DEVICE FOR GENERATING A FLUID FLOW

Abstract

A device for generating a fluid flow extending in a longitudinal direction includes: a frame, at least one flange arranged on a transverse face, at least one transversely extending membrane arranged opposite the at least one flange, the at least one membrane having a flange face opposite the at least one flange, and an outer face opposite the flange face, and at least one actuator configured to cause the at least one membrane to move in a reciprocating translational motion, wherein none of the walls are opposite the outer face of the at least one membrane.

Claims

1. A device for generating a fluid flow extending in a longitudinal direction (L), comprising: a frame; at least one flange; at least one membrane extending transversely and arranged opposite the at least one flange, the at least one membrane having an exterior face oriented toward the outside of the device,; and at least one actuator configured to cause the at least one membrane to move in a reciprocating translational motion, and wherein none of the walls are opposite the outer face of the at least one membrane.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one flange is arranged on a transverse face, the at least one membrane having a flange face opposite the at least one flange, the exterior face being opposite the flange face.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one flange comprises a single flange and the at least one membrane comprises a single membrane.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one flange comprises a single flange and the at least one membrane comprises a pair of membranes arranged one behind the other.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one flange comprises at least two flanges and the at least one membrane comprises at least two membranes, each of the at least two flanges being arranged at one distinct end of the frame or the actuator.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one flange has a tubular section extending coaxially to the longitudinal axis.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one membrane has a central opening.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one flange and the at least one membrane has an oval shape.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one actuator is arranged on or in the frame such that the device has a free central zone.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one electromagnetic actuator comprises: a stator arranged to create a magnetic field, the stator comprising at least two stator elements, arranged around the longitudinal axis and extending in a circumferential or orthoradial direction relative to the longitudinal axis; and a linearly movable portion comprising at least two distinct movable rods extending along respective drive axes and spaced along a circumference extending around the longitudinal axis, each of the at least two distinct movable rods comprising at least one magnetic element, each of the at least two distinct rods being arranged between two stator elements and being magnetically movable relative to the at least two stator elements.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one electromagnetic actuator comprises: a stator arranged to create a magnetic field, the stator comprising at least two stator elements facing each other; and a linearly movable portion, comprising: at least two rods that are movable along respective drive axes, each of the at least two rods being arranged at one end of the two stator elements; at least one magnetic element associated with the at least two rods, the at least one magnetic element being arranged between the at least two stator elements and being magnetically movable with respect to the at least two stator elements; and coupling means between the at least one magnetic element and the at least two rods.

12. A hydraulic thruster for the propulsion of a nautical vehicle comprising a flow-generating device according to claim 1.

13. A hydrogenerator comprising a flow-generating device according to claim 1.

14. The device of claim 2, wherein the at least one flange comprises at least two flanges and the at least one membrane comprises at least two membranes, each of the at least two flanges being arranged at one distinct end of the frame or the actuator.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the at least one flange has a tubular section extending coaxially to the longitudinal axis.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the at least one membrane has a central opening.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein each of the at least one flange and the at least one membrane has an oval shape.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the at least one actuator is arranged on or in the frame such that the device has a free central zone.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the at least one electromagnetic actuator comprises: a stator arranged to create a magnetic field, the stator comprising at least two stator elements arranged around the longitudinal axis and extending in a circumferential or orthoradial direction relative to the longitudinal axis; and a linearly movable portion comprising at least two distinct movable rods extending along respective drive axes and spaced along a circumference extending around the longitudinal axis, each of the at least two distinct movable rods comprising at least one magnetic element, each of the at least two distinct rods being arranged between two stator elements and being magnetically movable relative to the at least two stator elements.

20. The device of claim 18, wherein the at least one electromagnetic actuator comprises: a stator arranged to create a magnetic field, the stator comprising at least two stator elements facing each other; and a linearly movable portion, comprising: at least two rods that are movable along respective drive axes, each of the at least two rods being arranged at one end of the two stator elements; at least one magnetic element associated with the at least two rods, the at least one magnetic element being arranged between the at least two stator elements and being magnetically movable with respect to the at least two stator elements; and coupling means between the at least one magnetic element and the at least two rods.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0101] The present disclosure will be better understood on reading the following description, in reference to non-limiting embodiments illustrated by the appended drawings, in which:

[0102] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hydraulic thruster according to a first embodiment;

[0103] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a hydraulic thruster according to the first embodiment, the thruster comprising an electromagnetic machine according to the preceding figure, and a single flange having a central opening and a single discoidal membrane having a central opening;

[0104] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a hydraulic thruster according to a second embodiment, the thruster comprising a single solid flange and comprising a tail with a conical shape and a single membrane having an opening;

[0105] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a hydraulic thruster according to the second embodiment, according to the preceding figures;

[0106] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a hydraulic thruster according to FIGS. 3 and 4 and an electromagnetic machine according to one embodiment, the machine comprising four pairs of stator elements and four pairs of rods;

[0107] FIG. 6 is a profile view of an electromagnetic machine according to one embodiment comprising upstream rods and downstream rods;

[0108] FIG. 7 is a profile view of an electromagnetic machine according to one embodiment comprising rods that are both upstream and downstream;

[0109] FIG. 8 is a profile view of a nautical propulsion assembly comprising a hydraulic thruster according to FIG. 1;

[0110] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an electromagnetic machine with cyclic linear movement according to an embodiment of the present disclosure wherein each rod of the movable portion comprises two permanent magnets, the machine being seen without its frame;

[0111] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a mechanical assembly according to one embodiment, the assembly comprising a machine according to the preceding figure and two discoidal membranes, each membrane being arranged at one end of the machine;

[0112] FIG. 11 is a perspective view in longitudinal section of a mechanical assembly comprising an electromagnetic machine according to a second embodiment wherein each rod of the movable portion comprises four permanent magnets;

[0113] FIG. 12 is a view in accordance with the preceding figure, each rod further comprising two non-magnetic spacers, a spacer between two adjacent permanent magnets;

[0114] FIG. 13 is a zoom of the machine of the preceding figure, a rod of the movable portion, carrying four permanent magnets, being seen in an enlarged manner;

[0115] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an electromagnetic machine with cyclic linear movement according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the machine comprises six pairs of stator elements and six pairs of rods arranged relative to each other so as to form a circle, the frame being shown;

[0116] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an electromagnetic machine with cyclic linear movement according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the machine comprises a pair of stator elements and a pair of rods, the frame not being shown;

[0117] FIG. 16 is a profile view of two stator elements facing each other, each comprising a winding of electrical wires, the elements being in accordance with the preceding figure;

[0118] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a linearly movable portion according to one embodiment, comprising two permanent magnets arranged between two rods;

[0119] FIG. 18 is a front view of a hydraulic thruster according to a third embodiment, the thruster comprising an electromagnetic machine according to another embodiment, and a single flange having a central opening and a single discoidal membrane having a central opening; and

[0120] FIG. 19 is a side view of a thruster according to the preceding figure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0121] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a first embodiment of a device for generating a fluid flow is presented. The device is in particular arranged to be submerged. The device for generating a fluid flow is a hydraulic thruster 100.

[0122] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a hydraulic thruster comprising an electric actuator, in particular an electromagnetic machine that will be described below, a flange F1 and a membrane M1, the flange and the membrane being arranged on the same end, called the downstream end, of the machine coaxially with respect to the longitudinal axis L. The opposite end, called the upstream end, has no wall preventing the circulation of a flow through the central zone 10 of the electromagnetic machine. In this embodiment, the thruster has the general shape of a tube.

[0123] The flange F1 has a central opening so that a flow can pass through it. The flange F1 has a first face, referred to as the connection face, arranged to be connected to an end of an electromagnetic machine, and a second face, referred to as the external face, opposite the connection face. The flange F1 has an inner surface in the form of a cone or nozzle, the largest diameter of the inner surface corresponding to the inner diameter of the electromagnetic machine. The flange further comprises a tubular portion F11 protruding from the external face.

[0124] The membrane M1 has the shape of a ring and comprises an armature MA1 connected to all the distal ends of the rods of the electromagnetic machine, see FIG. 1. The membrane M1 has a central opening through which the tubular portion F11 of the flange F1 extends. The membrane M1 has a flange face oriented toward the flange and an exterior face opposite the flange face oriented toward the exterior environment. The device, in particular the hydraulic thruster, is provided to operate without an element, part or appendage that is connected to or remotely adds to the rear face of the device or to the propulsion unit.

