Small hydroelectric power generation equipment

Abstract

To provide a small hydroelectric power generating device capable of stably generating electricity by utilizing a small water flow. [Solution] The device comprises a first cylindrical portion 10 and a second cylindrical portion 20 arranged in parallel, a water branching portion 30 that alternately supplies water from a water source to the first cylindrical portion 10 and the second cylindrical portion 20, a moving member 40 that is within the first cylindrical portion 10 and the second cylindrical portion 20 and is positioned between the water supplied to the first cylindrical portion 10 and the second cylindrical portion 20 from the water branching portion 30 and the air present within the first cylindrical portion 10 and the second cylindrical portion, an air movement passage 50 that, when the moving member 40 within the first cylindrical portion 10 descends, causes the air below the moving member to move toward the second cylindrical portion 20, and when the moving member 40 within the second cylindrical portion 20 descends, causes the air below the moving member to move toward the first cylindrical portion 10, and a power generation mechanism that generates power using the movement of air moving through the air movement passage.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a small hydroelectric power generation device that generates electricity using spring water, running water from a reservoir, sewage flowing through sewer pipes, etc. [Background technology]

[0002] Small-scale hydroelectric power generation is attracting attention as a way to make effective use of water resources. For example, Patent Document 1 listed below describes a small hydroelectric power generating device that controls the position of an impeller of a generator so that a water current with a high flow rate hits the impeller. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-7140 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Small-scale hydroelectric power generation, which rotates a generator impeller by directing a water flow against it, faces the problem that unless the volume and speed of the water flow are constant and above a predetermined level, stable power generation cannot be continued.

[0005] The present invention aims to solve these problems and provide a small hydroelectric power generation device that can continue to generate electricity stably, regardless of the water volume or flow rate of the water flow. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The small-scale hydroelectric power generation device of the present invention comprises a first cylindrical portion and a second cylindrical portion arranged in parallel, a water branching portion that alternately supplies water from a water source to the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion, a moving member located within the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion and positioned between the water supplied from the water branching portion into the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion and the air present within the first cylindrical portion, an air movement passage that, when the moving member descends within the first cylindrical portion, causes the air below the moving member to move toward the second cylindrical portion, and when the moving member descends within the second cylindrical portion, causes the air below the moving member to move toward the first cylindrical portion, and a power generation mechanism that is located within the air movement passage and generates electricity by receiving the movement of air moving through the air movement passage.

[0007] The amount of electricity generated by this small hydroelectric power generation device depends on the air moving through the air passage, and is not affected by the amount or speed of the water flow input to the device.

[0008] In addition, in the small-hydroelectric power generation device of the present invention, the water above the movable member rising inside the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion is drained through drainage channels attached to the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion.

[0009] Therefore, the water that flows into the first and second cylindrical sections of the small hydroelectric power generation device through the water branch section works to move the moving member downward, and then is ultimately drained from the drainage channel.

[0010] In the small hydroelectric power generating device of the present invention, the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion may be arranged on an inclined surface.

[0011] This small hydroelectric power generation device can generate electricity by utilizing spring water flowing down the slope of a mountain. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The small hydroelectric power generation device of the present invention is capable of generating electricity stably. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1]1 is a diagram showing the overall structure of a small hydroelectric power generation device of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a water branching section. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing the movement of water inside the first and second cylindrical portions. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state when water flows into the first cylindrical part from the water branching part. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the states of the first and second cylindrical portions when water continues to flow into the first cylindrical portion. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state when the destination of water flowing from the water branching portion switches from the first cylindrical portion to the second cylindrical portion. [Figure 8] A diagram showing a generator that generates electricity by rotating a wind turbine. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a generator that generates electricity by driving a piston. [Figure 10] A diagram showing a generator that generates electricity by rotating a turbine. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the cylindrical portion is disposed on a slope. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. 1, the small hydroelectric power generation device of the present invention includes, as its drive mechanism, a first cylindrical portion 10 and a second cylindrical portion 20 arranged in parallel, and a water branching portion 30 that alternately supplies water from a water source to the first cylindrical portion 10 and the second cylindrical portion 20. The water branching portion 30 supplies water to the upper ends of the first cylindrical portion 10 and the second cylindrical portion 20. The colored portions in the first cylindrical portion 10 and the second cylindrical portion 20 represent water.

[0015] The water used in this power generation system is spring water in mountainous areas, flowing water from reservoirs, and small amounts of flowing water such as sewage water flowing through sewer pipes.

