FR2503268A1 - Ocean energy extractor utilising wind and waves - incident on anchored and steerable floating barrage with funnels channelling flow towards turbogenerator - Google Patents

Abstract

The barrage is designed for deployment in regions where ocean currents and prevailing winds flow in the same direction. Its submerged part (2) consists of horizontal caissons (3) through which water is directed from inlet apertures into turbines coupled to electric generators. The freeboard part (8) has similar apertures each admitting wind to an air turbine or faired windmill coupled to a generator. The useful surfaces may be e.g. 1000 sq.m for waves and 5000 sq.m for wind. The barrage is anchored by chains (17) to a movable ring surrounding the anchor mass (13), which may be of concrete or steel depending on the nature of the sea bed (14). A lifting chain (18) is connected to a surface buoy (19). The generated power is abstracted via a submerged cable (20).

Description

 The present invention relates to devices for capturing the energy of the oceans, and more particularly relates to devices constructed, on the one hand, according to the principle of the creation of static resistance masses to oppose the power of the elements of the moving sea, that is to say waves, tidal currents, coastal swell, and winds, on the other hand, to allow the capture of thermal energy from the seas.

 One of the aims of the invention is to provide devices for capturing the energy of waves and winds.

 It is well known that, on a sail area limited by the requirements of the stability of ships, the wind releases an energy which ensures movement. This energy can be measured in hourly fuel consumption in relation to the surfaces of the sails. However, a correction must be made by admitting that the surface of the sails exposed to the force of the winds is not used 100%, even in a favorable position.

 Furthermore, it is also well known that, to immobilize a ship in a cape, facing the wind and waves, in heavy seas, it is necessary to use energy, which can also be measured in hourly fuel consumption, taking account of the small surface of the tapered bow, present facing the elements.

 On the basis of these two observations, it is proposed, according to the invention, to build static resistance masses, in the form of floating dams, equipped for capturing energy from waves and / or winds.

 According to the invention, these dams are permanently immobilized in front of the wind and / or the waves, by means of a bundle of anchor chains or cables, fixed to an anchoring mass implanted in the underwater soil.

A special attachment device specific to the invantion facilitates the gyratory movements of these floating dams, in order to keep them permanently in the axis of the wind and waves. These dams, energy sensors, are made up
- by a base in the form of a watertight box, partially submerged. The dams are arranged in cells, in the form of a funnel, forcing moving waves to pass through a forced duct, equipped with a turbine coupled to an alternator;
- by a panel, built in elevation, fixed on the partially submerged base. This panel is arranged in cells, in the form of a funnel, keeping the winds under pressure in a penstock fitted with an air turbine, coupled to a generator.

 According to the invention, it is proposed as a variant, to equip this panel with wind turbines.

 An undersea cable drains electrical current to the coast.

 According to the invention, it is possible to provide for the development, on the high seas, outside the shipping lines, of marine fields of energy production, constituted by a large number of production units, grouped in batteries and connected to a collecting target.

 Another object of the invention is to propose devices allowing the capture of the energy of the coastal swell.

 According to the invention, the static resistance to the movement of waves and swells is ensured by floating boxes in semi-immersion, held facing the coast by cables fixed on their two faces by means of an anchoring system. These caissons constitute dams arranged in cells identical to those provided for the devices allowing the capture of the energy of waves and winds, presented above.

 One of the aims of the invention is also to propose devices making it possible to capture the energy of the tidal current.

 Dams, such as that of the Rance, provide evidence of the possibilities of energy production, by using the tidal current.

 But it seems that the problems raised by the construction of conventional dams are difficult to solve for the exploitation of a wide and deep bay.

 In addition, this kind of dam risks modifying the ecology of the chosen sites, and hindering navigation.

In view of these remarks, it is proposed, according to the invention, the construction of articulated dams, constituted by prefabricated floating sections, and put in place by introducing water into ballasts
These dams are constructed in cells, in the form of a funnel on both sides, intended to capture the currents of the flow and the reflux. Between two collection cells, which correspond on both sides, a penstock is traversed by these currents which will actuate a double-acting turbine, coupled to a generator.

