Wave power utilization device and method for controlling wave power utilization device

Abstract

To provide a wave power utilization device capable of utilizing kinetic energy of waves to generate compressed air, and a control method therefor.SOLUTION: A wave receiving box 101 is equipped with a wave introduction unit 103, and a compression pipe 105 is composed of an air compression unit 106 and air compression means 107. At the beginning of pushing wave, the wave introduction unit 103 is opened, and when waves 201 with a speed that can be compressed by air flow into the wave receiving box 101, the wave introduction unit 103 is closed, so that the waves are drawn into the wave receiving box 101, and the air compression means 107 is pushed up, so that kinetic energy of the waves is converted into compressed air and stored in a compressed air storage tank 111, which can be used for power generation, etc.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wave power utilization device that generates and stores compressed air from wave energy in order to widely utilize the energy of incoming waves, and a method for controlling the wave power utilization device. [Background technology]

[0002] Global energy consumption continues to increase year by year. The increased use of fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas has led to CO emissions. 2 Global warming due to the increase in emissions has become a problem. At the same time, there are concerns that these fossil fuels will run out and become in short supply. In this situation, the use of renewable energy is being actively promoted around the world. Among these renewable energies, natural energy obtained from natural phenomena includes solar and thermal energy, wind power, tidal power, wave power, and geothermal power, and is expected to be a clean energy resource with no risk of depletion.

[0003] Among natural energy sources, solar and wind power generation are greatly affected by external factors, whereas wave power generation is relatively stable and is said to have an area efficiency several to several tens of times higher. In addition, Japan, being an island nation, has great potential for utilizing marine energy.

[0004] However, there are issues with the installation costs for installing them in the ocean, the maintenance costs associated with ensuring long-term reliability, such as corrosion due to constant contact with seawater, and regular maintenance for the adhesion of foreign matter such as shells, barnacles, and debris, as well as safety in the event of abnormal weather such as typhoons.

[0005] Conventional systems for generating electricity using the power of crashing waves include one that uses a casing to compress the air inside the casing using the up and down movement of the waves to generate an airflow, which is then used to turn a turbine to generate electricity (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0006] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a conventional power generation method using wave power described in Patent Document 1.

[0007] The wave energy introduction section 601 is composed of a casing 602 with an open bottom above the water, and a ventilation line 603. A buffer tank 604 is disposed at the end of the ventilation line 603, and is further connected to a turbine 605 and a generator 606.

[0008] When waves surge against the wave energy introduction section 601, the seawater level rises and falls inside the casing 602, pushing in the air inside the casing 602. The compressed air then passes through the ventilation line 603 and is blown against the turbine 605, causing the turbine 605 to rotate, which in turn causes the generator 606 to generate electricity. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-29087 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] In the conventional configuration, the air inside the casing 602 is compressed by utilizing the up and down movement of the seawater surface inside the casing 602 caused by the incoming waves, thereby generating an air flow.

[0011] However, because the internal pressure of the casing 602 increases due to the rising and falling of the sea level, the waves cannot be sufficiently drawn into the casing 602, and the kinetic energy of the waves cannot be utilized to compress the air.

