WO2015004333A1 - Device for converting swell movement into energy - Google Patents

Device for converting swell movement into energy Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2015004333A1
WO2015004333A1 PCT/FR2013/000181 FR2013000181W WO2015004333A1 WO 2015004333 A1 WO2015004333 A1 WO 2015004333A1 FR 2013000181 W FR2013000181 W FR 2013000181W WO 2015004333 A1 WO2015004333 A1 WO 2015004333A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
arms
arm
axis
shaft
oscillation
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FR2013/000181
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
PATIN Pierre-Armand
Original Assignee
Sa2P
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Publication date
Application filed by Sa2P filed Critical Sa2P
Priority to PCT/FR2013/000181 priority Critical patent/WO2015004333A1/en
Publication of WO2015004333A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015004333A1/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
    • 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
    • F03B13/14Adaptations 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 wave energy
    • F03B13/16Adaptations 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 wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem"
    • F03B13/18Adaptations 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 wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem" where the other member, i.e. rem is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore
    • F03B13/1805Adaptations 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 wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem" where the other member, i.e. rem is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore and the wom is hinged to the rem
    • F03B13/181Adaptations 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 wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem" where the other member, i.e. rem is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore and the wom is hinged to the rem for limited rotation
    • F03B13/1815Adaptations 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 wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member, i.e. a "wom" and another member, i.e. a reaction member or "rem" where the other member, i.e. rem is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore and the wom is hinged to the rem for limited rotation with an up-and-down 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
    • F05B2260/00Function
    • F05B2260/40Transmission of power
    • F05B2260/403Transmission of power through the shape of the drive components
    • F05B2260/4031Transmission of power through the shape of the drive components as in toothed gearing
    • 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 invention relates to a device for converting into energy a wave motion of a liquid surface, especially the movement of waves or waves, in the marine environment.
  • the swell is a wave movement of the sea resulting from the action of the wind blowing for a fairly long time in the same direction.
  • the swell can have a wavelength of a hundred meters or more and a height, between a ridge and a hollow, of several meters. It adds, however, to this movement of great amplitude, waves of variable height, due to the action of the wind, and to which one also applies the term of swell.
  • the document US-988,508 described an installation mounted on a kind of boom and having a series of flaps each rotating, alternately, about a vertical axis, so as to actuate a piston moving at the same time. inside a fixed cylinder and thus forming a pump or a compressor.
  • the wave energy recovery means comprises a series of rotating rotatable members around of an axis and each having a pointed portion, subjected to the movement of the water and transforming it into an alternating rotation of a rotor-shaped part provided with vanes, which rotates in a stator, in order to function as an alternative pump whose energy can then be converted into usable energy.
  • Such a hydraulic system well adapted to high power, is however complex and expensive because it requires pressure control systems and accumulators that increase the cost and reduce yields. Moreover, such hydraulic systems are quite fragile and difficult to maintain in the marine environment and they also have the risk of pollution in case of leakage.
  • the output shaft of the reversing mechanism is rotated by a control wheel placed between the ends, opposite the floats, of the two oscillating arms which each form a fork with two spaced branches, mounted articulated around a horizontal swing shaft.
  • a control wheel placed between the ends, opposite the floats, of the two oscillating arms which each form a fork with two spaced branches, mounted articulated around a horizontal swing shaft.
  • On this conically toothed drive wheel mesh two diametrically opposed conical pinions, which can be rotatably fastened, each in one direction, by means of ratchet devices, respectively with the two branches of each of the two arms, whose independent oscillations can thus be controlling the one-way rotation of the gear and, therefore, the output shaft.
  • each float is attached to the end of an oscillating arm, the energy recovered by it is a function of the amplitude of the vertical movements of the float which themselves depend on the height of the waves. To benefit from a maximum amplitude, it is therefore necessary that the oscillating arms are oriented perpendicularly to the crest of the waves.
  • each oscillating arm operates two racks in the form of circular sectors, centered on the axis of articulation of the arm and between which are placed two superposed pairs, respectively upper and lower , of contiguous gears which meshes with the two racks and, by means of freewheels, drive a control shaft directed radially in a single direction of rotation, due to the upward or downward reciprocating movements of the two racks.
  • the two superimposed trees respectively upper and lower, each carry a conical pinion meshing with a conical circular toothing arranged on a face, respectively upper and lower, of a control wheel, centered on a vertical output shaft of the mechanism.
  • the object of the invention is to solve all these problems by means of a new device for converting wave energy which, while remaining very simple and inexpensive, makes it possible to use a relatively large number of actuating floats. oscillating arms arranged in a star shape around the axis of the reversing mechanism, in order to recover the energy of the undulating wave or wave movement with a good efficiency, whatever the direction of movement of the waves.
  • the invention therefore generally relates to a device for converting into energy a wave motion of a liquid surface, comprising at least one arm carrying a float at one end and oscillating, at its opposite end, on a oscillation shaft centered on a substantially horizontal axis of articulation and carried by a support structure, said arm being animated by an oscillating movement about said hinge axis, alternately upwards and downwards under the effect of the movement, respectively upward and downward, of the liquid surface, and means for transforming this reciprocating oscillation motion into a driving torque in rotation, about its axis, of an output shaft, said means for transformation comprising an inverter mechanism comprising a main gearwheel driving in rotation of the output shaft, rotatably mounted about an axis and having a conical circular toothing, on lacquer they mesh, in two diametrically opposed zones, a pair of two conical gears centered on the same axis orthogonal to the axis of the main gear, and means for securing said arm in rotation, respectively, with
  • this device comprises at least three arms each carrying a float and extending radially in at least three directions distributed in a star around a vertical central axis of the support structure, said arms being mounted oscillating, respectively , about intersecting axes of articulation passing through said central axis
  • the inverter mechanism comprises a main gear, driving in rotation of the output shaft and, for each of the oscillating arms, a pair of two bevel gears opposed rotationally secured, each in one direction, with said arm, said pairs of bevel gears overlapping so that their axes of rotation are arranged in a star around the axis of the main gear and all the gears are evenly distributed along its circular conical teeth.
  • the reversing mechanism is housed in a hollow housing fixed to the support structure, so that the main drive gear of the output shaft is rotatably mounted about the vertical central axis of said support, and the hinge end of each of the arms carrying the floats form a fork with two branches extending on either side of said housing and mounted articulated, respectively, on two parts of an oscillation shaft s extending respectively, in opposite directions, on either side of said housing and centered on the same horizontal axis of articulation passing through the central vertical axis of rotation of the main gear wheel.
  • the two bevel gears driven by each of the arms are advantageously locked in rotation, respectively, on two tubular shafts in the form of sockets, threaded and rotatably mounted, respectively, on the two parts of the fixed oscillation shaft of the each arm extending outwardly from the corresponding conical pinion, said tubular shafts being rotationally secured, each in one direction, with the corresponding branch of the arm.
  • each support arm is rotatably mounted on two bearings centered, respectively, on the two parts of the oscillation shaft of the arm on which are threaded, respectively, the tubular shafts of the two bevel gears associated with said arm, and each of said bearings comprises an outer member integral in rotation with the corresponding branch of the arm, an inner member integral in rotation with the tubular shaft of the corresponding conical pinion, and a means, of freewheel type, for rotationally securing, in one direction, of the two elements of the bearing.
  • the conversion device comprises at least two pairs of support arms aligned along at least two directions passing through the vertical axis of the main gear of the inverter mechanism, and the two arms of each pair extending in opposite directions are rotatably mounted, each on two bearings carried respectively by the two parts of the same oscillation shaft extending respectively on either side of the housing and centered on the same axis of articulation of the two opposed arms, the latter being associated with the same pair of two conical gears fixed respectively to the inner ends of two tubular shafts rotatably mounted respectively on the two parts of the common oscillation shaft.
  • the bearings of the two arms placed on the same side of the housing are arranged side by side and are threaded onto the tubular shaft of the corresponding conical pinion, which extends over a sufficient length along the corresponding part of the common oscillation shaft and is secured in rotation with the internal elements of said bearings placed side by side.
  • the hollow case containing the reversing mechanism comprises a fixed central piece forming a support nut, by an inner end, of each of the two outwardly extending portions of each oscillation shaft, said central piece providing, inside said housing, a flat lower space in which is housed the main gear wheel, rotatably mounted about a vertical central axis of the housing, and an annular space in which are housed the bevel gears meshing with said main gear wheel.
  • each of the oscillation shafts of the different arms carrying the floats are mounted recessed, by their internal ends, on the fixed support nut and extend cantilever outwardly in directions extending radially in a star around the vertical central axis of the housing.
  • the hollow housing containing the reversing mechanism comprises a side wall provided with passage bores, respectively, of the shafts of each of the bevel gears and a bottom applied and fixed on the support structure 'and having a bore centered on a vertical axis, in which is rotatably mounted about said axis, a rotational shaft of the main gear, the latter having a tubular shape and itself being threaded and rotatably mounted about said vertical axis of the housing, on a centering rod fixed on the support, said rod having an upper part on which is embedded, by a central bore, the fixed support nut of the oscillation shafts, and a lower part on which is threaded and rotatably mounted a shaft tubular integral in rotation with the tubular shaft of the main gear and constituting the output shaft of the inverter mechanism.
  • the two branches of the articulation fork of each of the support arms, s extending respectively on a first and a second side of the housing are bent, one upwardly on the first side and the other downward on the second side, so that the corresponding branches of two adjacent arms can cross over one over the other.
  • Such arrangements allow to drive, for example an alternator, via a gear multiplier mechanism, the inverter mechanism, the multiplier mechanism and the generator being centered on the same vertical axis and fixed one below on the other side of the upper part of the support.
  • the support structure on which the oscillating arms are articulated mounted may be a simple foundation set on the bottom, particularly in sites with very low tidal range.
  • Figure 1 shows schematically the entire device mounted on a floating object.
  • FIG. 2 is a general perspective view of a conversion device according to the invention with three floats.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic view from above of the three-float device of FIG. 2.
  • Figure 4 is a perspective view of a six-float conversion device.
  • Figure 5 is a detail view of the device of Figure 4, in section through a vertical plane passing through a hinge axis.
  • FIG. 6 is a detail view, in perspective, of the device of FIG. 5.
  • Figure 1 shows schematically the assembly of a conversion device according to the invention, placed on a moving liquid surface S, generally in a marine environment.
  • FIG. 2 shows, in perspective, a device comprising three floats A, B, C, each carried at one end of an oscillating arm 1, extending along a longitudinal axis and articulated at its opposite end, around a transverse axis 20 substantially horizontal, on a fixed support structure M.
  • each float A, B, C is connected to the end of the corresponding arm 1, by a hinge about a horizontal axis 10 '.
  • the support structure M can be fixed on a foundation base bearing on the seabed.
  • the support structure M is arranged on a floating object of the mooring box type or beacon, maintained by chains anchored on the bottom.
  • the support structure M is itself subject to the oscillatory movement of the waves, which increases the amplitude of the relative movements of the floats relative to their support. In this way, as shown in FIG.
  • the wavelength of the waves depends on the site but varies little. It is therefore advantageous to give the arms a length of the order of one-half wavelength in order to benefit from a maximum oscillation amplitude.
  • these oscillating movements of the arms (1) control the rotational drive of an output shaft by means of a transformation means I which, in the preferred embodiments shown in the figures, comprises a mechanism inverter (3) fixed on the upper part of the support structure M, on level of articulation axes (20a, 20b, 20c), which intersect on a vertical central axis (30) of said inverter mechanism (3).
  • a transformation means I which, in the preferred embodiments shown in the figures, comprises a mechanism inverter (3) fixed on the upper part of the support structure M, on level of articulation axes (20a, 20b, 20c), which intersect on a vertical central axis (30) of said inverter mechanism (3).
  • the inverter mechanism As shown in detail in Figure 5 which relates to a device with six arms and is a sectional view through a vertical plane passing through the central axis (30), the inverter mechanism. (3) is advantageously housed in a hollow housing (31) forming a housing having a bottom applied and fixed, either directly on the support structure (M) or, in the case of FIG. (5), on a multiplier mechanism which will be described later.
  • Each of the arms (1) carrying a float then has the shape of a fork having two spaced branches (11, 1 1 ') rotatably mounted on two bearings (12, 12'), placed on either side of the housing ( 31) and carried by a horizontal oscillation shaft (2), centered on the articulation axis (20) of the arm (1) and passing through said housing (31).
  • each of the oscillation shafts (2) consists of two coaxial parts forming half-shafts (21, 21) ', which extend respectively outwards, from and another of the central axis (30), between a central piece forming a fixed support nut (32) placed inside the housing (31) and the centering bearing of the corresponding branch of the oscillating arm.
  • each half-shaft (21, 21 ') can be mounted, at an internal end, on the support nut (32) and, at its other end, a support piece (24,24 ') carried by the fixed support structure M.
  • the two parts (21, 21 ') of the oscillation shafts (2) are embedded, at their inner end (22, 22'), in a corresponding bore of the support nut (32) and extend radially outwards in a star pattern for the cantilevered holding, on their outer portions (23, 23 '), respectively, bearings (12, 12') of the two branches (1 1, 11 ') of each arm (1).
  • the hinge end of the branch (1 1) placed on the left of each arm (1), in facing the central axis (30), is bent upwards, while the end of the right branch (1 l ') is bent downwards.
  • the left arm (1 1b) of the arm (1b) passes above the right arm (1 a) of the adjacent arm (1a).
  • the upward deflection of the left-hand limb (11a) of the arm (1a) allows the passage of the oscillation shaft of the adjacent arm (1b) and the mounting of the bearing (12b) of the left arm (11b) thereof.
