Power generation equipment

Abstract

We provide a power generation device that efficiently utilizes the energy of the incoming water flow to generate electricity. [Solution] The system comprises a cylindrical portion 20 that forms the movement path of the movable plate 21, a first flow path 31 that guides water flow to the upper side of the movable plate 20, a second flow path 32 that guides water flow to the lower side of the movable plate 20, a water outlet 34 having an opening / closing door 35, a spiral core rod 22 that extends from the lower surface of the movable plate 21 with the bottom surface of the cylindrical portion 20 protruding, motion conversion mechanisms 40, 41, 42 that convert the upward / downward movement of the spiral core rod 22 into rotational motion in a constant direction, and a generator 50 driven by the rotational output of the motion conversion mechanism. When water flows into the first flow path 31, the opening / closing door 35 of the outlet is opened until the descending movable plate 21 reaches at least the position of the outlet 34, and when water flows into the second flow path 32, the opening / closing door 35 of the outlet is opened until the rising movable plate 21 reaches at least the outlet 34.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a power generation device that generates electricity using a small water flow.

Background Art

[0002] The applicant has previously proposed a small hydropower generation device that generates electricity using small water flows such as spring water, running water from a reservoir, and sewage flowing through a sewer pipe (Patent Document 1 below). As shown in FIG. 4, this power generation device includes first and second cylindrical portions 110 and 120 arranged in parallel, a water branch portion 130 that alternately supplies water from a water source to the first and second cylindrical portions 110 and 120, a moving member 140 located between the water supplied from the water branch portion 130 into the first and second cylindrical portions 110 and 120 and the air present in the first and second cylindrical portions 110 and 120, an air movement passage 150 in which when the moving member 140 in the first cylindrical portion 110 descends, the air below the moving member moves to the second cylindrical portion 120 side, and when the moving member 140 in the second cylindrical portion 120 descends, the air below the moving member moves to the first cylindrical portion 110 side, and a power generation mechanism 160 that generates electricity in the air movement passage 150 in response to the movement of the air moving through the air movement passage.

[0003] In addition, drainage channels 170 and 180 are provided in the first and second cylindrical portions 110 and 120 for discharging the water above the moving member 140 when the moving member 140 rises within the first and second cylindrical portions 110 and 120. The water above the moving member 140 rising inside the first and second cylindrical portions 110 and 120 is discharged from the drainage outlets 171 and 181 to the drainage channels 170 and 180. Therefore, the water that flows into the first and second cylindrical portions 110 and 120 of the small hydropower generation device through the water branch portion 130 is finally drained from the drainage channels 170 and 180 after lowering the moving member 140.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-146555 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] The present invention aims to improve the power generation efficiency of a power generation device by more efficiently utilizing the fluid energy of a small water flow into the power generation device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The power generation device of the present invention comprises: a cylindrical portion that forms a movement path for a moving plate; a first flow path that guides water flow to the upper side of the moving plate within the cylindrical portion in order to lower the moving plate within the cylindrical portion; a second flow path that guides water flow to the lower side of the moving plate within the cylindrical portion in order to raise the moving plate within the cylindrical portion; a flow path switching door that switches the destination of the water flow flowing in from the inlet to the first or second flow path; an outlet provided on the side of the cylindrical portion for discharging water from the cylindrical portion; an opening and closing door for opening and closing the outlet; a spiral core rod that extends downward from the lower surface of the moving plate and whose tip protrudes from the bottom surface of the cylindrical portion, and which has spiral grooves or protrusions on its circumferential surface; a motion conversion mechanism that converts the upward / downward movement of the spiral core rod protruding from the cylindrical portion in conjunction with the upward / downward movement of the moving plate into rotational motion in a constant direction; and a generator driven by the rotational output of the motion conversion mechanism. When the flow path switching door selects the first flow path as the destination for the water flow, the opening / closing door of the discharge port is opened until the movable plate descending within the cylindrical portion reaches the discharge port at least. The flow path switching door is characterized in that, when it selects the second flow path as the destination for the water flow, the opening / closing door of the discharge port is opened at least until the moving plate rising inside the cylindrical part reaches the discharge port.