 Such a dam, the sealing of which is not complete, has a lower yield than that of a conventional dam. On the other hand, this loss of yield can be compensated on the one hand by the possibilities of infinitely multiplying the catchment areas of the currents, either in height or in length, on the other hand, of reducing the cost price by construction per square meter, through standardization in the production of prefabricated elements, used for the construction of articulated and floating dams.

 This is how one could set up, in a site such as that of the Bay of Mont St. Michel, several dam lines according to the invention, without damaging the ecology. Indeed, the renewal of the body of water will only be slowed down, and not hindered.

 Of course, navigation lanes can be reserved along the coasts.

 The invention also finally aims to provide devices for capturing thermal energy from the oceans.

 It seems that the technical problems raised by the rise of cold water from great depths have not yet been adequately resolved. Given these difficulties, an original solution is proposed according to the invention. To obtain energy production by using temperature differences, it is proposed to use liquid ammonia as the heat transfer fluid. This fluid is injected into a network of tubes, placed under glass, on a surface of floating panels. The fluid, vaporized and pressurized by solar heat and incidentally by the heat of surface water, drives a turbine coupled to a generator. After passing through the turbine, the expanded gas is liquefied in a condenser, made up of a network of pipes descending into great depths. The pipes of this condenser are fixed inside a metal frame tower, descending into the area cold waters. The assembly is maintained in vertical immersion by floats, ensuring the assembly freedom of movement and at the same time good rigidity. The liquefied ammonia is then brought up to the surface by means of a pump and reinjected into the network of reheating pipes for pressurization.

 The floating thermal energy production units, constructed according to the present invention, can either be maintained by an anchoring system, or be mobile, for large production units, which can moreover be transformed into an electrolytic factory for the manufacture of 'hydrogen.

 One of the problems to be solved for the systematic exploitation of the energy of the oceans, by means of the devices according to the invention, is that posed by the irregularity of the production.

 Only part of the production of electric current is injected into a distribution network. We cannot, in fact, ensure a constant feeding program, based on production in heavy weather.

This is why it will be necessary to plan for the storage of excess energy.

 In the current state of the art, it seems that only the transformation of electric current into hydrogen is the acceptable solution.

 This transformation will cause losses, but it must be admitted that the transport of electric current over long distances also causes power losses.

 Furthermore, it should be emphasized that the use of hydrogen will eliminate atmospheric pollution by exhaust gases and by thermal power plants.

 Given the absence of pollution, it is possible to decentralize the power plants, and to build hydrogen power plants of more modest dimensions in the near suburbs of the agglomerations, so as to reduce the constraints of the transport of the current and the interconnection in the distribution network.

 Such a decentralization program will put an end to the proliferation of overhead lines and give the sites their true face.

 It will also reduce the danger of excessive centralization of the means of production and distribution of energy.

 The advantage of using devices according to the invention results from the measurement, in oil equivalence, of the power produced per square meter of surface area of a structure in accordance with the present invention, and constituting a static resistance opposite to the power of natural elements.

 The forecast of the average annual production of a marine area operating devices according to the invention could advantageously result from a consultation and an interpretation of the archives of the meteorological services.

 The possibilities of producing thermal energy can also be measured in oil equivalence, by calculating the pressurization surfaces and the condensation surfaces of devices according to the invention, taking into account the conditions of sunshine and water temperature. surface area on the selected marine operating area.

 It should be noted that the production of the devices according to the invention is based on the use of known techniques, and on the use of proven materials, such as steels and reinforced concrete, and dc mechanical sub-assemblies such as turbines and generators.

The present invention will be better understood with the aid of exemplary embodiments which will be described below, without implied limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
FIG. 1 is a view in vertical and transverse section of the assembly of a device for capturing the energy of waves and wind,
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the device of FIG. 1,
FIG. 3 is a view in vertical section of an anchoring mass and of an anchoring ring of a device according to FIGS. 1 and 2,
FIG. 4 is a view from below and in partial section, along the line IV-IV of FIG. 3,
FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are respectively a front view and a view in transverse vertical section of a floating boom of a device according to FIGS. 1 and 2,
FIG. 7 is a plan view of an operating marine field of a plurality of devices according to FIGS. 1 and 2,
FIG. 8 is a view in vertical and transverse section of a device for capturing the energy of coastal waves or coastal swells,
FIG. 9 is a view in vertical and transverse section of an articulated barrier device for capturing the energy of the tides,
FIG. 10 is a view in horizontal section along line XX of FIG. 9,
FIG. 11 is a plan view of an articulated boom of the device according to FIGS. 9 and 10,
FIG. 12 schematically represents a variant arrangement of the turbo-generator groups of a device according to the preceding figures,
and FIGS. 13 to 15 show respectively in transverse vertical section, in vertical longitudinal section, and in plan, a floating installation for capturing thermal energy from the oceans.

