Power generation system

Abstract

We provide a power generation system with a small number of parts and a simple structure. [Solution] The power generation system EPS is divided into a first compartment 3 and a second compartment 4 within the main structure 1 by a first one-way throttle valve 5 and a second one-way throttle valve 6. A rotating shaft 7 is provided at the position separating the first compartment 3 and the second compartment 4, which rotatably supports the first compartment 3 in a lower position where it receives heat from a heat source and the second compartment 4 in an upper position where it does not receive heat from a heat source, and a second shift position where the first compartment 3 is in an upper position and the second compartment 4 is in a lower position. The system shifts between the first and second shift positions based on the weight difference due to the air pressure density between the first and second compartments 3 and the second compartment 4, and uses the wind power of the gas flowing in and out between the first and second compartments 4 to generate electricity.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, various proposals have been made for conventional power generation systems. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an example of a power generation system. The power generation system described in this Patent Document 1 is composed of a first tank and a second tank arranged at symmetric positions and a pipe connecting these tanks, a main structure in which a low-boiling working medium is sealed inside, a rotary support portion that supports rotatably with the central position of the main structure as a fulcrum, a cooling portion that adheres to one of both tanks that have been rotationally displaced to an upper position around the rotary support portion, a heating portion that adheres to one of both tanks that have been rotationally displaced to a lower position around the rotary support portion, a power generation turbine arranged in the pipe, a first one-way valve that allows the medium in the first tank to flow out only into the second tank, and a second one-way valve that allows the medium in the second tank to flow out only into the first tank.

[0003] When the first tank is in the upper position and the second tank is in the lower position, the low-boiling working medium in the second tank becomes high temperature by the heating portion and becomes a vapor-phase medium, and the inside of the second tank becomes high pressure. Therefore, the vapor-phase medium in the second tank flows into the first tank through the second one-way valve. In the first tank, the low-boiling medium that has flowed in from the second tank together with the low-boiling medium that has been sealed from the beginning also becomes low temperature and becomes a liquid-phase medium. Here, since the specific gravity of the low-boiling medium in the first tank is larger than that of the low-boiling medium in the second tank, due to the difference in self-weight between the first tank and the second tank, the first tank moves downward and the second tank moves upward, and the operation opposite to the above is performed. That is, the first tank and the second tank repeat the vertical movement alternately like a seesaw, and the vapor-phase medium flows in and out of the pipe. The power generation turbine rotates by the wind force of the vapor-phase medium flowing in and out of the pipe, and electric power can be obtained from the power generation turbine.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5585858 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] However, the power generation system described in Patent Document 1 requires two tanks (a first tank and a second tank) and piping to connect these tanks, and also requires a power generation turbine to be built into the piping. As a result, it has the problem of having a large number of parts and a complex structure.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a power generation system that has a small number of parts and a simple structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, wherein a gas-sealed space within the main structure is partitioned into a first compartment and a second compartment by a first one-way valve and a second one-way valve, the first one-way valve discharges the gas from the first compartment into the second compartment when the air pressure in the first compartment becomes higher than the air pressure in the second compartment by a threshold, the second one-way valve discharges the gas from the second compartment into the first compartment when the air pressure in the second compartment becomes higher than the air pressure in the first compartment by a threshold, and the main structure has a position separating the first compartment and the second compartment, at a lower position where the first compartment receives sufficient heat from a heat source, and the second A rotating shaft is provided that rotatably supports the compartment between a first shifted position in which the compartment receives little to no heat from the heat source, and a second shifted position in which the first compartment is in the upper position and the second compartment is in the lower position. The system is configured such that if the weight of the first compartment is heavier than the weight of the second compartment, a rotational force acts on the first shifted position, and if the weight of the second compartment is heavier than the weight of the first compartment, a rotational force acts on the second shifted position. The system is characterized in that either the wind force of the gas flowing in and out between the first and second compartments, or the rotational force of the rotating shaft that shifts the main structure between the first and second shifted positions, or both, are used for power generation. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the first compartment and the second compartment are separated by a first one-way valve and a second one-way valve, eliminating the need for piping. When generating electricity using the wind power of a gas, a rotating body or the like that rotates with wind power should be placed in at least one of the first compartment and the second compartment, which are located downstream of the first one-way valve and the second one-way valve, respectively. Thus, a power generation system with a small number of parts and a simple structure can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] The drawings illustrate specific embodiments of the present invention relating to this disclosure, including not only essential components of the invention but also optional and preferred embodiments. [Figure 1] This shows the first embodiment and is a plan view of the main structure. [Figure 2] This shows the first embodiment, a front view of the main structure in the first shifted position (the first compartment is in the lower position). [Figure 3] This shows the first embodiment, and is a front view of the main structure in the second shifted position (the second compartment is in the lower position). [Figure 4] The second embodiment is shown, where (a) is a cross-sectional view of the main structure at the first shifted position (the first compartment is in the lower position), and (b) is a side view of the main structure (viewpoint of arrow IV(b) in (a)). [Figure 5] This figure shows a second embodiment, illustrating the rotational trajectory of the main structure and the heat irradiation region of the heat source. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment, where the center of gravity is in the first shift position, and the positional relationship between the gas weight W1 of the first compartment and the gas weight W2 of the second compartment is shown. [Figure 7] This shows a third embodiment, a perspective view of the main structure. [Figure 8] This shows a fourth embodiment, a perspective view of the main structure. [Figure 9] This shows a fourth embodiment, a cross-sectional view of the main structure. [Figure 10] This shows a fifth embodiment, a cross-sectional view of the main structure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. In these embodiments, publicly known technologies will not be described. Furthermore, the devices and methods described are illustrative examples for realizing the technical idea of ​​the invention, and the technical idea of ​​the present invention is not limited to those described below. The technical idea of ​​the present invention can be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims. In particular, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and may differ from reality.

