Underwater flow turbine

Abstract

An underwater flow turbine includes a gondola having an interior, a generator in the gondola interior, a rotatable hub connected to the gondola and configured to support a plurality of rotor blades, the rotatable hub being operatively connected to the generator, and an air handling device, such as a fan or an air filtration system, in the gondola and/or in the hub.

Claims

1. An underwater flow turbine comprising: a gondola having an interior and a hermetically sealable access hatch, the access hatch providing fluid communication between the interior and an ambient atmosphere outside the gondola, a generator in the gondola interior, a rotatable hub connected to the gondola and configured to support a plurality of rotor blades, the rotatable hub being operatively connected to the generator, and an air handling device in the gondola, wherein the air handling device has an inlet in the interior and an outlet facing away from the inlet and into the access hatch, and wherein the air handling device is configured to direct a flow of air through the access hatch and into the ambient atmosphere.

2. The flow turbine according to claim 1, wherein the air handling device comprises a fan, and wherein a conduit extends from the fan to the access hatch.

3. The flow turbine according to claim 1, wherein the air handling device includes a chemical air filter and/or a mechanical filter.

4. The flow turbine according to claim 1, including: a ladder leading from the access hatch into the interior, wherein the outlet of the air handling device is arranged adjacent to the access hatch, and wherein the ladder is spaced from the outlet so as to allow a worker to enter the interior via the ladder.

5. The flow turbine according to claim 1, including a sensor configured to determine at least one condition of a gaseous medium present in the gondola.

6. The flow turbine according to claim 5, wherein the sensor is configured to analyze a composition of the gaseous medium.

7. The flow turbine according to claim 5, wherein the sensor includes a transceiver configured to transmit a signal indicative of the at least one condition and receive a control signal configured to activate and/or deactivate the sensor.

8. The flow turbine according to claim 5, including a control unit configured to activate and/or deactivate the air handling device based on an output of the sensor.

9. The flow turbine according to claim 8, wherein the control unit is configured to evaluate information received from the sensor and to activate and/or deactivate the air handling device when information indicates that the at least one condition is above or below a predetermined value.

10. The flow turbine according to claim 1, wherein the access hatch and the air handling device are configured such that directing the flow of air through the access hatch and into the ambient atmosphere draws air from the ambient atmosphere into the interior via the access hatch.

11. An underwater flow turbine comprising: a gondola having an interior and a hermetically sealable access hatch, the access hatch providing fluid communication between the interior and an ambient atmosphere outside the gondola, a generator in the gondola interior, a rotatable hub connected to the gondola and configured to support a plurality of rotor blades, the rotatable hub being operatively connected to the generator, and an air handling device in the hub, wherein the air handling device has an inlet in the interior and an outlet facing away from the inlet and into the access hatch, and wherein the air handling device is configured to direct a flow of air through the access hatch and into the ambient atmosphere.

12. The flow turbine according to claim 11, wherein the air handling device comprises a fan, and wherein a conduit extends from the fan to the outlet.

13. The flow turbine according to claim 11, wherein the air handling device includes an air filtration device.

14. The flow turbine according to claim 13, wherein the air filtration device includes a chemical air filter and/or a mechanical filter.

15. The flow turbine according to claim 11, including a sensor configured to determine at least one condition of a gaseous medium present in the hub.

16. The flow turbine according to claim 15, wherein the sensor is configured to analyze a composition of the gaseous medium.

17. The flow turbine according to claim 11, wherein the access hatch and the air handling device are configured such that directing the flow of air through the access hatch and into the ambient atmosphere draws air from the ambient atmosphere into the interior via the access hatch.

18. An underwater flow turbine comprising: a gondola having an interior, a generator in the gondola interior, a rotatable hub connected to the gondola and configured to support a plurality of rotor blades, the rotatable hub being operatively connected to the generator, an air handling device in the gondola and/or in the hub, a sensor configured to determine at least one condition of a gaseous medium present in the gondola and/or the hub, and a control unit configured to activate and/or deactivate the air handling device in response to a control signal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is described in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings. The exemplary embodiments and the combinations shown in the exemplary embodiments are purely exemplary and are not intended to define the scope of protection of the invention. This is defined solely by the dependent claims.

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an underwater turbine.

(3) FIG. 2A is a schematic illustration of a first exemplary embodiment of a ventilation system for an underwater turbine in a gondola.

(4) FIG. 2B is a schematic illustration of the first exemplary embodiment of a ventilation system for an underwater turbine in a hub.

(5) FIG. 3A is a schematic illustration of a second exemplary embodiment of a ventilation system for an underwater turbine in a gondola.

(6) FIG. 3B is a schematic illustration of the second exemplary embodiment of a ventilation system for an underwater turbine in a hub.

(7) FIG. 4A is a schematic illustration of a third exemplary embodiment of a ventilation system for an underwater turbine in a gondola.

(8) FIG. 4B is a schematic illustration of a third exemplary embodiment of a ventilation system for an underwater turbine in a hub.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) In the following, the same or functionally identical elements are identified by the same reference symbols.

