Power generation system and hull propulsion mechanism comprising same

Abstract

This power generation system S is provided with: a shaft 3 serving as a rotating shaft; a generator 4 that generates electricity using the rotational power of the shaft 3; a plurality of drive units (2) arranged in a concentric circle shape for providing rotational power to the shaft (3); a connecting shaft B that connects the shaft 3 and the drive unit 2; and a battery 5 that stores power. The drive unit (2) has a motor (20) provided at the outer end of the connection shaft (B) and a wheel unit (21) driven by the motor (20), and the motor (20) receives power from the battery (5) to drive the wheel unit (21). With this configuration, the power generation system S can repeatedly and stably generate power without using fossil fuel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a power generation system capable of repeatedly and stably generating power, and in particular to a ship propulsion mechanism that utilizes the power generation system to obtain sufficient propulsion force without using fossil fuels. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, turbine generators, for example, are used as generators for generating electricity. These turbine generators are driven by a turbine. Nuclear steam, fossil fuel-fired steam, geothermal steam, water power, or wind power are fed to turbine blades, causing rotor magnets to rotate around coils, generating electricity (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

[0003] In addition, most hull propulsion mechanisms have a fixed-pitch or variable-pitch screw arranged on a rotating shaft, and the rotating shaft is driven by an electric motor or internal combustion engine using fossil fuels to obtain propulsion for the hull.

[0004] In addition, as a power generation system that does not require the use of fossil fuels, a wind power generation system has been disclosed, which includes blades with variable pitch angles, a rotor that rotates by receiving wind power through the blades, and a generator that generates electricity using the rotational energy of the rotor (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

[0005] Prior Art Literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-178615

[0008] Non-patent literature

[0009] Non-Patent Document 1: “Turbine Generator, etc.” Retrieved February 12, 2023, Webpage <URL: https: / / www.tmeic.co.jp / product / rotating_machinery / turbine / > Summary of the Invention

[0010] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0011] However, a fundamental problem with conventional turbine generators is that they rely on fossil fuels such as oil to drive the generator rotor. In recent years, environmental concerns such as global warming caused by the use of fossil fuels have become increasingly severe, making the development of new power generation systems that utilize natural energy a pressing issue.

[0012] Therefore, there is no doubt that there will be a great demand in the future for power generation systems that do not require the use of fossil fuels to obtain sufficient power generation energy, and for ship propulsion mechanisms that use this power generation energy to obtain propulsion.

[0013] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a power generation system that can repeatedly and stably generate power without using fossil fuels. Another object of the present invention is to provide a ship propulsion mechanism including the power generation system.

[0014] Means to solve the problem

[0015] To achieve the above objectives, the power generation system of the present invention includes: a shaft serving as a rotating axis; a generator that generates electricity using the rotational power of the shaft; a plurality of drive units arranged concentrically around the rotating shaft and providing rotational power to the shaft; a connecting shaft connecting the shaft and the drive units; and a battery for storing electricity. The drive unit includes an electric motor disposed at the outer end of the connecting shaft and a wheel unit driven by the electric motor, and the electric motor receives power from the battery to drive the wheel unit.

[0016] In this power generation system, preferably, the three driving parts are arranged at equal intervals of 120 degrees.

[0017] In this power generation system, preferably, the connecting shaft has a stepped structure such that one side of the rotating shaft is higher, and further includes a second connecting shaft connected between adjacent driving parts or between outer ends of adjacent connecting shafts.

[0018] In the power generation system, preferably, the power generation system further includes a rotating panel.

[0019] In the power generation system, preferably, a solar panel is provided on the upper surface of the rotating panel, and the battery receives electricity from the solar panel or the generator.

[0020] In this power generation system, preferably, the disc panel is constructed so that the generator is arranged below the center thereof and the annular outer edge portion and the disc-shaped center portion are connected by a step portion.

[0021] In the power generation system, preferably, a wind blade portion is provided on an upper surface of the rotating panel to receive wind power and provide rotational power to the rotating panel.

[0022] In this power generation system, preferably, it also includes a power measuring unit for measuring the power generation amount of the generator and an inverter unit arranged between the battery and the drive unit, and the inverter unit controls the current flowing from the battery to the motor based on the power measured by the power measuring unit.

[0023] To achieve the above-mentioned object, the ship propulsion mechanism of the present invention is characterized by including the above-mentioned power generation system.

