WO2016077898A1

WO2016077898A1 - Arrangement in a system for generating electric power with hydraulic turbines on boats, and system operating method

Info

Publication number: WO2016077898A1
Application number: PCT/BR2015/050211
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sérgio Rubens DE CAMARGO FRANÇA
Original assignee: De Camargo França Sérgio Rubens
Priority date: 2014-11-17
Filing date: 2015-11-10
Publication date: 2016-05-26

Abstract

The present invention relates to an arrangement in a system for generating electric power with hydraulic turbines on boats, the system including hydraulic turbines arranged in the lower part of the boat hull, mechanical coupling elements (18,19,21) and an electric power generator (20). The system of the present invention further comprises whirlpool layers (1) arranged over the hydraulic turbines and, alternatively, water ducts (2) in the boat hull below the whirlpool layer (1). The inventive arrangement also makes it possible, at low speed and in the presence of waves, to turn the hydraulic turbines and consequently to generate electricity. The invention also relates to a method for operating the system.

Description

Report of the Invention Patent for "ARRANGEMENT IN ELECTRIC POWER GENERATION SYSTEM WITH HYDRAULIC TURBINES IN VESSELS AND SYSTEM OPERATION METHOD".

[001] The present invention relates to an arrangement and method of operation of a water-powered hydraulic turbine power generation system with an electric generator, electric motors and / or a battery bank.

[002] The vessel of the present invention has an innovative arrangement of its hydraulic turbines comprising swirling caps and alternatively water pressurizing ducts to increase the efficiency of the vessel's power generation system.

Description of the prior art

Generally speaking, vessels with hybrid drive systems are known. These vessels feature a power generation system, which is stored in a battery bank or transmitted to an electric motor, where, depending on the need, may contribute to the reduction of fossil fuel consumption of the vessel's main drive system.

[004] Among several forms of electric power generation, hydroelectric power generation through the use of the water flow that passes under the vessel stands out.

[005] Usually, hydroelectric power generation using the flow of water that flows under the vessel is accomplished by converting kinetic energy into electrical energy through a turbine at the bottom of the vessel. The flow of water as it passes through the turbine rotates the turbine blades which, coupled to a generator by means of a shaft and pulleys, transform kinetic energy into electrical energy.

Such a solution is described in Korean document KR20080006529 (Al) where a vessel with a central channel for water passage along the vessel's hull is presented. This waterway comprises multiple horizontal turbines with rotating blades and produce electricity. In addition, the document also anticipates the existence of vertical blade turbines at the stern of the vessel, right after a propeller propeller.

The arrangement of the turbines, as described, can also be found in Chinese document CN201 151483, which features a boat hull capable of generating electrical power through wheel turbines that are coupled therein.

One of the problems of the state of the art is the non-functioning or malfunctioning of the turbines, resulting in the inability to produce the torque required to move an electric generator. This problem is caused by water whirling due to the variation in water level in the turbines due to waves when the vessel operates at sea. Another problem is the operation of the boat at low speed, generating little water pressure to operate the turbines.

The present invention proposes a solution to such a problem by revealing a new arrangement of turbines, which may be conical or rectangular, with swirling caps surrounding the turbines, to drain all the water used in the blades and, alternatively, ducts. water with at least one pressurization section to direct water to the paddles. In this way, it is possible to increase the water pressure that will move the turbines and allow them to operate even at low speed or with wave oscillations.

Brief Description of the Invention

[0010] According to the invention, said problems are solved by means of a vessel electric power generation system which in addition to comprising the hydraulic turbines, electric generators, electric motors, battery bank, also includes swirling caps for the turbines and alternatively water ducts positioned in the hull below said caps.

The swirling caps comprise a cover whose shape follows the peripheral shape of the hydraulic turbines with a spacing of approximately 1 cm from them. The covers have on the side water outlet is an elongated and tapered shape that moves away from the turbine body. This elongated shape provides the flow of water leaving turbines without swirling, thus directing the flow. The whirling cover, because it completely surrounds the turbines, also becomes a protective device in case of breakage of one of the blades.

In the swirling caps, in an alternate embodiment of the invention, water-retaining plates are arranged on their elongated and tapered back to assist in directing the flow of water. This water flow can be directed to the water duct outlet positioned at the bottom of the swirling cover. The use of water retaining plates minimizes the amount of water that returns with the turbine blades, also reducing the formation of swirling at the outlet of the water duct and thereby increasing efficiency.

