SUCTION COVER DEVICE, AND KINETIC TIDAL POWER PLANT

Abstract

The present invention provides a suction cover device for a kinetic tidal power plant, comprising: a flow inlet opening and a flow outlet opening arranged along a flow direction downstream of the flow inlet opening and a plurality of cover housing segments which extend between the flow inlet opening and the flow outlet opening substantially in the flow direction and are provided such that the plurality of cover housing segments collectively form a conically shaped cover body, wherein the plurality of cover housing segments are continuously movable relative to one another between a first extreme position and a second extreme position such that the flow velocity inside the suction cover device can be controlled compared to the surrounding flow.

Claims

1. A suction cover device (10) for a kinetic tidal power plant (1), comprising: a flow inlet opening (11) and a flow outlet opening (12) which are arranged along a flow direction (A) downstream of the flow inlet opening (11); and a plurality of cover housing segments (13) which extend between the flow inlet opening (11) and the flow outlet opening (12) substantially in the flow direction (A) and are provided such that the plurality of cover housing segments (13) collectively form a conically shaped cover body, wherein the plurality of cover housing segments (13) are continuously movable relative to one another between a first extreme position and a second extreme position such that the flow velocity inside the suction cover device (10) can be controlled compared to the surrounding flow.

2. The suction cover device according to claim 1, wherein the suction cover device (10) is of oval, circular or the like design when viewed transversely to the flow direction (A).

3. The suction cover device according to claim 1, wherein at least some (13A) of the plurality of cover housing segments (13) are made of an elastic material.

4. The suction cover device according to claim 3, wherein the material composition and/or the geometry of the elastic cover housing segments (13A) changes along their extension such that the spring constant of these elastic cover housing segments (13A) varies along their extension.

5. The suction cover device according to claim 1, further comprising a spring device (14) and/or an actuator (15) for supporting the movability of the plurality of cover housing segments (13) between the first extreme position and the second extreme position, wherein the spring device (14) and/or the actuator (15) couples at least some of the plurality of cover housing segments (13) to one another.

6. The suction cover device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of cover housing segments (13) are provided substantially movable relative to one another along the flow direction (A).

7. The suction cover device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of cover housing segments (13) are provided substantially movable relative to one another transversely to the flow direction (A).

8. The suction cover device according to claim 1, wherein the size ratio of the flow inlet opening (11) to the flow outlet opening (12) is configured to be variable.

9. The suction cover device according to claim 8, wherein the size ratio has a minimum in the first extreme position and a maximum in the second extreme position.

10. The suction cover device according to claim 1, wherein the flow inlet opening (11) is smaller than the flow outlet opening (12) in order to generate a fluid-dynamic suction inside the suction cover device (10).

11. The suction cover device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of cover housing segments (13) partially overlap in an overlap region (16) and contact in the overlap region (16).

12. The suction cover device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of cover housing segments (13) has a flow diversion device (18) on its outer side (17), which is configured to increase the fluid-mechanical resistance to a fluid flowing therepast.

13. A kinetic tidal power plant (1) comprising: a flow generator (2); a computing device (20) which is arranged along a flow direction (A) upstream of a flow inlet (4) of the flow generator (2) and is configured to protect the flow generator (2) from solid foreign bodies; and a suction cover device (10) according to claim 1, which is disposed downstream of the flow generator (2) and the flow inlet opening (11) of which corresponds to the outer dimensions of the flow generator (2).

14. The tidal power plant according to claim 13, wherein the operating voltage has at most 60 V.

15. The tidal power plant according to claim 13, further comprising a controllable depth rudder (6) for adjusting the swimming depth in the water, which is arranged in an edge region in relation to the longitudinal direction (A) of the tidal power plant (1).

Description

[0030] The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures in the drawings. The figures show:

[0031] FIGS. 1A, 1B schematic top views of a suction cover device with cover housing segments according to embodiments of the invention;

[0032] FIG. 2 a schematic rear view of a suction cover device in the second extreme position according to the embodiment according to FIG. 1A;

[0033] FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D a schematic rear view of a suction cover device in the first extreme position according to the design example shown in FIG. 2, wherein the restoring force is supported in each case by resilient cover housing segments (FIG. 3A), a spring device (FIG. 3B), two actuators (FIG. 3C) or one actuator (FIG. 3D);

[0034] FIGS. 4A, 4B schematic top views of a suction cover device with pivotable cover housing segments according to a further embodiment of the invention, wherein the cover housing segments are in the second extreme position in FIG. 4A and in the first extreme position in FIG. 4B;

