KR20130102048A - Support apparatus for underwater power generator and method for deployment - Google Patents

Abstract

In the present invention, a support apparatus for supporting an underwater generator is described. The hydropower generator has a power generation section, the support device comprising a stabilizer comprising a stand configured to support the power generation section and at least one stationary foundation element configured to mount one or more monolithic ballast masses, wherein the one or more stationary foundation elements are in use. And a placement area configured to cooperate with a placement area on the monolithic ballast mass such that the support device withstands weight at a predetermined location on the seabed. Also described are ballast masses and methods for installing a support device and methods for installing a generator on the support device.

Description

SUPPORT APPARATUS FOR UNDERWATER POWER GENERATOR AND METHOD FOR DEPLOYMENT}

The present invention generally relates to a support device for supporting a hydropower generator and to an apparatus and a method for deploying a hydropower generator.

Underwater generators generally include turbines to convert ocean and tidal energy into usable power, usually power. Such hydrogenerators are generally difficult to install in useful locations, in part because they are located very deep below any body of water surface. In addition, the reason why this installation is difficult is not only that the algae in such a useful place are very strong, but the algae flows substantially or generally constant, but nevertheless the algae strength and algae flow direction can sometimes change.

The force generated by the tides is so large that it increases the stress on the deployment component and thus often the weight of the deployment component. Accordingly, the installation and deployment process of the hydroelectric generator may be disturbed.

Known devices for supporting hydropower generators are limited in that they are difficult or complicated to install. Some devices are maintained by complex anchor floating pontoon systems and suspended in cables in ocean waters. Other devices are mounted on piles driven by the seabed. Other devices include a complex submerged adjustable deck system. These systems involve enormous costs in enabling the installation of systems capable of powering convenience areas such as medium sized coastal towns.

The inventors of the present invention have developed a new deployment apparatus and method suitable for use in an underwater generator.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a support device for supporting an underwater power generator having a power generating portion, the support device comprising:

A stand configured to support the power generation unit, the stand including a stabilizer including one or more stabilizing footing elements configured to mount one or more monolithic ballast masses. And

The stationary foundation elements are arranged with a placement area configured to cooperate with a locating region on each monolithic ballast mass such that the support device is weighted down at a selected location on the seabed in use. Locating assembly.

Optionally, the placement area over the stationary foundation element or each stationary foundation element includes a male portion for interlocking with a cooperating female portion over the ballast mass. Optionally, the male portion comprises a plinth or ridge or key extending along and / or from the fixed foundation element. Optionally, the plinth or ridge or key extends radially along the fixed foundation element and extends horizontally and when mounted over the fixed foundation element the ballast mass is correspondingly arranged radially and arranged in the horizontal direction. Optionally, inclined shoulders are provided that are hung outwardly from the lateral side of the key and are depending downwards, wherein the inclined shoulders can support the position of the ballast mass with the lower side portions cooperating inclined downwardly. have.

Optionally, the placement assembly includes a stop that allows the ballast mass to be located thereagainst it when installed over each stationary foundation element. The stop member may be a shoulder, and optionally, the stop member is one or more posts extending upwards from each fixed foundation element. Optionally, the posts are arranged in pairs provided with two posts per stationary foundation element and generally have a center of posts arranged in the center of the stand, generally or substantially above a common pitch circle diameter.

Each stationary foundation element may be arranged at a predetermined distance from the stand center by a plurality of spokes extending radially from the stand center. The stationary foundation element may be a plate, on a plate distributed from the proximal to the center of the stand to the distal to the center of the stand, at a location near the outer edge of the plate. It may include a preferred batch assembly disposed in various batch assembly regions. The anchoring base element can be an annulus with a main annular body disposed at the distal end of the spoke. Optionally, however, the securing base element comprises a support foot pad arranged at the distal end of the spoke.

Optionally, the spokes are arranged to be separated from each other by an angle of about 120 °. One spoke may be longer than the other two spokes so that the spokes may provide stronger bearing or reaction forces in a particular direction. For example, one spoke may be 11 m long and the other two spokes may be 8 m long. It will be appreciated that any suitable length may be selected for the spokes.

Optionally, the support foot pad includes a grip portion to increase frictional engagement between the seabed and the stabilizer. Optionally, the grip portion includes teeth or ribs at the base portion of the support foot pad for bite engagement with the seabed.

Optionally, the support foot pads include sole portions arranged in convex shape to increase frictional engagement with the seabed and provide increased seabed / toothed engagement.

