JP7225945B2 - Mooring mechanism and water current power generation system - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to mooring mechanisms and water current power generation systems.

2. Description of the Related Art Techniques for mooring an underwater device that floats on or in water using mooring ropes have been known (for example, Patent Documents 1 to 8 below). Patent Literature 1 describes mooring an underwater floating power generation device that generates power by receiving ocean currents and rotating a turbine. Two mooring ropes and a power transmission cable are connected to this underwater floating power generator. The two mooring lines extend in a Y-shape and are connected to sinkers placed on the seabed. The power transmission cable extends along between the two mooring lines while being held by the cable holding mechanism, and is connected to a rigid cable arranged on the seabed via a connector. In the device described in Patent Document 1, the two mooring ropes and the power transmission cable are integrated by holding the power transmission cable between the two mooring ropes, and as a result, the mooring rope and the power transmission cable interfere with each other. prevent entanglement.

JP 2014-145346 A JP 2013-227964 A JP-A-2002-266743 JP 2003-074455 A JP 2015-138579 A JP 2011-132943 A JP 2018-204558 A JP 2018-114895 A

This type of floating power generator has a function of turning around a sinker according to changes in the direction of ocean current flow. In the technique of Patent Document 1, when the underwater floating power generation device turns around the sinker, the mooring rope moves around the sinker together with the underwater power generation device and crosses the power transmission cable, thereby causing the mooring rope and the power transmission cable to move. are sometimes intertwined. Although it is conceivable to control the floating power generator so that it does not turn, it may be difficult to perform such control in an emergency.

Therefore, it is desired to provide a mooring mechanism and a water current power generation system that can prevent the mooring lines and cables from becoming entangled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, a mooring mechanism is provided for mooring underwater equipment having mooring lines and cables connected thereto. This mooring mechanism includes a weight placed on the bottom of the water, a pole connected to the weight, and a connecting member connecting the pole and the mooring cable. The pole is formed with a hole for inserting the cable, the hole extends along the axial direction of the pole, and the connecting member is arranged so that the connecting point between the connecting member and the mooring line can be circulated around the axis of the pole. is movable relative to the pole.

In the mooring mechanism according to the above aspect, the connecting point between the connecting member and the mooring cable is configured to be able to circulate around the axis of the pole by the connecting member. On the other hand, since the cable is inserted along the axial direction of the pole inside the connecting point between the connecting member and the mooring line, the underwater equipment turns and the connecting point between the connecting member and the mooring line moves around the axis of the pole. This prevents the mooring line and the cable from crossing each other even when the mooring line is turned around. As a result, it is possible to prevent the mooring rope and the cable from becoming entangled.

In one embodiment, the connecting member may be an annular body extending around the pole and provided rotatably with respect to the pole. In this embodiment, the connection point between the connecting member and the mooring line can be rotated around the axis of the pole by rotating the annular connecting member with respect to the pole.

In one embodiment, the pole may have a flange portion that restricts detachment of the connecting member from the pole. In this embodiment, the disconnection of the connecting member can prevent the mooring cable from coming off the pole.

In one embodiment, the pole has one end located on the weight side and the other end located on the opposite side of the one end, and the other end is formed with an opening communicating with the hole, through which the cable is inserted. possible, and the opening may be arranged above the connecting member. In this embodiment, even if the underwater equipment turns and the connecting point between the connecting member and the mooring line turns around the axis of the pole, the mooring line and the cable are prevented from crossing each other. As a result, it is possible to prevent the mooring rope and the cable from becoming entangled.

A water current power generation system of one aspect is a water current power generation device that is an underwater device, and includes the water current power generation device having a power generation pod that receives water flow to generate power, and the mooring mechanism described above. This cable is a power transmission cable that transmits power generated in the water current generator.

In the water current power generation system according to the above aspect, it is possible to prevent the mooring rope and the cable of the water current power generation device from becoming entangled with each other, so that the power generation of the water current power generation device can be stabilized.

According to one aspect and various embodiments of the present invention, tangling of mooring lines and cables can be prevented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the water current power generation system of one Embodiment. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a mooring mechanism; FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the mooring mechanism along a cross-section containing axis Z; 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV shown in FIG. 3; FIG.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will not be repeated. The dimensional proportions of the drawings do not necessarily match those of the description.

In the following description, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" are used with reference to the water flow FL. Also, the term "front" means the upstream side of the water flow FL, and the term "back" means the downstream side of the water flow FL. For example, when a downwind turbine is used, blades (wings) are arranged on the rear side of the power generation pod.

