Power generation device, updraft generating device, power generation method, and updraft acceleration method

Abstract

[Problem] There has been a great need in solar towers to improve power generation efficiency due to the large costs for construction. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a solar tower-type power generating device, etc., having a greater power generation efficiency than the prior art. [Solution] This power generating device comprises a cylinder body that has an upper end opening and a lower end opening, an impeller provided in a path of a gas passing through the cylinder body, and an impeller power generator that is interlocked with the rotation of the impeller and generates power, the gas causing the impeller to rotate to generate power, wherein for the purpose of increasing the ascending speed of an ascending air current inside the cylinder body, a low pressure forming means for forming a low pressure region in the internal space of the cylinder body is provided to a side surface of the cylinder body.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power generation device, an updraft generating device, a power generation method, and a method for increasing the speed of an updraft, and in particular to a power generation device that generates or increases the speed of an air current inside a cylindrical body by utilizing renewable energy. [Background technology]

[0002] In order for wind power generation to replace conventional nuclear power generation and thermal power generation, it is essential to develop technology to increase the output and stabilize the power generation equipment. Therefore, power generation equipment called so-called solar towers and solar chimneys (hereinafter referred to as solar towers) have been proposed.

[0003] A solar tower generates wind power by using the physical phenomenon that when the temperature of air rises, the density of the air decreases and it becomes a thermal rising wind, which generates an artificial air current inside the tower. The mechanism by which the artificial air current is generated is as follows.

[0004] Fig. 15 is a reference cross-sectional view showing the basic configuration of such a conventional solar tower P100. The solar tower P100 includes a cylindrical body 101, a light-transmitting heat collecting part 102 laid out at a predetermined interval between the ground G and the peripheral region of a lower end opening 101a of the cylindrical body 101, and an impeller 103 disposed around the lower end opening 101a of the cylindrical body 101, and is configured to generate electricity by the rotation of the impeller 103. The space inside the cylindrical body 101 is connected to the space between the surface of the heat collecting part 102 and the ground G, and the impeller 103 is disposed in this connected space.

[0005] First, when sunlight is irradiated onto the heat collecting section 102, the air present between the heat collecting section 102 and the ground G is heated. Here, the height of the ceiling of the heat collecting section 102 gradually increases toward the center, i.e., toward the cylinder 101, so the air that has been heated and has an increased temperature becomes a hot rising wind and gathers at the lower end opening 101a of the cylinder 101. Then, the air that has reached the lower end opening 101a of the cylinder 101 becomes an updraft due to the chimney effect, rises inside the cylinder 101, and is discharged into the sky from the upper end opening 101b of the cylinder 101.

[0006] The solar tower P100 is a device that generates wind power by utilizing the energy of the airflow artificially generated by this principle to rotate the impeller 103. Therefore, in order to make the solar tower P100 a power generating device with as high an output as possible, it is effective to make the air existing between the heat collecting part 102 and the ground G as hot as possible and to make the height of the cylinder 101 as high as possible in order to obtain a strong chimney effect by the cylinder 101 utilizing the temperature difference between the air inside and outside the cylinder.

[0007] The inventors have proposed a solar tower type power generation device that creates a low-pressure area by generating an airflow with vortexes in the direction directly opposite to the natural airflow at the upper end of a cylinder, thereby artificially increasing the speed of the airflow (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5551748 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] However, solar towers are very costly to build, so there was a great need to further improve the power generation efficiency.

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a solar tower type power generation device or the like that has higher power generation efficiency than conventional devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] A first aspect of the present invention is a power generating device comprising a cylinder having an upper end opening and a lower end opening, an impeller provided in a gas path passing through the cylinder, and an impeller generator that generates electricity in conjunction with the rotation of the impeller, wherein the gas rotates the impeller to generate electricity, and the power generating device further comprises low pressure forming means on a side surface of the cylinder for forming a low pressure region in the internal space of the cylinder in order to increase the upward speed of an updraft inside the cylinder.

[0012] A second aspect of the present invention is the power generating device of the first aspect, wherein the low pressure forming means has a side opening on the side surface of the cylindrical body, spatially connecting the internal space with the outside of the cylindrical body.

[0013] A third aspect of the present invention is the power generating device of the second aspect, wherein the side opening spatially connects the internal space to a low pressure portion outside the cylinder and formed around the side surface by an external flow based on a boundary layer or a separated shear layer.

