WO2023174520A1 - Flow power plant - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a flow power plant (1, 1') for generating power in an aquatic flow field (FS), comprising: two mutually spaced stations (2, 2'), which can preferably be anchored in the ground (G) and which each comprise a cable pulley (25) mounted for rotation about a deflection axis (RG); and a cable loop (4), which is frictionally and/or positively guided around the cable pulleys (25) of the stations (2, 2') and which has a conveying cable (41, 41'), on which conveying cable (41, 41') a plurality of individual drive elements (5) is trimmably suspended, preferably in each case at a head of a hanger (52), particularly preferably a hanger rod (52), of the drive elements (5); wherein the cable pulleys (25) are mounted in the stations (2, 2') for pivoting about an orientation axis (Rax), such that the cable loop (4, 4') with the drive elements (5) is oriented in the flow field and can drive the cable pulleys (25) in the oriented positioned.

Description

Flow power plant

The invention relates to a flow power plant for generating electricity in an aquatic flow field with two stations spaced apart from one another, each comprising a rope pulley which is rotatably mounted about a deflection axis, and with a rope loop guided in a frictional and/or form-fitting manner around the rope pulleys of the stations. A large number of individual drive elements are attached to a conveyor rope of this rope loop so that they can be trimmed.

Countless water turbines are known from practice. These usually have a system of blades, rotors, rotors or the like, which are installed at a location in water with a suitably strong current in order to extract energy from the fluid and deliver power to a shaft. Classic examples include: B. Constant-pressure or positive-pressure hydroelectric power plants, which use natural or artificially created potential energy between two water reservoirs by converting the flow energy created by the gradient into electrical energy. However, hydroelectric power plants in which the turbine - similar to a wind turbine - is located directly in a suitably fast running water or a strong tidal current are rare.

The special advantage of all hydroelectric power plants compared to other types of power plants, such as: B. Nuclear, gas or coal power plants are because they produce environmentally friendly, climate-neutral electricity and do not require any limited fuels available on earth. CO2 is only emitted to produce the power plant components. Once the flow power plants are in operation on site, they emit no pollutants at all and therefore generate very clean electricity.

Unfortunately, the geographical conditions for the expansion of classic hydropower, especially in Europe, are almost exhausted. There may be some developments in the construction of flow turbines in the next few years, but the high flow velocities necessary for economic exploitation will only be achieved in a few inland and maritime areas. In order for hydropower to make a decisive contribution to the energy transition, the world's gigantic resource of moderate river and ocean currents must be developed through suitable arrangements with large-scale use. There is already a lot of state-of-the-art technology for bundling the energy of a large number of drive elements via ropes. However, it is foreseeable that the existing designs will only be able to withstand the prevailing conditions for a very short time or not at all due to their design, as they are usually not designed to be sufficiently robust or stable. They are therefore often only suitable in theory, but are not suitable for actual use because they simply cannot withstand or withstand the real conditions in practice for a long enough time.

For example, from EP 2 459 869 B1 a construction is known in which several wings are to be held as drive elements between two parallel rope loops. In practice, however, it is difficult or even impossible to maintain two rope loops that are exactly the same length and run synchronously in the long term. The result is extreme tension, disruptive torsion, increased wear and inevitable damage and thus uneconomical maintenance effort.

From US 9,777,709 B2 a construction with controllable wings as drive elements along a rope loop that runs around several rope pulleys is known. In this construction, a group of such wings attached to a section of the rope loop oscillates back and forth between two of the rope pulleys, with the rope loop having to be braked shortly before the group of wings reaches one of the rope pulleys and the wings from a first angle of attack position accordingly a second angle of attack position can be controlled so that the rope loop is driven again in the opposite direction until the group of wings has reached another sheave. This construction is therefore only potentially profitable from an extreme length and is therefore very limited to local conditions or circumstances, such as. B. two steep mountain slopes over water, separated by a wide valley, between which there is a strong current in order to be able to use it. In addition, the construction is relatively unstable and is actually only designed for operation using wind power, i.e. with an air flow. However, at a length at which the construction could potentially be profitable, its length makes it even more vulnerable and unstable and therefore no longer sufficiently safe in the maritime environment. It is therefore an object of the present invention, among other things, to overcome the said disadvantages of the prior art and to provide an improved flow power plant for moderate flows, which is robust enough to be operated economically and profitably with as little maintenance as possible.

This task is achieved by a flow power plant according to claim 1.

As mentioned at the beginning, the flow power plant for generating electricity by converting the flow energy or kinetic energy of the flow into electrical current in an aquatic flow field includes two stations spaced apart from one another.

The stations can be “reversal stations”, i.e. H. These are stations that have neither gears, brakes nor drives. There then essentially a reversal of a rope loop explained below takes place. In the simplest case there are at least two of them. In addition, the flow power plant can be used as stations but also as “diversion stations”, i.e. H. include so-called “intermediate stations”. On these, the rope loop is at least slightly deflected and supported or guided in a supportive manner. The rope loop can be supported upwards or downwards. In which case upward support or downward support makes sense will be explained further below. The same can happen with the stations e.g. B. these are “tensioning stations” at which the rope loop is pre-tensioned or “generator stations” at which generators for generating electricity and/or energy conversion (as explained in more detail below) are located. Unless otherwise stated, the term “stations” initially includes each of these variants. It should also be mentioned that, for example, both a bias voltage and a reversal or generation or conversion of energy can take place in a station.

The “aquatic flow field” can be a flow of continental as well as maritime waters, ie rivers, canals, seas, etc. The flow power plant can - as will be explained below - be aligned or arranged essentially perpendicular to the expected main flow directions of the flow field in order to optimize the possible energy generation, ie in a river or body of water, for example. B. perpendicular to the river or water flow. An installation, e.g. B. in inlet and outlet channels of run-of-river power plants is particularly advantageous because the necessary framework conditions with regard to safety, approval and service as well as with regard to grid connection and grid supply, ie the feeding of the electricity generated, have already been created. An installation there influences the performance of the existing run-of-river power plants, if at all only imperceptibly. In this way, the hydrokinetic energy of the flow, which has so far not been used at all, could be used, since run-of-river power plants usually only use the potential energy of the water due to the difference in height between the upper water at the inlet canal and the lower water at the outflow canal of the run-of-river power plant to generate energy using a turbine. As a rule, the water is additionally dammed up to increase the fall height. This would not be necessary with the intended design.

Furthermore, this orientation and arrangement can also be particularly advantageous for the stability of a possible construction in the sea, since the main current directions there, namely the tidal currents, are essentially oriented in opposite directions. I.e. the flow power plant can z. B. be aligned or arranged perpendicular to the tidal currents in order to be able to alternately use both currents optimally to generate energy. At low tide, the water flows in a first direction of flow, when the water retreats, i.e. "runs down", and at high tide, it flows in a second, opposite direction of flow, when the water then comes back, i.e. "runs up".

The stations each also include a pulley, which is rotatably mounted in the station in question about a deflection axis. A “deflection axis” (unless otherwise stated) is generally understood to mean a (virtual) axis in the mathematical sense or axis of rotation, i.e. a straight line that describes a rotation. The deflection axis can be mechanical, for example by a stationary axis on which z. B. the pulley is mounted, or by a rotating shaft, which z. B. is firmly coupled to the pulley, can be realized, or by the pulley being mounted on the reverse side in a corresponding bearing so that it can rotate radially on the outside. If the pulley is connected directly or indirectly to generators (explanation below) in order to drive them, as explained below, the deflection axis is a “drive axis”.

The pulleys of the two stations of the hydroelectric power plant can preferably be of identical construction, that is, for example, of the same size. Furthermore, between the stations there is an endless, non-positive or frictional rope loop, usually spliced, around the sheaves of the stations. The term “forced or frictionally guided around the rope sheaves of the stations” means that the rope loop - when it is driven or moved during operation as indicated and explained below - transfers its kinetic energy to the rope sheaves via friction or a frictional connection and thus drives it. Endlessly spliced means that the rope ends of the rope loop are formed into a continuous rope loop without an end or continuously or are intertwined, e.g. B. by means of a longitudinal splice or connecting splice or wire splice, so that the rope loop can be driven continuously in a circle.

Alternatively or in combination with a non-positive or frictional coupling to the station sheaves, the rope loop could in principle also be guided in a form-fitting manner around the station sheaves.

The rope loop in turn comprises or can be formed by a conveyor rope, to which a large number of individual drive elements are attached in a trimmable manner.

Under the conveyor rope is z. B. to understand a strong cord made of fibers or wires, which is designed to withstand tensile loads in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor rope, but in particular also tensile loads obliquely, preferably transversely, to the conveyor rope in the direction of flow.

The drive elements mean elements having wings or similar elements that generate or effect a force on their attachment point on the conveyor rope when the flow occurs in an aquatic flow field. This force can then be transmitted via the conveyor rope, to which the drive elements are fixed in place, to the pulleys and ultimately to generators coupled to them, in order to start the generators and keep them moving in order to generate electricity. The electricity generated can in turn z. B. introduced into a power grid via power lines or stored in batteries in order to be transferred or fed into the power grid later at a more suitable time. “Trimmable attached” means that the drive elements are attached to the conveyor rope in such a way that they can be trimmed to the current prevailing flow or the angle of attack can be adjusted.

In order to distribute the tensile force on the conveyor rope as evenly as possible over the entire conveyor rope at a certain flow, the drive elements can preferably be arranged distributed at regular intervals over the entire conveyor rope.

As an example, the drive elements can - as preferred - e.g. B. be distributed “like the brackets of a drag lift” along the conveyor rope, without restricting the invention to this. This has the advantage that the same number of drive elements are in the flow at all times and the conveyor cable is therefore constantly kept in motion or driven.

