Lightning Energy Storage Device

Abstract

A lightning energy storage device 1 comprises: a lightning induction part 11 that receives a lightning strike; a conducting wire 13 through which flows a lightning surge current induced from the lightning induction part 11; an air compression unit 12 that compresses air using an electromagnetic force which is generated when the conducting wire 13 is wound and a lightning surface current flows through the conducting wire 13; and storage units 15A, 15B that store the compressed air generated by the air compression unit 12.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a lightning energy storage device. [Background technology]

[0002] A technology has been devised that flies a drone under a thundercloud to capture lightning strikes and guide them to the ground. Non-Patent Document 1 proposes a technology that drops a metal wire from the air to induce lightning. Non-Patent Document 2 considers a technology that connects a drone to a charging device with a conductor and charges it with lightning energy. In order to charge a lightning strike, it is necessary to receive lightning and charge a capacitor or battery. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0003] [Non-Patent Document 1] D. Wang, F. Wang, W. Lu, Y. Zhang, Q. Meng, and G. Zhang, "Triggering Lightning Discharges at Various Controllable Altitudes and Their Potential Applications", International Conference on Atmospheric Electricity, August 08-12, 2011, Brazil [Non-patent document 2] "Lightning Control and Charging Technology", [online], December 3, 2021, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, Internet〈 URL: https: / / www.rd.ntt / research / SE0010.html 〉 [Non-patent document 3] "Storing electricity by compressing air," [online], November 29, 2021, Nikkei Crosstech, Internet <URL: https: / / xtech.nikkei.com / atcl / nxt / column / 18 / 01855 / 00005 / > Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, because lightning surge currents occur for only a few microseconds, charging batteries is difficult. Furthermore, when charging a capacitor, it is necessary to select a capacitor with high voltage resistance and large capacitance. High-voltage capacitors are expensive, and there is a risk of explosion if a lightning surge current greater than expected flows through them.

[0005] On the other hand, Non-Patent Document 3 discloses a technology for storing electricity by compressing air.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above, and aims to efficiently store lightning energy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A lightning energy storage device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a lightning induction unit that receives lightning strikes, a conductor through which a lightning surge current induced from the lightning induction unit flows, an air compression unit around which the conductor is wound and that compresses air using electromagnetic force generated when a lightning surge current flows through the conductor, and a storage unit that stores the compressed air generated by the air compression unit. The air compressor is a contractible metal member, and when a lightning surge current flows through the conductor, an inward force is generated, causing the metal member to contract and compress the air. . A lightning energy storage device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a lightning induction unit that receives lightning strikes, a conductor through which a lightning surge current induced from the lightning induction unit flows, an air compression unit around which the conductor is wound and that compresses air using the electromagnetic force generated when a lightning surge current flows through the conductor, and a storage unit that stores the compressed air generated by the air compression unit, wherein the air compression unit comprises a lightning electromagnet in which the conductor is wound around a core of a magnetic material, a permanent magnet, and a bag that stores air and is disposed between the lightning electromagnet and the permanent magnet, and when a lightning surge current flows through the conductor, a magnetic force is generated in the lightning electromagnet, causing the lightning electromagnet and the permanent magnet to attract each other and compressing the bag. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, lightning energy can be efficiently stored. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a lightning energy storage device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of guiding a lightning surge current to a lightning energy storage device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of inducing a lightning surge current to a lightning energy storage device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an air compression unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an air compression unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an air compression unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an air compression unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a piston wound with a conducting wire. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a piston wound with a conducting wire. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a piston wound with a conducting wire. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a process for accumulating lightning energy. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a lightning energy storage device 1 according to this embodiment. The lightning energy storage device 1 shown in the figure includes a lightning induction unit 11, an air compressor 12, a conductor 13, and storage units 15A and 15B. Air inside the air compressor 12 flows through a switching unit 14 to storage units 15A and 15B. There may be one storage unit 15A or 15B, or three or more storage units. Cylinders can be used for storage units 15A and 15B. The switching unit 14 can be switched between three stages: connecting the air compressor 12 to storage unit 15A, connecting the air compressor 12 to storage unit 15B, or disconnecting both. A compressor 18 is connected to the air compressor 12 via a switch 17. Storage units 15A and 15B are connected to a turbine 21 and a generator 22 via a switching unit 16. The switching unit 16 can be switched between three stages: connecting the turbine 21 and the storage unit 15A, connecting the turbine 21 and the storage unit 15B, or disconnecting both.

[0012] The lightning guidance unit 11 receives a lightning strike and guides the lightning surge current to the conductor 13. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the lightning surge current is guided to the conductor 13 by using a lightning rod installed on a building. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, the lightning surge current is guided to the conductor 13 by receiving a lightning strike using a lightning-resistant drone.

[0013] Conductor 13 is wound around air compressor 12. Conductor 13 is insulated from air compressor 12. Lightning surge current flows through conductor 13 around air compressor 12 and is released to earth. When lightning surge current flows through conductor 13, electromagnetic force is generated.

[0014] The air compressor 12 compresses air by utilizing an electromagnetic force generated when a lightning surge current flows through the conductor 13 .

[0015] Here, we will explain methods for compressing air using electromagnetic force. The first method is to construct the air compression section from metal components and use the inward force that occurs when a current flows through a conductor. When a current flows through a conductor around a metal tube, electromagnetic induction causes a reverse current to flow on the surface of the metal tube. As a result, a force acts inward on the metal tube (Fleming's left-hand rule), compressing it.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 4, an expandable metal tube 121 (such as a bellows tube) can be used as the air compressor 12. The conductor 13 is wound around the metal tube 121. The metal tube 121 can store air inside. When a lightning surge current flows through the conductor 13, an inward force acts on the metal tube 121, compressing it, and the compressed air passes through the switching unit 14 and is stored in the storage units 15A and 15B.

