WO2015045214A1

WO2015045214A1 - Hydraulic power generator

Info

Publication number: WO2015045214A1
Application number: PCT/JP2014/002840
Authority: WO
Inventors: 愼一五味田; 衛橋本
Original assignee: 株式会社Ｌｉｘｉｌ
Priority date: 2013-09-27
Filing date: 2014-05-29
Publication date: 2015-04-02
Also published as: JP6180261B2; JP2015068235A

Abstract

A hydraulic power generator equipped with: a water turbine (50) positioned in a fluid channel; a power generator (60) for generating power from the rotations of the water turbine (50); a spray channel (70) for throttling the fluid passing through the fluid channel (33), and spraying the same at the blade of the water turbine (50); a pressure-receiving shape-changing body (80) for changing shape as a result of pressure being imparted thereto by the fluid flowing through the fluid channel (33), and changing the cross-sectional area of the spray channel (70). Furthermore, the pressure-receiving shape-changing body (80) changes shape as a result of pressure being imparted thereto by the fluid flowing through the fluid channel (33) and without using a power source. Consequently, this hydraulic power generator is applicable for use in environments such as small-scale facilities for residential use or the like, where it is difficult to secure an external power source and only local energy is available.

Description

Hydroelectric generator

The present invention relates to a hydroelectric power generation apparatus that generates electric power by rotating a turbine.

In the automatic faucet, a human sensor is used to control the water discharge operation. The human sensor is normally used for a long time in the activated state. Therefore, in order to compensate for the power consumption, a hydroelectric generator may be installed in the water supply channel of the automatic faucet. The electric power thus obtained is stored in the secondary battery and used for electronic devices such as human sensors.

In this hydroelectric power generation apparatus, an ejection passage for restricting fluid is usually provided on the upstream side of the water turbine. The fluid passing through the ejection passage is accelerated in speed and hits the blades of the turbine, so that the turbine can be rotated to generate power even at a small flow rate. However, when flowing a large amount of fluid, the fluid passing through the ejection passage has a too high flow velocity, and the water turbine rotates excessively at high speed. As a result, bearings and the like may wear quickly.

Although not intended to supplement the power consumption of electronic devices, a hydroelectric generator that can realize this countermeasure has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). In this hydroelectric generator, the size of the ejection passage is electrically controlled using a servo motor or the like. When the flow rate is small, the jet passage is made small to facilitate rotation of the water turbine, and when the flow rate is large, the jet passage is enlarged to prevent high-speed rotation of the water turbine.

JP-A-10-26072

In the structure of Patent Document 1, electric power is required for driving a motor or the like. In large-scale facilities such as hydroelectric power stations, it is easy to secure an external power source, but in small-scale facilities such as houses, it is difficult to secure an external power source depending on the installation location.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a hydroelectric generator suitable for use in a small-scale facility such as a house.

In order to solve the above-described problems, an aspect of the present invention relates to a hydroelectric power generation apparatus. The hydroelectric power generation apparatus includes a water wheel disposed in a fluid flow path, a generator that generates electric power by rotation of the water wheel, a jet passage that squeezes the fluid flowing through the fluid flow path and blows it to the blades of the water turbine, and a fluid flow through the fluid flow path. A pressure receiving displacement body that is displaced by receiving pressure and changes a cross-sectional area of the ejection passage.

According to this aspect, it is possible to change the passage sectional area of the ejection passage according to the pressure of the fluid flowing through the fluid flow path, and to make the passage sectional area of an appropriate size according to the pressure. Further, the pressure receiving displacement body is displaced by a non-power source in response to the pressure of the fluid flowing through the fluid flow path. Therefore, it is suitable for use in an environment where it is difficult to secure an external power source and only small energy can be used, such as a small-scale facility such as a house.

Further, in the above-described aspect, the pressure receiving displacement body may be displaced along the axial direction of the rotating shaft of the water turbine. According to this aspect, the direction in which the fluid flows in the ejection passage is not changed by the operation of the pressure receiving displacement body in the axis-orthogonal cross section of the rotating shaft, and the pressure loss in the ejection passage can be suppressed.

Further, in the above-described aspect, a biasing member that biases the pressure receiving displacement body may be further provided, and the pressure receiving displacement body may be displaced against the biasing force by the biasing member. According to this aspect, if the urging force of the urging member is appropriately selected, the response characteristic of the pressure receiving displacement body with respect to the fluid pressure can be freely adjusted.

In the above-described aspect, the pressure receiving displacement body may open the ejection passage when it is in the initial position. According to this aspect, even when a small flow rate of fluid flows, the fluid is sprayed from the ejection passage without the displacement of the pressure receiving displacement body, and energy loss due to the displacement of the pressure receiving displacement body is suppressed.

Further, in the above-described aspect, a flow rate detection unit that detects the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the fluid flow path based on the rotation speed of the water turbine may be further provided. According to this aspect, the flow rate of the fluid can be measured while generating electric power using the rotation of the water wheel.

Further, in the above-described aspect, a transmission unit that transmits electronic information using the power generated by the generator may be further provided. According to this aspect, it is possible to use power necessary for transmission of electronic information by the transmission unit without using an external power source, and it is difficult to limit the installation location of the hydroelectric generator. Moreover, in this aspect, the measurement part which measures the physical quantity regarding the fluid which flows through a fluid flow path may be further provided, and a transmission part may transmit the measurement information measured by the measurement part. According to this aspect, if the measurement information measured by the measurement unit is transmitted to an external electronic device, the measurement information can be used for energy management.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a hydroelectric generator suitable for use in an environment where it is difficult to secure an external power source and only small energy can be used, such as a small-scale facility such as a house.

