FR3071558A1 - IMMERSE HOUSING FOR DEVICE FOR RECOVERING THE HYDRAULIC ENERGY OF THE HOLES - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention lies in the field of the recovery of the hydraulic energy of the swell. It relates to a housing for a device for recovering the hydraulic energy of the swell occurring in a liquid medium. The energy recovery device comprises a housing (30) and a rotor pivotably mounted in a housing (313) of the housing. The housing comprises a cylindrical main body (31) and optionally one or two frustoconical secondary bodies (32, 33) extending the cylindrical body (31), these bodies being hollow to allow the passage of a flow of the liquid medium. The housing and the rotor are intended to be immersed in the liquid medium, the rotor being rotated relative to the housing under the effect of a flow of the liquid medium.

Description

SUBMERSIBLE HOUSING FOR HYDRAULIC ENERGY RECOVERY DEVICE

DESCRIPTION

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention is situated in the field of the recovery of the hydraulic energy of the swell and, more precisely, in the field of the recovery of this energy by a device comprising a rotor immersed in a fluid and converting a relative translational movement. between the fluid and the rotor in a rotational movement of the rotor. It relates to a device for recovering the hydraulic energy of the swell, its casing, and a field of such devices.

The invention finds a particular application in a marine environment but more generally applies in any liquid medium in which swell is likely to occur.

PRIOR STATE OF THE ART

The swell is a wave movement of the surface of a liquid medium. It is a type of non-breaking wave. Due to its relative regularity in terms of period and amplitude, it has been envisaged to recover the energy associated with this wave motion to convert it into electrical energy. For example, application FR 3 009 032 A1 describes a device for converting a translational movement of a structure with respect to a fluid into a rotational movement of the structure. The structure comprises one or more flexible blades making it possible to maintain the same direction of rotation for an alternating vertical translation movement. The document GB 1 447 758 A also describes a device for recovering the energy of the swell comprising a rotor with pivoting flaps. In these two documents, the mechanical elements participating in the energy conversion only consist of a rotating part. No element can channel the flow of liquid around the rotating part.

A disadvantage of these devices is that they are not fully adapted to the actual movement of the swell, which generally breaks down into one or more horizontal components and a vertical component. In places of shallow depth, that is to say a depth less than half the wavelength of the swell, the molecules of the liquid follow an elliptical type trajectory whose major axis is horizontal and progress at the same time in the swell direction, creating a horizontal current. At great depths, the vertical component of the swell is strongly attenuated and can even almost disappear. In general, the horizontal components often represent around 50% of the wave energy. In addition, to these horizontal components of the swell are added sea currents, the intensity of which is all the greater the less the depth. Consequently, the rotation of the rotating part of the device about a vertical axis is greatly compromised, if not impossible. Such a device therefore has low energy efficiency.

In view of the above, the invention aims to provide a device for recovering the hydraulic energy of the swell which is capable of operating efficiently under real conditions of use, that is to say in the presence horizontal swell components and sea currents. The invention also aims to provide a device whose design, manufacturing and maintenance costs are compatible with use on an industrial scale.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

To this end, the invention is based on the use of a casing which envelops the rotating part of the device in order to effectively channel the flow of the liquid medium. The casing comprises in particular a through orifice extending vertically in a configuration for using the device, this through orifice also serving as a housing for the rotating part so that the liquid medium passes through this rotating part while being mainly oriented vertically.

More specifically, the subject of the invention is a casing for a device for recovering the hydraulic energy of the swell occurring in a liquid medium. The recovery device comprises a rotor capable of undergoing a rotational movement relative to the casing under the effect of a flow of the liquid medium. The casing has an outer surface intended to be immersed in the liquid medium and an inner surface delimiting a through housing arranged to receive the rotor.

The casing thus protects the rotor from the transverse components of the swell, that is to say its horizontal components, and from sea currents. This results in a better orientation and a better homogeneity of the force exerted by the liquid medium on the rotor, and consequently an increase in the yield of the device and a decrease in its wear. The overall yield of the system and its financial profitability are increased.

In the present application, the term "rotor" means all of the mechanical elements capable of undergoing a rotational movement relative to the casing along an axis called "axis of rotation of the rotor". The rotor may in particular comprise a shaft mounted in pivot connection on the casing and one or more blades fixed on the shaft. Generally, the rotor is arranged to convert the kinetic energy of the flow of the liquid medium into kinetic energy of rotation.

