure 1 which requires that weightier components be housed in the forward section of the nacelle close to the connection to the substructure.
During the assembly phase, complete assembly of all components into the main body portion 23A of the nacelle is enabled, with corresponding reductions in time and cost of the assembly process. Furthermore, there are anticipated reductions in the overall cost of the associated steelwork.
Ideally, the internal components are all, or mostly, mounted independently within the main body portion 23A; this is enhanced and to an extent is enabled by the abovementioned support provided by the protrusion which provides mechanical support and effectively a base for the internal components. This has a resulting benefit in that it becomes easier to replace internal components without having to remove other components to access them.
An additional advantage is that the extent of parallelised assembly and maintenance can be increased by facilitating a modular structure and improved access which will permit a greater number of personnel to work on the turbine nacelle at any one time. A simplified assembly process coupled with improved access will have other benefits such as safer working conditions which reduces the risk to the health and safety of personnel working on the turbine nacelle as well as reducing the risk of damage to the internal components themselves.
Further advantages include the possibility of reducing overall weight as the cover portion 23B can be made of a thinner or otherwise lighter material than the rest of the turbine nacelle. The omission of a bed plate or other support structure for the components housed in the extended portion of the nacelle not only reduces overall weight but also reduces space requirements which may provide additional space within the turbine nacelle, allow the turbine nacelle to be reduced in size - and hence weight - or a combination of these beneficial factors.
Note that it is unknown in the art to split a pressure vessel in any way other than perpendicular to the axis, as the skilled person would expect external (or internal) pressure to cause the flanges to be forced apart.
Figures 3, 4 and 5 illustrate alternative embodiments which enjoy the benefits of the above described embodiment but in slightly different ways with their own particular advantages.
The turbine nacelle 31 illustrated in Figure 3 employs a diagonal flange 35 instead of the horizontal and vertical flanges of the embodiment shown in Figure 2. This has advantages in that it is potentially easier to align the flanges and bolt them together than the arrangement shown in Figure 2, as well as providing additional access to internal components located further towards the hub of the turbine nacelle 33 than possible with the arrangement shown in Figure 2, and particularly the conventional arrangement shown in Figure 1.
Again, the cover portion 33B can be made of a thinner and/or lighter material than the main body portion 33A of the turbine nacelle 33 to reduce the overall weight of the turbine nacelle.
Embodiments which benefit from aspects of both the embodiments illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 are illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. These embodiments employ flanges 45,55 having horizontal portions 45A,55A and diagonal portions 45B,55B. Such arrangements are believed to be easier to manufacture than the arrangement shown in Figure 3 while still benefitting from a diagonal portion which permits improved access to inner components towards the hub ends of the turbine nacelles 41,51.
Common with all embodiments of the present invention, in these embodiments the cover portions 43B (not shown in Figure 5) can be made of a thinner and/or lighter material than the main body portions 43A,53A of the turbine nacelles 43,53 to reduce the overall weight of the turbine nacelles. It is also foreseen that the cover portion of any embodiment of the present invention may comprise one or more windows permitting visual inspection of the internal components of the turbine nacelle.
In the perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, which shows the turbine nacelle 51 with the cover portion 53B removed, internal strengthening ribs 57 are visible; these lend structural strength to the main body portion 53A. The cover portion (not shown) may be provided with similar or corresponding internal ribs. External ribs may be provided, in addition or as an alternative to internal ribs in this or indeed any embodiment of the inventive underwater turbine nacelle.
Note that in the embodiment shown in Figure 5 the horizontal flange does not coincide with a central axis of the turbine nacelle 53 (indicated by a dashed line which bisects the turbine at a corresponding horizontal plane) but instead is located at a position above the central axis. This has advantages in that the main body portion 53A is stronger than would be the case if the horizontal flange did coincide with the central axis, and can therefore accommodate heavier components in this section of the turbine nacelle 51.
The invention provides an underwater turbine nacelle which comprises a main body portion and a removable cover portion, with a horizontal and/or diagonal flanged connection between the main body portion and the removable cover portion.
Embodiments of the invention provide for improved access to the internal components of the underwater turbine while increasing mechanical support and reducing space requirement and the overall weight of the turbine nacelle with resulting benefits during assembly, maintenance and repair.
Throughout the specification, unless the context demands otherwise, the terms 'comprise' or 'include', or variations such as 'comprises' or 'comprising', 'includes' or 'including' will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Furthermore, relative terms such as “up”, “down”, “top”, “bottom”, “upper”, “lower”, “upward” and “downward” are used herein to indicate directions and locations as they apply to the appended drawings and will not be construed as limiting the invention and features thereof to particular arrangements or orientations.
The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. The described embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilise the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Therefore, further modifications or improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In particular, it will be appreciated that features of the embodiments described herein may be interchanged with or added to one another in alternative embodiments of the invention, and that combinations of features other than those expressly claimed are within the scope of the invention.
For example, a horizontal flange portion may coincide with or be located above a central axis of the turbine nacelle as exemplified in and with reference to Figures 2, 4 and 5, however a horizontal flange portion may be located below a central axis of the turbine nacelle.

