WO2013171551A1

WO2013171551A1 - Modular device for transforming wave motion or the motion of a water flow, suited to be applied to an electricity generator

Info

Publication number: WO2013171551A1
Application number: PCT/IB2012/052694
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gianni Bau'
Original assignee: Bau Gianni
Priority date: 2012-05-18
Filing date: 2012-05-30
Publication date: 2013-11-21
Also published as: ITPD20120160A1

Abstract

The invention is a device for transforming wave motion and/or the motion of the flow of a watercourse into a motion suited to set an electricity generator rotating, comprising at least one module (M) with rotation axis (7), planes (1 ) mounted orthogonally and rigidly on said axis (7), and wherein a plurality of blades (3) are furthermore hinged to at least one surface of each one of said planes (1), wherein said blades (3) are directly hinged to the surface of the corresponding circular plane (1) and rotate due to gravity and to the thrusting force of the water, with respect to the corresponding plane (1), between a position of minimum thrust, in which the thrusting surface is substantially parallel to the plane (1) and close or adherent to the corresponding plane (1), and a position of maximum thrust, in which the thrusting surface is substantially orthogonal to the plane (1).

Description

MODULAR DEVICE FOR TRANSFORMING WAVE MOTION OR THE MOTION OF A WATER FLOW, SUITED TO BE APPLIED TO AN ELECTRICITY GENERATOR

DESCRIPTION

The present invention concerns the sector of electricity generation from renewable sources, and in particular it concerns a new device for the production of electricity through the exploitation of wave motion and/or the motion of the flow of a watercourse.

At present the generation of electricity from renewable sources, for example wind, watercourses, wave motion, tides is a central issue.

Special attention is paid to the mechanisms and systems for the generation of electricity based on the flow of watercourses.

Devices are known which comprise a supporting frame, a drive shaft connected to a generator, one or more arms connected to said drive shaft and blades or tabs suited to be immersed or partially immersed in a watercourse or in the sea, each of said blades being connected to one of said arms.

The thrusting action of the water on said blades causes the oscillation of said arm and thus the rotation of said drive shaft.

Devices are known which comprise a drive shaft connected to a generator, one or more circular planes mounted orthogonally on said shaft and blades at right angles to said planes and hinged to axes that are orthogonal to said planes. Said blades can rotate with respect to said planes according to the direction of the thrust they receive from the flow of the watercourse, opposing the maximum thrusting surface to make the shaft rotate in one direction and on the other hand opposing the minimum thrusting surface when the thrusting force acts on the blade in the opposite direction, so as not to hinder the rotation of the shaft. These systems are very complex and extremely unstable.

The subject of the present invention is a new device for transforming wave motion and/or the motion of the flow of a watercourse into a motion suited to set the rotor of an electricity generator rotating.

The main object of the present invention is to convert wave motion or the motion of a water flow in electricity, maximizing conversion efficiency.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a modular device that thus can be sized and installed according to design requirements.

It is a further object of the invention to guarantee that the modules making up the device are correctly positioned in water.

One object of the invention is to provide a device that works independently of the direction of the water flow.

Another object of the new device is to allow the combination of more than one module for transforming the motion of the water flow into a rotary motion without interference, so as to guarantee also the stability of the entire device.

These and other direct and complementary objects are achieved by the new device for transforming wave motion and/or the motion of the flow of a watercourse suited to set the rotor of an electricity generator rotating.

The new device comprises, in its main parts, at least one module, in turn comprising a supporting frame, at least one centre axis or shaft constrained to said frame and suited to be rotated with respect to the frame itself, one or more supports or planes, preferably and substantially circular in shape and mounted orthogonally and rigidly on said axis, and wherein, furthermore, a plurality of blades are directly hinged to at least one wall of each one of said planes.

In a possible solution, said blades are preferably mounted on both walls of said planes.

Said rotation axis of the circular planes is suited to be directly or indirectly coupled to the rotor of an electricity generator.

Said planes are thus arranged parallel to each other and spaced on said axis, wherein the distance between two planes is substantially equal to the height of said thrusting surface of the blades.

Said blades are preferably distributed homogeneously on the corresponding circular plane, for example equally spaced from one another, and furthermore they are directly hinged to the surface of the circular plane, with the hinge axis arranged so that it is substantially radial or has a substantially helical development.

