EP3161304A1 - Underwater connection of a submerged tidal plant - Google Patents
Underwater connection of a submerged tidal plantInfo
- Publication number
- EP3161304A1 EP3161304A1 EP15733397.2A EP15733397A EP3161304A1 EP 3161304 A1 EP3161304 A1 EP 3161304A1 EP 15733397 A EP15733397 A EP 15733397A EP 3161304 A1 EP3161304 A1 EP 3161304A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- actuator
- anchorage
- underwater
- retaining member
- arm
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 24
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 24
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 24
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000008439 repair process Effects 0.000 description 3
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000750 progressive effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000001154 acute effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002349 favourable effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007654 immersion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000013535 sea water Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000035939 shock Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008054 signal transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000011664 signaling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000032258 transport Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
- F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
- F03B13/10—Submerged units incorporating electric generators or motors
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
- F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
- F03B13/12—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy
- F03B13/26—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using tide energy
- F03B13/264—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using tide energy using the horizontal flow of water resulting from tide movement
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- F05B2230/00—Manufacture
- F05B2230/60—Assembly methods
- F05B2230/604—Assembly methods using positioning or alignment devices for aligning or centering, e.g. pins
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- F05B2240/00—Components
- F05B2240/90—Mounting on supporting structures or systems
- F05B2240/97—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a submerged structure
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/30—Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P70/00—Climate change mitigation technologies in the production process for final industrial or consumer products
- Y02P70/50—Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
Definitions
- This invention relates to underwater connections, in particular connections associated with tidal turbines and the like.
- Such connections may be mechanical, for example to couple a tidal turbine assembly to an underwater anchorage.
- Such connections may also convey services, for example, to couple a turbine generator to an underwater power supply cable and the like; the service connection may be one or more of, for example, electrical hydraulic and pneumatic.
- Underwater turbine generators have been proposed to generate electricity from stream flows, for example tidal flows.
- a turbine assembly is coupled to an underwater anchorage, and is arranged to float in the stream flow below the surface of the water.
- the turbine assembly is connected to the anchorage by a tether, and trails in the stream flow; the turbine assembly may be free to pitch roll and yaw according to prevailing stream flow conditions, for example by provision of suitable pivots at the ends of the tether.
- the tether may be rigid or flexible.
- An underwater turbine One characteristic of an underwater turbine is that it must be transported to the operating site and coupled to an anchorage. The latter operation is somewhat problematic since a large turbine array may displace several hundred tonnes and be difficult to manage in a strong current. Furthermore it may be necessary to uncouple the anchorage to permit the turbine assembly to be removed for repair and/or replacement.
- an underwater actuator having a latch to releasably couple the actuator to an underwater device, and a driver to engage and disengage a retaining member associated with an underwater anchorage of a tidal energy device whereby said underwater device is adapted to be coupled and uncoupled with said underwater anchorage, and whereby said underwater actuator is adapted to be removed from said underwater device on demand, the actuator further including a suspension cable for attachment to a floating winch.
- the invention essentially allows the moving parts of an engaging and disengaging device to be mounted on a removable actuator, which may thus be lowered and raised only when a connection or disconnection of the anchorage is required. Furthermore, by latching to the underwater device, the invention provides a secondary benefit of retaining the device in the stream flow before and after connection.
- the actuator may thus be used for raising and lowering the underwater device, or a part thereof, with respect to the anchorage. In the case of an underwater turbine, the actuator may be latched to the free end of a tether prior to connection with an anchorage, and after disconnection from an anchorage.
- the actuator is connected by the suspension cable to a floating vessel, such as a barge or boat.
- a power connection for the actuator may be provided from the vessel, and may be electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic.
- the actuator may include a transverse arm to provide for contact between the actuator and anchorage by drifting in the stream flow.
- the transverse arm may act as a catcher, and engage an upstanding element of the anchorage, such as a pin.
- Such an arm may define a vee or fork to guide the device and anchorage into substantial alignment.
- the arm may be compliant or have a compliant element to ensure engagement with the anchorage without substantial shock; the arm may be controllable, such as by moving elements, to allow engagement with the anchorage in a progressive manner or at a desired rate.
- the retaining member may be associated with the device, with the anchorage, or with the actuator.
- the retaining device is mounted on the actuator prior to engagement with the anchorage and after disengagement from the anchorage; such an arrangement allows the retaining device to be brought to the surface periodically for cleaning and for maintenance.
- a method of making an underwater connection between an underwater device and an underwater anchorage of a tidal energy device comprising:
- the method of the invention allows for a minimum of moving underwater components associated with the engagement of the anchorage and underwater device, typically just a sliding key, pin, clip or friction element.
- the invention also comprises a method of unmaking an underwater connection between an underwater device and an underwater anchorage of a tidal energy device, the method comprising:
- the method of the invention may include making a service connection, for example an electrical connection between a cable associated with the anchorage and a connector mounted on the underwater device.
