FR2943741A1 - Unit for transforming gravitational energy and Archimedes thrust into e.g. electric power, for use in power generation station, has tanks, where fluid is evacuated from one of tanks by injecting another fluid under pressure in other tank - Google Patents

Abstract

The unit (1) has a floating platform (2) on which compression units (MC1) of a first fluid (F1) e.g. air, are arranged. Tanks (R1, R2) are integrated to each other by a transmission element (3) i.e. metal cable. A pipeline (C2) hydraulically connects a bottom filling station (S1) and a top filling station (S2) and allows transfer of a second fluid (F2) e.g. water, escaping from the first tank to fill the second tank positioned on a level of the top station, where the second fluid is evacuated from the first tank by injecting the first fluid under pressure in the first tank.

Description

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UNIT AND CENTRAL CONVERSION OF GRAVITATIONAL ENERGY AND ARCHIMEDE PUSH IN ELECTRICAL AND / OR MECHANICAL ENERGY.

TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to the field of units and plants for converting gravitational energy and Archimedes' thrust into electrical or mechanical energy, generally installed in the open sea or ocean to produce mainly electric energy. .

The invention relates more particularly to units and plants in which the gravitational force is used to lower a plurality of reservoirs filled with a fluid and the buoyancy is used to raise these tanks, the tanks being connected together. by a transmission element.

The transmission element then transmits its kinetic energy to a conversion member for generating electrical and / or mechanical energy.

PRIOR ART Generally speaking, it is known to use tanks of variable geometry so as to modify their internal volume and thus generate a differential between the gravitational and thrust forces of Archimedes applying respectively to the different tanks. A current generator is then rotated by means of a cable, a rope or a chain.

Indeed, as described in document FR-2 830 575, masses present inside the tanks make it possible to modify the geometry of the tanks and therefore their internal volume. The masses can oscillate between two positions depending on the upward or downward direction of the tanks. This makes it possible to generate an increase in the volume of tanks on the ascending side and inversely a decrease in the internal volume of the reservoirs on the downstream side. However, such a unit comprises a large number of tanks and movable mechanical elements. Such units are therefore complex to manufacture.

Moreover, the masses in motion or the displacement of the tank portions 5 movable between them can seize. In this case, the modification of the volume of the tanks does not intervene and the entire device can stop if a large number of masses is jammed inside the tanks. This would require an intervention on all the tanks and would probably require the total disassembly of the energy conversion unit. In addition, such units would be very tedious.

Thus, an object of the invention is to reduce the number of moving elements and to remove any mechanical parts inside the tanks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention therefore relates to a unit for converting gravitational energy and Archimedes' thrust into electrical and / or mechanical energy. Such a unit is thus partially immersed in water and comprises: a floating platform on which first compression means of at least one fluid are arranged; At least two tanks joined together by a transmission element; A member for converting the energy transmitted by the transmission element, this member being arranged on the floating platform; A submerged structure integral with the floating platform at an upper end and weighted at a lower end; A wheel arranged near the lower end of the immersed structure and making it possible to guide the transmission element.

According to the invention, this unit is characterized in that each reservoir describes a reciprocating vertical translation movement between, on the one hand, a low filling station of a reservoir with the first fluid, and on the other hand, a high filling station of another tank with a second fluid, the density of the first fluid being lower than that of the second fluid. The unit is also characterized in that it comprises: a first pipe for conveying the first fluid compressed by the compression means from the floating platform to the low station; And • a second pipe hydraulically connecting the low and high filling stations and allowing the transfer of the second fluid escaping from the tank located in the lower station to fill the tank positioned at the high station, this second fluid being removed from the reservoir by injecting the first fluid 10 under pressure into the reservoir.

In other words, each tank describes a movement back and forth between a low station and a high station, the lower station for filling the tanks with the first fluid and to evacuate the second fluid simultaneously. The upper station makes it possible, in turn, to fill the tanks with the second fluid and to evacuate the first fluid.

