JP2014169843A - Sun position measurement mechanism and sun tracking device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sun position measurement mechanism capable of highly accurately performing position measurement in a wide range, and provide a sun tracking device including the sun position measurement mechanism and capable of performing sun tracking with high accuracy.SOLUTION: A sun position measurement mechanism includes a main convex lens for collecting sun light, a main sensor arranged at a substantially focal position of the main convex lens, a sub convex lens for making sun light collected by the main convex lens into parallel ray, and a sub sensor arranged on an emission side of the sub convex lens. In a center part of the main sensor, a through hole is provided. The main sensor and the sub sensor have four sensor parts arranged at positions corresponding to east, west, south and north, respectively.

Description

  The present invention is, for example, a dish-type solar heat for efficiently collecting sunlight using a parabolic mirror and efficiently heating a solar power generator installed at the focal position of the parabolic mirror to generate power. In order to improve power generation efficiency in power generation devices and photovoltaic power generation devices that convert sunlight directly into electricity, the position is adjusted so that the sunlight is always incident on the parabolic mirror and the photovoltaic power generation device. The present invention relates to a solar position measuring mechanism used for performing the above-mentioned and a solar tracking device using the same.

  In recent years, in order to suppress an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide released into the air accompanying an increase in global energy consumption, there is an increasing expectation for a power generation device that uses solar energy without the release of carbon dioxide.

  Conventionally, many systems have been proposed not only in Japan but also around the world to collect solar light using a reflector and heat the heat medium to convert the heat into electrical energy. Demonstration devices, experimental devices, etc. have been established all over the world, and some have been commercialized.

  Methods for obtaining electrical energy using sunlight include crystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, inorganic compounds such as InGaAs (indium gallium arsenide) and GaAs (gallium arsenide), organic dyes and conductive polymers. A solar power generation system that irradiates solar cells (solar panels) made of organic compounds, etc., and converts solar energy directly into electrical energy, and efficiently collects sunlight, for example, water, dissolved salt There is a solar power generation system in which a heat medium such as oil is heated to a high temperature, steam is generated by the heat energy, and a steam turbine is rotated to obtain electric energy.

  The solar power generation method requires high-performance solar cells (solar panels) that can efficiently convert sunlight into electrical energy. Compared with other power generation methods such as hydroelectric power generation and thermal power generation, the amount of power generation per installation area The power generation cost is also high. For this reason, various public subsidies are required to introduce the solar power generation method.

  In addition, various studies have been conducted on the solar thermal power generation method as well, and as a light condensing method, sunlight is applied to a condensing unit provided at a height of several tens of meters above the ground using a flat or curved mirror. A trough that heats the heat medium that flows through a tube called a receiver at the condensing position of the reflector using a so-called tower-type, trough-type reflector having a parabolic cross section that collects and heats the heat medium. There is a so-called dish method (also called a Stirling method) that heats a solar power generator such as a Stirling engine, for example, installed at the focal position of the parabolic mirror using a parabolic mirror.

  In the dish type solar thermal power generation apparatus 100 as shown in FIG. 5, reflection is performed by bending a high light-transmitting glass plate having a thickness of several millimeters into a predetermined parabolic surface and forming a solar reflective film on the back surface of the glass plate. The mirror 110 is attached to a large gantry 130 and used.

  At the focal position of the reflecting mirror 110, for example, a solar power generator 120 that generates power using a Stirling engine or the like is installed. A solar power generator 120 using a Stirling engine is composed of a high-temperature part 122 and a low-temperature part 124, and the light-receiving surface of the high-temperature part 122 is heated by sunlight collected by the reflecting mirror 110, so Electricity can be generated by rotating the wheel or linearly driving the wheel.

  By the way, in solar power generation devices and dish type solar power generation devices using solar cells (solar panels), solar cells (solar panels) and reflectors always perform diurnal motion in order to effectively use sunlight. It is desirable to control to face the sun.

  For this reason, in such a power generation device, a solar tracking device for controlling a solar cell (solar panel) or a reflecting mirror is used based on a predicted sun trajectory in advance. Since a movement error or the like of the sun tracking device occurs, it is desired to measure the position of the sun and correct the movement error to accurately perform the sun tracking.