[0016] A moving member 40 is disposed inside the first cylindrical portion 10 and the second cylindrical portion 20 into which water flows. As shown in Figure 3(a) (exploded view) and Figure 3(b) (side view), this movable member 40 consists of a ring-shaped gasket 41 formed of an elastic material, a support ring 42 that supports the ring-shaped gasket so that the outer periphery of the ring-shaped gasket elastically contacts the inner walls of the first cylindrical portion 10 and the second cylindrical portion 20, a disk-shaped member 44 that separates the water that has flowed into the first cylindrical portion 10 and the second cylindrical portion 20 from the air present inside the first cylindrical portion 10 and the second cylindrical portion 20, and a cylindrical member 43 that connects the support ring 42 and the disk-shaped member 44.

[0017] The outer periphery of the disk-shaped member 44 is close to the inner walls of the first cylindrical portion 10 and the second cylindrical portion 20, but is not in contact with the inner walls. If the disk-shaped member 44 comes into contact with the inner walls of the first cylindrical portion 10 and the second cylindrical portion 20, smooth movement of the movable member 40 within the first cylindrical portion 10 and the second cylindrical portion 20 cannot be expected. However, in this movable member 40, only the elastic ring-shaped gasket 41 is in contact with the first cylindrical portion 10 and the second cylindrical portion 20, so smooth movement of the movable member 40 within the first cylindrical portion 10 and the second cylindrical portion 20 is possible.

[0018] Near the lower ends of the first cylindrical portion 10 and the second cylindrical portion 20, an air movement passage 50 is provided, through which, when the moving member 40 descends within the first cylindrical portion 10, the air below the moving member 40 flows toward the second cylindrical portion 20, and when the moving member 40 descends within the second cylindrical portion 20, the air below the moving member 40 flows toward the first cylindrical portion 10. The air passage 50 is provided with a power generation mechanism that generates electricity by utilizing the momentum of the air flowing therethrough.

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a windmill 60 that rotates due to air flowing through the air movement passage 50 . 8, the rotation shaft of this wind turbine 60 is connected to the rotation shaft of a generator 61. Therefore, as the wind turbine 60 rotates, the rotation shaft of the generator 61 rotates, generating electricity.

[0020] The descent of the moving member 40 within the first cylindrical portion 10 and the second cylindrical portion 20 occurs when water is supplied from the water branching portion 30 to the first cylindrical portion 10 or the second cylindrical portion 20 .

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the water branching section 30 is provided with opening and closing doors 31 and 32 that allow or block the flow of water from the water source into the first cylindrical section 10 and the second cylindrical section 20. The opening / closing door 31 and the opening / closing door 32 are controlled so as to alternately block the inflow of water into the first cylindrical portion 10 and the second cylindrical portion 20.

[0022] 2, when the opening / closing door 31 rotates around the fulcrum to block the inflow path of water into the first cylindrical portion 10, the air circulation port 33 opens after the opening / closing door 31 moves. The same applies to the opening / closing door 32.

[0023] Furthermore, drainage channels 70, 80 for draining water from the inside of the first cylindrical portion 10 and the second cylindrical portion 20 are attached to the first cylindrical portion 10 and the second cylindrical portion 20. This drainage is performed through drainage ports 71, 81. The opening and closing of the drainage ports 71, 81 is controlled according to the position and moving direction of the moving member 40. In the drawings, closed drain outlets 71, 81 are indicated by black circles, and open drain outlets 71, 81 are indicated by white circles.

[0024] 4, when water flows in from the water branching section 30 and the moving member 40 descends, the drain outlet 81 is closed. On the other hand, when the moving member 40 is pushed up and rises, the drain outlet 71 is open until the moving member 40 reaches the position of the drain outlet 71. Therefore, in the state shown in Figure 4, water flowing in from the water branching section 30 accumulates one after another above the movable member 40 of the second cylindrical section 20, and water above the movable member 40 of the first cylindrical section 10 is drained one after another through the drainage channel 70. Therefore, the weight difference between the weight of the water accumulating above the moving member 40 of the second cylindrical portion 20 and the weight of the water present above the moving member 40 of the first cylindrical portion 10 rapidly increases. As a result, the descending speed of the moving member 40 of the second cylindrical portion 20 increases, and the movement speed of the air flow passing through the air movement passage 50 also increases, improving the power generation efficiency of the generator.