[0017] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 5, air compression unit 12 is composed of outer compression bag 122 and inner compression bag 123. Outer compression bag 122 is made of a stretchable metal mesh material, and inside it is inner compression bag 123 made of vinyl and capable of storing air. Conductor 13 is wound around outer compression bag 122. When a lightning surge current flows through conductor 13, a force acts inward on outer compression bag 122, compressing outer compression bag 122 and inner compression bag 123, and the compressed air passes through switching unit 14 and is stored in storage units 15A and 15B.

[0018] The second method is to create a lightning electromagnet by winding a conductor around a core of magnetic material, and when a lightning surge current flows through the conductor, a magnetic force is generated in the lightning electromagnet, which attracts the permanent magnet.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 6, the air compressor 12 is a vinyl bag 125 filled with air, placed between a lightning electromagnet 124 wound with a conductor 13 and a permanent magnet 126. When a lightning surge current flows through the conductor 13, a magnetic force is generated in the lightning electromagnet 124, which attracts the permanent magnet 126. This compresses the bag 125, and the compressed air passes through the switching unit 14 and is stored in the storage units 15A and 15B.

[0020] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 7, the entire air compression unit 12 may be constructed as a cylinder. Piston 128 is wound with conductor 13 to form a lightning electromagnet, and permanent magnet 126 is placed on the bottom surface of cylinder 127. Rubber 128A is placed on the bottom of piston 128, creating an enclosed space 129 between it and permanent magnet 126. When a lightning surge current flows through conductor 13, piston 128 generates a magnetic force that attracts permanent magnet 126. This compresses the air in enclosed space 129, and the compressed air passes through switching unit 14 and is stored in storage units 15A and 15B.

[0021] 8 to 10 show examples of how to wind the conductor 13 around the piston 128. In FIG. 8, the piston 128 is made convex and the conductor 13 is wound around it. In FIG. 9, a groove is formed in the piston 128 and the conductor 13 is wound around it. In FIG. 10, the piston 128 is provided with a space for winding the conductor 13. In either case, a space for winding the conductor 13 can be secured, and air is trapped between the piston 128 and the permanent magnet 126.

[0022] Next, the flow of the process of storing lightning energy using the lightning energy storage device 1 of Figure 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Figure 11. It is assumed that the air compressor 12 and the storage unit 15A are connected by the switching unit 14, and the switching unit 16 and the switch 17 are closed.

[0023] In step S11, when lightning strikes the lightning induction unit 11, a lightning surge current flows through the conductor 13 to the earth.

[0024] In step S12, the air compressor 12 is compressed by an electromagnetic force generated when a lightning surge current flows.

[0025] In step S13, the compressed air compressed by air compressor 12 passes through switch 14 and reaches storage 15A.

[0026] In step S14, when compressed air is stored in storage unit 15A, switching unit 14 is switched to connect air compression unit 12 and storage unit 15B.

[0027] In step S15, switch 17 is opened, compressor 18 is operated, air is sealed in air compression section 12 and storage section 15B, and a state is created in which compressed air can be generated when lightning strikes.

[0028] Thereafter, whenever lightning strikes, the processes of steps S11 to S15 are repeated.

[0029] When generating electricity, the switching unit 16 is operated to connect the storage units 15A and 15B to the turbine 21, and the compressed air stored in the storage units 15A and 15B is used to rotate the turbine 21, causing the generator 22 to generate electricity.

[0030] As explained above, the lightning energy storage device 1 of this embodiment comprises a lightning induction unit 11 that receives lightning strikes, a conductor 13 through which a lightning surge current induced from the lightning induction unit 11 flows, an air compressor 12 around which the conductor 13 is wound and that compresses air using the electromagnetic force generated when a lightning surge current flows through the conductor 13, and storage units 15A, 15B that store the compressed air generated by the air compressor 12. As a result, lightning energy can be efficiently stored by generating an electromagnetic force using the lightning surge current generated by a lightning strike and compressing the air using the electromagnetic force. [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] 1. Lightning energy storage device 11 Lightning induction part 12 Air compression section 121 Metal tube 122 Compression outer bag 123 Compression inner bag 124 Lightning Electromagnet 125 bags 126 Permanent Magnet 127 cylinders 128 Piston 128A Rubber 129 Closed space 13 Conductor 14 Switching section 15A, 15B storage section 16 Switching section 17 Switchgear 18 Compressor 21 Turbine 22 Generator

Claims

1. a lightning guidance unit that receives lightning strikes; a conductor through which the lightning surge current induced from the lightning induction unit flows; an air compression unit wound with the conductor and compressing air using electromagnetic force generated when a lightning surge current flows through the conductor; a storage unit that stores the compressed air generated by the air compression unit, The air compressor is a contractible metal member, and when a lightning surge current flows through the conductor, an inward force is generated, causing the metal member to contract and compress the air. Lightning energy storage device.

2. a lightning guidance unit that receives lightning strikes; a conductor through which the lightning surge current induced from the lightning induction unit flows; an air compression unit wound with the conductor and compressing air using electromagnetic force generated when a lightning surge current flows through the conductor; a storage unit that stores the compressed air generated by the air compression unit, the air compression unit includes a lightning electromagnet in which the conducting wire is wound around a core of a magnetic material, a permanent magnet, and a bag that is disposed between the lightning electromagnet and the permanent magnet and stores air; When a lightning surge current flows through the conductor, a magnetic force is generated in the lightning electromagnet, which attracts the lightning electromagnet and the permanent magnet, compressing the bag. Lightning energy storage device.

3. 3. The lightning energy storage device according to claim 1 or 2, The compressed air stored in the storage unit is used to turn a turbine to generate electricity. Lightning energy storage device.

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