WO2012007686A1 - Power-generating device using the kinetic energy of water currents, comprising at least one rotatably hinged load-bearing arm and being provided with a turbine and ballasting means - Google Patents

Power-generating device using the kinetic energy of water currents, comprising at least one rotatably hinged load-bearing arm and being provided with a turbine and ballasting means Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012007686A1
WO2012007686A1 PCT/FR2011/051654 FR2011051654W WO2012007686A1 WO 2012007686 A1 WO2012007686 A1 WO 2012007686A1 FR 2011051654 W FR2011051654 W FR 2011051654W WO 2012007686 A1 WO2012007686 A1 WO 2012007686A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
arm
water
carrier body
support arm
ballast
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FR2011/051654
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2012007686A8 (en
Inventor
Bruno Denantes
Original Assignee
Turbocean Sas
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 Turbocean Sas filed Critical Turbocean Sas
Publication of WO2012007686A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012007686A1/en
Publication of WO2012007686A8 publication Critical patent/WO2012007686A8/en

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Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03BMACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B17/00Other machines or engines
    • F03B17/06Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head"
    • F03B17/061Other 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
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03BMACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B13/00Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
    • F03B13/12Adaptations 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
    • F03B13/26Adaptations 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
    • F03B13/264Adaptations 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
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05BINDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2240/00Components
    • F05B2240/90Mounting on supporting structures or systems
    • F05B2240/91Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a stationary structure
    • F05B2240/915Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a stationary structure which is vertically adjustable
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05BINDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2240/00Components
    • F05B2240/90Mounting on supporting structures or systems
    • F05B2240/91Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a stationary structure
    • F05B2240/915Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a stationary structure which is vertically adjustable
    • F05B2240/9152Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a stationary structure which is vertically adjustable by being hinged
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05BINDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2240/00Components
    • F05B2240/90Mounting on supporting structures or systems
    • F05B2240/91Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a stationary structure
    • F05B2240/917Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a stationary structure attached to cables
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05BINDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2240/00Components
    • F05B2240/90Mounting on supporting structures or systems
    • F05B2240/91Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a stationary structure
    • F05B2240/917Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a stationary structure attached to cables
    • F05B2240/9176Wing, kites or buoyant bodies with a turbine attached without flying pattern
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05BINDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2240/00Components
    • F05B2240/90Mounting on supporting structures or systems
    • F05B2240/97Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a submerged structure
    • YGENERAL 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
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02EREDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/30Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a new device for the production of exploitable energy, including electrical energy, from the kinetic energy of water currents, and in particular of marine or fluvial currents or tidal currents.
  • a first known type of tidal turbine structure consists in mounting the turbine or turbines on a vertical support mast whose base is firmly fixed to the bottom of the water in floor.
  • the turbines are carried by this support mast, and can for example slide along this mast so as to adjust their position in height under water relative to the current to be operated, or to allow their out of water for operations maintenance or repair.
  • the main disadvantage of this type of tidal turbine structure lies in the cumbersome technical and human resources required for the installation of the carrier mast.
  • the maintenance and repair operations of the carrier mast are also complex and expensive. This technical solution, with carrier mast or equivalent whose base is firmly fixed in the ground, is thus extremely expensive to install and maintain.
  • a second known type of tidal turbine structure is based on the implementation of a floating carrier element, on which are fixed or the turbines, and which is anchored to the ground, for example by means of ropes or equivalent.
  • This type of structure is for example described in the international patent application WO 2008/1 14019 or in the international patent application WO2009 / 088302.
  • the floating carrier element is a vertical floating mast carrying several stages of turbines.
  • the installation of this structure in water is easier than the technical solution described in the aforementioned international patent application WO 00/507768.
  • the transport of this structure to its location remains relatively difficult.
  • the maintenance or repair of a turbine is complex and tedious, because it is necessary to switch in the water to horizontal, using ballasts, the entire mast (see Figure 3) so as to out of water all the turbines, even if it would be necessary to access a single turbine.
  • the tidal turbine structure comprises a plurality of floating main beams connected together by connecting elements articulated at their ends.
  • Each main beam carries submersible turbines that are able to transform the kinetic energy of water currents into exploitable energy.
  • Each main beam is also equipped with ballasting means and is moored to the bottom of the water by a rope or equivalent.
  • the present invention aims to propose a new energy production device, of the tidal type, which uses the kinetic energy of water currents, and which presents one and / or the other of the following advantages:
  • the depth positioning of the turbines of the device can be easily adjusted so as to optimize the position of the turbines with respect to a stream of water
  • the turbines of the device can easily be put out of water on site, so as to allow their maintenance or repair on site.
  • the invention thus relates to a device for producing energy using the kinetic energy of water currents, having the following technical characteristics: it comprises at least one floating carrier body, mooring means said floating carrier body, at least one support arm, which is fixed to the floating carrier body, and which is articulated in rotation relative to the floating carrier body about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation, at least one submersible turbine, which is characterized by a driving direction, which is adapted to be driven by a stream of water whose direction is substantially parallel to the driving direction of the turbine, and which is adapted to transform the kinetic energy of said stream of water exploitable energy, said at least one turbine being mounted on said support arm being oriented so that its driving direction by a stream of water is sensiblem parallel to the axis of rotation of the support arm, and means for stabilizing the device in the water, which stabilization means comprise ballasting means (14) for adjusting the angular position in rotation of the carrier arm (12) relative to the floating carrier body (10).
  • the device of the invention may comprise one and / or the other of the following optional features, taken alone or in combination with each other :
  • At least two opposite support arms which are fixed to the floating carrier body, which respectively extend on either side of the floating carrier body, which are each articulated in rotation relative to the carrier body floating around a axis of substantially horizontal rotation, each of which carries at least one submersible turbine;
  • said at least one turbine of each carrying arm is characterized by a driving direction, is adapted to be driven by a stream of water whose direction is substantially parallel to the driving direction of the turbine, and is able to transform the kinetic energy of said water stream into exploitable energy, said at least one turbine of each carrier arm being oriented so that its driving direction by a stream of water is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the arm carrier, the ballasting means for adjusting the angular position in rotation of each carrier arm relative to the floating carrier body;
  • each carrier arm allow adjustment of the angular position in rotation of the carrier arm relative to the floating carrier body so as to position out of water or turbines carried by said arm;
  • each carrier arm are positioned along the longitudinal axis of the carrier arm between the turbine or turbines and the axis of rotation of the carrier arm;
  • each support arm comprise at least one upper ballast fixed to the support arm and positioned above the support arm and at least one lower ballast attached to the support arm and positioned below the support arm;
  • the upper ballast or ballasts of a support arm make it possible to pivot the carrier arm in a position in which the turbine or turbines carried by said arm are out of water and the upper ballast or ballasts float on the surface of the water ;
  • the lower ballast or ballasts of a support arm enable the carrier arm to be pivoted to a position in which the turbine or turbines carried by said arm and the upper ballast (s) are out of water, and the lower ballast (s) float on the surface of the water;
  • each support arm allow adjustment of the angular position in rotation of the carrier arm relative to the floating carrier body at different positions below the float plane of the carrier body;
  • each support arm allow adjustment of the angular position in rotation of the carrier arm relative to the floating carrier body at different positions above the float plane of the carrier body.
  • each carrier arm comprises at least one ballast comprising a ballast tank / deballasting and ballastage / deballasting tank filling control means which make it possible to adapt the flotation of the ballast.
  • the invention also relates to a device for producing energy using the kinetic energy of water currents, and having the following technical characteristics: it comprises at least one floating carrier body, means for docking said floating carrier body, at least one carrier arm, which is fixed to the floating carrier body, and which is articulated in rotation with respect to the floating carrier body about an axis of rotation substantially horizontal, at least one submersible turbine, which is adapted to be driven by a stream of water and to convert the kinetic energy of said water stream into exploitable energy, and means for stabilizing the device in the water, which stabilizing means comprise ballasting means which make it possible to adjust the angular position in rotation of the carrier arm relative to the floating carrier body, and said ballasting means having at least one of the following characteristics (c1) to (c7):
  • ballast means of each support arm allow adjustment of the angular position in rotation of the support arm relative to the floating carrier body so as to position the water or turbines carried by said arm out of water;
  • ballast means of each carrier arm are positioned in the longitudinal direction of the carrier arm between the turbine or turbines and the axis of rotation of the carrier arm;
  • each carrier arm comprises at least one upper ballast fixed to the support arm and positioned above the support arm and at least one lower ballast fixed to the support arm and positioned below the support arm;
  • the ballasting means of each carrier arm comprise at least one upper ballast attached to the support arm and positioned above the support arm and at least one lower ballast fixed to the support arm and positioned below the support arm, and the or the upper ballasts of a support arm make it possible to pivot the support arm in a position in which the turbine or turbines carried by said arm are out of water and the upper ballast (s) float on the surface of the water;
  • the ballasting means of each carrier arm comprise at least one upper ballast fixed to the support arm and positioned above the support arm and at least one lower ballast fixed to the support arm and positioned below the carrying arm, and the or the lower ballasts of a support arm allow to pivot the carrier arm in a position wherein the one or more turbines carried by said arm and the upper ballast (s) are out of water, and the lower ballast (s) float on the surface of the water;
  • ballasting means of each support arm allow adjustment of the rotational angular position of the carrier arm relative to the floating carrier body at different positions below the float plane of the carrier body;
  • ballasting means of each support arm allow adjustment of the angular position in rotation of the carrier arm relative to the floating carrier body at different positions above the buoyancy plane of the carrier body.
  • the device of the invention may include one and / or the other of the following optional features, taken alone or in combination with each other :
  • the device comprises at least two opposite support arms, which are fixed to the floating carrier body, which respectively extend on either side of the floating carrier body, which are each articulated in rotation relative to the carrier body floating around. a substantially horizontal axis of rotation, each of which carries at least one submersible turbine;
  • each submersible turbine is characterized by a driving direction, is able to be driven by a stream of water whose direction is substantially parallel to the drive direction of the turbine, and is mounted on said carrier arm while being oriented so that its driving direction by a stream of water is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the support arm.
  • floating carrier body By "floating" carrier body, one denotes indifferently a body which can have a buoyancy sufficiently important to float on the surface of the water under the effect of the buoyancy of Archimedes, or who can have a buoyancy sufficient to balance buoyancy and float underwater at a substantially stable depth level.
  • the device of the invention may comprise one and / or the other of the following optional features, taken alone or in combination with one another. other:
  • said floating carrier body comprises ballasting means enabling the weight of said carrier body to be adjusted, and thereby making it possible to adjust the position in depth of said body and to stabilize the body in water;
  • the floating carrier body is able to float on the surface of the water
  • the floating carrier body can be positioned under water at a predefined depth
  • the device comprises means for adjusting the position at depth under the water of the floating carrier body
  • the docking means comprise mooring whose length and / or voltage is adjustable;
  • the mooring means comprise moorings weighted by anchors.
  • Another object of the invention is the use of the above-mentioned device for producing energy, and more particularly electricity, from the kinetic energy of water currents.
  • FIG. 1 is a front view of a power generation device, of the tidal type, according to a first variant embodiment and installed underwater in the so-called production configuration
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective representation of the device of FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 3 represents the device of FIGS. 1 and 2, in maintenance or repair configuration
  • FIG. 4 represents the device of FIGS. 1 and 2, in the transport configuration
  • FIG. 5 represents the device of FIG. 4, in front view
  • Figures 6 to 15 respectively represent ten other embodiments of a device of the invention.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first variant embodiment of an energy-generating device, of the tidal turbine type, which is in accordance with the invention, and which is installed underwater, being moored at water bottom (for example under the sea) on an energy production site in which circulates a stream of water symbolized by arrows F.
  • This stream of water F may, depending on the exploitation which is made of the tidal turbine structure, being an underwater current, a fluvial stream or a tidal stream.
  • the surface of the water is referenced S.
  • the accompanying figures show an orthogonal three-dimensional coordinate system ( ⁇ , ⁇ , ⁇ ).
  • the axis X of this marker designated hereinafter longitudinal axis, is substantially horizontal and parallel to the direction of the water flow F;
  • the Y axis hereinafter referred to as the lateral axis, is substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the X axis;
  • the Z axis which is subsequently designated as the vertical axis, is substantially vertical and perpendicular to the X axis.
  • the energy production device 1 comprises a floating central carrier body 10, which in the particular example illustrated substantially forms a cylinder of substantially horizontal axis 10a. This body 10 is securely moored in the ground S 'at the bottom of the water, by means of mooring means 1 1.
  • the floating carrier body 10 may be a body having a buoyancy large enough to float on the surface of the water under the effect of buoyancy or may have sufficient buoyancy to balance the buoyancy and float under the influence of buoyancy. water at a substantially stable depth level.
  • said carrier body 10 may also, in a manner known per se, be equipped with a rudder, one or more fins, or any other average equivalent
  • the floating carrier body 10 comprises ballasting means enabling the weight of said carrier body 10 to be adjusted.
  • ballasting means comprise one or more ballasting / deballasting tanks and control means (pumps or equivalent). filling the ballast tank (s) / deballasting.
  • control means make it possible, in known manner, either to fill each ballast / deballasting tank with a controlled volume of water in order to weigh down the floating body 10, or in order to lighten the floating body 10 from emptying each tank.
  • ballasting / deballasting a controlled volume of water by feeding the ballast / deballasting tank with compressed air.
  • These ballasting means are used to adjust the position in depth (in the Z direction) of said body 10 and to stabilize in position in the water the floating body 10.
