Turbine type flow volume control device

Abstract

To operate a turbine type flow volume control device in a stable manner at an early stage even when a state in which a flow volume of a fluid is low occurs.SOLUTION: A main circuit 91 of a turbine type flow volume control device 10 recovers a regenerative electric power generated by a rotation of a turbine 31 of a generator 30, and controls a rotation of the turbine 31 by inputting an electric power to the generator 30. The main circuit 91 includes a DC link capacitor 91A and outputs the regenerative power according to a DC link voltage Vm. Circuits 92A to 92E control the operation of the main circuit 91 and operate by the regenerative power output from the main circuit 91. When the DC link voltage Vm is lower than Vm2, a first power supply part 95C supplies a power stored in a first power storage unit 95B to the main circuit 91 to charge the DC link capacitor 91A. A second power supply part 96D operates the circuits 92A to 92E by supplying the power stored in a second power storage part 96B to the circuits 92A to 92E when the DC link voltage Vm is lower than Vm2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a turbine type flow rate control device that controls the flow rate of a fluid by using a turbine. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a turbine-type flow control device. This turbine-type flow control device includes a generator including a turbine that is rotated by a fluid flowing through a flow path, a first circuit (such as an inverter circuit) that recovers regenerative power generated by the rotation of the turbine and inputs power to the generator to control the rotation of the turbine, and a second circuit (such as a generator control unit) that operates using the regenerative power and controls the operation of the first circuit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6114680 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The first circuit may include a storage element and be configured to output regenerative power according to the charge level of the storage element. In such cases, when the fluid flow rate is low, such as when the fluid starts to flow or when the fluid flow rate temporarily drops, the storage element may become insufficiently charged. If the storage element is insufficiently charged, the regenerative power will be insufficient, preventing the turbine-type flow control device from operating stably.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to quickly restore stable operation of a turbine type flow rate control device even when a state of low fluid flow rate occurs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The turbine-type flow control device of the present invention comprises: a generator including a turbine that rotates due to a fluid flowing through a flow path; a first circuit that recovers regenerative power generated by the rotation of the turbine and inputs power to the generator to control the rotation of the turbine, the first circuit including a storage element and outputting regenerative power according to the degree of charge of the storage element; a second circuit that operates using the regenerative power and controls the operation of the first circuit; a first power supply circuit that charges the storage element by supplying to the first circuit power stored in a first storage unit for the first circuit when the degree of charge is lower than a first threshold; and a second power supply circuit that operates the second circuit by supplying to the second circuit power stored in a second storage unit for the second circuit, which is different from the first storage unit, when the degree of charge is lower than a second threshold. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, even when a state occurs in which the flow rate of a fluid is low, the turbine type flow rate control device can be quickly restored to stable operation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a turbine type flow rate control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a turbine type flow rate control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] As shown in FIG. 1, a turbine type flow control device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a flow pipe 20, a generator 30, a valve body 40, an actuator 50, and a control unit 90.

[0010] The flow path pipe 20 is disposed midway in a fluid circuit made up of multiple pipes, with both ends connected to an upstream pipe 101 and a downstream pipe 102, respectively, through which a fluid (e.g., chilled water in an air conditioning system) flows. The flow path pipe 20 forms a flow path R1 through which the fluid (e.g., chilled water in an air conditioning system) flows. This fluid flows from flow path R2 of the pipe 101 through flow path R1, and then flows into flow path R3 of the pipe 102.

[0011] The flow path pipe 20 includes connection members 21 and 22 connected to the pipes 101 and 102, respectively, and holding members 23 and 24 that form a holding structure for holding the generator 30.

[0012] The connecting member 21 is a hollow member that forms the upstream portion of the flow path R1. The connecting member 21 includes a flange 21A that is connected to the pipe 101.

[0013] The connecting member 22 is a hollow member that forms the downstream portion of the flow path R2. The connecting member 22 includes a flange 22A connected to the pipe 102 and a hollow guide portion 22B into which a plate-shaped valve element 40 (described in detail later) that opens and closes the flow path R1 is displaceably inserted. The guide portion 22B guides the displacement of the valve element 40 in the up-down direction, which is perpendicular to the upstream-downstream direction. The upper end portion of the guide portion 22B includes a flange 22BA that supports a support member S. The support member S supports the actuator 50 and the control unit 90. The inner peripheral wall of the connecting member 22 is provided with a groove 22C that receives the lower end portion of the valve element 40 when the connecting member 22 is fully closed.

[0014] The holding member 23 includes a cylindrical hollow portion 23A that forms the flow path R1, a support portion 23B that is disposed inside the hollow portion 23A, i.e., in the flow path R1, and a plurality of connecting portions 23C that extend radially from the support portion 23B and are connected to the inner circumferential wall of the hollow portion 23A. The support portion 23B supports the turbine 31 of the generator 30 together with a support portion 24B, which will be described later. The plurality of connecting portions 23C support the support portion 23B at the central axis position of the hollow portion 23A (i.e., the central axis position of the flow path R1).

