Flat structural connector for wave energy triboelectric generator arrays

Abstract

The present invention relates to the fields of friction power generation and energy conversion, and specifically to a flat structure connector for a wave energy friction generator array. The present invention adopts a flat structure and is used to connect generator units in a wave energy friction generator array, thereby limiting the lateral movement of the units and preventing the array from being entangled and agglomerated. In addition, a laying space can be provided between two spring steel sheets for the array's power transmission wires, which can shield the interference of seawater ions on the energized wires. The spring steel sheet combined with the outer surface friction layer material can also collect wave energy for power generation, further improving the output performance of the array. The present invention has a simple structure, low manufacturing cost, a wide range of applications, and great practical value.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of ocean wave energy power generation, in particular to a flat structure connector for connecting wave energy friction generator units. Background Art

[0002] The vast ocean waves contain enormous energy. It is estimated that the global wave energy reserves are 70 billion kilowatts, and the wave energy power per square kilometer of sea surface can reach 300,000 kilowatts. Even if one ten-thousandth of it is mined, it is enough to power offshore islands and reefs, as well as navigation lights and buoys. Thousands of friction nanogenerator units that collect wave energy float on the sea surface, forming a generator array that outputs electrical energy as the waves swing. In recent years, friction nanogenerator arrays have attracted much attention as a new technology for collecting ocean wave energy, but the problems of how to connect the array units to form a stable array, how to avoid entanglement between units, what topological structure to arrange, and how to achieve efficient transmission of electrical energy have been ignored. Summary of the invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a flat structure connector for connecting friction nanogenerator units to form a stable array. The connector has the functions of stable connection between generator units, good power transmission, and self-output.

[0004] The above invention objectives are achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0005] A flat structure connector for a wave energy friction generator array comprises a PET sheet and spring steel sheets and PTFE membranes symmetrically distributed on its upper and lower sides; one or more groups of wires are arranged on both sides of the PET sheet and between the two spring steel sheets as power transmission wires of the array, and the two ends of the connector are horizontally connected to the wave energy friction generator units.

[0006] A further technical solution of the present invention is as follows: the length and width of the PET thin plate are equal to those of the PTFE membrane, and the length and width of the spring steel sheet are respectively smaller than those of the PET thin plate and are placed in the center.

[0007] A further technical solution of the present invention is that the spring steel sheet is adhered to the PET sheet by an adhesive, there is no adhesive between the spring steel sheet and the PTFE membrane, and the annular adhesive only adheres the PTFE membrane and the PET sheet, thereby sealing the spring steel sheet in a tight cavity between the two.

[0008] The present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0009] ⑴ The connector adopts a flat structure and is used to connect the generator units in the wave energy friction nanogenerator array. It can effectively limit the horizontal lateral movement of the generator units, prevent the array from entanglement and agglomeration, and reduce the impact on the unit's heave and yaw.

[0010] (2) The connector between the two spring steel sheets can provide a laying space for the multi-channel power transmission wires of the generator array, can shield the interference of seawater ions on the power-carrying wires, and has a good power transmission function.

[0011] ⑶ The excellent anti-elasticity and anti-fatigue properties of spring steel sheets can easily meet the requirements of long-term bending work.

[0012] (4) The outer porous PTFE membrane surface of the connector has a micron-level porous structure, which makes it highly hydrophobic and can resist seawater erosion. At the same time, it increases its specific surface area, which is beneficial to improving power generation efficiency.

[0013] ⑸ Two spring steel sheets are used as electrodes, combined with an outer PTFE membrane as a friction layer. During the process of entering and exiting seawater, friction with seawater generates electricity, further improving the output performance of the array.

[0014] (6) The connector of the present invention has a simple structure, low manufacturing cost, a wide range of applications, and great practical value. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a flat structural connector for a wave energy friction generator array of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 is a disassembly schematic diagram of a flat structure connector for a wave energy friction generator array of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural diagram of the flat structural connector for the wave energy friction generator array of the present invention connected with the friction generator unit;

[0018] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of a scenario in which the present invention is used for a wave energy friction generator array;

[0019] Figure 5 It is a power generation principle diagram of a flat structural connector for a wave energy friction generator array of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 6 It is a stress test diagram of the flat structure connector for wave energy friction generator array of the present invention bending along the board surface direction and the direction perpendicular to the board surface direction;

[0021] Figure 7 It is a diagram of the output signal of the flat structure connector for wave energy triboelectric generator array of the present invention as a triboelectric generator, entering and exiting tap water at different periods and frequencies;

[0022] Figure 8It is a comparison diagram of output voltage attenuation of different wires and the flat structure connector of the present invention under different liquids.

[0023] Markings in the figure: 1-PET thin plate, 2-spring steel sheet, 3-PTFE film, 4-adhesive, 5-ring adhesive, 6-conducting wire, 7-friction generator unit, 8-connector of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The technical solution of the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0025] See also Figure 1 , 2 The flat structure connector for wave energy friction generator array of the present invention comprises a PET sheet 1 and spring steel sheets 2 and PTFE membranes 3 symmetrically distributed on its upper and lower sides; one or more groups of wires 6 are arranged on both sides of the PET sheet 1 and between the two spring steel sheets 2 as power transmission wires of the array, and the two ends of the connector are horizontally connected to the wave energy friction generator units (such as Figure 3 , 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the spring steel sheet 2 is embedded between the friction generator units. The length and width of the PET sheet 1 and the PTFE membrane 3 are equal, and the length and width of the spring steel sheet 2 are respectively smaller than the length and width of the PET sheet 1 and are placed in the center. The spring steel sheet 2 is adhered to the PET sheet 1 by the adhesive 4, and there is no adhesive between the spring steel sheet 2 and the PTFE membrane 3. The annular adhesive 5 only adheres the PTFE membrane 3 and the PET sheet 1, thereby sealing the spring steel sheet 2 in the tight cavity between the two, and the adhesive bonding plays a role of sealing and waterproofing.