This means that there are no unwanted fluctuations in speed, which can occur, for example. B. could occur if drive elements were located more in the area of the turning loops or pulleys and less in the flow field in between, as is the case, for example, in the construction of US 9,777,709 B2. In addition, this construction also prevents uneven loading of the conveyor rope along the entire length, which would occur at least temporarily with only a few isolated drive elements, in particular unevenly distributed along the length of the conveyor rope, as is also the case with US 9,777,709 B2. In the said construction of US 9,777,709 B2, there can temporarily be local increases in tension in the rope in the rope sections around the wings, which may cause the rope to be locally very strongly tightened or stressed. Particularly if the rope is restarted frequently (i.e. the tension is continually rebuilt) - which is intended in this design - this has a very stressful effect on the longevity of the rope.

For weight and cost reasons for both manufacturing and assembly, operation and potential repair, it is also advantageous to use a larger number of smaller drive elements rather than a smaller number of larger drive elements to achieve the same drive performance. Preferably, the drive elements can be designed in a profile shape, that is, as mentioned, with a supporting surface. Their shape can be designed in such a way that they support the conveyor rope in a certain flow direction, e.g. B. in a river or possibly a current directed downstream or into the sea (or out to the open sea) in exactly one rope drive direction. i.e. the drive elements are designed in such a way that they drive the conveyor cable in a predetermined direction of rotation with a certain direction of flow, i.e. z. B. have an asymmetrical profile or a curved skeleton line, as will be explained below.

At this point it should be noted that relative directions such as “downstream”, “upstream”, “facing into the sea”, “facing inland”, “up”, “down”, “above”, “below”, “upside” , “underside”, “side or left/right”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, “front”, “back” etc. here, as in the entire text, arbitrarily refer to the representation in the figures. Later, Figure 1 shows a typical state of an exemplary embodiment of a flow power plant in use in a moment without flow, i.e. during the so-called “capsizing”, i.e. a time when the incoming and outgoing water changes, so that the tidal flow comes to a standstill for a short time and the rope loop with the conveyor rope between the stations in a chain curve or chain line sags downwards in an arc due to the lower buoyancy relative to the water with gravity. In contrast, Figure 2 shows the exemplary embodiment of the flow power plant with existing flow. As already mentioned above, the flow power plant can also include one or possibly several intermediate stations between the two outer stations. These are useful, for example, when very long rope loops are used, but the “chain curve” or “sag” of the conveyor rope of the rope loop cannot be increased arbitrarily, i.e. H. the conveyor rope cannot sag upwards or downwards as desired, which, for example, B. can be the case in comparatively shallow waters. Metaphorically speaking, the rope loop does not sag in a deep “fundamental vibration”, but rather, for example, at an intermediate station in the first “harmonic”, i.e. H. in two flatter, slightly curved arches.

In contrast to the prior art mentioned at the outset, the drive elements can also preferably each be attached to a head of a hanger, particularly preferably to a head of a hanger rod, of the drive elements in a trimmable manner on the conveyor rope of the rope loop. According to the invention, the rope pulleys are pivotally mounted in the stations in such a way that the rope loop can be aligned with the drive elements in the flow field and so that the rope pulleys can be effectively driven in the aligned position. The “pivoting bearing” is carried out in such a way that the rope loop can be pivoted to a corresponding roll angle or angle of attack to the direction of flow and then z. B. when the flow strength changes or e.g. B. oscillates when the flow direction changes to a different roll angle or angle of attack. The rope pulleys with the rope loop with the conveyor rope are basically (for the theoretical case that such a flow direction would exist) 360 ° by a z. B. horizontally aligned alignment or pivot axis, which will be explained below, pivotally mounted in the stations. In practice, they essentially move in a range of 200° or can be moved in a range of approx. 200° when adjusted, since flows do not always run horizontally and a swivel angle of just over 180° can therefore occur. The rope loop aligns itself, for example, in a parabolic shape based on a currently prevailing flow strength or flow speed, essentially vertically in the direction of flow, if the flow flows strongly enough against the rope loop with the drive elements as desired with a substantially vertical flow direction. Due to the nature of a rope construction, here the rope loop, in a rectilinear force field or flow field over the entire length (depending on the rope tension), it is always more or less curved in an arc, it is not possible for the flow power plant, especially the rope loop , to be aligned perpendicular to the flow throughout its entire length. In fact, the flow only hits the flow power plant perpendicularly in the middle area of the cable loop. However, this is still at least approximately the case in the direction of the stations, so that a longitudinal direction of the flow power plant is oriented essentially perpendicular to the respective main flow direction.

During a tidal change in the current-free state, in which the rope loop, as mentioned, sags downward in a straight line in a chain curve between the two stations with the force of gravity, the rope loop extends temporarily in a straight line along the shortest connecting axis between the two stations, at least from a bird's eye view from above both stations. Therefore, this direction of extension of the flow power plant in this current, flow-free state of capsizing or in the event of a tidal change is subsequently seen or referred to as the “longitudinal direction of the flow power plant”. This longitudinal direction stands namely actually perpendicular to the respective main flow direction that then re-establishes itself.

The swivel or rolling bearing according to the invention has the advantage that the cable pulleys with the cable loop guided around them and the drive elements can always be aligned in the direction of the greatest flow speed, so that the flow power plant according to the invention always has the best possible efficiency (that which can be achieved with the existing flow is) works and therefore always converts a maximum amount of flow energy into mechanical energy and/or electrical energy. The construction according to the invention also has the advantage that it prestresses itself in the no-flow state, as will be explained further below.

An additional advantage is that the construction only requires a single rope loop with a single conveyor rope, which not only saves material and costs, but also replaces the extremely complex, almost impossible production of two ropes of exactly the same length. The construction according to the invention also does not fight against existing forces, for example B. as described in EP 2 459 869 B1, an attempt is made to somehow keep the wings or ropes parallel in the long term, but rather they are designed and arranged in the aquatic flow field in such a way that they can optimally adapt to the existing forces can align in the most favorable position.

It is also advantageous that the construction according to the invention also requires only a single pulley per station, since the drive elements are not stretched between two parallel conveyor cables.

Another advantage of the design according to the invention is that the flow power plant can be positioned very flexibly in the aquatic flow field. When used in a flowing water, possibly a flowing inland water, such as. B. a canal, river or stream or the like, it can be relatively easily anchored at both stations at essentially the same water depth or on the respective bank, since the structure is then positioned perpendicular to the downstream flow direction of the watercourse.

When used in tidal waters, it can be very variable to have one or two opposite measurements before assembly or anchoring on site Flow directions can be aligned essentially vertically and then continue to be operated with a flow direction that deviates from the main flow directions, since it can be flexibly adjusted. Because its longitudinal direction (which is essentially defined by the longitudinal extent of the rope loop in the “capsizing situation” described above) is essentially perpendicular to the main current directions or tidal current directions, i.e., to put it simply, an inland current at high tide and an ins Due to the current directed out to sea at low tide, usually positioned essentially along the coast or parallel to the coastline, it can be anchored in the ground at almost the same water depth at both stations. This means that it does not have to be anchored at one end further out in the sea away from the coast and therefore usually much deeper with exponentially more assembly effort or in a deeper water depth in the ground.

In a method according to the invention for generating electricity in an aquatic flow field, in particular with such a flow power plant already described above, a rope loop, which essentially consists of a conveyor rope with a large number of individual drive elements attached to it in a trimmable manner, is guided around two rope pulleys, each of which a deflection axis is rotatably mounted at two stations spaced apart from one another. “Essentially consisting of a conveyor rope with a large number of individual drive elements attached to it in a trimmable manner” means that the rope loop can also include additional parts or accessories known to those skilled in the art, such as: B. a splice as a rope connection.

The rope pulleys are also mounted in the stations so that they can pivot about an alignment axis, so that the rope loop aligns with the drive elements attached to the conveyor rope in the flow field and the rope pulleys are each driven in the aligned position by the drive elements.

The stations can preferably be anchored in the ground, i.e. H. e.g. B. at the bottom of a river or during a maritime operation on the seabed.

Alternatively or additionally, when used in inland waterways, the stations can be located in inlet and outlet channels of river power plants or when used in tidal areas on various offshore systems, preferably offshore wind turbines, e.g. B. be anchored to the existing infrastructure. The use or installation according to the invention of a flow power plant according to the invention in inland flowing waters in inlet and outlet channels of river power plants or between the anchors of planned or existing offshore systems, in particular offshore wind turbines, makes it possible to switch to renewable energies or sustainable energy production of fossil fuels can be significantly accelerated by installing large numbers of hydroelectric power plants. By using the synergies in approval, installation, network connection or network supply and service, massive costs and time can be saved.

Further, particularly advantageous refinements and developments of the invention result from the dependent claims and the following description, whereby the independent claims of one claim category can also be developed analogously to the dependent claims and exemplary embodiments or parts of the description of another claim category and in particular also individual features of different exemplary embodiments or variants can be combined to form new exemplary embodiments or variants.

In principle, at least one of the sheaves or both sheaves, e.g. B. mechanically, adjustable and pivotably mounted in the stations in order to align the rope loop with the drive elements consciously or controlled in the flow field.