- the service connection may be made and unmade automatically upon attachment or detachment of the device, for example by raising or lowering said actuator with respect to the anchorage.
- Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of an exemplar underwater turbine assembly and underwater anchorage.
- Fig. 2 illustrates the invention with actuator and tether in a connected condition.
- Fig. 3 illustrates the invention with tether and anchorage in coupled condition, with actuator connected.
- Fig. 4 corresponds to Fig. 3 and shows actuator disconnected.
- Fig. 5 illustrates a catcher for the actuator of Figs. 2 to 4.
- Fig. 6 illustrates a connection device for the actuator of Figs. 2 to 4.
- Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplar and somewhat schematic underwater turbine assembly or tidal energy device 10 comprising a tether 1 1 mounted to an underwater anchorage 12 projecting from the underwater surface 13.
- the tether mounting has capability for one or more of pitch, yaw and roll.
- the turbine assembly lies in use below the water surface 14, and in this example comprises a twin booms 15 having the fore portions 16 joined in a ⁇ ' shape, and aft portions 17 adapted to contain variable ballast. Arms 18 extend from the booms transversely, and turbine generators 19 are mounted thereon. A suitable electrical connection, not shown, connects the turbines to a power cable on the underwater surface 13.
- the booms 15 contain hollow chambers to which water may be admitted as ballast 20, so as to adjust the operating height of the turbine assembly.
- the turbine assembly may be for example ballasted to float between a surface maintenance condition, where the turbine generators are exposed for maintenance, and an underwater contact condition, where the assembly sits on the underwater surface; the latter condition may be appropriate to give stability in strong tidal flows (arrow ⁇ ') or in stormy conditions, and the turbine generators may be inactive in the contact condition.
- the turbine assembly of Fig. 1 comprises the essential elements of an underwater stream flow generator, namely a turbine generator 19, a framework 18 to mount the turbine generator and a tether 15, 16, 17 for attachment to an anchorage 12.
- Many kinds of such an assembly have been proposed, and in particular the tether may comprise a single arm, and may be flexible or rigid.
- the present invention is not directed to a particular kind of turbine assembly.
- FIG. 2 illustrates schematically the present invention.
- a conventional anchorage 21 is fixed to the underwater surface, and comprises an upstanding spigot 22.
- a tether 23 of a turbine generator terminates at a coupling 24 for engagement with the spigot.
- a coupling which allows movement in yaw (about a vertical axis) is illustrated, but additional degrees of freedom in pitch and roll may be incorporated by provision of suitable pivot axes, for example on the coupling 24.
- the spigot and coupling may be of any suitable shape; for example the spigot may have a tapering free end, or the coupling may have a narrowing mouth, so as to ease mutual engagement and centralize the components before latching.
- the anchorage may comprise other kinds of relatively fixed attachment, and need not comprise an upstanding spigot.
- An actuator 25 is suspended by cable 26 from a floating winch, for example on a boat or barge, and is attached to the coupling by opposed arms 27 (one shown) which grip or otherwise engage the coupling from the side.
- the arms 27 may be of any suitable kind so long as the engagement is secure, and in this example are moved about a respective vertical axis by a suitable motor (not shown) which may be hydraulic, pneumatic or electric.
- a single arm or other attachment device may be provided.
- the motor may be a telescopic strut or the like, acting directly to draw the arms together, or move them apart.
- a power supply 28 is provided for the motor from the surface, for example from the winch boat or barge.
- Progressive engagement between the actuator and the device is preferred; for example a pointed shape may be stabbed into a recess, and the actuator rotated to permit insertion of a locking pin to complete the latching operation.
- the cable 26 supports the weight of the tether 23 and coupling 24; it is assumed that the turbine assembly is floating.
- the actuator 25 is manoeuvred until the coupling 24 is over the spigot 22, at which point it is lowered so as to be engaged thereon (as illustrated in Fig. 3).
- a key 29 is advanced by another motor of the actuator 25.
- the kind of key is not important so long as retention is assured whilst permitting the desired axes of movement of the coupling on the spigot.
- a flat member with a concave leading edge is advanced as key to engage a pocket or groove of the spigot 22.
- a pin may be pushed through a hole of the spigot. It will be appreciated that the anchorage 21 and coupling 24 are configured to resist sideways loads generated by operation of the underwater turbine assembly 10.
- the actuator 25 is removed by releasing the arms 27.
- the actuator is then brought to the surface by winching in the cable 26 (Fig. 4).
- the actuator 25 is lowered to the coupling and re-latched thereto by operation of the gripping arms 27.
- a motor of the actuator withdraws the key 29, thus allowing winching of the cable 26 to draw the coupling 24 off the spigot 22 (Fig. 1).
- the key may be part of the coupling 24 or part of the spigot 22, or may be installed from the actuator 24, and withdrawn therewith.
- the arrangement of the invention has many advantages.
- the actuator is removed to the surface after each engagement or disengagement and can be maintained, cleaned and serviced as often as necessary.