[0025] If the state shown in FIG. 4 continues, the moving member 40 of the second cylindrical portion 20 will descend within the second cylindrical portion 20 to the vicinity of the air moving passage 50 with a large amount of water on top. Meanwhile, the movable member 40 of the first cylindrical portion 10 rises within the first cylindrical portion 10 to near the upper end of the drainage channel 70 attached to the first cylindrical portion 10. As a result, all of the drainage openings 71 of the drainage channel 70 are closed.

[0026] In this state, as shown in Figure 5, the opening and closing doors 31, 32 of the water branching section 30 are controlled, and water from the water source flows into the first cylindrical section 10. At the same time, the drain outlet 81 of the drainage channel 80 attached to the second cylindrical section 20 is opened. Therefore, water flowing in from the water branching section 30 gradually accumulates on the upper side of the movable member 40 on the first cylindrical section 10 side, while the water that had accumulated on the upper side of the movable member 40 on the second cylindrical section 20 side is drained from the drainage channel 80 and gradually decreases.

[0027] When the amount of water accumulated above the moving member 40 of the first cylindrical portion 10 becomes greater than the amount of water on the moving member 40 of the second cylindrical portion 20, the moving member 40 of the first cylindrical portion 10 descends and the moving member 40 of the second cylindrical portion 20 ascends, as shown in Figure 6. As a result, air passing through the air transfer passage 50 flows from the first cylindrical portion 10 to the second cylindrical portion 20, causing the windmill to rotate and generating electricity. This situation continues until we reach the state shown in Figure 7.

[0028] In the small hydroelectric power generation device of the present invention, such operations are repeated alternately in the first cylindrical portion 10 and the second cylindrical portion 20. The generator located in the air movement passage 50 continues to generate electricity during this time.

[0029] The power generating mechanism disposed in the air passage 50 may have a structure in which a generator 61 is driven by pistons 101 and 102, as shown in Fig. 9. The pistons 101 and 102 move up and down due to the air flow through the air passage 50, causing the rotation shaft of the generator 61 to rotate.

[0030] The power generating mechanism disposed in the air passage 50 may have a structure in which a generator 61 is driven by a turbine 103, as shown in FIG. In this case, a turbine chamber 104 housing the turbine 103 is connected to an air vent pipe 106 through which air flows in from one side of the air movement passage and an air vent pipe 108 through which air flows out to the other side of the air movement passage, and further connected to an air vent pipe 107 through which air flows in from the other side of the air movement passage and an air vent pipe 105 through which air flows out to one side of the air movement passage.

[0031] FIG. 11 shows a state in which the first cylindrical portion 10 and the second cylindrical portion 20 are arranged along the slope of a mountain. With this configuration, it is possible to generate electricity by utilizing spring water flowing down the slope of a mountain. [Industrial Applicability]

[0032] The small hydroelectric power generation device of the present invention is capable of generating stable power by utilizing small water currents, thereby realizing effective use of water resources. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 10 First cylindrical portion 20 Second cylindrical portion 30 Water branch 31 Opening and closing doors 32 Opening and closing doors 33 Air vent 40 Moving parts 41 Ring-shaped packing 42 Support ring 43 Cylindrical member 44 Disc-shaped member 50 Air movement passage 60 windmill 61 Generator 70 Drainage Channel 71 Drain 80 Drainage Channel 81 Drain 101 Piston 102 Piston 103 Turbine 104 Turbine Room 105 Ventilation pipe 106 Ventilation pipe 107 Ventilation pipe 108 Ventilation pipe

Claims

1. a first cylindrical portion and a second cylindrical portion arranged in parallel; a water branching section that alternately supplies water from a water source to the first cylindrical section and the second cylindrical section; a moving member that is in the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion and is positioned between the water supplied from the water branching portion into the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion and the air present in the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion; an air movement passage through which, when the moving member in the first cylindrical portion descends, the air below the moving member moves toward the second cylindrical portion, and, when the moving member in the second cylindrical portion descends, the air below the moving member moves toward the first cylindrical portion; a power generation mechanism located within the air passage for generating power in response to the movement of air passing through the air passage; A small hydroelectric power generation device comprising:

2. The small hydroelectric power generation device according to claim 1, The first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion are provided with drainage channels through which water above the moving member is drained when the moving member is raised. A small hydroelectric power generation device characterized by:

3. The small hydroelectric power generation device according to claim 1 or 2, The first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion are disposed on an inclined surface. A small hydroelectric power generation device characterized by:

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