Duct structure and wind power generation device

Abstract

To provide a highly safe wind power generator, and to provide a duct structure which can be applied to the wind power generator.SOLUTION: A wind power generator 2 includes: a duct structure 10; rotary blades 20 housed in the duct structure 10; an electric power generation mechanism 30 which generates electric power from rotational motion of the rotary blades 20; a battery 40 for storing the electric power generated by the electric power generation mechanism 30; and a wiring (not shown in a figure) which electrically connects the battery 40 with the electric power generation mechanism 30. The duct structure 10 includes: a cylinder body 11 in which the rotary blades 20 are housed in a hollow part standing vertically; hood structures 17 each of which is provided at an inlet of a passage; and backflow prevention structures 19 each of which is provided at an outlet of the passage. The cylinder body 11 have a double cylinder structure and includes: a cylindrical outer cylinder 11G; a cylindrical inner cylinder 11N housed in a hollow part of the outer cylinder 11G; a pipeline 11H disposed between the outer cylinder 11G and the inner cylinder 11N; and a connection member 11R which connects the outer cylinder 11G with the inner cylinder 11N.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a duct structure and a wind turbine generator. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the use of nuclear energy to generate electricity (produce electrical energy) has been avoided worldwide due to its high risk. In addition, the production of electrical energy through thermal power plants, which are considered less dangerous than nuclear power, has also been avoided due to the growing interest in protecting the Earth from environmental destruction such as acid rain and global warming caused by carbon dioxide.

[0003] Therefore, wind power generation devices have been attracting attention as a clean energy source that does not involve environmental destruction such as acid rain and global warming caused by increased carbon dioxide, or environmental destruction of ecosystems caused by dams.

[0004] A known wind power generation device includes, for example, a tower (height of about 40 to 50 m) and a propeller (length of about 30 to 45 m) rotatably mounted at the tip of the tower (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-065211 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the wind turbine generator of Patent Document 1, the rotating propeller is exposed, and therefore breakage or falling of the propeller is dangerous and can cause damage to the installation site and its surroundings, which is undesirable.

[0007] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a highly safe wind turbine generator and a duct structure applicable thereto. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The duct structure of the present invention comprises a tube main body extending from an upper side to a lower side, and a closing structure closing an opening on the lower side of the tube main body, the tube main body comprising an outer tube, an inner tube disposed in a hollow portion of the outer tube, an inner tube opening provided on the lower side of the inner tube, an outer tube opening provided in the outer tube above the inner tube opening, an internal flow path connecting the outer tube opening and the inner tube opening, and rotating vanes provided in the hollow portion of the inner tube, a plurality of the internal flow paths are formed, a first internal flow path connects the first inner tube opening and the first outer tube opening, a second internal flow path connects the second inner tube opening and the second outer tube opening, the first outer tube opening and the second outer tube opening are aligned in the circumferential direction, the first inner tube opening and the second inner tube opening are aligned in the circumferential direction, and the first and a second opening / closing structure provided on the second inner tube opening, wherein the first opening / closing structure and the second opening / closing structure are each capable of switching the inner tube opening between an open state and a closed state, and when the pressure in the first internal flow path is less than the hollow portion of the tube body, the first opening / closing structure closes the first inner tube opening, and when the pressure in the first internal flow path is equal to or greater than the pressure in the hollow portion of the tube body, the opening / closing structure opens the first inner tube opening, when the pressure in the second internal flow path is less than the hollow portion of the tube body, the second opening / closing structure closes the second inner tube opening, and when the pressure in the second internal flow path is equal to or greater than the pressure in the hollow portion of the tube body, the opening / closing structure opens the second inner tube opening. Preferably, the internal flow path includes an L-shaped flow path portion having an inlet opening toward the upward side and an outlet opening toward the inner tube, and a drain portion branching from the L-shaped flow path portion and extending downward. Furthermore, it is preferable that the tube main body extends vertically, and the opening / closing structure includes a swing shaft disposed in a hollow portion of the tube main body and a closing member swingable relative to the swing shaft. Additionally, it is preferable that the swing shaft be provided above the opening of the inner tube, and that the opening / closing member be located below the swing shaft and swingably disposed relative to the swing shaft.The cylinder body preferably has a hood structure for guiding external gas to the outer cylinder opening, and the hood structure preferably has an inlet for taking in the external gas and an outlet communicating with the outer cylinder opening. Furthermore, the outer cylinder openings, which are provided at predetermined intervals from the upper side to the lower side of the outer cylinder, preferably communicate with the same internal flow path.

