FR2660701A1 - Hydroelectric unit with screw (propeller) of horizontal axis for production in the stream of water - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a hydroelectric unit with a screw of horizontal axis intended for producing a modest amount of electrical power in the stream of water, without prior construction work. According to the invention, this unit comprises a cross member beam (1) to which are fixed means (2) for immersing and retracting the screw automatically, means (3) for transmission and conversion into electrical energy, means (4) for protection against foreign bodies, means (5) for stowing and for depth adjustment, finally, means (6) for accelerating the speed of the current of water when the current is insufficient to reach the nominal power. The invention relates to all individuals or communes possessing or finding themselves near valuable water courses, and who desire to produce all of their electricity, or top up electricity.

Description

 The invention relates to a hydroelectric group with a propeller with a horizontal axis for producing modest electrical power, over the water, without prior work.

 The usual production facilities installed to harness the energy of rivers and rivers require concrete work, more or less substantial, in order to capture the maximum power.

 We are thus led to build dams allowing a certain storage of water and increased pressure by increasing the water level, to which they are associated with pipeline works, in the open or in penstocks, ensuring the connection to the turbines or wheels.

 As the investment in basic infrastructure is particularly significant, these locations are valid for high production units, the cost of the kilowatt obtained being inversely proportional to the installed power.

 Small units exist, however, using the works already established or necessary for other purposes.

 The power of the generators of production generally built and installed is governed by the product flow pressure.

 Other small power production solutions: run-of-the-river installations, where the generator set is implemented without prior work, in a few hours, with the possibility of moving the production unit as required.

 When the distribution and density of the national electricity distribution network is sufficiently extensive, this technique has, doubtless, only a reduced place but, it is an opportune solution for countries of low to very low density of population provided with hydraulic resources which are often untapped.

 A number of ideas have sprung up among the inventors in this direction, most of them contenting themselves simply with exploiting the force applied on a flat surface. Force defined by the formula F = 1/2 m v2 ("m" being the mass of water and "V" the speed of the water current).

 In the case of propellers with warped and profiled blades, the power is no longer proportional to the square of the speed of displacement of the fluid but varies according to the cube thereof, therefore an increased power of greater economic interest.

 The difficulties of approaching the problems inherent in "free" propellers, however, dissuaded amateurs and hydraulic engineers from tackling the creation of this type of equipment.

 An easy solution is to use fixed pitch propellers which then undergo forces which increase according to the square of the speed of the current, at 1 meter per second we have a force of 500 kg per meter of surface, on the other hand, at 2 meters per second the force is four times greater.

 These are very significant efforts on construction structures, hence increases in sections and resistances of the constituent materials to be expected, and, by the same token, a more expensive manufacturing cost; moreover a very variable propeller rotation speed.

 We are therefore led to solutions which make it possible to limit the efforts to the strict minimum and also to reduce the risks of destruction of the sensor assembly.

 An invention F.CARRÉ deposited on modest power propellers with autonomous self-regulation solves the handicaps in this area and a hydroelectric group, according to the invention, can be envisaged.

 The present invention makes it possible to partially exploit the power of a stream of water with maximum efficiency and safety without building expensive structures, and, for this purpose comprises a beam-cross member supporting immersion means and automatic retraction of the propeller, means of transmission and transformation into electrical energy, means of protection against foreign bodies, means of securing and grounding, finally, means of accelerating the speed of the current .

 This hydroelectric group, according to the invention, is constructed in such a way that complete immersion of the propeller is ensured, preventing the blades from touching the bottom during the rotation of the propeller.

 In addition, in order to increase the speed of the current, an increase of 15% for a nominal current of 1 meter per second resulting in an increase in power of more than 50%, we have added deflector devices which orient a certain part of the flow. towards the propeller in order to increase the speed of passage in the vicinity thereof.

 The description which follows, taken by way of nonlimiting example, will give an embodiment of the hydroelectric group according to the invention.

 Figure 1 is a partial perspective of the hydroelectric group according to the invention, upstream view.

 Figure 2 is a side view of the immersion and retraction means, along an axis x-x 'virtually corresponding to the movement of the current in free flow.

 Figures 3 and 4 show the detail of the holding and safety elements.

