WO2009033232A1

WO2009033232A1 - Reversible turbine deployment system and apparatus, especially for reversible water current and tidal flows

Info

Publication number: WO2009033232A1
Application number: PCT/AU2008/001363
Authority: WO
Inventors: Timothy Cornelius
Original assignee: Atlantis Resources Corporation Pte Limited
Priority date: 2007-09-14
Filing date: 2008-09-12
Publication date: 2009-03-19

Abstract

A turbine deployment apparatus is described having a pylon; a mounting assembly comprising a runner operatively movable on the pylon when in use, an elongate support member operatively mounted on the runner and at least one turbine mounting provided on the support member for mounting a turbine; a stand portion associated with on the pylon and adapted to support the mounting assembly in a deployed position, the stand portion being a sleeve when in use axially mounted on the pylon; wherein the support member is axially pivotable relative to the runner between a first position, in which the turbine mounting faces a first direction, and a second position, in which the turbine mounting faces a second direction, substantially opposite the first direction.

Description

REVERSIBLE TURBINE DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM AND APPARATUS, ESPECIALLY FOR REVERSIBLE WATER CURRENT AND TIDAL FLOWS

The present invention relates to a turbine deployment system for deploying water current turbines.

Background

Water current turbines are used to extract power from water currents, by converting the kinetic energy of flowing water into a mechanical or electrical power output. Common water current turbines are designed to generate power from water current flowing in one general direction. However, in tidal flows the water current alternates between opposite directions of flow. In order to generate power from both current directions, water current turbines must be able to be turned around as the water current changes direction.

The deployment of water current turbines in remote locations and under the water surface make maintenance operations difficult and expensive. It is therefore desirable to simplify the deployment system design and facilitate maintenance operations.

Typically, turbines are mounted on pylons installed on the sea or river bed. However, in order to provide maintenance to the water current turbines, it is often necessary that the water current turbines be raised out of the water. Deployment systems that employ mechanisms on the pylon for selectively controlling the vertical positioning of the turbines on the pylon are expensive to design and build. They also require additional maintenance since the mechanisms are subject to wear, corrosion and fouling. Maintenance of such mechanisms may be required to be carried out along the length of the pylon underwater, which is both difficult and expensive.

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a turbine deployment apparatus comprising: a pylon; a mounting assembly comprising a runner operatively movable on the pylon when in use, an elongate support member operatively mounted on the runner and at least one turbine mounting provided on the support member for mounting a turbine; a stand portion associated with the pylon and adapted to support the mounting assembly in a deployed position, the stand portion being a sleeve when in use axially mounted on the pylon; wherein the support member is axially pivotable relative to the runner between a first position, in which the turbine mounting faces a first direction, and a second position, in which the turbine mounting faces a second direction, substantially opposite the first direction.

Preferably, the runner is a collar axially mountable on the pylon. Preferably, the stand portion is a sleeve axially mountable on the pylon.

Preferably, the turbine mounting comprises a turbine bracket adapted to releasably mount a turbine. Further preferably, the mounting assembly comprises multiple turbine mountings, the turbine mountings being provided in pairs with one turbine mounting above the support member and one below. At least two turbine mountings are preferably provided on the support member, with at least one turbine mounting on either side of the pylon.

In a preferred embodiment, the runner has a flange portion adapted to pivotally mount the support member to the runner. Preferably, the flange portion includes an hydraulic rotary actuator adapted to pivot the support member between the first position and the second position.

Optionally, the runner is adapted to pivot axially about the pylon.

In a preferred embodiment, the pylon, the stand portion and the runner are all square in transverse cross-section.

