Interference prevention device

Abstract

The interference prevention device includes: a position limiting part, which is a position limiting part in the float constituting the tethered aircraft that limits the position of the release / retraction of the tether; and a guide part, which keeps the position limiting part movable in the outer peripheral region of the float that is outside the float than the structures on the float when viewed from above.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of interference prevention devices for tethered wind power generation systems that use kites launched from floating bodies at sea, preventing interference between the structure of the floating body and the tether. Background Technology

[0002] As an example of the aforementioned floating body, a ship with a winch mounted at the stern has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-151113 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] For example, the mooring lines for kites to floats are affected by changes in wind direction and speed at the kite's flight altitude, the kite's flight attitude and control status, the float's direction and speed of travel, and changes in wind direction and speed near the float. This leads to the following technical problems: unexpected changes in the direction of the mooring lines near the float, the slack of the mooring lines, and potential interference between the float's structure and the mooring lines.

[0008] The present invention was made in view of, for example, the problems mentioned above, and its objective is to provide an interference prevention device that can prevent interference between the structure of the buoy and the mooring rope.

[0009] Technical solutions for solving the problem

[0010] One aspect of the present invention relates to an interference prevention device comprising: a position limiting part, which is a position limiting part in a float constituting a tethered wind power generation system that limits the position of the release / retraction of the tether of a moored aircraft; and a guide part, which, when viewed from above, keeps the position limiting part movable in an outer peripheral region of the float that is further outward from the structure on the float than the structure on the float. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a wind power generation system according to an embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing a modified example of the float according to the embodiment.

[0013] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing a first variation of the interference prevention device according to the embodiment.

[0014] Figure 4This is a diagram showing a second variation of the interference prevention device according to the embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0015] Reference Figure 1 The implementation method of the interference prevention device will be described. Figure 1 In this system, the wind power generation system 1 includes a floating body 10 and a kite 20. The floating body 10 includes a hull 11, legs 12 mounted on the hull 11, and a deck 13 supported by the legs 12. The floating body 10 includes a mast 14 mounted on the deck 13 and a sail 15 mounted on the mast 14 and capable of rotating around the mast 14. The floating body 10 includes a winch 16 that also functions as a power generation device. The sail 20 is moored to the floating body 10 via a mooring rope 30 wound around the drum of the winch 16.

[0016] like Figure 1 As shown in (b), the floating body 10 can have two hulls 11. That is, the floating body 10 can be a catamaran. It should be noted that the floating body 10 can be as follows: Figure 2 As shown in (a), it can be a multihull vessel, or as... Figure 2 As shown in (b), it has a monohull design. It should be noted that the sail 15 can be made of a flexible sheet material or, at least locally, a relatively rigid material. Figure 1 In this configuration, a winch 16 is mounted on deck 13. However, the winch 16 is not limited to being mounted on deck 13; it can be mounted in any location. For example, the winch 16 can be mounted below deck 13 (i.e., on the side of deck 13 facing the hull 11) or on the hull 11. Furthermore, the shape of deck 13 when viewed from above is not limited to a circle (including an ellipse); it can also be a polygon, such as a triangle or quadrilateral.

[0017] In the wind power generation system 1, as the kite 20 rises, the tether 30 is released from the winch 16. This release of the tether 30 causes the drum of the winch 16 to rotate. The generator rotates along with the drum, thereby generating electricity. After the tether 30 has been released to a predetermined length or after a predetermined time, the motor of the winch 16 rotates the drum in the direction of winding up the tether 30. As a result, the kite 20 descends due to the winding up of the tether 30. The wind power generation system 1 generates electricity by repeatedly releasing and winding up the tether 30.

[0018] like Figure 1As shown, a mast 14, a sail 15, and a winch 16 are provided on the deck 13 of the float 10. For example, at least one of a generator and a kite 20 holding mechanism may also be provided on the deck 13. That is, it can be said that at least one of the following is provided on the deck 13 for navigation of the float 10 and wind power generation:

[0019] Suppose that the tether 30 extends from the winch 16 to the flying kite 20, for example, the tether 30 may interfere with the sail 15. Here, the direction of the tether 30 and its slack state near the float 10 will change depending on the wind direction and speed at the kite 20's flight altitude, the kite 20's flight attitude and control status, the float 10's direction and speed of travel, and the wind direction and speed near the float 10. Therefore, it is extremely difficult to anticipate the direction of the tether 30 and its slack state beforehand (e.g., during the design of the float 10).

