WO2016170116A1 - Self-contained floating marine turbine - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a floating marine turbine (100) which includes: a floating structure (10); an equipment room (2, 3) resting on said floating structure (10) above the water; a mast (30) immersed in the water; a propeller (50) which is immersed and mounted rotatably at the base of the mast (30); said marine turbine (100) being characterised in that the floating structure (10) is symmetrical and in that the floating marine turbine (100) includes: V-shaped front protection elements (15, 17) positioned at the bow (11) and stern (12) of the floating structure (10); side protection elements (16) extending longitudinally between the front protection elements (15, 17) located at the bow (11) and the front protection elements (15, 17) located at the stern (12) of the floating structure (10).

Description

 AUTONOMOUS FLOATING HYDROLIENNE

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

 The invention relates to the field of turbines mounted on floats for autonomously exploit the surface energy of fluvial currents, estuarine or oceanic coastal tidal currents for the production of electrical energy.

Therefore, the field of the invention is well distinguished from the field of submarine tidal turbines intended to exploit the marine currents or fluvial water at depth, that is to say several meters deep.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

 Conventionally, floating turbines using surface currents are fixed on pontoons and slide depending on the tides on dolphins with low protection against ice jams or other floating or immersed waste carried by surface currents.

In addition, depending on the areas of operation, some waste or objects, carried in quantity by river currents, can damage the tidal stream irreversibly or to a lesser extent to obstruct the waterways reducing and its performance and therefore requiring frequent interventions by an operator to perform maintenance operations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

 In this context, the invention aims to provide a self-contained floating turbine to overcome the disadvantages mentioned above and to reduce the interventions on the tidal turbine especially when it is used in a carrier environment of large quantities objects.

To this end, the invention relates to a floating tidal turbine comprising: a floating structure; two technical rooms resting on said floating structure above the water; a mast diving into the water; a propeller with horizontal or vertical rotation axis, immersed and rotatably mounted at the base mast; said tidal turbine being characterized in that the floating structure is symmetrical and that the floating tidal turbine comprises: V-shaped front protection elements positioned at the bow and stern of the floating structure; lateral protection elements extending longitudinally between the frontal protection elements situated at the bow and the frontal protection elements (located at the stern (1 2) of the floating structure (1 0).

 Thus, the tidal turbine according to the invention has effective protections of the propeller against jams carried by the rivers by the establishment of a reinforced structure of frontal and lateral protection of the propeller while allowing the passage of the water flow.

 Advantageously, the front protection elements are formed in the upper part by a full deflector element able to withstand shocks and in the lower part by at least one protective grid capable of forming a filter.

 [0009] Advantageously, the lateral protection elements are formed by solid plates.

 Advantageously, the floating structure is formed by a plurality of float tubes arranged to form a symmetrical structure having a V shape at the stern and the bow of the floating tidal turbine. Such a floating symmetrical V structure ensures good marine behavior.

 Advantageously, the floating turbine has a bearing structure resting on the floating structure, said supporting structure supporting the mast and allowing a vertical displacement and a rotation of said mast about its longitudinal axis. The emerging load-bearing structure thus facilitates maintenance operations, in particular of the generator and the rotating elements.

Advantageously, the tidal turbine comprises means for maneuvering to mount, and / or lower and / or tilt said mast. Advantageously, said mast supports a waterproof bulb, adapted to be immersed, comprising an electric generator having a horizontal or vertical axis of rotation.

 Advantageously, the tidal turbine comprises means for self-alignment of said bulb in an estuarine or fluvial flow.

 Advantageously, the tidal turbine comprises means for automatically locking / unlocking the position of the bulb according to the direction of an estuarine or fluvial flow.

 Advantageously, the tidal turbine has two moorings, a first positioned at the bow and a second positioned at the stern of the tidal turbine, the two moorings allowing self-alignment of the floating tidal stream in a stream of water.

 Advantageously, the tidal turbine has two moorings coupled to voltage sensors measuring in real time the voltage of said mooring lines.

Advantageously, the tidal turbine comprises measuring instruments for instantaneous and continuous measurement of the temperature of the technical rooms and the sealed bulb and / or the depth of the water and / or the speed of the current and / or the rotational speed of the propeller and / or the position of the propeller shaft, and / or the electrical power produced.