In a preferred embodiment, the turbine deployment system comprises a plurality of pylons, each pylon having a stand portion, wherein the mounting assembly has a plurality of runners, one associated with each pylon, and the support member is pivotally mounted across the plurality of runners. In a preferred embodiment, the deployment system further comprises a removable winch assembly mountable on the top of the pylon and attachable to the mounting assembly, the winch assembly being adapted to lower the mounting assembly to the deployed position and to raise the mounting assembly to the top of the pylon, in a maintenance position. The turbine deployment system preferably further comprises locking means adapted to lock the mounting assembly in the maintenance position. Further preferably, the locking means is a removable pin adapted to be inserted in the pylon below the runner. In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method of deploying a turbine the method including the steps of: installing a pylon in a sea or river bed; operatively associating a stand portion with the pylon, the stand being a sleeve axially mountable on the pylon; providing a mounting assembly comprising a runner, an elongate support member pivotally mounted on the runner and at least one turbine mounting provided on the support member for mounting a turbine; mounting a turbine on the turbine mounting; mounting the runner on the pylon; and lowering the mounting assembly onto the pylon until the runner rests on the stand portion.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a turbine deployment apparatus comprising: a pylon; a mounting assembly comprising a runner movable on the pylon, an elongate support member mounted on the runner and at least one turbine mounting provided on the elongate support member for mounting a turbine; a stand portion provided on the pylon and adapted to support the mounting assembly in a deployed position; wherein the turbine mounting comprises a turbine bracket clamp adapted to releasably mount a turbine, the turbine bracket clamp including a first clamping arm and a second clamping arm, the arms pivotally connected to one another and which in use releasably engage at least a portion of the turbine.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method of deploying a turbine the method including the steps of: installing a pylon in a sea or river bed; operatively associating a stand portion with the pylon; providing a mounting assembly comprising a runner, an elongate support member mounted on the runner and at least one turbine mounting provided on the support member for mounting a turbine, the mounting assembly further including a turbine bracket clamp which comprises a first clamping arm and a second clamping arm, the arms pivotally connected to one another so that in use at least a portion of the turbine is releasably engaged within the arms; mounting the runner on the pylon; and lowering the mounting assembly until the runner rests on the stand portion.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a turbine deployment apparatus comprising: a plurality of pylons; a mounting assembly comprising a runner movable on each pylon, an elongate • support member operatively mounted on and extending across the extending runners . and at least one turbine mounting provided on the support member for mounting a turbine; a stand portion provided on the pylon and adapted to support the mounting assembly in a deployed position; wherein the elongate support member is axially pivotable relative to the runner between a first position, in which the turbine mounting faces a first direction, and a _ second position, in which the turbine mounting faces a second direction, substantially opposite the first direction.

In a sixth aspect, the present invention provides a method of deploying a turbine method including the steps of: installing a plurality of pylons in a sea or river bed; providing a stand portion on each pylon; operatively associating a mounting assembly with the pylon, the mounting assembly comprising a runner mounted on each pylon, an elongate support member pivotally mounted across the runners and at least one turbine mounting provided on the support member for mounting a turbine, wherein the elongate support member is axially pivotable relative to the runner between a first position, in which the turbine mounting faces a first direction, and a second position, in which the turbine mounting faces a second direction, substantially opposite the first direction; mounting a turbine on the turbine mounting; mounting the runner on the pylon; and lowering the mounting assembly until the runner rests on the stand portion.

Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed in Australia before the priority date of each claim of this specification.

In order that the present invention may be more clearly understood, preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the following drawings and examples.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 depicts a turbine deployment system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a partial side view of the turbine deployment system of Figure 1 ;

. Figure 3 depicts the sleeve and support member of the turbine deployment system of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 depicts the turbine deployment system of Figure 1 with a winch assembly; Figure 5 depicts a dual pylon turbine deployment system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 6 depicts the turbine deployment system of Figure 5 with a winch assembly. Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention

Although there are several separate and distinct aspects of the present invention, each one will hereinafter be described in combination with each other.

Referring to Figure 1, a turbine deployment system 10 of a preferred embodiment of the present invention^'is provided on a sea or river bed 12 and supports an array of four water current turbines 14. The preferred turbine deployment system 10 comprises a pylon 16 installed in the sea or river bed 12, a stand portion 18 provided on the pylon 16 and a mounting assembly 20 movable along the pylon 16.

The pylon 16 is square in transverse cross-section and the stand portion 18 is a square sleeve mounted coaxially on the pylon 16. The stand portion 18 sits on the sea or river bed 12 or footing adjacent the bottom of the pylon 16.

The mounting assembly 20 comprises a runner 22, depicted here as a square collar, an elongate support member 24 and four turbine mountings 26. As best shown in Figure 2, the runner 22 has a flange portion 28 and is vertically displaceable along the pylon 16. The elongate support member 24 is mounted perpendicular to the pylon 16 via a hydraulic rotary actuator on the flange portion 28, so as to be axially pivotable. The support member 24 is centred on the runner 22 and includes a pair of turbine mountings 26 disposed on each side of the pylon 16. As best shown in Figure 3, each turbine mounting 26 in the form of a turbine bracket clamp 31 comprises a mounting bracket 30 having a base portion or first clamping arm 32 attached to the support member 24 and a cap portion or second clamping arm 34 hinged to the base portion 32. In order to mount a turbine, the cap portion 34 is opened and at least the turbine 14 a portion of is arranged in the base portion 32. The cap portion 34 is then closed with for example an over centre clasp or other quick-release lock, to releasably enclose at least the portion of the turbine 14 in the mounting bracket 30.

