Wind power generation device

Abstract

To provide a wind power generation device high in safety property in strong wind and capable of generating electric power with high efficiency.SOLUTION: A wind power generation device 100 for generating electric power with the rotation of a vertical shaft type windmill 11 transmitted to an electric generator 13 includes a speed increasing gear 17 provided between the windmill 11 and the electric generator 13 for increasing the rotating speed of the windmill 11 and transmit it to the electric generator 13, and a mechanical brake 19 provided between the speed increasing gear 17 and the electric generator 13 for adjusting the rotating speed of the windmill 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wind power generation device.

Background Art

[0002] Wind power generation equipment that generates electricity using wind power is known (for example, Patent Document 1). In the wind power generation device of Patent Document 1, the windmill is rotated by the wind power, and the generator is driven by the rotational driving force obtained thereby to generate electricity. However, a propeller-type horizontal axis windmill can only capture wind in one direction, and moreover, vibrations are likely to occur, so there are many restrictions on the installation of the windmill.

[0003] On the other hand, lift-type windmills such as Darrieus-type windmills, which are vertical axis windmills, can rotate efficiently at high speed because they have a high rotational speed and do not select the wind direction.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, once a lift-type windmill such as a Darrieus-type windmill starts rotating, it will rotate at high speed according to the wind speed, and it will become difficult to stop the rotation. Therefore, for example, when rotating under strong winds, there is a risk that the windmill will be damaged by centrifugal force or the like due to high-speed rotation.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a wind power generation device that has high safety even during strong winds and can generate electricity with high efficiency.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present invention has the following configuration. A wind power generation device in which the rotation of a vertical-axis windmill is transmitted to a generator to generate electricity, a speed increaser provided between the windmill and the generator, which increases the rotation speed of the windmill and transmits it to the generator, a mechanical brake provided between the speed increaser and the generator, which adjusts the rotation speed of the windmill, and a wind power generation device comprising the same.

Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the wind power generation device of the present invention, high safety can be achieved even in strong winds, and power can be generated with high efficiency.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) First, the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a wind power generation device 100 according to the first embodiment. The wind power generation device 100 according to the first embodiment includes a windmill 11, a generator 13, a speed increaser 17, and a mechanical brake 19. This wind power generation device 100 is a wind power generation device including a vertical-axis windmill 11 having a rotating shaft 15 erected in the vertical direction. In the wind power generation device 100, the rotation of the windmill 11 is transmitted to the generator 13 via the rotating shaft 15, and the generator 13 generates electricity by the transmitted rotation.

[0011] The wind turbine 11 is a Darrieus - type lift - type wind turbine. This wind turbine 11 has a plurality (three in this example) of blades 21. The blades 21 are each formed in a curved shape, and both ends are connected to the rotating shaft 15. Each blade 21 is arranged at equal intervals around the axis of the rotating shaft 15. When the blades 21 receive wind, the wind turbine 11 rotates in one direction around the axis of the rotating shaft 15.

[0012] The speed increaser 17 is provided between the wind turbine 11 and the generator 13. The speed increaser 17 increases the rotational speed of the wind turbine 11 and transmits it to the generator 13. As the speed increaser 17, a known one can be used, such as a speed increasing mechanism having a structure in which a plurality of planetary gears revolve while rotating around a sun gear.

[0013] The mechanical brake 19 is provided between the speed increaser 17 and the generator 13. The mechanical brake 19 adjusts the rotational speed of the wind turbine 11 by its operation. As the mechanical brake 19, a known one can be used, such as a mechanism that sandwiches a disk rotating with the rotating shaft 15 axially with pads operated by a driving part and decelerates by the friction generated thereby.

[0014] In addition, the wind power generation device 100 further includes a rotation sensor (speed detection part) 31, a control part (speed adjustment part) 33, and a short - circuit circuit (electromagnetic brake circuit) 35. The rotation sensor 31 and the short - circuit circuit 35 are each connected to the control part 33. Also, the control part 33 is connected to the mechanical brake 19.

[0015] The rotation sensor 31 detects the rotational speed of the wind turbine 11 and transmits it to the control part 33. The control part 33 transmits a control signal to the mechanical brake 19 and controls the driving part (not shown) of the mechanical brake 19. The control part 33 operates the mechanical brake 19 according to the rotational speed of the wind turbine 11 detected by the rotation sensor 31 and reduces the rotational speed of the wind turbine 11.