  • the inverter mechanism (3) diagrammatically shown in plan view in FIG. (3) comprises a main wheel (4) rotatably mounted around the vertical central axis (30) and having a toothing.
  • conical circular member (41) on which a pair of two diametrically opposed conical pinions (5,5 ') are engaged for each arm which can be rotated in opposite directions, one by the upward movement of the arm and the other by by the downward movement, so as to apply a torque in one direction to the main wheel (4) which itself drives an output shaft centered on the vertical axis (30).
  • the conversion device comprises three floats A, B, C, respectively carried by three arms (1a, 1b, 1c) angularly spaced 120 °, which are mounted articulated on three shafts in two parts respectively centered on the hinge pins (20a, 20b, 20c) and forming a star with six branches around the vertical central axis (30).
  • the three pairs of bevel gears associated respectively with the three arms (1a, 1b, 1c) overlap so that the six gears, respectively (5a, 5'b, 5c, 5'a, 5b, c), associated alternately with each of the arms, are regularly distributed, at the vertices of a hexagon, along the conical circular toothing (41) of the main wheel (4).
  • the energy resulting from the independent oscillations of the three arms can be converted into three torques applied at each moment on the toothed wheel (4) by three bevel gears distributed along its circular toothing (41).
  • each of said pinions (5,5 ') is mounted at an inner end of a sleeve-shaped tubular shaft (51, 51 '), which is threaded and rotatably mounted about the axis (20), on the outer portion (23, 23'), of the corresponding half shaft (21, 21 ') .
  • each of the centering bearings (12, 12 ') of an arm (1) comprises two ring-shaped elements threaded into one another and which can be secured together.
  • FIG. 5 shows, in axial section, the mounting of the bearings (12a, 12'a) of the two branches (1 1 a, 11 'a) of the arm (1a) and bearings (12'd, 12d). two branches (11 'd, 1 1d) of the arm (1 d).
  • one of the branches (1 1 a) of the arm (1a) can control the rotation in a first direction of the pinion (5a) and, during the downward movement, the other leg (11 'a) controls the rotation, in the opposite direction, of the pinion (5'a) diametrically opposite.
  • the two pinions (5a, 5'a) facing each other thus apply to the main wheel 4, a torque in the same direction about its axis (30).
  • the power supplied by the system is proportional to the number of actuators, at a substantially equal price of the mechanism, resulting in a better ratio of transformed power to manufacturing cost.
  • the installation comprises six floats (A, B, C, D, E, F) mounted at the ends of six arms (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f), articulated, respectively, on three shafts centered on three oscillation axes (20a, 20b, 20c), which intersect on the vertical central axis (30) of the inverter mechanism (3 ).
  • this inverter (3) is housed in a hollow housing (31) having a bottom (33) fixed on a support structure (M).
  • FIG. 5 is a sectional view through a vertical plane passing through the common articulation axis (20a) of two aligned arms (1a) and (1d)
  • the mechanism inverter (3) is attached to a speed multiplier mechanism (6) which drives an electric generator (G), and the assembly is mounted in a housing (7) applied and fixed on an upper face (71) of the support M.
  • These three superposed members, respectively the inverter (3), the speed multiplier (6) and the generator (G), are centered on a vertical securing rod (70) extending along the central axis (30) of the device.
  • the branches for each pair of aligned arms, the branches, for example (11a,
  • 1 1 'a) and (1 1' d, 1 1d) of two aligned arms (1 a, 1d), are nested so that their bearings (12'd, 12a, 12d, 12'a) can be threaded rib side by side on two parts of a shaft centered on the axis of oscillation (20a) and extending on either side of the housing (31) of the inverter mechanism (3).
  • the bearings (12a) and (12'd) placed to the left of the housing (31) are carried by an outer portion (23a) of the half shaft (21a) and the bearings ( 12'a) and (12d) placed on the right, are carried by the outer portion (23'a) of the half-shaft (21 'a).
  • the six half-shafts (21, 21 ') carrying the bearings (12, 12') of the arms (1) are distributed in a star around the central axis (30) and extend advantageously cantilevered from the housing (31), to facilitate the mounting of the arms and clear the space around the inverter mechanism.
  • the fixed support nut (32) which is placed, as indicated above, inside the housing (31), is held by fitting on the upper end (72) of the centering rod (70).
  • this support nut (32) is dimensioned so as to provide, inside the housing (31), a flat bottom space (33 ') in which the main gear wheel (4) extends horizontally.
  • inverter (3) centered on the vertical axis (30), and an annular space (34 ') in which are placed vertically, one beside the other, the six bevel gears (5a, 5'a 5b, 5'b, 5c, 5'c) which are centered, in pairs, on the three oscillation axes (20a, 20b, 20c).
  • the main wheel (4) is carried by a downwardly extending tubular shaft (42) which extends through the bottom (33) of the housing (31) and is rotatably mounted and rotated about the axis (30). on the centering rod (70), this tubular shaft (42) constituting, therefore, the output shaft of the inverter mechanism (3).
  • each of the bevel gears (5, 5 ') is mounted at an inner end of a tubular shaft (51, 51') centered in a bearing (36). ) mounted in a bore (35) formed radially in the side wall (34) of the housing (31) and extended by a rotatablely shaped bushing portion (52, 52 ') about the axis (20), on the outer part (23,23 ') of the half-shaft corresponding (21, 21 ') and extending radially over the length necessary to carry the two bearings placed side by side such that, in Figures 5 and 6, the bearings (12a, 12'd) and (12'a, 12d), oscillating arms (1a, 1d).
  • each of said bearings (12) comprises an outer member (121) rotatably mounted on the corresponding branch (11) of the arm (1), an inner member (122) and a freewheel (123) for securing rotation, in one direction, of the two elements (121, 122).
  • the ring-shaped inner member (122) is threaded onto the outer portion (52) of the tubular shaft (51) which is provided with a securing groove (53) in which a corresponding projecting portion slides. of the ring (122).
  • the freewheels (123) of each pair of bearings placed side by side on the same half-shaft drive it in the same direction, so that the arms corresponding ones act, one during an upward movement and the other in the downward direction, and vice versa for the half-shaft extending on the other side of the housing (32).
  • the applied torque depends on the oscillation amplitude of the arms and, consequently, their orientation with respect to the direction of movement of the wave.
  • the star arrangement of all the oscillating arms around the central axis (30) that at each moment, at least one of the pairs of aligned arms is well oriented and has the maximum amplitude. waves, while the other two pairs of arms receive a lesser but not insignificant energy.
  • the three pairs of pinions (5,5 ') are therefore actuated simultaneously, each by the pair of corresponding aligned arms, and their effects are added at each moment because of their distribution along the circular toothing (41) of the main wheel (4).
  • the invention thus makes it possible to optimally recover the potential energy of the waves, whatever their orientation.
  • the gear wheel (4) drives an electric generator (G) via a speed multiplier (6).
  • G electric generator
  • M speed multiplier
  • the speed multiplier (6) can be of a conventional type comprising a fixed ring gear provided with a large diameter internal toothing (61) on which two diametrically opposed planet gears (62) mesh with each other. , rotatably mounted at the ends of an arm (63) set in rotation on a tubular shaft (60) centered on the rod (70), which is threaded into the tubular shaft (42) of the main wheel (4) and secured with it by grooves.
  • These two tubular shafts (42, 60) aligned and integral in rotation thus constitute the output shaft of the inverter mechanism (3), driven in rotation by the toothed wheel (4).
  • a smaller diameter central pinion (64) is located below the arm (63) between the planet gears (62) and meshes therewith, the central pinion (64) being wedged on a tubular shaft (65) mounted rotating on the rod (70) and extending downwards, so as to drive, at a multiplied speed, a second arm (66) carrying two planet gears (67) meshing with the toothing (61) of the fixed crown and in turn, at a multiplied speed, drive a second smaller diameter central gear.
  • the six-armed device seems to be the most advantageous for optimally recovering all the potential energy of the waves, regardless of their direction of travel, while retaining a fairly simple and relatively inexpensive layout, given the recovered energy.
  • a device with three arms, simpler and more economical, could also be interesting.
  • a cross arrangement, with four arms, could also be used.
  • the support structure M in the tidal seas, the support structure M must consist of a trunk or a kind of beacon capable of following the variations in the water level.
  • the support M in seas without tides, the support M could be a simple foundation mass placed on the bottom.
  • a floating installation has the advantage of following the vertical movements of the water and, thus, to increase the amplitude of oscillation by adding the variation of level of the support to that of the floats, which makes it possible, with equal power, to use relatively short oscillating arms and, consequently, less fragile.
  • a floating installation is less likely to be submerged and deteriorated by large waves in the event of a storm.
  • the device according to the invention is provided essentially to recover the overall energy of the swell without depending on the direction thereof, which may vary over time, for example, depending on the dominant direction of the winds, but that such a device could also be advantageously implanted in places where the direction of the waves changes permanently, for example in case of return in another direction, near a dike or a cliff .

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for converting swell movement into energy, which comprises at least one arm (1) supporting a float and swinging about a horizontal axis (20) when the swell moves, and a reverser mechanism (3) including a main gear (4) for rotating an output shaft and onto which, in two diametrically opposed areas, a pair of conical gears (5, 5') mesh that can be rotatably secured to said arm (1) in two opposite directions, respectively. According to the invention, the device includes at least three arms (1) which each support a float and extend radially along at least three directions (10) distributed about the central vertical axis (30) of the carrier (M), in the shape of a star, wherein said arms (1) are swingably mounted, respectively, about concurrent hinge axes (20) extending through said central axis (30), and the reverser mechanism (3) includes a single main wheel (4) for rotating the output shaft and, for each arm (1), a pair of opposite conical gears (5, 5') each rotatably secured in one direction with said arm (1). The device according to the invention is particularly intended for recovering swell energy for power generation, fluid pumping or gas compression.

Description

Dispositif de conversion en énergie du mouvement de la houle  Device for converting the motion of the swell into energy
L'invention a pour objet un dispositif de conversion en énergie d'un mouvement ondulatoire d'une surface liquide, plus spécialement du mouvement de la houle ou des vagues, en milieu marin. The invention relates to a device for converting into energy a wave motion of a liquid surface, especially the movement of waves or waves, in the marine environment.
La houle est un mouvement ondulatoire de la mer résultant de l'action du vent soufflant pendant une assez longue période dans la même direction.  The swell is a wave movement of the sea resulting from the action of the wind blowing for a fairly long time in the same direction.
Sur un océan, la houle peut avoir une longueur d'onde d'une centaine de mètres ou plus et une hauteur, entre une crête et un creux, de plusieurs mètres. Il s'ajoute, cependant, à ce mouvement de grande amplitude, des vagues de hauteur variable, dues à l'action du vent, et auxquelles on applique également le terme de houle.  On an ocean, the swell can have a wavelength of a hundred meters or more and a height, between a ridge and a hollow, of several meters. It adds, however, to this movement of great amplitude, waves of variable height, due to the action of the wind, and to which one also applies the term of swell.
Même dans le cas d'une hauteur moyenne, par exemple de l'ordre de 1 mètre, entre une crête et un creux, ce mouvement ondulatoire d'une surface liquide représente une énergie potentielle et cinétique importante. Depuis longtemps, on a cherché un moyen de rendre utilisable cette énergie de la houle qui présente l'avantage d'être gratuite, indéfiniment renouvelable et relativement régulière.  Even in the case of an average height, for example of the order of 1 meter, between a ridge and a hollow, this wave motion of a liquid surface represents a significant potential and kinetic energy. For a long time, we have been looking for a way to make this wave energy usable, which has the advantage of being free, indefinitely renewable and relatively regular.
Du fait que, par nature, le mouvement de la houle est alternatif, on a d'abord cherché à faire fonctionner des pompes ou des compresseurs pour récupérer une énergie hydraulique ou pneumatique.  Since, by nature, the movement of the swell is alternative, it was first sought to operate pumps or compressors to recover hydraulic or pneumatic energy.
Dès 191 1 , par exemple, le document US-988,508 décrivait une installation montée sur une sorte d'estacade et comportant une série de volets tournant chacun, alternativement, autour d'un axe vertical, de façon à actionner un piston se déplaçant à l'intérieur d'un cylindre fixe et formant ainsi une pompe ou un compresseur.  From 191 1, for example, the document US-988,508 described an installation mounted on a kind of boom and having a series of flaps each rotating, alternately, about a vertical axis, so as to actuate a piston moving at the same time. inside a fixed cylinder and thus forming a pump or a compressor.
De même, le document FR-A-547 765 publié en 1924, décrit un compresseur comportant un piston immobilisé dans le sens vertical, par rapport au sol, et coulissant à l'intérieur d'un cylindre monté par exemple, sur un ponton ou un bateau, de façon à osciller verticalement sous l'effet des mouvements ondulatoires de la surface liquide.  Similarly, the document FR-A-547,765 published in 1924, describes a compressor comprising a piston immobilized in the vertical direction, relative to the ground, and sliding inside a cylinder mounted for example, on a pontoon or a boat, so as to oscillate vertically under the effect of the wave movements of the liquid surface.
Plus récemment, dans un dispositif appelé « Canard de Salter » et décrit, par exemple, dans le document US-A-3 928 967, le moyen de récupération de l'énergie de la houle comprend une série d'organes mobiles montés rotatifs autour d'un axe et comportant chacun une partie en pointe, soumise au mouvement de l'eau et transformant celui-ci en une rotation alternative d'une pièce formant rotor et munie d'ailettes, qui tourne dans un stator, afin de fonctionner comme une pompe alternative dont l'énergie peut ensuite être convertie en une énergie utilisable.  More recently, in a device called "Salter's Duck" and described, for example, in US-A-3 928 967, the wave energy recovery means comprises a series of rotating rotatable members around of an axis and each having a pointed portion, subjected to the movement of the water and transforming it into an alternating rotation of a rotor-shaped part provided with vanes, which rotates in a stator, in order to function as an alternative pump whose energy can then be converted into usable energy.