The hydraulic rotary actuator uses a pressurized, incompressible fluid to rotate the spreader bar assembly and may be any of a number of existing hydraulic rotary actuators. Typical hydraulic rotary actuators use two types of rotational elements: circular shafts and tables. Circular shafts include a keyway while tables include a bolt pattern for mounting other components. Single-shaft devices provide an output on only one side of the actuator. Double-shaft devices provide outputs on both sides of the actuator. To convert linear motion into shaft rotation, helical spline teeth on the shaft engage matching splines on the inside diameter of a piston. As hydraulic pressure is applied, the piston is displaced axially within the housing and the splines cause the shaft to rotate. When a control valve is closed, hydraulic fluid is trapped inside the housing and the shaft is locked in place. Single-piston devices drive a rack that rotates the pinion. Double-piston and four-piston devices drive racks on both sides of the pinion. Single-chamber and double-chamber rotary vanes that are actuated by pressurized air are also available. Performance specifications for hydraulic rotary actuators include operating pressure range, maximum torque, load capacity, linear stroke, operating temperature, and rotation angle. Maximum torque is the required range of torque output. There are two types of load capacity: axial load capacity and radial load capacity. Axial load capacity is the required axial or thrust load capacity of the output shaft or table. Radial load capacity is the required radial load capacity of the output shaft or table. Linear stroke, another important specification, is the travel distance between the fully retracted and fully extended rod positions. Operating temperature is a full-required range. Rotation angle is the degree to which the actuator can rotate before reaching its travel limit. Typically, hydraulic rotary actuators provide a maximum rotation angle of 45°, 90°, 135°, 180°, 225°, 270°, 315°, or 360°. Angles can be adjusted via screws on one side, or on both ends of the angular stroke. Actuators such as true rotary indexers allow multiple position stops along strokes. One possible arrangement for the turbine deployment system 10 is an hydraulic rotary actuator that provides the spreader bar assembly with four rotary angle rages: 90°, 180°, 270° and 360°, however other hydraulic rotary actuator configurations are also possible.

In use, the pylon 16 is typically positioned on or in a sea or river bed 12 such that an upper portion of the pylon is above the water level. The mounting assembly 20, stand portion 18 and turbines 14 are disposed in use below the water level in order that the turbines may generate power from water current flow. If required, the mounting assembly 20 can be raised above the water level for maintenance, adjustment or removal, for example. The sleeve 18 can be easily slidably or it may be hinged two-part collar which can be removed and replaced with a longer or shorter sleeve, so that different currents at different levels above the sea bed may be harnessed. Furthermore, intermediate sleeves may be utilized so as to provide a multi level turbine which has several elongate arms mounted to respective runners 22 mounted along the pylon 16 separated by various stand sleeves.

Referring to Figure 4, during installation of the deployment system 10, a removable winch assembly 36 is mounted on top of the pylon 16 and the mounting assembly 20 is lowered down the pylon 16 until it rests on the stand portion 18 in an operative position. The winch assembly 36 can then be removed and used in subsequent deployment operations. When maintenance of the turbines 14 is required, the winch assembly 36 can be returned and mounted on top of the pylon 16 to raise the mounting assembly 20 out of the water. This obviates the need to incorporate and maintain expensive deployment equipment on the pylon 16. Advantageously, the turbine deployment system 10 of the preferred embodiment is simple to manufacture and install and allows maintenance operations to be performed on the turbines 14 above the water surface.

During operation, the support member 24 is axially pivotable through 180° between a first position, in which the turbines 14 face a first direction, and a second position, in which the turbines 14 face a second direction, opposite the first direction. This allows an operator to reverse the direction that the turbines 14 are facing in alternating water current deployments.

In alternative embodiments, the stand portion 18 may be integral with the pylon 16 and/or may be located above the sea or river bed 12. Although depicted with square transverse cross-sections in this embodiment, the pylon 16, stand portion 18 and runner 22 may be any desirable shape in cross-section, including circular, rectangular or triangular.