[0007] Furthermore, in the power generation device of the present invention, when the flow path switching door selects the first flow path as the destination for the water flow, the opening / closing door of the discharge port may be opened until the movable plate descending within the cylindrical portion reaches the lower edge of the discharge port, and when the flow path switching door selects the second flow path as the destination for the water flow, the opening / closing door of the discharge port may be opened until the movable plate ascending within the cylindrical portion reaches the upper edge of the discharge port.

[0008] Furthermore, the power generation device of the present invention comprises a nut that engages with the portion of the helical shaft protruding from the bottom surface of the cylindrical part via a ball, and converts the linear motion of the helical shaft rising or falling into rotational motion in the left or right direction; an interlocking gear that is linked to the rotation of the nut; and a rotation direction switching mechanism that transmits the rotation of the interlocking gear to the generator drive gear so that the generator drive gear rotates in a constant direction due to the rotation of the interlocking gear. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] In the power generation device described in Patent Document 1, the movement of a moving member that rises / falls within a cylindrical section is converted into air movement, and this air is used to drive the generator. In contrast, the power generation device of the present invention directly converts the movement of a movable member (moving plate) that moves up / down within the cylindrical section into the driving force of the generator, thereby increasing the power generation efficiency of the generator. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] (a) A diagram showing the overall structure of the power generation device of the present invention. (b) A diagram showing the relationship between the helical shaft and the nut. (c) A diagram showing the configuration of the switching mechanism for switching the rotation direction of the interlocking gears. [Figure 2] (a)(b)(c) Diagrams showing the changes in state when water flows through the first channel. [Figure 3] (d)(e)(f) Diagrams showing the changes in state when the water flow flows through the second channel. [Figure 4] A diagram showing the power generation device described in Patent Document 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. As shown in Figure 1(a), the power generation device of the present invention comprises a cylindrical portion 20 that forms the movement path of the movable plate 21, a first flow path 31 that guides water flow to the upper side of the movable plate 21 within the cylindrical portion 20 in order to lower the movable plate 21 within the cylindrical portion 20, a second flow path 32 that guides water flow to the lower side of the movable plate 21 within the cylindrical portion 20 in order to raise the movable plate 21 within the cylindrical portion 20, a flow path switching door 33 that switches the destination of the water flow to the first flow path 31 or the second flow path 32, an outlet 34 provided on the side of the cylindrical portion 20 for discharging water from inside the cylindrical portion 20, an opening / closing door 35 that opens and closes the outlet 34, and a part that extends downward from the lower surface of the movable plate 21, with its tip at the bottom surface of the cylindrical portion 20. The device comprises a rod-shaped body protruding from the cylindrical part 20, a spiral core rod 22 having a spiral groove or projection on its circumferential surface, a nut 40 that converts the upward / downward motion (linear motion) of the spiral core rod 22 protruding from the bottom surface of the cylindrical part 20 into clockwise / counterclockwise rotational motion, an interlocking gear 41 that rotates together with the nut 40, a rotation direction switching mechanism 42 that converts the clockwise / counterclockwise rotation of the interlocking gear 41 into rotation in one direction, a generator drive gear 51 that meshes with the gear of the rotation direction switching mechanism 42, a generator 50 to which the generator drive gear 51 is coupled to a rotating shaft, and a control unit 60 that controls the operation of the flow path switching door 33, the opening / closing door 35, and the rotation direction switching mechanism 42.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1(b), the helical shaft 22 and the nut 40 constitute a ball screw structure that engages via balls, where the linear motion of the helical shaft 22 is converted into the rotational motion of the nut 40. The balls are repeatedly supplied between the helical shaft 22 and the nut 40 through a circulation path to reduce friction between the helical shaft 22 and the nut 40.

[0013] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1(c), the rotation direction switching mechanism 42 includes a gear 421 that reverses the rotation of the interlocking gear 41 and transmits it to the generator drive gear 51, and a pair of gears (gears 422 and 423) that transmit rotation in the same direction as the rotation of the interlocking gear 41 to the generator drive gear 51.

