Flowing water power generation system

Abstract

To provide a flow-through power generation system with high power generation efficiency that can be installed in an irrigation channel and can be easily installed in various irrigation channels having any width, depth, flow rate, and flow velocity. [Solution] A flow-through power generation system that is fixedly installed in a waterway, comprising a rotating structure with an endless track structure formed by connecting multiple parallel rotating shafts with a pair of chains wound around them on the left and right, fins for receiving the water flow that are connected to the chains at equal intervals so that they are parallel to the rotating shafts, a housing that stores the rotating structure in the rotational direction, a generator that generates electricity using the rotational motion of the rotating structure, and a fixing member for fixing the housing to the waterway, the housing is equipped with a sliding mechanism that holds the multiple rotating shafts so that they can slide and be fixed freely up and down, and the fixing member is installed so as to clamp the housing on both the upstream and downstream sides of the waterway.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power generation system that generates electricity using the flow of water, and in particular to a flow-through power generation system that can be installed in an irrigation channel and can be easily installed in irrigation channels of any width, depth, flow rate, and flow velocity, resulting in high power generation efficiency. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a large number of power generation systems incorporating various innovations have been used, and power generation systems with a wide variety of structures have been developed and are in use.

[0003] Hydroelectric power generation using flowing water has been used for a long time, but it has mainly been installed and used as a large-scale power generation system. Currently, the installation rate of small-scale flowing water power generation systems, which are simple to install and generate electricity efficiently, is extremely low.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2021-60039 discloses a technology related to such a flow-through power generation system. This publication discloses a hydroelectric power generation device that does not require large-scale equipment and can be easily lifted from a water current. The hydroelectric power generation device includes a hydroelectric power generation module, a support, and a rod-shaped body. The hydroelectric power generation module includes a rotor 1 and a generator 3 that generates electricity through the rotation of the rotor 1. The support is a member that supports the hydroelectric power generation module and is configured to be installable in a waterway. The publication also discloses a configuration in which the rotor of the hydroelectric power generation module can be switched between being positioned below the water surface in the waterway and being positioned above the water surface in the waterway by rotating the other end of the rod-shaped body.

[0005] This technology does not require large-scale equipment, and it is thought that it will be possible to create a power generation system that can be easily installed in a waterway and pulled up from the water flow. However, it cannot be said to be compatible with waterways of all depths, widths, and water volumes, and there are still problems with it being insufficient in terms of efficiently absorbing water flow and generating electricity.

[0006] Furthermore, Utility Model Registration No. 3240800 discloses a power generation system equipped with a water gate and water wheel to be installed on a river with a difference in elevation between the low water channel and the high water channel, in which the gate body of the water gate is installed so as to block the water flow in the low water channel, and the bottom of the gate body is equipped with a flow path to allow the water flow to pass through, and the water wheel is pivoted downstream of the gate body on the low water channel, and is driven by the water flowing through the flow path to rotate, generating mechanical energy to be converted into electrical energy.The disclosure states that these configurations make it possible to provide a river water wheel power generation system that does not require digging a water channel, is easy to install, and can be widely applied.

[0007] This technology certainly makes it possible to construct a power generation system that is easy to install and can be widely installed, but there are problems in that it cannot be said to be compatible with all waterways of all depths, widths, and water volumes, and it is still insufficient in terms of efficiently absorbing water flow and generating electricity.