It is a front sectional view showing the hydroelectric generator concerning a 1st embodiment. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1. (A) is a figure which shows the ejection channel | path which concerns on 1st Embodiment, (b) is a figure which shows the state which the cross-sectional area adjustment part of the receiving pressure displacement body displaced. It is front sectional drawing which shows the state which the pressure receiving displacement body of the hydroelectric generator which concerns on 1st Embodiment has displaced. It is a block diagram of the hydraulic power unit concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a graph which shows the example of the relationship between the flow volume of the fluid which flows through a fluid flow path, and the rotation speed of a water turbine. (A) is an expanded plane sectional view which shows the hydraulic power unit which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, (b) is a figure which shows the state which the pressure receiving displacement body displaced. (A) is a figure which shows the ejection channel | path of the hydroelectric generator which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, (b) is a figure which shows the state which the cross-sectional area adjustment part of the receiving pressure displacement body displaced. (A) is an expanded plane sectional view which shows the hydraulic power unit which concerns on 3rd Embodiment, (b) is a figure which shows the state which the pressure receiving displacement body displaced. (A) is a figure which shows the ejection channel | path of the hydroelectric generator which concerns on 3rd Embodiment, (b) is a figure which shows the state which the cross-sectional area adjustment part of the pressure receiving displacement body displaced.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 shows a hydroelectric generator 10 according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience, the positional relationship of each component is expressed based on the illustrated state.

The hydroelectric generator 10 is installed in the middle of a water supply channel that supplies water to a water outlet of an automatic faucet (not shown), but its application is not limited to this. The hydroelectric generator 10 includes a housing 20, a water wheel 50, a generator 60, an ejection passage 70, a pressure receiving displacement body 80, and an urging member 100.

The housing 20 includes an upper body 21 (first body), a lower body 23 (second body), and a lid case 25. Each of the

bodies

21 and 23 is made of synthetic resin or the like, and the lid case 25 is made of stainless steel or the like.

A concave upper storage portion 21 a is formed on the upper portion of the upper body 21. A cup-shaped lid case 25 is disposed in the upper storage portion 21a, and the lid case 25 is fixed to the upper body 21 by a fixture (not shown) such as a bolt. A concave first storage portion 21 b is formed in the lower portion of the upper body 21. The first storage portion 21b is provided with a cylindrical guide portion 21c that protrudes downward from the concave bottom surface. The upper body 21 is provided with a through hole 21d penetrating vertically through the guide portion 21c. The lower body 23 is formed with a concave second storage portion 23a. The upper body 21 and the lower body 23 are disposed with the first storage portion 21b and the second storage portion 23a facing each other, and are fixed by a fixing tool (not shown) such as a bolt.

The housing 20 is provided with a lower storage portion 27 including a first storage portion 21b and a second storage portion 23a. A pressure receiving displacement body 80 is disposed in the lower storage portion 27, and is divided into a sub chamber 27 a and a lead-out chamber 27 b by the pressure receiving displacement body 80.

In the housing 20, an inflow path 29, an outflow path 31, and a fluid flow path 33 that communicates these are formed. The inflow path 29 is formed in the upper body 21, and the outflow path 31 is formed in the lower body 23. The fluid flow path 33 includes an introduction chamber 35, an ejection passage 70, a water turbine chamber 37, and a discharge chamber 27b. These are provided in order from the upstream side to the downstream side of the fluid flow path 33. The fluid flow path 33 further includes a sub chamber 27a. A water wheel 50 is disposed in the water wheel chamber 37.

The introduction chamber 35 and the water turbine chamber 37 are provided between the upper body 21 and the lid case 25 in the upper storage portion 21a. A partition member 39 is disposed between the upper body 21 and the lid case 25. The partition member 39 includes a cylindrical peripheral wall portion 39a provided coaxially with a rotation shaft 51 (described later) of the water turbine 50, and an annular portion 39b extending from the upper portion of the peripheral wall portion 39a to the outer peripheral side. The upper body 21 and the lid case 25 are partitioned into an introduction chamber 35 and a water turbine chamber 37 by a peripheral wall portion 39a and an annular portion 39b of the partition member 39. The annular portion 39b and the upper storage portion 21a are sealed by a sealing member 41 such as an O-ring.

The introduction chamber 35 communicates with the sub chamber 27a through a water passage hole 21e formed in the upper body 21. As shown in FIG. 2, the introduction chamber 35 is provided in an annular shape so as to surround the water wheel 50 in the water wheel chamber 37.

Returning to FIG. 1, a rotating shaft 51 that can rotate integrally with the water turbine 50 is attached to the water turbine 50. The upper part of the rotating shaft 51 is rotatably supported on the lid case 25 by an upper bearing (not shown), and the lower part is rotatably supported on the lower body 23 by a lower bearing (not shown). That is, the water turbine 50 is rotatably supported by the housing 20 with the rotation shaft 51 as the rotation center.

The water wheel 50 includes a plurality of blades 57 provided radially around the rotation shaft 51 and a pair of disk-shaped rotation plates 59 provided above and below the blades 57. The lower rotating plate 59 is formed with a through hole 59a penetrating vertically.

