Water-flow power generation system

Abstract

This invention provides a highly efficient run-of-river power generation system that can be installed in irrigation canals and can be easily installed in canals of any width, depth, flow rate, and flow velocity. [Solution] A water-flow power generation system fixedly installed in a waterway, comprising: a rotating structure consisting of an endless track structure formed by a pair of left and right chains winding around and connecting a plurality of parallel rotating shafts; a plurality of fins for receiving water flow connected to the chains at equal intervals so as to be parallel to the rotating shafts; a housing for housing the rotating structure in the direction of rotation; a generator that performs power generation processing using the rotational motion of the rotating structure; and fixing members for fixing the housing to the waterway, wherein the housing is equipped with a sliding mechanism that can hold the plurality of rotating shafts so as to be able to slide and fix up and down, and the fixing members are installed so as to sandwich the housing on the upstream and downstream sides of the waterway.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a power generation system for generating electricity using the flow of water. In particular, it relates to a high-efficiency running water power generation system that can be installed in a service water channel, and can be easily installed in service water channels having any width, depth, water flow rate, and flow velocity.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, many power generation systems with various devices have been used, and power generation systems with a wide variety of structures have been developed and used.

[0003] Hydroelectric power generation using running water has been used for a long time, but it is mainly installed and used as a large-scale power generation system, and the installation rate of small-scale running water power generation systems that can be easily installed and generate electricity efficiently is extremely low at present.

[0004] As a technology related to such a running water power generation system, there is Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2021-60039. Here, as a hydroelectric power generation device that does not require a large-scale device and can be easily lifted from the water flow, it is a hydroelectric power generation device including a hydroelectric power generation module, a support portion, and a rod-shaped body. The hydroelectric power generation module includes a rotary blade 1 and a generator 3 that generates electricity by the rotation of the rotary blade 1. The support portion is a member that supports the hydroelectric power generation module and can be installed in a water channel, and a configuration is disclosed in which the other end portion located on the opposite side of one end portion of the rod-shaped body is rotationally moved, so that the rotary blade of the hydroelectric power generation module can be switched between a state where it is located below the water surface in the water channel and a state where it is located above the water surface in the water channel.

[0005] According to this technology, it is considered that it is possible to configure a power generation system that does not require a large-scale device and can be easily installed in a water channel and lifted from the water flow. However, it cannot be said that it can correspond to water channels of any depth, width, and water volume, and there is still a problem that it is insufficient in terms of efficiently receiving the water flow and generating electricity.

[0006] Furthermore, Utility Model Registration No. 3240800 discloses a power generation system equipped with a sluice gate and a water wheel installed in a river where there is an elevation difference between a low-water channel and a high-water channel. The sluice gate has a gate body installed to block the water flow in the low-water channel, and the bottom of the gate body is provided with a channel for the water flow to pass through. The water wheel is pivotally installed downstream of the gate body in the low-water channel, and the water wheel is driven by the water flowing through the channel to rotate, thereby generating mechanical energy for conversion into electrical energy. It is disclosed that these configurations eliminate the need to excavate a water channel and make it possible to provide a river water wheel power generation system that can be widely applied with simple installation.

[0007] While this technology certainly makes it possible to construct a widely installable power generation system with simple installation, it has drawbacks, such as not being able to accommodate all waterways of all depths, widths, and water volumes, and still being insufficient in terms of efficiently generating electricity by receiving water flow.

