Abstract:
A water current power generation structure including: a power generation unit including a main body, a mounting portion which extends from the main body and which defines a mounting axis; a support structure adapted for engagement with a bed of a body of water, and including a support housing; wherein the structure further includes a yaw mechanism for rotating the power generation unit relative to the support structure, the mechanism including: a pinion associated with the mounting portion; and a gear associated within the support housing and arranged to engage the pinion to rotate the power generation unit about the mounting axis relative to the support structure; and a selective engagement mechanism for selectively engaging the yaw mechanism.

Description:
[0001]    The present invention relates to the design of apparatus for extracting energy from water currents. Specifically, the invention provides a water current power generation structure for improved alignment of a power generation unit on a support structure. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The direction of current flow in estuaries and tidal races usually changes according to a prescribed periodic pattern. As an example tidal currents typically reverse direction by approximately 180 deg. roughly every six hours when the flood or ebb tides turn. As the tide is turning the current speed is very low or stationary for a short period of time around slack water. This invention seeks to take advantage of such a period of slow moving or stationary flow. 
         [0003]    Proposed methods that allow a water current power generator to accommodate significant changes in current direction on a periodic basis include mechanical yaw drives. The turbine motor is yawed around using a geared drive mounted on the turbine nacelle, which reacts against the tower (or vice versa). Water born particles and debris could cause fouling or wear of such a drive unless it is sealed from the external environment (which is expensive on a large diameter yaw bearing). The design requires tight control of mechanical tolerances between the moving gear and the stationary reaction gear. Conventionally, the moving gear and the stationary gear are mesh parallel gears. As a result, there are significant alignment challenges associated with for example a pinion and gear system arranged over a splittable interface of the power generation system. During deployment, any misalignment between the pinion and the gear may result in crashing and damage to the system. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water current power generation structure comprising:
       a power generation unit including a main body, a mounting portion which extends from the main body and which defines a mounting axis;   a support structure adapted for engagement with a bed of a body of water, and including a support housing;   wherein the structure further comprises a yaw mechanism for rotating the power generation unit relative to the support structure, the mechanism comprising:   a pinion associated with the mounting portion; and   a gear associated within the support housing and arranged to engage the pinion to rotate the power generation unit about the mounting axis relative to the support structure; and   a selective engagement mechanism for selectively engaging the yaw mechanism.       
 
         [0011]    The gear is preferably a stationary gear. The gear may be supported by the mounting portion. The gear may for example be an annular gear. 
         [0012]    The gear is preferably arranged to extend around the inner periphery of the support housing or the mounting portion. The gear may comprise straight splines. The splines may extend substantially parallel to the mounting axis of the mounting portion. 
         [0013]    The selective engagement mechanism preferably provides mechanical engagement between the gear and the support housing. For example, the selective engagement mechanism may comprise a clutch arranged to selectively allow relative rotation between the gear and the support housing. 
         [0014]    The selective engagement mechanism may comprise an intermediate gear rotatable relative to the mounting portion and fixed relative to the support housing. The intermediate gear is preferably selectively engagable with the gear. The gear may comprise an inner gear for engagement with the pinion. 
         [0015]    In one embodiment, the gear may comprise tapered splines arranged to engage the intermediate gear. For example, the gear may comprise tapered splines arranged to engage the splines of the intermediate gear. The gear may be of any suitable shape. The gear may for example be tapered inwardly in a direction extending substantially parallel to the mounting axis of the mounting portion. The gear may for example be tapered inwardly in a direction extending towards the support housing. Preferably, the gear is conical. 
         [0016]    The gear may be shaped, such as for example tapered or conical, in order to ensure initial engagement between the gear and the intermediate gear of the support housing. The tapered splines of the gear encourage the correction of any slight misalignment between the gears during initial mating of the gears. As a result, the meshing between the gear and the intermediate gear is progressive. The present invention therefore advantageously significantly reduces the possibility of misalignment causing crashing and damage to the gears within the system. 
         [0017]    In a further embodiment, the gear may provide an abutment surface comprising at least one engagement feature. The abutment surface of the intermediate gear is preferably arranged to contact or abut an abutment surface provided by the gear of the support housing. The abutment surface of the gear of the support housing preferably comprises at least one engagement feature for mutual engagement with the engagement feature(s) of the intermediate gear. 