The generator 60 includes a rotor part 61 and a stator part 63. The rotor part 61 is provided on the upper part of the rotating shaft 51 of the water turbine 50, that is, a part of the rotating shaft 51. The rotor portion 61 is provided so as to be rotatable integrally with the rotation shaft 51. A magnet 62 such as a permanent magnet is attached to the rotor portion 61. In the magnet 62, different magnetic poles are alternately positioned in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft 51.

The stator part 63 is arranged at an interval on the outer peripheral side of the rotor part 61, that is, at an interval in the radial direction of the rotor part 61. The rotor portion 61 is configured as an inner rotor that rotates on the inner peripheral side of the stator portion 63, but may be configured as an outer rotor. In the illustrated example, the stator portion 63 is provided in a concave stator housing chamber provided in the lid case 25. A yoke 64 made of a soft magnetic material is attached to the stator portion 63 so as to be in contact with the lid case 25. The yoke 64 is fixed to the upper body 21 by a fixing tool (not shown) such as a bolt. A coil bobbin 66 around which a stator coil 65 is wound is mounted in the yoke 64 of the stator portion 63.

When the magnet 62 of the rotor portion 61 is rotated by the rotation of the water turbine 50, the generator 60 changes the flow of magnetic flux transmitted from the magnet 62 to the yoke 64, and the electromotive force is applied to the stator coil 65 in a direction that prevents this change by electromagnetic induction. It generates and generates electricity. That is, the generator 60 generates electric power by rotating the rotor unit 61 relative to the stator unit 63 by the rotation of the water turbine 50. The current due to the electromotive force is taken out through a conductor (not shown) such as a conducting wire connected to the stator coil 65 and used in the flow rate detection unit 113 and the transmission unit 120 described later.

As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of jet passages 70 (three in the drawing) are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction of the water turbine 50. The ejection passage 70 communicates the introduction chamber 35 and the water turbine chamber 37 and is provided on the upstream side of the water turbine 50 in the fluid flow path 33. The ejection passage 70 is provided so that the central axis L1 thereof is located at a position shifted from the rotating shaft 51 of the water turbine 50 toward the outer peripheral side and intersects the blade 57 of the water turbine 50. The ejection passage 70 is configured so as to have a passage cross-sectional area that can squeeze the fluid flowing through the introduction chamber 35 to increase the fluid flow velocity and spray the fluid to the blades 57 of the water turbine 50. The fluid sprayed from the introduction chamber 35 through the ejection passage 70 hits the circumferential side surface of the blade 57 of the water wheel 50.

FIG. 3 (a) is a view showing the ejection passage 70, and is also a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. The ejection passage 70 is formed by being surrounded by a slit 39c formed in the peripheral wall portion 39a of the partition member 39 and a cross-sectional area adjusting portion 84 of the pressure receiving displacement body 80 described later. The slit 39c is recessed on one side (upper side) of the rotating shaft 51 of the water wheel 50 and opens on the other side (lower side).

Returning to FIG. 1, the pressure receiving displacement body 80 includes a lower slide member 81, an upper slide member 83, and a diaphragm 85. The lower slide member 81 includes a cylindrical inner sliding portion 81a and a cylindrical outer peripheral portion 81b, and is formed in a stepped cylindrical shape by the inner sliding portion 81a and the outer peripheral portion 81b. The inner sliding portion 81a is provided with a guide portion 21c of the upper body 21 so that it can slide up and down.

The upper slide member 83 includes a cylindrical base portion 83a and a plurality of cross-sectional area adjustment portions 84 provided so as to protrude upward from the base portion 83a. The upper slide member 83 is fixed to the lower slide member 81 by, for example, screwing a female screw portion provided in the base portion 83a into a male screw portion provided in the inner sliding portion 81a.

The cross-sectional area adjusting section 84 is provided in a number corresponding to the number of the ejection passages 70 (three in the drawing). As shown in FIG. 3A, the upper portion of the cross-sectional area adjusting portion 84 is inserted into the slit 39 c of the partition member 39 through the through hole 21 f formed in the upper body 21. The cross-sectional area adjusting portion 84 is disposed so as to block at least a part of the slit 39c, and is provided to be slidable up and down in the slit 39c.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the diaphragm 85 is made of an elastic body such as rubber having flexibility. The diaphragm 85 includes a thick inner thick portion 85a on the inner peripheral side, a thick outer thick portion 85b on the outer peripheral side, and a thin main body portion 85c constructed therebetween. The inner thick portion 85a is sandwiched and held between the step surface of the lower slide member 81 and the lower surface of the base portion 83a. The outer thick portion 85b is disposed in the fitting portion 21g as an annular groove provided on the lower surface of the upper body 21. The outer thick portion 85b is sandwiched and held between the inner wall surface of the fitting portion 21g and the pressing portion 23b as an annular protrusion provided on the lower body 23.

The pressure receiving displacement body 80 is provided with a pressure receiving surface 87 exposed in the sub chamber 27a at a part of the inner thick portion 85a. The pressure receiving displacement body 80 is displaced by receiving the pressure of the fluid in the sub chamber 27 a by the pressure receiving surface 87. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the inner sliding portion 81 a of the lower slide member 81 slides up and down using the guide portion 21 c as a guide, and the pressure receiving displacement body 80 extends along the axial direction of the rotating shaft 51 of the water turbine 50. To displace.