In the present application, it is considered a rotor whose axis of rotation is vertical, in order to recover the part of the hydraulic energy of the swell manifested by a vertical wave movement. It is then sometimes referred to high and low ends of certain elements when considering the device in its position of use. However, the invention could be adapted in order to recover the part of the hydraulic energy of the swell manifested by a horizontal wave movement. In such a case, the recovery device would be arranged so that the axis of rotation of the rotor is horizontal. The upper and lower ends must then be understood as the most distant points of an element along a horizontal axis.

The housing can be made of a material comprising metal, concrete and / or a resin. It can in particular be made of metal by foundry or by rolling and mechanical welding. It can also be made of concrete by pouring.

According to a particular embodiment, the casing comprises a main body, an inner surface of which forms a cylinder of revolution extending along the axis of rotation of the rotor. This inner surface can thus be easily adapted to the outer circumferential envelope of the rotor, so as to maximize the amount of liquid medium acting on the rotor. The axis of rotation of the rotor then corresponds to the axis of revolution of the interior surface.

Furthermore, the casing may comprise a main body, an outer surface of which forms a cylinder of revolution extending along the axis of rotation of the rotor. Such a surface allows the horizontal components of the swell and the sea currents to bypass the housing by applying a minimum of force to the housing, and this, whatever the orientation taken by the housing along the vertical axis.

The cylindrical shape of revolution, both for the inner surface and for the outer surface of the main body makes it easier to manufacture.

The casing according to the invention may further comprise a first secondary body, an internal surface of which forms a frustoconical hollow extending along the axis of rotation of the rotor between a first end having a first internal diameter and a second end having a second inner diameter, greater than the first inner diameter. The first secondary body is arranged so that its first end is adjacent to a first longitudinal end of the main body, for example its lower end. The first secondary body thus forms an extension, by its internal surface, of the housing in the main body. It tends to redirect towards the outside of the casing part of the horizontal components of the swell and / or sea currents. This results in a reduction in the overpressure generated locally by these horizontal components. In addition, due to the larger internal diameter of the second end, a greater flow rate of the liquid medium is obtained inside the main body.

Advantageously, the first internal diameter is equal to the internal diameter of the main body, so as to form a casing with a continuous internal surface.

The casing according to the invention may further comprise a second secondary body, an inner surface of which forms a frustoconical hollow extending along the axis of rotation of the rotor between a first end having a third internal diameter and a second end having a fourth inside diameter, greater than the third inside diameter. The second secondary body is arranged so that its first end is adjacent to a second longitudinal end of the main body, for example its upper end. The second secondary body thus forms, by its internal surface, a second extension of the housing in the main body, symmetrically opposite to the first secondary body. It performs the same functions as the first secondary body for a flow of the liquid medium in an opposite direction. Advantageously, the second secondary body is the symmetric of the first secondary body in an orthogonal symmetry with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotor.

Preferably, a generator of the interior surface of each secondary body forms an angle with the axis of rotation of the rotor of between 4 and 8 degrees. More preferably, this angle is between 5 and 7 degrees. The dimensions of each secondary body are then determined accordingly.

Each secondary body may have a frustoconical outer surface. In particular, a generator of the outer surface can form with the axis of rotation of the rotor an angle identical to that formed by the generator of the inner surface.

Alternatively, each secondary body may have a cylindrical outer surface of revolution. Such a surface can be produced very easily, in particular in the case of a casing made of concrete by pouring.

According to a particular embodiment, the casing further comprises at least one deflector extending from the interior surface of the casing and being arranged to slow down a flow of the liquid medium along the axis of rotation of the rotor. The deflector is in particular of interest because of the presence of a horizontal component of the swell or in the presence of a horizontal sea current. In the absence of a deflector, the particles of the liquid medium move simultaneously along a horizontal axis and a vertical axis. This results in the generation of an overpressure zone of the liquid medium in the vicinity of the interior surface of the casing in the vicinity of the downstream point thereof relative to the horizontal flow. The rotor is then subjected to this overpressure zone and therefore to non-uniform forces in the horizontal plane. In the presence of the deflector, the overpressure is attenuated by a deflection of a part of the liquid medium circulating along the interior surface of the casing. Better homogeneity of the flow of the liquid medium through the casing improves the energy efficiency. In addition, in the case of a rotor comprising fusible elements connecting the blades to the shaft, a homogeneous flow allows suitable calibration of these fusible elements. The term “fusible elements” means mechanical or electromechanical elements arranged to maintain the blades in an operational position in the presence of a pressure of the liquid medium below a threshold, and to move the blades in a retracted position when this threshold is exceeded.