[0014] When the spiral mandrel 22 descends, the control unit 60 interposes one gear (for example, gear 421) of the rotation direction switching mechanism 42 between the interlocking gear 41 and the generator drive gear 51. When the spiral mandrel 22 ascends, the control unit 60 interposes the other gears (gear 422 and gear 423) of the rotation direction switching mechanism 42 between the interlocking gear 41 and the generator drive gear 51. Therefore, the rotating shaft of the generator 50 always rotates in the same direction regardless of whether the spiral mandrel 22 ascends or descends.

[0015] Figs. 2(a), (b), and (c) show the state transition of the power generation device when the inflow of water into the first flow path 31 is selected by the flow path switching door 33. Prior to the state shown in Fig. 2(a), water flows in from the second flow path 32, and the moving plate 21 is pushed upward above the cylindrical portion 20.

[0016] In the figure, the water present above the moving plate 21 is shown in the shaded area. Below the moving plate 21, water exists in a state where the water surface contacts the lower surface of the moving plate 21.

[0017] Based on the position of the spiral mandrel 22 protruding from the bottom surface of the cylindrical portion 20, when the control unit 60 identifies that the moving plate 21 is present at a predetermined upper position within the cylindrical portion 20, as shown in Fig. 2(a), the control unit 60 controls the flow path switching door 33 so that water flows into the first flow path 31, and simultaneously controls the opening / closing door 35 of the discharge port 34 to open. Therefore, the water flowing in from the first flow path 31 increases above the moving plate 21, and the water below the moving plate 21 is discharged from the discharge port 34 and decreases. As a result, the moving plate 21 descends within the cylindrical portion 20.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 2(b), when the descending moving plate 21 reaches the position of the discharge port 34, the water above the moving plate 21 is also discharged from the discharge port 34 together with the water below the moving plate 21. However, if the amount of water flowing in from the first flow path 31 is large, the descent of the moving plate 21 within the cylindrical portion 20 continues.

[0019] When the control unit 60 identifies that the moving plate 21 has descended below the position of the discharge port 34 based on the position of the spiral mandrel 22 protruding from the bottom surface of the cylindrical portion 20, it closes the opening / closing door 35 of the discharge port 34 as shown in FIG. 2(c).

[0020] Also, in the states of FIGS. 2(a), 2(b), and 2(c) where the spiral mandrel 22 descends, the control unit 60 selects the gear of the rotation direction switching mechanism 42 that continues to transmit the rotation of the interlocking gear 41 to the generator drive gear 51, and intervenes it between the interlocking gear 41 and the generator drive gear 51.

[0021] When the control unit 60 identifies that the moving plate 21 has reached a predetermined lower position within the cylindrical portion 20 based on the position of the spiral mandrel 22 protruding from the bottom surface of the cylindrical portion 20, it controls the flow path switching door 33 so that water flows into the second flow path 32 as shown in FIG. 3(d), and at the same time, controls to open the opening / closing door 35 of the discharge port 34. Therefore, the water flowing in from the second flow path 32 increases below the moving plate 21, and the water above the moving plate 21 is discharged from the discharge port 34 and decreases. As a result, the moving plate 21 rises within the cylindrical portion 20.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3(e), when the rising moving plate 21 reaches the position of the discharge port 34, the water below the moving plate 21 is also discharged from the discharge port 34 together with the water above the moving plate 21. However, if the amount of water flowing in from the second flow path 32 is large, the rising of the moving plate 21 within the cylindrical portion 20 continues.

[0023] When the control unit 60 identifies that the moving plate 21 has risen above the position of the discharge port 34 based on the position of the spiral mandrel 22 protruding from the bottom surface of the cylindrical portion 20, it closes the opening / closing door 35 of the discharge port 34 as shown in FIG. 3(f).