Preferably, however, at least one of the cable pulleys, particularly preferably both cable pulleys, can be freely and automatically pivoted in the stations about the alignment axis or pivot axis to the flow, so that the cable loop with the drive elements in the flow field aligns itself with the flow and thus the Can drive pulleys even more effectively in the aligned position. “Free” means that the rope loop with the drive elements, for example parabolic (in the form of a highly compressed parabola), automatically aligns or shifts in the direction of flow when the flow flows towards the rope loop with the drive elements from a substantially vertical flow direction. “Swivelly mounted” means that the rope loop swings freely, forming a balance of forces, to a corresponding swivel angle or angle of attack to the direction of flow and then z. B. when the flow strength changes or e.g. B. oscillates freely into a different pivot angle or angle of attack when the flow direction changes.

A free swivel or rolling bearing has the advantage that the cable pulleys with the cable loop guided around them and the drive elements automatically align themselves in the direction of the flow speed, i.e. H. with its largest possible effective area to the flow field, so that the flow power plant according to the invention always works with the best possible efficiency (which can be achieved with the existing flow) and thus always converts a maximum amount of flow energy into mechanical energy and / or electrical energy. Because of the free pivoting or rolling bearing, the drive elements can flow freely, which also prevents the drive elements from shadowing each other or being exposed to turbulence. At the same time, such a pivot or rolling bearing ensures that the flow power plant is exposed to less unfavorable loads and can therefore go without maintenance for significantly longer than, for example. This is the case, for example, in constructions with parallel double rope loops.

Furthermore, the preferred construction does not require mechanisms on the drive elements, which are otherwise necessary to mechanically or control-technically adapt the drive elements to a changed or changing flow direction.

There are various options for designing the conveyor rope.

Preferably, the conveyor rope of the rope loop can be designed to be guided around the two rope pulleys to form two load strands. Endless has the advantage that the conveyor rope can be driven continuously or endlessly in a circle. As is usual in mechanical engineering, “trum” is understood to be a part or cable strand of a rotating component that exerts tensile force, here the flow power plant. This is just the part of the endless or non-ending conveyor rope of the rope loop, which is not resting on the rope pulleys, i.e. is not supported, i.e. runs freely or loosely in the flow. In contrast to the term “empty strand”, “load strand” refers to the pulling rope strand of a conveyor device or system. Since both rope strands pull in the construction according to the invention, the flow power plant has two load strands, but no slack strand. Exactly two rope pulleys (one per deflection station) have proven to be particularly material and cost-saving, as the number of necessary stations, their anchors and generators, etc. can be reduced to a minimum. With this number, the flow force according to the invention can probably be operated particularly economically and with a high level of efficiency. Since the drive elements are also advantageously designed in such a way that they align themselves with the direction of flow, only two sheaves are sufficient to "stretch" the rope loop with its two load strands between the two sheaves essentially perpendicular to the aquatic flow field.

In principle, it would be possible to manufacture the conveyor rope with the drive elements in such a way that it extends in a kind of “floating position” between the rope pulleys without any relevant flow. For this purpose, the rope pulleys could, if necessary, have suitable securing devices so that the conveyor rope always remains guided around the rope pulleys.

However, the construction of the conveyor rope with the drive elements is preferably carried out in such a way that the conveyor rope essentially always remains in a certain pre-tension between the stations, even without current (e.g. during a tidal change).

If the conveyor rope, together with the drive elements, has a higher (total or average) density than water - which is usually the case - it can align itself between the stations in the flow-free flow field through an external gravity field in an arcuate chain line guided around the rope pulleys . As usual, a chain line is understood to mean a curved cable path, which here is not, however, limited exclusively to a curvature (possibly similar to a “sag” in cable car construction) with the force of gravity pointing downwards. In the following, the curvature of the cable course can also be referred to as sag, regardless of the direction in which the cable course is curved.

The conveyor rope can then preferably be a wire rope consisting of several strands or cardoons, particularly preferably with an insert or “soul”. To do this, the wire rope is beaten, twisted or braided from several strands or cardoons around the core to form a finished rope. For example, it can be a wire rope with or entirely made of normally unalloyed steel, i.e. a steel rope. As a steel cable, for example, it hangs in a chain line around the pulleys between the stations due to gravity (as a vector component) concave through. Steel cables also have the advantage that, on the one hand, they are easily scalable in terms of thickness. On the other hand, they have the advantage that, compared to chains, paddle wheel constructions or the like, as used, for example, in CN 106089555 A, DE 101 62 516 B4 and US 407,123 A, they are relatively light in weight and relatively inexpensive to manufacture are break-proof.

The conveyor rope can preferably be a closed wire rope, which comprises outer layers of profile wires which interlock in such a way that the conveyor rope has a substantially smooth surface and is largely protected from the ingress of moisture or water and dirt.

As already mentioned above, the construction is preferably designed in such a way that it is pre-tensioned by the conveyor rope of the rope loop, which sags freely downwards in the form of a chain curve, by the weight of the conveyor rope and the drive elements and therefore does not necessarily require a tensioning system, unlike this This is the case, for example, with all designs from the prior art, with two “parallel” rope loops between which the drive elements are clamped.

As the flow speed increases, the rope loop aligns itself from the rest position hanging convexly in the chain curve downwards into an increasingly horizontal working position with the rope loop tensioned convexly in the direction of the flow speed and begins to drive the rope pulleys by itself through the frictional connection of the conveyor rope to the rope pulleys.

Alternatively, the conveyor rope with the drive elements can be designed in such a way that it aligns itself in the flow-free flow field due to the external gravity field in a chain line that is convexly curved upwards against gravity, that is, it floats in an upwardly curved “sag”. For this arrangement, the conveyor rope with the drive elements attached to it is manufactured in such a way that, due to its design, it floats in relation to the surrounding water and/or consists of a suitably selected material that floats relative to the surrounding water. Likewise, the conveyor rope of the rope loop could be a nylon fiber rope or high-tech rope with carbon or carbon fibers or the like, which floats in the water if constructed accordingly. The drive elements could then also be designed as hollow bodies or the like, e.g. B. made of or with (preferably recycled) plastic or Plastic (which is sealed or coated in such a way that it does not dissolve in water).

The construction is therefore designed in such a way that it is pre-tensioned by the rope loop floating freely upwards in the water in the form of a chain curve due to the greater buoyancy of the conveyor rope with the drive elements compared to the water and does not require any additional or further pre-tensioning here either.

At this point it should be pointed out once again that the exemplary embodiments mentioned basically only differ slightly from one another structurally, but not in terms of the desired effect or result. In the first-mentioned exemplary embodiment, a gravity component predominates over a buoyancy component. In the exemplary embodiment described below, it is exactly the other way around. To put it simply, the two exemplary embodiments behave physically similarly.

In principle, regardless of this, the stations can float at the top (on the surface of the water) with the rope loop guided around the pulleys or be sunk at the bottom of the water. It is even conceivable that one or more stations are arranged at the top and one or more stations at the bottom. For this purpose, the pulleys of all stations could be designed accordingly or mounted on a boom so that they are approximately on a horizontal line in the water. For example, in a comparatively shallow body of water, the two outer stations could float on the surface of the water and an intermediate station could be sunk in between.

As the flow speed increases, the rope loop then pivots from the rest position, which floats upwards convexly in the chain curve or chain line, into an increasingly horizontal working position with the rope loop tensioned convexly in the direction of the flow speed, and in doing so begins to pull the rope pulleys through the frictional and/or positive connection of the conveyor rope to drive pulleys by themselves.

For an optimal arrangement in the flow, the cable pulleys can preferably be pivotally mounted with the conveyor cable of the cable loop relative to the stations about a substantially horizontal connecting axis between the two stations. D H. which in the no-flow state e.g. B. strands or load strands that run essentially one above the other are pivotally mounted about the essentially horizontal pivot axis in such a way that, when there is a flow, they pivot or are displaced essentially one behind the other through the flow into a position in the flow direction. At the same time, the cable pulleys pivot from a substantially vertical position into an increasingly horizontal position around the connecting axis.

Alternatively or additionally, the sheaves can be pivotally mounted with the conveyor rope of the rope loop relative to the stations about an alignment axis or pivot axis running at right angles to the respective deflection axis of the sheaves.

Preferably, during operation (i.e. when the conveyor rope is driven), the flow direction of the flow can be essentially perpendicular to a center point of a (virtual) surface spanned between the rope strands of the rope loop. “Substantially perpendicular” means that the flow direction of the flow, apart from the gravity components, is perpendicular to the center of said surface. Due to the slight deviation caused by the influence of gravity and the tensile forces in the rope, the direction of flow is not exactly vertical, but rather slightly offset on this surface.

There are also various options for the attachment and design, especially shape, of the drive elements:

As mentioned, a drive element can preferably comprise a wing, which preferably has a curved skeleton line between a profile nose and a profile trailing edge. This means that the wing is designed asymmetrically, ie not mirror-symmetrically, along its longitudinal axis from the front profile nose to the rear trailing edge of the profile. Such an asymmetry has the advantage that it specifies a specific cable drive direction of the conveyor cable for a flow direction. Furthermore, a drive element can align itself at an ideal, slightly oblique angle of attack to the direction of flow. Particularly preferably, a wing can have a semi-symmetrical profile or a lobe profile. Such a drive element is very stable and ensures effective guidance of the rope loop in the flow.

Preferably, the hanger or the hanger rod of a drive element can be attached or suspended on the conveyor rope at certain positions, preferably uniformly (i.e. in a fixed grid dimension), by means of a rotatable, simple rope clamp, relative to which rope clamp on the conveyor rope the drive elements for adjusting a Angle of attack to the flow can be trimmed. A simple rope clamp is a coupling of a drive element at essentially just one point, e.g. B. to understand a point or a relatively small section along the conveyor rope. One could therefore speak of a “single point” rope clamp or simply a simple rope clamp.