A water current power generation system 1 including a mooring mechanism 20 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1 , the water current power generation system 1 includes a power generator 10 and a mooring mechanism 20 .

The power generation device 10 is, for example, a water current power generation device that is installed in seawater, floats, and uses ocean currents to generate power. The power generation device 10 includes a first pod 12A and a second pod 12B, which are a pair of power generation pods spaced apart in the left and right direction, and a cross beam 13 connecting the first pod 12A and the second pod 12B. . A power generation turbine 14A is provided at the rear of the first pod 12A. A first blade 16A is attached to the power generation turbine 14A. A power generation turbine 14B is provided at the rear of the second pod 12B. A second blade 16B is attached to the power generation turbine 14B. In the following description, the power generation turbines 14A, 14B are referred to as a first turbine 14A and a second turbine 14B, respectively.

The first pod 12A provides proper buoyancy to the first turbine 14A while rotatably supporting the first turbine 14A. The second pod 12B rotatably supports the second turbine 14B and gives proper buoyancy to the second turbine 14B. The first pod 12A and the second pod 12B are cylindrical and have, for example, the same size and structure.

A cross beam 13, which is a structure connecting the first pod 12A and the second pod 12B, extends (that is, extends transversely). The cross beam 13 has a predetermined length in the front-rear direction and a predetermined thickness. The cross beam 13 has, for example, a wing shape in order to stabilize the posture of the floating power generation device 10 . Both left and right ends of the cross beam 13 are fixed, for example, to substantially the center of the body portions of the first pod 12A and the second pod 12B. Note that the position where the cross beam 13 is fixed is not limited to the above position. The crossbeam 13 may be fixed to the top or bottom of the pod, or it may be fixed to the front or rear of the pod. The cross beams 13 may have equal cross-sectional shapes in the direction of their extension (ie transverse direction) or may have cross-sectional shapes that vary in the direction of extension. A cylindrical object similar to the pod may be provided in the center of the crossbeam 13 .

The first turbine 14A and the second turbine 14B applied to the power generator 10 are so-called downwind turbines. The first pod 12A and the second pod 12B float while facing the direction of the ocean current. Therefore, the power generator 10 changes its direction so as to follow the direction of the ocean current. In the floating state, the rotation axes of the first turbine 14A and the second turbine 14B are maintained substantially horizontally. Note that the first turbine 14A and the second turbine 14B may be upwind turbines.

The power generator 10 is connected to the mooring mechanism 20 via the first mooring cable 3A. The first mooring cable 3A is a cable body such as a wire rope for mooring the power generator 10 to the mooring mechanism 20 . A second mooring cable 3B and a third mooring cable 3C branch in a Y shape from one end of the first mooring cable 3A. The end of the second mooring cable 3B and the end of the third mooring cable 3C are connected to the power generator 10 via, for example, shackles.

The power generator 10 is moored at two different points by the second mooring rope 3B and the third mooring rope 3C. More specifically, the end of the second mooring cable 3B is connected to the left side of the cross beam 13 when viewed from the upstream side. The end of the third mooring cable 3C is connected to the cross beam 13 on the right side as viewed from the upstream side. The mooring point of the second mooring cable 3B with respect to the crossbeam 13 and the mooring point of the third mooring cable 3C with respect to the crossbeam 13 are separated by a predetermined length in the extending direction of the crossbeam 13 .

The other end of the first mooring cable 3A is connected to the mooring mechanism 20 . As will be described later, the other end of the first mooring cable 3A is connected to the mooring mechanism 20 so as to be rotatable around the axis of the pole 24 of the mooring mechanism 20 .

A first cable 4A is also connected to the power generator 10 . The 1st cable 4A is a power transmission cable which transmits the electric power generated in the 1st turbine 14A and the 2nd turbine 14B. A second cable 4B and a third cable 4C branch in a Y shape from one end of the first cable 4A. An end of the second cable 4B and an end of the third cable 4C are connected to generators in the first pod 12A and the second pod 12B, respectively. The first cable 4A is inserted through a hole 24h formed in the mooring mechanism 20 (see FIG. 3), as will be described later. The other end of the first cable 4A is connected to, for example, a repeater (or transformer, etc.) provided inside a weight 22 of the mooring mechanism 20, which will be described later. The repeater is connected to an undersea cable 23 that is laid on the seabed WB and extends to the ground. Electric power generated in the first turbine 14A and the second turbine 14B is transmitted to the ground via this undersea cable 23. be.