[0014] A fourth aspect of the present invention is the power generation device of the third aspect, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the cylinder including the side opening has a corner, and the side opening is located downstream of the corner of the external flow.

[0015] A fifth aspect of the present invention is the power generating device according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, wherein an upper end of the cylindrical body is connected in a circumferential direction.

[0016] A sixth aspect of the present invention is the power generating device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, further comprising a spiral flow forming means for making the ascending air current into a spiral flow in a peripheral area of ​​the lower end opening of the cylindrical body.

[0017] A seventh aspect of the present invention is the power generating device of the sixth aspect, wherein the spiral flow forming means is a plurality of guide plates standing toward the cylindrical body, and the plurality of guide plates are installed so that adjacent guide plates are inclined at approximately the same angle in the same rotational direction to each other.

[0018] An eighth aspect of the present invention is the power generating device according to the sixth or seventh aspect, wherein a rotation direction of the impeller and a rotation direction of the spiral flow coincide with each other.

[0019] A ninth aspect of the present invention is the power generating device according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, wherein a height of the cylindrical body is lower than a height of the spiral flow generated.

[0020] A tenth aspect of the present invention is the power generating device of any one of the first to ninth aspects, further comprising a heat collecting section laid out at a distance from the ground in a peripheral area of ​​the lower end opening of the cylindrical body.

[0021] An eleventh aspect of the present invention is the power generating device according to the tenth aspect, wherein the heat collecting parts are laid out so as to spread asymmetrically from a central axis of the cylindrical body.

[0022] A twelfth aspect of the present invention relates to the power generating device according to the tenth or eleventh aspect, further comprising a reflector that reflects solar light, and the reflector heats the air inside the heat collecting portion.

[0023] A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the power generating device of any one of the tenth to twelfth aspects, wherein the cylindrical body has a translucent portion that is at least partially translucent, and further comprises a reflective portion that reflects sunlight and passes through the translucent portion to heat the air below the impeller.

[0024] A fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the power generation device of any one of the tenth to thirteenth aspects, wherein the heat collection section has a translucent body that transmits sunlight and further has a solar cell panel installed on and in contact with the translucent body, or has a solar cell panel as all or part of a ceiling of the heat collection section, and heat from the solar cell panel heats the air inside the heat collection section.

[0025] A fifteenth aspect of the present invention provides the power generating device according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects, comprising a plurality of the cylindrical bodies.

[0026] A sixteenth aspect of the present invention is the power generating device according to any one of the first to fifteenth aspects, wherein the cylindrical body is constructed integrally with, adjacent to, or in close proximity to a building.

[0027] A seventeenth aspect of the present invention is the power generating device of any one of the first to fifteenth aspects, further comprising a vertical axis wind turbine having a rotating shaft coaxial with the cylindrical body and a plurality of blades around the side surface of the cylindrical body, and a wind turbine generator that generates power in conjunction with rotation of the rotating shaft.

[0028] An eighteenth aspect of the present invention is an updraft generating device that generates an updraft by causing gas in a first space, which is the space between the ground and the bottom opening, to flow into a second space, which is an internal space of the cylinder, and includes a cylinder having an upper end opening and a lower end opening, a heat collecting section disposed at a distance from the ground in a peripheral region of the bottom opening of the cylinder, and low pressure forming means for forming a low pressure region in the second space in order to increase the upward speed of the updraft.

[0029] A nineteenth aspect of the present invention is a method for generating electricity using a power generating device comprising a cylinder having an upper end opening and a lower end opening, an impeller provided in a path of gas passing through the cylinder, and an impeller generator that generates electricity in conjunction with the rotation of the impeller, wherein the gas rotates the impeller to generate electricity, the power generating device comprising low pressure forming means on a side surface of the cylinder for forming a low pressure region in an internal space of the cylinder in order to increase the upward speed of an updraft inside the cylinder, the low pressure forming means including a low pressure forming step of forming the low pressure region in the internal space.

