Vertical-axis water turbine, and vertical-axis windmill

Abstract

Enable the vertical-axis waterwheel to be easily installed. 【Solution means】 The vertical-axis waterwheel 100 that generates motive power by water flow includes a support column 110 erected on the seabed 200 (water bottom), a platform 120 provided so as to be movable up and down along the support column 110, a guide member 130 provided on the platform 120 and forming a closed circular orbit, and a waterwheel member 140 provided with blade members 142 that receive the force of the water flow and guided to move circularly along the guide member 130.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vertical-axis waterwheel that generates motive power by water flow.

Background Art

[0002] Tidal power generation and ocean current power generation using waterwheels have long been highly anticipated, along with solar power generation and wind power generation. In particular, compared to wind power generation that utilizes the power of the same fluid, the mass density of seawater is more than 800 times that of air, so its potential is extremely large. That is, when using a waterwheel for a windmill of the same size at the same flow rate, more than 800 times the energy can be obtained. Moreover, compared to unstable and unpredictable solar power generation and wind power generation, tidal power generation and ocean current power generation can be predicted almost accurately and have a lower risk of being affected by typhoons, gusts, weather, etc.

[0003] Therefore, for example, a vertical-axis waterwheel in which the vertical axis of the waterwheel is supported by bearings at the upper and lower ends is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the above vertical-axis waterwheel, a lift-type blade is connected near the central part of the vertical axis via a support arm, and a generator is attached to the end of the vertical axis to generate electricity.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, since the vertical-axis waterwheel is installed in water, in reality, there are various high hurdles, and at present, it has not been widely popularized. The reasons include, for example, that in the case of wind power, it can be installed relatively easily by making a support column for the windmill, but in the case of a waterwheel, installation is often not easy, including the installation method of the structure and maintenance.

[0006] Specifically, for example, in order to increase the size of a vertical-axis waterwheel, if the support arm connected to the vertical axis is lengthened or the blades are enlarged, the force acting on the support arm and the like and the rotational moment acting on the vertical axis increase, making it difficult to scale up from the perspective of manufacturing cost.

[0007] In view of the above points, the present invention aims to reexamine the concept of the conventional vertical-axis waterwheel from the root and enable the installation of a vertical-axis waterwheel in a relatively easy manner.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a vertical-axis waterwheel that generates motive power by water flow, a support column erected on the bottom of the water, a platform provided movably up and down along the above support column, a guide member provided on the above platform and forming a closed circular orbit, a blade member that receives the force of the water flow is provided, and a waterwheel member that is guided to move circularly on the above guide member, and is characterized by comprising the above.

Effect of the Invention

[0009] In the present invention, since it is provided with a waterwheel member provided with blade members and the platform is made movable up and down, it can be easily made not to be affected even when the water level (tide level) rises and falls. Further, since the waterwheel member provided with blade members is guided to move circularly on the guide member provided on the platform, the system can be easily enlarged. Therefore, for example, the practical application of tidal power generation and ocean current power generation can be facilitated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments and modified examples, components having the same functions as those in other embodiments are denoted by the same or corresponding reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0012] (Embodiment 1) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 for example, the vertical axis waterwheel 100 includes a support column 110 erected on the seabed 200 (water bottom) and a platform 120 that is vertically movable along the support column 110 and is provided so that its rotation is restricted. More specifically, the platform 120 is formed in a disk shape having a support column insertion hole 121 into which the support column 110 is inserted. The support column 110 is loosely fitted into the support column insertion hole 121 so that the platform 120 can move vertically, and its movement in the horizontal and rotational directions is restricted. A float member 160 is provided on the lower surface side of the platform 120 so that at least the upper surface of the platform 120 always floats on the sea surface according to the rise and fall of the water level.

[0013] Near the outer edge of the platform 120, a guide member 130 (circumferential rail) that forms a circular track (closed circumferential track) is provided.

[0014] The waterwheel member 140 is formed by suspending blade members 142 that receive the force of the water flow from an annular ring member 141 that is rotatably guided by the guide member 130, and the ring member 141 is rotatably guided by the guide member 130. The blade members 142 may be of any type and cross-sectional shape as long as they generate the rotational force of the waterwheel member 140 by the water flow. Also, as shown in FIG. 3 for example, multiple blade members 142 such as an inner peripheral side waterwheel member 140' and an outer peripheral side waterwheel member 140'' that rotate in opposite directions may be provided so as to obtain a larger rotational force by the water flow or to reduce the rotational moment (stress) acting on the support column 110.

[0015] On the platform 120, for example, a generator 150 is installed, and the rotational force is transmitted from an internal gear 141a formed on the inner peripheral portion of the ring member 141 of the waterwheel member 140 via a transmission gear 151 to generate electricity.