Alternative turbine arrays for the turbine deployment system 10 are also possible including a single turbine 14 on either side of the pylon 16 or more than two turbines 14 on either side.

Examples of suitable turbines for use in the present invention include any type of marine current turbine, including traditional axial flow turbines, open centre turbines and many other marine current turbines.

In the above described embodiment, the runner 22 is not engaged with the pylon 16, but rather moves freely along the pylon 16. In alternative embodiments, the runner 22 may be constrained to run on a track or have other mechanical engagement with the pylon 16.

Turning to Figure 5, the turbine deployment system 10 comprises two pylons 16, each pylon 16 having a corresponding stand portion 18. The mounting assembly 20 comprises a pair of runners 22, one on each pylon 16, and a support member 24 pivotally mounted, extending between both runners 22, supporting four mounting blocks along its length. This arrangement strengthens the turbine deployment system 10 and allows a greater number of turbines 14 to be deployed on a single support member 24, increasing the efficiency of the turbine deployment system 10. As shown in Figure 6, a winch assembly 36 mounted across both pylons 16 is used to lower and raise the mounting assembly 20 for deployment and maintenance operations.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A turbine deployment apparatus comprising: a pylon; a mounting assembly comprising a runner operatively movable on the pylon when in use, an elongate support member operatively mounted on the runner and at least one turbine mounting provided on the support member for mounting a turbine; a stand portion associated with on the pylon and adapted to support the mounting assembly in a deployed position, the stand portion being a sleeve when in use axially mounted on the pylon; wherein the support member is axially pivotable relative to the runner between a first position, in which the turbine mounting faces a first direction, and a second position, in which the turbine mounting faces a second direction, substantially opposite the first direction.

2. The turbine deployment apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the runner is a collar axially mountable on the pylon.

3. The turbine deployment apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the turbine mounting comprises a turbine bracket adapted to releasably mount a turbine.

4. The turbine deployment apparatus of claim 3, wherein the mounting assembly comprises multiple turbine mountings, the turbine mountings being provided in pairs with one turbine mounting above the support member and one below.

5. The turbine deployment apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least two turbine mountings are provided on the support member, with at least one turbine mounting on either side of the pylon.

6. The turbine deployment apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the runner comprises a flange portion adapted to pivotally mount the support member to the runner.

7. The turbine deployment apparatus of claim 6, wherein the flange portion includes an hydraulic rotary actuator adapted to pivot the support member between the first position and the second position. ■

8. The turbine deployment apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the runner is adapted to pivot axially about the pylon.

9. The turbine deployment apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the pylon, the stand portion and the sleeve are all square in transverse cross-section.

10. The turbine deployment apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a plurality of pylons, each pylon having a stand portion, wherein the mounting assembly has a plurality of runners, one associated with each pylon, the support member being pivotally mounted across the plurality of runners.

11. A method of deploying a turbine the method including the steps of: installing a pylon in a sea or river bed; operatively associating a stand portion with the pylon, the stand being a sleeve axially mountable on the pylon; providing a mounting assembly comprising a runner, an elongate support member pivotally mounted on the runner and at least one turbine mounting provided on the support member for mounting a turbine; mounting a turbine on the turbine mounting; mounting the runner on the pylon; and lowering the mounting assembly onto the pylon until the runner rests on the stand portion.

12. A turbine deployment apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 or Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.

13. A turbine deployment apparatus comprising: a pylon; a mounting assembly comprising a runner movable on the pylon, an elongate support member mounted on the runner and at least one turbine mounting provided on the elongate support member for mounting a turbine; a stand portion provided on the pylon and adapted to support the mounting assembly in a deployed position; wherein the turbine mounting comprises a turbine bracket clamp adapted to releasably mount a turbine, the turbine bracket clamp including a first clamping arm and a second clamping arm, the arms pivotally connected to one another and which in use releasably engage at least a portion of the turbine.

14. The turbine deployment apparatus of claim 13 wherein the or each elongate support member is axially pivotable relative to the runner between a first position, in which the turbine mounting faces a first direction, and a second position, in which the turbine mounting faces a second direction, substantially opposite the first direction.