[0016] Further, the control unit 33 transmits a control signal to the short - circuit circuit 35. The short - circuit circuit 35 is a circuit provided in the generator 13 and operates according to the control signal from the control unit 33. The short - circuit circuit 35 short - circuits the output terminals of the generator 13 to activate the electromagnetic brake. Thereby, the rotational speed of the windmill 11 is suppressed by the electromagnetic brake of the generator 13.

[0017] Here, the axial - type generator and the radial - type generator used as the generator 13 will be described.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross - sectional view of an axial - type generator. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross - sectional view of a radial - type generator. The axial - type generator shown in FIG. 2 has a shaft body 41, a plurality of rotor plates 43, and a stator 45. The rotor plates 43 are fixed to the shaft body 41 and rotate together with the shaft body 41. The rotor plates 43 are arranged at intervals in the axial direction, and the stator 45 is arranged between these rotor plates 43. The rotor plates 43 have permanent magnets 47 on the stator 45 side. These permanent magnets 47 are arranged opposite to the stator 45 and are arranged in the circumferential direction so that the magnetic poles alternate. The stator 45 is provided with coils 49 and is formed in an annular shape. This axial - type generator generates electric power by receiving a rotating magnetic field by the rotor plates 43 when the shaft body 41 is rotated, causing the coils 49 of the stator 45 to generate an electromotive force. This axial - type generator is used as a generator when the rotational speed is relatively low. Note that this axial - type generator can cope with an increase in output by stacking the configurations of the rotor plates 43 and the stator 45 in the axial direction.

[0019] The radial generator shown in Fig. 3 has a shaft body 51, a rotor 53, and a stator 55. The rotor 53 is a plurality of permanent magnets fixed around the shaft body 51 so that the magnetic poles alternate. The stator 55 includes a coil 59 and is formed in a cylindrical shape. When the shaft body 51 is rotated, this radial generator receives the rotating magnetic field of the rotor 53, and the coil 59 of the stator 55 generates an electromotive force to generate electricity. This radial generator can generate electricity efficiently at high speed rotation.

[0020] In a wind power generation device having a Darrieus type lift windmill, since the rotation of the windmill is relatively slow, an axial type generator is mainly used. However, in this configuration, since the rotation of the windmill 11 can be speeded up by the speed increaser 17, it is possible to use a radial generator capable of high-efficiency power generation at high speed rotation.

[0021] Next, the control in the wind power generation device 100 will be described. (Normal power generation) When the blades 21 receive wind and the windmill 11 rotates, the rotation of the rotary shaft 15 is speeded up by the speed increaser 17, and the speeded-up rotation is transmitted to the generator 13 to generate electricity. At this time, if the generator 13 is a radial generator, high-efficiency power generation is possible by the high-speed rotating rotary shaft 15.

[0022] (Brake control) (1) Operation of the electromagnetic brake When the wind speed of the wind received by the windmill 11 increases and the rotation speed of the windmill 11 reaches a predetermined first cut-out speed, the control unit 33 transmits a control signal to the short-circuit circuit 35 of the generator 13. Then, the output terminals of the generator 13 are short-circuited and the electromagnetic brake operates, suppressing the rotation speed of the windmill 11. This first cut-out speed is preferably set to a rotation speed at which damage due to the centrifugal force of the rotating windmill 11 and burnout of the generator 13 can be sufficiently suppressed. That is, when the rotation speed of the windmill 11 reaches the first cut-out speed and the electromagnetic brake operates, damage due to the centrifugal force of the rotating windmill 11 and burnout of the generator 13 are suppressed.

[0023] (2) Operation of the mechanical brake When the wind speed of the wind received by the windmill 11 further increases and the electromagnetic brake cannot suppress the rotational speed of the windmill 11 and the rotational speed increases, and when the rotational speed of the windmill 11 reaches the second cut-out speed, the control unit 33 transmits a control signal to the mechanical brake 19. Then, the mechanical brake 19 operates and the windmill 11 is mechanically braked, and the rotational speed of the windmill 11 is suppressed. This second cut-out speed is a rotational speed faster than the first cut-out speed, and this second cut-out speed is also set to a rotational speed at which there is no risk of damage due to the centrifugal force of the rotating windmill 11 and burnout of the generator 13. That is, when the rotational speed of the windmill 11 reaches the second cut-out speed and the mechanical brake 19 operates and is mechanically braked, damage due to the centrifugal force of the rotating windmill 11 and burnout of the generator 13 are suppressed.