[0008] Numerous irrigation channels of various sizes and water volumes exist throughout Japan, primarily for agricultural purposes. Utilizing the power of the flowing water in these underutilized channels is expected to generate a considerable amount of electricity. Therefore, there has been a need for the development of a highly efficient run-of-river power generation system that can be installed in any irrigation channel while addressing the aforementioned problems. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-60039 [Patent Document 2] Utility Model Registration No. 3240800 Gazette [Disclosure of the Invention] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] To solve the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a water flow power generation system that generates electricity using the flow of water, and in particular, a water flow power generation system with high power generation efficiency that can be installed in irrigation canals and can be easily installed in irrigation canals of any width, depth, flow rate, and flow velocity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] To achieve the above objective, the flow-through power generation system according to the present invention is a flow-through power generation system fixedly installed in a waterway, comprising: a rotating structure consisting of an endless track structure in which a pair of left and right chains are wound around and connected to a plurality of parallel rotating shafts; a plurality of fins for receiving water flow that are connected to the chains at equal intervals so as to be parallel to the rotating shafts; a housing that houses the rotating structure in the direction of rotation; a generator that performs power generation processing using the rotational motion of the rotating structure; and fixing members for fixing the housing to the waterway, wherein the housing is equipped with a sliding mechanism that can hold the plurality of rotating shafts so as to be able to slide and fix up and down, and the fixing members are installed so as to sandwich the housing on the upstream and downstream sides of the waterway.

[0012] Furthermore, the rotating shaft consists of a rotating rod and a pair of gears installed on the left and right sides of the rotating rod. Multiple rotating shafts are connected so as to be rotatable by winding the chain around the left and right gears, and multiple fins are installed across the left and right chains at equal intervals so as to be perpendicular to the water flow. Furthermore, the fins are configured to be detachably attached to the chain.

[0013] Furthermore, the sliding mechanism consists of a pair of left and right guides that hold the rotating rod so that it can slide up and down and be fixed in place, the housing is provided with a plurality of the guides, and the rotating shaft is installed in the housing by the rotating rod being rotatably mounted on the guides. Furthermore, the rotating structure is configured such that a generator connecting gear is provided on the rotating rod of one of the rotating shafts, a first generator chain is wound around the intermediate gear installed in the housing and the generator connecting gear, and a second generator chain is wound around the generator gear provided in the generator and the intermediate gear, so that the generator performs power generation using the rotational motion of the rotating structure.

[0014] Furthermore, the rotating structure is configured such that a generator connecting gear is provided on the rotating rod of one of the rotating shafts, and a first chain for the generator is wound around the generator gear provided on the generator and the generator connecting gear, so that the generator performs power generation using the rotational motion of the rotating structure. Furthermore, the fixing member is configured to be installed on the waterway so as to sandwich the housing between the upstream and downstream sides of the waterway, and the generator is mounted on the fixing member on the upstream or downstream side. Furthermore, the left and right pair of chains are each provided with a plurality of fixing protrusions that protrude at regular intervals, and the chains are wound around the left and right gears so that the left and right fixing protrusions move in parallel, and the fins are fixedly installed on the left and right fixing protrusions so that they are perpendicular to the water flow. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] As the present invention has the configuration described in detail above, it has the following effects. 1. The rotating structure, which consists of an endless track system, is equipped with multiple fins. This configuration allows the fins to efficiently receive flowing water, maximizing the use of the water's force to generate electricity. Furthermore, the housing is equipped with a sliding mechanism, allowing the fins to be adjusted to the optimal depth relative to the water flow when the water-flow power generation system is installed in a waterway and started up. In addition, if a malfunction occurs in the water-flow power generation system, or during maintenance, or in the event of any other unforeseen circumstances, the fins can be raised above the water surface for adjustment. 2. The configuration, in which chains are wound around the left and right gears, allows multiple rotating shafts to respond and rotate precisely.

[0016] 3. The fins are detachably attached to the chain, making maintenance, such as fin replacement, easier. 4. Because the sliding mechanism consists of a pair of left and right guides, the rotating structure can be moved up and down along the guides, enabling reliable vertical movement and a configuration that is easy to maintain.