  • the means 1 1 mooring at the bottom of the water more particularly comprise flexible connecting means 1 10, rope type or cables.
  • These docking means January 1 being usual and known to those skilled in the art, they will not be detailed.
  • the length and / or the tension of moorings 1 10 is adjustable, so as to adjust the tension exerted on the floating carrier body
  • each tether 1 10 can be made in known manner by means of an electric capstan and / or tensioners controllable by a control system.
  • the length-adjustable mooring means 11 may comprise at least one connecting element (tether), which is rigid and which may for example comprise a actuator of the jack type for adjusting the mooring length.
  • tether connecting element
  • each mooring 1 10 can be carried out by means of anchors or footings of 1 1 1 or equivalent, which can be moved relative to the bottom of the water. Mooring can also be achieved by fixing for example the end of each tether 1 10 to a concrete pad or equivalent permanently fixed in the bottom of the water.
  • Each support arm 12 is articulated in rotation relative to the carrier body 1, independently of the another carrier arm 12, and by means of an articulated connection 12a which allows free rotation of each carrier arm 12 relative to the central body 10 in a substantially vertical plane, about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation 12b.
  • the rotation axes 12b of the support arms 12 are preferably substantially parallel.
  • the two opposite support arms 12 are preferably aligned and rotatable substantially in the same vertical plane (plane parallel to the plane of Figure 1).
  • the two opposite carrying arms are preferably aligned and rotatable substantially in the same vertical plane (plane parallel to the plane of Figure 1).
  • each support arm 12 At the end of each support arm 12 is fixed a submersible turbine 13.
  • the structure and operation of a turbine 13 are common and therefore will not be detailed. With reference to fig 2, the two turbines
  • propellers 13a which have substantially the same orientation in space so as to be driven by the same stream of water F.
  • the direction of the water flow F is substantially parallel to the direction of the water.
  • X axis which corresponds to the driving direction of the turbines 13.
  • Each turbine 13 is mounted on its support arm 12 being oriented so that its driving direction (X axis) by a stream of water F is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation 12b of the support arm 12.
  • the driving direction of a turbine 13 by a stream of water F may not be substantially parallel to the axis of rotation 12b of the support arm 12.
  • the direction of rotation of the propellers 13a of the turbines 13 under the action of the water flow F are opposite.
  • the axis of rotation of the propellers of the turbines is horizontal (that is, parallel to the flow of the water stream). This characteristic is not essential.
  • each turbine 13 axis of rotation of a propeller 13a
  • this distance L corresponds to the length of each carrier arm 12.
  • Each support arm 12 is also equipped with ballasting means 14, which make it possible to finely adjust the angular position in rotation of the carrier arm 12 relative to the floating carrier body 10. More particularly, the ballasting means 14 of each support arm allow adjustment. the angular position in rotation of the carrier arm relative to the floating carrier body 10 at different positions below the buoyancy plane P 'of the carrier body or at different positions above the buoyancy plane of the carrier body.
  • ballasting means 14 of each support arm 12 are more particularly positioned along the longitudinal axis of the support arm 12 between the turbine or turbines 13 and the axis of rotation 12b of the support arm.
  • ballasting means 14 comprise an upper ballast 14a fixed to the support arm 12 while being positioned above this arm 12, and a lower ballast 14b attached to the support arm 12 while being positioned below this arm 12.
  • Each ballast 14a, 14b comprises a ballast tank / deballasting and control means for filling ballast tanks ballast deballasting 14a, 14b, to adapt the flotation of the ballast 14a, 14b depending on the desired angular orientation for the support arm 12.
  • control means allow, in known manner, either to fill each tank with a ballast 14a or 14b with a controlled volume of water to weigh down the ballast, or in order to lighten the ballast to empty the ballast 14a or 14b a controlled volume of water by supplying the tank of the ballast with compressed air.
  • the ballasts 14a, 14b have a substantially cylindrical shape with a substantially horizontal longitudinal axis and are substantially identical.
  • the means of ballasting 14 of the two opposite support arms 12 are substantially symmetrical relative to the central vertical plane P ( Figure 1) of the carrier body 10, which simplifies the management of ballasts for adjusting the orientation of the support arms and contributes to obtaining easier the stability of the entire device. These characteristics are however not essential to the realization of the invention.
  • the angular orientation of the arm 12 bearing these ballast 14a, 14b is adjusted with respect to the carrier body 10, and thus it is adjusted for a given position in depth or on the surface.
  • the water of the body 10 the position in depth (Z axis) of the turbine 13 carried by said support arm, which advantageously allows in production to optimize this position in depth with respect to the flow of water F driving the turbines .
  • the ballasts 14a, 14b also contribute to the stability of the entire device
  • the device 1 is configured in said production position.
  • the floating carrier body 10 is positioned and anchored stably under water to a predefined depth.
  • the angular orientation of each support arm 12 is adjusted by means of the ballasts 14a and 14b so as to optimally position the turbines 13 in the stream of water F under water F.
  • the stream of water F rotates the turbine propellers 13a which thus produce renewable electric energy.
  • the carrier body 10 in the production position, could float on the surface of the water, and not be immersed completely in water.
  • ballasts 14a, 14b also make it possible to put the turbines 13 out of water (FIGS. 3 and 4).
  • the ballasts 14a, 14b are used to pivot the support arms 12 upwards until the turbines 13 are positioned above the level S of the water. It is thus possible to have easy access to the turbines 13 for maintenance or repair.
  • the out of water of the turbines 13 by pivoting the support arms 12 is preferably carried out until the upper ballast 14a of each arm 12 floats on the surface S of the water , the lower ballasts 14b being positioned under water. This makes it possible to obtain good stability of the assembly during maintenance or repair operations.
  • the device is configured in the transport position.
  • the carrier body 10 is no longer moored at the bottom of the water, and under the effect of buoyancy buoy floats on the surface of the water.
  • the lower ballasts 14b are used to pivot the carrier arms 12 upward until the lower ballasts 14b of each arm 12 float on the surface S of the water, the turbines 13 and the upper ballasts 14a being positioned above the surface S of the water.
  • This configuration of Figures 4 and 5 is used to transport the device by pulling or pushing it to the surface of the water, for example to its location.
  • FIGS. 4 and 5 allows easy transport of the device, requiring considerably less energy for transport than the operating configuration of FIG. 1 or the maintenance or repair configuration of FIG. carrier 10 is not positioned under water, and the turbines 13 and the upper ballasts 14a are not positioned in the water and do not oppose resistance in the water displacement of the device.
  • the device can thus very easily be brought into transport configuration to its location without requiring the use of barges for transport, or cranes for installation under water.
  • this mooring at the bottom of the water is achieved by fixing under the carrier body 10, and preferably centrally on the body 10, all the moorings 1 10 weighted by anchors 1 January 1 or soles concrete 1 1 1, or equivalent.
  • the power generation device 1 is equipped with a control and command system whose main functions are:
  • This control system includes:
  • locating means making it possible to measure the instantaneous 3D position (x, y, z) of the device, and for example the position of the body 10, when the latter is immersed or emerged; it is for example a sensor type GPS for a surface position of the body 10 or for example an inertial unit for a position of the body 10 under water.
  • various sensors allowing the control of the operation of the device, including for example one or more level sensors measuring the horizontality of the body 10, one or more level sensors measuring the horizontality of the ballasts 14a, 14b, a sensor (current meter) measuring the speed of the water flow, a position sensor measuring the angular position of each support arm 12, an anemometer measuring the wind speed, a tensiometer measuring the tension in each tether 1 10, an angle sensor measuring the tilt angle of each tether 1 10.
  • control means for controlling the ballasting / deballasting operations of the body 10 and of the upper ballasts 14a and lower 14b of the support arms 12, and control means for controlling the adjustment means (capstan and or tensioners) of the length and / or tension of mooring lines 1 10,
  • control-command program capable of executing a control-command program stored in memory and making it possible to control the control means of the ballast / deballasting tanks and the adjustment means (capstan and / or tensioner) of the length and / or tension of mooring lines 1 10 in particular according to commands entered by an operator (for example production setup control command, maintenance configuration setting command, transport configuration control command, altitude adjustment command (position along the Z axis) of the carrier body 10; control of the angular position of each carrier arm 12) and information supplied by the locating means and the various operating sensors mentioned above.
  • commands entered by an operator for example production setup control command, maintenance configuration setting command, transport configuration control command, altitude adjustment command (position along the Z axis) of the carrier body 10; control of the angular position of each carrier arm 12
  • information supplied by the locating means and the various operating sensors mentioned above for example production setup control command, maintenance configuration setting command, transport configuration control command, altitude adjustment command (position along the Z axis) of the carrier body 10; control of the angular position
  • the electronic processing means are for example housed inside the carrier body 10, in a sealed compartment, and are preferably equipped with electronic radio telecommunication means allowing them to communicate remotely with an interface which is manipulated by a remote operator, for the remote control and management of the operation of the device.
  • FIGS. 6 to 15 show alternative embodiments of a device of the invention.
  • the device is shown in the production position underwater.
  • the device may, in a manner comparable to that described for the variant of Figures 1 to 5, also be configured in the maintenance position or repair (turbines 13 out of water and upper ballast 14a floating on the surface water) or in transport position (turbines 13 and upper ballast 14a out of water, and lower ballast 14b floating on the surface of the water).
  • the variant of FIG. 6 differs from the first variant of FIGS. 1 to 5 by the implementation of two pairs of opposed carrier arms 12 instead of a single pair of opposed carrier arms 12 in the variant of FIGS. 1 to 5. .
  • the variant of Figure 7 differs from the first variant of Figures 1 to 5 by the implementation of two additional turbines 13 'mounted at the front and rear of the floating carrier body 10.
  • the variant of Figure 8 differs from the variant of Figure 6 by the implementation of two additional turbines 13 'mounted at the front and rear of the floating carrier body 10.
  • the variant of Figure 9 differs from the first variant of Figures 1 to 5 by the implementation of two turbines 13 "on each carrier arm 12.
  • the variant of Figure 10 differs mainly from the first variant of Figures 1 to 5 by the implementation of three turbines 13 "on each carrier arm 12.
  • the variant of FIG. 11 differs mainly from the first variant of FIGS. 1 to 5 by the implementation of two pairs of opposed support arms 12 (instead of a single pair of opposed support arms 12 in the variant of Figures 1 to 5) and by the implementation of three turbines 13 "on each support arm 12.
  • the variant of FIG. 12 is an installation comprising two devices 1 which are identical to the first variant of FIGS. 1 to 5, and whose floating carrier bodies 10 are interconnected by a mechanical connection 15, which is for example a rigid bar preferably articulated at these two ends relative to the carrier body 10.
  • the variant of Figure 13 differs mainly from the first variant of Figures 1 to 5 by the implementation of a carrier body 10 having an additional vertical ballast 100.
  • the variant of Figure 14 differs mainly from the first variant of Figures 1 to 5 by the structure of its carrier body 10, and by the implementation of upper and lower pairs of articulated carrier arms 12.
  • FIG. 15 is different from the variant of FIG. 14 by the implementation of four additional turbines 13 "carried by the carrier body 10.
  • Device for producing energy using the kinetic energy of water currents characterized in that it comprises at least one floating carrier body (10), mooring means (1 1) of said floating carrier body, at least a support arm (12), which is fixed to the floating carrier body and which is articulated in rotation with respect to the floating carrier body about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation (12b), at least one submersible turbine (13), which is characterized by a driving direction (X), which is adapted to be driven by a stream of water (F) whose direction is substantially parallel to the drive direction (X) of the turbine, and which is suitable converting the kinetic energy of said water stream into exploitable energy, said at least one turbine (13) being mounted on said support arm (12) being oriented so that its driving direction (X) by a current of water is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation (12 b) the support arm, and means for stabilizing the device in the water, which stabilization means comprise ballasting means (14) for adjusting the angular position in rotation of the support arm (12) relative to the floating carrier body (10).
  • Device comprising at least two opposite support arms (12), which are fixed to the floating carrier body (10), which extend respectively on either side of the floating carrier body, which are each articulated in rotation relative to the carrier body floating around a substantially horizontal axis of rotation (12b), and each carrying at least one submersible turbine (13), wherein said at least one turbine (13) of each carrier arm is characterized by a driving direction (X), is adapted to be driven by a stream of water (F) whose direction is substantially parallel to the drive direction (X) of the turbine, and is adapted to

Abstract

The invention relates to a power-generating device, comprising: at least one buoyant load-bearing body (10); a means (11) for mooring said buoyant load-bearing body; at least one load-bearing arm (12) which is attached to the buoyant load-bearing body and which is rotatably hinged, relative to the buoyant load-bearing body, about a substantially horizontal rotational axis (12b); a ballasting means (14) that makes it possible to adjust the rotary angular position of the load-bearing arm (12) relative to the buoyant load-bearing body (10); and at least one submerged turbine (13) that is characterized by a driving direction (X) and is capable of being driven by a water current, the direction of which is substantially parallel to the driving direction (X) of the turbine, said submerged turbine also being capable of converting the kinetic energy of said water current into usable power. Said at least one turbine (13) is mounted onto said load-bearing arm (12) while being oriented such that the direction (X) direction in which it is driven by a water current is substantially parallel to the rotational axis (12b) of the load-bearing arm.