         [0018]    The at least one engagement feature provided by the intermediate gear and/or the gear may be moveable, for example slideably moveable, with respect to the abutment surface of the intermediate gear and/or the gear. The gear may be provided by any suitable surface of the support housing, for example by a cartridge plate located within the support housing. 
         [0019]    The at least one engagement feature of the gear and/or intermediate gear may be any suitable combination of complementary features such as for example projections, pins, ridges, grooves and/or holes which are arranged to provide mutual engagement between the gear and the intermediate gear. The at least one engagement feature of the gear preferably comprises a plurality of radially extending spaced apart splines or teeth. The at least one engagement feature of the gear preferably comprises a plurality of spaced apart projections arranged for mutual engagement with the splines of the intermediate gear. The at least one engagement features of the gear and intermediate gear may comprise a plurality of alignment pins and corresponding alignment apertures for mutual engagement. 
         [0020]    The at least one engagement feature(s) of the intermediate gear and/or gear may be located at any suitable location on the gears, for example the at least one engagement feature(s) may be located at or adjacent the perimeter of the gear. 
         [0021]    The clutch may for example be a dog clutch or curvic gear interface. 
         [0022]    The gear is preferably moveable between an engaged position in which the gear engages the intermediate gear of the support housing, and a disengaged position in which the gear is disengaged from the intermediate gear. For example, in the engaged position tapered splines of the gear engage straight or tapered splines of the intermediate gear. In one embodiment, in the engaged position the engagement feature(s) of the intermediate gear engage the engagement feature(s) of the gear. 
         [0023]    The gear may be arranged so as to be brought into engagement with the intermediate gear of the support housing when the mounting portion is mounted on the support housing. The structure may however further comprise an actuator arranged to displace the gear between the engaged position and the disengaged position. For example, the gear may be arranged to be axially moveable relative to the mounting portion in a direction extending substantially parallel to the mounting axis of the mounting portion. The drive mechanism and/or pinion gear may be arranged to move with the gear. The pinion may be arranged to move with the gear. The drive mechanism may be arranged to move with the pinion. The drive mechanism may however be fixed relative to movement of the pinion and/or the gear. The yaw mechanism may comprise a plurality of pinions. 
         [0024]    In one embodiment, the selective engagement mechanism comprises a clutch arranged to selectively allow relative rotation between the gear and the support housing. The clutch may be radially expandable to provide a selective engagement between the gear and the support housing. The clutch may for example be disposed radially between the gear and the housing. The clutch may be axially engagable to provide a selective engagement between the gear and the support housing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of the water current power generating system according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  illustrates the intermediate gear of the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of the water current power generating system according to a further embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of the intermediate gear of the system of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of the gear of the system of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the water current power generating system according to a further embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  illustrates a top view of the system of  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0032]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , the water current power generating system  1  comprises a tidal turbine device (not shown) comprising a mounting portion  2  defining a mounting axis M for the device. The device is capable of rotation about rotational axis M relative to its sea or river bed support structure  3  to face the oncoming current flow. The mounting portion  2  has a mounting flange  4  which engages with an associated support flange  5  provided by the support structure  3 . The mounting and support flanges  4  and  5  allow the device to be affixed to the support structure  3  in an appropriate manner. A mechanical connection (not shown) is provided between the mounting portion  2  of the water current generating device and its support structure  3  which allows a degree of freedom about the desired axis of rotation M. The mechanical connection is a rotational bearing. 
         [0033]    The mounting portion  2  may have any suitable shape. For example the mounting portion  2  may be substantially circular in cross-section. The mounting portion  2  may provide an aperture therethrough. The mounting portion  2  is a hollow cylinder, but could be provided by any suitable shape. It will be appreciated that the mounting portion  2  need not be circular in cross section, but may be provided by any suitable shape. For example, the mounting portion  2  may be tapered, such as for example the mounting portion may be in the form of a truncated cone. The mounting portion may be a hollow prism. 
         [0034]    The system may further comprise a coupling (not shown) arranged in use to be moveable between a clamping position and a bearing position. In the clamping position, the device is fixedly located with respect to the support structure. As a result, in the clamping position, the coupling prevents rotation of the device about the mounting axis M. In the bearing position, the device may be rotated about the mounting axis of the system. 