[0015] The holding member 24 includes a cylindrical hollow portion 24A that forms the flow path R1, a support portion 24B that is disposed inside the hollow portion 24A, i.e., in the flow path R1, and a plurality of connecting portions 24C that extend radially from the support portion 24B and are connected to the inner peripheral wall of the hollow portion 24A. The plurality of connecting portions 24C support the support portion 24B at the central axis position of the hollow portion 24A (i.e., the central axis position of the flow path R1).

[0016] The support portions 23B and 24B are located on the upstream and downstream sides, respectively, of the turbine 31 of the generator 30, and rotatably support the turbine 31 via ball bearings or the like. The hollow portions 23A and 24A hold the stator 32 of the generator 30 by sandwiching it from the upstream and downstream directions.

[0017] The generator 30 generates electricity using the fluid flowing through the flow path R1. The generator 30 includes a turbine 31, which is a rotor that is rotated by the fluid flowing through the flow path R1, and a stator 32 that surrounds the outer periphery of the turbine 31 and generates electricity by converting the rotational energy of the turbine 31 into electrical energy.

[0018] The turbine 31 includes an impeller that rotates upon receiving the fluid flowing through the flow path R1, and a cylindrical member that is provided on the outer periphery of the impeller and has a permanent magnet (not shown) embedded therein.

[0019] The stator 32 includes a cylindrical iron core and a plurality of coils (not shown) wound around the iron core as stator windings, and converts the rotational energy of the rotating turbine 31 into electrical energy. As a result, electricity is generated by the rotation of the turbine 31.

[0020] The valve element 40 is driven by an actuator 50 to move linearly in the vertical direction. The valve element 40 opens and closes the flow path R1 by this vertical movement. It is a direct acting valve element. In FIG. 1, the valve element 40 is fully open.

[0021] The actuator 50 is configured by a linear motor or the like, is connected to the valve element 40, and moves the valve element 40 in the vertical direction.

[0022] The control unit 90 constitutes a control system that controls the operation of the turbine flow control device 10. The control system of the turbine flow control device 10 will now be described with reference to Fig. 2. Wiring connecting the various elements shown in Fig. 2 is omitted in Fig. 1. The wiring is routed in an appropriate manner.

[0023] 2, the turbine flow control device 10 also includes a position sensor P1 and an opening sensor P2 in addition to the control unit 90. The position sensor P1 detects the rotational position of the turbine 31 (for example, the magnetic pole position of a predetermined magnet). The opening sensor P2 detects the position of a valve stem for moving the valve element 40 of the actuator 50, thereby detecting the valve opening of the flow path R1 caused by the valve element 40. The control unit 90 controls the generator 30 using the rotational position from the position sensor P1, and controls the actuator 50 using the opening from the opening sensor P2 as a feedback value.

[0024] The control unit 90 includes a control board on which various processing circuits (including a microcomputer, etc.) and various modules are mounted. The control unit 90 controls the power generation by the generator 30, thereby controlling the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the flow path R1.

[0025] The control unit 90 includes a main circuit 91, a data communication circuit 92A, a system control circuit 92B, a flow control circuit 92C, a generator control circuit 92D, a gate valve control circuit 92E, a DC-DC converter 93, a first power supply circuit 95, a second power supply circuit 96, and a regenerative power processing circuit 99.

[0026] The main circuit 91 includes an inverter circuit. The main circuit 91 recovers the electric power generated by the generator 30 as regenerative power and supplies the recovered regenerative power to a DC-DC converter 93 and a regenerative power processing circuit 99. Furthermore, the main circuit 91 inputs electric power (phase voltage, which will be described later) to the generator 30, thereby controlling the rotation of the turbine 31 and the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the flow path R1.

[0027] The main circuit 91 detects the phase voltage and phase current values ​​input to the stationary winding of the stator 32 of the generator 30 and supplies the phase voltage and phase current values ​​to the generator control circuit 92D. Furthermore, the main circuit 91 drives the inverter circuit with a phase voltage setting value (described later) from the generator control circuit 92D and inputs the phase voltage to the generator 30. When the fluid in the flow path R1 rotates the turbine 31, i.e., when the fluid pressure at the upstream end of the flow path R1 is greater than the fluid pressure at the downstream end of the flow path R1, the generator 30 enters a regenerative drive state. In this case, the main circuit 91 recovers regenerative power. When the flow rate of the flow path R1 is increased by rotating the turbine 31, i.e., when the fluid pressure at the downstream end of the flow path R1 is greater than the fluid pressure at the upstream end of the flow path R1, the generator 30 enters a powering drive state. In this case, the main circuit 91 powers the generator.

[0028] When the main circuit 91 is in a regenerative driving state, the rotation of the turbine 31 may be controlled by controlling the amount of regenerative power recovered.