[0026] See also Figure 3 , 4 The connector of the present invention can be embedded into the shell of the generator unit or bonded to the outside of the shell to horizontally connect the wave energy friction generator unit at both ends, thereby limiting the lateral movement of the generator unit, while the unit can still perform vertical oscillation and deflection oscillation movements. The output wire of the array is placed between two spring steel sheets to avoid interference and weakening by seawater ions. The excellent fatigue resistance of the spring steel sheet is conducive to long-term bending operation. The spring steel sheet and the outer PTFE membrane can be made into a wave energy collection friction generator, which collects wave energy to generate electricity when the connector enters and exits the seawater.

[0027] See also Figure 5The power generation principle of the connector of the present invention is as follows: the upper and lower PTFE membranes are both negatively charged (bound) after multiple contacts and frictions with seawater. Therefore, when the liquid level rises and contacts the lower surface, the positive ions in the seawater are adsorbed on the surface, thereby neutralizing the negative charge on the surface of the lower PTFE membrane. Under the electrostatic induction of the negative charge on the upper PTFE membrane, the electrons flow from the upper electrode to the lower electrode through the external circuit, thereby forming an upward current (state I). As the liquid level continues to rise and submerge the entire connector, the seawater ions adsorb and neutralize the upper and lower PTFE membranes, and the electrostatic induction effect almost disappears. The electrons originally in the lower electrode flow back to the upper electrode through the external circuit, and a downward current is obtained (state II). The subsequent drop in the liquid level allows the negative charge on the upper PTFE membrane to recover the electrostatic induction effect, thereby repelling the upper electrode electrons to the lower electrode, and the external circuit forms an upward current (state III). The further drop in the liquid level will expose the entire connector to the air, and the upper and lower PTFE membranes form the same potential on the two electrodes, and the potential difference disappears, so that the lower electrode electrons trace back to the upper electrode, and the external circuit obtains a downward current (state IV). The actual sea level changes are not as simple and monotonous as described above, but the specific mechanisms of action are similar.

[0028] See also Figure 6 As shown, the connector of the present invention benefits from its flat structure. It is very easy to bend in the direction perpendicular to the plate surface, but difficult to bend along the plate surface. Therefore, when assembled between friction generator units, it can effectively limit the lateral movement of the units and avoid agglomeration. The units are less constrained when performing vertical and yaw movements in the direction perpendicular to the sea surface.

[0029] See also Figure 7 As shown, the connector of the present invention is mounted on a linear motor, and in the process of moving in and out of tap water with a set period and a set amplitude, the PTFE membrane and the spring steel sheet can be used as a friction generator, and the PTFE membrane and the liquid are charged by friction, and electrical energy is output during the periodic process of moving in and out of the liquid. Typically, under the condition of an input period of 0.8s and an amplitude of 3cm, the output voltage of the connector can reach 33V, and the amount of charge transferred in a single cycle is as large as 24nC.

[0030] See also Figure 8As shown, the space between the two spring steel sheets can be provided for laying multi-channel power transmission wires of the generator array, and the interference of seawater ions on the power-carrying wires can be shielded. Experimentally, several commonly used wires are compared with the connector of the present invention. They are immersed in water as power transmission wires (10 cm in length), and the output signal of a friction generator in contact separation mode flows through the wire and the connector of the present invention (two spring steel sheets are short-circuited or open-circuited). The output voltage attenuation under different liquids can be measured. It can be seen that when the enameled copper wire is used as a power transmission cable (10 cm section) and immersed in 3.5% mass fraction salt water, the output voltage attenuation can reach 16%, while the output attenuation of the connector of the present invention is less than 2% regardless of whether the spring steel sheet is short-circuited or open-circuited. Therefore, compared with conventional wires, the connector of the present invention has a better shielding effect.

Claims

1. A flat structural connector for a wave energy friction generator array, characterized in that: It includes a PET sheet and spring steel sheets and PTFE films symmetrically distributed on its upper and lower sides; one or more groups of wires are arranged on both sides of the PET sheet and between the two spring steel sheets as array transmission wires, and both ends of the connector are horizontally connected to the wave energy friction generator unit; The length and width of the PET sheet are equal to those of the PTFE membrane, and the length and width of the spring steel sheet are respectively smaller than those of the PET sheet and are placed in the center; The spring steel sheet is adhered to the PET sheet by an adhesive, and there is no adhesive between the spring steel sheet and the PTFE membrane. The annular adhesive only adheres the PTFE membrane and the PET sheet, thereby sealing the spring steel sheet in a tight cavity between the two. The spring steel sheet and the PTFE membrane are used as wave energy collection friction generators to collect wave energy and generate electricity when the connector enters and exits seawater.

Images