[0017] 5. The generator connecting gear and intermediate gear on the rotating rod are wound around a first generator chain, and the generator gear and intermediate gear on the generator are wound around a second generator chain. This configuration allows the rotational force of the rotating structure to be used for power generation. Furthermore, even when the housing moves up and down due to the sliding mechanism, slack and tension in the chain can be suppressed, allowing the rotational force of the rotating structure to be used for power generation without loss. 6. The generator connecting gear provided on the rotating rod and the generator gear provided on the generator are connected by winding a first chain for the generator around them, making it possible to use the rotational force of the rotating structure directly for power generation.

[0018] 7. Because the enclosure is sandwiched between the upstream and downstream sides of the waterway, it becomes possible to reliably install the flow-through power generation system in the waterway. 8. The fins are fixed to the fixing protrusions, ensuring that they are securely attached to the chain and facilitating maintenance. [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0019] The flow-through power generation system according to the present invention will be described in detail below based on the embodiments shown in the drawings. Figure 1a is a side view of the flow-through power generation system according to the present invention, and Figure 1b is a side view showing another embodiment of the flow-through power generation system. Figure 2a is a plan view of the flow-through power generation system, and Figure 2b is a plan view showing another embodiment of the flow-through power generation system.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, the flowing water power generation system 1 of the present invention comprises a rotating structure 100, fins 200, a housing 300, a generator 400, and a fixing member 500, and is a flowing water power generation system fixedly installed in a water channel. It is a flowing water power generation system with high power generation efficiency that can be easily installed in a water channel with any width, depth, water flow rate, and flow velocity.

[0021] The rotating structure 100 is a member for converting the force received from the flowing water in the water channel into rotational motion. As shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, it has an endless track structure. The rotating structure 100 comprises a rotating shaft body 110 and a chain 120.

[0022] The rotating shaft body 110 is a shaft provided in a direction perpendicular to the flowing water in the water channel, and a plurality of rotating shaft bodies 110 are installed in parallel. The chain 120 is an annular chain-like member, and a pair of left and right chains are provided. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, a pair of left and right chains 120 are wound around gears 114 provided at the left and right ends of a plurality of rotating shaft bodies 110 installed in parallel, so that all the rotating shaft bodies 110 are connected and configured to perform a rotational operation. With this configuration, an endless track structure is formed.

[0023] The fins 200 are members for receiving the force of the flowing water in the water channel. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b, a plurality of fins 200 are connected to the chain 120 at equal intervals so as to be parallel to the rotating shaft body 110. As a result, the fins 200 are installed perpendicular to the direction of the water flow (the arrow directions shown in FIGS. 1a·b and 2a·b), and it becomes possible to sufficiently receive the force of the flowing water in the water channel.

[0024] The housing 300 is a frame for housing the rotating structure 100. In this embodiment, the rotating structure 100 with fins 200 installed on the chain 120 is installed in the housing 300 made of a frame so as to be rotatable.

[0025] The generator 400 is a component for generating electricity using the rotational motion of the rotating structure 100. In this embodiment, the rotating structure 100 installed in the housing 300 converts the force of flowing water received via the fins 200 into rotational motion, and the generator 400 uses this rotational motion to generate electricity.

[0026] The fixing member 500 is a component for fixing the housing 300 to the water channel. In this embodiment, if the housing 300 is simply placed in the water channel, the housing 300 will not be stable and it will be impossible to operate it correctly. By securely fixing the fixing member 500 to the water channel and reliably holding the housing 300, stable power generation processing becomes possible.

[0027] In this embodiment, the housing 300 is configured to include a sliding mechanism 310, as shown in Figures 1a and 1b. The sliding mechanism 310 is a component for holding multiple parallel-installed rotating shafts 110 so that each can slide and fix up and down. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1a and 1b and 2a and 2b, the multiple rotating shafts 110 constitute the rotating structure 100 in a state where they are aligned parallel and horizontally. Therefore, the sliding mechanism 310 is configured to move all of the parallel-installed rotating shafts 110 up and down simultaneously and to the same height while maintaining the horizontal position of the multiple rotating shafts 110. With this configuration, it becomes possible to adjust the installation height of the rotating structure 100 according to the water depth and volume of the waterway, and to move and adjust the rotating structure 100 to the optimal height (depth) to efficiently receive the force of the flowing water.