Advantageously, the tidal turbine comprises a man / machine interface and communication means for remotely controlling said floating tidal turbine.

 Advantageously, the tidal turbine comprises communication means for remotely sending the measurement data mentioned above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

 Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the description which follows, with reference to the accompanying figures.

Figure 1 illustrates in perspective a first embodiment of a floating turbine according to the invention during its operation. [0023] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the first embodiment of the floating tidal turbine illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the first embodiment of the floating tidal turbine according to the invention illustrated in FIG. 1. [0025] Figure 4 illustrates a front view of the first embodiment of the floating tidal turbine according to the invention during a stop.

Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of the submerged portion of a self-aligning device of the floating marine turbine according to the invention.

[0027] Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of the emerging portion of a self-aligning device of the floating marine turbine according to the invention.

Figures 7a to 7d illustrate different states of the self-aligning device of the floating marine turbine according to the invention during a change of direction of a stream of water.

[0029] Figure 8 illustrates a perspective view of the emergent portion of a second embodiment of a self-aligning device of the floating marine turbine according to the invention.

In all the figures, the common elements bear the same references unless otherwise specified.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT [0031] FIG. 1 illustrates in perspective the floating tidal turbine according to the invention, during its use. FIG. 2 illustrates, in side view, the floating tidal turbine according to the invention, during its use. FIG. 3 illustrates, in front view, the floating tidal turbine according to the invention, during its use.

The floating tidal 1 00 according to the invention is a self-contained tidal turbine for autonomously adapt to the direction and strength of the current.

The floating tidal turbine 1 00 according to the invention is formed by:

a floating structure 1 0 symmetrical and supporting all the elements constituting the tidal turbine 1 00; a bearing structure 20 emerged and connected to the floating structure 1 0;

 a vertical mast 30;

 a waterproof bulb 40 (or torpedo) comprising all of the mechanical and electromechanical part of the floating turbine, the bulb 40 being connected to a propeller 50 with a horizontal or vertical axis, the assembly being intended to be positioned under the water.

The floating structure 1 0 is a symmetrical structure similar to a geometry zodiac type formed for example by an assembly of six float tubes 1 3 steel. The floating structure 1 0 thus comprises two longitudinal float tubes 1 3 connected on both sides to two other float tubes 13 forming the ends of the floating structure 1 0, ie forming the bow 1 1 and the stern 12 of the structure 1 0. The two end tubes meet to form a V-shaped profile whose tip is intended to be positioned against the direction of the current. The opening angle of this V profile is preferably between 80 ° and 95 °, and preferably 90 °. This symmetrical shape of the floating structure 10 thus makes it possible to be particularly adapted to exploit the currents of the estuarine rivers and to guarantee a high stability of the floating tidal turbine 100 in operation.

The floating structure 10 is dimensioned so that the waterline 1 1 0 is advantageously halfway up the float tubes 1 3 constituting the floating structure 1 0.

According to an alternative embodiment, the floating structure 1 0 can be made of plastic or resin reinforced or not with fibrous materials, such as glass, carbon, etc..

The floating turbine 1 00 also comprises front protection elements and side protection elements secured to the periphery of the floating structure 1 0 and to protect the propeller 50 and the bulb 40 of floating objects or immersed carried by surface currents. The front protection elements are formed by a V-shaped structure positioned at the bow 1 1 and the stern 1 2 of the tidal turbine and advantageously marrying the V-shaped profile of the floating structure 1 0. Les Frontal protection elements are thus constituted by:

 - A solid element forming a shield, said deflector element 15 or jam barrier, in the upper part;

 and by protective grids 1 7 positioned under the ice damper 1 5.

 The deflector element 1 5 is advantageously formed by two deviating plates 1 5a, 1 5b, for example aluminum, plunging for example from 40 to 60 cm below the waterline 1 1 0. Deviating plates 15a, 1 5b thus form a protection, such as a frontal shield, against ice jams but also make it possible to divert ice jams or floating objects, arriving at the front, so as to separate them from the tidal turbine, and more particularly from the propeller 50 and of the bulb 40 by imposing a new trajectory.