[0012] The present invention is devised to solve the above-mentioned problems in the conventional art, and aims to provide a wave power utilization device and a control method for a wave power utilization device that utilizes the kinetic energy of waves to increase the compression effect and generate compressed air. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] In order to achieve the above object, a wave power utilization device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: A wave receiving box includes a wave receiving box inlet portion that receives the push and pull of seawater waves, a space that is filled with seawater flowing in from the wave receiving box inlet portion, and a wave receiving box that includes a wave introduction portion that opens and closes with the seawater flowing in the space; a hollow compression pipe connected to communicate with the inside of the wave receiving box, the lower opening being set to have a larger flow passage cross-sectional area than the upper opening, the pipe having a tapered portion connecting the lower opening and the upper opening, the pipe receiving the waves drawn into the wave receiving box through the tapered portion, the hollow compression pipe having an air compression means capable of moving up and down along the vertical direction, and an air compression section compressing air by the air compression means; an air introduction section connected to an upper portion of the air compression section and allowing air to flow into and out of the air compression section during an opening operation; an air exhaust pipe connected to the upper portion of the air compression unit and equipped with a check valve that allows air to flow only in a downstream direction from the air compression unit; a compressed air storage tank connected to a downstream side of the flow path of the air discharge pipe and filled with the air compressed by the air compression unit; an air introduction means for introducing air into the air compression section; an air introduction pipe connecting the air introduction means and the air compression unit; an air introduction valve that is provided in the air introduction pipe so as to be capable of opening and closing, and that is capable of introducing air from the air introduction means to the air compression section when the air introduction valve is opened; The compressed air utilization unit is provided in a flow path downstream of the compressed air storage tank and utilizes compressed air.

[0014] In order to achieve the above object, a control method for a wave power utilization device according to another aspect of the present invention includes: A control method for the wave power utilization device, When the air intake valve is opened, air is sucked from the outside of the compression pipe into the inside of the compression pipe through the air intake valve during an undertow, and when the air intake valve is closed, waves having a speed at which air can be compressed flow into the wave receiving box during an uptow, The incoming waves close the wave introduction section and push up the air compression means, thereby compressing the air in the air compression section. Effect of the Invention

[0015] As described above, according to the wave power utilization device and the control method for the wave power utilization device of the above aspect of the present invention, the wave introduction section is opened at the beginning of the rising wave, and the air introduction valve is closed, and when waves with a speed that allows air compression flow into the wave receiving box, the wave introduction section is closed, so that the waves are drawn into the wave receiving box, the air compression means is pushed up, and the air is compressed. Thus, by utilizing the kinetic energy of the waves, it is possible to generate, store, and utilize high-pressure compressed air from wave power compared to when kinetic energy is not utilized. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a wave power utilization device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2A] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the behavior of waves when a wave surge occurs in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2B] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the behavior of waves when a wave surge occurs in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2C] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the behavior of waves when a wave surge occurs in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2D] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the behavior of waves when a wave surge occurs in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3A] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the behavior of waves when a wave surge occurs in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3B] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the behavior of waves when a wave surge occurs in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3C] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the behavior of waves when a wave surge occurs in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3D] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the behavior of waves when a wave surge occurs in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4A] (a) is a diagram showing the configuration of a wave introduction section when an outgoing wave occurs in an embodiment of the present invention; (b) is a diagram showing the configuration of a wave introduction section when an incoming wave occurs in an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4B] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a wave introducing section according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4C] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a wave introducing section according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5A] FIG. 1 is a front cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a compression pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5B] FIG. 11 is a front cross-sectional view showing another configuration of the compression pipe according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] A flowchart showing the operation of a control method for a wave power utilization device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7A] (a) A diagram showing the configuration of the air introduction section when an outgoing wave occurs in an embodiment of the present invention. (b) A diagram showing the configuration of the air introduction section when an incoming wave occurs in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7B] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an air introduction section according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 7C] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an air introduction section according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 8] FIG. 1 shows a conventional wave power utilization device described in Patent Document 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] (Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a wave power utilization device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] The wave power utilization device comprises a wave receiving box 101, a compression pipe 105, an air inlet section 108, an air exhaust pipe 109, a compressed air storage tank 111, an air inlet means 113, an air inlet piping 114, an air inlet opening / closing valve 115, and a compressed air utilization section 112.

[0020] In Figure 1, wave receiving box 101 has a wave receiving box inlet section 102 that receives the push and pull of waves, has a space 101a that is filled with seawater 202 flowing in from the wave receiving box inlet section 102, and has a wave introduction section 103 that opens and closes depending on the seawater 202 that flows into space 101a.