Furthermore, the two tanks are interconnected by means of a transmission element which may in particular be a wire rope, a chain or any other elongated element having a suitable breaking strength. This transmission element makes it possible to drive the conversion member in rotation in two directions of rotation corresponding to the outward and return movements of the two tanks.

By filling the internal volume of the tanks with fluids of different densities, it is possible to generate resultant forces of equal standard on the two tanks but with opposite directions.

Such a unit can be arranged in open sea, the use of ballast positioned at the immersed structure ensuring the stability of the unit.

Such tanks may in particular be made of cast iron or other metallic materials capable of withstanding significant pressures, in particular due to the depth of use. Indeed, such a unit can be adapted to operate at depths of several kilometers. According to a first embodiment, the first fluid may be air and the second fluid water. In this case, a compressor compresses the air and is arranged at the platform. The water then allows the air contained in the tank to be expelled so as to increase the overall mass of the tank and its contents. The gravitational force is then greater than the buoyancy and the resultant force is vertical downward to allow the descent of the tank filled with water. Conversely, the pressurized air 10 makes it possible to drive the water contained in the tank so as to reduce the overall mass of the tank and its contents. The gravitational force is then less than the Archimedean thrust and the resultant of the forces is vertical upward to allow the tank filled with air to be mounted.

According to a second embodiment, the first fluid may be air and the second fluid may be carbon dioxide or any other component having the same liquefaction and vaporization properties. Indeed, by replacing the water with carbon dioxide, it is possible to reduce the pressure of the air needed to evacuate the second fluid reservoir arranged in low station. In practice, the unit may comprise: means for expanding the second fluid capable of moving it from the liquid state to the gaseous state, these expansion means being arranged at the lower station before entry second fluid in the second pipe; Second means for compressing the second fluid capable of moving it from the gaseous state to the liquid state, these compression means being arranged at the level of the floating platform before the entry of the second fluid into the reservoir.

In this way, it is possible to vary the density of the second fluid 30 between the moment it is contained in the reservoir in the liquid state, and the moment when it leaves the reservoir to go up in the second pipe, because it is then in the gaseous state. Advantageously, each tank may comprise two filling valves and two emptying valves respectively allowing the introduction of one of the fluids and the evacuation of the other fluid. Such filling and emptying valves allow fluids to flow in one direction only. According to a particular embodiment, each tank may comprise a flexible deformable membrane for delimiting two sealed volumes in which the fluids are alternately arranged during the displacement of the tanks. Thus, the two fluids are not mixed with each other and the flexible membrane makes it possible to form a separation surface between the two fluids during the filling and emptying phases.

In practice, each reservoir may comprise an outer volume of ellipsoidal shape. Indeed, such a form has both aerodynamic qualities and advantageous mechanical strength to withstand the internal and external pressures exerted on its surface.

Advantageously, the transmission element can be formed by two disjoint sections connecting the two reservoirs. In this way, each tank is assembled with both sections at its lower and upper ends.

According to a particular embodiment, the unit may comprise a device for adjusting the voltage of the transmission element, such a device being arranged on the floating platform. Such a device can in particular be realized by means of a hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical cylinder 25 enabling a constant voltage to be ensured for the transmission element, in particular during the slowdown and shutdown phases of the reservoirs in the low and high stations. .

This slowing down can in particular be achieved by using as converter a current generator braked by eddy currents and / or damping jacks as a function of the chosen operating speed. A disk or drum braking system can also be used to slow down and immobilize the tanks. This system can then be arranged directly on the axis of the generator or a transmission shaft rotated by the axis of the generator.

In practice, the facing faces of the two reservoirs may each comprise a coating layer capable of generating a magnetic field of identical polarity. In this way, at their crossing, the tanks repel each other and any risk of collision between the two tanks is avoided.

Advantageously, the floating platform may comprise a hexagonal shape. In this way, it is possible to assemble several units next to each other.