[0011] (First Embodiment) Figures 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention. The power generation system EPS (Electric Power System) comprises a heat source (not shown) and a main structure 1 positioned to receive heat irradiation from the heat source. The heat source is sunlight (solar heat), a heating element using electricity generated from renewable energy, a heating element using electricity generated from fossil fuels, etc. In this embodiment, sunlight is concentrated by a light concentrator and this concentrated sunlight (solar heat) is used.

[0012] The main structure 1 has an infinite loop shape. Specifically, in this first embodiment, the main structure 1 has an infinite ring shape in plan view and a shape that is bent at an intermediate position in side view. A gas-sealed space 2 is formed inside the main structure 1. This gas-sealed space 2 has an infinite loop shape and is filled with gas. The gas is air, nitrogen, etc. The gas-sealed space 2 is divided into two sections, a first compartment 3 and a second compartment 4, by a first one-way throttle valve (one-way valve) 5 and a second one-way throttle valve (one-way valve) 6. The first one-way throttle valve 5 and the second one-way throttle valve 6 are positioned 180 degrees opposite each other, and the first compartment 3 and the second compartment 4 are formed to have the same volume.

[0013] When the air pressure in the first compartment 3 becomes higher than the air pressure in the second compartment 4 by a threshold value or more, the first one-way throttle valve 5 discharges the gas in the first compartment 3 to the second compartment 4. When the air pressure in the second compartment 4 becomes higher than the air pressure in the first compartment 3 by a threshold value or more, the second one-way throttle valve 6 discharges the gas in the second compartment 4 to the first compartment 3.

[0014] A rotating shaft 7 is provided in the main structure 1 at a position that partitions the first compartment 3 and the second compartment 4. The rotating shaft 7 is disposed outside the ring form of the main structure 1 and is not disposed inside.

[0015] The main structure 1 shifts between a first transition position (the position shown in FIG. 2) and a second transition position (the position shown in FIG. 3) by rotating (oscillating) about this rotating shaft 7. The transition angle is between 30 degrees and 60 degrees.

[0016] At the first transition position, as shown in FIG. 2, it is in a lower position where the lower surface of the first compartment 3 is placed on the installation surface 10, and in an upper position where the second compartment 4 floats obliquely upward from the installation surface 10. At the second transition position, as shown in FIG. 3, it is in a lower position where the lower surface of the second compartment 4 is placed on the installation surface 10, and in an upper position where the first compartment 3 floats obliquely upward from the installation surface 10.

[0017] The first compartment 3 and the second compartment 4 each receive sufficient heat irradiation from the heat source at the lower position. At the lower position, the gas in the first compartment 3 and the second compartment 4 is heated respectively. The first compartment 3 and the second compartment 4 receive no or almost no heat irradiation from the heat source at the upper position. At the upper position, the gas in the first compartment 3 and the second compartment 4 is cooled by the surrounding air.

[0018] In the first compartment 3, the first rotating body (turbine) 11a of the first generator 11 is located immediately downstream of the second one-way throttle valve 6. In the second compartment 4, the second rotating body (turbine) 12a of the second generator 12 is located immediately downstream of the first one-way throttle valve 5. The first rotating body 11a and the second rotating body 12a are located 180 degrees opposite each other in the gas-sealed space 2 within the main structure 1. Each rotating body 11a and 12a of the first generator 11 and the second generator 12 has a main body fixed in a sealed state to the inner wall of the main structure 1 and a movable part housed within the main body, and each movable part rotates due to the wind force of the gas discharged from the first one-way throttle valve 5 and the second one-way throttle valve 6, respectively.

[0019] The rotating shafts 11b and 12b of the first rotating body 11a and the second rotating body 12a are led out to the outside of the main structure 1. The rotational force of the rotating shafts 11b and 12b led out to the outside of the main structure 1 is configured to be transmitted to the rotation-to-power conversion unit (not shown) of the first generator 11 and the second rotation-to-power conversion unit (not shown) of the second generator 12, respectively. In other words, the first generator 11 is composed of the first rotating body 11a and the first rotation-to-power conversion unit (not shown). The second generator 12 is composed of the second rotating body 12a and the second rotation-to-power conversion unit (not shown).

[0020] The weights of the first compartment 3 and the second compartment 4 vary depending on the density of the gas inside each compartment. When the weight W2 on the second compartment 4 side (the left half of the main structure 1 in Figures 2 and 3) becomes heavier than the weight W1 on the first compartment 3 side (the right half of the main structure 1 in Figures 2 and 3), a rotational force acts on the main structure 1 toward the first shift position. Conversely, when the weight W1 on the first compartment 3 side becomes heavier than the weight W2 on the second compartment 4 side, a rotational force acts on the main structure 1 toward the second shift position.

