RU2753070C2 - Dynamic-gyroscope method for utilising water movement energy - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: power engineering.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to the area of power engineering, namely to methods of using the energy of river currents, sea currents, wave pulse. According to the method for utilising energy flows carried by water media by using gyroscopic effects to transform an energy flow carried by water, objects with low dynamic stability are used, functioning both in the depth of the water flow and at the water-air interface, both single-hull and articulated, hydrodynamic and hydrostatic properties and fastening qualities whereof are such that the objects or parts thereof perform self-sustaining oscillations under the impact of the incoming flow. The oscillations are used as a source of mechanical energy for induced precessional oscillations of one or more power gyroscopes (1) placed within a unit or units equipped with a control system supporting the movements of the gyroscopes (1) with preset speed and directions and performing the necessary automation and adaptation to oscillation modes. The torques developed by the gyroscope (1) or the gyroscopes are converted into electrical energy or gas pressure energy.

EFFECT: invention is intended to increase energy generation.

1 cl, 8 dwg

Description

The invention relates to the field of power engineering, namely, to methods of using the energy of the flow of rivers, sea currents, wave impulse.

At the moment, there are a large number of methods and devices that transform the energy of the currents of the seas and rivers into other types of energy, into electricity, into the mechanical energy of the movement of various devices, etc.

So known is the "INSTALLATION FOR USING THE ENERGY OF TIDAL CURRENTS" application 2013151424/13 dated 19.11.2013. The main disadvantages of which are: the presence of a spiral blade, which does not allow using the energy of the flow to the full due to the effect of countering the surfaces of the blades in the direction of the flow, the influence of foreign objects that can fall into the blades (for example, driftwood), the release from which is technically difficult task related to underwater work.

It is known "DEVICE FOR EXTRACTING ENERGY FROM SEA CURRENTS" application 2009142189/03 dated 16.11.2009. The main disadvantages of which are: the presence of a large number of pipelines subject to sediments of marine coastal debris, the need for complex bottom works, the presence of gaps between the cylindrical supports - shells, which will also be clogged with marine debris (snorkel) during operation.

A known method of obtaining energy from sea currents: "METHOD FOR EXTRACTING ELECTRIC ENERGY FROM SEA CURRENTS" set forth in the application 2009148822/06 from 28.12.2009.

The disadvantages of this method are: the use of an insignificant hydrostatic difference, since the speeds of sea currents are usually low, the presence of channels and channels prone to clogging with marine debris.

In addition to the previously mentioned methods, devices are known that implement gyroscopic effects in order to convert angular displacements and wave energy into electricity.

The closest analogue, in the sense of the gyroscopic effects used, is "GYROSCOPIC SEA WAVE ENERGY CONVERTER" Application 2018138702, 01.11.2018.

The main disadvantage of this device is the impossibility of using the energy of sea currents and the kinetic energy of the phase velocity of waves, since the proposed converter does not have the necessary components of the float design for this. In addition, the surface interacting with the wave is relatively small, while it is obvious that the total energy carried by the wave depends on the linear, i.e. frontal, wavelength.

The problem to be solved by the invention is the use of the energy of sea and river currents, the phase and volumetric velocity of waves, the rejection of complex bottom structures and related bottom installation works, the rejection of moving parts and shafts passing through the seals inside the sealed hull of floating structures , the rejection of channels passing through the sealed enclosures of objects, the achievement of modularity, which makes it possible to simply increase the generation capacity according to the claimed method, achieve universality in the form of the use of devices and floating objects (operating according to the declared method) both on sea and river areas, minimization of ecological costs.

The technical result consists in the fact that the dynamically unstable object, and, or its part, perform angular oscillatory movements with an angular velocity sufficient for the gyro-generator to generate more energy than is necessary to maintain its operation.

The specified problem is solved by using a block (or blocks) installed in the body or in articulated bodies, or on the body (bodies) of a floating object, as part of a control system and one or more power gyroscopes performing forced rotational movements as the floating object performs periodic oscillations, due to the fact that the parameters of holding the object in the flow, as well as its hydrodynamic and hydrostatic properties, are selected so that the object is dynamically unstable, that is, so that the object is in a self-sustaining self-oscillating mode under the influence of the kinetic energy of the fluid flow.