Un tel système hydraulique, bien adapté aux fortes puissances, est cependant complexe et onéreux car il nécessite des systèmes de contrôle de pression et des accumulateurs qui en augmentent le coût et diminuent les rendements. Par ailleurs, de tels systèmes hydrauliques sont assez fragiles et difficiles à entretenir en milieu marin et ils présentent, en outre, des risques de pollution en cas de fuites. Such a hydraulic system, well adapted to high power, is however complex and expensive because it requires pressure control systems and accumulators that increase the cost and reduce yields. Moreover, such hydraulic systems are quite fragile and difficult to maintain in the marine environment and they also have the risk of pollution in case of leakage.
Pour éviter de tels inconvénients, il semble donc préférable de reprendre des dispositions plus anciennes, utilisant seulement des moyens mécaniques, pour transformer en énergie le mouvement de la houle.  To avoid such drawbacks, it seems preferable to use older provisions, using only mechanical means, to transform the movement of the waves into energy.
Le document US-A-1 385 083, par exemple, publié en 1921 , décrit une installation de ce type, comprenant deux bras s'étendant en des directions opposées de part et d'autre d'un axe d'articulation horizontal et portant chacun un flotteur qui commande une oscillation de son bras de support, alternativement vers le haut et vers le bas, sous l'effet du mouvement, respectivement ascendant et descendant de la surface liquide. Ce mouvement alternatif d'oscillation des deux bras est transformé, par un mécanisme inverseur, en un couple d'entraînement en rotation, dans un seul sens, d'un arbre de sortie qui peut commander, par exemple, une génératrice électrique. .  US-A-1,385,083, for example, published in 1921, describes an installation of this type, comprising two arms extending in opposite directions on either side of a horizontal axis of articulation and bearing each a float that controls oscillation of its support arm, alternately upwardly and downwardly, under the effect of the upwardly and downward movement of the liquid surface, respectively. This reciprocating oscillation movement of the two arms is converted, by an inverter mechanism, into a one-way rotational driving torque of an output shaft which can control, for example, an electric generator. .
Dans cette disposition, l'arbre de sortie du mécanisme inverseur est entraîné en rotation par une roue de commande placée entre les extrémités, opposées aux flotteurs, des deux bras oscillants qui forment chacun une fourche avec deux branches écartées, montées articulées autour d'un arbre d'oscillation horizontal. Sur cette roue de commande à denture conique engrènent deux pignons coniques diamétralement opposés, qui peuvent être solidarisés en rotation, chacun dans un sens, au moyen de dispositifs à cliquets, respectivement avec les deux branches de chacun des deux bras dont les oscillations indépendantes peuvent ainsi commander la rotation dans un seul sens de la roue dentée et, par conséquent, de l'arbre de sortie.  In this arrangement, the output shaft of the reversing mechanism is rotated by a control wheel placed between the ends, opposite the floats, of the two oscillating arms which each form a fork with two spaced branches, mounted articulated around a horizontal swing shaft. On this conically toothed drive wheel mesh two diametrically opposed conical pinions, which can be rotatably fastened, each in one direction, by means of ratchet devices, respectively with the two branches of each of the two arms, whose independent oscillations can thus be controlling the one-way rotation of the gear and, therefore, the output shaft.
Cependant, comme chaque flotteur est fixé à l'extrémité d'un bras oscillant, l'énergie récupérée par celui-ci est fonction de l'amplitude des mouvements verticaux du flotteur qui dépendent, eux-mêmes, de la hauteur des vagues. Pour bénéficier d'une amplitude maximale, il faut donc que les bras oscillants soient orientés perpendiculairement à la crête des vagues.  However, as each float is attached to the end of an oscillating arm, the energy recovered by it is a function of the amplitude of the vertical movements of the float which themselves depend on the height of the waves. To benefit from a maximum amplitude, it is therefore necessary that the oscillating arms are oriented perpendicularly to the crest of the waves.
Mais le sens de déplacement de la houle dépend de nombreux facteurs, en particulier, de la direction des vents et des courants et, même, du profil de la côte. Il est donc nécessaire de régler l'orientation des bras en fonction d'une direction dominante de la houle sur le site et, lorsque celle-ci vient d'une autre direction, le rendement de conversion de l'énergie de la houle peut être considérablement diminué et, même, annulé.  But the direction of wave displacement depends on many factors, in particular the direction of the winds and currents, and even the profile of the coast. It is therefore necessary to adjust the orientation of the arms according to a dominant direction of the swell on the site and, when it comes from another direction, the conversion efficiency of the wave energy can be considerably decreased and even canceled.
Ce type d'inconvénient peut être évité grâce à une disposition originale, décrite dans le document US 2 757 899. Dans ce cas, en effet, l'installation comprend un grand nombre de flotteurs répartis en cercle autour d'un axe vertical et fixés aux extrémités de multiples bras oscillants disposés en étoile, de telle sorte qu'à tout moment, certains des bras oscillants sont orientés perpendiculairement à la direction de la houle et bénéficient, ainsi, de l'amplitude maximale du mouvement de l'eau, ce qui permet de récupérer la plus grande partie de l'énergie de la houle, quelle que soit son orientation. This type of disadvantage can be avoided by means of an original arrangement, described in document US Pat. No. 2,757,899. In this case, in fact, the installation comprises a large number of floats distributed in a circle around a vertical axis and fixed at the ends of multiple oscillating arms arranged in a star so that at any time some of the oscillating arms are oriented perpendicular to the direction of the swell and thus benefit from the maximum amplitude of the movement of the water, which allows to recover most of the wave energy, whatever its orientation .
Une telle disposition est, cependant, très complexe, en raison du grand nombre de bras qui oscillent indépendamment les uns des autres et doivent converger vers le mécanisme inverseur placé dans un espace réduit, au centre de l'installation. C'est pourquoi, dans la disposition du document US 2 757 899, chaque bras oscillant actionne deux crémaillères en forme de secteurs circulaires, centrées sur l'axe d'articulation du bras et entre lesquelles sont placées deux paires superposées, respectivement supérieure et inférieure, de pignons accolés qui engrènent avec les deux crémaillères et, par l'intermédiaire de roues libres, entraînent un arbre de commande dirigé radialement dans un seul sens de rotation, en raison des mouvements alternatifs, vers le haut ou vers le bas, des deux crémaillères. A leur autre extrémité, les deux arbres superposés, respectivement supérieur et inférieur, portent chacun un pignon conique engrenant avec une denture circulaire conique ménagée sur une face, respectivement supérieure et inférieure, d'une roue de commande, centrée sur un arbre vertical de sortie du mécanisme.  Such an arrangement is, however, very complex, because of the large number of arms that oscillate independently of each other and must converge to the inverter mechanism placed in a small space in the center of the installation. This is why, in the arrangement of document US Pat. No. 2,757,899, each oscillating arm operates two racks in the form of circular sectors, centered on the axis of articulation of the arm and between which are placed two superposed pairs, respectively upper and lower , of contiguous gears which meshes with the two racks and, by means of freewheels, drive a control shaft directed radially in a single direction of rotation, due to the upward or downward reciprocating movements of the two racks. At their other end, the two superimposed trees, respectively upper and lower, each carry a conical pinion meshing with a conical circular toothing arranged on a face, respectively upper and lower, of a control wheel, centered on a vertical output shaft of the mechanism.
Par ailleurs, en raison du grand nombre de bras convergeant vers le mécanisme inverseur, celui-ci doit comporter deux roues superposées de commande de l'arbre de sortie, afin de répartir sur deux niveaux les pignons et les arbres de commande.  Moreover, because of the large number of arms converging towards the inverter mechanism, it must comprise two superimposed control wheels of the output shaft, in order to distribute the gears and the control shafts on two levels.
Un tel mécanisme de transformation du mouvement oscillant des bras est, donc, particulièrement complexe et onéreux et pourrait difficilement être appliqué à une disposition du type décrit dans le document US 1 385 083 cité pus haut, comprenant deux bras alignés, articulés sur un même axe horizontal d'oscillation coupant l'axe vertical de l'arbre de sortie, au centre du mécanisme.  Such a mechanism for transforming the oscillating movement of the arms is, therefore, particularly complex and expensive and could hardly be applied to an arrangement of the type described in document US Pat. No. 1,385,083 cited above, comprising two aligned arms, articulated on the same axis. horizontal oscillation intersecting the vertical axis of the output shaft, in the center of the mechanism.
De plus, un dispositif aussi lourd et encombrant doit nécessairement être porté par une structure fixe reposant sur le fond. Or, dans le cas le plus fréquent, d'une mer soumise aux marées, il est préférable d'utiliser une installation flottante et, par conséquent, relativement légère, afin de suivre des variations importantes du niveau moyen de l'eau.  In addition, such a heavy and bulky device must necessarily be carried by a fixed structure resting on the bottom. However, in the most frequent case of a sea subjected to the tides, it is preferable to use a floating installation and, consequently, relatively light, in order to follow important variations of the average level of the water.
L'invention a pour objet de résoudre l'ensemble de ces problèmes grâce à un nouveau dispositif de conversion de l'énergie de la houle qui, tout en restant très simple et peu onéreux, permet d'utiliser un assez grand nombre de flotteurs actionnant des bras oscillants disposés en étoile autour de l'axe du mécanisme inverseur, afin de récupérer l'énergie du mouvement ondulatoire de la houle ou des vagues avec un bon rendement, quelle que soit la direction de déplacement des vagues. L'invention concerne donc, d'une façon générale un dispositif de conversion en énergie d'un mouvement ondulatoire d'une surface liquide, comprenant au moins un bras portant un flotteur à une extrémité et monté oscillant, à son extrémité opposée, sur un arbre d'oscillation centré sur un axe d'articulation sensiblement horizontal et porté par une structure de support, ledit bras étant animé d'un mouvement d'oscillation autour dudit axe d'articulation, alternativement vers le haut et vers le bas sous l'effet du mouvement, respectivement ascendant et descendant, de la surface liquide, et des moyens de transformation de ce mouvement alternatif d'oscillation en un couple d'entraînement en rotation, autour de son axe, d'un arbre de sortie, lesdits moyens de transformation comportant un mécanisme inverseur comprenant une roue dentée principale d'entraînement en rotation de l'arbre de sortie, montée rotative autour d'un axe et ayant une denture circulaire conique, sur laquelle engrènent, en deux zones diamétralement opposées, une paire de deux pignons coniques centrés sur un même axe orthogonal à l'axe de la roue dentée principale, et des moyens de solidarisation en rotation dudit bras, respectivement, avec un premier des deux pignons coniques dans un premier sens de rotation autour de son axe et avec le second pignon conique dans le sens de rotation opposé, les deux pignons coniques étant ainsi entraînés en rotation, chacun dans un sens, par le mouvement d'oscillation du bras, de façon à commander la rotation dans un seul sens de la roue dentée principale et de l'arbre de sortie. The object of the invention is to solve all these problems by means of a new device for converting wave energy which, while remaining very simple and inexpensive, makes it possible to use a relatively large number of actuating floats. oscillating arms arranged in a star shape around the axis of the reversing mechanism, in order to recover the energy of the undulating wave or wave movement with a good efficiency, whatever the direction of movement of the waves. The invention therefore generally relates to a device for converting into energy a wave motion of a liquid surface, comprising at least one arm carrying a float at one end and oscillating, at its opposite end, on a oscillation shaft centered on a substantially horizontal axis of articulation and carried by a support structure, said arm being animated by an oscillating movement about said hinge axis, alternately upwards and downwards under the effect of the movement, respectively upward and downward, of the liquid surface, and means for transforming this reciprocating oscillation motion into a driving torque in rotation, about its axis, of an output shaft, said means for transformation comprising an inverter mechanism comprising a main gearwheel driving in rotation of the output shaft, rotatably mounted about an axis and having a conical circular toothing, on lacquer they mesh, in two diametrically opposed zones, a pair of two conical gears centered on the same axis orthogonal to the axis of the main gear, and means for securing said arm in rotation, respectively, with a first of the two bevel gears in a first direction of rotation about its axis and with the second bevel gear in the opposite direction of rotation, the two bevel gears thus being rotated, each in one direction, by the oscillation movement of the arm, so as to controlling the one-way rotation of the main gear and the output shaft.
Conformément à l'invention, ce dispositif comprend au moins trois bras portant chacun un flotteur et s'étendant radialement suivant au moins trois directions réparties en étoile autour d'un axe central vertical de la structure de support, lesdits bras étant montés oscillants, respectivement, autour d'axes d'articulation concourants passant par ledit axe central, et le mécanisme inverseur comprend une roue dentée principale, d'entraînement en rotation de l'arbre de sortie et, pour chacun des bras oscillants, une paire de deux pignons coniques opposés solidarisés en rotation, chacun dans un sens, avec ledit bras, lesdites paires de pignons coniques se chevauchant de façon que leurs axes de rotation soient disposés en étoile autour de l'axe de la roue dentée principale et que tous les pignons soient régulièrement répartis le long de sa denture conique circulaire.  According to the invention, this device comprises at least three arms each carrying a float and extending radially in at least three directions distributed in a star around a vertical central axis of the support structure, said arms being mounted oscillating, respectively , about intersecting axes of articulation passing through said central axis, and the inverter mechanism comprises a main gear, driving in rotation of the output shaft and, for each of the oscillating arms, a pair of two bevel gears opposed rotationally secured, each in one direction, with said arm, said pairs of bevel gears overlapping so that their axes of rotation are arranged in a star around the axis of the main gear and all the gears are evenly distributed along its circular conical teeth.