Claims (58)

Claims
1. An underwater turbine nacelle, the nacelle comprising a main body portion and a cover portion connected to the main body portion via a flanged connection, wherein the flanged connection comprises a horizontal and/or diagonal flange.
2. The underwater turbine nacelle of claim 1, wherein the flanged connection comprises a substantially horizontal flange portion and a diagonal flange portion.
3. The underwater turbine nacelle of claim 2, wherein the diagonal flange portion is located towards a forward end of the turbine nacelle.
4. The underwater turbine nacelle of claim 1, wherein the flanged connection comprises a substantially horizontal flange portion and a substantially vertical flange portion.
5. The underwater turbine nacelle of claim 1, wherein the flanged connection comprises a diagonal flange portion.
6. The underwater turbine nacelle of any preceding claim, wherein the main body portion comprises a cylindrical first portion and a second portion of segmented cylindrical form.
7. The underwater turbine nacelle of claim 6, wherein the second portion comprises a substantially horizontal cylindrical segment.
8. The underwater turbine nacelle of claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the second portion comprises a substantially diagonal cylindrical segment.
9. The underwater turbine nacelle of any preceding claim, wherein the main body portion comprises a unitary construction comprising the first portion and the second portion.
10. The underwater turbine nacelle of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first portion of the main body portion and the second portion of the main body portion are joined together.
11. The underwater turbine nacelle of claim 10, wherein the first and second portions are joined by a second flanged connection.
12. The underwater turbine nacelle of any preceding claim, wherein the cover portion is shaped to cooperate and/or correspond with the main body portion.
13. The underwater turbine nacelle of claim 12, when dependent on claim 6, wherein the cover portion is shaped to cooperate with the second portion of the main body portion, such that nacelle is substantially cylindrical when the cover portion is connected to the main body portion.
14. The underwater turbine nacelle of any preceding claim, wherein the cover portion comprises a segmented cylindrical form.
15. The underwater turbine nacelle of claim 14, wherein the cover portion comprises a substantially horizontal cylindrical segment.
16. The underwater turbine nacelle of claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the cover portion comprises a substantially diagonal cylindrical segment.
17. The underwater turbine nacelle of any preceding claim, wherein a horizontal flange of the flanged connection coincides with a central axis through the turbine nacelle.
18. The underwater turbine nacelle of any of claims 1 to 16, wherein a horizontal flange of the flanged connection is vertically displaced from a central axis through the turbine nacelle.
19. The underwater turbine nacelle of claim 18, wherein the horizontal flange is vertically displaced such that it is above the central axis through the turbine nacelle.
20. The underwater turbine nacelle of any preceding claim, wherein the main body portion houses internal components of the underwater turbine nacelle.
21. The underwater turbine nacelle of claim 20, wherein the main body portion supports the internal components.
22. The underwater turbine nacelle of claim 21, wherein a second portion of the main body portion supports one or more of the internal components.
23. The underwater turbine nacelle of any preceding claim, wherein the main body portion comprises one or more strengthening ribs.
24. The underwater turbine nacelle of claim 24, wherein the strengthening ribs are located on an inner surface of the main body portion, an outer surface of the main body portion, or on both an inner and an outer surface of the main body portion.
25. The underwater turbine nacelle of any preceding claim, wherein the cover portion comprises one or more strengthening ribs.
26. The underwater turbine nacelle of claim 25, wherein the strengthening ribs are located on an inner surface of the cover portion, an outer surface of the cover portion, or on both an inner and an outer surface of the cover portion.
27. The underwater turbine nacelle of any preceding claim, wherein internal components of the turbine nacelle are mounted independently within the main body portion.
28. The underwater turbine nacelle of any preceding claim, wherein internal components of the turbine nacelle are arranged in a modular structure.