 Wind and waves are indisputably inexhaustible sources of clean energy. In heavy weather, the surface of the sea is transformed into a veritable river, the width and flow of which are unlimited.

 All efforts must be made to capture this energy despite the disadvantage of irregular production due to variations in atmospheric conditions.

 As the hermetic dams, built on foundation, capture all the energy of the movement of the waters of a river, it is possible to oppose the power of the wind and waves, floating dams, as shown in the figures 1 to 7, permanently immobilized in front of natural elements. The limited yield of such dams is compensated by the possibility of building an unlimited number of them on the surface of the oceans, as shown in Figure 7. In addition, standardization of constructions on a global scale will lower the cost prices, and will reduce program turnaround times.

 The dam 1, the construction of which is proposed, is floating and permanently immobilized facing the wind and / or facing the waves, thanks to the possibilities of gyratory movements which are left to it.

 With reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, this dam comprises a submerged part 2, constituted by boxes 3, forming ballast, and crossed by a penstock 4.

The front of the boxes 3 exposed to the waves consists of cells 5, in the form of a funnel, designed to absorb the current and to direct the bodies of water towards the penstock 4 equipped with a turbine 6 coupled to a generator 7. This dam 1 also includes a raised portion 8, fixed on the submerged caissons 3, and intended to capture the energy of the winds. The collecting face of the part 8 also consists of cells 9, in the form of a funnel. The winds under pressure are directed by a sheath 10 supplying a streamlined wind turbine or a turbine 11, coupled to a generator 12. The capture surface provided can be, for example, 1000 square meters for the waves and 5000 square meters for the winds.

 For the operation of mixed dams, that is to say capturing the energy of the winds and the energy of the waves, one will look for locations where the sea currents do not oppose the direction of the winds. If there are significant risks of headwinds on the same site, it is obviously possible to specialize the dams. According to the invention, it is also possible to provide for the construction of two types of structure, one of which will only allow the capture of the energy of the waves while the other will allow the capture of the energy of the winds. In the latter case, the wind collection panels must rest on floats.

 The anchoring of the structure is ensured by means of a block or anchoring mass 13, of concrete or steel, depending on the nature of the sea floor 14, and fixed on the latter.

 A diabolo-shaped barrel 15, integral with the anchoring mass 13, and is surrounded by a movable ring 16, on which cables or anchor chains 17 are fixed. These cables or chains 17, assembled in bundles retain the dam 1 facing the elements, and allow the latter to pivot as a function of the pressures on the surface. This attachment device facilitates the gyratory movements of the floating dams 1, in order to keep them permanently in the axis of the wind and waves. A lifting chain device 18 of the entire anchor block 13 is held on the surface by a box 19, and allows the verification and rebalancing operations.

 An electric cable 20, for transporting the current produced, is connected to the various generators 7 and 12, and is supported by one of the cables 17 of the anchoring beam, then passes through the anchoring block 13 and extends from the latter to a main collector 20 ′, as shown in FIG. 7.

 The floating dams 1, both in their submerged parts 2 and in their parts in the open air 8, will be constituted by sets of steel sheet boxes, reinforced by reinforcements in metal frame.

The boxes can be prefabricated on the ground and assembled on the surface of sheltered pools, before towing to the chosen location. The materials used in the construction of such structures are essentially limited to steel (sheet and profile). Reinforced concrete is at the base of the prefabricated construction of blocks or anchor masses 13 if it is a seabed of sand, on the other hand steel can be used for rocky bottoms.