Dans un mode de réalisation préférentiel, le mécanisme inverseur est logé dans un boîtier creux fixé sur la structure de support, de façon que la roue dentée principale d'entraînement de l'arbre de sortie soit montée rotative autour de l'axe central vertical dudit support, et l'extrémité d'articulation de chacun des bras portant les flotteurs forme une fourche avec deux branches s'étendant de part et d'autre dudit boîtier et montées articulées, respectivement, sur deux parties d'un arbre d'oscillation s'étendant respectivement, dans des directions opposées, de part et d'autre dudit boîtier et centrées sur un même axe horizontal d'articulation passant par l'axe central vertical de rotation de la roue dentée principale. Dans ce cas, les deux pignons coniques entraînés par chacun des bras sont avantageusement calés en rotation, respectivement, sur deux arbres tubulaires en forme de douilles, enfilés et montés rotatifs, respectivement, sur les deux parties de l'arbre fixe d'oscillation du bras et s'étendant chacun vers l'extérieur, à partir du pignon conique correspondant, lesdits arbres tubulaires étant solidarisés en rotation, chacun dans un sens, avec la branche correspondante du bras. In a preferred embodiment, the reversing mechanism is housed in a hollow housing fixed to the support structure, so that the main drive gear of the output shaft is rotatably mounted about the vertical central axis of said support, and the hinge end of each of the arms carrying the floats form a fork with two branches extending on either side of said housing and mounted articulated, respectively, on two parts of an oscillation shaft s extending respectively, in opposite directions, on either side of said housing and centered on the same horizontal axis of articulation passing through the central vertical axis of rotation of the main gear wheel. In this case, the two bevel gears driven by each of the arms are advantageously locked in rotation, respectively, on two tubular shafts in the form of sockets, threaded and rotatably mounted, respectively, on the two parts of the fixed oscillation shaft of the each arm extending outwardly from the corresponding conical pinion, said tubular shafts being rotationally secured, each in one direction, with the corresponding branch of the arm.
En outre, les deux branches de chaque bras de support sont montées rotatives sur deux paliers centrés, respectivement, sur les deux parties de l'arbre d'oscillation du bras sur lesquelles sont enfilés, respectivement, les arbres tubulaires des deux pignons coniques associés audit bras, et chacun desdits paliers comporte un élément externe solidaire en rotation de la branche correspondante du bras, un élément interne solidaire en rotation de l'arbre tubulaire du pignon conique correspondant, et un moyen, de type roue libre, de solidarisation en rotation, dans un seul sens, des deux éléments du palier.  In addition, the two branches of each support arm are rotatably mounted on two bearings centered, respectively, on the two parts of the oscillation shaft of the arm on which are threaded, respectively, the tubular shafts of the two bevel gears associated with said arm, and each of said bearings comprises an outer member integral in rotation with the corresponding branch of the arm, an inner member integral in rotation with the tubular shaft of the corresponding conical pinion, and a means, of freewheel type, for rotationally securing, in one direction, of the two elements of the bearing.
Selon un autre caractéristique préférentielle, le dispositif de conversion comprend au moins deux paires de bras de support alignés suivant au moins deux directions passant par l'axe vertical de la roue dentée principale du mécanisme inverseur, et les deux bras de chaque paire s'étendant dans des directions opposées sont montés rotatifs, chacun, sur deux paliers portés respectivement par les deux parties d'un même arbre d'oscillation s'étendant respectivement de part et d'autre du boîtier et centrées sur un même axe d'articulation des deux bras opposés, ces derniers étant associés à une même paire de deux pignons coniques fixés, respectivement, aux extrémités internes de deux arbres tubulaires montés rotatifs, respectivement, sur les deux parties de l'arbre d'oscillation commun.  According to another preferred feature, the conversion device comprises at least two pairs of support arms aligned along at least two directions passing through the vertical axis of the main gear of the inverter mechanism, and the two arms of each pair extending in opposite directions are rotatably mounted, each on two bearings carried respectively by the two parts of the same oscillation shaft extending respectively on either side of the housing and centered on the same axis of articulation of the two opposed arms, the latter being associated with the same pair of two conical gears fixed respectively to the inner ends of two tubular shafts rotatably mounted respectively on the two parts of the common oscillation shaft.
De façon particulièrement avantageuse, les paliers des deux bras placés d'un même coté du boîtier sont disposés côte à côte et sont enfilés sur l'arbre tubulaire du pignon conique correspondant, qui s'étend sur une longueur suffisante le long de la partie correspondante de l'arbre d'oscillation commun et est solidarisé en rotation avec les éléments internes desdits paliers placés côte à côte.  Particularly advantageously, the bearings of the two arms placed on the same side of the housing are arranged side by side and are threaded onto the tubular shaft of the corresponding conical pinion, which extends over a sufficient length along the corresponding part of the common oscillation shaft and is secured in rotation with the internal elements of said bearings placed side by side.
Selon une autre caractéristique particulièrement avantageuse, le boîtier creux contenant le mécanisme inverseur comporte une pièce centrale fixe formant une noix de support, par une extrémité interne, de chacune des deux parties s'étendant vers l'extérieur, de chaque arbre d'oscillation, ladite pièce centrale ménageant, à l'intérieur dudit boîtier un espace inférieur plat dans lequel est logée la roue dentée principale, montée rotative autour d'un axe central vertical du boîtier, et un espace annulaire dans lequel sont logés les pignons coniques engrenant avec ladite roue dentée principale.  According to another particularly advantageous characteristic, the hollow case containing the reversing mechanism comprises a fixed central piece forming a support nut, by an inner end, of each of the two outwardly extending portions of each oscillation shaft, said central piece providing, inside said housing, a flat lower space in which is housed the main gear wheel, rotatably mounted about a vertical central axis of the housing, and an annular space in which are housed the bevel gears meshing with said main gear wheel.
De préférence, les deux parties de chacun des arbres d'oscillation des différents bras portant les flotteurs, sont montées encastrées, par leurs extrémités internes, sur la noix fixe de support et s'étendent en porte-à-faux vers l'extérieur suivant des directions s'étendant radialement en étoile autour de l'axe central vertical du boîtier. Preferably, the two parts of each of the oscillation shafts of the different arms carrying the floats, are mounted recessed, by their internal ends, on the fixed support nut and extend cantilever outwardly in directions extending radially in a star around the vertical central axis of the housing.
Par ailleurs, dans un mode de réalisation préférentiel, le boîtier creux contenant le mécanisme inverseur comporte une paroi latérale munie d'alésages de passage, respectivement, des arbres de chacun des pignons coniques et un fond appliqué et fixé sur la structure de support' et comportant un alésage centré sur un axe vertical, dans lequel est monté rotatif autour dudit axe, un arbre de rotation de la roue dentée principale, ce dernier ayant une forme tubulaire et étant lui-même enfilé et monté rotatif autour dudit axe vertical du boîtier, sur une tige de centrage fixée sur le support, ladite tige ayant une partie supérieure sur laquelle est encastrée, par un alésage central, la noix fixe de support des arbres d'oscillation, et une partie inférieure sur laquelle est enfilé et monté rotatif un arbre tubulaire solidarisé en rotation avec l'arbre tubulaire de la roue dentée principale et constituant l'arbre de sortie du mécanisme inverseur.  Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the hollow housing containing the reversing mechanism comprises a side wall provided with passage bores, respectively, of the shafts of each of the bevel gears and a bottom applied and fixed on the support structure 'and having a bore centered on a vertical axis, in which is rotatably mounted about said axis, a rotational shaft of the main gear, the latter having a tubular shape and itself being threaded and rotatably mounted about said vertical axis of the housing, on a centering rod fixed on the support, said rod having an upper part on which is embedded, by a central bore, the fixed support nut of the oscillation shafts, and a lower part on which is threaded and rotatably mounted a shaft tubular integral in rotation with the tubular shaft of the main gear and constituting the output shaft of the inverter mechanism.
De plus, pour permettre des mouvements indépendants d'oscillation de deux bras voisins, sans interférence entre leurs branches articulées sur des arbres d'oscillation ayant des orientations différentes, les deux branches de la fourche d'articulation de chacun des bras de support, s'étendant respectivement sur un premier et sur un second côté du boîtier, sont coudées, l'une vers le haut sur le premier côté et l'autre vers le bas sur le second côté, afin que les branches correspondantes de deux bras voisins puissent se croiser en passant l'une au dessus de l'autre.  In addition, to allow independent oscillation movements of two adjacent arms, without interference between their branches articulated on oscillation shafts having different orientations, the two branches of the articulation fork of each of the support arms, s extending respectively on a first and a second side of the housing, are bent, one upwardly on the first side and the other downward on the second side, so that the corresponding branches of two adjacent arms can cross over one over the other.
De telles dispositions permettent d'entraîner, par exemple un alternateur, par l'intermédiaire d'un mécanisme multiplicateur de vitesse, le mécanisme inverseur, le mécanisme multiplicateur et la génératrice étant centrés sur un même axe vertical et fixés l'un au-dessous de l'autre sur la partie supérieure du support.  Such arrangements allow to drive, for example an alternator, via a gear multiplier mechanism, the inverter mechanism, the multiplier mechanism and the generator being centered on the same vertical axis and fixed one below on the other side of the upper part of the support.
II est à noter, d'autre part, que la structure de support sur laquelle les bras oscillants sont montés articulés, peut être un simple massif de fondation fixé sur le fond, en particulier dans les sites à très faible marnage. Cependant, il est plus avantageux de monter les bras articulés sur un objet massif flottant, du type coffre d'amarrage, ancré sur le fond et capable de suivre les variations de grande amplitude du niveau de l'eau.  It should be noted, on the other hand, that the support structure on which the oscillating arms are articulated mounted, may be a simple foundation set on the bottom, particularly in sites with very low tidal range. However, it is more advantageous to mount the articulated arms on a solid floating object, the mooring type, anchored on the bottom and able to follow the large amplitude variations of the water level.
Mais l'invention sera mieux comprise par la description détaillée de certains modes de réalisation particuliers, donnés à titre d'exemple et représentés sur les dessins annexés.  But the invention will be better understood by the detailed description of some particular embodiments, given by way of example and shown in the accompanying drawings.
La figure 1 montre schématiquement l'ensemble du dispositif monté sur un objet flottant.  Figure 1 shows schematically the entire device mounted on a floating object.
La figure 2 est une vue générale, en perspective, d'un dispositif de conversion selon l'invention, à trois flotteurs. La figure 3 est une vue schématique de dessus du dispositif à trois flotteurs de la figure 2. FIG. 2 is a general perspective view of a conversion device according to the invention with three floats. FIG. 3 is a schematic view from above of the three-float device of FIG. 2.
La figure4 est une vue en perspective d'un dispositif de conversion à six flotteurs. Figure 4 is a perspective view of a six-float conversion device.
La figure 5 est une vue de détail du dispositif de la figure 4, en coupe par un plan vertical passant par un axe d'articulation. Figure 5 is a detail view of the device of Figure 4, in section through a vertical plane passing through a hinge axis.
La figure 6 est une vue de détail, en perspective, du dispositif de la figure 5.  FIG. 6 is a detail view, in perspective, of the device of FIG. 5.
La figure 1 montre schématiquement l'ensemble d'un dispositif de conversion selon l'invention, placé sur une surface liquide en mouvement S, généralement en milieu marin.  Figure 1 shows schematically the assembly of a conversion device according to the invention, placed on a moving liquid surface S, generally in a marine environment.
La figure 2 montre, en perspective, un dispositif comportant trois flotteurs A,B,C, portés chacun à une extrémité d'un bras oscillant 1 , s'étendant suivant un axe longitudinal 10 et monté articulé, à son extrémité opposée, autour d'un axe transversal 20 sensiblement horizontal, sur une structure de support fixe M. De même, chaque flotteur A,B,C, est relié à l'extrémité du bras correspondant 1 , par une articulation autour d'un axe horizontal 10'.  FIG. 2 shows, in perspective, a device comprising three floats A, B, C, each carried at one end of an oscillating arm 1, extending along a longitudinal axis and articulated at its opposite end, around a transverse axis 20 substantially horizontal, on a fixed support structure M. Likewise, each float A, B, C, is connected to the end of the corresponding arm 1, by a hinge about a horizontal axis 10 '.
Lorsque le niveau moyen de la surface liquide S est sensiblement constant, par exemple sur la Mer Méditerranée, la structure de support M peut être fixée sur un massif de fondation prenant appui sur le fond marin. Toutefois, comme le montre schématiquement la figure 1 , il est préférable, en particulier lorsque le niveau moyen de la surface S peut varier sur une certaine amplitude, que la structure de support M soit ménagée sur un objet flottant du type coffre d'amarrage ou balise, maintenu par des chaînes ancrées sur le fond. Ainsi, la structure de support M est elle-même soumise au mouvement oscillatoire des vagues, ce qui augmente l'amplitude des mouvements relatifs des flotteurs par rapport à leur support. De la sorte, comme le montre la figure 2, lorsque la surface liquide S est soumise à un mouvement ondulatoire périodique dû à la houle et aux vagues formées par le vent, les flotteurs A,B,C, se déplacent verticalement par rapport à la structure de support M, indépendamment les uns des autres, et déterminent un mouvement d'oscillation de chacun des bras 1 a, 1 b, 1c autour de son axe horizontal d'articulation (20a,20b,20c).  When the average level of the liquid surface S is substantially constant, for example on the Mediterranean Sea, the support structure M can be fixed on a foundation base bearing on the seabed. However, as schematically shown in FIG. 1, it is preferable, in particular when the average level of the surface S can vary over a certain amplitude, that the support structure M is arranged on a floating object of the mooring box type or beacon, maintained by chains anchored on the bottom. Thus, the support structure M is itself subject to the oscillatory movement of the waves, which increases the amplitude of the relative movements of the floats relative to their support. In this way, as shown in FIG. 2, when the liquid surface S is subjected to a periodic wave movement due to the swell and the waves formed by the wind, the floats A, B, C move vertically with respect to the support structure M, independently of each other, and determine an oscillation movement of each arm 1a, 1b, 1c about its horizontal hinge axis (20a, 20b, 20c).