Description

DISPOSITIF DE PRODUCTION D'ENERGIE UTILISANT L'ENERGIE CINETIQUE DE COURANTS D'EAU ET COMPORTANT AU MOINS UN BRAS PORTEUR ARTICULE EN ROTATION ET EQUIPE D'UNE  ENERGY GENERATING DEVICE USING KINETIC ENERGY OF WATER CURRENTS AND COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE ROTATING ARTICULATED ARMOR ARM AND EQUIPPED WITH
TURBINE ET DE MOYENS DE BALLASTAGE  TURBINE AND MEANS OF BALLASTAGE
Domaine technique  Technical area
La présente invention concerne un nouveau dispositif pour la production d'énergie exploitable, et notamment d'énergie électrique, à partir de l'énergie cinétique des courants d'eau, et notamment des courants marins ou fluviaux ou des courants de marée.  The present invention relates to a new device for the production of exploitable energy, including electrical energy, from the kinetic energy of water currents, and in particular of marine or fluvial currents or tidal currents.
Art antérieur  Prior art
Dans le domaine de la production d'énergie renouvelable, il est connu à ce jour d'utiliser des dispositifs pour la production d'énergie exploitable, et notamment d'énergie électrique, à partir de l'énergie cinétique de courants d'eau, et notamment de courants marins ou fluviaux ou de courants de marée. Ces dispositifs de production d'énergie renouvelable, également communément appelés hydroliennes, comportent une ou plusieurs turbines submersibles aptes à capter et à transformer en énergie exploitable, et principalement en énergie électrique, l'énergie cinétique des courants d'eau.  In the field of renewable energy production, it is known to date to use devices for the production of exploitable energy, including electrical energy, from the kinetic energy of water currents, and in particular marine or fluvial currents or tidal currents. These renewable energy production devices, also commonly called tidal turbines, comprise one or more submersible turbines capable of capturing and transforming into usable energy, and mainly into electrical energy, the kinetic energy of the water currents.
Un premier type connu de structure d'hydrolienne, décrit par exemple dans la demande de brevet internationale WO 00/50768, consiste à monter la ou les turbines sur un mât vertical porteur dont l'embase est solidement fixée au fond de l'eau dans le sol. Les turbines sont portées par ce mât porteur, et peuvent par exemple coulisser le long de ce mât de manière à régler leur position en hauteur sous l'eau par rapport au courant à exploiter, ou à permettre leur mise hors d'eau pour des opérations de maintenance ou de réparation. Le principal inconvénient de ce type de structure d'hydrolienne réside dans la lourdeur des moyens techniques et humains nécessaires pour la mise en place du mât porteur. En outre les opérations de maintenance et de réparation du mât porteur sont également complexes et onéreuses. Cette solution technique, avec mât porteur ou équivalent dont la base est fixée solidement dans le sol, est ainsi extrêmement onéreuse à installer et à maintenir. A first known type of tidal turbine structure, described for example in the international patent application WO 00/50768, consists in mounting the turbine or turbines on a vertical support mast whose base is firmly fixed to the bottom of the water in floor. The turbines are carried by this support mast, and can for example slide along this mast so as to adjust their position in height under water relative to the current to be operated, or to allow their out of water for operations maintenance or repair. The main disadvantage of this type of tidal turbine structure lies in the cumbersome technical and human resources required for the installation of the carrier mast. In addition, the maintenance and repair operations of the carrier mast are also complex and expensive. This technical solution, with carrier mast or equivalent whose base is firmly fixed in the ground, is thus extremely expensive to install and maintain.
Un deuxième type connu de structure d'hydrolienne repose sur la mise en œuvre d'un élément porteur flottant, sur lequel sont fixées la ou les turbines, et qui est ancré au sol, par exemple au moyen de cordages ou équivalent. Ce type de structure est par exemple décrit dans la demande de brevet internationale WO 2008/1 14019 ou dans la demande de brevet internationale WO2009/088302.  A second known type of tidal turbine structure is based on the implementation of a floating carrier element, on which are fixed or the turbines, and which is anchored to the ground, for example by means of ropes or equivalent. This type of structure is for example described in the international patent application WO 2008/1 14019 or in the international patent application WO2009 / 088302.
Dans la demande de brevet internationale WO 2008/1 14019, l'élément porteur flottant est un mât flottant vertical portant plusieurs étages de turbines. L'installation de cette structure dans l'eau est plus facile que la solution technique décrite dans la demande de brevet internationale WO 00/507768 précitée. Cependant, le transport de cette structure jusqu'à son lieu d'implantation reste relativement difficile. En outre, avec ce type de structure, les opérations de maintenance ou de réparation d'une turbine restent complexes et fastidieuses, car on est obligé de faire basculer dans l'eau à horizontale, au moyen de ballasts, l'ensemble du mât porteur (cf figure 3) de manière à mettre hors d'eau l'intégralité des turbines, quand bien même il s'avérerait nécessaire d'accéder à une seule turbine.  In the international patent application WO 2008/1 14019, the floating carrier element is a vertical floating mast carrying several stages of turbines. The installation of this structure in water is easier than the technical solution described in the aforementioned international patent application WO 00/507768. However, the transport of this structure to its location remains relatively difficult. In addition, with this type of structure, the maintenance or repair of a turbine is complex and tedious, because it is necessary to switch in the water to horizontal, using ballasts, the entire mast (see Figure 3) so as to out of water all the turbines, even if it would be necessary to access a single turbine.
Dans la demande de brevet internationale WO2009/088302, la structure d'hydrolienne comporte une pluralité de poutres principales flottantes reliées entre elles par des éléments de liaison articulés à leurs extrémités. Chaque poutre principale porte des turbines submersibles qui sont aptes à transformer l'énergie cinétique de courants d'eau en énergie exploitable. Chaque poutre principale est également équipée de moyen de ballastage et est amarrée au fond de l'eau par un cordage ou équivalent. L'installation de cette structure sous l'eau est complexe et nécessite notamment la mise en oeuvre de nombreuse étapes séquentielles d'assemblage sur site de la structure (cf figures 17 à 24). En outre, une fois la structure installée, il est difficile d'avoir accès aux turbines, ce qui complique les opérations de maintenance ou de réparation sur site des turbines. In the international patent application WO2009 / 088302, the tidal turbine structure comprises a plurality of floating main beams connected together by connecting elements articulated at their ends. Each main beam carries submersible turbines that are able to transform the kinetic energy of water currents into exploitable energy. Each main beam is also equipped with ballasting means and is moored to the bottom of the water by a rope or equivalent. The installation of this structure under water is complex and requires in particular the implementation of numerous sequential stages of on-site assembly of the structure (see Figures 17 to 24). In addition, once the structure is installed, it is difficult to access the turbines, which complicates the on-site maintenance or repair operations of the turbines. turbines.
Objectif de l'invention  Objective of the invention
La présente invention vise à proposer un nouveau dispositif de production d'énergie, de type hydrolienne, qui utilise l'énergie cinétique de courants d'eau, et qui présente l'un et/ou l'autre des avantages suivants :  The present invention aims to propose a new energy production device, of the tidal type, which uses the kinetic energy of water currents, and which presents one and / or the other of the following advantages:
- le positionnement en profondeur des turbines du dispositif peut être facilement réglé de manière à optimiser la position des turbines par rapport à un courant d'eau,  the depth positioning of the turbines of the device can be easily adjusted so as to optimize the position of the turbines with respect to a stream of water,
- les turbines du dispositif peuvent facilement être mises hors d'eau sur site, de manière à permettre leur maintenance ou leur réparation sur site.  - The turbines of the device can easily be put out of water on site, so as to allow their maintenance or repair on site.
- Il peut facilement être transporté jusqu'au site de production d'énergie,  - It can easily be transported to the energy production site,
l'installation de ce dispositif sur le site de production d'énergie est rapide et facile.  the installation of this device on the power generation site is quick and easy.
Résumé de l'invention  Summary of the invention
Selon un premier aspect, l'invention a ainsi pour objet un dispositif de production d'énergie utilisant l'énergie cinétique de courants d'eau, présentant les caractéristiques techniques suivantes : il comporte au moins un corps porteur flottant, des moyens d'amarrage dudit corps porteur flottant, au moins un bras porteur, qui est fixé au corps porteur flottant, et qui est articulé en rotation par rapport au corps porteur flottant autour d'un axe de rotation sensiblement horizontal, au moins une turbine submersible, qui est caractérisée par une direction d'entraînement, qui est apte à être entraînée par un courant d'eau dont la direction est sensiblement parallèle à la direction d'entraînement de la turbine, et qui est apte à transformer l'énergie cinétique dudit courant d'eau en énergie exploitable, ladite au moins une turbine étant montée sur ledit bras porteur en étant orientée de telle sorte que sa direction d'entraînement par un courant d'eau est sensiblement parallèle à l'axe de rotation du bras porteur, et des moyens de stabilisation du dispositif dans l'eau, lesquels moyens de stabilisation comportent des moyens de ballastage (14) permettant de régler la position angulaire en rotation du bras porteur (12) par rapport au corps porteur flottant (10). According to a first aspect, the invention thus relates to a device for producing energy using the kinetic energy of water currents, having the following technical characteristics: it comprises at least one floating carrier body, mooring means said floating carrier body, at least one support arm, which is fixed to the floating carrier body, and which is articulated in rotation relative to the floating carrier body about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation, at least one submersible turbine, which is characterized by a driving direction, which is adapted to be driven by a stream of water whose direction is substantially parallel to the driving direction of the turbine, and which is adapted to transform the kinetic energy of said stream of water exploitable energy, said at least one turbine being mounted on said support arm being oriented so that its driving direction by a stream of water is sensiblem parallel to the axis of rotation of the support arm, and means for stabilizing the device in the water, which stabilization means comprise ballasting means (14) for adjusting the angular position in rotation of the carrier arm (12) relative to the floating carrier body (10).
De manière optionnelle, dans le cadre de ce premier aspect de l'invention, le dispositif de l'invention peut comporter l'une et/ou l'autre des caractéristiques facultatives suivantes, prises isolément ou en combinaison l'une avec l'autre :  Optionally, in the context of this first aspect of the invention, the device of the invention may comprise one and / or the other of the following optional features, taken alone or in combination with each other :
- Il comporte au moins deux bras porteurs opposés, qui sont fixés au corps porteur flottant, qui s'étendent respectivement de part et d'autre du corps porteur flottant, qui sont chacun articulés en rotation par rapport au corps porteur flottant autour d'un axe de rotation sensiblement horizontal, et qui portent chacun au moins une turbine submersible ; ladite au moins une turbine de chaque bras porteur est caractérisée par une direction d'entraînement, est apte à être entraînée par un courant d'eau dont la direction est sensiblement parallèle à la direction d'entraînement de la turbine, et est apte à transformer l'énergie cinétique dudit courant d'eau en énergie exploitable, ladite au moins une turbine de chaque bras porteur étant orientée de telle sorte que sa direction d'entraînement par un courant d'eau est sensiblement parallèle à l'axe de rotation du bras porteur, les moyens de ballastage permettant de régler la position angulaire en rotation de chaque bras porteur par rapport au corps porteur flottant ;  - It comprises at least two opposite support arms, which are fixed to the floating carrier body, which respectively extend on either side of the floating carrier body, which are each articulated in rotation relative to the carrier body floating around a axis of substantially horizontal rotation, each of which carries at least one submersible turbine; said at least one turbine of each carrying arm is characterized by a driving direction, is adapted to be driven by a stream of water whose direction is substantially parallel to the driving direction of the turbine, and is able to transform the kinetic energy of said water stream into exploitable energy, said at least one turbine of each carrier arm being oriented so that its driving direction by a stream of water is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the arm carrier, the ballasting means for adjusting the angular position in rotation of each carrier arm relative to the floating carrier body;
- les moyens de ballastage de chaque bras porteur permettent un réglage de la position angulaire en rotation du bras porteur par rapport au corps porteur flottant de manière à positionner hors d'eau la ou les turbines portées par ledit bras ;  - The ballasting means of each carrier arm allow adjustment of the angular position in rotation of the carrier arm relative to the floating carrier body so as to position out of water or turbines carried by said arm;
les moyens de ballastage de chaque bras porteur sont positionnés suivant l'axe longitudinal du bras porteur entre la ou les turbines et l'axe de rotation du bras porteur ;  the ballast means of each carrier arm are positioned along the longitudinal axis of the carrier arm between the turbine or turbines and the axis of rotation of the carrier arm;
- les moyens de ballastage de chaque bras porteur comportent au moins un ballast supérieur fixé au bras porteur et positionné au- dessus du bras porteur et au moins un ballast inférieur fixé au bras porteur et positionné au-dessous du bras porteur ; the ballasting means of each support arm comprise at least one upper ballast fixed to the support arm and positioned above the support arm and at least one lower ballast attached to the support arm and positioned below the support arm;
- le ou les ballasts supérieurs d'un bras porteur permettent de faire pivoter le bras porteur dans une position dans laquelle la ou les turbines portées par ledit bras sont hors d'eau et le ou les ballasts supérieurs flottent à la surface de l'eau ;  the upper ballast or ballasts of a support arm make it possible to pivot the carrier arm in a position in which the turbine or turbines carried by said arm are out of water and the upper ballast or ballasts float on the surface of the water ;
- le ou les ballasts inférieurs d'un bras porteur permettent de faire pivoter le bras porteur dans une position dans laquelle la ou les turbines portées par ledit bras et le ou les ballasts supérieurs sont hors d'eau, et le ou les ballasts inférieurs flottent à la surface de l'eau ;  the lower ballast or ballasts of a support arm enable the carrier arm to be pivoted to a position in which the turbine or turbines carried by said arm and the upper ballast (s) are out of water, and the lower ballast (s) float on the surface of the water;
- les moyens de ballastage de chaque bras porteur permettent un réglage de la position angulaire en rotation du bras porteur par rapport au corps porteur flottant à différentes positions au dessous du plan de flottaison du corps porteur ;  - The ballasting means of each support arm allow adjustment of the angular position in rotation of the carrier arm relative to the floating carrier body at different positions below the float plane of the carrier body;
- les moyens de ballastage de chaque bras porteur permettent un réglage de la position angulaire en rotation du bras porteur par rapport au corps porteur flottant à différentes positions au dessus du plan de flottaison du corps porteur.  - The ballasting means of each support arm allow adjustment of the angular position in rotation of the carrier arm relative to the floating carrier body at different positions above the float plane of the carrier body.