[0030] A twentieth aspect of the present invention is a method for accelerating an updraft using a cylindrical body having an upper end opening and a lower end opening, a heat collecting section laid out at a distance from the ground in a peripheral region of the lower end opening of the cylindrical body, and an updraft generating device for generating an updraft by causing gas in a first space, which is the space between the ground and the lower end opening, to flow into a second space, which is an internal space of the cylindrical body, wherein the updraft generating device is provided with low pressure forming means on a side surface of the cylindrical body for forming a low pressure region in the second space, and the method includes a low pressure forming step in which the low pressure forming means forms the low pressure region in the second space, and an accelerating step in which the low pressure region accelerates the upward speed of the updraft. Effect of the Invention

[0031] According to each aspect of the present invention, it is possible to increase the power generation efficiency by forming a low pressure area on the side of the cylinder and increasing the upward speed of the updraft. Therefore, it is possible to provide a solar tower type power generation device that can stably supply power even if it is a relatively small structure.

[0032] Moreover, according to the second and third aspects of the present invention, it is possible to realize low pressure generating means with a simple structural device, and to increase the speed of the ascending air current.

[0033] Furthermore, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily generate a low pressure region downstream of a corner due to the flow of a separated shear layer, thereby realizing a low pressure generating means and facilitating the acceleration of an updraft.

[0034] Furthermore, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it becomes easy to maintain the structural strength of the cylindrical body.

[0035] Furthermore, according to any one of the sixth to ninth aspects of the present invention, since the ascending air current is unlikely to collapse even when it exits from the upper end opening of the cylinder, it becomes possible to make the cylinder shorter than before.

[0036] In particular, according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to increase the rotational efficiency of the impeller and further improve the power generation efficiency.

[0037] According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, by heating the air around the lower end opening, it becomes easy to generate and accelerate an ascending air current inside the cylindrical body.

[0038] According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, by placing the cylinder at the end of the heat collection section instead of at the center, the distance that the air current passes through the space (first space) between the ground and the lower end opening is increased. This increases the distance that the air in the heat collection section is heated from the surroundings such as the ground. At least this is one of the factors that increases the wind speed of the updraft due to the buoyancy effect caused by the increased temperature difference, making it possible to further improve the power generation efficiency.

[0039] According to any one of the twelfth to fourteenth aspects of the present invention, it is possible to further increase the speed of the ascending air current by heating the air below the heat collecting section and / or the impeller.

[0040] According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, when there are multiple locations where a heat source and / or strong wind is available, efficient power generation can be facilitated by providing a cylindrical body near each of the locations.

[0041] According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, it becomes easy to utilize the exhaust heat from a building. Moreover, by integrating a part of the cylindrical body with the building, it becomes possible to significantly reduce the construction cost of the solar tower.

[0042] According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, power generation can be performed using a vertical axis wind turbine, so that power generation efficiency can be further improved.

[0043] Furthermore, according to the eighteenth or twentieth aspect of the present invention, the present invention can be regarded as an updraft generating device or an updraft increasing method, which makes it possible to reduce the energy required for exhaust and ventilation, which consume several megawatts of power, such as in factory exhaust chimneys and ventilation towers. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0044] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an external perspective view of a power generating device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a partial cross-sectional view of the power generating device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement of guide plates in a heat collecting section. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an experimental device for investigating the relationship between the presence of a guide plate and upper air wind and the generation of a spiral flow. [Diagram 5] 13 is an example of a graph showing a horizontal wind speed distribution inside a cylinder. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of a reflector and a heat storage body. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement of solar cell panels. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of changing the position of a cylinder. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the position of a cylinder and the wind speed of an ascending air current. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an external perspective view of a power generating device according to the present invention that includes a Darrieus wind turbine. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an external perspective view of a power generating device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a result of an output performance test of the power generating device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration in which one heat collecting part has a plurality of cylindrical bodies. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of constructing a power generation device adjacent to a building. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a reference cross-sectional view of a conventional solar tower. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0045] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, however, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. EXAMPLES

[0046] An example of a solar tower type power generating apparatus P1 according to the present invention is shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is an external perspective view of the power generating apparatus P1, and Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a partial cross-sectional view of the power generating apparatus P1.

[0047] The solar tower type power generating device P1 according to the present invention comprises an upwardly expanding cylindrical body 1 erected with an upper opening 1b and a lower opening 1a, a heat collecting section Hc having a translucent body 2 laid out at a distance from the ground G in the peripheral region of the lower opening 1a of the cylindrical body 1, an air flow passage 3 (an example of a "path" described in the present invention) formed by connecting a first space S1 which is the space between the ground G in the peripheral region and the translucent body 2 and a second space S2 which is the internal space of the cylindrical body 1 (an example of the "internal space" and "second space" described in the present invention), an impeller 4 provided in the air flow passage 3, and a generator 5 (an example of the "impeller generator" described in the present invention) which generates power in conjunction with the rotation of the impeller 4.