[0021] Next, the operation of the main structure 1 will be explained. Assume that the main structure 1 is currently in the first shift position shown in Figure 2. As the first compartment 3 is subjected to heat irradiation from the heat source, the gas in the first compartment 3 gradually becomes hotter after a certain period of time, and the pressure in the first compartment 3 gradually increases in proportion to this increase in temperature. When the pressure in the first compartment 3 becomes higher than the pressure in the second compartment 4 by a threshold, the gas in the first compartment 3 is discharged into the second compartment 4 from the first one-way throttle valve 5. Then, the density of the gas in the second compartment 4 gradually increases relative to the density of the gas in the first compartment 3. As a result, the weight W2 on the second compartment 4 side becomes greater than the weight W1 on the first compartment 3 side, and due to this weight difference between the two compartments 3 and 4, a rotational force (rotational force in the direction of arrow a in Figure 2) acts on the main structure 1 toward the second shift position, causing the main structure 1 to shift to the second shift position shown in Figure 3.

[0022] In the second shift position, the first compartment 3 receives little to no heating from the heat source, so the gas in the first compartment 3 is gradually cooled by the ambient temperature. Conversely, in the second shift position, the second compartment 4 receives heat irradiation from the heat source. After a certain period of time, the gas in the second compartment 4 gradually becomes hotter, and the pressure in the second compartment 4 gradually increases in proportion to this increase in temperature. When the pressure in the second compartment 4 becomes higher than the pressure in the first compartment 3 by a threshold, the gas in the second compartment 4 is discharged into the first compartment 3 from the second one-way throttle valve 6. Then, the specific gravity of the gas in the first compartment 3 gradually increases relative to the density of the gas in the second compartment 4. As a result, the weight of the first compartment 3 becomes greater than the weight of the second compartment 4, and this weight difference between compartments 3 and 4 causes a rotational force (rotational force in the direction of arrow b in Figure 3) to act on the first shifted position, causing the main structure 1 to shift to the first shifted position shown in Figure 2. In this way, the main structure 1 repeatedly shifts alternately between the first shifted position and the second shifted position.

[0023] In the process described above, each time gas is discharged from the first one-way throttle valve 5 into the second compartment 4, the second rotating body 12a rotates due to the airflow of the gas. Also, each time gas is discharged from the second one-way throttle valve 6 into the first compartment 3, the first rotating body 11a rotates due to the airflow of the gas. In this way, the rotational forces of the first rotating body 11a and the second rotating body 12a cause the first generator 11 and the second generator 12 to generate electricity.

[0024] Here, depending on the structure and other conditions, it is conceivable that the pressure in the space between the one-way throttle valve 5 and the second rotating body 12a, or the space between the one-way throttle valve 6 and the first rotating body 11a may increase, preventing the air from rotating the turbines 12a and 11a and moving to the adjacent second compartment 4 and first compartment 3. To prevent such a situation, the blades of the rotating bodies 12a and 11a are positioned near the outlets of the one-way throttle valves 5 and 6, the shape of the blades of the rotating bodies 12a and 11a is made to be more receptive to the gas coming out of the one-way throttle valves 5 and 6, and the rotating bodies 12a and 11a are designed to rotate in only one direction.

[0025] Furthermore, the main structure 1 rotates (oscillates) around the rotation axis 7. In this first embodiment, the rotation (oscillation) is approximately 30 degrees in the left-right direction.

[0026] As explained above, in the power generation system EPS, the gas-sealed space 2 within the main structure 1 is divided into a first compartment 3 and a second compartment 4 by a first one-way throttle valve 5 and a second one-way throttle valve 6. The first one-way throttle valve 5 discharges the gas from the first compartment 3 into the second compartment 4 when the air pressure in the first compartment 3 becomes higher than the air pressure in the second compartment 4 by a threshold, and the second one-way throttle valve 6 discharges the gas from the second compartment 4 into the first compartment 3 when the air pressure in the second compartment 4 becomes higher than the air pressure in the first compartment 3 by a threshold. The main structure 1 has a first compartment at a position that separates the first compartment 3 and the second compartment 4. A rotating shaft 7 is provided to rotatably support the first compartment 3 between a first shifted position in which the first compartment 3 is in a lower position where it receives sufficient heat from the heat source, and the second compartment 4 is in an upper position where it receives little to no heat from the heat source, and a second shifted position in which the first compartment 3 is in an upper position and the second compartment 4 is in a lower position. The system is configured such that if the weight of the first compartment 3 is heavier than the weight of the second compartment 4, a rotational force acts on the first shifted position, and if the weight of the second compartment 4 is heavier than the weight of the first compartment 3, a rotational force acts on the second shifted position. The system is configured to use the wind power of the gas flowing in and out between the first compartment 3 and the second compartment 4 for power generation.

[0027] Therefore, since the first compartment 3 and the second compartment 4 are separated by the first one-way throttle valve 5 and the second one-way throttle valve 6, piping as in the conventional example is not required. When obtaining electricity from the wind power of a gas, it is sufficient to place the rotating bodies 11a and 12a in at least one (both in the first embodiment) of the first compartment 3 and the second compartment 4, which are downstream of the first one-way throttle valve 5 and the second one-way throttle valve 6, respectively. Thus, an EPS power generation system with a small number of parts and a simple structure can be provided.