(10) FIG. 1 shows an underwater turbine schematically in a partially sectional view, and FIGS. 2 to 4 show various exemplary embodiments of various ventilation systems in a gondola (partial figures A) and a hub (partial figures B). FIGS. 2A, 3A, 4A show the respective exemplary embodiment for the gondola, while the exemplary embodiments 2B, 3B, 4B illustrate the respective exemplary embodiments for the hub.

(11) As can be gathered from FIG. 1, flow turbines 1 or underwater turbines, in particular for tidal power plants, usually comprise a gondola 2 having a generator 3 in the interior 20 of the gondola for producing power and a hub 4 rotatably fastened to the gondola 2 and supporting rotor blades 5. The hub 4 itself is also hollow and has an interior 40. The rotor blades 5 are driven by the flow so that the hub 4 is caused to rotate. The rotation of the hub 4 produced by the rotor blades 5 is fed via a shaft 6 into the gondola 2, from there transformed in a gearbox 7 and transferred into the generator 3 via a shaft 8. The gearbox 7 is used to convert the slow rotation of the rotor blades 5 into a rapid rotation of the generator shaft 8, which is suitable to produce sufficient power in the generator 3. Also arranged in the turbine 1, among other things, are a wide range of bearings and braking systems (not illustrated), which are able to slow or stop the rotation of the shafts 6, 8 and components not illustrated further. In addition, the rotor blades 5 are configured to be rotatably mounted via bearings and, as a result, can be adapted to the flow direction and rotated such that the flow does not cause any rotation.

(12) The bearings themselves and also the generator 3 and the gearbox 7 are usually lubricated with oil. In order to monitor the operation of the turbine, in particular the rotation of the shaft 6, 8, of the gearbox 7 and of the generator 3 but also the setting of the rotor blades 5, electronic components (not illustrated), which are relatively sensitive, are also provided.

(13) In order to monitor and maintain all these components, a maintenance hatch 9 (or access hatch) is also provided on the gondola 2 and a maintenance hatch 9 on the hub 4, permitting access to the interior 20 of the gondola and to the interior 40 of the hub 4. The interiors 20 and 40 are sealed off hermetically in order to prevent the penetration of water in underwater operation.

(14) During the operation of the turbine 1, because they are sealed off with respect to the outer environment, toxic gases, moisture, oil vapor and salt-containing air, which have a detrimental influence on the sensitive components such as electronics, slip rings or similar parts, accumulate in the interiors 20; 40 of the gondola 2 and the hub 4. This can lead to unplanned outage times and to the maintenance intervals having to be shortened. The air composition produced in the interiors 20; 40 during operation also leads to a maintenance person not being able to enter the interior 20; 40 of gondola 2 or hub 4 at any time without having first ensured that the air composition is suitable for safe entry and, in the event that it is not suitable, having to ensure aeration and ventilation of the gondola 2 or the hub 4, which in turn is time-consuming.

(15) In order to actively permit an air exchange and to ensure that the interior 20; 40 can be entered by a person without risk, within the context of this application it is proposed to install a ventilation system 50 in the interiors 20; 40. For this purpose, as can be gathered in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, a air handling device 51 (e.g., a ventilation device and/or an air filtration device) can be provided in the interior 20 or 40 of gondola 2 or hub 4, being designed to convey air from the interior 20 or 40 to the outside through the maintenance hatch 9 or 9. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the air handling device 51 is tubular and has an inlet opening 52 and an outlet opening 53, and an interior 54 in which a first fan 55 and a second fan 56 are arranged. The fans 55, 56 ensure that air is sucked out of the gondola interior 20 (see arrows) into the air handling device 51 and is discharged into the environment via the outlet opening 53 and through the maintenance hatch 9 or 9 (see arrows). As a result of the negative pressure that is produced thereby in the interior 20 of the gondola 2, fresh air from the outside then flows into the interior 20 (see arrows). As can further be gathered from FIG. 1, the inlet opening 52 faces the interior 20 for this purpose, while the outlet opening 53 is oriented in such a way that the air from the interior 20 can flow into the outside environment through the maintenance hatch 9, 9.

(16) In order to activate the air handling device 51, the ventilation system 50 also has a control device 60 with a control unit and a transmitting and receiving unit 62, via which, for example, it can receive a signal 66 which is output by an external operating element 68. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the control device 60 is further connected via a line 64 to the air handling device 50 in order, when the signal 66 is received, to transmit a corresponding activation signal to the air handling device 51 and to activate the latter. To ensure that the air present in the interior 20 is suitable for an operator to enter, a sensor device 70 is also provided, which is designed to determine a condition or a condition variable of the medium present in the interior 20, specifically the air, or to analyze the composition overall. The analytical values can in turn be transmitted via a line 72 to the control device 60, although cable-free translation is also possible. The sensor device 70 preferably likewise has a transmitting and receiving unit (not illustrated). The sensor device 70 can also comprise a control unit.