Such an assembly of several units then makes it possible to generate a power plant for producing electrical and / or mechanical energy. Such a plant can in particular enable continuous energy production by shifting the stopping phases and the energy production phases of two juxtaposed units.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The manner of carrying out the invention as well as the advantages deriving therefrom, emerges from the description of the embodiment which follows, given as an indication and not by way of limitation, in support of the appended figures in which : Figure 1 is a schematic side sectional view according to a first variant of a unit according to the invention; • Figure 2 is a schematic sectional view of a reservoir; FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic side sectional view according to a second variant of a unit according to the invention; • Figure 4 is a schematic top view of a central formed by the assembly of three units.

As already mentioned, the invention relates to a unit for transforming gravitational energy and Archimedes' thrust into electrical and / or mechanical energy. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION As shown in FIG. 1, such a unit 1 comprises a floating platform 2 on which is secured a submerged structure 4 for positioning two low and high stations S1 and S2 at the lower and upper ends 5 and 6 of the immersed structure 4. In addition, two tanks R1, R2 describe movements of vertical translation back and forth between these two stations S1, S2.

These two tanks R1, R2 are interconnected by a transmission element 3 guided, on the one hand, by a wheel 7 at the lower station S1, and on the other hand, by a conversion member 17 at the level of the lower station S1. of the floating platform 2. The conversion member 17 of the energy transmitted by the transmission element 3 then makes it possible to generate electric current or to generate mechanical energy, for example by driving in translation a piston of compressor.

Furthermore, a voltage adjusting device 14 may be used so as to ensure a constant voltage of the transmission element 3. Such a control device 14 is also arranged at the floating platform 2. 15 Furthermore, MC1 compression means positioned on the platform 2 can compress air and a first pipe C1 allows to convey fluid Fl which is air to the low station S1 to fill compressed air tank R1 initially filled with water upon arrival at station S1. The compressed air thus expels the water contained in the tank R1 and discharges it via the pipe C2 making it possible to convey the fluid F2 to the high station S2.

Such fluid F2 is in this variant of the water and allows to replace the compressed air in the tank R2 arrived in the high station S2. The driven compressed air then returns to the pipe C1 and thus remains in a closed circuit. Similarly, the water that is introduced into the tank R2 at the high station S2 is compressed by means of a compressor MC3 arranged at the floating platform 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, each tank R1 comprises two filling valves and two emptying valves allowing the two fluids to be introduced and to escape from its internal volume. The valves located at the lower end of the tank R1 are used when it is positioned in the lower station S1. Thus, the filling valve 7 allows the introduction of air inside the internal volume of the tank R1 while the drain valve 28 allows the extraction of the water contained in the tank R1. Similarly, the filling valve 27 allows the introduction of water when the tank R1 is in the high station S2 and the drain valve 8 makes it possible to evacuate the air contained in the tank R1.

As shown, the reservoir may comprise a flexible membrane 9 for delimiting two sealed volumes 10,11 in which the two fluids are contained without mixing.

Moreover, such a tank R1 may comprise a coating layer 15 capable of generating a magnetic field of identical polarity to that of the coating layer of the tank R2. In this way, when the two tanks cross, they repel each other.

Furthermore, the transmission element 3 may be formed by two sections 12,13, each reported at a lower or upper end of the tank.

As shown in FIG. 3, according to another variant of the invention, the second fluid F2 may also be carbon dioxide. In this case, once arrived in the low station S1, the tank drain valve lets out the second fluid in the liquid state. It is then directly relaxed through expansion means MD2 arranged in the lower station S1. The second fluid F2 thus goes back to the gaseous state inside the second pipe C2, then is conveyed to compression means MC2 arranged at the floating platform 2 so as to increase its pressure to liquefy it. again and reintroduce it into the tank arranged in the high station S2.