Thus, at the impact and under the thrust of the current, jams hitting the front floating structure 1 0 are forced to follow another path that is given by the profile of the deviating surfaces. The grids 1 7 are positioned and welded under the deviating plates 1 5a, 1 5b and therefore intended to be fully immersed. The protective grids 1 7 are arranged so as to lie for example between 40 cm and 1 m 2 min below the waterline 1 1 0. The grids 1 7 are also arranged according to the V profile described above because they are positioned in the continuity of the deviating plates 1 5a, 15b. The protective grids 17 provide additional protection to that of the deviating plates 1 5a, 1 5b for the frontal protection of the bulb 40 and the propeller 50, in particular for the protection against the immersed portions of the ice jams, while allowing the flow to pass through. of water so as to form a filter of the water flow and thus prevent the blades of the propeller from encountering too large objects. The grids 1 7 are for example made of steel with a thickness of a few millimeters. The protective grids 1 7 are for example formed by a plurality of vertical uprights 8 mm in thickness spaced by a step of 45 cm and by a plurality of horizontal uprights 6 mm in thickness spaced by a pitch of 1 5 cm. The vertical and horizontal uprights forming the grids 1 7 are preferably profiled and parallel to the flow of water flow symbolized by the reference FX in Figure 1, so as not to generate additional loss of speed of water or additional traction on the mooring lines of the floating tidal turbine 100.

The lateral protection elements 1 6 are formed by side skirts extending longitudinally between two front protection elements or more particularly between two deviating plates 1 5a or 1 5b so as to form side protections of the bulb 40 and The side skirts have, for example, solid aluminum or steel plates that plunge at least one meter below the waterline 1 10. These side skirts can be fixed directly to the float tubes 1 3. longitudinal or by means of support plates (not shown) secured to the float tubes 1 3 allowing, via removable connections between the side skirts 1 6 and the support plates, to position and / or remove according to the place of operation or to facilitate maintenance operations.

The bearing structure 20 is a structure for maintaining, pivoting and lifting the mast 30. The supporting structure 20 is secured to the floating structure 1 0 in its lower part by means of four legs of 23 welded on the upper part of the floating structure 1 0. The bearing structure 20 is thus secured on these four lugs 23 by screwing. The bearing structure 20 comprises hinges secured to the receiving lugs allowing it to tilt laterally for the assembly / disassembly of the bulb 40. The bearing structure 20 also comprises an upper bearing 21 in the upper part and a lower bearing 22 in the lower part in order to ensure the maintenance of mast 30 in its center, the support of its weight during the energy production phases and its rotation in the estuarine currents allowing a self-alignment of the propeller 50 facing the current.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, the supporting structure 20 is formed from aluminum sections of square section to lighten the total weight of the floating turbine 1 00.

The vertical mast 30 is pivotally mounted in the bearing structure 20, via the bearings 21, 22 mentioned above, and is integral with the bulb 40 of the tidal turbine in the lower part (i.e. the portion intended to be immersed). The diameter of the mast will be determined according to the current and the site of operation. For example, the diameter of the mast is between 260 mm and 330 mm. The mast is coupled to a manual or electrical maneuvering system for lifting the central mast 30 for example for maintenance or for securing the bulb / propeller group, and its descent for the operation of the tidal turbine.

4 illustrates the floating tidal turbine 100 when stopped when the mast 30 is reassembled.

The bulb 40 is a sealed bulb intended to be immersed and comprises the mechanical and electromechanical assembly of the tidal turbine 1 00 as for example the electric generator, a multiplier, rotating elements, a mechanical brake. The bulb 40 is connected to a propeller 50 with a horizontal or vertical axis via a horizontal rotating shaft transmitting the rotation of the propeller 50 to the electric generator.

The propeller 50 is a three-blade propeller conventionally held on the rotating shaft by means of jaws on either side of the rotating shaft. The blades of the propeller can be made of resin, aluminum or composite materials.

The floating turbine 1 00 according to the invention also comprises two technical rooms 2, 3 in the form of boxes integral with the floating structure 1 0 to accommodate the control apparatus and electrical conversion of the floating turbine 1 00 transforming the current generated by the generator (or alternator) located in the bulb 40 current usable and injectable on the power grid or substituting for an electrical network (in local operation for example).