Each deflector can in particular be arranged on the main body and / or on one of the secondary bodies.

The housing comprises for example four deflectors each extending from the inner surface of the main body. Advantageously, the first and second deflectors are opposite to each other with respect to the axis of rotation of the rotor, and the third and fourth deflectors are opposite to each other with respect to the axis of rotation rotor. Still advantageously, the first and third deflectors are arranged in the same first angular sector relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor and the second and fourth deflectors are arranged in the same second angular sector relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor . Preferably, the second angular sector is opposite to the first angular sector. Thus, each of the four deflectors is useful in one of the four phases of the swell cycle, the casing not undergoing any rotation around the vertical axis during the various passages from one swell phase to another.

When the casing comprises a first secondary body, it may comprise a first deflector extending from the interior surface of this first secondary body and being arranged to slow down a flow of the liquid medium along the axis of rotation of the rotor.

The casing according to the invention may further comprise a second deflector extending from the interior surface of the first secondary body and being arranged to brake a flow of the liquid medium along the axis of rotation of the rotor, the first and second deflectors being opposite to each other with respect to the axis of rotation of the rotor.

When the casing comprises a second secondary body, it may also comprise, in addition, a third deflector extending from the internal surface of the second secondary body and being arranged to slow down a flow of the liquid medium along the axis of rotation of the rotor.

The casing according to the invention may finally comprise a fourth deflector extending from the interior surface of the second secondary body and being arranged to brake a flow of the liquid medium along the axis of rotation of the rotor. Advantageously, the first and third deflectors are then disposed in the same first angular sector relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor and the second and fourth deflectors are arranged in the same second angular sector relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor. . Preferably, the second angular sector is opposite to the first angular sector. Thus, each of the four deflectors is useful in one of the four phases of the swell cycle, the casing not undergoing any rotation around the vertical axis during the various passages from one swell phase to another.

It should be noted that the casing may include any number of deflectors. It may in particular comprise more than four deflectors, in particular when the casing is fixedly mounted on a support and the liquid medium in which it is immersed is liable to be subjected to a changing direction over time of the main component of the swell.

Each deflector mounted on the main body comprises for example two blades joined to each other by a first end and each extending away from one another. In an exemplary embodiment, the two blades are joined to each other by their first end in the vicinity of one of the longitudinal ends of the main body and extend in the direction of another longitudinal end of the main body, without however reaching it. Thus, the two blades generally have a V-shaped or inverted V-shaped section in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main body.

Each deflector mounted on a secondary body comprises for example two blades joined to each other by a first end and each extending away from one another. In an exemplary embodiment, the two blades are joined to each other by their first end in the vicinity of the second longitudinal end of the secondary body and extend in the direction of the first longitudinal end of the secondary body. In another exemplary embodiment, the two blades are joined to each other by their first end in the vicinity of the first longitudinal end of the secondary body and extend in the direction of the second longitudinal end of the secondary body. Thus, the two blades generally have a V or inverted V section in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the secondary body.

In order to stabilize the casing in rotation, when it is not fixedly mounted around the axis of rotation of the rotor, the casing may include a fin extending from the outer surface of the casing. More particularly, the drift can extend from the external surface of the main body, from the external surface of the first secondary body and / or from the external surface of the second secondary body. The drift can also extend from an interior surface of one or more of these bodies.

In this case, when the casing comprises at least one deflector, the fin is preferably arranged in the same angular sector, relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor, as this deflector.

The housing may include a second fin arranged symmetrically with respect to the first fin along the axis of rotation of the rotor.

The housing may further include a set of protrusions each extending from the interior surface of the housing. The protrusions are arranged so as to homogenize the flow of the liquid medium in the casing.

According to a particular embodiment, the housing comprises a first set of protrusions each extending from the interior surface of the first secondary body, the protrusions being arranged so as to homogenize the flow of the liquid medium in the housing. Preferably, the protrusions are arranged so as to homogenize the flow of the liquid medium in the two opposite directions of circulation of the flow of liquid medium according to the component of the swell parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor, that is to say say the vertical component.