- les moyens de ballastage de chaque bras porteur comportent au moins un ballast comportant un réservoir de ballastage/déballastage et des moyens de commande du remplissage du réservoir de ballastage/déballastage qui permettent d'adapter la flottaison du ballast.  - The ballasting means of each carrier arm comprises at least one ballast comprising a ballast tank / deballasting and ballastage / deballasting tank filling control means which make it possible to adapt the flotation of the ballast.
Selon un deuxième aspect, pouvant être indépendant du premier aspect précité, l'invention a également pour objet un dispositif de production d'énergie utilisant l'énergie cinétique de courants d'eau, et présentant les caractéristiques techniques suivantes : il comporte au moins un corps porteur flottant , des moyens d'amarrage dudit corps porteur flottant, au moins un bras porteur, qui est fixé au corps porteur flottant, et qui est articulé en rotation par rapport au corps porteur flottant autour d'un axe de rotation sensiblement horizontal, au moins une turbine submersible, qui est apte à être entraînée par un courant d'eau et à transformer l'énergie cinétique dudit courant d'eau en énergie exploitable, et des moyens de stabilisation du dispositif dans l'eau, lesquels moyens de stabilisation comportent des moyens de ballastage qui permettent de régler la position angulaire en rotation du bras porteur par rapport au corps porteur flottant, et lesdits moyens de ballastage présentant au moins une des caractéristiques (c1 ) à (c7) suivantes : According to a second aspect, which may be independent of the first aforementioned aspect, the invention also relates to a device for producing energy using the kinetic energy of water currents, and having the following technical characteristics: it comprises at least one floating carrier body, means for docking said floating carrier body, at least one carrier arm, which is fixed to the floating carrier body, and which is articulated in rotation with respect to the floating carrier body about an axis of rotation substantially horizontal, at least one submersible turbine, which is adapted to be driven by a stream of water and to convert the kinetic energy of said water stream into exploitable energy, and means for stabilizing the device in the water, which stabilizing means comprise ballasting means which make it possible to adjust the angular position in rotation of the carrier arm relative to the floating carrier body, and said ballasting means having at least one of the following characteristics (c1) to (c7):
(d ) les moyens de ballastage de chaque bras porteur permettent un réglage de la position angulaire en rotation du bras porteur par rapport au corps porteur flottant de manière à positionner hors d'eau la ou les turbines portées par ledit bras ;  (d) the ballast means of each support arm allow adjustment of the angular position in rotation of the support arm relative to the floating carrier body so as to position the water or turbines carried by said arm out of water;
(c2) les moyens de ballastage de chaque bras porteur sont positionnés suivant la direction longitudinale du bras porteur entre la ou les turbines et l'axe de rotation du bras porteur ; (c2) the ballast means of each carrier arm are positioned in the longitudinal direction of the carrier arm between the turbine or turbines and the axis of rotation of the carrier arm;
(c3) les moyens de ballastage de chaque bras porteur comportent au moins un ballast supérieur fixé au bras porteur et positionné au-dessus du bras porteur et au moins un ballast inférieur fixé au bras porteur et positionné au-dessous du bras porteur ;  (C3) the ballasting means of each carrier arm comprise at least one upper ballast fixed to the support arm and positioned above the support arm and at least one lower ballast fixed to the support arm and positioned below the support arm;
(c4) les moyens de ballastage de chaque bras porteur comportent au moins un ballast supérieur fixé au bras porteur et positionné au-dessus du bras porteur et au moins un ballast inférieur fixé au bras porteur et positionné au-dessous du bras porteur, et le ou les ballasts supérieurs d'un bras porteur permettent de faire pivoter le bras porteur dans une position dans laquelle la ou les turbines portées par ledit bras sont hors d'eau et le ou les ballasts supérieurs flottent à la surface de l'eau ; (c4) the ballasting means of each carrier arm comprise at least one upper ballast attached to the support arm and positioned above the support arm and at least one lower ballast fixed to the support arm and positioned below the support arm, and the or the upper ballasts of a support arm make it possible to pivot the support arm in a position in which the turbine or turbines carried by said arm are out of water and the upper ballast (s) float on the surface of the water;
(c5) les moyens de ballastage de chaque bras porteur comportent au moins un ballast supérieur fixé au bras porteur et positionné au-dessus du bras porteur et au moins un ballast inférieur fixé au bras porteur et positionné au-dessous du bras porteur, et le ou les ballasts inférieurs d'un bras porteur permettent de faire pivoter le bras porteur dans une position dans laquelle la ou les turbines portées par ledit bras et le ou les ballasts supérieurs sont hors d'eau, et le ou les ballasts inférieurs flottent à la surface de l'eau ; (c5) the ballasting means of each carrier arm comprise at least one upper ballast fixed to the support arm and positioned above the support arm and at least one lower ballast fixed to the support arm and positioned below the carrying arm, and the or the lower ballasts of a support arm allow to pivot the carrier arm in a position wherein the one or more turbines carried by said arm and the upper ballast (s) are out of water, and the lower ballast (s) float on the surface of the water;
(c6) les moyens de ballastage de chaque bras porteur permettent un réglage de la position angulaire en rotation du bras porteur par rapport au corps porteur flottant à différentes positions au dessous du plan de flottaison du corps porteur ; (c6) the ballasting means of each support arm allow adjustment of the rotational angular position of the carrier arm relative to the floating carrier body at different positions below the float plane of the carrier body;
(c7) les moyens de ballastage de chaque bras porteur permettent un réglage de la position angulaire en rotation du bras porteur par rapport au corps porteur flottant à différentes positions au dessus du plan de flottaison du corps porteur.  (c7) the ballasting means of each support arm allow adjustment of the angular position in rotation of the carrier arm relative to the floating carrier body at different positions above the buoyancy plane of the carrier body.
De manière optionnelle, dans le cadre de ce deuxième aspect de l'invention, le dispositif de l'invention peut comporter l'une et/ou l'autre des caractéristiques facultatives suivantes, prises isolément ou en combinaison l'une avec l'autre :  Optionally, in the context of this second aspect of the invention, the device of the invention may include one and / or the other of the following optional features, taken alone or in combination with each other :
- le dispositif comporte au moins deux bras porteurs opposés, qui sont fixés au corps porteur flottant, qui s'étendent respectivement de part et d'autre du corps porteur flottant, qui sont chacun articulés en rotation par rapport au corps porteur flottant autour d'un axe de rotation sensiblement horizontal, et qui portent chacun au moins une turbine submersible ;  - The device comprises at least two opposite support arms, which are fixed to the floating carrier body, which respectively extend on either side of the floating carrier body, which are each articulated in rotation relative to the carrier body floating around. a substantially horizontal axis of rotation, each of which carries at least one submersible turbine;
- chaque turbine submersible est caractérisée par une direction d'entraînement, est apte à être entraînée par un courant d'eau dont la direction est sensiblement parallèle à la direction d'entraînement de la turbine, et est montée sur ledit bras porteur en étant orientée de telle sorte que sa direction d'entraînement par un courant d'eau est sensiblement parallèle à l'axe de rotation du bras porteur.  each submersible turbine is characterized by a driving direction, is able to be driven by a stream of water whose direction is substantially parallel to the drive direction of the turbine, and is mounted on said carrier arm while being oriented so that its driving direction by a stream of water is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the support arm.
Quelle que soit la manière de réaliser l'invention, par corps porteur « flottant », on désigne indifféremment un corps qui peut présenter une flottabilité suffisamment importante pour flotter à la surface de l'eau sous l'effet de la poussée d'Archimède, ou qui peut présenter une flottabilité suffisante pour équilibrer la poussée d'Archimède et flotter sous l'eau à un niveau de profondeur sensiblement stable. Whichever way of carrying out the invention, by "floating" carrier body, one denotes indifferently a body which can have a buoyancy sufficiently important to float on the surface of the water under the effect of the buoyancy of Archimedes, or who can have a buoyancy sufficient to balance buoyancy and float underwater at a substantially stable depth level.
De manière optionnelle, en combinaison avec le premier aspect précité ou le deuxième aspect précité, le dispositif de l'invention peut comporter l'une et/ou l'autre des caractéristiques facultatives suivantes, prises isolément ou en combinaison l'une avec l'autre :  Optionally, in combination with the above-mentioned first aspect or the second aforementioned aspect, the device of the invention may comprise one and / or the other of the following optional features, taken alone or in combination with one another. other:
- ledit corps porteur flottant comporte des moyens de ballastage permettant un réglage du poids dudit corps porteur, et de ce fait permettant de régler la position en profondeur dudit corps et de stabiliser dans l'eau le corps ;  said floating carrier body comprises ballasting means enabling the weight of said carrier body to be adjusted, and thereby making it possible to adjust the position in depth of said body and to stabilize the body in water;
- le corps porteur flottant est apte à flotter à la surface de l'eau ;  the floating carrier body is able to float on the surface of the water;
- le corps porteur flottant peut être positionné sous l'eau à une profondeur prédéfinie ;  the floating carrier body can be positioned under water at a predefined depth;
- le dispositif comporte des moyens de réglage de la position en profondeur sous l'eau du corps porteur flottant ;  the device comprises means for adjusting the position at depth under the water of the floating carrier body;
- les moyens d'amarrage comportent des amarres dont la longueur et/ou la tension est réglable ;  - The docking means comprise mooring whose length and / or voltage is adjustable;
- les moyens d'amarrage comportent des amarres lestées par des ancres.  the mooring means comprise moorings weighted by anchors.
L'invention a également pour autre objet l'utilisation du dispositif susvisé, pour produire de l'énergie, et plus particulièrement de l'électricité, à partir de l'énergie cinétique de courants d'eau.  Another object of the invention is the use of the above-mentioned device for producing energy, and more particularly electricity, from the kinetic energy of water currents.
Brève description des dessins  Brief description of the drawings
D'autres caractéristiques et avantages l'invention apparaîtront plus clairement à la lecture de la description détaillée ci-après de plusieurs variantes de réalisation de l'invention, laquelle description détaillée est faite à titre uniquement d'exemples non limitatifs et non exhaustifs de l'invention et en en référence aux dessins annexés sur lesquels :  Other features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following detailed description of several embodiments of the invention, which detailed description is given by way of non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples of the invention. invention and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
- la figure 1 est une vue de face d'un dispositif de production d'énergie, de type hydrolienne, conforme à une première variante de réalisation et installée sous l'eau en configuration dite de production, - la figure 2 est une représentation en perspective du dispositif de la figure 1 , FIG. 1 is a front view of a power generation device, of the tidal type, according to a first variant embodiment and installed underwater in the so-called production configuration, FIG. 2 is a perspective representation of the device of FIG. 1,
- la figure 3 représente le dispositif des figures 1 et 2, en configuration de maintenance ou réparation,  FIG. 3 represents the device of FIGS. 1 and 2, in maintenance or repair configuration,
- la figure 4 représente le dispositif des figures 1 et 2, en configuration de transport,  FIG. 4 represents the device of FIGS. 1 and 2, in the transport configuration,
- la figure 5 représente le dispositif de la figure 4, en vue de face,  FIG. 5 represents the device of FIG. 4, in front view,
les figures 6 à 15 représentent respectivement dix autres variantes de réalisation d'un dispositif de l'invention.  Figures 6 to 15 respectively represent ten other embodiments of a device of the invention.
Description détaillée detailed description
Variante des figures 1 à 5  Variant of Figures 1 to 5
On a représenté sur les figures 1 et 2, une première variante de réalisation d'un dispositif de production d'énergie, de type hydrolienne, qui est conforme à l'invention, et qui est installé sous l'eau, en étant amarré au fond de l'eau (par exemple sous la mer) sur un site de production d'énergie dans lequel circule un courant d'eau symbolisé par des flèches F. Ce courant d'eau F peut, selon l'exploitation qui est faite de la structure d'hydrolienne, être un courant sous-marin, un courant fluvial ou un courant de marée. Sur les figures annexées, la surface de l'eau est référencée S.  FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first variant embodiment of an energy-generating device, of the tidal turbine type, which is in accordance with the invention, and which is installed underwater, being moored at water bottom (for example under the sea) on an energy production site in which circulates a stream of water symbolized by arrows F. This stream of water F may, depending on the exploitation which is made of the tidal turbine structure, being an underwater current, a fluvial stream or a tidal stream. In the appended figures, the surface of the water is referenced S.
Afin de repérer plus facilement les différents éléments de la structure d'hydrolienne 1 dans l'espace, on a représenté sur les figures annexées un repère tridimensionnel orthogonal (Χ,Υ,Ζ). L'axe X de ce repère, désigné par la suite axe longitudinal, est sensiblement horizontal et parallèle à la direction du courant d'eau F ; l'axe Y, désigné par la suite axe latéral, est sensiblement horizontal et perpendiculaire à l'axe X ; l'axe Z désigné par la suite axe vertical, est sensiblement vertical et perpendiculaire à l'axe X.  In order to more easily locate the different elements of the tidal turbine structure 1 in space, the accompanying figures show an orthogonal three-dimensional coordinate system (Χ, Υ, Ζ). The axis X of this marker, designated hereinafter longitudinal axis, is substantially horizontal and parallel to the direction of the water flow F; the Y axis, hereinafter referred to as the lateral axis, is substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the X axis; the Z axis, which is subsequently designated as the vertical axis, is substantially vertical and perpendicular to the X axis.