[0028] In this first embodiment, the gas-sealed space 2 within the main structure 1 has an infinite loop shape, and the first one-way throttle valve 5 and the second one-way throttle valve 6 are positioned to divide the infinite loop-shaped gas-sealed space 2 into two spaces, thereby partitioning the infinite loop-shaped gas-sealed space 2 into a first compartment 3 and a second compartment 4. The rotating shaft 7 that rotates the main structure 1 is set to a position that partitions the first compartment 3 and the second compartment 4. In the first shift position, the main structure 1 is in a lower position where the lower surface of the first compartment 3 rests on the installation surface 10, and the second compartment 4 is in an upper position where it is floating above the installation surface 10. In the second shift position, the lower surface of the second compartment 4 rests on the installation surface 10, and the first compartment 3 is in an upper position where it is floating above the installation surface 10.

[0029] Therefore, power can be obtained by the alternating swinging motion of the first compartment 3 and the second compartment 4, like a seesaw. Since the weight of the main structure 1 hardly acts on the rotating shaft 7, the strength of the rotating shaft 7 can be reduced, and it can be made lighter and smaller.

[0030] In this first embodiment, the first compartment 3 and the second compartment 4 are respectively equipped with first and second rotating bodies 11a and 12a, which rotate by the airflow of gas discharged from the first one-way throttle valve 5 and the second one-way throttle valve 6, and the system is configured to obtain power from the rotation of each rotating body 11a and 12a.

[0031] Therefore, electricity can be generated using the wind power of the gas flowing in and out between the first compartment 3 and the second compartment 4.

[0032] In the first embodiment, the wind power of the gas flowing in and out between the first compartment 3 and the second compartment 4 was used for power generation. However, the rotational force of the rotating shaft 7 that moves the main structure 1 between the first and second shift positions may also be used for power generation. Alternatively, power may be generated from both the wind power of the gas and the rotational force of the rotating shaft 7 of the main structure 1.

[0033] In the first embodiment, the gas-sealed space 2 of the main structure 1 is a nearly circular ring shape in plan view, but it may also be an elliptical ring shape, and various other infinite loop shapes are also conceivable.

[0034] In the first embodiment, the first generator 11 and the second generator 12 are arranged with the first rotating body 11a and the second rotating body 12a located in the first compartment 3 and the second compartment 4, respectively, and the respective rotation-to-power conversion units (not shown) located outside the main structure 1. However, the rotation-to-power conversion units (not shown) may also be arranged inside the first compartment 3 and the second compartment 4 together with the first rotating body 11a and the second rotating body 12a. In other words, the entirety of the first generator 11 and the second generator 12 may be arranged in the first compartment 3 and the second compartment 4, respectively.

[0035] (Second Embodiment) Figures 4 to 6 show a second embodiment of the present invention. This power generation system EPS, like the first embodiment, comprises a heat source (not shown) and a main structure 21 positioned to receive heat irradiation from the heat source.

[0036] The heat source is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0037] The main structure 21 is generally in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped rod. A gas-sealed space 22 is formed inside the main structure 21. This gas-sealed space 22 is a closed space with a finite end, rather than a loop shape with infinite ends as in the first embodiment. A first one-way throttle valve (one-way valve) 25 and a second one-way throttle valve (one-way valve) 26 are arranged side by side at an intermediate position in the vertical direction of the gas-sealed space 22. The gas-sealed space 22 is divided into a first compartment 23 and a second compartment 24, with the first one-way throttle valve 25 and the second one-way throttle valve 26 as the boundary.

[0038] The first compartment 23 and the second compartment 24 are point-symmetrical with respect to the center of gravity O (shown in Figure 6) of the main structure 21, and are formed to the same volume. However, the first compartment 23 and the second compartment 24 are asymmetrical with respect to a virtual horizontal line (not shown) passing through the center of gravity O; that is, they are point-symmetrical but not line-symmetrical. As a result, when the main structure 21 is divided into the first compartment 23 side (the lower half of the main structure 21 in Figure 6) and the second compartment 24 side (the upper half of the main structure 21 in Figure 6), the positions of the center of gravity O1 (shown in Figure 6) of the first compartment 23 and the center of gravity O2 (shown in Figure 6) of the second compartment 24 are horizontally shifted positions relative to the center of gravity O of the entire main structure 21.

[0039] A rotating shaft 27 extends outward from the rear side at the center of gravity O of the entire main structure 21. The rotating shaft 27 passes through the boundary between the first compartment 23 and the second compartment 24, and the main structure 21 is rotatably supported by this rotating shaft 27. A generator 29 (shown in Figure 4(b)) is mounted on the rotating shaft 27. The generator 29 converts the rotational force of the rotating shaft 27 into electricity.

[0040] The main structure 21 rotates together with the rotation axis 27 along the rotation trajectory shown in Figure 5, and the first compartment 23 and the second compartment 24 are positioned so that they can be moved up and down in any direction. The first shift position, shown in Figure 4, is in the lower position and the second compartment 24 is in the upper position, and the second shift position, not shown, is in the lower position and the first compartment 23 is in the upper position.