Returning to FIG. 1, a first stopper surface 43 facing the upper surface of the base 83 a of the upper slide member 83 is provided in the lower storage portion 27 of the housing 20. The lower storage portion 27 is provided with a second stopper surface 44 that faces the lower surface of the outer peripheral portion 81 b of the lower slide member 81.

The biasing member 100 is disposed between the pressure receiving displacement body 80 and the lower body 23 in the outlet chamber 27b. The biasing member 100 is an elastic body such as a compression spring. The pressure receiving displacement body 80 is restricted from being displaced toward one side (upper side) in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 51 at an initial position where the pressure receiving displacement body 80 is engaged with the first stopper surface 43. The urging member 100 urges the pressure receiving displacement body 80 toward the initial position. The pressure receiving displacement body 80 mainly receives the pressure of the fluid in the sub chamber 27 a by the pressure receiving surface 87 and is displaced downward against the urging force by the urging member 100. As shown in FIG. 4, the pressure receiving displacement body 80 is restricted from being displaced in the other axial direction (downward) of the rotary shaft 51 at a stop position where it is engaged with the second stopper surface 44.

Here, as shown in FIG. 3A, the ejection passage 70 opens the ejection passage 70 when the pressure receiving displacement body 80 is in the initial position. At this time, the ejection passage 70 has a passage cross-sectional area S1 having a predetermined size. In the present embodiment, the passage cross-sectional area S1 is adjusted so that the water turbine 50 can be rotated by the fluid sprayed from the ejection passage 70 when a fluid having a relatively small predetermined flow rate flows through the fluid passage 33. In addition, since the magnet 62 is attracted | sucked and hold | maintained at the stator coil 65 by magnetic force at the time of a stop, the magnitude | size of channel | path cross-sectional area S1 is adjusted so that it can rotate against the holding force. Further, the passage cross-sectional area here refers to a cross-sectional area of the ejection passage 70 in a section orthogonal to the central axis L1 of the ejection passage 70.

When the pressure receiving displacement body 80 is displaced from the initial position, the cross-sectional area adjusting portion 84 is displaced to the other (lower side) of the rotating shaft of the water wheel 50 in the slit 39c of the partition member 39 as shown in FIG. . When the cross-sectional area adjusting portion 84 is displaced, the side surface (upper surface) in the displacement direction of the cross-sectional area adjusting portion 84, that is, a part of the surface constituting the ejection passage 70 is displaced, and the passage cross-sectional area of the ejection passage 70 is increased. To change. When the pressure receiving displacement body 80 is displaced to the stop position, the ejection passage 70 has the largest passage cross-sectional area within the displaceable range of the pressure receiving displacement body 80.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the hydroelectric generator 10. The hydroelectric power generation device 10 includes a measurement unit 110 and a transmission unit 120 in addition to the water wheel 50 and the generator 60.

The measuring unit 110 measures a physical quantity related to the fluid flowing through the fluid flow path 33. The measurement unit 110 can be realized in hardware by a CPU, a memory, a circuit, an element, or the like of a computer. Measurement unit 110 includes a sensor 111 and a flow rate detection unit 113.

The sensor 111 is a temperature sensor (not shown) installed in the lower body 23 in the present embodiment, and measures the temperature of the fluid flowing through the fluid flow path 33. In addition, the sensor 111 may be a known sensor such as a pressure sensor that measures the pressure of the fluid flowing through the fluid flow path 33.

The flow rate detection unit 113 detects the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the fluid flow path 33 based on the rotation speed of the water wheel 50. The fluid flow rate depends on the rotational speed of the water turbine 50. Therefore, the flow rate of the fluid can be detected if the rotation speed of the water turbine 50 is obtained after obtaining these relationships in advance. This relationship may be obtained by experiment, analysis, or the like. The rotation speed of the water turbine 50 is proportional to the frequency of the alternating current output from the generator 60. The flow rate detection unit 113 according to the present embodiment obtains the rotational speed of the water turbine 50 based on the frequency of the alternating current output from the generator 60. The frequency of the alternating current is calculated, for example, by shaping the waveform of the alternating current into a rectangular wave and counting the number of the rectangular waves.

The measurement unit 110 outputs measurement information obtained by measurement to the transmission unit 120. This measurement information includes temperature information indicating the temperature of the fluid measured by the temperature sensor, information indicating the rotation speed of the water turbine 50 obtained by the flow rate detection unit 113, that is, flow rate information indicating the flow rate of the fluid.

The transmission unit 120 is configured by a transmitter that wirelessly transmits electronic information to an external electronic device (not shown). This electronic information includes measurement information measured by the measurement unit 110. Note that the transmission unit 120 may transmit by wire.

The measurement unit 110 and the transmission unit 120 operate with the power generated by the generator 60. The measurement unit 110 operates with the electric power, measures a physical quantity related to the fluid, and outputs measurement information to the transmission unit 120. The transmission unit 120 operates with the power and transmits electronic information including measurement information output from the transmission unit 120. Here, the electric power generated by the generator 60 is extracted from the stator coil 65 as an alternating current through a conductor. In this embodiment, the measurement unit 110 and the transmission unit 120 operate with a direct current obtained by full-wave rectification of the alternating current. The electric power generated by the generator 60 may be stored in a secondary battery, and the operation may be performed using the electric power stored in the secondary battery.