Disclosure of the essence of the invention.

The essence of the invention lies in the fact that for the utilization of the energy flow carried by water, objects with low dynamic stability are used, functioning both in the depth of the water flow and at the water-air interface, both single-body and articulated-composite, hydrodynamic and hydrostatic the properties and features of the fasteners are such that the objects, or their parts, under the influence of the incident flow, perform self-sustaining oscillations, which are used as a source of mechanical energy for forced precessional movements of one or more power gyroscopes placed as part of a block or blocks equipped with a control system that supports motion of gyroscopes with a given speed and direction and carrying out the necessary automation and adaptation to vibration modes. The torques developed by the gyroscope, or gyroscopes, developed by the power gyroscopes, are converted into electricity or gas pressure energy.

Thus, to implement the method, a fixed dynamically unstable object is used, which, under the influence of an oncoming water flow, performs sufficiently fast self-sustaining oscillatory movements, which make it possible to generate more energy than is necessary for the operation of the control system and to maintain the rotation of the gyroscopes. At the same time, parts of the object can perform sufficiently fast vibrations if it is performed in a composite version. In naval practice, the types of instability of surface vessels are known along the course - yaw, and on roll - low stability. For the proposed method, all types of specially designed instability can be used: high yaw, low stability, and trim instability typical of submarines. Such an object can perform arbitrary movements along conditionally closed trajectories of any complexity, both on the surface and in the water column (like an unstable kite), including diving, thereby ensuring interaction with a larger mass of moving water, and as a consequence, a greater withdrawal of energy by the stream. If an object is implemented as a composite one, such an object can perform all the listed types of vibrations, however, in addition, its joints can vibrate relative to each other, absorbing both the energy of the natural vortex component of the flow and caused by the interaction of the body and the moving water Thus, the main and general technical the property of the applied object, which is held in the flow, is its weak stability in the incoming flow, which provides a change in the angular position of the object as a whole or its component parts, which is fast enough for efficient gyro generation.

Further, technological bundles: gyroscopes, their control systems, energy conversion systems will be called gyro generators. Floating objects subject to hydrodynamic vibrations (including composite ones - multi-hull), which are carriers of gyro generators, will hereinafter be referred to as objects. The case in which the specified block with a gyro or gyro generators is placed, or the case on which this block is placed outside will be called containing. The images and examples given in the application are not images and examples of any specific devices operating according to the proposed method, they serve the purpose of explaining the essence of the method in possible variants of its implementation for a variety of dynamically unstable objects.

Examples of possible implementations of the method.

(Fig. 1) shows, conventionally, a lightweight version of the attachment and use of such an object. A small portable power plant is fixed on a log thrown over the stream, or on a stake driven into the bottom of the river, or on a cable bracing. In (Fig. 1), the arrow (5) shows the direction of the stream (river) flow, the stretch (3), fixed on the bank with pegs (2), holds the object (1) with a cable (4), which makes angular oscillations (indicated by semicircular arrows at his nose), in addition, the angular movement of the cable (4) is conventionally indicated. Much more powerful (including composite) objects can also be held in a similar way, both individually and in groups, for example, by fastening to bridge supports, to piles driven into the bottom, to cables thrown between the banks, anchored pontoons (connected by cable systems or without them) ) and similar basic facilities that ensure the retention of objects. It is quite obvious that such an object (1) can consist of several joints (both enclosing bodies equipped with gyrogenetars and carrying a purely force function), performing angular oscillations relative to each other, in this case its movements will resemble those of a fish. For a non-immersed object, direct attachment of the cable to the bottom of rivers and seas is quite acceptable, when it is expedient, despite the fact that such a bottom cable creates additional resistance to the oscillatory movement of the object. In sea conditions, similar types of fasteners to cable, pontoon, pile and anchor devices are possible, cable retention from the ship's board, etc., the specific implementation of the retention of objects in the flow for the implementation of the method is not something fundamental. If an object like the one shown in FIG. 1 is made single-hull, then the use of two or more power gyroscopes may become advisable, since their structural placement on the bow and stern of the object will give the system as a whole an additional moment of inertia due to the total inert mass of the gyro generators. In the case of a composite object, the same gyroscopes, as appropriate, can be placed in each of the joints or in some. The same considerations apply to examples of possible objects presented further in FIG. 2, 3, 6.