Said blades are suited to rotate with respect to the corresponding plane between a position of maximum thrust, in which the thrusting surface is substantially orthogonal to the corresponding plane, and a position of minimum thrust, in which the thrusting surface is substantially parallel to the plane and close or adherent to it.

In the case of blades mounted on both walls, the blades are furthermore arranged on the facing walls of two adjacent planes in a staggered configuration, so that they can perform their rotary movement without interfering with one another. Each blade is substantially rectangular in shape, with the two long sides preferably equal to the radius of the circular plane or such as to partially project from the edge of the corresponding circular planes.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, each one of said blades comprises a single flat thrust portion or surface that is directly hinged to the corresponding circular plane and if necessary one or more recovery means, for example elastic means like springs or the like, installed between one side of the blade and the circular plane and suited to counteract the rotation of the blade with respect to the plane in one direction.

The blades arranged on one side of the plane and subjected to the thrust of the water flow in one direction rotate with respect to the plane until reaching the position of maximum thrust, while the blades arranged on the opposite side rotate until reaching the position of minimum thrust. In this way, the plane is rotated and thus the axis of the device is rotated with it.

When the thrusting force exerted by the water on said blades in the position of minimum thrust decreases, said recovery means bring the blade back at least to an intermediate position.

The opening of the blades in position of maximum thrust substantially takes place by gravity, meaning that the blades open through fall during the rotation of the plane, or that their movement is facilitated by said elastic recovery means, or that they open due to the thrust of the water in the opposite direction.

The operation of the new device is described here below.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the new device is suited to be arranged in water, with said circular planes arranged in a substantially vertical position, that is, with said axis arranged horizontally, parallel to the surface of the water and arranged at right angles to the direction of the motion of the watercourse or the thrust exerted by the water.

The water flow pushes the blades of the new device, and in particular:

• on one side of each plane, the blades open and are pushed in such a way as to rotate to a position of maximum thrust, that is, in a position substantially orthogonal to the corresponding plane, until reaching a stop position; the blade rotation is stopped by means of projections made or mounted on the successive circular plane, on which the blade rests, or due to the presence of the hinge;

• on the other side of each plane the blades, if they are immersed in water, are thrust in the opposite direction, so that they rotate in the opposite direction until reaching the position in which only a minimum part of their surface is exposed to the thrust, that is, in a position parallel and close to the corresponding plane; if the blades are not immersed in water, they tend to close due to the effect of the rotation of the plane.

Said circular planes thus rotate in the direction in which the blades, in the maximum thrust position, that is, in the position in which they are orthogonal to the corresponding circular plane, pass behind the axis.

As the rotation continues, if the blades are rotating countercurrent, the thrusting force exerted by the water makes said blades rotate around their hinge on said circular plane, so that the blade comes to be in a position of minimum thrust, that is, parallel and close to the corresponding plane, loading even any elastic recovery means.

As the lowered blades keep rotating, if they are rotating countercurrent they remain in the position of minimum thrust until the force of gravity acting on the blades and/or the elastic force of the elastic recovery means exceed/s the thrusting force of the water acting on the blades. The blades thus re-open.

Since the module is arranged with horizontal axis and said planes vertical and side by side, different planes are subjected to different stress, due for example to the different speed of the water flow. In this case, if the speed of the water at the level of some planes is higher than the speed of the water at the level of other planes, the blades subjected to the thrusting force open and cause the planes to rotate, while the blades subjected to a lower thrusting force do not hinder the rotation of the planes, as they follow the motion of the plane.

Each module, located in the water, is oriented with its axis orthogonal to the direction of the thrust received, for example, in the case of a watercourse, in the direction of the current.

Said module of the new device comprises also one or more floating bodies constrained to said frame, said floating bodies being for example substantially cylindrical in shape, arranged coaxially to said axis of the device, being for example mounted on said axis.

The height of said cylindrical floating bodies is modular, said floating bodies being capable of being placed side by side. The dimensions of the circular bases of the cylindrical floating bodies are preferably substantially equal to the dimensions of the circular planes, so that the module is substantially cylindrical as a whole.

Said floating bodies, however, can come in any shape and size, depending on the position in which the module has to float and on the height of the floating plane. According to the invention, one or more of said floating bodies is for example semi-cylindrical and/or comprises a seat suited to house the rotor of the electricity generator.

