Hydrodynamic Drive Train for Energy Converters that use Ocean Currents

Abstract

The invention relates to an energy generation System for obtaining electric energy from an ocean current. Said System comprises a drive train comprising an input shaft and an Output shaft, the input shaft being driven at least indirectly by a water turbine and the Output shaft at least indirectly driving an electric generator, which is connected to an electric network. The electric network has an essentially constant network frequency and the drive train comprises an Output branching gear with a first Output branch and at least one second Output branch. The first Output branch and the second Output branch are interconnected by means of the Output branching gear and a hydrodynamic component.

1 . Energy generation system for extracting electrical energy from an ocean current, comprising
 a drive train with an input shaft and an output shaft;   the input shaft is driven at least indirectly by a water turbine;   the output shaft drives at least indirectly an electrical generator, which is connected with an electrical network, wherein the electrical network has a mainly constant network frequency;   the drive train comprises a power branching drive with a first power branch and at least a second power branch;   the first power branch and the second power branch are connected with each other via power branching drive and a hydrodynamic component.   
     
     
         2 . Energy generation system in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that the hydrodynamic component is a hydrodynamic servo converter or a hydrodynamic coupling or a Trilok converter. 
     
     
         3 . Energy generation system in accordance with  claim 2  characterized in that the hydrodynamic component is attached to the output side of the power branching drive. 
     
     
         4 . Energy generation system in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that the hydrodynamic component is connected at least indirectly with the drive shaft of the electrical generator. 
     
     
         5 . Energy generation system in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that the electrical generator is designed as a quick running generator. 
     
     
         6 . Energy generation system in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that a transmission drive is arranged between the water turbine and the input shaft of the drive train. 
     
     
         7 . Energy generation system in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that additional stand drives are provided for the speed adjustment in the first power branch and/or the second power branch. 
     
     
         8 . Energy generation system in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that the water turbine, the drive train and the electrical generator is designed as a structural unit that is submersible. 
     
     
         9 . Method for the operation of an energy generation system in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that the energy generation system in the partial load area of the water turbine impresses a power-optimal speed. 
     
     
         10 . Method for the operation of an energy generation system in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that the speed of the water turbine is guided above a speed threshold (Dmax) along a target curve. 
     
     
         11 . Method for the operation of an energy generation system in accordance with  claim 9 , characterized in that the speed is maintained mainly constant. 
     
     
         12 . Method for the operation of an energy generation system in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that the speed is variable in a certain speed interval in the case of load surges. 
     
     
         13 . Method for the operation of an energy generation system in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that, above a maximum torque on the water turbine, the torque transferred to the electrical generator is limited by the adjustment of the hydrodynamic component. 
     
     
         14 . Method for the operation of an energy generation system in accordance with  claim 13 , characterized in that, above the maximum torque on the water turbine, the power extracted from the ocean current by the water turbine is limited. 
     
     
         15 . Method for the operation of an energy generation system in accordance with  claim 14 , characterized in that the power limitation is effectuated by the adjustment of the paddle wheels of the water turbine and/or one of the guide apparatuses assigned to the water turbine. 
     
     
         16 . Energy generation system in accordance with  claim 3  characterized in that the hydrodynamic component is attached to the output side of the power branching drive. 
     
     
         17 . Energy generation system in accordance with  claim 2 , characterized in that the hydrodynamic component is connected at least indirectly with the drive shaft of the electrical generator. 
     
     
         18 . Energy generation system in accordance with  claim 3 , characterized in that the hydrodynamic component is connected at least indirectly with the drive shaft of the electrical generator. 
     
     
         19 . Energy generation system in accordance with  claim 2 , characterized in that the electrical generator is designed as a quick running generator. 
     
     
         20 . Energy generation system in accordance with  claim 3 , characterized in that the electrical generator is designed as a quick running generator.