Interference prevention device

Abstract

This interference prevention device includes, with respect to a float constituting a tether-type wind power generation system, the following: a position regulating part for regulating the reel-out / reel-in position of a tether for mooring a flying object; and a guide part that movably holds the position regulating part in an outer circumferential region which, in a plan view of the float, is further outside the float than a structure on the float.

Description

Interference prevention device

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of an interference prevention device that prevents interference between a floating structure and a tether in a tether-type wind power generation system in which kites are launched from a floating structure on the ocean.

[0002] As the floating body, for example, a ship equipped with a winch at the stern has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-151113

[0004] For example, the tether that moors the kite to the floating body is affected by changes in wind direction and speed at the kite's flight altitude, the kite's flight attitude and flight control state, the floating body's sailing direction and sailing speed, and changes in wind direction and speed near the floating body, etc. This causes unexpected changes in the direction in which the tether extends and the degree of slack in the tether near the floating body, which poses a technical problem that the floating body's structure may interfere with the tether.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide an interference prevention device that can prevent interference between a floating structure and a tether.

[0006] An interference prevention device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a position determination unit that determines the position at which a tether mooring an aircraft is reeled in / out on a floating body that constitutes a tether-type wind power generation system, and a guide unit that movably holds the position determination unit in an outer peripheral region of the floating body that is outside the structures on the floating body when viewed in a plan view.

[0007] It is a figure which shows the example of the wind power generation system based on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the modification of the floating body based on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the first modification of the interference prevention device based on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the second modification of the interference prevention device based on embodiment.

[0008] An embodiment of an interference prevention device will be described with reference to Fig. 1. In Fig. 1, a wind power generation system 1 includes a floating body 10 and kites 20. The floating body 10 includes a hull 11, legs 12 installed on the hull 11, and a deck 13 supported by the legs 12. The floating body 10 includes a mast 14 installed on the deck 13, and a sail 15 attached to the mast 14 and rotatable about the mast 14. The floating body 10 includes a winch 16 that may also function as a power generation device. The kites 20 are moored to the floating body 10 via a tether 30 wound around the drum of the winch 16.

[0009] As shown in FIG. 1( b), the floating body 10 may have two hulls 11. That is, the floating body 10 may have a catamaran. The floating body 10 may have a multi-hull as shown in FIG. 2( a), or a mono-hull as shown in FIG. 2( b). The sail 15 may be made of a flexible sheet, or may be at least partially made of a relatively rigid material. In FIG. 1, a winch 16 is disposed on the deck 13. However, the winch 16 is not limited to being disposed on the deck 13, and may be disposed in any location. For example, the winch 16 may be disposed below the deck 13 (i.e., on the side of the deck 13 facing the hull 11), or may be disposed on the hull 11. The shape of the deck 13 when viewed from above the floating body 10 is not limited to being circular (including elliptical), but may be polygonal, such as triangular or rectangular.

[0010] In the wind power generation system 1, when the kite 20 ascends, the tether 30 is let out from the winch 16 as the kite 20 ascends. This letting out of the tether 30 causes the drum of the winch 16 to rotate. The rotation of the drum rotates the generator, generating electricity. When the tether 30 has been let out to a predetermined length, or after a predetermined time has elapsed, the motor of the winch 16 rotates the drum of the winch 16 in a direction to reel in the tether 30. As a result, the reeling of the tether 30 causes the kite 20 to descend. The wind power generation system 1 generates electricity by repeatedly letting out and reeling in the tether 30.

[0011] 1 , a mast 14, a sail 15, and a winch 16 are installed on the deck 13 of the floating body 10. For example, at least one of a generator and a holding mechanism for the kites 20 may be installed on the deck 13. In other words, it can be said that structures used for at least one of navigation of the floating body 10 and wind power generation are installed on the deck 13.

[0012] If the tether 30 extends from the winch 16 towards the flying kite 20, there is a possibility that the tether 30 may interfere with the sail 15. The direction in which the tether 30 extends and the degree of slack in the tether 30 near the float 10 change depending on the changes in the wind direction and wind speed at the flight altitude of the kite 20, the flight attitude and flight control state of the kite 20, the sailing direction and sailing speed of the float 10, and the changes in the wind direction and wind speed near the float 10. For this reason, it is extremely difficult to predict in advance (for example, when designing the float 10) the direction in which the tether 30 extends and the degree of slack in the tether 30 near the float 10.