[0028] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the fixing members 500 are installed on the upstream and downstream sides of the waterway (the direction of the water flow is as indicated by the arrows in Figures 1a and 2a and 2b), and the pair of fixing members 500 are installed so as to clamp the housing 300. This configuration ensures that the fixing members 500 are firmly fixed to the waterway and that the housing 300 is securely clamped and fixed. The fins 200 attached to the chain 120 of the rotating structure 100 are perpendicular to the water flow (as indicated by the arrows in Figures 1a and 2a and 2b), and the housing 300 is fixed in this position, making it possible to efficiently acquire the force of the flowing water and generate electricity by making maximum use of the force of the flowing water.

[0029] Furthermore, the housing 300 is installed on the fixing member 500 so that it can slide up and down by a sliding mechanism 310. This configuration makes it possible to adjust the fins to the optimal depth relative to the flowing water when installing and starting the flowing water power generation system 1 according to the present invention in a waterway. In addition, it is possible to raise the fins above the water surface and make adjustments, etc., when a malfunction occurs in the flowing water power generation system 1, when performing maintenance, or when other unforeseen circumstances occur.

[0030] Next, the configuration of the rotating structure 100 will be described. The rotating shaft 110 that constitutes the rotating structure 100 consists of a rotating rod 112 and a pair of left and right gears 114, as shown in Figures 1a and 2

[0031] Furthermore, the gears 114 are a pair of gear-shaped members fixedly installed near the left and right ends of the rotating rod 112, and the rotating rod 112 rotates axially in response to the rotational movement of the gears 114. In this embodiment, chains 120 are wound around each of the left and right gears 114. This creates a configuration in which multiple rotating shafts 110 are connected in a way that allows them to rotate freely in response to the movement. This makes it possible for multiple rotating shafts to rotate precisely in response to the movement of the gears 114.

[0032] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1a and 1b, multiple fins 200 are installed across the left and right chains 120. In this embodiment, the fins 200 are installed at equal intervals so as to be perpendicular to the water flow (in the direction of the arrows shown in Figures 1a and 1b and Figures 2a and 2b). With this configuration, the water flowing over the underside of the track is received by the multiple fins 200 installed at equal intervals on the underside of the track, making it possible to obtain the maximum force. In other words, it becomes possible to efficiently obtain the force of the flowing water and generate electricity by making maximum use of the force of the flowing water.

[0033] In this embodiment, the fins 200 are detachably attached to the chain 120. Because the fins 200 are subjected to significant force from the flowing water, they are prone to damage and bending. This configuration allows for easy replacement of damaged fins simply by removing them from the chain 120, thus simplifying maintenance.

[0034] As shown in Figures 1a and 1b, the sliding mechanism 310 in this embodiment consists of a pair of left and right guides 312. The guides 312 hold the rotating rods 112, which are provided in multiple locations on the rotating structure 100, so that they can slide up and down and be fixed in place. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1a and 1b, the guides 312 are members provided in multiple locations on the housing 300, and consist of a pair of left and right rod-shaped frames provided perpendicular to the housing 300, with holes drilled in the vertical direction. The rotating shaft 110 is configured such that the rotating rods 112 are pivotally attached to these holes so that they can rotate, move up and down, and be fixed in place. With this configuration, it is possible to install the rotating structure 100 on the housing 300 and move it up and down with a simple configuration, and it is possible to adjust the installation position of the rotating structure 100 as appropriate according to the water depth and flow rate of the waterway.

[0035] As shown in Figures 1a and 1b, the rotating structure 100 is configured to include a generator connecting gear 130. The generator connecting gear 130 is a component used to transmit the rotational motion of the rotating structure 100 to the generator 400, and is provided on one of the rotating rods 112 of the multiple rotating shafts 100. The generator 400 is also provided with a generator gear 410, as shown in Figures 1a and 1b.