[0029] The main circuit 91 includes a DC (direct current) link capacitor 91A. The DC (direct current) link capacitor 91A is charged by regenerative power generated by the generator 30. The voltage across the DC link capacitor 91A is also referred to as a DC link voltage Vm. The DC link voltage Vm will be described later.

[0030] The data communication circuit 92A has a communication function for wirelessly communicating with a higher-level device (for example, an air conditioning controller of an air conditioning system).

[0031] The system control circuit 92B controls the entire system of the turbine flow control device 10. The system control circuit 92B receives various set values ​​from a host device via the data communication circuit 92A and transmits data on the internal state of the turbine flow control device 10 to the host device via the data communication circuit 92A. The data on the internal state is collected by any method. The system control circuit 92B outputs a flow rate set value as one of the set values ​​to the flow rate control circuit 92C. The flow rate set value is, for example, a value that directly specifies the flow rate. The flow rate set value may be any value that ultimately specifies the flow rate of the fluid in flow path R1, and may be, for example, a combination of a value that specifies the amount of power generation and a value that specifies the valve opening of the valve element 40. Because the amount of power generation is correlated with the flow rate, the value that specifies the amount of power generation also indirectly specifies the flow rate.

[0032] The flow control circuit 92C controls the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the flow path R1 via the generator control circuit 92D and the gate valve control circuit 92E. The flow control circuit 92C receives a flow rate setpoint from the system control circuit 92B, the current angular velocity and torque of the turbine 31 (described later) output by the generator control circuit 92D, and the valve opening detected by the opening sensor P2. The flow control circuit 92C derives the current flow rate of the fluid flowing through the flow path R1 based on the input angular velocity, torque, and valve opening. Using the derived flow rate as a feedback value, the flow control circuit 92C derives a rotation speed target value, which is a target value for the rotation speed per unit time of the turbine 31, and a valve opening target value, which is a target value for the valve opening of the valve element 40, according to a control law with the flow rate setpoint as a target value. The flow control circuit 92C supplies the rotation speed target value to the generator control circuit 92D. The flow control circuit 92C supplies the valve opening target value to the gate valve control circuit 92E.

[0033] The generator control circuit 92D receives as input the rotation speed target value from the flow rate control circuit 92C, the rotational position of the turbine 31 detected by the position sensor P1, and the phase voltage and phase current output by the main circuit 91. The generator control circuit 92D performs torque control using the rotational position as an inner loop, derives a phase voltage setting value according to a control law in which the rotation speed target value is used as a target value, and outputs the phase voltage setting value to the main circuit 91. The generator control circuit 92D derives the angular velocity and torque of the turbine 31 based on the rotational position, the phase voltage value, and the phase current value, and supplies the derived angular velocity and torque to the flow rate control circuit 92C.

[0034] The gate valve control circuit 92E receives the target valve opening value from the flow control circuit 92C and the valve opening of the valve element 40 detected by the opening sensor P2. The gate valve control circuit 92E controls the actuator 50 using a control law in which the valve opening is used as a feedback value and the target valve opening value is used as a target value. The power required for operating the actuator 50 is supplied to the actuator 50 from the gate valve control circuit 92E.

[0035] The DC-DC converter 93 receives the DC regenerative power output from the main circuit 91. The DC-DC converter 93 reduces the voltage of the DC regenerative power to a voltage at which the power supply circuits 95 and 96 can operate, and supplies the reduced regenerative power to the power supply circuits 95 and 96.

[0036] The first power supply circuit 95 is configured to generate and supply power to the main circuit 91 based on the regenerative power from the DC-DC converter 93. In particular, the first power supply circuit 95 is configured to charge the DC link capacitor 91A when the DC link voltage Vm of the DC link capacitor 91A is low, that is, when the DC link capacitor 91A is not sufficiently charged.

[0037] The first power supply circuit 95 includes a first charging unit 95A, a first power storage unit 95B, and a first power supply unit 95C. The first charging unit 95A charges a first power storage unit 95B, which is formed of a capacitor or a rechargeable battery, with regenerative power from the DC-DC converter 93. The first power supply unit 95C boosts the power stored in the first power storage unit 95B, and charges a DC link capacitor 91A with the boosted power.

[0038] The second power supply circuit 96 is configured to generate and supply power (including power supplied to the actuator 50 via the gate valve control circuit 92E) to each of the circuits 92A to 92E and 99 based on regenerative power from the DC-DC converter 93.

[0039] The second power supply circuit 96 includes a second charging unit 96A, a second power storage unit 96B, a power switching unit 96C, and a second power supply unit 96D. The second charging unit 96A charges a second power storage unit 96B, which is formed of a capacitor or a rechargeable battery, with regenerated power from the DC-DC converter 93. The power switching unit 96C switches the power sent to the subsequent second power supply unit 96D between the power from the DC-DC converter 93 and the power stored in the second power storage unit 96B. The second power supply unit 96D generates and supplies power to each of the circuits 92A to 92E and 99 based on the power from the power switching unit 96C (power from the DC-DC converter 93 or the second power storage unit 96B).