[0125] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a second embodiment of a hydraulic thruster is shown. Compared to the preceding embodiment, the present thruster is closed at each end. At least one wall closes the central zone of the electromagnetic machine, so that the thruster has an oblong and/or ovoid general shape.

[0126] The flange F1 does not have a central opening. The flange F1 has a first face, referred to as the connection face, arranged to be connected to an end of an electromagnetic machine, and a second face, referred to as the external face, opposite the connection face. The flange further comprises a conical portion F12 protruding from the external face, the diameter of the cone reducing from the external face to the tip of the conical portion. The conical portion passes through the central opening of the membrane M1, see FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0127] The association of a flange F1 and a membrane M1 allows the propulsion of the hydraulic thruster.

[0128] FIGS. 4 and 5 show one embodiment of an actuator. The actuator is an electromagnetic machine. With reference to FIG. 5, an electromagnetic machine comprises a stator and a movable portion comprising magnetic rods magnetically cooperating with the stator. The stator comprises four pairs of stator elements 31, 32, 33 and 34, the pair of stator elements 31 being associated with the pairs of rods 41a, 41b, the pair of stator elements 32 being associated with the pairs of rods 42a, 42b, the pair 33 of stator elements being associated with the pairs of rods 43a, 43b, the pair 34 of stator elements being associated with the pairs of rods 44a, 44b. The electromagnetic machine extends along a longitudinal axis L. The respective drive axes of the rods are parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the machine. Furthermore, the four modules are arranged along a circle whose longitudinal axis L is the center. The four electromagnetic modules are spaced equidistant. Each electromagnetic module can be controlled independently of the others. The electromagnetic machine will be described in more detail below.

[0129] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of an electromagnetic machine, in particular combinable with one of the embodiments or embodiments that will be described below. The electromagnetic machine comprises pairs of upstream rods extending from a first end of the machine. The machine further comprises pairs of downstream rods extending from a second end, opposite the first end, of the electromagnetic machine. FIG. 6 shows upstream rods extending along the axes E3a, E3b, E5a, E5b, E2a, E2b, E6a, E6b. It is also shown upstream rods extending along the axes E1a, E1b, E4a, E4b. This embodiment makes it possible to place a membrane of each longitudinal end of a device.

[0130] Alternatively, FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of an electromagnetic machine, wherein each pair of rods passes through the frame of the machine in such a way as to pair upstream rods and a pair of downstream rods.

[0131] FIG. 8 shows an application wherein the hydraulic thruster according to the first embodiment is connected to a steering and control device of a boat.

[0132] FIGS. 18 and 19 show another application wherein the hydraulic thruster in a minimalist version is connected to a central base of a boat.

[0133] The thruster comprises control means and/or power electronics so that the motor is capable of being used in a wide range of use cases. For example, it can be powered by the grid, a solar panel array, or any other AC or DC energy installation or in an energy storage system with its connection through power electronics making it possible to regulate and control the electric current.

[0134] Depending on the type of control signal and its shape, the motor can fulfill different use cases: in a case of power supply by a continuous electrical voltage, the position of the motor is controlled. It will therefore maintain a precise and repeatable position according to the supplied electrical voltage value. In the case where an alternating voltage is provided, the speed of the motor will be controlled. The value of the electrical voltage makes it possible to adjust the amplitude of the stroke of the movable bars. As for the frequency of the electrical signal, it is possible to adjust the operating frequency of the motor.

[0135] FIGS. 9 to 13 show a first type of embodiment of an actuator, in particular an electromagnetic machine 1 with cyclic linear movement extending along a longitudinal axis L. In order to view as many parts as possible, the machine frame is not shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0136] The machine comprises a static part 31, called a stator, arranged to create an electromagnetic field. The stator comprises six stator elements 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36. Each stator element comprises a stack of sheet metal plates surrounded by an electric winding. The six stator elements 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 are arranged around the longitudinal axis L and extend in a circumferential direction T relative to the longitudinal axis L so that the field lines are circumferential by passing through all the stator elements.

[0137] The machine comprises a linearly movable portion 4. It comprises six distinct rods 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46 along respective drive axes E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6. The rods are spaced equidistant along a circumference extending around the longitudinal axis L. This arrangement makes it possible to leave the central zone 10 free. The central zone has a tubular shape.