The gaseous state of the carbon dioxide in the pipe C2 makes it possible to reduce the air pressure necessary in the pipe C1 so as to extract the carbon dioxide contained in the tank of the low station S1. As shown in FIG. 4, an electric and / or mechanical energy production unit may comprise a plurality of units 1, 21, 31 juxtaposed next to each other. In this case, the floating platforms of the different units each have a hexagonal shape.

It follows from the foregoing that a unit and a central unit according to the invention have many advantages, and in particular: they make it possible to eliminate the use of mechanical elements arranged inside the tanks; 10 - they reduce the maintenance operations since the mobile elements are limited in number.

Claims (1)

Revendications1. Unit (1) for converting gravitational energy and Archimedes' thrust into electrical and / or mechanical energy, said unit (1) being partially immersed in water and comprising: • a floating platform (2) on which first compression means (MC1) of at least one fluid (F1) are arranged; At least two reservoirs (R1, R2) interconnected by a transmission element (3); • a conversion member (17) of the energy transmitted by the transmission element (3), said member (17) being arranged on the floating platform (2); • a submerged structure (4) integral with the floating platform (2) at an upper end (5) and weighted at a lower end (6); A wheel (7) arranged near the lower end (6) of said immersed structure (4) and making it possible to guide the transmission element (3); characterized in that each reservoir (R1, R2) describes a reciprocating vertical reciprocating movement between, on the one hand, a low (Si) filling station of a reservoir (Rl) with the first fluid (Fl), and on the other hand, a high station (S2) for filling a reservoir (R2) with a second fluid (F2), the density of the first fluid (F 1) being lower than that of the second fluid (F2); and in that said unit (1) comprises: • a first channel (C1) making it possible to convey the fluid (F 1) compressed by the compression means (MC1) from the floating platform (2) to the low station (Sl), and; A second pipe (C2) hydraulically connecting the low (Si) and high (S2) filling stations and allowing the transfer of the second fluid (F2) escaping from the tank (R1) located in the lower station (Si) to fill the tank (R2) positioned at the upper station (S2), said second fluid (F2) being discharged from the tank R1 by injecting the first fluid (F1) under pressure into the tank (R1). Unit according to claim 1 , characterized in that the first fluid (Fl) is air and the second fluid (F2) is water. 3. Unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the first fluid (Fl) is air and the second fluid (F2) is carbon dioxide. 4. Unit according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises: • expansion means (MD2) of the second fluid (F2) capable of moving it from the liquid state to the gaseous state, these expansion means (MD2) being arranged at the low station (Si) before the entry of the second fluid (F2) into the second pipe (C2); Second compression means (MC2) of the second fluid (F2) capable of moving it from the gaseous state to the liquid state, these compression means (MC2) being arranged at the level of the floating platform (2) before the inlet of the second fluid (F2) into the reservoir (R2). 7. Unit according to claim 1, characterized in that each tank (R1, R2) comprises two filling valves (7, 27) and two emptying valves (8, 28) respectively allowing the introduction of one of the fluids. (Fl) or (F2) and the evacuation of the other fluid (F2) or (Fl). 8. Unit according to claim 1, characterized in that each tank (R1, R2) comprises a flexible deformable membrane (9) for delimiting two sealed volumes (10, 11) in which the fluids (Fl) and (F2) are alternatively arranged during the displacement of the tanks (R1, R2). 9. Unit according to claim 1, characterized in that each reservoir (R1, R2) comprises an outer volume of ellipsoidal shape. 8. Unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmission element (3) is formed by two disjointed fronts (12, 13) connecting the two reservoirs (R1, R2). 9. Unit according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a device (14) for adjusting the voltage of the transmission element (3), said device (14) being arranged on the floating platform. (2). 10. Unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the opposite faces of the two tanks (R1, R2) each comprise a coating layer (15) capable of generating a magnetic field of identical polarity. 11. Unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the floating platform (2) 10 has a hexagonal shape. 12. Central (16) for producing electrical and / or mechanical energy, characterized in that it comprises at least two units (1, 21, 31) according to one of the preceding claims.