[0016] As described above, since the blade member 142 is suspended from the ring member 141 and the ring member 141 is vertically movable together with the platform 120 and the guide member 130, it is possible to easily prevent the influence even when the water level (tide level) rises and falls. In addition, in order to adjust the height of the platform 120, the float member 160 is not limited to being used as described above. For example, the platform 120 may be suspended from the upper part of the support column 110 by a wire or the like to control the length of the wire, or a rack & pinion may be provided between the support column 110 and the platform 120 to drive it.

[0017] In addition, since the blade member 142 is provided so as to hang down from the ring member 141, even if the radius of the ring member 141 (guide member 130) is increased, the force acting on the arm or the like supporting the blade member 142 hardly changes. Therefore, it is possible to easily increase the size of the system.

[0018] In addition, as described above, since there is no physical rotation axis and the circumferential speed of the rotational movement of the ring member 141 is directly transmitted to the transmission gear 151 in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the platform 120, it is possible to simplify the configuration of the transmission even when increasing the scale of the system.

[0019] In the above example, an example in which no rotation axis is provided and an annular integral ring member 141 is used is shown. However, not limited to the integral ring member 141, as long as the portion for suspending the individual blade members 142 can have a mechanism for energy transmission and reliable orbiting on the rail, members divided into individual units (a plurality of partial water turbine members) and connected by a chain, a belt, a wire rope, etc. may be used. This also makes it easy to reduce the manufacturing cost.

[0020] In addition, as the support column 110, an example in which a single support column having a circular cross section is provided is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a support column having a polygonal cross section may be provided, or a plurality of support columns may be provided.

[0021] Further, a plurality of generators 150 and transmission gears 151 may be provided according to, for example, the scale or the like. Also, not limited to the transmission gear 151, various other transmission mechanisms may be used, or the generator 150 or the like may be directly driven.

[0022] (Embodiment 2) The forms of the platform 120, the guide member 130, and the waterwheel member 140 are not limited to the above, and various settings are possible. For example, in the examples shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, instead of the disk-shaped platform 120, a platform 220 including an inner ring portion 221 in which the support column 110 is loosely fitted, an outer ring portion 222 on the outer peripheral side, and a radial connection portion 223 connecting these is used. (In FIG. 4, the waterwheel member 240 and the like are omitted in the drawing.) On the outer ring portion 222, a pair of inner and outer peripheral guide members 230 are fixed via, for example, a triangular framework 231. A ring member 241 from which the blade members 242 hang down has a U-shaped cross section with an open upper side, and the guide member 230 is sandwiched by rollers 241a provided inside the side walls thereof and is rotatably guided. In FIGS. 4 and 5, although the gears and the generator are omitted, an internal gear may be provided on the ring member 241 as in Embodiment 1, or the generator may be driven via gears provided in other parts.

[0023] (Embodiment 3) Also, the circular orbit is not limited to being formed by the circular guide member 130 as in Embodiments 1 and 2, and at least a part thereof may be a linear circular orbit. Specifically, in Embodiment 3 of the present invention, for example, as schematically shown in FIG. 6, a circular orbit is formed by a guide member 330 having an oval shape in which a pair of linear portions are connected by folded-back portions at both ends. The blade member holding portion 341 of the waterwheel member 340 may move linearly in a direction perpendicular to the water flow or the like along the pair of linear portions. The structure for forming the circular orbit as described above is not particularly limited. A plate-shaped platform 320 such as the platform 120 of Embodiment 1 may be formed in a shape corresponding to the circular orbit, or a platform may be configured using a framework as in Embodiment 2, and a guide member 330 corresponding to the circular orbit may be provided on these platforms.

[0024] The pair of straight portions are arranged at an optimal angle, such as a direction perpendicular (or intersecting) to the water flow. That is, when the water flow direction can be predicted to be constant, such as when the ocean current is constant, the direction of the straight portion may be fixedly installed. When the water flow direction is not constant, the platform 320 may be provided so as to be rotatable around a predetermined rotation axis, and may be controlled to be arranged as described above automatically or manually according to the water flow.

[0025] The waterwheel member 340 is provided such that a plurality of blade member holding portions 341 (partial waterwheel members) that are movably divided along the guide member 330 are connected by, for example, a chain (not shown), and a driving force can be transmitted to a generator or the like through the chain or the like.