[0009] A wind turbine generator according to the present invention is characterized by comprising the above-described duct structure and a power generating mechanism that generates power from the rotational motion of the rotating blades. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a highly safe wind turbine generator and a duct structure applicable thereto. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1A is a plan view showing an outline of the wind turbine generator, and FIG. 1B is a side view showing an outline of the wind turbine generator. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIb-IIb' showing an outline of the wind turbine generator. [Figure 3] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIb-IIb' showing an outline of the upper part of the wind turbine generator. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIb-IIb' showing an outline of the lower part of the wind turbine generator. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a side view showing an outline of the tube main body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the wind turbine generator 2 includes a duct structure 10, a rotating blade 20 housed in the duct structure 10, a power generating mechanism 30 that generates power from the rotational motion of the rotating blade 20, a battery 40 that stores the power generated by the power generating mechanism 30, and wiring (not shown) that electrically connects the battery 40 and the power generating mechanism 30.

[0013] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the duct structure 10 comprises a cylindrical main body 11 that houses a rotating blade 20 in a vertically standing hollow portion, a hood structure 17 provided at the inlet of a flow path formed in the cylindrical main body 11, and a backflow prevention structure 19 provided at the outlet of the flow path.

[0014] The tube body 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape and extends linearly. The length of the tube body 11 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 5 to 8 m for a small size, 20 to 50 m for a medium size, or 80 to 120 m for a large size. The diameter of the tube body 11 is also not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 1 to 5 m. The lower end of the tube body 11 is placed on a horizontal plane, and the upper end opens upward from the horizontal plane. For ease of explanation, the length direction of the tube body 11 will be referred to as the Z direction, any direction in the horizontal plane perpendicular to the Z direction will be referred to as the X direction, and a direction in the horizontal plane perpendicular to the X direction will be referred to as the Y direction.

[0015] The tube body 11 has a double tube structure and includes a cylindrical outer tube 11G, a cylindrical inner tube 11N housed in the hollow portion of the outer tube 11G, a pipe 11H arranged between the outer tube 11G and the inner tube 11N, and a connecting member 11R connecting the outer tube 11G and the inner tube 11N.

[0016] The outer diameter of the inner cylinder 11N is smaller than the inner diameter of the outer cylinder 11G. The opening at the lower end of the inner cylinder 11N is closed by a closing structure 11NZ. The length of the inner cylinder 11N in the Z direction is preferably shorter than the length of the outer cylinder 11G in the Z direction.

[0017] In the Z direction, the upper end of the outer cylinder 11G and the upper end of the inner cylinder 11N are preferably flush with each other. Also, the lower end of the inner cylinder 11N is preferably positioned higher than the lower end of the outer cylinder 11G. The connecting member 11R connects the upper end of the outer cylinder 11G to the upper end of the inner cylinder 11N, and also connects a midpoint of the outer cylinder 11G to the lower end of the inner cylinder 11N.

[0018] An inner cylinder opening 11NX is formed below the inner cylinder 11N. An outer cylinder opening 11GX is formed above the outer cylinder 11G. The outer cylinder opening 11GX is located above the inner cylinder opening 11NX. A pipe 11H connects the inner cylinder opening 11NX and the outer cylinder opening 11GX. Preferably, the outer cylinder openings 11GX are arranged at a predetermined pitch in the Z direction. Preferably, the outer cylinder openings 11GX arranged in the Z direction are connected to the same pipe 11H. This allows gas entering through the outer cylinder opening 11GX to pass through the pipe 11H and exit from the inner cylinder opening 11NX.

[0019] The pipe 11H preferably includes an elbow pipe 11HA connected to the outer cylinder opening 11GX, an elbow pipe 11HB connected to the inner cylinder opening 11NX, and a straight pipe 11HS connecting the elbow pipe 11HA and the elbow pipe 11HB. When the outer cylinder openings 11GX arranged in the Z direction are connected to the same pipe 11H, a tee pipe 11C may be connected between the elbow pipe 11HA and the straight pipe 11HS.

[0020] The elbow pipe 11HA has an inlet opening to the outside of the outer cylinder 11G and an outlet opening downward, and forms a flow path that curves in an L shape from the inlet to the outlet.

[0021] The elbow pipe 11HB has an inlet opening upward and an outlet opening to the inside of the inner tube 11N, forming a flow path that curves in an L-shape from the inlet to the outlet. The elbow pipe 11HB preferably has a drain structure 11HBX that branches off from the L-shaped flow path and extends downward. The drain structure 11HBX can store liquid that flows in from the outside along with gas. A tee pipe may be used as the elbow pipe 11HB with the drain structure 11HBX.