 Figure 5 is a section in x-x 'of the transmission means.

 FIG. 6 illustrates, in side view, the protection means in an axis x-x '.

 FIG. 7 is an elevation view which shows, in addition to the protection means, the means of securing, setting and accelerating the current.

 Figure 8 is a front view complementing the previous one.

 The hydroelectric group according to the invention comprises, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a beam-cross member 1 intended to support and link the different elements or constituent elements of the means used according to the invention, this beam-cross member 1 being shown cut in Figure 2 to facilitate understanding of the drawing.

 To this end, this cross-beam 1, consists of a plate covering the upper part in order to be able to move during assembly or maintenance and, of a "U" placed and welded below the plate, as can be seen in these two figures, the direction of the water current being specified by an arrow annotated by the letter "S" the beam-cross member being placed perpendicular to the direction of the current 1 ' x-x 'axis.

 The hydroelectric group, according to the invention, furthermore comprises means 2 of automatic immersion and retraction of the propeller, means 3 of transmission and transformation into electric energy, means 4 of protection against bodies foreigners, means 5 for stowage and setting, finally, means 6 for accelerating the speed of the current.

 Figures 2, 3 and 4 are representative of the means 2 for automatic immersion and retraction of the propeller: means constituted in particular by a tubular column 7, in principle vertical in operation, placed downstream of the cross beam 1 , the lower end of which is provided with a bulb 8 intended to receive the propeller 9 mounted on its hub 10, the connection of the column and bulb assembly being ensured, with the transverse beam 1, by shackles 11 and 12 and , keeps it in position by a chain 13.

 The shackles, two in number, form a kind of imperfect parallelogram, so as to obtain a very clear withdrawal path, indicated here by the arrow "f", in the axis x-x ', and, are formed of two plates 14 and a tubular spacer 15 in order to maintain correct geometry.

 The upper shackle 1 1 is articulated at one end on plates 16 welded on edge on the plate 17 of the cross-beam 1 and, on the other on the tubular column 7 reinforced by round bars 18, these articulations being ensured at Using identical axes.

 The lower shackle 12 is hooked a little lower on the "U" 20 placed below and, also on the tubular column 7 a little below the attachment of the upper shackle 1 1 but in the same way as the latter.

 It will be noted that these shackles 11 and 12 have a bend 21, so that in the use position the shackle 11 comes to abut against the plate 17 and the secondary shackle 12 against the "U" 20; there is thus a punctualization in this position and also a stable position when the assembly is raised horizontally.

 In FIG. 2 more specifically, it can be seen that the position of use is maintained by a traction chain 13 attached to a flange 22 fixed to the tubular column 7 near the lower hinge ring 18, returned by a roller 23 oriented on the lower part of the beam crosses 1 then, wound on a winch 24 centered on the extension of the plates 16, which is more easily visible in FIGS. 3 and 4, this winch 24 having, at one of its ends, a toothed wheel 25 and a cleat 26 so as to form a ratchet.

 FIG. 4 illustrates the detail of this toothed wheel 25 which has a certain number of notches 27 which, in the direction of the traction of the chain, defined by the arrow 28, forms with the stop face 29 of the cleat 26 an angle of exhaust 30 well determined, the notches 27 being provided with a gentle slope in the other direction.

 The contact of the cleat 26 is ensured by a spring 31 constrained by a nut 32 and a screw 33, fixed on one of the plates 16, passing through the said cleat, the latter being moreover stabilized by an extension 34 corresponding to a notch 35 of the opposite dish 16.

 Thus, the propeller assembly is firmly held in the working position, the cleat 26 having, under a predetermined load, the ability to lift and allow the disengagement of the assembly in the direction of the water and, possibly, if necessary, removal from the battens for interventions; withdrawal shown schematically in dotted lines, as can be seen by referring again to FIG. 2.

 Incidentally, in order to make maintenance easier, a second chain 36 attached to the flange 22 passes over the cross beam 1 and pulled by a second winch 37 ensures the setting and the maintenance in the withdrawn position.

 According to a preferred construction method, the transmission means 3 occupy the interior space of the tubular column 7 and of the bulb 8, as can be seen in FIG. 5 which is a section along an axis x-x ', limited to 1 '' tubular column and bulb assembly.