[0008] There are many canals of various sizes and water volumes throughout Japan, including those used for agricultural purposes. Harnessing the power of the flowing water in these unused canals is expected to generate a considerable amount of electricity. Therefore, there was a need to develop a highly efficient flow-through water power generation system that could be installed on any irrigation canal and would solve the problems mentioned above. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-60039 [Patent Document 2] Utility Model Registration No. 3240800 DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a power generation system that uses the flow of water to generate electricity, and in particular, a flow-through power generation system that can be installed in irrigation channels and can be easily installed in various locations in irrigation channels of any width, depth, flow rate, and flow velocity, resulting in high power generation efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, the flow-through power generation system of the present invention is a flow-through power generation system fixedly installed in a waterway, and comprises a rotating structure having an endless track structure formed by connecting a plurality of parallel-arranged rotating shafts with a pair of left and right chains wound around them, a plurality of fins for receiving the water flow connected at equal intervals to the chains so as to be parallel to the rotating shafts, a housing for storing the rotating structure in the rotational direction, a generator for generating electricity using the rotational motion of the rotating structure, and a fixing member for fixing the housing to the waterway, wherein the housing is provided with a slide mechanism for holding the plurality of rotating shafts so that they can slide and be fixed up and down, the rotating shaft comprises a rotating rod and a pair of gears installed on the left and right of the rotating rod, the chain being wound around the left and right gears to connect the multiple rotating shafts in a freely rotatable manner, the left and right chains having a structure in which a plurality of the fins are installed at equal intervals across the left and right chains so that they are perpendicular to the water flow, the slide mechanism comprising a pair of left and right guides that hold the rotating rod so that it can slide up and down and be fixed, the casing having a plurality of the guides, and the rotating shaft is installed in the casing by the rotating rod being rotatably attached to the guides, the rotating structure having a generator connection gear installed on the rotating rod of any of the rotating shafts, a first generator chain being wound around an intermediate gear installed in the casing and the generator connection gear, and a second generator chain being wound around a generator gear provided on the generator and the intermediate gear, so that the generator generates electricity using the rotational motion of the rotating structure, The fixing members are configured to be installed so as to sandwich the housing on the upstream and downstream sides of the water channel.

[0012] Ma In addition, the fins are configured to be detachably mounted across the chain.

[0014] In addition, the rotating structure is configured such that a generator connection gear is provided on the rotating rod of one of the rotating shaft bodies, and a first generator chain is wound around the generator gear provided on the generator and the generator connection gear, so that the generator generates electricity using the rotational motion of the rotating structure. In addition, the fixing member is configured to be installed on the waterway so as to sandwich the housing on the upstream and downstream sides of the waterway, and the generator is placed on the fixing member on the upstream or downstream side. Furthermore, the pair of left and right chains each have a plurality of fixing protrusions protruding at regular intervals, and the chains are wound around the left and right gears so that the left and right fixing protrusions move in parallel, and the fins are fixedly installed on the left and right fixing protrusions so that they are perpendicular to the water flow. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] The present invention has the above-described configuration and therefore has the following advantages. 1. The system is configured with multiple fins attached to a rotating structure with an endless track structure, allowing the fins to efficiently catch flowing water and maximize the use of its power to generate electricity. Furthermore, the housing is equipped with a sliding mechanism, making it possible to adjust the fins to the optimal depth relative to the flowing water when the system is installed in a waterway and started up. Furthermore, when a malfunction occurs in the system, when maintenance is performed, or in other unforeseen circumstances, the fins can be raised above the water surface for adjustment. 2. The chain is wound around the left and right gears, allowing multiple rotating shafts to rotate accurately in response.

[0016] 3. The fins are detachably attached to the chain, making maintenance such as replacing the fins easy. 4. The sliding mechanism is configured with a pair of guides on the left and right, which allows the rotating structure to move up and down along the guides, ensuring reliable up and down movement and making the configuration easy to maintain.

[0017] 5. The generator connection gear and intermediate gear provided on the rotating rod are wound with a first generator chain, and further, the generator gear and intermediate gear provided on the generator are wound with a second generator chain. This makes it possible to use the rotational force of the rotating structure to generate electricity, and even if the housing moves up and down due to the sliding mechanism, it is possible to suppress slack and tension in the chain, making it possible to use the rotational force of the rotating structure to generate electricity without loss. 6. The generator connection gear provided on the rotating rod and the generator gear provided on the generator are connected by being wound with the first generator chain, so that the rotational force of the rotating structure can be used directly to generate electricity.

[0018] 7. The housing is clamped on both the upstream and downstream sides of the waterway, making it possible to securely install the flow-through water power generation system in the waterway. 8. The fins are fixed to the fixing protrusions, so that the fins can be securely fixed to the chain and maintenance is easy. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0019] A flowing water power generation system according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. Fig. 1a is a side view of the flowing water power generation system according to the present invention, Fig. 1b is a side view of another embodiment of the flowing water power generation system, Fig. 2a is a plan view of the flowing water power generation system, and Fig. 2b is a plan view of another embodiment of the flowing water power generation system.

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

[0021] The rotating structure 100 is a component for converting the force received from the flowing water in the waterway into rotational motion, and has an endless track structure as shown in Figures 1a and 1b. The rotating structure 100 is made up of a rotating shaft body 110 and a chain 120.