The casing may further comprise a second set of protrusions each extending from the interior surface of the second secondary body, the protrusions being arranged so as to homogenize the flow of the liquid medium in the casing. Preferably, the protrusions are arranged so as to homogenize the flow of the liquid medium in the two opposite directions of circulation of the flow of liquid medium according to the component of the swell parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor, that is to say say the vertical component.

The protrusions play a similar role to the deflector. They make it possible to locally slow down the flow of the liquid medium upstream of the rotor and therefore to limit the formation of overpressure zones. Unlike a deflector, the protrusions can generally be spread over a larger area, in order to better distribute the flow and the pressure over the entire transverse surface of the casing. The protuberances are for example arranged on at least half of the interior surface of each secondary body. Preferably, they are arranged over the entire interior surface of each secondary body.

According to a particular embodiment, in the presence of a secondary body at one end of the main body, the protrusions are exclusively disposed on this secondary body, and not on the main body.

Advantageously, the protuberances of the main body or of each secondary body have a density varying according to their location on the circumference of the main body or of the secondary body from which they extend. More particularly, the protrusions may have a maximum density in the vicinity of a first plane passing through the axis of rotation of the rotor and a minimum density in the vicinity of a second plane passing through the axis of rotation of the rotor. The density of the protuberances is advantageously determined as a function of the main horizontal components of the swell. The density is preferably maximum in the direction of the main component of the swell and minimum in a direction perpendicular to this direction of the main component of the swell. However, in the case of a swell having two main horizontal components and a casing fixedly mounted, the protrusions advantageously have a maximum density in two first planes perpendicular to each other and a minimum density in two second planes each forming an angle 45 degrees with each of the foregrounds.

The density of the protrusions can vary, in particular by varying one or more of the following parameters: their presence or absence, their length, their shape, the surface of their section, their spacing, their orientation.

According to a particular embodiment, the protrusions are distributed in a set of rings. Each ring preferably has protuberances distributed regularly over the circumference of the body. The density of the protrusions can then vary by removing protrusions at certain locations.

Each protrusion is for example formed by a cylinder of revolution, one end of which is fixed to the interior surface of the main body or of one of the secondary bodies. The cylinders of revolution are for example arranged so that their axis is oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotor or perpendicular to the tangent plane of the inner surface of the main body or of the secondary body on which they are fixed.

In general, the casing preferably has an axial symmetry along the axis of rotation of the rotor. The casing also advantageously has an orthogonal symmetry with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotor.

The casing may also include a removable cover opening onto the housing. The removable cover then allows easy access to the rotor, for example in order to carry out maintenance operations on this rotor.

The invention also relates to a device for recovering the hydraulic energy of the swell occurring in a liquid medium. This recovery device includes:

a housing as described above, and a rotor disposed in the housing of the housing and being able to undergo a rotational movement relative to the housing under the effect of a flow of the liquid medium through the housing.

According to a first embodiment, the device for recovering the hydraulic energy of the swell further comprises a float and a cable connecting the casing to the float. The housing is kept in dynamic balance between the float and its own weight. The device is arranged so that the float remains on the surface of the liquid medium. If necessary, the casing can possibly be ballasted with a weight. It undergoes the movement of the swell occurring at the level of the float, while being immersed in a liquid medium undergoing a movement of the swell to a greater depth. Due to the difference in amplitude of the vertical component of the swell, the casing is traversed by the liquid medium so that it comes to drive the rotor in rotation.

According to a second embodiment, the device for recovering the hydraulic energy of the swell further comprises a first cable connecting the housing to a bottom of the liquid medium, a float and a second cable connecting the housing to the float. The first cable can connect the housing to a weight intended to come to bear on the bottom. In this embodiment, the casing is also traversed by the liquid medium due to the difference in amplitude of the swell between the float and the casing, the float being closer to the surface than the casing. Advantageously, the float is kept close to the surface but below it, which prevents it from being affected by storms with destructive potential. The device is thus protected from storms and other numerous dangers on the surface, such as boats. In addition, the device is then invisible and therefore does not harm the environment.