         [0035]    The support structure  3  is substantially cylindrical, and defines a circular aperture therethrough. It will be readily appreciated that, as for the mounting portion  2  of the device, the support structure  3  can be of any suitable shape and cross section. 
         [0036]    The support structure  3  includes a support flange  5  which defines a substantially circular and substantially continuous support surface onto which the mounting flange  4  of the mounting portion  2  abuts when the device is mounted on the support structure  3 . 
         [0037]    The mounting portion transfers the load of the device onto the support structure. The substantially circular and substantially continuous nature of the mounting and support flanges serves to distribute the loads around the support structure, and to remove, or substantially reduce, the occurrence of point loading on the support structure. 
         [0038]    The substantially circular and substantially continuous nature of the mounting flange of the device and of the support flange of the support structure enables the mounting portion  2  to be located on the support structure  3  in any polar orientation with respect to the mounting axis M. 
         [0039]    In addition, this polar mounting freedom of the power generation unit enables the location and orientation of the support structure to be simplified, since the polar orientation of the support housing is not important when the power generating unit can be mounted, and then operated, in any polar orientation with respect to the support structure. 
         [0040]    A yaw mechanism  6  is provided for rotating the power generation unit relative to the support structure. The yaw mechanism  6  comprises a gear  8  arranged to engage the pinion  7  to rotate the power generation unit about the mounting axis relative to the support structure about the desired axis of rotation M.; 
         [0041]    The yaw mechanism  6  comprises a pinion  7  provided by the mounting portion  2  of the water current generating device and arranged in use to engage the gear  8 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the gear  8  provides an inner gear  9  arranged in use to engage the pinion  7 . The gear  8  tapers inwardly in a direction extending towards the support housing  3 . The gear  8  is substantially conical in shape. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the gear  8  comprises a plurality of spaced apart tapered splines  10 . 
         [0042]    The selective engagement mechanism further comprises an intermediate gear  11  fixed relative to the support housing  3 . The intermediate gear  11  is selectively engagable with the gear  8 . The intermediate gear  11  comprises straight splines  12  extending substantially parallel to the direction of the mounting axis M. Although  FIG. 1  illustrates the intermediate gear  11  having straight splines it is to be understood that the splines may have any suitable shape and/or alignment for engagement with gear  8 , for example the splines could be tapered and/or conical. As there is no relative rotation of the meshing gears the design of the splines or teeth can be varied. 
         [0043]    In use, the mounting portion  2  of the device is brought into contact with the support  3 . A rotational bearing is formed between the mounting flange  4  and the support flange  5 . During assembly, the gear  8  is brought into engagement with the intermediate gear  11  of the support housing  3 . Alternatively, the system may further comprise an actuator for displacing the gear  8  into contact with the intermediate gear  11  of the support housing  3  in the engaged position. 
         [0044]    The conical shape of the gear  8  ensures initial engagement between the gear  8  and the intermediate gear  11 . The tapered splines  10  of the gear  8  encourage the correction of any slight misalignment of teeth or splines during mating of the intermediate gear  11  with the gear  8 . As a result of the tapered splines  10  and the conical shape of the gear  8  the meshing between the splines  10  of the gear  8  and the splines  12  of the intermediate gear  11  is progressive and therefore reduces the risk of any damage caused by misalignment. 
         [0045]    When the current flow speed is sufficiently low, the hydraulic motor  13  powers the pinion  7  which engages the inner gear  9  of the gear  8 . The gear  8  and the mounting portion  2  rotate about rotational axis M. The splines  10  of the gear  8  engage the splines  12  of the intermediate gear  11 . 
         [0046]    The reaction torque provided by the pinion  7  is greater than the bearing friction, inertia and hydrodynamic loads and in certain cases weight and buoyancy forces acting on the water current power generating device. The mounting portion  2  of the device therefore begins to rotate about the rotational axis M. Once aligned in the correct position, the motor  13  stops powering the pinion  7 . 
         [0047]      FIGS. 3 to 5  illustrate a further embodiment of the invention in which the water current power generating system  30  comprises a tidal turbine device (not shown) comprising a mounting portion  31  defining a mounting axis M for the device. The device is capable of rotation about rotational axis M relative to its sea or river bed support structure  32  to face the oncoming current flow. The mounting portion  31  has a mounting flange  33  which engages with an associated support flange  34  provided by the support structure  32 . The mounting and support flanges  33  and  34  allow the device to be affixed to the support structure  32  in an appropriate manner. A mechanical connection is provided between the mounting portion  31  of the water current generating device and its support structure  32  which allows a degree of freedom about the desired axis of rotation M. 