[0024] Effects of the Invention

[0025] The power generation system of the present invention includes a shaft serving as a rotating axis, a generator that generates electricity using the shaft's rotational power, multiple drive units arranged concentrically to provide rotational power to the shaft, a connecting shaft connecting the shaft to the drive units, and a battery for storing electricity. The drive unit includes an electric motor located at the outer end of the connecting shaft and a wheel unit driven by the electric motor, which draws power from the battery to drive the wheel unit. This structure enables the power generation system of the present invention to repeatedly and stably generate electricity without using fossil fuels. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 (a) is a top view of the overall structure of the power generation system according to Example 1 of the present invention, and (b) is a side view of the overall structure of the above power generation system.

[0027] Figure 2 Shown is a structural cross-sectional view of the above-mentioned power generation system.

[0028] Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a top view of the overall structure of a power generation system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 4 The figure shows an example of a ship propulsion mechanism including the above-mentioned power generation system.

[0030] Figure 5 Shown is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the above-mentioned hull propulsion mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] (Example 1)

[0032] A power generation system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The power generation system according to the present invention is used for outputting generated power to an external device, and the power generation startup power source operates based on power generated by solar panels or wind power generation.

[0033] First, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the structure of the power generation system according to the present embodiment 1 is described. Figure 1 As shown, the power generation system S includes a shaft 3 as a rotating shaft, a generator 4 that generates electricity using the rotational power of the shaft 3, and a plurality of electric motors that are concentrically arranged around the rotating shaft ( Figure 1 The dashed line L in the figure shows multiple drive units 2 that provide rotational power to shaft 3, a connecting shaft B1 connecting shaft 3 and drive units 2, and a battery 5 for storing electricity. Drive units 2 include multiple motors 20 provided on the outer end of connecting shaft B1 and wheels 21 driven by motors 20.

[0034] In accordance with the above, a second connecting shaft B2 may be included to connect between adjacent driving parts 2 or between the outer ends of adjacent connecting shafts B1. Figure 1 As shown in (a), the second connecting axis B2 is in the shape of an equilateral triangle, and the three driving parts 2 are arranged at equal intervals of 120 degrees. This structure enables the power generation system S to operate smoothly and stably.

[0035] like Figure 2 As shown, the connecting shaft B1 is rod-shaped and has a step D that makes one side of the rotating shaft higher. Assuming that the power generation system S is large in size, for example, with a radius of 15,000 cm, the height of the step D is about 2,500 cm.

[0036] The electric motor 20 of the drive unit 2 receives power from an external solar panel (not shown) or battery 5 via line 51. Here, it is assumed that the starting power is 20 kWh and the current is approximately 15 Ap. Furthermore, when an accelerator is used within the generator, the rotational speed of the shaft 3 can be set to approximately 1,500 rpm at 50 Hz or 1,800 rpm at 60 Hz.

[0037] Even with a relatively small and lightweight electric motor 20 installed at the outer end of the connecting shaft B1, the rotation of the shaft 3 can be started even with a low-torque generator 4 having low rotational force and low driving force. Furthermore, in the power generation system S according to this first embodiment, a structure is adopted in which the electric motor 20 (powered by external solar energy or wind power) is mounted on the wheel portion 21 of the circular track, and the generator 4 at the center is rotated using a lever effect.

[0038] Generator 4 can be a conventional generator mechanism that utilizes the rotational power of shaft 3 to generate electricity. For example, this mechanism could generate alternating current by rotating rotor magnets around coils as shaft 3 rotates, or it could generate direct current by rotating generator coils between the magnets as shaft 3 rotates. The current generated by generator 4 is output via line 41 to an external source, such as an electric motor in the ship's hull. For example, if the power generation capacity is 100 kWh, using nine generator systems S would generate a total of 900 kWh.

[0039] Battery 5 is a lithium-ion battery or other energy storage power source, primarily used to power motor 20 driven by drive unit 2. It stores direct current (DC) generated by a solar panel or generator coil, or rectified AC power, via line 42. Battery 5 and motor 20 are connected by line 51. When motor 20 is energized, wheel unit 21 begins to rotate, causing shaft 3 to rotate.

[0040] The power generation system S according to this embodiment may also include a power measurement unit (not shown) and an inverter unit 6. The power measurement unit is used to measure the amount of power generated (power usage) by the generator 4. The inverter unit 6 is disposed on the line 51 between the battery 5 and the motor 20. Based on the amount of power measured by the power measurement unit, the inverter unit 6 controls the current flowing from the battery 5 to the motor 20, thereby controlling the rotation of the wheel unit 21 and thereby controlling the amount of power generated by the generator 4.