The invention finally relates to a field of devices for recovering hydraulic energy from the swell. The field of recovery devices comprises a plurality of devices for recovering the hydraulic energy of the swell as described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows, given solely by way of nonlimiting example and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

- Figure 1 schematically shows a first example of a field of devices for recovering hydraulic energy from swells according to the invention;

FIG. 2 schematically represents a second example of a field of devices for recovering the hydraulic energy of the swell according to the invention;

- Figure 3 shows, in a perspective view, a first example of a housing according to the invention for a device for recovering hydraulic energy from the swell;

- Figure 4 shows the housing of Figure 3 in a front view;

- Figure 5 shows the housing of Figures 3 and 4 in a first view in longitudinal section;

- Figure 6 shows the housing of Figures 3 to 5 in a second view in longitudinal section, opposite the first;

- Figure 7 shows the housing of Figures 3 to 6 in a cross-sectional view;

- Figure 8 shows, in a longitudinal sectional view, a second example of housing according to the invention;

- Figure 9 shows, in a first perspective view, a third example of housing according to the invention;

FIG. 10 represents, in a second perspective view, the casing of FIG. 9.

DETAILED PRESENTATION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 schematically represents a first example of a field of devices for recovering the hydraulic energy of the swell according to the invention. This field 1 comprises two identical recovery devices 2 installed in the water 3 of a marine environment. Each recovery device 2 comprises a housing 4, a rotor 5, a float 6, a weight 7, a first cable 8 and a second cable 9. The housing 4 comprises a through housing in which is housed the rotor 5. The rotor 5 is mounted in pivot connection relative to the casing 4 along a vertical axis. The first cable 8 is connected by a first end to the float 6 and by a second end to the casing 4. The second cable 9 is connected by a first end to the casing 4 and by a second end to the weight 7. The float 6 and the weight 7 are determined so that the casing 4 and the rotor 5 are immersed in water 3 at a depth corresponding to the length of the cable 8 while allowing the float 6 to follow the movement of the swell at the surface some water. It should be noted that the weight 7 could be fixed integrally to the casing 4. Furthermore, the weight of the casing 4 could be sufficient in itself to keep the cable 8 taut. This can in particular be the case when the casing is made of concrete. The weight 7 is then useless.

In the presence of swell, the casing 4 undergoes a movement approaching more or less an ellipse, according to the local conditions of current and swell. On a vertical axis, this movement results in an alternative translational movement corresponding substantially to the vertical movement of the surface of the water 3. At the depth to which the casing 4 is immersed, the vertical component of the swell is greatly attenuated. This results in a translational movement of the casing 4 relative to the water 3 and therefore a flow of water relative to the casing 4. Part of this flow passes through the housing of the casing 4 and meets the rotor 5. The rotor 5 is arranged to be able to convert this flux into a kinetic energy of rotation. To this end, it comprises one or more blades arranged to convert the kinetic energy of translation of the water molecules into kinetic energy of rotation of the rotor 5.

FIG. 2 schematically represents a second example of a field of devices for recovering the hydraulic energy of the swell according to the invention. This field 11 comprises two identical recovery devices 12 installed in the water 3. Each recovery device 12 also comprises a casing 14, a rotor 15, a float 16, a weight 17, a first cable 18 and a second cable 19. The casing 14 and the rotor 15 may be identical to the casing 4 and to the rotor 5 of the example in FIG. 1. The first cable 18 connects the float 16 to the casing 14 and the second cable 19 connects the casing 14 to the weight 17. In this second example, each recovery device 12 is arranged so that the float 16 is immersed in the water 3. The float is then protected from potentially destructive waves during storms and is invisible from the surface, which facilitates its integration into the environment. The force exerted by the weight 17 must be greater than the force exerted by the float 16. The weight 17 then comes to rest on the bottom 20. On the other hand, the cable 19 must be long enough to allow the casing 4 to be move freely relative to the bottom 20. It should be noted that the second cable 19 could be directly fixed to the bottom 20.

As in the first embodiment, the casing 14 and the rotor 15 of each recovery device 12 undergo in particular a vertical reciprocating translational movement imposed by the float 16. Being immersed at a depth greater than that of the float 16, they move relative to the water 3 along a vertical axis and make it possible to convert the flow of water passing through the casing 14 into kinetic energy of rotation.

Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 show a first example of a casing according to the invention for a device for recovering the hydraulic energy of the swell. FIG. 3 represents the casing in a perspective view, FIG. 4 represents this same casing in a front view and FIGS. 5 and 6 represent it in two opposite longitudinal section views. In these figures, an orthonormal coordinate system is attached to the casing 30. This coordinate system consists of a vector x, a vector y and a vector z. In the position of use, immersed in water, the vector z is oriented vertically upwards and the vector x is oriented in the direction of a main horizontal component of the swell.