Optionally, the stand includes a pylon portion extending upward from the stabilizer. Optionally, the pylon is arranged at the central portion of the stand. Optionally, the pylon is configured in the form of a hollow cylinder suitable for mounting a turbine head on top. The pylon may also include a rotation mechanism for the turbine. Optionally, the pylon is large enough to support a horizontally-arrayed axial turbine with blades about 12 m in radial length.

Optionally, the turbine head comprises a first set of axial blades arranged above the hub, the first set of axial blades arranged to rotate around the hub under the influence of algae flowing from a direction parallel to the seabed.

Optionally, the ballast mass includes a recess or keyway as described above. The key groove is installed in the base face and has sloped sides. As a result, it can be seen that positioning of the position in the placement area is facilitated while the ballast mass is lowered from the sea surface by the long cable.

Optionally, the ballast mass includes upper sides having a profile similar to the profile of the male or ridged portion or the plinced portion of the batch assembly. Accordingly, another ballast mass may be positioned while maintaining a relationship of being superimposed on top of the first ballast mass. Optionally, the stop member or post of the placement assembly is long enough to be effective in placing one atop another of the second or third ballast mass. Optionally, the ballast mass weighs about 200 tons and consists of steel, concrete or other heavy and dense material and is shaped to have negative buoyancy. The ballast mass may be any weight, such as 5 to 10 to 50 to 100 tons or any other suitable weight.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a method for deploying a hydropower generator, said method comprising:

Lowering the stand from the body surface to the sea floor;

Lowering the at least one monolithic ballast mass from the surface of the body above the support base area of the stand;

The lowering step includes positioning one or more monolithic ballast masses over one or more cooperating respective placement regions of the support foundation regions, wherein the cooperating placement regions are configured to interconnect with the key groove over the monolithic ballast mass. Contains the key.

It is preferable that the stand is a supporting device according to the first aspect of the present invention.

Optionally, the method further comprises installing the power generation unit on the stand. In an alternative example, the stand includes a power generation unit installed on top at the time of the lowering step.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a ballast mass for ballasting a generator support or an underwater generator, the ballast mass being adapted to cooperate with a cooperating placement area on a stand of the generator. It includes a placement area on the surface.

Optionally, the placement area is configured in the form of a key groove or a recess.

Optionally, the ballast mass incorporates a key or ridge or plinth in the second surface to accommodate cooperating key grooves or recesses in another ballast mass to provide a nested relationship between the ballast masses. Include.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided an underwater power generation device comprising a power generation portion, the power generation device comprising a stand configured to support the power generation portion, the stand having one or more stationary foundation elements configured to mount one or more ballast masses. It includes a stabilizer comprising a.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of installing a hydropower generator, the method comprising:

Assembling the power generating head on a support stand,

Assembling the plurality of ballast masses on the placement portions of the support stand, and

Lowering the support stand, ballast mass and power generation head to the seabed.

It is preferable that the stand is a supporting device according to the first aspect of the present invention.

Throughout this specification, unless otherwise specified in the context, the term "comprises" or derivatives thereof, such as "comprising" or "comprising", refers to the described element, integral or step, Or as including a group of elements, a group of wholes or a group of steps, and not to exclude any other element, whole or step, or a group of elements, a group of wholes or a group of steps.

The discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles, and the like contained herein is solely to provide a context for the present invention. None of these matters should be considered as common general knowledge in the field related to the present invention or form part of the prior art because it existed in Australia prior to the priority date of the present invention.

In order that the present invention may be more clearly understood, preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the following examples and drawings.

1 is an isometric view of a hydroelectric generator mounted on a support device according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the underwater generator of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating the underwater generator of FIG. 1.
4 is a schematic plan perspective view of the support device shown in FIG. 1 with the power generation head of the hydrogen generator removed for clarity.
5 is a side view of the support device shown in FIG. 1 with the power generation portion removed for clarity.
FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the support device shown in FIG. 1 with the ballast mass and power generation portion removed for clarity.
FIG. 7 is an end elevation view of an optional securing foundation element in accordance with a portion of one preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating one type of optional cooperative stack of ballast masses loaded on top of the foundation.
FIG. 8 is an end elevation showing another optional securing foundation element in accordance with a portion of one preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a type of optional cooperative stack of ballast masses loaded on top of the foundation.

Referring to the drawings, the hydrogenerator is generally denoted by reference numeral 10, which includes a support device 12 and the support device includes a stand 14. The stand 14 comprises a stabilizer 16 comprising a fixed foundation element 18 in the form of three support foot pads 20, 21, 22. Stabilizer 16 includes spokes 23, 24 and 25 with distal ends 26, 27 and 28 and support foot pads 20, 21 and 22 at distal ends of spokes 23, 24 and 25. Are arranged.