[0036] As an embodiment of the flow-through power generation system 1 according to the present invention, as shown in Figures 1a and 2a, it is possible to configure the housing 300 to have an intermediate gear 412 installed. The intermediate gear 412 is a gear used for relaying the rotation of the rotating rod 112 to the generator, and in this embodiment, it is configured to be rotatably installed at the end of the housing 300 on the generator 400 side.

[0037] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1a and 2a, a first generator chain 420 is wound around the intermediate gear 412 and the generator connecting gear 130, and a second generator chain 430 is wound around the generator gear 410 and the intermediate gear 412. With this configuration, the rotation of the rotating shaft 110 (electrical connecting gear 130) of the rotating structure 100, which rotates in response to flowing water, is transmitted to the generator gear 410 via the first generator chain 420, the intermediate gear 412, and the second generator chain 430, causing the generator 400 to operate. This makes it possible for the generator 400 to perform power generation using the rotational motion of the rotating structure 100. Furthermore, even if the housing 300 moves up and down due to the operation of the slide mechanism 310, it is possible to suppress slack and tension in each chain, making it possible to stably transmit rotational power to the generator 400.

[0038] Furthermore, as another embodiment of the flowing water power generation system 1 according to the present invention, as shown in Figures 1b and 2b, it is possible to connect the generator gear 410 and the generator connecting gear 130 directly with a chain without using the intermediate gear 412. That is, the first generator chain 420 is wound around the generator gear 410 and the generator connecting gear 130. With this configuration, the rotation of the rotating shaft 110 (electrical connecting gear 130) of the rotating structure 100, which rotates in response to flowing water, is transmitted to the generator gear 410 via the first generator chain 420, causing the generator 400 to operate. This makes it possible for the generator 400 to perform power generation processing using the rotational motion of the rotating structure 100.

[0039] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1a and 1b, the fixing members 500 are configured to be installed on the waterway so as to sandwich the housing 300 between the upstream and downstream sides of the waterway. The generator 400 is mounted on either the upstream or downstream fixing member 500. In this embodiment, one fixing member 500 is fixedly installed at the bottom of the waterway, and another is fixedly installed at the bottom further downstream. The pair of fixing members 500 are positioned to sandwich the housing 300, thereby securing the housing 300 to the pair of fixing members 500. This configuration makes it possible to reliably install the water flow power generation system 1 in the waterway regardless of the depth, width, flow rate, or flow velocity of the waterway.

[0040] The left and right pair of chains 120 connecting the rotating shafts 110 are configured to have fixing protrusions 122. The fixing protrusions 122 are components used when fixing the fins 200 to the chains 120, and multiple fixing protrusions 122 are provided on the chains 120 at regular intervals.

[0041] Furthermore, the pair of chains 120 wound around the left and right gears 114 are configured such that the left and right fixing protrusions 122 move in parallel. In other words, as the left and right chains 120 move in an endless track-like manner in response to the rotation of the rotating shaft 110, the left and right fixing protrusions 122 move while maintaining parallelism.

[0042] In this embodiment, the fin 200 is a horizontally elongated fin-shaped member having approximately the same width as or wider than the rotating structure 100. It is fixedly installed on fixing protrusions 122 installed on the left and right chains 120, thereby spanning between the left and right chains 120. As a result, the fin 200 is installed perpendicular to the water flow. This configuration ensures that the fin 200 is securely fixed to the chains 120 and also facilitates maintenance.