For this reason, a solar position measuring mechanism as shown in FIG. 6 is used in the solar tracking device.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the conventional wide-range solar position measuring mechanism, and FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the conventional fine-tuning solar position measuring mechanism.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the wide-range solar position measurement mechanism 200 includes a convex lens 202 having a short focal length and a sunlight detection sensor 204.
The sunlight detection sensor 204 is disposed at a substantially focal position of the convex lens 202, and includes four sensor parts 204a, 204b, 204c, and 204d as shown in FIG. 204d is arrange | positioned in the position corresponding to east, west, south, and north, respectively.

  If sunlight is irradiated vertically to the solar position measurement mechanism 200 for wide area configured in this way, the amount of light irradiated to the four sensor units 204a to 204d of the sunlight detection sensor 204 becomes equal. Therefore, the output values of the four sensor units 204a to 204d are almost uniform.

  However, when sunlight is radiated obliquely, the amount of light applied to the four sensor units 204a to 204d of the sunlight detection sensor 204 is biased, and thus the output values of the four sensor units 204a to 204d are also biased. Will occur.

  Based on the bias of the output values of the four sensor units 204a to 204d, the deviation of the solar tracking device provided with the wide-range solar position measuring mechanism 200 is determined, and the error of the solar tracking device is corrected.

  The fine adjustment solar position measurement mechanism 300 shown in FIG. 7 is also basically configured in the same manner as the wide-range solar position measurement mechanism 200, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Detailed description is omitted.

The fine adjustment solar position measurement mechanism 300 uses a convex lens 302 having a long focal length compared to the convex lens 202 of the wide-range solar position measurement mechanism 200.
As described above, since the focal length of the convex lens 302 is long, the position irradiated on the sunlight detection sensor 204 is greatly changed even if there is a slight deviation, and therefore the adjustment can be performed with high accuracy.

  Thus, in the conventional solar position measurement mechanism, it is necessary to shorten the focal length of the convex lens when performing position measurement over a wide range, and it is necessary to increase the focal length of the convex lens when performing position measurement with high accuracy. There is.

  Therefore, the two are in a reciprocal relationship, and it has been impossible to measure the position with high accuracy and a wide range with a single solar position measurement mechanism. For this reason, it is necessary to provide both of two sensors, a wide-range solar position measurement mechanism and a fine adjustment solar position measurement mechanism.

  However, in such a configuration in which a plurality of solar position measurement mechanisms are provided to control the solar tracking device, the manufacturing cost of the solar tracking device and the power generation device including the solar tracking device is increased, which is practically large. It was an obstacle.

An object of the present invention is to provide a solar position measuring mechanism capable of performing position measurement with high accuracy and in a wide range in view of such a current situation.
Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a solar tracking device that includes such a solar position measurement mechanism and can perform solar tracking with high accuracy.

The present invention has been invented in order to achieve the above-described problems and objects in the prior art, and the solar position measurement mechanism of the present invention includes a main convex lens for collecting sunlight,
A main sensor disposed at a substantially focal position of the main convex lens;
A sub-convex lens that converts the sunlight collected by the main convex lens into parallel rays;
A sub-sensor disposed on the exit side of the sub-convex lens,
A through hole is provided in the center of the main sensor,
Each of the main sensor and the sub sensor includes four sensor units arranged at positions corresponding to east, west, south, and north.

  With this configuration, position measurement can be performed with high accuracy and in a wide range using only one solar position measurement mechanism. For this reason, manufacturing costs, such as a solar tracking device using such a solar position measuring mechanism, and a power generator provided with this solar tracking device, can be reduced.

In addition, a plurality of the sub-sensors are provided,
A through hole may be provided at the center of the sub sensor.
Thus, by providing a plurality of sub sensors, the solar position can be measured with higher accuracy.

  It is desirable that the sensor units disposed at positions corresponding to the east, west, north, and south of the main sensor are electrically connected to the sensor units disposed at positions corresponding to the east, west, north, and south of the sub sensor, respectively.

  By configuring in this way, the east side corresponding output output from the east side sensor part of the main sensor and the sub sensor, the west side corresponding output output from the west side sensor part, the south side corresponding output output from the south side sensor part, Based on the four outputs corresponding to the north side output from the north side sensor unit, the solar position can be easily measured.

Further, the solar tracking device of the present invention is a solar tracking device for automatically adjusting the angle of the predetermined facility in order to irradiate the sunlight substantially vertically to the predetermined facility,
The solar position measurement mechanism described above;
A control device to which outputs from the main sensor and the sub sensor are input;
An angle adjustment mechanism for adjusting the angle of the predetermined equipment,
The controller is
The angle adjustment mechanism is controlled based on outputs from the main sensor and the sub sensor.