The water ducts, which are alternately positioned at the bottom of the swirling caps, have one of the following shapes: parallelogram or rectangular. Such shapes follow the shape of the hydraulic turbine blades that protrude from the hull.

In the present invention, the water ducts along their length have a characteristic shape which help to ensure an optimal flow of water to the turbines, even in adverse situations such as strong sea undulation or low operating speed of the turbine. vessel.

The water ducts comprise a duct side, at least one water inlet, at least one pressurization portion, a depressurization portion and an outlet portion. The at least one pressurization portion may, in an alternative embodiment of the invention, be movable and have at least one actuator. The at least one actuator may be driven by a hydraulic piston or endless screw, in addition to a motor, which may be hydraulic or electric, automatically controlled by generator speed sensors or boat speedometer. Said at least one actuator is used to regulate the inclination of at least one mobile stretch of pressurization that directs water to the blades of the hydraulic turbines. In a method according to the invention, the inclination of the pressurization sections is automatically varied according to the speed of the vessel, and for low speeds the inclination is greater than for high speeds.

Hydraulic turbines comprise blades, which have a parallelogram shape for conical turbines, or rectangular shape, for rectangular turbines, and their ends can be straight or curved. The blades, which are preferably 8 in number, may however have any other quantity depending on the need for design, provided that they are distributed equidistantly over the turbine body, are closed by side discs and are soldered to the body. and in said discs. The blades are mounted with a slope of up to 10 °, always towards the bow of the boat, so that the right hydraulic turbine is different from the left hydraulic turbine.

The shape of the hydraulic turbines varies according to the angle of inclination of the vessel's hull in relation to a central vertical axis, where in the case of hull, ie the angle in relation to a central vertical axis is less than 90 ° shall take the conical shape or, if the hull is flat or without keel, ie the angle to a central vertical axis shall be 90 ° shall take the rectangular shape. However, the shape of the hydraulic turbines does not necessarily change their arrangement, which may occur inside the boat's hull, for example, near the stern mirror, in door-shaped cutouts on the boat's hull or outside the hull. under a stern platform, with the turbines always arranged side by side, either in pairs or only on each side. Turbines can be mounted on either side of the keel or in pairs with two on each side of the keel. In the case of a flat hull, a single turbine or several may be mounted in sequence.

Thus, the operation of the power generation proposed by the provision of the present invention consists in the fact that the Hydraulic turbines are coupled via an axle to an electric generator, which in turn transmits electrical energy to the electric motors coupled to the vessel's transmission system and which assist the propulsion of the vessel in a hybrid drive system, or to the battery bank that assists in powering the vessel's electrical system.

In order to protect hydraulic turbines, the vessel power generation system of the present invention features individual turbine safety boxes and a larger safety box superimposed on the individual turbine boxes. These safety boxes are watertightly fixed to the bottom of the vessel and have openings at the top for access to equipment in case of maintenance.

Within the larger safety box are included, in addition to the turbine safety boxes, a drive crown, a drive shaft, generator pulley, electric generator, bilge pump, powered fire extinguishers generator, spinklers and generator cooling equipment.

Brief Description of Drawings

The present invention will hereinafter be described in more detail based on an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings. The figures show:

[0022] Figure 1 - Features a swirling cap for hydraulic turbines;

[0023] Figure 2 - Features a turbine whirling cap comprising a turbine therein;

[0024] Figure 3 - Features a swirling turbine cover with a detached water duct;

Figure 4 - Features a front perspective turbine swirling cap;

[0026] Figure 5 - Features a swirling cap and a water duct comprising actuators for the pressurization runs; [0027] Figure 6 shows a swirling cap comprising water retaining plates and a water duct;

Figure 7 - Shows a conical turbine, in lateral perspective;

[0029] Figure 8 - Presents a rectangular turbine, in lateral perspective;

Figure 9 - Shows a front view of a turbine with the swirling cap, water duct, turbine shafts and mechanical seals;

Figure 10 - Shows the arrangement of conical turbines in parallel within the "V" hull of a vessel;

[0032] Figure 11 - Shows the arrangement of conical turbines positioned outside the hull of the vessel below a stern platform;

[0033] Figure 12 - Shows the arrangement of rectangular turbines positioned outside the vessel's hull below a stern platform;

Figure 13 - Shows a perspective view of a turbine safety box;

Figure 14 - Features a larger safety box for a "V" hulled boat version;

Figure 15 - Shows a larger safety box of figure 14 in top view, with the lid open;

Figure 16 - Shows a top view of the whole system;

Figure 17 - Shows the system of Figure 16 in rear view;

Figure 18 - Shows the turbines projecting out of the vessel's hull, without the water duct;

Figure 19 - Shows the turbines of figure 18 covered with the water duct in the hull of the vessel; and

Figure 20 - Shows the positioning of the cutouts for the open turbines in the hull.

