SMALL HYDROELECTRIC POWER GENERATION APPARATUS

Abstract

Energy can be efficiently generated according to the amount of water in a channel by including: a first water intake channel placed on an upstream side; a second water intake channel placed on a downstream side; a water wheel on a more downstream side of the first water intake channel and the second water intake channel, the water wheel having an axis of rotation in a direction that crosses orthogonally with a flow of water; a lateral movement apparatus that allows the second water intake channel to be moved in an upstream or downstream direction; and a vertical movement apparatus that allows the water wheel to be moved in a vertical direction.

Description

SMALL HYDROELECTRIC POWER GENERATION APPARATUS FIELD OF INVENTION This disclosure relates to a small hydroelectric power generating device. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION To date, small-scale hydroelectric power generation using water flow has been widely implemented in irrigation canals and similar structures found in the field. However, the amount of water flowing in the canal where the small-scale hydroelectric power generation unit is installed fluctuates considerably depending on periods such as non-irrigation periods, irrigation periods, and periods of standing water, making it difficult to maintain optimal power generation efficiency. Therefore, small-scale hydroelectric power generation units capable of responding to changes in water flow in the canal are proposed. Similar to a prior art related to small hydroelectric power generation apparatus as mentioned above, Patent Literature 1 proposes a configuration that includes a water wheel (turbine apparatus), a raising and lowering apparatus, and a flow quantity adjustment apparatus. Power can be efficiently generated according to the water level by adjusting the water level using the flow quantity adjustment apparatus and vertically moving the water wheel. Patent Literature 2 proposes a configuration that includes a water wheel (turbine apparatus) and a water level adjustment gate. The angle at which the water flow strikes the water wheel is adjusted by rotating the water level adjustment gate. List of appointments Patent literature Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent No. 6168902 Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent No. 6282236 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It is known that the flow velocity is low near the bottom surface and high near the water surface in an open channel. Therefore, to operate an efficient small-scale hydroelectric power generation system in an open channel, it is important to utilize the water flow near the water surface. However, a small-scale hydroelectric power generation device in Patent Literature 1 does not utilize the water flow near the water surface, and the flow velocity of the water guided by the water wheel is reduced by the flow quantity adjustment device. Therefore, it is difficult to say that the small-scale hydroelectric power generation device in Patent Literature 1 effectively utilizes the flow velocity in the channel.Although a small hydroelectric power generation device in Patent Literature 2 utilizes the high-velocity flow of water near the water surface, the flow velocity of the water guided by the water wheel is reduced by the water level adjustment gate. Therefore, it is difficult to say that the flow velocity in the channel is also effectively utilized in Patent Literature 2. The small hydroelectric power generation devices described in Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 can change the angle of the water flow guided by the water wheel by adjusting the positions of the water wheel and the flow quantity adjustment device or the water level adjustment gate. However, Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 cannot adjust the positional relationship between the water flow guided by the water wheel and the water wheel in the horizontal direction. Therefore, there is a concern that the water flow may strike a point near the center of the water wheel, and the flow velocity may not be effectively utilized. The small hydroelectric power generation devices described in Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 utilize the full flow rate of the water in the channel, making it difficult to manage waste disposal and ensure the maintenance of a fishing ramp, for example, during operation. A small hydroelectric power generation device has been created in accordance with the present disclosure to solve the aforementioned problems, and allows for efficient power generation according to the amount of water in a channel without reducing the flow speed of the water guided by a water wheel by using the water flow near the water surface where the flow speed is high and adjusting the angle at which the water flow hits the water wheel. A small hydroelectric power generating apparatus according to the present disclosure includes: a first water intake channel located on an upstream side; a second water intake channel located on a downstream side; a water wheel on a more downstream side of the first water intake channel and the second water intake channel, the water wheel having an axis of rotation in a direction that crosses orthogonally with a flow of water; a lateral movement apparatus that allows the second water intake channel to be moved in an upstream or downstream direction; and a vertical movement apparatus that allows the water wheel to be moved in a vertical direction.In the small hydroelectric power generating apparatus, the second water intake channel discharges the water flow to the water wheel, and the lateral movement apparatus allows the second water intake channel and the water wheel to be separated from each other or brought closer together in a horizontal direction by moving the second water intake channel. In the small hydroelectric power generation apparatus according to the present disclosure, it is preferable that the second channel for water intake, the water wheel, the lateral movement apparatus, and the vertical movement apparatus be integrally formed, and a base portion of the second channel for water intake, the water wheel, the lateral movement apparatus, and the vertical movement apparatus that are integrally formed can be installed on a ground surface. The small hydroelectric power generation apparatus according to the present disclosure can move each of the second channel