[0021] Specifically, the wave receiving box 101 is installed at a place where the waves 201 can be received, such as a beach, and has a wave receiving box inlet 102 with at least a part of the side surface facing the waves 201 open to receive the push and pull of the waves 201. The wave receiving box 101 has a space 101a in which seawater 202 is filled from the wave receiving box inlet 102 toward the back (to the right in FIG. 1). The wave receiving box 101 is provided with a wave introduction section 103 at the back of the space 101a (on the side wall at the end toward the right in FIG. 1) that allows the seawater 202 to flow in and out when opened. The wave introduction section 103 has valve bodies 404, 406a, and 406b, which will be described later, that open and close due to the pressure of the seawater 202 that has flowed into the space 101a, and allows the seawater 202 to flow in and out when the valve bodies 404, 406a, and 406b open. The wave introduction section 103 can be opened and closed by seawater 202 flowing into the space 101a, as will be described later with reference to Figs. 4A to 4C.

[0022] The upper part of the wave receiving box 101 is connected to a compression pipe 105 arranged, for example, along the vertical direction. The compression pipe 105 is a hollow compression pipe, and has an air compression section 106 at its upper part, and an air compression means 107 that can compress and expand air by moving up and down along the vertical direction by the seawater 202 at the boundary between the upper part and the lower part. The lower part following the upper part of the compression pipe 105 is composed of a tapered throttle section 104 that widens downward. The throttle section 104 is set so that the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the upper end opening of the throttle section 104 is smaller than the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the lower end opening of the throttle section 104 connected to the upper surface of the wave receiving box 101. Therefore, the throttle section 104 is configured as a tapered pipe that connects the lower opening 104a and the upper opening 104b, with the lower opening 104a set to have a larger flow path cross-sectional area than the upper opening.

[0023] An air inlet 108 that allows air to flow in and out during an opening operation is provided at, for example, the upper end of an upper portion of the air compressor 106. The air inlet 108 has a mechanism that closes during incoming waves to trap air inside the air compressor 106 and make the air compressible, and opens during outgoing waves to introduce air from outside the compression pipe 105 into the air compressor 106 and release the compression, and the air inlet 108 can be opened and closed by the push and pull of waves.

[0024] 7A, 7B, and 7C are diagrams showing examples of the configuration of the air introduction section 108 of a wave power utilization device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] 7A(a), air inlet portion 108 may be configured with spring 802 having at one end plate 803a capable of plugging and closing open portion 804, and fixed portion 801 that fixes the other end of spring 802 to air inlet portion 108, thereby opening and closing open portion 804. Plate 803a functions as a valve body.

[0026] During outgoing waves, the weight of the plate 803a stretches the spring 802 downward, opening 804 and allowing air to flow in and out. During incoming waves, the seawater 202 flowing into the wave receiving box 101 pushes in the air in the air compressor 106, generating an upward air flow. The generated air flow applies an upward force to the plate 803a, causing the spring 802 to contract and the opening 804 to be completely plugged and closed by the plate 803a, as shown in (b) of FIG. 7A, thereby compressing the air in the air compressor 106.

[0027] 7B, in another example of the air introduction portion 108, a plate 803b may be fixed to a rotation fixing portion 805, and the opening portion 804 may be opened and closed by the rotational movement of the plate 803b. The plate 803b functions as a valve body.

[0028] 7C , air introduction section 108 may be configured with throttle stopper 806 having a tapered shape from the upper surface of air compression section 106 to open section 804, and open section 804 may be opened and closed by installing a spherical plug 807 therein having a diameter larger than the inner diameter of open section 804 and smaller than the maximum inner diameter of throttle stopper 806. Spherical plug 807 functions as a valve body, and is held at the top of air compression section 106 by, for example, a mesh-like holding section 808 through which air can pass so that spherical plug 807 does not fall.

[0029] The upstream end of an air discharge pipe 109 is connected to the upper end of the upper part of the air compression section 106. A check valve 110 is provided in the middle of the air discharge pipe 109, and air flows only in one direction, downstream.