[0040] The regenerative power processing circuit 99 is configured to consume the regenerative power that exceeds the rated voltage of the DC link capacitor 91A even when consumed by the DC-DC converter 93, the power supply circuits 95 and 96, the circuits 92A to 92E, the actuator 50, etc. The regenerative power processing circuit 99 may supply the regenerative power to the outside of the turbine type flow control device 10.

[0041] Here, the DC link voltage Vm of the DC link capacitor 91A in the main circuit 91 will be described. In this embodiment, when the fluid starts to flow through the flow path R1, the turbine 31 of the generator 30 starts to rotate, and the generator 30 starts to generate electricity. As a result, the DC link capacitor 91A, which initially had a DC link voltage Vm = 0 V, is charged. This charging also occurs when the DC link voltage Vm temporarily decreases due to a temporary decrease in the flow rate of the fluid and then recovers.

[0042] In this embodiment, each circuit of the control unit 90 operates using the power (regenerative power) generated by the generator 30. Therefore, as the DC link voltage Vm increases due to charging of the DC link capacitor 91A, the number of circuits operable by the control unit 90 increases. This is because an increase in the DC link voltage Vm increases the voltage of the regenerative DC power input to the DC-DC converter 93, thereby operating the power supply circuit 95 or 96 and enabling the power supply circuit 95 or 96 to output a voltage for operating each circuit. More specifically, when the DC link voltage Vm reaches voltage Vm1, the DC-DC converter 93 becomes operable. Thereafter, when the DC link voltage Vm reaches voltage Vm2, which is higher than voltage Vm1, the first charging unit 95A, the second charging unit 96A, and the various circuits 92A to 92E and 99 become operable. The maximum value of the DC link voltage Vm (the voltage when the DC link capacitor 91A is fully charged) is voltage Vm3.

[0043] The table below shows the operating status of each circuit for each DC link voltage Vm, terminal voltage (charging voltage) Vmc of first power storage unit 95B, and terminal voltage (charging voltage) Vcc of second power storage unit 96B.

[0044] [Table 1] Vm1: The DC-DC converter 93, the first power supply circuit 95 (particularly, the first charging unit 95A), and the second power supply circuit 96 (particularly, the second charging unit 96A, the power switching unit 96C, and the second power supply unit 96D) are operable. Vm2: Various circuits 92A to 92E and 99 can be operated. ·Vm3: Maximum voltage ·Vmc1 / Vcc1: The first power storage unit 95B / the second power storage unit 96B is dischargeable ·Vmc2 / Vcc2: The charge level of the first power storage unit 95B / the second power storage unit 96B is at the intermediate level ·Vmc3 / Vcc3: Full charge

[0045] In Table 1 above, "×" indicates that the circuit is non - operating, and "〇" indicates that the circuit is operating. "Stored power" and "regenerative power" in the column of the power switching unit 96C indicate whether the power supplied to each of the circuits 92A to 92E and 99 is the power from the second power storage unit 96B ("stored power") or the regenerative power directly supplied from the DC - DC converter 93.

[0046] When 0 ≦ Vm < Vm1 (No.S1 - 1 to S1 - 4), since the voltage of the regenerative power input to the DC - DC converter 93 is less than the operating voltage required to operate the DC - DC converter 93, the DC - DC converter 93 cannot operate. In this case, the regenerative power processing circuit 99, the first charging unit 95A, and the second charging unit 96A, which are powered by the DC - DC converter 93, also cannot operate.

[0047] Even when 0 ≤ Vm < Vm1 and the first power storage unit 95B is charged with dischargeable power, that is, when Vmc1 ≤ Vmc (No.S1-2, S1-4), the first power supply unit 95C can operate using the power of the first power storage unit 95B. When 0 ≤ Vm < Vm1, the first power supply unit 95C supplies the stored power of the first power storage unit 95B to the main circuit 91 to improve the charging speed of the DC link capacitor 91A. As a result, the DC link voltage Vm is boosted, and the DC link voltage Vm can quickly reach Vm1, enabling the DC-DC converter 93 to operate earlier. The state of Vm, such as whether the current Vm is 0 ≤ Vm < Vm1, is detected by any method. For example, a detection circuit (not shown) composed of passive components is provided in any circuit such as the main circuit 91, the first power supply circuit 95, or the second power supply circuit 96, and the detection circuit outputs a trigger signal according to the state of Vm. The first power supply unit 95C detects the state of Vm (here, 0 ≤ Vm < Vm1) by receiving the trigger signal. Such detection is also performed for each state of Vcm and Vcc as described later, but the detection of these states may be performed by the same method as above (by replacing Vm with Vcm or Vcc). Also, the detection of the above state is also performed by other circuits such as the first power supply unit 95C other than the first power supply unit 95C as described later, but the description of the state detection by these other circuits also conforms to the above (by replacing the first power supply unit 95C with other circuits such as the power switching unit 96C described later).