29. The underwater turbine nacelle of any preceding claim, wherein the cover portion comprises a thinner material than that of the main body portion.
30. The underwater turbine nacelle of any preceding claim, wherein the cover portion comprises a lighter material than that of the main body portion.
31. The underwater turbine nacelle of any preceding claim, wherein the cover portion is provided with one or more windows.
32. The underwater turbine nacelle of any preceding claim, wherein the flanged connection comprises a plurality of bolt holes to permit the main body portion and the cover portion to be bolted together.
33. The underwater turbine nacelle of any preceding claim, wherein the underwater turbine nacelle comprises one or more seals.
34. The underwater turbine nacelle of any preceding claim, wherein one or more seals are located at or otherwise provide a water-tight seal at or near the flanged connection.
35. An underwater turbine comprising an underwater turbine nacelle according to the any preceding claim, a plurality of blades mounted on the turbine nacelle for rotation in a moving body of water, and a substructure for installing the underwater turbine on the seabed.
36. According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of assembling an underwater turbine comprising providing an underwater turbine nacelle according to any of claims 1 to 34.
37. The method of claim 36, wherein the method comprises opening the underwater turbine nacelle by removing the cover portion from the main body portion.
38. The method of claim 37, wherein the cover portion is removed from the main body portion by lifting substantially vertically, diagonally, or substantially horizontally.
39. The method of any of claims 36 to 38, wherein the method comprises closing the underwater turbine nacelle by connecting the cover portion to the main body portion using the flanged connection.
40. The method of claim 39, wherein the main body portion and the cover portion are bolted together.
41. The method of any of claims 36 to 40, wherein the method comprises assembling the main body portion by joining together a first portion of the main body portion and a second portion of the main body portion.
42. The method of claim 41, wherein the first and second portions of the main body portion are joined together using a second flanged connection.
43. The method of any of claims 36 to 42, wherein the method comprises installing one or more internal components of the underwater turbine nacelle within the main body portion.
44. The method of claim 43, wherein the main body portion supports the internal components.
45. The method of claim 44, wherein a second portion of the main body portion supports one or more of the internal components.
46. The method of any of claims 36 to 45, wherein the method comprises mounting internal components of the turbine nacelle independently within the main body portion.
47. The method of any of claims 36 to 46, wherein the method comprises arranging internal components of the turbine nacelle in a modular structure.
48. The method of any of claims 36 to 47, wherein the method also comprises performing a visual inspection of at least one of the internal components.
49. The method of any of claims 36 to 48, wherein the method comprises sealing the underwater turbine nacelle.
50. The method of claim 49, wherein a water-tight seal is provided at or near the flanged connection.
51. A method of repairing or maintaining an underwater turbine comprising an underwater turbine nacelle according to any of claims 1 to 35.
52. The method of claim 51, wherein the method comprises retrieving the underwater turbine nacelle.
53. The method of claim 52, wherein the underwater turbine nacelle is retrieved to a maintenance or repair vessel, and maintained or repaired on-deck.
54. The method of claim 52, wherein the underwater turbine nacelle is transported to a dockside or other on-shore maintenance or repair facility.
55. The method of claim 51, wherein the underwater turbine nacelle is repaired or maintained in situ by removing the cover portion from the main body portion underwater.
56. An underwater turbine nacelle substantially as described herein with reference to the appended drawings.
57. A main body portion of an underwater turbine nacelle substantially as described herein with reference to the appended drawings.
58. A cover portion of an underwater turbine nacelle substantially as described herein with reference to the appended drawings.
GB1609259.5A 2016-05-25 2016-05-25 Improved underwater turbine nacelle Withdrawn GB2550615A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1609259.5A GB2550615A (en) 2016-05-25 2016-05-25 Improved underwater turbine nacelle