[0030] A compressed air storage tank 111 is provided downstream of a check valve 110 in the flow path of the air discharge pipe 109, and the air compressed in the air compression unit 106 is filled into the compressed air storage tank 111. The compressed air stored in the compressed air storage tank 111 is utilized for power generation or the like in a compressed air utilization unit 112 provided in the flow path downstream of the compressed air storage tank 111.

[0031] In addition, air introduction means 113 for introducing air into air compression section 106 is connected to air compression section 106. That is, air compression section 106 and air introduction means 113 are connected by air introduction piping 114, and air introduction piping 114 is provided with air introduction on-off valve 115. Air introduction means 113 is a device for introducing air into air compression section 106, and can be composed of a pump or a return flow path for compressed air. Air introduction on-off valve 115 is configured to be able to introduce air into air compression section 106 when air introduction on-off valve 115 is opened by control section 117, for example.

[0032] The air compression section 106 is provided with a pressure detection means 116 such as a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure inside the air compression section 106. Based on the result detected by the pressure detection means 116, for example, a control section 117 can cause the air introduction section 108 and the air introduction opening / closing valve 115 to be opened and closed.

[0033] Although not shown in the figure, the height of the sea water level 202a outside the wave receiving box 101 is grasped by sea water level detection means. Examples of the sea water level detection means that can be used include a wave height gauge, a water level sensor, and a float sensor.

[0034] 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D are diagrams showing the behavior of seawater 202 when a wave 201 surges in according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the compression pipe 105 is located higher than the seawater level 202a. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted. Here, the case where the compression pipe 105 is located higher than the seawater level 202a means that the lower end of the compression pipe 105 is located above the seawater level 202a. In addition, in FIGS. 2A to 2D, air is introduced by opening and closing the air introduction part 108. For this reason, the air introduction opening / closing valve 115 is always "closed."

[0035] 2A, seawater 202 pushed by wave 201 starts to flow into wave receiving box 101 through wave receiving box inlet 102. At this time, wave introduction part 103 and air introduction part 108 are open, and the pressure in compression pipe 105 is atmospheric pressure. At this time, air introduction opening / closing valve 115 is also open.

[0036] 2B, seawater 202 pushed by waves 201 flows into the wave receiving box 101 from the wave receiving box inlet 102 in a larger amount than in the state of Fig. 2A, so that the seawater level 202b in the wave receiving box 101 is pushed up more than in the state of Fig. 2A. At this time, since the wave introduction part 103 is open, the seawater level 202b is pushed up and part of the seawater 202 in the wave receiving box 101 is pushed out of the wave receiving box 101 through the wave introduction part 103.

[0037] Next, in FIG. 2C, when the wave introduction section 103 is closed at the same time as or after seawater 202 has sufficiently flowed into the wave receiving chamber 101, more than in the state of FIG. 2B, the inertia of the waves 201 causes the seawater 202 to continue flowing into the wave receiving chamber 101 while maintaining its speed, in other words, while maintaining a speed at which air can be compressed in the air compression section 106 with the air introduction section 108 closed and the air introduction opening / closing valve 115 also closed when the air compression means 107 is pushed up in the compression pipe 105, and the seawater level 202b rises to the lower part of the compression pipe 105, i.e., the air compression means 107.

[0038] 2D, waves 201 having a speed capable of compressing air, i.e., seawater 202 flowing into wave receiving box 101 while maintaining its speed, forcefully raises seawater level 202b in compression pipe 105, thereby forcefully pushing up air compression means 107 in compression pipe 105. By closing air inlet 108 when air compression means 107 is pushed up in compression pipe 105, air can be compressed in air compression section 106.

[0039] Next, in step S3, the compressed air is discharged from the air compressor 106 and is filled into the compressed air storage tank 111 through the air discharge pipe 109 and the check valve 110.