[0048] The cylinder 1 is supported by a cylinder support 7 provided at the bottom of the lower end opening 1a. The cylinder support 7 is formed of a structure capable of sufficiently supporting the weight of the cylinder 1, and is configured so that the first space S1 and the second space S2 communicate with each other. By forming the air flow passage 3 by communicating the first space S1 and the second space S2, the air (an example of the "gas" and "air" described in the present invention) below the translucent body 2 warmed by solar energy rises along the lower surface of the translucent body 2 and gathers in the center, and rises inside the cylinder 1 due to the chimney effect and is discharged into the sky from the upper end opening 1b. In this way, an artificial air flow Fa is generated in the air flow passage 3, flowing from below the periphery 2a of the translucent body 2 toward the upper end opening 1b of the cylinder 1.

[0049] It is preferable that the cylindrical support part 7 has a shape that does not hinder the flow of the artificial airflow Fa as much as possible. For example, if the cylindrical support part 7 is composed of a plurality of pillars and the cross-sectional shape of each cylindrical support part 7 composed of the pillars is made into a streamlined shape with respect to the flow of the artificial airflow Fa, the flow of the artificial airflow Fa from the first space S1 toward the second space S2 can be made smooth.

[0050] The power generating device P according to the present invention generates power by rotating the impeller 4 using the wind energy of the generated artificial airflow Fa. The impeller 4 can be installed anywhere in the air flow passage 3 through which the artificial airflow Fa passes, and multiple impellers 4 may be installed. Since the flow speed of the artificial airflow Fa increases closer to the center, it is preferable to install the impeller 4 as close as possible to the lower end opening 1a of the cylindrical body 1.

[0051] The cylindrical body 1 has a cutout 9 (an example of the "low pressure forming means" and "side opening" in the claims) on the side surface that spatially connects the second space S2, which is the internal space of the cylindrical body 1, to the outside. The cutout 9 spatially connects the second space S2 to a low pressure portion L1 that is outside the cylindrical body 1 and is formed around the side surface by an external flow based on a boundary layer or a separated shear layer. This forms a low pressure region L2 on the side surface of the cylindrical body 1 and in the second space S2 that is spatially connected to the side surface. As a result, the power generation efficiency can be improved by accelerating the artificial air current Fa, which is an ascending air current.

[0052] Furthermore, the upper end opening 1b of the cylindrical body 1 according to the first embodiment is continuous in the circumferential direction without any cuts, which makes it easier to maintain the structural strength of the cylindrical body.

[0053] The cylindrical body 1 has a narrow throat portion 1c at the lower end opening 1a, and is formed as an upward expanding type (diffuser type) that expands upward from the throat portion 1c. That is, the horizontal cross-sectional area of ​​the internal space of the cylindrical body 1 is smallest at the throat portion 1c, and gradually increases upward from the throat portion 1c. By forming the cylindrical body 1 in such an upward expanding type shape, a diffuser effect is produced, and the throat portion 1c, where the horizontal cross-sectional area of ​​the internal space is smallest, becomes low pressure. As a result, the flow velocity of the artificial airflow Fa flowing through the throat portion 1c is greatly increased.

[0054] Therefore, the amount of power generation can be effectively increased by disposing a rotatable impeller 4 around the central axis of the cylindrical body 1 in the throat portion 1c. In this case, it is preferable to provide a certain clearance between the blade tip of the impeller 4 and the inner wall of the throat portion 1c, and to make the rotor diameter of the impeller 4 as large as possible to match the size of the cross section of the throat portion 1c.

[0055] The divergence angle θ of the cylindrical body 1 is preferably about 4 to 10 degrees. In this specification, the divergence angle θ refers to the inclination angle of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 1 with respect to the vertical direction. By setting the divergence angle θ to about 4 to 10 degrees, the flow velocity of the artificial airflow Fa in the throat portion 1c of the cylindrical body 1 can be sufficiently increased. In the case of a non-viscous fluid, the larger the divergence angle θ, the higher the pressure recovery rate becomes, so that the throat portion 1c has a lower pressure and the artificial airflow Fa flowing through the throat portion 1c is further accelerated. However, in the case of air, which is a viscous fluid, if the divergence angle θ exceeds 10 degrees, boundary layer separation is likely to occur, so the effect of increasing the velocity of the artificial airflow Fa in the throat portion 1c is not sufficiently obtained. On the other hand, if the divergence angle is less than 4 degrees, the loss due to friction occurring between the inner wall of the cylindrical body 1 and the artificial airflow Fa becomes dominant, so the effect of increasing the velocity of the artificial airflow Fa in the throat portion 1c is not sufficiently obtained.