The casing 30 comprises a cylindrical main body 31, a first frustoconical secondary body 32 and a second frustoconical secondary body 33. The main body 31 and the secondary bodies 32, 33 are hollow. The main body 31 extends along an axis Z, parallel to the vector z, between a first end 311 and a second end 312. It comprises an outer surface 31A and an inner surface 31B each forming a cylinder of revolution along the axis Z The internal surface 31B defines a through housing 313 arranged to receive a rotor, not shown, of the device for recovering the hydraulic energy of the swell. The main body 31 also comprises a removable cover 314 allowing access to the housing 313. It can also include connecting means, not shown, making it possible to maintain the rotor in pivot connection in the casing 30 along the axis Z.

The first secondary body 32 extends along the axis Z between a first end 321 and a second end 322. The first secondary body 32 has an exterior surface 32A and an interior surface 32B, each arranged to continuously extend the exterior surface 31A and the internal surface 31B of the main body 31 from its end 311. Thus, at its end 321, the internal surface 32B has the same diameter di as the internal surface 31B of the main body 31 and the external surface 32A has the same diameter Di as the outer surface 31A of the main body 31. At its end 322, the inner surface 32B has a diameter d ₂ greater than di and the outer surface D ₂ has a diameter D ₂ greater than Di. The diameters di, d ₂ , Di and D ₂ are determined so that the main body 31 and the secondary body 32 have a constant thickness. Such a configuration can in particular correspond to the production of a metal casing. These diameters are also arranged, with the height of the secondary body 32, so that a generatrix of the inner surface 32B of the secondary body 32 forms an angle a with the axis Z of between 4 and 8 degrees. This angle a is for example 6 degrees.

Symmetrically with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis Z, the second secondary body 33 extends along this axis between a first end 331 and a second end 332. It has an outer surface 33A and an inner surface 33B. The end 331 has the inside diameter di and the outside diameter Di. The end 332 has the inside diameter d ₂ and the outside diameter D ₂ .

The casing 30 further comprises four deflectors 341, 342, 343, 344, generally designated by the reference 34. The deflector 341 is disposed on the inner surface 32B of the secondary body 32, near its end 322. In particular, the deflector 341 comprises two blades 3411, 3412 joined to one another by one of their ends at the end 322 of the secondary body 32 and each extending towards the end 321 of the secondary body 32 in s' moving away from each other. In a yz plane, the deflector 341 thus has a V shape. The deflector 342 is disposed on the secondary body 32 by axial symmetry along the axis Z. In other words, the deflectors 341, 342 are in opposite angular sectors around the Z axis. The deflectors 343, 344 are arranged on the inner surface 33B of the secondary body 33 by orthogonal symmetry along a plane orthogonal to the Z axis. The deflectors 341, 343 thus fit into the same angular sector , opposite the angular sector in which the deflectors 342, 344 are inscribed.

FIG. 7 illustrates, in a cross-sectional view along a plane xy passing through the secondary body 32 and marked VII-VII in FIG. 5, the action of the deflector 342 on a flow of water oriented in a direction opposite to the vector x. On entering the casing 30 and, more particularly, in the secondary body 32, the flow is divided into two parts 61, 62 each following the contour of the internal surface 32B and meeting in a zone 63 located in the vicinity of the deflector 342. Due to the frustoconical shape of the secondary body 32, the flow parts 61, 62 tend to be pushed towards the outside of the casing 30, in a direction opposite to the vector z. This deflection of the flow already makes it possible to limit the appearance of a phenomenon of overpressure at the level of the zone 63. In addition, the deflector 342 distributes the remaining flow oriented along the vector z and moving towards the rotor over a larger area. . This results in a better homogeneity of the water flow reaching the rotor. It should be noted that, if the frustoconical shape generates a reduction in the efficiency of the energy recovery device by deflecting part of the flux, it allows at the same time an increase in this efficiency due to the larger surface d entry of water into the casing 30.

Referring again to Figures 3 and 4, the housing 30 further comprises a first fin 351 and a second fin 352. The fins 351, 352 extend from the outer surface 31A of the main body 31 in the plane xz passing through the Z axis. They make it possible to orient the casing 30 around the Z axis as a function of the main horizontal component of the swell. In this embodiment, the drift

351 is in the same angular sector as the deflectors 341, 343 and the fin

352 is in the same sector as the deflectors 342, 344. Thus, the fins 351, 352 allow effective action of the deflectors.