[0022] The rotating shafts 110 are shafts that are installed perpendicular to the flow of water in the waterway, and multiple rotating shafts 110 are installed in parallel. The chains 120 are annular chain-like members that are installed in pairs on the left and right. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1a and 1b, the chains 120 are configured such that a pair of left and right chains 120 are wound around gears 114 installed on the left and right ends of the multiple rotating shafts 110 installed in parallel, thereby connecting all of the rotating shafts 110 and causing them to rotate. This configuration forms an endless track structure.

[0023] The fins 200 are components for receiving the force of the flowing water in the waterway, and in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2a and 2b, multiple fins 200 are connected at equal intervals on the chain 120 so as to be parallel to the rotating shaft 110. This means that the fins 200 are installed perpendicular to the direction of the water flow (the direction of the arrows shown in Figures 1a and 1b and 2a and 2b), making it possible for them to fully receive the force of the flowing water in the waterway.

[0024] The housing 300 is a frame body for storing the rotating structure 100. In this embodiment, the rotating structure 100, in which the fins 200 are attached to the chains 120, is installed so as to be able to rotate freely within the housing 300, which is made of a frame body.

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

[0026] The fixing member 500 is a member for fixing the housing 300 to the waterway. In this embodiment, simply installing the housing 300 in the waterway would make the housing 300 unstable and unable to operate correctly. By firmly fixing the fixing member 500 to the waterway and reliably holding the housing 300, it becomes possible to perform stable power generation processing.

[0027] In this embodiment, the housing 300 is configured to include a slide mechanism 310, as shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b. The slide mechanism 310 is a member for holding multiple parallel-arranged rotating shaft bodies 110 so that each can slide up and down and be fixed in place. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1a-b and 2a-b, the multiple parallel-arranged rotating shaft bodies 110 are aligned horizontally and parallel to form the rotating structure 100. Therefore, the slide mechanism 310 is configured to simultaneously move all parallel-arranged rotating shaft bodies 110 up and down to the same height while maintaining the horizontality of the parallel-arranged rotating shaft bodies 110. This configuration makes it possible to adjust the installation height of the rotating structure 100 according to the depth and volume of water in the waterway, thereby enabling the rotating structure 100 to be moved and adjusted to the optimal height (depth) for efficiently receiving the force of flowing water.

[0028] In this embodiment, the fixing members 500 are installed on the upstream and downstream sides of the waterway (the direction of the water flow is the direction of the arrows shown in Figures 1a-b and 2a-b), and the pair of fixing members 500 are configured to sandwich the housing 300 between them. This configuration allows the fixing members 500 to be firmly fixed to the waterway and the housing 300 to be securely clamped and fixed. The fins 200 attached to the chains 120 of the rotating structure 100 are fixed in a state where the housing 300 is perpendicular to the water flow (the direction of the arrows shown in Figures 1a-b and 2a-b), making it possible to efficiently capture the power of the flowing water and maximize the use of the power of the flowing water to generate electricity.

[0029] The housing 300 is configured to be mounted on the fixing member 500 so as to be freely slid up and down by the slide mechanism 310. This configuration makes it possible to adjust the fins to an optimal depth relative to the flowing water when the flowing water power generation system 1 according to the present invention is installed in a waterway and started up. Furthermore, when a malfunction occurs in the flowing water power generation system 1, when maintenance is performed, or when other unforeseen circumstances arise, the fins can be pulled above the water surface for adjustment, etc.

[0030] Next, we will explain the configuration of the rotating structure 100. As shown in Figures 1a-b and 2a-b, the rotating shaft bodies 110 that make up the rotating structure 100 are configured to include a rotating rod 112 and a pair of left and right gears 114. The rotating rod 112 is a rod-shaped member that serves as the axis of rotation of the rotating shaft bodies 110, and as shown in Figures 1a-b and 2a-b, one is provided for each rotating shaft body 110.

[0031] The gears 114 are a pair of gear-like members fixedly installed near the left and right ends of the rotating rod 112, and the rotating rod 112 rotates about its axis in response to the rotation of the gears 114. In this embodiment, a chain 120 is wound around each of the left and right gears 114. This provides a configuration in which the multiple rotating shafts 110 are connected so that they can rotate freely in response to each other. This allows the multiple rotating shafts to rotate accurately in response to each other.