[0041] Figure 5 shows the rotational trajectory of the main structure 21 and the heat irradiation range E from the heat source. Both the first compartment 23 and the second compartment 24 receive sufficient heat irradiation from the heat source at the lower position. Therefore, when at the lower position, the gas in the first compartment 23 or the second compartment 24 is heated. Both the first compartment 23 and the second compartment 24 receive little to no heat irradiation from the heat source at the upper position. Therefore, when at the upper position, the high-temperature gas in the first compartment 23 or the second compartment 24 is cooled by the ambient air temperature.

[0042] Next, the operation of the main structure 21 will be explained. At this point, the main structure 21 is assumed to be in the first shift position shown in Figure 4(a). In this first shift position, the first compartment 23 is subjected to heat irradiation from the heat source, so the gas in the first compartment 23 gradually becomes hotter after a certain period of time, and the pressure in the first compartment 23 gradually increases in proportion to this increase in temperature. When the pressure in the first compartment 23 becomes higher than the pressure in the second compartment 24 by a threshold, the gas in the first compartment 23 is discharged into the second compartment 24 from the first one-way throttle valve 25. As a result, the density of the gas in the first compartment 23 gradually decreases, and the density of the gas in the second compartment 24 gradually increases. In other words, the weight W1 on the first compartment 23 side gradually decreases, and the weight W2 on the second compartment 24 side gradually increases. As a result, the weight W2 of the second compartment 24 becomes greater than the weight W1 of the first compartment 23, and this weight difference between the first compartment 23 and the second compartment 24 causes a rotational force in the direction of arrow c in Figure 6, causing the main structure 21 to shift to the second shift position (the first compartment 23 is in the upper position and the second compartment 24 is in the lower position).

[0043] In the second shift position, the first compartment 23 receives little to no heating from the heat source, so the gas in the first compartment 23 is gradually cooled. In the second shift position, the second compartment 24 is then subjected to heat irradiation from the heat source. After a certain amount of time, the gas in the second compartment 24 gradually becomes hotter, and the pressure in the second compartment 24 gradually increases in proportion to this increase in temperature. When the pressure in the second compartment 24 becomes higher than the pressure in the first compartment 23 by a threshold, the gas in the second compartment 24 is discharged into the first compartment 23 from the second one-way throttle valve 26. Then, the density of the gas in the first compartment 23 gradually increases relative to the density of the gas in the second compartment 24. As a result, the weight W1 of the first compartment 23 becomes greater than the weight W2 of the second compartment 24, and this weight difference between the first compartment 23 and the second compartment 24 causes a rotational force in the direction of arrow c in Figure 5, causing the main structure 21 to shift to the first shift position shown in Figure 4(a). In this way, the main structure 21 rotates in the same direction around the rotation axis 27, repeatedly rotating to shift between the first shift position and the second shift position. The generator 29 generates electricity through this rotational force of the rotation axis 27.

[0044] As described above, in the second embodiment, the power generation system EPS has a gas-sealed space 22 of the main structure 21 that has a finite-end closed shape, and the first one-way throttle valve 25 and the second one-way throttle valve 26 are arranged side by side at an intermediate position in the gas-sealed space 22, thereby dividing the gas-sealed space 22 into a first compartment 23 and a second compartment 24, and the rotating shaft 27 that rotates integrally with the main structure 21 is set at the position of the center of gravity O of the entire main structure 21 (shown in Figure 6), and the first compartment 23 and the second compartment 24 are arranged to be movable so as to be able to be moved up and down, and the first compartment 23 and the second compartment 24 have a shape in which the centers of gravity O1 and O2 (shown in Figure 6) of the first compartment 23 side and the second compartment 24 side are at different horizontally shifted positions relative to the center of gravity O of the main structure 21.

[0045] Therefore, for the same reasons as in the first embodiment, it is possible to provide an EPS power generation system with fewer parts and a simpler structure. It is preferable that the thickness of the main structure 21 be made as thin as possible. This allows for a larger space in the gas-sealed space 22 and reduces the weight of the main structure 21, enabling efficient rotation.

[0046] In the second embodiment, it is preferable to attach a rotational speed adjustment means (not shown) to the rotating shaft 27. The rotational speed adjustment means has a plurality of variable gears (not shown) and applies a desired rotational load to the rotating shaft 27 to keep the rotational speed of the main structure 21 constant at an appropriate speed. Specifically, if the rotation of the main structure 21 is too fast, there will not be enough time for cooling, and if the rotation of the main structure 21 is too slow, the power generation efficiency will be poor. Therefore, a variable gear of the rotational speed adjustment means (not shown) is attached to the generator 29 to adjust the load on the rotating body (turbine) inside the generator 29 and adjust the rotational speed of the rotating shaft 27 of the main structure 21.

[0047] Furthermore, the means for maintaining the rotational speed of the main structure 21 at a constant and appropriate speed may be as follows: The heating degree (pressure) of the gas in the first compartment 23 and the second compartment 24 may be adjusted by adjusting the range E (shown in Figure 5) to which the heat source irradiates heat, thereby adjusting the heating timing.

[0048] (Third embodiment) Figure 7 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. This power generation system EPS includes, similar to the second embodiment, a heat source (not shown) and a main structure 21A positioned to receive heat irradiation from the heat source.

[0049] In this third embodiment, the shape of the main structure 21A differs from that of the second embodiment. Specifically, in the third embodiment, the main structure 21A is formed in a generally propeller-like streamlined shape. More specifically, the main structure 21A has substantially conical corners 21a at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and the sides are formed into arc-shaped surfaces 21b that gradually bulge outwards from these corners 21a toward the center, forming a streamlined shape where the arc-shaped surfaces 21b from both corners 21a are continuous at the center in the longitudinal direction.