II est à noter, d'ailleurs, que la longueur d'onde des vagues dépend du site mais varie assez peu. Il est donc avantageux de donner aux bras une longueur de l'ordre de la demi-longueur d'onde afin de bénéficier d'une amplitude d'oscillation maximale.  It should be noted, moreover, that the wavelength of the waves depends on the site but varies little. It is therefore advantageous to give the arms a length of the order of one-half wavelength in order to benefit from a maximum oscillation amplitude.
Selon l'invention, ces mouvements d'oscillation des bras (1) commandent l'entraînement en rotation d'un arbre de sortie grâce à un moyen de transformation I qui, dans les modes de réalisation préférentiels représentés sur les figures, comporte un mécanisme inverseur (3) fixé sur la partie supérieure de la structure de support M, au niveau des axes d'articulation (20a,20b,20c), qui se coupent sur un axe central vertical (30) dudit mécanisme inverseur (3). According to the invention, these oscillating movements of the arms (1) control the rotational drive of an output shaft by means of a transformation means I which, in the preferred embodiments shown in the figures, comprises a mechanism inverter (3) fixed on the upper part of the support structure M, on level of articulation axes (20a, 20b, 20c), which intersect on a vertical central axis (30) of said inverter mechanism (3).
Comme représenté en détail sur la figure 5 qui concerne un dispositif à six bras et est une vue en coupe par un plan vertical passant par l'axe central (30), le mécanisme inverseur. (3) est avantageusement logé dans un boîtier creux (31 ) formant un carter ayant un fond appliqué et fixé, soit directement sur la structure de support (M), soit, dans le cas de la figure (5), sur un mécanisme multiplicateur qui sera décrit plus loin.  As shown in detail in Figure 5 which relates to a device with six arms and is a sectional view through a vertical plane passing through the central axis (30), the inverter mechanism. (3) is advantageously housed in a hollow housing (31) forming a housing having a bottom applied and fixed, either directly on the support structure (M) or, in the case of FIG. (5), on a multiplier mechanism which will be described later.
Chacun des bras (1) portant un flotteur présente alors la forme d'une fourche ayant deux branches écartées (11 ,1 1 ') montées rotatives sur deux paliers (12,12'), placés de part et d'autre du boîtier (31) et portés par un arbre d'oscillation horizontal (2), centré sur l'axe d'articulation (20) du bras (1) et traversant ledit boîtier (31 ). Cependant, du fait que le dispositif comporte au moins trois bras (1a, 1 b, 1c) (Fig.1 ) qui sont articulés, respectivement, autour d'au moins trois axes concourants (20a,20b,20c) se croisant sur l'axe central vertical (30), chacun des arbres d'oscillation (2) est constitué de deux parties coaxiales formant des demi-arbres (21 ,21 )', qui s'étendent respectivement vers l'extérieur, de part et d'autre de l'axe central (30), entre une pièce centrale formant une noix fixe de support (32) placée à l'intérieur du boîtier (31) et le palier de centrage de la branche correspondante du bras oscillant.  Each of the arms (1) carrying a float then has the shape of a fork having two spaced branches (11, 1 1 ') rotatably mounted on two bearings (12, 12'), placed on either side of the housing ( 31) and carried by a horizontal oscillation shaft (2), centered on the articulation axis (20) of the arm (1) and passing through said housing (31). However, because the device comprises at least three arms (1a, 1b, 1c) (Fig.1) which are articulated, respectively, around at least three intersecting axes (20a, 20b, 20c) intersecting on the vertical central axis (30), each of the oscillation shafts (2) consists of two coaxial parts forming half-shafts (21, 21) ', which extend respectively outwards, from and another of the central axis (30), between a central piece forming a fixed support nut (32) placed inside the housing (31) and the centering bearing of the corresponding branch of the oscillating arm.
Comme le montre la figure 3 qui est une vue schématique de dessus d'un dispositif à trois bras (1a, 1 b, 1c), chaque demi-arbre (21 ,21 '), peut être monté, à une extrémité interne, sur la noix de support (32) et, à son autre extrémité, sur une pièce d'appui (24,24') portée par la structure de support fixe M.  As shown in FIG. 3, which is a diagrammatic view from above of a device with three arms (1a, 1b, 1c), each half-shaft (21, 21 ') can be mounted, at an internal end, on the support nut (32) and, at its other end, a support piece (24,24 ') carried by the fixed support structure M.
De préférence, cependant, comme on l'a représenté en détail sur la figure 5, dans le cas d'un dispositif à six bras qui sera décrit plus loin, pour faciliter le montage de l'ensemble et dégager l'espace autour du mécanisme inverseur, les deux parties (21 ,21 ') des arbres d'oscillation (2), sont encastrées, , à leur extrémité interne (22,22'), dans un alésage correspondant de la noix de support (32) et s'étendent radialement en étoile vers l'extérieur pour le maintien en porte à faux, sur leurs parties externes (23,23'), respectivement, des paliers (12,12') des deux branches (1 1 ,11 ') de chaque bras (1).  Preferably, however, as has been shown in detail in FIG. 5, in the case of a six-armed device which will be described later, to facilitate assembly of the assembly and to clear the space around the mechanism inverter, the two parts (21, 21 ') of the oscillation shafts (2) are embedded, at their inner end (22, 22'), in a corresponding bore of the support nut (32) and extend radially outwards in a star pattern for the cantilevered holding, on their outer portions (23, 23 '), respectively, bearings (12, 12') of the two branches (1 1, 11 ') of each arm (1).
De même, pour permettre les oscillations indépendantes des bras sans interférence des branches qui se croisent autour du mécanisme inverseur (3), l'extrémité d'articulation de la branche (1 1) placée sur la gauche de chaque bras (1), en regardant l'axe central (30), est coudée vers le haut, alors que l'extrémité de la branche de droite (1 l') est coudée vers le bas. Ainsi, comme le montre la figure 2, la branche de gauche (1 1b) du bras (1 b) passe au-dessus de la branche de droite (1 l'a) du bras voisin (1a).  Similarly, to allow the independent oscillation of the arm without interfering branches that intersect around the inverter mechanism (3), the hinge end of the branch (1 1) placed on the left of each arm (1), in facing the central axis (30), is bent upwards, while the end of the right branch (1 l ') is bent downwards. Thus, as shown in Figure 2, the left arm (1 1b) of the arm (1b) passes above the right arm (1 a) of the adjacent arm (1a).
En outre, dans le cas, représenté sur la figure 4, d'un dispositif à six bras pour lequel l'espace est plus encombré, la déviation vers le haut de la branche de gauche (11a) du bras (1a), permet le passage de l'arbre d'oscillation du bras voisin (1 b) et le montage du palier (12b) de la branche de gauche (11 b) de celui-ci. Furthermore, in the case shown in FIG. 4, of a six-armed device for which the space is more congested, the upward deflection of the left-hand limb (11a) of the arm (1a), allows the passage of the oscillation shaft of the adjacent arm (1b) and the mounting of the bearing (12b) of the left arm (11b) thereof.
D'une façon générale, le mécanisme inverseur (3) représenté schématiquement, en vue de dessus, sur la figure (3), comprend une roue principale (4) montée rotative autour de l'axe central vertical (30) et ayant une denture circulaire conique (41) sur laquelle engrènent, pour chaque bras, une paire de deux pignons coniques diamétralement opposés (5,5') qui peuvent être entraînés en rotation en sens contraire, l'un par le mouvement ascendant du bras et l'autre par le mouvement descendant, de façon à appliquer un couple de rotation dans un seul sens sur la roue principale (4) qui entraîne elle-même un arbre de sortie centré sur l'axe vertical (30)..  In general, the inverter mechanism (3) diagrammatically shown in plan view in FIG. (3) comprises a main wheel (4) rotatably mounted around the vertical central axis (30) and having a toothing. conical circular member (41) on which a pair of two diametrically opposed conical pinions (5,5 ') are engaged for each arm which can be rotated in opposite directions, one by the upward movement of the arm and the other by by the downward movement, so as to apply a torque in one direction to the main wheel (4) which itself drives an output shaft centered on the vertical axis (30).
Dans le mode de réalisation représenté sur les figures 2 et 3, le dispositif de conversion comporte trois flotteurs A,B,C, portés respectivement par trois bras (1 a,1 b,1c), écartés angulairement de 120°, qui sont montés articulés sur trois arbres en deux parties centrés respectivement sur les axes d'articulation (20a, 20b, 20c) et formant une étoile à six branches autour de l'axe central vertical (30). De plus, les trois paires de pignons coniques associés, respectivement, aux trois bras (1a, 1b, 1c), se chevauchent de façon que les six pignons, respectivement (5a, 5'b, 5c, 5'a, 5b, 5'c), associés alternativement à chacun des bras, soient régulièrement répartis, aux sommets d'un hexagone, le long de la denture circulaire conique (41 ) de la roue principale (4). Ainsi, l'énergie résultant des oscillations indépendantes des trois bras peut être convertie en trois couples de rotation appliqués à chaque instant sur la roue dentée (4) par trois pignons coniques répartis le long de sa denture circulaire (41).  In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, the conversion device comprises three floats A, B, C, respectively carried by three arms (1a, 1b, 1c) angularly spaced 120 °, which are mounted articulated on three shafts in two parts respectively centered on the hinge pins (20a, 20b, 20c) and forming a star with six branches around the vertical central axis (30). In addition, the three pairs of bevel gears associated respectively with the three arms (1a, 1b, 1c) overlap so that the six gears, respectively (5a, 5'b, 5c, 5'a, 5b, c), associated alternately with each of the arms, are regularly distributed, at the vertices of a hexagon, along the conical circular toothing (41) of the main wheel (4). Thus, the energy resulting from the independent oscillations of the three arms can be converted into three torques applied at each moment on the toothed wheel (4) by three bevel gears distributed along its circular toothing (41).
Pour permettre cette conversion du mouvement oscillant de chaque bras en un couple de rotation appliqué, en des sens opposés sur les deux pignons associés, placés face à face, chacun desdits pignons (5,5') est monté à une extrémité interne d'un arbre tubulaire en forme de douille (51 ,51 '), qui est enfilé et monté rotatif autour de l'axe (20), sur la partie externe (23,23'), du demi-arbre correspondant (21 ,21 '). En outre, comme le montre la figure 5, chacun des paliers de centrage (12,12') d'un bras (1) comprend deux éléments en forme de bagues, enfilées l'une dans l'autre, et pouvant être solidarisées en rotation, dans un seul sens, par une roue libre, lesdites bagues formant, respectivement, un élément externe solidaire en rotation de la branche correspondante (1 1 ,11') du bras (1) et un élément interne centré et calé en rotation sur l'arbre tubulaire (51 ) du pignon conique (5, 5'). Par exemple, la figure 5 montre, en coupe axiale, le montage des paliers (12a,12'a) des deux branches (1 1 a, 11 'a) du bras (1a) et des paliers (12'd, 12d) des deux branches (11 'd,1 1d) du bras (1 d).  To enable this conversion of the oscillating movement of each arm into a rotational torque applied, in opposite directions on the two associated pinions, placed face to face, each of said pinions (5,5 ') is mounted at an inner end of a sleeve-shaped tubular shaft (51, 51 '), which is threaded and rotatably mounted about the axis (20), on the outer portion (23, 23'), of the corresponding half shaft (21, 21 ') . In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, each of the centering bearings (12, 12 ') of an arm (1) comprises two ring-shaped elements threaded into one another and which can be secured together. rotation, in a single direction, by a freewheel, said rings forming, respectively, an outer member rotatably connected to the corresponding arm (1 1, 11 ') of the arm (1) and an inner element centered and rotated on the tubular shaft (51) of the bevel gear (5, 5 '). For example, FIG. 5 shows, in axial section, the mounting of the bearings (12a, 12'a) of the two branches (1 1 a, 11 'a) of the arm (1a) and bearings (12'd, 12d). two branches (11 'd, 1 1d) of the arm (1 d).
Ainsi, lors d'un mouvement ascendant d'un flotteur, par exemple (A), l'une des branches (1 1 a) du bras (1a) peut commander la rotation dans un premier sens du pignon (5a) et, lors du mouvement descendant, l'autre branche (11 'a) commande la rotation, dans le sens inverse, du pignon (5'a) diamétralement opposé. Les deux pignons (5a,5'a) se faisant face appliquent ainsi sur la roue principale 4, un couple de rotation dans le même sens autour de son axe (30). Thus, during an upward movement of a float, for example (A), one of the branches (1 1 a) of the arm (1a) can control the rotation in a first direction of the pinion (5a) and, during the downward movement, the other leg (11 'a) controls the rotation, in the opposite direction, of the pinion (5'a) diametrically opposite. The two pinions (5a, 5'a) facing each other thus apply to the main wheel 4, a torque in the same direction about its axis (30).
Dans le cas des figures 2 et 3, la répartition, autour de l'axe central (30), des flotteurs (A,B,C) et la disposition en étoile des trois bras (1 a, 1 b, 1c), qui oscillent simultanément sous l'effet de la houle, quelle que soit son orientation, permet, à chaque instant, de récupérer une énergie maximale.  In the case of FIGS. 2 and 3, the distribution, around the central axis (30), of the floats (A, B, C) and the star arrangement of the three arms (1 a, 1 b, 1c), which oscillate simultaneously under the effect of the swell, whatever its orientation, allows, at every moment, to recover a maximum energy.