[0013] Therefore, the wind power generation system 1 is provided with an interference prevention device 40. In other words, the floating body 10 is provided with the interference prevention device 40. The interference prevention device 40 may include a pulley 41 and a guide rail 42. As shown in FIG. 1( a), the tether 30 extending from the winch 16 is connected to the kite 20 via the pulley 41. Therefore, it can be said that the tether 30 extends from the pulley 41 toward the flying kite 20. Here, it can be considered that the tether 30 is unwound from the pulley 41. Similarly, it can be considered that the tether 30 is unwound into the pulley 41. Therefore, it can be said that the pulley 41 defines the unwound / unwound position of the tether 30. Therefore, the pulley 41 may be referred to as a position defining unit.

[0014] The guide rail 42 is provided in an outer peripheral area Ar2 outside the interference area Ar1 (shaded area in FIG. 1(b)) shown in FIG. 1(b). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the guide rail 42 is installed along the outer edge of the deck 13. The pulley 41 is configured to be movable along the guide rail 42. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the guide rail 42 has a track that goes around the outer edge of the deck 13, so the pulley 41 can go around the outer edge of the deck 13 along the guide rail 42. In other words, the pulley 41 is a movable pulley. The pulley 41 may roll or slide on the guide rail 42.

[0015] The interference area Ar1 refers to an area where, if no measures are taken, there is a possibility that the tether 30 will interfere with a structure on the floating body 10 (specifically, on the deck 13). For example, the sail 15 rotates around the mast 14 due to the influence of wind near the floating body 10. In this way, there are structures on the floating body 10 whose positions are variable. Therefore, the interference area Ar1 may include not only an area where a structure actually exists, but also an area where a structure whose position changes may exist (in other words, an area where a structure whose position changes may move). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the interference area Ar1 may include an area where the sail 15 may exist as a result of the sail 15 rotating.

[0016] 1, the guide rail 42 is installed along the outer edge of the deck 13. However, the guide rail 42 may be installed at any position in the outer circumferential area Ar2. Furthermore, the guide rail 42 does not have to have a track that goes around the outer edge of the deck 13. In this case, the guide rail 42 may have a track that follows, for example, a portion of the outer edge of the deck 13. In other words, the guide rail 42 may have a track that is installed in at least a portion of the outer circumferential area Ar2. Note that various existing configurations can be applied to the configuration of the pulley 41 as a movable pulley and the configuration of the guide rail 42, and therefore detailed explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0017] (Technical Effect) Depending on the flight conditions of the kites 20 (i.e., flight altitude, flight attitude, flight control status, state of tension received from the tether 30, etc.), wind direction and speed at high and low altitudes, sailing direction and sailing speed of the floating body 10, etc., at least one of the kites 20 and the tether 30 may move around in various directions near structures on the floating body 10, including the sail 15. If no measures are taken, there is a possibility that the structures on the floating body 10 and the tether 30 may interfere with each other.

[0018] Therefore, the wind power generation system 1 is provided with an interference prevention device 40. A pulley 41 of the interference prevention device 40 defines the payout / return position of the tether 30 in an outer peripheral area Ar2 outside the interference area Ar1 when the floating body 10 is viewed in plan view. As a result, interference between the tether 30 extending toward the flying kite 20 and structures on the floating body 10 can be prevented.

[0019] In addition, the pulley 41 can move along the guide rail 42 of the interference prevention device 40. Therefore, even if the direction in which the tether 30 extends changes due to a change in the flight state of the kite 20, the pulley 41 can move along the guide rail 42 according to the direction in which the tether 30 extends. In other words, even if the relative positional relationship between the floating body 10 and the kite 20 changes, the pulley 41 can move along the guide rail 42, thereby preventing interference between the tether 30 and structures on the floating body 10.

[0020] It is also possible to configure the winch 16 to be movable along the guide rail 42. However, the drum of the winch 16, around which, for example, 100 meters or more of tether 30 is wound, becomes relatively large and heavy. Therefore, the winch 16 holding the drum also becomes relatively large and heavy. Moving such a winch 16 along the guide rail 42 is unrealistic, for example, from the standpoint of safety and the stability of the floating body 10. Furthermore, even if the direction in which the tether 30 extends changes due to changes in the flight state of the kite 20, the position of the relatively heavy winch 16 does not change. Therefore, moving the winch 16 along the guide rail 42 requires power to move the winch 16. Consequently, the power generation efficiency of the wind power generation system 1 decreases by the amount of energy consumed to move the winch 16. From this standpoint as well, moving the winch 16 along the guide rail 42 is unrealistic.

[0021] (First Modification) A first modification of the wind power generation system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 3, the wind power generation system 1 according to the first modification may include an interference prevention device 40a instead of the interference prevention device 40. In other words, the floating body 10 may include the interference prevention device 40a. The interference prevention device 40a includes a pulley 41 and a guide rail 42a. As shown in Fig. 3, the guide rail 42a has an elliptical track. The guide rail 42a having an elliptical track may be installed along the outer edge of the deck 13 of the floating body 10. Note that a portion of the guide rail 42a may be provided at a position away from the deck 13 (for example, a portion of the guide rail 42a may be provided in the air).