[0026] In the blade member holding portion 341, a blade member 342 is provided via a rotating shaft 343, and is rotatable between a pair of blade member regulating portions 344a and 344b fixed to the blade member holding portion 341. More specifically, in FIG. 7, assuming that the direction of the water flow is from right to left, the blade member 342 provided on the straight portion on the upstream side is rotated so that the force that moves downward in the figure acts on the blade member by the water flow. The position is regulated by the blade member regulating portion 344a. Further, the blade member 342 provided on the straight portion on the downstream side is rotated so that the force that moves upward in the figure acts on the blade member by the water flow, that is, the force in the same circumferential direction acts. The position is regulated by the blade member regulating portion 344b. As a result, a driving force can be generated in both of the pair of straight portions, so that the efficiency can be easily increased. Moreover, by increasing the length of the straight portion and increasing the number of blade members 342, even if each blade member 342 itself is small, the vertical axis water turbine 100 can be easily enlarged.

[0027] The set angle of the angle formed by the blade member regulating portions 344a and 344b and the linear portion of the guide member 330 can be adjusted to maximize the energy absorption efficiency of the water turbine.

[0028] (Embodiment 4) In order to increase the size of the vertical-axis waterwheel 100 having a pair of straight portions in the circumferential orbit as described above, not only the straight portions can be lengthened, but also a plurality of circumferential orbits (platforms 320) may be arranged side by side in the direction of the water flow as shown in FIG. 7. In that case, they may be connected by respective connecting frames 371 or the like. Further, when the vertical-axis waterwheel 100 is installed at a location where the direction of the water flow is not constant, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the connecting frame 371 is rotatably provided on a rotating shaft 372 provided on a support column 110 as in the first embodiment, and the straight portion of the circumferential orbit is controlled to be arranged perpendicular to the water flow automatically or manually according to the water flow. When a plurality of circumferential orbits having straight portions are provided as described above, by making the rotation directions of the blade members 342 different from each other as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, it is possible to easily cancel the rotational moment acting on the platform 320 or the like and the acting force in the direction perpendicular to the water flow. Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and the rotation directions of the blade members 342 may be the same as each other.

[0029] Note that the present invention is not limited to providing the circumferential orbit in a long oval shape in which a pair of straight portions are connected at the turning portions at both ends as described above. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of straight portions may be sequentially connected in a bellows shape at the turning portions at the ends, and each blade member holding portion 341 may be provided so as to move in a meandering shape.

[0030] (Embodiment 5) In the waterwheel members 140 and the like of the above-described first to fourth embodiments, an example in which the blade members 142, 242, and 342 hang down from the ring members 141 and 241 and the blade member holding portions 341 has been shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the waterwheel member 440 may be supported between a pair of guide members 430 arranged vertically. More specifically, a plurality of waterwheel members 440 are provided in the same manner as the waterwheel member 340 of the third embodiment, and each includes a blade member holding portion 441, a blade member 442, and a rotating shaft 443 that rotatably supports the blade member 442. A blade member restricting portion (not shown) that restricts the rotational position of the rotating shaft 443 is provided in the same manner as the blade member restricting portions 344a and 344b of the third embodiment.

[0031] A pair of blade root member holders 441 are provided vertically, each of which includes a side roller 441a and a horizontal roller 441b, and is supported so as to restrict the movement of the guide member 430 in the width direction and the vertical direction, and is provided so as to be guided and movable in the longitudinal direction of the guide member 430. The rotating shaft 443 is rotatably supported at its upper and lower ends by the upper and lower blade root member holders 441. The upper blade root member holders 441 and the lower blade root member holders 441 are connected to each other via a connecting joint 441c so as to be relatively rotatable about the central axis in the vertical direction and the relative movement in the vertical direction is restricted.

[0032] In the vertical axis water turbine 100 configured as described above, by arranging the guide member 430 in the same manner as the guide members 330 in Embodiments 3 and 4 and the modification examples, for example, a driving force can be generated at any of the straight portions of the guide member 430, the efficiency can be easily increased, and the vertical axis water turbine 100 can be easily enlarged.

[0033] Moreover, each water turbine member 440 is guided and supported by the upper and lower guide members 430, and a plurality of water turbine members 440 are connected by a connecting joint 441c so that relative vertical movement is restricted, whereby it is possible to easily ensure that the force generated by the water flow is received.

[0034] Note that the configuration in which the guide members 430 are arranged vertically as described above may be applied when the circumferential orbit is circular as in Embodiments 1 and 2, or may be applied when the circumferential orbit has a straight portion as in Embodiments 3 to 4.

[0035] In addition, the components and functions described in the above embodiments may be combined in various ways within a logically possible range.