[0138] Each rod has a circular cross section such that each rod has the shape of a bar. For the rest of the description, the word rod or bar may be used interchangeably. Each rod is arranged between two stator elements. Only an air gap separates each rod from the two stator elements. Each rod comprises two permanent magnets aligned along the drive axis of the rod and arranged in inverted fashion from the point of view of the polarities. Each magnet occupies substantially the entire cross-section of the rod and has a circular cross-section. The rods are magnetically movable relative to the stator elements.

[0139] According to an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 11, each rod of the moveable portion comprises four permanent magnets, only the rods 43 and 46 are visible. In particular, the rod 43 comprises the permanent magnets 63a, 63b, 63c, 63d, and the rod 46 comprises the permanent magnets 66a, 66b, 66c, 66d. Each permanent magnet is in the form of a tube arranged to fit on a cylindrical core of each rod.

[0140] This arrangement allows the bars to be driven by the stator following the current magnetic field produced by the latter. The alignment of the poles relative to the stator allows the bars to operate in phase or in phase opposition relative to one another. The alignment of the bars is held by virtue of the magnetic forces of the magnets. The presence of guide means or additional support parts is not indispensable, in the context of a minimalist and/or less expensive embodiment.

[0141] Optionally, two guide pieces, preferably cylindrical, serving as a translational guide for each bar, will be attached to the ends of each bar. These guide parts are advantageously made of non-magnetic materials in order to minimize magnetic field leakage. These two parts have the other function of serving as a connecting part for any effector or movable portion that needs to be set into motion.

[0142] The presence of a plurality of rods makes it possible to deliver a greater force to an effector. Furthermore, the presence of four permanent magnets instead of two permanent magnets also makes it possible to deliver a greater force to an effector.

[0143] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, a particular embodiment of the stator is presented wherein each stator element comprises two stator elements so as to produce two parallel magnetic circuits. Referring to FIG. 12, the stator element 35 comprises two stator sub-elements 35a, 35b and the stator element 34 comprises two stator sub-elements 34a, 34b. Furthermore, the associated rod comprises four permanent magnets 64a, 64b, 64c and 64d, see FIG. 13. During the movement of the rod, the permanent magnets 64a, 64b are provided to be opposite the stator sub-elements 35a and 34a, and the permanent magnets 64c, 64d are provided to face opposite the stator sub-elements 35b and 34b.

[0144] FIGS. 10 to 12 show a flow-generating device comprising two membranes. Each membrane is made of plastic, elastomer, or metal material so as to produce a hydraulic thruster, the electromagnetic machine operating in motor mode. With reference to FIG. 10, the rods 42, 44 and 46 are connected and controlled simultaneously so as to form a first sub-motor, called the upstream motor, and the rods 41, (43 and 45 not visible) are connected and controlled so as to form a second sub-motor, called the downstream motor. The ends of the rods 42, 44 and 46 are securely connected to a reinforcement bearing a membrane M1, called the upstream membrane. The ends of the rods 41, (43 and 45 not shown) are securely connected to a reinforcement bearing a membrane M2, called the downstream membrane. The membranes have a discoidal shape but may have other shapes. The sub-motors are electrically phase-shifted by 180 (degrees) so that the membranes M1 and M2 are actuated in phase opposition. In particular, the magnets are reversed, which allows the magnetic field to be truly circular and not be opposite the field of the next coil.

[0145] For the rest of the description, the operation and/or the movement of a rod of a sub-motor will be described.

[0146] With reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, the upstream membrane is located in a position proximal to the frame 2 of the machine. The position of the rod is such that the permanent magnet 64a is opposite the stator sub-elements 35a and 34a and the permanent magnet 64c is opposite the stator sub-elements 35b and 34b due to the fact that the magnetic fluxes induced in the air gaps, between on the one hand the stator sub-elements 35a and 34a and on the other hand the stator sub-elements 35b and 34b, are sufficient to produce a polarity, for example, a north pole, on one side and a reverse polarity, for example, a south pole, on the other side. Since each permanent magnet has a reverse polarity, the magnetic fluxes pass through the permanent magnets and keep them in position.