At this point, however, it should be mentioned that in principle there could also be two suspension points on the (same) conveyor rope that are in close proximity to one another, but which act like a single suspension point or a simple rope clamp. This is e.g. B. meant a double rope clamp or two-point rope clamp.

Preferably, the hanger or the hanger rod of a drive element can be clamped to the conveyor rope at the position already mentioned above by means of the rope clamp. By clamping, the hanger holds securely on the conveyor rope, but can be used, for example, if necessary. B. solved for repair purposes and, for example, replaced. Clamping in one position using the rope clamp also has the advantage that a drive element can safely transmit its force to the conveyor rope. It is naturally the case that every rope clamp always slips slightly under load despite being clamped, e.g. B. rotates slightly around the rope or slowly “walks” in the longitudinal direction of the rope. Since this usually applies equally to all rope clamps, this effect is not particularly problematic.

For example, the clamping can be done by means of the rope clamp on the conveyor rope in such a way that the conveyor rope is enclosed or encompassed at least on one side, in particular approximately two thirds, by means of the rope clamp, as is known in principle in particular from the field of cable car technology. Preferably, the drive element, in particular the wing, can be connected to the conveyor rope, advantageously with the rope clamp on the conveyor rope, to adjust an angle of attack to the flow via a, particularly preferably freely automatic, trimming mechanism. The trimming mechanism can include, among other things, the hanging rod already mentioned, a trimming arm, pivot bearings, pivot bolts, etc., as will be explained further below.

The trimming mechanism can preferably comprise a multi-link joint arrangement, particularly preferably an at least four-link kinematic chain, via which it or the drive element is connected to the conveyor cable.

Preferably, a wing, e.g. B. on the underside, at two coupling points spaced apart essentially along the skeleton line, be articulated via at least one hanger with the rope clamp on the conveyor rope of the rope loop. Of the said coupling points, one can be closer to a profile nose and the other closer to a profile trailing edge of the wing.

In the case of a particularly elongated wing, the coupling point, which is closer to the profile trailing edge than the other, can advantageously be located closer to a wing center of gravity of the wing than to the profile trailing edge.

Preferably, tension and/or pressure means can extend between the wing and its cable clamp in order to adjust an angle of attack of the wing to the flow and/or a curvature and/or depth of a wing relative to a conveyor rope speed of the conveyor rope on the hanger.

This allows potential overload, e.g. B. prevent the rope loop from braking when the conveyor rope is braked, as mentioned above, by automatically tilting the wings of the drive elements into a front flag position in the conveyor rope drive direction beyond a propulsion window of the wings when the conveyor rope is braked. In this flag position, the wings are then at a so-called yaw angle of approximately 0° to the flow, ie they are aligned with almost no load and therefore no longer generate any significant propulsion because they no longer offer any significant flow resistance. Preferably, the hanger can comprise a hanger rod as part of the trimming mechanism, which is rotatably mounted at one end on the wing and at an opposite end in the cable clamp of a drive element.

Particularly preferably, the rotatable bearing can be realized by means of a pivot pin mounted in a respective pivot bearing.

The trimming mechanism can also have a trimming arm that is shorter, for example when viewed relative to the hanging rod, e.g. B. as a kind of "toggle lever", which is coupled to the rope clamp at one end in a rotationally fixed manner at a fixed angle to the conveyor rope and at the other end, away from the rope clamp, articulated to the wing via a trimming rod or a trimming train connected to the wing at a point spaced from the center of gravity of the wing.

For the rotatable mounting of the hanger rod around the trim arm, which is non-rotatably coupled to the rope clamp, it is a good idea, for example, to secure the trim arm firmly with a, for example. B. by means of the rope clamp, to couple the bolt or pivot pin attached to the conveyor rope, relative to or to which the hanging rod is rotatably coupled. With such a construction, an angle of attack of the wing to the flow can be adjusted or trimmed particularly easily. It is also particularly stable and trims itself to fit in a work trimming area.

Preferably, all of the previously described advantageous developments or configurations of a drive element, in particular a wing, can be installed on a majority of the drive elements, particularly preferably on every drive element or at least almost every drive element, i.e. H. More than 90% of all drive elements must be realized or realized, for example e.g. B. be connected to the conveyor rope as described above.

In order to protect the flow power plant from damage, the trimming mechanism of the drive elements can preferably each have at least one twist stop on the rope clamp on the conveyor rope, on which the hanger rod inevitably hits at the front and / or back when the hanger rod is twisted if the angle reaches a certain limit angle reached. In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the specific or critical limit angle between the hanging rod and the trimming arm can be approximately 45°. i.e. the critical angle is achieved when the hanger rod, viewed from the fixed or non-rotatable trim arm, is either rotated backwards by 45° against the cable drive direction, or when the hanger rod is rotated forward by 45° with the cable drive direction.

At this point it should be mentioned that the invention is not limited to this exemplary embodiment alone. For example, the angle does not have to be equal, i.e. H. there are e.g. B. different sized angles possible. Likewise, the angles do not necessarily have to be 45°. It is particularly important that in the “front” rope drive direction there is no collision of the drive elements with the conveyor rope, the inlet rollers or inlet guides or the rope pulleys and that in the “rear” rope drive direction the drive elements do not kick back in the event of a “conveyor rope” “Empty journey” is prevented.

In order to protect the flow power plant even more reliably against overload, the stations can preferably have speed-controllable generators which allow the rope loop, in particular the conveyor rope of the rope loop, to work or run at a controllable conveyor rope speed depending on the flow speed of the flow. Especially when there is an exceptionally strong current, i.e. H. In the event of an impending overload, in which the structure could potentially suffer damage, you can let the conveyor rope of the rope loop run, for example, by gradually reducing the torque on the generator and thus accelerate it to a certain conveyor rope speed (“conveyor rope empty run”) in order to reduce the load to reduce the drive elements or the conveyor rope with the drive elements of the rope loop. Alternatively, the drive elements can be switched or aligned to the flow with almost no load, initiated by regenerative braking of the conveyor rope (“conveyor rope stop”), as will be explained in more detail below.

There are various options for further designing the stations.

If desired, the stations can preferably include an electric motor in order to be able to additionally drive the rope loop with the drive elements if necessary, e.g. B. for an empty run for test purposes, to consume excess energy and / or to prevent overloading of the flow power plant, as just mentioned. Alternatively, the conveyor rope can also simply be driven with the generators for an empty journey, for example for assembly or for test purposes. The stations can preferably be designed to float. “Fitted to float” means that the stations have enough buoyancy so that they do not sink in the water. For example, they can be designed in such a way that they float on the water surface or at least near the water surface below the water surface, essentially keeping the intended water depth constant. Designing the stations in such a way that they float at a specified water depth has the advantage that the water surface is suitable for watercraft, such as. B. ships etc. essentially remains free, ie except for possibly a few buoys that mark the position of the flow power plant. For watercraft, such as B. Submarines, the flow power plant can regularly emit acoustic or other signals so that the flow power plant can be located.

Particularly preferably, the stations can each be stored or mounted on a floating platform that floats in the water. Such a swimming platform could, for example, be made of buoyant, lightweight materials such as: B. plastics, and / or built as cavities.

The swimming platforms can preferably be anchored or anchored using maritime technology at the site of use on the ground or in the ground below the aquatic flow field. For this purpose, they can include, for example, hawsers with anchors or anchor ropes or lines with anchors or mooring lines, which can be lowered to the seabed via a winch for anchoring. As is known to those skilled in the art, hawsers are ropes with a large diameter made of steel cable, plant fibers or synthetic material, e.g. B. wire hawser, steel hawser, rope hawser, manila hawser or similar.

In order to conveniently move the rope pulleys with the rope loop and the generators for generating electricity into a position under water - e.g. B. several meters below the water surface - the stations can preferably have a lowering device. In this position, the rope pulleys and the rope loop around them are z. B. very good against waves close to the surface or surface waves, e.g. B. in heavy or rough seas, and floating debris is protected. Another advantage is that normal shipping traffic is hardly hindered, as all ships can sail over or pass between the marked swimming platforms undisturbed. For example, the lowering device can be designed in such a way that it only lowers or swings the rope loop down to such an extent that the rope loop, with the existing slack in the conveyor rope, hangs low enough that it does not block watercraft (with the exception of submarines). .

In addition, the entire system is designed very flexibly through the anchoring using maritime technology, the lowering device, the swivel bearing and the flexible conveyor rope of the sheaves, which in particular prevents swaying, i.e. H. pitching, yaw and rolling of the swimming platforms is greatly dampened in the construction.

To keep the flow power plant, especially the stations and the rope loop, at any water depth, e.g. B. to be able to position near the coast on the seabed, the stations can preferably include variably fillable or emptyable hollow bodies (trim or ballast tanks) to generate buoyancy or downforce depending on the degree of filling or filled quantity. In the simplest case, e.g. B. air or compressed air can be pumped into the hollow bodies or water can be pumped out so that they float on the surface of the water. At the site of use, the stations can then be moved to an intended operating position under water, e.g. B. to bring to the seabed, air released and at the same time z. B. Water can be let in in a controlled manner. If the stations are later to be brought to the water surface for maintenance, some water can be removed from the ballast tanks using compressed air so that they have just enough buoyancy to rise to the water surface in a controlled manner. Alternatively, a gas could also be used, for example. This would then be collected when drained so that it can be used again.