[0050] The main structure 21A is formed with the thinnest possible wall thickness. This allows for a larger space in the gas-sealed space 22 described below, while also reducing the weight of the main structure 21A, enabling efficient rotation.

[0051] A gas-sealed space 22 is formed inside the main structure 21A. Similar to the second embodiment, this gas-sealed space 22 is a closed space with finite ends and is filled with gas, similar to the second embodiment. In the gas-sealed space 22, a first one-way throttle valve (one-way valve) 25 and a second one-way throttle valve (one-way valve) 26 are arranged side by side at positions on the left and right of a virtual orthogonal auxiliary line L2 that passes through the center (centroid O) of a virtual center line L1 connecting the corners 21a at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and at positions shifted in opposite directions in the longitudinal direction with respect to the virtual orthogonal auxiliary line L2. The gas-sealed space 22 is divided into a first compartment 23 and a second compartment 24 using two auxiliary partition walls 21c, with the positions of the first one-way throttle valve (one-way valve) 25 and the second one-way throttle valve (one-way valve) 26 as the boundary.

[0052] The first compartment 23 and the second compartment 24 are formed in a point-symmetric shape with respect to the centroid O of the main structure 21A, and are of the same volume. However, similar to the second embodiment, the first compartment 23 and the second compartment 24 are asymmetric with respect to a virtual orthogonal auxiliary line L2 passing through the centroid O; that is, they are point-symmetric but not line-symmetric. As a result, when the main structure 21A is divided into the first compartment 23 side (approximately the lower half of the main structure 21A in Figure 7) and the second compartment 24 side (approximately the upper half of the main structure 21A in Figure 7), the positions of the centroid O1 of the first compartment 23 and the centroid O2 of the second compartment 24 are shifted in different directions along the virtual orthogonal auxiliary line L2 with respect to the centroid O of the entire main structure 21A.

[0053] Similar to the second embodiment, a rotating shaft 27 is provided extending outward from the back side at the position of the center of gravity O of the entire main structure. The rotating shaft 27 is set with the intersection of the virtual center line L1 and the virtual orthogonal auxiliary line L2 (position of the center of gravity O) as its center of rotation. The main structure 21A is rotatably supported by this rotating shaft 27. A generator (not shown) is mounted on the rotating shaft 27. The generator converts the rotational force of the rotating shaft 27 into electricity.

[0054] The main structure 21A is configured to rotate together with the rotation axis 27, similar to the second embodiment. The first compartment 23 and the second compartment 24 both receive sufficient heat irradiation from the heat source at the lower position, but receive little to no heat irradiation from the heat source at the upper position. Therefore, at the upper position, the high-temperature gas in the first compartment 23 or the second compartment 24 is cooled by the ambient air temperature.

[0055] In this third embodiment, the main structure 21A rotates in the same direction around the rotation axis 27 by the same operation as in the second embodiment. The rotational force of this rotation axis 27 generates electricity in a generator (not shown).

[0056] As described above, the third embodiment provides an EPS power generation system with fewer parts and a simpler structure, for the same reasons as in the second embodiment. The main structure 21A has a so-called propeller shape, which allows it to rotate with minimal influence from the surrounding fluid, resulting in high power generation efficiency. The main structure 21A of the third embodiment can be attached to other structures and used as a propeller in terms of function.

[0057] (Fourth Embodiment) Figures 8 and 9 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. This power generation system EPS, like the first embodiment, includes a heat source (not shown) and a main structure 31 positioned to receive heat irradiation from the heat source.

[0058] The heat source is the same as in the first embodiment. However, in this fourth embodiment, the heat source is in an environment where it may or may not irradiate the main structure 31 with heat, as described below.

[0059] The main structure 31 has a rocket-like basic shape. That is, the main structure 31 has a cylindrical shape as its basic form, with the tip of the cylinder formed as a conical surface portion 31a and the rear end of the cylinder formed as a flat surface portion 31b. Inside the main structure 31, a single compartment 33, which is a gas-sealed space, is formed. A first one-way throttle valve (one-way valve) 35 and a second one-way throttle valve (one-way valve) 36 are provided on the flat surface portion 31b of the main structure 31.

[0060] The first one-way throttle valve 35 discharges the gas from compartment 33 to the outside when the air pressure in compartment 33 becomes higher than the external air pressure by a threshold. The second one-way throttle valve 36 discharges the gas from the outside into compartment 33 when the external air pressure becomes higher than the air pressure in compartment 33 by a threshold.

[0061] In compartment 33, a generator 41 (shown in Figure 8) is located immediately upstream of the second one-way throttle valve 36. The generator 41 generates electricity using the wind power from the second one-way throttle valve 36.

[0062] Next, the operation of the main structure 31 will be explained. When compartment 33 is subjected to heat irradiation from a heat source, the gas in compartment 33 gradually becomes hotter, and the pressure in compartment 33 gradually increases. When the pressure in compartment 33 becomes higher than a threshold compared to the surrounding environment (air, etc.), the gas in compartment 33 is discharged to the outside from the first one-way throttle valve 35. This discharge force of gas causes the main structure 31 to move forward.