for water intake and the water wheel by means of the lateral movement apparatus and the vertical movement apparatus, and therefore can execute an efficient power generation according to the amount of water in the channel without reducing the flow speed of the water guided by the water wheel by using the water flow near the water surface whose flow speed is high and adjusting the angle at which the water flow hits the water wheel. IVIA / a / ZUZZ / UI 3 / ZO BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 is a side view illustrating an example of a small hydroelectric power generating apparatus in accordance with this disclosure; Figure 2 is a front view illustrating the small hydroelectric power generation apparatus of the present example; Figure 3 is a side view illustrating a second water intake channel and a lateral movement apparatus in the small hydroelectric power generation apparatus of the present example; Figure 4 is a side view illustrating a water wheel and vertical motion apparatus in the small hydroelectric power generating apparatus of the present example; Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the second water intake channel in the small hydroelectric power generating apparatus of the present example is moved in the upstream direction; Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the second water intake channel in the small hydroelectric power generating apparatus of the present example is moved in the downstream direction; Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the water wheel in the small hydroelectric power generating apparatus of the present example is moved in the upward direction; and Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the water wheel in the small hydroelectric power generating apparatus of the present example is moved in the lower direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION One embodiment of this disclosure is described with reference to the figures. A small hydroelectric power generation device is then described in accordance with this disclosure, using the structure and states of the small hydroelectric power generation device as examples. 1. Structure of the small hydroelectric power generation apparatus The structure of the small hydroelectric power generating apparatus is described in accordance with this disclosure. Figure 1 is a side view illustrating an example of the small hydroelectric power generating apparatus according to this disclosure. Figure 2 is a front view illustrating the small hydroelectric power generating apparatus of this example. Figure 3 is a side view illustrating a second water intake channel and a lateral motion device in the small hydroelectric power generating apparatus of this example. Figure 4 is a side view illustrating a water wheel and a vertical motion device in the small hydroelectric power generating apparatus of this example. As illustrated in Figure 1, the small hydroelectric power generating apparatus of the present example includes: a first water intake channel 20 located on an upstream side; a second water intake channel 30 located on a downstream side; a water wheel 40 IVIA / a / ZUZZ / UI Of ¿O on a downstream side of the first water intake channel 20 and the second water intake channel 30, which are continuous, the water wheel 40 having an axis of rotation in a direction that crosses orthogonally with a flow of water; a lateral movement apparatus 50 that allows the second water intake channel 30 to be moved in an upstream or downstream direction; and a vertical movement apparatus 60 that allows the water wheel 40 to be moved in a vertical direction. In the small hydroelectric power generating apparatus, the first water intake channel 20 guides the flow of water to the second water intake channel 30, and the second water intake channel 30 guides the flow of water to the water wheel 40. When structures such as a dam and a sluice gate are provided in a channel, the flow of water in the channel is inhibited by those structures. However, in the small hydroelectric power generation apparatus of the present example, these structures are not provided in the first channel for water intake 20 and the second channel for water intake 30. As a result, the water flow can be directed to the water wheel 40 without reducing the flow velocity in the first channel for water intake 20 and the second channel for water intake 30. The water flow directed to the water wheel 40 from the first channel for water intake 20 and the second channel for water intake 30 and used for power generation is a water flow 81 near the water surface with a high flow velocity, and therefore efficient power generation can be achieved by utilizing this flow velocity. In the small hydroelectric power generation unit of the present example, the water flow 81 near the water surface of the second channel for water intake 30 strikes the water wheel 40 and is used for power generation after being discharged from the second channel for water intake 30. However, the water flow 82 near the bottom surface does not strike the water wheel 40 and flows beneath it after being discharged from the second channel for water intake 30. As mentioned earlier, the small hydroelectric power generation unit of the present example utilizes only a portion of the flow in the channel and not the entire flow. Therefore, waste can be discharged, and a fishing ramp, for example, can be maintained even during the operation of the small hydroelectric power generation unit.In the small hydroelectric power generation apparatus of the present example, the water flow 82 near the bottom surface of the second channel for water intake 30 is not used for power generation. However, in the small hydroelectric power generation apparatus according to this disclosure, the water flow near the bottom surface may be used for power generation, or the entire flow in the channel may be used for power generation, depending on the installed conditions, the power generation environment, and other factors. As illustrated in Figure 1 and Figure 2, in the small hydroelectric power generating apparatus of the present example, the second water intake channel 30 and the lateral movement apparatus 50 are fixed to a wheel 31 and rail 51 described below and a rack 32 and pinion 54 described below, and the water wheel 40 and the vertical movement apparatus 60 are fixed to a central portion 41 of the water wheel 40 and a rising and lowering portion 63 described below. The lateral