Le dispositif de production d'énergie 1 comporte un corps porteur central flottant 10, qui dans l'exemple particulier illustré forme sensiblement un cylindre d'axe longitudinal 10a sensiblement horizontal. Ce corps 10 est solidement amarré dans le sol S' au fond de l'eau, à l'aide de moyens d'amarrage 1 1 . The energy production device 1 comprises a floating central carrier body 10, which in the particular example illustrated substantially forms a cylinder of substantially horizontal axis 10a. This body 10 is securely moored in the ground S 'at the bottom of the water, by means of mooring means 1 1.
Le corps porteur flottant 10 peut être un corps présentant une flottabilité suffisamment importante pour flotter à la surface de l'eau sous l'effet de la poussée d'Archimède ou peut présenter une flottabilité suffisante pour équilibrer la poussée d'Archimède et flotter sous l'eau à un niveau de profondeur sensiblement stable.  The floating carrier body 10 may be a body having a buoyancy large enough to float on the surface of the water under the effect of buoyancy or may have sufficient buoyancy to balance the buoyancy and float under the influence of buoyancy. water at a substantially stable depth level.
Afin d'orienter plus facilement le corps porteur 10 par rapport au courant d'eau F, ledit corps porteur 10 peut également, de manière connue en soi, être équipé d'un gouvernail, d'un ou plusieurs ailerons, ou de tout autre moyen équivalent  In order to orient the carrier body 10 more easily with respect to the stream of water F, said carrier body 10 may also, in a manner known per se, be equipped with a rudder, one or more fins, or any other average equivalent
De préférence, mais non nécessairement, le corps porteur flottant 10 comporte des moyens de ballastage permettant un réglage du poids dudit corps porteur 10. Ces moyens de ballastage comportent un ou plusieurs réservoirs de ballastage/déballastage et des moyens de commande (pompes ou équivalent) du remplissage du ou des réservoirs de ballastage/déballastage. Ces moyens de commande permettent, de manière connue, soit de remplir chaque réservoir de ballastage/déballastage avec un volume d'eau contrôlé afin d'alourdir le corps flottant 10, soit afin d'alléger le corps flottant 10 de vider de chaque réservoir de ballastage/déballastage un volume d'eau contrôlé en alimentant le réservoir de ballastage/déballastage avec de l'air comprimé. Ces moyens de ballastage sont utilisés pour régler la position en profondeur (suivant la direction Z) dudit corps 10 et pour stabiliser en position dans l'eau le corps flottant 10.  Preferably, but not necessarily, the floating carrier body 10 comprises ballasting means enabling the weight of said carrier body 10 to be adjusted. These ballasting means comprise one or more ballasting / deballasting tanks and control means (pumps or equivalent). filling the ballast tank (s) / deballasting. These control means make it possible, in known manner, either to fill each ballast / deballasting tank with a controlled volume of water in order to weigh down the floating body 10, or in order to lighten the floating body 10 from emptying each tank. ballasting / deballasting a controlled volume of water by feeding the ballast / deballasting tank with compressed air. These ballasting means are used to adjust the position in depth (in the Z direction) of said body 10 and to stabilize in position in the water the floating body 10.
Dans l'exemple particulier illustré, les moyens 1 1 d'amarrage au fond de l'eau comportent plus particulièrement des moyens de liaison 1 10 souples, de type cordages ou câbles. Ces moyens d'amarrage 1 1 étant usuels et connus de l'homme du métier, ils ne seront donc pas détaillés.  In the particular example illustrated, the means 1 1 mooring at the bottom of the water more particularly comprise flexible connecting means 1 10, rope type or cables. These docking means January 1 being usual and known to those skilled in the art, they will not be detailed.
De préférence, la longueur et/ou la tension des amarres 1 10 est réglable, de manière à régler la tension exercée sur le corps porteur flottant Preferably, the length and / or the tension of moorings 1 10 is adjustable, so as to adjust the tension exerted on the floating carrier body
10 et le cas échéant à régler la position en profondeur du corps porteur flottant 10. 10 and if necessary to adjust the position in depth of the carrier body floating 10.
Le réglage de la longueur et/ou tension de chaque amarre 1 10 peut être réalisé de manière connue au moyen d'un cabestan électrique et/ou de tensionneurs commandables par un système de contrôle-commande.  The adjustment of the length and / or voltage of each tether 1 10 can be made in known manner by means of an electric capstan and / or tensioners controllable by a control system.
Dans une autre variante de réalisation, les moyens 1 1 d'amarrage au sol à longueur réglable peuvent comporter au moins un élément de liaison (amarre), qui est rigide et qui peut par exemple comporter un actionneur de type vérin pour le réglage de la longueur d'amarrage.  In another variant embodiment, the length-adjustable mooring means 11 may comprise at least one connecting element (tether), which is rigid and which may for example comprise a actuator of the jack type for adjusting the mooring length.
L'immobilisation par rapport au fond de l'eau de chaque amarre 1 10 peut être réalisée au moyen d'ancres ou semelles de lestage 1 1 1 ou équivalent, qui peuvent être déplacées par rapport au fond de l'eau. L'amarrage peut également être réalisé en fixant par exemple l'extrémité de chaque amarre 1 10 à un plot de béton ou équivalent fixé de manière définitive dans le fond de l'eau.  The immobilization with respect to the bottom of the water of each mooring 1 10 can be carried out by means of anchors or footings of 1 1 1 or equivalent, which can be moved relative to the bottom of the water. Mooring can also be achieved by fixing for example the end of each tether 1 10 to a concrete pad or equivalent permanently fixed in the bottom of the water.
Sur le corps porteur flottant 10 sont montés deux bras porteurs opposés 12, qui s'étendent de part et d'autre du corps 10. Chaque bras porteur 12 est articulé en rotation par rapport au corps porteur 1 , de manière indépendante par rapport à l'autre bras porteur 12, et au moyen d'une liaison articulée 12a qui permet une rotation libre de chaque bras porteur 12 par rapport au corps central 10 dans un plan sensiblement vertical, autour d'un axe de rotation 12b sensiblement horizontal. Les axes de rotation 12b des bras porteurs 12 sont de préférence sensiblement parallèles.  On the floating carrier body 10 are mounted two opposite support arms 12, which extend on either side of the body 10. Each support arm 12 is articulated in rotation relative to the carrier body 1, independently of the another carrier arm 12, and by means of an articulated connection 12a which allows free rotation of each carrier arm 12 relative to the central body 10 in a substantially vertical plane, about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation 12b. The rotation axes 12b of the support arms 12 are preferably substantially parallel.
Dans l'exemple particulier illustré des figures 1 et 2, mais de manière facultative selon l'invention, les positions desdits axes de rotation In the particular example illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, but optionally according to the invention, the positions of said axes of rotation
12b sont sensiblement diamétralement opposées par rapport au corps cylindrique 10, et les axes de rotation 12b des bras porteurs 12 sont sensiblement parallèles à l'axe central longitudinal 10a du corps 10. 12b are substantially diametrically opposed with respect to the cylindrical body 10, and the axes of rotation 12b of the carrying arms 12 are substantially parallel to the longitudinal central axis 10a of the body 10.
Selon une caractéristique facultative, les deux bras porteurs 12 opposés sont de préférence alignés et mobiles en rotation sensiblement dans le même plan vertical (plan parallèle au plan de la figure 1 ). Dans une autre variante de réalisation de l'invention, les deux bras porteurs opposésAccording to an optional feature, the two opposite support arms 12 are preferably aligned and rotatable substantially in the same vertical plane (plane parallel to the plane of Figure 1). In Another variant embodiment of the invention, the two opposite carrying arms
12 articulés en rotation peuvent néanmoins être décalés en position l'un par rapport à l'autre sur le corps porteur 10 dans la direction longitudinale X. 12 articulated in rotation can nevertheless be offset in position relative to each other on the carrier body 10 in the longitudinal direction X.
A l'extrémité de chaque bras porteur 12 est fixée une turbine 13 submersible. La structure et le fonctionnement d'une turbine 13 sont usuels et ne seront donc pas détaillés. En référence à la figue 2, les deux turbines At the end of each support arm 12 is fixed a submersible turbine 13. The structure and operation of a turbine 13 are common and therefore will not be detailed. With reference to fig 2, the two turbines
13 comportent des hélices 13a qui ont sensiblement la même orientation dans l'espace de manière à pouvoir être entraînées par un même courant d'eau F. Dans cet exemple, la direction du courant d'eau F est sensiblement parallèle à la direction de l'axe X qui correspond à la direction d'entraînement des turbines 13. Chaque turbine 13 est montée sur son bras porteur 12 en étant orientée de telle sorte que sa direction d'entraînement (axe X) par un courant d'eau F est sensiblement parallèle à l'axe de rotation 12b du bras porteur 12. Dans une autre variante de réalisation, la direction d'entraînement d'une turbine 13 par un courant d'eau F peut ne pas être sensiblement parallèle à l'axe de rotation 12b du bras porteur 12. 13 comprise propellers 13a which have substantially the same orientation in space so as to be driven by the same stream of water F. In this example, the direction of the water flow F is substantially parallel to the direction of the water. X axis which corresponds to the driving direction of the turbines 13. Each turbine 13 is mounted on its support arm 12 being oriented so that its driving direction (X axis) by a stream of water F is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation 12b of the support arm 12. In another variant embodiment, the driving direction of a turbine 13 by a stream of water F may not be substantially parallel to the axis of rotation 12b of the support arm 12.
De préférence, mais non nécessairement les sens de rotation des hélices 13a des turbines 13 sous l'action du courant d'eau F sont opposés.  Preferably, but not necessarily the direction of rotation of the propellers 13a of the turbines 13 under the action of the water flow F are opposite.
Dans le cadre de l'invention, on pourra mettre en œuvre toute type connu de turbine 13 apte à transformer l'énergie cinétique de courants d'eau en énergie exploitable, et de préférence en énergie électrique. En particulier, sur les dessins annexés, l'axe de rotation des hélices des turbines est horizontal (c'est-adire parallèle au flux du courant d'eau). Cette caractéristique n'est pas indispensable. Dans une autre réalisation, on pourrait mettre en œuvre des turbines dont l'axe de rotation des hélices est vertical (c'est-à-dire perpendiculaire au flux du courant d'eau).  In the context of the invention, it will be possible to implement any known type of turbine 13 capable of transforming the kinetic energy of water currents into exploitable energy, and preferably into electrical energy. In particular, in the accompanying drawings, the axis of rotation of the propellers of the turbines is horizontal (that is, parallel to the flow of the water stream). This characteristic is not essential. In another embodiment, one could implement turbines whose axis of rotation of the propellers is vertical (that is to say perpendicular to the flow of the water flow).
Dans la variante particulière de réalisation des figures 1 et 2, la distance L entre chaque turbine 13 (axe de rotation d'une hélice 13a) et le corps porteur 10 est identique pour chaque turbine. Dans cet exemple de réalisation, cette distance L correspond à la longueur de chaque bras porteur 12. Cette caractéristique permet d'obtenir plus facilement l'équilibre des moments des forces appliquées sur le corps porteur 10 sous l'action du courant d'eau F, et de ce fait permet de maintenir plus facilement la stabilité de l'ensemble du dispositif. Cette caractéristique n'est toutefois pas indispensable à la réalisation de l'invention. In the particular embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the distance L between each turbine 13 (axis of rotation of a propeller 13a) and the carrier body 10 is identical for each turbine. In this embodiment, this distance L corresponds to the length of each carrier arm 12. This feature makes it easier to obtain the equilibrium moments of the forces applied to the carrier body 10 under the action of the water flow F, and thereby makes it easier to maintain the stability of the entire device. This characteristic is however not essential to the realization of the invention.
Chaque bras porteur 12 est également équipé de moyens de ballastage 14, qui permettent de régler finement la position angulaire en rotation du bras porteur 12 par rapport au corps porteur flottant 10. Plus particulièrement, les moyens de ballastage 14 de chaque bras porteur permettent un réglage de la position angulaire en rotation du bras porteur par rapport au corps porteur flottant 10 à différentes positions au dessous du plan de flottaison P' du corps porteur ou à différentes positions au dessus du plan de flottaison du corps porteur.  Each support arm 12 is also equipped with ballasting means 14, which make it possible to finely adjust the angular position in rotation of the carrier arm 12 relative to the floating carrier body 10. More particularly, the ballasting means 14 of each support arm allow adjustment. the angular position in rotation of the carrier arm relative to the floating carrier body 10 at different positions below the buoyancy plane P 'of the carrier body or at different positions above the buoyancy plane of the carrier body.
Ces moyens de ballastage 14 de chaque bras porteur 12 sont plus particulièrement positionnés suivant l'axe longitudinal du bras porteur 12 entre la ou les turbines 13 et l'axe de rotation 12b du bras porteur.  These ballasting means 14 of each support arm 12 are more particularly positioned along the longitudinal axis of the support arm 12 between the turbine or turbines 13 and the axis of rotation 12b of the support arm.