[0024] As described above, according to the wind power generation device 100 according to the first embodiment, by providing the speed increaser 17 between the windmill 11 and the generator 13, while achieving miniaturization, weight reduction, and cost reduction, the rotation of the windmill 11 is increased in speed by the speed increaser 17 and transmitted to the generator 13, enabling high-efficiency power generation.

[0025] Also, when the wind speed of the wind received by the windmill 11 becomes excessively high, by operating the mechanical brake 19 between the speed increaser 17 and the generator 13, the rotation of the windmill 11 can be suppressed. Thereby, damage due to the centrifugal force of the rotating windmill 11 and burnout of the generator 13 can be suppressed, and power generation can be performed safely.

[0026] Moreover, since the mechanical brake 19 is provided on the downstream side of power transmission from the speed increaser 17, that is, on the rotating shaft 15 on the side opposite to the windmill 11 side of the speed increaser 17, as the braking force required for this mechanical brake 19, a small brake capacity corresponding to the speed increase ratio of the speed increaser 17 is sufficient. Therefore, even if the mechanical brake 19 is provided, the device can have a compact structure.

[0027] Further, according to the rotational speed of the windmill 11 detected by the rotation sensor 31, the control unit 33 transmits a control signal to the short - circuit circuit 35 to activate the electromagnetic brake, thereby reducing the rotational speed of the windmill 11. As a result, damage due to centrifugal force or the like of the rotating windmill 11 and burnout of the generator can be more reliably suppressed, and power generation can be performed safely.

[0028] Moreover, according to this configuration, stable rotation can be obtained even in an environment where the wind speed and wind direction change easily. Since the windmill 11 is a Darrieus - type lift - type windmill that rotates easily even under low - wind - speed conditions and rotates from low wind speeds to high wind speeds, power generation can be performed with high efficiency.

[0029] In the above - mentioned wind power generation device 100, as the mechanical brake 19 provided between the speed increaser 17 and the generator 13, a brake of a type that automatically operates by, for example, centrifugal force or the like when reaching the second cut - out speed may be used. In that case, control of the mechanical brake 19 by the control unit 33 becomes unnecessary, and the structure can be simplified.

[0030] In the above - mentioned embodiment, the case where the windmill 11 is provided with a Darrieus - type lift - type windmill is exemplified. However, the windmill 11 may be a straight - blade - type lift - type windmill in which a plurality of straight blades are supported in parallel at intervals with respect to the rotation shaft 15.

[0031] (Second Embodiment) Next, the second embodiment will be described. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a wind power generation device 200 according to the second embodiment. The wind power generation device 200 according to the second embodiment has a clutch 61 added to the wind power generation device 100 of the first embodiment. This clutch 61 is provided between the mechanical brake 19 and the generator 13 and disconnects and connects the rotation transmitted to the generator 13. This clutch 61 is connected to the control unit 33 and is controlled by a control signal transmitted from the control unit 33.

[0033] Next, the control in the wind power generation device 200 of this configuration will be described. (Normal power generation) When the blades 21 receive the wind and the windmill 11 rotates, the rotation of the rotating shaft 15 is speeded up by the speed increaser 17, and the speeded-up rotation is transmitted to the generator 13 to generate electricity. At this time, if the generator 13 is a radial type generator, high-efficiency power generation can be achieved by the high-speed rotating rotating shaft 15.

[0034] (Brake control) (1) Operation of the electromagnetic brake When the wind speed of the wind received by the windmill 11 increases and the rotation speed of the windmill 11 reaches a predetermined first cut-out speed, the control unit 33 transmits a control signal to the short-circuit circuit 35 of the generator 13. Then, the output terminals of the generator 13 are short-circuited and the electromagnetic brake operates, suppressing the rotation speed of the windmill 11. That is, when the rotation speed of the windmill 11 reaches the first cut-out speed and the electromagnetic brake operates, damage due to the centrifugal force of the rotating windmill 11 and burnout of the generator 13 are suppressed.

[0035] (2) Operation of the mechanical brake When the wind speed of the wind received by the windmill 11 further increases and the rotation speed of the windmill 11 cannot be suppressed by the electromagnetic brake and increases, and the rotation speed of the windmill 11 reaches the second cut-out speed, the control unit 33 transmits a control signal to the mechanical brake 19. Then, the mechanical brake 19 operates and the windmill 11 is mechanically braked, suppressing the rotation speed of the windmill 11. That is, when the rotation speed of the windmill 11 reaches the second cut-out speed and the mechanical brake 19 operates and is mechanically braked, damage due to the centrifugal force of the rotating windmill 11 and burnout of the generator 13 are suppressed.