  With this configuration, position measurement can be performed with high accuracy and in a wide range, so that the sun tracking can be performed with high accuracy. Moreover, since only one solar position measuring mechanism needs to be provided, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  According to the present invention, since the position can be measured with high accuracy and in a wide range with one solar position measuring mechanism, it is possible to suppress the manufacturing cost of the solar tracking device and the power generation device including the solar tracking device.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a configuration of a solar position measuring mechanism in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a configuration of a sunlight detection sensor provided in the solar position measurement mechanism of FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining a configuration of a solar tracking device including the solar position measuring mechanism 10 of FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for schematically explaining a control method of the angle adjustment mechanism 54 by the control device 52. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a solar thermal power generation apparatus using a conventional dish type solar concentrator. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining a configuration of a conventional wide-range solar position measuring mechanism. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of a conventional fine adjustment solar position measuring mechanism.

Hereinafter, embodiments (examples) of the present invention will be described in more detail based on the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining a configuration of a solar position measuring mechanism in one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a sunlight detection sensor provided in the solar position measuring mechanism of FIG. It is a schematic block diagram.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the solar position measuring mechanism 10 of the present embodiment includes a main convex lens 12 for collecting sunlight, a main sensor 14 disposed at a substantially focal position of the main convex lens 12, and the main convex lens 12. The sub-convex lens 16 that converts the sunlight condensed by the parallel light into a parallel light beam, the first sub-sensor 18 disposed in the vicinity of the exit side of the sub-convex lens 16, and the exit side of the sub-convex lens 16 are disposed at separate positions. The second sub sensor 20 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the main sensor 14 is composed of four sensor portions 14a, 14b, 14c, and 14d, and the four sensor portions 14a to 14d are arranged at positions corresponding to the east, west, north, and south, respectively. Yes.

  Similarly, the first sub-sensor 18 and the second sub-sensor 20 are composed of four sensor portions 18a to 18d and 20a to 20d, which are arranged at positions corresponding to east, west, north, and south.

In addition, through holes 15, 19, and 21 are provided in the central portions of the main sensor 14, the first sub sensor 18, and the second sub sensor 20, respectively.
In addition, the sensor units 14a to 14d, 18a to 18d, and 20a to 20d are not particularly limited as long as they are sensors capable of detecting sunlight. For example, a light detection sensor such as a photodiode, a thermostat, and the like. A heat sensor or the like can be used.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the east sensor portions 14a, 18a, and 20a are electrically connected so that an east side corresponding output is output from the east terminal 22a. Similarly, the west sensor portions 14b, 18b, and 20b are electrically connected, and the west side corresponding output is output from the west terminal 22b.

  Further, the south side sensor portions 14c, 18c, and 20c are electrically connected, the south side corresponding output is output from the south side terminal 22c, the north side sensor portions 14d, 18d, and 20d are electrically connected, and the north side corresponding output is output from the north side terminal 22d. Is output.

  In the solar position measuring mechanism 10 configured as described above, if sunlight is vertically irradiated on the solar position measuring mechanism 10, the east side corresponding output, the west side corresponding output, the south side corresponding output, and the north side corresponding output are the same. Become.

On the other hand, when sunlight is irradiated diagonally, the east side corresponding output, the west side corresponding output, the south side corresponding output, and the north side corresponding output are biased.
In the solar position measurement mechanism 10 of the present embodiment, when sunlight is irradiated with a large inclination, an output from the main sensor 14 is mainly made, and when the inclination of the irradiated sunlight is small, The outputs from the first sub sensor 18 and the second sub sensor 20 are mainly performed.

That is, the solar position can be measured in a wide range by the main sensor 14, and the solar position can be measured with high accuracy by the first sub sensor 18 and the second sub sensor 20.
In this embodiment, two sub sensors, the first sub sensor 18 and the second sub sensor 20, are provided as sub sensors. However, the number of sub sensors is not particularly limited, and one sub sensor is provided. May be provided, or three or more sub-sensors may be provided.

  By using such a solar position measurement mechanism 10, it is possible to perform position measurement with high accuracy and a wide range with one solar position measurement mechanism, and to obtain a solar tracking device capable of performing solar tracking with high accuracy. it can.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining a configuration of a solar tracking device including the solar position measuring mechanism 10 of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the solar tracking device 50 includes a control device 52 that is connected to the east side terminal 22 a, the west side terminal 22 b, the south side terminal 22 c, and the north side terminal 22 d of the solar position measurement mechanism 10.