[0063] Subsequently, the main structure 31, and by extension the internal compartment 33, is cooled by the surrounding environment. As a result, the temperature of the compartment 33 gradually decreases, and the air pressure also decreases. When the pressure difference of the compartment 33 relative to the surrounding environment exceeds a predetermined value (even if the ambient temperature and the temperature of the compartment 33 are the same, the pressure difference exceeds a predetermined value due to the low density of the gas in the compartment 33), the external gas is discharged into the compartment 33 from the second one-way throttle valve 36. The discharge pressure of this gas collides with the inner surface of the conical surface portion 31a at the front end of the compartment 33, causing the main structure 31 to move forward.

[0064] Here, the surrounding environment is "room temperature" if it is indoors, and "outside air" or "the space around the main structure 31" if the main structure 31 is a flying object at high altitude or in outer space. In outer space, where it is influenced by stars such as the sun, the main structure 31 is warmed by the light of the star, and cooled in the shaded areas where the light of the star does not reach. In this way, the gas in the compartment 33 inside the main structure 31 is repeatedly warmed and cooled, causing the main structure 31 to move forward repeatedly.

[0065] In this third embodiment, gas is filled into a compartment 33 within the main structure 31, and power is obtained by causing the gas in the compartment 33 to flow in and out through a first one-way throttle valve 35 and a second one-way throttle valve 36 due to a temperature change (i.e., a pressure change) in the compartment 33.

[0066] Therefore, in each gas discharge process by the second one-way throttle valve 36, the generator 41 operates in the same manner as in the second embodiment to obtain power.

[0067] In the fourth embodiment, a generator may be placed on the gas discharge side (external) of the first one-way throttle valve 35. With this configuration, power can be obtained during each gas discharge process of both the first one-way throttle valve 35 and the second one-way throttle valve 36.

[0068] In this fourth embodiment, the device may be configured to obtain electricity by utilizing the mobility of the main structure 31.

[0069] In this fourth embodiment, the entire generator 41 is placed in the compartment 33 immediately downstream of the second one-way throttle valve 36. However, as in the first embodiment, the rotating body (turbine) of the generator 41 may be placed inside the compartment 33, and the rotation-to-power conversion unit (not shown) of the generator 41 may be placed outside the main structure 31.

[0070] (Fifth embodiment) Figure 10 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The power generation system EPS of the fifth embodiment differs from that of the fourth embodiment in the following respects.

[0071] In other words, the rear end of the main structure 31 is composed of a flat surface portion 31b and a concave surface portion 31c that curves downward toward the front end. The space formed by the concave surface portion 31c leads into a single compartment 33, which is a gas-sealed space. A second one-way throttle valve (one-way valve) 36 is provided on the flat surface portion 31b of the main structure 31. A first one-way throttle valve (one-way valve) 35 is provided on the concave surface portion 31c. A generator 41 is located in the compartment 33, immediately upstream of the second one-way throttle valve 36. The generator 41 generates electricity using wind power from the second one-way throttle valve 36. A generator 42 is located in the space formed by the concave surface portion 31c, immediately upstream of the first one-way throttle valve 35. The generator 42 generates electricity using wind power from the first one-way throttle valve 35. Since the other configurations are the same as those of the fourth embodiment described above, their explanation will be omitted to avoid redundant explanation.

[0072] In this fifth embodiment, as in the fourth embodiment, the generator 41 generates electricity using wind power from the second one-way throttle valve 36. Furthermore, in the fifth embodiment, the generator 42 also generates electricity using wind power from the first one-way throttle valve 35. Since a part of the first one-way throttle valve 35 and the generator 42 are positioned using the concave portion 31c at the rear end of the main structure 31, they do not protrude from the rear end of the main structure 31, thus preventing interference with other components.

[0073] In the fourth embodiment, computer control may be used to determine whether the gas flowing in from the second one-way throttle valve 36 is used for power generation (storing electricity) or for the thrust force (physical force) of the main structure 31. If the incoming gas is used for power generation and stored, the thrust force will decrease. On the other hand, if the incoming gas is not used for power generation, the thrust force will increase. Similarly in the fifth embodiment, computer control may be used to determine whether the gas flowing in from the first one-way throttle valve 36 and the second one-way throttle valve 35 is used for power generation (storing electricity) or for the thrust force (physical force) of the main structure 31.

[0074] (Regarding one-way throttle valves) One-way throttle valves 5, 6, 25, 26, 35, and 36 are used in the first to fifth embodiments described above. These one-way throttle valves 5, 6, 25, 26, 35, and 36 typically have a threshold for the movement of the gas and a threshold for stopping the movement of the gas. The threshold for the movement of the gas is used when the gas starts to flow in or out. Depending on the value of the threshold for stopping the movement of the gas, the pressure difference between the gas inside and outside compartments 3, 4, 23, 24, and 33 may almost disappear, stop just before reaching that point, or overshoot and the gas may move too much.

[0075] On the other hand, the one-way throttle valves 5, 6, 25, 26, 35, and 36 can have their threshold values ​​controlled by computer as needed. For example, by controlling the threshold values ​​of the one-way throttle valves 5, 6, 25, 26, 35, and 36 by computer, the pressure (amount of gas) in compartments 3, 4, 23, 24, and 33 can be adjusted, allowing the main structures 1, 21, 21A, and 31 (or the structures to which they are attached) to move when desired, and conversely, to do nothing when movement is not desired, thereby controlling their thrust.