[0040] 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D, the wave introduction section 103 opens, and seawater 202 flows out of the wave receiving box 101 through the wave receiving box inlet section 102 by the wave 201, and pulls down the seawater level 202b pushed up by the upflow wave and the air compression means 107. At this time, the air in the compression pipe 105 expands, and the inside of the compression pipe 105 becomes negative pressure. At this time, by opening the air introduction section 108 again, air flows into the compression pipe 105, and the inside of the compression pipe 105 becomes atmospheric pressure.

[0041] As described above, by repeatedly controlling the opening and closing of the wave introduction part 103 and the air introduction part 108 in accordance with the pushing and pulling of the waves 201, the compressed air storage tank 111 is filled with compressed air.

[0042] 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D are diagrams showing the behavior of seawater 202 when a wave 201 surges in according to an embodiment of the present invention, and are different from FIGS. 2A to 2D in that the compression pipe 105 is located lower than the seawater level due to the ebb and flow of the tides. The same components as those in FIGS. 1 and 2A to 2D are given the same reference numerals, and their explanations will be omitted. Here, the case where the compression pipe 105 is located lower than the seawater level 202a means that the lower end of the compression pipe 105 is located below the seawater level 202a.

[0043] In step S1 of Fig. 3A, seawater 202 pushed by wave 201 starts to flow into wave receiving box 101 through wave receiving box inlet 102. At this time, wave introduction section 103 is open, air introduction section 108 is closed, and the pressure inside compression pipe 105 is atmospheric pressure. At this time, air introduction opening / closing valve 115 is also open. Here, since compression pipe 105 is located below the seawater level, the pressure inside the compression pipe is higher than atmospheric pressure by the amount of the head difference between the inside and outside of the compression pipe. By designing the valve element of air introduction section 108 to close at atmospheric pressure or higher, air introduction section 108 is in a closed state, and the introduction of air is controlled only by air introduction opening / closing valve 115.

[0044] 3B, seawater 202 pushed by wave 201 further flows into wave receiving box 101 from wave receiving box inlet 102, pushing in seawater 202 inside wave receiving box 101. At this time, since wave introduction part 103 is open, part of seawater 202 inside wave receiving box 101 is pushed out of wave receiving box 101 through wave introduction part 103.

[0045] Next, in FIG. 3C, seawater 202 flows into the wave receiving box 101 from the state of FIG. 3B, and when the wave introduction section 103 is closed at the same time as or after the seawater 202 in the wave receiving box 101 is further pushed in, due to the inertia of the waves 201, the seawater 202 continues to flow into the wave receiving box 101 while maintaining its speed, in other words, while maintaining a speed at which air can be compressed in the air compression section 106 with the air introduction section 108 closed and the air introduction opening / closing valve 115 also closed when the air compression means 107 is pushed up in the compression pipe 105, i.e., a force acts in the direction of pushing up the air compression means 107.

[0046] Next, in step S2 of FIG. 3D, waves 201 having a speed capable of compressing air, i.e., seawater 202 flowing into wave receiving chamber 101 while maintaining its speed, forcefully pushes up air compression means 107 in compression pipe 105, thereby compressing air in air compression section 106 in compression pipe 105.

[0047] Next, in step S3, the compressed air is discharged from the air compressor 106 and is filled into the compressed air storage tank 111 through the air discharge pipe 109 and the check valve 110.

[0048] 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D, the wave introduction section 103 opens, and the seawater 202 flows out of the wave receiving box 101 through the wave receiving box inlet section 102 by the wave 201, and the air compression means 107 pushed up by the up-flowing wave is pulled down in the compression pipe 105. At this time, for example, the air introduction opening / closing valve 115 is controlled manually or by the control section 117 based on the pressure detected by the pressure detection means 116, and air is introduced from the air introduction means 113 through the air introduction pipe 114 into the air compression section 106, thereby pushing down the air compression means 107. For example, when the pressure detected by the pressure detection means 116 is lower than a predetermined pressure during manual operation or by the control section 117, the air introduction opening / closing valve 115 is opened, and air is introduced from the air introduction means 113 through the air introduction pipe 114 into the air compression section 106. The opening and closing operation of the air introduction opening / closing valve 115 may be controlled by the control section 117, in addition to being controlled manually.