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

[0033] In this embodiment, the fins 200 are configured to be detachably attached to the chain 120. The fins 200 are subject to the large force of flowing water, making them prone to damage and bending. This configuration makes it possible to easily replace damaged fins simply by removing them from the chain 120, facilitating maintenance.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, in this embodiment, the slide mechanism 310 is configured to include a pair of left and right guides 312. The guides 312 hold the rotating rods 112, which are provided in plurality on the rotating structure 100, so that they can slide up and down and be fixed in place. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, the guides 312 are members provided in plurality on the housing 300, and are configured to include a pair of left and right rod-shaped frames provided perpendicular to the housing 300, each with a vertical hole drilled therein. The rotating shaft 110 is configured so that the rotating rods 112 are rotatable, movable up and down, and fixed in place. This configuration allows the rotating structure 100 to be installed in the housing 300 with a simple configuration and can be moved up and down, and the installation position of the rotating structure 100 can be adjusted appropriately depending on the water depth and flow rate of the waterway.

[0035] As shown in Figures 1a and 1b, the rotating structure 100 is configured to include a generator connection gear 130. The generator connection gear 130 is a member used to transmit the rotational motion of the rotating structure 100 to the generator 400, and is configured to be provided on one of the rotating rods 112 of the multiple rotating shaft bodies 100. In addition, as shown in Figures 1a and 1b, the generator 400 is provided with a generator gear 410.

[0036] 1a and 2a, an embodiment of the flowing water power generation system 1 according to the present invention can be configured such that an intermediate gear 412 is installed in the housing 300. The intermediate gear 412 is a gear used as a relay when transmitting the rotation of the rotating rod 112 to the generator, and in this embodiment, is configured to be rotatably installed at the end of the housing 300 on the generator 400 side.

[0037] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 2A, a first generator chain 420 is wound around the intermediate gear 412 and the generator connection gear 130, and a second generator chain 430 is wound around the generator gear 410 and the intermediate gear 412. With this configuration, the rotation of the rotating shaft 110 (electrical connection gear 130) of the rotating structure 100, which rotates when subjected to flowing water, is transmitted to the generator gear 410 via the first generator chain 420, the intermediate gear 412, and the second generator chain 430, thereby operating the generator 400. This allows the generator 400 to generate electricity using the rotational motion of the rotating structure 100. Furthermore, even if the housing 300 moves up and down due to the operation of the slide mechanism 310, it is possible to suppress slack or tension in each chain, thereby enabling stable transmission of rotational power to the generator 400.

[0038] 1b and 2b, as another embodiment of the flowing water power generation system 1 according to the present invention, it is possible to configure the generator gear 410 and the generator connection gear 130 to be directly connected by a chain without using the intermediate gear 412. That is, a first generator chain 420 is wound around the generator gear 410 and the generator connection gear 130. With this configuration, the rotation of the rotating shaft 110 (electrical connection gear 130) of the rotating structure 100, which rotates upon receiving flowing water, is transmitted to the generator gear 410 via the first generator chain 420, and the generator 400 operates. This enables the generator 400 to generate electricity using the rotational motion of the rotating structure 100.

[0039] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, the fixing members 500 are configured to be installed on the waterway so as to sandwich the housing 300 on the upstream and downstream sides of the waterway. The generator 400 is configured to be placed on the fixing members 500 on the upstream or downstream side. In this embodiment, one fixing member 500 is fixedly installed on the bottom of the waterway, and another is fixedly installed on the bottom downstream of that. The pair of fixing members 500 are positioned to sandwich the housing 300, thereby installing the housing 300 between the pair of fixing members 500. This configuration allows the flow-through power generation system 1 to be reliably installed in the waterway regardless of the depth, width, flow rate, or flow velocity of the waterway.

[0040] A pair of left and right chains 120 that connect the rotating shaft bodies 110 together are configured to include fixing protrusions 122. The fixing protrusions 122 are members used when fixing the fins 200 to the chains 120, and a plurality of fixing protrusions 122 are provided on the chains 120 at regular intervals.

[0041] The pair of chains 120 wound around the left and right gears 114 are configured to be wound around the left and right gears 114 so that the left and right fixing protrusions 122 move in parallel. In other words, when the left and right chains 120 move in a loop-like manner in response to the rotation of the rotating shaft body 110, the left and right fixing protrusions 122 move while maintaining parallelism.