[0035] FIGS. 5A, 5B schematic rear views of the suction cover device according to the embodiment example shown in FIG. 4A or 4B;

[0036] FIGS. 6A, 6B schematic top views of a suction cover device with cover housing segments that can be pulled apart according to a further embodiment of the invention, wherein the cover housing segments are in the first extreme position in FIG. 6A and in the second extreme position in FIG. 6B;

[0037] FIG. 7 a schematic rear view of the suction cover device according to the embodiment according to FIG. 6A; and

[0038] FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C schematic representations (FIG. 8A: side view; FIG. 8B: top view; FIG. 8C: isometric representation) of a kinetic tidal power plant according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0039] In the figures of the drawing, identical elements, features, and components having the same function or the same actionunless stated otherwiseare each provided with the same reference numbers.

[0040] Although specific embodiments and developments are represented and described here, it will be preferable for the skilled person that a multiplicity of alternative and/or similar embodiments can replace the represented and described specific examples of embodiment, without departing from the scope of the present invention. This application is generally intended to cover all modifications or amendments to the specific examples of embodiment described herein.

[0041] The appended figures are intended to provide a further understanding of embodiments of the invention and, in combination with the description, serve to explain principles and concepts of the invention. Other examples of embodiment and many of the stated advantages emerge with regard to the drawings. The drawings are to be understood solely as diagrammatic drawings and the elements of the drawings are not necessarily represented true to scale with respect to one another. Direction-indicating terminology such as for example above, below, left-hand, right-hand, over, under, horizontal, vertical, front, rear and similar indications are used solely for the purpose of explanation and do not serve to limit the generality to specific embodiments as shown in the figures.

[0042] FIGS. 1A and 1B show schematic top views of a suction cover device 10 with a plurality of cover housing segments 13. The suction cover device 10 also has a flow inlet opening 11 and a flow outlet opening 12. Referring to a flow direction A, the flow outlet opening 12 is arranged downstream of the flow inlet opening 11. The plurality of cover housing segments 13 extend between the flow inlet opening 11 and the flow outlet opening 12 substantially in the flow direction A. In this respect, deviations of this extension of the cover housing segments 13 of up to approximately 40?, in particular up to approximately 25?, from the flow direction A are provided. Furthermore, the plurality of cover housing segments 13 are provided in such a way that the plurality of cover housing segments 13 collectively form a conically shaped cover body. In this respect, the several cover housing segments 13 are continuously movable relative to one another between a first extreme position and a second extreme position in such a way that the flow velocity inside the suction cover device 10 can be controlled compared to the surrounding flow.

[0043] As an example, the suction cover device in FIGS. 1A and 1B also has a hinge device 19. The hinge device 19 supports the pivoting of the cover housing segments 13. As shown in FIG. 1A, for example, two of the four cover housing segments 13 can be connected via the hinge device 19. In this respect, the hinge device 19 is arranged in the area of the flow inlet opening 11, in particular with a pivot axis perpendicular to the flow direction A. Alternatively, as an example in FIG. 1B, four cover housing segments 13 are hinged to the hinge device 19. Moreover, this hinge device 19 has substantially the same features as those already described above with reference to FIG. 1A. Even though in these embodiments the suction cover device 10 comprises four cover housing segments 13, the invention is not limited to four cover housing segments 13, but may comprise any plurality of cover housing segments 13.

[0044] FIG. 2 shows a schematic rear view of a suction cover device 10 in the second extreme position according to the embodiment example according to FIG. 1A. The second extreme position can, for example, define a state in which the suction cover device 10 is present when it is not exposed to any fluid flow and the resulting forces and/or torques.

[0045] Furthermore, the suction cover device 10 is optionally configured to be oval when viewed transversely to the flow direction A. Alternatively or in combination, the suction cover device can be configured transversely to the flow direction A to be circular or likewise. In this respect, straight portions may be included in addition to curved portions.

[0046] In this respect, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the flow inlet opening 11 is smaller than the flow outlet opening 12 in order to generate a fluid-dynamic suction effect inside the suction cover device 10.

[0047] FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D each show a schematic rear view of a suction cover device 10 in the first extreme position according to the embodiment example according to FIG. 2. In this respect, the plurality of cover housing segments 13 are provided to be movable relative to one another, for example substantially transversely to the flow direction A. It is not necessary for all cover housing segments 13 to be configured to be movable relative to one another; instead, individual ones of the plurality of cover housing segments 13 can be rigidly configured and/or connected to one another.