Said floating bodies are preferably sized so that the floating plane of the module passes through the geometrical centre of gravity of the same module, that is, contains said axis of the module.

According to the invention, said floating bodies can alternatively have such a shape and size that the floating plane passes through a point that is generically above or below said centre of gravity.

According to the invention, the module can be completely or partially immersed in water.

In the case of use of the new device in a watercourse like a stream or a river, it is possible to include the use of supports suited to support the modules, for example anchored to or resting on the bottom of the watercourse, said supports being used in combination with or as an alternative to said floating bodies.

The new device is modular, meaning that it comprises a plurality of said modules, suited to be constrained to one another by means of said frames, so that the stress to which each module is subjected is counterbalanced, thus guaranteeing the overall stability of the device.

According to the invention, each frame comprises elements for connection to the frames of other modules, said connection elements being suited to allow relative oscillations between the modules, both on the vertical and on the horizontal plane. According to the invention, the new device may also comprise, for each module, deflector or conveyor members, described below, having the functions of correctly conveying the water so that it exerts a thrusting force on some blades of a module, of preventing the water from flowing in the opposite direction on other blades and furthermore of guiding the closing movement of the blades during the rotation of the plane.

The use of such deflector members is particularly effective when the device is used in a watercourse.

According to the invention, said modules can also be positioned with substantially vertical axis, that is, with the planes substantially parallel to the surface of the water. In this case the blades are mounted, for each plane, only on one wall facing downwards, so that they open due to gravity, while they close due to the effect of the rotation of the planes and of said deflector members.

The characteristics of the new device will be highlighted in greater detail in the following description, with reference to the drawings attached as non-limiting examples.

Figure 1 shows a vertical cross section of the new device, where it is possible to observe a wall (la) of a circular plane (1) on which the blades (3) are mounted. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a plane (1) with blades (3) mounted on both the opposite walls (la, lb) of the plane (1).

Figures 3a and 3b show two perspective views of a portion of the device, where it is possible to observe three planes (1) positioned side by side and blades (3) mounted respectively only on one wall (l a) of each plane (1) or on both walls (l a, lb) of each plane (1).

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the new device consisting of several modules (M) constrained to one another through frames (T).

The new device for transforming the motion of the flow of a watercourse into a motion suitable for rotating the rotor of an electricity generator comprises, in its main parts, one or more modules (M).

Said module (M), shown in Figure 4, in turn comprises at least one frame (T), one axis or shaft (7) suited to be rotated with respect to said frame (T), one or more circular planes (1) mounted rigidly and orthogonally on said axis (7), and several blades (3) directly hinged to each one of said circular planes (1), on at least one wall (la) of said planes (1).

In the figures, said modules (M) are placed in the water with their axis (7) substantially parallel to the surface of the water. In this case it is preferable for said blades (3) to be mounted on both the opposite walls (l a, lb) of each plane

(1)·

Said planes (1) can be conveniently made of a plastic material and are all parallel to one another and positioned side by side, if necessary spaced by means of spacers.

Said blades (3) are hinged to the corresponding wall (la, lb) of the circular plane (1) with their hinge axis (a) substantially radial with respect to said circular plane (1) or generically arranged, for example, with a substantially helical development. Said blades (3) can substantially be straight and flat or in the shape of an arch or helix so as to receive the thrusting action of the water more efficiently.

Each one of said blades (3) comprises a single flat thrusting portion or surface (3.1) directly hinged to the corresponding circular plane (1) and one or more recovery means, for example elastic means like springs or the like, installed between one side of the blade (3) and the circular plane (1), suited to counteract the rotation of the blade with respect to the plane, in one direction.

The blades (3) arranged on one side of the plane (1) and subjected to the thrusting force of the water flow (W) in one direction, rotate with respect to the plane until reaching the position of maximum thrust, while the blades (3) arranged on the opposite side rotate until reaching the position of minimum thrust. In this way, the plane (1) is rotated and thus the axis (7) of the device is rotated with it.

In this embodiment, to limit the rotation of the blades (3) to the position of maximum thrust, limiting devices are provided, for example one or more projections or recesses created in corresponding positions on the plane (1) or on the facing wall of the adjacent plane (1), where an edge (3.3) of the blade (3) rests, stopping in said position of maximum thrust.