 The bulb essentially consists of an envelope 38, a bracket 39 bearing holder welded to the tubular column 7 and, a closure plate 40 also bearing holder; a shutter 41, fixed by screw, ensuring sealing.

 The bulb can thus receive the angle gear elements composed of an input shaft 42 provided, at one end, with an external protrusion 43 on which the propeller hub 10 is fixed, then with a bearing 44 with rollers mounted on the closure plate 40, fitted with a seal, one and the other ensuring rotation and final sealing.

 This shaft 42 is supported at the other end by a bearing 45, also with rollers, fixed on the bracket 39, and then receives a toothed wheel 46 of angle tightened by screws, which attacks at 900 a shafted pinion 47 supported by a bearing 48 fixed on the bracket 39. This shafted pinion is then extended by a tubular shaft 49 rising in the tubular column 7 up to a bearing 50 placed at the upper end of said tubular column, passes through of said bearing to receive a pulley 51, preferably notched, which, by a homologous belt 52, amplifies and transmits the rotation of the propeller to the alternator 53 using a pinion 54, also homologous to the belt , mounted directly at the end of said alternator placed under a protective cover.

 In order to ensure trouble-free operation, the tubular column and bulb assembly is provided with an amount of oil whose level is well above the water level, in order to compensate for the differences in densities, and at this end, a filling plug 55 was provided at the upper end of the tubular column 7 and a level bubble 56 implanted at about 2/3 of the height, a drain plug 57 was also placed on the shutter 41 in order to be able, in the retracted and withdrawn position, to evacuate the water which could have been introduced during operation.

 Although the integrated solution is presented on a preferential basis, it can, as a variant, be substituted for it by the use, in the base part, of an ordinary commercial bevel gear, to which special gaskets have been added. , in particular between angle-reference and tubular-column 7.

One of the means of protection of the propeller 9 is to place the latter downstream of the current with respect to the tubular column 7 (FIG. 1), so that the heavy aggressive bodies can abut, as far as possible, on bulb 8 and divert
Very upstream, as we see in FIG. 6, limited to the diagram of the protection means 4, and, with the help of FIG. 7, more specific means have been constituted by a grid 58 in the shape of a "V" , the tip of the "V" being directed upstream in one axis x-x ', in order to create a permanent evacuation of foreign bodies towards the ends of the "V"; in self-clearance.

 This grid is composed of a certain number of elements 59, identical, bent, arranged parallel to each other and relative to the water body defined by the line 0-0 ', held by two vertical uprights 60 and a central bar 61 , linked by gussets, the said uprights 60 being fixed to the front of the cross-beam 1 using horizontal arms 62.

 This grid 58 exceeds the 0-0 'level by a certain height and covers at least the half height of the propeller, the grasses, the branches and even the trees remaining practically on the surface. Said grid can however, if necessary, cover the entire area of the propeller.

 In these same FIGS. 6 and 7, a distinction is also made between the means 5 for securing and grounding, the most elementary securing which can be achieved by the flanges 63 at the end of the cross-beam 1; these flanges being arranged so as to be connected, by bolting, to all homologous parts suitable for this purpose.

 In normal use, bias arms 64 and 65 are fixed by their bases 66 to the flanges 63 of beam-cross member 1 by forming a "V" open upstream on either side of the 'axis xx' and parallel to the body of water.

 These arms 64 and 65 are symmetrical and consist of two tubes 67 and 68 fitted one inside the other, the secondary tube 68 being, in principle, introduced into the base tube 67 and held together by bolts 69 passing through the two tubes.

 End fittings 70 for hooking have been arranged at one end of the secondary tubes 68 so as to be able to fix therein chains, cables or ropes intended to be secured to the banks by trees or by anchors, whether submerged or not.

 In addition, in order to be able to establish easy access, the tubes of the arms 67 and 68, or only one or the other, have been provided with supports 71 in order to provide them with walkways 72, these accessory elements having been very partially shown in Figure 7.