[0056] In reality, the impeller 4 is provided in the air flow passage 3, and the impeller 4 is considered to be a resistor to the flow of the artificial airflow Fa. There may also be other things, such as low pressure generating means, that can be resistors to the flow of the artificial airflow Fa. Therefore, since the optimal value of the divergence angle θ differs depending on the design of the power generation device P, it is preferable to find the optimal value of the divergence angle θ according to the design.

[0057] The cylindrical body 1 has a light-transmitting part, at least a part of which is light-transmitting, for example, near the lower end opening 1a. The power generation device P further includes a reflecting part on the outside of the cylindrical body 1, where reflected light of sunlight passes through the light-transmitting part and heats the air below the impeller. By heating the air below the impeller, it is possible to further accelerate the ascending air current.

[0058] The heat collecting section Hc is configured to heat the air present between the light-transmitting body 2 and the ground G by using solar energy, which is a renewable energy, or exhaust heat from factories and geothermal heat. The light-transmitting body 2 is made of a light-transmitting material such as glass or plastic that allows sunlight to pass through, and the heat collecting section Hc acts as a greenhouse, allowing the air present between the light-transmitting body 2 and the ground G to be efficiently heated by solar energy. In this case, the larger the installation area of ​​the light-transmitting body 2, the more solar energy can be used, and the amount of power generated by the power generation device P increases. Note that, although the light-transmitting body 2 is installed in a substantially circular shape in FIG. 1, the installation shape may be designed appropriately according to the conditions of the land on which the power generation device P is installed.

[0059] The light-transmitting body 2 is laid without gaps on a plurality of supports 6 erected on the ground G in the area surrounding the lower end opening 1a of the cylindrical body 1, and a predetermined distance is provided between the light-transmitting body 2 and the ground G. The height of the light-transmitting body 2 is configured to gradually increase toward the central cylindrical body 1. The lower end opening 1a of the cylindrical body 1 widens downward in a trumpet shape, and is smoothly connected to the central part of the light-transmitting body 2.

[0060] The heat collecting section Hc has a plurality of guide plates 15 in the peripheral area of ​​the lower end opening 1a of the cylinder 1 as a spiral flow forming means for turning the ascending air current into a spiral flow. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the guide plates 15. FIG. 3(a) is a perspective view of the heat collecting section having a cylinder and guide plates. FIG. 3(b) is a side view of the heat collecting section having a cylinder and guide plates. FIG. 3(c) is a plan view of the heat collecting section having a cylinder and guide plates. However, the cylinder is drawn as a transparent body so that the arrangement of the guide plates can be easily seen. FIG. 3(d) is a perspective view of only the guide plates.

[0061] The guide plates 15 are erected vertically toward the cylindrical body 1. Moreover, these guide plates 15 are installed so that adjacent guide plates 15 are inclined at approximately the same angle in the same direction. Specifically, the guide plates 15 are erected at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the direction toward the central axis of the cylindrical body 1. This makes the ascending air current generated inside the cylindrical body 1 a spiral flow, which is less likely to collapse even above the upper end opening 1b of the cylindrical body 1. Due to this characteristic, it is possible to reduce construction costs by making the height of the cylindrical body 1 lower than the height of the expected ascending air current.

[0062] Furthermore, the inclination direction of guide plate 15 coincides with the rotation direction of impeller 4. Therefore, the rotation direction of the spiral flow does not interfere with the rotation of impeller 4, but rather makes it possible to accelerate the rotation.