Support foot pads 20, 21, and 22 include a placement assembly 30 over each support foot pad. Each placement area 30 is configured to position the monolithic ballast mass 50 over the support foot pads 20, the mass of the monolithic ballast mass being from marine or water currents. Reaction support is provided for the hydropower generator 10 so that the monolithic ballast mass is weighted down.

The placement area 30 is a cooperating arm portion 51 in the form of a keyway or channel 52 over the monolithic ballast mass 50 when the monolithic ballast mass 50 is installed over the support foot pad 20. ) And a male portion 31 for cooperating or interengagement. The male portion 31 is centrally arranged above the support foot pad 20 and extends radially along the support foot pad 20 in parallel to each spoke 23, 24, 25, or Ridge or key 32. The plinth or ridge or key 32 includes an inclined lamp or shoulder 33 to facilitate coordination and mutual coupling. It will be appreciated that the monolithic ballast mass 50 will descend above the support foot pad 20 on the cable from a height of about 30-60 m (which would be the surface of the body of water at that location). Thus, the ramp, inclined shoulder 33 will easily place the monolithic ballast mass 50 or each monolithic ballast mass 50 over the support foot pad 20.

The placement area 30 further includes a stop member 34 for placing the monolithic ballast mass 50 on the contrary when installed over each fixed foot pad 20. The stop member 34 may be in the form of posts 35 arranged to extend upward from the support foot pads 20, which are arranged in pairs in which two posts are provided per support foot pad 20. Each post 35 is arranged above a common pitch circle diameter.

Each support foot pad 20 includes a grip region 29 over the base 40 to increase frictional engagement with the seabed (not shown). Grip region 29 includes teeth or ridges 41 that can increase biting engagement with the seabed to increase frictional engagement with the seafloor. Base 40 is convex in order to increase frictional engagement with the seabed.

The stand 14 includes a pylon 15 in the form of a hollow cylinder 17 for supporting the power generation unit 19 in the form of a turbine head 11. The turbine head 11 comprises a rotatable mounting portion 13.

The monolithic ballast mass 50 further includes an upper profile face portion 56 similar to the portion of the support foot pad 20, thus stacking up against one another when the ballast mass 50 is at rest. And the upper mass can be disposed as easily as when the lower mass is above the support foot pad 20. The purpose of the key and key groove is to hold the monolithic ballast mass 50 over each other and over the support foot pads during operation of the generator 10.

The monolithic ballast mass 50 weighs about 200 tons and consists of steel, concrete or other heavy and dense material and is shaped to have negative buoyancy. However, it should be understood that the ballast mass is designed to meet the conditions and local standards and may be of any weight, such as 5 to 10 to 50 to 100 tons or any other suitable weight.

The spokes 23, 24 and 25 extend outwards from the pylons and are arranged so that the spokes are separated from each other by an angle of about 120 °. One spoke is slightly longer than the other spoke, and as can be seen in FIG. 4, the spokes can provide greater reaction support for the hydropower generator and can be arranged in the strongest marine or tidal direction.

One installation technique is to lower the support device 12 (shown in FIG. 5) to the sea floor as a first movement and to lower the power generation head onto the support device as a second movement. . The ballast mass then descends on the pads 20. In an alternative technique, the stand and the power generating head may be lowered together so that a ballast mass is applied to the stand foot pad 20. It is to be understood that an additional option for installing a generator is to lower the entire device 10, including the installed ballast mass, from the surface of the body to the sea floor in one lift (or in a lowering operation). In other words, any combination of lifts (lowering processes) suitable for the weight and size of the power plant can be used.

When installed using an example installation technique, the ballast mass 50 is several meters above the support foot pad 20, from above on a cable (not shown) and radially from the support foot pad 20. It can be seen that it is lowered to a position separated by a predetermined distance. The wall 55 of the ballast mass 50 is against the stop member 34 and subsequently lowered, whereby the key 32 is mutually engaged with the key groove 52. The problem that the key groove 52 of the ballast mass 50 is misaligned with the key 32 is solved by the inclined shoulder or lamp 33. Subsequently, the power generation head is installed on the pylon.

Various types of placement areas 30 are contemplated and suitable for use in the present invention. Fixed foot pads 120, 121, and 122 optionally include an arm placement area 130 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In this optional example, the ballast mass 150, 250 cooperates with the arm placement area 9130 but cooperates with the arm placement area by extending therein when placed over the arm placement area and includes the male portions 151, 251. The upper surfaces of the ballast masses 151 and 251 are configured in the form of an arm similar to the above for layering additional ballast masses as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The upper surface of the upper ballast mass may be flat as shown.

Arm placement area 130 may have an inclined shoulder to facilitate positioning. Similarly, the male arrangement region 151 can cooperate with this and be configured to be tapered.