 In order to avoid the propeller blades contact with the river bed or the river during rotation and, their deterioration, 73 vertical soil tubes (Figure 6) were provided, sliding in the beam 1 , terminated in the base part by a plate 74 intended to bear on the bottom of the water. These tubes 73 are adjustable in depth using holes and plugs 75.

 Furthermore, sliding piles 76, adjustable in the same way as the tubes 73, are fixed to the attachment ends 70 in order to control the trim of the group and to ensure, in addition, an additional stowage.

 In deep water, these bottom references may be assisted by floats 77, shown in dotted lines, up to a number of four, capable of supporting the weight of the entire hydroelectric group.

 The hydroelectric group, as can be seen in FIG. 7 and in addition in FIG. 8, is provided with means 7 for accelerating the speed of the current which consist essentially of deflectors.

 The main deflector is formed by two flaps 78 and 79, placed on either side of the propeller 9, symmetrically along the axis x-x ', and, as can be seen in the additional figure 8, removable or no, form a kind of funnel 80 open towards the upstream, that is to say towards the origin of the current and narrows until it marries and passes very close to the propeller blades.

 These said flaps are focused on the guides 81 of the vertical tubes 73 and maintained at a suitable height relative to the propeller.

 In order to maintain, if necessary to eliminate, the accelerating effect of water current when the latter is found to greatly exceed the speed or the nominal power, each flap 78 or 79 has a lift 82 provided at its upper end with 'A lever 83 and a return spring 84 fixed, at one end, to said lever and, on the other, on the cross-beam 1, the erasing movement taking place in the direction of arrow 85 , two stops 86 allowing the punctuality of the return.

 On the other hand, secondary flaps 87 constituted by plates 88 articulated by base tubes 89 on uprights 90 fixed on the arm tubes form a complementary upstream extension of the propeller flaps 78 and 79. Note, however, that space E was left between the secondary flaps 87 and the flaps 78 and 79 in order to allow the passage of the undesirable bodies and objects coming from the ends of the grid 58.

 The upper end of the base tubes 89 is provided with a lever which, like the levers 83 of the main flaps 78 and 79, are brought back by springs 91 starting from the end of these levers are hooked on the arm tubes.

 Finally, guide devices 91 are fixed in front of the arms 64 and 65 just before the flaps 87, in the direction of the current, in order to be able to slide and vertically hold boards 93 intended, abutting the bottom of the river or on their stops 94, to create a deflection of the flow rate and an optimal acceleration at the propeller.

 The implementation, operation and use of such a group is fairly easy to understand after the preceding explanations.

 The beam-cross member 1, the tubular arms 64 and 65 and the soil elements are assembled near the launching place and placed using a small crane, or else assembled on site with a fishing boat. , then secured using chains or any other means.

 Then place the bulb-propeller, column-tubular assembly, then mount the generator.

 Last comes the mounting of the various acceleration deflectors.

 In certain sites, a single arm, 64 or 65, may be used, the cross beam 1 then being assumed to be fixed by one of its flanges 63.

During operation the shutters remain in their original position
If the water current is just sufficient to obtain the nominal power.

 However, in the event that very large and heavy bodies come into contact with the flaps, they will slide out, allow passage, then return to their previous position.

 It is easy to see in FIG. 6 that the propeller at its best must be completely submerged, without however being too deep where the current is slower than at the surface.

 The invention relates to all persons or communities, having or being in the vicinity of valid watercourses, wishing to produce electricity as a whole or as a backup.

Claims (9)

