System for converting the randomly variable energy of a natural fluid
AssigneesSpie-Batignolles, Societe Generale de Techniques et d'Etudes
InventorPierre Cros
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Emitters and rotary hydraulic displacement pumps are associated with one or a number of propeller-type transducers and connected to receivers each having a rotary hydraulic displacement motor coupled to an alternator. The emitters are connected to the receivers by means of a hydraulic circuit for an auxiliary fluid which is admitted into at least one shunt-connected energy dissipator and the flow of which is regulated as a function of the random energy variations of the natural fluid. The energy-conversion system is primarily applicable to hydroelectric power plants of the stream or river type, to wind-driven power plants and to ship propulsion.
Claims19
A system for converting the variable energy of a natural fluid in motion such as the water of a watercourse or atmospheric air into energy which has a regulated level, comprising at least one rotary transducer immersed in the fluid and at least one regulated-level power generator actuated by means of the transducer, wherein said system comprises an emitter having a rotary hydraulic displacement pump keyed on each transducer, at least one receiver having a rotary hydraulic displacement motor keyed on each power generator, a hydraulic circuit for an auxiliary liquid which connects all the emitters to all the receivers, a device for dissipating the energy of the auxiliary liquid which is connected as a shunt off the hydraulic circuit, means for controlling the rate of flow of auxiliary fluid admitted into each of the shunt-connected dissipators, regulating means for regulating the circulation of the auxiliary liquid as a function of the random variations in energy of the natural fluid and safety means for withdrawing at least a part of the system from service when certain critical quantities exceed predetermined values, wherein the energy dissipator comprises means for converting the hydraulic energy of the auxiliary liquid to thermal energy and a heat exchanger for removing said thermal energy, and wherein the means for controlling the flow rate of auxiliary liquid admitted into an energy dissipator comprise a device having control valves which are calibrated in order to open automatically when the position of the means for adjusting the receivers which are connected to said dissipator is such that the entire flow of auxiliary liquid delivered by the emitters cannot flow through the receivers.
A ship propulsion device comprising at least one windwheel and one emitter having a rotary hydraulic displacement pump which is keyed on the shaft of said windwheel, said emitter being connected to at least one receiver having a rotary hydraulic displacement motor through a hydraulic circuit in which an auxiliary liquid flows, a device for dissipating the energy of the auxiliary liquid which is connected as a shunt off the hydraulic circuit, means for controlling the rate of flow of auxiliary liquid admitted into the shunt connected dissipator device, regulating means for regulating the circulation of the auxiliary liquid as a function of the random variations in energy of the wind, safety means for withdrawing at least a part of the system from service when certain critical quantities exceed predetermined values, each receiver being keyed on the shaft of a propeller, wherein said device comprises two receivers which can be switched over to the emitter of said windwheel, each receiver aforesaid being keyed on the shaft of a propeller having different characteristics.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.