[0022] 5, pairs of outer cylinder openings 11GX and inner cylinder openings 11NX that communicate with the same pipe 11H are preferably arranged at a predetermined pitch along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical body 11. This allows more gas around the cylindrical body 11 to be taken in.

[0023] As shown in Figure 4, the backflow prevention structure 19 is provided for the inner tube opening 11NX and comprises a swinging shaft 19A arranged in the hollow portion of the inner tube 11N and a cover member 19B that swings relative to the swinging shaft 19A, and is switchable between an open state in which the inner tube opening 11NX is open to the hollow portion and a closed state in which the inner tube opening 11NX is retracted from the open state to the hollow portion.

[0024] The swing shaft 19A is disposed horizontally above the inner cylinder opening 11NX. The cover member 19B is formed in a plate shape, and its upper end is connected to the swing shaft 19A. Therefore, the cover member 19B is able to swing freely around the swing shaft 19A.

[0025] When gas does not flow through the pipe 11H (when there is no pressure difference between the pipe 11H and the hollow portion of the inner tube 11N) or when the pressure in the hollow portion of the inner tube 11N is lower than that of the pipe 11H, the backflow prevention structure 19 is in an open state in which the cover member 19B opens the inner tube opening 11NX, thereby allowing gas to flow from the pipe 11H to the hollow portion of the inner tube 11N. On the other hand, when the pressure in the hollow portion of the inner tube 11N is higher than that of the pipe 11H, the cover member 19B is in a closed state in which the inner tube opening 11NX is closed, thereby restricting the flow of gas from the hollow portion of the inner tube 11N to the pipe 11H. This prevents gas flowing out of one elbow pipe 11HB from flowing back into another elbow pipe 11HB. Note that the backflow prevention structure 19 may be in a closed state due to the weight of the cover member 19B, and in an open state when the pressure difference is large enough to swing the cover member 19B.

[0026] 1 and 5, the hood structure 17 is provided to form an elbow-shaped flow path for guiding gas on the outer periphery of the outer cylinder 11G to the outer cylinder opening 11GX, and includes an outside air inlet for taking in outside gas and an outside air outlet communicating with the outer wall intake opening. The elbow-shaped flow path formed by the hood structure 17 is preferably curved so that the outward surface is convex from the base end (on the outer cylinder 11G side) to the tip end.

[0027] 1 and 3, the cylinder body 11 further includes a support arm 12 that supports the rotary blade 20. The support arm 12 is provided to stand upright from the inner wall surface of the inner cylinder 11N and extends on the XY plane.

[0028] The rotating blade 20 is supported on the support arm 12 in a state in which it can rotate freely around its own axis. One or more pairs of rotating blade 20 and support arm 12 may be provided in the Z direction. Furthermore, multiple rotating blades 20 may be connected to a common rotation axis.

[0029] The power generating mechanism 30 generates power by the rotation of the rotary blades 20. The battery 40 is housed in the hollow portion of the outer cylinder 11G, below the inner cylinder 11N.

[0030] Next, how to use the wind turbine generator 2 will be described.

[0031] When wind blows in the space outside the tube body 11, gas flows into the outer tube openings 11GX through the hood structures 17 provided on the outer tube 11G. The gas that flows into the outer tube openings 11GX flows from the inner tube openings 11NX toward the hollow portion of the inner tube 11N. Because the outer tube 11G has many outer tube openings 11GX aligned in the Z direction, it can take in a large amount of gas. Furthermore, because the opening on the lower end side of the inner tube 11N is closed by the closing structure 11NZ, the gas that flows into the hollow portion of the inner tube 11N flows from the lower end to the upper end in the hollow portion of the inner tube 11N.

[0032] Furthermore, because the outer cylinder 11G has many outer cylinder openings 11GX arranged circumferentially, it can take in a large amount of gas regardless of the wind direction. At this time, the pressure in the pipe 11H that has taken in the gas is higher than that in the hollow portion of the inner cylinder 11N, so the backflow prevention structure 19 is in an open state. Therefore, the gas that has flowed into the outer cylinder openings 11GX flows into the hollow portion of the inner cylinder 11N. On the other hand, at the outer cylinder openings 11GX of other pipes 11H (for example, pipes 11H located on the opposite side from the pipe 11H that has taken in the gas), the pressure in the hollow portion of the inner cylinder 11N is higher than that of the pipe 11H, so the backflow prevention structure 19 is in a closed state. Therefore, the gas that has flowed into the outer cylinder openings 11GX does not flow into the pipe 11H, but flows from the lower end to the upper end in the hollow portion of the inner cylinder 11N.

[0033] At this time, the rotary feathers 20 disposed in the hollow portion of the inner cylinder 11N rotate. The power generation mechanism 30 generates electric power from the rotational motion of the rotary feathers 20. The battery 40 stores the generated electric power.