[0048] In addition, the suction cover device 10 in the first extreme position, viewed transversely to the flow direction A, can be configured in a manner comparable to or different from the second extreme position. This means, for example, that the suction cover device 10 can be configured to be oval in the first extreme position and round in the second extreme position. Other forms or mixed forms are conceivable.

[0049] Furthermore, for example, the size ratio of the flow inlet opening 11 to the flow outlet opening 12 is configured to be variable between the first and second extreme positions. This means that the quotient of flow inlet opening 11 and flow outlet opening 12 changes due to the movability of the plurality of cover housing segments 13 between the first and second extreme positions. Thus, the flow inlet opening 11 or the flow outlet opening 12 can optionally retain their size, while the corresponding other opening 11; 12 increases or decreases in size, or the sizes of the flow inlet opening 11 and the flow outlet opening 12 change in parallel, but in a different ratio. In this respect, the size ratio has a minimum in the first extreme position and a maximum in the second extreme position. Accordingly, the size of the flow outlet opening 12 decreases in the illustrated embodiments according to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D, while the size of the flow inlet opening 11 remains almost constant.

[0050] In the first extreme position, the suction cover device 10 is deformed in an elastic manner compared for example to the second extreme position. In the embodiment example according to FIG. 3A, at least some 13A of the plurality of cover housing segments 13 are made of an elastic material. The so-called elastic cover housing segments 13A cause a spring-elastic restoring force on the cover housing segments 13, which are coupled to the respective elastic cover housing segments 13A. The spring-elastic restoring force or the spring-elastic deformation resistance can be certain as a spring constant. In this respect, the spring constant for the elastic cover housing segments 13A can be constant in each case. Alternatively or additionally, the material composition and/or the geometry of the elastic cover housing segments 13A can vary along their extension in such a way that the spring constant of these elastic cover housing segments 13A varies along their extension. For example, the thickness of an elastic cover housing segment 13A decreases in the direction of flow direction A so that the elastic cover housing segment 13A has an increasing deformation when viewed in flow direction A.

[0051] FIG. 3B shows an example of a suction cover device 13 with a spring device 14. In this respect, the spring device 14 is arranged in particular inside the suction cover device 10. For example, the spring device 14 couples two of the plurality of cover housing segments 13, which are opposite each other. Thus, depending on the intended state of tension, the spring device 14 can support or inhibit the movability of the plurality of cover housing segments 13. Optionally, the spring device 14 can be coupled with a damper.

[0052] FIG. 3C shows an example of two actuators 15 for supporting the movability of the plurality of cover housing segments 13 between the first and second extreme positions in the suction cover device 10. In this respect, the actuators 15 are arranged in particular outside the suction cover device 10. For example, the actuators 15 couple two transition points each between the elastic cover housing segments 13A and the remaining cover housing segments 13. Thus, the actuator 15 can support the movability of the plurality of cover housing segments 13 depending on data measured by a sensor, in particular turbine performance data and/or weather data.

[0053] The embodiment according to FIG. 3D shows an example of a suction cover device 13 with an actuator 15 arranged inside the suction cover device 10. In this respect, the actuator 15 couples two elastic cover housing segments 13A. Thus, the movability of the elastic cover housing segments 13A can be directly supported.

[0054] It is clear to the skilled person that an actuator 15 can be used at any point where a spring device 14 is provided. The reverse principle also applies, as does any combination of spring device 14 and actuator 15 in the same suction cover device 10.

[0055] FIGS. 4A and 4B show schematic top views of a suction cover device 10 with pivotable cover housing segments 13. Optionally, the cover housing segments 13 are each configured to be rigid. In this respect, in particular two lateral cover housing segments 13 are pivotably hinged to at least two central cover housing segments 13. FIG. 4A illustrates in particular the cover housing segments 13 in the second extreme position. In FIG. 4B, however, the cover housing segments 13 are in the first extreme position.

[0056] In the first extreme position and in the second extreme position, the flow inlet opening 11 is smaller than the flow outlet opening 12 in order to create a fluid-dynamic suction effect inside the suction cover device 10. The size of the flow inlet opening 11 is constant according to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. As the second extreme position has a larger flow outlet opening 12 than the first extreme position, the second extreme position has a stronger suction effect than the first extreme position.

[0057] Furthermore, the suction cover device 10 has, by way of example, two spring devices 14. In this respect, the spring devices 14 have a direction of action transversely to the flow direction A.