Mais le rendement du dispositif peut encore être amélioré en augmentant le nombre de flotteurs et de bras- oscillants répartis en étoile autour de l'axe central (30). En effet, l'augmentation du nombre d'actionneurs associés à un seul mécanisme présente de multiples avantages :  But the efficiency of the device can be further improved by increasing the number of floats and oscillating arms distributed in a star around the central axis (30). Indeed, increasing the number of actuators associated with a single mechanism has multiple advantages:
• La puissance fournie par le système est proportionnelle au nombre d'actionneurs, à prix sensiblement égal du mécanisme, d'où un meilleur ratio puissance transformée/coût de fabrication  • The power supplied by the system is proportional to the number of actuators, at a substantially equal price of the mechanism, resulting in a better ratio of transformed power to manufacturing cost.
• Plus les actionneurs sont nombreux, plus le mouvement de sortie est lissé en vitesse de rotation  • The more actuators, the more the output movement is smoothed in rotation speed
• La limitation à un ou deux actionneurs impose un positionnement déterminé du système par rapport à une direction dominante de la houle. La disposition en étoile à plusieurs branches des actionneurs permet, au contraire, un fonctionnement continu du dispositif quelle que soit la direction des vagues ou de la houle  • The limitation to one or two actuators imposes a determined positioning of the system with respect to a dominant direction of the swell. The star arrangement with several branches of the actuators allows, on the contrary, a continuous operation of the device irrespective of the direction of the waves or the swell.
Par ailleurs, il est particulièrement intéressant d'utiliser un nombre pair de flotteurs et de bras porteurs qui peuvent alors être alignés par paires et articulés deux par deux sur un même arbre d'oscillation, en s'étendant dans des directions diamétralement opposées, l'installation comportant, ainsi, au moins deux paires de bras alignés suivant au moins deux directions, par exemple, quatre bras formant une croix et portant quatre flotteurs.  Moreover, it is particularly advantageous to use an even number of floats and carrying arms which can then be aligned in pairs and articulated in pairs on the same oscillation shaft, extending in diametrically opposite directions the installation thus comprising at least two pairs of arms aligned in at least two directions, for example, four arms forming a cross and carrying four floats.
Cependant, dans le mode de réalisation préférentiel représenté sur les figures 4,5,6, l'installation comporte six flotteurs (A,B,C,D,E,F), montés aux extrémités de six bras (1a,1 b,1 c,1d,1 e,1f), articulés, respectivement, sur trois arbres centrés sur trois axes d'oscillation (20a,20b,20c), qui se croisent sur l'axe central vertical (30) du mécanisme inverseur (3). Comme précédemment, cet inverseur (3) est logé dans un boîtier creux (31) ayant un fond (33) fixé sur une structure de support (M).  However, in the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 4,5,6, the installation comprises six floats (A, B, C, D, E, F) mounted at the ends of six arms (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f), articulated, respectively, on three shafts centered on three oscillation axes (20a, 20b, 20c), which intersect on the vertical central axis (30) of the inverter mechanism (3 ). As before, this inverter (3) is housed in a hollow housing (31) having a bottom (33) fixed on a support structure (M).
Cependant, dans le mode de réalisation préférentiel représenté sur la figure 5, qui est une vue en coupe par un plan vertical passant par l'axe d'articulation commun (20a) de deux bras alignés (1a) et (1d), le mécanisme inverseur (3) est fixé sur un mécanisme multiplicateur de vitesse (6) qui entraîne une génératrice électrique (G), et l'ensemble est monté dans un carter (7) appliqué et fixé sur une face supérieure (71) du support M. Ces trois organes superposés, respectivement l'inverseur (3), le multiplicateur de vitesse (6) et la génératrice (G), sont centrés sur une tige verticale de solidarisation (70) s'étendant suivant l'axe central (30) du dispositif. However, in the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 5, which is a sectional view through a vertical plane passing through the common articulation axis (20a) of two aligned arms (1a) and (1d), the mechanism inverter (3) is attached to a speed multiplier mechanism (6) which drives an electric generator (G), and the assembly is mounted in a housing (7) applied and fixed on an upper face (71) of the support M. These three superposed members, respectively the inverter (3), the speed multiplier (6) and the generator (G), are centered on a vertical securing rod (70) extending along the central axis (30) of the device.
D'autre part, pour chaque paire de bras alignés, les branches, par exemple (11a, On the other hand, for each pair of aligned arms, the branches, for example (11a,
1 1 'a) et (1 1 'd,1 1d) de deux bras alignés (1 a,1d), sont imbriquées de façon que leurs paliers (12'd,12a, 12d,12'a) puissent être enfilés côte à côte sur deux parties d'un arbre centré sur l'axe d'oscillation (20a) et s'étendant de part et d'autre du boîtier (31) du mécanisme inverseur (3). Par exemple, comme le montre la figure 5, les paliers (12a) et (12'd) placés à gauche du boîtier (31), sont portés par une partie externe (23a) du demi- arbre (21a) et les paliers (12'a) et (12d) placés à droite, sont portés par la partie externe (23'a) du demi-arbre (21 'a). 1 1 'a) and (1 1' d, 1 1d) of two aligned arms (1 a, 1d), are nested so that their bearings (12'd, 12a, 12d, 12'a) can be threaded rib side by side on two parts of a shaft centered on the axis of oscillation (20a) and extending on either side of the housing (31) of the inverter mechanism (3). For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the bearings (12a) and (12'd) placed to the left of the housing (31) are carried by an outer portion (23a) of the half shaft (21a) and the bearings ( 12'a) and (12d) placed on the right, are carried by the outer portion (23'a) of the half-shaft (21 'a).
Comme le montrent les figures 4 et 6, les six demi-arbres (21 ,21 ') portant les paliers (12,12') des bras (1) sont répartis en étoile autour de l'axe central (30) et s'étendent avantageusement en porte à faux à partir du boîtier (31), afin de faciliter le montage des bras et dégager l'espace autour du mécanisme inverseur. A cet effet, la noix de support fixe (32) qui est placée, comme indiqué plus haut, à l'intérieur du boîtier (31), est maintenue par encastrement sur l'extrémité supérieure (72) de la tige de centrage (70), afin de constituer un support fixe, et elle est munie, sur ses côtés, d'une pluralité d'alésages horizontaux s'étendant radialement en étoile, et dans lesquels viennent s'encastrer les extrémité internes (22,22') de chacun des demi-arbres (21 ,21 ') dont les parties externes (23,23') peuvent ainsi supporter, en porte à faux, les paliers (12,12') d'articulation des bras (1). Par ailleurs, cette noix de support (32) est dimensionnée de façon à ménager, à l'intérieur du boîtier (31), un espace inférieur plat (33') dans lequel s'étend horizontalement la roue dentée principale (4) de l'inverseur (3), centrée sur l'axe vertical (30), et un espace annulaire (34') dans lequel sont placés verticalement, l'un à côté de l'autre, les six pignons coniques (5a,5'a ;5b,5'b ;5c,5'c) qui sont centrés, par paires, sur les trois axes d'oscillation (20a,20b,20c).  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the six half-shafts (21, 21 ') carrying the bearings (12, 12') of the arms (1) are distributed in a star around the central axis (30) and extend advantageously cantilevered from the housing (31), to facilitate the mounting of the arms and clear the space around the inverter mechanism. For this purpose, the fixed support nut (32) which is placed, as indicated above, inside the housing (31), is held by fitting on the upper end (72) of the centering rod (70). ), in order to constitute a fixed support, and it is provided, on its sides, with a plurality of horizontal bores extending radially in a star, and in which are embedded the internal ends (22, 22 ') of each of the half-shafts (21, 21 ') whose external parts (23,23') can thus support, in cantilever, the bearings (12,12 ') of articulation of the arms (1). Moreover, this support nut (32) is dimensioned so as to provide, inside the housing (31), a flat bottom space (33 ') in which the main gear wheel (4) extends horizontally. inverter (3), centered on the vertical axis (30), and an annular space (34 ') in which are placed vertically, one beside the other, the six bevel gears (5a, 5'a 5b, 5'b, 5c, 5'c) which are centered, in pairs, on the three oscillation axes (20a, 20b, 20c).
La roue principale (4) est portée par un arbre tubulaire (42) s'étendant vers le bas, qui traverse le fond (33) du boîtier (31) et est enfilé et monté rotatif, autour de l'axe (30), sur la tige de centrage (70), cet arbre tubulaire (42) constituant, donc, l'arbre de sortie du mécanisme inverseur (3).  The main wheel (4) is carried by a downwardly extending tubular shaft (42) which extends through the bottom (33) of the housing (31) and is rotatably mounted and rotated about the axis (30). on the centering rod (70), this tubular shaft (42) constituting, therefore, the output shaft of the inverter mechanism (3).
De même, comme dans le cas du dispositif à trois bras de la figure 3, chacun des pignons coniques (5,5') est monté à une extrémité interne d'un arbre tubulaire (51 ,51 ') centré dans un roulement (36) monté dans un alésage (35) ménagé radialement dans la paroi latérale (34) du boîtier (31), et prolongé par une partie en forme de douille (52,52') montée rotative, autour de l'axe (20), sur la partie externe (23,23') du demi-arbre correspondant (21 ,21 ') et s'étendant radialement sur la longueur nécessaire pour porter les deux paliers placés côte à côte tels que, sur les figures 5 et 6, les paliers (12a,12'd) et (12'a,12d), des bras oscillants (1a,1 d). Likewise, as in the case of the three-arm device of FIG. 3, each of the bevel gears (5, 5 ') is mounted at an inner end of a tubular shaft (51, 51') centered in a bearing (36). ) mounted in a bore (35) formed radially in the side wall (34) of the housing (31) and extended by a rotatablely shaped bushing portion (52, 52 ') about the axis (20), on the outer part (23,23 ') of the half-shaft corresponding (21, 21 ') and extending radially over the length necessary to carry the two bearings placed side by side such that, in Figures 5 and 6, the bearings (12a, 12'd) and (12'a, 12d), oscillating arms (1a, 1d).
Comme indiqué plus haut, chacun desdits paliers (12) comprend un élément externe (121) calé en rotation sur la branche correspondante (11) du bras (1 ), un élément interne (122) et une roue libre (123) de solidarisation en rotation, dans un seul sens, des deux éléments (121 ,122). L'élément interne (122), en forme de bague, est enfilé sur la partie externe (52) de l'arbre tubulaire (51) qui est munie d'une rainure de solidarisation (53) dans laquelle coulisse une partie en saillie correspondante de la bague (122).  As indicated above, each of said bearings (12) comprises an outer member (121) rotatably mounted on the corresponding branch (11) of the arm (1), an inner member (122) and a freewheel (123) for securing rotation, in one direction, of the two elements (121, 122). The ring-shaped inner member (122) is threaded onto the outer portion (52) of the tubular shaft (51) which is provided with a securing groove (53) in which a corresponding projecting portion slides. of the ring (122).
Dans le mode de réalisation préférentiel représenté sur la figure (6), les roues libres (123) de chaque paire de paliers placés côte à côte sur un même demi-arbre, entraînent celui-ci dans le même sens, de façon que les bras correspondants agissent, l'un lors d'un mouvement ascendant et l'autre, dans le sens descendant, et inversement pour le demi-arbre s'étendant de l'autre côté du boîtier (32). Sur la figure (6), par exemple, les paliers (12'd) et (12a) enfilés sur le demi-arbre de gauche (21a), exercent l'un et l'autre, sur le pignon (5a), un couple de rotation dans le sens de la flèche (F1), lors d'un mouvement ascendant du bras (1a) et d'un mouvement descendant du bras opposé (1d), alors que les paliers (12d) et (12'a) exercent sur le pignon (5'a), un couple dans le sens opposé (F2), respectivement, lors d'un mouvement descendant du bras (1a) et d'un mouvement ascendant du bras (1d). Comme les deux pignons (5a, 5'a) sont montés face à face, ils entraînent l'un et l'autre la roue horizontale (4) dans le sens de la flèche (F3). Chaque paire de bras alignés montant et descendant au cours du passage d'une vague, applique donc, en permanence, un couple de rotation sur la roue principale (4) d'entraînement de l'arbre de sortie.  In the preferred embodiment shown in Figure (6), the freewheels (123) of each pair of bearings placed side by side on the same half-shaft, drive it in the same direction, so that the arms corresponding ones act, one during an upward movement and the other in the downward direction, and vice versa for the half-shaft extending on the other side of the housing (32). In the figure (6), for example, the bearings (12'd) and (12a) threaded on the left half-shaft (21a), exert one and the other, on the pinion (5a), a torque in the direction of the arrow (F1), during an upward movement of the arm (1a) and a downward movement of the opposite arm (1d), while the bearings (12d) and (12'a) exert on the pinion (5'a), a torque in the opposite direction (F2), respectively, during a downward movement of the arm (1a) and an upward movement of the arm (1d). As the two pinions (5a, 5'a) are mounted face to face, they both drive the horizontal wheel (4) in the direction of the arrow (F3). Each pair of aligned arms ascending and descending during the passage of a wave, therefore permanently applies a torque to the main wheel (4) driving the output shaft.