[0048] When the first power storage unit 95B is not fully charged, that is, when 0 ≤ Vmc < Vmc1 (No.S1-1, S1-3), the first power supply unit 95C cannot operate. In this case, the circuit operation is not performed until the DC link capacitor 91A is fully charged.

[0049] Even when 0 ≤ Vm < Vm1 and the second power storage unit 96B is charged with dischargeable power, that is, when Vcc1 ≤ Vcc (No.S1-3, S1-4), the power switching unit 96C can operate with the power of the second power storage unit 96B. When 0 ≤ Vm < Vm1 and Vcc1 ≤ Vcc, the power switching unit 96C supplies the stored power of the second power storage unit 96B to the second power supply unit 96D. The second power supply unit 96D operates each of the circuits 92A to 92E based on the supplied stored power. As a result, the circuits 92A to 92E can start operating earlier. The second power supply unit 96D may preferentially operate the flow control circuit 92C and the gate valve control circuit 92E, fully open the opening degree of the valve body 40, and promote the rotation of the turbine 31, that is, the power generation of the generator 30.

[0050] When the second power storage unit 96B is not sufficiently charged, that is, when 0 ≤ Vcc < Vcc1 (No.S1-1, S1-2), the first power supply unit 95C cannot operate. In this case, the operation of the circuit is not performed until the DC link capacitor 91A is sufficiently charged.

[0051] When Vm1 ≤ Vm < Vm2 (No.S2-1 to S2-4), the DC-DC converter 93 can operate, and the first charging unit 95A and the second charging unit 96A can also operate, but the first charging unit 95A and the second charging unit 96A do not operate so that Vm reaches Vm2 early. However, when 0 ≤ Vmc < Vmc1 and 0 ≤ Vcc < Vcc1, the first charging unit 95A and the second charging unit 96A may each operate.

[0052] When Vm1 ≤ Vm < Vm2 and Vmc1 ≤ Vmc where the first power storage unit 95B is charged with dischargeable power (No.S2-2, S2-4), the first power supply unit 95C can operate with the power of the first power storage unit 95B as described above. When Vm1 ≤ Vm < Vm2, the first power supply unit 95C supplies the stored power of the first power storage unit 95B to the main circuit 91 and improves the charging speed of the DC link capacitor 91A. As a result, the DC link voltage Vm is boosted, and the DC link voltage Vm can quickly reach Vm2, and the various circuits 92A to 92E, 99 can operate earlier.

[0053] When Vm1 ≤ Vm < Vm2 and Vcc1 ≤ Vcc when the second power storage unit 96B has chargeable dischargeable power (No.S2-3, S2-4), similar to the above, the power switching unit 96C can operate with the power of the second power storage unit 96B. Since the regenerative power is directly input from the DC-DC converter 93 to the power switching unit 96C, it can also operate with this regenerative power. The power switching unit 96C supplies the stored power of the second power storage unit 96B to the second power supply unit 96D when Vm1 ≤ Vm < Vm2 and Vcc1 ≤ Vcc. The second power supply unit 96D operates each circuit 92A to 92E based on the supplied stored power. Thereby, early operation of each circuit 92A to 92E becomes possible. The second power supply unit 96D may preferentially operate the flow control circuit 92C and the gate valve control circuit 92E, fully open the opening degree of the valve body 40, and promote the rotation of the turbine 31, that is, the power generation of the generator 30. Also, the power switching unit 96C stops the operation of the DC-DC converter 93. Thereby, the charging of the DC link capacitor 91A is promoted.

[0054] When Vm1 ≤ Vm < Vm2 and 0 ≤ Vcc < Vcc1 when the second power storage unit 96B does not have chargeable dischargeable power (No.S2-1, S2-2), the power switching unit 96C operates with the regenerative power from the DC-DC converter 93, and the second power supply unit 96D supplied with the regenerative power from the power switching unit 96C also operates. However, the regenerative power when Vm1 ≤ Vm < Vm2 is not sufficient to operate each circuit 92A to 92E, and each circuit 92A to 92E cannot operate. Among the circuits 92A to 92E, only an arbitrary part of the circuits of the flow control device 10 (circuits that are desirable to operate in this status, for example, at least a part of the system control circuit 92B) may be configured to be operable when Vm1 ≤ Vm < Vm2. In such a case, the second power supply unit 96D operates the arbitrary circuit. Thus, by suppressing the consumption of regenerative power while ensuring the operation of the desired circuit in each circuit 92A to 92E, the DC link voltage Vm may quickly reach Vm2.

[0055] When Vm2 ≤ Vm < Vm3 and when Vm = Vm3, the DC-DC converter 93 operates. Also, the regenerative power processing circuit 99 operates to consume surplus regenerative power when Vm = Vm3.