[0036] (Clutch control) The wind speed received by the windmill 11 further increases, and the electromagnetic brake and the mechanical brake 19 cannot sufficiently suppress the rotational speed of the windmill 11 and the speed increases. When the rotational speed of the windmill 11 reaches the third cut-out speed, the control unit 33 transmits a control signal to the clutch 61. Then, the clutch 61 operates to cut off the transmission of the rotation of the rotary shaft 15 between the mechanical brake 19 and the generator 13. This third cut-out speed is a rotational speed higher than the second cut-out speed. That is, when the rotational speed of the windmill 11 reaches the third cut-out speed and the clutch 61 operates to cut off the transmission of the rotation of the rotary shaft 15 to the generator 13, burnout of the generator 13 and the like are avoided.

[0037] Thus, according to the wind power generation device 200 according to the second embodiment, a clutch 61 for disconnecting and connecting the rotation transmitted to the generator 13 is provided between the mechanical brake 19 and the generator 13. Therefore, by operating the clutch 61 to cut off the transmission of the rotation of the windmill 11 to the generator 13, burnout of the generator 13 and the like can be avoided.

[0038] In addition, also in the case of this configuration, as the clutch 61 provided between the mechanical brake 19 and the generator 13, a clutch of a type that automatically operates by, for example, centrifugal force or the like when the third cut-out speed is reached may be used. In that case, control of the clutch 61 by the control unit 33 becomes unnecessary, and the structure can be simplified.

[0039] Further, in the above-described second embodiment, the clutch 61 is operated when the third cut-out speed higher than the second cut-out speed is reached. However, when the second cut-out speed is reached, the clutch 61 may be operated together with the mechanical brake 19.

[0040] Thus, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is also contemplated by the present invention that those skilled in the art can make changes and applications based on combining each configuration of the embodiments with each other, the description of the specification, and well-known techniques, and such are included in the scope for which protection is sought.

[0041] As described above, the following matters are disclosed in this specification. (1) A wind power generation device in which the rotation of a vertical-axis windmill is transmitted to a generator to generate electricity, a speed increaser provided between the windmill and the generator, which increases the rotation speed of the windmill and transmits it to the generator, a mechanical brake provided between the speed increaser and the generator, which adjusts the rotation speed of the windmill, and a wind power generation device comprising the same. According to this wind power generation device, by providing a speed increaser between the windmill and the generator, while achieving miniaturization, weight reduction, and cost reduction, the rotation of the windmill can be increased in speed by the speed increaser and transmitted to the generator to generate electricity with high efficiency. In addition, when the wind speed received by the windmill excessively increases, by operating the mechanical brake between the speed increaser and the generator, the rotation of the windmill can be suppressed. Thereby, damage due to the centrifugal force of the rotating windmill and burnout of the generator can be suppressed, and power generation can be performed safely. Moreover, since the mechanical brake is provided on the side opposite to the windmill of the speed increaser, as the braking force required for this mechanical brake, a small brake capacity corresponding to the speed increase ratio of the speed increaser is sufficient. Therefore, even if a mechanical brake is provided, the device can have a compact structure.

[0042] (2) The wind power generation device according to (1), further comprising a clutch provided between the mechanical brake and the generator, which disconnects and connects the rotation transmitted to the generator. According to this wind power generation device, by operating the clutch to cut off the transmission of the rotation of the windmill to the generator, burnout of the generator and the like can be avoided.

[0043] (3) A speed detection unit that detects the rotation speed of the windmill, and a speed adjustment unit that operates the mechanical brake according to the rotation speed of the windmill detected by the speed detection unit to reduce the rotation speed of the windmill. The wind power generation device according to (2), comprising the same. According to this wind power generation device, the speed adjustment unit operates a mechanical brake according to the rotational speed of the windmill detected by the speed detection unit, thereby reducing the rotational speed of the windmill. Thereby, damage due to centrifugal force of the rotating windmill and burnout of the generator can be suppressed, and power generation can be performed safely.