The operation of the hydroelectric generator 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a fluid such as water flows from the inflow path 29, passes through the fluid flow path 33, and flows out from the outflow path 31. In the fluid flow path 33, when a fluid flows into the introduction chamber 35 from the inflow path 29, it also flows into the sub chamber 27a from the introduction chamber 35 through the water passage hole 21e. When the fluid is stored in the introduction chamber 35, the fluid is blown to the blades 57 of the water wheel 50 through the ejection passage 70. The water wheel 50 rotates integrally with the rotating shaft 51 in a certain direction by the momentum of the fluid hitting the blades 57. The fluid hitting the blades 57 of the water wheel 50 is guided to the outlet chamber 27b through the through hole 59a of the rotating plate 59 of the water wheel 50 and the through hole 21d of the guide portion 21c of the upper body 21, and flows out from the outlet chamber 27b to the outflow path 31. To leak.

Here, as shown in FIG. 4, when the pressure of the fluid in the introduction chamber 35, the sub chamber 27 a, and the ejection passage 70 increases, the pressure receiving displacement body 80 is displaced, and the passage sectional area of the ejection passage 70 increases. The pressure of these fluids is mainly received by the pressure receiving surface 87 of the pressure receiving displacement body 80 and the side surface (upper surface) in the displacement direction of the cross-sectional area adjusting portion 84. On the other hand, when the pressure receiving displacement body 80 is displaced and the pressure of the fluid in the introduction chamber 35 and the sub chamber 27a is reduced, the pressure receiving displacement body 80 is displaced and the cross-sectional area of the ejection passage 70 is reduced. Thus, the pressure receiving displacement body 80 receives the pressure of the fluid flowing through the fluid flow path 33 and is displaced automatically and without a power source. When the pressure receiving displacement body 80 is in a displaceable range between the initial position and the stop position, the pressure received by the pressure receiving displacement body 80 from the fluid in the introduction chamber 35, the sub chamber 27 a, and the ejection passage 70 and the biasing member 100. Stop at a position where the biasing force is balanced.

According to the hydraulic power generation apparatus 10 described above, the passage cross-sectional area of the ejection passage 70 can be changed according to the pressure of the fluid flowing through the fluid flow path 33, and the passage cross-sectional area of an appropriate size according to the pressure can be obtained.

That is, when the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the fluid flow path 33 is small, the passage cross-sectional area of the ejection passage 70 is kept small, and the fluid is squeezed by the ejection passage 70 to increase the flow velocity and then sprayed onto the blades 57 of the water turbine 50. The water wheel 50 is rotated. Therefore, the power generation by the generator 60 can be started by rotating the water turbine 50 even at a small flow rate.

Further, when the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the fluid flow path 33 is large, the passage sectional area of the ejection passage 70 is increased, the flow velocity of the fluid sprayed from the ejection passage 70 is suppressed, and the high-speed rotation of the water turbine 50 at a large flow rate can be suppressed. . When the high-speed rotation of the water turbine 50 can be suppressed, wear associated with the rotation of the rotary shaft 51 of the water turbine 50 can be suppressed, and the durability of the housing 20 can be improved. Further, even when the flow rate of the fluid is large, the passage cross-sectional area of the ejection passage 70 can be increased, so that resistance to the fluid in the ejection passage 70 is suppressed, and pressure loss due to the ejection passage 70 at a large flow rate is suppressed.

It should be noted that if the pressure loss in the fluid flow path at a large flow rate is large, the fluid is passed through the fluid flow path, so that it is necessary to increase the fluid pressure on the upstream side. However, if the fluid pressure is excessively increased, the load on the housing increases, leading to a decrease in durability. Therefore, a constant flow valve is usually installed on the upstream side of the fluid flow path so that a large flow rate of fluid does not flow through the fluid flow path. On the other hand, according to the hydroelectric generator 10 according to the present embodiment, the pressure loss due to the ejection passage 70 at a large flow rate is suppressed, so that the range of usable flow rate is widened, and the constant flow rate upstream of the fluid flow path 33 is increased. No valve is required.

Further, conventionally, in order to prevent high-speed rotation of a water turbine at a large flow rate while starting power generation at a small flow rate, a bypass flow path that bypasses the water turbine is provided as described in JP-A-2005-299634. Hydroelectric generators have been proposed. In this hydroelectric power generation device, all fluids are caused to flow through the water turbine when the flow rate is small, and a part of the fluid is allowed to flow through the bypass flow path when the flow rate is large. On the other hand, according to the hydraulic power generation apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, since it is not necessary to provide a bypass flow path, a part of the fluid flowing through the fluid flow path 33 can be used for rotation of the water turbine 50 without being wasted. 60 can generate electric power effectively.

Further, according to the hydroelectric generator 10 according to the present embodiment, the pressure receiving displacement body 80 receives the pressure of the fluid flowing through the fluid flow path 33 and is displaced without a power source. Therefore, it is suitable for use in an environment where it is difficult to secure an external power source and only small energy can be used, such as a small-scale facility such as a house.

Further, since the pressure receiving displacement body 80 is displaced along the axial direction of the rotating shaft 51 of the water turbine 50, the direction of fluid flow in the ejection passage 70 is determined by the operation of the pressure receiving displacement body 80 in the cross section orthogonal to the rotating shaft 51. The pressure loss in the ejection passage 70 can be suppressed without change. Further, since the direction of the fluid sprayed from the ejection passage 70 is not changed by the operation of the pressure receiving displacement body 80, the water turbine 50 can be rotated stably regardless of the operation of the pressure receiving displacement body 80.