In addition, the form in which each cable is provided is not restricted to the said form. For example, the first cable 4A, the second cable 4B and the third cable 4C may be integrated with the power supply cable for starting. A second cable 4B connected to the first turbine 14A may be a power supply cable, and a third cable 4C connected to the second turbine 14B may be a power transmission cable. The first cable 4A may pass through a hole 24h formed in the mooring mechanism 20 and be taken out of the mooring mechanism 20, and the other end thereof may be connected to a repeater provided on the bottom WB. The first cable 4A may include a communication cable that transmits control signals to the power generator 10 .

In one embodiment, a float 20f having buoyancy may be provided on one end side of the first cable 4A. Due to the buoyancy of the float 20f, the first cable 4A, the second cable 4B and the third cable 4C are closer to the water surface WS than the first mooring cable 3A, the second mooring cable 3B and the third mooring cable 3C. placed floating on the

Next, a mooring mechanism according to one embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of mooring mechanism 20, and FIG.

The mooring mechanism 20 has a weight 22 , a pole 24 and a connecting member 26 . The weight 22 is a support such as an anchor or a sinker, and is installed on the water bottom WB. The weight 22 has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a passage 22p through which the first cable 4A can pass is formed inside. Passage 22p has one end and the other end. One end of passage 22p may be formed on the upper surface of weight 22 and the other end of passage 22p may be formed on the side surface of weight 22 .

A pole 24 is connected to the weight 22 . The pole 24 has one end 24 a located on the weight 22 side and the other end 24 b located on the opposite side of the one end 24 a , and the one end 24 a is fixed to the weight 22 . The pole 24 has a columnar shape and extends in the axis Z direction between one end 24a and the other end 24b. The pole 24 is a rigid body made of metal, for example.

The pole 24 is formed with a hole 24h through which the first cable 4A can be inserted. The hole 24h extends along the axis Z direction and provides an opening 25 on the side of the other end 24b of the pole 24. As shown in FIG. The opening 25 communicates with the hole 24h. The end of the hole 24h on the one end 24a side is provided so as to face one end of the passage 22p, and the hole 24h communicates with the passage 22p. The first cable 4A is inserted from the opening 25 into the hole 24h and the passage 22p. The first cable 4A extends in the Z direction inside the hole 24h. The other end of the first cable 4A is connected to, for example, a repeater provided in the passage 22p.

A connecting member 26 is attached to the pole 24 . The connecting member 26 is an annular body having a substantially elliptical shape in plan view, and extends so as to surround the pole 24 . The connecting member 26 is connected to the other end of the first mooring cable 3A via a chain 28 and a shackle 30 . That is, the connecting member 26 connects the pole 24 and the first mooring cable 3A. A gap is formed between the inner periphery of the connecting member 26 and the outer peripheral surface of the pole 24 to allow the rotation of the connecting member 26 with respect to the pole 24 . The connecting member 26 is therefore rotatable with respect to the pole 24 .

In one embodiment, a flange portion 24f may be provided on the other end 24b side of the pole 24 to restrict the separation of the connecting member 26 from the pole 24 . The flange portion 24f is arranged above the connecting member 26 in the Z-axis direction. The flange portion 24 f has, for example, a circular planar shape and has a diameter larger than the minimum inner diameter of the connecting member 26 . Therefore, the diameter of the flange portion 24 f is larger than the diameter of the pole 24 . By providing such a flange portion 24f, the connecting member 26 is prevented from coming off from the pole 24. As shown in FIG.

The operation of the mooring mechanism 20 will be described below with reference to FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 3. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the power generator 10 turns in the R direction due to a change in the direction of the ocean current, the tension of the first mooring cable 3A causes the inner peripheral surface of the connecting member 26 to move toward the pole 24. The connecting member 26 rotates with respect to the pole 24 while sliding on the outer peripheral surface. Along with this, the connecting point C between the connecting member 26 and the first mooring cable 3A moves around the axis Z in the R direction around the pole 24 . That is, the connecting member 26 is movable with respect to the pole 24 so that the connecting point C can circulate along an imaginary circle 32 centered on the axis Z. As shown in FIG. In addition, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, when the connecting member 26 and the first mooring cable 3A are connected via hardware such as the chain 28 and the shackle 30, the first mooring cable 3A and the hardware is the connection point C. When the connecting member 26 and the first mooring cable 3A are directly connected, the connecting point C is the connection position between the connecting member 26 and the first mooring cable 3A.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the mooring mechanism 20, the connecting point C between the connecting member 26 and the first mooring cable 3A is configured to be able to circulate around the axis Z. Even if there is, the first mooring cable 3A is prevented from being twisted. On the other hand, since the first cable 4A extends in the Z direction inside the hole 24h inside the virtual circle 32, even if the connection point C goes around the pole 24, The mooring cable 3A never crosses the first cable 4A. Therefore, according to the mooring mechanism 20, the first cable 4A and the first mooring cable 3A are prevented from becoming entangled.