[0041] (Example 2)

[0042] Next, a power generation system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Components identical to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0043] First, refer to Figure 3 , the structure of the power generation system according to the second embodiment is described. As shown in this figure, the power generation system S includes a rotating panel 1, a driving unit 2 for providing rotational power to the rotating panel 1, a shaft 3 as a rotating shaft for transmitting the rotational power of the rotating panel 1, a generator 4 for generating electricity using the rotational power of the shaft 3, and a battery 5 for storing electric energy. In addition, Figure 3 , the components below the rotating panel 1 are shown with dotted lines.

[0044] The rotating panel 1 is a circular plate body, viewed from above, that rotates about an axis 3. The rotating panel 1 is made of lightweight metal and / or resin. Assuming a relatively large size, for example, a radius of 15,000 cm and a height of approximately 2,500 cm, it is preferably constructed to minimize energy loss and contact loss during rotation. A solar panel 1a is positioned on the top surface of the rotating panel 1. The electricity generated by the solar panel 1a is supplied to and stored in the battery 5. The solar panel 1a is not necessarily integral to the rotating panel 1; power can be supplied to the battery 5 or the drive unit 2 from a solar panel 1a located elsewhere.

[0045] In addition, the rotating panel 1 is not limited to a disc panel, and can also be constructed so that the generator 4 is arranged below its center, and the step portion D connects the annular outer edge and the disc center to ensure space for accommodating the generator 4.

[0046] A driving unit 2 for providing rotational power to the rotating panel 1 is provided on the outer periphery of the rotating panel 1. The driving unit 2 includes a plurality of motors 20 provided on the outer edge of the annular rotating panel 1 in plan view and wheels 21 driven by the motors 20.

[0047] The low-torque generator 4, which has low rotational force and low driving force, can still start the rotation of the rotating panel 1 even if a relatively small and lightweight electric motor 20 is installed below the outer edge of the rotating panel 1. In addition, the electric motor 20 (powered by external solar or wind energy) is mounted on the wheel portion 21 of the circular track. This structure uses the leverage effect to drive the central generator 4 to rotate.

[0048] Next, refer to Figure 4 The following describes a ship propulsion mechanism including a power generation system S according to the second embodiment. The ship propulsion mechanism M shown in this figure is used as a ship, such as a container ship or a passenger ship. It is essentially not equipped with an engine that generates propulsion using fossil fuels. Instead, it uses electricity obtained from multiple power generation systems S to drive the engines and effectively utilizes sunlight and wind power to generate propulsion for the ship.

[0049] like Figure 4 As shown, the hull propulsion mechanism M includes a plurality of power generation systems S, a hull portion 10 having an unsinkable structure, and an engine portion 11. In order to utilize wind power, a wind blade portion 12 is provided on the upper surface of the rotating panel 1 of the power generation system S.

[0050] A plurality of power generation systems S are installed in parallel, for example, on the top surface of the hull portion 10. For example, if one power generation system S has a power generation capacity of 100 kWh, only four power generation systems S can supply 400 kWh of electricity to the engine portion 11.

[0051] The wind blade portion 12 of the power generation system S is provided on the top surface side of the rotating panel 1 and has a plurality of sails for receiving wind power so as to obtain rotational power of the rotating panel 1 using the wind power.

[0052] The engine unit 11 is typically located at the bottom of the hull 10 and is powered by the generator 4 of the power generation system S. It is typically located rearward of the hull 10 in the direction of travel, but can also be located forward. For large ships with larger hulls 10, placing the engine unit 11 forward effectively improves the ship's maneuverability. Furthermore, the hull 10 according to this embodiment can also be navigated using an unmanned / automated steering system by utilizing various sensors, such as the GPS (Global Positioning System), obstacle detection sensors using infrared rays, and submarine sonar.

[0053] Next, refer to Figure 5The overall structure of the ship propulsion mechanism M according to this embodiment will be described. The ship propulsion mechanism M includes a generator 4, a battery 5, a drive unit 2, an inverter unit 6, and an operating unit 7. The generator 4 generates electricity using the rotational power of the shaft 3. The battery 5, such as a lithium-ion battery, stores the electricity generated by the generator 4. The drive unit 2 uses the electricity stored in the battery 5 to rotate the wheels.

[0054] The operating unit 7 switches the rotational activation of the shaft 3 between the wind blade unit 12 and the drive unit 2. When the generator 4 is activated, the wind blade unit 12 / drive unit 2 uses the electricity stored in the wind power / electricity storage unit 11 to provide rotational power to the shaft 3. For example, in the ship propulsion mechanism M, the generator 4 is a 150 kW generator, and the battery 5 is a 3,000 kW DC battery.