[0076] In the embodiments described above, a gas is sealed within the main structure, and the gas maintains its gaseous state without undergoing a phase change (for example, the gas does not change into a liquid or solid). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an appropriate substance may be placed inside the main structure, and that substance may undergo a phase change.

[0077] Although each embodiment has been described in detail above, the invention is not limited to any particular embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope described in the claims. For example, the technical scope of the present invention includes a combination of a part of the configuration of one embodiment and a part of the configuration of another embodiment among the multiple embodiments.

[0078] Furthermore, the present invention may include at least the following embodiments. These embodiments may be adopted separately or in combination with each other. (1) The gas-sealed space within the main structure has an infinite loop shape, and the first one-way valve and the second one-way valve are respectively positioned to divide the infinite loop-shaped gas-sealed space into two spaces, thereby partitioning the infinite loop-shaped gas-sealed space into a first compartment and a second compartment, and the rotation axis for rotating the main structure is set at a position that partitions the first compartment and the second compartment, and the main structure is such that in the first shift position, the lower surface of the first compartment is in a lower position where it rests on the installation surface and the second compartment is in an upper position where it is floating above the installation surface, and in the second shift position, the lower surface of the second compartment is in a lower position where it rests on the installation surface and the first compartment is in an upper position where it is floating above the installation surface. (2) The first compartment and the second compartment are each equipped with a rotating body that rotates due to the airflow of the gas discharged from the first one-way valve and the second one-way valve, respectively, and are configured to obtain electricity from the rotation of the rotating body. (3) The gas-sealed space of the main structure is a closed shape with a finite end, and the first one-way valve and the second one-way valve are arranged side by side at an intermediate position in the gas-sealed space, thereby dividing the gas-sealed space into a first compartment and a second compartment, and the rotating shaft that rotates integrally with the main structure is set at the center of gravity of the main structure, and the first compartment and the second compartment are arranged to be able to move up and down freely, and the first compartment and the second compartment are shaped such that the centers of gravity of the first compartment side and the second compartment side are at different horizontally shifted positions with respect to the center of gravity of the entire main structure. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0079] 1,21,21A,31 Main structure 2.22 Gas-sealed space 3,23 First compartment 4.24 Second compartment 5,25,35 First one-way throttle valve (First one-way valve) 6,26,36 Second one-way throttle valve (second one-way valve) 11. First Generator (Generator) 12. Second Generator (Generator) 29, 41, 42 Generators 33 compartments

Claims

1. The gas-sealed space within the main structure is divided into a first compartment and a second compartment by a first one-way valve and a second one-way valve. The first one-way valve, when the air pressure in the first compartment becomes higher than the air pressure in the second compartment by a threshold, discharges the gas from the first compartment into the second compartment. The second one-way valve discharges the gas from the second compartment into the first compartment when the air pressure in the second compartment becomes higher than or equal to a threshold than the air pressure in the first compartment. The main structure is provided with a rotating shaft at a position separating the first compartment and the second compartment, which rotatably supports the first compartment between a first shift position in which the first compartment is in a lower position where it receives sufficient heat from the heat source and the second compartment is in an upper position where it receives little to no heat from the heat source, and a second shift position in which the first compartment is in an upper position and the second compartment is in a lower position. The system is configured such that if the weight of the first compartment is heavier than the weight of the second compartment, a rotational force acts on the first shifted position, and if the weight of the second compartment is heavier than the weight of the first compartment, a rotational force acts on the second shifted position. A power generation system characterized by using either the wind power of gas flowing in and out between the first compartment and the second compartment, or the rotational force of a rotating shaft moving between a first and second shift position of the main structure, or both, for power generation.

2. The gas-sealed space within the main structure has an infinite loop shape, The first one-way valve and the second one-way valve are positioned to divide the infinitely-end loop-shaped gas-sealed space into two spaces, thereby partitioning the infinitely-end loop-shaped gas-sealed space into the first compartment and the second compartment. The rotation axis that rotates the main structure is set at a position that separates the first compartment and the second compartment. The power generation system according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the first shift position, the lower surface of the first compartment is in a lower position where it rests on the installation surface, and the second compartment is in an upper position where it is floating above the installation surface, and in the second shift position, the lower surface of the second compartment is in a lower position where it rests on the installation surface, and the first compartment is in an upper position where it is floating above the installation surface.

3. The power generation system according to claim 1, characterized in that the first compartment and the second compartment are arranged in which a rotating body is rotated by the wind force of gas discharged from the first one-way valve and the second one-way valve, respectively, and the system is configured to obtain electricity from the rotation of the rotating body.

4. The gas-sealed space of the main structure has a closed shape with a finite end. The first one-way valve and the second one-way valve are arranged side by side at an intermediate position in the gas-sealed space, thereby dividing the gas-sealed space into the first compartment and the second compartment. The rotating shaft, which rotates integrally with the main structure, is set at the center of gravity of the main structure, and is arranged so that the first compartment and the second compartment can be moved up and down freely. The power generation system according to claim 1, characterized in that the first compartment and the second compartment have a shape such that the positions of the centers of gravity of the first compartment and the second compartment are shifted horizontally to different positions relative to the center of gravity of the entire main structure.

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