         [0048]    A yaw mechanism  35  is provided between the mounting portion  31  and its support structure  32  arranged for rotation of the device  30  about the desired axis of rotation M. 
         [0049]    The yaw mechanism  35  comprises a pinion  36  provided by the mounting portion  31  of the water current power generating device and arranged in use to engage the gear  37 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the gear  37  provides an inner gear  38  arranged in use to engage the pinion  36 . The gear  37  comprises an abutment surface comprising eight spaced apart ridges  43 . Although the gear illustrated in  FIG. 4  comprises eight ridges it is to be understood that the gear may comprise any suitable number of ridges or other suitable features. 
         [0050]    The system further comprises an intermediate gear  40  fixed relative to the support housing  32 . The intermediate gear  40  is located within the support housing  32 . The intermediate gear  40  is provided by a plate. The intermediate gear  40  comprises an abutment surface comprising a plurality of spaced apart splines  41  extending substantially radially. Although 
         [0051]      FIGS. 3 to 5  illustrate the gear  37  and intermediate gear  40  comprising complementary ridges and splines it is to be understood that the gear and intermediate gear may comprise any combination of complementary engagement features, such as for example alignment pins and apertures. 
         [0052]    In use, the mounting portion  31  of the device is brought into contact with the support  32 . During assembly during deployment of the system, the ridges  39  of the gear  37  are brought into engagement with the splines  41  of the intermediate gear  40 . Alternatively, the system may further comprise an actuator for displacing the gear  37  into contact with the intermediate gear  40  of the support housing  32  in the engaged position. 
         [0053]    When the current flow speed is sufficiently low, the hydraulic motor  42  powers the pinion  35  which engages the inner gear  38  of the gear  37 . The splines  41  of the gear  37  engage the splines  41  of the intermediate gear  40 . The gear  37  and the mounting portion  31  rotate about rotational axis M. 
         [0054]    The reaction torque provided by the pinion  35  is greater than the bearing friction, inertia and hydraulic loads and in certain cases weight and buoyancy forces acting on the water current generating device. The mounting portion  31  of the device therefore begins to rotate about the rotational axis M. Once aligned in the correct position, the motor  42  is stopped from powering the pinion  35 . 
         [0055]    A further embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  in which the selective engagement mechanism comprises a clutch  120  arranged to selectively allow relative rotation between the gear  111  and the support housing  102 . The yaw mechanism of this embodiment comprises an annular gearbox arrangement which comprises a pinion drive gear  107  mounted within the mounting portion  103  of the structure. The pinion drive gear  107  engages a radially external annular gear  111  and a reaction surface  130  associated with the support housing  102 . The gear box is driven by a dry motor  113  from inside the turbine. The gear box may also comprise a plurality of circumferentially distributed non-driven “pinion” gears for load bearing as best seen in  FIG. 7 , in which there are two additional gears. The clutch  120  is arranged to allow selective engagement/disengagement between the annular gear  111  and the support housing  102 . The clutch may comprise radially displaceable pads which are forced outwardly (for example by hydraulic pressure) to engage the inner walls of the support housing. The gear box may also comprise driven pinion gears. The gear box may comprise more than one drive for redundancy reasons. 
         [0056]    For example, when the turbine is not attached to the support structure, the clutch is operated to take a small diameter. When the turbine is attached to the support housing  102 , the clutch takes a larger diameter and engages with a mating surface on the support housing  102 . Driving the gearbox therefore causes the turbine to rotate relative to the support housing. 
         [0057]    The yaw mechanism could be activated by the movement of existing equipment located on the system, such as for example the clamp or the lifting of the buoyant turbine that normally takes place when a clamp is opened during yawing. 
         [0058]    In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , it can be seen that the meshed parts of the yawing mechanism are not separated when the turbine is removed from the support housing. The meshed parts may therefore be sealed and lubricated. The system of the present invention therefore advantageously does not require any specific alignment of the turbine during deployment onto the support structure in order to avoid any meshing problems associated with the alignment of the pinion and the gears. 
         [0059]    Although aspects of the invention have been described with reference to the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiment shown and that various changes and modifications may be effected without further inventive skill and effort.