[0022] (Technical Effects) According to the first modified example, as in the above-described embodiment, interference between the tether 30 extending toward the flying kite 20 and structures on the floating body 10 can be prevented.

[0023] (Second Modification) A second modification of the wind power generation system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 4 . As shown in Fig. 4 , the wind power generation system 1 according to the second modification may include an interference prevention device 40b instead of the interference prevention device 40. In other words, the floating body 10 may include the interference prevention device 40b. In a plan view of the floating body 10, the interference prevention device 40b includes a guide arm 43, one end of which is movable within the outer circumferential region Ar2, and a pulley 41 attached to one end of the guide arm 43. The guide arm 43 may be configured so that the one end can rotate within the outer circumferential region Ar2 coaxially with the sail 15. In other words, the guide arm 43 may be configured so as to be rotatable around the mast 14.

[0024] The guide arm 43 does not have to be able to rotate 360 ​​degrees around the mast 14, for example. The guide arm 43 may be able to rotate around a portion of the mast 14, for example. In other words, the guide arm 43 may be configured so that the end to which the pulley 41 is attached is movable within at least a portion of the outer circumferential area Ar2. The pulley 41 may be completely fixed to one end of the guide arm 43. The pulley 41 may be attached to the guide arm 43 so that it can move slightly in either direction, provided that it is within the outer circumferential area Ar2.

[0025] (Technical effect) One end of the guide arm 43 (i.e., the end to which the pulley 41 is attached) is configured to move, for example, along the outer edge of the deck 13. Therefore, even if the kite 20 turns in the air near the sail 15 or makes a complex movement including a turning motion, the guide arm 43 to which the pulley 41 is attached rotates in a manner following the movement of the kite 20 and the tether 30. As a result, it is possible to prevent interference between the tether 30 extending toward the flying kite 20 and structures on the floating body 10.

[0026] Aspects of the invention derived from the above-described embodiment and modifications will be described below.

[0027] An interference prevention device according to one aspect of the invention comprises a position determining unit that determines the position at which a tether mooring an aircraft is let out / retracted on a float that constitutes a tether-type wind power generation system, and a guide unit that movably holds the position determining unit in an outer peripheral region of the float that is outside the structures on the float when viewed from above. In the above embodiment, the "pulley 41" corresponds to an example of a "position determining unit," and the "guide rails 42 and 42a" and the "guide arm 43" correspond to examples of a "guide unit."

[0028] In this aspect, the structure may include a sail. The outer peripheral region may be a region of the float that is further outward from an outer edge of a region around which the sail rotates, in a plan view of the float.

[0029] In the interference prevention device, the guide portion may have a guide rail having a track laid on at least a part of the outer circumferential region, and the position determining portion may include a movable pulley movable along the guide rail.

[0030] Alternatively, in the interference prevention device, the guide unit may have a guide arm, one end of which is movable over at least a portion of the outer circumferential region when the floating body is viewed from above. The position determining unit may have a pulley attached to the one end. In this aspect, the structure may include a sail. The one end may be rotatable coaxially with the sail over at least a portion of the outer circumferential region when the floating body is viewed from above.

[0031] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the claims and the gist or idea of ​​the invention as can be read from the entire specification, and interference prevention devices involving such modifications are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0032] 1...wind power generation system, 10...floating body, 13...deck, 14...mast, 15...sail, 16...winch, 20...kite, 30...tether, 40, 40a, 40b...interference prevention device, 41...pulley, 42, 42a...guide rail, 43...guide arm

Claims

1. An interference prevention device, comprising: a position defining portion that defines a pay-out / pay-in position of a tether for mooring a flying object in a floating body constituting a tether-type wind power generation system; and a guide portion that movably holds the position defining portion in an outer peripheral region outside the floating body rather than a structure on the floating body when the floating body is viewed in a plan view.

2. The interference prevention device according to claim 1, wherein the structure includes a sail, and the outer peripheral region is a region outside the floating body rather than an outer edge of a region where the sail rotates when the floating body is viewed in a plan view.

3. The interference prevention device according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion has a guide rail having a track provided in at least a part of the outer peripheral region, and the position defining portion includes a movable pulley movable along the guide rail.

4. The interference prevention device according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion has a guide arm whose one end is movable in at least a part of the outer peripheral region when the floating body is viewed in a plan view, and the position defining portion has a pulley attached to the one end.

5. The interference prevention device according to claim 4, wherein the structure includes a sail, and the one end is rotatable coaxially with the sail in at least a part of the outer peripheral region when the floating body is viewed in a plan view.

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