Dans l'exemple particulier illustré sur les figures 1 et 2, ces moyens de ballastage 14 comportent un ballast supérieur 14a fixé au bras porteur 12 en étant positionné au dessus de ce bras 12, et un ballast inférieur 14b fixé au bras porteur 12 en étant positionné au dessous de ce bras 12. Chaque ballast 14a, 14b comporte un réservoir de ballastage/déballastage et des moyens de commande du remplissage des réservoirs de ballastage/déballastage des ballasts 14a, 14b, afin d'adapter la flottaison des ballasts 14a, 14b en fonction de l'orientation angulaire souhaitée pour le bras porteur 12. Ces moyens de commande permettent, de manière connue, soit de remplir chaque réservoir d'un ballast 14a ou 14b avec un volume d'eau contrôlé afin d'alourdir le ballast, soit afin d'alléger le ballast de vider du ballast 14a ou 14b un volume d'eau contrôlé en alimentant le réservoir du ballast avec de l'air comprimé.  In the particular example illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, these ballasting means 14 comprise an upper ballast 14a fixed to the support arm 12 while being positioned above this arm 12, and a lower ballast 14b attached to the support arm 12 while being positioned below this arm 12. Each ballast 14a, 14b comprises a ballast tank / deballasting and control means for filling ballast tanks ballast deballasting 14a, 14b, to adapt the flotation of the ballast 14a, 14b depending on the desired angular orientation for the support arm 12. These control means allow, in known manner, either to fill each tank with a ballast 14a or 14b with a controlled volume of water to weigh down the ballast, or in order to lighten the ballast to empty the ballast 14a or 14b a controlled volume of water by supplying the tank of the ballast with compressed air.
Dans la variante particulière de réalisation des figures 1 et 2, les ballasts 14a, 14b ont une forme sensiblement cylindrique d'axe longitudinal sensiblement horizontal et sont sensiblement identiques. Les moyens de ballastage 14 des deux bras porteurs opposés 12 sont sensiblement symétriques par rapport au plan vertical central P (figure 1 ) du corps porteur 10, ce qui simplifie la gestion des ballasts pour le réglage de l'orientation des bras porteurs et contribue à obtenir plus facilement la stabilité de l'ensemble du dispositif. Ces caractéristiques ne sont toutefois pas indispensables à la réalisation de l'invention. In the particular embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the ballasts 14a, 14b have a substantially cylindrical shape with a substantially horizontal longitudinal axis and are substantially identical. The means of ballasting 14 of the two opposite support arms 12 are substantially symmetrical relative to the central vertical plane P (Figure 1) of the carrier body 10, which simplifies the management of ballasts for adjusting the orientation of the support arms and contributes to obtaining easier the stability of the entire device. These characteristics are however not essential to the realization of the invention.
En contrôlant le remplissage des ballast 14a, 14b, on règle l'orientation angulaire du bras 12 portant ces ballast 14a, 14b, par rapport au corps porteur 10, et de ce fait on ajuste, pour une position donnée en profondeur ou à la surface de l'eau du corps 10, la position en profondeur (axe Z) de la turbine 13 portée par ledit bras porteur, ce qui permet avantageusement en production d'optimiser cette position en profondeur par rapport au courant d'eau F entraînant les turbines. Les ballasts 14a, 14b contribuent également à la stabilité de l'ensemble du dispositif  By controlling the filling of the ballast 14a, 14b, the angular orientation of the arm 12 bearing these ballast 14a, 14b is adjusted with respect to the carrier body 10, and thus it is adjusted for a given position in depth or on the surface. the water of the body 10, the position in depth (Z axis) of the turbine 13 carried by said support arm, which advantageously allows in production to optimize this position in depth with respect to the flow of water F driving the turbines . The ballasts 14a, 14b also contribute to the stability of the entire device
Sur les figures 1 et 2, le dispositif 1 est configuré en position dite de production. Dans cette configuration, le corps porteur flottant 10 est positionné et amarré de manière stable sous l'eau, à une profondeur prédéfinie. L'orientation angulaire de chaque bras porteur 12 est réglée au moyen des ballasts 14a et 14b de manière à positionner de manière optimale sous l'eau les turbines 13 dans le courant d'eau F. Le courant d'eau F entraîne en rotation les hélices des turbines 13a qui produisent ainsi une énergie électrique renouvelable.  In Figures 1 and 2, the device 1 is configured in said production position. In this configuration, the floating carrier body 10 is positioned and anchored stably under water to a predefined depth. The angular orientation of each support arm 12 is adjusted by means of the ballasts 14a and 14b so as to optimally position the turbines 13 in the stream of water F under water F. The stream of water F rotates the turbine propellers 13a which thus produce renewable electric energy.
Dans une autre variante de réalisation, en position de production, le corps porteur 10 pourrait flotter à la surface de l'eau, et ne pas être immergé complètement dans l'eau.  In another embodiment, in the production position, the carrier body 10 could float on the surface of the water, and not be immersed completely in water.
Dans la variante particulière des figures 3 et 4, les ballasts 14a, 14b permettent également une mise hors d'eau des turbines 13 (figure 3 et 4).  In the particular variant of FIGS. 3 and 4, the ballasts 14a, 14b also make it possible to put the turbines 13 out of water (FIGS. 3 and 4).
En référence à la figure 3, on utilise les ballasts 14a, 14b pour faire pivoter vers le haut les bras porteurs 12 jusqu'à ce que les turbines 13 soient positionnées au dessus du niveau S de l'eau. Il est ainsi possible d'avoir facilement accès aux turbines 13 pour des opérations de maintenance ou de réparation. Dans cette configuration particulière de la figure 3, la mise hors d'eau des turbines 13 par pivotement des bras porteur 12 est de préférence réalisée jusqu'à ce que le ballast supérieur 14a de chaque bras 12 flotte à la surface S de l'eau, les ballasts inférieurs 14b étant positionnés sous l'eau. Ceci permet d'obtenir une bonne stabilité de l'ensemble pendant les opérations de maintenance ou de réparation. With reference to FIG. 3, the ballasts 14a, 14b are used to pivot the support arms 12 upwards until the turbines 13 are positioned above the level S of the water. It is thus possible to have easy access to the turbines 13 for maintenance or repair. In this particular configuration of FIG. 3, the out of water of the turbines 13 by pivoting the support arms 12 is preferably carried out until the upper ballast 14a of each arm 12 floats on the surface S of the water , the lower ballasts 14b being positioned under water. This makes it possible to obtain good stability of the assembly during maintenance or repair operations.
Sur les figures 4 et 5, le dispositif est configuré en position de transport. Dans cette configuration, le corps porteur 10 n'est plus amarré au fond de l'eau, et sous l'effet de la poussée d'Archimède flotte à la surface de l'eau. Lorsque le corps porteur 10 est à la surface de l'eau, on utilise les ballasts inférieurs 14b pour faire pivoter vers le haut les bras porteurs 12 jusqu'à ce que les ballasts inférieurs 14b de chaque bras 12 flottent à la surface S de l'eau, les turbines 13 et les ballasts supérieurs 14a étant positionnés au dessus de la surface S de l'eau. Cette configuration des figures 4 et 5 est utilisée pour transporter le dispositif en le tractant ou en le poussant à la surface de l'eau, par exemple jusqu'à son lieu d'implantation.  In Figures 4 and 5, the device is configured in the transport position. In this configuration, the carrier body 10 is no longer moored at the bottom of the water, and under the effect of buoyancy buoy floats on the surface of the water. When the carrier body 10 is on the surface of the water, the lower ballasts 14b are used to pivot the carrier arms 12 upward until the lower ballasts 14b of each arm 12 float on the surface S of the water, the turbines 13 and the upper ballasts 14a being positioned above the surface S of the water. This configuration of Figures 4 and 5 is used to transport the device by pulling or pushing it to the surface of the water, for example to its location.
Cette configuration de transport des figures 4 et 5 permet un transport facile du dispositif, nécessitant nettement moins d'énergie pour le transport que la configuration d'exploitation de la figure 1 ou la configuration de maintenance ou réparation de la figure 3, car le corps porteur 10 n'est pas positionné sous l'eau, et les turbines 13 et les ballasts supérieurs 14a ne sont pas positionnés dans l'eau et n'opposent pas de résistance dans l'eau au déplacement du dispositif. Le dispositif peut ainsi très facilement être amené en configuration de transport jusqu'à son lieu d'implantation sans nécessiter l'utilisation de barges pour son transport, ni de grues pour son installation sous l'eau.  This transport configuration of FIGS. 4 and 5 allows easy transport of the device, requiring considerably less energy for transport than the operating configuration of FIG. 1 or the maintenance or repair configuration of FIG. carrier 10 is not positioned under water, and the turbines 13 and the upper ballasts 14a are not positioned in the water and do not oppose resistance in the water displacement of the device. The device can thus very easily be brought into transport configuration to its location without requiring the use of barges for transport, or cranes for installation under water.
Une fois le dispositif transporté jusqu'à son lieu d'implantation, pour passer de la configuration de transport des figures 4 et 5 à la configuration de production des figures 1 et 2, il suffit d'amarrer le corps porteur 10 au fond de l'eau. De préférence, pour simplifier les opérations d'installation sur site, cet amarrage au fond de l'eau est réalisé en fixant sous le corps porteur 10, et de préférence de manière centrale sur le corps 10, l'ensemble des amarres 1 10 lestées par des ancres 1 1 1 ou des semelles de béton 1 1 1 , ou équivalent. Ensuite il suffit de commander le remplissage du ballast du corps 10 et des ballasts 14a, 14b des bras porteurs 12, de manière à alourdir le dispositif et le faire plonger verticalement et de manière stable sous l'eau jusqu'à ce que les ancres 1 1 1 s'accrochent dans le fond S' de l'eau ou jusqu'à ce que les semelles 1 1 1 se posent dans le fond S' de l'eau. Once the device transported to its location, to move from the transport configuration of Figures 4 and 5 to the production configuration of Figures 1 and 2, it is sufficient to dock the carrier body 10 at the bottom of the 'water. Preferably, to simplify the installation operations on site, this mooring at the bottom of the water is achieved by fixing under the carrier body 10, and preferably centrally on the body 10, all the moorings 1 10 weighted by anchors 1 January 1 or soles concrete 1 1 1, or equivalent. Then it is sufficient to control the filling of the ballast of the body 10 and the ballasts 14a, 14b of the support arms 12, so as to make the device heavier and make it dive vertically and stably under water until the anchors 1 1 1 cling to the bottom S 'of the water or until the soles 1 1 1 land in the bottom S' of the water.
Une fois le dispositif 1 amarré au fond de l'eau, il est possible d'ajuster la position en profondeur du corps 10 en réglant à distance la longueur des amarres 1 10.  Once the device 1 has docked at the bottom of the water, it is possible to adjust the position in depth of the body 10 by remotely adjusting the length of moorings 1 10.
Système de contrôle et commande du dispositif  Control system and control of the device
Le dispositif de production d'énergie 1 est équipé d'un système de contrôle et commande qui a pour fonctions principales de :  The power generation device 1 is equipped with a control and command system whose main functions are:
- contrôler et commander le dispositif afin de le stabiliser une fois celui configuré dans l'une de ses trois positions stables (configuration de production sous-marine de la figure 1 - configuration de maintenance ou réparation de la figure 3 - configuration de transport de la figure 4)  control and control the device in order to stabilize it once the one configured in one of its three stable positions (underwater production configuration of FIG. 1 - maintenance configuration or repair of FIG. 3 - transport configuration of the figure 4)
- contrôler et commander le dispositif en montée pour l'amener en configuration de maintenance ou réparation ou en configuration de transport ;  - check and control the uphill device to bring it to a maintenance or repair configuration or transport configuration;
- contrôler et commander le dispositif en descente pour l'amener en position de production sous l'eau.  - control and control the device downhill to bring it to the production position under water.
Ce système de contrôle-commande comprend :  This control system includes:
- de moyens de localisation permettant de mesurer la position 3D instantanée (x, y, z) du dispositif, et par exemple la position du corps 10, lorsque celui-ci est immergé ou émergé ; il s'agit par exemple d'un capteur de type GPS pour une position en surface du corps 10 ou par exemple d'une centrale inertielle pour une position du corps 10 sous l'eau.  locating means making it possible to measure the instantaneous 3D position (x, y, z) of the device, and for example the position of the body 10, when the latter is immersed or emerged; it is for example a sensor type GPS for a surface position of the body 10 or for example an inertial unit for a position of the body 10 under water.
- différents capteurs permettant le contrôle du fonctionnement du dispositif, dont par exemple un ou plusieurs capteurs de niveau mesurant l'horizontalité du corps 10, un ou plusieurs capteurs de niveau mesurant l'horizontalité des ballasts 14a, 14b, un capteur (courantomètre) mesurant la vitesse du courant d'eau, un capteur de position mesurant la position angulaire de chaque bras porteur 12, un anémomètre mesurant la vitesse du vent, un tensiomètre mesurant la tension dans chaque amarre 1 10, un capteur d'angle mesurant l'angle d'inclinaison de chaque amarre 1 10. - various sensors allowing the control of the operation of the device, including for example one or more level sensors measuring the horizontality of the body 10, one or more level sensors measuring the horizontality of the ballasts 14a, 14b, a sensor (current meter) measuring the speed of the water flow, a position sensor measuring the angular position of each support arm 12, an anemometer measuring the wind speed, a tensiometer measuring the tension in each tether 1 10, an angle sensor measuring the tilt angle of each tether 1 10.