Pour une hauteur donnée des vagues; le couple appliqué dépend de l'amplitude d'oscillation des bras et, par conséquent, de leur orientation par rapport à la direction de déplacement de l'onde. Cependant, il résulte de la disposition en étoile de tous les bras oscillants autour de l'axe central (30), qu'à chaque instant, au moins l'une des paires de bras alignés est bien orientée et bénéficie de l'amplitude maximale des vagues, alors que les deux autres paires de bras reçoivent une énergie moindre mais non négligeable. Les trois paires de pignons (5,5') sont donc actionnées simultanément, chacune par la paire de bras alignés correspondante, et leurs effets s'ajoutent à chaque instant en raison de leur répartition le long de la denture circulaire (41 ) de la roue principale (4). L'invention permet ainsi de récupérer de façon optimale l'énergie potentielle des vagues, quelle que soit leur orientation.  For a given height of the waves; the applied torque depends on the oscillation amplitude of the arms and, consequently, their orientation with respect to the direction of movement of the wave. However, it results from the star arrangement of all the oscillating arms around the central axis (30), that at each moment, at least one of the pairs of aligned arms is well oriented and has the maximum amplitude. waves, while the other two pairs of arms receive a lesser but not insignificant energy. The three pairs of pinions (5,5 ') are therefore actuated simultaneously, each by the pair of corresponding aligned arms, and their effects are added at each moment because of their distribution along the circular toothing (41) of the main wheel (4). The invention thus makes it possible to optimally recover the potential energy of the waves, whatever their orientation.
Comme indiqué plus haut, pour récupérer cette énergie avec un rendement maximal, la roue dentée (4) entraîne une génératrice électrique (G) par l'intermédiaire d'un multiplicateur de vitesse (6). Ces deux organes superposés sont centrés sur la tige de solidarisation (70) et placés directement au-dessous de l'inverseur (3), dans un carter (7) appliqué et fixé sur une face supérieure (71) du support (M). As indicated above, to recover this energy with maximum efficiency, the gear wheel (4) drives an electric generator (G) via a speed multiplier (6). These two superposed members are centered on the securing rod (70) and placed directly below the inverter (3), in a housing (7) applied and fixed on an upper face (71) of the support (M).
Comme le montrent les figures 5 et 6, le multiplicateur de vitesse (6) peut être d'un type classique comprenant une couronne fixe munie d'une denture interne de grand diamètre (61) sur laquelle engrènent deux pignons satellites (62) diamétralement opposés, montés rotatifs aux extrémités d'un bras (63) calé en rotation sur un arbre tubulaire (60) centré sur la tige (70), qui est enfilé dans l'arbre tubulaire (42) de la roue principale (4) et solidarisé avec celui-ci par des cannelures. Ces deux arbres tubulaires (42,60) alignés et solidaires en rotation, constituent ainsi l'arbre de sortie du mécanisme inverseur (3), entraîné en rotation par la roue dentée (4).  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the speed multiplier (6) can be of a conventional type comprising a fixed ring gear provided with a large diameter internal toothing (61) on which two diametrically opposed planet gears (62) mesh with each other. , rotatably mounted at the ends of an arm (63) set in rotation on a tubular shaft (60) centered on the rod (70), which is threaded into the tubular shaft (42) of the main wheel (4) and secured with it by grooves. These two tubular shafts (42, 60) aligned and integral in rotation, thus constitute the output shaft of the inverter mechanism (3), driven in rotation by the toothed wheel (4).
Un pignon central de plus petit diamètre (64) est placé au-dessous du bras (63) entre les pignons satellites (62) et engrène avec ceux-ci, ce pignon central (64) étant calé sur un arbre tubulaire (65) monté rotatif sur la tige (70) et s'étendant vers le bas, de façon à entraîner, à une vitesse multipliée, un second bras (66) portant deux pignons satellites (67) qui engrènent avec la denture (61) de la couronne fixe et entraînent à leur tour, à une vitesse multipliée, un second pignon central de plus petit diamètre.  A smaller diameter central pinion (64) is located below the arm (63) between the planet gears (62) and meshes therewith, the central pinion (64) being wedged on a tubular shaft (65) mounted rotating on the rod (70) and extending downwards, so as to drive, at a multiplied speed, a second arm (66) carrying two planet gears (67) meshing with the toothing (61) of the fixed crown and in turn, at a multiplied speed, drive a second smaller diameter central gear.
Il est ainsi possible, par étages successifs, de multiplier plusieurs fois la vitesse de rotation de l'arbre de sortie (42,60) afin d'entraîner, à une vitesse suffisante, le rotor d'un alternateur (G).  It is thus possible, in successive stages, to multiply the rotation speed of the output shaft (42, 60) several times in order to drive, at a sufficient speed, the rotor of an alternator (G).
Bien entendu, l'invention n'est pas limitée aux détails des modes de réalisation qui n'ont été décrits qu'à titre d'exemple préférentiel, des dispositions équivalentes pouvant être utilisées sans s'écarter du cadre de protection de l'invention.  Of course, the invention is not limited to the details of the embodiments that have been described only as a preferred example, equivalent arrangements that can be used without departing from the scope of protection of the invention. .
En particulier, le dispositif à six bras semble le plus avantageux pour récupérer de façon optimale toute l'énergie potentielle des vagues, quelle que soit leur direction de déplacement, tout en conservant une disposition assez simple et relativement peu onéreuse, compte tenu de l'énergie récupérée. Cependant, un dispositif à trois bras, plus simple et plus économique, pourrait également être intéressant. D'ailleurs, une disposition en croix, à quatre bras, pourrait aussi être utilisée.  In particular, the six-armed device seems to be the most advantageous for optimally recovering all the potential energy of the waves, regardless of their direction of travel, while retaining a fairly simple and relatively inexpensive layout, given the recovered energy. However, a device with three arms, simpler and more economical, could also be interesting. Moreover, a cross arrangement, with four arms, could also be used.
D'autre part, les dispositifs mécaniques tels que les bras oscillants, leurs paliers, l'inverseur ou le multiplicateur de vitesse, pourraient être réalisés différemment.  On the other hand, mechanical devices such as swing arms, their bearings, the inverter or the speed multiplier, could be made differently.
Par ailleurs, comme indiqué plus haut, dans les mers à marées, la structure de support M devra être constituée d'un coffre ou d'une sorte de balise capable de suivre les variations du niveau de l'eau. En revanche, dans les mers sans marées, le support M pourrait être un simple massif de fondation posé sur le fond.  Moreover, as indicated above, in the tidal seas, the support structure M must consist of a trunk or a kind of beacon capable of following the variations in the water level. On the other hand, in seas without tides, the support M could be a simple foundation mass placed on the bottom.
Il est à noter, cependant, que, même dans les mers sans marées, une installation flottante présente l'avantage de suivre les mouvements verticaux de l'eau et, ainsi, d'augmenter l'amplitude d'oscillation en ajoutant la variation de niveau du support à celle des flotteurs, ce qui permet, à puissance égale, d'utiliser des bras oscillants relativement courts et, par conséquent, moins fragiles. En outre, une installation flottante risque moins d'être submergée et détériorée, en cas de tempête, par des vagues importantes. It should be noted, however, that even in non-tidal seas, a floating installation has the advantage of following the vertical movements of the water and, thus, to increase the amplitude of oscillation by adding the variation of level of the support to that of the floats, which makes it possible, with equal power, to use relatively short oscillating arms and, consequently, less fragile. In addition, a floating installation is less likely to be submerged and deteriorated by large waves in the event of a storm.
Par ailleurs, il convient de noter que le dispositif selon l'invention est prévu essentiellement pour récupérer l'énergie globale de la houle sans dépendre de la direction de celle-ci, qui peut varier dans le temps, par exemple, en fonction de la direction dominante des vents, mais qu'un tel dispositif pourrait aussi être avantageusement implanté dans des endroits où la direction des vagues change en permanence, par exemple en cas de renvoi dans une autre direction, à proximité d'une digue ou d'une falaise.  Furthermore, it should be noted that the device according to the invention is provided essentially to recover the overall energy of the swell without depending on the direction thereof, which may vary over time, for example, depending on the dominant direction of the winds, but that such a device could also be advantageously implanted in places where the direction of the waves changes permanently, for example in case of return in another direction, near a dike or a cliff .

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1) Dispositif de conversion en énergie d'un mouvement ondulatoire d'une surface liquide (S), comprenant au moins un bras (1) portant un flotteur à une extrémité et monté oscillant, à son extrémité opposée, sur un arbre d'oscillation (2) centré sur un axe d'articulation (20) sensiblement horizontal et porté par un support fixe (M), ledit bras (1) étant animé d'un mouvement d'oscillation autour dudit axe d'articulation (20), alternativement vers le haut et vers le bas sous l'effet du mouvement, respectivement ascendant et descendant, de la surface liquide (S), et des moyens (I) de transformation de ce mouvement alternatif d'oscillation en un couple d'entraînement en rotation, autour de son axe, d'un arbre de sortie, lesdits moyens de transformation (I) comportant un mécanisme inverseur (3) comprenant une roue dentée principale (4) d'entraînement en rotation de l'arbre de sortie, montée rotative autour d'un axe et ayant une denture conique (41 ) sur laquelle engrènent, en deux zones diamétralement opposées, une paire de deux pignons coniques (5,5') centrés sur un même axe orthogonal à l'axe de la roue dentée (4), et des moyens de solidarisation en rotation dudit bras (1), respectivement, avec un premier (5) des deux pignons coniques dans un premier sens de rotation et avec le second pignon conique (5') dans le sens opposé, les deux pignons coniques (5,5') étant ainsi entraînés en rotation, chacun dans un sens, par le mouvement d'oscillation du bras (1), de façon à commander la rotation dans un seul sens de la roue dentée principale (4) et de l'arbre de sortie,  1) Device for converting into energy a wave motion of a liquid surface (S), comprising at least one arm (1) carrying a float at one end and oscillating, at its opposite end, on an oscillation shaft (2) centered on an axis of articulation (20) substantially horizontal and carried by a fixed support (M), said arm (1) being animated by an oscillating movement about said hinge axis (20), alternatively upwardly and downwardly by the upwardly and downwardly moving movement of the liquid surface (S), and means (I) of converting this reciprocating oscillation motion into a rotational driving torque , about its axis, an output shaft, said transformation means (I) comprising an inverter mechanism (3) comprising a main gear (4) rotational drive of the output shaft, rotatably mounted around of an axis and having a conical toothing (41) on which meshes, in two diametrically opposed zones, a pair of two bevel gears (5,5 ') centered on the same axis orthogonal to the axis of the toothed wheel (4), and means for securing in rotation said arm (1), respectively , with a first (5) of the two bevel gears in a first direction of rotation and with the second bevel gear (5 ') in the opposite direction, the two bevel gears (5,5') being thus rotated, each in one direction, by the oscillation movement of the arm (1), so as to control the one-way rotation of the main gear (4) and the output shaft,
caractérisé par le fait qu'il comprend au moins trois bras (1 a, 1 b, 1c) portant chacun un flotteur (A,B,C) et s'étendant radialement suivant au moins trois directions (10a, 10b, 10c) réparties en étoile autour d'un axe central vertical (30) du support (M), lesdits bras (1 a,1b,1 c) étant montés oscillants, respectivement, autour d'axes d'articulation concourants (20a,20b,20c) passant par ledit axe central (30), et que le mécanisme inverseur (3) comprend une roue principale unique (4) d'entraînement en rotation de l'arbre de sortie et, pour chacun des bras (1 a, 1 b, 1c), une paire de deux pignons coniques opposés (5a,5'a)(5b,5'b)(5c,5'c) solidarisés en rotation, chacun dans un sens, avec ledit bras (1a, 1b, 1c), lesdites paires de pignons (5,5') se chevauchant de façon que leurs axes de rotation (20a,20b,20c) soient disposés en étoile autour de l'axe de la roue principale (4) et que tous les pignons (5,5') soient régulièrement répartis le long de sa denture conique (41). characterized in that it comprises at least three arms (1a, 1b, 1c) each carrying a float (A, B, C) and extending radially in at least three directions (10a, 10b, 10c) distributed in a star around a vertical central axis (30) of the support (M), said arms (1a, 1b, 1c) being mounted oscillating, respectively, about intersecting axes of articulation (20a, 20b, 20c) passing through said central axis (30), and that the inverter mechanism (3) comprises a single main wheel (4) for rotating the output shaft and for each of the arms (1a, 1b, 1c ), a pair of two opposite conical gears (5a, 5'a) (5b, 5'b) (5c, 5'c) rotationally fixed, each in one direction, with said arm (1a, 1b, 1c), said pairs of pinions (5,5 ') overlapping so that their axes of rotation (20a, 20b, 20c) are arranged in a star around the axis of the main wheel (4) and that all the pinions (5, 5 ') are regularly distributed along its conical toothing ( 41).
2) Dispositif de conversion selon la revendication 1 , caractérisé par le fait que le mécanisme inverseur (3) est logé dans un boîtier creux (31) fixé sur le support (M), de façon que la roue dentée principale (4) d'entraînement de l'arbre de sortie soit montée rotative autour de l'axe central vertical (30) dudit support (M), et que l'extrémité d'articulation de chacun des bras(1) portant les flotteurs forme une fourche avec deux branches (11 ,11 ') s'étendant de part et d'autre dudit boîtier (31 ) et montées articulées, respectivement, sur deux parties (21 ,21 ') d'un arbre d'oscillation (2) s'étendant respectivement, dans des directions opposées, de part et d'autre dudit boîtier (31 ) et centrées sur un même axe horizontal d'articulation (20) passant par l'axe central vertical (30) de rotation de la roue dentée principale (4). 2) Conversion device according to claim 1, characterized in that the inverter mechanism (3) is housed in a hollow housing (31) fixed on the support (M), so that the main gear (4) of drive of the output shaft is rotatably mounted about the vertical central axis (30) of said support (M), and that the hinge end of each of the arms (1) carrying the floats form a fork with two branches (11, 11 ') extending on either side of said housing (31) and articulated, respectively, on two parts (21, 21') of an oscillating shaft (2) respectively extending , in opposite directions, on either side of said housing (31) and centered on the same horizontal axis of articulation (20) passing through the vertical central axis (30) of rotation of the main gear (4) .