[0058] FIGS. 5A and 5B show schematic rear views of the suction cover device 10 according to the embodiment example according to FIGS. 4A and 4B. In particular, the two lateral cover housing segments 13 are shown therein, which partially overlap in an overlap region 16 with the central cover housing segments 13 and contact in the overlap region 16. As an example, the spring devices 14 are arranged outside the suction cover device 10, but are not limited to this arrangement, but can also be arranged inside the suction cover device 10 or in a different orientation.

[0059] FIGS. 6A and 6B show schematic top views of a suction cover device 10 with cover housing segments 13 that can be pulled apart. In this respect, the cover housing segments 13 are in the first extreme position in FIG. 6A and in the second extreme position in FIG. 6B. In this respect, in particular, the plurality of cover housing segments 13 are substantially movable relative to one another along the flow direction A. The three cover housing segments 13 illustrated are coupled together, for example, by two spring devices 14 each. Each of the three cover housing segments 13 has a conical basic shape, for example.

[0060] In this respect, the size ratio of the flow inlet opening 11 to the flow outlet opening 12 is configured variably, for example. This means that the quotient of flow inlet opening 11 and flow outlet opening 12 changes due to the movability of the plurality of cover housing segments 13 between the first and second extreme positions. Thus, the flow inlet opening 11 or the flow outlet opening 12 can optionally retain their size, while the corresponding other opening 11; 12 increases or decreases in size, or the sizes of the flow inlet opening 11 and the flow outlet opening 12 change in parallel, but in a different ratio. In particular, the size ratio has a minimum in the first extreme position and a maximum in the second extreme position. Accordingly, the size of the flow inlet opening 11 increases from the first to the second extreme position in the illustrated embodiments according to FIGS. 6A and 6B, while the size of the flow outlet opening 12 remains constant.

[0061] In FIG. 6A, the flow inlet opening 11 is exemplarily smaller than the flow outlet opening 12 in order to generate a fluid-dynamic suction inside the suction cover device 10. In particular, the flow inlet opening 11 forms a continuous surface. In this respect, for example, the three cover housing segments 13 partially overlap in an overlap region 16, wherein the overlap regions correspond, for example, with the edge regions of the cover housing segments 13. In addition, the cover housing segments 13 contact each other in the overlap region 16 so that the overlap region 16 is fluid-tight. Optionally or additionally, the overlap region 16 can have sealing elements, such as rubber lips, sealing rings or the like.

[0062] FIG. 6B shows the suction cover device 10 in particular in the second extreme position. In the second extreme position according to this embodiment example, the three cover housing segments 13 are displaced relative to one another in the flow direction A in such a way that additional flow inlet openings 11 are provided between the cover housing segments 13. A fluid can flow into the suction cover device 10 from the side through the additional flow inlet openings 11. This reduces the suction effect. As the flow velocity of the fluid decreases, the additional flow inlet openings 11 also decrease until they are closed at a certain value.

[0063] FIG. 7 shows a schematic rear view of the suction cover device 10 according to the embodiment example according to FIG. 6A. In this respect, for example, the cross-section of the cover housing segments 13 is substantially identical in the first and second extreme positions.

[0064] FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C show schematic representations of a kinetic tidal power plant 1. The tidal power plant 1 comprises a flow generator 2, a computing device 20 and a suction cover device 10.

[0065] The flow generator 2 includes, for example, a rotor 3 whose axis of rotation corresponds approximately to the flow direction A or the longitudinal axis of the tidal power plant 1. The rotor 3 can be surrounded in portions by the suction cover device 10.

[0066] The computing device 20 is arranged along a flow direction A upstream of a flow inlet 4 of the flow generator 2 and is configured to protect the flow generator 2 from solid foreign bodies. The flow inlet 4 is shown in particular in FIG. 8C.

[0067] As an example, the computing device 20 can comprise several grid elements 21 which extend along the flow direction A from a first body 5 to a second body 2; 10. In this respect, for example, the plurality of grid elements 21 are each attached to the first body 5 by a first end 22 and to the second body 2; 10 by a second end 23. In addition, the grid elements 21 may be provided bent in such a way that together with the first and second bodies they surround a cavity 24, as shown in particular in FIG. 8C.

[0068] In this way, the flow inlet 4 of the flow generator 2 can be protected from foreign bodies by the computing device 20 in such a way that, in addition to damaging solid bodies, aquatic organisms, such as fish, which could be drawn through the flow inlet 4 of the flow generator 2, are also reduced. In this respect, the computing device 20 can be configured to pass a sufficient fluid flow in the flow direction A and provide it to the flow generator 2 so that it can be operated at an optimal operating point.