The floating turbine 1 00 also comprises two moorings 1 8, 1 9 instrumented positioned at the bow 1 1 and the stern 1 2 of the floating structure 10 for anchoring the tidal turbine 1 00 in its zone of operation. The moorings 1 8, 1 9 are advantageously positioned at the ends of the floating structure 10 so as to allow self-alignment of the floating tidal turbine 1 00 parallel to the direction of the water flow. The moorings 18, 19 are coupled to anchor line sensors formed by extensometers thus making it possible to continuously monitor the tension of the moorings 18, 19 and to detect the presence or absence of a stack of floating waste on the floating structure 1 0.

Thus, the anchor line sensors make it possible to ensure continuous monitoring of the tension of the anchors and to trigger alerts when the tension of the anchor lines is greater than predefined thresholds. Thus, it is possible to define different thresholds whose exceedance generates different alerts and / or actions of the tidal turbine that may subsequently require interventions by an operator. It is also planned to set warning thresholds when the voltage is greater than a predetermined value for a certain period of time, which makes it possible to identify and differentiate a point voltage resulting from a tree trunk shock. a constant and sustained tension resulting from an ice jam "hooked" to the tidal turbine.

The floating turbine 1 00 according to the invention also comprises temperature probes for controlling the temperature of the bulb 40 and technical rooms 2,3 so as to ensure the proper operation of the magnets of the alternator. For the cooling of the bulb 40, different devices can be used such as for example radiators, aerators, fans, etc. Exceeding certain predetermined temperature thresholds may also cause the triggering of different alarms and / or actions up to the automatic shutdown of the tidal turbine if necessary and the automatic lifting of the mast 30. The floating turbine 1 00 according to the invention also comprises a series of sensors for example to measure the speed of the water flow, to measure the speed of rotation of the helix, to measure the relative position of the rotating shaft. The floating turbine 1 00 is also equipped with a man / machine interface and communication means for receiving remotely the data measured by the various onboard sensors and remote control of the tidal turbine such as stopping the remote production. The floating turbine 1 00 according to the invention further comprises a self-aligning device 200 for automatic alignment of the bulb 40, and therefore the propeller 50, depending on the direction of the water flow. The self-aligning device 200 is particularly illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 more particularly illustrates a perspective view of the immersed part of the self-aligning device 200 of the floating marine turbine 1 00 according to the invention. . FIG. 6 more particularly illustrates a perspective view of the emergent part of the self-aligning device 200 of the floating marine turbine 1 00 according to the invention.

This device 200 thus allows a self-alignment of the propeller 50 and the bulb 40 during the current reversals between rising tides and tides down.

The self-aligning device 200 comprises a first empennage 201, said feather bulb, secured to the bulb 40 at its rear portion, that is to say the opposite of the propeller 50 This first empennage 201 is intended to be immersed and allows to orient the bulb 40 and therefore the propeller 50 depending on the direction of the tide.

The self-aligning device also comprises locking / unlocking means 21 0 for locking and unlocking the position of the bulb 40 according to the direction of the tides and during reversals of the current. For this purpose, the locking / unlocking means 21 0 comprise two latches 21 5, 31 5 advantageously positioned above the surface of the water and cooperating, via vertical axes 21 6, 217 diving under the surface water, with two empennages 202, 203 to be immersed and to make an opening or closing of the locks 21 5, 31 5 depending on the direction of the current. The latches 21 5, 31 5 are held in position by locking springs 21 3 requiring the application of a certain force to allow the locking or unlocking of the blade 21 1. The empennages 202, 203 are therefore sized accordingly to allow the locking / unlocking of the latches 21 5, 31 5 according to a certain predetermined current force.

Figures 7a to 7d illustrate more particularly the operation of the self-aligning device 200 according to the invention during a current reversal (for example during the passage of a rising tide at a tide). FIGS. 7a to 7d illustrate, in plan view, the emergent portion of the self-aligning device 200.