- the tether arm 23 is retained by the cable 26 and may be winched up for attachment to a barge or other floating structure; a separate retaining apparatus is accordingly obviated, along with any risk that the turbine assembly will float away.
- Fig. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment including a catcher 31 attached to the actuator 25.
- the catcher 31 comprises a transverse arm which may be flexible, and which provides a means of engaging the spigot 22 whilst the assembly is moved in the direction thereof prior to attachment. This arrangement avoids the need for precise vertical alignment of the actuator and spigot whilst the actuator is winched down to the required depth, which may be problematic in a stream flow.
- the catcher 31 permits the assembly to be lowered to the appropriate depth, and then allowed to drift towards the spigot in the stream flow until arrested by contact of the catcher 31 with the spigot 22. This stabilizes the assembly for positioning and further lowering thereof.
- the catcher is mounted at an acute angle so as to present a fork to the spigot, this arrangement allows the spigot 22 to slide to the apex of the fork, whereupon the actuator and spigot will be substantially aligned.
- a catcher may be provided on one or both sides of the actuator.
- Fig. 6 illustrates yet another alternative in which one end of a power cable 33 is carried releasably by an arm 32 of the actuator.
- the arm Upon connection of the coupling 24 with the spigot 22, the arm permits attachment of the cable 33 to a junction box 34 associated with the coupling.
- a second power cable runs from the junction box 34 to the or each turbine generator, for example within a hollow tether 23.
- the arm 32 may be mechanized or movable to attach the cable 33, thereby providing a power connection from the turbine generator to a power grid or other electrical consumer.
- the actuator 25 and arm 32 can be disconnected and winched to the surface as previously described.
- the cable may comprise a signalling or control connection for the turbine assembly, for example to control the pitch of the blades thereof, and/or may comprise other services means for instance pipes or lines carrying hydraulic or pneumatic or fibre optics for power or signal transmission.
- Any kind of suitable connection arrangement for the cable 33 may be used, for example a plug and socket, the essential feature being that the actuator transports and couples the free end of the cable before being withdrawn to the surface.
- the arrangement may also be used to disconnect the cable 33 on demand, whilst allowing the actuator to retain the cable end for, for example, lifting to the surface.
- the cable 33 may be automatically attached upon lowering of the coupling on the spigot, or the arm 32 may be movable between connecting and disconnecting conditions.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Oceanography (AREA)
- Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB1411261.9A GB2527547A (en) | 2014-06-25 | 2014-06-25 | Improvements in underwater connections |
PCT/EP2015/064258 WO2015197694A1 (en) | 2014-06-25 | 2015-06-24 | Underwater connection of a submerged tidal plant |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3161304A1 true EP3161304A1 (en) | 2017-05-03 |
Family
ID=51410074
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP15733397.2A Withdrawn EP3161304A1 (en) | 2014-06-25 | 2015-06-24 | Underwater connection of a submerged tidal plant |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP3161304A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2949735C (en) |
GB (1) | GB2527547A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2015197694A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4591292A (en) * | 1984-05-25 | 1986-05-27 | Shell Offshore Inc. | Subsea pull-in tool |
GB2319052B (en) * | 1996-11-01 | 2001-02-07 | Brisco Eng Ltd | A latching mechanism |
DE102008032625B3 (en) * | 2008-07-11 | 2009-08-27 | Voith Patent Gmbh | Lifting device for turbine generator unit of underwater power plant, has immersion component comprising gripping device that includes movable clamping elements for detachably securing turbine generator unit |
US9073733B2 (en) * | 2011-05-10 | 2015-07-07 | Atlantis Resources Corporation Pte Limited | Deployment apparatus and method of deploying an underwater power generator |
FR2980221B1 (en) * | 2011-09-19 | 2013-10-25 | Sabella | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FIXING A HYDROLENE, AND HYDRAULIC ENERGY RECOVERY ASSEMBLY USING SUCH A SYSTEM |
GB2497960B (en) * | 2011-12-23 | 2014-03-12 | Tidal Generation Ltd | Water current power generation installations |
GB2515011B (en) * | 2013-06-10 | 2015-06-10 | Tidal Generation Ltd | Power generating equipment |
-
2014
- 2014-06-25 GB GB1411261.9A patent/GB2527547A/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2015
- 2015-06-24 EP EP15733397.2A patent/EP3161304A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2015-06-24 WO PCT/EP2015/064258 patent/WO2015197694A1/en active Application Filing
- 2015-06-24 CA CA2949735A patent/CA2949735C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Non-Patent Citations (2)
Title |
---|
None * |
See also references of WO2015197694A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB2527547A (en) | 2015-12-30 |
CA2949735A1 (en) | 2015-12-30 |
GB201411261D0 (en) | 2014-08-06 |
WO2015197694A1 (en) | 2015-12-30 |
CA2949735C (en) | 2017-08-08 |
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