 For reasons of efficiency and also to preserve the sites by the sea, it is necessary to create marine fields of energy exploitation, as shown schematically in Figure 7, in areas located beyond the line d horizon seen from the coast.

By reserving approximately one square kilometer of surface area per production unit, it will be possible to install batteries of floating dams or production units, in large numbers, on small areas of the ocean. The production units will be connected to a 20 'collector cable which will drain the current to the coast. The sea fields
must be planned outside the main shipping lines, in accordance with international agreements.

 With reference to FIG. 8, a double-acting dam 21, held stationary facing the coast by a double anchoring, allows the energy of the coastal swell to be captured.

This type of dam is identical to the submerged part of the floating dam proposed with reference to the preceding figures, but with the possibility of capturing the energy of the movements of flow as of reflux.

 The double-acting dam 21 is floating and essentially comprises a submerged part 22, constituted by boxes 23, and held facing the coast by cables or anchoring chains 37 and 37 ', fixed on both sides by an anchoring system (not shown) of any known suitable type. The caissons 23 constitute dams, the two faces of which have cells 25 and 25 ′, in the form of a funnel, connected by penstocks 24, in which the turbines 26 and the generators 27 are arranged.

 With reference to FIGS. 9 to 11, a device for capturing the energy of the tides will be described below.

Indeed, the movement of the tides creates currents generating energy, and the example of the dam of the
Rance provides proof of the possibilities of capturing them.

 But the technical problems posed by the construction of hermetic dams seated on foundations do not yet seem to have been resolved to exploit wide and deep bays.

 Such dams also risk compromising the ecology.

 Taking these difficulties into account, the construction of articulated dams 31 is proposed, composed of floating prefabricated elements 32, put in place by immersion.

For ecological reasons, and by accepting a loss of yield, these dams 31 may possibly remain submerged at low tide.

 The type of floating prefabricated elements 32, forming an articulation of the dam 31, is made up of watertight caissons 33, of reinforced concrete, crossed by a penstock 34, similar to that proposed in the device described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

 However, the two faces of the structure consist of cells 35, in the form of a funnel, in order to capture movements of ebb and flow of the tides. The moving bodies of water, channeled in each penstock 34, feed a double-acting turbine 36, coupled to a generator 37. The construction of the structure is planned in the form of a pyramid, with a base proportional to its height. The bottom of the structure, armed with harrow teeth 39 rests on a preferably sandy 40 ground, previously leveled.

 The tightness of the boxes 33, forming ballasts, allows the lifting of the structure for maintenance or a possible rebalancing. In service, inspection shafts 41 allow access to the vicinity of the turbines 36 and the generators 37.

 For construction, it will be advantageous to use floating boxes 33, of steel, forming formwork. These boxes 33 will be submerged when the base of the element 32 of the dam 31 reaches its self-floating level. The formwork boxes 33, raised to the surface by purging the ballasts, will be used indefinitely for new constructions.

 The construction sites of such devices could be fitted out in sheltered basins along the coasts. The works will be brought to the operating sites by towing and then submerged on these sites by ballasting of the casing-formwork 33.

 The relative regularity of the energy production of this type of dam will make it possible to regularly deliver a large part of the production to a distribution network. However, provision may be made to use part of the energy produced for the production of hydrogen.

 it is recalled that the output of an articulated dam 31 will be lower than that of a conventional dam, but the catchment area of an articulated dam 31 will be practically unlimited and may be adapted to requirements.

In addition, by a very advanced standardization of construction, investments can be made profitable thanks to possibilities of reduction of cost prices.

 As shown in FIG. 12, it is also possible, in the devices described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11, to provide counter-bent penstocks 44, having two end parts 45 parallel to one another but offset laterally , and connected by a central part 48 inclined to the end parts 45, a turbine 46 being received in at least one of the two parts 45, and coupled, by an axis passing through the wall of the inclined part 48, to a generator 47.

 With reference to FIGS. 13 to 15, a device for capturing thermal energy from the oceans will be described below, solving the problems posed by the rise of cold water drawn deep.