In cases where the use of objects on the surface is impractical, they can be placed in the water column, if the depths allow it. In this case, objects can move along rather complex spatial trajectories both across the flow and along its depth, while performing complex natural vibrational-rotational movements in roll, yaw and pitch, and in the case of a composite object, complex movements of joints relative to each other. In order to intensify the intrinsic angular motions of the object, the difference in the density of the water-air media can be used. In this case, the objects make movements of emerging and subsequent diving into the aquatic environment, which can be carried out both in the same vertical plane, like a submarine maneuver called the "killer whale jump", and as part of more complex evolutions associated with the object's pitch, yaw, and roll (and its constituent parts relative to each other), which is more typical of fish, dolphins and whales.

Under possible conditions of high stability of oscillations of the object, it is technically possible, but not mandatory, the rotational mode of the gyro generator, when it either makes a certain number of revolutions to one of the sides, and then in the opposite direction, or makes rotational movements only in one direction without a reverse motion. Such modes are resonant or close to resonance, they are technically realizable by adjusting the braking effect by the control system, which arises as a reaction from a device that converts the torque developed by the gyroscope into electricity (electric generator), compressed air energy (pressure generator).

In addition to river currents, the method is applicable for sea currents, both constant (like the Gulf Stream or Kurosivo) and periodic: tidal and wave. At the same time, not only unidirectional deep or surface currents, tidal or initiated by the wind, for example, those observed in river deltas (for example, the Neva), but also wave movements themselves are available for use, since in the case of an ordinary wind wave (according to the trochoidal the theory of sea waves), near-surface water volumes in the process of waves make either circular or elliptical motions, while the major axis of the ellipse is horizontal. With waves in the near-surface layer of water, microflows of short periodicity, on the order of several seconds, are formed, which, with appropriate hydrodynamics of the apparatus and appropriate fasteners, can be used according to the claimed method. An example of such a fastener would be a load lifted by a rope or chain from the bottom, or simply a relatively heavy chain. One of the possible examples is shown in (Fig. 2), here: 1 - a pile, 2 - a load with a rope system, 3 - an object. In addition, in the case of using microcurrents of a wind wave, the gyro-generation principle makes it possible to use additionally the angular displacements of the object along the pitch during its evolution from the wave base to the top and back. As a result, the object makes an additional angular movement, in (Fig. 2) this feature of the object's motion is shown by the vectors of the instantaneous angular velocities of the object: ω _g - hydrodynamic (due to the shape and (or) rudders of the object) and ω _t - pitch (wave). These instantaneous angular velocities are shown perpendicular to each other, which is not a prerequisite for a real object. In addition, composite objects are able to utilize the component of the wave energy associated with its phase velocity and the longitudinal impulse (energy flow) carried by the wave, since in this case the components of the object are capable of performing angular oscillations relative to each other.

A necessary condition for the implementation of technical devices according to the claimed method is the ability of the object to perform angular evolutions on the surface of the water and (or) in its thickness under the influence of a hydrodynamic flow or longitudinal wave impulse. For these purposes, both controlled objects are applicable, for example, objects using controlled rudders, and uncontrollable objects with rudders (including fixed and, or uncontrollable moving), and objects whose shape itself (or joint features) is such a rudder that changes position the center of pressures depending on the angular position of the object relative to the flow. In this case, the uncontrolled type of objects is preferable, since there is no need for energy consumption to drive the rudders, the risk of leakage into the sealed housing through the rudder shaft seals is eliminated. Objects that do not have movable rudders controlled by the energy generated on board by gyro generators are designed taking into account the main basic principle: namely, taking into account the provision of dynamic instability of the object in the oncoming (relative to the object) flow. Since the options for implementing this principle are very numerous, we will additionally give some of the possible ones.