[0049] In this state, by receiving the pushing waves in Figures 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D, the air in air compression section 106 is converted back into compressed air, which is stored in compressed air storage tank 111 and can be used for power generation, etc.

[0050] That is, according to the configuration of the above embodiment, a wave introduction section 103 is arranged in the wave receiving box 101, and the wave introduction section 103 is opened at the beginning of the rising wave, and then, when the waves 201 maintain their speed and flow into the wave receiving box 101, the wave introduction section 103 is closed, thereby drawing the waves 201 into the wave receiving box 101, and the kinetic energy of the waves 201 is converted into compressed air and stored in the compressed air storage tank 111, and can be utilized for power generation, etc.

[0051] 4A, 4B, and 4C are diagrams showing examples of the configuration of wave introduction section 103 of a wave power utilization device in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] 4A(a), the wave introduction section 103 is composed of a wave flow path 401 having an open section 402 arranged on the opposite side of the wave receiving box inlet section 102 across the space 101a of the wave receiving box 101, and a constriction stopper 403 having a tapered shape from the wave flow path 401 to the open section 402, and a spherical plug 404 having a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the open section 402 and smaller than the inner diameter of the wave flow path 401 and capable of plugging and closing the open section 402 is arranged inside the wave flow path 401. The spherical plug 404 functions as a valve body, and the seawater 202 is held in the wave flow path 401 by, for example, a mesh-like holding section 405 on the space 101a side of the wave flow path 401, through which the seawater 202 can pass.

[0053] During ebb waves, the spherical plug 404 is located on the space 101a side in the wave channel 401, the opening 402 is open, and seawater 202 can flow in and out of the wave receiving box 101. During surge waves, the spherical plug 404 is pushed in by the seawater 202 flowing into the wave receiving box 101, and the opening 402 is completely blocked by the spherical plug 404, as shown in (b) of Fig. 4A. At this time, in the wave receiving box 101, the seawater 202 flowing in due to inertia pushes up the air compression means 107 in the compression tube 105, and the air is compressed in the air compression section 106.

[0054] At the beginning of the rising wave, the speed of the wave 201 is low and sufficient force is not obtained to push up the air compression means 107, so it is advisable to determine the angle of the throttle stopper 403 and the mass of the spherical plug 404 so that the opening 402 closes at a predetermined speed or above.

[0055] 4B, the wave introducing part 103 may be configured with a spring 407 having a plate 406a at one end that can plug the opening 402 to close it, and a fixing part 408 that fixes the other end of the spring 407 to the wave introducing part 103, thereby opening and closing the opening 402. The plate 406a functions as a valve body.

[0056] 4C, as yet another example of the wave introducing section 103, a plate 406b may be fixed to a rotating fixed section 409, and the opening section 402 may be opened and closed by the rotational movement of the plate 406b. The plate 406b functions as a valve body.

[0057] The wave introduction section 103 is not limited to the configuration shown in Figures 4A, 4B, and 4C, as long as it has a mechanism that seals the open section 402 due to the flow of seawater 202 during incoming waves and opens the open section 402 during outgoing waves.

[0058] Furthermore, the closer the distance between the wave introduction section 103 and the compression tube 105 in the direction of wave 201 travel, the more the force of the wave 201 with speed can be transmitted to the air compression means 107, making it possible to improve the compression effect compared to when the distance is large.