[0036] In addition, some of the examples as described above may be applied to a vertical axis windmill.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0037] 100 Vertical Axis Waterwheel 110 Support Pillar 120 Platform 121 Support Pillar Insertion Hole 130 Guide Member 140 Waterwheel Member 140’ Inner Peripheral Side Waterwheel Member 140” Outer Peripheral Side Waterwheel Member 141 Ring Member 141a Internal Gear 142 Blade Member 143 Frame 150 Generator 151 Transmission Gear 160 Float Member 200 Seabed 220 Platform 221 Inner Ring Portion 222 Outer Ring Portion 223 Connection Portion 230 Guide Member 231 Framework 240 Waterwheel Member 241 Ring Member 241a Roller 242 Blade Member 320 Platform 330 Guide Member 340 Waterwheel Member 341 Blade Member Holding Portion 342 Blade Member 343 Rotation Shaft 344a Blade Member Regulation Portion 344b Blade Member Regulation Portion 371 Connecting Frame 372 Rotation Shaft 430 Guide Member 440 Waterwheel Member 441 Blade Member Holding Portion 441a Side Roller 441b Horizontal Roller 441c Connecting Joint 442 Blade Member 443 Rotation Shaft

Claims

1. A vertical axis water turbine that generates motive force using water flow. A support pillar erected on the bottom of the water; A platform that is vertically movable along the support; A guide member provided on the platform and forming a closed orbit; A water turbine member is provided with a blade member that receives a force from a water flow and is guided by the guide member so as to be rotatable; Equipped with The platform has a support insertion hole into which the support is inserted, and is provided so as to be unable to rotate with respect to the support; The water turbine member is characterized in that the blade members are provided on a ring member rotatably guided by the guide member.

2. A vertical axis water turbine that generates motive force using water flow. A support pillar erected on the bottom of the water; A platform that is vertically movable along the support; A guide member provided on the platform and forming a closed orbit; A water turbine member is provided with a blade member that receives a force from a water flow and is guided by the guide member so as to be rotatable; Equipped with The guide members are provided on the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side relative to each other, A vertical axis water turbine characterized in that the water turbine members include an inner side water turbine member guided by the inner side guide member and in which the blade members move in a circular motion on the inner side, and an outer side water turbine member guided by the outer side guide member and in which the blade members move in a circular motion in the opposite direction to the blade members of the inner side water turbine member, outer side of the blade members of the inner side water turbine member.

3. A vertical axis water turbine that generates motive force using water flow. A support pillar erected on the bottom of the water; A platform that is vertically movable along the support; A guide member provided on the platform and forming a closed orbit; A water turbine member is provided with a blade member that receives a force from a water flow and is guided by the guide member so as to be rotatable; Equipped with The orbit of the guide member is formed to have at least one pair of straight portions and folded portions at both ends, The water turbine member is configured by connecting a plurality of partial water turbine members each including the blade member and guided by the guide member so as to be rotatable, The orbit is arranged in a direction in which the pair of straight portions intersect with a water flow direction, The blade members are arranged to be rotatable around a predetermined rotation axis, and the rotation position is regulated by a pair of blade member regulating parts so that they are rotatable within a range that forms a predetermined angle with respect to the direction of the straight portion, and the blade members located on the straight portion on the upstream side of the water flow and the blade members located on the straight portion on the downstream side are set in a direction in which a force acts in the same orbital direction.

4. The vertical axis water turbine of claim 3, A vertical axis water turbine characterized in that a plurality of the orbital tracks are provided, and each straight portion is arranged so as to be parallel to each other and aligned in the direction of water flow.

5. The vertical axis water turbine of claim 3, A vertical axis water turbine characterized in that the at least one pair of straight portions, each of which is a plurality of straight portions, are connected in sequence in a bellows-like shape at the folded-back portions at the ends, and each partial water turbine member is arranged to move in a serpentine manner.

6. The vertical axis water turbine of claim 1, A vertical axis water turbine, characterized in that the guide members are provided above and below the water turbine member, and guide the upper and lower parts of the water turbine members, respectively.

7. The vertical axis water turbine of claim 1, A vertical axis water turbine characterized in that the platform has a float member that causes at least a portion of the platform to float above the water surface.

8. A vertical axis wind turbine that generates motive force by wind, The pillars and A platform provided on the support; A guide member provided on the platform and forming a closed orbit; a windmill member provided with a blade member that receives a force of wind and is guided by the guide member so as to be rotatable; Equipped with The orbit of the guide member is formed to have at least one pair of straight portions and folded portions at both ends, The wind turbine member is configured by connecting a plurality of partial wind turbine members each including the blade member and guided by the guide member so as to be rotatable, The orbit is arranged in a direction in which the pair of linear portions intersect with a wind direction, The blade members are provided so as to be rotatable around a predetermined rotation axis, and the rotational position is restricted by a pair of blade member restricting parts, so as to be rotatable within a range that forms a predetermined angle with respect to the direction of the straight portion, and the blade members located on the straight portion on the upstream side of the wind and the blade members located on the straight portion on the downstream side are set in a direction in which a force in the same orbital direction acts.

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