Under certain operating conditions, the stations can also include sinking hollow bodies when empty. This means that the hollow bodies have such a heavy casing that they cannot float on their own without appropriate air or gas filling, i.e. they will sink in the water. For example, the hollow bodies can be designed or cast as hollow concrete foundations. Concrete as a building material has the advantage that it is sufficiently heavy to keep the stations on the seabed permanently in position or in place, even without anchoring. In addition, it is very robust in the long term and easily available. Concrete here is understood to mean a mixture of cement, water, sand or the like and, if necessary, other additional components. Such additional components come e.g. B. iron, plastic granules, carbon fibers etc. in question, which are known to the person skilled in the art in this field, for example. B. to improve the stability of the concrete or to increase or reduce the specific weight.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached figures using exemplary embodiments. The same components are provided with identical reference numbers in the various figures. The figures are generally not to scale and are only to be understood as a schematic representation. Show it:

1 shows a schematic side view of an exemplary embodiment of a flow power plant according to the invention in a body of water, in the flow-free state,

Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the exemplary embodiment from Figure 1, now with existing cross flow transverse to the longitudinal direction of a cable loop of the flow power plant,

3 shows a schematic view of the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 2 from above,

4 shows a schematic side view of an alternative embodiment of the flow power plant according to the invention according to FIG. 1, this time in a floating lightweight construction of the rope loop, on the left half of the figure in the flow-free state and on the right half with existing cross flow,

5 shows a detailed representation of a part of FIG.

6 shows a detailed representation of a part of FIG.

Figure 7 shows a detailed representation of one of the stations from Figure 2 (with existing cross flow),

Figure 8 is a view of Figure 7 from above, 9 shows a further detailed view, shown diagonally from above, of a part of the flow power plant according to FIG.

Figure 10 is a side view of Figure 9,

11 shows an even more detailed view of a drive element on the conveyor rope of the rope loop from FIG. 1, showing different angles of attack to the conveyor rope,

12 shows an even more detailed side view of a drive element on the conveyor rope of the rope loop from FIG. 1, to show the setting of a trimming mechanism during an empty conveyor rope run,

13 shows a sectional view of FIG. 12, shown partially in section along the section line AA from FIG. 12, namely in an extension direction of the conveyor rope,

Figure 14 is a schematic side view of a section of a flow power plant according to Figure 4 with a rope loop guided through an intermediate station, on the left half of the figure in the flow-free state and on the right half with existing cross flow.

Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a flow power plant 1 according to the invention in the assembled state in a simplified aquatic flow field Fs in the sea determined by the tides, whereby here the currentless or flow-free state, i.e. the so-called “capsizing” in the absence or only a small (true) flow V _c = 0 is shown, i.e. the time of change from incoming to outgoing water or vice versa.

As preferred, the flow power plant 1 is z. B. arranged near the coast in a maritime flow field Fs, in which the water level periodically rises and falls again due to the tidal forces or attractive forces of the moon (distance between the earth and the moon), especially in the middle latitudes. The direction of flow regularly changes particularly strongly between an inland direction of flow at high tide (ie “oncoming” water) and one in the opposite direction Direction of flow directed towards the sea at low tide (i.e. “draining” water). In between, when the tide capsizes, the (true) tidal current (Vc < 0 m/s) “stands still” for a short time within a certain time window. As I said, this state is shown here in Figure 1 and again enlarged in Figure 6. 6 also shows the position of the rope loop 4 or rope section 4 as well as the drive elements 5 or kites 5 on the conveyor rope 41 or pull rope 41 of the rope loop 4, which without any significant flow (Vc < 0 m/s) with the Gravity sag downwards towards the bottom G or bottom G (here the seabed G or bottom G).

In addition to two individual, spaced-apart stations 2, the main components of the flow power plant 1 include two circular, rotatable and tiltable rope pulleys 25 (as part of the stations 2) mounted in the stations 2, as well as a rope loop 4, which includes an endless conveyor rope 41, which the two pulleys 25 of the stations 2 are guided around in a ring in order to drive them for energy consumption and electricity generation by means of speed-controllable generators 21 on the pulleys 25, here for example frictionally. For this purpose, the conveyor cable 41 is guided in a U-shaped, radially outwardly open grooves 26 of the cable pulleys 25 so that it cannot derail or slip off the cable pulleys 25. In addition, 25 inlet rollers or inlet guides can be arranged shortly before or shortly after the cable pulleys, as indicated in FIG. 10, for example. These direct the conveyor rope 41 into the grooves 26 of the rope pulleys and can additionally prevent “derailment”.

The conveyor cable 41 itself comprises, as an attack surface for the true flow or flow Vc, the drive elements 5 or kites 5, which have already been mentioned several times and are arranged at equal distances along the conveyor cable 41, which, when the flow Vc is present, as in Figure 2 and increasingly more detailed in 7 to 13 show that the conveyor cable 41 is set in motion or driven in an annular manner in a cable drive direction VR essentially perpendicular to the flow direction of the flow Vc. The cable drive direction VR is independent of the current flow direction, as will be explained in more detail below in the context of the shape and design of the drive elements 5.

So that the drive elements 5 set in motion by the flow Vc move with the conveyor rope 41 relative to the stations 2, the stations 2 are anchored in the seabed G by means of maritime technology 24 on sides facing away from one another (ie directed away from the conveyor rope 41) in the seabed G, e.g. B. using lines, ropes or chains Anchors 24 or the like, as shown schematically in Figure 1. In order to simplify the anchoring in the seabed G, ie to make it more cost-effective and simpler, the flow power plant 1 can preferably be fastened near the coast and/or between existing offshore wind turbines to their existing foundations, for example anchored using relatively short lines or chains.

So that the flow power plant 1 is as robust and resistant as possible in the long term and remains that way over the entire operating period, the cable pulleys 25 and the cable loop 4 are mounted in the flow field Fs in such a way that they always align themselves at an ideal angle to the flow Vc. Ideal not only means the best possible efficiency, but also a favorable alignment in which the acting forces are distributed as equally as possible across all components. For this purpose, the cable pulleys 25 are tilted in the stations 2 using a special tilting technology, so that the cable loop 4 can align itself at any time in the balance of forces. In the no-flow rest state (see Figure 1), the rope loop 4 or route hangs, i.e. H. the conveyor rope 41 with the drive elements 5 in a chain curve Ko or weight chain curve Ko. The force of gravity when the tidal current is at a standstill (when capsizing) and the weight of the rope loop 4 itself generate, through the influence of gravity, a sufficient pre-tension on the system consisting of the two sheaves 25 of the stations 2 and the rope loop 4 running between them. The pre-tension maintains the The system or the flow power plant 1 is positioned stably in a defined position in the flow field Fs. In particular, it also holds the conveyor rope 41 securely in the grooves 26 of the rope pulleys 25, so that additional securing on the rope pulleys 25 for the conveyor rope 41 can be dispensed with.

If flow Vc then builds up, the drive elements 5 shift the rope loop 4 to the “side”, ie into an eccentric position relative to a straight connecting axis V between the stations 2, in which the rope loop 4 is slightly convex or slightly convex with the flow direction of the flow Vc . curved in an arc to form a “parabola” (from the sagging catenary line Ko into a more horizontal sag Ki). At this point, for the sake of completeness, it should be noted that the schematic representations of the figures are an “ideal fair” in which, without restricting the invention to this, a longitudinal direction of the flow power plant 1 (which, as mentioned, is essentially determined by the longitudinal extent of the Rope loop is defined in the “capsizing situation” described above) is aligned essentially perpendicular to the expected flow direction of the flow Vc. The pulleys 25 of the stations 2 pivot or tilt with it. In the conveyor rope 41, a superposition of the weight chain curve Ko and the arcuate or convex parabola is created by the dynamic pressure of the flow Vc on the drive elements (comparable to a “downwind course” when sailing, since the drive elements are initially aligned as in square sailing) and the pulling effect of the drive elements (comparable to a “space wind course”). The stronger the flow Vc becomes in the tide, the more or further the system tilts; more precisely, the rope loop 4 with the drive elements 5 and the rope pulleys 25 tilt into a horizontal position or a sag Ki. An associated alignment axis, pivot or roll axis R _ax is chosen so that when tilting, a pivot angle (p of the chain curve Ko changes increasingly towards the horizontal or horizontal in the sag Ki (where an exactly horizontally aligned sag due to gravity, which vectorially vertically downwards, is logically never fully achieved).

The initially low preload increases significantly due to the dynamic pressure on the drive elements 5 in the flow Vc. The dynamic pressure corresponds to the dynamic pressure, since it corresponds to the increase in the pressure at the stagnation point of a body around which flow occurs, here the conveyor cable 41 with the drive elements 5, compared to the static pressure of the fluid. By definition, the “stagnation point of a body around which the flow flows” is the point on the surface of the body or profile that flows against, where the flowing fluid, here water, theoretically hits perpendicularly. The speed of the flow disappears at the stagnation point, so that the kinetic energy (in the idealized case completely) is converted into pressure energy. A necessary contact pressure is created between the conveyor rope 41 and the sheaves 25 so that the conveyor rope 41 can transfer the resulting tensile forces to the sheaves 25, here via friction, in order to drive the generators 21 of the stations 2 or generator stations. If necessary in the event of an overload, the conveyor cable 41 can be braked, i.e. accelerated negatively, or (positively) accelerated by running, ie by reducing the torque reduction on the generators, in order to protect the flow power plant 1 from an accident, the drive elements in such a way that These generate virtually no propulsive forces any more by deliberately increasing the angle of attack of the drive elements 5 to the flow Vc by means of a trimming mechanism 58 beyond a respective dead center from the working trimming range ß, into an angle of attack y - "conveyor rope stop" or into an angle of attack a - “Empty conveyor rope run” brought or is adjusted. A more detailed explanation of this and the drive elements 5 follows below.