[0056] When Vm2 ≤ Vm < Vm3 and when Vm = Vm3, the DC link capacitor 91A is sufficiently charged, so there is no need to input a voltage to the DC link capacitor 91A. For this reason, the first power supply unit 95C does not operate (No.S3-1~S3-4, S4-1~S4-4). Also, the first charging unit 95A monitors the terminal voltage Vmc of the first power storage unit 95B, and when Vm2 ≤ Vm < Vm3, charges the first power storage unit 95B with the regenerative power from the DC-DC converter 93 when 0 ≤ Vmc < Vmc2, and when Vm = Vm3, charges it when 0 ≤ Vmc < Vmc3 (No.S3-1, S3-3, S4-1, S4-3). The first charging unit 95A does not charge the first power storage unit 95B when Vmc2 ≤ Vmc when Vm2 ≤ Vm < Vm3, and when Vmc3 = Vmc when Vm = Vm3 (No.S3-2, S3-4, S4-2, S4-4). Here, depending on the magnitude of Vm, the magnitude of Vmc serving as the criterion for the judgment of charging / non-charging is properly used. Thereby, charging according to the magnitude of the regenerative power is realized (when Vm2 ≤ Vm < Vm3, the amount of charge is limited).

[0057] When Vm2 ≤ Vm < Vm3 and when Vm = Vm3, since the voltage of the regenerative power is sufficient, the power switching unit 96C supplies the power to each of the circuits 92A to 92E via the power supply unit 96D as the regenerative power directly supplied from the DC-DC converter 93 instead of the power of the second power storage unit 96B (No.S3-1 to S3-4, S4-1 to S4-4). Also, the second charging unit 96A monitors the terminal voltage Vcc of the second power storage unit 96B, and when Vm2 ≤ Vm < Vm3 and 0 ≤ Vcc < Vcc2, and when Vm = Vm3 and 0 ≤ Vcc < Vcc3, charges the second power storage unit 96B with the regenerative power from the DC-DC converter 93 (No.S3-1, S3-2, S4-1, S4-2). The second charging unit 96A does not charge the second power storage unit 96B when Vm2 ≤ Vm < Vm3 and Vcc2 ≤ Vcc, and when Vm = Vm3 and Vcc3 = Vcc (No.S3-3, S3-4, S4-3, S4-4). Here, depending on the magnitude of Vm, the magnitude of Vcc serving as the criterion for the judgment of charging or not is properly used. Thereby, charging according to the magnitude of the regenerative power is realized (when Vm2 ≤ Vm < Vm3, the charging amount is limited).

[0058] As described above, the turbine flow control device 10 according to this embodiment includes the generator 30, which includes the turbine 31 that is rotated by the fluid flowing through the flow path R1, and the main circuit 91 (first circuit), which recovers regenerative power generated by the rotation of the turbine 31 and inputs power (such as a phase voltage) to the generator 30 to control the rotation of the turbine 31. The main circuit 91 includes a DC link capacitor 91A (a power storage element) and outputs regenerative power corresponding to a DC link voltage Vm, which is the charge level of the DC link capacitor 91A. Note that a rechargeable battery or the like may be used as the power storage element, instead of a DC link capacitor. The turbine flow control device 10 further includes circuits 92A to 92E (the circuits 92A to 92E collectively referred to as second circuits) that control the operation of the main circuit 91 and operate using the regenerative power output by the main circuit 91 (the regenerative power supplied via each circuit from the DC-DC converter 93 to the second power supply unit 96D). The circuits 92A to 92E may be made up of various processing circuits such as a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0059] Furthermore, the turbine flow control device 10 includes a first power supply unit 95C (first power supply circuit) that charges the DC link capacitor 91A by supplying power stored in a first power storage unit 95B for the main circuit 91 to the main circuit 91 when the DC link voltage Vm is lower than Vm1 or Vm2 (particularly Vm2) (first threshold value). Furthermore, the turbine flow control device 10 includes a second power supply unit 96D (second power supply circuit) that operates the circuits 92A to 92E by supplying power stored in a second power storage unit 96B for the second circuits (circuits 92A to 92E) to the second circuits when the DC link voltage Vm is lower than Vm1 or Vm2 (particularly Vm2) (second threshold value, which may be the same as or different from the first threshold value).

[0060] The above-described configuration provides the following advantages. First, when the fluid starts to flow through the flow path R1, the DC link capacitor 91A is not sufficiently charged with power, resulting in a lack of regenerative power and the inability to operate the second circuit (circuits 92A to 92E). Waiting for an increase in the flow rate would slow down the charging of the DC link capacitor 91A. However, in this embodiment, the first power supply unit 95C can charge the DC link capacitor 91A early, and the second power supply unit 96D can operate the second circuit (circuits 92A to 92E) early. This allows the turbine flow control device 10 to quickly reach a stable operating state (start up early). Furthermore, when the flow rate of the fluid through the flow path R1 decreases, the DC link voltage Vm of the DC link capacitor 91A drops, preventing the second circuit from operating. Even in such a case, waiting for the flow rate to increase would slow down the charging of the DC link capacitor 91A, but in this embodiment, as described above, the first power supply unit 95C and the second power supply unit 96D start operation of the second circuit early. In other words, the turbine flow control device 10 can be quickly restored to stable operation. As described above, according to this embodiment, even when a state of low fluid flow rate occurs, such as when the fluid starts to flow or when the fluid flow rate decreases, the turbine flow control device can be quickly restored to stable operation.