FIG. 8 represents, in a longitudinal section view, a second example of a casing according to the invention. The casing 80 also comprises a main body 81 and two secondary bodies 82, 83 arranged longitudinally on either side of the main body 81. The main body 81 has an outer surface 81A of cylindrical revolution along the axis Z. The secondary bodies 82, 83 also have an outer surface 82A, 83A cylindrical of revolution along the Z axis of the same diameter as the main body 81. The main body 81 has an inner surface 81B cylindrical of revolution along the Z axis and the secondary bodies 82 , 83 each have an inner surface 82B, 83B frustoconical. Deflectors 841, 843 are arranged on the inner surface 82B, 83B of the secondary bodies 82, 83. The casing 80 differs from the casing 30 according to the first embodiment in that its outer surface is entirely cylindrical. Such a casing can easily be made of concrete or resin by a casting process.

Figures 9 and 10 show, in two perspective views, a third example of a housing according to the invention. The casing 90 comprises a cylindrical main body 91, shown partially, a first frustoconical secondary body 92 and a second frustoconical secondary body, not shown. The main body 91 has a cylindrical outer surface 91A and a cylindrical inner surface 91B. The secondary body 92 has a frustoconical outer surface 92A and a frustoconical inner surface 92B. In this third embodiment, the secondary body 92 comprises, in place of the deflectors, a set of protrusions 921 each formed by a cylinder of revolution extending radially from the interior surface 92B. The protrusions 921 have the function, like the deflectors, of homogenizing the flow of water reaching the rotor placed in the casing 90. Thus, they have a variable density depending on their location on the circumference of the secondary body 92. In this exemplary embodiment, the protrusions 921 are arranged in a set of stepped concentric rings, each ring having protrusions of the same length. The length of the protrusions decreases towards the end of the secondary body 92 which is adjacent to the main body 91. The density of the protrusions is adjusted by the presence or absence of the cylinders of revolution within each ring. For a casing fixedly mounted and a swell having two main horizontal components, one according to the vector x and the other according to the vector y, the protrusions 921 have a maximum density in the vicinity of a first plane containing the vector x and the Z axis as well as in the vicinity of a second plane, perpendicular to the first, containing the vector y and the Z axis. The protrusions 921 also have a minimum density in the vicinity of a third and a fourth plane, angularly offset by 45 degrees around the Z axis with respect to the first and second planes.

The examples of casing 30, 80, 90 described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 10 are suitable for use in a device for recovering the hydraulic energy of the swell 2, 12 as described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. By elsewhere, any combination of examples or variant embodiments can be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims (22)