[0042] In this embodiment, the fins 200 are horizontally long fin-shaped members having approximately the same width as the rotating structure 100 or a width wider than the rotating structure 100, and are configured to be fixed to and installed on fixing protrusions 122 installed on the left and right chains 120, thereby spanning the left and right chains 120. As a result, the fins 200 are installed so that they are perpendicular to the water flow. With this configuration, the fins 200 can be securely fixed to the chains 120, further facilitating maintenance.

[0043] By configuring the flow-through power generation system as described above, it is possible to provide a flow-through power generation system with high power generation efficiency that can be easily installed in irrigation channels in various locations with various widths, depths, flow rates, and flow velocities. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0044] [Figure 1a] 1 is a side view of a flowing water power generation system according to the present invention; [Figure 1b] 1 is a side view showing another embodiment of a flowing water power generation system. [Figure 2a] Plan view of the flow-through power generation system [Figure 2b] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing another embodiment of a flowing water power generation system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 100 Rotating Structure 110 Rotating shaft 112 Rotating Rod 114 gears 120 Chain 122 Fixing protrusion 130 Generator connection gear 200 fins 300 cabinets 310 Slide mechanism 312 Guide 400 generator 410 Generator Gear 412 Intermediate gear 420 Generator No. 1 Chain 430 Generator No. 2 Chain 500 Fixing member

Claims

1. A flow-through power generation system (1) fixedly installed in a waterway, The apparatus comprises a rotating structure (100) having an endless track structure formed by winding and connecting a plurality of parallel rotating shaft bodies (110) with a pair of left and right chains (120); fins (200) for receiving a water flow, which are connected to the chains (120) at equal intervals so as to be parallel to the rotating shaft bodies (110); a housing (300) for housing the rotating structure (100) in the rotational direction; a generator (400) for generating electricity using the rotational motion of the rotating structure (100); and a fixing member (500) for fixing the housing (300) to a waterway. The housing (300) is configured to include a slide mechanism (310) that holds the plurality of rotating shaft bodies (110) so that they can slide up and down and be fixed in place; The rotating shaft body (110) comprises a rotating rod (112) and a pair of gears (114) installed on the left and right sides of the rotating rod (112), and the chain (120) is wound around the left and right gears (114) to connect a plurality of rotating shaft bodies (110) in a freely rotatable manner, and a plurality of the fins (200) are installed at equal intervals on the left and right chains (120) so that they are perpendicular to the water flow. The slide mechanism (310) comprises a pair of left and right guides (312) that hold the rotating rod (112) so that it can slide up and down and be fixed in place. the housing (300) is provided with a plurality of the guides (312), and the rotating shaft body (110) is installed in the housing (300) by rotatably connecting the rotating rod (112) to the guides (312); The rotating structure (100) is configured such that a generator connecting gear (130) is provided on the rotating rod (112) of any one of the rotating shaft bodies (110), a first generator chain (420) is wound around an intermediate gear (412) and the generator connecting gear (130) installed in the housing (300), and a second generator chain (430) is wound around a generator gear (410) and the intermediate gear (412) provided on the generator (400), whereby the generator (400) generates electricity using the rotational motion of the rotating structure (100); The fixed member (500) clamps the housing (300) on the upstream and downstream sides of the waterway, and the housing (300) is installed on the fixed member (500) so that it can slide freely up and down by the slide mechanism (310).

2. 2. The flow-through power generation system according to claim 1, wherein the fins (200) are detachably mounted on the chain (120).

3. The rotating structure (100) is configured such that a generator connecting gear (130) is provided on the rotating rod (112) of any one of the rotating shaft bodies (110), 2. The flow-through power generation system according to claim 1, wherein a first generator chain (420) is wound around a generator gear (410) provided on the generator (400) and the generator connecting gear (130), so that the generator (400) generates power using the rotational motion of the rotating structure (100).

4. The flow-through power generation system of claim 3, characterized in that the fixing member (500) is configured to be installed on the waterway so as to sandwich the housing (300) on the upstream and downstream sides of the waterway, and the generator (400) is placed on the fixing member (500) on the upstream or downstream side.

5. The pair of left and right chains (120) each include a plurality of fixing projections (122) protruding at regular intervals, and the chains (120) are wound around the left and right gears (114) so ​​that the left and right fixing projections (122) move in parallel, 5. The flow-through power generation system according to claim 4, wherein the fins (200) are fixed to the left and right fixing protrusions (122) so as to be perpendicular to the water flow.

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