[0044] (4) It is provided with an electromagnetic brake circuit that short-circuits the output terminals of the generator to generate an electromagnetic brake. The wind power generation device according to (3), wherein the speed adjustment unit operates an electromagnetic brake by the electromagnetic brake circuit according to the rotational speed of the windmill. According to this wind power generation device, the speed adjustment unit operates an electromagnetic brake according to the rotational speed of the windmill detected by the speed detection unit, thereby reducing the rotational speed of the windmill. Thereby, damage due to centrifugal force of the rotating windmill and burnout of the generator can be suppressed, and power generation can be performed safely.

[0045] (5) The speed adjustment unit operates an electromagnetic brake by the electromagnetic brake circuit when the rotational speed of the windmill reaches a first cut-out speed, and operates the mechanical brake when the rotational speed of the windmill reaches a second cut-out speed higher than the first cut-out speed. The wind power generation device according to (4). According to this wind power generation device, when the rotational speed of the windmill reaches the first cut-out speed, an electromagnetic brake is operated to suppress the rotational speed of the windmill. Further, when the rotational speed of the windmill reaches a second cut-out speed higher than the first cut-out speed, a mechanical brake is operated to suppress the rotational speed of the windmill. In this way, by suppressing the rotational speed of the windmill step by step, damage due to centrifugal force of the rotating windmill and burnout of the generator can be surely suppressed, and power generation can be performed more safely.

[0046] (6) The wind power generation device according to (4) or (5), which operates in the order of the electromagnetic brake, the mechanical brake, and the clutch. According to this wind power generation device, after suppressing the rotational speed of the windmill by an electromagnetic brake, the rotational speed of the windmill can be suppressed by a mechanical brake, and further, the transmission of rotation to the generator can be blocked by a clutch. Thereby, safety can be further enhanced.

[0047] (7) The windmill is a lift type windmill of a Darrieus type or a straight blade type, and the wind power generation device according to any one of (1) to (6). According to this wind power generation device, stable rotation can be obtained even in an environment where the wind speed and wind direction are likely to change, and since it is provided with a lift type windmill of a Darrieus type or a straight blade type that rotates even under low wind speed conditions, power generation can be performed with high efficiency.

[0048] (8) The generator is a radial type including a shaft body, a rotor provided around the shaft body, and a stator disposed opposite to the periphery of the rotor, and the wind power generation device according to any one of (1) to (7). According to this wind power generation device, since it is provided with a radial type generator that can generate electricity efficiently at high rotation, high-efficiency power generation is possible by the driving force of the rotation increased in speed by a speed increaser.

Description of symbols

[0049] 11 Windmill 13 Generator 17 Speed increaser 19 Mechanical brake 31 Rotation sensor (speed detection unit) 33 Control unit (speed adjustment unit) 35 Short circuit (electromagnetic brake circuit) 51 Shaft body 53 Rotor 55 Stator 61 Clutch 100, 200 Wind power generation device

Claims

1. A wind power generation device in which the rotation of a vertical-axis windmill is transmitted to a generator to generate electricity, A speed increaser provided between the windmill and the generator, which increases the rotation speed of the windmill and transmits it to the generator; A mechanical brake provided between the speed increaser and the generator, which adjusts the rotation speed of the windmill; A wind power generation device comprising the above.

2. A clutch provided between the mechanical brake and the generator, which disconnects and connects the rotation transmitted to the generator, The wind power generation device according to Claim 1.

3. A speed detection unit that detects the rotation speed of the windmill; A speed adjustment unit that operates the mechanical brake according to the rotation speed of the windmill detected by the speed detection unit to reduce the rotation speed of the windmill; The wind power generation device according to Claim 2, comprising the above.

4. An electromagnetic brake circuit that short-circuits the output terminals of the generator to generate an electromagnetic brake, The speed adjustment unit operates the electromagnetic brake by the electromagnetic brake circuit according to the rotation speed of the windmill. The wind power generation device according to Claim 3.

5. The speed adjustment unit When the rotation speed of the windmill reaches a first cut-out speed, operates the electromagnetic brake by the electromagnetic brake circuit, When the rotation speed of the windmill reaches a second cut-out speed higher than the first cut-out speed, operates the mechanical brake. The wind power generation device according to Claim 4.

6. The electromagnetic brake, the mechanical brake, and the clutch operate in this order. The wind power generation device according to Claim 4.

7. The windmill is a lift-type windmill of the Darrieus type or the straight blade type. The wind power generation device according to claim 1.

8. The generator is of a radial type including a shaft body, a rotor provided around the shaft body, and a stator disposed opposite to the periphery of the rotor. The wind power generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

Images