When the thrust of the water (W) on said blades in the position of minimum thrust decreases, said blades (3) tend to re-open due to gravity and/or their opening movement is facilitated by said elastic recovery means.

According to the invention, said blades (3), as described above, are mounted on both the opposite walls (l a, lb) of the same corresponding circular plane (1), in a preferably staggered configuration with respect to the blades (3) of the facing circular plane (1), so that they do not interfere with one another during motion. According to the invention, said blades (3) on the same wall (la, lb) of a plane (1) can be alternatively hinged with the hinge facing one direction or the opposite direction. In this way, according to the direction and sense of the thrust, which may vary for example depending on the tides, the thrusting action is exerted on the blades that open in the direction defined by said thrusting force, while it is not exerted on the blades that open in the opposite direction, which remain closed. According to the invention, said modules (M) can also be positioned with substantially vertical axis (7), that is, with the planes (1) substantially parallel to the surface of the water. In this case the blades (3) are mounted, for each plane (1), only on one wall (lb) facing downwards, so that the blades (3) open due to gravity, while they close due to the effect of the rotation of the planes (1) and of deflector members described below.

As shown in Figure 4, said module (M) also comprises one or more floating bodies (G) constrained to said frame (T), said floating bodies being for example substantially cylindrical in shape, arranged coaxially with said axis (7) of the device, being for example mounted on the same axis (7).

According to the invention, one or more of said floating bodies (Gl) is for example semi-cylindrical and/or comprises a seat (G2) suited to house the rotor of the electricity generator, represented with a broken line in Figure 4.

The floating plane (P) can pass through the geometrical centre of gravity of the module (M), for example containing said axis (7). The position of the floating plane (P) in any case depends on the shape, size and arrangement of said floating bodies (G).

As an alternative to or in combination with said floating bodies (G), the new device may comprise supports for said modules (M), said supports, for example, being anchored to or resting on the bottom of the watercourse.

According to the invention, several modules (M) are mounted one after the other so as to form a row, with an alternator mounted to the right and/or to the left of the row, in which all the alternators of the device are then connected to one another.

According to the invention, each frame (T) comprises elements (Tl) for connection to the frames of other modules (M), said connection elements (Tl) being suited to prevent the rotation of the individual frames (T) and to allow relative oscillations between the modules (M), both on the vertical and on the horizontal plane.

According to the invention, the new device preferably comprises, for each module (M), deflector members having the functions of correctly conveying the water so that it exerts a thrusting force on some blades of the module (M), of preventing the water from flowing in the opposite direction on other blades and furthermore of guiding the closing movement of the blades during the rotation of the plane. Said deflector members, schematically shown in Figure 5, comprise at least one wall or deflector (4) suited to convey the water so that it exerts a thrusting force on the blades (3) of one side of the plane (1), and a comb-shaped portion (5) mounted on the module (M) in a position opposite said wall or deflector (4) with respect to the axis (7) of the module (M).

Said comb-shaped portion (5) comprises a three-dimensional body, with seats (51) suited to allow the passage of part of the circular planes (1) and with slides (52) suited to cause the blades (3) to close during the rotation of the planes (1) so that the latter can pass through said seats (51).

The walls (53) of said comb-shaped portion (5) prevent the water from flowing in directions that hinder the rotation of the axis (7) of the module (M).

In a possible solution, two or more modules (Ml , M2) are positioned so that they are parallel and superimposed, with one module (Ml) placed on the surface, for example emerging partially, and the other one or more modules (M2) completely immersed.

A single wall or conveyor (4) is located between each pair of modules (Ml, M2), so that the water is conveyed against the blades (3) of the modules and said modules (Ml , M2) rotate in the opposite direction.

Said comb-shaped portions (5) are mounted in a position opposite said wall or conveyor (4), that is, under the immersed module (M2) and over the upper module (Ml).

Therefore, with reference to the above description and the attached drawings, the following claims are expressed.