15. The turbine deployment apparatus of claim 13 or 14, wherein the runner is a collar axially mountable on the pylon.

16. The turbine deployment apparatus of claim 13,14 or 15 wherein the stand portion is a sleeve axially mountable on the pylon.

17. The turbine deployment apparatus of claim 16, wherein the mounting assembly comprises multiple turbine mountings, the turbine mountings being provided in pairs with one turbine mounting above the support member and one below.

18. The turbine deployment apparatus of any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein at least two turbine mountings are provided on the support member, with at least one turbine mounting on either side of the pylon.

19. The turbine deployment apparatus of any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the runner comprises a flange portion adapted to pivotally mount the support member to the runner.

20. The turbine deployment apparatus of claim 18, wherein the flange portion includes an hydraulic rotary actuator adapted to pivot the support member between the first position and the second position.

21. The turbine deployment apparatus of any one of claims 13 to 20, wherein the runner is adapted to pivot axially about the pylon.

22. The turbine deployment apparatus of any one of claims 13 to 21, wherein the pylon, the stand portion and the sleeve are all square in transverse cross-section.

23. The turbine deployment apparatus of any one of claims 13 to 22, comprising a plurality of pylons, each pylon having a stand portion, wherein the mounting assembly has a plurality of runners, one associated with each pylon, and the support member is pivotally mounted across the plurality of runners.

24. A method of deploying a turbine the method including the steps of: installing a pylon in a sea or river bed; operatively associating a stand portion with the pylon; providing a mounting assembly comprising a runner, an elongate support member mounted on the runner and at least one turbine mounting provided on the support member for mounting a turbine, the mounting assembly further including a turbine bracket clamp which comprises a first clamping arm and a second clamping arm, the arms pivotally connected to one another so that in use at least a portion of the turbine is releasably engaged within the arms; mounting the runner on the pylon; and lowering the mounting assembly until the runner rests on the stand portion.

25. A turbine deployment apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 or Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.

26. A turbine deployment apparatus comprising: a plurality of pylons; a mounting assembly comprising a runner movable on each pylon, an elongate support member operatively mounted on and extending across the extending runners and at least one turbine mounting provided on the support member- for mounting a turbine; a stand portion provided on the pylon and adapted to support the mounting assembly in a deployed position; wherein the elongate support member is axially pivotable relative to the runner between a first position, in which the turbine mounting faces a first direction, and a second position, in which the turbine mounting faces a second direction, substantially opposite the first direction.

27. The turbine deployment apparatus of claim 26, wherein the runner is a collar axially mountable on the pylon.

28. The turbine deployment apparatus of claim 26 to 27, wherein the stand portion is a sleeve axially mountable on the pylon.

29. The turbine deployment apparatus of any one of claims 26 to 28, wherein the turbine mounting comprises a turbine bracket adapted to releasably mount a turbine.

30. The turbine deployment apparatus of claim 29, wherein the mounting assembly comprises multiple turbine mountings, the turbine mountings being provided in pairs with one turbine mounting above the support member and one below.

31. The turbine deployment apparatus of any one of claims 26 to 30, wherein at least two turbine mountings are provided on the support member, with at least one turbine mounting on either side of the pylon.

32. The turbine deployment apparatus of any one of claims 26 to 31 , wherein the runner comprises a flange portion adapted to pivotally mount the support member to the runner.

33. The turbine deployment apparatus of claim 32, wherein the flange portion includes an hydraulic rotary actuator adapted to pivot the support member between the first position and the second position'.

34. The turbine deployment apparatus of any one of claims 26 to 33, wherein the runner is adapted to pivot axially about the pylon.

35. The turbine deployment system of any one of claims 26 to 34, wherein the pylon, the stand portion and the sleeve are all square in transverse cross-section.

36. A method of deploying a turbine method including the steps of: installing a plurality of pylons in a sea or river bed; providing a stand portion on each pylon; operatively associating a mounting assembly with the pylon, the mounting assembly comprising a runner mounted on each pylon, an elongate support member pivotally mounted across the runners and at least one turbine mounting provided on the support member for mounting a turbine, wherein the elongate support member is axially pivotable relative to the runner between a first position, in which the turbine mounting faces a first direction, and a second position, in which the turbine mounting faces a second direction, substantially opposite the first direction; mounting a turbine on the turbine mounting; mounting the runner on the pylon; and lowering the mounting assembly until the runner rests on the stand portion.

37. A turbine deployment apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 or Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.