The control device 52 is connected to an angle adjustment mechanism 54 that adjusts the angle of a predetermined facility, such as a solar cell (solar panel) or a reflector of a dish type solar thermal power generation device.
And the control apparatus 52 implement | achieves highly accurate solar tracking by controlling the angle adjustment mechanism 54 based on the output corresponding to the east side, the output corresponding to the west side, the output corresponding to the south side, and the output corresponding to the north side.

Specifically, the control device 52 performs the following control.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for schematically explaining a control method of the angle adjustment mechanism 54 by the control device 52.

  As shown to Fig.4 (a), when the sunlight is vertically irradiated with respect to the solar position measuring mechanism 10, the light quantity irradiated to the four sensor parts 14a-14d of the main sensor 14 is the same. In addition, the amount of light applied to the four sensor portions 18a to 18d of the first sub sensor 18 is the same.

  For this reason, the output corresponding to the east side, the output corresponding to the west side, the output corresponding to the south side, and the output corresponding to the north side that are input to the control device 52 are the same. In this case, the control device 52 does not operate the angle adjustment mechanism 54.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 4B, when sunlight is irradiated from the west side to the solar position measurement mechanism 10, the sunlight is irradiated to the east side sensor portion 14 a of the main sensor 14. Therefore, the output value of the output corresponding to the east side is larger than the output corresponding to the west side.

  In the control device 52, the angle adjustment mechanism 54 is operated so that the difference in output value between the output corresponding to the east side and the output corresponding to the west side becomes zero so that, for example, the solar cell (solar panel) or the reflecting mirror faces west. The sun tracking device 50 is rotated.

  And as shown in FIG.4 (c), when sunlight is irradiated perpendicularly | vertically with respect to the solar position measurement mechanism 10, the output corresponding to the east side, the output corresponding to the west side, the output corresponding to the south side, and the output corresponding to the north side become the same. The control device 52 stops the operation of the angle adjustment mechanism 54.

  Thus, by automatically controlling the sun tracking device 50 by the control device 52, the sun position can be measured with high accuracy and in a wide range, and the sun tracking can be performed with high accuracy.

  As mentioned above, although the preferable Example of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to this, In the said Example, although only the case where it uses for a solar thermal power generation device is illustrated, for example, hot water supply equipment or It can be used for heating / cooling facilities, pool heating, and the like, and various modifications are possible without departing from the object of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Solar position measuring mechanism 12 Main convex lens 14 Main sensor 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d Sensor part 15 Through-hole 16 Sub convex lens 18 1st sub sensor 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d Sensor part 19 Through hole 20 2nd sub sensor 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d Sensor part 21 Through hole 22a East side terminal 22b West side terminal 22c South side terminal 22d North side terminal 50 Solar tracking device 52 Control device 54 Angle adjustment mechanism 100 Solar thermal power generation device 110 Reflector 120 Solar thermal power generator 122 High temperature portion 124 Low temperature portion 130 Large platform 200 Wide-range solar position measurement mechanism 202 Convex lens 204 Solar sensor 204a, 204b, 204c, 204d Sensor unit 300 Fine adjustment solar position measurement mechanism 302 Convex lens

Claims (4)

A main convex lens for collecting sunlight;
A main sensor disposed at a substantially focal position of the main convex lens;
A sub-convex lens that converts the sunlight collected by the main convex lens into parallel rays;
A sub-sensor disposed on the exit side of the sub-convex lens,
A through hole is provided in the center of the main sensor,
Each of the main sensor and the sub sensor has four sensor units arranged at positions corresponding to east, west, south, and north, respectively. A plurality of secondary sensors are provided;
The solar position measuring mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a through hole is provided in a central portion of the sub sensor.   The sensor unit disposed at a position corresponding to the east, west, north, and south of the main sensor is electrically connected to a sensor unit disposed at a position corresponding to the east, west, north, and south of the sub sensor, respectively. The solar position measuring mechanism according to 1 or 2. A solar tracking device for automatically adjusting the angle of the predetermined facility in order to irradiate the predetermined facility with sunlight substantially vertically,
The solar position measuring mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A control device to which outputs from the main sensor and the sub sensor are input;
An angle adjustment mechanism for adjusting the angle of the predetermined equipment,
The controller is
A sun tracking device that controls the angle adjustment mechanism based on outputs from the main sensor and the sub sensor.

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