[0063] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an experimental apparatus for investigating the relationship between the presence of the guide plate 15 and the wind in the air above, and the generation of a spiral flow. FIG. 4(a) is a diagram showing the measurement unit of the experimental apparatus, and FIG. 4(b) is an enlarged view of the measurement device. Referring to FIG. 4(a), wind was generated in a predetermined direction above (above) the cylinder. The speed of the updraft was controlled by controlling the wind speed of the wind in the air above. Inside the cylinder, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the temperature and wind speed inside the cylinder were measured using a thermocouple and an ultrasonic flow meter inside the cylinder. Note that the origin was set as the center of the tower, and the wind speed was measured every 0.02 m in the range of -0.08 m≦x≦0.08 m. The height of the tower was 1.5 m. Eight guide plates were prepared and stood vertically under the cylinder. Here, the guide plates were measured in two cases: (1) when all the guide plates were facing the center of the tower, and (2) when all the guide plates were tilted in the same direction by 45 degrees from the direction of (1).

[0064] Figure 5 is an example of a graph showing the horizontal wind speed distribution inside the cylinder. Figure 5(a) shows the horizontal wind speed distribution inside the cylinder when all the guide plates are facing the center of the tower. Figure 5(b) shows the horizontal wind speed distribution inside the cylinder when all the guide plates are tilted 45 degrees in the same direction.

[0065] Referring to Figure 5(a), when all the guide plates are facing the center, some horizontal velocity components are generated when the wind speed in the air is fast, but it is only slight. On the other hand, referring to Figure 5(b), when all the guide plates are tilted in the same direction by 45 degrees, a horizontal swirling flow is clearly generated. In fact, because the horizontal component of the updraft is measured, it can be seen that the higher the wind speed in the air, the stronger the spiral flow is generated.

[0066] 6 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the reflector and the heat storage body. The power generation device P includes a reflector 11 that reflects sunlight as a light collecting section. This reflector 11 reflects sunlight and heats the air inside the heat collecting section Hc. This makes it easy to heat the air inside the heat collecting section Hc. The reflector 11 may be installed anywhere, such as above the light transmitting body 2, outside the heat collecting section Hc, inside the heat collecting section Hc, etc., as long as it can effectively heat the air inside the heat collecting section Hc.

[0067] Furthermore, the power generation device P includes a heat storage body 13 at the bottom of the cylindrical body 1 in the heat collection section Hc. This heat storage body 13 absorbs sunlight, stores heat, and releases the heat over time. Therefore, the heat stored during the day can be released at night as well, making it possible to accelerate the ascending air current inside the cylindrical body 1 at night as well. Moreover, since the reflector 11 reflects sunlight and collects it on the heat storage body 13, it becomes easy to store heat in the heat storage body 13 efficiently.

[0068] The heat storage body 13 is not limited to the lower part of the cylindrical body 1, and may be in the form of a plate extending inside the first space S1.

[0069] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of solar cell panels. The power generation device P includes a solar cell panel 8 in contact with the upper surface of the translucent body 2. This allows the heat of the solar cell panel 8 to be transferred to the translucent body 2, making it easier to heat the air in the heat collection section Hc. In other words, the solar cell panel 8 contributes not only to the supply of power by solar power generation, but also to the supply of power by wind power generation. It is preferable that the solar cell panel efficiently transfers heat even when the translucent body 2 has a curved surface, and may be a film type.

[0070] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of changing the position of the cylindrical body 1. FIG. 8(a) is a diagram showing a case where the cylindrical body 1 is provided in the center of the heat collecting part Hc. FIG. 8(b) is a diagram showing a case where the cylindrical body 1 is provided at the end of the heat collecting part Hc. The power generating device of the present invention may be configured such that the cylindrical body 1 is brought closer to the end of the heat collecting part Hc as shown in FIG. 8(b). In other words, the heat collecting part Hc shown in FIG. 8(b) is laid out so as to spread asymmetrically from the central axis of the cylindrical body 1. By bringing the cylindrical body 1 closer to the end of the heat collecting part Hc instead of the center, the distance that the airflow passes through the first space S1 is increased. At least due to this, it becomes easier to accelerate the artificial airflow Fa.

[0071] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing (a) a power generation device (Type A) in which the cylinder 1 is provided in the center of the heat collection section Hc, (b) a power generation device (Type B) in which the cylinder 1 is provided at the end of the heat collection section Hc, and (c) the wind speed of the ascending air current inside the cylinder 1. As shown in Fig. 9(c), when the cylinder (b) is provided at the end of the heat collection section, the wind speed is higher than when the cylinder (a) is provided in the center of the heat collection section.