In (Fig. 3), an object (1) is shown that undergoes spatial and angular evolution in the water column. The direction of flow is shown by a bold arrow, the object (1) undergoes evolutions, which are caused by two main movements, they are shown by a circular arrow at its toe and an elliptical arrow at the rope holding the object (2). The rope is fixed with a conventionally depicted anchor or other bottom device (3). The shape of the object and the method of fastening the object to the rope are chosen so as to maximize the extraction of kinetic energy from the incident flow.

(Fig. 4) shows an object (3), similar to the one used by the authors in the experiments. Object (3), consisting of a displacing elliptical float, a rod (6) and a rudder (5), is a variant of a surface (non-immersed, non-diving) type object that oscillates in the incoming river flow with direction (1). The object was supported by a support (2). Fastening with a line was carried out at point (4), this point on the rod (6) was chosen during the experiment so that it was located farther than the center of pressures of the object (3) in its initial position, when the longitudinal axis of the object was oriented along the incoming flow. As a result, the object acquired instability, which was expressed in the fact that the object began to evolve, as shown in (Fig. 5), here is a top view of the same object. When the object turned to the oncoming stream at a large angle, the center of pressure shifted beyond the attachment point, as a result, the object turned around and moved in the opposite direction, after which the evolution was repeated in a mirror image. The rudder-stabilizer (5) (Fig. 4) was made stationary relative to the rod (6) and symmetrical, having a small intrinsic positive buoyancy. Thus, it was established experimentally that even an axisymmetric structurally integral object is capable of the necessary evolutions with the proper choice of the parameters of the hull, rudder, fasteners and moments of inertia of the hull, even without the use of additional angular stops and rotary rudders, both controlled and uncontrollable (unstable with respect to the flow). Although the use of such improvements (limiters and self-rotating-fluttering rudders, a composite body capable of mutual angular displacements) unambiguously leads to an intensification of the free stream energy extraction, while the cable (4), as shown in (Fig. 1), can become a redundant element ...

(Fig. 6) schematically shows an anchored composite object interacting with the flow of water energy and located horizontally. In this illustrative example (Fig. 6), the object makes undulating movements and utilizes the longitudinal impulse of sea waves. However, an object similar in principle of operation can also be located vertically (it can be placed on an edge, depending on the choice of the orientation of the buoyancy of the elements), and due to this it becomes capable of both utilizing the longitudinal impulse of waves and the energy of currents. At the same time, it can perform complex evolutions and mutual displacements of components both on the surface and in the water column.

Other variants of objects are also possible that meet the main requirement: the ability to utilize flows of water energy in the form of oscillatory movements associated with a time change in the angle of the main body or component parts of the object.

Direct extraction of the rotational energy of the object body, or of the component parts - the enclosing bodies, is performed by power gyroscopes (one or more, operating in a compensation mode or outside it, if appropriate).

In (Fig. 7) a diagram is schematically presented that explains the essence of the method in terms of the kinematics of the process being implemented. The rotating gyroscope (1) (having a certain angular momentum H and suspended in the frame (2) in a balanced state) is connected with its semi-axles to the supporting rotary frame (2) by means of bearings (3). The frame (2) is attached to the body (or to the mechanism of the initial orientation of the base, which is not shown here) through bearings on the O axis, by means of which the frame (2), together with the gyroscope (1), can perform swinging rotational movements. The Y-axis is directed to the zenith (the direction of the bottom-deck of the object), the X-axis is directed from the stern to the bow, the O-axis is from side to side. The same image shows the initially neutral position of the frame (2) and gyroscope (1), along the stern-to-nose direction. (Fig. 7) shows the precessional torque (M) developed by the gyroscope and tends to align the gyroscope rotation axis (vector H) with the instantaneous angular velocity vector ω ₁ in accordance with the Gruet-Zhukovsky rule. The vector (ω ₁ ) in magnitude and direction depends on the yaw rate of the object, and periodically changes its direction to the opposite, which in turn changes the direction of the precessional moment (M) and causes a reverse angular motion of the gyroscope. The torque (M) developed by the gyroscope (1) is used to drive a generator or other devices by transmitting the frame torque along the axis (O). Realizations are possible when the torque can be removed either directly from the gyroscope frame, or by direct action of the gyroscope axes on the executing mechanisms.