Although mooring mechanisms and water current power generation systems according to various embodiments have been described above, they are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be configured without changing the gist of the invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, the power generator 10 in which the two left and right power generation pods are connected by the cross beam 13 is used, but the power generator 10 is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the power generation device 10 may include a central pod between two left and right power generation pods, or may be configured with one power generation pod. Also, it may be provided with three or more power generation pods.

In the above-described embodiment, the object moored by the mooring mechanism 20 is the power generation device 10, but the object moored by the mooring mechanism 20 is water current power generation if it is underwater equipment to which mooring ropes and cables are connected. Not limited to devices. For example, the mooring mechanism 20 may moor a robot working on or in water. In addition, the underwater device means a device that floats on the water surface or in the water.

Moreover, the first cable 4A, the second cable 4B, and the third cable 4C are not limited to power transmission cables for transmitting generated power, and may be cables for transmitting and receiving control signals. In the above embodiment, the power generator 10 is moored at two different points by the second mooring rope 3B and the third mooring rope 3C, but the power generator 10 may be moored at one point.
For example, the first mooring cable 3A may be directly connected to the power generator 10 without the second cable 4B and the third cable 4C. Moreover, the second cable 4B and the third cable 4C are connected to the power generator 10, but the first cable 4A may be directly connected to the power generator 10. FIG.

In the above embodiment, the connecting member 26 and the first mooring cable 3A are connected via hardware such as the chain 28 and the shackle 30, but in one embodiment, the first mooring cable 3A is connected to the connecting member 26 may be directly connected to Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case where the water current power generation device is installed in the sea has been described, but the water current power generation system 1 may also be installed in water such as rivers and lakes. Even in this case, if power generation by water flow is possible, the same effect as the water flow power generation system 1 according to the above embodiment can be obtained.

1 Water current power generation system 3A First mooring rope 3B Second mooring rope 3C Third mooring rope 4A First cable (power transmission cable)
4B Second cable 4C Third cable 10 Power generator (underwater equipment)
12A 1st pod (power generation pod)
12B second pod (power generation pod)
20 mooring mechanism 22 weight 24 pole 24a one end 24b other end 24f flange portion 24h hole 25 opening 26 connecting member C connecting point WB water bottom Z axis

Claims (4)

A mooring mechanism for mooring underwater equipment to which mooring lines and cables are connected,
a weight placed on the bottom of the water;
a pole connected to the weight;
a connecting member that connects the pole and the mooring cable;
with
a hole for inserting the cable is formed in the pole, the hole extends along the axial direction of the pole;
the connecting member is movable with respect to the pole so that the connecting point between the connecting member and the mooring line can rotate around the axis of the pole ;
the connecting member is an annular body extending to surround the pole and provided rotatably with respect to the pole;
The pawl has a diameter larger than the minimum inner diameter of the connecting member, and has a flange portion that restricts separation of the connecting member, and a portion that expands in the radial direction as it approaches the flange portion in the axial direction. including
Between the inner peripheral surface of the connecting member and the outer peripheral surface of the pole, a gap is formed to allow the rotation of the connecting member. A mooring mechanism that is rotatable relative to the pole while sliding relative to the pole . The pole has one end located on the side of the weight and the other end located on the opposite side of the one end, and the other end is formed with an opening communicating with the hole,
The mooring mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the cable can be passed through the opening, and the opening is located above the connecting member. the weight is formed with a passage communicating with the hole and through which the cable can pass;
3. The mooring mechanism of claim 2, wherein the end of the passageway is located below the one end of the pole. a water current power generation device, which is the underwater device, and has a power generation pod that receives water flow to generate power;
A mooring mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ;
with
A water current power generation system, wherein the cable is a transmission cable for transmitting power generated in the water current power generation device.

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