 This device uses ammonia as the heat exchange fluid. Floating panels 50, arranged under a glass cover 51, and supporting a network of pipes 52, are maintained on the surface. After injection of liquid ammonia into the network of pipes 52, the ammonia gases undergo a pressure increase and feed turbines 56 coupled to generators 57. The expanded gases are directed to a submerged vertical condenser 58, in order to be liquefied in waters to a certain depth. These liquefied gases, brought to the surface by a pump, then re-supply the network of heating pipes 52.

 The floating part of the installation comprises panels 50 resting on a central float 53, provided with a ballast 54, and on two lateral floats 55. The construction is made of metal frame, the frame of which allows the fixing of the pipes 52 pressure build-up.

Two networks of pressure rise pipes 52 are provided, an emerging part 52 ′, sheltered under the glass cover 51, and a slightly submerged part 52 ″, intended to capture the heat of the surface waters, which will maintain production during the nocturnal periods.

 A rigid tower 59, made of metal frame, serves to support the network of tubes of the condenser 58. This tower 59 descends into the cold water zone, to a certain depth. It can be raised and placed in horizontal position for maintenance and checks.

In service, this tower 59 is kept in a floating state independently of the part supporting the heating panels 50, by means of floats 60. Taking account of the independent movements of the surface for collecting solar heat and surface water and the condensation tower 59, the connections between these two elements consist of slightly flexible pipes. These flexible pipes consist on the one hand of a pipe 61, connecting the discharge pipe 62 of the expanded gases to a manifold 63 of return to the network of tubes of the condenser 58, and, on the other hand, a pipe 64, connecting the rising well 65 of the liquid from the bottom of the tower 59 to a reserve 66 of liquid ammonia, itself supplying the network of pipes 52 for pressurization, connected to the turbo-generator groups by the pipe 67 of pressurized gases.

 The ascent well 65 may contain the pump or pumps for raising the liquid and be arranged in an inspection well, of larger diameter.

 The tower 59 and its floats 60 are of course connected to all of the panels 50 mounted on floats 53 and 55 by a connecting rod 68 articulated at its two ends, so that the tower 59 is in tow of this assembly, possibly being able to be motorized, and whose central float 53 can optionally house an electrolytic installation storing 11 energy in the form of hydrogen.

 Blade guards 69 are provided between the floats 53 and 55, and the central float 53 also carries at one of its ends an anchoring or towing ring 70.

 In the case of a stationary installation, an anchoring system similar to that described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 can be used, the current produced then being discharged towards the coast by a conductive cable.

 However, it is possible to equip large production facilities with a propulsion device.

This mobility will allow the search for locations benefiting from maximum sunshine according to the seasons. For this type of mobile unit, the transformation of energy into hydrogen will be the advantageous solution.

Claims (6)

R CLAIMS  1.- Device for capturing energy from the oceans, characterized in that it comprises a dam (1,21,31) consisting of at least one box (3,23,33) crossed by at least one penstock (4,24,34), in which is arranged at least one turbine (6,26,36) driving a generator (7,27, 37), and emerging on at least one of the faces of the box by a cell in funnel shape (5,25,25 ', 35) channeling the current to the turbine.  2.- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the dam (1,21,31) comprises a submerged base (2,22,32), consisting of watertight boxes (3,23,33) at least partially submerged by ballast, for capturing the energy of waves or swells.  3.- Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the dam (1) comprises a panel (8) built in elevation above the water level and carried by the submerged base (2), the panel (8) having a wind catching face, consisting of cells (9) directing the winds towards a sheath (10) supplying a turbine or a faired wind turbine (11) coupled to a generator (12).  4.- Device according to one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the dam (21) is floating, and double-acting, having funnel cells (25 and 25 ') on its two faces to channel the flow and the reflux towards reversible turbines (26), and is immobilized by an anchoring device on each of its sides.  5.- Device according to one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the dam (1) is floating and held facing the waves and / or winds by a gyratory anchoring device, consisting of a bundle of cables or anchor chains (17) connecting the dam (1) to an anchor ring (16) rotatably mounted around a diabolo-shaped barrel (15) integral with an anchor mass (13) fixed to the seabed (14).  6.- Device according to one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the watertight boxes (33) of the dam (31) constitute floating prefabricated elements (32), articulated with respect to each other, and put in place by ballasting on the seabed, on which they are retained by a harrow anchoring device (39).