As shown in FIG. 8, there are two male protrusions 252 and 253 disposed on each side of the female recess 231. As a result, when the ballast mass is placed on the support foot pad 220, the ballast mass can be easily gripped by the support foot pad.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and / or modifications can be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as broadly described for the invention as shown in various specific embodiments. Accordingly, the present embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims (24)

A support apparatus for supporting an underwater generator having a power generation unit,
The support device includes a stand configured to support the power generation unit,
The stand includes a stabilizer having one or more stabilizing footing elements configured to be mounted with one or more monolithic ballast masses,
The one or more stationary foundation elements support a hydropower generator, the placement region being configured to cooperate with a placement area on a monolithic ballast mass such that the support device is weighted down at a selected location on the seabed in use. Supporting device for The method of claim 1,
And the placement area over each of the fixed foundation elements or each fixed foundation element includes a male portion for interlocking with a cooperating female portion over the ballast mass. Support device for. The method of claim 2,
The male portion comprises a plinth or ridge or key extending from the fixed foundation element or each fixed foundation element and / or along the fixed foundation element or each fixed foundation element A support device for supporting an underwater generator. The method of claim 3,
A plinth or ridge or key extends radially and horizontally along the fixed foundation element or each fixed foundation element and is correspondingly arranged radially and horizontally when a ballast mass is mounted on the fixed foundation element. A support device for supporting an underwater generator. 6. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 5,
The side of the plinth or ridge or key comprises an inclined shoulder which is hung outwardly and hung in a downward direction and the inclined shoulder is adapted to support the position of the ballast mass with lower side parts which cooperate in an inclined downward direction in use. A support device for supporting an underwater generator. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
And wherein each placement zone includes a stop member that, when installed on each stationary foundation element, allows the ballast mass to be positioned vice versa. The method according to claim 6,
The support member for supporting the hydroelectric generator, characterized in that the stop member is configured in the form of a shoulder. The method of claim 7, wherein
And the stop member comprises at least one post extending upwardly from the stationary foundation element or each stationary foundation element. 9. The method of claim 8,
The posts are arranged in pairs provided with two posts per stationary foundation element, and generally or substantially above the common pitch circle diameter, having a center of the posts arranged in the center of the stand. Support device. 10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
And a plurality of stacked monolithic ballast masses arranged in an up-and-down arrangement over said fixed base element or each fixed base element. 11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
And the stationary foundation element or each stationary foundation element is arranged at a predetermined distance from the center of the stand by a plurality of spokes extending radially from the center of the stand. 12. The method of claim 11,
The stationary foundation element or each stationary foundation element is configured in the form of a support foot pad arranged at the distal end of each spoke. 13. The method according to claim 11 or 12,
Three spokes are provided and the spokes are arranged to be spaced apart from each other by an angle of about 120 °. 14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13,
One spoke is longer than the other two spokes so that the spokes can provide a stronger bearing or reaction force in the selected direction. 15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14,
A support foot pad includes a grip portion to increase frictional engagement between the seabed and the stabilizer. 16. The method of claim 15,
Wherein the grip portion or each grip portion includes teeth or ribs at the base portion of the support foot pad to engage the seabed in use. 17. The method of claim 16,
The support foot pad or each support foot pad includes sole portions arranged in convex shape in use to increase frictional engagement with the seabed and provide increased seabed / tooth engagement. A support device for supporting an underwater generator. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 17,
The stand includes a pylon portion extending upward from the stabilizer, wherein the pylon is arranged in the central portion of the stand and is a hollow cylinder suitable for mounting a rotating mechanism and turbine head on the top. Supporting device for 19. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 18,
And a submersible generator mounted to said support apparatus. 19. A ballast mass for ballasting an apparatus for supporting a hydrogen generator according to any one of claims 1 to 18,
And the ballast mass comprises a placement area on one surface for cooperating with a cooperating placement area on a stand of the hydrogen generator. 21. The method of claim 20,
And wherein the placement area is a key groove or recess formed in the base face of the ballast mass and comprises an inclined face for easy placement. The method of claim 21,
Ballast mass, characterized in that it comprises a ridge or plinth on the upper side with respect to the position of loading the additional ballast mass in use. In the underwater generator deployment method,
Lowering the hydrogen generator support device according to any one of claims 1 to 18 from the surface of the body to the seabed,
Lowering the at least one monolithic ballast mass from the surface of the body above the support base area of the support device,
Wherein the unloading includes placing one or more monolithic ballast mass over one or more cooperating respective deployment regions of the support foundation regions. 24. The method of claim 23,
The method further comprises the step of installing the hydrogen generator on a support device.

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