[0020] Therefore, the wind power generation system 1 is equipped with an interference prevention device 40. In other words, the buoy 10 is equipped with an interference prevention device 40. The interference prevention device 40 may include a wheel 41 and a guide rail 42. Figure 1 As shown in (a), the tether 30 extending from the winch 16 is connected to the kite 20 via the wheel 41. Therefore, it can be said that the tether 30 extends from the wheel 41 toward the flying kite 20. Here, it can be considered that the tether 30 is released from the wheel 41. Similarly, it can be considered that the tether 30 is taken back into the wheel 41. Therefore, it can be said that the wheel 41 defines the release / take-in position of the tether 30. Therefore, the wheel 41 can also be called a position limiting part.

[0021] Guide rail 42 is set at the ratio Figure 1 The interference region Ar1 shown in (b) Figure 1 (b) The shaded area) is located in the outer peripheral region Ar2, which is adjacent to the outer side of the float 10. Figure 1 In the arrangement shown, guide rail 42 is disposed along the outer edge of deck 13. Wheel 41 is configured to move along guide rail 42. Figure 1 In the arrangement shown, the guide rail 42 has a track surrounding the outer edge of the deck 13, so the wheel 41 can travel along the guide rail 42 around the outer edge of the deck 13. That is, the wheel 41 is a movable wheel. In addition, the wheel 41 can roll or slide on the guide rail 42.

[0022] Interference zone Ar1 refers to the area where, without any countermeasures, interference may occur between the structures on the float 10 (specifically, on the deck 13) and the mooring lines 30. For example, the sail 15 rotates around the mast 14 due to wind near the float 10. Thus, there are structures on the float 10 whose positions are variable. Therefore, interference zone Ar1 may include not only the area where structures currently exist, but also the area where structures whose positions may change (in other words, the area where structures whose positions change can move). Figure 1 In the manner shown, the interference region Ar1 may include the region where the sail 15 may be present due to the rotation of the sail 15.

[0023] In addition, Figure 1 In the illustrated configuration, the guide rail 42 is arranged along the outer edge of the deck 13. However, the guide rail 42 can be positioned at any location within the outer peripheral region Ar2. Alternatively, the guide rail 42 may not have a track surrounding the outer edge of the deck 13. In this case, the guide rail 42 may, for example, have a track along a portion of the outer edge of the deck 13. That is, the guide rail 42 may have a track located in at least a portion of the outer peripheral region Ar2. Furthermore, various existing designs can be applied to the structure of the wheel 41 (as a movable wheel) and the guide rail 42; therefore, detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0024] (Technical effect)

[0025] Depending on the flight status of the kite 20 (i.e., flight altitude, flight attitude, flight control status, tension state from the tether 30, etc.), the wind direction and speed in the upper and lower atmospheres, and the navigation direction and speed of the float 10, at least one of the kite 20 and the tether 30 may sometimes move in various directions near the structures on the float 10, including the sail 15. If no countermeasures are taken, interference may occur between the structures on the float 10 and the tether 30.

[0026] However, the wind power generation system 1 is equipped with an interference prevention device 40. The wheel 41 of the interference prevention device 40 limits the release / retraction position of the tether 30 to the outer peripheral region Ar2, which is outside the interference region Ar1 when viewed from above the float 10. As a result, interference between the tether 30 extending toward the flying kite 20 and the structures on the float 10 can be prevented.

[0027] Furthermore, the wheel 41 can move along the guide rail 42 of the interference prevention device 40. Therefore, even if the direction of the tether 30 changes due to a change in the flight state of the board 20, the wheel 41 can still move along the guide rail 42 according to the direction of the tether 30. That is, even if the relative positional relationship between the float 10 and the kite 20 changes, interference between the tether 30 and the structures on the float 10 can be prevented by the wheel 41 moving along the guide rail 42.

[0028] Alternatively, the winch 16 could be configured to move along the guide rail 42. However, the drum of the winch 16, for example, with a tether 30 wound more than 100 meters long, is relatively large and heavy. Therefore, the winch 16 holding the drum is also relatively large and heavy. From the viewpoints of safety and the stability of the float 10, it is impractical to move such a winch 16 along the guide rail 42. Furthermore, even if the direction of the tether 30 changes due to changes in the flight state of the kite 20, the position of the relatively heavy winch 16 does not change. Therefore, in order to move the winch 16 along the guide rail 42, power is required to move the winch 16. As a result, the power generation efficiency of the wind power generation system 1 reduces the amount of energy consumed in moving the winch 16. From this viewpoint, it is also impractical to move the winch 16 along the guide rail 42.

[0029] (Example 1)

[0030] Reference Figure 3 The first variation of wind power generation system 1 will be described. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the wind power generation system 1 involved in the first modification can be equipped with an interference prevention device 40a instead of the interference prevention device 40. In other words, the float 10 can be equipped with the interference prevention device 40a. The interference prevention device 40a includes a wheel 41 and a guide rail 42a. Figure 3 As shown, guide rail 42a has an elliptical track. Guide rail 42a with an elliptical track can be arranged along the outer edge of the deck 13 of the float 10. In addition, a portion of guide rail 42a can also be arranged in a position detached from the deck 13 (for example, a portion of guide rail 42a can also be arranged in the air).