- des moyens de commande (pompes ou équivalent) permettant de commander les opérations de ballastage/déballastage du corps 10 et des ballasts supérieurs 14a et inférieurs 14b des bras porteurs 12, et des moyens de commande permettant de commander les moyens de réglage (cabestan et/ou tensionneurs) de la longueur et/ou tension des amarres 1 10,  control means (pumps or equivalent) for controlling the ballasting / deballasting operations of the body 10 and of the upper ballasts 14a and lower 14b of the support arms 12, and control means for controlling the adjustment means (capstan and or tensioners) of the length and / or tension of mooring lines 1 10,
- des moyens électroniques de traitement aptes à exécuter un programme de contrôle-commande stocké en mémoire et permettant de piloter les moyens de commande des réservoirs de ballastage/déballastage et les moyens de réglage (cabestan et/ou tensionneur) de la longueur et/ou tension des amarres 1 10 en fonction notamment de commandes saisies par d'un opérateur ( par exemple commande de mise en configuration de production ; commande de mise en configuration de maintenance ; commande de mise en configuration de transport ; commande de réglage de l'altitude (position suivant l'axe Z) du corps porteur 10 ; commande de réglage de la position angulaire de chaque bras porteur 12) et des informations délivrées par les moyens de localisation et les différents capteurs de fonctionnement précités.  electronic processing means capable of executing a control-command program stored in memory and making it possible to control the control means of the ballast / deballasting tanks and the adjustment means (capstan and / or tensioner) of the length and / or tension of mooring lines 1 10 in particular according to commands entered by an operator (for example production setup control command, maintenance configuration setting command, transport configuration control command, altitude adjustment command (position along the Z axis) of the carrier body 10; control of the angular position of each carrier arm 12) and information supplied by the locating means and the various operating sensors mentioned above.
Les moyens électroniques de traitement sont par exemple logés à l'intérieur du corps porteur 10, dans un compartiment étanche, et sont de préférence équipés de moyens électroniques de télécommunication par ondes radio leur permettant de dialoguer à distance avec une interface qui est manipulée par un opérateur déporté, pour la commande et la gestion à distance du fonctionnement du dispositif. The electronic processing means are for example housed inside the carrier body 10, in a sealed compartment, and are preferably equipped with electronic radio telecommunication means allowing them to communicate remotely with an interface which is manipulated by a remote operator, for the remote control and management of the operation of the device.
Autres variantes des figures 6 à 15 Other variants of Figures 6 to 15
On a représenté sur les figures 6 à 15 d'autres variantes de réalisation d'un dispositif de l'invention. Par soucis de simplification, les éléments communs à toutes variantes sont référencés de la même manière. Sur ces figures 6 à 15, le dispositif est représenté en position de production sous l'eau. Pour chaque variante, le dispositif peut, de manière comparable à ce qui a été décrit pour la variante des figures 1 à 5, être également configuré en position de maintenance ou réparation (turbines 13 hors d'eau et ballast supérieurs 14a flottant à la surface de l'eau) ou en position de transport (turbines 13 et ballast supérieurs 14a hors d'eau, et ballast inférieurs 14b flottant à la surface de l'eau).  FIGS. 6 to 15 show alternative embodiments of a device of the invention. For the sake of simplification, the elements common to all variants are referenced in the same way. In these figures 6 to 15, the device is shown in the production position underwater. For each variant, the device may, in a manner comparable to that described for the variant of Figures 1 to 5, also be configured in the maintenance position or repair (turbines 13 out of water and upper ballast 14a floating on the surface water) or in transport position (turbines 13 and upper ballast 14a out of water, and lower ballast 14b floating on the surface of the water).
La variante de la figure 6 se différencie de la première variante des figures 1 à 5 par la mise en œuvre de deux paires de bras porteurs opposés 12 au lieu d'une seule paire de bras porteurs 12 opposés dans la variante des figures 1 à 5.  The variant of FIG. 6 differs from the first variant of FIGS. 1 to 5 by the implementation of two pairs of opposed carrier arms 12 instead of a single pair of opposed carrier arms 12 in the variant of FIGS. 1 to 5. .
La variante de la figure 7 se différencie de la première variante des figures 1 à 5 par la mise en œuvre de deux turbines supplémentaires 13' montées à l'avant et à l'arrière du corps porteur flottant 10.  The variant of Figure 7 differs from the first variant of Figures 1 to 5 by the implementation of two additional turbines 13 'mounted at the front and rear of the floating carrier body 10.
La variante de la figure 8 se différencie de la variante de la figure 6 par la mise en œuvre de deux turbines supplémentaires 13' montées à l'avant et à l'arrière du corps porteur flottant 10.  The variant of Figure 8 differs from the variant of Figure 6 by the implementation of two additional turbines 13 'mounted at the front and rear of the floating carrier body 10.
La variante de la figure 9 se différencie de la première variante des figures 1 à 5 par la mise en œuvre de deux turbines 13" sur chaque bras porteur 12.  The variant of Figure 9 differs from the first variant of Figures 1 to 5 by the implementation of two turbines 13 "on each carrier arm 12.
La variante de la figure 10 se différencie principalement de la première variante des figures 1 à 5 par la mise en œuvre de trois turbines 13" sur chaque bras porteur 12.  The variant of Figure 10 differs mainly from the first variant of Figures 1 to 5 by the implementation of three turbines 13 "on each carrier arm 12.
La variante de la figure 1 1 se différencie principalement de la première variante des figures 1 à 5 par la mise en œuvre de deux paires de bras porteurs opposés 12 (au lieu d'une seule paire de bras porteurs 12 opposés dans la variante des figures 1 à 5) et par la mise en œuvre de trois turbines 13" sur chaque bras porteur 12. The variant of FIG. 11 differs mainly from the first variant of FIGS. 1 to 5 by the implementation of two pairs of opposed support arms 12 (instead of a single pair of opposed support arms 12 in the variant of Figures 1 to 5) and by the implementation of three turbines 13 "on each support arm 12.
La variante de la figure 12 est une installation comportant deux dispositifs 1 qui sont identiques à la première variante des figures 1 à 5, et dont les corps porteurs flottants 10 sont reliés entre eux par une liaison mécanique 15, qui est par exemple une barre rigide de préférence articulée à ces deux extrémités par rapport au corps porteur 10.  The variant of FIG. 12 is an installation comprising two devices 1 which are identical to the first variant of FIGS. 1 to 5, and whose floating carrier bodies 10 are interconnected by a mechanical connection 15, which is for example a rigid bar preferably articulated at these two ends relative to the carrier body 10.
La variante de la figure 13 se différencie principalement de la première variante des figures 1 à 5 par la mise en œuvre d'un corps porteur 10 comportant un ballast vertical 100 supplémentaire.  The variant of Figure 13 differs mainly from the first variant of Figures 1 to 5 by the implementation of a carrier body 10 having an additional vertical ballast 100.
La variante de la figure 14 se différencie principalement de la première variante des figures 1 à 5 par la structure de son corps porteur 10, et par la mise en œuvre de paires supérieure et inférieure de bras porteurs 12 articulés.  The variant of Figure 14 differs mainly from the first variant of Figures 1 to 5 by the structure of its carrier body 10, and by the implementation of upper and lower pairs of articulated carrier arms 12.
La figure 15 se différence de la variante de la figure 14 par la mise en œuvre de quatre turbines supplémentaires 13" portées par le corps porteur 10.  FIG. 15 is different from the variant of FIG. 14 by the implementation of four additional turbines 13 "carried by the carrier body 10.
L'invention n'est pas limitée aux variantes particulières de réalisation des figures annexées qui ont été décrites à titre d'exemples non limitatifs et non exhaustifs. The invention is not limited to the particular embodiments of the appended figures which have been described by way of nonlimiting and non-exhaustive examples.
REVENDICATIONS
Dispositif de production d'énergie utilisant l'énergie cinétique de courants d'eau, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte au moins un corps porteur flottant (10), des moyens d'amarrage (1 1 ) dudit corps porteur flottant, au moins un bras porteur (12), qui est fixé au corps porteur flottant, et qui est articulé en rotation par rapport au corps porteur flottant autour d'un axe de rotation (12b) sensiblement horizontal, au moins une turbine (13) submersible, qui est caractérisée par une direction d'entraînement (X), qui est apte à être entraînée par un courant d'eau (F) dont la direction est sensiblement parallèle à la direction d'entraînement (X) de la turbine, et qui est apte à transformer l'énergie cinétique dudit courant d'eau en énergie exploitable, ladite au moins une turbine (13) étant montée sur ledit bras porteur (12) en étant orientée de telle sorte que sa direction d'entraînement (X) par un courant d'eau est sensiblement parallèle à l'axe de rotation (12b) du bras porteur, et des moyens de stabilisation du dispositif dans l'eau, lesquels moyens de stabilisation comportent des moyens de ballastage (14) permettant de régler la position angulaire en rotation du bras porteur (12) par rapport au corps porteur flottant (10). Device for producing energy using the kinetic energy of water currents, characterized in that it comprises at least one floating carrier body (10), mooring means (1 1) of said floating carrier body, at least a support arm (12), which is fixed to the floating carrier body and which is articulated in rotation with respect to the floating carrier body about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation (12b), at least one submersible turbine (13), which is characterized by a driving direction (X), which is adapted to be driven by a stream of water (F) whose direction is substantially parallel to the drive direction (X) of the turbine, and which is suitable converting the kinetic energy of said water stream into exploitable energy, said at least one turbine (13) being mounted on said support arm (12) being oriented so that its driving direction (X) by a current of water is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation (12 b) the support arm, and means for stabilizing the device in the water, which stabilization means comprise ballasting means (14) for adjusting the angular position in rotation of the support arm (12) relative to the floating carrier body (10).
Dispositif selon la revendication 1 , comportant au moins deux bras porteurs (12) opposés, qui sont fixés au corps porteur flottant (10), qui s'étendent respectivement de part et d'autre du corps porteur flottant, qui sont chacun articulés en rotation par rapport au corps porteur flottant autour d'un axe de rotation sensiblement horizontal (12b), et qui portent chacun au moins une turbine (13) submersible, dans lequel ladite au moins une turbine (13) de chaque bras porteur est caractérisée par une direction d'entraînement (X), est apte à être entraînée par un courant d'eau (F) dont la direction est sensiblement parallèle à la direction d'entraînement (X) de la turbine, et est apte à  Device according to claim 1, comprising at least two opposite support arms (12), which are fixed to the floating carrier body (10), which extend respectively on either side of the floating carrier body, which are each articulated in rotation relative to the carrier body floating around a substantially horizontal axis of rotation (12b), and each carrying at least one submersible turbine (13), wherein said at least one turbine (13) of each carrier arm is characterized by a driving direction (X), is adapted to be driven by a stream of water (F) whose direction is substantially parallel to the drive direction (X) of the turbine, and is adapted to

Claims

transformer l'énergie cinétique dudit courant d'eau en énergie exploitable, ladite au moins une turbine (13) de chaque bras porteur étant orientée de telle sorte que sa direction d'entraînement (X) par un courant d'eau est sensiblement parallèle à l'axe de rotation (12b) du bras porteur, les moyens de ballastage (14) permettant de régler la position angulaire en rotation de chaque bras porteur (12) par rapport au corps porteur flottant (10).  converting the kinetic energy of said water stream into exploitable energy, said at least one turbine (13) of each support arm being oriented so that its driving direction (X) by a stream of water is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation (12b) of the support arm, the ballasting means (14) for adjusting the rotational angular position of each support arm (12) relative to the floating carrier body (10).
Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel les moyens de ballastage (14) de chaque bras porteur (12) permettent un réglage de la position angulaire en rotation du bras porteur (12) par rapport au corps porteur flottant (10) de manière à positionner hors d'eau la ou les turbines (13) portées par ledit bras. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel les moyens de ballastage (14) de chaque bras porteur (12) sont positionnés suivant l'axe longitudinal du bras porteur entre la ou les turbines (13) et l'axe de rotation (12b) du bras porteur.  Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ballasting means (14) of each support arm (12) allow adjustment of the rotational angular position of the support arm (12) with respect to the floating carrier body (10). so as to position the water or turbines (13) carried by said arm out of water. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ballasting means (14) of each support arm (12) are positioned along the longitudinal axis of the support arm between the turbine (s) (13) and the rotation axis. (12b) of the support arm.
Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel les moyens de ballastage (14) de chaque bras porteur (12) comportent au moins un ballast supérieur (14a) fixé au bras porteur et positionné au-dessus du bras porteur (12) et au moins un ballast inférieur (14b) fixé au bras porteur et positionné au-dessous du bras porteur (12). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ballasting means (14) of each support arm (12) comprise at least one upper ballast (14a) fixed to the support arm and positioned above the support arm (12). and at least one lower ballast (14b) attached to the carrier arm and positioned below the carrier arm (12).
Dispositif selon la revendication 5, dans lequel le ou les ballasts supérieurs (14a) d'un bras porteur (12) permettent de faire pivoter le bras porteur dans une position dans laquelle, la ou les turbines (13) portées par ledit bras sont hors d'eau et le ou les ballasts supérieurs (14a) flottent à la surface de l'eau.  Device according to Claim 5, in which the upper ballast (14a) of a support arm (12) makes it possible to pivot the carrier arm in a position in which the turbine or turbines (13) carried by the said arm are out of water and the upper ballast (14a) float on the surface of the water.