[0059] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing the configuration of the air compression means 107 of the wave power utilization device in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] 5A, the air compression means 107 is composed of a compression sphere 501 that is lifted in the compression pipe 105 by seawater 202 that flows into the wave receiving box 101 when a wave is rising, and that descends by its own weight in the compression pipe 105 when a wave is falling, and a mesh-like holder 502, for example, that is fixed in the compression pipe 105. The compression sphere 501 functions as a piston or a valve body of a piston mechanism, and the compression sphere 501 is held by the holder 502 so as not to fall from the compression pipe 105.

[0061] The seawater 202 that flows into the wave receiving box 101 changes its traveling direction to a vertical direction while rolling up. The air compression means 107 receives the seawater 202 that flows into the wave receiving box 101 with the compression sphere 501, and is thereby able to compress the air in the compression pipe 105 without being affected by the rolling up of the seawater 202.

[0062] 5B, another example of the air compression means 107 may be configured with a compression plate 503 that is lifted in the compression pipe 105 by seawater 202 that flows into the wave receiving box 101 when a wave is rising and that descends by its own weight in the compression pipe 105 when a wave is falling, and a mesh-like holder 502, for example, fixed in the compression pipe 105. The compression plate 503 functions as a piston or a valve body of a piston mechanism.

[0063] The air compression means 107 is not limited to the configuration shown in Figures 5A and 5B, so long as it has a mechanism in which it is enclosed in the compression pipe 105, is pushed up by the flow of seawater 202 during incoming waves, compresses the air in the air compression section 106, and is lowered during outgoing waves.

[0064] According to the embodiment, when the seawater 202 pushed by the waves 201 enters the wave receiving box 101, the wave introduction section 103 is opened to prevent an increase in the internal pressure of the wave receiving box 101 due to the inflow of the seawater 202, and the waves 201 can be sufficiently drawn into the wave receiving box 101. Then, with the air introduction opening / closing valve 115 closed, the waves 201 are sufficiently drawn in, and the wave introduction section 103 is closed, and the air compression means 107 is pushed up in the compression pipe 105 by further drawing in the waves 201, so that the air in the compression pipe 105 can be compressed without being affected by the rolling up of the inflowing waves 201, and the kinetic energy of the waves 201 can be utilized for compressing the air. Therefore, by utilizing the kinetic energy of the waves 201, it is possible to generate and store high-pressure compressed air from wave power and utilize it compared to the case where the kinetic energy is not utilized.

[0065] In addition, by appropriately combining any of the various embodiments or modifications described above, it is possible to achieve the effects of each of them. In addition, combinations of embodiments, combinations of examples, or combinations of embodiments and examples are possible, and combinations of features of different embodiments or examples are also possible. [Industrial Applicability]

[0066] The wave power utilization device and the control method for the wave power utilization device according to the above-mentioned aspects of the present invention have a simple configuration, yet can store wave power as compressed air with high compression efficiency and utilize it for power generation, etc., and can be applied to applications as a clean energy resource. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 101 Wave receiving box 101a Space 102 Wave receiving box inlet 103 Wave Introduction 104 Squeezing section 104a Bottom opening 104b Top opening 105 Compression tube 106 Air Compressor 107 Air Compression Means 108 Air intake section 109 Air exhaust pipe 110 Check valve 111 Compressed Air Storage Tank 112 Compressed Air Utilization Department 113 Air introduction means 114 Air intake pipe 115 Air intake valve 116 Pressure sensing means 117 Control Unit 201 waves 202 Seawater 202a,202b sea level 401 Wave channel 402 Open area 403 Aperture Stopper 404 Spherical stopper 405 Holding part 406a,406b board 407 Spring 408 Fixed part 409 Rotating Fixture 501 Compressed sphere 502 Holding body 503 Compression Plate 801 Fixed part 802 Spring 803a, 803b board 804 Open area 805 Rotating Fixture 806 Stopper 807 Spherical stopper 808 Holding part