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1609259.5A GB2550615A (en) 2016-05-25 2016-05-25 Improved underwater turbine nacelle

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201609259D0 GB201609259D0 (en) 2016-07-06
GB2550615A true GB2550615A (en) 2017-11-29

Family

ID=56369993

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB1609259.5A Withdrawn GB2550615A (en) 2016-05-25 2016-05-25 Improved underwater turbine nacelle

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2550615A (en)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5798572A (en) * 1996-04-15 1998-08-25 Lehoczky; Kalman N. Under water hydro-turbine energy generator design
KR20110084392A (en) * 2011-06-30 2011-07-22 주식회사 지앤지테크놀러지 Algae Generator
GB2503476A (en) * 2012-06-27 2014-01-01 Anthony Glynn Small scale water turbine

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5798572A (en) * 1996-04-15 1998-08-25 Lehoczky; Kalman N. Under water hydro-turbine energy generator design
KR20110084392A (en) * 2011-06-30 2011-07-22 주식회사 지앤지테크놀러지 Algae Generator
GB2503476A (en) * 2012-06-27 2014-01-01 Anthony Glynn Small scale water turbine

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
(ATLANTIS RESOURCES) "Publication of MeyGen project newsletter" (online, 19th February 2016) Available from: http://atlantisresourcesltd.com/media-centre/meygen-news.html [Accessed 8th November 2016]. *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201609259D0 (en) 2016-07-06

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
KR102155794B1 (en) Process for installing an offshore tower
CA2798061C (en) A wind turbine nacelle cover and a method for installing a generator on a mainframe in a nacelle
JP4528652B2 (en) Temporary closing method for underwater structures and temporary closing structure
US8240955B2 (en) Tower segments and method for off-shore wind turbines
US8186966B2 (en) Offshore wind turbine generator
EP3444403A1 (en) Segmented suction bucket
US20130243531A1 (en) Process for installing an offshore tower
EP3456960B1 (en) Auxiliary floating system for the installation and/or transport of marine structures and method comprising said system
EP3623645B1 (en) Support structure for a wind turbine mast and method for realizing a bolt connection between connecting flanges of a wind turbine mast and a support structure for a wind turbine mast
JP5984090B2 (en) Temporary deadline box and temporary deadline method using the same
KR20160016390A (en) Ship for installing wind power generator
US8904738B2 (en) Wind turbine tower supporting structure
GB2550615A (en) Improved underwater turbine nacelle
EP3074627A1 (en) Flow through turbine
JP5890707B2 (en) Wave power generator
US11635055B2 (en) Replacing a stub shaft bearing for a hydroelectric turbine using a runner hub lifting device
CN220667719U (en) Offshore wind power scour protection structure
WO2023157035A1 (en) Device and method for producing electrical energy from wave motion
WO2017174858A1 (en) Arrangement in a wave energy recovery apparatus and method for operating a wave energy recovery apparatus
KR20240017162A (en) Submersible assembly for supporting offshore wind turbines mounted on monopiles
CN116537708A (en) Vortex-induced vibration suppression device for auxiliary tubular pontoon
KR20140077372A (en) Box type thruster room for drill ship

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)