Further, since the biasing member 100 for biasing the pressure receiving displacement body 80 is provided, if the elastic force of the compression spring, that is, the biasing force of the biasing member 100 is appropriately selected, the pressure receiving displacement body 80 with respect to the fluid pressure is selected. Response characteristics can be adjusted freely. Therefore, as will be described later, for example, it is possible to manufacture the hydroelectric power generator 10 specialized in the flow rate characteristic so that the flow rate of the fluid at a large flow rate can be accurately measured.

Also, the pressure receiving displacement body 80 opens the ejection passage 70 when in the initial position. Therefore, even when a small flow rate of fluid flows, the fluid is sprayed from the ejection passage 70 without the displacement of the pressure receiving displacement body 80, and energy loss due to the displacement of the pressure receiving displacement body 80 is suppressed. This energy loss occurs when the pressure receiving displacement body 80 is displaced against a resistance force such as a frictional force or an urging force. Further, the pressure receiving displacement body 80 at the initial position can be displaced by receiving the pressure of the fluid at a part of the surface constituting the ejection passage 70 (cross-sectional area adjusting portion 84). Further, by adjusting the passage cross-sectional area S1 to a predetermined size, power generation can be started by the generator 60 when a fluid having a flow rate suitable for the purpose flows.

In addition, since the generator 60 and the flow rate detection unit 113 are provided, the flow rate of the fluid can be measured while generating power using the rotation of the water turbine 50. In particular, as will be described later, since the bypass channel is not used, the flow rate of the fluid can be accurately obtained even at a large flow rate. Further, since the flow rate detector 113 operates with the electric power generated by the generator 60, the flow rate of the fluid can be measured without using an external power source.

Further, since the transmission unit 120 is operated by the power generated by the generator 60, the power necessary for transmission of electronic information by the transmission unit 120 can be used without using an external power source, and the installation location of the hydroelectric power generation apparatus 10 is limited. It becomes difficult to be done.

In addition, the measurement unit 110 measures the physical quantity related to the fluid, and the transmission unit 120 transmits the measurement information. Therefore, if the measurement information is transmitted to an electronic device outside the hydroelectric generator 10, the measurement information is used for energy management. it can. Moreover, since the measurement part 110 operate | moves with the electric power generated by the generator 60, a sensor etc. can be added without using an external power supply.

FIG. 6A shows an example of the relationship between the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the fluid flow path 33 and the rotational speed of the water turbine 50. In the example of illustration, the relationship of the rotation speed with respect to the flow volume in the hydroelectric generator 10 which concerns on this embodiment is shown as a continuous line. Further, as a reference example, a relationship in a hydroelectric generator provided with a bypass flow path is indicated by a one-dot chain line. In a hydroelectric generator provided with a bypass channel, a valve is opened at a flow rate Q1 to allow a part of fluid to flow through the bypass channel.

In the illustrated example, the pressure receiving displacement body 80 is displaced from the initial position at the flow rate Q1, and the pressure receiving displacement body 80 stops at the stop position at the flow rate Q2. That is, the range from the flow rate Q1 to the flow rate Q2 is the displaceable range of the pressure receiving displacement body 80. The biasing member 100 is designed with a spring characteristic such as a spring constant so that the displacement amount thereof becomes relatively moderate with respect to an increase in the pressure of the fluid in the introduction chamber 35 and the sub chamber 27a. At this time, in the range from the flow rate Q1 to the flow rate Q2, a substantially linearity is established between the flow rate of the fluid and the rotation speed of the water turbine 50. Therefore, if the range from the flow rate Q1 to the flow rate Q2 is the flow rate measurement range, the flow rate of the fluid can be obtained with high accuracy even at a large flow rate from the rotational speed of the water turbine 50.

In the hydraulic power generation apparatus provided with the bypass flow path, when the flow rate is in the range of Q1 or more, a part of the total fluid flows in the bypass flow path, so that the linearity between the flow rate of the fluid and the rotation speed of the water turbine 50 is deteriorated. . Therefore, it becomes difficult to accurately obtain the flow rate of the fluid at a large flow rate from the rotation speed of the water turbine 50. On the other hand, according to the hydraulic power generation apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the flow rate of the fluid at a large flow rate can be accurately obtained from the rotational speed of the water turbine 50 by designing the member characteristics such as the spring characteristics of the biasing member 100.

FIG. 6B shows another example of the relationship between the fluid flow rate measured by the flow rate detection unit 113 and the rotational speed of the water turbine 50. In the illustrated example, the range from the flow rate Q3 to the flow rate Q4 is the displaceable range of the pressure receiving displacement body 80. The biasing member 100 is designed to have a spring characteristic so that when the pressure receiving displacement body 80 starts to be displaced from the initial position at the flow rate Q3, the biasing member 100 is displaced to the stop position at an early stage. At this time, linearity is established between the flow rate of the fluid and the rotational speed of the water turbine 50 in the range of the flow rate Q4 or more. Therefore, if the range of the flow rate Q4 or more is set as the flow rate measurement range, the fluid flow rate can be accurately obtained from the rotational speed of the water turbine 50. In the illustrated example, it is assumed that a limited range of a small flow rate, ie, a flow rate Q4 or more and a flow rate Q5 or less, is used as the flow rate measurement range.

As described above, the displaceable range of the pressure-receiving displacement body 80 may be the flow rate measurement range, or a range other than the displaceable range may be the flow rate measurement range.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 7A shows an enlarged view of the hydroelectric generator 10 according to the second embodiment. In this embodiment, compared with 1st Embodiment, the structures of the housing 20, the ejection channel | path 70, the pressure receiving displacement body 80, and the biasing member 100 differ mainly. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals are given to the same elements as those described in the first embodiment, and a duplicate description is omitted.