Claims

1. A wave receiving box includes a wave receiving box inlet portion that receives the push and pull of seawater waves, a space that is filled with seawater flowing in from the wave receiving box inlet portion, and a wave receiving box that is opened and closed by the seawater flowing in the space; a hollow compression pipe connected to communicate with the inside of the wave receiving box, the lower opening being set to have a larger flow passage cross-sectional area than the upper opening, and a throttling section connecting the lower opening and the upper opening in a tapered shape, the hollow compression pipe receiving the waves drawn into the wave receiving box through the throttling section, the hollow compression pipe including an air compression means capable of moving up and down along a vertical direction, and an air compression section compressing air by the air compression means; an air introduction section connected to an upper portion of the air compression section and allowing air to flow into and out of the air compression section during an opening operation; an air exhaust pipe connected to the upper portion of the air compression unit and equipped with a check valve that allows air to flow only in a downstream direction from the air compression unit; a compressed air storage tank connected to a downstream side of the flow path of the air discharge pipe and filled with the air compressed by the air compression unit; an air introduction means for introducing air into the air compression section; an air introduction pipe connecting the air introduction means and the air compression unit; an air introduction valve that is provided in the air introduction pipe so as to be capable of opening and closing, and that is capable of introducing air from the air introduction means to the air compression section when the air introduction valve is opened; A wave power utilization device having a compressed air utilization unit provided in a flow path downstream of the compressed air storage tank and utilizing compressed air.

2. The wave power utilization device according to claim 1 , wherein the wave introduction section has a valve body that opens and closes depending on the pressure of seawater that has flowed into the space, allowing seawater to flow in and out when the valve body is opened.

3. The wave power utilization device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the air introduction section has a valve body that opens and closes depending on the pressure of the air in the air compression section pushed in by the air compression means, allowing air to flow in and out when the valve body is opened.

4. The wave power utilization device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the air compression means is pushed up by the force of seawater flowing into the space, enabling the air in the air compression section to be pushed in.

5. A wave receiving box includes a wave receiving box inlet portion that receives the push and pull of seawater waves, a space that is filled with seawater flowing in from the wave receiving box inlet portion, and a wave receiving box that is opened and closed by the seawater flowing in the space; a hollow compression pipe including an air compressor that is connected to communicate with the inside of the wave receiving box, a lower opening of which is set to have a larger flow passage cross-sectional area than an upper opening, a constricted section that connects the lower opening and the upper opening in a tapered shape, and that receives the force of the waves drawn into the wave receiving box through the constricted section and can move up and down along the vertical direction, and an air compressor that compresses air using the air compressor; an air introduction section connected to an upper portion of the air compression section and allowing air to flow into and out of the air compression section during an opening operation; an air exhaust pipe connected to the upper portion of the air compression unit and equipped with a check valve that allows air to flow only in a downstream direction from the air compression unit; a compressed air storage tank connected to a downstream side of the flow path of the air discharge pipe and filled with the air compressed by the air compression unit; an air introduction means for introducing air into the air compression section; an air introduction pipe connecting the air introduction means and the air compression unit; an air introduction valve that is provided in the air introduction pipe so as to be capable of opening and closing, and that is capable of introducing air from the air introduction means to the air compression section when the air introduction valve is opened; A method for controlling a wave power utilization device having a compressed air utilization unit provided in a flow path downstream of the compressed air storage tank and utilizing compressed air, When the air intake valve is opened, air is sucked from the outside of the compression pipe into the inside of the compression pipe through the air intake valve during an undertow, and when the air intake valve is closed, waves having a speed at which air can be compressed flow into the wave receiving box during an uptow, A method for controlling a wave power utilization device, comprising the steps of: compressing the air in the air compression section by causing the inflowing waves to close the wave introduction section and push up the air compression means.

6. A control method for a wave power utilization device as described in claim 5, wherein the opening and closing of the air introduction section and the air introduction opening / closing valve are controlled by a control section based on the pressure in the air compression section detected by a pressure detection means installed in the air compression section and detecting the pressure in the air compression section during backwash and floodwater.

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