[0061] The main circuit 91 preferably includes an inverter circuit and employs a DC link capacitor 91A as a power storage element, thereby allowing the main circuit 91 to employ a variety of circuit configurations.

[0062] The first power supply unit 95C may terminate charging of the DC link capacitor 91A when the DC link voltage Vm is equal to or higher than Vm1 or Vm2 (particularly Vm2). As a result, when the DC link voltage Vm is equal to or higher than Vm1 or Vm2 (particularly when the DC link voltage Vm is equal to or higher than Vm2), a certain level of voltage from regenerative power can be obtained, and thus terminating charging reduces power consumption due to unnecessary charging.

[0063] The turbine type flow rate control device 10 further includes a first charging unit 95A (first charging circuit) that charges a first power storage unit 95B with regenerative power, thereby enabling the first power storage unit 95B to be charged with regenerative power.

[0064] The turbine flow control device 10 further includes a power switching unit 96C (power switching circuit) that switches the power supplied to the second power supply unit 96D between the regenerated power from the main circuit 91 and the power stored in the second power storage unit 96B. This allows the circuits 92A to 92E to operate using the regenerated power without going through the second power storage unit 96B.

[0065] When the DC link voltage Vm is equal to or higher than Vm1 or Vm2 (particularly Vm2), the power switching unit 96C may supply the power to the second power supply unit 96D with the regenerative power from the main circuit 91. This allows the circuits 92A to 92E to operate using the regenerative power without passing through the second power storage unit 96B.

[0066] The turbine flow control device 10 further includes a DC-DC converter 93 that transforms the regenerative DC power output by the main circuit 91, and when the charge level is lower than Vm2 but the DC-DC converter 93 is operable and the stored power of the second power storage unit 96B is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold (terminal voltage Vcc is Vcc2), the power switching unit 96C supplies the power to the second power supply unit 96D as the power stored in the second power storage unit 96B and does not operate the DC-DC converter 93. This prevents the DC-DC converter 93 from operating excessively.

[0067] The turbine flow rate control device 10 further includes a second charging unit 96A (second charging circuit) that charges a second power storage unit 96B with regenerative power from the main circuit 91. This allows the second power storage unit 96B to be charged with regenerative power.

[0068] The turbine flow control device 10 further includes a valve 40 that controls the opening degree of the flow path R1, and the circuits 92A to 92E operate the valve 40 to fully open the flow path R1 under the control of the second power supply unit 96D, for example, when the DC link voltage Vm is lower than a second threshold value. This promotes power generation by the generator 30, and enables the turbine flow control device 10 to quickly transition to stable operation.

[0069] A rotary valve such as a butterfly valve or a ball valve may be used as the valve element 40. The valve element 40 may be a globe, check, or diaphragm type valve element.

[0070] A portion of the generator 30 may be disposed outside the flow pipe 20. For example, the rotational energy of the turbine 31 may be extracted to the outside of the flow pipe 20 by a bevel gear, a magnetic gear, or the like, and the generator 30 may generate electricity by receiving the extracted rotational energy. In this case, the turbine 31 does not need to have a magnet, and there is no need to provide a stator 32 inside the flow pipe 20.

[0071] As the control law described in the above embodiment, any control law other than PI control may be adopted.

[0072] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments and modifications, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and modifications. For example, the present invention includes various modifications to the above embodiments and modifications that can be understood by a person skilled in the art within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. The configurations listed in the above embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate within a range that does not cause inconsistencies.