1. Housing for a device for recovering the hydraulic energy of the swell occurring in a liquid medium (3), said recovery device (2, 12) comprising a rotor (5, 15) arranged to undergo a rotational movement relative to the casing (4, 14, 30, 80, 90) under the effect of a flow of the liquid medium, the casing having an external surface (31A, 32A, 33A, 81A, 82A, 83A, 91A, 92A) intended to be immersed in the liquid medium and an interior surface (31B, 32B, 33B, 81B, 82B, 83B, 91B, 92B) delimiting a through housing (313) arranged to receive the rotor. 2. Housing according to claim 1 comprising a main body (31, 81, 91) of which an inner surface (31B, 81B, 91B) forms a cylinder of revolution extending along an axis of rotation (Z) of the rotor. 3. Housing according to one of claims 1 and 2 comprising a main body (31, 81, 91) of which an outer surface (31A, 81A, 91A) forms a cylinder of revolution extending along an axis of rotation (Z) rotor. 4. Housing according to one of claims 2 and 3 further comprising a first secondary body (32, 82, 92) whose inner surface (32B, 82B, 92B) forms a frustoconical recess extending along an axis of rotation (Z) of the rotor between a first end (321) having a first internal diameter (di) and a second end (322) having a second internal diameter (d ₂ ), greater than the first internal diameter, the first secondary body (32 , 82, 92) being arranged so that its first end (321) is adjacent to a first longitudinal end (311) of the main body (31, 81, 91). 5. Housing according to claim 4 further comprising a second secondary body (33, 83), an inner surface (33B, 83B) forms a frustoconical recess extending along the axis of rotation (Z) of the rotor between a first end (331) having a third internal diameter (dj and a second end (332) having a fourth internal diameter (d ₂ ), greater than the third internal diameter, the second secondary body (33, 83) being arranged so that that its first end (331) is adjacent to a second longitudinal end (312) of the main body (31, 81). 6. Housing according to one of claims 4 and 5, wherein a generator of the inner surface (32B, 33B, 82B, 83B, 92B) of each secondary body (32, 33, 82, 83, 92) forms an angle (a) with the axis of rotation (Z) of the rotor between 4 and 8 degrees, preferably between 5 and 7 degrees. 7. Housing according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one deflector (341, 342, 343, 344, 841, 843) extending from the interior surface (31A, 32A, 33A, 81A, 82A, 83A, 91A, 92A) of the casing (30) and being arranged to brake a flow of the liquid medium along an axis of rotation (Z) of the rotor. 8. Housing according to claim 7, taken with one of claims 4 to 6, comprising a first deflector (341, 841) extending from the inner surface (32B, 82B) of the first secondary body (32, 82) and being arranged to brake a flow of the liquid medium along the axis of rotation (Z) of the rotor. 9. Housing according to claim 8 further comprising a second deflector (342) extending from the inner surface (32B) of the first secondary body (32) and being arranged to curb a flow of the liquid medium along the axis of rotation (Z) of the rotor, the first and second deflectors (341, 432) being opposite to each other with respect to the axis of rotation (Z) of the rotor. 10. Housing according to claims 5 and 9 further comprising a third deflector (343) and a fourth deflector (344) each extending from the inner surface (33B) of the second secondary body (33) and being arranged to brake a flow of the liquid medium along the axis of rotation (Z) of the rotor, the first and third deflectors (341, 343) being arranged in the same first angular sector relative to the axis of rotation (Z) of the rotor and the second and fourth deflectors (342, 344) being arranged in the same second angular sector relative to the axis of rotation (Z) of the rotor, the second angular sector being opposite to the first angular sector. 11. Housing according to one of claims 7 to 10, wherein each deflector (341, 342, 343, 344, 841, 843) comprises two blades (3411, 3412) joined to one another by a first end and each extending away from one another. 12. Housing according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a fin (351, 352) extending from the outer surface (31A, 32A, 33A) of the housing (30). 13. Housing according to claim 12, taken with one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the fin (351, 352) is arranged in the same angular sector, relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor, as minus a deflector (341, 342, 343, 344). 14. Housing according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a set of protrusions (921) each extending from the inner surface (92B) of the housing (90), the protrusions being arranged so as to homogenize the flow of the liquid medium in the housing. 15. Housing according to claim 14, taken with claim 4, comprising a first set of protrusions (921) each extending from the inner surface (92B) of the first secondary body (92), the protrusions being arranged so as to homogenize the flow of the liquid medium in the casing. 16. Housing according to claim 15, taken with claim 5, further comprising a second set of protrusions each extending from the interior surface of the second secondary body, the protrusions being arranged so as to homogenize the flow of the liquid medium in the casing. 17. Housing according to one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the protrusions (921) have a density varying according to their location on the circumference of the main body or the secondary body, the protrusions having a maximum density in the vicinity of a first plane passing through the axis of rotation (Z) of the rotor and a minimum density in the vicinity of a second plane passing through the axis of rotation (Z) of the rotor. 18. Housing according to one of the preceding claims, in which the housing (30, 80, 90) comprises a removable cover (314) opening onto the housing (313). 19. Device for recovering the hydraulic energy of the swell occurring in a liquid medium, said recovery device (2,12) comprising: a housing (4,14, 30, 80, 90) according to one of the preceding claims, and a rotor (5,15) disposed in the housing (313) of the housing and being capable of undergoing a rotational movement relative to the casing under the effect of a flow of the liquid medium through the casing. 20. A device for recovering hydraulic energy from the swell according to claim 19, further comprising a float (6) and a cable (8) connecting the casing (4) to the float. 21. A device for recovering the hydraulic energy of the swell according to claim 19, further comprising a first cable (18) connecting the casing (14) to a bottom (20) of the liquid medium, a float (16) and a second cable (19) connecting the housing to the float. 22. Field of devices for recovering hydraulic energy from the waves, comprising a plurality of devices for recovering the hydraulic energy from the waves (2.12) according to one of claims 19 to 21.