[0072] Fig. 10 is an external perspective view of the power generating device P of the present invention further comprising a Darrieus wind turbine, which is a type of vertical axis wind turbine. The power generating device P of the present invention may be configured to further comprise a vertical axis wind turbine having a rotating shaft coaxial with the cylindrical body and a plurality of blades around the side surface of the cylindrical body, and a wind turbine generator that generates power in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating shaft. According to the power generating device P of Fig. 10, power generation can also be performed using the Darrieus wind turbine, which makes it possible to further increase the power generation efficiency. EXAMPLES

[0073] 11 is a diagram showing an example of a perspective view of a power generating device P2 according to Example 2. The power generating device P2 according to this embodiment may have one or more thin and deep notches 29 (another example of the "low pressure generating means" and "side opening" in the claims) extending axially from the upper end opening 1b side as low pressure generating means provided on the side of the cylindrical body 21.

[0074] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the results of an output performance test using a power generating device P2. The crown-shaped power generating device P2 having a plurality of notches 29 had a higher power generating capacity than a device without notches. It was also revealed that the performance was comparable to that of a power generating device having a vortex generating plate, which shows a high power generating capacity.

[0075] Furthermore, the cross section of the cylinder is not limited to a cylindrical shape with a circle. The cross section of the cylinder may be an ellipse, a polygon, or another shape. For example, the cross section of the cylinder including the cut portion may have a corner, and the cut portion may be located downstream of the wind flow (external flow) outside the cylinder when viewed from the corner.

[0076] Furthermore, one heat collecting section may have multiple cylinders as shown in Fig. 13. When there are multiple locations where heat sources and / or strong winds can be obtained, providing a cylinder near each of the locations makes it easier to generate power efficiently.

[0077] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of constructing a power generating device adjacent to a building. The power generating device according to the embodiment of the present invention may be constructed by integrating the cylindrical body 1 with the building 16 and adjacent to or in close proximity to the building. FIG. 14 shows a configuration example in which the cylindrical body 1 is supported by a support 17 close to the building 16. This makes it easy to utilize exhaust heat from a heat generating part 18 inside the building 16. In particular, when the cylindrical body 1 is constructed by integrating it with a part of the wall of the building 16, it is possible to significantly reduce the construction cost of the solar tower.

[0078] Furthermore, the WST (Wind-Solar Tower) power generation technology, which is a hybrid technology of wind power generation and solar power generation shown in this embodiment, can also be used as an energy saving technology. Forced exhaust fans are often installed in factory exhaust chimneys and ventilation towers for undersea or underground tunnels. These fans often consume several megawatts of power to create wind inside the chimney.

[0079] By adding a low-pressure generating structure, which is a WST technology, to these chimney outlets or by making the chimney itself a diffuser, it is possible to turn it into an updraft generator that effectively uses the heat of the exhaust itself and the natural winds above to generate wind inside the chimney. This method of increasing the speed of the updraft using an updraft generator can reduce the power consumption of fans.

[0080] In Xi'an, an inland city in China where air pollution is serious, a 60m-tall, 10m-diameter solar tower called an "air purification tower" has been constructed and a filter installed inside to remove air pollutants. WST's diffuser-type tower and technology for utilizing wind from above can also be used in ventilation systems that do not have exhaust fans, and it is expected that this will contribute to improving the efficiency of wind generation and making towers more compact.

[0081] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples, and the present invention can be embodied in other forms with various combinations and modifications based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the configurations and combinations shown in the drawings, and can be appropriately modified within the scope of the intent and technical ideas described in the above embodiments for carrying out the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1 cylinder 1a Bottom opening 1b Top opening 1c Throat 2 Translucent body 3 Air flow passage 4 Impeller 5. Generator 8. Solar Panels 9 Notch 11 Reflector 13 Heat storage body 15 Guide plate 16 Buildings 17 Support 18 Heating Part 21 Cylinder 21a Bottom opening 21b Top opening 29 Notch Fa Artificial airflow G ground Hc heat collection part P1 Power Generation Equipment P2 Power Generation Equipment S1 1st space S2 2nd space

Claims

1. A power generating device comprising: a cylinder having an upper end opening and a lower end opening; an impeller provided in a gas passage passing through the cylinder; and an impeller generator that generates power in conjunction with the rotation of the impeller, the gas rotating the impeller to generate power, a low pressure forming means for forming a low pressure region in the internal space of the cylinder in order to increase the upward speed of the updraft inside the cylinder, the low pressure forming means being provided on a side surface of the cylinder; The low pressure forming means has a side opening on the side surface of the cylindrical body that spatially connects the internal space with the outside of the cylindrical body.