Detailed Description of the Figures

As can be seen from Figures 1 to 6, the swirling caps 1 comprise a peripheral cover wall 1A in Partially identical to the shape of the hydraulic turbines, ie tapered or rectangular, sidewalls 1B with a hole 1C sized to allow passage of the shafts, water retaining plates 6 at the rear and water ducts 2. The covers 1 partially accompany the shape and peripheral lines of the hydraulic turbines approximately 1 cm apart, and also function as safety equipment in case of breakage of the blades, which have a rectangular shape 10 or parallelogram 9. In the figures it is possible perceive the existence at the rear of the swirling cap 1 of an elongate shape tapered back towards the base and through which the flow of water exits. In this elongated and tapered rearward space, in one embodiment of the invention, water retaining plates 6 are shown, shown in Figure 6. The vortexing caps are manufactured in a split fashion to allow mounting of the turbine rotor therein. The cover material is preferably made of stainless steel. The swirling caps, due to their elongated and backward tapered shape, allow optimal water flow, and the water retaining plates 6 are an element that assists in directing the flow of water.

Water ducts 2, shown in Figures 3, 5 and 6, comprise, according to one embodiment of the present invention, side walls 2A, a first inlet port 2B, a first pressurization section 2C, a second inlet port 2D, a second pressurization section 2E, a 2F depressurization section and a 2G output section. Water duct pressurization systems 2 feature as a constructional variant a first movable 2C front pressurization run with a 3A actuator and a second 2D movable pressurization run with a 3B actuator as shown in Figure 5. Actuators 3A and 3B can be be driven by hydraulic piston or worm screw with an electric servomotor. Varying the inclination of the mobile 2C and 2D pressurization sections allows the cross section of the water inlet to the turbines to be varied, allowing optimal control of water flow. This control is performed as a function of generator speed, boat speed or of the wave level. Control can also be performed manually. With a higher wave level resulting in vessel swaying, the inclination of the 2C and 2D sections is increased, with consequently larger openings, i.e. a larger inlet cross section, and a larger flow of water to the turbines. This ensures that even if one edge of the vessel is lifted upward from the other edge by the waves, the water flow to the turbines remains constant. With the lower boat speed there is also a greater need for water flow to the turbines, so it is necessary to increase the slope of the 2C and 2D sections, thus resulting in cross sections of the larger openings.

The use of water ducts 2 is not absolutely necessary for the present invention, and only the use of the turbocharging caps alone produces a good result of increased efficiency of the hydraulic turbines. Water ducts 2, however, are an alternative to increase efficiency in cases where it is necessary to channel and optimize water flow to turbines. The number of pressurization sections 2C, 2E to be used varies by project, and at least one must be present if water pipelines 2 are used under the turbines. The use of mobile 2C, 2E pressurization runs with 3A, 3B actuators and control system is an alternative when automating turbine water flow control.

Water ducts 2, attached to the underside of the turbocharging caps 1 and along the vessel hull in cut-outs 22 at the stern of the vessel, have in their cross-section one of the following shapes: parallelogram or rectangular, following the shape of the hydraulic turbine blades that protrude from the hull.

The entire pathway for water entering the water ducts 2 is detailed, in one embodiment, by figure 6. Water enters through the first 2B and second 2D water inlets, passes through the first 2C and second 2E pressurization sections, until you reach the bottom of the turbine with its increased pressure. In the section of depression 2F, the pressure is decreased and the water velocity is increased by the Venturi effect, giving greater efficiency to the turbine water flow. The water retaining plates 6, which represent an alternative embodiment, are positioned at the rear of the swirling caps 1 and are intended to direct water flow to outlet 2G. These plates also have the function of minimizing the return of water flow with the turbine blades, which generates efficiency losses.

The electric power generation system in the present invention is driven by a method which includes the propulsion steps of the main drive motor vessel, which may be an internal combustion engine or a generator for driving electric motors; the rotation of a hydraulic turbine by the flow of water under the vessel's hull; the generation of electricity for secondary drives or for the battery bank; With a reduction in power generation, actuators 3A, 3B increase the inclination of the opening of the pressurization sections 2C, 2E. Actuators 3A, 3B are controlled by a control unit that uses the signal from a boat speed meter or a signal with the number of revolutions of the electric generator.