3) Dispositif de conversion selon la revendication 2, caractérisé par le fait que les deux pignons coniques (5,5') entraînés par chacun des bras (1 ) sont calés en rotation, respectivement, sur deux arbres tubulaires (51 ,51 ') en forme de douilles, enfilés et montés rotatifs, respectivement, sur les deux parties (21 ,21 ') de l'arbre fixe d'oscillation (2) du bras (1 ) et qui s'étende chacun vers l'extérieur, à partir du pignon conique (5,5') correspondant, lesdits arbres tubulaires (51 ,51 ') étant solidarisés en rotation, chacun dans un sens, avec la branche correspondante (11 ,1 1 ') du bras (1 ).  3) Conversion device according to claim 2, characterized in that the two bevel gears (5,5 ') driven by each of the arms (1) are wedged in rotation, respectively, on two tubular shafts (51, 51') in the form of sockets, threaded and rotatably mounted, respectively, on the two parts (21, 21 ') of the fixed oscillation shaft (2) of the arm (1) and which each extend outwards, from the corresponding bevel gear (5,5 '), said tubular shafts (51, 51') being rotationally secured, each in one direction, with the corresponding branch (11, 1 1 ') of the arm (1).
4) Dispositif de conversion selon la revendication 3, caractérisé par le fait que les deux branches (11 ,1 l') de chaque bras de support (1) sont montées rotatives sur deux paliers (12,12') centrés, respectivement, sur les deux parties de l'arbre d'oscillation du bras sur lesquelles sont enfilés les arbres tubulaires (51 ,51 ') des deux pignons coniques (5,5') associés audit bras (1 ), et que chacun desdits paliers (12,12') comporte un élément externe (121) solidaire en rotation de la branche (11 ,11 ') correspondante du bras (1), un élément interne (122) solidaire en rotation de l'arbre tubulaire (51 ,51 ') du pignon conique correspondant (5,5') et un moyen (123), de type roue libre, de solidarisation en .rotation dans un seul sens des deux éléments (121 ,122) du palier (12).  4) Conversion device according to claim 3, characterized in that the two legs (11, 1 ') of each support arm (1) are rotatably mounted on two bearings (12, 12') centered respectively on the two parts of the oscillation shaft of the arm on which are threaded the tubular shafts (51, 51 ') of the two bevel gears (5, 5') associated with said arm (1), and that each of said bearings (12, 12 ') comprises an outer member (121) integral in rotation with the corresponding leg (11, 11') of the arm (1), an inner member (122) integral in rotation with the tubular shaft (51, 51 ') of the corresponding conical pinion (5,5 ') and a means (123) of the freewheel type, for fixing in one-direction rotation of the two elements (121, 122) of the bearing (12).
5) Dispositif de conversion selon la revendication 4, caractérisé par le fait qu'il comprend au moins deux paires (1 a,1 d)(1 b,1c) de bras de support alignés suivant au moins deux directions passant par l'axe vertical (30) de la roue principale (4) du mécanisme inverseur (3), que les deux bras (1 a,1d) de chaque paire s'étendant dans des directions opposées sont montés rotatifs, chacun, sur deux paliers (12,12') portés respectivement par deux parties (21 ,21 ') d'un même arbre d'oscillation (2) formant, respectivement, deux demi-arbres (21 ,21 ') s'étendant respectivement de part et d'autre du boîtier (31) et centrées sur un même axe (20) d'articulation des deux bras opposés (1a,1d), ces derniers étant associés à une même paire de deux pignons coniques (5,5') fixés, respectivement, aux extrémités internes de deux arbres tubulaires (51 ,51 ') montés rotatifs, .respectivement, sur les deux parties (21 ,21 ') de l'arbre d'oscillation commun (2).  5) Conversion device according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises at least two pairs (1a, 1d) (1b, 1c) of support arms aligned along at least two directions passing through the axis vertically (30) of the main wheel (4) of the inverter mechanism (3), that the two arms (1a, 1d) of each pair extending in opposite directions are rotatably mounted, each on two bearings (12, 12 ') carried respectively by two parts (21, 21') of the same oscillation shaft (2) forming, respectively, two half-shafts (21, 21 ') respectively extending on either side of the housing (31) and centered on the same axis (20) of articulation of the two opposite arms (1a, 1d), the latter being associated with the same pair of two bevel gears (5,5 ') fixed respectively at the ends internal of two tubular shafts (51, 51 ') rotatably mounted, respectively, on the two parts (21, 21') of the common oscillation shaft (2).
6) Dispositif de conversion selon la revendication 5, caractérisé par le fait que les paliers (12a,12'd)(12d,12)a) de deux bras alignés (1a,1d) placés d'un même coté du boîtier (31) sont disposés côte à côte et sont enfilés sur l'arbre tubulaire du pignon conique correspondant (5,5'), et que ledit arbre tubulaire (51 ,51 ') comporte une partie (52,52') s'étendant sur une longueur suffisante, le long de la partie correspondante de l'arbre d'oscillation commun (2), pour porter les paliers placés côte à côte, et solidarisée en rotation avec les éléments internes (122) desdits paliers (12a,12'd)(12d,12'a) placés côte à côte.. 6) Conversion device according to claim 5, characterized in that the bearings (12a, 12'd) (12d, 12) a) of two aligned arms (1a, 1d) placed on the same side of the housing (31). ) are arranged side by side and are threaded onto the tubular shaft of the corresponding bevel gear (5,5 '), and that said tubular shaft (51,51') has a portion (52,52 ') extending over a sufficient length, along the corresponding part of the common oscillation shaft (2), for carrying the bearings placed side by side, and secured in rotation with the internal elements (122) of said bearings (12a, 12'd) (12d, 12'a) placed side by side side..
7) Dispositif de conversion selon l'une des revendications 2 à 6, caractérisé par le fait que le boîtier creux(31) contenant le mécanisme inverseur (3) comporte une pièce centrale fixe (32) formant une noix de support, par une extrémité interne (22,22'), de chacune des deux parties (21 ,21') s'étendant vers l'extérieur, de chaque arbre d'oscillation (2), ladite pièce centrale (32) ménageant, à l'intérieur dudit boîtier, un espace annulaire (34') dans lequel sont logés les pignons coniques (5,5') engrenant avec la roue dentée principale (4) montée rotative autour d'un axe central vertical (30) du boîtier (31), et un espace inférieur plat (33') dans lequel est logée ladite roue dentée principale (4).  7) Conversion device according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the hollow housing (31) containing the inverter mechanism (3) comprises a fixed central piece (32) forming a support nut, at one end internal portion (22,22 '), of each of the two outwardly extending portions (21, 21') of each oscillation shaft (2), said central piece (32) forming, within said housing, an annular space (34 ') in which are housed the bevel gears (5,5') meshing with the main gear (4) rotatably mounted about a vertical central axis (30) of the housing (31), and a lower flat space (33 ') in which is housed said main gear (4).
8) Dispositif de conversion selon la revendication 7, caractérisé par le fait que les deux parties (21 ,21 ') de chacun des arbres d'oscillation (2) des différents bras (1 ) portant les flotteurs, sont montées encastrées, par leurs extrémités internes (22,22'), sur la noix fixe de support (32) et s'étendent en porte-à-faux vers l'extérieur suivant des directions disposées radialement en étoile autour de l'axe central vertical (30) du boîtier (31).  8) Conversion device according to claim 7, characterized in that the two parts (21, 21 ') of each of the oscillation shafts (2) of the various arms (1) carrying the floats, are mounted recessed, by their internal ends (22,22 ') on the fixed support nut (32) and extend cantilevered outwardly in directions radially arranged in a star around the vertical central axis (30) of the housing (31).
9) Dispositif de conversion selon l'une des revendications 7 et 8,; caractérisé par le fait que le boîtier creux (31) contenant le mécanisme inverseur (3) comporte une paroi latérale (34) munie d'alésages (35) de passage, respectivement, des arbres (51) de chacun des pignons coniques (5) et un fond (33) appliqué et fixé sur le support (M) et comportant un alésage centré sur un axe vertical (30), dans lequel est monté rotatif autour dudit axe, un arbre (42) de rotation de la roue dentée principale (4), ce dernier ayant une forme tubulaire et étant lui-même enfilé et monté rotatif autour dudit axe vertical (30) du boîtier (31), sur une tige de centrage (70) fixée sur le support (M), ladite tige (70) ayant une partie supérieure (72) qui vient s'encastrer dans un alésage central de la noix fixe (32) de support des arbres d'oscillation (2), et une partie inférieure sur laquelle est enfilé et monté rotatif un arbre tubulaire (40) solidarisé en rotation avec l'arbre tubulaire (42) de la roue dentée principale (4) et constituant l'arbre de sortie du mécanisme inverseur (3). 9) Conversion device according to one of claims 7 and 8 ,; characterized in that the hollow housing (31) containing the inverter mechanism (3) comprises a side wall (34) provided with bores (35) for the passage, respectively, of the shafts (51) of each of the bevel gears (5) and a bottom (33) applied and fixed on the support (M) and having a bore centered on a vertical axis (30), in which is rotatably mounted about said axis, a shaft (42) for rotation of the main gear ( 4), the latter having a tubular shape and being itself threaded and rotatably mounted about said vertical axis (30) of the housing (31), on a centering rod (70) fixed on the support (M), said rod ( 70) having an upper portion (72) which engages in a central bore of the fixed support nut (32) of the oscillation shafts (2), and a lower portion on which is threaded and rotatably mounted a tubular shaft (40) secured in rotation with the tubular shaft (42) of the main gear (4) and constituting the arbr e output of the inverter mechanism (3).
10) Dispositif de conversion selon l'une des revendications 2 à 9, caractérisé par le fait que les deux branches (1 1 ,11') de la fourche d'articulation de chacun des bras de support (1), s'étendent respectivement sur un premier et sur un second côté du boîtier (31), et sont coudées, l'une (1 1 ) vers le haut sur le premier côté et l'autre (11 ') vers le bas sur le second côté, de façon à permettre des mouvements indépendants d'oscillation de deux bras voisins, sans interférence entre leurs branches articulées sur des arbres d'oscillation d'orientations différentes.  10) Conversion device according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the two branches (1 1, 11 ') of the hinge fork of each of the support arms (1) extend respectively on a first and a second side of the housing (31), and are bent, one (1 1) upwardly on the first side and the other (11 ') downwardly on the second side, so to allow independent oscillation movements of two adjacent arms, without interference between their branches articulated on oscillation shafts of different orientations.
1 1) Dispositif de conversion selon l'une des revendications 2 à 10, caractérisé par le fait que l'arbre de sortie (60) du mécanisme inverseur (3) entraîne une génératrice électrique (G) par l'intermédiaire d'un mécanisme multiplicateur de vitesse (6), le mécanisme inverseur (3), le mécanisme multiplicateur (6) et la génératrice (G) étant centrés sur un même axe vertical (30) et montés l'un au-dessous de l'autre dans un carter (7) fixé sur la partie supérieure (71 ) du support (M). 1 1) Conversion device according to one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the output shaft (60) of the inverter mechanism (3) drives a generator electric motor (G) via a speed multiplier mechanism (6), the inverter mechanism (3), the multiplier mechanism (6) and the generator (G) being centered on the same vertical axis (30) and mounted one below the other in a housing (7) fixed on the upper part (71) of the support (M).
12) Dispositif de conversion selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que le support (M) est un objet flottant du type coffre d'amarrage, capable de suivre des variations de grande amplitude du niveau de l'eau.  12) Conversion device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (M) is a floating object of the mooring type, capable of following variations of large amplitude of the water level.
PCT/FR2013/000181 2013-07-11 2013-07-11 Device for converting swell movement into energy WO2015004333A1 (en)

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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2551563A (en) * 2016-06-23 2017-12-27 James Gillett Simon Wave powered electricity generator and support platform
CN107989739A (en) * 2017-11-28 2018-05-04 太重(天津)滨海重型机械有限公司 Wave energy generating set and Wave energy generating system
CN110486213A (en) * 2018-05-14 2019-11-22 钱维安 More wave direction formula wave electric power systems
CN110863937A (en) * 2019-11-26 2020-03-06 王海山 Stable high-efficiency sea wave generator generates electricity

Citations (3)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1385083A (en) * 1920-05-29 1921-07-19 Thomas A Mcculley Wave-motor
US2757899A (en) * 1954-06-07 1956-08-07 Gabriel E Helm Water wave operated power mechanism
US6045339A (en) * 1998-01-20 2000-04-04 Berg; John L. Wave motor

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1385083A (en) * 1920-05-29 1921-07-19 Thomas A Mcculley Wave-motor
US2757899A (en) * 1954-06-07 1956-08-07 Gabriel E Helm Water wave operated power mechanism
US6045339A (en) * 1998-01-20 2000-04-04 Berg; John L. Wave motor

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2551563A (en) * 2016-06-23 2017-12-27 James Gillett Simon Wave powered electricity generator and support platform
CN107989739A (en) * 2017-11-28 2018-05-04 太重(天津)滨海重型机械有限公司 Wave energy generating set and Wave energy generating system
CN110486213A (en) * 2018-05-14 2019-11-22 钱维安 More wave direction formula wave electric power systems
CN110863937A (en) * 2019-11-26 2020-03-06 王海山 Stable high-efficiency sea wave generator generates electricity

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