As with a typical chairlift, the rope loop 4 guides the drive elements 5 in a desired predetermined “trajectory” or circular path from one (first) station 2 to the other (second) station 2 and back to the (first) station 2 in a continuous cycle . At this point it should be mentioned that in the case of a particularly long rope loop, at least one intermediate station can be integrated between the first and the second station, at which the conveyor rope of the rope loop is supported and guided in between. Such an intermediate station is shown as an example in Figure 14. In the form shown there, it is suitable for use in a further alternative embodiment of a flow power plant T, which will be explained later. But it is not limited to that. For example, in the flow power plant 1 it could also be “turned around”, e.g. B. floating on the water surface W, anchored. In both cases it reduces a “deep” sag (up or down) on a long rope loop 4, 4’.

The drive elements 5 align themselves again according to a respective curve around the pulleys 25 at an angle of attack β to the flow Vc. For the “return path” from one rope pulley 25 back to the other, they do not have to be turned specifically, as is usually the case in the prior art, but due to the design, they rotate by themselves by 180 ° in comparison due to the already mentioned advantageous rope clamp 51 to the previous “outward journey” to this rope pulley 25. The rope clamp 51 or single-point clamping 51 represents a particularly robust attachment or suspension of the drive elements 5 on the conveyor rope 41, through which the conveyor rope 41 can be safely driven and easily guided around the stations 2. The construction can preferably be designed in such a way that due to a slight continuous movement of the clamps along the conveyor cable 41, no displacement of the clamps or a regular clamp offset is necessary, since the clamped points are subject to greater stress in the cable deflections, as is known to those skilled in the art.

The shape and design of the drive elements 5 or kites 5 will be briefly discussed below, which can be seen particularly well in Figures 11 and 12 and partly in section along the section line AA in Figure 13. The features described below also apply to the drive element 5′ mentioned below in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. The drive elements 5 each include a wing 50 with an asymmetrical skeleton line 53 or with an asymmetrical profile 53 with a rounded profile nose 50a at the front (right in Figure 11) and a tapered profile rear edge 50b at the rear (left in Figure 11). The support surface 50 is attached or attached to an elongated hanger 52, as a kind of “arm”, so that it can be trimmed by means of a trimming mechanism 58 or joint arrangement.

The hanger 52 or the elongated arm, here in the form of a hanger rod 52 as part of the trimming mechanism 58, is pivotally attached and clamped in a pivoting plane to an end section of the hanger 52 remote from the wing by means of the rope clamp 51 on the conveyor rope 41. The end section of the arm or hanger 52 can also be referred to as the head of the hanger 52. At a wing-side end section (i.e. opposite the head) of the hanger 52, the hanger rod 52 is articulated to the wing 50 at a coupling point 56a, here designed as a pivot pin 56a. The coupling point 56a was chosen here as preferred so that it corresponds to a wing center of gravity of the wing 50, which promotes rotation or trimming of the wing 50 around this wing center of gravity in order to set an angle of attack β of the wing 50 to the flow Vc by means of the trimming mechanism 58.

The trimming mechanism 58 also includes a trimming arm 54 (see FIG. 12 and again in FIG. 13 in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor cable 41), which is coupled to the cable clamp 51 in a rotationally fixed manner at one end section and to which in FIG the rope clamp 51 rotatably mounted hanger rod 52 protrudes at an angle. At the other, opposite end section, the trim arm 54 is articulated by means of a pivot pin 56d via a trim rod 55 or a trim cable 55 with a further coupling point 56c, here also designed as a pivot pin 56c, with the wing 50 (in the direction of the profile nose 50a spaced from the center of gravity of the wing).

Due to the length-stable components (hanging rod 52, trimming arm 54 and trimming rod or cable 55) of the trimming mechanism 58, the support surface 50 (here in Figure 11, for example diagonally to the top right) is ideally aligned with the apparent flow away from the conveyor rope 41 in an intended working trimming range (angular range) β automatically, since the apparent flow here in Figure 11 z. B. “flows” diagonally to the top left. In particular A favorable angle of attack ßi, ß2 of the wing 50 to the apparent flow is automatically established (the true flow Vc flows here in Figure 11, for example, from bottom to top along the plane of the drawing). Depending on the exact angle of attack ßi, ß2, a tensile force FLI, FL2 is created, which is transmitted via the hanging rod 52 and the rope clamp 51 on the conveyor rope 41 as propulsion to the conveyor rope 41.

As a result, the shown section of the conveyor rope 41 is pulled in the already mentioned rope drive direction VR (here in Figure 11 to the right) and thus the rope pulleys 25 are driven at the stations 2 via friction, i.e. z. B. rotates in one direction of rotation about the deflection axis RG, so that a torque MG or generator torque MG can be transmitted to the generators 21 by means of the generators 21 connected to it (see Figures 9 and 10) and electricity can thus be generated. In this respect, the deflection axis RG of the pulleys 25 can also be referred to as a drive axis RG of the generators 21. With a rather “hard” angle of attack ßi in relation to the apparent flow, the wing 50 of a kite 5 is brought relatively “close” and a tensile force FLI acts on the conveyor cable 41. With a relatively “loose” angle of attack ß2 in relation to the apparent flow On the other hand, the wing 50 of a kite 5 “freezes” and a tensile force FL2 acts on the conveyor rope 41.

If necessary, the speed-controllable generators 21, as already mentioned several times above, can also make the conveyor rope 41 "run" faster, for example if the flow Vc is too strong, in order to react immediately to a possible overload in a very easily controllable manner without delay and to prevent it can. The angle of attack β of the wings 50 of the drive elements 5 to the flow Vc can also remain more or less constant within the working trim range β, which means that a complex and expensive externally controlled control mechanism on each of the drive elements, for example to be able to react to flow fluctuations etc., is simple can be omitted, which is never the case with the prior art constructions mentioned at the beginning.

At this point, we should also point out a phenomenon that occurs periodically in the sea, during which conventional systems typically have to be shut down for safety reasons. In particular during a spring tide, i.e. shortly after the full moon or new moon with the moon, earth and sun essentially on a common line, when the system or the flow power plant 1 is, so to speak, “overpowered”, ie overloaded, can be achieved by a small increase in the conveyor rope speed the forces in the system, if necessary, can simply be reduced to zero, so that the flow power plant 1 is particularly securely protected against overload and an overload with an accident etc. cannot occur in this regard.

If the system or the flow power plant 1, e.g. B. for maintenance etc., this is not a problem, since when stopping or braking the conveyor cable 41, the drive elements 5 or kites 5, more precisely the wings 50, are “overtaken” relative to the respective one Rope clamp 51 of the drive elements 5 comes to the conveyor rope 41 and consequently when the front dead center is reached outside the working trim range ß, namely at an angle of attack y, the drive elements 5 simply come to a flag position. The forces on the system immediately drop sharply. This position is shown schematically in Figure 13 on the right for the four-bar linkage, consisting of points 56a, 56b, 56c, 56d. The above-mentioned braking can, for example, be initiated as a generator, with the rope pulleys being braked accordingly. At the end, i.e. at the end of the braking process, if necessary, brakes can be applied to the generator line or generator or directly to the cable pulleys in order to completely stop the propulsion movement of the conveyor cable 41.

In order to be even safer, as already mentioned, an overload protection for the drive elements 5 is integrated or installed in the cable clamp 51 of each drive element 5 on the conveyor cable 41. The overload protection 57 is designed here as a two-legged twist stop 57. The hanging rod 52 strikes the rotation stop 57 at a critical limit angle Q _cr it of 45 ° between the hanging rod 52 and the trimming arm 54. In the event of an impending overload, the twist stop 57 forces the drive elements 5 to pivot out of a working trim range β into a respective dead center into an angle of attack a or an angle of attack y, which means that the forces on the system immediately decrease sharply.

As can be seen particularly well in Figures 5 to 8, among others, the stations 2 include a swimming platform 23, which here z. B. consists of two supports 23 arranged at an angle to one another, each of which has hollow bodies 27 (e.g. which can be filled with air) at the ends. At this point it should be noted that the swimming platform is not limited to this exact design, for example to supports arranged at an angle to one another. Alternatively, the swimming platform could, for example, also have two parallel supports, which can be connected to further struts, for example. B.y- are connected in a shape or a V-shape. Likewise, the swimming platform could include buoyant carriers 23. As can be seen in Figure 8, the carriers 23 converge at one end section 27b on a hollow body 27 and are connected to one another at another, opposite end section 27a via a tapering bipod 28 which stands in the middle between two further hollow bodies 27 and stands obliquely upwards towards the sky connected or coupled. The bipod 28 carries a lowering device 22 and centers it above the water surface W, centrally between the two hollow bodies 27 at the end section 27a of the struts 23. The lowering devices 22 of the station 2 serve to lower the cable pulleys 25 to a suitable water depth below the water surface W or . the surface waves W, so that the cable pulleys 25 and the cable loop 4 running around them are protected from the rough surface waves W.

As can be seen in Figure 6, a cable winch 29 with a lowering cable 30 is located as part of this lowering device 22 at the upper converging end of the bipod 28. The lowering cable 30 has a hook 30h. The hook 30h holds an eye plate or an eyelet 31e of a lowerable carrier 31. The lowerable carrier 31 is mounted near the end section 27b in a pivot bearing 32 so that it can rotate or pivot relative to the struts 23 and includes the lower end in FIG on the top side the said eyelet 31 e for the hook 30h of the lowering rope 30, so that the carrier 31 of the lowering device 22 can be raised on one side from an initial assembly position above the water surface W (see Figure 5) into an operating position below the water surface W (see Figure 6 ) can be lowered.