Dispositif selon l'une des revendications 5 ou 6, dans lequel le ou les ballasts inférieurs (14a) d'un bras porteur (12) permettent de faire pivoter le bras porteur dans une position dans laquelle la ou les turbines (13) portées par ledit bras et le ou les ballasts supérieurs (14a) sont hors d'eau, et le ou les ballasts inférieurs (14b) flottent à la surface de l'eau. Device according to one of claims 5 or 6, wherein the lower ballast (s) (14a) of a support arm (12) make it possible to pivot the support arm in a position in which the turbine or turbines (13) carried by said arm and the upper ballast (s) (14a) are out of water, and the lower ballast (s) (14b) float on the surface of the water.
8. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque revendications précédentes, dans lequel les moyens de ballastage (14) de chaque bras porteur permettent un réglage de la position angulaire en rotation du bras porteur par rapport au corps porteur flottant (10) à différentes positions au dessous du plan de flottaison du corps porteur.  8. Device according to any preceding claim, wherein the ballasting means (14) of each support arm allow adjustment of the angular position in rotation of the carrier arm relative to the floating carrier body (10) at different positions below. the buoyancy plan of the carrier body.
9. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel les moyens de ballastage (14) de chaque bras porteur permettent un réglage de la position angulaire en rotation du bras porteur par rapport au corps porteur flottant (10) à différentes positions au dessus du plan de flottaison du corps porteur.  9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ballasting means (14) of each carrier arm allow adjustment of the angular position in rotation of the carrier arm relative to the floating carrier body (10) at different positions at above the buoyancy plane of the carrier body.
10. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel les moyens de ballastage (14) de chaque bras porteur comportent au moins un ballast (14a, 14b) comportant un réservoir de ballastage/déballastage et des moyens de commande du remplissage du réservoir de ballastage/déballastage qui permettent d'adapter la flottaison du ballast.  10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ballasting means (14) of each carrier arm comprises at least one ballast (14a, 14b) comprising a ballast tank / déballasting and control means of the filling of the ballast tank / déballastage which allow to adapt the flotation of the ballast.
1 1 . Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ledit corps porteur flottant (10) comporte des moyens de ballastage permettant un réglage du poids dudit corps porteur (10). 1 1. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said floating carrier body (10) comprises ballasting means for adjusting the weight of said carrier body (10).
12. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le corps porteur flottant (10) est apte à flotter à la surface de l'eau. 12. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the floating carrier body (10) is able to float on the surface of the water.
13. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le corps porteur flottant (10) peut être positionné sous l'eau à une profondeur prédéfinie. 13. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the floating carrier body (10) can be positioned under water to a predefined depth.
14. Dispositif selon la revendication 13, comportant des moyens de réglage de la position en profondeur sous l'eau du corps porteur flottant (10).  14. Device according to claim 13, comprising means for adjusting the depth position under water of the floating carrier body (10).
15. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel les moyens d'amarrage (1 1 ) comportent des amarres (1 10) dont la longueur et/ou la tension est réglable. 15. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mooring means (1 1) comprise moorings (1 10) whose length and / or voltage is adjustable.
16. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel les moyens d'amarrage (1 1 ) comportent des amarres (1 10) lestées par des ancres (1 1 1 ).  16. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mooring means (1 1) comprise mooring (1 10) weighted by anchors (1 1 1).
17. Dispositif de production d'énergie utilisant l'énergie cinétique de courants d'eau, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte au moins un corps porteur flottant (10), des moyens d'amarrage (1 1 ) dudit corps porteur flottant, au moins un bras porteur (12), qui est fixé au corps porteur flottant, et qui est articulé en rotation par rapport au corps porteur flottant autour d'un axe de rotation (12b) sensiblement horizontal, au moins une turbine submersible (13), qui est apte à être entraînée par un courant d'eau et à transformer l'énergie cinétique dudit courant d'eau en énergie exploitable, et des moyens de stabilisation du dispositif dans l'eau, lesquels moyens de stabilisation comportent des moyens de ballastage (14) qui permettent de régler la position angulaire en rotation du bras porteur (12) par rapport au corps porteur flottant (10), et en ce que lesdits moyens de ballastage (14) présentant au moins une des caractéristiques (c1 ) à (c7) suivantes : (d ) les moyens de ballastage (14) de chaque bras porteur (12) permettent un réglage de la position angulaire en rotation du bras porteur par rapport au corps porteur flottant (10) de manière à positionner hors d'eau la ou les turbines (13) portées par ledit bras ;  17. Device for producing energy using the kinetic energy of water currents, characterized in that it comprises at least one floating carrier body (10), docking means (1 1) of said floating carrier body, at least one support arm (12), which is fixed to the floating carrier body, and which is articulated in rotation with respect to the floating carrier body about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation (12b), at least one submersible turbine (13) which is adapted to be entrained by a stream of water and to convert the kinetic energy of said stream of water into exploitable energy, and means for stabilizing the device in the water, which stabilization means comprise ballast means (14) for adjusting the rotational angular position of the carrier arm (12) relative to the floating carrier body (10), and in that said ballasting means (14) having at least one of the characteristics (c1) to ( (c) the following: e ballasting (14) of each carrier arm (12) allow adjustment of the angular position in rotation of the carrier arm relative to the floating carrier body (10) so as to position the water or turbines (13) carried by said arm;
(c2) les moyens de ballastage (14) de chaque bras porteur (12) sont positionnés suivant l'axe longitudinal du bras porteur (12) entre la ou les turbines (13) et l'axe de rotation (12b) du bras porteur ; (c3) les moyens de ballastage (14) de chaque bras porteur (12) comportent au moins un ballast supérieur (14a) fixé au bras porteur et positionné au-dessus du bras porteur et au moins un ballast inférieur (14b) fixé au bras porteur et positionné au- dessous du bras porteur ; (c2) the ballasting means (14) of each support arm (12) are positioned along the longitudinal axis of the support arm (12) between the turbine or turbines (13) and the axis of rotation (12b) of the support arm ; (c3) the ballasting means (14) of each support arm (12) comprise at least one upper ballast (14a) fixed to the support arm and positioned above the support arm and at least one lower ballast (14b) attached to the arm carrier and positioned under the carrying arm;
(c4) les moyens de ballastage (14) de chaque bras porteur comportent au moins un ballast supérieur (14a) fixé au bras porteur et positionné au-dessus du bras porteur et au moins un ballast inférieur (14b) fixé au bras porteur et positionné au- dessous du bras porteur, et le ou les ballasts supérieurs (14a) d'un bras porteur permettent de faire pivoter le bras porteur dans une position dans laquelle la ou les turbines (13) portées par ledit bras sont hors d'eau et le ou les ballasts supérieurs (14a) flottent à la surface de l'eau ;  (c4) the ballast means (14) of each carrier arm comprise at least one upper ballast (14a) attached to the carrier arm and positioned above the carrier arm and at least one lower ballast (14b) attached to the carrier arm and positioned below the carrier arm, and the upper ballast or ballasts (14a) of a support arm make it possible to pivot the carrier arm in a position in which the turbine or turbines (13) carried by said arm are out of water and the upper ballast (14a) floats on the surface of the water;
(c5) les moyens de ballastage (14) de chaque bras porteur comportent au moins un ballast supérieur (14a) fixé au bras porteur et positionné au-dessus du bras porteur et au moins un ballast inférieur (14b) fixé au bras porteur et positionné au- dessous du bras porteur, et le ou les ballasts inférieurs (14b) d'un bras porteur permettent de faire pivoter le bras porteur dans une position dans laquelle la ou les turbines (13) portées par ledit bras et le ou les ballast supérieurs (14a) sont hors d'eau, et le ou les ballasts inférieurs (14b) flottent à la surface de l'eau ;  (c5) the ballasting means (14) of each carrying arm comprise at least one upper ballast (14a) fixed to the support arm and positioned above the support arm and at least one lower ballast (14b) fixed to the carrying arm and positioned below the carrier arm, and the lower ballast or ballasts (14b) of a support arm enable the carrier arm to be pivoted to a position in which the turbine or turbines (13) carried by said arm and the upper ballast (s). (14a) are out of water, and the lower ballast (s) (14b) float on the surface of the water;
(c6) les moyens de ballastage (14) de chaque bras porteur permettent un réglage de la position angulaire en rotation du bras porteur (12) par rapport au corps porteur flottant (10) à différentes positions au dessous du plan de flottaison du corps porteur ;  (c6) the ballasting means (14) of each support arm allow adjustment of the rotational angular position of the support arm (12) relative to the floating carrier body (10) at different positions below the buoyancy plane of the carrier body ;
(c7) les moyens de ballastage (14) de chaque bras porteur permettent un réglage de la position angulaire en rotation du bras porteur (12) par rapport au corps porteur flottant (10) à différentes positions au dessus du plan de flottaison du corps porteur.  (c7) the ballast means (14) of each support arm allow adjustment of the rotational angular position of the carrier arm (12) relative to the floating carrier body (10) at different positions above the buoyancy plane of the carrier body .
18. Dispositif selon la revendication 17, comportant au moins deux bras porteurs (12) opposés, qui sont fixés au corps porteur flottant (10), qui s'étendent respectivement de part et d'autre du corps porteur flottant, qui sont chacun articulés en rotation par rapport au corps porteur flottant autour d'un axe de rotation sensiblement horizontal (12b), et qui portent chacun au moins une turbine (13) submersible, les 5 moyens de ballastage (14) permettant de régler la position angulaire en rotation de chaque bras porteur (12) par rapport au corps porteur flottant (10). 18. Device according to claim 17, comprising at least two support arms (12) opposite, which are fixed to the floating carrier body (10), which respectively extend on each side of the floating carrier body, which are each articulated in rotation relative to the floating carrier body about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation (12b), and which each carry at least one turbine (13 ) submersible, the ballasting means (14) for adjusting the rotational angular position of each carrier arm (12) relative to the floating carrier body (10).
19. Dispositif selon l'une des revendications 17 ou 18, dans lequel chaque turbine (13) submersible est caractérisée par une direction o d'entraînement (X), est apte à être entraînée par un courant d'eau (F) dont la direction est sensiblement parallèle à la direction d'entraînement (X) de la turbine, et est montée sur ledit bras porteur (12) en étant orientée de telle sorte que sa direction d'entraînement (X) par un courant d'eau est sensiblement parallèle à l'axe de rotation5 (12b) du bras porteur.  19. Device according to one of claims 17 or 18, wherein each submersible turbine (13) is characterized by a driving direction (X), is adapted to be driven by a stream of water (F) whose direction is substantially parallel to the drive direction (X) of the turbine, and is mounted on said support arm (12) being oriented so that its driving direction (X) by a stream of water is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation5 (12b) of the support arm.
20. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 17 à 19, dans lequel les moyens de ballastage (14) de chaque bras porteur comportent au moins un ballast (14a, 14b) comportant un réservoir de ballastage/déballastage et des moyens de commande du 0 remplissage du réservoir de ballastage/déballastage qui permettent d'adapter la flottaison du ballast.  20. Device according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the ballasting means (14) of each carrier arm comprises at least one ballast (14a, 14b) comprising a ballast tank / deballasting and control means of the 0 filling of the ballast tank / déballastage which allow to adapt the flotation of the ballast.
21 . Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 17 à 20, dans lequel ledit corps porteur flottant (10) comporte des moyens de ballastage (14) permettant un réglage du poids dudit corps porteur 5 (10).  21. Apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein said floating carrier body (10) comprises ballasting means (14) for adjusting the weight of said carrier body (10).
22. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 17 à 21 , dans lequel le corps porteur flottant (10) est apte à flotter à la surface de l'eau.  22. Device according to any one of claims 17 to 21, wherein the floating carrier body (10) is able to float on the surface of the water.
23. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 17 à 22, dans 0 lequel le corps porteur flottant (10) peut être positionné sous l'eau à une profondeur prédéfinie. Apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 22, wherein the floating carrier body (10) can be positioned underwater at a predefined depth.
24. Dispositif selon la revendication 23, comportant des moyens de réglage de la position en profondeur sous l'eau du corps porteur flottant (10). 24. Device according to claim 23, comprising means for adjusting the depth of the underwater position of the floating carrier body (10).
25. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 17 à 24, dans lequel les moyens d'amarrage (1 1 ) comportent des amarres (1 10) dont la longueur et/ou la tension est réglable.  25. Device according to any one of claims 17 to 24, wherein the docking means (1 1) comprise mooring (1 10) whose length and / or voltage is adjustable.
26. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 17 à 25, dans lequel les moyens d'amarrage (1 1 ) comportent des amarres (1 10) lestées par des ancres (1 1 1 ).  26. Device according to any one of claims 17 to 25, wherein the mooring means (1 1) comprise mooring (1 10) weighted by anchors (1 1 1).
27. Utilisation du dispositif visé à l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 26, pour produire de l'énergie, et plus particulièrement de l'électricité, à partir de l'énergie cinétique de courants d'eau. 27. Use of the device according to any one of claims 1 to 26, for producing energy, and more particularly electricity, from the kinetic energy of water currents.
PCT/FR2011/051654 2010-07-12 2011-07-12 Power-generating device using the kinetic energy of water currents, comprising at least one rotatably hinged load-bearing arm and being provided with a turbine and ballasting means WO2012007686A1 (en)

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FR1055678 2010-07-12
FR1055678A FR2962497B1 (en) 2010-07-12 2010-07-12 ENERGY GENERATING DEVICE USING KINETIC ENERGY OF WATER CURRENTS AND COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE ROTATING ARTICULATING ARM CARRIER EQUIPPED WITH A TURBINE AND BALLAST MEANS

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US8933575B2 (en) 2013-02-06 2015-01-13 Harold Lipman Water turbine with pivotable blades

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FR2962497B1 (en) 2013-06-14
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