Figure 7a illustrates the self-aligning device 200 at the end of a rising tide, ie just before spreading. During this step, the propeller 50 is facing the current and the upstream latch 21 5 is in the closed position, ie it blocks the blade 21 1 in position. Indeed, under the effect of the current illustrated in Figure 7a, the empennage 203 of the lock 21 5 and the compression spring 21 3 exert a force on the upstream lock 21 5 able to keep it in the closed position and to lock the rotation of the mast 30 by blocking the position of the blade 21 1. At the beginning of the ebb tide, ie when the current reverses, as shown in Figure 7b, the force of the current intensifies and exerts on the empennage 203 of the lock 21 5 a force which becomes greater than the force of the locking spring 21 3 which releases the blade 21 1. The self-aligning device 200 also includes springs 214 for pushing the blade 21 1 of the mast 30 when the latch 21 5 is in its unlocked position, so that the empennage 201 of the bulb 40 has a surface d sufficient support to initiate the rotation of the propeller 50 under the effect of the current. When the force of the current increases, the rotation of the mast 30 and therefore of the bulb 40 and the helix 50 is almost complete as illustrated in FIG. 7c. The blade 21 1 thus comes into contact with the end of the second latch 31 5 whose rounded shape facilitates the opening of the latch 31 5 under the force of the blade 21 1 pushed by the empennage 201 of the bulb 40. A at this stage, the current must be strong enough to allow the end of the blade 21 1 to pass the rounded shape of the latch 315 and therefore to compensate the force of the locking spring 21 3. Thus, throughout the descent of the tide , the propeller 50 is held in position facing the current as shown in Figure 7d. The cycle described above starts again at the end of the descent of the tide taking into account a reversal of 1 80 ° with respect to the figures described.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the emergent part of a second embodiment of a self-aligning device 300 of the floating marine turbine according to the invention. This second embodiment is identical to the first embodiment described above with the exception of the bulb / propeller system 1 50 which has a vertical axis of rotation.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the floating structure and the supporting structure are dimensioned to allow the positioning and maintenance of a plurality of rods coupled to bulbs and propellers with vertical axis of rotation and / or or horizontal.

The invention has been particularly described for exploiting the surface energy of fluvial and estuarine currents; however, the invention is also applicable to the exploitation of the surface energy of marine currents.

Claims

Floating water heater (100) comprising:  a floating structure (10);  a technical room (2, 3) resting on said floating structure (10) above the water;  - a mast (30) diving into the water;  - a propeller (50) immersed and rotatably mounted at the base of the mast (30); said tidal turbine (100) being characterized in that the floating structure (10) is symmetrical and the floating tidal turbine (100) comprises: V-shaped front protection elements (15, 17) positioned at the bow (1) 1) and at the stern (12) of the floating structure (10);  lateral protection elements (1 6) extending longitudinally between the front protection elements (15, 17) located at the bow (1 1) and the front protection elements (15, 17) at the stern (12) of the floating structure (10). Floating water (100) according to the preceding claim characterized in that the front protection elements are formed in the upper part by a solid deflector element (15) and in the lower part by at least one protective grid (17). Floating water (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lateral protection elements are formed by solid plates. Floating fluid (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floating structure (10) is formed by a plurality of float tubes (13) arranged to form a symmetrical structure having a V shape at the level of the stern (1 1) and the bow (12) of the floating tidal turbine (100). 5. Floating water (100) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises an emergent bearing structure (20) resting on the floating structure (10), said bearing structure (20) supporting the mast (30) and allowing vertical movement and rotation of said mast (30) about its longitudinal axis. 6. floating water (100) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises operating means for mounting and / or down and / or tilt said mast (30). 7. floating water (100) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that said mast (30) supports a waterproof bulb (40) capable of being immersed having an electric generator having a horizontal or vertical axis of rotation. 8. Floating water (100) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises means for self-alignment of said bulb (40) in a stream of water. 9. floating water (100) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises means for automatically locking / unlocking the position of the bulb (40) according to the direction of the water flow. 10. Floating water (100) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises two moorings (1 8, 19), a first positioned at the bow (1 1) and a second positioned at the level of the stern (12) of the tidal turbine, the two moorings (18, 19) allowing a self-alignment of the floating tidal turbine (100) in a stream of water. 1 1. Floating water (100) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises two mooring lines (18, 19) coupled with voltage sensors measuring in real time the voltage of said mooring lines (18, 19). Floating water (100) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises measuring instruments for the instantaneous and continuous measurement of the temperature and / or depth and / or speed of the current and / or the speed of rotation of the propeller and / or the position of the propeller shaft, and / or the electrical power produced. Floating water (100) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises a man / machine interface and communication means for remotely controlling said floating marine turbine (100). Floating water (100) according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises communication means for sending remote measurement data.