Claims

1. Device for transforming wave motion and/or the motion of a water flow into a motion suited to set an electricity generator rotating, comprising at least one module (M) in turn comprising at least one centre rotation axis or shaft (7), one or more supports or planes (1) substantially circular in shape, installed orthogonally and rigidly on said axis (7), and wherein, furthermore, a plurality of blades (3) are hinged to at least one surface of each one of said planes (1) and homogeneously distributed on the corresponding circular plane (1), said axis (7) being suited to be directly or indirectly connected to the rotor of an electricity generator, characterized in that it comprises:

• at least one supporting frame (T), said axis (7) being constrained to said frame (T) and being suited to be rotated with respect to the same frame (T);

• said blades (3) directly hinged to the surface of the corresponding circular plane (1) with the hinge axis (a) arranged in a substantially radial position, and wherein each one of said blades (3) is suited to rotate, due to gravity and/or to the thrusting force of the water, with respect to the corresponding plane (1), between a position of minimum thrust, in which the thrusting surface is substantially parallel to the plane (1) and close or adherent to the respective plane (1), and a position of maximum thrust, in which the thrusting surface is substantially orthogonal to the plane (1);

• one or more floating bodies (G) constrained to said frame (T), suited to guarantee that the module (M) will float with a determined floating plane (P).

2. Device according to claim 1 , characterized in that said module (M) is suited to be positioned in the water, with said circular planes (1) arranged in a substantially vertical position, that is, with said axis (7) arranged horizontally, substantially parallel to the surface of the water and arranged orthogonally to the direction of the motion (W) of the water.

3. Device according to claim 1 , characterized in that said module (M) is suited to be positioned in the water, with said circular planes (1) arranged in a substantially horizontal position and substantially parallel to the surface of the water, that is, with said axis (7) arranged vertically and orthogonally to the direction of the motion (W) of the water.

4. Device according to claims 1 , 2, 3, characterized in that each one of said blades (3) comprises a single thrusting surface (3.1) substantially flat and hinged to the corresponding plane (1) along one edge, and one or more elastic recovery means, mounted between one side of the blade (3) and the corresponding circular plane (1) and suited to counteract the rotation of the blade (3) with respect to the plane (1), in one direction, and wherein, when said blades (3) are in the position of maximum thrust said elastic recovery means are substantially at rest while when said blades (3) are in the position of minimum thrust said elastic recovery means are loaded.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises means suited to limit or stop the rotation of said blades (3) in said position of maximum thrust, said means comprising projections or seats created or mounted in corresponding positions on the plane (1) itself and/or on the facing surface of the successive circular plane (1), against which the edges (3.3) of said blades (3) rest.

6. Device according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two or more of said modules (M) constrained to one another by means of the respective frames (T), each frame (T) in turn comprising elements (Tl) for connection to the frames of other modules (M), and wherein said connection elements (Tl) prevent the rotation of the individual frames (T) and are suited to allow relative oscillations between the modules (M), both on the vertical and on the horizontal plane.

7. Device according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said floating bodies (G) are substantially cylindrical in shape and are coaxial with said axis (7), said cylindrical floating bodies (G) being modular.

8. Device according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, as an alternative to or in combination with said floating bodies (G), supports for said modules (M), said supports being suited to be anchored to or to rest on the bottom of the watercourse.

9. Device according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, for each module (M), deflector and/or conveyor members having the functions of correctly conveying the water so that it exerts a thrusting force on some blades (3) of the module (M), of preventing the water from flowing in the opposite direction on other blades (3) and furthermore of guiding the closing movement of the blades (3) during the rotation of the planes (1), said deflector members comprising at least one wall or deflector (4) suited to convey the water against the blades (3) of one side of the planes (1), and a comb-shaped portion (5) mounted on the module (M) in a position opposite said wall or deflector with respect to the axis (7) of the module (M), wherein said comb-shaped portion (5) comprises a three-dimensional body, with seats (51) suitable for the passage of part of the circular planes (1) and with slides (52) suited to cause the blades (3) to close during the rotation of the planes (1) so as to pass through said seats (51).

10. Device according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two or more modules (M) arranged parallel and superimposed to each other, of which one module (Ml) that is nearest to the surface and a second module (M2) that is completely immersed in water, and wherein at least one wall or conveyor (4) is located between each pair of said modules (Ml, M2) to convey the water against the blades (3) of the modules (Ml,

M2), so that said modules (Ml, M2) rotate in the opposite direction and said comb-shaped portions (5) are mounted in a position opposite said wall or conveyor (4), that is, under the immersed module (M2) and over the upper module (Ml).