(17) With the aid of the values from the sensor device, it is possible to establish in the sensor device 70, the control device 60 or an external evaluation unit whether those values have fallen above or below limiting values, which are preferably determined in advance, for specific components of the air. On this basis, the sensor device 70 can transmit corresponding signals. Of course, it is alternatively also possible that such an evaluation of the sensor signals is performed in the control device 60 or externally by an operator (not illustrated), which or who then activates or deactivates the air handling device 51 accordingly via the external interface 68 with the aid of the control device 60. If the sensor unit 70 or the control device 60 or the operator determines that safe access is possible k, the valve device 51 can also be deactivated with the aid of the control panel 68 and the control unit 60.

(18) In order to achieve more targeted extraction of the air and also to dispose of air directly at highly contaminated locations, provision can also be made and, as illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 3B, for one or more conduits 57 to be provided, which remove air specifically from the interior 20; 40. For example, the air handling device 51 can be arranged at a point far removed from the maintenance hatch 9, 9 and suck air into the ventilation inlet opening 52 at that point. The air sucked in is then transported via the conduit 57 in the direction of the maintenance hatch 9, 9 and deliberately blown off into the open there. The conduit 57 has the further advantage that it can lead to less re-contamination as a result of mixing between air flowing in and air flowing out. Furthermore, it is possible to connect further devices at the end of the conduit 57, such as a further conduit to carry away the used air still further, or one or more air cleaning devices in order to ensure that the used air does not contaminate the environment. Of course, it is also possible that one or more conduits (not illustrated) are arranged at the inlet opening 52, which are deliberately laid in the interior 20; 40 in order to ventilate particularly highly contaminated points. Also provided in this exemplary embodiment are a sensor device 70 and a control device 60, which ensure activation and deactivation and checking of the condition of the air.

(19) FIGS. 4A, 4B in turn show an exemplary embodiment for an aeration system in the gondola 2 and hub 4 but in which there is no exchange of air with the external environment, instead the ventilation system 50 is equipped with an air cleaning device 58, which includes one or more filtration devices 59, which ensures that contaminated air is sucked in and cleaned air is expelled. This is advantageous in particular in underwater use, in which a supply of fresh air is not possible. With the aid of chemical and/or mechanical filters, the air filter unit 59 ensures that pollutants, toxic gases and particles are filtered out of the air and cleaned air is discharged into the interior 20; 40. In this case, too, a sensor 70 and a control device 60 which check whether and to what extent the air must be cleaned or whether the cleaning is successful are of advantage. For this purpose, for example the sensor device and the control device 70 can in turn communicate with each other in order to actuate the air cleaning device 58 appropriately on demand. Of course, it is likewise possible that the air cleaning device 58 is activated and deactivated via an external control system and/or that sensor data can be read out.

(20) Of course, it is likewise possible to combine the air cleaning device 58 with the air handling device 51 and, in closed operation, to ensure only circulation of the air and cleaning of the air, while the interior is additionally aerated with fresh air shortly before entry for maintenance.

(21) Overall, the ventilation systems for the gondola and hub can be conceived either for continuous operation or for the maintenance mode. The aeration concepts are based preferably either on air cleaning, aeration with conduits and/or suction/blower ventilation. Preferably, all the ventilation systems are equipped with a sensor unit, a control device and wire-free control for remote access, monitoring and condition monitoring and make it possible that ventilation systems additionally introduced into the gondola and hub during the maintenance are superfluous, and also that active air content measurement is no longer necessary during the maintenance. Furthermore, with the aid of the sensor device, safe access of the maintenance personnel can be ensured. Likewise with the aid of the sensor device, condition monitoring can also be carried out during operation and, if necessary, activation of the air filter unit, in order to ensure the most contamination-free operation and therefore low-emission operation.

(22) Representative, non-limiting examples of the present invention were described above in detail with reference to the attached drawings. This detailed description is merely intended to teach a person of skill in the art further details for practicing preferred aspects of the present teachings and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Furthermore, each of the additional features and teachings disclosed above may be utilized separately or in conjunction with other features and teachings to provide improved underwater turbines.

(23) Moreover, combinations of features and steps disclosed in the above detailed description may not be necessary to practice the invention in the broadest sense, and are instead taught merely to particularly describe representative examples of the invention. Furthermore, various features of the above-described representative examples, as well as the various independent and dependent claims below, may be combined in ways that are not specifically and explicitly enumerated in order to provide additional useful embodiments of the present teachings.

(24) All features disclosed in the description and/or the claims are intended to be disclosed separately and independently from each other for the purpose of original written disclosure, as well as for the purpose of restricting the claimed subject matter, independent of the compositions of the features in the embodiments and/or the claims. In addition, all value ranges or indications of groups of entities are intended to disclose every possible intermediate value or intermediate entity for the purpose of original written disclosure, as well as for the purpose of restricting the claimed subject matter.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

(25) 1 Flow turbine 2 Gondola 3 Generator 4 Hub 5 Rotor blades 6, 8 Shaft 7 Gearbox 9, 9 Maintenance hatches 20, 40 Interior 50 Ventilation system 51 Ventilation device 52 Inlet opening 53 Outlet opening 54 Interior 55,56 Fans 57 Conduits 58 Air cleaning device 59 Filter devices, air filter unit 60 Control device 62 Transmitting and receiving unit 64 Line 66 Signal 68 External operating element 70 Sensor device 72 Line