Hydraulic turbines, as well as their blades, are shown in figures 7 and 8. Hydraulic turbines, the shape of which follows the shape of the vessel's hull, so that they may have the conical shape 11 described in figure 7, in in case the hull is finned, or the rectangular 12 described in figure 8, in case the hull is flat, they are closed by side discs 8. The blades 10, which may be 8 in number, are welded to the body and discs 8 at an angle of up to 10 ° to the axis and always facing the bow of the boat. The blades are made of stainless steel, bronze alloy or manganese, with good corrosion resistance.

Such hydraulic turbines may be arranged within the hull of the vessel, near the aft mirror, in indentations 22 in the hull and within the swirl caps 1, or outside the hull of the vessel, under a stern platform. which is usually set just above the waterline on the stern mirror. Also, in another As an embodiment, 4 hydraulic turbines can be arranged side by side as shown in Figure 10.

Another relevant feature of hydraulic turbines is that they are coupled to an electric generator 20 by means of a 7 axis, which transmits electrical energy to the electric motors coupled to the vessel's transmission system to assist in propelling the vessel in a hybrid system. traction, or to a battery bank.

[0051] Hydraulic turbine blades have parallelogram 9 shape for conical turbines 1 1 or rectangular 10 for rectangular turbines 12. Hydraulic turbine blades can have straight or curved ends. In addition, the hydraulic turbine blades are arranged in the amount required to achieve optimum performance according to the system sizing and desired power and have a slope of up to 10 ° towards the bow of the vessel, as shown in the figure. 6 so as to make the right hydraulic turbines different from the left hydraulic turbines.

The final arrangement of the assembly described above in its various alternatives is illustrated in Figure 9, wherein the assembly comprises a hydraulic turbine positioned within a swirling cap 1, a water duct 2 coupled to the underside of swirling caps 1 , the axles 7 of the hydraulic turbine running through the swirling cap 1 through a hole 1 C therein and being properly sealed through the mechanical seals 13.

Hydraulic turbine protection is provided by turbine safety housings 14 which, as shown in Figure 13, comprise rectangular shaped sidewalls 14A where one side is higher than the other and which have holes 14B for passage 7 axes closed with mechanical seals 13 or water seals, in addition to front wall 14C and bottom wall 14D which have equal rectangle trapezoidal shapes to adapt to the inclination of the vessel's hull.

Also in the turbine safety boxes 14, you can find clamping "L" plates 14E that seek to clamp together with 14F male pins, the turbine safety housings 14 in 14G bases, in addition to including screw-tight watertight top covers, with 14F male pins and seals, which guarantee tightness, which are screwed through fixing and with sealing joints glued with water resistant adhesives.

A larger protection system as illustrated in the figures

14 and 15, is arranged to protect the entire system, wherein the larger protection system is a larger safety box 15 comprising rectangular shaped sidewalls 15A, frontwall 15B and bottomwall 15C, the shape of which accompanies the angulation of the hull and a hermetically sealed cap 15D, which includes rubber, silicone or other pressure sealing straps, 15E hinges and snap locks for opening, 15F air inlets, 16 air inlet ducts coupled to larger security box 15. The larger security box

15 is attached to the hull and the stern mirror of the vessel.

The entire power generation system of the present invention is disposed within the larger safety box 15 as illustrated in figures 14 and 15 where the system comprises turbine safety boxes 14, turbine shafts 7, thrust bearing bearing 17, a mechanical seal 13, water ducts 2, hydraulic turbines, a swirling cap 1, a drive ring 18, a drive shaft 21, generator pulley 19, electric generator 20, pump Basement, Self-Activated Fire Extinguishers, Spinklers and Generator Cooling Equipment 20.

In one embodiment, in turn, the hull of the vessel has indentations 22 in the stern where the hydraulic turbines are coupled directly to the hull, coming into direct contact with water, or alternatively where the ducts are attached. pressurized water 2 that directs water into the hydraulic turbines with enough pressure so that the hydraulic turbines can rotate optimally at low speed.