The partition wall 45 is fixed in the introduction chamber 35 of the housing 20. The partition walls 45 are provided in a number corresponding to the number of the ejection passages 70. The partition body 45 has an internal space 45a formed therein. The internal space 45a extends along one direction P1 perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotating shaft 51 of the water turbine 50. The internal space 45 a communicates with the external space of the housing 20 through the partition wall 45 and the vent hole 45 b formed in the housing 20.

The ejection passage 70 is formed by being surrounded by a slit 39 c formed in the peripheral wall 39 a of the partition member 39. The ejection passage 70 is formed so as to taper as it goes from the introduction chamber 35 toward the water turbine chamber 37, that is, as it approaches the water turbine 50 side.

The pressure receiving displacement body 80 is disposed in the introduction chamber 35. The pressure receiving displacement body 80 includes a cross-sectional area adjustment unit 84 and a film body 91. The cross-sectional area adjusting portion 84 is formed so as to taper toward the tip. The cross-sectional area adjusting portion 84 is inserted into the ejection passage 70 from the upstream side. The cross-sectional area adjusting portion 84 functions as a valve body for the ejection passage 70 as a valve hole. As shown in FIG. 7B, the cross-sectional area adjustment unit 84 opens and closes the ejection passage 70 in the direction P <b> 1 away from or close to the ejection passage 70, and adjusts the opening degree of the ejection passage 70. The cross-sectional area adjusting portion 84 is connected to the film body 91 by a rod 92 provided on the base end side thereof.

The film body 91 is disposed so as to partition the internal space 45 a of the partition wall body 45 from the introduction chamber 35. One side of the film body 91 in the thickness direction becomes a pressure receiving surface 87 exposed in the introduction chamber 35. The pressure receiving displacement body 80 is displaced by receiving the pressure of the fluid in the introduction chamber 35 by the pressure receiving surface 87. At this time, the film body 91 slides in the direction P1 using the inner surface of the partition wall body 45 as a guide, and the pressure receiving displacement body 80 is displaced along the direction P1.

The urging member 100 is disposed in the internal space 45 a of the partition wall body 45. The partition body 45 is provided with a first stopper surface 43 facing a part of the pressure receiving surface 87 of the film body 91. The pressure receiving displacement body 80 is restricted from being displaced in the direction approaching the ejection passage 70 at an initial position where a part of the pressure receiving surface 87 of the film body 91 is engaged with the first stopper surface 43. The urging member 100 urges the pressure receiving displacement body 80 toward the initial position.

FIG. 8A is a view showing the ejection passage 70. The ejection passage 70 has a passage cross-sectional area S1 having a predetermined size when the pressure receiving displacement body 80 is in the initial position. The passage cross-sectional area S1 has a size obtained by subtracting the cross-sectional area of the cross-sectional area adjusting portion 84 from the cross-sectional area of the slit 39c in the cross section orthogonal to the central axis L1 of the ejection passage 70. When the pressure receiving displacement body 80 is displaced from the initial position, as shown in FIG. 8B, the cross-sectional area adjusting portion 84 is separated from the ejection passage 70 and the opening degree of the ejection passage 70 is increased, and the passage of the ejection passage 70 is interrupted. Increases area.

In the hydraulic power generation apparatus 10 described above, when the pressure of the fluid in the introduction chamber 35 increases, the pressure receiving displacement body 80 is displaced, and the cross-sectional area of the ejection passage 70 is increased. At this time, the internal space 45a in the partition wall 45 communicates with the external space through the vent hole 45b, so that the air in the internal space 45a does not increase in pressure due to the displacement of the film body 91, and the pressure receiving displacement body 80 is displaced. Does not become resistance.

As described above, the pressure receiving displacement body 80 may change the passage cross-sectional area of the ejection passage 70 by displacing a part of the surface constituting the ejection passage 70 as in the first embodiment. As in the embodiment, the passage sectional area of the ejection passage 70 may be changed by adjusting the opening degree of the ejection passage 70.

[Third Embodiment]
Fig.9 (a) shows the enlarged view of the hydroelectric generator 10 of 3rd Embodiment. In this embodiment, compared with 1st Embodiment, the structures of the housing 20, the ejection channel | path 70, the pressure receiving displacement body 80, and the biasing member 100 differ mainly.

The guide body 47 is fixed in the introduction chamber 35 of the housing 20. The guide body 47 is provided in a number corresponding to the number of the ejection passages 70. The guide body 47 is formed with an inner space 47 a surrounded by the inner side surface thereof and the peripheral wall portion 39 a of the partition member 39. The inner space 47a extends along the circumferential direction P2 of the water turbine 50. The inner space 47 a communicates with the water turbine chamber 37 through a vent hole 45 b formed in the peripheral wall portion 39 a of the partition member 39.

The ejection passage 70 is formed by being surrounded by a slit 39 c formed in the peripheral wall portion 39 a of the partition member 39 and a cross-sectional area adjusting portion 84 of the pressure receiving displacement body 80.