According to Rezal's theorem, the current instantaneous value of the torque (M) depends on the angle α as follows: M = H * ω ₁ * sin (π / 2-α). Based on the foregoing, devices implemented according to the proposed method can be equipped with limiters, the purpose of which is to prevent the gyroscope axis (vector H) from coinciding with the vector ω ₁ , since in this case, when the vector ω ₁ changes its direction to the opposite, the gyroscope (1) will not be affected by any torques tending to rotate it and the frame (2) it rotates to the new direction of the vector ω ₁ . It is possible to use elastic elements (spring, pneumatic, etc.) striving to return the gyroscope (1) to the initial neutral position (or at least prevent the alignment of the gyroscope axis (vector H) with the vector ω ₁ ), in addition, the same elastic elements capable of storing energy to drive energy-consuming devices. Thus, the frame (2) performs rocking (or rotational) movements characterized by a time-varying torque capable of driving a generator of some design and (or) other devices in order to utilize the energy of the flow that rocks the floating object. In other implementations, a kinematic scheme can act as limiters, for example, in the case of using a crank mechanism to drive a consumer of mechanical energy of the rocking motion of a force gyroscope, etc. Resonant modes of motion of the gyroscope relative to the enclosing body are possible, when the gyroscope makes rotational movements in one direction, in this case the task of removing the gyroscope from the state when its axis of rotation coincides with the instantaneous axis of rotation of the enclosing body falls on the control system. Such undesirable situations, when the axis of rotation of the gyroscope and the instantaneous axis of rotation of the housing enclosing the gyroscope coincide, are possible in cases when the object and the gyro generator move to a different resonant frequency, or just starts moving after idle time.

The uncompensated moment (M), see (Fig. 7), through the generator mount, through elastic elements or a power transmission of a different nature, will be transmitted to the enclosing body of the floating object. This circumstance may necessitate its compensation, this moment can be compensated for by installing at least one more similar (compensation) gyroscope, the axis of which in the neutral position is co-directed to the axis of the first one, but spun in the opposite direction. In this case, two oppositely directed moments acting on the body of a pair of gyroscopes can fully compensate each other.

It is possible to implement the same method in the form of a cascade of power gyroscopes, transmitting the oscillatory force to subsequent gyroscopes in order to enhance the effect, which can be relevant also to wave rolling, where there are not only yaw movements, but also pitch and roll movements. For example, a gyroscope utilizing yaw oscillations can actuate an axis support that will induce forced oscillations of a gyroscope utilizing pitch oscillations, than the effect of a wave oscillation in pitch will be amplified, then the total moment can be transferred to a gyroscope that utilizes roll oscillations, and then final disposal of the total effort. Taking into account the oscillation phases will require the appropriate work of the control system, organizing the transfer of moments between the frames and their movable supports.

A scheme is also possible when the control system sums up the rotational movements of the enclosing body of the object along the axes, see (Fig. 8) and, using the mechanism of the initial orientation of the base (3), rotates the base of the frame (2) containing the gyroscope (1) (or an assembly of gyroscopes) into space so that the total periodic rotation of the object (in the image this is the instantaneous total vector - ω _∑ ) is used in an optimal way, in this case, either two blocks of the same type with gyroscopes of the same type (as shown in the image) oriented in a coordinated manner by the control system are used, or two (or more) gyroscopes are performed in one unit and, having a common turntable, rotate simultaneously, thereby the control system adapts to the current situation in which the floating object is located.

However, such implementations of an articulated object are admissible when such compensation is impractical, since uncompensation can enhance the rotating effect of the object segments (housing the housings containing gyro generators) relative to each other, since it becomes technically possible to organize a more efficient interaction of the hull joints with the flow by using the reactions of the gyro generator to the hull elements in favorable directions for this.

It is quite obvious that, in the general case, the gyroscopes' axes in their initial position (inside the enclosing body) can form any spatial structure, for example, a triangle (if the task is to utilize energy in only one plane defined by two axes (yaw + pitch, pitch + roll, roll + yaw), converge (diverge) to the center from the vertices of the tetrahedron (if the task is to use all three axes), etc., depending on the problem being solved, economic considerations and the need (or lack of it) to compensate for the impact of forces on the body of the object. the blocks themselves (with the gyroscopes' axes directed in a certain way in a neutral position) can be spaced spatially along the enclosing body of a floating object, and the centrifugal forces acting on the body and internal elements can be used to drive gyro generators and organize a more efficient interaction of the object with the flow ...