[0069] The grid elements 21 are not limited to a certain material, shape or cross-section. The grid elements 21 may comprise any metal, light metal, plastic, wood or the like or composite materials. Furthermore, the grid elements 21 may have a polygonal, round, oval, tubular or similar cross-section. Individual ones of the plurality of grid elements 21 may be different in design from the other grid elements 21 and/or vary in material and/or shape or cross-section along their longitudinal extent. Preferably, the grid elements 21 can be configured as sheet metal strips, rods or the like.

[0070] The cavity 24 within the meaning of the present invention denotes a volume space which is surrounded by the plurality of grid elements 21 and, if appropriate, additionally by the first and/or second body in such a way that a fluid can flow through this cavity/volume space 24 in the flow direction A, wherein solid foreign bodies above a certain size are prevented from penetrating into the cavity 24 by the computing device 20.

[0071] The suction cover device 10 is arranged downstream of the flow generator 2. In addition, its flow inlet opening 11 corresponds to the outer dimensions of the flow generator 2. The suction cover device 10 substantially corresponds to the suction cover device according to the embodiment example according to FIG. 4A, 5A or 4B, 5B. In addition, the suction cover device 10 can also have the features described below, for example.

[0072] Furthermore, the suction cover device 10 has, for example, six, eight or ten cover housing segments 13. In this respect, at least one of the cover housing segments 13 has a flow diversion device 18 on its outer side 17, as shown in particular in FIGS. 8A and 8B. The flow diversion device 18 is configured to increase the fluid-mechanical resistance to a fluid flowing past. In this way, the fluid flowing past is slowed down and consequently, for example, the fluid chooses the path of lower resistance and flows through the flow generator 2 into the suction cover device 10, which advantageously increases the power yield of the flow generator 2.

[0073] Furthermore, the operating voltage can be at most 60 V, for example.

[0074] In addition, the tidal power plant 1 may comprise a front body 5. The front body 5 is arranged upstream of the flow generator 2, for example, and is connected to the flow generator 2. Alternatively or additionally, the front body 5 can be connected to the suction cover device 10. This allows the front body to increase the stability of the tidal power plant. Furthermore, the front body 5 can, for example, be configured as a buoyancy body to prevent the tidal power plant 1 from sinking. In this respect, the front body can, for example, be made of a material or combination of materials with a density of less than 997 kg/m.sup.3. Alternatively or additionally, the front body may contain gas inclusions whose buoyancy effect is large enough to compensate for the total weight of the tidal power plant.

[0075] In addition, the tidal power plant 1 may have a controllable depth rudder 6 for adjusting the floating depth in the water. The controllable depth rudder is arranged, for example, in a forward area in relation to the longitudinal direction A of the tidal power plant 1. In particular, the depth rudder 6 can be configured as a fin, for example, which is aligned horizontally.

[0076] Optionally, the tidal power plant 1 can have a fastening device 7. The fastening device 7 is positioned, for example, in the front area, in particular on a nose, of the tidal power plant 1. For example, the fastening device 7 can be configured as an eyelet, hook, loop or similar. This means that the tidal power plant 1 can be attached to a fixed point in the environment.

[0077] In the detailed description above, various features have been summarized in one or more examples so as to provide a more cogent representation. However, it should be clear here that the above description is of a purely illustrative, but in no way limiting nature. The description serves to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents of the various features and embodiments. Many other examples will become immediately clear to a skilled person owing to their expert knowledge in view of the above description.

[0078] The embodiments have been selected and described in order to be able to show, as clearly as possible, the principles on which the disclosure herein is based and the possible applications thereof in practice. As a result, skilled persons can optimally modify and use the disclosure herein and the various embodiments thereof with respect to the intended purpose thereof. In the claims and the description, the terms containing and comprising are used as linguistically neutral terminology for the corresponding term including. Furthermore, use of the terms a, an and one is not intended to fundamentally exclude a plurality of such described features and components.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0079] 1 tidal power plant [0080] 2 flow generator [0081] 3 rotor [0082] 4 flow inlet [0083] 5 front body [0084] 6 depth rudder [0085] 7 fastening device [0086] 10 suction cover device [0087] 11 flow inlet opening [0088] 12 flow outlet opening [0089] 13 cover housing segments (elastic 13A) [0090] 14 spring device [0091] 15 actuator [0092] 16 overlap region [0093] 17 outer side [0094] 18 flow diversion device [0095] 19 hinge device [0096] 20 computing device [0097] 21 grid elements [0098] 22 first end [0099] 23 second end [0100] 24 cavity [0101] 25 distance [0102] A flow direction/longitudinal direction