 1 / Hydroelectric group with propeller with horizontal axis intended for the production of a modest electrical power, over the water and without prior work, comprising a beam-crosspiece (1) supporting means of energy capture hydraulic and means for transmitting and transforming this energy into electricity, characterized in that it also comprises means (2) for automatic immersion and retraction of the propeller, means (3) transmission and transformation into electrical energy, means (4) for protection against foreign bodies, means (5) for securing and grounding, finally, means (6) for accelerating the speed of the current when that - this is insufficient to reach the nominal power.  2 / hydroelectric group, according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (2) of immersion and automatic retraction consist of a tubular column (7), placed downstream of a transverse beam (1) support, the lower end of this column being provided with a bulb (8) intended to receive the propeller (9) by its hub (10), and, linked and articulated to the cross-beam (I) by shackles (11) and (12), forming a kind of imperfect parallelogram and, punctuated, in the use position, by a chain (13), the axis of the propeller (9) corresponding to the axis xx 'of the current and, perpendicular to the cross beam (1).  3 / Hydroelectric group, according to claim 2, characterized in that the shackles (11) and (12), identical, are formed of dishes (14) assembled by tubular spacers (15) and, hook and are articulated, from one end and at a certain distance from one to the other, on the cross-beam (1), from the other end, to the tubular column (7) reinforced by rounds (18) articulation also placed at a distance 1 'from one another, axes (19), identical, ensuring the articulation, and, moreover, an elbow (21) of the shackle plates (14) abutting against the cross-beam (1) so as to punctuate the immersion position.  4 / hydroelectric group, according to claim 2, characterized in that the placing in the operating position is obtained by means of a chain (13) of traction hung from one end on the flange (22) placed near the lower circle (18) on the tubular column (7), returned on a roller (23) then wound on a winch (24) provided with a notched wheel (25) and a cleat (26), the notches (27) non-return of the toothed wheel forming with the stop face (29) an angle (30) sufficiently clearing so that the cleat can be maintained by a spring (31) for normal effort and to disappear under a stress too high.  5 / Hydroelectric group, according to claiml, characterized in that, preferably, the means (3) of transmission are integrated in the tubular column (7) and in the bulb (8), and, constituted by a shaft d entry (42) receiving, at one end, the propeller hub (10), on the other, a bevel gear (46), a shafted pinion (47) returning, in principle to 90, the rotation towards the top by a tubular axis (49), the whole being sealed in a sealed manner by the bulb and the tubular column, a toothed wheel (51), a belt (52) and a notched pinion ensuring a punctual transmission of rotation of the input shaft (42) to the alternator (53); as a variant, a commercial angle gear can be used in the base part without modifying the other elements.  6 / Hydroelectric group, according to claiml, characterized in that the means (4) for protection against foreign bodies are, on the one hand, constituted by the very position of the propeller (9) which, placed in downstream of the bulb (8), is protected by it and, more specifically by a grid (58) in the shape of a "V", the point of the "V" facing the origin of the current, in an axis x- x ', composed of bent elements (59) arranged at regular intervals parallel to each other and to the water body, the upper element being situated largely above the water level and the last exceeding in depth the level of 1 'axis of one propeller, one set of these bent elements (59) being supported by uprights (60) and arms (62) fixed in front of the cross beam (1).  7 / hydroelectric group, according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (5) stowage and soil are formed, elementarily, by the flanges (63) of the beam-crosspiece (1) but, normally , by bias arms (64) and (65), symmetrical, forming a "V" open towards 1 'upstream in an axis x-x', these arms being formed of two tubes (67) and (68) fitted one inside the other and held by bolts (69), the base tubes (67) coming to be fixed on the flanges (63) of the cross-beam (1) which is also provided, near these flanges, with sliding vertical tubes (73), resting on the bottom of the water, the stabilization of the whole group being ensured by means of attachment ends (70) placed at the ends of the secondary tubes (68), allowing the use of chains or ropes, piles (76) ensuring soil and additional stowage.  8 / hydroelectric group, according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (6) for accelerating the speed of the current consist of deflectors, 1 'one, main, is formed by two components (78) and (79) which, placed symmetrically on either side of the propeller (9) conform to the circular shape of the latter and open upstream forming a funnel (80), another deflector being arranged in upstream of the main on each of the bias arms (64) and (65), composed by plates (88) placed after the flaps (78) and (79) and held on said bias arms, moreover, devices- guides (91) are fixed on the arms in the continuation of the preceding flaps and make it possible to maintain boards (93) thus increasing the dam and deflection effect of the propeller.  9 / hydroelectric group, according to claim 8, characterized in that the flaps (78) and (79) are articulated on the guides (81) of the tubes (73) vertical soil, and the plates (88) articulated by their base tubes (89); the flaps (78) and (79) as well as the plates (88) being moreover, maintained in the original position by levers (83) and by springs (84) and (91) so as to be able to slip under a too strong current of water or under the push of a foreign body, stops (86) allowing them punctual return after erasure.