2. The power generation device according to claim 1 , wherein the side opening spatially connects the internal space with a low pressure portion outside the cylinder and formed around the side by an external flow based on a boundary layer or a separated shear layer.

3. The cross-sectional shape of the cylinder including the side opening is It has corners, The power generating device of claim 2 , further comprising said side opening downstream of said corner of said external flow.

4. The power generating device according to claim 1 , wherein an upper end of the cylindrical body is connected in a circumferential direction.

5. a spiral flow forming means for forming the ascending air current into a spiral flow in a peripheral region of the lower end opening of the cylindrical body, The power generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the height of the cylindrical body is lower than the height of the spiral flow to be generated.

6. The cylindrical body further includes a heat collecting section disposed at a distance from the ground in a peripheral region of the lower end opening, The power generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the heat collecting portions are arranged so as to spread asymmetrically from a central axis of the cylindrical body.

7. A power generation device as described in claim 6, wherein the cylindrical body is integrated into a building and constructed adjacent to or in close proximity to the building.

8. A reflector that reflects sunlight on the outside of the heat collecting portion; The heat collecting portion further includes a heat storage body that absorbs sunlight and releases the stored heat over time, The power generating device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the reflector heats air inside the heat collecting portion by reflecting solar light onto the heat storage body and collecting the light on the heat storage body.

9. The heat collecting portion includes a light-transmitting body that is laid at a distance from the ground in a peripheral region of the lower end opening of the cylindrical body, The light-transmitting body is made of a light-transmitting material through which sunlight can pass, The solar cell panel is further provided on the light-transmitting body in contact therewith, or the solar cell panel is provided as a part or the whole of a ceiling of the heat collecting section, The power generating device according to claim 6 , wherein heat from the solar cell panel heats air inside the heat collecting section.

10. The power generating device according to claim 1 , comprising a plurality of the cylindrical bodies.

11. A vertical axis wind turbine having a rotating shaft coaxial with the cylindrical body and a plurality of blades around the side surface of the cylindrical body; The power generating device according to claim 1 , further comprising a wind turbine generator that generates power in conjunction with rotation of the rotating shaft.

12. An updraft generating device that generates an updraft by causing gas in a first space, which is a space between the ground and the lower end opening, to flow into a second space, which is an internal space of the cylinder, comprising: a cylinder having an upper end opening and a lower end opening; a heat collecting section that is installed at a distance from the ground in a peripheral area of ​​the lower end opening of the cylinder; a low pressure forming means for forming a low pressure region in the second space in order to increase the upward speed of the updraft is provided on a side surface of the cylindrical body; The low pressure forming means is an updraft generating device having a side opening on the side of the cylinder that spatially connects the internal space with the outside of the cylinder.

13. A power generation method using a power generation device comprising a cylinder having an upper end opening and a lower end opening, an impeller provided in a gas passage passing through the cylinder, and an impeller generator that generates power in conjunction with rotation of the impeller, the gas rotating the impeller to generate power, comprising: the power generating device is provided with a low pressure forming means on a side surface of the cylindrical body for forming a low pressure region in an internal space of the cylindrical body in order to increase the upward speed of an ascending air current inside the cylindrical body; the low pressure generating means has a side opening on the side surface of the cylindrical body for spatially connecting the internal space with the outside of the cylindrical body, The power generating method includes a low pressure forming step in which the low pressure forming means forms the low pressure region in the internal space.

14. A method for accelerating an updraft using a cylinder having an upper end opening and a lower end opening, a heat collecting section installed at a distance from the ground in a peripheral area of ​​the lower end opening of the cylinder, and an updraft generating device that generates an updraft by causing gas in a first space, which is a space between the ground and the lower end opening, to flow into a second space, which is an internal space of the cylinder, the updraft generating device is provided with low pressure forming means on a side surface of the cylindrical body for forming a low pressure region in the second space, the low pressure generating means has a side opening on the side surface of the cylindrical body for spatially connecting the internal space with the outside of the cylindrical body, a low pressure forming step in which the low pressure forming means forms the low pressure region in the second space; and an accelerating step of increasing the upward speed of the updraft in the low pressure region.

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