[0031] (Technical effect)

[0032] According to the first variation, similar to the above embodiment, interference between the tether 30 extending toward the flying kite 20 and the structures on the float 10 can be prevented.

[0033] (Second variation)

[0034] Reference Figure 4 A second variation of wind power generation system 1 will be described. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the wind power generation system 1 involved in the second modification can be equipped with an interference prevention device 40b instead of the interference prevention device 40. In other words, the float 10 can be equipped with the interference prevention device 40b. The interference prevention device 40b includes a guide arm 43 that can move at one end in the outer peripheral region Ar2 when viewed from above the float 10, and a wheel 41 installed at one end of the guide arm 43. The guide arm 43 can be configured such that the aforementioned end can rotate coaxially with the sail 15 in the outer peripheral region Ar2. That is, the guide arm 43 can be configured to rotate about the mast 14.

[0035] Alternatively, for example, the guide arm 43 may not be able to rotate 360 ​​degrees around the mast 14. The guide arm 43 may, for example, be able to rotate only a portion of the area around the mast 14. That is, the guide arm 43 may also be configured such that the end with the wheel 41 is movable within at least a portion of the outer peripheral region Ar2. Alternatively, the wheel 41 may be completely fixed to one end of the guide arm 43. The wheel 41 may also be mounted on the guide arm 43 in a manner that allows it to move slightly in either direction within the outer peripheral region Ar2.

[0036] (Technical effect)

[0037] The guide arm 43 is configured such that one end (i.e., the end where the wheel 41 is mounted) moves, for example, along the outer edge of the deck 13. Therefore, even if the kite 20 rotates or performs complex movements including rotation in the air near the sail 15, the guide arm 43 with the wheel 41 rotates in a manner that follows the movements of the kite 20 and the tether 30. As a result, interference between the tether 30 extending toward the flying kite 20 and the structures on the float 10 is prevented.

[0038] The following describes the inventive solutions derived from the already described embodiments and variations.

[0039] One aspect of the invention relates to an interference prevention device comprising: a position limiting part, which is a part in a float constituting a tethered wind power generation system that limits the position of the release / retraction of the tether of a moored aircraft; and a guide part, which, when viewed from above, holds the position limiting part movable in an outer peripheral region of the float that is further outward from the structure on the float than the structure on the float. In the above embodiment, "wheel 41" is an example of "position limiting part," and "rails 42 and 42a" and "guide arm 43" are examples of "guide part."

[0040] In this configuration, the structure may include a sail. The outer peripheral region may be the region outside the float that is rotated relative to the sail when viewed from above.

[0041] In this interference prevention device, the guide portion may have a guide rail having a track disposed in at least a portion of the outer peripheral region. The position defining portion may include a movable wheel capable of moving along the guide rail.

[0042] Alternatively, in this interference prevention device, the guide portion may have a guide arm, one end of which is movable in at least a portion of the outer peripheral region when the float is viewed from above. The position limiting portion may have a wheel mounted on said end. In this embodiment, the structure may include a sail. When the float is viewed from above, said end is coaxially rotatable with the sail in at least a portion of the outer peripheral region.

[0043] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit or idea of ​​the invention as read in its entirety from the claims and the specification. Interference prevention devices accompanying such modifications are also included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0044] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0045] 1… Wind power generation system; 10… Float; 13… Deck; 14… Mast; 15… Sail; 16… Winch; 20… Kite; 30… Mooring rope; 40, 40a, 40b… Interference prevention device; 41… Wheel; 42, 42a… Guide rail; 43… Guide arm.

Claims

1. An interference prevention device, characterized by comprising: have: The position limiting part is a position limiting part in the float constituting the tethered aircraft that limits the release / retraction of the tether in the moored aircraft. A guide portion, which, when viewed from above, keeps the position limiting portion movable in the outer peripheral region of the float that is further outward from the structure on the float than the float itself.

2. The interference prevention device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The structure includes a sail. The outer peripheral region is the region outside the float that is located at the outer edge of the area where the sail rotates when viewed from above.

3. The interference prevention device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The guide portion has a guide rail, which has a track disposed in at least a portion of the outer peripheral region. The position limiting part includes a movable wheel that can move along the guide rail.

4. The interference prevention device according to claim 1, The guide portion has a guide arm, one end of which is movable in at least a portion of the outer peripheral region when the float is viewed from above. The position limiting part has a wheel mounted on one end.

5. The interference prevention device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The structure includes a sail. One end is capable of rotating coaxially with the sail in at least a portion of the outer peripheral region when viewed from above the buoy.

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