[0147] During a switching of current into the coils, the magnetic fluxes in the air gaps are inverted so that each pole of a permanent magnet is opposite an identical polarity, producing a repulsion force and a translation of the rod. At the same time, the magnetic fluxes come to pass through the adjacent permanent magnets, of reverse polarities, 64b and 64d so that an attraction force causes the rod to move in translation. As a result, the new position of the rod is such that the permanent magnet 64b is opposite the stator sub-elements 35a and 34a and the permanent magnet 64d is opposite the stator sub-elements 35b and 34b. The upstream membrane M1 is then located in a distal position.

[0148] According to a variant embodiment, a spacer is arranged between two adjacent permanent magnets of reverse polarity. With reference to FIG. 13, a spacer 164 is arranged between the permanent magnets 64a and 64b, and a spacer 264 is arranged between the permanent magnets 64c and 64d.

[0149] FIGS. 14 to 17 show a second type of actuator, in particular a second type of electromagnetic machine.

[0150] FIG. 14 shows an electromagnetic machine comprising six electromagnetic modules, an electromagnetic module will be described below. The electromagnetic machine comprises a stator and a movable portion comprising magnetic rods magnetically cooperating with the stator. The stator comprises six pairs of stator elements 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36, the pair of stator elements 31 being associated with the pairs of rods 41a, 41b, the pair of stator elements 32 being associated with the pairs of rods 42a, 42b, the pair 33 of stator elements being associated with the pairs of rods 43a, 43b, the pair 34 of stator elements being associated with the pairs of rods 44a, 44b, the pair 35 of stator elements being associated with the pairs of rods 45a, 45b, the pair of stator elements 36 being associated with the pairs of rods 46a, 46b. The electromagnetic machine extends along a longitudinal axis L. The respective drive axes of the rods are parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the machine. Furthermore, the six modules are arranged along a circle whose longitudinal axis L is the center. The three electromagnetic modules are spaced equidistant.

[0151] Referring to FIGS. 15, 16, and 17, a first embodiment of an electromagnetic machine 1 with cyclic linear movement is presented.

[0152] The module comprises a static part 31, called a stator, arranged to create an electromagnetic field. Referring to FIG. 16, the stator comprises two stator elements 31a and 31b, forming a pair of stator elements. Each stator element comprises a stack of sheet metal plates arranged so as to form an E-shaped pattern. Each stator element comprises three teeth and two notches. Each stator element 31a, 31b further comprises an electrical winding 311, 312 inserted into the notches of a stack of sheet metal plates so as to form a loop. The stator elements 31a, 31b are arranged opposite and spaced apart from each other by a distance making it possible to insert at least one magnetic element of the movable portion and an air gap distance. With reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, the stator elements have a general shape and a rectangular cross section and extending rectilinearly.

[0153] The module comprises a linearly movable portion carrying out an alternating rectilinear translational movement. With reference to FIGS. 15 and 17, the movable portion comprises two distinct rods 41a, 41b movable along respective drive axes E1a, E1b, the axes extending along an axis or a longitudinal direction. They are arranged on either side of the stator 31, in particular between the two winding portions, in the shape of a semicircle, extending outside the stacks of sheet metal plates. The rods 41a, 41b have a circular cross-section. With reference to FIG. 17, the movable portion comprises two permanent magnets 61a, 61b arranged between the two rods 41a, 41b. The permanent magnets have a rectangular shape. They are arranged to be inserted between the two stator elements 31a, 31b so as to move magnetically during the switching of the stator elements. The two magnets 61a, 61b are spaced apart longitudinally so that the two magnets can align with two consecutive teeth of a stator element.

[0154] The movable portion further comprises coupling means 51a, 51b between permanent magnets 61a, 61b and rods 41a, 41b. Each coupling means 51a, 51b comprises a rod part arranged to be fastened to a rod so as to be integral in translation. The rod part surrounds the outer envelope of a rod. Each coupling means 51a, 51b comprises a part of a magnetic element arranged to receive and fasten the two magnets and thus mechanically couple the magnets to a rod.

[0155] Optionally, the machine comprises two guide parts 80, preferably cylindrical, serving as a translational guide for each rod. The two guide parts attach to the longitudinal ends of the frame. These guide parts are advantageously made of non-magnetic materials in order to minimize magnetic field leakage. These two parts have the other function of serving as a connecting part for any effector or movable portion that needs to be set into motion.

[0156] Each type of electromagnetic machine makes it possible to provide a high-frequency linear movement, in particular up to 500 cycles per second, that is to say an operation at 500 Hz.