[0073] The configurations disclosed in this specification are described below. (Appendix 1) a generator including a turbine rotated by fluid flowing through the flow path; a first circuit that recovers regenerative power generated by the rotation of the turbine and inputs electric power to the generator to control the rotation of the turbine, the first circuit including an electric storage element and outputting regenerative power according to the charge level of the electric storage element; a second circuit that operates using the regenerative power and controls the operation of the first circuit; a first power supply circuit that charges the storage element by supplying the first circuit with power stored in a first storage unit for the first circuit when the degree of charge is lower than a first threshold value; a second power supply circuit that operates the second circuit by supplying, to the second circuit, power stored in a second power storage unit for the second circuit that is different from the first power storage unit when the degree of charge is lower than a second threshold value; A turbine type flow control device comprising: (Appendix 2) the first circuit includes an inverter circuit; the storage element is a DC link capacitor; The charge level is a DC link voltage, which is a voltage across the DC link capacitor. 2. The turbine-type flow control device of claim 1. (Appendix 3) the first power supply circuit terminates charging of the storage element when the charge degree is equal to or greater than the first threshold value. 3. The turbine type flow control device according to claim 1 or 2. (Appendix 4) a first charging circuit configured to charge the first power storage unit with the regenerative power; 4. The turbine type flow rate control device according to any one of appendices 1 to 3. (Appendix 5) The vehicle further includes a power switching circuit that switches the power supplied to the second power supply circuit between the regenerative power from the first circuit and the power stored in the second power storage unit. 5. The turbine type flow rate control device according to any one of appendices 1 to 4. (Appendix 6) When the charge degree is equal to or greater than the second threshold, the power switching circuit supplies the power to the second power supply circuit with the regenerative power from the first power supply circuit. 6. The turbine-type flow control device of claim 5. (Appendix 7) a DC-DC converter that transforms the regenerative power output from the first circuit, the regenerative power from the first circuit is regenerative power transformed by the DC-DC converter, when the charge degree is lower than the second threshold but the DC-DC converter is operable, and when the stored power of the second power storage unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the power switching circuit supplies the power to the second power supply circuit as the power stored in the second power storage unit, and does not operate the DC-DC converter. 7. The turbine-type flow control device of claim 6. (Appendix 8) a second charging circuit configured to charge the second power storage unit with the regenerative power; 8. A turbine type flow rate control device according to any one of appendices 1 to 7. (Appendix 9) Further provided is a valve body for controlling the opening degree of the flow path, The second circuit operates the valve body to fully open the flow path when the charge degree is lower than the second threshold value. 9. A turbine type flow rate control device according to any one of appendices 1 to 8. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 10... Turbine type flow control device, 20... Flow path pipe, 21... Connection member, 21A... Flange, 22... Connection member, 22A... Flange, 22B... Guide portion, 22BA... Flange, 22C... Groove, 23... Holding member, 23A... Hollow portion, 23B... Support portion, 23C... Connection portion, 24... Holding member, 24A... Hollow portion, 24B... Support portion, 24C... Connection portion, 30... Generator, 31... Turbine, 32... Stator, 40... Valve body, 50... Actuator, 90... Control unit, 91... Main circuit, 91A... DC link capacitor, 92A... Data communication circuit, 92B...system control circuit, flow rate control circuit, 92D...generator control circuit, 92E...gate valve control circuit, 93...DC-DC converter, 95...power supply circuit, 95...first power supply circuit, 95A...first charging unit, 95B...first storage unit, 95C...first power supply unit, 96...power supply circuit, 96...second power supply circuit, 96A...second charging unit, 96B...second storage unit, 96C...power switching unit, 96D...second power supply unit, 99...regenerative power processing circuit, 101...piping, 102...piping, P1...position sensor, P2...opening sensor, R1 to R3...flow path, S...support member.

Claims

1. a generator including a turbine rotated by fluid flowing through the flow path; a first circuit that recovers regenerative power generated by the rotation of the turbine and inputs electric power to the generator to control the rotation of the turbine, the first circuit including an electric storage element and outputting regenerative power according to the charge level of the electric storage element; a second circuit that operates using the regenerative power and controls the operation of the first circuit; a first power supply circuit that charges the storage element by supplying the power stored in a first storage unit for the first circuit to the first circuit when the degree of charge is lower than a first threshold; a second power supply circuit that operates the second circuit by supplying, to the second circuit, power stored in a second power storage unit for the second circuit that is different from the first power storage unit when the charge degree is lower than a second threshold value; A turbine type flow control device comprising:

2. the first circuit includes an inverter circuit; the storage element is a DC link capacitor; The charge level is a DC link voltage, which is the voltage across the DC link capacitor. The turbine type flow control device according to claim 1 .

3. the first power supply circuit terminates charging of the power storage element when the charge degree is equal to or greater than the first threshold value. The turbine type flow control device according to claim 1 .

4. a first charging circuit configured to charge the first power storage unit with the regenerative power; The turbine type flow control device according to claim 1 .

5. a power switching circuit that switches the power supplied to the second power supply circuit between the regenerated power from the first circuit and the power stored in the second power storage unit; The turbine type flow control device according to claim 1 .

6. the power switching circuit supplies the regenerative power from the first power supply circuit to the second power supply circuit when the charge degree is equal to or greater than the second threshold value; The turbine type flow control device according to claim 5.

7. a DC-DC converter that transforms the regenerative power output from the first circuit; the regenerative power from the first circuit is regenerative power transformed by the DC-DC converter, when the charge degree is lower than the second threshold but the DC-DC converter is operable and the stored power of the second power storage unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the power switching circuit supplies the power to the second power supply circuit as the power stored in the second power storage unit and does not operate the DC-DC converter. The turbine type flow control device according to claim 6.

8. a second charging circuit configured to charge the second power storage unit with the regenerative power; The turbine type flow control device according to claim 1 .

9. Further provided is a valve body for controlling the opening degree of the flow path, the second circuit operates the valve body to fully open the flow path when the charge degree is lower than the second threshold value; The turbine type flow control device according to claim 1 .

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