In addition, the blocks can be placed arbitrarily, in this case the control system can work in the mode of compensation of the force action of the gyroscopes on the body by adjusting the kinetic moments (speed and direction of rotation) of the gyroscopes and their neutral directions, as well as outside the mode of such compensation. In this case, it is permissible for gyroscopes to have different moments of inertia and mass, since the control system adapts the system elements to the current oscillatory situation, taking into account the parameters desired by the user. The control system itself can be configured both as a network structure and as a single center, which will increase the capacity of the system without a clear initial plan. And in this case, it is also absolutely not necessary that the gyroscopic influence on the movement of the object or the enclosing frame be compensated by another gyroscope or gyroscopes, since the entire system as a whole can benefit from such an influence, since in this case the body can interact with additional volumes of the moving water, which will lead to an increase in the overall energy effect. Thus, the optimal regime of the system as a whole becomes a matter of the perfection of the control system.

In any case, the implementation of a part of the energy generated by the power gyroscopes is directed to support the rotation speed of the gyroscopes (since the bearings of the gyroscopes have some friction), they organize, due to the generated energy, the power supply of the electronics that control the units made according to the claimed method, compensate for other energy costs and for internal needs ensuring the functioning products made according to the claimed method. This does not exclude the possibility of using for the designated purposes and a third-party onboard energy source, which is not fundamental for the implementation of the claimed method.

The electricity generated according to the claimed method (or energy stored in other forms, for example, in the form of compressed gases) can be either used for the onboard needs of floating objects equipped with blocks according to the proposed method, and transferred to the shore in a general-purpose network, or transferred to another consumer by any in a technically acceptable way. This can be used to supply power to small fleet facilities, organize energy generation for various needs of floating objects of various sizes and purposes (including by utilizing fluctuations of small and small amplitudes), hydrographic facilities, aquaculture facilities, various coastal facilities, enterprises and settlements.

Brief description of images

FIG. 1

1 - Object.

2 - Pegs.

3 - Stretching.

4 - Cable.

5 - Direction of flow.

FIG. 2

1 - Pile.

2 - A circle with ropes.

3 - Object.

FIG. 3

1 - Object.

2 - Rope.

3 - Anchor.

FIG. 4

1 - Direction of flow.

2 - Support.

3 - Object.

4 - Attachment point.

5 - Steering wheel.

6 - Barbell.

FIG. 5

1 - Direction of flow.

2 - Support.

3 - Object.

FIG. 6

Shown is a segment object with a piece of cable.

FIG. 7

XOY - Coordinate system.

M - Instantaneous torque.

H - Kinetic moment of the gyroscope.

ω ₁ - Instantaneous angular velocity of the enclosing body.

α - Instantaneous swing angle of the frame.

1 - Gyroscope.

2 - Frame.

3 - Bearings.

FIG. eight

ω - Instantaneous angular velocities along the axes and total.

XYZ - Orthogonal coordinate system.

H is the kinetic moment of the gyroscope.

1 - Gyroscope.

2 - Frame.

3 - Support orientation mechanism.

Claims (1)

A method of utilizing energy flows carried by water media by using gyroscopic effects, characterized in that objects with low dynamic stability are used to transform the energy flow carried by water, functioning both in the depth of the water flow and at the water-air interface, as single-hull, and articulated-composite, hydrodynamic and hydrostatic properties and features of the fasteners of which are such that objects, or their parts, under the influence of the incident flow, self-sustaining vibrations, which are used as a source of mechanical energy for forced precessional vibrations of one or more power gyroscopes placed in the composition block or blocks, respectively, which are equipped with a control system that supports the movement of gyroscopes with a given speed and direction and carries out the necessary automation and adaptation to the oscillation modes developed by the gyroscope, or gyroscopes, the torques of which x is converted into electricity or gas pressure energy.

Images