movement apparatus 50 and the vertical movement apparatus 60 have structures joined by a support element on a frame that has the rail 51 of the lateral movement apparatus 50 and on a support post of the vertical movement apparatus 60.As indicated above, the second water intake channel 30, the water wheel 40, the lateral movement apparatus 50, and the vertical movement apparatus 60 are integrally formed, and a base portion 70 of the second water intake channel 30, the water wheel 40, the lateral movement apparatus 50, and the vertical movement apparatus 60 that are integrally formed is installed on a ground surface 71. The base portion 70 is installed on the ground surface 71 outside a channel 10, and therefore the small hydroelectric power generating apparatus, according to this disclosure, is easily installed in the channel even when construction work inside the channel is difficult. The costs of introducing the small hydroelectric power generating apparatus can be reduced by applying this disclosure. In the small hydroelectric power generating apparatus of the present example, the first channel for water intake 20 is formed by providing a bottom portion 21 on the bottom surface of the channel for water intake 10, and the second channel for water intake 30 is provided in the channel for water intake 10. However, in the small hydroelectric power generating apparatus according to the present disclosure, the first channel for water intake 20 and the second channel for water intake 30 are not limited to the configuration of the present example, and the first channel for water intake 20 may be provided to be separate from the channel for water intake 10 and the second channel for water intake 30 does not necessarily need to be provided in the channel for water intake 10. As illustrated in Figure 3, in the small hydroelectric power generating apparatus of the present example, the second water intake channel 30 includes the wheel 31, the rack 32, and a connecting portion 33, and the side-moving apparatus 50 includes the rail 51, a handle 52, an axial rod 53, and the pinion 54. The wheel 31 is installed to rotate on the rail 51, and the rack 32 and pinion 54 are meshed together. As a result, the second water intake channel 30 and the lateral movement device 50 are fixed. Rotation of the handle 52 transmits the rotational force to the pinion 54 via the axial rod 53, and the pinion 54 and rack 32 function as a rack and pinion mechanism. Consequently, the lateral movement device 50 can move the second water intake channel 30 in either the upstream or downstream direction. The second water intake channel 30 can easily direct the water flow from the first water intake channel 20 to the second water intake channel 30 by placing the connecting portion 33 into the first water intake channel 20. In the small hydroelectric power generating apparatus of the present example, the lateral movement apparatus 50 allows the second water intake channel 30 to be moved in the upstream or downstream direction by the rack and pinion mechanism. However, in the small hydroelectric power generating apparatus according to the present disclosure, the lateral movement apparatus 50 is not limited to the configuration of the present example. The lateral movement apparatus 50 may allow the second water intake channel 30 to be moved in the upstream or downstream direction by means of a crankshaft or similar mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the handle 52 into a reciprocating motion of the second water intake channel 30, for example. As illustrated in Figure 2 and Figure 4, in the small hydroelectric power generating apparatus of the present example, the water wheel 40 includes the central portion 41 and the blades 42, and the vertical motion apparatus 60 includes a motor 61, a hanging portion 62, the raising and lowering portion 63, a weight 64, a chain 65, and a power generator 66. The water wheel 40 and the vertical drive mechanism 60 are fixed to the central portion 41, which consists of the rotating shaft and a bearing, and the up-and-down portion 63. The up-and-down portion 63, suspended by the hanging portion 62, can be moved vertically by rotating the motor 61. As a result, the vertical drive mechanism 60 can move the water wheel 40 vertically. The vertical drive mechanism 60 includes the weight 64, and therefore the hanging portion 62 can stably suspend the up-and-down portion 63 and the water wheel 40. The water flow strikes the blades 42, causing the water wheel 40 to rotate. The rotational force of the water wheel 40 is transmitted to the power generator 66 by the chain 65. As a result, the small hydroelectric power generating apparatus of this example can generate power. The lateral movement device 50 and the vertical movement device 60 are individually driven in the small hydroelectric power generation apparatus of the present example. However, in the small hydroelectric power generation apparatus according to the present disclosure, the lateral movement device 50 and the vertical movement device 60 can operate together, or the second water intake channel 30 and the water wheel 40 can be moved by automatically driving the lateral movement device 50 and the vertical movement device 60 according to the amount of water and the flow rate in the channel. 2. States of small hydroelectric power generation equipment The states of the small hydroelectric power generating apparatus are described in accordance with this disclosure. Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the second water intake channel of the small hydroelectric power generating apparatus of this example is moved in the upstream direction. Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the second water intake channel of the small hydroelectric power generating apparatus of this example is moved in the downstream direction. Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the water wheel of the small hydroelectric power generating apparatus of this example is moved in the upstream direction.Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the water wheel in the small hydroelectric power generating apparatus of the present example is moved in the lower direction. As illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, in the small hydroelectric power generation apparatus of this example, the second water intake channel 30 can be moved upstream or downstream by means of the lateral movement device 50. The second water intake channel 30 and the water wheel 40 can be separated horizontally by moving (raising) the second water intake channel 30 upstream. Therefore, even when the amount of water flowing in the channel increases, the angle at which the water flow 80 strikes the blades 42 of the water wheel 40 can be adjusted, and the power generation efficiency can be improved. The second water intake channel 30 and the water wheel 40 can be brought closer together horizontally by moving (lowering) the second water intake channel 30 downstream.Therefore, even when the amount of water flowing in the canal decreases, the angle at which the water flow 80 hits the blades 42 of the water wheel 40 can be adjusted, and the efficiency of power generation can be improved. In a small hydroelectric power generation device, when the water flow strikes a point near the center of the water wheel, the rotational force decreases, and the power generation efficiency decreases. In the small hydroelectric power generation device of the present example, by moving the second channel for water intake 30 upstream or downstream, not only can the angle at which the water flow 80 strikes the blades 42 of the water wheel 40 be adjusted, but also the horizontal positional relationship between the water flow 80 and the water wheel 40. Therefore, power generation by effectively utilizing the flow velocity becomes possible without the water flow 80 striking a point near the central portion 41 of the water wheel 40. As illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, in the small hydroelectric power generating apparatus of this example, the water wheel 40 can be moved vertically by the vertical movement device 60. The second water intake channel 30 and the water wheel 40 can be separated vertically by moving (raising) the water wheel 40 upwards. Therefore, even when the amount of water flowing in the channel increases, the angle at which the water flow 80 strikes the blades 42 of the water wheel 40 can be adjusted, and the power generation efficiency can be improved. The second water intake channel 30 and the water wheel 40 can be brought closer together vertically by moving (lowering) the water wheel 40 downwards.Therefore, even when the amount of water flowing in the canal decreases, the angle at which the water flow 80 hits the blades 42 of the water wheel 40 can be adjusted, and the efficiency of power generation can be improved. When the amount of water flowing in the canal increases and the water level rises, there is a concern that the blades 42 of the water wheel 40 may come into contact with the water surface, reducing the efficiency of power generation. In such cases, power can be generated without the blades 42 touching the water surface by moving the water wheel 40 upwards using the vertical drive mechanism 60. The states in which only one of the second water intake channel 30 and water wheel 40 is moved are illustrated in Figures 5 through 8. However, the efficiency of power generation can be further improved by achieving an optimal position relationship according to the water quantity and flow velocity in the channel by moving both of the second water intake channel 30 and water wheel 40 in the small hydroelectric power generation apparatus of this example. With reference to the position relationship in the horizontal direction, high power generation efficiency can be obtained when the distance between the second water intake channel 30 and water wheel 40 is fixed to be at the same level as the water level in the second water intake channel by means of the lateral movement apparatus 50. In general, when a small hydroelectric power generation unit is installed in a canal such as an irrigation canal, a water wheel needs to be designed with a force appropriate to the maximum flow rate in the canal. However, in the small hydroelectric power generation unit of this example, the second intake channel 30 and water wheel 40 can be moved according to the increase and decrease in the amount of water in the canal. The amount of flow striking water wheel 40 can be adjusted by moving the second intake channel 30 upstream or by moving water wheel 40 upstream during periods or at locations with high water levels.As a result, in the small hydroelectric power generation apparatus of the present example, a water wheel according to the maximum flow amount in the channel does not necessarily need to be individually designed, and the small hydroelectric power generation apparatus can be introduced into channels in various environments in a versatile manner. List of reference signs Water intake channel First channel for water intake Bottom portion Second channel for water intake Wheel Zipper Connection portion Water wheel Central portion Blade Lateral movement device Rail Handle Axial rod Pinion Vertical movement device Engine Hanging portion IVIA / a / ZUZZ / UI Of ¿O Uphill and downhill portion Weight Chain Power generator Base portion Ground surface Water flow Water surface near the water flow Bottom surface near the water flow.

Claims

1. A small hydroelectric power generating apparatus, characterized in that it comprises: a first water intake channel located on an upstream side; a second water intake channel located on a downstream side; a water wheel on a more downstream side of the first water intake channel and the second water intake channel, the water wheel having an axis of rotation in a direction that intersects orthogonally with a water flow; a lateral movement apparatus that allows the second water intake channel to be moved in an upstream or downstream direction; and a vertical movement apparatus that allows the water wheel to be moved in a vertical direction, wherein: the second water intake channel discharges the water flow to the water wheel;and the lateral movement apparatus allows the second water intake channel and the water wheel to be separated from each other or brought closer together in a horizontal direction by moving the second water intake channel.

2. The small hydroelectric power generating apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized in that: the second water intake channel, the water wheel, the lateral movement apparatus, and the vertical movement apparatus are integrally formed; and a base portion of the second water intake channel, the water wheel, the lateral movement apparatus, and the vertical movement apparatus that are integrally formed can be installed on a ground surface.

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