Reference List - Tourbillon cover

A - Peripheral Coverage

B - Swirling cover sidewall

C - Swirling cover hole

- water pipe

A - Duct side

B - First duct water intake

C - First stretch of water pressurization

D - Second duct water inlet

E - Second section of water pressurization

F - Water depressurization

G -Duct water outlet

A - Front Actuator

B - Rear Actuator

- Water retaining plates

- Turbine Shafts

- Turbine Discs

- Parallelogram shaped blades

0 - Blades in rectilinear shape

1 - Hydraulic turbines

2 - Rectangular Turbines

3 - Mechanical Seal

4 - Safety boxes for turbines

4A - Turbine Safety Box Side Walls4B - Turbine Safety Box Hole

4C - Turbine Safety Box Front Wall4D - Turbine Safety Box Rear Wall4E - "L" Mounting Plates

4F - Fastening Pins

4G - Turbine Safety Box Mounting Base5 - Larger Safety Box

5A - Larger Safety Box Side Walls B - Larger safety box front wallC - Bigger safety box rear wallD - Big safety box cover

F - Larger Safety Box Duct Hole - Larger Safety Box Duct

- Rolling bearing

- Transmission Crown

- Generator pulley

- generator

- Transmission crown shaft

- Turbine Doors

Claims

1 . Arrangement for power generation system with hydraulic turbines on vessels, the system including hydraulic turbines (11, 12) arranged at the bottom of the vessel's hull, mechanical coupling elements (18, 19, 21) and a power generator (20), characterized in that it comprises swirling caps (1) arranged on the hydraulic turbines (11, 12).

Arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the swirling caps (1) comprise a peripheral cover (1A), side walls (1 B), swirling cap holes (1 C), where the peripheral cover (1A) is disposed approximately 1 cm apart from the hydraulic turbine (11, 12) and partially follows the shape of the turbine (11, 12), and at its rear it moves away from the turbine body (11, 12) and has an elongate shape tapered in the direction of water output from the turbine (11, 12).

Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the swirling cap (1) includes water-retaining plates (6) disposed on the elongated and tapered rear of the capping cap. whirlwind (1).

Arrangement in an electric power generation system according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes water ducts (2) positioned in the hull of the vessel below the whirlpool cover (1), the water ducts (2 ) comprising a duct side (2A), at least one water inlet (2B, 2D), at least one water pressurization portion (2C, 2E), a depressurization portion (2F) and an outlet portion (2G ).

Arrangement in an electric power generation system according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one water pressurization section (2C, 2E) is movable and comprises at least one front actuator (3A, 3B ).

Arrangement in an electrical power generation system according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one actuator (3A, 3B) is a hydraulic piston or an endless screw system (5) driven by hydraulic or electric motors.

Arrangement in an electric power generation system according to claim 6, characterized in that the at least one actuator (3A, 3B) is controlled by a control unit that receives signals from generator rotation sensors or of speedometer of the vessel.

Arrangement in an electric power generation system according to claim 4, characterized in that the water ducts (2) have a parallelogram or rectangular shape in their cross section, where such shapes follow the shape of the blades of the hydraulic turbines (11, 12) protruding from the hull.

Arrangement in an electric power generation system according to claim 1, characterized in that the blades (9, 10) of the hydraulic turbines (11, 12) have straight or curved ends, are positioned at angles of up to 10 ° in relation to the axes (7) and are inclined towards the bow of the vessel.

Arrangement in an electric power generation system according to claim 1, characterized in that the hydraulic turbines (11, 12) are arranged side by side, either in pairs or only on either side of the keel. Alternatively, they may be arranged outside the hull of the vessel under a stern platform of the vessel.

1 1. Arrangement in an electric power generation system according to claim 1, characterized in that the hydraulic turbines (11, 12) are positioned in watertight turbine safety boxes (14) which in turn are positioned within a larger safety box (15).

12. Method of operation of a hydraulic turbine power generation system (1 1, 12) on vessels, where the system includes hydraulic turbines (11, 12), mechanical couplings (18, 19, 21), electric power generators (20), with swirling caps (1) and water gutters (2) as defined in claims 1 and 4, the method includes the steps of:

propulsion of main-engined vessel, hydraulic turbine rotation (11, 12) by the flow of water under the vessel's hull,

power generation for secondary drives or battery banks,

characterized by the fact that

If a reduction in power generation occurs, at least one actuator (3A, 3B) increases the opening inclination of at least one pressurization section (2C, 2D).

Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the at least one actuator (3A, 3B) is manually actuated.

Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the at least one actuator (3A, 3B) is controlled by a signal from the speed of the electric generator or from the vessel's speedometer.