[0034] In this way, the wind turbine generator 2 is highly safe because the rotating blades 20 that generate power are housed in the cylinder body 11. Furthermore, since a large number of outer cylinder openings 11GX are formed, sufficient power can be generated.

[0035] In the above embodiment, a cylindrical tube body 11 is used, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the tube body 11 may be an elliptical tube or a square tube. The cross-sectional shape of the tube body may be an ellipse, a combination of a circular arc and a straight line, or a combination of an elliptical arc and a straight line.

[0036] The pipe 11H may protrude outward beyond the outer wall surface of the outer cylinder 11G, or may be flush with the outer wall surface of the outer cylinder 11G. Similarly, the pipe 11H may protrude inward beyond the inner wall surface of the inner cylinder 11N, or may be flush with the inner wall surface of the inner cylinder 11N.

[0037] Preferably, the outer cylinder openings 11GX adjacent in the circumferential direction are arranged alternately between high and low positions in the Z direction (FIG. 1(B)).

[0038] In addition, it is preferable that the orientations of the hood structures 17 attached to the outer cylinder openings 11GX that are adjacent in the circumferential direction are staggered, such as clockwise and counterclockwise when viewed from above, which makes it easier for gas around the cylinder body 11 to be introduced into the piping 11H.

[0039] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 2. Wind power generation equipment 10 Duct structure 11 Cylinder body 11C Cheese Tube 11G outer tube 11GX outer cylinder opening 11H Piping 11HA elbow pipe 11HB elbow pipe 11HBX drain structure 11HS straight pipe 11N inner cylinder 11NX Inner cylinder opening 11NZ closed structure 11R connecting member 12 Support Arm 17 Hood structure 19 Backflow prevention structure 19A Oscillating shaft 19B Lid member 20 Rotating Blades 30 Power Generation Mechanism 40 Battery

Claims

1. A tube body extending from an upper side to a lower side, a closing structure that closes the lower opening of the tube body, The cylindrical body includes: An outer cylinder and an inner cylinder disposed in a hollow portion of the outer cylinder; an inner cylinder opening provided on the lower side of the inner cylinder; an outer cylinder opening provided above the inner cylinder opening in the outer cylinder; an internal flow path that communicates the outer cylinder opening and the inner cylinder opening; a rotating blade provided in the hollow portion of the inner cylinder, A plurality of the internal flow paths are formed, the first internal flow path communicates the first inner cylinder opening with the first outer cylinder opening, the second internal flow path communicates the second inner cylinder opening with the second outer cylinder opening, the first outer cylinder opening and the second outer cylinder opening are aligned in a circumferential direction, the first inner cylinder opening and the second inner cylinder opening are aligned in a circumferential direction, a first opening / closing structure provided at the first inner cylinder opening; a second opening / closing structure provided at the second inner cylinder opening, the first opening / closing structure and the second opening / closing structure are each capable of switching the inner cylinder opening between an open state and a closed state, When the pressure in the first internal flow path is lower than the pressure in the hollow portion of the tube body, the first opening / closing structure closes the first inner tube opening, When the pressure in the first internal flow path is equal to or greater than the pressure in the hollow portion of the tube body, the opening / closing structure opens the first inner tube opening, When the pressure in the second internal flow path is lower than the pressure in the hollow portion of the tube body, the second opening / closing structure closes the second inner tube opening, A duct structure characterized in that when the pressure in the second internal flow path is equal to or greater than the pressure in the hollow portion of the tube body, the opening / closing structure opens the second inner tube opening.

2. The internal flow path is an L-shaped flow path portion having an inlet opening toward the upward side and an outlet opening toward the inner cylinder; The duct structure according to claim 1, further comprising: a drain portion branching from the L-shaped flow path portion and extending downward.

3. The tube body extends in a vertical direction, The opening and closing structure is a swing shaft disposed in a hollow portion of the cylindrical body; The duct structure according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a closing member that swings about the swing shaft.

4. The swing shaft is provided above the inner cylinder opening, 4. The duct structure according to claim 3, wherein the opening / closing member is located below the swing shaft and is provided so as to be swingable relative to the swing shaft.

5. The cylindrical body includes: a hood structure for guiding external gas to the outer cylinder opening, The hood structure includes: an inlet for taking in the external gas; The duct structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an outlet communicating with the outer cylinder opening.

6. A duct structure described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the outer tube openings, which are arranged at predetermined intervals from the upper side to the lower side of the outer tube, are connected to the same internal flow path.

7. The duct structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6; a power generating mechanism that generates power from the rotational movement of the rotor blades.

Images