[0024] Also, in the states of FIGS. 3(d), 3(e), and 3(f) where the spiral mandrel 22 rises, the control unit 60 selects a gear different from the gear selected in FIG. 2 as the gear of the rotation direction switching mechanism 42 that continues to transmit the rotation of the interlocking gear 41 to the generator drive gear 51, and intervenes it between the interlocking gear 41 and the generator drive gear 51.

[0025] In this power generation device, under the control of the control unit 60, the states shown in Figures 2(a), 2(b), and 2(c) alternately repeat with the states shown in Figures 3(d), 3(e), and 3(f). Consequently, the rotating shaft of the generator 50 continues to rotate in the same direction, and power generation by the generator 50 is maintained.

[0026] In this description, when the movable plate 21 descends within the cylindrical section 20, the opening / closing door 35 of the discharge port 34 is closed when the movable plate 21 reaches a position lower than the position of the discharge port 34, and when the movable plate 21 ascends within the cylindrical section 20, the opening / closing door 35 of the discharge port 34 is closed when the movable plate 21 reaches a position higher than the position of the discharge port 34. However, it is also possible to close the opening / closing door 35 of the discharge port 34 when the movable plate 21 descends within the cylindrical section 20 and reaches the upper edge position of the discharge port 34, and when the movable plate 21 ascends within the cylindrical section 20 and reaches the lower edge position of the discharge port 34. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0027] 20 Cylindrical part 21 Mobile plate 22 Spiral core rod 31 First channel 32 Second channel 33 Flow path switching door 34 Outlet 35 Opening and closing doors 40 nuts 41 Interlocking gear 42 Rotation direction switching mechanism 51 Generator drive gear 50 Generators 60 Control Unit 421 Gear 422 Gears 423 Gears

Claims

1. A cylindrical part that forms the movement path of the moving plate, To lower the movable plate within the cylindrical portion, a first channel is provided to guide the water flow to the upper side of the movable plate within the cylindrical portion, To raise the movable plate within the cylindrical portion, a second channel is provided to guide the water flow to the lower side of the movable plate within the cylindrical portion, A flow path switching door that switches the destination of the water flow entering from the inlet to the first flow path or the second flow path, An outlet for draining water from inside the cylindrical part is provided on the side of the cylindrical part, An opening / closing door for opening and closing the aforementioned discharge port, A spiral core rod, which extends downward from the lower surface of the movable plate and whose tip protrudes from the bottom surface of the cylindrical part, and which has spiral grooves or projections on its circumferential surface, A motion conversion mechanism that converts the upward / downward movement of the spiral core rod protruding from the cylindrical portion, which occurs as the moving plate rises / falls, into rotational motion in a constant direction, A generator driven by the rotational output of the aforementioned motion conversion mechanism, It is equipped with, When the flow path switching door selects the first flow path as the destination for the water flow, the opening / closing door of the discharge port is opened until the moving plate descending within the cylindrical portion reaches the discharge port at least. When the flow path switching door selects the second flow path as the destination for the water flow, the opening / closing door of the discharge port is opened until the moving plate rising within the cylindrical portion reaches the discharge port at least. A power generation device characterized by the following features.

2. A power generation device according to claim 1, When the flow path switching door selects the first flow path as the destination for the water flow, the opening / closing door of the discharge port is opened until the movable plate descending within the cylindrical portion reaches the lower edge of the discharge port. When the flow path switching door selects the second flow path as the destination for the water flow, the opening / closing door of the discharge port is opened until the movable plate ascending within the cylindrical portion reaches the upper edge of the discharge port. A power generation device characterized by the following features.

3. A power generation device according to claim 1 or 2, The motion conversion mechanism comprises a nut that engages via a ball with the portion of the helical shaft protruding from the bottom surface of the cylindrical part and converts the linear motion of the helical shaft rising or falling into rotational motion in the left or right direction; an interlocking gear that is linked to the rotation of the nut; and a rotation direction switching mechanism that transmits the rotation of the interlocking gear to the generator drive gear so that the generator drive gear rotates in a constant direction due to the rotation of the interlocking gear. A power generation device characterized by the following features.

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