At the front end of the individual carrier 31, the pulley 25 of the station 2, which has already been mentioned several times, is coupled to be pivotable by a pivot angle (p about an alignment axis R _ax or pivot axis R _ax . As can be seen in Figure 6, the pivot axis R _ax extends for the rope pulley 25 together with the rope loop 4 in the axial direction of the carrier 31, so that the rope pulley 25 is theoretically mounted on a circular path, practically on a lower semicircular path, so that it can be pivoted or tilted around the carrier 31. That is, the rope pulley 25 “rolls”. so to speak, under the influence of a flow Vc together with the rope loop 4 around the alignment axis R _ax or roll axis R _ax into a swivel angle cp, which essentially depends on the flow speed. The swivel angle (p is defined so that it is in the rest position in the flow-free State according to Figure 6, in which the rope loop 4 sags vertically downwards in a chain curve Ko with gravity, is exactly 0°. In the position according to Figure 7, in which the rope loop 4 is caused by a correspondingly strong flow Vc in a curved, almost horizontal sag Ki is pivoted or inclined, the pivot angle (p is therefore almost 90°.

The pulley 25 comprises a rotating shaft (which is aligned radially to the above-mentioned circular path) with a turntable coupled to the shaft in a rotationally fixed manner at one end and a generator 21 at the other end of the shaft. The generator 21 (see Figures 9 and 10) generates electricity through the relative movement of the shaft relative to the generator 21. To be more precise, the pulley 25, the shaft and the generator 21 are, as mentioned, mounted so that they can be pivoted or tilted about the pivot axis R _ax on the said circular path around the carrier 31.

During assembly, each station 2 is first pre-assembled on a floating or buoyant swimming platform 23, as close as possible to the desired location. The swimming platforms 23 with the hollow bodies 27 are then towed or transported to the place of use. A prefabricated rope loop 4 with drive elements 5 is placed over two stations 2, or more precisely their rope pulleys 25. The swimming platforms 23 are then anchored and moved in the seabed G using the maritime technology 24 already mentioned. This creates the necessary pretension to hold the rope loop 4 permanently in the rope pulleys 25 and make it ready for operation. Finally, the pulleys 25 together with the generators 21 for the operation of the flow power plant 1 are lowered below the water surface by the lowering device 22 described. For inspection and maintenance, these can be raised or swiveled into dry land above the water surface, as already mentioned above.

As already mentioned, lowering below the water surface to a suitable water depth of a few meters, e.g. B. 20 m, prevents the rope pulleys 25 with the generators 21 and the rope loop 4 or rope section 4 from being exposed to the rougher surface waves W near the surface in stormy seas and possibly floating debris. Even in heavy seas, the tidal speed of the current Vc below the water surface W only increases moderately, ie at a certain water depth below the water surface W, disproportionately increasing currents no longer occur. This means that the structure is generally well protected, even in storms or heavy seas, so that the risk of damage can be minimized. In addition, the system is anchored using maritime technology 24, the lowering device 22, the tiltable storage Flow Vc and the rope loop 4 with a steel rope 41 are constructed very flexibly overall and are therefore very resistant in the long term to the required long-term loads to which it is increasingly exposed, especially in the sea. Furthermore, lurching, i.e. “pitching, yaw and rolling” of the swimming platforms 23 is greatly dampened in the lowered operating position of the rope pulleys 25 with the generators 21 and the rope loop 4.

In addition, the lowering and curvature of the cable section 4 in a chain line Ko also ensures that watercraft, such as. B. Ships can easily pass between the stations 2 of the hydroelectric power plant 1, i.e. H. passage is not hindered, which is particularly advantageous when installing in delta areas at river mouths, between the anchorings of offshore facilities or in artificial canal mouths into the sea, since the desired currents or flow speeds are usually present there, but at the same time there is often busy ship traffic prevails.

In particular between the anchorages of offshore systems, such as B. offshore wind turbines, a flow power plant 1 according to the invention can be attached or assembled in a particularly cost-efficient and resource-saving manner, which keeps the required investment costs relatively low, especially in the early days - in which the technology, like any other, still has to mature - and therefore could be particularly useful from an economic perspective. On top of that, synergies in approval, assembly, grid connection, infrastructure and service could be used to further promote this fundamentally particularly clean, sustainable and endlessly available technology for generating electricity. In particular, this could also significantly speed up and simplify the assembly of demonstration systems.

Due to the construction according to the invention, such a flow power plant 1 can be exposed to high forces or flows and can also be repaired or repaired relatively inexpensively even if the conveyor cable 41 of the cable loop 4 breaks off, since the stations 2 cannot be lost in the process they are arranged on buoyant swimming platforms 23 that do not sink. In this way, the relatively expensive components are always retained, as they are, for example, B. not sink to the bottom of the sea without being found or swim away into the vastness of the sea or be carried away. As already announced, Figure 4 now shows a further exemplary embodiment of a flow power plant 1 'according to the invention - on the left half of Figure 4 in the flow-free moment, on the right half of Figure 4 with the flow Vc present, which except for a few constructive differences described below has essentially the same components as the exemplary embodiment described in detail above.

This exemplary embodiment of the flow power plant 1' differs structurally essentially in that it is partly designed with a hollow body construction and partly with a lightweight construction, so that, like the previously described exemplary embodiment, it initially (e.g. during assembly and transport up to to the place of use) still floats on the water surface W (not shown), but can then be positioned and operated in an intended operating position at the bottom G of the body of water, for example also in the sea, in a river or the like. During operation, this ensures that the shipping traffic taking place above is no longer hindered, since the stations 2' are no longer floating on the water surface W. Another advantage of this arrangement on the base G is that it also allows a large distance to be created from the (comparatively rough) surface waves W, which means that the flow power plant 1 'is exposed to significantly lower loads overall.

So that the stations 2' of the flow power plant 1' can be brought into the mentioned intended operating position on the ground G at the site of use, the stations 2' are each mounted on two hollow bodies 27' with air chambers, here designed as heavy concrete hollow foundations 27'. This assembly process can e.g. B. can be carried out beforehand in a shipyard or can only be carried out on site on a ship or in the water. So that the stations 2 'with the heavy concrete hollow foundations 27' do not sink directly (if they are not yet at the place of use and in order to control the lowering to the ground G), the air chambers of the concrete hollow foundations 27' are initially filled with sufficient air , e.g. B. filled or filled using compressed air, so that the stations 2 'float stably on the water surface W. If the stations 2' are not yet at the site of use, they can easily be used in this floating state, e.g. B. from a shipyard to be towed to the site.

Once at the place of use, the air chambers of the concrete hollow foundations 27 'are then flooded with water in a controlled manner, so that the concrete hollow foundations 27' due to their Its own weight sinks down in the water and can finally be set down in a controlled manner at a designated operating position on the bottom G. There the stations 2' with the concrete hollow foundations 27' are permanently very stable (the seabed can be examined accordingly in advance). This condition is shown in Figure 4.

For larger repairs - if necessary - the air chambers of the concrete hollow foundations 27 'of the stations 2' can be filled again with compressed air and / or pumped empty, so that stations 2 'float back to the water surface W and can be maintained there very easily and inexpensively . A possible return transport or towing back to a shipyard is then again possible without any problems. However, smaller inspections and maintenance could also be carried out underwater using divers or submarines, e.g. B. not to interrupt the operation of the flow power plant T for long.

So that the rope loop 4 'between the stations 2' does not rest on the ground or collide with the ground G, i.e. H. For example, scrapes along it, but floats freely in the water volume above it, i.e. between the ground and the water surface, the conveyor rope 4T of this exemplary embodiment also differs structurally from the conveyor rope 41 of the previously described exemplary embodiment due to its lightweight and hollow body construction. Just like the conveyor rope 4T, the drive elements 5' also differ structurally from the drive elements 5, at least in that they are constructed in such a way that they float or want to float in the water, i.e. at least in the current-free state. For example, the drive elements 5' can include chambers or pores filled with air or the like, so that a situation in which the drive elements 5' come into unintentional contact with the seabed G does not normally arise at all. As already mentioned above, if desired, the drive elements 5 could also be used in combination with the conveyor rope 4T, namely if the conveyor rope 4T is light enough that the rope loop 4' still floats as a whole.

This structural design ensures that the conveyor cable 41 'and the drive elements 5' on it float in the water in an arc that is arched or curved upwards towards the water surface W and therefore does not come into contact with the ground G. Depending on the water volume, the length can be chosen so that the curved arc does not come too close to the water surface W, and tends to do so rather runs close to the bottom G, so that there is still enough space for watercraft to pass over it, depending on local conditions and needs.

For this purpose - e.g. B. in the case of a particularly long rope loop 4 'and / or in comparatively shallow waters - at least one intermediate station 2z' can be integrated between the first and the second station 2', at which the conveyor rope 41 'of the rope loop 4' is in between by means of several rollers (e.g . B. like a cable car support) is supported and guided, as can be seen in Figure 14 (on the left half in the flow-free state and on the right half with existing cross flow). This reduces a strongly curved or “deep” chain line Ko or a corresponding “sag” Ki towards the water surface W.

In principle, it is also conceivable to use the hollow bodies, such as. B. to fill the concrete hollow foundations of the stations with water in exactly the same way, i.e. to leave just enough air in them so that the flow power plant is kept in suspension or floating in the water at a certain, desired water depth above the ground, without actually being on the ground to put on. This would largely spare the ground itself, the flow power plant could be positioned in a layer of water with strong currents and it could at least be kept deep enough that shipping traffic is not hindered. To secure this, it could then advantageously be done using maritime technology, such as. B. be anchored to the bottom by means of cables with anchors or anchor cables so that it maintains its position and does not drift away and the distance between the stations remains essentially constant during operation.