The pressure receiving displacement body 80 is disposed in the introduction chamber 35. The pressure receiving displacement body 80 includes a slide portion 93 and a cross-sectional area adjustment portion 84. The slide portion 93 is formed along the circumferential direction P <b> 2 of the water wheel 50 and is disposed in the inner space 47 a of the guide body 47. The slide portion 93 is provided to be slidable in the circumferential direction with respect to the guide body 47. As shown in FIG. 9B, the cross-sectional area adjusting portion 84 is displaced along the circumferential direction P2 in the slit 39c of the partition member 39 when the slide portion 93 slides in the circumferential direction P2. The cross-sectional area adjusting portion 84 is a pressure receiving surface 87 whose circumferential end face is exposed in the introduction chamber 35 and the ejection passage 70.

The biasing member 100 is disposed in the inner space 47 a of the guide body 47. The guide body 47 is provided with a first stopper surface 43 that faces a part of the circumferential end surface of the cross-sectional area adjusting portion 84. The pressure receiving displacement body 80 is restricted from being displaced in one of the circumferential directions (left side in the figure) at an initial position where a part of the circumferential end surface of the cross-sectional area adjusting portion 84 is engaged with the first stopper surface 43. . The urging member 100 urges the pressure receiving displacement body 80 toward the initial position.

FIG. 10A is a view showing the ejection passage 70. The ejection passage 70 has a passage cross-sectional area S1 having a predetermined size when the pressure receiving displacement body 80 is in the initial position. The passage cross-sectional area S1 is a cross-sectional area of a cross section surrounded by the inner wall surface 39d of the slit 39c and the end face 84a in the displacement direction (circumferential direction P2) of the cross-sectional area adjusting portion 84. When the pressure receiving displacement body 80 is displaced from the initial position, as shown in FIG. 10B, the cross-sectional area adjusting portion 84 is displaced in the slit 39c along the circumferential direction P2, and the cross-sectional area of the ejection passage 70 is increased. .

Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, the embodiments only show the principle and application of the present invention. In the embodiment, many modifications and arrangements can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention defined in the claims.

The generator 60 is not limited to the illustrated example as long as the rotor unit 61 rotates with respect to the stator unit 63 by the rotation of the water turbine 50 to generate electric power, and a known generator may be used.

The example in which the ejection passage 70 is provided by closing at least a part of the slit 39c with the cross-sectional area adjusting portion 84 of the pressure receiving displacement body 80 has been described. It may be provided by being blocked by the area adjustment unit 84. Although the ejection passage 70 has been described as being partially blocked by the cross-sectional area adjusting portion 84 of the pressure receiving displacement body 80 when the pressure receiving displacement body 80 is in the initial position, all of the ejection passage 70 may be blocked.

The pressure receiving displacement body 80 has been described as an example in which the passage cross-sectional area of the ejection passage 70 is increased when the pressure of the fluid flowing through the fluid flow path 33 increases. It may be changed as follows. Further, the pressure receiving displacement body 80 has changed the passage cross-sectional area of all the ejection passages 70 among the plurality of ejection passages 70, but may change only the passage sectional area of some of the ejection passages 70. .

The flow rate detector 113 obtains the rotational speed of the water turbine 50 based on the output of the generator 60 and detects the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the fluid flow path 33 based on the rotational speed, but the method is not limited to the embodiment. A known method may be used. The flow rate detector 113 may detect the flow rate of the fluid by a known method without using the output of the generator 60. In this case, for example, another magnet is provided on the rotating shaft 51, the blade 57, and the like of the water turbine 50, and the flow rate detection unit 113 is configured by a magnetic sensor such as a pickup coil that detects the magnet. The flow rate detector 113 outputs a pulse signal every time the magnet passes through the detection range of the magnetic sensor, and counts the number of pulses to obtain the rotational speed of the water turbine 50.

10 hydroelectric generator, 20 housing, 33 fluid flow path, 35 introduction chamber, 37 turbine wheel chamber, 39 partition member, 39a peripheral wall portion, 39b annular portion, 39c slit, 50 water wheel, 51 rotating shaft, 57 blades, 60 generator, 61 rotor part, 62 magnet, 63 stator part, 65 stator coil, 70 ejection passage, 80 pressure receiving displacement body, 84 cross-sectional area adjustment part, 87 pressure receiving surface, 100 biasing member, 110 measuring part, 111 sensor, 113 flow rate detecting part 120 Transmitter.

The present invention can be applied to the field related to hydroelectric power generation devices.

Claims

A water wheel disposed in the fluid flow path;
A generator for generating electricity by rotation of the water wheel;
An ejection passage that squeezes the fluid flowing through the fluid flow path and blows it onto the blades of the water wheel;
A hydrostatic power generator, comprising: a pressure receiving displacement body that is displaced by receiving a pressure of a fluid flowing through the fluid flow path and changes a cross-sectional area of the ejection passage.
The hydroelectric generator according to claim 1, wherein the pressure-receiving displacement body is displaced along an axial direction of a rotation shaft of the water wheel.
A biasing member that biases the pressure-receiving displacement body;
The hydroelectric generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pressure receiving displacement body is displaced against an urging force by the urging member.
The hydroelectric generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pressure-receiving displacement body opens the ejection passage when in an initial position.
The hydroelectric generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a flow rate detection unit that detects a flow rate of the fluid flowing through the fluid flow path based on the number of rotations of the water turbine.
The hydroelectric power generator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a transmission unit that transmits electronic information using electric power generated by the generator.
A measuring unit for measuring a physical quantity related to the fluid flowing through the fluid flow path;
The hydropower generator according to claim 6, wherein the transmission unit transmits measurement information measured by the measurement unit.