[0043] By configuring the run-of-river power generation system as described above, it has become possible to provide a highly efficient run-of-river power generation system that can be installed in irrigation canals and can be easily installed in irrigation canals of any width, depth, flow rate, and flow velocity. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0044] [Figure 1a] Side view of the run-of-river power generation system according to the present invention [Figure 1b] Side view showing another embodiment of the run-of-river power generation system [Figure 2a] Plan view of a run-of-river power generation system [Figure 2b] Plan view showing another embodiment of the flow-through power generation system [Explanation of Symbols]

[0045] 100 Rotating Structures 110 Rotating shaft 112 Rotating Rods 114 gears 120 chain 122 Fixing protrusion 130 Generator Connection Gear 200 fins 300 cabinets 310 Slide mechanism 312 Guide 400 generators 410 Generator Gear 412 Intermediate gear 420 Generator No. 1 Chain 430 Generator's second chain 500 Fixing member

Claims

1. A water-flow power generation system (1) that is fixedly installed in a waterway, The rotating structure (100) consists of a continuous track structure formed by winding and connecting multiple parallel rotating shafts (110) with a pair of left and right chains (120); multiple fins (200) for receiving water flow connected at equal intervals to the chains (120) parallel to the rotating shafts (110); a housing (300) for housing the rotating structure (100) in the direction of rotation; a generator (400) that performs power generation using the rotational motion of the rotating structure (100); and a fixing member (500) for fixing the housing (300) to the waterway. The housing (300) is configured to include a sliding mechanism (310) that holds a plurality of the rotating shafts (110) in a manner that allows them to slide and fix in place vertically. The water-flow power generation system is characterized in that the fixing member (500) clamps the housing (300) on the upstream and downstream sides of the waterway, and the housing (300) is installed on the fixing member (500) so that it can slide up and down by the sliding mechanism (310).

2. The rotating shaft (110) consists of a rotating rod (112) and a pair of gears (114) installed on the left and right sides of the rotating rod (112), and the chain (120) is wound around the left and right gears (114) so ​​that multiple rotating shafts (110) are connected so as to be able to rotate freely. The flow-through power generation system according to claim 1, characterized in that the left and right chains (120) are provided with multiple fins (200) at equal intervals so as to be perpendicular to the water flow.

3. The water-flow power generation system according to claim 2, characterized in that the fin (200) is detachably attached to the chain (120).

4. The slide mechanism (310) consists of a pair of left and right guides (312) that hold the rotating rod (112) so that it can slide up and down and be fixed in place. The water-flow power generation system according to claim 2, characterized in that the housing (300) comprises a plurality of guides (312), and the rotating shaft (110) is installed in the housing (300) by the rotating rod (112) being rotatably attached to the guides (312).

5. The rotating structure (100) is configured such that a generator connecting gear (130) is provided on the rotating rod (112) of one of the rotating shafts (110). The water-flow power generation system according to claim 4, characterized in that a first generator chain (420) is wound around an intermediate gear (412) and a generator connecting gear (130) installed in the housing (300), and a second generator chain (430) is wound around a generator gear (410) and an intermediate gear (412) provided on the generator (400), thereby causing the generator (400) to perform power generation using the rotational motion of the rotating structure (100).

6. The rotating structure (100) is configured such that a generator connecting gear (130) is provided on the rotating rod (112) of one of the rotating shafts (110). The flow-through water power generation system according to claim 4, characterized in that a first generator chain (420) is wound around a generator gear (410) and a generator connecting gear (130) provided on the generator (400), so that the generator (400) performs power generation using the rotational motion of the rotating structure (100).

7. The water-flow power generation system according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the fixing member (500) is installed on the waterway so as to sandwich the housing (300) between the upstream and downstream sides of the waterway, and the generator (400) is mounted on the upstream or downstream fixing member (500).

8. The left and right pair of chains (120) are each provided with a plurality of fixing protrusions (122) that are projected at regular intervals, and the chains (120) are wound around the left and right gears (114) such that the left and right fixing protrusions (122) move in parallel. The water-flow power generation system according to claim 7, characterized in that the fins (200) are fixedly installed on the left and right fixing protrusions (122) so as to be perpendicular to the water flow.

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