At this point it should be emphasized again that the flow power plant is not limited to operation as a tidal power plant, even if it has previously been described primarily in this context. As already briefly mentioned, it can be used, for example, in inland waters such as lakes, rivers, canals, etc.

In particular, it is advisable to use the flow power plant upstream of existing hydropower plants, such as storage power plants or run-of-river power plants, since storage power plants in particular only use the water flow and the head to generate electricity, but not the naturally existing flow speed of the water. With a flow power plant according to the invention, connected upstream of an existing hydroelectric power plant, the naturally existing flow speed could also be used to generate electricity. without significantly reducing the performance of the hydroelectric power plant. Here too (as already mentioned above when attaching to existing offshore wind turbines) synergies can be used in approval, assembly, grid connection or grid supply and service in order to save massive costs and time. Therefore, the use of a flow power plant according to the invention in rivers, in particular upstream of (and II. already existing) conventional hydroelectric power plants, is particularly preferred.

Finally, it should be pointed out once again that the devices described in detail above are merely exemplary embodiments which can be modified in a variety of ways by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the trimming arm for trimming the drive elements could alternatively be controlled via a mechanical rotating gate or gate control. Likewise, for example, stations floating on the water surface could also be combined with stations sunk into the seabed, which could be particularly useful if the bottom of the body of water slopes down or is sloping in a direction essentially perpendicular to the current used, so that it may then be easier is a station e.g. B. to sink in the comparatively shallow section of water and to anchor the other floating in the comparatively deep section of water. Furthermore, the use of the indefinite articles “a” or “an” does not exclude the fact that the characteristics in question can be present multiple times.

Reference symbol list

1, 1' flow power plant

2, 2' stations

2z' stopover

4, 4' rope loop / rope route

5, 5' drive elements/kites

21 generator

22 lowering device

23 swim platform/carrier

24 maritime technology / anchoring

25 pulley

26 grooves

27 hollow bodies

27' hollow bodies / concrete hollow foundations

27a End sections of the hollow bodies

28 bipod

29 winch

30 lowering rope

30h hook

31 support structure

31e eyelet

32 lowering bearings

41, 4T conveyor rope

50 wing area

50a profile nose of the wing

50b Profile trailing edge of the wing

51 rope clamp

52 hangers / hanging rod

53 Skeleton line / profile of the wing

54 trim arm

55 trim rod/cable

56a Coupling point / pivot pin on the wing

56b Pivot pin on the rope clamp

56c Coupling point / pivot pin at the wing trim point of the wing

56d pivot pin on trim arm 57 twist stop

58 Trim mechanics a Angle of attack - hoist rope empty travel ß Working trim range ßi Angle of attack - "Hard" on the apparent current, kite "tight" ß2 Angle of attack - "Room" apparent current, kite "freeze"

Y angle of attack - conveyor rope stop

(p Swivel angle of the rope loop from the rest position to the flow

FLI first tractive force at angle of attack “Hard”

FL2 second pulling force at angle of attack “Room”

Fs aquatic current field

G ground / soil / seabed

Ko chain line / curvature without flow

Ki sag from weight, dynamic pressure and tension during flow

MG generator moment

Rax alignment axis / pivot axis

RG deflection axis of the rope pulleys / drive axis of the generators c true flow R rope drive directions

V horizontal connecting axis between the stations

W Water surface / surface waves

Claims

Patent claims

1 . Flow power plant (1, 1 ') for generating electricity in an aquatic flow field (Fs).

- two stations (2, 2') spaced apart from each other, preferably anchorable in the ground (G), each comprising a pulley (25) which is rotatably mounted about a deflection axis (RG),

- and with a rope loop (4) guided frictionally and/or positively around the rope pulleys (25) of the stations (2, 2') with a conveyor rope (41, 41'), on which conveyor rope (41, 41') a large number of individual drive elements (5), preferably each on a head of a hanger (52), particularly preferably a hanger rod (52), of the drive elements (5), are trimmably attached, the rope pulleys (25) being in the stations (2, 2 ' ) are pivotally mounted about an alignment axis (R _ax ) so that the cable loop (4, 4 ') aligns with the drive elements (5) in the flow field (Fs) and can drive the cable pulleys (25) in the aligned position.

2. Flow power plant according to claim 1, wherein the cable pulleys (25) are freely and automatically pivotally mounted in the stations (2, 2') about the alignment axis (R _ax ), so that the cable loop (4, 4') is connected to the drive elements ( 5) aligns itself with the flow (Vc) in the flow field (Fs) and can drive the pulleys (25) in the aligned position.

3. Flow power plant according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the conveyor rope (41, 41 '), preferably a conveyor rope (41, 4T) consisting of several strands or cardoons, preferably with an insert, preferably a wire rope, in particular a steel rope (41 ), or a nylon fiber rope (4T), the rope loop (4, 4 ') is formed around the two rope pulleys (25) between the stations (2, 2') and is in the flow-free flow field (Fs) through an external gravity field aligned in an arcuate chain line (Ko) due to gravity.

4. Flow power plant according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cable pulleys (25) with the conveyor cable (41, 41 ') of the cable loop (4, 4') relative to the stations (2, 2')

- about a substantially horizontal connecting axis between the two stations (2, 2'), and/or - are pivotally mounted about an alignment axis (R _ax ) which runs at right angles to the respective deflection axis (RG) of the cable pulleys (25).

5. Flow power plant according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the drive elements (5) comprises a wing (50), each wing (50) preferably having a curved skeleton line between a profile nose (50a) and a profile trailing edge (50b) of the wing (50). (53), particularly preferably has a semi-symmetrical profile (53) or a club profile.

6. Flow power plant according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the hanger (52) of a drive element (5) is attached to a specific position on the conveyor cable (41, 4T) by means of a cable clamp (51) and is preferably clamped, relative to which cable clamp (51) on the conveyor rope (41, 4T) the drive elements (5) can be trimmed to set an angle of attack to the flow (Vc).

7. Flow power plant according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive element (5), preferably the wing (50), for adjusting an angle of attack to the flow (Vc) via a, preferably freely automatic, trimming mechanism (58), preferably with a multi-part joint arrangement the conveyor rope (41, 4T) is connected.

8. Flow power plant according to claim 5 and one of claims 6 or 7, wherein a wing (50) is articulated at two coupling points (56a, 56c) spaced apart substantially along the skeleton line (53) via at least one hanger (52) with the cable clamp ( 51) is connected to the conveyor rope (41, 4T) of the rope loop (4, 4'), of which coupling points (56a, 56c) one is closer to a profile nose (50a) and the other is closer to a profile trailing edge (50b) of the wing (50 ). / or to adjust a curvature and / or depth of a wing (50) relative to a conveyor rope speed of the conveyor rope (41, 4T).

9. Flow power plant according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the hanger (52) as part of the trimming mechanism (58) comprises a hanger rod (52) which is attached at one end to the wing (50) and at an opposite end in the cable clamp (51). one Drive element (5), preferably each by means of a pivot pin (56a, 56b) mounted in a respective pivot bearing, is rotatably mounted, the trimming mechanism (58) additionally comprising a trimming arm (54), which rotates at one end in one fixed angle to the conveyor rope (41, 4T) is coupled to the rope clamp (51) and at the other end, away from the rope clamp (51), articulated via a trim rod (55) or a trim train (55) to the wing (50 ) is connected to the wing (50) at a point spaced from the center of gravity of the wing.

10. Flow power plant according to claim 9, wherein the trimming mechanism (58) has a twist stop (57) on the rope clamp (51) on the conveyor rope (41, 4T), on which the hanger rod (52) is twisted when the hanger rod (52) is twisted. inevitably stops when an angle between the hanger rod (52) and the trim arm (54) reaches a certain limit angle (Q _C nt).

11. Flow power plant according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the stations (2, 2 ') have speed-controllable generators (21) which the rope loop (4, 4'), in particular the conveyor rope (41, 4T) of the rope loop (4, 4' ), depending on a flow speed of the flow (Vc), allow it to work at a controllable conveyor rope speed.

12. Flow power plant according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the stations (2) are designed to be buoyant, preferably each mounted on a floating swimming platform (23), the swimming platforms (23) preferably being anchorable at the place of use using maritime technology (24).

13. Flow power plant according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the stations (2) have a lowering device (22) in order to lower the cable pulleys (25) with the cable loop (4) and optionally the generators (21) for generating electricity for operation into a position the water surface (W).

14. Flow power plant according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the stations (2 ') are variably fillable, preferably sinking in the empty state, hollow bodies (27'), particularly preferably concrete hollow foundations (27'), to generate up or down force depending on Filling level include and/or wherein the rope loop (4 '), in particular the conveyor rope (41 ') and / or the drive elements (5) are designed such that they have sufficient buoyancy to float upwards in the water.

15. A method for generating electricity in an aquatic flow field (Fs), in particular with a flow power plant (1, 1 ') according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 14, in which a rope loop (4), which essentially consists of a conveyor rope (41, 41 ') with a large number of individual drive elements (5) attached to them in a trimmable manner, is guided around two cable pulleys (25), each of which is rotatably mounted about a deflection axis (RG) at two stations (2, 2 ') spaced apart from one another and also in the stations (2, 2') are pivotally mounted about an alignment axis (R _ax ), so that the rope loop (4, 4') is connected to the drive elements attached to the conveyor rope (41, 4T).

(5) is aligned in the flow field (Fs) and the cable pulleys (25) are each driven in the aligned position by the drive elements (5), preferably the stations (2, 2 ') on different offshore systems, preferably offshore wind turbines, be anchored.