[0055] Next, the functional structure of the operating unit 7 will be described. The operating unit 7 includes, for example, an input unit 7a, a display unit 7b, a calculation unit 7c, a transceiver 7d, and a memory unit 7e. The input unit 7a receives instructions from the user (for example, starting the drive unit 2, etc.). The display unit 7b is a display screen such as a liquid crystal, for the user to input operations through the operating unit 7a. The calculation unit 7c is an operation circuit such as a CPU, which determines whether to switch the power source of the generator 4 between the drive unit 2 and the wind blade unit 12 according to a predetermined program. The transceiver 7d transmits a control signal between the inverter unit 6 and the drive unit 12. The memory unit 7e is a non-volatile memory such as a ROM, which stores a program for determining the power source for controlling the rotation drive of the generator, etc.

[0056] As described above, the configuration of the power generation system S according to the first and second embodiments allows for repeated, stable power generation without the need for energy sources such as fossil fuels. Furthermore, by positioning the drive unit 2 at the outer end of the connecting shaft B1 or below the outer edge of the disc-shaped rotating panel 1, even with a relatively small and lightweight electric motor 20, the shaft 3 can be activated for low-torque generator 4. Furthermore, by mounting the electric motor 20 on the wheel portion 21 of the circular track (with power supplied by external solar panels or wind power generation), the generator 4 at the center can be rotated using a lever effect.

[0057] Furthermore, the power generation system S stores the electricity generated by its own generator 4 in the battery 5 and operates on this electricity. By using this electricity to drive the drive unit 2 to rotate, it can repeatedly generate stable electricity, becoming an environmentally friendly next-generation generator that can generate stable electricity.

[0058] Furthermore, the power metering unit monitors the accumulated power and senses the voltage and current, and the inverter unit 6 controls the rotational speed so that the power used by the ship's engine 11, etc., is used in accordance with the power consumption. Furthermore, since the generator 4 does not require external energy (using nuclear energy, fossil fuels, geothermal energy, or hydropower), it can reduce maintenance costs and conserve energy, resulting in an environmentally friendly power source that significantly reduces carbon dioxide emissions.

[0059] Furthermore, by providing power generation systems S of various sizes, it is possible to provide a variety of options for the generator 4 to suit various uses (for ships, facilities such as detached houses, apartments, and commercial buildings, etc.).

[0060] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the configuration of the driving portion 2 is not limited to concentric circles, and the connecting shaft B1 and the rotating panel 1 may also have other shapes.

[0061] Explanation of symbols

[0062] S Power Generation System

[0063] Hull propulsion mechanism

[0064] B1 connecting shaft

[0065] B2 Second connecting shaft

[0066] D Step

[0067] 1 Rotating panel

[0068] 1a Solar Panel

[0069] 2. Drive unit

[0070] 3-axis

[0071] 4 Generator

[0072] 5. Batteries

[0073] 6 Inverter unit

[0074] 7 Operation section

[0075] 10 Hull Department

[0076] 11 Engine

[0077] 12 Wind blades

[0078] 20 Electric Motor

[0079] 21 Wheel Department

Claims

1. A power generation system, characterized in that: include: an axis, which serves as the axis of rotation; a generator that generates electricity using the rotational power of the shaft; a plurality of driving parts arranged concentrically around the rotating shaft and providing rotational power to the shaft; a connecting shaft connecting the shaft and the driving portion; and Batteries, which store electricity, The driving unit includes an electric motor provided at an outer end of the connecting shaft and a wheel unit driven by the electric motor, and the electric motor receives power from the battery to drive the wheel unit.

2. The power generation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The three driving parts are arranged at equal intervals of 120 degrees.

3. The power generation system according to claim 1, characterized in that The connecting shaft has a stepped structure such that one side of the rotating shaft is higher, and the power generation system further includes a second connecting shaft connected between adjacent driving parts or between adjacent outer ends of the connecting shaft.

4. The power generation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power generation system also includes a rotating panel.

5. The power generation system according to claim 4, characterized in that: A solar panel is provided on an upper surface of the rotating panel, and the battery receives power from the solar panel or the generator.

6. The power generation system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The rotating panel is a disk panel or is constructed such that the generator 4 is arranged below the center thereof and a step portion connects an annular outer edge portion and a disk-shaped center portion.

7. The power generation system according to claim 4, characterized in that: A wind blade portion is provided on the upper surface of the rotating panel to receive wind power and provide rotational power for the rotating panel.

8. The power generation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power generation system further comprises: an electric power measuring unit that measures the amount of power generated by the generator; and An inverter unit is arranged between the battery and the drive unit and controls a current flowing from the battery to the motor based on the amount of electricity measured by the power measurement unit.

9. A hull propulsion mechanism, characterized in that: include: The power generation system according to claim 1.

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